So maybe the joke’s on me but there are a few things that just aren’t quite right.  I was just starting to nail this training plan and as soon as I started to gain a little confidence, life started throwing some curve balls ….  Initially kiddos were sick & needed doc visits, dogs need(ed) vet visits for random reasons, other people got sick, cars (all 3) breakdown, evening obligations.  So a few scheduled days off turn into a week of no running.  No big deal, right?  Wrong.  Things still aren’t straightened out and “normal” appears to be far off. 

One of the few saving graces has been the treadmill.  It has given me the freedom to squeeze in miles when they would otherwise be lost.  Like at 4am on SAT before a roadtrip.  I didn’t make all of the planned 18 miles before our departure but I managed 14.  Better than nothing. 

Today, I even hit the gym at lunch to try to squeeze in a few miles.  I took my iPad in order to link up to Netflix since that seems to be the only way I can tolerate the dreadmill.  Newsflash, the iPad wouldn’t link up in the middle of our high-rise office building.  Not funny. 

Fortunately, the dreadmills in our gym have TVs attached so I was able to hang on for a whole 3 miles.  And when I say, “hang on” I seriously mean “hang on”.  They rearranged the gym since my last visit.  The floor of that office suite for some stupid reason isn’t level.  There is a carpeted ramp up to the main section where the cardio machines reside.  The floor of the main section is also slanted to some degree which was barely noticeable …… until today.  The new location of the treadmills must be on a slope.  I began running at 1% incline, which should have been imperceptible; however, I felt like I was going to fall off the back.  I was running slow and it wasn’t the feeling of “oh crap, this thing is going to throw me off” but it was a feeling like I was going UP a hill and going to fall backward.  So I backed it down to 0.5% and then 0.0% and just “hung on” for 30 minutes (3.25 miles).  Not funny.

Unfortunately, the recent travels, additional stress load and my lack of motivation to control my food intake has resulted in a few extra #s.  That’s a few extra on top of those I had already gained from being injured this summer.  It seems that if I’m not running, or even if I am running and just eat whatever I want, I gain weight.  Shocker, huh?  Yep.  But it’s still not funny.  So if you were thinking of a moonshine and chocolate “diet” and don’t expect to gain weight, I hate to break it to you but you won’t be laughing either.  So not funny.

Oh yeah,  and I haven’t been drinking much of this lately. 

Not smart.  Not funny.

So I’ve pretty much moved my plan for the Lansing Marathon to “finish it” mode.  I need to worry not so much about the training and focus on losing those 8 lbs which I am currently carrying.  For me to lose weight, I need to hit double workouts and keep the crap bad stuff out of my mouth.  Easier said that done.  My legs will be trashed.  My attitude will be bitchy poor.  But I will show up to the startline at 162 or 163 lbs.  Not funny but it’s a fact.  I refuse to carry an extra 7 or 8 lbs thru 26.2 miles.  Don’t worry, I’m not giving up my training, just revising it to add in a few extra things. 

On a positive note, in terms of “Run”way Fashion, I scored a few deals from Saucony this week.  They are having a super secret sale HERE.  I purchased the Ignite Shimmel tank ($22) and am IN LOVE.  I went back and got a different color in my size today.  It has a shelf bra, thin material, hugs the body but isn’t tight and also has a small zip pocket in the back.

They also have arm warmers for $10 (hyper lime) or $22 (black compression).  This is one of brand of arm warmers that never chafes my underarm flab.  I usually buy them off the Last Chance section and pay around $15 for them.  Thin.  Like second skin.  No chafing.

And in other marathon news, I’m in a total panic about my shoes.  Saucony changed things up in the toe box with the Guide 6’s and the new version isn’t working for me when I go long.  They are light weight and super cute but that doesn’t matter when you don’t have toenails if they don’t feel perfect.   I like them for shorter runs but not anything over a 10K.  So I’ve tried a couple Brooks Running shoes.  The Ravenna 3’s and Adrenaline 13s felt good initially and on short runs but are making my pinky toe sore/blistered with longer miles. Apparently I have a weird foot cuz I’ve heard nothing but great things on all of these shoes.  😦

           Guide 6                        Ravenna 3                       Adrenaline 13

So back to basics.  I had six pair of the Guide 5s and never blinked an eye.  So I found a pair of 5s on clearance at Road Runner Sports.  These babies will be here soon.  I expect this to be my spring marathon shoe.  Crossing fingers!!

None of this is funny but it’s certainly not the end of the world.  I will keep pushing.  I will finish the Lansing Marathon.  However, I’ll definitely be missing a few toenails on my right foot before I even hit the start.  🙂

** When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **