Disney...and more

I am in Florida and feel like I am walking on the surface of the sun.  It is so hot that I cant understand how people live here.  That small inconvenience aside, my tribe had a good trip to the South.  I usually come down with very low expectations, especially since the divorce.  I just find that there are so many dynamics to manage that I can't relax and have a good time. 

However, I am happy to report that other than a few minor (and slightly expensive) hiccups, the trip was one of the best we have had.  The children had an amazing time at Disney.  Watching Olivia have private conversations with Cinderella and Belle then testing her bravery on the Rocky Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain; having Michael ask for special one on one time...and being able to give it to him at least once a day; staying on my diet (with the briefest of breaks when thoroughly enjoying a slice of Olivia's fudgy birthday cake!); running everyday with Michael (and beating him every time ~ although he blamed it all on the Florida heat...I am blaming it on good training!); seeing old family friends and reconnecting with my sister and her partner in a really wonderful way.

While I am exhausted and not prepared to get my kidlings up at 4:00 am to head to the airport, I think the trip was a success and one they will remember for a lifetime.  It was well worth the sacrifice and stress of trying to pull off something that was a bit beyond my means.  Tomorrow, we return to normal, living conservatively and focusing on the all the realities of our lives.  The joy of my family.

A weekend to remember

Every once in a while, I have a weekend that reminds me what is important, where I need to adjust and why making good decisions is important.  This weekend was one of those weekends.

The weekend included an email from a very special and dear friend who felt that I was becoming distant.  I so loved that he was able to speak his mind and share with me how he was feeling.  We spoke and reconnected.  Having friends that can tell you how they are really feeling is such a gift. 

The kids have been with Tony all weekend and I have been able to live "an adult life".  Being with Joe  has been a motivating and inspiring experience.  Joe has been volunteering and running with Team in Training for several years.  This organization raises millions of dollars for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and treatment.  The team runs the Boston Marathon each year -- which happened this weekend.  On Saturday we went to the marathon expo with all of the runners.  This made me want to run.  Then we attended the team's pasta party in preparation for the big run and heard amazing stories of courage, resilience and hope.  This made me want to do something and be a part of it.

After the pasta party, Joe brought me to PTown for a stormy (the weather...not Joe) night escape....which I desperately needed.  Sunday morning included a massage appointment and an easy ride home.  I came home feeling incredibly connected physically (thanks to Doug the massage therapist) and emotionally (thank to Joe!)

Watching the Boston Marathon with the other T in T volunteers was an unbelievable experience.  To see the elites was incredible, but to see the real people struggling at mile 16 and keep going  To see the blind runners and geriatric runners and the overweight runners...keep going.  I was inspired.  I am committing to run the Boston Marathon next year to be part of this adventure.  And, the adventure starts today.

The Hunger

I don't know what it is...but everyday at 3:00 I become ravenously hungry.  Not like..."Hey, a cupcake sounds yummy"...but a "If I don't eat right now I will collapse..."  I can't seem to shake it.  I am eating enough food....eating healthier but can't seem to get by 3:00.  I try to eat a kashi bar or something small to get over the hump, but it doesn't seem to work.  I wish my stomach had an on/off button. 

Training has begun!

So I am starting my second week toward my goal of running the marathon.  I have been rigid on my diet and am starting to see the results.  I am down 1.5 pounds but I am feeling different in my clothes.  I still have to be incredibly mindful of everything I eat and have been ritualistic about keeping my food journal up to date.

I did my first run of the season.  Michael and I ran 1.8 miles.  Not far but it was all hills.  I did well, although the end of the hills were getting tough.  I know that if I were doing the flats my time would have been better, but it felt good to get out there and run...just not with Michael.  He totally lapped me every step of the way, didn't break a sweat and when we were done he asked if he could go play soccer...like we had just gotten up from the couch.  In a strange way in motivated me because I want to push him in his running and show him that I have improved. 

I think a big part of my doing this is to give strong messages to my kids:

1.  Be healthy.  Get moving.  Take care of your body
2.  Accomplish something big.  Set a high goal no matter how unrealistic it may be and push yourself really hard to accomplish it.
3.  Remember that there are things that are bigger than you.  Be part of a community and do your part.
4.  This is something we can do together.  My kids love running track...and I want to run it with them!

It is only going to get easier...right?

An Interesting Rainbow

Today at the park my kids were out playing with the neighborhood kids.  There were two Pakistani brothers, a Japanese girl, two Croatian sisters, a Korean boy, an Italian brother and sister, a few Filipinos, a few Jewish Americans, my Roma Gypsy son and my melting pot of a daughter.  All playing together.  I love this neighborhood.

A new goal...

For those of you who know me well, you know that I like to make big goals and then kick down walls to make them happen.  Sometimes that works in my favor and sometimes....well...not so much.  So I have set a new goal.  I am going to run the 2012 Boston Marathon.  Now, I can hear you commenting already...but it has to happen.

For the past many months, I have been complaining that I can't get to the gym, exercising is hard, I battle my weight constantly.  I needed a hard goal.  Something to focus on that was bigger than my day to day struggles.  Hence, the marathon.  Joe the Beau is going to do this with me. 

For the past week, I have been meticulous on my diet.  I started the week at 196 pounds (Yes, I am going to blog about the whole experience and put the good, the bad and the ugly truths out there...).  Today I weighed in at 194.6.  My diet for the week has been focused on keeping under 2000 calories per day:

Monday, April 04, 2011
Breakfast:  Latte (85); banana (125); Yogurt (140); Granola (260) Total 610. 
Lunch: 2c Feta/Bean Salad (275); 2 Kashi bars (300) Total: 575.
Dinner:  Chicken burger, WW/Honey mustard (229); ketchup/cheese (114); green beans (50); Baked beans (300); latte (85) Total: 778
Daily total: 1963

Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Breakfast:  Latte (85); banana (125); Yogurt (140); Granola (260) Total: 610
Lunch:  Chicken burger, ww/honey mustard (229); 2c Feta/Bean Salad (275); Kashi bar (150) Total:  654
Dinner:  Stuffed WW pizza, green peas, cherry tomatoes (704) Total:  704
Daily total:  1968

Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Breakfast:  Latte (85); banana (125); Raisin Bran (190); 1c Skim (83)  Total:  483
Lunch:  1c Strawberries (49); yogurt (140); granola (260) Total:  449
Dinner:  Turkey cheese burger (220); yam (180); Salad (460); berry pop (60); coffee (45) Total:  965
Daily total:  1897

Thursday, April 07, 2011
Breakfast:  coffee (40); Yogurt parfait (320); fruit cup (140); latte (85) Total:  585
Lunch:  Coffee (15); small salad (30); grilled chicken (200); lentil soup (150);kashi bar (170) Total: 565
Dinner:  Salad (285); veg soup (110); orange (81); Total:  476
Daily total:  1626

Friday, April 08, 2011
Breakfast:  eng muffin, cheese, jam (255); coffee (20); Total:  275
Lunch:  1c Strawberries (49); yogurt (140); granola (260); 2 kashi bars (320) Total:  769
Dinner:  2 Chicken burger, WW/Honey mustard (458); ketchup/cheese (114); 2 English muffin (240) Total:  812
Daily total:  1856

I have been stretching all week.  Legs feel great.  The problem is the back.  I ran with Michael the other night for a VERY short jog and my back was killing me.  So, Joe and I have been researching back stretches and I have been doing them daily.  Today, my back feels so much better.  I will be sharing my training schedule once it really forms. 

Last week, I bought knee stablizer straps for my knees and a pedometer.  26.2.  I have run bigger races in my life!

Re-entry

After a long and sometimes insane trip through London and Dublin, I have returned to my bed.  This trip was truly exhausting.  While productive and successful from a business perspective, I couldn't wait to get home. And..what a great re-entry.

When I finally made it to Boston (after a day's travel delay), Joe met me at the airport.  I have only been picked up one other time by my friend Stephen.  For those that travel as much as I do, you will have an appreciation of what a luxury it is to be picked up at the airport.  Not to have to shuffle all of your luggage into a cab (which is usually less than clean and smells like the 500 other cab riders that came before you) and then to lug (hence the word "luggage") it all upstairs.  Having Joe pick me up, have a warm greeting and then assistance getting everything in and put away was...heaven. 

He brought milk (because Lord knows a good re-entry can only happen if I can have my coffee in the morning!)  and dinner.  After a nice turkey and bean chili, we just relaxed.  No rushing, no time frame...just a hot shower. 

Saturday morning brought a wonderful new experience.  Joe had volunteered for the Leukemia and Lymphoma group that runs the Boston Marathon.  This year, he has been managing all of the water stops for them...so up we got, to go hear the runners and support them on one of their last runs before the big race.  I was surprised that they weren't all "marathon bodies".  Trust me...there were a few that really defined human nature, but most were normal people that were part of something bigger than themselves.  The team gets full on coaching, seminars on running, gear, nutrition; and consistent mentoring.  I was moved by the level of commitment of regular people.  (Those of you who know me well know that I just eat this stuff up!)

A long afternoon nap then coffee with the girls.  A nice dinner and a little Shawshank.  A really great day...relaxing, motivating and inspiring all at the same time.  I feel rested, my brain is engaged without being overworked, I have eaten well, and today we go to the Boston Gay Men's Chorus.  I feel like have not just re-entered from my trip, but I am starting to re-enter into my life.