Sunday, September 28, 2008

Weight Watchers Week 26: 185.8 lbs And Feeling Like A Runner

It doesn't matter that I posted a +0.4 lb gain this week at my meeting (thank you, Domino's) because I shaved almost 2 minutes off my best 5K race time yesterday. 5Ks used to seem so daunting to me, nearly insurmountable. But I remember thinking at the first mile marker yesterday, "Wow, a mile down already? That went fast." And I thought the same thing at the second mile marker, too. And the really amazing realization? It never occurred to me during the race that I felt like I needed to walk. Ever. In fact, two other thoughts kept invading my brain space, instead: 1.) "I really need to keep pushing my pace because the faster I go, the faster I finish." And 2.) "I really wish this girl would stop sprinting ahead of me whenever I catch up to her." (She kept sprinting ahead, and then stopped to walk awhile, and then she sprint ahead again whenever I finally caught up to her. Obnoxious.)

So I kept pushing myself. Next thing I know, I'm rounding the corner and I see the finish line just a block away. And now for the SUPER obnoxious part. Two or three serious-runner-looking types who were off in the grass watching the race suddenly join the girl who had been walking/sprinting ahead of me to encourage her to kick it in high gear to finish. Well, apparently she crashed and burned because I'm the one who found my second wind and sprinted to the end, kicking her butt - it felt AMAZING!!

The next race on the circuit: a 10-miler at the end on October, twice as long as any race I've ever attempted. Looks like I've got some work to do.


9 comments:

Liz said...

Congrats on your run! I know that feeling, but it's been a long time since I've had it. Carrying this extra weight has hindered my own running ambitions. I'm a former marathoner/half-marthoner and haven't trained in 4 years. You give me inspiration to pick it up again. I might have to drop another 20 lbs before I do that though. My back can't take this heavy body! Keep running girl!

Breadless MrsB said...

LIZ! I had no idea you were a runner. And a marathoner, no less!! IMPRESSIVE! I hope to one day work up to that, but I definitely need to get some more weight off. I hear ya about back pain - I feel it if I run beyond my limit. But I'll be checking in on you in a few weeks to see if you're starting back up... :)

Liz said...

I'm doing the Race for the Cure here in Denver on Sunday. It's my normal meeting day, but I figure that skipping a meeting for this reason is a good one! I am not running the 5K race this year, as I've not trained for it. However, I hope that as the weight comes off, I'll feel more comfortable giving running a shot again. I really hurt my back the last time I was training for a marathon in 2004 and the injury set me back too far to get back into it. It was heartbreaking.

The Teavana Perfect Tea Maker IS dishwasher safe! You should check out their teas. Their chocolate teas really help my chocolate cravings. I swear by it!

a.m. Angela said...

Congrats on your running time!!! Hard work pays off!!!

Breadless MrsB said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your back!! I can so relate, I had major back surgery when I was 21. I think only those of us with back problems can truly understand how life-altering a bad back can be, because only we can understand just how involved the back is in every single little movement!!

But I'm thrilled about your race this weekend. Be sure to write about how you did, and more importantly, how you felt about the day!! I love that event, it just feels like you're part of something so much bigger than yourself. Kudos!

Breadless MrsB said...

Thanks, Angela! :)

Liz said...

Just checking to see how you're doing these days...I miss seeing a regular update post from you. I still track your blog and hope that you're doing great. Your readers miss you!

Anonymous said...

i am 16 and im 190…i wanna lose weight so bad….and im black so my mom thinks my curves look good so she doesn’t want me to lose it. at least advise on how to tighten my body cuz i like my big butt. i am going to take weight loss pills, i think it works good....

Extenze said...

I'm the one who found my second wind and sprinted to the end.