15 lbs or bust

It's that time of year again. Yes it is almost summer. Beach time, outdoors time, running without a shirt time. Which means - at least in my case - renewed focus on finding my now long lost abs, last seen in these parts about 26 years ago. There is a 'last best' chance to do almost anything, and I'm thinking this off-and-on project may become completely quixotic if I don't do something now. I had a reminder last night about the aging thing. Yes I know age is just a number and it's not slowing me down in any way, at least not yet. I am still setting personal best times in the half marathon (Nov 2008) and the 5K (April 2009) and I think I definitely have some improvement to do yet. But back to being reminded about the relentless passage of time: a very well meaning and in every way superb human being 'congratulated' me last night for being such a good runner, in the 60+ age group... Ouch. I am still 3 years and a bit away from reaching that particular mile stone, so this compliment was not quite what I had in mind, just a couple of weeks before my next birthday. It's like asking someone to guess your age, and then they tack on 5+ years more than what you think you look...

So before I turn to mush, I really have to do something about this pesky accumulation of abdominal fat, a.k.a. middle-aged tire, muffin top, love handles, call it what you will. I know exactly where the problem is. And it's not a lack of exercise. Just have to cut down on those portion sizes a little bit, omit the between-meal snacking and so on. Fifteen pounds is not a lot, but it seems very daunting when you realize that it will take you back to what you weighed in your college years. For one thing, I suspect my long lost abs are hiding there at about 150 lbs, and who knows what else I may uncover in the next couple of months. Does July sound like a good time for another attempt at a 5K PR? I think so.

Running has been going quite well and I'm thinking this effort-based deal might work. On Sunday (first run after injury lay-off) I did 6 miles at 75% to 80% of maximum HR. On Monday another 6 miles at 75% to 85% which is 140 to 150 bpm. By Tuesday I did not have much left and pretty much abandoned a track workout after struggling through the first of three planned miles at what was supposed to be a VO2 max effort (160+ bpm). I added one easy mile and settled for 3 total. By Wednesday night I had recovered enough to do a good trail run at Memorial Park with the Striders, including about 4 miles of hard running with my HR hovering between 150 to 160, or 85% to 90% of maximum. Taking today and tomorrow off altogether, being a mini-taper before a Saturday morning 5K race. My weight was down to 160 lbs this morning. Usually, that is where I go into a candy-fueled eating binge, just not this time.