Confessions of a Bad Blogger/Good Walker

I hate to say this - but I was called a bad blogger over the weekend. I really hate that, and yet the motivation to write has not been easy to find.

Walking is working. I have lost more weight. That is good, but it is getting a lot harder. Partly because doing what works and sticking to the plan is painful at times. Snacking is easy and even easier to lose control. Walking is easy, but not fun when it is cold, rainy, and windy. Still - it works and has to be done. So averaging 3 miles a day on the weekdays has been achievable, the 10 miles on the weekend has been harder to come by.

I do not enjoy the treadmill, so when those days happen, getting 3 miles feels like a trip to the dentist. I just can't figure out a way to make that fun. Music, TV, magazines, books...don't seem to get past the mental block that I am still on a treadmill and trying to get 3 miles, or 45 minutes in, which ever comes last.

So - what is the weight loss. I get that a lot. I am over 105 pounds now. Those last 5 have been a yo-yo to put in the books. Clearly -weight loss is easier when you can agressively exercise and maintain a healthy eating plan. I have been pretty good at the eating plan, but feel like I am barely scraping by on the exercise. My monthly mileage has decreased by 30-50% of my best months from the summer. Perhaps a maintain plan will be in order, until I can figure this cold weather exercise out. So much easier when you have a lot to lose and burning 100 calories wasn't so hard.

This week has started out well. Actually the weekend ended well also - Saturday I was up and out before daylight, rain gear on, cliff bar packed, for a nice 10 mile Galloway run/walk. I did 5 and 1's and felt very strong the entire time. My body did not end up with any overwhelming pain, and the running felt good and doable. Yesterday and today I have gotten in 10 miles per day. I hope to continue this average through the weekend and then taper off before going to Vegas next Friday.

I am cementing plans for my 2010 event schedule. I am registered for only one so far, but have mapped out several more races starting in April with The Race for the Roses in Portland, in May - Bloomsday in Spokane and Hippie Chick at Champoeg. June will be my first full marathon in Seattle. July will be Coburg Run in the Country. August Hood to Coast Relay with a bunch of great folks from work. Still looking for a half in mid Septemeber (maybe Disneyland over Labor Day?) to prep for the Portland Marathon in October. Also still looking for a fun destination type race. Disneyworld would be awesome, as would the Marine Corp Marathon in DC. I should be able to stay in shape if I can do all of these events. Throwing in some fun 5K's will round out a great year of running and walking.

Work is entirely overwhelming, making it hard to focus on other committments. What can you say and do when you have the same amount of work to do, but 40% less people to do it. I do like my job, but feel so scatter brained at times, I find it very hard to focus.

In the short term - 5K on Thursday with Jessica. Leave for Vegas and meet up with Cindy on December 4th. Looking for tickets to a Blazer game this weekend, and maybe a 1/2 marathon in Rochester, WA mid December.

So - total for November so far -

Miles moved: - 93.57
Calories burned: - 9986

Well over 1200 for the year.

Walk on Folks!