After really struggling with running lately I’ve decided I’m just out of my element.
I feel like I’m an African Lion. I do best in a hot, dry climate. A place that might be considered hellish for someone else works great for me!
But then, I was kidnapped by some poachers and sold to a zoo in the Artic. 
And while I’ve tried to make peace with the hills…
and the cold weather by bundling up…
I’ve realized I am made for the flat desert and not the hilly cold. And that’s okay.
I am still going to run, but I am accepting that my running has slowed (and been frustrating) because of my surroudings. At first I was mad at myself because I felt like I was just making excuses. But, the reality is that it’s pretty badass that I can even run as much as I do considering I am still around 15 pounds overweight and built for making babies, not gliding like a gazelle. (This isn’t fat-talk, it’s facts as I’m not even near the high weight for my height.)
More facts: I am a pretty normal girl. I am a few pounds overweight. I love ice cream and chocolate. I am self concious about my body.
But, I also love to run. And considering the above, I’m better at it than you would think. I’m not waiting until I reach my goal weight. I’m not letting the hills stop me. Nope. Those things may slow me, but they’re not stopping me. And that’s okay. I’m out of my element, but I’m not out of the game.
Marathon Training: There is a major wrench in my training this weekend as we are going to Florida and I won’t have time for a long run. I did 8 miles today (meant to do 10, but my heart wasn’t in it).
Before I left I had a small bowl of cereal…
Long Time No Green! I haven’t had a Green Monster in the longest time. 
Breakfast was toast with almond butter and a green monster with protien powder. I also grabbed another piece of bread after this. For some reason my later breakfast makes it hard to get full!
Smoothies are rare for me in the cold weather, but I really wanted one! So, I drank it by the heater 🙂 Problem solved. 
We are leaving for Florida today around 4:30!!! I have to meet Ben at his work and we’ll drive to the airport together. We should be in Sarasota around 7:30pm tonight. We’re just spending Friday night and Saturday with Ben’s fam and then we’ll be back in MD by Sunday afternoon. It’s going to be fun!!!
What a lovely day for a 4511017! SCK was here
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We are our own worst critics. I think you look amazing, and I marvel at how fast you are!
Have a great time in Florida!
“I’m out of my element, but I’m not out of the game.”
I loved this 😀
And I hated that ideal weight chart! According to that I’m 7lbs heavier than the upper limit of an ideal weight for my height – but I’m a size 4-6 and I’m cute – lol! So screw that chart. Ideal my arse.
Hills are awesome. You will learn to love them, trust me. My entire running route is all hills, and though tough, they make you -so fast- on the flats.
Trust me, hills are your friend.
I HATE THE COLD. seriously i get so grumpy. sometimes i don’t want to go to class because it means changing and being cold doing that and then walking through the freezing oregon cold to class.
mind you i live probably seven minutes from campus.
i love your blog you are hilarious (and so is your hubby ha i love your random convos) but i also think you are so admirable and inspirational! I am not a runner (i try sometimes) but seeing you and how you admit you are not a born runner but still go out there and KICK ASS is amazing.
oh and i know im just some random reader so this probably won’t matter but i find it hard to believe you are 15lbs overweight?? you look really good! and i mean that.
I’m feeling that way right now. I need to start training and I’m forcing myself to get out there…so cold! I’m going to keep at it though.
Were you thinking of The Big Lebowski when you wrote the title of your post? “Donny, you’re out of your element.” Anyway, you look amazing! And your running is more than impressive; I wish I could run half as much as you do and do it that fast. Don’t be so hard on yourself; you’re pretty awesome!
i love that you drank your smoothie by the heater 🙂
also, those heights and weights are ridiculous and don’t take into account muscle mass. so, there’s that.
I think you look geat! You certainly don’t look 15 lbs over weight, that’s for damn sure.
Have fun in the sun this weekend!!!
I think it is great that you think your really optomistic about running and your body!! I wish that I could be more optomisitic about my shape and size!! Have a great trip to Florida this Weekend!!
Don’t knock yourself! You’re more active than most people our age. A lot hotter too!
Have a safe and FUN trip!
According to the chart, I am 11 pounds overweight. According to the BMI calculator though, I am a healthy weight. Just goes to show that “ideal” and “healthy” weights are not the same thing. You look healthy to me!
You are a rock-star! Just think how good you would be if you were running in California…would totally kick my butt!
We all have off days (weeks, or months, even) but you’ve got a great attitude! 🙂 Have a fun weekend!
Don’t forget, BMI is probably the leading indicator of healthy weight ranges. You may be like me – according to the ideal body weight chart, I’m above my ideal range, but I’m still at a “healthy weight” BMI (between 18.5 and 25). Scroll down to the bottom of the page and check it out.
you totally just summed up how i feel about the weather in new england 🙂 have a safe travel to fl and enjoy the warm weather!!
Aww you look cute in your running clothes!
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Katie
I think you look fantastic! Just think, when you get back to flat terrain (Florida perhaps!!) you’ll have amazing times!
I’m about 10lbs overweight according to that chart. I don’t think I look fat and neither do you! Curvy latinas, work it!
I admire your good attitude. It’s hard to remain positive when it seems like the elements are against you.
I live in Northern Virginia and am having similar trouble with hills (and birthing hips!). Knowing that I’ll be facing a quad burning hill does little to keep me motivated.
The only thing we can do is to try our best.
Good luck with the remainder of your training and have a nice trip to Florida.
Have fun in Florida this weekend!
I LOVE to run in hot weather but unlike you, hills are one of my favorite parts of a run. I enjoy hill repeat workouts a little more than I would like to admit! : )
I love this post. I am so not built like a runner either (birthing hips, what?) but I’m just getting into long distances and while it might take me forever to run 7 miles (You still think you’re slow? I hope not cuz if I ran at your speed I’d be stoked) but I’m enjoying the process and I get there eventually. I always say that I don’t think I would run if I lived anywhere other than San Diego becuase I think we have the perfect running…never too cold, and usually not too hot, not too dry, etc.
Carolyn – Ha, I’m the same! The other day Ben said, “If our kids are skinny they could be gymnasts.”
I laughed and said,”Babe, there is no way our kids will be made skinny. Look at us!”
no matter what, you are still inspiring. i wish i could run as much as you! the reason i love running is because doesn’t discriminate age, sex, weight, height, race, etc..it is a sport for everyone–slow or fast. have a happy weekend!
xoxo
Lo
Way to rock on lady and say screw you cold!! I like running in the chill, because I don’t get overheated, but running in the biting cold is impossible. Makes it so hard to breathe!
I’m with you. As my husband would say “You’re not exactly petite, honey?” LOL I’m not fat, but I will never be skinny, and I probably look ridiculous running. 🙂 I’m SUPER slow, but I’m excited to be able to do what I can (5k).
This is the best attitude! Love it! 😀
I’m the total opposite, please give me cold and an environment with texture. Heat drives me bonkers on runs.
OMG, I don’t know how people run or bike on hills. (I’m from the very flat South) I went to NY this summer and could not bike over half a mile. Seriously embarrassing. The hills _killed_ me. Octogenarians passed me by and offered me oxygen bags. That was nice of them though.
You are very cute! Have fun in Florida!!!
The first part of your post totally made my day! I am a bit over my ‘ideal’ running weight, and just completed my 6th marathon with a disappointing time. Sometimes I wonder if I should just stop running until I get my body in order, but I figure why stop when I love running? You are amazing for all that you have done both in running and I life and I love your blog. Keep up the good work! And keep on punishing those hills! 🙂 Rock on!
hey, i’ve never commented before but i’ve been reading your blog for a while. i just wanted to say that you DO NOT GIVE YOURSELF ANY CREDIT! i feel like every single post you are talking down on yourself for some reason or another–you eat too much, you’re too slow, you’re overweight, you snacked, etc. etc. i want you to step back and take a look at what you CAN DO, which is run 8 miles in a morning, which in my opinion is amazing! i just feel like recently you’ve been so down upon yourself–not calling yourself a runner? do non-runners run 18 mile marathon training runs? nope, don’t think so. stop beating yourself up, it’s hard to see and i don’t think it’s helping any of your efforts to be more healthy and happy with yourself.
I think you look great! Jealous of the florida trip…enjoy!!
Thanks Katie. Not weird and very much appreciated 🙂
Haha, i laughed when i was the picture of you drinking your green monster by the heater. I really wanted one yesterday after a run, but it was 25 degrees outside. So I cranked up my heater, but on my sweatshirt and down vest, down slippers and sat under a huge blanket…all to enjoy a green monster. But it was SO worth it! 🙂
you do not look overweight at all–stop it!
girlfriend i think youre a HOT woman! i hope thats not weird. have a blast in flordia!! so fun!