Chill in the air, smile on my face.

Today was my first long run since Oct 15th.  The official training schedule brings out out to heartbreak hill for the first time this season, but not for me.  PT has given me a strict order to stay off the hills until at least mid January, and I'm going to listen to EVERYTHING they say this time around.  So, rather than trucking out to Boston for a 10.5 miler I stayed in Uxbridge and ran from one end of town to the other (my house to my parents house).

It was a cold start, but the chill felt good.  It reminded me of training for this year's marathon and it immediately got the steady stream of thought flowing.  Before I knew it I was two miles into my run and I could feel a smirk come across my face.  I was in a good place.

Why the smirk?  Was it the 40 oz bottle of Budlight Lime I had just passed discarded on the side of the road?  Was it the fact that I was listening to back to back tracks off of some late 90's movie soundtrack?  Probably a little, but it was also because for the first time in a long time I visualized myself at the finish of my journey.  I was feeling good, enjoying some alone time and I could see myself in the best shape of my life finishing the 2012 Boston Marathon.

I think it's important to have these thoughts.  I think it's important to know that in my mind I can get to where I want to be.  If I have the self doubt from the start I'm only going to be running up hill, and as my physical therapist told me, that's not allowed!

And in case you're wondering I'm almost certain the tracks I was referring to came from the American Pie series, which is also making a comeback in 2012 with the American Reunion.  How can 2012 not be a good year with Michelle and Jim back together again, ha.

Let it rain, Let it pour...

With the exception of last night's Christmas shopping adventure, where I think I spent 2 and a half hours eating and drinking at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, it's been a successful first week.  We'll see how much of a downside last night had when I step onto the scale Tuesday morning.

I ran Saturday - Tuesday, had PT on Wednesday, and will be going out for a run as soon as I leave my work desk and head home.  Work has been the one downside to the last few weeks.  The amount of stress has been overwhelming.  It's been a struggle trying to keep my team motiviated during a very hectic time, and it's definitely wearing on me.  Running is my outlet.  My chance to forget all about the pile of work waiting for me each morning. 

It's good to get out and run with either my friend, Damien or my dog, Jake.  Sometimes, though, it's nice to just be out there on my own with nothing and just disappear into some music (more likely than not 3 Doors Down - surprise!).  Tonight it looks like Jake and I might be getting a little wet and the ipod can stay at home.

I really appreciate all the postive responses I received from my first entry.  I hope I don't disappoint over the next few months! 

Operation Me

Here I am writing my first official blog, a motivational tool that I need to be accountable.  April 18th of this year I completed my first Boston Marathon in 4 hours and 32 minutes, two minutes over my goal.  Within days I was motivated to run the marathon a second time and take 17 minutes off my time.  After battling some injury I quickly lost that motivation.  I exercised less and started eating without any real discipline.  

In October I was selected to run my second marathon with Tedy's Team (A special thanks to Zack Blackburn, Tedy and Heidi Bruschi, and the ASA for selecting me for my sophomore season), but still the motivation was lacking.  The official training season started on December 3rd and now, there I was 15 pounds heavier - a shameful breaking point.

I've always been self conscious about letting others know my weight (I blame size "husky" from my childhood) and I've never been someone that had a whole lot of faith in myself, but today I'm putting it all out there.  Today I'm setting goals that some feel are unattainable, and yes they maybe a stretch, but it's the motivation I need to bust my butt over the next 4 months.

So here is where I start today:

2011 Marathon: 4:32 

Weight: 188.8             

Body Fat %: 15.2%

Shoulders: 46 in

Chest: 37.5 in

Waist: 34 in

Abdominal: 38in

Hip: 41 in

Thigh: 23.5 in

Calf: 16 in

Arm: 12.5 in

April 16, 2012 Goals:

2012 marathon: 4:15

Weight: 172

Body Fat%: 12%

It's going to be a long journey, but today I start that journey with a new approach.  My doubts, fears, and insecurities are here for all to read, but with that my inspirations and motivations.  And who knows maybe over the next 4 months I'll even inspire someone else!