Run Lisa Run! The blog of one girl running to change her life, one spandex clad mile at a time.

Quick update

2008-07-10T14:33:00.002-06:00

Went running by the lake for the first time in months Tuesday night. I made it about 2 miles before any sharp pains in my shin. My doctor told me to stop running at the first sign of pain, so I walked a bit longer.

At first I wasn't going to go. I was sitting in my apartment in full running gear, petrified. I couldn't get my body out the door. All the old fears of feeling stupid and being worried about how I look when running came rushing back to me. I went and got the ziploc bag I saved with words of inspiration from last year's marathon, took each one out, and read them all. Seeing the amazing things my friends and even strangers said about me running made me realize it didn't matter how I looked, it just mattered that I was out there. So I tucked in my favorite sage advice in my running pack, and walked out the door.

Running, music pulsing through my body, feeling strong as my feet pounded against the pavement, felt so amazing. As I was finishing the run and waiting for the bus, a rain shower exploded around me, and here I was, standing on the beautiful museum campus, the Chicago skyline behind me, under a giant oak tree soaking wet and grinning like an idiot, completely in love with my running and that moment. I just forgot how alive running makes me feel. It just felt so amazing.

It feels good to be back. Run Lisa Run is back on the course...

Now if only this damn leg will stop acting up. Hrmph. Come on feet (well in this case shin), don't fail me now!

is this thing still on?

2008-07-01T19:22:00.003-06:00

Sigh. I never could follow through on keeping up with things like blogs, resolutions, ambitions, or running.

I was suppose to start training for the marathon last week. I still have yet to run. I had an MRI done on my still bothersome left leg, and they told me I should get some rehab, that it wasn't cracked or fractured, but it was inflamed. I don't have money or time for rehab, so I'm hoping for the best. My doctor says as long as I ice it and stop running if I have intense pain, I should be alright.

I really need to get back into routine and order, and back to running could do just that. My life has just been complete chaos thus far this year, and I need to get order restored.

So welcome back Lisa to your running blog. Get your butt in gear, lace up your shoes, and back out on the lake front you go to running.

Chicago Marathon 2008 training...here I come...

Well, I'm not dead...

2008-03-31T13:15:00.003-06:00

Hello there internet people that actually sometimes read this site.

I'm back from the dead, or so it seems. I've just been having grand adventures.

I recently, as in the past two weeks, moved back to Chicago! Oh crazy times, crazy life. I just wasn't feeling NYC. It's a lovely city to visit for me, but not to live in. I'm a true Midwest girl, and since things are starting to pick up with my own company, I headed back to fully start things rolling. For those not in the know, I graduated with a degree in music management and marketing, during a time when the music industry is in great peril and falling apart. So needless to say starting my company (albeit being a crazy idea) maybe the best way to save this dying industry right now. I left behind a great label I was interning for in NYC, but I'm facing this scary world head on, and I think sometimes the scarier and braver the choice, the better the reward in the end.

So everything is new and unknown and exciting, but I'm so glad to be back in sweet home Chicago in my new place! Now if only the weather was better for running, I'd be set :)

So I've been slacking on the running, which is NO GOOD since the 1/2 marathon is in 32 days. Eek! BUT I am going to Fleet Feet to try to participate in the Jeff Galloway easy run tonight. Yup, the Jeff Galloway who popularized the Galloway method. He's leading an easy run, then speaking about his method and using it to better train for marathons. Should give me a mixed dose of guilt for being lazy, and also pump me up to get back on track. Fun times, fun times.

So back to work I go, which is a very odd thing, since I work for myself now. It's very strange to say "ok Lisa, it's 9 am, time to go set down and do your office stuff and not play around for the next few hours." Looks like I'm growing up, eh?

Take care, and I promise I'll be posting more again soon!

Hugs and Kisses from Chicago!

-Lisa

Lisa vs. the dreaded bridesmaid dress

2008-02-19T00:55:00.003-06:00

Sometimes things can seem very daunting.

I am in a wedding on June 21st. Yup. A good friend called and asked me to be a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding, and since the lovely couple are going to have to rush the wedding a bit (he's got a job and they have to make a big move for it, plus they've been dating since our freshman year of high school, so I think we won't miss much on the planning, haha), so it's June 21st.

And the dress we shall wear? Strapless.

The fear of God is now coming down upon me. Do you know how much effort and coaxing it took me to wear a one piece bathing suit this past summer? And I still kept most of myself covered in the damn thing. I've never worn a strapless outfit of any kind. I am fat. I have fat arms. No one needs to see them. Oh god, I'm about to hyperventilate...

so yeah, that has been the thought process the past few hours since I got the e-mail with the "what do you think about these dresses?" link in it. I think I'm gonna look like a whale next to the size 2 and size 8 or 10 bridesmaid. Blimpy McGee, here I come down the isle, waddle waddle waddle.

As strong as I've become since I started running, as much as I've changed and realized that I am a beautiful women despite my size and that I am amazing, these negative horrible thoughts still pop in my head from time to time. Hey, I know, nobody is perfect, but I've just had a long history of dealing with body image, so it's a pretty big hurdle I've been jumping over (and I'm getting there!) the last almost year since I started this crazy journey.

So, enough bellyaching. It's just a dress. And I WAS fat, I'm just working on it at this point. Hell, I'm currently typing this while wearing jeans that are four years old and until now haven't worn in years. I have all the way until June 21st to make myself even more snazzy. The day isn't about me, and no one should or will care what I look like, but I still want to look my best for my friends, because they will cherish these photos and wedding video forever. I want to look nice for them, and a bit for my sanity too.

SO FOLKS... Who here has some killer techniques to work on my upper arms? What's the best type of exercise to gets these puppies looking better? Any suggestions?

If this doesn't keep me getting up and running in the morning, I don't know what will. I think the marathon is less scary to me then a bridesmaid dress, because in running we are expected to look ridiculous in our outfit, and who cares at that point, we are amazing athletes. But I'll be damned if a bridesmaid dress is going to beat me down.

just a quick update...

2008-02-18T20:58:00.001-06:00

the shin is hurting today, but it isn't too bad. I think we shall be ok...

And we're back!

2008-02-17T16:39:00.004-06:00

Well, just got home from Coney Island, and it was desolate, but safe, so all is well!

Actually, I think I may have found one of my new favorite spots in NYC, especially to run. It's barren, retro, a bit depressing, but totally beautiful. Granted you're running on a boardwalk, which somehow I feel wood planks aren't the best surface to run on, but you have a great view (one side is the ocean, the other side the pier and the people) and it's a nice path to do a decent size run on.

And the best part? MY LEG IS OK!!! Yay! It really hurt around .80 mile and 1.1 mile, but I ran through it, and it subsided. I also did more of an interval type run, which I think helped. It made me slower overall on pace, but it got me farther without feeling pain or feeling tired at the end. Here is what I did...

Every 1o minute mark, I would power walk for 3 minutes (so run until 10 minutes, walk to 13, run to 20, walk to 23, run to 30, walk to 33) and I did this all the way up to the 1 hour point, and then I just ran the rest of my workout, which wasn't far at all. In the next few long runs I'm going to slowly decrease to walking for 2 minutes instead of 3, and then walking 1 minute, and then try to space them out farther as I go along. I think this is a nice way to soften the shock of running again on my body, especially on my screwy shin.

I also noticed my stride more, and watched my posture while I was running, so I'm working slowly on improving my technique. Here are the final stats for my first "long run" of 1/2 training:

4 Miles in 1 hour 8 minutes and 3 seconds
Average Pace was 16:59 min/mi (damn you 3 minute walking pace cramping my style!)
Calories: 821

I'm also really stretching a lot more in general, and starting a plan to work on my core, since the weight I'm loosing is coming off in odd places (belly be gone, cmon!) and a tighter core helps you run better.

So yeah, I'm stepping my game up in a sense. I spent yesterday and tonight I'll finish combing through some old Runners World and some other books, and I'm really making a more detailed training plan. Higdon has a good base for training, but I've got to do more to really improve. I've got three months to get ready for the 1/2, four months to get in better shape for being in a wedding (oh boy, bridesmaid dress), and then October is the next big date!

Feeling good, feeling confident, and glad to be back in the groove of running :)

-Lisa

PS I submitted an application to volunteer in April at the Boston marathon! I figure if I'm still living out in NYC at that point, I'll take the bus up to Boston, and help out! I'd love to actually be a spectator instead of running in a race, and so I put in my bid (although I'm hoping I'll have to decline and hopefully be back in Chicago). I picked my first choice as being a mile marker. Haha. How awesome would that be? The description says I stand with a mile marker sign for on the side of the road for the racers to see. So I can cheer them on. Yay!

If I don't return to blogging...

2008-02-17T13:06:00.002-06:00

Um, call the police? Haha. I'm going for an adventure for my first "long run" of training. Heading out to Coney Island to run on the pier, since my "long run" is a very short 4 miles.

So yeah, time to adventure to run in a place I've never been that may or may not be sketchy? We'll see! Good times, good times...

I'll update when I get home later with the beautiful sites of Coney Island, and with a brand new addition to revamp my training plan!!!

-Lisa

and so it begins...

2008-02-13T19:52:00.002-06:00

Ah, nothing like the first run of the season. Especially when you can only muster up through half of it :(

Yup. 3 mile run turned into 1.5 miles. More like 1 mile run and .5 mile walk then run then walk. Boo. But I got over a mile, which is great! I haven't done over that since my leg started hurting. And it felt pretty good at the start. I just have to get back in the swing of things.

I also chopped up and froze my bananas the other night, so protein shake season is SO BACK! Yay! I'm not gonna lie, I sort of miss the tasty recipe me and Dad came up with, so it will be a nice welcome back, and affordable for my broke budget. So affordable, I may start living off protein shakes alone, good times.

So yeah, one run down, many more to go. I'm heading to bed now so I can get up and run. See, I'm being such a good little runner, go me!

Hope everyone is keeping warm back in Chicago, and keep running!

OH! One other little fun thing...

2008-02-10T23:40:00.001-06:00

So last week I got an e-mail in my inbox with the following in it...

"Congratulations! Based on past performance in the Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon and/or Chicago Marathon, you qualify for Wave 1 and a Start Corral (Top 100 or Corral A-D) at the 2008 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. If you have not already registered, you can register now to ensure your spot in the 2008 event. Registration has already exceeded 22,000, and will close when the maximum 30,000 participants has been reached."

HEHEHEHE!!! I qualified for a starting corral?!?! Um, so my dad thinks that had to be a computer glitch, because we both qualified. I reminded him that we may have qualified in the very back of the last corral, or at least I'm really hoping that is the case, and not some computer glitch. Regardless, it made one chubby girl (hey, I'm working on that part) with big dreams one very happy lady :)

Too bad I moved, I totally would have ran in the Shuffle and used my starting time, regardless of glitch or not, which could have made for an interesting race? haha.

Here we go again...

2008-02-10T22:52:00.000-06:00

Well, hello again. Since I last saw the interweb, I have been resting the good old shin, trying not to piss it off because tomorrow starts the longest period of running EVER!

Ok, so I'm being a tad bit dramatic, but tomorrow marks the start of 1/2 marathon training. Hurrah! It's a bit of a lackluster start, with just stretching and strength on Mondays, but Tuesday I get to run 3 miles, so we'll see how the shins do then, and see what type of training the next few months will be (either "yay my shin is fine" or "WTF GET BETTER LEG" months of training).

Feel free to join along in the training, as I mentioned in the previous post. What's more fun than running a ridiculous amount and conversing about it online with a stranger, right?

So back to why tomorrow marks the longest period of running EVER...

You're probably saying, "what are you talking about Lisa, this is just a damn 1/2 marathon, no biggie."

Well folks, did I mention that I merge directly into marathon training after Indy 1/2 marathon? Yup. I do. As of tomorrow I will be consistently training until mid October. Wowie. That is a long time.

But I digress, I am looking forward to the challenge and journey of training again, and especially excited because I have a few friends (and good old Dad again) training with me! Yay!

So keep Me, my Dad, my friends (Erin, Sammie, David) in your thoughts and running prayers, and keep checking back in, because I'll be back blogging as of now. VACATION FROM RUNNING IS OVER! GET A MOVE ON LISA!

Are you pumped yet just reading this? Because I sure am!

Ok, off to bed and then up to do my S&S (stretch and strength) before work! Here we go...

-Lisa

PS Me and Dad got spots in the Chicago 2008 Marathon already , so hopefully I'll see everyone there :)

Back in the saddle?

2008-01-14T00:39:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally got to run on some running hollowed ground, and boy did it kick my ass! So I figured what better a way to spend my first Saturday as a New York City resident by having a nice run in Central Park, right? WRONG. Well, not so bad that it warrants all caps wrong, but things didn’t go as nicely as planned.

Have no fear folks, I didn’t get mugged or anything (the worse case scenario my mom envisions, she keeps watching too much Law & Order: SVU), but it was no normal run for me. Why? Because Central Park has something Chicago doesn’t have: hills. Yup. I never ran on hills, ever. The lakeshore path was pretty flat, as were the trails around my old place, so this was a whole new bag of tricks. And let me just state that I have the utmost respect now for people that run a very hilly course.

So anyways, I didn’t even finish my 2 miles run. Granted, I haven’t run in a few weeks, so I’m a bit out of shape anyways. I stopped running so much, because I got a wicked painful case of shin splints. It hurt like hell, but I stayed off high impact workouts (like running) for a bit, and I’m glad to report that my shins did not hurt during my Central Park debut! The left one hurts when it rains or when the temperature drops (I’m assuming this has some sort of correlation, otherwise I just sound like some old person saying “I can feel rain comin in my bones kiddies!”), otherwise the major pain has stopped. So yay for non-hurting shins! YAY! But boo for being a lazy butt and not going the full 2 miles that I wanted to do. BOO!

Anyways, I’m finishing getting settled, and going to try to get into the swing of a running schedule soon. I’ve looked up and found two runners associations in Brooklyn, and found a few ads for running partners on the New York Road Runners Club website, so hopefully I’ll get in with some runners up here, feel more at home.

But the BIG NEWS is that I start training for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon soon! And I’ve got 5 friends back home training with me! So I’ll have someone besides my Dad to bitch too about my training schedule, haha. I think majority of us are following Hal Higdon’s ½ marathon training program, so feel free to jump in his program (http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm) and join in with us! I also plan on really trying to work on setting and maintaining a pace, and trying to learn and apply some running techniques to my program, rather than my past marathon attempt of just shuffling along and trying not to die.

So there ya go folks (all five of you that read this site, haha)! I’m back with a vengeance! So keep checking in. I’m a lonely single girl in NYC with no one I know, so god knows I’ll have plenty of running time on my hands ☺

Love,
Lisa

PS To date I’ve lost 3 toenails. Haha. Just in case your keeping tabs. I’m just so hardcore, aren’t I?

I'm Still Standing...

2008-01-10T22:22:00.000-06:00

Yup. Been a while, right?

Sorry for the delay people that actually still read this site (are they any, haha), I've been a bit busy.

Busy you ask? Well that is no excuse Lisa....

except it is. Because I've been busy...

MOVING TO NEW YORK CITY.

Yup. Flew in on Sunday, found a place, moved in a few hours ago. All of this NYC nonsense was started, decided, and done in less than a month. I literally flew out here, did some internship interviews, said "fuck it" and threw caution to the wind, packed my life up, condensed my life into two suitcases, flew out here.

Well, what I really came here for was two internships. I was offered three, and the job prospects and opportunities in the music industry are just greater in NYC over Chicago. And if I'm gonna jump, it's now or never.

So I'm interning now for two different record labels. Yes, I am nuts and moved to New York to work two jobs that don't pay. I also had no place to live when I got here. Crashed at a friends for a few days until I finally found a place that will do for now. It was the only place I felt safe walking home to from the train. Things are totally rougher in NYC then I ever had in Chicago.

So yeah, that is the big news and explanation of my absence. Everything is turned upside down, and my life has completely changed in a matter of days. I went from my two decent jobs and my lovely beach front apartment living alone and happy, to two no paying jobs, in need of a pt paying job, living in an apartment with people I don't know in a tiny room. Sigh. I know I'm being a Debbie Downer, it's just all a total shock. But I do live in a relatively safe area, and my roommates (a couple) seem nice. And I can always make any room feel like home. I'll be ok once I get my bearings.

Life is a grand adventure folks, and I am fully living it. Once I get back into the swing of things, I'll be in touch about RUNNING!!! The nice thing is I'm a short train ride from Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and I also have Central Park that I can do long runs in, so I'm really excited about that! Now if only I can find me a running partner, I'll be set.

Hope all is well in everyones crazy life, take care, and stay tuned!

Lisa

I'm on the phone with Lisa as I type...

2007-11-09T01:35:00.000-06:00

"No one is awake and I had to tell someone! Dude, remember how I said my toenail was all bruised after the marathon? IT JUST FELL OFF."

"LISA, YOU NEED TO BLOG THIS RIGHT NOW! RIGHT NOW!"

"No, I am not blogging right now! I'm trying to figure out what to do with it!"

"I'M BLOGGING IT FOR YOU!"

"I kinda want to take a picture and put it on my blog. 'This is my toenail...'"

That's the gist of our conversation right now.

"Ahhh, toenail....RIP."

Greetings from the Arctic Tundra...

2007-10-24T23:18:00.000-06:00

I wish I was kidding when I refer to my fair city as the Arctic Tundra, but yeah, I'm not.

IT IS SO FREAKING COLD!

Little background. I use to live downtown in Chicago, where it got cold but the buildings would stop a lot of the wind. I recently moved up north to a lake front studio, and although living on a private beach was GREAT during the summer, it is really going to suck now. I seriously was almost blown away when I went out to run tonight.

THAT IS RIGHT. I went running. In the cold. I don't do these types of things, well now I do, but I use to not do these type of things. So there I was at 7 pm (because it was the only time I had to run) in my spandex long pants and layers of shirts running against gusting wind. It was pretty intense. I've been running 2 mile runs in the morning almost every day (I've had a few off) to try to really work on my speed and running technique, and my pace has been hella improving (I've set my new personal best twice in the past week for a mile!) but this cold weather really killed my lungs tonight. I took a deep gulp of air, and it felt like someone was stabbing my chest. I only went 1.15 mile. Granted I made myself bust it out and not just stop and walk but kept running, still it sucked.

SO, good news my pace is rocking (YAY) and I totally will be ready by next year to complete the marathon at or under the required time (DOUBLE YAY).

Bad news? IT IS SO COLD AND IT HURTS SO BAD.

Anyone else have really bad side stomach pains when running in the cold?

I pretty much have it pinned down somewhat to the weather, because I was running in decent weather at the pace I'm at now, and I was fine. Then it got colder, and I just cramp up.

Any suggestions for a cold cold girl? It would be much appreciated.

Well, to the confines of my warm blankets I go, only to roll out of bed and go out into the arctic to run again.

Not gonna lie though. I'm totally looking forward to the whole running part of that last sentence :)

Back in the saddle...

2007-10-16T06:49:00.000-06:00

HEY!!!

Why am I so chipper at 7:50 in the morning since I got up at 6?!

Because for the first time since the marathon, I went running :)

And the best part? At the end of my workout Paula Radcliff (well her voice on my iPod) congratulated me on my best mile yet on my iPod! WOOO HOOO!!!

My average pace was I believe 15:21 (yeah, the iPod is charging, don't want to disturb it, got a train ride to work), so I finally broke below a 16 min mile. ROCK!

Since I'm not training for a marathon anymore, now comes the time for just keeping my big (but shrinking!) butt moving. So I want to do 3-4 days of short runs (aka 2 miles, which I did this morning), 1 longer run on Saturdays (the length will vary but nothing under 5 I'm thinking?), and then one day of strength training. On the short days I'm going to improve on my pace and work on it, because my goal for the marathon next year is to finish under the 6.5 hour mark (well, I did finish under 6.5 hours this year, but only doing 14 miles, heh), and not have the finish line pass me around mile 3. Hehe.

So, today was a great start on working on this pace of mine. I jogged the first 1/2 mile, speed walked a mile, than jogged the last 1/2 mile, so for my butt (that couldn't jog up a flight of stairs six months ago), a half mile jog pace is pretty good.

Well, off to work I go. I maybe going to a really cool marathon lecture on Thursday if someone can cover my shift at the spa. I'll keep everyone posted!

Keep it moving folks!

The whole truth, and nothing but the truth....

2007-10-09T09:15:00.000-06:00

HELLO INTERNET WORLD! Have no fears, I am still alive!

So get ready for a big old post here, packed full of a lot of pain, sweat, sadness, and triumph. Ok, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but you get the point :)

As you can tell from the photos Emily loaded up to the site, I did in fact survive the Chicago Marathon, or what was left of it. I'm sure most of you heard about the fiasco of the Marathon this year. Go figure, I decide to run a marathon, and mother nature shouts "NO YOU AREN'T!" Eh, you win some, you loose some, right?

So let's start at the beginning, a very good place to start, no?

5:00 AM-Wake up and realize that I'm about to do the most incredible and possibly dumbest thing ever. Oh boy. Eat the usual pre-run protein shake and add a bagel to the mix. Take some Tylenol and a salt tablets before we leave. Me and Dad looked pretty funny. On the bus I listen to some music on my iPod to pump me up while I write my name on my arm in sharpie, and write where all my friends will be with water on my other arm. I look like I was going into battle. Haha.

7:00 AM-Arrive downtown. Runners everywhere. It was nuts and beautiful. Met up with Emily and her friend Joey who were ready to go for the day. Nervous as hell. Kiss my Mom goodbye, and me and Dad are off to the charity tent to drop his bag off. So many nerves, I actually go to the bathroom in a porta-potty. See, I have a huge fear of portable toilets, so if I use one, you know I'm meaning serious business.

7:30 AM-Head to the back of the starting line. Stretch. My dad looks REALLY funny stretching on the ground. Gives me a good laugh and calms me down. We meet another Team Care member, and a runner from Canada. Everyone is nervous but excited.

7:50 AM-We can hear country singer Jo Dee Mesina singing the national anthem. She is also running the marathon this year. I just checked and she got to finish the whole thing! Her pace was 13:11 and she finished in 5:45. DAMN! That's awesome.

The Race!

8:20 AM-Finally cross the start line. Music is blaring, everyone starts from shuffling to running. It's already super humid and hot, not a good sign. My dad informs me to slow down, that I'm going at a twelve something minutes a mile pace. Whoops. I move to the edge of the pack and slow down a little, but can't help myself. I'm crying and I can't stop laughing. I have never felt so alive and so amazing as I cross the starting line. I was just so proud and on top of the world. I'm running past people who are screaming my name, past cars honking horns and cops giving us runners thumbs up. Just amazing.

So I shoot out of the tunnel that we go through right after the start line, and burst around the first corner. Since I'm towards the back of the pack, the runners are spread out farther, which in my case is awesome, because I have my name on my shirt, so all the people that I'm coming up to or passing are screaming my name. Imagine 50+ people shouting your name and telling you that you are awesome and their hero. Yeah, the most amazing experience ever. I pass a group of French fans cheering for me, and thank them in French, and they go wild. I pass the Chicago theatre and a blues band is playing "Sweet Home Chicago." I am in love with the city and all of the people in it at that exact moment.

First water stop: Thankfully they have some more liquids by the time I get there, and I grab a cup of Gatorade. When my Dad passed in the 5:30 pace group, they had nothing for them, so I was thankful for my slow speed at that point. I see two girls that I knew from college cheering me on, my first fans of the day! It was awesome to see familiar faces, and it means the world to me that they came out to cheer us runners on. Thanks Anya and Steph, you girls ROCK!

Corner of Jackson and State: Another huge amount of people are here cheering. I get lots of "GO LISA, YOU GO GIRL!" A lot of "LOOKING GREAT!" I can't stop smiling and pumping my fist and thanking people.

Just past mile 4: Well, the fans are dying down at this point, but still a lot of great people cheering me on. One women tells me a mouthful as I pass by and says "Lisa, you are awesome, you are doing something so many people will never have the courage to do, you are my hero." I almost cry at that comment, phew. I've chatted with a few runners at this point. Everyone is still in good spirits despite no water at the second station, just Vaseline for chaffing. And then it happens. I'm talking to another runner, and the "finish line" van passes us. Yup. Way to make me feel way slow. Eh well. All of a sudden I hear my friend Amy scream my name up ahead. She darts out to me with some Gatorade, and trots by me for a bit before she has to leave for work. She tells me how proud she is of me, that she is so proud she is tearing up. Don't worry Amy, I was doing the same. Thanks for being so awesome and supporting me!

Heading up, almost to North Ave: The church goers coming out of the Moody Bible Institute bless me and cheer me on. I'm not a religious person, but it really touched me deeply to see them out there cheering people on, so major props to the congregation of Moody Bible Institute. A women up ahead is going nuts cheering people on and singing. As I get closer I realize it is a lady that comes to the spa I work at who has ran over 10 marathons. She recognizes me, and starts going crazy! She runs next to me for a bit and sings "Sweet Home Chicago" with me as we run. I hope she comes back to the spa soon, I want to thank her so much for keeping my hopes up during a very dead part of the course.

Turning into Lincoln Park: Well, the official cars are now starting to take down mile markers, and moving us slow pokes to the sidewalk. Thankfully I know the course and have a map, so I'm good to go. The next aid station has no cups, but a nice lady pours water on my hot as hell head. A group of DePaul students stuck around to cheer us all on. It's the most people I've seen in the last 1/2 mile cheering, so it makes me feel better. But I'm starting to get exhausted and dehydrated, so I slow my pace and start to power walk. I power walk a very lonely few miles. I'm too tired to put on my iPod. Every once and a while, someone cheers me on or tells me I look great. Haha, sure. At some point a women has a garden hose and sprays me down. God bless the people of Chicago for all their help.

Turning off Addison and heading back south on Broadway: Well, it's official. The race has passed me by. No more aid stations, crews are cleaning things up, and fans are FAR and few in between. I am so tired. My friend David meets me at Belmont and Broadway with some water and Gatorade. God bless him. He tells me I'm right on time pace-wise of when I told him I'd meet him, so this is nice to hear. He walks for a bit with me, then wishes me good luck. Later he tells me that I looked really bad and tired. Haha. Funny how you don't realize how bad you are when you are dehydrated.

Going south on Broadway: I've got two walking buddies. Brenda and Tara. Tara came from LA to run Chicago, her first marathon. Brenda is a charity runner. We look like a motley crew making our way down the sidewalk.

Turning to go into Old Town: Emily, Joey, and Aaron meet up with me. Emily tells me later that I tell her that I'm fine and have plenty of Gatorade. In fact I was caring a bottle that only had a sip left. She makes me take a bottle of water. Once again I think I'm fine. Later Emily tells me that I wasn't sounding too good, and not making sense when she sees me. Oops.

Old Town: We make our way down the sidewalk, and maybe see one fan cheering us on. To all those people that stayed behind long after the huge mass of runners passed by to cheer us slow pokes on, thank you so much. You are amazing and probably kept me from bailing way earlier. Tara uses the porta-potties at one point. I give her a wet wipe to wash off with after. She tells me receiving that wet wipe is the best thing to happen during the race to her. HAHA. Marathons sure are intense, aren't they?

Somewhere on Wells under the horrible hot sun: My mom and my friend Scootie (who really convinced me to finally do the marathon) meet up with us. They give Tara and me water. My mom is super worried. She also tells me later that I wasn't making sense when I tried to talk to her. They stop us and inform us of the full marathon news. The marathon...HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN. Woah, what? I freak out and want to know about my Dad. I got the text message when he crossed the half way point, and his pace was too fast compared to what he was training at. My mom assures me he is ok. The race officials blocked him and the runners around mile 17 or so, and told them they had to stop, that the race was called due to the extreme heat. My dad asks a cop if he can continue, and the police tell him if he wants to he can on the sidewalk, but if anything happens to him, the wait for an ambulance is 2 hours!!! My dad thankfully boards a bus that takes the runners back to the finish area.

Walking down Wells: My mom wanted me to stop immediately, but I refuse to. Me and Tara talk it over, and decide to head to Jackson where they were making runners stop and turn back to Millennium Park. It came down to we didn't want to get down into Pilsen (not the greatest area) and one of us pass out, and we can't get an ambulance. Their is no aid stations, or they are all empty, and since one person at this point had already died, this was the right decision. Things were getting serious. As we get closer to Jackson, I don't remember a lot, because I was really dehydrated. My legs were starting to buckle as I got towards the end. Not good. The decision we made was the right one. We turn left on Jackson, and get water from police and a few race officials that are guarding a table for runners. They inform us to return to Millennium Park, and there we will receive a finisher medal. A very nice police officer offers me a ride in her squad car and ask if I'm ok. I tell her thank you, but I am good enough, and I want to finish the shortened course to it's fullest.

Crossing Michigan on Jackson: I feel like a zombie, but as I cross Michigan Ave and head over the bridge, I see people cheering the runners that are starting to stagger in. I start running again, so excited. A women comes up to me and hands me a medal and a banana and congratulates me. I start to cry and smile. I ask if I can still cross the finish line. She says yes, to turn in my runner champion chip, and then go backwards to the finish line, loop in and cross it. I tell Tara we are crossing the line, and we make our way down to it.

Finish Line: So now I feel a bit guilty, because I thought the people I was crossing the line with were runners that had also been diverted back to the finish area. Actually, I was crossing the line with some of the diverted runners, but also with people that WERE ACTUALLY FINISHING THE WHOLE THING. So yeah, I feel like a bit of a jerk, but at the time my dehydrated butt had a mission to cross that damn line. I told a race official that I had been directed back to the park, but could I please cross the line. She says of course, and lets us through. Me and Tara run back a few feet, turn around, and bust through the finish line at 5 hours and 20 minutes. I start crying (haha again) and feel so proud. And then I start hearing "runner down" over and over again over bullhorns. People are dropping around me. Everyone looks like hell. A few runners and I exchange congratulations. It looks a bit like a war zone, people falling and looking so sad and sick. I grab an apple and start to eat it because I feel sick and weak. I drink two bottles of water off the bat. I bid Tara goodbye and tell her to keep in touch (Which she did! She found my blog, yay! Hi Tara!) and head to the charity tent. I arrive to find my Mom and all my friends, who start to cheer. I immediately fall into a chair, and am given some apple juice and some turkey sandwiches. I am in a daze. Everyone is talking, but I can't talk because, well, man I was so out of it still. I start to freak out because my Dad is nowhere to be found. I finally see him coming into the tent (he had to go back to get his medal and turn in his chip) and I jump up and run and give him the biggest hug. We sit down and we discuss the race while getting some liquids and protein in us.

After the race: Well, me and Dad discussed our stories, and come to find out, my dad had no hydration until mile 5. The first two aid tents had no liquids at all. They were told to run ahead. Now, on a decent day, this would be ok, but it was sooo hot and humid, you can't run like that with no liquids at all. My dad still believe he could have finished the whole thing if he knew for a fact there would be water ahead of him. But it wasn't worth risking. We find out that 1 man died (a police offer and father of two, his wife was also running the race), a that 315 were taken to the hospital. The whole thing was very tragic and sad, and my thoughts go out to the runner who didn't make it and his family. He died trying to do something amazing and extraordinary, and I will always respect him so much for that. We also find out that it was the hottest Chicago marathon in history (temps were ranging from 87-93 degrees Fahrenheit) and the first Chicago marathon to be cut off. We also find out that 10,000 runners didn't even show up that morning, mainly due to the heat. Me and Dad both saw physically fit athletic looking people walking and dropping out early in the game, which is something you don't usually see. My mom was by one of the starting corral athletes who ran off the course and quit. A spectator asked her why and she replied "I'm running New York in two weeks, this isn't worth hurting myself." My mom also helped a runner on the curb call her husband to come pick her up because "she couldn't go any farther." These were healthy people that have been running for years. So yeah, my Dad and I were a bit optimistic and crazy. But we did give it our all.

Am I disappointed? Yes, a bit. I really wanted to complete the marathon (no matter how long it took) and I know I could have if I was better hydrated. It was sad that I only got to do about 14 miles and then had to stop. But when cops and race officials are turning you around, and the wait for an ambulance is 2+ hours, it's best to make the smart choice. 26.2 miles I will conquer, but it's not worth loosing my life over.

At first I didn't want my finisher medal. I was a bit ashamed of it. But I've realized that I do deserve it. I finished the course that the marathon officials rerouted, I didn't give up before that, didn't take the two offers of rides back to the finish area. I finished what was given to me. I can't help mother nature and I can't help the hydration problem. I don't blame race officials either, shit just happens. I ran in the hottest Chicago Marathon to date. I ran in conditions that were insane, and pushed my body way beyond it's limits. I trained hard and for a long time. I overcame a lot, gained a lot mentally, and lost a lot physically (btw, I weighed myself the day after, and here are the total; starting weight 297 [? it was around that], weight after marathon: 273, AMAZING). That medal was worth the miles of sweat and tears it took me to get where I am today.

I learned a lot about myself these past few months, and a lot this weekend alone. I learned that you don't know how dehydrated you are when you are actually dehydrated. I learned that you CAN look pretty damn awesome in spandex and a fanny pack when you pair it with a smile and a lot of determination. I've met a lot of amazing people during this journey, and have seen just how amazing some of my friends are through their support and love.

Above all else, I learned that I am amazing and wonderful. I have so much self confidence now, and I feel that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I may not have finished the full 26.2 miles this year, but every mile was well worth what I got out of it. Yeah, I was sad not to finish, but the feelings I had at the start line, the feelings I had as I raced through the first part of the course, the adrenaline and energy I felt that I can't even describe, that was worth everything.

Thank you everyone for reading and coming along on my journey. Thank you for all the amazing support. You have no idea how every comment on this blog helped me along mile after mile.

I have a few blisters that are almost healed, and then it's back to running for me. Will I compete in the Chicago marathon again? You betcha! I'll be there front and center next year, hopefully weighing much less and maybe even in a pace group by then. When the marathon gods tell Lisa "no, you will not finish this race," I reply "fine, maybe not this year, but just watch me next year suckas!" We thought about running another marathon soon, but honestly I want Chicago to be my first. I love this city, and I want my first full marathon to be here.

Keep reading the site. Me and Dad are planning to run the Indianapolis half marathon next May for sure, but I know I'm going to run some other smaller races and maybe a few half marathons before next year. Most of all I'm going to keep running. Running has changed my life, and has slowly started to grow on me.

I'm also on a crusade to convince as many people as I can to run a marathon in their lifetime. I've already convinced a few friends to maybe run with me next year, and if anyone needs a virtual training partner (cough cough Pip cough cough), just let me know!

Good luck to everyone with all their future dreams that they will set out to conquer like I have, and no matter what, never give up and keep running.

Love,

Lisa

2007-10-07T12:59:00.000-06:00

2007-10-07T12:48:00.000-06:00

THE GIRL ROCKS!!!

2007-10-07T12:26:00.000-06:00

Waiting to reunite

Game over.

2007-10-07T11:51:00.001-06:00

Marathon cancelled due to heat, health, & deaths. Meeting Lisa back @ Millennium Park now. She was doing great though.

2007-10-07T11:32:00.000-06:00

Waiting for Lisa in Little Italy.

2007-10-07T11:13:00.001-06:00

The first finisher we came across.

2007-10-07T09:46:00.000-06:00

Not quite

2007-10-07T08:55:00.000-06:00

Not Lisa yet...

2007-10-07T07:46:00.000-06:00

Team CARE had a bowl of chocolates! Lisa should be on course now...

2007-10-07T06:35:00.000-06:00

2007-10-07T05:51:00.001-06:00

I beat Lisa downtown.

t-minus 3 hours

2007-10-07T04:06:00.000-06:00

Less than 3 hours and the starting gun will fire.

I am a mix of everything inside. Scared. Proud. Excited. Sick. Relieved. Overjoyed. Terrified. Awe.

All of these emotions and feelings. It really is something that I can't describe. You have to experience something like this in order to truly understand it.

I've got on my running hat. My t-shirt that I've got the sleeves rolled up and my name on it. My fanny pack full of Gu. These awful spandex pants. I've trained the past 5 months, and my life has completely been changed.

Today, I run my first marathon. I am a runner. I am an athlete. It doesn't matter what size I am or how I look doing it, as long as I'm moving towards that finish line and never stop moving.

Thank you everyone for coming along with me on this journey. All your messages of love and support are tucked in my fanny pack for good luck. You'll be along for the whole run! (Esp. Pip and Img, THANK YOU SO MUCH!)

I'll see you guys after the race.

Love,

Lisa White
Chicago Marathoner 2007

3.5 hours until we begin!

2007-10-07T03:34:00.000-06:00

I just set up the blog to post pics from my phone now, so check back throughout the day as the blog automatically updates with my pics of Lisa from the course!

Almost time!

2007-10-06T05:48:00.000-06:00

"Hi, my name's Lisa, and tomorrow, I'm going to run the freakin' Chicago Marathon...and I'm kinda excited about that!"

It's Emily again—yesterday I had breakfast with Lisa at the same diner restaurant where we put this marathon idea into action last spring. We plotted out the coordinates of us friends who will be cheering her on all day tomorrow...every few miles, she'll be supplied with Gatorade and whatever else she tells us she needs. (I may also try to incorporate a few silly motivational items along the way...)

At 8:00 am tomorrow, Lisa will begin the end of this marathon journey. By dinnertime, she'll be relaxing and recovering. For the time in between, she's going to be one of the most awesome people I know.

HERE WE GO PEOPLE!!!

2007-10-04T18:19:00.000-06:00

Maybe it's just the extreme amounts of carbs talking, but boy AM I PUMPED!!!

2 days, 11 hours and 19 mins until the 2007 Lasalle Bank Chicago Marathon!

And the really neat part? The marathon is setting a record this year as the LARGEST MARATHON IN THE WORLD! Holy crap! I'm part of history! It also has the largest prize money (which I'm so gonna win, because remember, me and Kenyan Steve are going neck and neck) and over a million spectators. Some of the best runners in the world come out for this marathon from all over the globe. This is a huge presitigous deal. And I'm a part of it. I feel sort of guilty in the sense of "I'm not worthy" (sort of like in a Wayne's World way), but I'm also honored to be part of something so massive and so amazing.

But back to the real reason your reading this blog...ME! See, aren't I getting a bit cocky the closer it gets to race date? Haha. Anyways, so I'm doing ok. Well, I haven't been running. I know, BAD LISA. But I got a second job and it's taken over my life lately. So tapering for me=not running. Bad Bad Bad. But I am exceling at the whole bulk up on carbs thing. I'm sort of sleepy and cranky from the carbs though. Damn, I can't win. I was all excited to load up on bread and pasta, two no no's for Polycystic people, and now the carbs are making my body tired. Boo. OH! Did I mention I started getting the first signs of a cold Tuesday afternoon? Um, yeah. Sore throat, sinus pressure. Awesome. So I'm taking vitamin C supplments, using a ton of Zicam, and taking cold medicine just to kick these early signs so I'm good to go Sunday. I'm not too worried about it (knock on wood), so I think come race day I'll be good. Well, I'll be a ball of nerves, but I don't think I'll be sick (once again, knock on wood).

So yeah, I should have been running the last week and a half, but que sera sera. I'm not too worried, I ran my 20 mile run after not running for a week or so, and I was ok.

So my present dilemma is...should I do any running tomorrow? I know I'm not suppose to the day before (and I won't), but I was thinking maybe a quick warm-up/reminder tomorrow to remind my legs that they will be doing this whole running thing this weekend. What is everyone's idea on this?

The other big bad factor this weekend is the weather. The people on the marathon forum site are freaking out. It's suppose to be a high of 86 on Sunday. NOT GOOD. But whatever, I'm not going to let it scare me. I trained in the heat this summer, I'll be fine. I've got a ton of people on the course with gatorade for me, so I'm going to stay plenty hydrated.

So tomorrow I'm going to go buy a hat at the running store (*groan* I'm going to look SO LAME this weekend, awesome), some extra packets of GU due to the scary weather predicitons, and also going to a sports massage therapist to do some stretching out. Don't worry, no deep massage, just some good stretching. I may also go to the marathon expo. I'm still scared of being around all those runners, so I may wait until my Dad gets here. We'll see.

ALSO, I'm still undecided on my race day outfit. I'm wearing my two pair of socks (one blister protecting kind) like I did on my 20 miles, and my spandex leggings (yeah, i know they are long, but they are the most comfortable to run in), but I'm still unsure about the shirt. I want to wear my Team CARE whick free (is that how you even spell it?) shirt, but it's still a bit tight. I know cotton is a big no no, but I've worn Hanes mens cotton t-shirts during my entire training schedule. I was thinking of wearing a Hanes white cotton tee, and then giving a few of my friends extra shirts who will be on the race course, that way I can change shirts a few times. Look at me, changing shirts in public. I know I'm totally not even close to being thin enough to take off a t-shirt in my sports bra in public, but screw it. If any person looks grossed out, I'm looking them dead in the eye and saying "I'M RUNNING THIS FREAKING MARATHON! ARE YOU? DIDN'T THINK SO." Anyways, do you think this is a good plan? I could try the Team CARE shirt, but I've never ran in it, and I'm afraid to stray from the norm. Ah, decisions decisions....

OH! Another thing! See, I'm just full of info. I'm going to dedicate each mile to a different person or reason. SO, if you have any ideas for one of the dedications, let me know. I think this will help keep me focused and going as I get tired. Also, I'm going to print out any words of wisdom/inspiration, so if you want to leave me some love, comment away or if you want to write me a little note that i can read to keep me from crying at mile 22 (haha) you can e-mail me at lisa.management@gmail.com

So folks, here we go! It's so close! I'll be posting the next few days, and then posting after the race to let you know I'm alive (haha) and then a much bigger post to recap the race (WITH PICTURES! I'm so taking pictures during the thing, I'm such a nerd).

Once again, if you are coming into the Chicago this weekend for the race (or really if your ever coming to Chicago) e-mail me and let me know! I'm really friendly, and I'd love to meet anyone that's came along for the ride on this crazy journey with me.

That sounds a bit cultish and corny, doesn't it? Ok, on that note I'm off to eat some more carbs, take some more cold medicine, and hope for the best come Sunday!

Where is Lisa?

2007-10-02T22:45:00.000-06:00

Hi! I'm still here. PROMISE!

Pip, Thanks for the check up! Your comments always brighten my day, as does everyone else's encouragement and good wishes and words.

I'm going to update in the next few days. Do a bit of a countdown, some pretty meaty post.

Sorry I've been a bit M.I.A. I just got a 2nd job, and it's been keeping me busy nonstop. Also my writing gig over at http://heavemedia.com has been pretty busy.

So HAVE NO FEAR! I'll check in during the next few days. Promise. Cross my heart.

love,

Lisa

OH! ONE MORE THING!!!!

Anyone actually going to be at the marathon this weekend?! I know a few runners who've read this blog in the past and said they would be running the marathon this year. IF you ARE going to be in Chicago this weekend, please shoot me a message or e-mail at lisa.management@gmail.com

I'd LOVE to meet up with any readers/runners, share our excitement (or fear and dread, take your pick), trade training stories, and do what all marathon people love to do; talk about the marathon they are running. I'll even buy a round on me. And by round I mean something booze related post-marathon or something carb related pre-marathon.

Hope to see some of you soon!

So bringing it...

2007-09-19T00:53:00.000-06:00

It's 3 am and why am I not asleep? Because my body hurts. A lot. It hurt earlier, and I took a nap, and now sleep is so not happening.

Why is my body in pain you ask? BECAUSE I RAN 20 FREAKING MILES!!!!

20 MILES!!!!

AHHH!!!! ROCCKKKKK!!!!!!!

And my pace has improved (thanks to my new switch easy I can track my runs on my iPod again, hurrah!)! All is well!

To be honest I really am not as sore as I thought I would be. I was more sore on my last big run (15 miles) than this one. I feel this is a good sign, right?

So I do my big runs on Monday because I work Sunday and don't want to run Saturday and not be able to move Sunday morning. So there I was Monday, in my stupid looking fanny pack gagging on GU packets and shuffling along. I even got lost in a harbor! Go figure, I actually try to follow the assigned running trail for the marathon training course, and I end up next to a porta potty in the middle of a harbor. But running along the lake gave me a great view, so that was a nice way to pass the 6 hours or so I spent outside. I did the 20 miles a bit over 5 hours, so it still looks like I'll be finishing the marathon on the sidewalk, (the Chicago marathon course cut off time is 6.5 hours, lame) but all I really care about is finishing it, ya know? I'll worry about medals later in my competitive running career.

Yes, I said competitive running career. I've decided to stick with running post marathon. Me and my Dad are already planning on running the Indy 500 half marathon this next May (you get to run on the Indy 500 track, neato!), and I'm already talking about pacing myself over the next year in order to finish under the 6.5 hour mark and get a medal next year in Chicago.

I've officially gone off the deep end, right? I was talking on the phone while I ran, was smiling during my 19th mile, hell I'm even jogging now! My average pace for my 20 mile run was in the 16:20's! Dare I say i enjoyed it?

Yup. I sure did. When I was done I had a flood of emotions. I was tired, my body was numb, I needed to pee and needed protein (the two main P's in my life right now), but I was crying on the phone to my Mom because I was so freaking proud of myself. Never in a million years would I have thought I could do something like this. Most runners don't even attempt to run marathons because they don't think they'll be able to do it. And here I am, trucking along, doing something that 6 months ago would have seemed like a ridiculous suggestion in my then state of health.

Did I mention I also stepped on the scale yesterday? It said 273. When I started this whole crazy thing I weighed around 295. Do the math and that means I've lost 22 lbs!!! Since late May! And the best part is knowing that since muscle weighs more than fat, and I now have pretty bitching leg muscles, that my body is in even better shape! I'm starting to notice things too, like I can run up stairs, that my body shape is changing, and my second chin I've talked about a few times? It's pretty much all gone. Booyah second chin, take that.

So despite the Debbie downer attitude I had last week, all I needed was some tough self love, I little heart to heart with a few friends, and 20 miles to make me realize just how far I've come and just how awesome I am.

Taper time begins now. I run 5 miles today. The best part is when you see 5 miles and your like, "wow, that's all I have to run?"

Marathon in 18 days! Let's get ready to rumble...

brrr, it's cold in here...

2007-09-15T15:56:00.000-06:00

Nothing like a marathon nightmare to get me off my lazy butt and training again. After putting off training for like, oh a week (eek!), I had a nightmare that I overslept, got to the marathon really late, and then they told me I could still compete if I ran REALLY FAST.

Yeah. I already can't run REALLY FAST.

And then I started to cry. Then I woke up, realized it was 6am, and told myself "this is a sign from God, go out and run woman!"

So I did. And I forgot how much it peps you up in the morning. I set out to just run based on the time I had before I needed to get home, shower, and head to work. I Mapquested the distance when I got home, and I did a bit over 4.22 miles. I say a bit over because Mapquest had me running on Lakeshore drive, which is a big no no, so I was actually running on the Lakeshore path, so I had a bit more distance, but anyways, it was very nice (Note to the people I ordered my iPod+Nike snapcase from, SEND ME MY DAMN PRODUCT! NOW! ok, thanks).

One downside? Chicago fall weather is upon us. So basically IT WAS FREEZING. And I've never really ran in the cold. The last time it was cold out my lazy butt wouldn't have walked a simple little mile. So I put a thin long sleeve shirt under my t-shirt, wore my longer running spandex legging things, strapped on the fannypack and headed out. It was really cold at first, but my body warmed up to it, so it wasn't too horrible.

So yay for back into the groove of things! I'm really starting to get nervous about the marathon, so I'm going all out training wise this last week or so before I taper off, and I'm really watching what I eat until the marathon has passed. No red meat, no booze, no fried stuff. I had baked tilapia and steamed green beans for lunch today. If I'm eating this sort of food, you know I mean business :)

Well, hope everyone who is training is doing well, and anyone training the cold like me is keeping warm!

Lisa

kick it into high gear?

2007-09-12T13:39:00.000-06:00

If blogs were audible, you would hear a giant groan right about now. Yup, I've been slacking big time in the training for a marathon department. I've just been either crazy busy or way lazy. Ugh. I'm going for a walk later tonight to get my butt back into gear. C'mon Lisa, you're hitting the last curve around the bend before the marathon, don't give up now!

So yeah, I've basically not been in the mood to do anything. Not good for a person that is running a marathon in less than a month.

So basically I'm trying to build myself a virtual pep rally. My good friend Emily (the one who hijacks this site from time to time) has made a facebook group and event page for me running the marathon! If you have facebook, search LISA WHITE RUNS THE CHICAGO MARATHON and I'm sure the group will pop up. Feel free to join and cheer me on! Or leave some love here!

SOOOO, YAY RAH! GO LISA! GET YOUR BUTT INTO HIGH GEAR AND GET PUMPED!!!

phew. I'm tired just typing that. Haha, seriously though, just got to get back into the swing of things, and then all will be good.

Hope all is well!

Lisa

PS Dad just called earlier. We got our tickets for the marathon in today. Oh boy, it's official.

never eating fried food again...boooo...

2007-09-05T19:28:00.000-06:00

Just got home from a 4.5 mile training. I'm calling them training sessions because when I say run, people think I actually run the entire 4.5 miles. Um, no. I can't run, I'm still pretty obese (whatevs, I'm getting there) so I do a really freaking fast walk, and sometimes jog. Anyways, just got home, getting ready to make some dinner. Those 4.5 miles were a bit of a killer tonight. I made the poor decision to eat fried food last night, and so that did a number on me. I felt like a slug out there. Eh well.

So the marathon is one month and two days away. Starting to get a bit scared. I still haven't received my thing for iPod+Nike system to attach to my New Balances. Grr. I'm having to mapquest my distance. But I still have bigger fish to fry.

I've been so busy post-graduating and looking for a job and training, that I haven't raised a cent for Team CARE. I have a month to raise 900 bucks. Uh oh. Anyone have advice on raising money? I feel so bad just asking people for money. I may try to get little old me some press, see if that would bring some moolah in if I get a newspaper story written about me or get on local television. Keep your fingers crossed!

And of course if anyone wants to donate to Team CARE, there is a link to the right where you can go and donate. Just saying.... :)

Well, off to make some dinner and brainstorm ways to raise money! Keep on running!

Woes from the land of Nike+iPod...

2007-08-31T10:57:00.000-06:00

So the good thing about training for a marathon is you wear out a pair of shoes and get to go SHOE SHOPPING!!! Which I love. I'm a girl that loves a new pair of shoes. I usually prefer snakeskin pumps or shiny navy blue 4 inch t-strap heels (both which I bought while home, pure hotness let me tell ya), but since training I'm all giddy for new running shoes.

So my Nikes were no good for my feet (in fact dare I say I really don't like Nike shoes for sport at all) so I went and got my shoes at a speciality running store back in Indiana. Nothing like jogging around in non-running clothes (aka no sports bra=boobs bouncing while I run) in front of two really hot college track and field guys. Yup. It was a bit mortifying, but they were impressed with me doing a marathon so 10 pts for Lisa there. Anyways, I found a really great shoe for me, New Balance (I believe they were 817 or something like that) and they make my feet feel great!

Downside is this damn Nike+iPod system. So I found all these online products and ways to hack your shoe to make it work with the iPod system. Since I wanted to instantly use my new shoes and not wait for a fancy contraption from online, I bought a little shoe pouch from Nathans, stuffed in the sensor with some tissue paper, and headed out for my 3mile workout yesterday.

It all seemed good at first, until I realized my pace was jumping from 14 mins a mile to 33 mins a mile. I was pissed, but I was laughing my head off because the idea of a 33 minute mile is hilarious to me nowadays. Thankfully I knew the distance of where I was running to, so I was able to complete the 3 miles with no skin off my back. But I have no idea what my pace was (which sucks because I was totally trucking it there for a bit) and also according to my iPod at the end of the 3 miles I had only ran .76 mile. Cindy (the given name of my iPod lady) told me my average pace was 145 mins a mile. HAHA. So thank you Nike+iPod for giving me the worst stats ever. I'm terrified to plug it in and send the info to my Nike profile. It's totally going to screw with my average pace. Eh well.

So I bought one of those handy gadgets online, and I should soon have my dilemma fixed.
Hurrah!

This weekend is 16 miles. Phew. This time I'll remember to charge my iPod all the way :)

Anyone else training? How are things going for you?

Lisa

An awesome milestone!

2007-08-26T21:14:00.000-06:00

Sitting at Starbucks ordering my amtrak ticket home and making a fast post to let everyone know...

I DID 15 MILES!!!!

I can't freaking believe it. It just seriously amazes me. And I did it outside in humid weather I'm not use to at all, so I feel especially bad ass. Haha. Oh, and I did 7 miles with no iPod. Genius Lisa didn't charge her iPod so it crapped out at 8.21 miles. I then used my dad's garmin traking device, talked to myself for a bit, sung to myself, and then eventually dedicated the last 4 miles to different people to keep my going and get through it. I tell ya, that iPod of mine is a godsend.

So yes, my trip home has been great. Did a 7 mile, 4 mile, and 15 mile. Pretty awesome for a person that couldn't walk 7 miles, hell even a few miles, a few months ago. And I'm getting up early in the morning to go buy some new shoes. Because I've worn out my shoes. Haha.

Grandma also took me shopping while I was home. I bought shirts 2 sizes smaller than the shirts I wore in May. The capri pants I wore to my high school graduation party are so big that I can take them off without unbuttoning them. I bought 4 inch heels because I actually don't mind wearing heels because I have such strong leg muscles now.

Life is pretty freaking great :)

Back to Chicago tomorrow, and back to training Tuesday.

Lisa

ps Oh yeah, my Nike profile also gave me this link when I logged in. I rock hardcore :)

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/v1/html/milestones/print_certif.html?id=212902374®ion=us&language=en&locale=en_us&dateFormat=MM/DD/YY

Invading the blog again...

2007-08-25T02:20:00.000-06:00

Hello all!

It's Emily again, posting because...well, just because I have access and I can. :-)

Lisa is away from Chicago and visiting her family this week, but don't think that means she's also taking a vacation from running. I talked to her on Wednesday, and she's been braving the heat, humidity, hills (ahh, the flat streets of Chicago!), and icky bugs to keep up with her workouts.

She even went on a run with her father. If they were puppies, that run would look kinda like this:

More details from her later!

Also, Lisa...you need to submit to this. (Ignore the deleted comment; I originally posted the link there and later edited the post to include it here instead.)

running running, as fast as you...

2007-08-18T10:11:00.000-06:00

What a hectic week. Been working like crazy, a billion parties have gone down, and preparing for a visit from a good friend equals a very tired Lisa.

And a very stressed Lisa. Who is trying to get use to training again. I did 3miles one day this week, and 6.5 another, and a big 15 miles is coming up this weekend.

Really no new news. Just trying to get back into the swing of things and trying to stay positive right now during stressful times.

What's new with you?

I digress...Don't worry, I'll be back to regular post after I get this out :)

2007-08-13T16:57:00.001-06:00

In an hour and a half I am meeting up with a running buddy and running for the first time in 2 weeks to the date. The last time I trained it was 10 miles and I felt euphoric. It feels like years ago rather than 2 weeks.

There are times when my mind ages so much faster than my body. I am going through one of those times. I am at a crossroads in my life on so many levels. I can choose which way my career goes, which way my heart goes, which way my health goes. It's all terrifying.

Lately, there are days and moments where I feel so alive. Not extraordinary moments, simple moments, like the smell of wet earth after rain or the gleam of sun on silver chrome on the train as I ride to work, that just absolutely strike me as beautiful, vivid, and alive. There are days when I want to hug the people walking past me on the street, tell them they are amazing to someone and to cheer up, tell them that being alive is enough to make my heart burst sometimes.

Maybe it's just the hormones talking, or maybe it's just that I feel so happy right where I am, despite all the chaos in my life. That for once I can finally step back and realize these small moments, these simple miracles for a change.

I'm off to run. Running to happiness, to better health, and to who I strive to be. I run not only to feel the sweat and blood pump through my body, but I run to truly be alive.

these things are true...

2007-08-10T11:21:00.000-06:00

1. I don't want to go to work. I worked a double yesterday, and now I work again today. DON'T WANT TO GO!

2. I'm frustrated with all the hours I have to pull at my job, picking up extra shifts, in order to stay in Chicago. Being poor does not rock at all. At this point I wish I was still in college and not just graduated so I could be going back to class instead of worrying about why I don't have a job anywhere close to my field yet, and why I'm terrified to really try to get a job in my field. (YAY FOR TRANSITIONAL YEAR! or not...)

3. I haven't ran in over a week. Bad news bears. I've been tired from work and PMS-ing which leads to my next thing...

4. I'm on my period. This is good, because this is my 3rd consecutive period in a row, which for someone with polycystic, who never has her period, this is a good sign. BUT, I have horrible cramps, my skin is breaking out, I'm bloated and this is totally not making me want to run AT ALL.

but I did dance my ass off at Lollapalooza. So sweaty, so many calories burned. Gold star for that at least in my week of bad behavior.

QUESTION EVERYONE!!! Well, actually just to the girls out there. How do you all deal with running or training when it's that time of the month? Do you just skip the week? How do you all trudge through?

signing off, to head to work (groan) and hopefully get peppy again, I'm not a fan of grumpy Lisa, she's a bitch to live with...

Well look what this little lady did!

2007-07-31T00:03:00.000-06:00

What did you do today Lisa? Oh, ya know DID 10 FREAKING MILES!!!

Yup, longest run yet! See, I'm back in the saddle, yay!

I honestly thought after a week of being lazy (only one day of working out, and it was lackluster, and a bit of swimming in the lake) I thought this would be the death workout. But honestly, this was probably my best workout yet! It felt easier than my 7 mile, and my pace improved from 18:13 when I did my 7 miles to 17:45 with my 10 miles! And honestly, I had a few weak bits, but when I was done, I could have kept going! I planned ahead, wore my awesome (har har) hydration belt, drank some Gatorade and water during the run, and ate some goo chews (AMAZING little candy treats! And so much better tasting than goo, I'm in love) when I was feeling tired. So I credit my awesome balance of pacing myself and knowing when to drink and power up when I started to feel tired to my 10 mile awesomeness.

I also credit my new running buddy! Yay! One of the girls I work with wanted to jump in and train with me so she could run with someone. Her jog fits my fast walking pace, so it worked well. And I noticed that when I'm chatting with someone, I'm not concentrating on my feet hurting or looking for pain or constantly glancing at my iPod to see how far I've gone. It really did help to have someone to go with to keep me occupied and to pass the time. And also if you're running with someone, they hold you accountable, so you can't back out because "you just don't wanna run!"

So my final run stat for my 10 miles was :

Distance: 10.08 miles
Time: 2:58:59
Pace: 17:45 min/mile
Calories: 2, 198 (WOW!)

I also think it's time to share a photo or two. The one photo is me pre-run, looking a bit skeptical of my super nerdy and still too small (but getting there!) runners fanny pack. Also notice the headphones and bad-ass don't talk to me I'm a woman on a mission sunglasses. And notice the white shirt, which 6 months ago you would never find me in anything white. The other photo is my post-run pic. I'm all smiles and all sweat and look like hell, but very happy. Hi, my name is Lisa, and I currently only have 1 chin and a little extra bit, way to keep kicking obesity's butt!

Greetings from the lankd of procrastination!

2007-07-27T00:20:00.000-06:00

First off, THANK YOU DIET BLOG! And the awesome comments from people! It really means a lot to get recognized for this. I'm starting to hit a spot where I'm not so impressed with my efforts sometimes, and I start to drag my feet, so its nice and so helpful to go back and read these words of encouragement and wisdom. I've never really been a source of inspiration for anyone, so these comments and thoughts really do mean the world to me. Thank you doesn't even begin to describe my feelings for the support I receive on this site.

In other news, I've been in a funk this week. I'm PMS-ing (TMI, I know), which I'm not use to. See, when you have Polycystic Ovarian disease (like I do evidently, although I hate to use it as a crutch for my weight, so I try to leave it out of my life), you don't have a normal female cycle. Not healthy, but sort of nice when you only get a visit from Aunt Flo once a year. But now that I'm getting healthy, my cycle is back, and let me tell ya, it's back with a vengeance. I've been cranky and emotional for no reason, all I want to do is eat shitty food, and I don't want to work out at all. I've had to force myself to go even weight training this week, and I really don't mind weight training! Bad bad Lisa. Tomorrow I am forcing myself to get up and run or walk. No more whining Missy! Back to the grindstone.

In other news, I bought one of those nifty fanny pack things for runners, and boy do I look like a utter fool! An awesome utter running fool though, so it's all good. I've accepted the fact that running is not a glamorous sport, so strapping a purple fanny pack contraption to my waste is the least of my worries. I've gotten over the whole "I look sort of silly doing this" thing, and so putting on spandex and a fanny pack is totally sane to me now. Did I mention that I never wear anything around my waist because of my weight? Yeah, never. And did I mention the fanny pack barely fits (who knew that running companies don't cater to obese people, right?) and I feel like a strand of sausage wearing it? Yeah, whatever, you all are just jealous, I know...

So enough with my bitching. Time to get some sleep before a new days dawns, and I can rock it out in my spandex and fanny pack once again.

keep fighting the good fight!

I can tell that we are going to be friends...

2007-07-21T10:44:00.001-06:00

So the time has come. I've decided that this little blog has been around long enough on the blogger playground to qualify for making some e-friends. Not only because I'm vain and want people to pay attention to me (ME! ME! ME!) but also because I've really gotten into my message of making ones life healthier and better, and I want to spread the word. I also have been getting into surfing the web and finding some really awesome diet and exercise blogs. Mostly diet, since it's what I still struggle with. I'm getting to the point where I want to meet people that are going through similar situations like me.

Case in point on the struggling with diet front, I binged some the past few days. It was out of frustration. I went to the gym after work Thursday night, and could barely do one mile, I was almost in tears. Seems my arch has fallen some, so I went and purchased some arch supports, but I was still angry. I felt like a failure walking out of the gym after only doing 1 mile. Granted I actually got my butt up and did 1 mile, and I did 200 crunches (with weights! woo hoo!), but I somehow still felt like I failed. So what does any sensible person do? Comes home and eats sort of shitty food and whines. Yup. Bad news bears. But I realize it was wrong, and I realize that I wasn't eating because I was hungry, but because I was emotional. Admitting your wrong and realizing the problem has to come first, right?

So my woe-is-me whiny self is back to training today. Probably do some crunches, and then this afternoon/evening when it cools down, 10 MILES (OH MY!). At this point even 10 miles is starting to not really phase me. The only problem is I need something to carry my water and gatorade and goo packets in. I need one of those dorky runner fanny pack things. Great. Hello lame sandwich...

So (hopefully) welcome bloggers that I e-mail! I hope you check out my little journey here, I don't bite, I just want to be friends. I'm getting to the point in my training where I need all the support I can get aka double digits training time. I'll be posting a links section soon too, so if you know a good blog to contact, let me know. Or if you want to be linked, let me know too! So tell all your friends folks, I'm coming out of my shell!

Ok, off to the bank, and then probably to buy one of those funny running fanny pack things. And maybe the Harry Potter book? Eh, I'll wait till tomorrow for that, otherwise I won't get any running in and probably not go to work either, haha.

I DID IT!

2007-07-19T12:29:00.000-06:00

I FINISHED 7 FREAKING MILES! I ran, I jogged, I walked, I felt pain and happiness and so much more, and I DID IT!

When I was done, I was in a state of euphoria. I was so sore and tired, but I wanted to cry with joy. I wanted to shout and hug all the "roid rage" guys at the gym and just go crazy.

I never would have thought even a month ago that I could finish a 7 mile workout. Hell, I wouldn't have thought I could have finished 5 miles at that. I was even afraid that I would get 5.5 miles in, and collapse. Never would I have though I could finish 7 miles, NEVER. I am just in complete awe of myself. Every time I think about what I'm doing, how I'm actually getting healthy and making my life better, I just start crying. I'm just so freaking happy and proud of myself.

Today I was watching a re-run of the Biggest Loser on Bravo while I ate lunch, and it just made me smile and cry (again). Anytime I see people getting healthy and changing their life, I just get so filled with joy.

Even things that feel like setbacks empower me. For example, I received my Team Care runners shirt in the mail today for the marathon. It's a reallly nice shirt, UV protecting and helps with sweating, but its a womens XL. I haven't worn a womens size shirt in years, and I wear a guys XL, and even that can be tight at times. I just laughed, actually put the shirt on, and low and behold, it actually went on my body! Didn't fit, but I just smiled, because I know that it will fit in the future, that it's a goal to reach and something that I know I'll conquer.

I've done so much in the past few months that I never would have thought I could have done. I've ran more than a 10k run, I've ran 59.56 miles total to date, and I've gained so much self love and confidence that I've been missing in my life.

I still have a long way to go, but I know that my life is already worth so much more, and I'll only continue to grow with every mile I run.

Survived the Pitchfork Music Festival weekend...

2007-07-17T14:37:00.000-06:00

So I survived the P-fork weekend, and I return! For those who don't know, Pitchfork Music Festival is this big indie music outdoor festival in Chicago, and I was covering it for this site called Heave Media. It was a great weekend, had some friends come and stay with me, and made sure to burn some calories in the process.

So I knew I would be standing allllll weekend in the heat, so I felt it best to push my 7 mile workout back until, well actually later this evening. Since my legs felt jello-ish after 4 miles, I didn't want to spend the weekend with sore legs and possibly bleeding (yay the gross stuff from running!) so I opted to spend the weekend forcing myself to dance in public in the name of cardio. And did I! I spent a lot of time at the dj stage. Saturday night (despite technical difficulties) I danced my butt off for the entire Girl Talk (a dj) set, busting out some crazy moves. Everyone was dancing and have a great time despite the sound issue.

But I really kicked it up a notch on Sunday. This band Klaxons were performing, and my friend Amy and I got prime spots up near the front. You can go check out the band, and realize that their music is hard and fast. The crowd went CRAZY! Moshing, dancing, screaming. I ended the night dancing in the middle of a dance circle with glowsticks. I felt like I was in the 90's at a rave, for reals. After the show my hair and clothes were soaked with sweat, but man did I have fun. I had some minor bruises, but it was totally worth it. Now if only every workout could include a mosh pit, I'd be pretty happy.

Off to the grocery store. I'm on my last cans of ancient tuna, so I really need to go. Then meeting Amy at the gym tonight for an EPIC RUN of 7 miles. Hope my legs don't fall out!

just a normal task...

2007-07-13T01:24:00.001-06:00

What's that you say? Oh yeah, I just got home at 2am, ya know, just stopped by the gym and ran 4 FREAKING MILES. No biggie though, whatevs...

:)

P-fork is this weekend, so the running maybe scaled back, since I'll be dancing and standing on my feet all day. But don't worry, the training will continue. I even told my friends staying with me that one of them is going to work out with me, and to bring their workout clothes. So basically, it is on...

UPDATE

2007-07-12T13:01:00.000-06:00

Have no fear, he is on the way to eat the cake. Adam to the rescue...

Almost toned enough to dance around in my underwear...

2007-07-12T12:46:00.000-06:00

So last night I did 3.74 miles. I was going to do 4, but the bank was going to close, and I had to stop at the grocery store. Still, pretty damn far. Farther than a 5k. And my pace is getting lower, even though I felt like I was dragging. But I'm getting back into the swing of things after not running, and this weekend is 7 miles. Phew.

Food still is a struggle. Like, when I worked out with Amy, and after we went and got burgers and fries. Eh, at least we tried. I do ok if I'm home, because I just keep refusing to buy fatty foods. Right now there is a piece (only 1! They evidently sell them in singles) of birthday cake for Adam for his birthday. It has survived the night, but I can't promise that it will make it any farther if he doesn't get here and eat it. I also ate a bag of steamed broccoli today. Who would have thought that I'd think of a meal as a bag of steamed vegetables and a soy patty? Eh, people change.

My friend Sibo im'd me today. We went to high school together, and he did track, really cool guy. My away message was about running four miles, and he left me this gem:

holy shiz lisa
4 miles? dang you're running further than I ever have
cross country was 5k, and that killed me
congrats so far

That's right. I'm beating out people that ran for fun in high school. Sibo, I do believe you made my day...

Still hanging in there...

2007-07-10T15:51:00.000-06:00

So, it's been a while. I've been a neglectful blogger. But I've been busy! And hurt! So there...

Hope 4th of July was well for everyone. Remember that gym I joined? Well I go to it a lot, which is good. But they have this thing, where they offer you a free trainer session. So cool, right? Except I got a CRAPPY trainer. We shall call him mumbles, because he mumbled and I have no idea what he said the entire time. It sucks when someone mumbles reps, because you have no idea what is going on. He also wasn't too skilled in nutrition (despite my obvious weight issues, I have a plethora of knowledge when it comes to nutrition, go figure), and he also, get this, here comes the best part: PUSHED ME WAYYYY TOOO HARD.

That is right. I couldn't move for the past week. Well actually for like 3 days I couldn't move, but then it slowly got better, and I only now have a small pain in my upper thigh. It was a bit funny, because I walked like a robot, but it was not funny when I stopped walking because I couldn't physically do it.

So yesterday was my foray back into walking and fully training. The rest of the week before that I spent at the gym doing weight training and swimming. I was suppose to do 4 miles. I could only do 2 before I felt really sick to my stomach. Remember when I told myself never to skip walking for a few days again. Bingo. So I'm going to do 3 tonight, and slowly work my way back up.

This weekend is 7 miles. Will I make it? I sure hope so. It's a busy weekend too. Friends coming in town to stay with me for the Pitchfork Music Festival. I'm covering the festival for Heave Media, so that should be fun. And somewhere in that crazy schedule, I'm walking 7 miles. Phew.

Back with a vengeance folks. What doesn't kill us (ya know, like trainers at Xsport), makes us stronger.

Not Lisa?!

2007-07-04T12:06:00.000-06:00

Hi all! This is Emily, hijacking Lisa's blog since I apparently have contribution access.

Just want to say LISA, YOU ROCK MY FACE OFF BY DOING THIS AND STICKING WITH IT. ROCK. MY. FACE. OFF.

That is all. Carry on.

Here we go again...

2007-06-30T11:17:00.000-06:00

Well, last night on a whim I joined a gym.

That's right, I am now a card caring member of the club of healthy people that go to amped up gyms.

It all started when my friend Amy suggested we go get dinner (actually she stated, "I'd like some french fries," just saying). We went to this film festival last night (having friends in the different entertainment industries=perks like free movie festivals and free concert tickets), and it was a nice affair. Saw Alan Cummings new movie, and sat through a Q&A with him, very nice. And as we are leaving, we walk by this gym and I shout "POOL!" Amy use to be a competitive swimmer in high school, and earlier we were talking about swimming, and how I have a new found love for it. We looked up gyms with pools, but they were all really expensive. So what is the luck we pass a place with a pool?!?!

So we go in, just going to inquire about a price, and they take us on a tour (this is ALWAYS where they get ya) and me and Amy are super impressed. This place has all the scary machines, a million treadmills and stair machines, a pool and current pool, a basketball court, a whirlpool, free classes with membership, a full service spa, tanning beds (ha, like I need that), a shop with supplements, etc. Basically one of those "ya, I go to the gym bro," beefy guy type of gyms. We were both terrified, but also impressed. So we cut them a deal that we could afford (month to month! No contract!) and signed our workout souls away. Amy is trying to convince me to do kickboxing. I am trying to convince her to do this most ridiculous sounding class on the schedule (btw, that is a dance class called Zumba) and the whole time the guy signing us up is laughing at us, the gym odd couple. I also told him I'm doing a marathon in October. He is doing the half marathon. He looks like a total beefcake. He is the type of person to do a marathon, not I, and thus, the whole interaction was very very funny.

So yes, I am now way vested in this whole marathon shenanigan. I bought expensive shoes and sports bras, I actually signed up for the marathon, and now I joined a steroid infused gym.

Oh boy.

Wish me luck. Amy and I meet with a trainer today to show us all the machines and to analyze our health (hahaha). Maybe I should just take in my EKG and lab results to him and be like "look, I have the health of a 50 year old, but my heart is ok! SEE!?!" Afterwards is a swim. It shall be funny. And did I mention I have a 100 minute walk today? Ok? OK!

Haven't fallen off the face of the earth yet...

2007-06-27T22:49:00.000-06:00

Sorry it's been a bit since an update! I've been Ms. Social butterfly lately, especially this past weekend, plus I just started a new pt job, so life has been busy.

I've also been slaking a bit too, because I've felt yucky this past week. But it's good! Because my body is getting better, but it's bringing me down. I'll spare the details, but it's not the best week ever, haha.

I've also been forgetting my iPod a lot when I walk in the city, but I've still been damn active. Like walking around from and to work, and walking around this weekend at the Pride parade. Lots of walking.

See, I never ever liked walking. But since this whole training for a marathon thing, I don't mind so much. This is making my active friends much happier (Adam actually said "I like this new Lisa,") and also is saving my cash that I usually would use for the bus or train. Pretty sweet deal . So I walked all over the Northside this weekend. And I have the hella bad sunburn to prove it. But Pride Parade was a blast (my 1st one!) and I had a lot of fun hanging with friends, and I got some mileage in too!

I worked out doing cardio today in my friend David's pool. It's been so long since I've swimmed, I forgot how nice it is! But man am I sore. I forgot how hard doing laps is. Still, I'm going to start using swimming for my cardio workout during the week.

Work in the morning tomorrow. May stash my stuff and go for my workout after I work, then go back and use the spa. I recently started working at a womens spa, and I like it a lot. Plus I get to use the spa (big plus!) so tomorrow maybe work, workout, spa. Should be a lot of fun!

Lisa

That soon? Really?

2007-06-22T07:10:00.000-06:00

So I was just thinking of signing up for this virtual half marathon on Nike. You basically run the 13.1 miles, upload it from your ipod/Nike system, and if you complete it, they donate money, you get a sweet t-shirt and an even sweeter Tiffany (what every girl wants and loves!) designed keychain. All for only 45 bucks! So I thought, not a bad idea, I bet by the time I'd have to do this, I could totally do 13.1 miles.

Oh wait. This half marathon is 13 days AFTER I am suppose to run the full Chicago marathon.

The time table of this whole marathon is starting to sink in :/

Eh, if I don't die (or go broke) from running the Chicago marathon, I'll go ahead and do this virtual one. At that point, 13.1 miles will be a breeze. And I can finally own something Tiffany, haha.

75 minute training tomorrow. Get. Pumped.

Lisa

no pain, no gain.

2007-06-19T19:38:00.000-06:00

So starts the pain. I haven't really had that much pain during training thus far, just been really tired after I train. Today was a different story. The top of my ankle was KILLING me. I had to stop twice during my workout to stretch it. I had the most up an down random paced run ever, haha. Oh well, applying ice now, and I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow. No pain no gain, right?

Actually (hoping) of working out early tomorrow and doing laundry. I start training at a part time job tomorrow. oooh. It's a womens spa, it's very nice. Wish me luck!

Lisa

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T12:32:00.000-06:00

So my dad texted me and asked me to post the Nike+ run I just did. He said he'd like that for a father's day gift. So besides logging at Nike (which you can see to the right) I'll also just shout my longest workout thus far from the blogger rooftops:

I LISA WHITE, JUST COMPLETED 3.53 MILES IN 1 HOUR WITH AN AVERAGE PACE OF 17 MINUTES AND 10 SECONDS PER MILE AND BURNED 770 CALORIES!!!!!

Not bad for a girl that wouldn't want to walk 4 blocks to class a month or two ago. Not bad at all :)

And you know what helped today? What made me keep going instead of stopping and/or puking, passing out, or hailing a cab home? I passed an older man, he was running towards me, and he sort of looked like my Dad when my Dad was younger. Dark hair, big nose (go White family noses!), really did look like the Dad I remembered from my childhood. Except this guy was in great shape, something my Dad didn't have when I was little. Only in the past 5 or so years has my Dad become the health nut and much better and healthier person that he is today. And as the man passed me, he smiled and gave me the thumbs up sign, what I take as the good job sign or runner equivalence of a pat on the back. I couldn't stop smiling. It was like my Dad was there, telling me great job, and to keep going. I stepped my pace up, and I didn't stop pushing it until I got home. So thanks Dad, even when you aren't here in Chicago, I know that you are with me when I run, pushing me and helping me reach a goal of a healthier life, every step of the way. Your inspiration of health never ceases to make me keep trying, every mile and every minute.

Happy Father's Day Dad, I love you.

Lisa

PS If you have the Nike+ iPod system, please create a profile, go to events, and sign up to run the RUN LIKE NYC challenge. It doesn't cost anything, but whatever charity (there are three) that you choose, for each mile that you complete, money is donated to that charity. Doesn't cost you a thing, and it is for a good cause. Since a friend of the family is going through a horrible experience right now (her granddaughter, who is ONLY 4, is battling a really bad form of leukemia, and isn't doing very well, which is so very sad), I've decided to do my miles for the charity Team In Training, a company that trains athletes to help raise money for leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. Remember, it's a very worthy cause, and you don't have to raise or donate any money. You just have to walk or run. Follow the link below for more information.

http://www.nike.com/nikeplus/?locale=en_us&l=events,neighborhood

Just get off your ass and do it.

2007-06-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

This is me not wanting to go out and run again. This is the point where my mind starts to go, "Dude, what the hell have you done?!?! Are you fucking crazy?!?!" This is the point where I start to try to binge on healthy food, and try to sneak in unhealthy food back into my life. I ate the rest of David's fried potato wedges yesterday. I haven't ate something fried in 4 weeks until then. Then I ate some onion rings also. Might as well, what the hell...

This is the point where I usually give up. It's funny, my breaking point and attention span is so low compared to what it use to be. Yet the small victories mean so much more now. I walked to the grocery store Friday for my workout. Forget to take the iPod. Round trip was 3.44 miles, the longest I've gone in one stretch. I felt so tired. Granted I was pushing about 50 lbs of groceries (hey, 5 bottles of Gatorade and a whole watermelon weights a lot, CMON!) and it was the heat of the day, but I just felt so proud when I made it back. It's the small things that count, things that you couldn't (and wouldn't) have done a month ago.

One thing that keeps convincing me to keep going are the dreams I keep having. I keep having dreams about finding love. See, this has never been an important thing to me. I've always put my education and career first. I've dated a few people, fell hard for one person and got hurt, but nothing really that odd or different. But now as I'm loosing weight, I don't know, the idea of love and relationships are starting to sound so appealing to me. I blame all the friends I have that are getting married, or the love in the air in the summer, but regardless, I'm starting to want to have someone there. I've never had that, I've been too trapped by my fears and hate of my body, but as I'm melting it away, those feelings are going away too. I had a dream where I didn't loose the weight last night, and I had these guys that were crazy about me, and were totally fat. No offense fat guys, I'm sure your all lovely on the inside, but I won't lie. This is why I don't date, and I don't expect people to date me. I don't find overweight people attractive, so I don't date them, and I understand why someone wouldn't want to date me because they aren't attractive to my size. We like people for whats on the inside a lot, but we make the decision to know them better based on what we see. The other dreams I've had I'm cute and fit, and finding love with men I've always desired and dreamed of dating.

These dating dreams, this glimpses at what I could have if I continue (vs what I will have if I continue down a not so healthy road, assuming I even live that long at all) maybe a driving force that keeps me doing this. It's scary to think of dying young and unhealthy and huge and alone. I know I'm being dramatic, but it very well could happen to me if I don't change. And that enough is fear to make me go out in the 81 degree weather, and walk for 60 minutes. Praying that it's enough to make me change my life.

Sorry so Debbie Downer folks. Have a great father's day, and keep the faith.

Lisa

But I don't wanna work out....wahhhhhhhhh

2007-06-14T12:41:00.000-06:00

Welcome to week four, the defiant week. I've seriously been like a two year old, not wanting to work out at all or do anything, just sit around and yell "NO!" at the idea of doing stuff. Since I've been keeping healthy food around, I've been also trying to binge eat, which is really hard to do when there is only said stuff around. So I've binged on carbs some (being the defiant two year old that I am) which is bad for high blood sugar Lisa. I've also been insanely lazy. So today, I forced myself (like yelled out loud at myself to get up and go) and I just got back from my workout with a new record for pace! Granted it's still not a good pace (see the Nike chart to the right) but ya know, it's something better!

So the big news was this weekend my father and I got confirmation of the charity we are running with! READY TO FIND OUT WHO LISA IS RUNNING THE CHICAGO MARATHON WITH???!!!!

Drum roll please......The Alzheimer's Association/Team CARE! Hurrah! We are actually registered and running the Chicago Marathon! It is a done deal! And we are helping out a great cause! Alzheimer's is a horrible condition that affects not only the people with it, but the family and friends of those individuals. And people at a younger age are starting to show signs of the disease. There was actually a story about it in The Chicago Tribune yesterday. So please follow the link to the right, donate some money to a great cause, and watch as I (almost) kill myself to run a marathon! See how fun this is?

Back to getting my tantrum throwing butt back in gear for the rest of the week. I just yelled at myself on the elevator to never skip a few days working out again. Bad bad Lisa. Everyone take care, and happy early Father's Day!

sweat and more sweat!

2007-06-08T11:06:00.000-06:00

Coming up on the end of week 3 of training. Amazed that I don't feel that tired or sore yet (knock on wood), but then again a few weeks ago I wouldn't have dreamed of being able to work out for an hour (I usually only do 30 mins whenever I did for some odd reason get my ass up and work out) so it's still pretty awesome that I am improving. And also improving my pace. I think it's because every time I do a longer workout, Lance Armstrong congratulates me on my longest workout thus far with my Nike iPod system, but hey, whatever keeps me going, right?

So I'm starting to get slightly worried about my skin. It's not liking this whole sweating thing, and is breaking out and also getting what I assume and hope is heat rashes. So hot let me tell ya. I actually just texted my Dad (who is currently at our doctors) and told him to check with the doc and let me know if its ok...Let's hope so.

Speaking of my doctor, I seriously have such an awesome one. He's back in Evansville, but he is awesome. He wanted to be a doctor because he watched his own father die of diabetes, so he wanted to help others lead a healthy life. He's been really supportive of my dad during his 70 + pound weight loss, and is being very supportive and encouraging of me and this training for a marathon craziness. Although he thinks we should do a bunch of half marathons and then do the full one next year, he's left it up to me for my own doing.

UPDATE: I just talked to my dad (like just now) and doc tried to convince my dad of not doing the marathon the whole appointment. Haha. We already knew this, the doctor told me I'd be able to bounce back, but is worried about my Dad. Well, it's up to Dad, I'm doing the damn thing. The doctor also told me to get anti-itch cream for like bug bites and stuff and try that on my skin. Awesome. I'm all gross and broken out and creamed now. Eww. I'm awesome.

So the marathon spots are filling up hella fast. We can no longer register with the Cancer foundation :( I am very sad about this. But we did apply with another group, and are waiting for our confirmation, so soon enough I'll announce the charity I'm running with! Then I NEED MONEY FOR SAID AWESOME CHARITY TO SUPPORT! :) Stay tuned!

Lisa

new apartment = new running course

2007-06-05T16:26:00.000-06:00

Week three now. Still training. Been a bit relaxed though, moving and all. But getting back into the swing of things.

I'm trying to improve my pace now, since my dad is currently kicking my ass. Gee, that isn't embarrassing whatsoever. Yeah.

I bought Gatorade and Gu (the gel you eat when you run) and a powerbar at Target this week. Have yet to try any of these oh so lovely things...Look at me, trying to be all marathoner and shit. Man, is that even a word. I don't know anymore. My brain (and body) just hurts from walking everywhere.

to the anon. commenter, thanks for the sports bra advice. So far I'm ok with my "we don't need to work out, we're fat at Lane Bryant!" sports bra, but if needed I may have to pay the shipping and get one of those neato ones from the UK company, so thanks for the advice and your very lovely comment!

So I live by a beach now, which is nice, except the sand that gets in my shoes. But there are many hot guys with dogs. Nothing to make me feel like a lameass out there huffing and puffing along in my spandex. Ew. Oh well, all in due time...

I've also invested in ice packs. And some different creams for the lovely heat rashes and stuff that I'm getting. Oh man, no one told me how glamorous training for a marathon is. I bet I'm gonna look so awesome with my gu packets pinned to my t-shirt and my water bottle and fanny pack in my horrid spandex on raceday. So hot.

So the pessimist in me is starting to show, eh? Oh well, back to the grindstone...gotta make up for the lost time this week. Keep checking back and take care!

so it goes...week 2 of training...

2007-05-28T10:40:00.000-06:00

Here comes the official week two of training. On the weekend, the schedule makes you work out longer. I've figured out what they are doing. They have you work out longer so you say to yourself "OH MY GOD I AM IN PAIN I CAN'T DO THIS," so that when you finish, and then go back during the week to an easier schedule, things won't seem nearly as bad. I mean, if you workout for an hour on saturday, and then you only have to work out 30 mins during the week, those 30 mins are going to seem like a piece of cake, right?

I'm currently sitting on the floor of my room, with no chair or desk or bed. Moving days are here. I'm moving up north to a great place by a park and running course, so I'm pumped. And I haven't seen a mass amount of homeless at my new place (unlike my old place) so I'm pretty pumped.

GREAT NEWS! I went shopping this past week with my grandmother while back home. She always likes to go shopping. So we went to Lane Bryant (or as I like to call it Lane Giant), where we always go. The LB should give me clothing, I've given them so much business. It's really the only half decent place for a plus size girl to shop. And I mean half decent, because they still got some ugly shit. So anyways, we go shopping, and I walk in and ask the girl, "do you have any sports bras?" She replies, "why do you need a sports bra?" Picture this overweight, giant hipped women with a smirk on her face asking me this, and I reply, "because I'm running a marathon." She sort of snorted and smirked and went and got me the only sports bra they had, a flimsy one with no support, and she didn't ask my size, but gave it to me in their largest size. Well jokes on her, because since I've been working out I WENT DOWN A SIZE IN TOPS! I got all these shirts to try on, and none of them fit, too big! So I had to have her get me a sports bra two sizes smaller than what she gave me. And the new shirts look cute! I looked so cute! It was all soo exciting. You see, I've never gone down a size, only up, so it was a HUGE joy for me. My grandmother commented that she had never seen me so happy in a dressing room. I did a happy dance people, a happy dance. To the bad Tina Turner cover they were playing, and I never dance to bad music!

So needless to say, that was a great moment this past week. I also lost 2 lbs so far. The doctor told me it would take a while for me to loose weight, because I'd be building up muscle, and muscle weights more than fat. Hey, as long as I'm loosing dress sizes and feeling good, I don't mind. I took a salad to my graduation party with my family while I was home, and had it and a half of piece of pizza, and a tiny (like 2 bites) piece of cake. All the family thinks me and Dad are crazy for doing this, but are impressed. It was a very good trip home.

Some bad news...Got my blood test back, and my cholesterol is way bad and I'm the closest to being diabetic that you can be without actually being diabetic. So basically I'm the 21 year old with the health of an overweight 45 year old. Awesome. But the doctor said no meds are needed, because I AM DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. It felt nice to hear that from him. My dad said that if I wasn't changing things, the doctor would have put me on a few different medicines. So, this aspect of things gets added to why I'm training. I don't want to have a heart attack at 25, no thank you.

So training is going, moving is a bitch, and things are going well! Hope everyone is having a great memorial day!

"One more time..."

2007-05-24T08:03:00.000-06:00

Today is a Daft Punk day I've decided. For those that don't know, my life revolves around music, (it is my job after all) so I usually have music when I'm doing anything, especially running. Daft Punk makes some pretty good "get pumped cause your gonna walk Missy" type of music. Which I need after the humiliation of my early morning stress test and EKG...

Ok, it wasn't that humiliating. Nothing like rising at the crack of dawn to go have someone slather rubbing alcohol and sticky band aid type patches all over your boobs. Yup, great way to say hello to a new day. Needless to say my heart rate was up before I even got on the treadmill. See, I'm a very modest person, no ones sees me naked, not even myself half the time. So needless to say an early morning medical flashing of my chest is not my favorite pastime.

I did enjoy telling the nurse why I was in for my test though. Here's how it went down...

Skinny chipper nurse lady: "And Lisa, why did Dr. Brackett have you come in to us today for these test?"
Lisa: "Well, you see I'm running the Chicago marathon."
Now very surprised skinny chipper nurse lady: "Oh wow...well congratulations?"

I still get a kick out of telling people that I'm running the marathon. Many people are really impressed and supportive, and thankfully I haven't meet any mean people yet about it, but the best are the shocked people that seem in awe. They aren't doubting my ability or anything, I'm young and I'll bounce back and be fine and all that jazz that they say, but the shock of seeing a statistically overweight American deciding to run 26.2 miles is a lot to take in, and so it's fun to see the reaction from people.

Regardless, things went really well, at least I think they did. My heart rate wasn't too high after my exercise, it was pretty normal, and my blood pressure was good for my age and health (which that health part isn't saying much). I did the program for 7 minutes, and the could have gone a bit longer but could tell I was about to feel light headed. The nurse said people in really good shape usually can go for a max of 12 minutes, including the two 80 year old people she mentioned that were buff that did about 10 minutes. Well, the old people maybe beating me, but for my health I did pretty well.

So it looks like I won't die from this marathon training! Of course my body will try to convince me otherwise around mile 22, but no fooling me! I've got the test to prove it. It's all in my head, so it's now a battle against my own endurance.

Well despite today's schedule calls for cross training today, my Dad just insulted me by telling me that "your walking pace is about like relaxed cross training." Zing Dad! Way to go...ass. So off for a walk I go!

Back to Chicago this weekend, hurrah!

heart monitors, treadmills, and 6 am wake-up calls

2007-05-23T23:38:00.000-06:00

So it's about 12:40 in the morning, and I have to be up at 5:45. I just finished my one book (the non-French women) and it was hilarious, insightful, and much needed inspiration from a women that I feel is a lot like me when it comes to running.

See, I loathe running. I don't see the point of it, unless you are running from something really bad or scary, or you're running to something totally awesome. I hope a naked Brad Pitt holding a giant banana split with 50 can can dancers and fireworks are at the end of my 26.2 miles. Somehow I fear that at the end of my 26.2 miles, (which maybe anywhere from 6 hours to 10 days at this point) everyone will have gone home at that point. I won't even get to congratulate Kenyan Steve on his 5th Chicago Marathon win. Damnit.

I go in a few hours for my EKG and stress test. After I cross train aka bike downstairs at 6am. WTF? When do I EVER get up at 6am, especially to warm up with a workout for another workout. The cool thing is I get to put sticky heart monitors on me and feel like a lab rat. I'm still holding hope that one of these doctors will go WHAT THE HELL and slap me and bring me back to reality. This is just the fear talking. I will just ignore it.

My knee has a small bump under it, and it hurts a tiny bit. I think I'm imagining things. Did I mention I get to pant and almost pass out in my baggy t-shirt and spandex-ish pants in a few hours in a room full of people? Who the hell thought it was a good idea to make spandex anything in my size?! What is wrong with these people? I look like an oddly shaped grey pear. It is not a pretty sight. Thankfully I'm still walking during training at this point. See, years of a fat southern style cooking from my country family has taken it's toll, and I'm a prettty big girl. So I would assume if people see me running at them, they will run away, assuming that if this fat chick is running, she must be running from something pretty scary. Oh, if they only knew. I'm just waiting to scare small dogs and children next.

But the bright side is I am burning more calories than I consume, which means weight loss! And better health! My clothes are already looser. Fascinating I tell ya. That's really the main reason behind this crazy idea of a marathon. Nothing has made me care about my health. I don't want to die at 25, and the road I've taken thus far is leading to that. Mental picture, I weight close to 300 lbs. I carry it better than some fat people, but no doubt about it, no point in lying, I'm fat. I am not happy with this, never have been. I am not one of those content jolly fat folks that are like "oh give me some more cake, look at my button pop off my shirt, too funny, haha." I've always been pretty unhappy with my body. It's held me back a lot in life in many different situations, and I would have given anything to change my lifestyle back when I started gaining weight. But nothing (and I mean nothing) has made me care enough to change it. It took a crazy ass goal and telling everyone I know (and then some) about it to scare me into actually caring. And the payoff from just this past almost month has been worth it thus far. My family is proud of me actually doing something to fix my health, I feel better, my new dress from graduation is too big (damn, and after I finally found a plus size dress that was cute and didn't look like a sack of potatoes) and I feel much more energized. The plus is finally outweighing the minus.

Well enough rambling. Time for a bit of shut eye before the big scary spandex clad doctor test. Wish me luck!

Week 1 training-Am I really doing this? Oh I SO AM...

2007-05-23T11:23:00.000-06:00

Man, two post in one day! Aren't you lucky? Eh, I just never shut up. Get use to it. It actually can be one of my very cute habits, you'll learn to love it, trust me.

So anyways, WELCOME PEOPLE THAT FOLLOWED THE LINK FROM FACEBOOK HERE! TA DA! I'M RUNNING A MARATHON! Shocked? I am too. First off, thanks for stopping by! Leave some love, let me know how you are doing, tell me "way to go!" or tell me "man Lisa, you are going to kill yourself." Either words of wisdom inspire me at this point. Secondly, if you are inspired by my will (or insanity) and would like to donate money to the charity I will soon be running with, PLEASE E-MAIL ME! Here is the e-mail, get ready for it: lisa.management@gmail.com Did you get that? Good. If not, (well if not, you need help folks, it's right there) just send me a facebook message and I'll get in touch. Now give me money. Well, give a good cause money, just it goes through me so I can do this crazy marathon thing. When you e-mail me, I will get in touch with you, and will let you know what charity I am running with as soon as I know (hopefully cancer related, it's a cause close to home, but we'll see), and at that point I will also e-mail you and let you know how you can send in pledges, donations, money, puppies, firstborn, whatever you want to send that will help out. If you know any businesses or individuals that maybe interested in donating to this crazy cause of mine, please forward them my site and/or e-mail address, and I will get right back to them. Family, friends, whoever. I'm looking at getting t-shirts made with sponsor names on it, so that maybe incentive (not written in stone that I'll have those, so don't quote me kids!). Ok, now that all that business is out of the way, on to my original second post for the day (blame the endorphins [or however you spell that] for my perky and overzealous blogging).

So this is the first week of full on marathon training. I'm following a 20 week training program for walkers and run/walking people. It's from an awesome book called The Non-runner's Marathon Guide For Women by Dawn Dais. My doctor told me to check it out, and boy am I glad I did. This women has become in the past two days one of my personal demigods. Nothing but mad respect for her. She was a lazy person that hated moving of any kind that decided to run a marathon, and the book follows her training schedule, her advice, and her journals from her training. I just got the book, and I'm almost finished. It just so happened that her marathon training schedule was for 20 weeks, which is just how long I have! And also the first week was no different than what I was doing now, actually a bit nicer, so I now have a schedule set in stone. I'm also reading French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano, another amazing book, to help me get better with my eating habits and to keep my diet in check. Both books are very down to earth and are easy to read, with no massive amount of doctor and science talk, but just plain practical and wonderful advice from regular people that have changed their lives for the better in very wonderful ways.

So I'm writing down everything I eat and how much I work out, I'm working out almost every day on a set schedule, I'm reading health and wellness books, I'm buying shoes with "shocks" and the Nike swoosh and heel support on them, and charting the pace and calories burned with my iPod. In less than a month I've become a person I don't even know. And I'm actually really loving that fact. Usually at this point in a diet (and I've been on way too many, trust me) I'm miserable and end up having a bad day for one reason or another, will go and eat a ton of crappy food, and stop working out. But oddly enough I'm not feeling this at all. I'm eating well, even out in social situations, and I'm actually getting out of bed at 7 am without having to be dragged to go work out. People lately have said I look so happy and that I'm just radiant and glowing. I would usually dismiss this as them being polite, but I think it's actually the truth this time. I do feel like I'm glowing and radiant, I feel healthier already, and feel like I have this amazing confidence and determination that I haven't had before with things that include sports and/or body image. I went out last night, and for the first time in a long time thought to myself, "man Lisa, you look cute today, go get em girl!" I've found this new sense of willpower and self respect. It feels pretty damn good. Granted I may loose this new found bit of willpower when I start walking the big miles, but it will still be in the back of my mind, pushing me every bit of the way. I've made this amazing choice to do something really awesome for myself while helping others too, and it's just totally got me pumped. I haven't felt this excited about something in a long time. Boy does it feel pretty inspiring and good.

So I hope everyone returns and keeps tabs on my progress as I start this long road (we're talking 300 plus miles I will walk before the marathon during training, woah) that lies ahead of me. Keep it real folks, and keep giving it your best. You know I will be doing the same.

Here we go again...

2007-05-23T10:54:00.000-06:00

So it's been close to a month since I posted, but have no fear! I'm still in this thing! I've just been crazy busy. First off, I graduated college! Hurrah! Go me! I did it in three years! I'm really proud of myself, not going to lie. Post graduation has been crazy. I had to come home for good and bad reasons. I was asked to present a scholarship at my old high school to a student going to Columbia College, as a recent Columbia alumni. I was honored, and it was amazing. I also had to come home for a funeral, a very unexpected one. A classmate from high school was in a car crash and passed away. I went to a very different high school, very accelerated and very small, I graduated with 42 people I believe, and so it was very shocking to loose someone from my class. He was insanely smart, and would have done amazing things in his career and life. His passing reminded me that life is short, and no one should take it for granted. A pretty great lesson to be reminded of, and one that has thrown me headfirst into training and getting ready for this epic marathon I've crazily decided to do...

So, ON WITH THE MARATHON! Ok, I'm not that excited, I'm scared to death, but I've doing a lot of marathon nerdy prep work here, so let me tell you about it some. Bullet point list time (something I'm very fond of, as you will find out...)

-I've told way too many people that I'm running the Chicago marathon, thus I cannot turn back or I will look like an ass. I'm going to tell even more people. I'm going to post it on facebook, and tag all my old high school friends. If seeing people and being afraid of telling them I failed at running a marathon isn't enough motivation, I don't know what is...

-I bought the shoes. Yes, THE shoes. My dad is starting to believe that I'm serious about this marathon thing, because I actually spent a pretty penny of my own money on a pair of running shoes and not trendy high heels. I got a pair of Nike shocks. They are lime green and silver and make me look like I actually know what I'm doing (if you just look at my feet). They also are Nike+iPod, so they have a computer chip that tracks to my ipod my pace, distance, time, and calories burned, and give me neat things like powersongs and a talking lady (I call her Becky) who tells me what I've done so far in my workout, and warns me of time countdowns. My friend Neil is referring to me as computer shoes. This is my new nickname. You may now call me this. I've accepted my fate.

-I've talked to people who do marathons! And survived! They didn't skin me alive or burn me at a stake for being a fat girl who wants to run a marathon in 20 weeks! Yes, I was amazed, but it made me feel a lot better. I spoke to a former teacher from high school who has done numerous marathons himself, and have trained people of all shapes and sizes and levels to run marathons, triathlons, and other giant scary sporting events. So basically he knows what the hell he is talking about. We spoke, he gave some advice, and told me to e-mail him. So I did, and included in the e-mail the tone of just how uneducated I am on marathons and just how crazy I am. I sure hope he can help, haha.

-I went to the doctor. Yay? Yeah, I wasn't so thrilled. I gained 10 lbs since my visit last October. I blame the stress of senior year, damn me and my bad eating habits. I told him I have decided to run a marathon. I figured he may slap me and go ARE YOU CRAZY!? but he was very nice about the whole thing. He said that he loves goal oriented plans to get healthy. He told me to eat fruit instead of carbs before I work out, since someone my size shouldn't really eat plates of pasta. He told me to start slow, and gradually increase my workout each week, about 10%, to prevent serious injury, since I'm putting A LOT of weight down on my feet and joints. He told me to maybe train for a half marathon and do the marathon next year, mainly because he was worried more about my Dad running it. This makes me worry, because I obviously don't want my Dad to keel over around mile 22, this would be very unfortunate. But, he said it is up to me, and be damned I am running the Chicago marathon this year! It's really the idea behind it for me that keeps me going. So I've met the doctor in the middle. Me and Dad are running the half marathon in August in Chicago, and if he does ok, he will continue to the full marathon in October. If I don't do ok, I'm still doing this damn marathon. It's now become something I just have to do. I'm watching my grandfather eat himself into a diabetic coma, his sugar sky high all the time. I'm watching a cousin loose a toe (and possibly a foot) because of poor circulation due to her diabetes. She's lost weight, and told me to take some diet pill, that I could eat anything I want and loose weight if I took this pill. This disturbed me beyond. Here is someone loosing their foot because of their poor health and eating habits, and she still believes that a little pill will change her life. It won't, you must make a lifestyle change, and that is just what I'm doing, and that is what keeps me going.

So there ya have it. I have a stress and EKG test tomorrow at a heart center, just to make sure that I won't kill myself doing this. I get to be hooked up to some machine with heart monitors, and do stuff on a treadmill. Ya know, like you see in movies! It shall be fun. Wow, you know things are changing when I start to think that doctors and treadmills are fun. So it goes...so it goes...

keep it real folks.

In the words of Van Halen...JUMP!

2007-05-06T18:46:00.000-06:00

Hi. I'm Lisa. I'm a 21 year old, who is graduating from college in one week. So obviously I have a lot of things going through my head right now, right? And at the top of the list of numerous worries (how will I get a job, what will it be like in the adult world, how will I pay rent) is the worry of how do I get health insurance? See, the problem is I'm obese. Yup. According to insurance companies, I will die so soon, that I'm really not worth the coverage. Bit of a smack in the face, but I've taken it pretty well.

I've struggled with weight my entire life. I've tried numerous things, and nothing has jolted me, scared me, or really inspired me enough to really care about my health until now. See, a lot of things in the past 6 months have made me realize I should start taking care of myself. First of all, the fact that I'm going out into the real world, and I need to be healthy, so I can get insurance, get a better job (face it, looks sometimes do matter, it's a cruel world), and learn to love myself. Second, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer this past March. Thankfully she caught it early, but the whole scope of the situation is still unclear. The main thing was seeing my mother face the ideas of mortality and death, and seeing how much she wanted to see her daughter healthy and happy, so that she didn't have to worry about me and know that no matter what happens with her cancer I'll be ok. She's always worried about my health. She wants the best for me in all aspects of my life. I'm blessed to have parents that care so much about me. Another thing was having a close friend who is dealing with her own body issues and food issues. Talking to her, seeing the things I've felt before, have made me be more honest about my situation with not only her but myself. And finally, just being so tired of being unhealthy and unhappy, that I've decided (with some inspiration from another overweight runner) to do something ridiculous and crazy, but something that will change my life.

I, Lisa White, am going to run the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2007.

I got the idea to do this from a very inspiration man named Jacob. He has a site, http://blog.whatwouldjacobdo.com/ that details his decision to run the Boston Marathon after being fed up of weighting over 400 pounds. Granted he didn't finish in the time frame suggested, he finished the race, and that was the one thing that inspired so much. If someone who is bigger than myself (no offense, it just made me inspire and convince myself more)can do something this crazy and succeed, then I can do it. I know I can.

So, October 7, 2007 my father and I (he's decided to run with me, I'm so grateful and proud of him to back me) will be crossing the Chicago Marathon finish line, despite how long it takes us. Hopefully over the next 5 months we can train ourselves to finish in the allotted time, but regardless, we will finish. We will also be raising money, in hopes that we can raise enough to qualify to apply for registration through a charity, since the registration spots are closed, and you must now register for the race through a charity. IF we do not raise enough money to join and register, we will still run (sadly unofficial), and will donate the money we do raise to charity of choice.

Regardless, I'm putting this site out there, to tell people, so I cannot back out of this. In life, you have to just make a choice, stick with it, and JUMP (like how I tied in that Van Halen title, eh?). I'm doing just that. It's time for a change in my life, so here we go...