I'm still shocked. In complete disbelief!
I was sitting around this morning and finally decided that I couldn't take it anymore. I'm on such a low calorie intake that I'm not supposed to exercise, but I had to at least do something. So I decided to go for an easy mile run. I left munchkin with Nana and told her I'd be back in 2o minutes. I figured having not run in over 3 months, and having been on a very low calorie diet for so long that I'd probably not be able to run very far and I'd have to just walk most of the way.
I got in the car and set the trip odometer. I went a mile, taking careful notice of where a half mile and three quarters of a mile were, so I'd be able to time myself.
I started out at a nice easy pace. Afterall, this was my first attempt back, so no rush. I was careful to pay attention to my body trying to focus more on my core than my arms and legs. I had my music going, but surprisingly, I wasn't really paying attention to it. I was focusing more on trying to run with proper form and just get back into the rythym of running.
I had fully intended to turn around at the half mile mark, but I felt pretty good, so I decided just to keep going. I was still running at an easy relaxed pace when I hit the 3/4 mile mark and decided to turn back, only because I knew how long it had been since I'd gone for a run. I made it back to the house and hit my stop watch. I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd gone a mile and a half in 15:18. That's a 10 minute mile!
To put this into perspective for you, when I ran my first 5K in July my mile pace was 13:31. I had wanted to break a 10 minute mile, but I couldn't even come close. Three weeks later in my second 5K my mile pace was slightly better, 13:07.
But even better than turning in a surprisingly fast time, was the fact that I felt so great at the end of it. I really think I could have gone two miles if I'd wanted to. Instead of feeling relief at the end and gratitude that my daily torture was finally over, I felt surprised that I had a desire to keep going. My foot didn't hurt at all, and when the run was over it wasn't throbbing or swelling or anything. For the first time EVER both of my feet felt fantastic! (Further proof that surgery was long overdue!) And although my breathing was somewhat labored and I definitely felt the effects of not having worked out in three months, I felt exhilarated.
In all my running before I forced myself through mile after mile. Slogging along, feeling like I was dragging my entire body.
I don't know if it was the fact that I was focusing on my core and my breathing or my form. Or the 22.6 lbs I've recently shed, but somehow today was different. I felt light, almost weightless at times. And although I could feel my muscles and my heart and lungs working, it didn't feel like I was dying.
Even now, several hours later I'm still in shock. And perhaps the most surprising fact of all is that I actually can't wait to go out and do it again tomorrow.
Time to spend together and family & friends to spend it with.
In the end, I came up with these, this was our trip to Bear World at the end of September, right before I started the diet. Neither of these is a good "Before" photo, but between the two of them you can sort of get the gist.
This was taken earlier today. It's not really an official "After" picture as I'm not wearing the most flattering clothes or standing in a flattering position. But still, I think you can see a little bit of a difference anyway. Over the course of 40 days I lost 23.6 lbs. I was maintaining pretty well before Travis came home last week, and since then, I've hardly stepped on the scale. But not to worry, I'm very determined not to gain it all back, so I'm working on getting back into my healthier habits now that we're starting to adjust to having him home. Anyway, so that's that.
But I guess I should back track. Yesterday we celebrated birthday. (Gideon was not interested in much of anything, I think he was tired.) And yes, that's the correct number of candles on Trav's cake.
I mean, isn't that top just cool!
Munchkin did pretty well. I was afraid it would be like letting the bull loose in the china shop, but we had him on his leash and he really wasn't too bad. He honestly just wanted to run circles around everything.
I love pink and gold! I don't know why, but I just always have. It's always been my dream when I grow up to have a white Christmas tree that I decorate in pink & gold. Unfortunately, I think I'll wait a few years until the munchkin is a little bit more careful before I invest in something like that.
We tried to get a picture of munchkin with Santa Claus, but he screamed bloody murder and wouldn't go near him, even when I was holding him. So sorry, but no Santa picture.
He did, however really like the old time fiddlers. He sat and listened to them (and clapped and bobbed his head) for about 15 minutes. That's a long time for his attention to be held by anything. But he really seemed to enjoy it!
All in all a well spent afternoon. It's fun just getting to spend time together again.
We had to make a quick stop along the way so Nana could do some shopping (Don't worry, we were still at the airport more than an hour before his flight landed) and so munchkin got to ride some fun rides. He enjoyed it so much he screamed when it was time to go.
But since daddy's been home, he's been learning to ride the little scooter, so that kind of makes up for the rides. They've been having a good time together.
Such a big boy! It almost makes me cry that he's just not a baby anymore!
On my third trip to lay him down today, this is what I found:
A baby powder covered munchkin (who has apparently learned to climb his changing table so it's no longer safe to store lotion & baby powder on the window sill.) 
His room looked like it had been the recipient of a powder bomb. There was still so much of the stuff floating in the air that you can see it in the pictures.
And his reaction to my anguished tears of frustration?
That's how many days until Travis gets home! (HALLAH-FREAKIN'-LUJAH!)
