I just went out and ran a beautiful 3 miles in the rain. I didn't realize it was raining when I set out, but it was, and it was very pleasant. I really hit it hard today and I feel really good about my times. The first mile, which is straight uphill and took me 16 minutes on Sunday, I got done today in 14:28! I was thrilled with that. So thrilled, that as I got to the top of the hill and checked my time, I threw my arms in the air in a celebratory gesture and my iPod went flying! I lost a few seconds retrieving that, and I am sure I looked pretty silly, but I don't care.
So, that is a bit of a segue into what I want to talk about. I guess I want to talk about what I am not talking about. Weight. I weigh a lot. I am not going to tell you how much. I have done all the telling and waiting to tell you all about how much I have lost, and trying to "motivate" myself by shame about the way I look and the numbers on the scale. Those days are over. I used to weigh over 200 lbs. I used to be very heavy. I started running when I weighed that much. The weight fell off for a while. Then it stopped falling off.
I wear a size 12. I used to barely squeeze into a size 16. I am happy with a size 12. I am happy with the way I look. I am ecstatic to be a healthy 55 year old woman. I have recently had a bunch of blood work done. All of my lipids are good. My cholesterol is good. My triglycerides are good for the first time in my entire life. My resting heart rate is 58. My blood pressure is 100/70. I am a healthy and fit woman! What more could I want than that?
I could focus on the fact that I have a belly, I am not stick-thin, I don't run "fast", or probably even "run" at all by some definitions. But I am thrilled as can be that I look good at my age, I feel healthy and happy and I can sit around and ponder what races I am going to do and what my times might be like. I can be very very happy about that.
I think I have been confusing in my ponderings about races. I am registered for the Tri for the Cure on August 5. I was also considering doing the Danskin triathlon on July 15, but decided not to do it. I will start training for the Denver Marathon as soon as I am done with the Tri.
Have a great day everyone!
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7 comments:
Oh my goodness I could have written all of that about weight...I started as a size 18!! I am down to some 14s some 12s now. I am happy with that for the most part but I want some more weight to come off to be able to run better! Keep up the good work!
Good for you Mary Christine!!! Really, it isn't about the numbers as long as you're happy ;-) and you definitely sound happy!!! ;D you know it's funny that you bring this up because just the other day I was thinking to myself "I'm in better shape than I was when I was 17 and I'm a couple sizes bigger. But I feel so much better"
it must be great to reach that level of enlightenment about yourself and your happiness. And, who cares what the scale says - you finished a half marathon and you keep on running, that is far better than a scale reading.
When I started running in July of last year, I maxed out at 226. Today, I am fluctuating between 181 and 186. I do not diet. I use portion control. I eat 5 times a day, and I work out six days a week. I'm doing everything I feel I must, and I'm going to let my body do what it must. I'm happy with that.
Thanks for coming back by. I don't have everyone in my bloglines (I will add yours soon), and you kinda fell off my radar. Thanks for the gentle reminder!! Good for you for keeping your priorities as far as the tri goes! Keep running marathons, nice and slow, and your body will fall into line.
Not only are you in top-notch physical health, I'd say your mental health is in pretty good shape, too! Thanks for such an uplifting message on a day when I'm heading in the other direction. I needed this.
Awesome Mary! The only thing that matters is the way you feel!
Way to go on your run!!!!
I am also in the same boat. When I started this running journey almost seven months ago, I was barely squeezing myself into size 16s. This past week I bought myself a size 12 dress! It was probably the first time in at least five years I have been this small. I feel totally awesome, although I am aware I still have a belly from being pregnant and will never be a size 6.
And I agree, it shouldn't be about the numbers. Being fit and healthy is so much more important than being a certain size!!! You are doing great!!!!
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