Running on a wing and a prayer - Week of May 3

[Shiraz]

Hi Ladies,
I am finally getting it all together after the move. I am reverified for the TE website and can post again.

Okay...I need help! I am in total denial about my next 1/2 mary run in Boise May 17th! I promised my daughter I would run it with her. I am committed in person but not in mind! I'm running but without the mental committment... I have got to get my head in the game. I would rather ride my bike... plant flowers.. buy stuff for the house..anything but train .

I will run it but I need to run with the attitude that my time will be what it is and leave all expectations behind. Just go and have fun! Can I really do that??Help! I could never take a test without being prepared and I feel the same way.........

[kelownagirl]

5km during school Running Club today. Only did one minute walk break. 35min total. My 10 yo son did the entire 5km with me today. Wow, I didn't think he could run that far!

[OakLeaf]

Five miles on the fitness trail. Was supposed to be a recovery pace after my 74 mile ride yesterday, but I always seem to wind up running the pace I run. Felt fine, anyhow.

[runner2]

Monday is my rest day after Sunday's long run. An easy 4 miles run this morning, and about 2 miles walk this evening with Kali.

[emily_in_nc]

3.5 miles on the treadmill today at the gym at a 10:15 pace.

~Emily

[limewave]

Last Saturday I did two runs. I planned on doing a six mile run in the AM, but the weather forced me to cut it short (I had DD with me). That night I was feeling good, DH was home, DD was in bed, I decided to do another run to get in my miles for the week.

I felt great. I ended up doing six more miles. The last mile home I was in the zone, picking up my pace when a man leaned out his window and made some really rude comments about how fat I am. I won't repeat them here.

The last few months I've really been struggling with body issues. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and my hormones are all out of whack after having a laparatomy. I've put on some weight and I'm really struggling to take it off. I'm running slower, riding slower, and having a hard time. All this to say, this guy really hit me where I was hurting.

I spent the next few days wallowing. See, I used to weigh more than 300lbs. I was a couch potato. Running, biking, kayaking all sounded fun to me but I thought I was too big to do those things--people would make fun of me. That man's comments made me feel like that I again. I don't have a runner's physique and I'm one of the largest cyclists in our area. I don't have the right body type, I should be at home watching tv, that's where I belong.

Finally, it hit me last night. Why am I letting a complete stranger decide who I am? Or anyone else for that matter? I should never give someone else that kind of power over me. I spent some time in prayer, some time reading the Bible and some time reprogramming my thoughts.

Today is a new day and I'm feeling like my old self again. I did a trail run late last night. This morning I got up early and did an hour bike ride--my first of the season. It was great. I love using my body, being outside, pushing myself. I felt like me again. I ain't no couch potato.

[OakLeaf]

(((((lime)))))

Good for you for listening to what YOUR body tells you and not what some !@#$@%$ tells you about your body. All he was doing is proving how ugly his mind is.

[Wahine]

(((((Limewave)))))))

I'm so glad you're out there movin' it and twice as happy that you've found a way to neutralize that mans nasty comments. The cruelness of people baffles me.

[tattiefritter]

Last Saturday I did two runs. I planned on doing a six mile run in the AM, but the weather forced me to cut it short (I had DD with me). That night I was feeling good, DH was home, DD was in bed, I decided to do another run to get in my miles for the week.

I felt great. I ended up doing six more miles. The last mile home I was in the zone, picking up my pace when a man leaned out his window and made some really rude comments about how fat I am. I won't repeat them here.

The last few months I've really been struggling with body issues. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and my hormones are all out of whack after having a laparatomy. I've put on some weight and I'm really struggling to take it off. I'm running slower, riding slower, and having a hard time. All this to say, this guy really hit me where I was hurting.

I spent the next few days wallowing. See, I used to weigh more than 300lbs. I was a couch potato. Running, biking, kayaking all sounded fun to me but I thought I was too big to do those things--people would make fun of me. That man's comments made me feel like that I again. I don't have a runner's physique and I'm one of the largest cyclists in our area. I don't have the right body type, I should be at home watching tv, that's where I belong.

Finally, it hit me last night. Why am I letting a complete stranger decide who I am? Or anyone else for that matter? I should never give someone else that kind of power over me. I spent some time in prayer, some time reading the Bible and some time reprogramming my thoughts.

Today is a new day and I'm feeling like my old self again. I did a trail run late last night. This morning I got up early and did an hour bike ride--my first of the season. It was great. I love using my body, being outside, pushing myself. I felt like me again. I ain't no couch potato.

Limewave, that guy is an absolute t*sser! What is it about some people that they have to have a go at you for being out there doing something - it says more about them than it does about you. I know what you mean about not having the right body type, I was at a 4 mile road race last night which was all club runners. I always feel intimidated/no right to be there at these things because it just looks like everyone is a super skinny whippet running machine (you know the type) while I have boobs, bum and cyclists (or speed skater actually) thighs. Thankfully everyone is really encouraging but I still had to to ignore the demons until I started running. In the end I didn't come last and surprised myself by my time - though as its a series of four races I'm going to have to work hard to beat that time.

Haven't had a chance to drop in much lately but your post struck a chord with me so had to say something!

[Deborajen]

No, Limewave, you're no couch potato. Didn't you run a marathon just a year or so ago?

I had someone do something like that to me when I was training for my first half mary a year and a half ago. I was doing a long run/walk and was doing a walk interval when two guys in an SUV passed me going the other direction and the passenger yelled out the window, "run Betty, you're FAT!!!" (Betty? "Ugly Betty" - ? - whatever -- not exactly creative). I'd recently lost about 30 pounds and was feeling pretty good about my training, running longer than I ever had before - then the "fat" remark - ??

Well, these guys are obviously clueless, and probably the realcouch potatoes (and not usually thin, either) who just can't stand seeing someone else do what they can't. It amuses me to think of their car stalling after they get past -- walk up towards their window and politely ask, "Did you say something?" They'd probably pee their pants. What macho men! (bleh!)

I did two miles easy this morning. Beautiful morning - temp was in the mid 50's and only a little breeze. Keep up the good work everyone - it's such an inspiration to read this thread.

Deb

[Kimmyt]

{Limewave}

That guy was most definitely not a runner or a cyclist, or probably any type of athlete at all. A real athlete would not have yelled that.


Just because someone is heavier than other people does not make those miles mean less. In fact, you might argue the opposite.

You are as much a runner as the Kenyans winning races, because you run. And yes, you could be sitting at home watching tv, but why would you? This is why you are a runner and an athlete. Because instead of taking the easy path, you have the strength and resiliency to want to push yourself, even to ENJOY pushing yourself. THAT is what makes an athlete. Not body shape or size.

So keep on doing what you're doing. There will always be people like that in this world, but the important thing is that we don't have to listen to them.

Stay strong lady, because you rock!

K.

[rocknrollgirl]

Lime, you should have asked him sweetly to come out and join ya! Now everybody here has said really nice inspirational things, and I ditto all of what they have said, but I am a street fighter by nature, take it or leave it, scrappy to the core, and since somebody has to say it...


Go to hell buddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I am done now...

BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Guys....

I have been running and not posting, lazy. I am still struggling to get a routine down post injury. So I am trying all kinds of different permutations of a schedule. Today I decided to get up a bit early and try running in the morning. I went out at 4:30 am, did about 35 mins. I do not like running on the road, but I felt good, so I will take it. I may start doing it every Thursday.

[KSH]

WOAH! I can't believe some people.

I bet that a-hole who said something... NEVER runs. Or rides a bike. Or does anything that looks like exercising. Anyone who is an athlete, would never belittle anyone else who is out there doing it.

Just hearing that makes me so ticked off!

You are a good person to move past it Limelight. And you are right, don't let someone like that guy have control over YOUR life. He's not worth it.


In running news... I've had a dismal showing this week.

Tuesday I had a one-hour run after work. Started to run. Tons of lower leg pain. I pressed through it and did 5.25 miles ending up with a 11:20 minute mile. So sad, when just a week before I was running a 9 minute mile.

I had a one-hour run this morning and did it on the treadmill since I won't run in the dark alone. The pain in my lower legs was more than I could tolerate and it ended up being one-hour walk. Did 4.70 miles with a 12:46 minute mile.

This Sunday I'm doing 12 miles. Which means about 2 hours and 20 minutes for me. I hope it goes better than my other sessions this week. *Sigh*

[OakLeaf]

I couldn't convince DH to go for a little walk in between rain storms, so I had to run today - especially since I blew off riding last night because of the weather.

I didn't feel like driving somewhere just to go for a run, so I ran from home, which I don't much like to do. For one thing the surface is very hard and there's a steep hill before I'm really warmed up. But mostly I don't like it because it's a rural road. It's quiet and scenic - but it's narrow, there are blind hills, there's no shoulder (not even an unpaved one), and what traffic there is, is going 50-60 mph.

Anyway I put on my Xinglet and went out. The weather was just right actually - it didn't start to rain again until I was back home, stretched out and getting ready to shower. 4.3 miles.