I am so pumped!

This morning I did my first 5K - the SoJo (South Jordan) 5K/Half-Marathon/Marathon. Wow - what a rush! Before my surgery 7 months ago, I couldn't even walk a block, and when I had to walk, I walked very slowly and stopped often. Today I walked 3.1 miles in less than a hour, and it felt so good! All those long walks with my granddaughter Ellie in the stroller while I was in Illinois really helped keep me in good condition for today, so thanks, Ellie Jean!

Last summer at my weight loss surgery support group meetings, they started talking about something called "The Walk From Obesity." I checked it out online, watching for the announcement about the Utah walk this Fall. When it was finally announced, I was disappointed to see that the official walk was only a half-mile - I was already walking 1 to 2 miles several times a week. Then our support group leaders told us that we could join with the SoJo run and still get credit for doing the WFO, and I started to get excited. I waited till a couple of weeks before the race to register so I would have a better idea of what size tee shirt to get. I know, I know; that sounds very vain, but I really wanted a shirt that I knew I would fit and look good for more than a month after the race. And guess what size I was brave enough to order?

Size Small!!!! And it fits!!!!

Jack and I left bright and early this morning, before the sun was even up, found a good parking spot and waited in the car till about 40 minutes before race time. By then it was light enough to see, but very chilly with a brisk wind. We stood close to the outdoor heaters till time to head for the starting line, and I moved out. Jack had brought the camera, so we have a few pics to share:

Freezing in the wind before the race

And we're off!

The last leg of the race (I'm on the right)

Down the home stretch

Crossing the finish line

It was great after the race to talk to people there and tell my story and hear their stories, as well. Oh, and the Walk from Obesity people had several prize drawings, and I won a $25 gift certificate toward any play at the Hale Center Theater! All in all, it's been a very good day!

Vacation

For the last three weeks, I have been on vacation. I now have two married kids in the Midwest - a son in Green Bay, Wisconsin and a daughter in Coal City, Illinois (just south of Chicago). Since my daughter in Illinois just gave birth to my 25th grandchild - a beautiful and precious little boy named Greyson - I decided I needed to go back there.

I had the most wonderful time! First came the plane ride. I must confess that the last time I was on a plane, I couldn't even buckle the seat belt around me. Having the armrests down on both sides was extremely uncomfortable, because I was squished between them. When I lowered the tray table, it wouldn't lay flat, but would rest against my enourmous belly. Anyone who had to sit next to me would get this "Oh no, a fat person" look when they first realized our seats were together. I really love to fly, but the "sitting on the plane" experience has not been pleasant for a long time. This time, so much was different! I sat down in my seat next to the window and giggled because I had space inside my own seat on both sides of me, even with both arm rests down. I buckled my seat belt and pulled it snug, leaving an 8 to 10-inch tail! The person who came to sit beside me actually smiled and looked relieved when he saw me and sat down. When the plane was fully airborne, I lowered my tray table and giggled again. There was a 6 to 8-inch gap between the table and my body! The person in front of me even put her seat back a couple of inches, and there was still space. Picture me smiling!

While we were there, I thoroughly enjoyed loving up my grandchildren. I snuggled that new baby close and danced and played with almost-two-year-old Ellie. Almost every day I was in Illinois I put Ellie in her stroller and walked with her for two or three miles. We saw leaves changing colors and squirrels gathering nuts and fields of dried cornstalks and flowers and birds and even baby bunnies! I am going to miss those walks with Ellie. In Wisconsin, I went to the botanical gardens and the wildlife sanctuary and walked and walked and saw more glorious things in nature with four-year-old Tabby. I talked and got better acquainted with my teenage grandsons Ben and Sam and Jack, and was even able to help celebrate Jack's 18th birthday. One interesting experience happened when Grandpa took everyone for ice cream in Green Bay. I was sitting and talking at the table with the family while they were all enjoying their ice cream, when Tabby suddenly said, "Grandma, why aren't you eating any ice cream?" So I told her that I can't eat any because ice cream will make me sick now. Later that evening, she was sitting on her daddy's lap and saying that she was feeling sick. I put two and two together, and realized I needed to explain why. So I told her that I had been in the hospital and the doctor had fixed my tummy to help me feel good, but now that my tummy was fixed, eating things like ice cream and candy would make me feel a bit sick. She decided then that she was really okay.

Too soon, it was time to come home. The plane ride home was even more fun than the plane ride out, because Jack was with me and watching the differences. Our last connection home, the plane was just over half full. I was able to curl up on two seats with my head in Jack's lap, and was quite comfortable! And, when I got up this morning and stepped on the scale, I found that I had lost six more pounds during my three weeks of vacation! How about that?

Smells like Spring!

Yesterday, the first day of April, was warm and sunny with beautiful, bright blue skies. Shortly after I got up, I looked out my kitchen window, and what did I see? Popcorn popping on my apricot tree!! The blossoms are opening a bit later than usual this year, but they were definitely there by mid-morning, with more popping out all day long. As I went for my walk today, it was still warm, although the sky was filling with clouds and the wind was more than a breeze. (By the way, I love walking without a sweater!) As I walked, it was more and more obvious that Spring is really here. Not only is our apricot tree now full of blossoms, but all the neighborhood forsythia bushes are beginning to show their bright yellow blossoms, the globe willow trees all have beautiful yellow-green domes, and daffodils are everywhere, standing straight and full and proud. As I walked, the wind brought all the smells of springtime - freshly turned earth, newly cut grass, garden fertilizer, and that undefinable freshness that is new growth. What a beautiful neighborhood I have to walk in!!!

Snow - or not....

This morning I took my walk in snow - big, wet, puffy flakes coming down from the sky. I took Joanna to work at 11:30, then parked the car and walked around the sidewalks of The District (walking next to the buildings was a bit of protection from the snow). I walked right past Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Marble Slab Creamery, and the Red Robin, and was not bothered at all by the sight or smell of food and treats. I think I will walk there more often; it's a nice change.

This evening, the sun is shining again with not a cloud in the sky, and I am ready to walk again through the neighborhood before the sun goes down. Utah is great in the Spring - you never know what to expect!

Singin' In the Rain

Today, I took my walk in the rain. It was a bit chilly, but I went a little bit further - out five minutes, then back home. It was fun, and yes, I did sing as I walked. ;)

I also got out the Wii Fit and tried it for about 30 minutes. I didn't do anything really strenuous, just deep breathing and an easy yoga pose to warm up, then a couple of balance things and the basic step aerobics. Ended with another yoga pose and more deep breathing. It kind of wiped me out for a bit afterwards, but felt good while I was doing it.

Walkin' In the Sunshine

We have had such beautiful days yesterday and today! The breeze has been a bit nippy, but the sun has been bright and shining as I walked around the short block across the street from us. The crocus are gorgeous - all purple and yellow - and the hyacinths and daffodils are opening up. I even had a great conversation with a robin who was keeping me company yesterday the whole length of my neighbor's yard. Walking felt so-o-o good. I could walk at a fairly brisk pace, too; my 1/4 mile took no more than 8 minutes, with no hurting knees or hips and no shortness of breath. I am loving this!!!