Because Blogging about it makes it REAL: Becky WILL become a RUNNER!

7 years ago (no exaggeration) I bought a pair of Nike Shox in the hopes that they would turn me into a runner. Instantly. They didn't.

5 years ago, I shattered my own personal world record by running a whopping....TWO miles.
Being a runner is HARD.

It's time for a new goal. It's time to do something I have always wanted to do but haven't had the courage or energy to do. It's time to run a 5K!

A 5K, roughly 3 miles in American speak, is something that FIT people can run without breaking a sweat, or leg. Something that people do to warm up for a LONG run. Something that I never could imagine myself doing.

I am scared. I am terrified. I SIGNED UP!

This 5K is a part of a weekend of events in GORGEOUS Big Sur, CA including the half marathon that my (as mentioned before) FIT friends are running in. I will be there to cheer them on as I hope at least one will be there to catch me as I throw myself across the finish line!

http://www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org/Event_Information/courseinfo5k.htm

This will be the longest distance I have EVER run. I am determined to make this 5K my betch, to run it the entire time and to even clock a decent time out of it....well, for me anyway.

**Today was day 1 of Treadmill training (I haven't been on one for longer than 10 minutes in - see above about running two miles 5 YEARS ago) and it was VERY successful in my own humble opinion! I ran ONE WHOLE MILE straight without wanting to pass out and die. I even....good gracious....ENOJOYED it? Could have been the hot man bent over the stationary bike in front of me, or the Tiesto tracks in my headphones but I was filled with euphoria and endorphins and the confidence that I can do this! I have high hopes of mastering the treadmill and then hitting the pavement along the Great Highway of San Francisco as I progress.
I WILL be a runner!

Pick Your Battles, with Tana

That glass of wine on the left is mine. That dessert is not.

I've been getting up at least 3 mornings a week - GO ME! While I feel amazing after each morning session, it has yet to get easy. The days I choose to sleep in for work I've gotten to the gym for a late lunch or evening work out. I feel my clothes getting loose and my thighs getting firmer. I see my stomach shrinking very gradually and my overall disposition is a little bit brighter...

When working to get in to one's "skinny" jeans, one starts to examine and over think every bite of nourishment laid in front of one's salivating face. This particular Tuesday night, while out with the ladies, we dined at Clyde Common - the menu was amazing. I started with a local vodka martini - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_5_21/ai_82333620/ - The conversation ran rampant as G and I waited for or first course, fried chicken liver with raw beets - a rich lovely start. I ate slow and enjoyed each delicious morsel. The main course consisted of grilled lamb, roasted peppers and Israeli cous cous accompanied by a decedent Oregon Pinot. I've been making a conscious effort to really enjoy everything I eat. I've also made a conscious effort to cut my portions in half, no matter how hungry I feel. I leave the table satisfied and can savor the left over for lunch the following day. Picking my battle was positioning myself to indulge in that dessert or drown in another glass of that Pinot. The Pinot won - as it always will. I've tried to plan my days so if I know I'll be having a heavy dinner I make sure my breakfast and lunch are very light.

Tomorrow morning - 630am work out.

Did you get your work out in today?

Bec$tacy: End of July Update and Life Changing Playlist

So....you....one person reading this, you must be wondering, what on God's green earth gets Becky up in the morning, out of her cozy queen size bed (that she still sleeps only on the right side even though shes ALONE - Bradley Cooper doesn't count!) and out into the subzero summer temperatures of the Sunset to go work out?!

One cannot work out without a most amazingtown playlist. I have crafted my latest one based on some older gems and some new ones that rock my ankle socks off! The key is, if you are rich and famous enough to own one (yes convincing your boyfriend at the time that it was his idea to buy you one for Christmas totally counts, even if you broke up 2 months later) is the IPOD - yes close to 99% of everyone owns one, but at my Gym, I not only come across people still using DISCMEN, but also people who think Cords and Christmas Turtlenecks are appropriate gym-ing attire, I don't care if you are over 80, it's not right....and just seems dangerous. Although to quote the Amazing Sophia Patrillo of Golden Girls fame, "Please, I'm 80, bathtubs are dangerous." Maybe I should be cheering these people on instead of nearly running them over to get to the Statinonary Bike. Maybe they are interested in carpooling....

Ahem! Okay, back to me! Picture it. Ipod. Shuffle capabilities. All you need is a kickass blend of songs to get your butt in GEAR and on Elliptical Level 9. Below is my current list. Observe, download, listen....GO!

Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Right Round - Flo Rida
Feel Alive - Benassi Bros
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Closer (Remix) - Ne-Yo
Halo - Beyonce
Stereo Love - Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina
If We Ever Meet Again - Timbaland
Beautiful - Akon & Colby O'Donis
Feels Like Home - Meck
Impossible - Shontelle
Telephone - Lady Gaga
Eenie Meenie - Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber
Hate to Love - Alex Sayz
What Hurts the Most - Cascada
If I had You - Adam Lambert
The World is Mine - David Guetta
Touch My Body (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Remix) - Mariah Carey
I Like It - Enrique Iglesias & Pit Bull
Disco Heaven - Lady Gaga
Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson



And....a weight loss update: As of July 28th, I have lost 10 pounds due large in part to these songs and the fact that they make working out an amazing experience! I am sure anyone who has seen me working the Elliptical is wondering whether I am in pain....or aroused. I'm gonna be honest, it's a little of both.