New Year's Resolutions

Hello Dear Reader,

Christmas at the beach with Couch Potato #2 and some pretty amazing people was just what Santa Claus ordered! Clearly, Old Saint Nick thought I was good enough this year to be rewarded with such an amazing experience (or he chose to overlook one or fifteen small things)!

As I begin to prepare for the excitement that is New Year's Eve & Day, reflecting on all that has taken place this past year never ceases to amaze me. Specifically, I've grown up a whole helluva lot both personally and professionally. Frustrating experiences have been turned into lemonade, which have been turned into a thriving lemonade stand, if you will. Things that were great from start to finish were the quintessential cherries on top.

This new endeavour of running has been both frustrating and extremely rewarding. In the past 137 days/4.5 months, I have gone from being unable to run 8 minutes straight to running my first 1/2 marathon. There were times that my knees wanted to take a rain check. At one point, my ankles gave me an ultimatum- quit now or never walk again. I went from feeling uncomfortable running outside in fear that I would have to walk all the way back with tail between legs. I managed to run my first non-stop 5k in 41 minutes, two weeks into this journey. Now I can run a 5k in 31 minutes (and the time keeps dropping). Finally, I have managed to fit back into pants that have been keeping the back of the top shelf of my closet company for two years. My shoulders are set back just a little more than they were initially. My chin is raised ever so slightly higher than before. Most importantly, the word "can't" and all the ways it manifests itself are slowly, but surely slipping away.

Four days away from 2011 or as they are starting to say in South Africa- 2000-elevation, my resolution for the new year is to use the lessons learned from 2010 and apply them in all things that I do moving forward. It is my hope that I continue to break down the barriers I've set for myself (many of us have that problem); set ambitious goals and achieve them; and continue to seek a healthy lifestyle through running, eating well, and maintaining a positive outlook.

Concretely, in 2011 I plan to do the following:

1. Run 1 marathon in a country other than the US of A before the end of the year.
2. Every quarter, run in at least one race.
3. Renew my membership to the gym.
4. Encourage one person to begin a regular exercise and healthy eating routine.

So there you have it good people! I'm still working on getting my mind back into running shape...a lot more difficult than it has been before...but I'm getting there!

Until next time...come up with a few of your own realistic and measurable goals for the New Year (and don't forget to share them)...and of course, keep it movin'!



Yours in (still getting my act together) training,

Dani

P.S. Within the next day or so, I have to decide if I'm going to run in the "First Eleven" New Year's (11.1k) race at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens. This morning, I called the race organizer to find out the details...that's the first step, right?!

I knew I shoulda kept my gym membership!

Hello Dear Reader,

In addition to being somewhat of a slacker with respect to my running, the barrage of daily grapefruit-sized raindrops has really really put a dent in my weekly milage. Boo...just...boo! Every morning, I wake up with morning baited breath to check for friendly running weather. During the past five days, I've only been able to maintain my morning pavement pounding once. You'd think that I'd catch a wake-up and go back to the gym, particularly under these weather-related circumstances, but alas, I failed. Excuses (and pretty lame ones at that).

Last night, I met a pretty cool guy who has run the infamous Comrades Marathon not once, but six times!!! He's planning to make 2011 his 7th year! Upon inquiring about his training schedule, he told me that he runs no less than seven times a week. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, he runs 10 to 12k. Wednesdays are 15k and every Sunday, he runs a half marathon. Clearly he is serious...and I am clearly not...or not like he is. I should be...I ought to be...I WILL BE (my dad would be proud)!

In honor of being more serious...I have truly slacked off and talking to serious runners makes me feel kinda lame...I am committed to doing better...rain or shine. I pledge to run every day except Saturday, which is what I was doing in the beginning..or at least when I had my gym membership (*Danielle pours electrolyte infused sports drink out for Mad-dog Trainer and New (old) Trainer*).

Seriously though, I need to do better. My marathon...the race of my life...is only 2.5 months away. I need to not only get back to where I was pre-vaycay, but get even better. You might be asking yourself, "Why is she calling herself out? She could just keep it to herself. We'd never know." The answer is pure and simple...accountability. I started this little blog, included friends/family/strangers/Dear Readers in on my plan, and talked/read about running all of the time, because I need accountability. I need encouragement when I can't seem to motivate myself. When I feel like giving up, I need a little reminder of why I started this in the first place- to take the word "can't" out of my vocabulary. And sometimes, I need a helping hand to light a fire under the proverbial couch when I choose to sit back down!

As a good friend used to say to me on a regular basis, "Don't talk about it. Be about it!" Dear Reader, I'm about it! But wait...will it be going back on my declaration if I tell you what I'm going to do? Umm... uhhh.... well... you'll have to wait to find out!

In the mean time, Recovering Couch Potato #1 and Couch Potato #2 are wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas (if that's your thing)!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin' (I'm actually saying this to myself!)

Yours in (getting my act together) training,

Dani

Feelin' good!

Hello Dear Reader,

I must say that I'm still feeling really good from yesterday's run. No pain. No stiffness/soreness. Good to go! A little after hours stretching would help though. This morning, after my workout with Mad-dog Trainer, I could barely touch my toes while standing up. During my weeks with New (old) Trainer, the goal (his, not mine) is for me to be able to touch my head to my knees (yeah, right!).

Today's exercise routine focused on the upper back, shoulders, triceps, biceps and all of the other arm muscles in there! I can definitely tell that I'm getting stronger. Some of the arm exercises I was barely able to do in the beginning are becoming much easier. I just had to open my big mouth and say that to Mad-dog...we'll be increasing the reps and the weights. It's all for the sake of fitness. I guess it won't kill me, right? And if I do eventually become that female body builder that New (old) Trainer secretly plans on and the "Ms Fitness Lesotho" that Mad-dog openly admitted to wanting to prepare me for post marathon...well, another goal to work towards...I guess!

If the goodness of yesterday's run and the sense that I'm getting stronger wasn't enough, the good vibes just kept on coming! Today, I went to a meeting that was followed by a catered lunch. Most of the food was fried and steeped in oil so I did my best to stay away from it (a few chicken nuggets won't hurt!). I told my co-worker (who always used to enjoy commenting on my weight) that I was going to skip the buffet and walk back to the office to eat my packed lunch. She convinced me to stay a while longer so that she could finish lunch. While sitting at the table discussing the content of the meeting, she said, "I know why you don't want to eat this lunch! You don't want to interrupt all of the progress you've made with your running. Today I saw you in your dress and said 'Wow, something is definitely happening!' You're looking really good!" Now Dear Reader, I know that, in the end, it doesn't matter what people say/think, but it sure does feel nice when it's not only me noticing the changes!

The dress she was referring to is in my regular rotation, so it provides a great marker for the changes my body has and is going through. I've actually had this dress for ages. When I first got it...I hated it...and it was way too big. A few years later, after very irregular use, it started looking a bit houte. A couple of years later...it was not so houte...but snug...definitely! Over the past few months of training, I've been geeked to notice/see the changes in the way the dress fits. A few months ago, lumps and bumps were visible. My finger tips should have been tingling with the loss in circulation to my arms...can we say "too tight"! Today, there is actually a bit of slack in the arms and the unnecessary lumps and bumps...no more (almost)!

Well, that's enough ego stroking for one day. It just feels so good to see results from my time spent as a gym rat. In the past, I've never been patient enough to notice any real improvement (in mind or body). Overall, I'm more proud of myself that I've actually been sticking with my workout plan...something I've never done before...nor have I even really had a plan to speak of. So, Dear Reader, if you're getting frustrated because the changes/results aren't coming quickly enough...keep at it...stick with it...hang in there...because you'll get there!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani


P.S. I have to pay the "keep it up motivation" forward to you, Dear Reader, but also to a few of my friends who are making their own fitness/healthy lifestyle/weight loss/good body strides:

Keep it up Dave!
I'll call you 6k Linesiya after your run!
Walk it out Jessy Wessy!
Mom, I know it's cold and windy, but you need to go for your walk!
FTTE, how's our challenge coming along?
Dad, did you take your evening constitution around Tokyo?
Jeb, YOU ARE IN SEASON!
1, 2, 3...YOGA! Jami, you go girl!

P.S.S. And if you need a little motivation for getting off of the couch...read this NY Times article...there's a section for the Couch Potatoes!

P.S.S.S. And if you want to plan/map out a walking/running route, check out www.mapmyrun.com

P.S.S.S.S And if you want to read more current posts, click here!

News Flash: I'm a superwoman!

Hello Dear Reader,

I know you're probably wondering what I'm talking about when I call myself "Superwoman." I'm also sure you're wondering why I'm adding another post for today. It's just that...well...I feel great about something I've just accomplished and wanted to share!

As you know, this morning, my roomie and I ran the better part of 4.1K, and our plan was to hit the gym for core strengthening later on. Well...we just got back...and I felt the itch to try to run a little more...just to test my running legs out.

I. just. ran. 40. minutes. without. stopping- 5K!!!! Wow, I feel like a beast!

Remember when I told you that, in my past, I've had a trainer, but lacked the motivation to keep a regular workout routine. Well, he was at the gym today and saw the whole thing. As I walked passed his office, he waved me in to congratulate me on a job well done. He said, "You look great! You even look like you've lost weight. What have you been doing?" My reply, "I'm staying focused. I'm really going to run a marathon this time!" To that, I was told, "If you keep it up, you certainly will!"

Core strengthening followed my run, but I was still beaming from ear to ear!

That's all for now!

Until tomorrow...

Your resident superwoman in training,

Dani

P.S. If you look at the 10K schedule...or even the marathon training schedule, Sundays are supposed to be for "long runs". After today, I'd say I'm right were I'm supposed to be!

Oh, and as a "reward" for my achievement, Mr. Beef-Smellington and I went on a 40 minute walk around Pope's field! What a great way to end the day!

"I love to move in...I love to move in here!" (Moby)

Hello Dear Reader,

Yesterday morning's workout was a pain in the butt...and the thighs...and the calf muscles! As you know by now, "Couch Potato" is my middle name. So, having pushed myself on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday...with no break...my body sent me a clear message..."take a break...you're killin' me!" For as much as I wanted to maintain my momentum from the previous evening- jogging for 30 minutes, stationary biking and core strengthening- my legs just didn't want to cooperate. Honestly, I felt kinda bummed out about it, but not for too long, because I kept in mind the ultimate goal: keep it moving! Instead of a continuous jog, I did a walk/jog combo. Not too bad.

Because of my light morning routine, last night, Couch Potato 1 and 2 (aka me and Beef-Wellington) took the ankle express (read: walking) around a huge land mass called "Pope's Field" for about 40 minutes. If you look at the post before last, you'll see a big field with a funny white structure...now we're on the same page.

What a wonderful way to spend part of the evening- not on the couch, with my favorite "Coucher", Spring-time weather, watching the kids play soccer and the animals (cows, sheep, goats, and a few horses) graze. Although there was no running involved, I felt good about myself for what I've managed to accomplish thus far (setting a goal, building a support system, and showing up/being present/accountable). A beautiful, active evening was my reward.

How do you reward yourself for making progress towards whatever goal (big or small) you've set? I don't think that I've ever created a "reward system" for myself...but because training for this marathon involves many steps/mini-accomplishments...I think I will. The idea of rewarding myself with something that keeps me active/focused on inching towards my ultimate goal sounds good. Reward 1: This weekend, I'm going to purchase new running shoes. What else do you suggest I do as a reward (Also, attach a milestone...like...running non-stop for an hour, for example)?

When I returned home from my walk, I received an sms (text message) from my trainer, informing me that she was not feeling well and would miss our appointment for today. Included in the sms were instructions: jog 20 min/bike 20 min. Boy, am I happy that I took that "break" yesterday. This morning, I managed to push myself to run 25 minutes and bike for 20. Wow, that felt grrrreat! After getting off of the bike, I stretched for about seven minutes and headed off to start the rest of my day!

Mini-reward for this evening: Take a hike...around Pope's Field with Beef!

Before I wrap it up for today, I'd really like to thank all of my family and friends (new and old..wink wink) for being so supportive of me as I set out to do something that I've always considered impossible. Tamatha and Michal, thanks for your playlist suggestions. I'll definitely include those songs in the next one! Keep up the comments too! :-)

Until tomorrow!

Yours in training,

Dani

OMG! What did I just do!?!

Hello Dear Reader,

It's nice to meet you! If we've already met, welcome back. Although we may (or may not) have met, I'm about to let you in on an "OMG!!" moment- something that I just did that could potentially come back to bite me on the behind! Before I go into that, however, let me first tell you something- I'm a Couch Potato.

When I was in high school, horseback riding and softball were a part of my daily routine. I never considered those things to be "exercise", they were just...my life. Let's fast forward to August 13, 2010, as I sit behind my computer typing this post. The days of horseback riding and softball have been traded in for sitting on the couch watching mindless tv or reading a book, while scratching my Bulldog, Beef-Wellington, behind the ear. Note: It's not by happenstance that I chose a Bulldog- the breed best known as the "couch potato of the dog world".

Every once in a while, I've been known to go on an exercise kick. I'll work out for a solid three months or so and then burn out. Lately, I've only gotten as far as exercising my mind- with work, reading, and thinking about how I need to work out. So sad, but I'm sure I'm not much different than many people out there: youngish; working 8 to 5; ready to veg out after a long day's work; noticing that our respective bodies ain't like they were when we were 23; and wanting to do something about not feeling our lower halves, due to our pants cutting off circulation (ok...jokes on that last one)...you get the point.

One of the major challenges I've faced with keeping up the motivation to exercise after those initial three months, is that I have not done such a good job with holding myself accountable for what I say I want: 1) To be in shape (aka "Get my body right"); and 2) Live a healthy, active life style. So, after browsing several running blogs and websites geared towards "Couchers" and beginning runners, I joined a forum for new runners. I asked if anyone would be interested in starting the "Couch to 5K" plan with me. My forum post goes something like this: "Hi! My name is Dani. I'm a couch potato. I need help. Do you need help too?" (I've already got one hit!)

Joining a runners' forum is a first for me...I'll get support from anonymous "Couchers" via posts that enter my email inbox. That could be enough, but no, that's way too easy. I mean, I could simply select and delete any such messages if and when I happen to fall off of the proverbial wagon. No harm. No foul. Problem is that, this time, I need to call in some reinforcement. An email was just sent out to about thirty of my friends and family members, letting them in on what I plan to do, so that they may hold me to my word! I'm serious! I want to become a runner!

In the past, I've worked out for the sake of it...with no real goal or deadline to work towards. In March 2011, I'll hit the BIG 3-Ohhh! What better birthday gift to give myself- work my way up from the couch to the Georgia Marathon, which is taking place on March 20th, 2011. Another motivator is that during that same month, I'll need to renew my driver's license...a sexy new picture to match the sexy new me! Although a marathon is 26 miles, I want to be able to run 30 miles- one mile for every year of my life-hence the title of this blog: 30 miles for 30 years!

This blog is meant to extend the invitation of accountability to you, Dear Reader. If I fall on my butt, you and my nearest and dearest will know...so I can't fail this time!

Follow me as I document my journey from Couch Potato to 1st time marathon runner over the next 7 months. Any tips and words of wisdom you may have to offer will be much appreciated!

So having said all of that...lace up your sneaks and come along for the run!

Yours in training,

Dani