Run the Rockies 10K

  Two weeks ago, Nick and I drove up to Blue River for the weekend. We stayed with his friend from college, Lindsey, who lives at 11,200ft. I was hoping spending the night at this altitude Friday night would help me acclimate because her and I were signed up for Run the Rockies the next morning.
   Run the Rockies is a 10K/Half-marathon sponsored by Salomon. Lindsey and I ran the 10K (6.2 miles). Before the race, a bus dropped us off in Copper. The race route was a paved trail next to I-70 all the way to Frisco. Luckily, this route was slightly downhill the entire way.
   The race started at 8:30a. It was a little brisk but perfect running weather. I got a bit of a slow start. I tend to always struggle for the first mile or so on my runs until I get warmed up. Once I find my stride, it becomes a bit easier. After a couple of miles, I was feeling pretty good and was able to pick up my pace a bit. The scenery surrounding me was very beautiful. We ran next to a creek, small ponds, and through giant mountains, but truthfully, I was not paying that much attention. However, this run was definitely much nicer than the Cherry Creek Sneak, where we were running through the city.
    I had the same goal as last time, I just wanted to run the whole time, no matter how slow. Also, I had another secret goal, which I would not even admit to anyone else because I thought it was unattainable, which was to run the race in under 70 minutes.
   At around mile four, I started to feel a little tired. We were running strictly on asphalt, which I am not used to. I usually run on a dirt trail, which is much easier on your joints. I started to feel a little achy in my ankles, knees, and hips. However, I did not feel like I was injured, just achy. This is where the bargaining process began. I'm not sure if people realize that running is a real mental game. Some say, that if you can run 2 miles, you can run any distance because at that point it's all mental. I began fighting with myself internally on whether to stop or not, but I just kept trying to push the thoughts of wanting to stop out of my brain. Once I got into the actual town of Frisco, it seemed easy. My body was absolutely ready to quit, but mentally I was locked into finishing the race.
   I finished the race in 66 minutes and 55 seconds. My average pace was 10:45/mile, which is a huge improvement in speed from the Cherry Creek Sneak. In my age and gender group, I placed 44 out of 61 runners. For all women, I placed 168 out of 278. Overall I placed 303 out of 445 total runners. Also, I achieved both of my goals, even my secret seemingly unattainable one.
   After the race, they served us free fruit, beer, and pizza. Lindsey and I hung out in the park for a bit and relaxed. I was very glad I decided to push myself and take on this challenge. However, I'd be lying if I said I was eager to do another one. I may take on another 10K in the Fall, but until then I'm going to stick to shorter runs and running for fun.

Cherry Creek Sneak

 

Jaime, Me, Megan, Ryan, and Brett

   On Sunday, I ran the Cherry Creek Sneak with four friends. It was a bit chilly outside but sunny when we arrived at 7am. It really was ideal running weather, as the temperature tends to feel about 20 degrees warmer while running.
    Jaime, Megan, Ryan, and I all ran the 5K (3.1mi). Brett, who runs marathons like it's his job, ran the 10mi race. Ryan ran separate from us ladies, as he is much faster. Megan is an experienced runner, but she stuck by me the whole time for moral support. For Jaime, this was her first race, and she did great also. Nick came too. He served as photographer and our very own cheering section.
   This was my second 5K, but I only walked during the first. This time I managed to run the entire race. My final time was 36:50, and I averaged 11:53/mi. I placed 1889 out of 3523 overall, 1020 out of 2163 for females, and 176 out of 267 for my age group. Overall, my goals were to run the entire time and finish under 40min. I definitely accomplished those. Afterwards, there was a block party where they offered free beer, food, and plenty of fun and games.
  Looking back on when I started running in January, I have come a long way. I could not even run a mile without having to stop. In my whole life, I never imagined I could run for 3 miles and more without stopping. I always hated running, but now, the more I do it the more I like it. I am tentatively planning my next race, and I hope to complete a 10K before 2012 is over.

One Year and 50lbs Later

   Today, I hit 365 days of making a serious attempt at losing weight. Every day for the past year, I have used a site called MyFitnessPal (MFP) to help me lose weight. MFP is a calorie counting site with a social aspect added in. I keep a food diary of each and everything I eat almost every day. I have lost almost 50lbs. I feel like a new woman. It all happened very gradually, but now that I am here it feels like I have come so far. I am now a size 8 (US), and I started at at size 16. I have lost 25 inches and 13% body fat. I eat "clean" about 80% of the time. Believe it or not, I am eating more now at 156lbs than when I weighed 205lbs, but I am eating healthier foods. I can run for 2 miles without a break. I can hike 10+ miles in a day without a second thought. Sometimes, I even get bored on hikes and challenge Nick, my boyfriend, to a race to the top, instead of having to take several breaks to catch my breath. I don’t even have to ask him to open jars for me anymore. Also, I still believe in and have a few "free" days each month, when I don't log at all and allow myself to indulge.

    I joined MFP in June of 2010. I had just moved to Denver, and my life was completely up in the air. After losing about 6lbs or so, I lost focus and gave up. Honestly, it was hard for me to see myself logging each and every calorie every single day. It seemed too monotonous for me.

    For the next 10 months, I struggled to gain control of my health and my life in general. In early 2011, my self-esteem and self-confidence were at an all time low. I felt so disgusting and insecure. It was affecting my relationships, my confidence, and my drive. I hit rock bottom after a weekend trip to the mountains with friends. I felt so down about being overweight that I couldn’t even enjoy my trip. Being uncomfortable in my skin consumed my every thought and feeling.

    The day after I got back from the trip I decided to give MFP a serious try. I was 209lbs. Five pounds heavier than when I had initially joined in 2010. Most of my old friends on the site had deleted me, with the exception of a few. I had been open with my mom and Nick about how unhappy I had become. They were both very encouraging when I told them I was fed up and needed to get my life under control. My mom even offered me some incentive. She said would pay me $100 for every 10lbs I lost. This definitely gave me some motivation. 

   At first, I didn’t pay attention to net calories or macro-nutrients. I had no idea what TDEE or BMR meant. I can honestly say I wasn’t being totally truthful with my logging. I would forget to log things like butter and oil. Likewise, I had a terrible nighttime binging problem. It took me awhile to get going full swing on exercise too. I did a little hiking at the time. I have been a hiker my whole life, but it was a chore while weighing 205lbs. I could barely make it 100ft up a steep hill without having to take a break.

   About a month later, I joined a gym. I mainly stuck to the elliptical and some light weight training. I dabbled in yoga, but anyone who has done it while obese knows it is very difficult. Also, I joined the Colorado Mountain Club and began hiking more. Along with my mother, my father has supportive in his own fatherly way. He bought me some essential hiking gear and my first pair of hiking pants. However, it was disheartening when I had to get the biggest size they made for women at REI, size 16.

   By the end of July, I lost 20lbs and was exercising most days of the week. Nick and I were hiking just about every weekend. I was beginning to feel a bit better about myself. I still took a few days off a month, where I ate and drank whatever I wanted. We took a long vacation to San Francisco, and I didn’t log at all. However, this time around, I didn’t seem to struggle with getting back on track. Each time I reached another goal, lost another pound, or remembered when I was called “fat”, was told “you could lose 30lbs”, or “you have such a pretty face”, it just made me more determined.

    As Fall arrived, I began to learn more about balanced nutrition, eating back exercise calories, and properly fueling my body after workouts. I was very reluctant at first, as many are. I had it engrained in my head my whole life that I just needed to eat less. However, gradually, I began eating more and more to fuel my faster metabolism. I did have my fair share of plateaus, as most of us do, but admittedly those were mostly from too much slacking off.

   In September of 2011, I went on a backpacking trip with my Dad and covered nearly 14 miles in one day. This was the longest I had ever hiked in a day. Also, I completed my first 5K with the encouragement of a MFP friend, who lives in Denver. We walked the whole thing, but I still felt like it was a big milestone in my life. I finally was beginning to feel like I was a fit person.

    I wanted to reach 40lbs lost by New Year’s Eve 2011, but I hit a plateau right before. At this point, I realized placing dates on my weight loss was arbitrary and potentially detrimental to my motivation. I made a whole new set of non-date oriented goals for 2012, including several non-scale goals. Likewise, I was becoming a more driven person overall. I started to set and write down goals for my personal life, my schooling, my career, etc. I had become determined to persevere and succeed in every aspect of my life.

   In January of 2012, as extra incentive along the way, my mom bought me my first pair of running shoes, and I began running outside. After some difficulties with my gym, I had to quit. Running and hiking became my only methods of exercise. At the end of January, I finally hit 40lbs lost. As a reward, in lieu of money, my mother bought me a bike trainer, and I began biking indoors on days it was too snowy to go outside. Likewise, I bought 30 Day Shred and began to incorporate more exercises like push ups, squats, lunges, etc, into my workouts. I continued with my sporadic yoga, and to my pleasant surprise it was much easier and kind of fun 40lbs later.

    Today, April 10, 2012, I have reached one year of being dedicated to MFP. I have met some incredible people on the site. Also, I have inspired some “real life” friends and family members to join. Honestly, I’m sure I would not have been as successful without my wonderful support system. I am beyond thankful for Nick, my boyfriend, best friend, and hiking buddy. He has been more than encouraging, and tells me I am beautiful every day, even when I weighed 200lbs+. He has also gotten into the best shape of his life during this past year. I am grateful for such a kind hearted mother. She saw, and I’m sure felt the sadness I was experiencing, and she helped motivate me to make a change for the better. Likewise, I am grateful for my father, who has lead by example and motivated me to become a knowledgeable, tough, prepared, and driven outdoors woman. I am lucky to have a sister, two brothers, and two sister-in-laws who have given me several compliments and words of encouragement along the way.  Likewise, many of my friendships have become stronger thanks to my new found self-confidence and happiness. Not to mention, I have made some very substantial friendships along the way, including all of my amazing MFP friends.

    Through losing 50lbs I have gained so much. If I could offer encouragement to anyone who is new to losing weight, who is feeling defeated, or who is trying to overcome any obstacle, I would tell them to keep trying. Keep trying no matter what. If you have a bad day, week, month, or year, you must not give up. The only thing holding you back is yourself. Try to do something good for yourself today, something that makes you happy. In one year, you will look back and marvel at what all those little things have added up to.