Glad to be home!

Yesterday I managed about 2.5 miles before I got sick to my stomach...again.  I know it was because I ate too much rich food and too much of it!  Today, I finally managed a decent run.  It was a little over 4 miles and I felt pretty good at the end.  A true testament of  "you are what you eat!"  I'm back to work and my regular eating, sleeping, running, schedule so I know things will look up from here. Glad to be home from Sin City.

Back from training

I had the had to attend some training in Las Vegas the last few days.  The only  running I got in was on a treadmill in the hotel fitness center.  (I didn't dare run outside.)  First day was 3.5 miles in under 30 minutes.  Yesterday I didn't feel real great (too much rich food I'm sure) and only managed 2 miles before I hung it up.  Didn't run today because I was still sick to my stomach.  I'm home now, so I hope I will feel better tomorrow.  Wish me luck!

Rough Day

I worked all night thursday night and part of the day friday.  No time after family stuff to run on friday, plus...I was going on zero sleep!!!  so I didn't get a run in yesterday.  Worked all night last night and was really ready for bed this morning.  Slept until noon thirty today and felt like crap when I woke up. 

Finally about three, I made myself get dressed for a run.  It had snowed a bunch last night but had mostly cleared off the streets.  My usual route was too muddy on the dirt road portions, so I modified it to stay on paved roads.  I was sure glad I made myself get out!  I had a good run, about 4 miles.  Felt good after the first mile and enjoyed the rest of the run.  Sunny and cool but not too bad.  My hands and ears got cold.  Shoulda planned a little better but glad I went even when I didn't feel like it.

Weight Loss Thoughts

I thought I would share my weight loss experience here so others who may read this can see it can happen.
In 2008 I was working as a Detective for our local Police Department.  I was actually supervising three other Detectives and a Crime Scene Tech.  I had been working a "desk job" since about 1997.  My weight had ballooned to 250lbs and I was having trouble sleeping, suffered from chronic heartburn and couldn't walk more than a few blocks without huffing and puffing.  I am only 5'9" so I was severely "short for my weight."  I was a wrestler in High School and had always prided myself for keeping myself physically fit.  I was very embarrassed by my appearance.

During this time, I had one of my friends from my High School who died at an early age.  We also had to pass a physical test for work.  This was a one and a half mile run, push-ups, sit-ups and a vertical jump.  I passed, but it nearly killed me.

In March, 2008, one of our secretaries suggested we do an office "Biggest Loser" program, modeled after the successful television program.  Several of us pitched in a few bucks into a pot as an incentive.  We agreed that this would go for 6 weeks and the winner would get the money.

When I started, I couldn't walk without pain and shortness of breath.  But I was determined this time.  I had made many attempts but they were all failures.  I started by walking every morning for at least 30 minutes.  I also changed my eating habits, giving up fast food every day and trying  to replace candy bars with fruit and vegetables.  I also gave up soda pop (up to six 20 ounce bottles of Mountain Dew daily.!)  Portion control was the key for me.  I always ate way more than I needed and I loved deep fried food.

After the first few weeks, I had already seen a difference and started losing weight. I was also able to begin running.  I set a goal to run in a 5K in June at the Utah Summer Games.  I did that, although it took me 35 minutes.  I was proud of myself though, because prior to this, I hated running.

At the end of the six weeks, I was the winner and had lost 25 pounds.  We decided to continue the pool for another six weeks.  At the end of that six weeks, I had lost another 25 pounds for a total of 50 pounds!  I won again!!!  I reached 195 pounds, the first time I had been under 200 in many, many years.

Since then, I have competed in and finished two half marathons, countless 10Ks and many, many 5Ks.  I feel so much better and I sleep better, no longer have heartburn and have so much more energy.  I recently went to my grandfather's funeral.  One of my cousins, whom I hadn't seen in some time, told me I looked many years younger than my 49 years.  I turn 50 in March and I intend to keep up my work out regimen.

This has been a total lifestyle change for me.  Never in my life did I think I would enjoy running.  Now it is my passion.  I am always looking forward to the next race.  I have had some set-backs.  I hurt my right ankle badly at work back in June and was unable to run for about 3 months.  I took up swimming and riding my mountain bike instead.   I gained a little weight back but I still weigh about 200 pounds and I am keeping it off!  

To you doubters...don't give up. You can do it.  Find something that works for you and do it.  And if it  doesn't work the first time, keep trying.

It's Warming Up!!!

The last two days have been so warm!  I know it's just spring teasing us.  I realize I am in the mountains and we will have snow and cold weather for at least another month...but....my tulips are breaking through along with my crocuses (spelling?)  The last two days have also been good running days.  Shorts and t-shirt weather...I think I even feel a little sun burned today.  I love living here and enjoy the beauty of my surroundings.  Running here makes me appreciate it  more.

Whatta Day!

Man what a beautiful day it was for a run today!  It was warm and sunny.  I didn't even wear a long sleeve shirt today.  I ran my 6.5 mile "Enoch Farm Loop."  Out in the Lebaron Subdivision, I saw two bald eagles perched in a cottonwood tree...What a sight!  At the end of my run, I heard geese honking and saw a huge flock of Canadian Geese flying north....a sure sign that spring is right around the corner!  I love where I live!  I would never see these things if I lived anywhere else! What a beautiful area to live and play!

Sunny Day

It was such a beautiful, warm sunny day today.  I ran from my office in Cedar City, east on the Coal Creek Trail System.  It was warm, the sun was shining and there were many people out using the trail.  It was nearly a 4 mile out and back route.  I love these Southern Utah, early spring days.  It seems like spring will tease us for a while, then it will get cold again...but I can see the warm light at the end of the tunnel..  I am so looking forward to Spring and Summer.  It has been a long cold winter and I have really noticed it more since I work out in it a lot more.

FOGGY RUN

I have been pretty good this week.  Monday I had to take my car in for service.  I ran from the maintenance shed east, up the canyon, and back to my office, about a 4.5 mile run.  It was almost spring-like today.  I even ran in shorts and a t-shirt!!  My car needed more work than I expected, so I borrowed one of the fleet vehicles and went home.  

Yesterday (Tuesday) I went back into town and ran the Coal Creek Trail.  It was cooler this day and I was glad I brought along my wind-breaker.  I didn't notice the breeze on the way out, but it was very cool on the way back.  This was a 3.2 mile out and back run.  It began snowing later in the day.  Didn't amount to much, but it was cold.

Today (Wednesday) when I got up, it was cold and foggy.  I really thought twice about going out and had almost decided to stay inside on the treadmill.  I decided to brave it anyway and  I ran my 5 mile "Enoch Farms Loop."  The frost covered trees were beautiful.  The sun started coming out just as I was finishing and made the frost sparkle.  I was so thankful I went and it really wasn't all that cold.  In fact, I took my beanie hat off before I was a mile out.

Not many miles this week.

This week sucked.  I had meetings in Saint George that I couldn't get away from.  Up early and home very late.  Hopefully Monday will be my "catch up day."  I don't have much going on this week to stop it so....wish me luck!  I am so crabby when I don't get to run.  Weird huh?

Amazing Run!

Today I decided change things up a little.  The weather is warming up a little and I am bored with my little loops around Enoch so I decided to run the Coal Creek Trail in town (Cedar City, UT).

I love this little trail because it follows the route of it's name sake, Coal Creek.  There is something so peaceful about running alongside the creek and hearing the water gurggling next to me.  Right now it's mostly ice, but it's melting and beautiful.  The trail I took begins at the Bicentennial Softball/Soccer complex in town and runs east, up into the mouth of Cedar Canyon.  You get a really good look at the red rocks of Southern Utah.

I also enjoy seeing other people who use the  trail.  Dogs are welcome and there are places along the way with "accessories" to clean up after them.  I especially enjoy seeing families taking walks along the trail.  In the Summer, it is really beautiful and there's lots of shade as you get closer to the top of the trail if you need to cool down. 

There are also benches along the way to sit and relax, visit or rest.  I think the total mileage out and back are about 6 miles but I might be over estimating.  Anyway...it was a nice, relaxing beautiful run today and I made it in under an hour!

Graveyard Shift

Working graveyard shift wrecks my workout schedule.  When I was running during the summer, it was too hot to run when I got up and family stuff got in the way during the evenings.   I found myself just taking my running stuff and sneaking in runs here and there when I could.  It worked out.  I started back on "graves" Saturday night.  Being winter, It is nice in the afternoons and so far hasn't been too bad (of course I'm only two days in.)    My run today was absolutely beautiful.  It was warm enough, I didn't have to bundle up.  I ran in shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt.  A little muddy and gooey on the dirt road portions of the road, but that will dry up soon.  Felt great although I feel a lot slower than I did before I hurt my ankle in June.  It still hurts every day when I finish, whether it's a short run or long. Ibruprofen is my friend.  I don't know what changed as far as speed but it's something I will have to work on.  Went 4.8 miles.  Saw my friend "the hawk" sitting in the same old cottonwood tree.  She must hunt successfully from there.  Makes it worth every minute of pounding my old knees and ankles take!