Marathon Pre-Training Going Strong – Down 10 Pounds

The last time I saw the scale hit 155 was in 2008, 4 years ago.  I still have another 10 to go.  This would be like hitting mile 13 in the marathon.  You know, when I said that to myself, that thought gave me a chill.   Mile 13?  That seems a long way from 26 – forget the point 2.  I am not mentally prepared yet for this event but that is what the training is for – both physical and mental.

Less than 4 weeks from now…official training begins (June 19)  for the full marathon on October 21, 2012.  Nervous????  Yes.

It won’t be easy.  The most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done.  There was a time I worked out in a gym for 2 hours 5 days a week.  However, that was working different muscle groups and alternating such to keep from working same group 2 days in a row.  This is different and I will have to really dig in.  Consistency is vital to building miles.  It will take a great deal of discipline and mind over matter.  Running becomes a priority.  If the day is full and something has to give, it can’t be the running…unless it is a scheduled day of rest.  I will struggle through that challenge.  Sometimes making time is harder than the actual run.

Below is Hal Higdon‘s training schedule.  He has several levels of training.  LIFE Runners lists all on their site.

Marathon Training Schedule: Novice 2

I’ve lost 10 pounds since starting my diet and pre-training in April – 98% of the weight loss has been from fat, according to my body composition test.  I have another 10 pounds to go yet.  I have a lot more energy than I did before.  My recovery after running is shorter too.  I have a lot more agility and need less rest.   The stress and pulmonary function test as well as the others for my annual wellness visit – showed great results across the board.  No issues with breathing, heart, etc.  So I am cleared for the marathon.  In fact, when I lose the rest of this weight, I will probably be in the best fitness and health, of my life.

For the most part…the diet is easy.  In fact most of the time I have to really work at getting everything in before the end of the day.  I also have re-learned how to get by with a lot less fat and carbs.  The diet consists of 2 starches (ie, 2 pieces of bread – I had trouble getting by with so little bread and starches before – big weakness of mine.), 5 vegies (3 cups of salad and 1 cup cooked – something I wasn’t getting enough of.), 2 fruits (1 apple, 1 orange, etc – not a big fruit person but I am now), 2 fats (2 tablespoons of light dressing = 1 fat – okay, at first this was difficult getting by without more room for butter, etc.), 8 proteins (1 ounce of beef/chicken or 2 ounces of shrimp/tuna  = 1 protein – wasn’t getting near enough of this) and 3 dairy (1 light fat free yogurt = 1 dairy – the dairy that I was eating before was cheddar cheese – :)).  That allows me 1200 calories per day and I eat every 3 hours.    Also, 8 – 8 ounce cups of water daily with vitamins + supplements (this was already part of my daily regimen).

I take my lunch to work with 2 snacks and my bottle of water.  Before I wouldn’t plan ahead and then run through a drive through…again.

When I travel (which is about once a week) I may have to grab a Southwest Salad w/ SW dressing from McDonald’s or one of their grilled chicken sandwiches with nothing added.  Then I throw out half the bun.  I have pretty much stuck to that while on the reducing phase of this diet.  Before if I was in a hurry while on the road I’d drive through some place getting a hamburger and fries then eat in the car.

It’s been over a month ago since I’ve eaten fries.  The thought of such actually makes me queasy.  Heavy fatty fried foods would probably make me sick right now.  My gallbladder would have trouble processing it.

I’m committed to see this through and like anyone else…always checking my progress which motivates me to continue on that much more.

It’s all good.  Have a great day!