You must be at the end of your rope. I felt a tug.

I added a quote at the top of my blog after thinking about all the people I have met or read about who are struggling with many things in their life, yet have embarked on this Marathon journey.

There's Cheryl who is struggling with a sick son and stepfather.
There's Vickie who's husband is often far away from home.
There's Mandy who's recovering from a trauma in her past and worried about her brother.
There's Rusty who has Kinsey who has been in the hospital way more than any little one her age should be.
There's Kayra who immigrated to the U.S. and put herself through college at Old Miss and is now the mother of three.
There's Mary who was brave enough to broach the subject of poop.
There are those of us who have struggled or are struggling with injuries like Christa, Scotty, and Sherita.
There's Clark whose knees have sidelined him, but he's still with the group, helping out where he can.
There are those of us who are just struggling like Onetta who was brave enough to put into words what many of us feel.

These people, and all of the people whose stories we don't know, are working toward getting to that starting line in Chicago on October 7, and we're all depending on one another for help to get there.

We are so fortuneate to have people like Mark and Robin who always have encouraging words, Kelvin, who always has a perspective that makes us laugh, Shekerra who always seems to be so full of energy and enthusiasm (oh, to be 19 again!) and all the folks who write encouraging words on each others' blogs.

I just hope there is no one out there who feels alone in this quest. If so, be sure to blog, share your feelings and your fears, and then take heart in all the encouragement you will be sure to get. Don't try to go it alone! Tug on the rope...someone will pull you up.

100 miles

According to the program I use to track all of my exercises, I have walked 100 miles since we started Marathon Makeover! WOW!

It took 7 1/2 weeks to accumulate that mileage. (I started a week late). So it will be interesting to see how long it takes to accumulate the second 100.

Hope everyone is having a good week. I have been a little "off" these past couple of days, but have gotten in my time. Just feel sluggish.

You might be a penguin if...

In one of the posts on the bulletin board, Robin mentioned a website by John Bingham. I took a look at http://www.johnbingham.com/ and had a good laugh at the concept of being a penguin. According to Mr. Bingham, a penguin is someone who "runs more for the joy of running than for recognition and public rewards." There's a great section on his website that lists "you might be a penguin if..." that's LOL. I just want to have as much fun as this guy:

http://www.bigducky.com/videos/funny_videos/penguin-video.htm

Although I will probably avoid wearing any combintion of black and white clothes!

Also on his website is a page about "becomming a runner" and it is very insightful and inspiring. He talks of the changes that go on in ourselves as we take on a more active lifestyle. In particular he talks of the "invisible changes" going on inside -- changes in the strength of resolve and spirit. Of course, this fits in so well with Mark's talk today about how we change our lifestyle through changing our results, our actions, our attitudes and most importantly, our beliefs.

So here's to all of us marathoners...changing inside and out. We're meeting the challenge sometimes head on, sometimes a bit sideways, but continuing to put one foot in front of the other, fast or slow but forward.

I believe we can do this. I believe we will do this. I believe we are marathoners!

The house of pain...or the honeymoon is over

I teach a class to new supervisors on "situational leadership" and in that class tell my supervisors that we all go through several phases as we take on a new job or task. The first phase we call the "eager learner."(Some might call them "ignorant fools!" :)) . Someone is new to the job and is excited about the opportunity. They jump right in with enthusiasm even though they don't know what they're doing and are a little "Trepidatious."

After the newness wears off they begin to realize the job is a harder than they imagined. Expections may be higher but they're still not "competent" enough in the new job. It's hard work, and "the honeymoon is over". We call these folks the "disillusioned learner." (Reality bites!) That individual is in "the house of pain".

The next phase begins as the individual grows more competent in their job and things become a little easier and they gain more confidence. Finally the individual becomes 'the expert' in the job, performs it fairly effortlessly and takes pride and joy in their accomplishments and skill.

Everyone goes through these phases as they tackle something new. They may stay longer in one phase or the other, but we all go through the cycle. I teach my supervisors that they really have to coach and encourge those folks in "the house of pain," and help them get through it quickly. I think many of us are in that stage right now. We're struggling with the reality of what we've committed to. We see where we are now and have doubts that we'll be where we need to be by October.

Let's all help each other remember that this is a phase, and that with our own commitment and resolve, and each others' support, we'll get through this phase and before long be moving toward being that stage 4 highly competent runner, wogger, walker who completes the Chicago Marathon. We'll get there together!

Angels and Devils on my shoulders

Last week was full of temptations, but on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being a saint and 1 being a sinner, I guess I'd score myself a 7. Not too bad, as in the past I was definitely a sinner!


So now it's one more week -- well actually only 3 more days as class is over on Thursday.

Today, well, banana pudding says it all --

Devil, "Go ahead, Cathy, eat that pudding, it won't matter in the long run. It sure will taste good."
Angel, "No, Cathy, don't do it, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips."

The devil made me do it....


Sorry I missed Saturday, but I have kept up with the walking and cross training. 5 weeks and no missed days, no excuses. I'll be there this Saturday. Looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting new people. Have a good week.

I didn't throw my bra at him...

...Would have probably given him a black eye. ( I was too far back, anyway).

Billy Joel concert was great, and I felt good that I could go with the clear conscience of having already walked yesterday morning and having eaten "pretty good" yesterday (they did have banana pudding at lunch, and it is absolutely my downfall). But rest of the day was good...light meal at P.F. Changs (didn't clean my plate) and no booze, snacks or bad things in between -- just heavenly music. Probably first time I ever went to a concert without having a drink or two before or during!

Didn't know starting out this adventure that one of the benefits would be new friends that give you stuff! I can't thank NissanNurse enough for the tickets.

So back to reality and resisting temptations today. Will cycle tonight for XT.

Day 1 of Temptation Hell

Well, did pretty good today...until supper. Got up at 5:00 and walked 3 miles. (Not my best time, but okay). Then went to the conference center and had yogurt and cantelope for breakfast. Had salad, tunafish and a small cup of soup for lunch. So far, so good. I did not eat any between meal snacks. I guess I need to bring something with me as all there is between meals is "bad stuff".

I wasn't going to stay for supper, but found out I had been put on the list to attend and it's a big deal to not show up if they're expecting you. So I blew it at dinner -- ribeye, potato (with fixings), apple pie with scoop of ice cream for dessert. What is it about that first cheat that makes you go down hill so fast from there?

Okay, tomorrow's another day. I will make sure I'm NOT on the dinner list for the rest of the training and do the same/similar breakfast and lunch as today.

Tomorrow afternoon I head to New Orleans to see Billy Joel -- thanks, Kelvin. Not only do I get to see Billy Joel, but I'll be spared the supper temptation (of course, we are eating at P.F.Chang's in New Orleans but I'll be good).

After the concert, though, I'll be back at the conference center on Wednesday so it's one day down, eight to go!

Dear Diary...

I found today that I felt bad that my legs were so tired, and I didn't think I got much of a workout on my morning walk. I was wondering if I would really be able to complete a marathon. But then I compared my stats for just one week ago...heart rate slower, pace faster. In four weeks I've gone from an average speed of 3.2 mph to an average of 3.8 on the same route, with an average heart rate slightly lower now than 4 weeks ago on that route. So I am making progress even though I may not always realize it. Having a record to go back and look at really helps you see the progress you are making. I guess it seems like we're not making progress as it continues to "be hard" but in actuality we're working at a different, higher level, so it's still hard, but we're doing something we couldn't have done a few weeks ago.

I recommend you get a heart rate monitor -- and if you can get one that syncs up to a computer, even better. At least, though, get one that records/stores your low, high and average heart rate and then transfer that info to a log that lists the exercise, the time, pace, etc. I am sure there are all kinds of exercise diary templates available on the web.

I use a Polar S625X which has a pod for the shoe and a watch that records speed, heart rate, altitude, temperature, etc. (It also records cadence and power on a bike if you buy the additonal pieces for your bicycle.) It then syncs up to the computer and graphs your workout in the software provided with the HR monitor. There is an exercise comparison feature so you can compare two or more exercises.

I highly recommend everyone keep a diary or log of your workout statistics. The blogs serve as a diary of sorts of how we're feeling, what our worries and temptations are and the community really helps us face those issues, but the record of where you started and how far you've come is a real motivator, too.

Hope everyone has a nice day off tomorrow -- I sure am looking forward to it. Not only am I taking a rest day from exercise, but I'm off of work too! See ya on Saturday!