Love yourself, and you're set.

"Love yourself, and you're set." 

- Lady Gaga Born This Way

December first. End of the year is upon us and I'm starting, as I always do, to take stock of what has passed. In August, I made an announcement that I would be running my first ever half marathon on February 23rd, 2014. I'm still on track with that goal, but it took me a month or two to really get into the swing of training for it. I guess that's why I set goals far in advance - I know in my heart of hearts that I'll need some time to wrap my head around what I'm doing. 

Then, there comes a time when your wiser self chimes in and says, "Sarah, can it. Stop thinking and head out the door running." And that time is here. Although I took last Saturday through Thursday off for Thanksgiving, I've run the past three consecutive days. Nothing crazy mind you. A mile on Friday, a mile and a half with Charlie on Saturday and 4 miles today, again with Charlie. It feels good to be running again.

Some thoughts:

RUNNING with CHARLIE

Charlie's new favorite game is "chase", which is funny for a kid who cannot walk. He scoots around, army style, while the chaser feigns running with heavy breathing and lots of loud footfall. Then Charlie inches his way around the house, looking back periodically, giggling all the while. He loves when I take him for a run, because it feels like a game of chase. He's out in front while I huff and puff - always just behind him. So he starts giggling uncontrollable while we're running and his legs kick in the air as if he's running away. It's the sweetest thing ever.

LOVING YOURSELF

For me, running is not about speed or distance or time or competition or even getting thin or losing weight. It is about feeling free. When I feel free and in charge of the moment, I can't help but feel deep love and gratitude towards myself. And this feeling, this well of love and gratitude seeps out into every other part of my day. And it's a great reason to simply get up and get out the door. 

On my run this morning with Charlie.

Cool Weather is Running Weather

I'm on day 22 of my Tabata Bootcamp project. It's slow going, but I'm feeling stronger and more balanced because of my workouts. After only 2 weeks of Tabata bootcamp, I lost a half inch off of my hips, waist and chest. My weight did not change, but my shape did! These classes are also helping me prepare my body for the half marathon I'm running in February!

This week I ran 6 miles and walked 5. I've been enjoying the cooler weather and hitting my neighborhood trails in the morning hours. My youngest son Charlie is also enjoying our run and walk routine in the jogging stroller. One of my favorite moments from the week: Charlie was screaming and unhappy for some reason. I laced up my running shoes, wrestled him into the stroller and head out the door for a run. Within moments, he was quiet, relaxed and happily watching the world go by. And so was I. Getting out for a run was a great way to break the crappy house-bound fits.

The "I Did It" List

ran 6 miles

walked 5 miles

improved in almost all categories at my Tabata Bootcamp fitness assessment

snacked on lots of fruit instead of chocolate

complete two paintings and started two more

went on a wedding anniversary date with my husband

hosted 13 graduate students from the theater department at SMU for lasagna dinner

The Next 6 Months

Six months from today, I will be running my first half marathon. Its a tall order, but I know I can do it. So what will transpire between today and February 23rd? What's the plan? There's nothing new in the plan and there never is. A plan to get healthy and lose excess weight is always the same. Eat less crap and get some exercise. There's actually real comfort in that, don't you think? There are a million diet books out there... countless weight loss theories and diet books. And they all manage to rearrange "eat less crap and exercise" into a 280 page best seller. So that's my plan.

You still want a few more details?  Sure... I understand.  Here's my some specifics:


1.  Work out two to three times a week at Positively Fit Lake Highlands. These workouts will include high intensity weight bearing activity mixed with cardiovascular work.

2.  Limit sugar.  Period.  No seriously...  Sarah, stop eating sugar.

3.  Eat mainly whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains.

4.  In preparation for my 1/2 marathon, I'll run at least once a week - starting with shorter distances 2-3 miles and work my way up as the months wear on. When the half draws closer, I'll ramp up how many runs I take a week.

That's it.

To kick off my new challenge, I'm starting with a 7 day juice fast. If you'll remember from previous posts, I love doing juice fasts. I don't know about all the cleansing claims - I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist. But I do know that I feel GREAT when I fast, my skin looks amazing, I have more energy and I lose weight. I'm starting on Tuesday, August 27th and write about it here at Smaller Sarah. I have a friend who is going to do the fast with me, so that will be lovely. We can support each other along the way!

If you'd like to read my past posts about juice fasting, click HERE.

Say Yes and Figure It Out Later

It's a new week and I'm off to bootcamp this morning. My goal this week is to attend a few fitness classes and get out on my own for at least one run. This weekend I registered for my first half marathon (yikes!) and while I'm nervous about running such a long distance, I'm excited about the prospect of training for such an event. What will I do to train? Run, I guess. I haven't even begun looking into training programs, but I'm sure that will come soon enough. The key is to say yes, set the goal and then figure out how you're going to get there.

The "I Did It" List

went running this weekend for the first time in over two months

attended a killer work out at Positively Fit Lake Highlands

registered for my first half marathon (Feb. 23rd)

had a date with my husband

didn't finish my pancake breakfast on Sunday because I was full

photographed two homes for Houzz.com

weeded my front yard (long overdue)

showered at a friend's house because our hot water heater is on the fritz

Run Sarah Run

It was 69 degrees this morning in Dallas - SIXTY NINE DEGREES! My family and I took full advantage of the unusual cool weather and visited White Rock Lake for a spin on the walking trail. My five-year-old brought his bike and I laced up my running shoes.

I haven't been running since mid-June and am horribly out of practice. Much to my surprise and pleasure, I was able to keep up with my kid and run with ease for about a mile. I'm looking forward to getting back into running shape. And to make a pledge of my seriousness, I am going to run a half marathon in February. What? Yes. I am running my first ever half marathon in Fort Worth on February 23rd! 

I want to tell you a little story. When I started my Smaller Sarah year in June of 2011, two dear Dallas-based friends followed along and cheered my efforts. That spring both of these women, inspired by my weight loss and healthy goals, began running. They both are now race-hounds, attending 5 and 15Ks all over - one of them has already run two half marathons. Then when life got too busy this spring, I fell off the wagon, stopped eating right and discontinued my work-outs. My two darling friends and I have now switched positions. It is they who are inspiring me to start running again. They've invited me to join them for a half marathon in February, so I'm going to do it!  

Thank you Alison and Meighan! 

Here is a photo of me and my little cyclist pace-setter at White Rock Lake today:

Run Away!

I went to bed on Friday night with the intention of rising early on Saturday to hoof it through the Undy 5000 5K I registered for a few weeks back.  That was my intention.  Instead, I caught up on some much needed sleep while my sainted husband took the kiddies.

This morning, I made up for my Saturday absence by attending my first ever run class at Positively Fit. I ran a little under 3.5 miles - and at 6am to boot. It was grueling, but it was also wonderful. I can hear you saying, "Wonderful? Right! What's so wonderful about that?" But it really was and here's why:

My life at home with Charlie (my darling Charlie who is battling tooth and nail against the effects of his cerebral palsy and epilepsy) is really shitty right now.  He is frustrated and needy and the only way he feels he can communicate with us is by squealing.  Its that same high pitched screaming piglet-style squeal that he's been doing since the beginning of September.  It sucks all of the oxygen out of the room and leaves everyone in its wake with tears and a migraine.  His screaming has me crying at every turn.  I cried through boot camp class on Monday. I spent 15 minutes in the shower on Tuesday crying into a towel. I fell apart on my Chiropractor's table today. I'm just at a complete loss. So when I went running this morning, I was able to treat myself to a cool November breeze, the soft sound of foot fall and a quiet conversation with a running partner.  My legs were killing me, but my world was quiet. For a brilliant 55 minutes, I had a little peace.

The Undy 5000

After a hiatus from running 5Ks (my last one was on July 15th) I've registered to run the Undy 5000 on October 27th!  Thank you to my reader, Lana, who alerted me to this awesome race to fight colon cancer.  The best part? Participants wear their underwear on the outside of their clothes. Sounds like a good time to me!  Anyone want to join me?

Register HERE.

Weigh In - Week 61

This week has been an interesting mix of vacation Utopia and tiresome solo parenting.  I have loved being at my mother's farm with my boys.  Walker especially seems braver and more expansive here. Every morning he pulls on his rubber boots and heads outside to see what his Grandpa is working on.  Some mornings, my Mom takes Charlie so I can go for a run. And every day is filled with some kind of fresh, just-yanked-from-the-garden, produce that makes me swoon and curse my city life.  Seriously, I ate an heirloom tomato this week that brought me to my knees. Ah well, we can't have everything we want all at once - right? 

The good news this week?  I've finally broken my weight loss stand off.  I'm down two pounds this week.  Why?  I have no flippin' idea. (I know, I know... so helpful right?  Isn't this supposed to be a blog where I share my weight loss secrets and impart valuable and tested techniques to my readers?) My mom says losing weight is like finding a good man.  If you're trying to hard, you'll never succeed. Its only when you stop trying and let things flow that you drop the weight or meet Mr. Awesome.  Maybe so.

Pounds lost this week: 2

Total pounds lost: 78

The "I Did It" List

ran over 6 miles (three 2-mile runs)

ate amazing fresh produce

prepared beautiful meals for my family

picked up some literature about canning and preserving food (oh its on!)

I'm reading Barbabra Kingsolver's book "Animal Vegetable Miracle" (I'm almost done)

celebrated Charlie's 2nd birthday by baking carrot cupcakes

Run For Fun?

I think I may finally at the point where I can sometimes (not all the time, mind you, but every once in a while) run for fun.  I've been taking little 2 and 3 mile runs every other day or so while visiting my mom in Oregon.  And today, I felt excited to get out and run away from everything for a few minutes.  It's pretty exhillerating to run out of the house, away from the computer, away from my kids and away from the feeling that I "have" to be doing something.  Then, its just as exciting to turn around and run back - back to my family, back to a cold glass of water, back to my daily routines and comforts of home. 

P.S.  I thought that this image above was perfect for me.  This should be my simple four step plan for the rest of the year.  Run longer, eat better, feel stronger, look amazing.  Ready, set, go.

Country Roads

I'm in Eastern Oregon for the next few weeks visiting my mother.  This morning, after coffee and cuddling with Charlie (who is almost 2!), I went for a run.  I took the country road from my Mama's house to the neighboring town of New Bridge.  Its a slow steady incline that meanders past farms, fields and burbling irrigation ditches.  The weather was cool - about 67 degrees.  After running on Monday morning in Dallas, where the temperature was already in the 90's, this morning's run seemed like a dream.

I jogged along for almost a mile and a half until I came to a sign that said "New Bridge - Congestion Ahead".  New Bridge is a town of about 30 and the "congestion ahead" notice made me giggle. God forbid two cars try and pass each other at the same time while navigating the gradual fork in the road. Congestion, indeed. This morning, there was no traffic - only chirping birds, grass fed cows chomping on clover and a distant four wheeler humming in the distance.

It's good to be out of the city for a spell.

Too Hot To Handle 5K Wrap-Up

Today I ran the Too Hot to Handle 5K at White Rock Lake. Maybe it was because I was running with friends... or maybe it was the free 5-Hour Energy shooter that I was handed on the way in... whatever the reason, I had a marvelous time and ran a great race. I ran my personal best: 35 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Here I am with some wonderful women - from left to right: Jacki (who inspired me to start running in the first place), Karri (this was her first ever 5K and she ROCKED it out!), Lacey (midwife extraordinaire who has recently dropped 30 pounds and started running) and me!  We have 13 children between the four of us and have collectively dropped a total of 144 pounds in the past two years! Today, we were super women.

One of my favorite parts about the race is walking to the start line. Everyone is smiling and nodding and back patting in anticipation of the race. And you get to see a little bit of everybody. The seasoned runner who signs up for 5Ks just to stay loose, the first timer who is tapping everyone they can find on the shoulder to say, "This is my first race!" and the running groups that are all wearing the same shirts.  Big, little, fat, fit, old, young, kids, dogs - we're all here to run a few miles together. It's pretty great.

And my least favorite part of races: the porta-potties.  I hate, hate, hate waiting in line to hover over a hole and pee before I run. But you have to do it. Its like a rite of passage or something. Plus, who wants to hit mile two, realize they can't make it to the finish without peeing and dash off course to find a bush. No one.

So there you have it. 

The best and worst of my fourth 5K.

Morning Run

I'm back in Utah territory!  If you've been following the blog for the past year, you'll remember that I began my Smaller Sarah year in Utah.  Why is my family here?  Because my husband takes a nine week contract every summer at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

This morning, I laced up my running shoes and went for a 2-mile run around hilly Southern Utah University.  It's 50 degrees this morning with a stiff cold wind coming out of the mountains. I've also jumped from an altitude of 149 feet in Texas to an altitude of 5895 feet in Utah.  When you add the hills and the wind and the altitude together, it makes for a very different running experience than I've been accustomed to in Dallas.

Never-the-less, I popped in my ear buds (Kanye, Robyn, Gaga and Pink on the iPod) and braved the elements.  It felt so good to run the same route that I was walking last summer.  What usually took me 40 minutes to walk, I ran in 25 minutes today!  My goal is to run that two mile loop 5 days a week while I'm here.

P.S.

Tomorrow, I'll be posting some more questions from readers 

for the Q&A series, so be sure to check back!

Weigh In - Week 45 (Warrior Queen Edition)

The weeks are closing in as June 1st approaches - almost a whole year since beginning my Smaller Sarah journey!  This week has been filled to the brim with activity, stress and joy.  My husband has been home from Barcelona for a week and life seems to be resuming a normal pattern.  Most of the weekdays were crazy and I was a weepy mess trying to stay on top of all my obligations.  The weekend, though, was better.  I hosted a party on Friday for Jack's SMU colleagues - a sort of welcome home get-together.  Saturday our family attended a dinner for Kenna's Kids, the non-profit organization that has chosen my son, Charlie, as one of their 2012 beneficiaries.  Then I finished the week with the Warrior Dash on Sunday morning!

As I stood in front of the bathroom mirror on Sunday morning examining the bags under my eyes, I thought, "What the hell am I doing?"  Then I popped two Aspirin, poured myself a cup of coffee and packed my bag for the battlefield.  Dread soon gave way to giddiness and in the end Warrior Dash was a fantastic experience. 

The best part about doing the Warrior Dash was that I had a partner.  My boot camp instructor and dear friend, Mallory, picked me up on Sunday morning and ran the dash with me!  My goal was to run the entire 5K, which I did.  There was only one obstacle that was beyond my physical abilities, but I surmounted all the others with confidence.  The one I missed was a nine story wall with only a vertical rope to assist in scaling.  Okay, okay... it was NOT nine stories tall and there were little helpful foothold thingys, but seriously... when I started to climb, all I heard was the voice of comedian Wanda Sykes saying, "Oh nuh-uh girl.  That shit ain't happ'nin'."  I just didn't have the upper body strength to pull myself over that HUGE wall.  Ah well.

Do I feel different?  Hell yes.  Now I feel like Boadicea, Warrior Queen of the Britons.  I don't know if I can lead a Celtic revolt against the Romans, but I can certainly handle a rowdy (and sweet) four year old, a testy (and sweet) 20 month old with Cerebral Palsy, boot camp, and my various domestic duties as chauffeur, chef, event coordinator, financial planner, and family Chief Executive Officer.  So Mallory, thank you for running the dash with me and for spending the last five months (gently) whipping my ass into shape.  Here I am before and after the Warrior Dash:

Okay back to business.  It's Monday.  Time to weigh in.  I had a great week of exercise and a crappy week of eating.  I allowed stress and time-crunches to dictate my diet this week.  There were lots of coffee take-out trips, ice cream breaks and even cake.  I also drank a lot of beer and wine due to the weekend entertaining.  I have not dropped any weight, but I look and feel more toned than I have in over a decade.  The weight remains the same, but I'm still dropping dress sizes.  So overall, I'm pleased with how the week turned out.  My goal for next week is to resume my normal diet, which as you know, mostly entails saying no to refined sugar / flour and yes to veggies and raw food.

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 65

Mallory and me before the race with fresh shiny clean faces.

Mallory and me after the race with our viking hats and medals.

We rocked the Warrior Dash!

All clean with my official tee-shirt!

And a shot of my knees and shins a few hours after the dash.  Ouch!

The "I Did It" List

attended 2 boot camp classes

took a run around my neighborhood

juiced 3 out of 7 mornings

 completed the Warrior Dash in fifty something minutes

bought a pair of heels (my first in years)
wore my new size 16 jeans all week

Tomorrow I will do this...

I'll be back on Monday to weigh in and tell you all about it.

Just Keep Going

Jack is back from Barcelona and back to work.  I thought that maybe I would have a little respite when he returned, but I think I was really kidding myself.  He's winding up the semester with his students and also completing his documentation and personal statement for tenure review this summer and fall.  Its a tall order and his time is not his own.

So I'm still exhausted, still waiting for the end of the school year and still holding down the fort.  All of this is markedly easier to do, however, when Jack is in the country and home at night.  So it is with a grateful heart and an exhausted mind that I move forward.

I'm nervous about my energy level while attempting to do the Warrior Dash this weekend.  In four short days I will be swimming through mud, running through sludge, climbing under barbed wire, scaling walls and jumping through fire.  Why?  Because it sounded like fun when I registered in February.  You're probably saying aloud, "What the hell was Sarah thinking?"  But the truth is these 5Ks and athletic markers are what keep me going right now.  Going to boot camp three days a week and doing a 1000 push up challenge and running the Warrior Dash are serving a much greater purpose in my life than I ever thought they would.  They keep me focused when all I want to do is throw away my calender and skip Charlie's therapy appointment.   They keep me grounded when all I want to do is drink a bottle of wine when the kids are down at 8pm.  And most importantly, they keep me connected to other moms going through the same shit as I am.  Its enlivening to reach for something you think you cannot do.  It doesn't even matter if you make it.  Pushing yourself and enjoying the ride is paramount.

photo source

I am a runner.

I went for a run two nights ago and had my fastest mile ever!  10 minutes and 37 seconds.  Here's the crazy part, I'd had two glasses of white wine just before my run.  I didn't intend to go running, I just suddenly felt the urge.  Both of my kids were asleep in bed and I had someone to watch them for a spell.  I think the alcohol put a spring in my step!

I've only been running since November.  And in that time, I've only been seriously running since February.  When people ask, "Are you a runner?".  I usually hem and ha and say, "Well, I jog - does that count?"  I just looked up "jog" in the dictionary and it doesn't sound all that great:


JOG
1. to move or shake with a push or jerk

2. to cause to function with a jolt for a moment or in a series of disconnected motions

3. to push slightly, as to arouse the attention; nudge

Then, I looked up "run".  It certainly sounds a lot better:

RUN
1. to go quickly by moving the legs in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.

2. to move with haste; act quickly

3. to depart quickly; take to flight


So from now on, when someone asks, "Are you a runner?" I'll be more than happy to reply, "Yes.  I run."  I do not 'move and shake with a jerk'.  I 'take flight'.  Well, I take flight slowly... but it feels like flying to me.

 

Official Run for Human Rights Race Results

I just got the official results from my recent (and first ever) 5K race.  My time was much better than I thought it was: 37 minutes and 57 seconds.  Yay!  My goal was to run it under 42 minutes.  And here is a photo of me crossing the finish line.  Next up?  Warrior Dash on April 22nd and Run the Highlands 5K on April 28th.

Juice Cleanse - Day 6

A video for you...

Here's a quick shot of me and Charlie headed out for a run this morning!  Charlie is the perfect running partner.  He keeps exactly the same pace as I do and doesn't require me to make lots of conversation while I run. 

And in honor of hitting the 9 month mark - that's right, I began this journey 9 short months ago - I thought I'd post a "before and now" photo.  I've still got a ways to go before I reach my goal (3 months and 21 pounds) but I'm feeling very content with my current pace and trajectory.

Shiny Stretchy Running Shirt

Last night I went for a quick mile run around my neighborhood.  I wore my new shiny stretchy running shirt - a Christmas gift.  I love the color.  I love that it wicks the sweat away from my skin.  I love that it keeps me warm and cool at the same time.  It's even got thumb-holes, which is like fashion code for "Hey, I'm a real runner, okay, so back off."  Its a little on the small side, but I figure that if I keep running, it will fit much better in the near future.  Just the act of putting it on makes me feel like going out for a run.

And just because I like to keep it real, here I am in my running shirt 

on my way out the door for a run.  See?  It's still a little snug.

Do you have a special shirt or pair of shoes 

that make you feel the "get-up-and-go"?

Morning Run

This morning, I went for a 5K run at White Rock Lake.  I started at 6:30am in the dark at a nice slow and steady pace.  It was such a joy to watch the morning rise over the lake.  I loved hearing the turtle doves, hoot owls, and loon-like birds start their morning chatter.  Now that I'm over the January gunk, I'd like to start running 5K once a week in preparation for my 5K race at the end of March.  I've never been a morning person, but running is something I'll definitely get up for.  Today, I ran 3.1 miles in 38 minutes.