Post #40 Mini Rant on Speed Shaming, plus some other stuff

Fitness

Today is the 2 year anniversary of when I started using a FitBit. The FitBit company sent me a Happy Anniversary E-card. I kind of wish they had also included some statistics on how the past two years have gone; how maybe days I hit my step count, how many miles I have logged, or at least my average daily step count. Regardless, two years of tracking my fitness with the FitBit.

In August, I will mark three years since I started running. I started the ZenLab's Couch to 5k app in mid August 2016. I don't use the ZenLab apps anymore, but they were very helpful for the first two years of my running journey.

I did a ten mile run on Saturday, and then Michael and I went to breakfast at a DC institution - Jimmy T's. I love it, they only take cash, but I love it, and I hope Michael and I can start going there regularly, maybe once a month or so. While we were there, there was some guy sitting behind me talking down about someone who did a 5k at 13+ min/mile pace. I was about to attack him!

I would never speed shame another runner, even if it is only a 5k. I do a little passive distance shaming, but speed shaming is something I cannot stand for. I finished my first marathon with at 17+ min/mile average pace. Sure I have come a LONG way since that March finish in Little Rock, but I am still a run/walker, and I truly believe if I can do it anyone can.

When it comes to running, I like to believe the only person I am competing against is myself. I am getting faster, and I can't compare myself to anyone else. I also need to keep in mind that my progress can be gradual. I am not going to wake up one morning and pound out a sub 30 minute 5k, that isn't me.

For me, my run:walk 1:1 pace is exactly what works. You know what else works for me, chicken and beer as my meal the night before a long run. Two weeks ago my 10 miler was only 5 miles long, this past week I had chicken and 4 beers the night before and my 10 miler left me feeling really good. I have another 10 miler this weekend.

My monthly 18 miler will be on the 22nd. I need to make sure I get out early for that one. I am flying to Santa Fe, NM the night of the 22nd - my flight leaves at 8 pm. I am looking forward to running in Santa Fe again, it will be interesting to see how I do in comparison to last year.

As of yesterday I weighed in at 144 pounds, I ate a bunch of candy today so I am not particularly happy with myself; old habits die hard.

Makeup

As of today I have used up $710.68 worth of product, that is 143 items. I have only purchased $220.41 worth of beauty products, this includes three shampoos and 3 conditioners that I will have purchased before the end of the year (I did "subscribe & save" on Amazon).

Post #17: Run Suzanne, run!

I am going to run a marathon!

So contrary to what I wrote in Post #13, and then again in Post #15, I have decided to run a marathon. The decision was thanks to a podcast I listen to: Not Real Runners. The two hosts have made running a marathon seem accessible, and after episode #34 I decided. So, as soon as the registration for the Little Rock Marathon opens up, I am registering. I think having this goal will help me stay on track with my running.

As of right now I have a couple goals in mind:
1. Finish the 10k Trainer by ZenLabs by the end of October
2. Pick up with the Marathon Trainer, also by ZenLabs, after completing the 10k Trainer
3. Take at least 57,000 steps on one day per week from now until March (when the marathon is)

After completing that first goal, I am going to go and get myself a real pair of running shoes, getting them fitted and everything, that I use just for running.

I worked on my vision board for this plan over the weekend, and I am almost done with it. The only thing that is missing is the marathon theme. The race directors have not released the theme yet. This is important because it will be the theme my costume is based on. When it comes to my vision board half of the content is the training for the marathon itself, and the other half is brainstorming my run costume.

A back of the envelope calculation, with running 3 miles/walking 1 mile, has me finishing 26.2 miles in 5 hours, 38 minutes, and 24 seconds - which is a 13 mile/minute pace, totally realistic - I think.