Friday, December 21, 2007

G.I.G.O.

I am a bean counter by profession, and we have a saying in the accounting world:

“Garbage In, Garbage Out”

(or GIGO for short ~ we accountants love acronyms :p )

In my work world, it basically refers to transactional integrity. Meaning if you put garbage (bad data) into a system, you basically get garbage (bad data out). Makes sense, yes?

In my running world, it means that if you eat like crap for three days straight, you end up with a lousy, painful, exhausting run.

It is entirely too embarrassing to even account for a fraction of what I have put into my body over the last couple days….my blogging buddies would be disgusted. And the sad part is that I didn’t really care. I knew I was eating like a cow, and just didn’t care.

It took all the mental and physical energy that I could muster last night after a long, crazy week of busy days and late nights…..to really get out of the house and run. My plan called for 3-4 miles; I somehow managed to drag myself for 3.

Again, mentally….it is so refreshing. I wish I could find a way to run every day because I know it would keep my eating in check. My run last night was definitely an *atonement* of sorts for my bad choices during the week ~ I paid for them every step of the way.

But it’s okay ~ I got myself out of the house and ran.

I’ve now got to stay on track for 5 miles on Saturday; 5 miles on Monday and then a long run on the day after Christmas. During that time, I need to learn to control my mouth.

Part of me is leaning toward returning to Weight Watchers after the New Year. I need something to keep me on track. I need the constant kick in the tail.

Tonight is our friends’ Christmas party…..a huge deal that we look forward to every year. We have Mexican food, the kids decorate cookies and then we walk around the corner from our friends’ house to see the most awesome Christmas light display ever…..kind of like a Candy Cane Lane or Christmas Lane kind of setting. It has been our tradition for the past 10 years or so. I can’t wait. Today some of my stress subsided and I really feel like I am in the Christmas mood :)

So HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone!!!! We’ll be up North after Christmas, but hopefully I’ll be able to still give everyone a yell before 2008!


Short , Seriously Slow Pokey Run
Distance: 3.0 miles
Mile 1: 13:05
Mile 2: 12:30
Mile 3: 12:05

8 comments:

Pat said...

Last year I said that December was the month to just not gain any weight. If I weighed the same at the end of the month I was happy. I think I feel the same this year too.

I am thinking about doing weight watchers or some type of diet program starting in january too. I'll let you know what I've decided, in case, you want to join in.

Have a Merry Christmas. Hope your whole family enjoys the holiday and I'll see you the day after.

Marathoner in Training said...

I would have to give Pat my endorcement, if you weigh the same on January 1 as you did on December 1, then you did good. Enjoy your time up north, and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Wes said...

Just get out there and DO it :-) Who cares how fast or slow it is? Have a great trip and a wonderful Holidays!!

Bev said...

Stumbled across you site a couple weeks ago. Love it! I can so relate to the IFG thing. Unfortunetly my IFG has spilled over to the outside.

Just wanted to let you know I have linked your site to my new site. Thanks for the motivation.

http://texasrunningjournal.blogspot.com/

Cheryl said...

I had a week like that, too. Just wanted to eat everything in sight! Ugh. But your "pokey" run was speedy by my standards. I managed 1.5 miles on the treadmill this morning and it took me a half hour. Oh, well, I felt better for having done something. :-)

Have a Merry Christmas! I hope you post a picture of the magnificent candy cane house.

Nat said...

Hey hey,

Well, I hear you. It snowed a lot, I have strep and shortbread cookies are making me feel better. I am pondering the long run tomorrow but I am going to play it by ear.

I reckon every thing is good for you from the 24 to the 1st...

Nat

Jeff said...

I think I smell pizza on your breath, right? Oooooh!

Hey, we've all been there, but you got out and did the right thing. A bad run is a million times better than no run at all.

Have a great holiday, Pokey!

Flo said...

Yes, you got out there and did it!!! Yea!!! I think it's possible we've been following the same eating plan lately ;) Tomorrow is my atonement, 5 miles of pure h*ll, I can't wait. Merry Christmas!!!