I Get By With a Little Help From My Shirt

What a tease I've been. I said I would start blogging again, then I leave you hanging. My friends, I think it will be like this for a while. You see, I am actually really really busy.

Tuesday I flew to Miami, Thursday I flew to Oklahoma City, then back home Friday. Today I have a family party and Monday I fly to Houston.

But here is my tidbit of motivation for the weekend:

Something told me to put on my Portland marathon shirt for my run this morning. This is highly unusual because I abhor running in t-shirt style shirts even if they are "tech" whatever. Seriously, that shirt is from 2008 and this is the 2nd time I've worn it. And last time, it was just to bed.

But I put it on and hit the road. About .5 miles in, it started to sprinkle. I thought to myself "hey, if I can run 26.2 miles in the rain then I can do a my measly weekend run with some sprinkles." About a mile in it started pouring, but I kept running. I have to say that I almost starting thinking I was crazy but at mile 3 it stopped and it was so fresh and clear and wonderful that I was glad I didn't turn around.

Thank you Portland Marathon T-shirt.
7 miles done :)

Guest Blogger - New Motivation

Let's give a warm welcome to my first guest blogger ever. We'll call him Clinton (from "What Not To Wear"). Clinton comes to us today from Denver, where he does not YET have his own blog. But I think with his keen fashion sense and new found love for running, he might just have one soon. Besides, he thinks I am WAY cooler than I really am, so you gotta love him for that. Take it away Clinton...

(Of course, I had to plug in my commentary at some parts.)

I gained 10 pounds last fall. Nobody said anything to me directly, but I noticed people gagging when I walked by. I knew I was putting on some weight, but when my favorite Ben Sherman pants started getting tight (you know, when the stitches are holding on for dear life) I knew I had to do something about it. In January, my dear (and patient) friend Kristin (you might remember her from my first marathon, she is also running Portland) introduced me to the world of running, Jessica’s POM Blog and Runners World magazine. I was inspired!

Three sources of motivation PLUS an added perk I didn’t expect…other runners! Seeing other people run motivates me, but more importantly, I love looking at runners’ bodies. Why are runners so hot? I have fallen in love with runner’s calves and bums - I don’t mind running slowly just for the view. I live in Denver where the days are hot and the runners are shirtless. We all know that not all runners should be shirtless, but it’s that one you have to look back at when you pass that makes it all worth it.

What have I learned so far?

1. Running drops pounds – I’ve lost the 10 I was trying to get rid of plus an additional three!


2. Bikers hate runners. They want to kick us when they go by. (This might just be a Denver thing or maybe because he's a guy. I know bikers sure don't try to kick me, but then again, I'm me.)


3. Runners are part of a community of athletes, of which I am happy to be a part. Runners will always have something to talk about.


4. Kristin and Jessica are the two most inspirational runners I know (and the most beautiful.) (Can I get a "hell ya?" I swear he typed that, not me.)


5. I want to meet Jessica’s mom to ask her where I can find a runner’s helmet and head-lamp. They don’t sell them in Denver.
   
   Motivation is different for everybody. If it’s watching hotties, being faster than the 9 yr old running faster than you (or the 80 yr old for that matter) or pissing off the bikers, it’s important to share with the people around you. Nothing gets me thinking more about my next run than hearing why others do it to. Speaking of hearing, let’s get Jessica to lisp (from my new braces) her wisdom into an audio podcast so the people running around us at the gym can wonder why we are laughing on the treadmill! (Hell no, that won't happen.)

Thanks Clinton. I think you should sign up for the Portland Marathon too!

Motivation Recycled

As you probably know, I'm down with OPB. If you're not sure what that is, read Vanilla's Thanksgiving blog. As I was perusing through OPB, I came across miss Heather and her new "goal jeans." So, I'm totally copying her. I mean, recycling her idea.

Seriously ladies, we all have them (and maybe some guys out there too). Those pants in the back your closet that you know you will fit in someday. Well, I pulled them out last night and here is their story.

My very thin boss likes to clean out her closet once in a while. Since I have champagne taste on a beer budget, I mentioned to her that if she has anything great, to send them my way. In walks "THE PANTS." They are black, Dolce & Gabanna skinny pants- size 6 with a cute silver belt. Now, designer clothes size 6 is like a really a size 4 in my book. But that's just my opinion. I snatched those pants up faster than Brittney running a stop sign. But they don't quite fit.

Please note the gap (the arrow is pointing to it). I need to get that gap closed. Also, their snugness is causing the famed "muffin" effect on the "flanks."

So if I can get to my goal weight of 135, I know THE PANTS will fit with ease.

The Monday weigh in was quite a disaster (up 3 lbs) after T.G. so I needed this little extra motivation to get me going again. I think it's totally working.

So all you W.L.C. pals, pull out those secret pants and try them on. NOW. Go. Do it. Seriously. And take a picture. Paste the picture on the fridge or on your computer. And everytime you need a little motivation, go back to the picture and think about THE PANTS.

Also, I got on the Stairmaster last night and the song of the day came on. For some reason, it really kept me going. I stayed on that darn machine for 45 minutes (15 mins longer than planned). Yeah song of the day!

Song of the Day: Body Language by M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade