I honestly had no idea how much 20lbs being burned off of this body would have had in my running, walking, swimming, and honestly everything else. I am happier. I am healthier. My tastes have changed due to the change in my diet, and I feel... I don't know how to qualify this feeling actually, but it is good. I guess it is simply feeling alive.
20lbs seems like a lot. I mean it really does. But when you still have a good 20+ more to go, it doesn't feel like a lot. Only when I put on clothes or lace up my shoes do I truly sense a difference. I have muscle under the flab that is starting to show through, and every now and again I will see definition in my shoulders and triceps which give me hope.
On the exercise front, I definitely feel myself getting quicker in each mile and I notice that I can go longer stronger. All very very good things. Take today for instance. I manged to bust out 6 miles (out and back route) at Kennsington solo - not too bad!
1 - 10:58 (flat)
2 - 12:13 (sorta hilly not bad)
3 - 14:09 (holy cow hilly - turned around at about 2.7 mile mark)
4 - 13:36 (holy cow hilly continue, only backwards!)
5 - 12:50 (slightly slower than mile 2 on same stretch - tired from hills)
6 - 10:49 (flat - negative split to mile 1 on same stretch!)
Total: 1:14:37.
This time I ran way too fast in some straight aways and it wore me out on the hills, so I had to walk some of the up hills for recovery. I need to work on this for sure, but I have time to get tempo and pacing down.
All in all I may reevaluate my time goals for my half marathon - the pace I am supposed to run the easy, long slow distance runs at is a 12:42 minute mile. I no longer can maintain that slow of a pace. I am proud to say that. I was basing my desired half marathon finishing time based on my best times while in peak condition three years ago. I am in better condition now, and honestly I know that I can do better. My goal was to beat 2:41, which is my HM personal best. I may just keep that goal and take any delta in finshing time as a show of fitness improvement.
This may be a PR year for me!
So we will see if there is a shoe to fall... I am working hard enough and the results that I am seeing make me want to push to the next level and go for real achievement. I no longer say that I am only a 12 minute miler. I know that that is not the case any more. I know that I am getting faster and stronger, so now I guess I need to foster that and really enjoy all my runs - speedy and slow alike.
:o)
Have a great Sunday all!
})i({ Runnergirl
7 comments:
Rock. Star. Fo. Shur!
If you want to meet up with a fellow chick with 20lbs to go as well, let me know. I can drive out that way sometime as the BF's family lives out that way anyhoo.
Maybe some of your super-hero-metabolism will influence mine to kick into gear :-)
Awesome- you have got to feel great.
Wow! That's an awesome accomplishment.
Great progress! :)
I reckon you'll smash that 2:40!
Keep up the good work
Mike
Man, you'll be able to do a 40k ITT in 58 min.
"any delta in finishing time", oh good grief... the word 'changes' works as well... :)
I think it will for really-reals be a PR year for you!
Great Job on losing 20lbs. It really is amazing how much additional weight holds you down when doing activities.
keep up the great work!!!!
Awesome work attacking those hills.
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