The Good, the Bad and the Weird

The Good
I have been doing a good job keeping up with all of my running workouts.  I've done extra workouts and even added more mileage to some of them.  I think having Polish Josh to push me during the week helps a lot. He helps keep me accountable. I put in 28 miles last week!! I've really gotten into a good swing with my running, zumba and volleyball activities.  I feel like I'm getting stronger and I have more energy.  Very, very good things.


The Bad
My eating has NOT been exemplary.  I seem to do relatively well all week (I've even been packing my lunch every day) and then the weekend comes and it all goes to the pooper.  I've gained a pound, grr.  I know, it's one pound, but the problem is that the scale is moving in the wrong direction. So, I'm going to have to work harder to plan healthier portion controlled meals.  As always, majority of the time, my issue is how much I'm eating.  I know what I need to do, I just need to do it. Time to buck up!


The Weird
I've started to notice some weird/interesting things about weight loss and running that I'd like to share because I feel like anyone who loses weight or starts taking running seriously experiences these things... things that I never really thought about before....

• My underwear does not fit. I never really thought about this happening, but obviously if clothing is getting too big, then unders are getting too big.  And wearing underwear that is too big is SO ANNOYING.  Talk about constant wedgie picking.  It's the worst when you're exercising and your underwear will NOT stay out of your butt! TMI?  Maybe (sorry?), but seriously, it's frustrating.  I'm trying to shake these hips in zumba and all I can think about is how my butt cheek is hanging out of my underwear, under my shorts, and jiggling around.  It ain't pretty.  I SERIOUSLY need to go underwear shopping.  
• My feet are shrinking. All of my dress shoes are just a little bit too big now and my feet are sliding all over the place in them.  It's quite embarrassing when you basically trip while walking down the hallway at work because your foot slipped right out of your once normal fitting high heel.
• Wearing over sized clothing is just as bad as wearing clothing that is too small for your frame. My dress pants are just big enough now that they hang on me in places that they should be complimenting and I look ridiculous in certain outfits I once thought I looked okay in. I really need to go shopping for new work clothes. Which leads me to my next point.
• I still dread clothes shopping.  You would think I would enjoy it more now that clothing should fit better, but I'm soooo not looking forward to my first trip to the mall/store to buy new outfits.  I'm dreading the fact that I'll probably go in and try on things in new sizes and will leave depressed and disappointed because things still won't look right on my body. If I was rich, I'd hire someone to go do my shopping for me, find me cute things to compliment my frame and then return them if they don't fit me.  Besides, I seriously lack any type of fashion style.  I can get by, but barely.  Any takers?
• I've become more judgmental of strangers (bad fishy :( ) I see people now, who are drastically overweight and unhealthy, eating junk like fast food, and I have a hard time not shaking my head at them for not having more respect for themselves.  Those people eating that junk are probably the same people bitching to their family and friends about how overweight they are. You can't have your cake and eat it too, people.  To lose weight you must move more, and eat less. Simple math, calories ingested must be less than calories burned. That's the healthy way to do it, there is no magic pill and there most definitely is no quick fix. It takes time and it takes a lot of patience.  Is it as easy as eating junk and not exercising and complaining constantly? No, if it was easy, everyone would do it.  So man up, starting watching your portions and get moving.  Start small and slowly work your way up.  You can do it, put your back into it! I really have no room to judge people and I actually hate that my mind goes there, because it makes me sound like a bitch, so my apologies #icequeen.  I'm still considered overweight, but I am seriously trying to lose it and make myself the happiest/healthiest version that I can.  I would never judge someone who was overweight but was attempting to change their life and get healthy again. I know that I still have a long way to go with my weight loss and my fitness level, so please don't think I'm on a high horse here, just sort of ranting frustrations...everything in moderation people! {end rant}
• I no longer judge a runner by their speed.  I used to look at someone running and think, psshhh I can run faster than them. Now I look at them and wonder what mile they are on and how many more miles they have to go. Are they training for a race, or just doing this to keep in shape?  How long have they been running? I commend anyone who is out running, biking, rollerblading, walking etc. regardless of pace, distance or physique.  If you're moving, you're doing something healthy and good for yourself, and you're doing more than the person sitting at home on the couch. The parks are full of people now that the weather is getting nicer, and each time I see the parks crowded I have to smile.
• Blisters.  Gross, gross blisters on my feet. Enough said.

So there you go, the good, the bad and the weird.  Happy First Day of Spring!

Sun Kissed

Yep, I straight up got sunburned yesterday.  It was GORGEOUS outside and I'm whiter than Casper.  I didn't even think about sunscreen application before my 8 mile run in South Park with Polish Josh.  I mean, it's March and it's Pittsburgh, I shouldn't be burning.  There was not a cloud in the sky and the sun was beating down on us for the hour and 20 minutes while we were running.  Obviously it's not a terrible burn, just a touch of pink, but it made me laugh when I got changed into my comfy clothes last night after volleyball.

I really had a wonderful weekend and got two excellent runs in as well. Friday I worked on the house.  Well I didn't really do too much work...4 loads of laundry, scrubbed the first floor bathroom from head to toe and organized the bathroom closest with all of my toiletry and towels stuff.  I also swiffered and vacuumed the rest of the house as well. I'm starting to adjust to this whole home ownership thing, but it's definitely going to keep me busy.  I also need to stop being so indecisive regarding color schemes for the master bedroom and the family room.  I need to get painting! Perhaps I will decide something this week and roll with it.  The weather will be nice enough to have the windows open to get some air circulating so that I don't die from paint fume inhalation.  

Saturday the boyfrond and I went for a run.  We set out to run around the neighborhood, maybe do 3-4 miles.  His knee and hip were feeling good so we ended up doing 4.76.  We did a lot of hills and it really felt great.  I was happy to see him not experience pain during the run, or after. We went out to a nice Mexican lunch at Mexicasa to use up a LivingSocial Deal before it expired Sunday.  Also watched the Pirates and then went out to dinner with his some of his co-workers.  After Red Robin, we went to see The Lorax.  It was cute, but nothing to really write home about.

Sunday Polish Josh and I set out for an 8 miler.  We could have cheated and done an easy relatively flat course, but we went off the main drag and ran some hills.  One hill was particularly terrible.  I'm pretty sure PJ was cursing me under his breath, but we both killed the hill and continued on the run.  Around mile 5 I used my first GU energy just to try it out to see what it was like.  Gosh that stuff is thick!  I really need to purchase a hand held water bottle to carry with me on long runs, especially sunny ones.  I hit mile 6 and was just dying.  I don't know why I ran out of fuel (I blame the oddly warm temperatures and the excess sweat) but I did and I was hurting, big time.  Thankfully, PJ was there to push me faster when I wanted to slow down.  I'm pretty sure I slowed him down a little but he kept yelling things behind him to keep me moving along.  I was happy to finish the 8 miles and walk for a while to cool down my muscles and my body.  Definitely my fastest long run yet.  8 miles in 1:22 with an average pace of about 10:15. Not too shabby at all! Only 8 more weeks until the big day!  How exciting!
I probably overworked my legs a little this weekend because Sunday night at volleyball I definitely tweaked my left quad.  Nothing major, but I really don't want an injury right now.  I'm going to take it easy at zumba tonight and try to have a more relaxing cross-training session, rather than kill myself.  I just can't risk a nagging injury now when I've put in all this time and hard working getting to this point.

I really had a stellar weekend and I definitely had plenty of smiles to share on this rainy Monday. 

Weekend Update

Friday

with Omar I went to

ate this

 

 watched this  (excellent movie, btw, and filmed in Pittsburgh!)

Saturday 

Ran a 5 mile race with these 2 fronds (we all did fantastic!)

 

 ran in the cold and a little bit of snow and got this time (unofficially)

 

then recovered by eating here (aka consumed way more calories than burned off)

 Then hung out with this crazy brother and his 2 sons

and this funny, stinky mutt

 

Then met up with Omar and watched this (we went to see the musical on Wednesday and wanted to compare... enjoyable)

Sunday 

Saw this because we were too lazy and it was too freezing cold to go out Saturday night

 

 mmmm Ryan Reynolds ... often shirtless.... enough said.....

then I went to play some of this

Monday 

CLOSED ON MY HOUSE!!! AHHH 30 year mortgage! Ahhh responsiblity! AHHHH!!!

 

Received these from Omar for Valentines Day at work...turned red and cried like a huge sap (when did that happen?)

I guess you could say I had a fantastic weekend....so good I can't really put it all into words....

Happy Valentines Day!  Remember to tell the ones you love just how much you care about them and what they mean to you. Valentines Day might be a Hallmark Holiday, but everyone could use a lil reminder to openly appreciate the people in your life.  Life is too short to keep that stuff to yourself.
And my final note, something from one of my favorites

I promise you not a moment will be lost as long as I have heart & voice to speak & we will walk again together with a thousand others & a thousand more & on & on until there is no one among us who does not know the truth: there is no future without love. 

Check out the Story People website here.  So much good stuff, you've got to check it out yourself!

Me Frustrated = Ms. Pissy Pants

I have come to realize that when I don't eat enough calories during the day that I progressively get crankier and crankier (I'm a genius!).  I get irritable and frustrated very easily, and then that leads to one of the worst versions of me that exists, Ms. Pissy Pants.  You can't say anything to get me out of this lil funk.  Best thing a person can do is throw me a granola bar and give me a half hour until it hits my stomach. Otherwise, you're asking for it.  And believe me, you don't want any of this haha.
  
I did not consume enough calories throughout the day today, and I was a pretty irritable, pissy person by the time I got home.  I then proceeded to stuff my face, which is never a good decision when you're supposed to be dieting.  I.was.starving.  It was my own damn fault for not bringing enough food for lunch and for spending my lunch talking to my mortgage guy (yep I should be a homeowner by my 27th birthday!!) I really need to do a better job with planning my meals in advance.  I'm really hoping that once the house is mine and everything in it is mine, that I'll be better about this. I'll make that a goal for 2012. Better grocery shopping and food planning throughout the week. Any suggestions for this would be greatly appreciated. Oh, I despise grocery shopping, btw, so if your suggestion includes grocery shopping for me, I'd be totally down.


I'm in a much better mood now that I've chowed down.  I wish I could say I was going to the gym tonight but I'm experiencing some difficulties with my left quad.  I got to volleyball early Tuesday, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to warm up properly because the team playing before us needed a girl and asked me to play. I went from walking outside in 16 degree weather to immediately jumping on the volleyball court and playing a sport I hadn't played in over a month...not the smartest decision of my life, and I'm suffering now because of it.  I felt pain when I did whatever I did to hurt my quad, but with the adrenaline and such, I didn't realize how much my left quad hurt until I got up on Wednesday.  My run on Wednesday was 3.5 miles, and I didn't feel like dealing with the cold and snow, so I went to the gym.  It was soooo boring.  Gosh, I hate the treadmill in comparison to outside running. By the time I got home from the gym my quad was definitely worse. 

So I had a massage scheduled Wednesday night.  I am a member at Massage Envy and it is probably one of the highlights of my month.  One massage a month is a really nice way to treat myself.  Anywho, my massage went well until he got to my quad.  I almost yelped in pain... it was not fun.  He worked it a little bit to try to get it to loosen up, but it was very sensitive.  He basically told me to take it easy and stretch more.  Smart man. I woke up today and it was incredibly tight.  Every step I felt the pain. It did get better as the day went on and seemed to loosen up.  I will be stretching lots tonight!


The quad tweak has also been a source of frustration to me.  I finally feel like I'm getting into a good schedule with running and something stupid like this happens.  I don't think it's anything serious and I'm sure a little bit of rest will make it go away, but it's definitely annoying.  I don't want to take a break, I want to run 3.5 miles tomorrow and 5 on Sunday.  Guess I'll have to take it day by day at this point. GRRRR.  It just seems silly to push too much right now when I have a long way of training to go until the half marathon.  I'm not being a sissy, I'm listening to my body and taking a few days off to nip this in the butt.  If I have to skip tomorrow's run, then fine, but I will be running Sunday, so shape up quad, cause I won't let you bring me down!


I think one of the smartest things we can do as "athletes" (I use that term incredibly loosely when referring to myself, I'm more of an aspiring athlete) is listen to our bodies.  Only you know the the difference between pain and soreness. Only you know whether you're being a wuss and not pushing yourself, or whether you're actually injured.  Listen to your body.  A minor tweak is much easier to deal with earlier in training then a nagging injury in May when it's half marathon time.  Weeeellll that's what I'm trying to tell myself right now. Positive thoughts, pals. 

SoOoO Happy!

Volleyball starts again tonight!!!!!!!!!!
This month hiatus has been terrible. I've missed it so!  Not only have I missed playing the sport, but I've missed the people I play with every week.  They have become such close friends and I couldn't be more thankful that we got our teams together!

We won the championship last session, so I hope we can keep up the good work and pull out another victorious season.

It's a great feeling playing organized sports again.  You don't realize just how much you miss organized sports until you haven't played them for years (2000-2001 for me and volleyball). There is something to be said about team camaraderie and building your skills in any sport.  It has definitely given me even more confidence in myself, and who couldn't use a little bit more of that these days?

It will be great to pull on my freshly laundered knee pads and dirty them with sweat and grime from the court. I'm also completely stoked for the bruises that I always develop on my forearms at the start of a new session. 

Here is a lovely bruise from last session...thanks SBB!

 

P.S. Random fact-o-the-day - I bruise like a PEACH!

"With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Finding Nemo

Well this whole blog idea has been a long time coming and I guess it's going to finally become a reality. Obligatory first boring tantalizing blog entry.


Who am I?
My name is Trish, I'm 26 and currently living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  I have numerous nicknames, including Trishy Fishy, hence the blog title. Witty, I know (Thank you Sarah!).  I'm the youngest child in my family and also the only girl (more on the family later). I have a dog name Rolo, a chihuahua who is 6 years old, that holds a special place in my heart, even if he is a grumpy old man.  I'm a project manager, play volleyball, love to eat (probably more than I should), enjoy baking, reading and book club discussions, beer tastings and my new obsession RUNNING!  I've signed up for my first half marathon in Pittsburgh on May 6, 2012 (more on this later, too). 


Why am I blogging?  
2011 was an interesting year filled with plenty of high highs and low lows.  I'm planning on making 2012 a year of accomplishment in numerous aspects of my life and documenting them on this blog is going to be a way to see everything I've done, and everything I need to work on the years to follow. 


I'm creating this blog for me, as a way to document my successes, my failures and everything in between.  I'd love for people to read and follow me along on this journey, but whether they do, or do not, will not affect the overall outcome.  I have some great ideas for this blog and even have some guest bloggers lined up to provide some laughter and information that will motivate and inspire me, and hopefully others, on this tale of 2012.


Goals for 2012 will be covered in my next post. I know, I know, you can't wait to see them in all of their glory.  Patience is a virtue my friend.