GASP!

An injury...

I would like to say it was one caused by triumph and endurance but in fact it was not. I hurt my ankle and knee during a coed softball game. I stepped on Second Base wrong and turned it a little. So, I had to take a break from my running. I think tomorrow I will be back and ready to go tackling 3 miles on Friday and 4 on Saturday! I know I am slow to start, but as I mentioned before I have been hesitant about this whole process. I know that TNT is supposed to be an empowering experience, but I have felt so socially awkward that I keep avoiding my running group. I know I need to suck it up and get out there at 7:00 AM this Saturday. I need to just remember that no matter what happens I will be ok, and that no one is judging me. Listen to me, I sound like a scared middle schooler. I know that once I bite the bullet and meet the group I will feel so excited.

Too much talking, no enough doing right? I can't believe I am going to run 4 miles. I know compared to 26.2 that seems small, but I don't think I have EVER ran that far before.

Next week I am up to 5 and in a couple I will be up to late. I am a bit behind my schedule, but I am not going to let that stop me!

Deep breath. I can do this. Again, too much talking, not enough doing. I AM going to FINISH this and cross the finish line knowing I not only ran 26.2 miles but also raised money for an amazing cause.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall....

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

I have started to train for my the Marine Corp Marathon with TNT. I find myself looking in the mirror in the morning before a run trying to psyche myself up to run. I have been crippled by self doubt, self loathing, and anxiety concerning my possible inability to train, run and fund raise for the event. This is not normally like me. I usually attack a task with veracity and purpose. This has been a constant battle for me and after communicating with my team captain, who shared with me that she in fact has the same fear, I decided to feel the fear and do it anyway. After a couple set backs (I could NOT find my running group last weekend) I am ready to attack this training like a lion. Starting tomorrow I am committing to follow my training, get lots of rest and hydrate and eat right. I am tired of looking in the mirror and seeing what I think is failure (in the diet and fitness arena anyway) and start looking at a determined and strong woman.

This blog is going to be my venue to discuss my training, my diet, my fears and my successes.

I hope to embrace this as an outlet for all my woes and worries but also my joy.

I think in the next couple weeks, I will feel the confident and unstoppable.

A funny thing happened on the way to the Nike store...

So I ordered my shoes and could barely contain my excitement when I saw the box sitting on my front porch when I arrived home from work. I eagerly tore into it with my car keys and lifted my shoes high above my head in victory. I stopped myself from doing the Arsineo Hall (sp?) whooping sound complete with hand motions although I really do think that the moment called for it. After inspecting my shoes, testing for weight and trying them on I rummaged around the box for my other purchases. I had also ordered two pairs of THESE and a pair of $15.00 socks that better make my feet feel like heaven. The shorts were packaged separetly in plastic bags and when I pulled the pink pair out I realized they look WAY too small, particularly for a Medium. I was scared that they simply ran incredibly small and I needed to send then back and ask for the XXXXL. Upon further inspection I realized to my dismay that I had inadvertently ordered one of the pairs in GIRLS; yes that is right... GIRLS. Needless to say unless I can lose 100 lbs in the next 30 seconds I am sending them back.

Wow... really?

Duh Kait.

Dream Shoes....

PURCHASED.

Check them out HERE

The Nike Lunar Glide. The reviews are "rave" and the color is beautiful. In fact, I can't wait to hit the road with these puppies. I tracked my package this morning and it has arrived at my local Fed Ex facility. Huzzzah!

Asheville...

So Asheville, NC is an amazing city. Filled with yummy restaurants, record stores, bars with amazing music spill out onto the sidewalk, used book stores (one even carrying the 3rd edition of the Book of Common Prayer) and fabulous vintage clothing stores. We arrived on Thursday and after checking into the hotel hit the town. First stop, a small pub called Hannah Flannigans. There we made friends with a local waitress who told us of other places we must visit and drank from their extensive list of beers. The best thing I discovered was a local beer called Piscah. There were many Piscah varieties to pick from and the husband and I attempted to run the gamut. The Pale Ale was a beautiful Amber color, not too heavy but with just enough flavor without being too complex.

We spent Friday exploring the city.We had wonderful breakfast at Over Easy where I had the BEST granola and organic vanilla yogurt I have ever had (not to mention the very generous mimosa they poured).

I, of course, took pictures in Over Easy. The place was awesome. Small, with about 10 tables and a bar. The added touch of a screen door gave me the feeling of eating a home cooked breakfast at my grandmothers.

Note: Please excuse my pictures - my camera is on its last leg. Next purchase... Cannon D3000

After breakfast we spent some time perusing the multitude of record stores and used book stores that Asheville has to offer.

The rest of the afternoon was spent eating pizza, napping and finally going out in the evening to eat, drink and be merry. My favorite place.. The Thirsty Monk.







After a night of debauchery we went to bed. Only to wake up and have "tragedy" strike. My poor husband slipped on some water in the bathroom and broke his glasses and two front teeth. We spent all Saturday contacting our Eye Doctor in Roanoke, VA to call in his glasses prescription, finding the mall, waiting at Lens Crafters and worrying about his very painful teeth predicament. It did not help that because he could not see I kept calling him "Scent of a Woman". Needless to say we took it easy on Saturday. We drove to a small town called Weaverville, ate a place the size of my living room and then took a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We packed up on Sunday... Bye Bye Asheville.

Which brings me to why I did not blog this week. My poor husband had a cracked tooth and was in so much pain he could barely eat anything, even liquids. I took care of him all week, skipping most planned activities. Luckily, on Friday, he got the issue taking care of. They pulled the tooth and gave him a bridge. He is still recovering but feels A LOT better now!

So there ends our Asheville saga. We did not let the whole incident ruin our trip... we just found a "work around".

Tomorrow.. I will update on TNT. There is so much to talk about including my dream shoes by Nike.

I just found this.

So much to update but due to some "drama" involving root canals I have not posted since my wonderful trip to Asheville.

I promise two things:

1. To post tomorrow (so much to update... including TNT!)

2. Post some pictures from Asheville and gush about the amazing organic vanilla yogurt I had.

For not though enjoy this... found at http://www.mybrickhouse.com/ which is opening in Roanoke! Sadly, the $125 per month membership is a bit steep but a girl can dream can't she?

I hit SEND!

I just sent in my paperwork and commitment form to Team In Training. I am officially training for the Marine Corp Marathon - which is October 31st in Washington D.C. I can't believe I decided to actually go for the full Marathon (yikes). Now I just wait to hear from my fundraising coordinator, trainer and meet my team; I hope there is one in the area! First things first, shoes. Right now, as mentioned before I have horrible trail runners. I am going to use my next bonus check to get some nice running shoes. My contact at TNT already told me that I should go to a specialty running store so they can fit me for shoes dependent on my stride and other factors. Training officially starts in May but I am going to do some prep work so I can get my body accustomed to physical activity. I also started looking at running clothing on Nike.com. They have a wonderful selection and I LOVE LOVE LOVE these running shorts.

The husband and I are heading to Asheville, NC this weekend. Not only will we be mostly walking around town but also I hope to head into the Mountains for some times in the outdoors. Who knows what the weekend will bring but I am excited. I promise to take lots of pictures!

Downtown Asheville, NC !!!!

I feel like I am going to throw up.

Have you ever had that feeling where you are anxious yet excited at the same time? That is where I am right now.I actually feel like I want to regurgitate the pizza I just stuffed in my face. Want to know why? I am about to send in my registration form for Team In Training. Normally a long term commitment like this makes me break out in hives but for once in my life I really want to start something, give it my all, and then follow it all the way through. The run is not the only thing that terrifies me (although 13.1 miles is incredibly intimidating) it is also the fundraising commitment I need to make. Even though I formerly raised money for a living I worry that I will not be able to hit my $2000 goal. What If I fail?

I simply need to keep positive. As my mom always says "fear the fear ... Do it anyway!".

Stay tuned for more fun to come. My fundraising page will be up soon and I hope to plan some activities around the Roanoke Valley (happy hour for a cause anyone?) that will not only rake in the dough but also be so much fun. So far I have a couple ideas but please feel free to send any suggestions my way.


Up Next: Beer and Bunions

Culpeper.. Here I come!

After doing some research, I have decided to ease into this process a bit by signing up for a Triathlon "Sprint" in August. There are four levels of Triathlons with varying degrees of distance.

Sprint ---> Olympic ---> 1/2 Ironman ---> Ironman

I have found a 4 month program which I believe I can stick to that will have me ready for a Sprint Triathlon. I really need to give myself time to train, prepare but not push myself so that I incur any injuries. The Nation's Triathlon is a full Olympic Triathlon therefore the prospect scares me. From all the articles I have read, the best thing to do it start with the Sprint, continue to train and then finish up your year with an Olympic. I find this to me incredibly intimidating so I have decided to take it one day at a time.

I will expand on my routine a little more when I get a bit of a grip on it but I have posted it below:

	Times per week			Hours/Week
	Swim	Bike	Run
The Original 13 Week	2	2	2	2.5-4
2x Balanced	2	2	2	2-4
Swim Focused	3	2	2	2.5-4.5
Bike Focused	2	3	2	2.5-5
Run Focused	2	2	3	2.5-4.5
3x Balanced	3	3	3	3.5-6

Now to pick up my running shoes and figure out the best race bike. I can't break the bank right now on nifty triathlete stuff so the basic will do. Luckily, according to all the articles I could find any bike you can ride on the road is sufficient. Also, we have a rec center that is fairly close to my work that I THINK has a pool. I think tomorrow I will stop by there when I get off to figure out pricing.

Well, I think I am on my way.

Tomorrow: My AWESOME binder

EUREKA!

I am starting anew Monday with serious resolve. I am joining Team In Training to train for The Nations Triathlon which takes place in DC this September! First things first, I need to purchase some new running shoes. My trail runners I have had forever are not cutting it anymore. We have a wonderful local store called Fleet Feet so I am going to head over there some time this week to purchase new kicks and socks!

I am starting slow with the couch to 5K program and working from there. I will post my workouts tomorrow!

Pothole!

So this week has really not been the best eating week for me. On monday there was the Walmart fiasco, Tuesday included an ugly scene involving gordo dip and hint of lime tostitos and Wenesday found me at a bar for saint patricks day. Promising myself Thursday would be a different day, I set off, my lunch bag containing slim fast and water. What happened next might suprise you (or not) but I was attacked by temptation and hunger like it was a pack of wolves in the wild. Not only did I consume my slime fast but butter poprcorn and a cookie aptly named "the kitchen sink". The finak score at the end of the day..

Temtation: 3
K.Wright:0

So where do you ask am I now? Stuffed full of fried green beans and a cheeseburger.

Temptation scores another.

I really need help.
Seriously.

Nothing like the sunshine...

There is nothing like a little warm weather to make you feel ALIVE inside. After a particularly tough week I am excited for the weekend to start! This weekend is going to be GORGEOUS so I plan an spring cleaning and then spending as much time as humanly possible outside. I hope to be as active as possible and will let you know how I moved my body this weekend!

Is Slim Fast Making Me Lazy?

Let me preface this entry by letting you know I am blogging from my blackberry. This is the first time I have ever done this so please bear with me... I hope it works out.

So last night during the whole grocery store debacle, I realized that by simply depending on a two shakes per day and then dinner not only am I robbing myself of much needed fruits and veggies but I actually miss making healthy meals. I have been reading a lot of KathEats and Snackface (they are both listed in the "What Keeps Me On My Toes section) and I found myself not only salavating over their yummy and incredibly healthy breakfasts and lunch selections but also yearning to use my creativity to whip up fun meals.

Back many moons ago I was a vegan. Not only did I enjoy the way I felt but also enjoyed the ingenuity I had to employ in order to keep animal products out of all my meals. Unfortunately this endeavor was fairly expensive (my husband was a meatarian) and I abandoned my vegan ways and went back to the land of meat.

So here is where I have a tough choice to make. Do I remain lazy and a slave to the slim fast? Or should I get out my cookbooks and vegetarian times and put some effort into this whole weight loss thing?

I think I am going to need to refer to Bethanny Frankle on this subject (thanks mrs mfc - also in my "keeps me on my toes" section). While I do that though I am going to slurp down the slimfast I bought last night.

Grocery Shopping makes me feel like an utter failure.

Seriously, I should know better then to venture into the grocery store hungry and without a list. Simply put it is the equivalent of unleashing a rabid dog on a group of small school children - ugly, unnecessary and cruel. I was stuck at work longer then normal, so as soon as I got home the husband and I headed out to purchase some much needed groceries. All I had today was two slim fast shakes and at that point my stomach was making noises that could be heard by the entire crowd at Walmart. So we grabbed our cart and then grabbed crap to put in it. We did not have a list, we had no idea what meals we were planning on making this week and honestly I did not have my head on straight to make any rational food decision. So after 30 min, we sauntered out of the store with a pile of junk including but not limited to: Enchiladas, cheese dip (aptly named "Gordo" - which is FAT in Spanish), extra butter popcorn and more slim fast. Immediately I felt guilty, scratch that, I felt GUILTY the whole time but it did not set in until the register where I mindlessly picked up a copy of Life & Style and wept at all the stars in bikinis. I know I am my own worst enemy but instead of getting down on myself for the next three days I just need to figure out what needs to change about the situation for next time.

K.Wright's "Not To Do" list:

1. Do not enter any store that sells food without a list.

2. Do not think that you can come up with a nutritious menu standing in the frozen food aisle.

3. Never buy a Mexican dipping cheese called Gordo. It is called "fat" for a reason.

4. Do not buy any more Mexican dipping cheese at all - regardless of the name.

5.Do not buy anything that has the word "extra" in it... unless it is referring to how it is extra low fat.

K. Wright's what to do list:

1. Do make good choice BEFORE you set foot in the store

2. Stick to those choices.

3. Avoid Walmart - shop somewhere else.

4. Start posting my list on the blog to be held accountable.

5. Make sure I have a healthy small snack before I go shopping

6. Bring an Ipod and listen to happy music while I fight my way through the aisles.

Up Next: Is Slim Fast Making Me Lazy?

ugh. no. more. msg.

Tonight I stuffed myself silly with bad Chinese food. The greasy mess was a product of no groceries in the house and a completely lack of will power. After stuffing my face with Crab Rangoon (ie fried cream cheese) and sodium laden lo mien, all I feel like doing is laying down and falling swiftly to sleep. Shame on me right? To make matters worse I also have a candy bar to eat. I am totally on a junk food bender right now - my healthy bus is careening out of control and I feel like there is nothing I can do to stop it. I have no idea what causes these binges - I would think it is just mindless eating and lack of willpower, but it is embarrassing and so so bad. The only thing I can do is tell myself to put down the chop sticks, drink some nice cool water, and promise for a better tomorrow. While I am at it I will also tell my ass not to grow because of it. Hopefully it will listen.

My fortune for tonight?

What SHOULD I be reading?!?!?!

To be completely honest I also love watching t.v. but give me a great book over bad television any day. My reading list is all over the place - composed of Zombie short stories, thrillers, non-fiction, classics and books on weight loss. A friend let me borrow "Naturally Thin" by Bethenney Frankel and to be honest I only made it halfway though the book before putting it down. Don't get me wrong, the book had practical suggestions and an easily executible diet plan, but my severe ADD kicked in and I was distracted by something; most likely a shiney object. I am going to pick up the book again and attempt to "unleash my skinny girl". I will review the book as I read and attempt to put the plan into action. This attempt will be complete with meal plans and subsequent pictures, grocery lists, and success and failures. Is it bad that the first thing I want to attempt to make is the "Skinnygirl Margarita"?

Stay tuned for me to unleash!

Up next: What do I weight and what are my measurements?

Who is Cupcakes and Cardio?

How does one describe themselves? Sometimes I don't even know who I am. Simplicity is best when unsure so here goes....

Name: K. Wright

Location: Roanoke, VA

Place of Birth: Washington D.C,

Marital Status: Married (recently)

Age: 28

Weight: Too much

Likes: My family and friends, fantastic wine and coffee, fashion, literature, art (and subsequent history), politics & policy, public health (specifically surrounding tribal health and epidemiology), public broadcasting, writing, beautiful music, WW II era pinups, channeling Mad Men and vintage hand bags.

Dislikes: bad pop music, ignorance and jerks.

Why did I start this thing? Desperation and the feeling that I am alone in my quest. I believe that "self" is not something you find but something you CREATE. I still have yet to create myself as a person and I feel at points completely lost as to my direction. I am lucky to have a wonderful and supportive husband but I need to find my own strength instead of souly depending on his.

Who do I hope is reading this: Anyone and everyone has already or has yet to create themselves into something wonderful.

Where do I go from here: Hopefully down on the scale and upwards in my self confidence. I want to be free of medications, sad thoughts and destructive behaviors. I want to be the person I am destined to become and develop the strength to not waiver from my resolve.

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ~Anaïs Nin

Step One - Acknowledge there is a problem.

MY body has become fat. I just spent a half hour of my morning looking at my skinny pictures from three years ago. Depressing.. yes, motivating ... yes! I have started on this journey several times to lose weight and blog about it. Each time I have failed, not only in maintaining my posts but also at the weight loss. I have lost and gained the same 10 pounds for the past year and half and with summer swiftly approaching I need to make a commitment to myself to lose it.

So it is time to strap on my running shoes and get moving.

Stay tuned for my meals, work outs, victories and defeats. I plan on being complete frank and honest about my journey because I know it is the only way I can succeed.

Next Post: Who is Cupcakes & Cardio ?