Dam to Dam

This past Saturday I ran the Dam to Dam for the first time ever.  I was so nervous because since my 1/2 marathon I've been nursing my knee and not doing too much for distance - at most 6 miles.  I just didn't want to over do it and go into the run injured. 

Anyway, I was so happy with my time.  I finished in 2:16 which gave me a faster pace than my 1/2 marathon.  The run was 12.4 miles which makes me wonder why they just don't make it a 1/2 - seriously, it's not even a while mile farther.  Anyway, there were way more people at this event than my 1/2 marathon and I'm so glad I decided to do it.  My friends Leslie, Josh, and Barrett signed up and asked if I wanted to join in the fun.

I had decided I would do the event by running 6 minutes, walking 1 minute.  I think mentally it really helped because I just kept telling myself, you just have to make it 6 minutes and then you get to rest.  When I was running I tried to look around and enjoy my surroundings but I found it was easier just to focus on the path ahead.  We ran through camp areas, cornfields, over the interstate, residential areas, and into the city.  It was very cool!  I had never done anything like that before.  I remember the last water station being maybe 1 mile from the finish, it was probably closer but it seemed far away and I could see the finish line.  I smiled and said out loud, 'it's like a mirage' and the people around me giggled.  About 400 meters from the finish line I saw Ryan to my left and no joke, the wind went out of me because I thought I was going to burst into tears.  I was so happy to see him.  I have been running a lot and training for these distance runs and he has been so supportive.  Even with my complaining about my knee he continues to cheer me on and even has started running himself.  I am proud of him.  I love that he came to see me finish, I love that my son was there and jumped into my arms when he saw me after I crossed the finish line.  I love that my dad came down to watch me and told me how proud he was of me.  I love that this activity I once dreaded has become something I look forward to and I love that I do it only for myself and nobody else.

I'm looking forward to more events as the year goes on and I know I have great support from the people I love and who love me which makes crossing the finish line all the more exciting.

Stats for Month 5 are In!

Here's the end of Month 5 and the results are in:

	Start	Month 1	Month 2	Month 3	Month 4	Month 5
Chest	45	42	41.5	39	39	37.5
Belly Button	41	39	38	37	36.5	35
Hips	48	45	44	42	41.5	41
L Arm	14.75	14	13.5	13	13	12.5
L Leg	27	27	26.5	26	26	25.5

I weighed in this AM at 187.2.  Not exactly what I had planned but it just goes to show that the scale doesn't always account for improvement, right?  I lost a total of 5.5 inches since last month but gained weight... that is enough to make a person crazy, is it not?

Here's the thing, I have had a difficult time with nutrition.  Period.  I have a love for food.  I start each day out very well and it's the afternoon and evening when it all goes to hell.  I know I need to plan a head and I'm not doing a good job of it.