bricks

I only had to run 3 miles yesterday. which you think would be a piece of cake. Well, with the previous day's hill workout combined with 20 minutes on the trainer yesterday morning, my legs felt like bricks! 20 minutes doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was pretty much the first time my butt has been on a bike since October, and also I pushed it pretty hard in the middle of the ride. I'm debating whether or not to hop on again, but I have a tempo run this afternoon so I think I'm going to not risk having brick legs again...

overwhelmed...

So on my way home from the library and a run earlier this evening, Sammy called me and asked me to pick up some broccoli and some chips. I stopped at Econo, and even though Farmer Q's opened yesterday, we NEEDED some fruit and stuff for our lunches. I meandered through the produce section and loaded up a basket, topping it off with a giant mango lemonade to keep in my car for the next couple of days (I love living in the cold). I needed to walk through the grocery section to get to the checkout. I think I randomly walked down the cookie/cracker aisle. Now, normally, I don't shop at Econo, normally I go to SuperOne, which is quite a bit cheaper. The shelves at Econo are much taller, a regular sized person cannot see over them. As I walked down the aisle with my produce laden basket, I literally stopped and gave the shelves a good once over. I couldn't even count the number of products I saw! All of them in vivid, color packaging, calling out for me to buy them! I was overwhelmed by everything that I saw. Then I stopped looking and thought, "How many different, lab made chemicals are in these boxes?" Now, don't get me wrong. I am NOT an organic eating hippy, however, I am very concerned about what I put into my body.

I jump started my brain and made my way down the rest of the aisle, but I felt pretty proud of what I had in my basket. I also was greatful for the nutrition education that I have had through running, friends in excercise science, and friends who have chosen to educate themselves. I have been fortunate enough to also learn for myself and tie all of those opinions and my own reasearch into my beliefs. But what about those who are not as fortunate as me? I can't imagine not eating healthy, but rather, eating the foods from that aisle on a daily basis. The thought of that is overwhelming....

the good stuff

Remember running the Ridge Street hill in track when it was Taco Tuesday and almost every week, I would loose my tacos at the top of the hill? I took myself back to those days today. Dry pavement, the smell of Sara Lee, Burger King, and McDonald's all mingled together into one glorious, motivating aroma. This time, however, the motivation was not in the form of a food reward at the end. This time, the smell reminded me of how I got to this place. Food had become my vice and I finally have been able to break free. Now that I am free again, I need to remind myself of how lucky I am have come away with a better understanding of myself and what it takes to be truly happy.

Here's to hills...and Sara Lee, Burger King and McDonald's...may they continue to push me until Memorial Day.