RUNNING IN THE RAIN

There was a terrific storm yesterday afternoon that delayed the start of the 4 Mile Race I had registered for. When it came time to hit the road, most of the moisture had passed, but there was still the odd spot or two as we made our way around the course.

I must admit that I did wonder in between gasps for air, what deficinecy in my makeup meant that I had to do this to prove something for myself.

I asked mys elf several times why I was doing this and the best answer I could come up with was that I was doing it because I could.

As I've said before, the though of me running anywhere would have been absurd a couple of years ago - but times have changed!

Now I was no threat to any of the serious runners. In fact since most of the casual competitors seem to have opted for staying where it was dry, the end of the field of competitors was only fifteen minutes or so behind me.

But I did the run, clocked 45 minutes and change and was cheered on by my terrific family. I think I'll put some more roadwork in over the next few weeks in preparation for the big one in September - the 10K (6.2 miles) Cow Harbor Race.

SOMETIMES I WONDER

I've always said that I don't enjoy exercise and hate the running I do around five days a week. I make it clear that I never got the high that some amateur athletes talk about.

But I'm wondering about that now.

A couple of weeks ago I heard about a 4-mile race in Sayville tomorrow and although I had no intention of running it then, as the time has drawn close, I've got more and more eager to do it. As I've said before, running on the road is far tougher for me than on the treadmill, which is my norm. It's also pretty hot and humid around here right now. Add to that, I didn't exactly excel in the 5K race I did a few weeks ago.

So why am I doing it???

Good question!

Could it be that those endorphins are beckoning after all?

WEIRD

This has not been a good spell for me.

Firstly I went to a three days leadership training seminar with Weight Watchers - and gained weight! So did most of the other participants I talked to. The main problem seems to have been the snack room that was available at all times - and while all the goodies were healthy like WW own snack foods, fruit, etc., they all add up if you head there every break time.

Then I went to Houston straight after that, fell on the hotel's treadmill and hurt my knees, so I have not been able to exercise.

Not a good ten days - but tomorrow I'm going to try walking and I'll get back on track.

REMEMBERING

The top one is the photo I talked about yesterday, when I suggested remembering where we have come from helps us to move forward - bottom of course is present day.

Weighed in 0.6 above goal this morning - that's tolerable!

WILL POWER

With all the advice, coaching and health foods that are out there, there's one thing that cannot be bought or manufactured and yet none of us can get or stay healthy without it - will power.

What makes you refuse the bacon cheeseburger deluxe and go for a greek salad instead? How do you manage to say no to dessert when everyone else in the party is digging into strawberry cheesecake a la mode?

Truth is, none of us knows how you get it or where it comes from. If I did, I'd bottle it and put WW, Jenny Craig, LA Weightloss and every other program out of business. Yet whatever these companies and many others offer, this essential component is brought to the table by the customer alone.

While I don't know what's behind will power, here are a couple of random thoughts on what fuels it -

+ Success. Nothing succeeds like success. That's why it's important to celebrate victories, like the first 10lb of weight loss, 10% of your bodyweight, etc.

+ Companionship. It's a fact that in WW people who attend weekly meetings are three times more succesful than those who follow the program without going to meetings.

+ Focus. Keeping an eye on the goal helps us to maintain positive momentum.

+ Recall. Remembering where we have come from and what we do not need to go back to can propel us forward. I found a scarey photo this week, showing me almost 135lb heavier than I am now. I never realized I was that big. It's insane - I definitely don't plan to go back there.

STINKING

Just cooked some shrimp because I've had it sitting in the refrigerator since Friday and haven't got around to using it.

It's making the whole house stink.

But shrimp is my friend - 2oz is just one point!

I'm going to make a curry with it later, which is a very tasty, low point dinner.

BELLPORT CLIPPER

Earlier this evening I ran the Bellport Clipper 5K Race - that's 3.1 miles in English. I didn't do as well as I had hoped, because although I'm always a lot slower on the road than on a treadmill, I had expected to be able to come in under 30 minutes.

I'll blame it on the heat and humidity, because I only managed 33 minutes 32 seconds. I should probably have pushed myself a bit harder, but I didn't so it is what it is.

Truth is, running a race of any kind is so far removed from how I have been most of my life, that I'm honestly pretty pleased with myself for being able to even participate.

I was hungry when it was finished and a bit tired too, so on the way home I stopped at KFC. Standing on line and looking at the menu, I started wondering why on earth I was even there - so I left without ordering.

No need to undo the good work as quickly as that!

KEEPIN' IT REAL

I had a great time at a joint graduation/birthday party yesterday and the food was outrageous, especially the desserts.

Everything on the dessert table was homemade by some of the most amazing bakers I have ever known. It didn't take me long to decide what to do.

I ate a piece of everything (and not some tiny little sliver either).

I only see desserts like that once in a blue moon, so not being Mother Theresa, I decided to enjoy them while I could.

Today is another day and I'm back on program, but let's be real - there are a few rare occasions too good to let pass.