Why was the timing perfect? Because I had my interview for the Senior Claims Adjuster promotion on Wednesday and I knocked it out of the park -- and got the job!! The amount of happy dancing that went on was ridiculous -- not to mention the vanity shots! (The dress is what I was wearing when I found out, not for the interview.) Right after I found out, I was going down one of our infamous long hallways and my director was coming towards me. I still wasn't able to tell anyone, but of course he knew. So I got into one of the little nooks in the wall where only he would see me and did what I can only describe as a Muppet themed silent screaming happy dance. He was falling out laughing, it was just such a great moment.
But because of the lead up to this and the subsequent celebrating, there was not much in the way of training. I went to the gym on Tuesday night and that was it. Wednesday was the night of the interview and I went to WW and found out that I got the 1 pound off that I had just put back on (and frankly will probably be there again this week) and then had a great dinner with Scott and my cousin Mary Margaret who happened to be in town. At this point, I was already getting feedback that the interview went well and I was pretty sure I was going to get the job, but of course you don't know til you know. Thursday was the day I found out and there was much indulgence that evening with some of my favorite ladies to celebrate. And then I didn't want to over-do it last night, so I didn't run then either. I did do 30 minutes on my new stepper, so I feel like I got a little something in...
And today -- the race! My husband couldn't be roused, so I had to make the trek down by myself. I was a bundle of nerves about participating by myself (with 1000's of people, but you know what I mean) and this feeling was just further emphasized when I got there. As I was driving in I was passing all kinds of pink-clad groups wearing tutus and pink wigs and just generally in good spirits. I had, obviously, never done anything this size and magnitude and just never really thought about the costumes or just how many people would be there, etc. Because the amount of people was crazy! I found the group from my gym, but my awkward feeling continued because I don't really know anyone from my gym. I don't take classes or work with a trainer or anything like that. I got there just too late to be in the group picture and even felt weird asking someone to take one for me. (The shy side of Heather, who knew?) It was 7:15 and the race didn't start until 8:30. It just seemed to take forever, but then suddenly it was time and we were corralling towards the corral like cattle.
So many things were going through my head the whole time. The meaning behind the event and the woman from my gym that I had just met who was in her 5th year of survivorship. Thinking about how freaking cold I was! Thinking about how I no longer cared what my time was, I just wanted to be done and say that I was done. Thinking about women and how freaking amazing we are and how so many have been through so many things and survived so much and how so many have to go through that journey alone. Thinking that no matter how awkward I was feeling about the whole thing, just proud that I signed up for the thing, showed up for the thing and did the thing.
Anyways, I started the timer on my map my walk app so I could try to track my actual time since I didn't get a chip, but it turned out that wasn't that accurate since we were herded there for a while without starting. Oh well. Once the crowd started dissipating, I finally got to a bit of a jog and had a decent pace. It was definitely a combo of walking and running the whole thing. I just would pick random landmarks and try to make it to one of those before walking. And then I would pick another random landmark that I would have to start running again. It was very brisk out. We ran up Atlantic Avenue for the first half, which means we were blocked from the wind -- but also from the sun. At the halfway point, we make the turn onto the boardwalk -- into the sun AND the wind. Yay? My pace wasn't as good as I had hoped, but I really had let that go. Sure, my goal was to finish in 40 minutes, but it's not like I haven't broken other goals (see also average loss of 5 lbs per month) -- it is what it is. I was feeling a bit disappointed but still glad that it was over, when out of seemingly nowhere my BFF Tina was there just as I passed the 3 mile mark cheering me on and taking a video of me coming down the row. I almost had a hard time staying in stride because I started crying a bit. I probably would have broken into full out sobbing if I had had the breath. Thanks BFF, you ALWAYS come through! Anyways, I pushed through and finished at 46:17. This is just about 6 minutes faster than the "original" 5k, which means since that time I have gotten my time down by 2 minutes per mile. And considering how much slacking I've done in the interim and how recently I was even able to run as much as I can, I am frankly pretty pleased by that. It's true, you really do get better the more you do!
Anyways, it's finally over! As you see pictured, we had an indulgent breakfast at Baker's Crust -- for the record, I could only eat half that thing -- and tonight Scott and I are headed for celebration at the comedy club and indulgent dinner. Another note on the pictures -- I am really starting to see some of the changes in myself in pictures. Especially the post race shot -- I really think this may have been a camera trick, because I do not feel like my legs actually look this good.
The tracking this week? Not so much. (Sorry Sherrie!) I'm allowing myself the indulgence of not tracking again today and then renewing my focus by Monday. (I'd say tomorrow, but who am I kidding?)
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| Feeling pretty sassy Thursday night after learning I got the promotion |
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| My small attempt at blinging out |
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| Neptune with his sexy abs |
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| CJ, one of the trainers at the gym |
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| BFFs |
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| Freaking did it! |
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| Greasy indulgent breakfast -- but note the yogurt instead of hash browns |
If you've read this far, you are truly a fan and I appreciate you! I hope that I am giving you just a little bit of the inspiration that I have found along the way and that I hope to keep finding so I can keep trending in a downward direction. :)
hugs,
Heather
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