Resolution Update

How are my resolutions going? In a word: poorly.

1. Not exercising. I have managed a couple of walks, but that's about it. I did finish a big paper this past week, something that had been sucking up most of my free time, so perhaps now I'll be able to get it in gear. The thing is, I need to fit this in to my schedule, to plan on doing it every time on the same days, and so far...it just doesn't seem like I have the time in my schedule. I'll have to revisit this one.

2. Bedtimes have been later than 10 almost every night. In part that's because I had that paper I was working on. In order to get that work done plus all my teaching prep and homework, I simply had to work past 10 p.m. Often I was up until midnight and still had to wake up early in order to be ready for teaching. Again, now that this paper is done I hope I'll have more normal evening time to devote to my prep and homework.

3. Snacking has been prolific. I snack when I work, and I've been working a lot. I just paused my typing to eat a bite of pound cake. Sigh.

Ugh. Maybe I should have picked easier resolutions, like "worry more about things" and "wear more neutral colors."

Back from Hiatus

That was a looooong break, wasn't it? That's a rhetorical question, by the way.

I have a list of excuses, but you don't want to hear them, do you? They're boring. Summer heat and apathy top the list.

Now it's days away from back-to-school time for me, and I think it'd be a good idea to turn over a new leaf. I always thought that people in academia should celebrate the new academic year more than the actual New Year, so consider this my list of New (Academic) Year's Resolutions:

1. Start exercising again, at least three days a week. Four would be even better. I'd like to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning, and do a video two other days out of the week.

2. Get to bed by 10 p.m. every single school night. I'm teaching at 8 a.m. MWF this semester, and I'm gonna be in the hurt box if I don't get into this habit.

3. Stop the evening snacking. This has been my downfall this summer. The kids go to bed and the feasting begins. Mindless eating in front of the computer is a great way to ensure that baby weight never leaves.

Classes start Thursday, and so will my new, improved routine. Watch for updates. I promise it won't be another three months.

Reunited...

...and it feels...okay. Not too bad, anyway.

Yes, that's right. My old friend/nemesis Running and I are back together again. I meant to start up on Monday, but I've been battling the Insane Death Plague (okay, just a bad cold) since about the moment my semester ended. Why does that always happen? Does my stress hold an impending illness at bay until the moment my obligations lift? Or does the mounting stress of end-of-semester duties actually create illness? Either way, it stinks. Every single time over the last four years at the moment I hand in that final paper or file my grades, I get sick.

So, anyway. I was sick on Monday and chose a morning nap over a morning run, thinking I'd get it in after the kids went to bed, but then I had forgotten about Jeff's Monday night softball game...so that didn't happen. I started today instead.

I'm not really back into training per se. Today I ran for five minutes, walked for three, ran five, walked three, ran five. I'll probably do that until it feels easy-ish, and then increase the running times or add another running interval. The next 5k I'd like to run is mid-June, which is coming up fast. However, I learned from the last one that I can manage to pull out a pretty surprising performance on the day, so I'm not freaking out about getting up to 5k distance by the date of the run.

In other (but related) news, it sure doesn't take long to gain back weight and lose muscle tone. I took about a month off from running, and was eating junk the last two weeks, and I look just terrible. Why is it so easy to put it back on, but so dang hard to lose it?

Back at it

This is just to say: I'm going to start running again, after a month-long hiatus due to school. Watch for a post on Monday, when I start up again.

My First 5k

I had trouble sleeping last night. I lay awake, listening to the sounds of the rain and thunder, wondering whether I would be running in the rain in just a few hours. When I did sleep, I had running anxiety dreams. In one, I was running laps in my old grade school gym. I was my adult self, running with all my former fifth grade classmates, who were without exception faster than me, and laughing at me. Horrible!

But when my alarm went off at 5:45 a.m., the sounds of the rain had stopped. I got up, quickly dressed, packed up my backpack, and jumped on my bike. Yep, I biked to my 5k! Because we only have one car, and because I really wanted Jeff, Charlotte and Sam to be able to meet me at the finish line, I needed to find another way to get to the race. So, biking it was. And it was a rather pleasant bike ride. It was still dark, but the roads were quiet and the trip went smoothly.

When I got to South Park, I felt limber and warm, which was good, as I had about an hour to burn before my race started, and it was cold outside. I pinned my number on, strapped my timer to my shoe, and walked around the park and up and down Mass St. until it was time for the half-marathon to begin.

After the national anthem was sung (a surprisingly emotional moment), the runners took their marks and at the sound of the starting gun took off while the spectators and 5k/10kers on the sidelines cheered. I felt very lumpy and unprofessional next to the half-marathoners. They were all sleekly outfitted and spindly, like real distance runners. One woman was wearing what looked like a runner's bikini. That's dedication.

Ten minutes later, I was milling about with the mass of fellow 5k and 10k runners waiting for my race to begin. I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw my friend Alicia, another PhD student here at KU, who was also running. I was really glad she picked me out of the crowd. I knew having a person I knew to run with would help me perform better. We got caught up talking with each other and were both caught off guard when the starting gun suddenly went off. "Oh!" we exclaimed, laughing. And so the run began.

I'm lucky Alicia keeps a similar pace to me (a.k.a. slow...she's a beginner, too). She was running with another friend of hers and a couple of times I walked while they kept running, but each time I caught up again. I started toward the back of the pack and stayed there, although toward the end I passed a few people. I felt like I really performed slow and steady, keeping some energy in reserves for the last mile, when I really needed it.

The route was nice. Some hills, but Lawrence has bigger ones that would have been more painful. This wasn't too bad. We ran through some nice neighborhoods, and some people stood at the end of their driveways cheering us on, which was lovely. The run through campus was especially fun.

I think I knew, and my body felt, when I hit the point that was farther than I had run before. I felt a different kind of tired, but my feet just kept moving. I had no idea at that point how long I'd been running, but I was just glad I was still going and that I didn't feel as terrible as I thought I would.

The best part was crossing the bridge over Iowa St. I could see the Lied Center in the distance, and knew the finishing line was close. The sidewalk wrapping down through the parking lot up to the finish line seemed cruely long, but I quickly became distracted as I looked around for Jeff and the kids. As I approached the finish line, I spotted them off to my left. I started waving and grinning like a loon. Jeff pulled out the camera and snapped this:

One of the ugliest pictures of me ever, but I'm proud of it. Seconds later, I crossed the finish line. They called out my name (butchering the last name, naturally) and congratulating me. I somehow missed my actual time, but I know it was 38 minutes and some change. And I was done! edited to add: I found the official results online, here. Looks like my time was 38.24.4; 14th place in my age/gender bracket, 211th overall. Sweet!

We walked around a little bit, enjoying some of the free food and drinks for the atheletes and their families, before deciding it was just too cold for the kids.

All day I've been glowing. I can't believe I really did this! I'm so, so proud of myself for sticking with it despite the past few weeks, and for making it through today. And I'm really glad I did this all when Sam was still so young. I hope it's set a precedent for me and exercising...I want to make this a way of life.

So, what does that mean? It means I'm looking for another 5k to sign up for!

I MADE IT!

I don't know my official time (I think it was 38 minutes something) but I do know that I ran almost the entire way, and I felt pretty good, and I DID IT! WOO!

11 Hours...

Tomorrow morning at the ungodly hour of 7:45 a.m. I will begin running my first 5k.

Tonight I'm going to eat a vat of pasta in the hopes it will boost my energy to the point that I don't notice the muscle fatigue that's been plaguing me the past couple of weeks.

Pasta + adrenaline will surely = success, right?

To say I'm nervous would be an understatement. When I went to pick up my packet today, I suddenly realized: uh-oh. This is for real. And I'm not ready, really, really not ready.

But surely I'm not the first person in the world to run a 5k less than prepared, right? Surely I won't make a complete fool of myself?

Jeff keeps using humor to lighten the situation. Today I was looking up the map for the run, and he said, "Don't worry, honey! I'm sure you won't be so far behind the rest of the runners that you'd get lost!" Ha ha! HILARIOUS!

Then I was joking about how we'd better stick around for the medal ceremony and he said "Do they give out medals to the top 95%? Because I'm confident you'll be in the top 95%. Of women. Ages 25-90."

Oh, that jokester.

I'll write again tomorrow, of course, post-race. Now, for that pasta...

Five Days

As in, five days left until my first 5k.

I'm glad I waited until today to post, because this morning's run was much better than last week's runs. Vastly better. Last week, while I was still South Beaching, I could barely slog through a mile. And when I was done I felt terrible. Weak, shaky. Just awful.

Today, after a weekend of relatively back-to-normal eating (I'm still trying to limit sweets and processed carbs), I was able to run/walk the entire 2.5 mile distance, with more running than walking. I think I probably ran almost 2 miles. And I felt pretty good...just normal post-running fatigue. I'll go out again Thursday and try to improve on my distance. And then maybe a shorter run Saturday just to prime the pump before Sunday morning...very early Sunday morning, I might add.

Bleaaaaargh.

Well, that didn't go well.

Friday morning I woke up feeling really weird. Woozy, spacy, dizzy, out of it. I needed to run that day. My typical routine is to down a cup of tea and head out a half-hour later. Nothing else, really...my late-night snacking typically gave me enough fuel to run on. But it was obvious that wasn't going to work this time. I whipped up some scrambled eggs with veggies and grody low-fat cheese like a good South Beach dieter, waited a couple of hours, and then went to the rec center to run on the track. I needed to do 2.5 miles and found it easier to measure the length on the track.

Well, as soon as I started running I knew it wasn't going to go well. I felt like I was running underwater, like I had weights around my ankles. And my heart-rate was crazy. I could feel my heart pounding just when I was doing my warm-up walk. I think all in all I managed to run a mile total, with lots of walking interspersed.

I got home and told Jeff what happened and weighed my options. Obviously I needed a bit more fuel earlier in the days I was going to run. Did I need actual carbs? Should I break the diet on run mornings, and have a piece of toast with peanut butter or something?

In the back of my mind, I was worried this wasn't related to the diet, although it seems to timely not to be. I was secretly concerned it was my thyroid acting up again, because the symptoms were quite similar. Plus, I've been having some of the other symptoms lately: aching joints, difficultly falling/staying asleep particulary.

I decided to give it another try. Saturday morning I was more proactive. When I was up at 5 a.m. feeding Sam, I had a snack before going back to bed. I felt a little better when woke up. I ate breakfast, sticking to the diet but not holding back on portion, and waited a few hours. This time I mapped out a route in the neighborhood.

Same story as before. Same sensation, and about the same results. I ran almost a mile before giving up and walking. I kept trying to run again but just couldn't.

I have a 5k scheduled in two weeks. Right now I can barely manage a mile. What to do?

I am sticking with South Beach (the first phase) through this Friday. This isn't the full two weeks suggested by the program, but I'm pleased enough with the results I've seen so far (my belly is noticeably diminished) to cut it a bit short. During that time period, I'll keep trying to run, and I'll run as much as I can. Hopefully after Friday, when I add some carbs back into my diet, I'll see a return of some energy too. If not...well, perhaps the pressure of the crowd at the race will motivate me past my leaden feet?

Week 7, and an eating update

I'm in the middle of week seven of C25K, so I'll reserve my judgment until I'm done. But I can say without hesitation that this is the most challenging week, not only so far, but overall. The jump from running increased time/length over the course of the week to running long runs every time was a bit of a shock. But, again, I'll write more about this later.

I wanted to post that I've started the South Beach diet this week. Let me say off the bat that I am not a diet fan. My opinion is that if people eat real foods in moderate amounts they shouldn't need to follow trendy diets or join a program or anything. However, I have come to realize that many people, myself included, need to break out of some bad habits in order to get to the point where they can eat real foods in moderate amounts.

I'm an emotional eater. I want to celebrate, mourn, and just chill out with food. Since Sam was born I've gotten into the terrible habit of snacking at night after the kids go to bed. I might have been so busy during the day that I missed meals and was genuinely hungry, but the amount of calories I'd wolf down after dark was way, way more than I needed. And usually it was the wrong kind of food.

I looked into a couple of different diets but I have heard about South Beach from several people (including my own parents who had great success on it a few years back. In addition, it seems to be Nina Planck-approved, which means it passes my hippie-meter test. Planck is the author of Real Food, which has become my sort of food-bible in recent years. Anyway, South Beach for the most part doesn't require you to eat a lot of weird, artificial things, something I approve of.

So I started South Beach for two reasons: to break my really bad snacking habit, and to thwart my recent weight gain. Yes, that's right. Weight GAIN. I'm probably the only person in the world who can be nursing full-time AND training for a 5k and therefore exercising regularly and be GAINING WEIGHT. Boo. I know my baby is only three months old, and I shouldn't be expecting to be back in pre-baby shape or anything, but certainly I could be expecting to be maintaining or even losing a bit of weight, right?

I'll be writing about South Beach over here and at Tig Eats in the next few weeks.

I DID IT!

Yesterday was my first real "long" run of the C25K training program: a five-minute warm-up walk followed by twenty minutes of running and a five-minute cool down. I was gearing up to go, lacing up my sneakers and stretching, all the while expressing my concerns about this run to Jeff.

"Twenty minutes? Just like that?" he asked. "It seems strange...just last week you were running for five minutes or three minutes. It just seems sudden."

On one hand I agreed with him. It does seem abrupt. My runs this week built in length, but a more natural progression would have been two ten-minute runs instead of one solid, long block like this.

However, I think the purpose of this method is to demonstrate to the runner that he/she is actually capable of running a longer stretch without stopping. As long as I didn't get a mental block ("What am I thinking? I can't do this!") and focused instead on how I was really feeling ("Hmmm. Not bad, actually.") I was fine.

That's right...I was fine! I did walk once, for about thirty seconds. But it was toward the end of my run and I was heading up a huge hill. The combination of fatigue and incline was too much. But I ran as soon as I got to the crest of the hill. And I tacked on another minute at the end to make up for it.

Sure, I was tired. It definitely felt like more running than I had done to that point. And today I'm really sore. But I ran twenty minutes (two miles)! With less than a month left before my first 5k, that's really encouraging.

Week 5

Is it possible this is getting...dare I say it...easier?

I just got back from my second run of week 5. This time I had to run for eight minutes (or 3/4 mile) twice. Considering that just a week ago five minutes had me huffing and puffing and cursing and limping, I wasn't too optimistic.

But I made it all the way through both runs without walking (or swearing)! And I actually felt pretty great afterwards...a little tired and sore, but not on the brink of a cardiac event.

I'm just trying to bask in the afterglow now, and not think ahead to my run on Saturday...one twenty-minute (2 mile) run. Yikes.

P.S. I noticed that the podcasts I linked to previously are no longer working and the website seems to be down. I've been running with my own music on the iPod this week, and it's been a nice change of pace. I'll probably keep checking for the podcasts, though, as they provide an added distraction.

P.S. #2 It's nearly impossible for me to listen to Mama Said Knock You Out without shadow boxing, and equally impossible for me to hear Pat Benatar's We Belong without singing along. Perhaps these aren't the best choices for my running mix, then. :)

Why Running?

I've had a couple of people ask why I'm running. Usually this question comes after I make one of my standard remarks about how running is "gross," or "insane," or "not designed for humans to do" etc. I don't enjoy running--that much is true. But I have my reasons for choosing this form of exercise.

First off, I have to say that I don't think it's all that unusual to dislike running. In fact, I think it's normal. I know there are people out there who maintain that they enjoy running. My theory is that these people are not, in fact, people. They are aliens. Or robots. Or robotic aliens.

So I dislike running. Why, then, am I running to get back in shape?

For one, running is a pretty easy form of exercise. It doesn't require a ton of equipment: running shoes will do it for most people. 50.5% of the population also benefits from the use of a sports bra. And that's it. I know you can spend a lot of money on fancy accessories and gear, but those things are optional. All I need to run is already in my possession.

Running can also be done just about anywhere. I don't need a swimming pool, an elliptical trainer, a mountain side, a ski slope. I can step outside my front door and be ready to go.

Running can also be done at any time, in almost any weather. I usually choose to run during the day to make myself visible, but I know lots of people who are night-runners. And although I prefer to run in temperatures ranging between 45-75 degrees fahrenheit, I could theoretically run in colder or warmer temps. Perhaps an ice storm wouldn't be the best time to run, but then there's always the indoor track or treadmill.

Finally, running seems to be one of the most efficient ways to exercise. Maximum results in a relatively short time period. I know there are concerns about the long-term effects of running on joints, and that certain forms of exercise (like swimming) are lower-impact, but swimming requires gear and access to a pool. Running, right now, is easier.

But I think the real reason I'm running is this: Have you seen my kids? I look at them and I realize that I want to live forever, or at least as long as I can, so I can be part of their lives as long as possible.

I'm registered! And I'm Dutch, so there's no going back!

Last week's runs were hard for me. And I was disappointed with how difficult they were, as this is only week three. If I'm wimping out on a three-minute run, how will I ever manage five minutes? Ten? Twenty? An actual 5k?

Although I trained for ten weeks last time and at one point actually ran the distance for a 5k in the rec center at OU, I never actually ran a 5k road race. I finished my training in late November, just a week too late for all the Turkey Trot races in the area. And then the holidays happened and what I suspect was my thyroid issue reared its ugly head and I essentially quit.

Friday, after I finished my last run of the week, I felt terribly discouraged. I was sure I would quit again, that I'd be unable to make it through a long run at some point and just give up, or wimp out and repeat weeks, stretching my training out ad infinitum.

Then two things happened. First, I checked out a blog I like to read. Carrie at redhairedgirl was my original source for the C25k program. Her story is amazing. Two year ago, she was struggling with her weight and wanted to make some changes to be healthier. She started the C25k program at (I think) nearly 250 pounds. Now she's down 120 pounds and is training for a marathon and has guns that should be licensed. Seriously, check out her arms. She's ripped!

I went back in her archives and read few the first few weeks of her training. She felt the same way I did, and didn't give up. And look at her now! One thing Carrie did was register for and run a 5k when she was only seven weeks into the C25k. She ran slowly, but she ran it, and the promise of that race coming up helped her get through those difficult weeks of training where the running lengths were mounting.

So the other thing that happened was I registered for this Lawrence 5k run. It's April 19, when I'm not quite done with my training, but if Carrie could do it, so can I, by golly. It cost $25 to register, so the frugal Dutchwoman in me won't forfeit the entry fee by quitting. And I've discovered that a couple people I know are running this, too, so the thought of embarrassing myself with a geriatrically slow pace will keep me motivated, too.

So! April 19! Mark your calendars for the day of my impending humiliation!

Week 2 recap, plus Week 3 Day 1

Last week's runs went really well. I ran outside in beautiful weather on Monday and Wednesday, but my Friday run was postponed due to Sam's two-month check-up at the doctor Friday morning. Then Saturday we awoke to snow covering the ground and still falling.

I had two options: go up the street to the community rec center and run on the (sole) treadmill, or drive to the college rec center and use the running track. Because I'm still in the early stages of my training with lots of shorter running/walking intervals, I thought it would be annoying to run on the treadmill. I headed to the track.

When I did the C25k the last time I did almost all my running at OU's rec center. OU's track was 1/10th of a mile, and it got really, really boring and repetitive to run the track. KU's track is about 1/4th a mile, and is a sort of figure eight (except it doesn't cross over in the middle...can you imagine the collisions that would ensue?) that loops around the various basketball, raquetball and volleyball courts. It was interesting to watch the people play ball and throw frisbees and such, entertaining enough that my run passed fairly quickly.

Today I did the first run of the third week and it SUH-uh-ucked. I thought it would be warm enough, but it was just in the lower 40s and even with my fleece cap and gloves I was cold. My ears started to hurt halfway through and the wind was whipping and the three-minute runs were HARD and boo hoo hoo.

The good thing is that this is what I remember ALL the runs being like the first time I trained. Every single one was hard and painful and unpleasant. This is the first time it's been so bad I wanted to quit. Maybe when the weather warms up later this week I'll be able to do the same run more easily. I hope so.

Couch to 5k

This week was my first week of training to run a 5k. As I wrote about before, I'm hoping to be ready to run a 5k by the beginning of May, possibly making the Klompen Klassic in Pella, IA my first race (this depends on my class schedule; I might have to choose another race to run).

Two observations after my first week back:

First, I downloaded these podcasts to listen to while I run. They were put together by a guy who did the C25k training a few years ago. Essentially he lined up a bunch of techno music and interjects when it's time to walk or run or cool down. Last time I did the C25k I was using this kitchen timer to clock my running because I was too cheap to buy a sports watch. I had to run while clutching this ridiculous Formula 409 promotional fridge magnet timer in my hand. I would constantly be glancing at my timer to see if it was run time, walk time, etc.

Now I just space out, running or walking and listening to music (which is decidedly "Night at the Roxbury" clubbing-style, but that's okay for running) and not really thinking about the time. It makes the run go much faster.

Second, I think my thyroid issues were affecting my running from the very beginning last time. I just got the results of my postpartum blood test back, and my thyroid is within normal limits. I can tell. I no longer feel like I'm going to suffer cardiac arrest just from climbing a flight of stairs. I don't have constantly aching muscles. I can fall asleep and stay asleep (that's unrelated to my running but still nice).

Now that I'm not actively plagued by my pesky thyroid, I feel like my only encumberance to my running is my general lack of fitness. But that's what I'm running to amend, right?

Running!

I started Couch-to-5k this week, and will post more on it Saturday, after I've finished the first week's run.

Is it a bad sign that I'm so sore after the very first run that I can't walk normally? I'm lurching around the house like Frankenstein, here.

First Week Back

So I've been doing this DVD for about a week now (again, not every day; I have done the first workout five times now) and I'm pleased with two things: 1) I can tell a difference in my endurance already, and I might be crazy but I think my abs look more toned; and 2) I'm still winded and feeling "pushed" during the workout, and feel pretty sore after, although not as sore as the first couple of days. The reason I want both these things is that I hate a workout that I quickly outgrow, that no longer seems to be doing any work. If I'm going to stick with this DVD I want to feel pushed every time. That's why I'm glad there are several workout levels, too. When level one finally stops giving me that feeling, I can move on to the level two. Incidentally, I don't anticipate that happening anytime soon, as I am a wimp.

Shredded!

Yesterday was Sam's one-month birthday. Also, coincidentally, it was the day my daughter caught me getting dressed and said "Look at your funny big tummy, mama!" Oh, yes, so funny. So funny I cried. Perhaps it's time to Get in Shape, Girl!

Oh, man...remember Get in Shape, Girl? I had the ribbon-on-a-stick one. Ah, memories.

So that seemed like an auspicious sign that it was time for me to start working out. I'm not quite ready to start my C25k training yet because 1) that's a little too high-impact for a month post-partum, isn't it? and 2) it's dang cold outside and I'm a wuss about running in inclement temps.


It seemed the thing to do then was start off with this exercise DVD I got: Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred. Apparently this lady is somehow connected with the TV show "The Biggest Loser," which I have not seen (and which I also got confused with that game show "The Weakest Link," which I found briefly perplexing). She's supposed to be really hard-core and tough. The video is arranged into three different workouts in increasingly difficult intensities; each level is about 20 minutes long. That's about all the time I care to devote to exercise, anyway, so that was initially what appealed to me. I also liked that the workouts combine cardio and strength, with a special focus on abs to help my funny big tummy.


Today I did the workout (level 1) for the first time. And let me tell you, if I wanted a wake-up call, this was it. Ouch. I mean, I've been feeling pretty good about my physical state post-partum, but I was panting and swearing (quietly) not one-third of the way through the workout, and I was doing the modified, lower-intensity version of the lowest level. Yikes.


The good thing is that the workout is over quickly--at only 20 minutes, you hardly have time to think "screw this, I quit." Also, you're never stuck doing any one thing for too long; Jillian switches every minute or two between activities that work different areas of the body, which helps any fatigue you might be feeling. Might? I mean, any fatigue you are definitely feeling. At least if you're me.


It was easy for me to fit this into my morning, too. Jeff and the kids were upstairs while I did the DVD downstairs. It was over before Charlotte even wondered what I was up to.


Despite the name of the DVD, one isn't actually intended to do this workout daily. I think 4x a week is about the max. I'm going to shoot for 3x a week and add an extra viewing if I have the time. I don't mind if it takes me longer than 30 days to get "shredded." And right now my plan is to do this for a month, and then start my 5k training in addition to continuing this DVD.


Oh, and I feel shredded, by the way. I am very sore, especially my shoulders and legs. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

I'm Back!

As the title indicates, I'm bringing TigBlob out of hibernation. However, I'm not quite sure how I'll proceed with this site. I know I want to resume (start over, actually) the Couch-to-5k program, so I'm sure I'll use this site to chronicle my weekly progress. In addition, I'd like to add a workout video, something that will offer strength training/cardio to the mix, into my weekly regimen. Any suggestions?

I'm only two weeks post-delivery, so don't plan on seeing any big entries here soon. I think I'll probably wait until February to start running just to give my body more time to recoup. I think I also will start posting pictures of myself to chart my progress...perhaps monthly. I'll start with this one:

Consider this the "before!"