Catching up in Raleigh

Alright - we'll I've been in Raleigh almost a month now - not quite - but I wanted to give an update.
This month has been hard. I eat out a lot, I am busy so I don't have as much time to exercise, and I'm just not pleasing my Lord as much in the area of food and taking care of my body. I've been tired and my back has been hurting more (probably because I'm not exercising as much so my abs are getting weak). Living with a roommate has in some ways been different than I thought in the area of food - eating with people is more of a detriment to my diet than eating alone. Trying to make wise but cheap decisions when eating out but also not getting a salad every time is always a challenge. Like this week: all three burrito places in 3 days.
The weather has been great, but since my nights are getting busier I've not been getting home till late so I just pop in a Jillian video. Days off (like today) I'll do a lake a couple of times then walk it tonight with my roommate for our first roommate night (followed by 25 cent DQ). Best laid plans don't always work - but you can at least have a plan.
Last weekend I was supposed to the do Spring Saunter in Durham - but I was not prepared for it physically, spiritually, or mentally. I was probably most ready for it physically - but that doesnt' always help.
I need to keep working - I'm always a work in progress. I think the beginning of my weeks will be harder to have outdoor exercise, and the end of the week will be full of it. Kinda opposite the food intake. So, we shall see.

HopeforRDU Spring Saunter 10k

Heading back to the Triangle in just over a week.
I'm excited a friend told me about the "Spring Saunter 5/10k" coming up in April.
When I lived there prior to 2007, I attended the Summit Church. They are doing this race and all proceeds are going to the house they are building for Habitat for Humanity.
I am excited about continually making a difference, in just little ways, in my old/new community. The Triangle will be a different place with the gospel of Jesus!
I'm going to be hitting up the 10k. Who is in it with me?

Cholesterol Check

YAY! What a great way to start a Monday! Plus, I got to sleep in! And had a delicious oats in a jar with blackberries morning! Life is grand.
The last time I had my cholesterol checked (and the first time) was May 4, 2009. I was pleased with the numbers, except for 1. My good cholesterol (HDL) was borderline low. I did everything they told me to do, I didn't know why it was so low. And I am not the type to want to have to go on medication to raise it. So, good thing my other numbers were good. But, I strived this year to make that number go up! :)

Here is my results - with the key findings:

May 4, 2010
Weight - approximately 166
Total Chol - 156
Glucose level after fasting - 69 (almost too low she said this morning)
HDL (good) - 40 (40 is the number that you are too low)
LDL (bad) - 97 (in the good range)

March 15, 2010
Weight - 151 (still too high, but 15 lbs less than last year)
TC - 152 (dropped 4)
Glucose - 81 - she said this was more of a normal number which means your body is still operating well after not eating in so long (I last ate at 640pm last night and my test was at 915am)
HDL - 48 - WOW! Thats a jump in 8 points! I love it. I guess that is what a less-processed, olive oil, avocados, nuts, greens, and grains diet will do for you - and losing 15 lbs and running! :)
LDL - 95 - this even dropped 2 points. I'll take it!

I am very pumped by these numbers. I just gotta keep up what I'm doing! :)
What good health signs have you seen in your life? How are you taking care of the inside of your body?

Rain, Running, and Yoga

Well, today felt like winter again in the ville. I'm ready for steady and warm weather.
But, I woke up this morning, ate a breakfast good for a run, full of carbs. Got dressed, headed out - and it was raining.
So, I went shopping, good thing to do in the rain. Then it stopped raining and I was hanging out with a friend. So, by the time I got ready to go run, it was raining and the wind had picked up. Not my idea of a fun run when I haven't paid to do it.
So, I did Bob's Weight Loss yoga. I haven't done it in about a month. WOW! I could tell a difference in my arm strength doing planks, and my balance going straight into a downward facing dog, loved the upward facing dog, and thankfully his dvd has no tree poses because I probably would have fallen over! I love tree poses - must do more of those.
I am looking forward to having wireless internet at home again in about 17 days. My computer will have Yoga Download on it most mornings - to work on strength, flexibility, core balance, inches, weight loss, stamina, and give me a chance to get up in the morning, meditate on some Scripture while doing it.
What do you do in the morning to wake you up and get you going for the day?

Half Marathon - Downhill at Dawn

This is so pretty - I can't pass it up.
Ridgecrest is one of the prettier places in NC. It is so quiet and it will be great to run on. I'm looking forward to the challenge of the hills and different terrains. Also, good training will come on Lake Lynn and Umstead in Raleigh.
And - that means I'll pay less than 100$ for both of my halfs this year. That is definitely a great bonus - and both of them are on Saturdays!
Anyone in TN or NC or SC or VA wanna do it with me? I'd love a running buddy? Or KY - wanna make the drive?

Turkey Trot Half Marathon - Thanksgiving Day

Why are so many of the races on Sundays?
This does me no good. So...
I won't be doing the Half at Virginia Beach over Labor Day because its on Sunday. I won't be doing the Raleigh City of Oaks Half in November because its on a Sunday.
So...when is the next race I will run (at least big one) at this moment - the Lake Norman Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day - that's right. I'm going to run - then eat! :)
Looking forward to it - and a good cause. If you are in the NC area - I would love a training buddy for this - and if you wanna give up your Thanksgiving Day morning (of watching the parade) - come run it with me!
Update: I've talked my parents into coming and having Thanksgiving in Raleigh - so hopefully, I can talk to my Dad and he can run one of the smaller races...

Anthem 5k

There are many things I would love to say about this race:

1. It was cold. I had 4 layers on top on. Then knee length running capris - very comfortable Nike! And fingertip-less gloves. I couldn't feel my thumbs about halfway through mile 1. Then you just press on. It was a good amount - I didn't feel bulky and I didn't get too hot. It was about 32 degrees, though sunny and windless. That was a blessing!

2. Run with friends! I had my friend Sarah and then her two friends. Sarah kept up with her friend for about the first mile, but then her other friend stayed with me the whole time and we pushed each other.

3. Again, didn't run with an iPod. I think I run better when concentrating on running and not on the music. And I can talk to people and be more aware of my surroundings.

4. New Shoes. All last week my left ankle was killing me. On Wednesday I couldn't even put my food straight - it would only go sideways. With tennis shoes on. My old running shoes have bit the dust. I went to Kohls on Friday night after picking up my bib and shirt at Louisville Slugger Field and bought new Nike socks and shoes. They were so comfortable! I walked around in them at dinner and really felt like I owned them forever!

5. Train. I hadn't trained at all for this race. Ok - 3 runs earlier in the week, but not like I should have. I had hopes and plans for the first 2 months of the year, but the weather in the Ville got the best of those. I don't know what would happen if I actually trained for a race now and if I actually pushed myself!

6. Time: 36.03 - I was only 14 seconds off my PR. I am quite happy with that given the above circumstances.

Now, onto the next one. I may do a smaller one but the next one I am doing is the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half over Labor Day. I need to get signed up for that!

Go Run!