the dreaded M-word. it's fast approaching. and all I can think about are pumpkins. - Cheaper Than Therapy Cheaper Than Therapy

October 1 09

the dreaded M-word. it’s fast approaching. and all I can think about are pumpkins.

Apparently, I was the only one who didn’t get the memo about fake Q-tips. Why did no one tell me this? I mean, sure, it looks the same and is certainly enticing with its significantly cheaper price tag. but oh my god…the stick, the cotton…yeesh, I think I’ll save my money elsewhere, like buying the giant $5.99 pumpkin pies at costco. oh yes, I’m already in pumpkin mode, even though I’m still wearing flip flops every day (yay! it’s October and I’m still wearing flip flops. take that, Toronto weather!). I *may* have already purchased one of these in anticipation of my first Thanksgiving in, erm, the homeland in too long. I am so excited to be spending the holiday with my family and with other people I really like, even though she’s not really coming to see me, but rather the outside of the Real Housewives of Atlanta’s houses.

oh, and then there’s that whole thanksgiving day half-marathon thing.

that.

my sister is running. the husband is running. my sister-in-law is running, HeatherB is running. and I am running. only I am going to be walking, and I may or may not be that person on the Biggest Loser who has to be hoisted across the finish line by her friends and then sent to the ER because of aches and pains and fear of death. Heck yeah, that’s going to be me. I have what they call…best intentions. I really want to run this race, not to compete for an award-winning time or anything, but because it’s something I have always wanted to do. It’s something I want to be able to cross off my NOTbucket list. It’s about as daring as I get. I got all the right gear…the stupid running belt (it’s pink for heaven’s sake) and the shoes and the right bra so my boobies aren’t flying two feet behind me.

I even started RUNNING. Novel, eh?

The first time I got on the treadmill I was super pumped and was determined to run the half an hour I was allowed straight through until the end without stopped. I mean, running is simple, right? um, yeah, I knew I was in trouble when I made it exactly 30 seconds before having to stop to rest my burning shins and my about-to-explode lungs. and then I walked for 29 minutes and 30 seconds. and then I decided that running just wasn’t for me.

but then I thought of all the people who were counting on me to do this race. So, I got back on, and made it through an entire commercial set of Family Ties. 2 minutes was better than 30 seconds, right? and then I kept up with it until I could run almost the entire 30 minutes. and then I graduated to the great outdoors.

running

and I LOVED it. I loved how I felt when I ran. I loved passing people on the street. I loved nodding to running neighbor in solidarity. I loved feeling pumped. I loved how somewhere along the line – without realizing it – my body and I switched from begging to hit a red light to get a little bit of rest to begging for the light to be green so we didn’t have to stop. 2 miles. 2.5 miles. 3 miles. 3.5 miles.

and then I didn’t like running so much anymore. On days I would run I would come home and collapse and feel dehydrated and sluggish for the rest of the day. My knees ached. My head ached. My everything ached. I was dizzy. I was short-tempered. I was famished; more famished that I ever was while pregnant or nursing. My appetite was insatiable and I ate everything in sight. My body didn’t seem more toned at all; in fact, I was starting to put on weight from all the food I was consuming. My body was starting to hate me and I was starting to hate it.

So, I took a little running break. It absolutely kills me when my sister changes her facebook status to “eleven miles in central park!” because she is a total rockstar. She is going to run the pants off of everyone on Thanksgiving day. It kills me when HB tells me that she has been having some great runs. and I feel nothing but shame when my husband leaves me in front of the tv watching something crappy like Melrose Place while he goes out for a no-big-deal morning 7-mile run.

So, people, HELP me. I want to do this. I NEED to do this.

I NEED TO DO THIS.

I do not want to spend my thanksgiving sitting on my ass eating mini pumpkin cakes watching everyone else accomplish my milestone.

Filed Under

The Family

Comments

You are strong. You can do this. You are strong. You can do this. You are strong. You can do this. Publicly posting your intended run each day also may help you actually do it. If I didn’t post it, I would probably never run. Seriously. You are strong. You can do this.
Comment by Charna on October 1, 2009
Are you sure, cuz that last option sounds pretty sweet.

Oh right, encouragement.

Um. I want to do something like that too. But my body falls APART when I run. My knees are terrible. SO DO IT FOR ME! That is so motivating.
Comment by slynnro on October 1, 2009
Why don’t you do the run 10 minutes and walk 1 minute. Run-Walk-Run-Walk. It’s the secret that most people don’t tell you about. I did a 1/2 Marathon 4mos preggers in 3 hours walking and 3 weeks prior ran it in 2 1/2hours. You can totally do it. You have tons of time left. Just started seriously training for my Seattle Half Nov 29th. Check out the smart coach link on runners world.http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,,s6-238-0-0-0,00.html
You have tons of time, I so see you doing it in 2 1/2 hours easy. Really its all just getting over the Mental part of it, running outside is WAY easier than a treadmill, get yourself some GU gels for extra energy and some electrolyte powder for energy in your water belt, they have GU gels in triple espresso for a start, add some water as the texture is gooey. You can do it, physically you are able, and who controls that mind. Final note: my one friend did it in 2hr20min, NO TRAINING.
.-= NaomiJesson´s last blog ..Trying Out the White Shoes =-.
Comment by NaomiJesson on October 1, 2009
I actually LIKE running. Or used to. My knees can’t take it anymore, which is why I do Boot Camp/Jillian Michaels (Not literally. Heh.)

Don’t beat yourself up if running isn’t for you. Find your thing and run (Ha!) with it.
Comment by Angella on October 1, 2009
DUDE. I’m doing one in EIGHT DAYS. I will let you know if I die. Longest run I did was 8 miles and it was kind of craptastic since I forgot water and it was hot out and I wore shorts that CHAFED ME ALL UP IN THE INNER THIGH REGION.

I plan to drink the water they provide to me when I actually run the half-m, and also to wear pants that don’t chafe. I figure I’m guaranteed to make it at least two more miles that way, right? RIGHT?
Comment by Emily on October 1, 2009
mm..mini pumpkin cakes? yum!

Seriously though – I truly believe some people are born to run and others not as much. That being said, if you want to get up off the couch again .. do what an earlier poster said .. the interval training type running in a run/walk style. You’ll be back to your old form soon enough. And .. are you eating enough carbs to run? As you increase your run distance make sure you are eating properly especially 3-4 hrs before so you have the resources.
My friend took up triatholon training at 30 .. she was never really into running at all. She started with the walk/run training. As of 1 month ago, my friend has done 7 (SEVEN) Ironman’s!! She rocks!! It’s just all down to starting off small and increase little by little. you can do it! And .. so can I!
Comment by Sarah on October 2, 2009
I just started a new running program and I’m looking for motivation too! But I’m going to be starting with some 5k races and working my way up from there!
.-= Julienne´s last blog ..Finding my faith â€“ part two. =-.
Comment by Julienne on October 2, 2009
I hate running too and have walked a 1/2 marathon. However by means of encouragement it kinda sounds like you may not be eating properly. Proper protein and carbs – there are combos for each to fuel you and so that you then don’t eat the fridge when you come home.
Comment by anne on October 2, 2009
It’s funny, my mom didn’t bestow a lot of words of wisdom on me but Q-tips are one of them. I swear when I was 8 she said, “Never buy the generic Q-tips, it doesn’t add up”. The other wise words she gave? Beauty is pain. Said by the woman pulling my hair as she gave me a home perm.
And by the way, you can totally do the running thing. Any woman who has birthed three children can pound the pavement for a couple of months to run the 1/2. You can do it!
Comment by Sarah on October 2, 2009
I’m not much of a runner but I’m learning a lot about food right now – it sounds kind of like your body is using the nutrients you feed it in a different way now that you’re running regularly, so you might need to change it up a little. The Runner’s World website has a whole section about food, with some great recipes too. Might give you the boost you need!
Does it help to know that you’re motivating ME to try to run more? I’m still at the 30-seconds-and-I’m-dead stage, so hearing that you were there too and worked past it gives me hope! Good luck with the marathon!!
Comment by jen on October 2, 2009
If I can do this – YOU can do this. I hate running. Hate running. I mean I like it after – the way I feel. I have been using the C25K method (Couch to 5K) and it works. Have you also taken breaks between your running days? I also do leg and arm workouts with weights on my off days to strengthen my knees and lower back muscles so they don’t hurt as bad. Anyway, YOU can do it.
Comment by Laurie on October 2, 2009
WE can do this. Promise.
Comment by Heather B. on October 2, 2009
yeah, i so want to be a runner but not sure i am. i, like a previous poster, am starting smaller with a 5k in 3 weeks. i sure would love to put that 1/2 marathon on my plate too. you go first and then let me know if it is worth it!
YOU CAN DO IT!
Comment by sweet cheek's mom on October 2, 2009
I love running during my basketball game, but jogging forget it. I understand why some people enjoy it, but to me it is just work.
.-= Jack´s last blog ..Sometimes Friends Let You Down =-.
Comment by Jack on October 2, 2009
I’ll get out there with you – like I said, my fave trail is up at the Chattahoochee, and is perfect this time of year.
Comment by Darcey on October 2, 2009
YOU CAN DO IT! You WILL do it! I know you will! You’re awesome! Go your own pace and do what you can do.
Comment by Kristabella on October 2, 2009
I’ve made peace with sitting on the couch, eatinga bag of chips, while the huz works out for an hour. You can do it too!
.-= Mac and Cheese´s last blog ..This is No Longer a Rant =-.
Comment by Mac and Cheese on October 2, 2009
I HATE running too, but it is very satisfying to complete a big milestone like that. I always train for a few miles less than the actual race, then count on the adrenaline to keep me going the day of. You know, the two races I’ve done.
Comment by Kaleigha on October 2, 2009
YOu going to do a half!! You crazy woman. You can do it. I am sure you can. You were doing so good before. I had to give up running when I got preggy, although I never got past 5K. And I miss it. I can’t wait to start up again in spring. But I think 5K may be my limit 🙂
Comment by Chantal on October 2, 2009
I feel your pain. My 13 year old sister did a 5K marathon this summer. I was running this summer… or rather…I would call it jogging (what’s the difference? Pacing?) And I got up to 1k outside. I was so proud! Going from 5 steps to 1k – sweet. And I loved the feeling of power that I had over my body. However, life got in the way, and I’m back at the 5 steps and I’m dead. But I am going to run again, and I know that you aren’t going to let yourself down. You’re going to do fine! You have a huge support system!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..To Do List. =-.
Comment by Katie on October 2, 2009
Back in June, my neighbour and I agreed to get up at the crack of doom (5:45am) and power walk with our dogs. I wanted to tone up, wanted to, in the long run, lose a bit of the flab, and getting up in the morning seemed to be the best time in my day to exercise. Having a dedicated partner would force me to commit, and get used to the schedule.

It was so hard at first. I’m not a morning person at *all* and I’m not terribly athletic (or active). Getting up that early was killer; getting up that early to power walk was BRUTAL. It took me about three weeks before I stopped feeling like I was going to up and die midway through the walk, and about three weeks after that, I found myself getting used to the routine. I’d wake up on time if my alarm didn’t go off and I could feel it if I didn’t get up – I get stiff if I don’t walk in the mornings. We walk 5k each morning, and since I started I have lost 8 pounds.

It’s a part of my life now…something I can focus on, something I have grown to enjoy doing…it’s something for ME. And if I can commit to getting up and walking every day, YOU can do this!
Comment by mamatulip on October 2, 2009
Forget it. Life’s too short to make yourself do something your body is clearly telling you (if you listen) isn’t “for you”. So many positive people out there “YOU CAN DO IT!!!!” make me want to vomit some gatorade on their cream colored carpets doode!

Seriously, either your body can handle the pounding stress of running, or it can’t. If you can’t mentally compensate for the physical brutality of pounding the cartilage out of your knee joints (and hip joints for that matter) then I say, give it a rest.

Walking is natural. It’s normal. Running is not. I look at the analogy of runners who drag their poor helpless dogs out with them on a run. Sure, dog’s can run, DO run. But continously? For what? That half marathon they must engage in to capture their meal to eat?

I thinknot.

Exercise is not natural, or normal. Read that book where it talks about how French women don’t get fat. Then, read it again.

The French have it down, the American’s are loony toon’s.!
Comment by julie on October 2, 2009
First of all. 😛 It’s colder than normal here in Ontario and seems to be getting darker soon too. I’m not ready for it yet.
The Q-tips, agreed!
As for running…you go girl! That’s just plain awesome.
Comment by Amanda on October 2, 2009
You can totally do it! I’ll be sitting on the side of the road looking for you, so you better be there! (Or I can stand at the finish line and give you mini pies when you finish, if that’s the motivation you need!)
Comment by Tutugirl on October 2, 2009
YOU CAN DO THIS! Do it for all of us who never even try. Then flip it the bird when it is done and move on to the next thing on your non bucket list!

ooooo~did you see the cakes that pan makes on the cover of Southern Living? They have 2 different recipes, too!!
Comment by LibraryGirl62 on October 2, 2009
You’re doing 10 and 1’s, yes? That’s how I did my half-marathon – just that short walk is so healing.

YOU CAN DO IT! You’re awesome for even attempting it. While I did the half, I don’t think I have the steel uterus to attempt the full.
Comment by andi on October 2, 2009
Just what I needed to hear. That I’m not the only one who did this. Ran, ran everyday. Loved it. Then stopped. The last time I ran was the day before my best pal, Fiona passed away. She died July 5. I’ve been thinking about it. Alot lately.
Tomorrow I will run. You run too – ok?

(I had to laugh about your belt. I have the same one. I won’t be as embarassed wearing it knowing you wear the same one!!)
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Processing =-.
Comment by Christine on October 2, 2009
Ok, so you don’t know me, but I love your blog – its quite entertaining. So now, I will entertain you for a sec. I too am running the atlanta thanksgiving marathon as is my sister and both of our husbands. My husband works for a gym here in ATL and so he thinks running 10 miles is a “warm up” where I am fighting to run for 10 minutes. I have done 2 half marathons already, and its more of a speed walk than a run. I too loved to run when I started, but then became so hungry i thought I would die and ate everything in sight. So, you are not alone. This is soooo normal. The best part of doing these marathons? watching people 2 to 3 times your size zooming past you. talk about encouraging! Hey, if those couch potatoes can do it, so can we. Besides, the whole reason my sister and I are even doing this race is so we can eat eat eat and then eat some more on turkey day. that alone, is worth it! Keep running – I’ll see you at the finish line!
Comment by Bex on October 3, 2009
You can do this. You totally can! And it will be yet another reason why I want to be you… except I sorta can’t because I’m filipino and you’re not.

And yeah, I’m freezing my ass off… and you’re not. Dang. Reason #2 today for wanting to be you. Sigh.
Comment by Nenette on October 3, 2009
Buy a Segway. Problem solved!

(You’ll do it. I know it!)
Comment by Avitable on October 3, 2009
I have hit a wall too! We can do it, Ali! I am not going to be the fastest or the greatest, but we can do it!
Comment by rachel b on October 4, 2009