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Warning: Long Journal Entry. But I have a good story to tell for my readers who might need a little inspiration today.
Well, my fine FS Friends, it's almost Race Day! T-minus 5 days and counting! I start tapering my mileage today and only have a brief 3-mile run (Hahaha! ONLY a 3 mile run! It feels so good to be able to say that! The Sig-O laughs when I say, "Oh, it's just a short 5-mile run today.", but I digress...) I've been watching the race course video online, which gives a tour of the half-marathon course through scenic Bethlehem, PA and it makes me a little teary eyed, because it looks like it's going to be so much fun and I'm finally at a fitness level where I can totally do this!
You might be thinking, "Why won't this girl shut up about this race, for Pete's sake?" But I have a little story to tell you about why I'm so tickled pink by accomplishing this goal. When I was 3 years old, I went with one of my neighbors to her pee-wee soccer practice, and everyone laughed at me because I ran funny, "like a girl". It was humiliating and I still remember it like it was yesterday. Even to this day, the neighbor's mom brings up how funny it was to watch me run. I was THREE years old, for crying out loud! Cut me some slack! But that isn't where the story ends, my dear readers. In elementary school, I had a bullying gym teacher who belittled me and insulted me in front of the other students because I was the "smart nerd" who wasn't athletic. I prefered math textbooks to kickballs, and spelling bees to pull-ups. The "jocks" in my school would whip the ball at my head and laugh and so would my gym teacher. They even conspired to knock me over and humiliate me in front of the whole class while playing kickball. So, I learned in the 5th grade to wear slippery heels to school so I wouldn't be forced to play kickball and I could work on my extra credit science homework instead. I was ALWAYS picked last in gym class. Dead last. In high school, I had my doctor write me a note so I didn't have to take gym class and I took other electives instead. When I joined the Air Force, I barely squeaked by doing the minimum fitness requirements, and after I left the Air Force, four years later, I watched my weight creep up... and up... and up.
Three years ago, I decided to say to myself, "I'm not going to let this hold me back anymore. I will reclaim my athleticism. I will make myself proud. I will be successful. Those bullies, teachers and students alike, do not control how I think about myself anymore!" I bought myself a t-shirt that said, "Picked last in gym." and then I wore it to the gym! It wasn't long before my fellow gym friends told me they couldn't imagine me being picked last because I was so much fun to work out with, I worked so hard, and I never gave up. They helped me believe that there wasn't anything I couldn't do if I set my mind to it. I wasn't some awkward uncoordinated klutz who couldn't run if her life depended on it. I was now an inspiration to others; others who weren't going to let someone else define who they were for one more day! Now, I catch a glimpse of my reflection when I'm out running and I look like a serious runner... because I AM a serious runner. I had always said, "Oh, I'm so slow. I'm not a good runner. I'll never be a runner.", but really, the only thing that was stopping me from doing it was that voice in my head that said I couldn't. When I made the choice to silence that voice, it was just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and believing in myself.
Now, there isn't anything I can't do, and I'm about to prove it to myself yet again this weekend, when I run a half-marathon for my 40th birthday. Like several of you commented in my earlier entry, reaching this milestone IS a pretty amazing present to give myself. I couldn't be more proud. That 3-year old little girl who was laughed at on the soccer field would be really proud of who she would grow up to be! And for those of you who are struggling with making healthy decisions and quieting that voice that says you're not good enough, I want you to know that you can do anything you set your mind to. You can make the right choices for your health because you deserve a life filled with joy, health, vitality, love and laughter. Just put one foot in front of the other, and believe in yourself.
Thanks for reading, Folks. Now, go out and make this day extraordinary! You deserve it!
Diet Calendar Entries for 14 October 2014:
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1642 kcal
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Fat: 48.89g | Prot: 55.20g | Carb: 266.66g.
Lunch: wegmans organic canned pumpkin, Once Again Organic Tahini, Sprouts Farmers Market Date Coconut Rolls with Almonds, Nutiva Organic Chia Seed, Dole Organic Bananas, Wegmans Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter, Ginger, Clementines, Nutmeg (Ground), Cinnamon, Allspice Ground, Cucumber. Dinner: Y.S. Organic Bee Farms Organic Raw Honey, Once Again Organic Tahini, 365 Organic Black Lentils, Napa Valley Naturals Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil, Minced Garlic, Full Circle Organic Spicy Brown Mustard, Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Onions, Red Leaf Lettuce, Ginger, Carrots, Beets, Fresh Lemon Juice, Fresh Lemon Juice. Snacks/Other: Nature's Promise Organic Gala Apples, Woodstock Farms Black Mission Figs. more...
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2181 kcal
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Activities & Exercise:
Housework - 1 hour, Sitting - 4 hours, Rebounding - 30 minutes, Running - 6/mph - 28 minutes, Resting - 10 hours and 2 minutes, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...
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