Day 11 & 12

Off my training schedule.

In LA with my family celebrating the New Year.

And going to the Rose Bowl to cheer on the Oregon Ducks.

Sometimes life gets in the way, but let it!

These are the good times.

Went to lunch and met with one of my eldest son's closest friend.

In a NY minute...I love her!

Now I know why I have heard so many wonderful things about her.

Anyway some BIG news...

Due to a bit of peer pressure....

I ate sushi today!

Just couldn't resist Katsu-ya sushi.

But I'm thinking...this is a good thing.

A little fish every now & then will probably do me good.

With all the good omega's 3's, 6's & 9's....maybe my memory will improve!

Well I'll get back to my running story and running another day.

Just want to enjoy the family, some good football and beautiful weather!

A happy, healthy & prosperous 2010 to all!

Day 10: & 8 & 9

How did 2 days go by and I didn't post a new entry?

My life got in the way!

No need to go into all the details but quickly....

Belated extended family Hanukkah celebration...so much fun!

More doctor appointments for my dislocated shoulder son.

He'll need surgery but it can wait until he returns from studying abroad in Italy.

And then, it was my oldest son's last day home.

Now due to all this I missed my first day of week 2 training.

But I took care of it today.

It was a tough and not a joyful run.

I'm feeling so blue and pissy today.

There are times I wonder if hormones can really make one so crazy.

Or am I going crazy?

Blue, pissy...it's just not me!

But boy, you should be glad you're reading this and not around me today.

Back to my run.

I ran after an hour Core Method class at the gym.

I didn't enjoy the class which was strange but I thought I would enjoy my run.

Well I didn't!

Even though it was a tough run, it was a comfortable run, only 3 miles.

But it didn't bring me the joy or the endorphin rush I usually experience.

But it's behind me and I'm sure my next run will be better.

At least I ran...

Day 7: 1st week of Training

I did it!

Even though it was a very stressful week, I did it!

I completed my first week of training.

Today was the third and final run of week 1 training.

Total mileage; 10.

Just think...all I need to do is run 3.1 more miles and I've completed a half marathon.

Too bad I need to do this all on the same day!

I'll get there; I know I will.

By the way, I laid off the sugar yesterday and slept thru the night...go figure!

Crap, crap, crap

Eat like crap,
Sleep like crap,
Feel like crap.
After a day of too much sugar; boy did I feel crappy!
I realize maintaining a good healthy diet is essential during menopause.
I don't want to give my body any more reasons to be rebellious.
I could never cut out sugar but I learned that eating too much sugar will not do me well.
Today, I stayed away from all the homemade cookies.
I'll let you know if I sleep through the night.
But I must admit with all the sleeplessness; I'm reading many good books.
My favorite book in 2009....The Help by Kathryn Stockett!

Day 5: An unusual day

Ummm, you're saying what happened to day 4?
To make a very long story as short as possible; I spent the day in the hospital.
My youngest son dislocated his shoulder for the 2nd time in 3 months.
The first time he was hit by a car; he was a pedestrian!
The 2nd time; playing basketball.
Not a great outcome; he'll need surgery but not right away.
At least he can go to Italy for the semester to study....thank goodness!
Now Day 4 was to be Day 2 of training.
Didn't happen!
Not even a week into my training program and I'm failing.
Hate the word failing but that's how I feel.
So Day 5 arrives and it starts out with a HUGE problem in the office.
Christmas Eve Day and it's spent yelling at a vendor and placating a customer.
Isn't it always supose to be so quiet before a holiday?
Anyway I wasn't anticipating my work day to be so crazy.
I thought a I would work an hour or so and go for the run I missed.
Since I eat a good breakfast & thought I would be in the office for a short time; I didn't pack a lunch.
Well my hour or so turned into many hours.
Thank goodness my favorite vendor (not the one who caused me so much grief) sent tins of homemade cookies.
OMG they were amazing!
Yes you're right, I did mention earlier that I usually eat a healthy diet but my downfall is homemade cookies.
Pies, cakes, muffins...you can keep them!
Homemade cookies and I turn into a cookie monster!
So here I am in the office, stressed knowing my youngest son will need an operation, stressed from work and now eating too many cookies.
The day is going from bad to worse.
But once the bad vendor was yelled at enough, the customer was accepting of the situation and I ate too many cookies....
I went for my run!
I completed Day 2 of training.
It was my first cold weather run; 35 degrees.
It was tough but I did it!
Talk about an unusual day.
But it was a day that made me proud of myself.

Day 3: Me a vegetarian...no way!

Me give up chicken?
Who am I kidding!
Me give up shrimp?
Yeah, right!
Me pass on a good hamburger?
What am I nuts?
I thought I would end up dead, angry and/or bitchy without meat.
Well I did it!
I haven't eaten any meat since December 1.
I'm sleeping better and the night sweats & hot flashes are less frequent.
I don't feel so bloated...go figure since I'm eating more beans!
But carbs scary me!
I'm a protein girl...I feel more satisfied when I eat good lean protein.
Carbs don't satisfy like protein does.
Yes, yes I stick to complex carbs; brown rice, whole grains, etc.
And yes, yes....simple white carbs sneak in once in a while.
So I do watch that I'm not overloading on carbs; easier said then done.
Also I worry about gaining weight.
My husband asked me, "What will you do if you gain weight but feel better?"
Yikes, I didn't think about that and really don't want to!
Thanks Babe.
But I'm hoping my training for the 1/2 marathon will keep me in shape as well as the 2-3 exercise classes I take at the gym!
Again...yikes!
But bottom line; I'm doing well without meat.
In fact, I would say I'm doing quite well!
Better than I expected.
And I'm not curled up in a ball in the corner or yelling at my family or dead!

Day 2: First Day of Training

Today started my training for the half marathon.

But I forgot to mention one thing.

And by the way, forgetfulness is a sign of menopause!

Even if I have a list, put a reminder in my calendar or send myself an email; you still need to remember to look at your list, calendar or email!

Let's save this topic for another time and go back to what I wanted to share today.

I am a runner.

I started running 2-1/2 years ago...yesterday I told you 1-1/2 years but I forgot I'm 52 not 51....see, I am forgetful!

Anyway my running journey began after a visit to Canyon Ranch in Arizona.

I met with a personal trainer who had me wear a mask over my nose & mouth and a heart rate monitor as he tortured, I mean tested my endurance & oxygen on a treadmill.

The test started with walking then maintaining a slow jog; I was thinking this is a piece of cake, too easy.

After fifteen minutes I thought I was going to die!

The PT, who had complete control of the treadmill, raised the incline so high I thought I was climbing in the Alps & the speed got so fast I looked like the Roadrunner cartoon character with my legs spinning so fast.

Then for the grace of God or look of panic in my eyes, the PT lowered the incline and slowed the speed and announced the torture, I mean test was over.

Not bad for a woman my age he said.

But I had to return the following day for my results.

The following day not only were my results in but a 6 month running program was waiting for me.

The PT taught me the difference between sub-threshold, threshold and volume overload.

No need to go into all the details but I took the program home, joined the new gym that was soon to open in town and knew my running journey would begin shortly.

I needed the new gym to open so I could have access to a treadmill!

Day 1: Butterflies Galore!

I am menopausal!

I won’t let this define me.

I accept it’s a stage in my life.

But I will not let it take me over!

I have decided to deal with this new stage of my life naturally.

For the past year and half I’ve added exercise, organic unsweetened soy milk & healthy eating habits to my life.

It has worked well until recently.

The hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness, mood swings, anxiousness and sadness besides the few extra hairs sprouting up in interesting places, have become overwhelming.

At times I hate myself and everyone around me.

This is not me!

I’m an optimistic, upbeat, happy person.

I have a wonderful husband and amazing children.

A job I enjoy and terrific friends.

I know life is good.

But there are days I just don’t recognize myself.

I do spend a lot of time talking to myself and it helps.

I tell myself that it’s my hormones making all this trouble; it’s not the real me.

My husband is understanding and talking with my girlfriends is great.

But it wasn’t enough.

So I decided to make additional changes...

I’ve stopped eating meat and I am going to run a half marathon in April!

I haven’t had any beef, chicken, pork or fish since December 1.

And tomorrow begins my first week of training for the 1/2 marathon.

Boy do I have butterflies galore!