August 31, 2011

Early morning tempo run

Today, we are taking the kids to a Holidome for the night (courtesy of my mom) for a last hurrah before school starts next week. Since I do speed work on Thursdays, I figured I'd do it this morning instead--that way I don't have to do it on the hotel dreadmill. Running on the dreadmill just feels so much easier than outside, so I think I'd get the most benefit of speed work if I'm actually doing it outside.

I had a 40-minute tempo run scheduled. That means about 10 minutes easy running, 20 minutes hard running, and 10 easy. The hardest part about this is figuring out just HOW hard the middle segment should be. I always read that it should be "comfortably hard"--but running is NEVER comfortable to me! ;)  I decided to try and go just over my goal race pace, so about 8:50-9:00/mi. It was tough. I'm glad to have it over with for the week. At the hotel tomorrow morning, I'll just have to run 4 easy miles.

Speaking of running, a couple of people asked me questions that I figured I'd answer here in case someone else was wondering the same thing. 1) My runner's knee. I actually haven't had any problems with my knee lately. Probably because I cut way back on my mileage in June and July. And lately, I've been focusing on going EASY on my easy runs and saving my strength for my speed work. That has actually made a world of difference in my overall energy--I feel so much better all week, even though my mileage has more than doubled since I started 10k training.

And 2) Why do I prefer the compression fit running pants? There is a difference between the compression FIT pants and using compression sleeves or socks. I don't know much about the sleeves and socks. I choose the compression fit pants because of my loose skin. My belly bounces up and down and it's really painful unless I wear really tight clothing. Wearing compression fit spandex helps out a lot.




So I tried on my bridesmaid dress last night, and it's tight. I hate that there is a little bulge between my armpit and boob on each side. I'm really going to have to step up my game and drop about 10 pounds before the wedding. I'm feeling the pressure now!

I didn't intend on anyone seeing this picture, and I had Noah take it just so I could do a comparison later (for my eyes!)  So what do I do? Naturally, I post it to my blog. I have learned a lesson though, about taking "before" pictures. Even if you think nobody will ever see it, make sure you SMILE. Because someday, you might actually use it as a before picture. I have a before picture that looks SO HIDEOUS that I'll never show anyone of course I'll post it just to show you what I'm talking about.  (But I insist on putting it next to an "after" pic, so you can see that I'm not actually that messed up looking!)
See what I mean? It looks like a mugshot!
So anyways, my whole point was that I'm going to work my ass off for the next 6 weeks to look GOOD in the dress. I'm already doing the exercise 6 days a week to train for the 10k, so I just need to be super strict on what I eat. Count every calorie. Then hopefully, I'll be able to post a 6-week comparison pic in my dress :)


I've written a guest post for Krista at My Journey to a Healthy Berg--she just posted it this morning, so feel free to check it out here. Krista is super inspiring, so you should check out her blog as well! She's lost over 100 pounds herself, the HARD way (diet and exercise).


Do you have tons of "before" pictures on your hard drive? I've taken so many over the years, and never thought I'd actually make it to the "after" pic. It's kind of fun to go through them :)


15 comments:

  1. I think you look good in the dress. Does your bra fit right? cause sometimes that can make fat pooch where there shouldn't and normally isn't. Can't wait to see the after photo though!

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  2. heheh, I had a couple of Before pictures where i looked just as grumpy. :D They were from back in 2006 and I deleted them off my computer a couple years ago, so I don't have access to them anymore. Funny thing is that in them, I only weighed 212 - so much less than the 255 I eventually ended up at! I didn't take before pictures this time because I didn't know if I believed anything would actually work. I'm lucky I have a few because my in-laws decided to take family portraits a month before my last tooth infection was cleared out. But I don't even have a before picture for 2011 - the last picture I allowed last year was in October! It'll just have to do for a Before pic...

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  3. "So anyways, my whole point was that I'm going to work my ass off for the next 6 weeks to look GOOD in the dress"
    YOU DO LOOK GOOD IN THE DRESS!
    Nothing wrong with working hard and having a goal, but never think that you don't already look good!
    Love the dress - very flattering color and style!
    About the before pictures...sadly I look like that in most pictures. I don't think it's bad to look mad or sad in those pictures because they're a true picture of how you really feel on the inside. That makes the 'after' happy face look all the better:)
    Have a nice day and enjoy the water!

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  4. I have a bajillion "before" pictures on my computer. I even made a separate folder for them, and sort of throw in random pictures of my "progress" whenever I feel like it. They're nice to look at when I'm having a hard time; it reminds me how far I've come!

    PS I think you look great in the dress, but we all know that we're our own worst critic :)

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  5. I think you look beautiful in the dress. It actually looks like you might be able to wear it again? That's what we tell our bridesmaids, anyway, right?

    I have before pictures up the yin yang since I think I attempted to lose weight almost once a year, but, thankfully they are not in my computer, yet.

    I had to Google 'Holidome' because I had no idea what it was! Looks like fun! And I agree with you, treadmill running is easier and that's probably why I PREFER the treadmill!

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  6. I have before pictures, but not too many because I've been hiding on the other side of the camera for years not wanting to be photographed. I'm nowhere near an after pic - but a work in progress!!! The dress is cute!

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  7. Wow; seriously, you look AMAZING in that dress already! Just read your guest post on Krista's site and now I will follow yours ;) I am mad impressed with your success. And slightly envious :) But mostly motivated. Wow. Just wow. Way. To. Go.

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  8. I have a ton of before photos on my computer too, and each one has just gotten bigger! I always joke that I'm working on my before picture! lol But now I feel I'm getting there and reading your blog inspires me so much!! I am now a stalker of yours on Spark People! ;-)

    P.S I think you look great in that dress too - but i know it all comes down to how you feel yourself. You do what you have to do to feel comfortable and confident. You will do great!

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  9. psstt i tagged you in a recent blog. i had a question about running, too. lol.

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  10. Thanks for the info about the compression pants! I agree with Jen about your bra maybe not fitting right. I think the dress looks great already and I'm sure with jewelry and nice hair (not saying your hair isn't nice, btw) it wouldn't even be noticeable. I didn't notice until you pointed it out :)

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  11. That is a cute dress! I have a lot of before pictures just because I was overweight for a loooong time! It's funny because my niece saw some pictures of me and she is now 7, so she was too young to remember me a few years ago at 250 pounds. She asked "Who is that lady?" and had a hard time realizing it was me!

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  12. I know how that feels. There's this really cute dress that my sister gave me and I still have about 4 more inches to go before it will zip up! Anyways I saw your guest post on Healthy Berg! Your so motivational. I like reading about people like you because it keeps me going on my weight loss. If your interested Check out my weight loss blog... http://enlightenedberg.blogspot.com/

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  13. I wish I had more before pictures, I actually don't have ANY before pictures when I was at my heaviest (245).I was way too embarrassed so I wouldn't let anyone take pictures of me. Now after losing almost 70 pounds I kick myself EVERYDAY! I love that dress by the way! Such a beautiful color on you!

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  14. u r really an inspiration to me. thats all i can say. keep it up the good running

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  15. I love that dress, I have it in light purple from when I was in a wedding. I still wear it occasionally. In fact, it's my blog pic (very inactive blog).. :)

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