Plateau..

Just another running in place type week.  After the Blue Bell Ice Cream run last week, I hardly ran at all this week.  I did walk a couple times for less than 10 miles, and my weight remained constant this week at 203.  Just seems I've hit a Plateau.

This week (as I'm not blogging this until Tuesday, normally I try to do it over the weekend.) seems to be more of the same, as I haven't run or walked at all yet!  Also the diet has been atrocious!  Can you say 3,600 calories yesterday, as well as having purchased a box of Ding Dongs and a box of Blue Bell Mint Chocolate ice cream bars.  Yes they are yummy, but really.  The good news is, at least I'm counting the calories and am aware of the self sabotage, and I know that today is another day!

I'm a little bit bummed as this coming Saturday there is a race here in Kerrville, but I have to work, so I'm going to miss it.  I guess that is ok, because Erica can't make it either as she has Finals or at least a test at the time the race.

Yesterday was "tax day", and I did file an extension for the Federal Taxes, although I didn't do anything with the @#$%^ State of Michigan.  (We have called it that so much in the past, I now have come to believe that that is it's official name!)  We won't even talk about the City......

Well, I'm trying to be productive today, so I'll close for now.

Happy Holy Week.

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 203.0
BMI - 30.0
Miles Walked/Ran - 9.79

Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 133.22
Ending Weight -203.0

BMI - 30.0
Weight Lost <Gain>- .0
YTD Weight Lost - 17.0

I'll Drive all Night and run for Blue Bell Ice Cream!

Had a good week this week.  Weight was down .8 pounds. Had a couple good work outs at Schriener Park, including a 6 mile run on Sunday and a 4 mile run on Tuesday.

Saturday was the Blue Bell Ice Cream Fun Run.    I was very worried about how I would do at this race.  First,  I had requested Saturday off, but I didn't request Friday off, and of course I had to close the store Friday night.  I didn't get out of there until well after midnight.  Leta didn't have everything ready so we had to come back to Kerrville.  We packed up, took care of the animals and had to get something to eat.  Then we drove all night to Brenham.  We arrived about 6 am and set-up was just getting started.  Within 2 hours over 3,600 runners had arrived.

6 am Race day

2 hours later

 

I went in to pick up my race packet, but they couldn't find my registration. I"m thinking, "Oh great,  I don't have money for another registration, and we just drove over 200 miles (1 way!) for nothing."  But the volunteer sent me over to the "race director".  I explained I had registered online and she called over to 'race day registration" and told them to get me registered and get me a shirt!  It was great the way they handled the situation.

I walked back to the car and noticed my 'arch' was really bothering me...so much so  that I was limping.  I changed into my running clothes.  I tried stretching and massaging my foot, all to no affect.  We watch the kids run their mile race.  About 15 minutes before the start of the 5k I walked up the hill to the starting area, limping most of the way.  I continue to stretch and massage the foot, but STILL no help.  At this point I decide I would walk the race, and if it was bothering me too much I would retire from the race and earn my first DNF.  We started the race.  I had my earphones in and I watched the mob of people running the 5k (over 1,600) funnel through the beginning gates, that register the chip starting times.  I was back with the stroller brigade and the dog walkers.  I was so "caught up" in the start that as soon as I got funneled through the gates, I began to jog.

After we left the high school campus I looked up and could see a long way down the road, the went out of town over the rolling hills, and noticed that as far as I could see were a mass of runners and walkers all intent on completing the run.  It was a very inspiring sight.  I also noticed a young lady running on a prosthesis leg in front of me.  Another inspiring sight.  It was about this point I noticed my foot wasn't bothering me at all.

I had a good race with a PR time of 36:34  (since this was the first 5k I had register to "run" it was sure to be a PR!).  I walked about 3 times for 2-3 minutes each time.  Leta didn't see me cross the finish light, but since we were parked right there, we watched and cheered the finishers.  The  crowd would cheer very loudly for the elderly finishers and others that obviously had struggled to complete the race.  After the race, I enjoyed 1delicious cookies-n-cream ice cream sandwich donated by Blue Bell.  Yum!  What a great race!

I also noticed this race how much I enjoy reading the participants T-shirts.  It is cool to note the ones wearing shirts from the same event but from years ago.  (This was the 33 running of this event), the funny sayings, or even the religious or political ones.  My favorite one so far was something like "There I was running down the trail...passing trees and rocks like they were standing still..."

I'm toying with the idea of making one that has printed on it "Gun Control....means using 2 hands"

Do you have a favorite T-shirt.  Was is it from a race you participated in, or a favorite saying?  Please share it!

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 203.8
BMI - 30.1
Miles Walked/Ran - 11.24

Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 123.43
Ending Weight -203.0

BMI - 30.0
Weight Lost <Gain>- .8
YTD Weight Lost - 17.0

5th Anniversary Week

I think I'm in trouble.  I only ran once this week, and my eating has been disastrous.  I ate out several times this week and although I always started the meals with the intention of taking half of the huge portion sizes home in boxes, somehow  I always managed to eat more than half, and then of course I had to finish the plate.  I believe that is the law!  My mom had the nerve to ask if I was going to lick the plate that once contained a brick of lasagna!  Last night was our Anniversary (#5 - or our 50th! if you combine the times we both have been married totally) so we celebrated at my favorite Tex-Mex place, Mama Citas. 

Had a huge combination platter, and since it was our night we shared a couple pieces of scrumptious cheesecake.  Key Lime and some Bavarian  Chocolate. Both were out of this world.  I'm pretty sure all the calories were removed!

It was very nice though, because my sister is visiting, and mom was with us too.

Leta had a rough week though, we spent one night up at the ER where they diagnosed her with diverticulitis ( I almost massacred that soooo bad spell check couldn't help!)  Shes started meds yesterday but still isn't feeling much better.  I'm pretty sure the mexican food and cheese cake is on the Diverticulitis diet however. Ya think?  She has started visiting her former personal doctor, but he is in Georgetown, a 2 hour drive from here.

My numbers for March aren't too bad, I lost about 5 pounds and walked/jogged about 33miles.  My stats for this week:

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 205.2
BMI - 30.3
Miles Walked/Ran - 5.97
Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 112.19
Ending Weight -203.8

BMI - 30.1
Weight Lost <Gain>- 1.4
YTD Weight Lost - 16.2

Lost this Week...

But not weight.  Erica came over and we went to Shriner Park and ran and walked for over an hour on the trails there.  We only got lost once or twice.  Had a great time.  Made it to the high point in the park and had a nice view from up there.  Only saw two other 'groups' of people.

Ready to Head Out!

On Wednesday Leta and I had a picnic at Enchanted Rock. I hiked the rock and again made it to the high point.  Then attempted to hike down and around the Rock.  Unfortunately, I decided to follow the path less followed, and ended up losing the trail all together.  I did see lots of interesting rock formations, and wildlife.  And imagined LOTS more around (think rattlesnakes and cougars!).  Luckily (very luckily) I was able to find my way back to the park where Leta was not so patiently waiting for me.  I just returned before she went and notified the park rangers, FBI's missing persons division and the military that I was lost!  I knew she would be worried and she would call out the troops.  All the way back, once I realized how late it was getting, I was praying I would see any helicopters or ranges on quadrunners or on horseback!

I did break  100 miles run/walked Y-T-D this week (including estimated miles at Shriner and Enchanted Rock Parks).

Doesn't look so impressive in this photo

Cool Formation

Delicate Cactus Bloom

General Leta getting ready to direct S&R ops

Yeah the views up there were great too!

I had the weekend off so we went to Austin and watched Abby's and Coach Lindsay's Opening Day Kickball games.  Both teams won, the weather wasn't too hot, and I only got sun burned a bit.  Leta saw lots of old friends and we ran into Mark's parents, Vince and Mary Jane.  As we headed home we stopped and ate at a wonderful BBQ place in Fredericksburg, and then ran into a huge thunderstorm as we headed down route 16 towards Kerrville.  We got hit by hail like I haven''t seen in a long time!  Luckily, there doesn't seem to be any car damage.

Abby on second

Lindsay explaining something to the Umpire

After the games at Gatti's Pizza a tradition.

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 204.8
BMI - 30.2
Miles Walked/Ran - 10.88
Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 106.22
Ending Weight -205.2

BMI - 30.3
Weight Lost <Gain>- <.4>

YTD Weight Lost - 14.8

1 Rodeo, 2 Runs, 3 Days Cashiering, and 3.4 Pounds Lost!

What a great week!  We spent a couple days with Abbey (and Mark and Stefanie) and went to the Austin Rodeo.  What an all American event.  It was tons of fun, even if it made me think how much Woodie and
Bendy would love it, and how much I miss them.  I took a bunch of pics and posted the "best of" them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33521&id=1764104628&l=da9b116b1c

For the second week in a row,I only ran twice,  this week, Sunday and Friday.  I was able to run 25 minutes w/o stopping which means I've now complete W7D3 of the C25K Program and now its on to week 8 and 28 minute runs.  I also set a  PR of 39:17 for the 5K training route.   I also lost 3.4 lbs and am getting close to being in "onederland" (breaking through the 200 lb barrier).

I had a pretty good week at work.  The finally got me on the register and I'm slowly getting my confidence and the 'routine' down, although there is an awful lot to remember.  Hopefully, my till wasn't off much!

Finally I played with an interactive map and am trying to figure out how to post it on each of my posts (like where my  "about me" shows up.  If anyone has any solutions, I would love to hear it).

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 208.2
BMI - 30.7
Miles Walked/Ran - 6.38
Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 95.34
Ending Weight -204.8

BMI - 30.2
Weight Lost <Gain>- 3.4
YTD Weight Lost - 15.2

I was pooped on...but still a good week!

It was a good week.  I was able to complete two consecutive runs of 25 minutes.  I lost another pound, started checker(cashier) training, and had a good day today with mom, Leta and Erica.   Oh yeah I almost forgot, I had a hedgehog poop on me!   (Not nearly as gross as it sounds...nothing a tissue couldn't handle.)

Erica and her new cello and her apartment

Well I seem to have blogger's block so I'll just post the Vitals and call it a night.

PS - Here is the little pooper (Talula, the little dear!)

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 209.4
BMI - 30.9
Miles Walked/Ran - 6.38
Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 88.96
Ending Weight -208.2
BMI - 30.7
Weight Lost <Gain>- 1.2
YTD Weight Lost - 11.8

Keeping Pace

Although it feels like I have nothing much to report this week, I did set a personal best of 40:12 on my "5k training route", and I signed up for 2 - 5K's.  I even entered them as runs!  I haven't been able to complete any of the C25K runs, although on Wednesday I did run for about 22 of the 25 minutes.  Friday's run attempt was an "epic failure" (to use a term Leta has picked up from playing Farkle), I don't think I ran for more than 3 minutes at a time and took me over 45 minutes to do the route.  I felt so weak mentally.....Time to try again!

Work was ok this week, and I'm scheduled for Checker Training in  Kerrville, which will be nice, so I don't have to drive to Fredericksburg for 2 days!  Had a great "Because People Matter" company update meeting, highlighting company and store achievements from the past year, and communicating goals and programs for the coming year.   Its my understanding they do these meetings twice a year, and they were very detailed and very well done.  I've been brained washed!  Just one example, they have their own version of The Biggest Loser and last year they selected 10 people to compete.  They winner got $10,000 and at they others got $1,000, a make over and a changed life.   (One person in my meeting stood up and announced she had lost 60 lbs...everyone clapped it was an emotional moment).

Today (Sunday) we took mom to Binini Sculpture Ranch near Johnson City.  What an unexpected delightful afternoon.  The weather was gorgeous and there were a lot more Sculptures (around 100!,
by several artists) and an large gallery with painting, stained glass etc.  I loved it!  Leta Loved it and most importantly Mom loved it.  Here is the link to the photo's I took Binini Sculpture Ranch pictures

Bride at 3 AM

Here is the link to their webpage Binini Sculpture Ranch

Vital Stats
Beginning Weight - 210.2
BMI - 31.0
Miles Walked/Ran - 9.57
Y-T-D Miles Walked/Ran - 82.58
Ending Weight -209.4
BMI - 30.9
Weight Lost <Gain>- .8
YTD Weight Lost - 10.6