At my best, at the end of my half marathon training, I had lost 17 pounds (and 18 for a blink!). I had a few pounds creep back on over my hiatus, bringing me to about 13 pounds, and I have worked for a few weeks (since Easter) to get it back to a pretty solid 15 pounds. And I feel GREAT about that. 17 pounds was my pre-Z weight. 15 pounds I am happy with. 25 pounds was my high school weight..and I am no fool to think I can get back there again. I probably could make it to 20...but I have decided it is not worth it...the time, energy, thought, emotions...not worth it.
I also began running then. I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. It was kind of a means to help me lose weight. But after the 10K and half marathon, I really kind of started liking it. I could have stopped over the winter (and believe me, many days I just DIDN'T want to get out of bed in the cold dark morning) but I'm so glad I didn't stop, especially now that it is warm enough and light enough for me to be outside at 6am and not in the gym on the treadmill!!! I am signed up for a 5 mile race next weekend and a mudrun in May. I am looking to sign up for a few more races this summer and fall. I really have enjoyed it. SO surprised by that. I don't think I will do a half marathon again, but I would love to do a marathon relay or other 10K races...6-7 miles is my max, I think!
The other day I was fed up with my house and just cranky in general, and I decided to run. I just needed OUT. And running did it for me. I didn't have to spend money, or feel guilty like I should be back sooner, or drive...and I got exercise, released endorphins, knew I wouldn't be back until I got done with my 5 miles...all around a good deal. I felt so much better and came back a mostly happy mama :)
I have loved being an example to my boys (mostly Z now) on self discipline...I have loved having the chance to run with him and talk with him.
I have found that getting up and running in the early morning starts off my day so much better too. I'm not running around like a crazy woman because I have slept in, cranky at my kids for going too slow...I'm calmer and have my head on straighter. This is not to say that I don't love my Friday morning sleep-in, but that morning really is a bit ugly. I would never have thought I would say that!
And just for grins, I figured I probably ran about 800 miles in the past year. That is a bit over 15 miles a week, which is what I have done most of the year (most weeks I run 4 days: 3 miles, 4 miles, 3 miles, 5 miles). Training for the half I clearly did more, but I took a few weeks off here and there for vacations, and didn't get in quite as much over the winter each week as I wanted to. And this is how far I could have run in any one direction from St. Louis:
Yay me!
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