Marshall Ramsey

Goal weight: 195 lbs.

Had an absolutely crappy run today. I was tired (got back late from driving back from Oxford), it was hot (I got a late start), I hurt (from my fall) — let’s just say, it wasn’t much fun this morning.  I was limited on time, so I only ran 8.5 miles.  I ran on the Ridgeland Trail along the Natchez Trace.  I managed to get into the middle of a 5K. At one point, I had already run five miles and one of the people in the front of the 5K encouraged me, “C’mon, you can do it” — like I was in the back of the 5K.  I thanked him and never let him know that I had already run two more miles than him.

I weighed in with Patrick House today. I didn’t make the goal of under 200 lbs. — I was 205.  I weighed 200 on my scale, so I knew I wouldn’t make it.  I’m competitive enough to want to meet the challenge. But honestly, at the end of the day, I’m not that upset. I’ll continue to lose weight as I continue to eat the right things and exercise.  I’ve lost 48 pounds since my birthday last December.  That’s nothing to sneeze at. But still…

I did eat Taco Bell last night on the way home from Oxford. I ordered what I used to eat for lunch nearly every day.  I immediately felt like crap after I eating it and then felt sluggish this morning.  I will never eat there again.  Ever. After eating healthy, fast food does not cut it. It makes you feel horrible.

Goal weight: 195 lbs.

I think I proved one of Newton’s Laws today. Not sure which one really. But I did prove one thing: I’m clumsy.  Good Lord, I am a klutz.  About 1.5 miles into my three-mile run this morning, I face-planted.  Tripped.  All six-foot two inches, 205 lbs. of me.  It wasn’t pretty. I went down hard.

How hard? My phone landed five-feet in front of me (thank you OtterBox for protecting my investment).  That’s how hard.

My foot hit a bad spot in the pavement (yes, I know you are shocked there is bad pavement in Yazoo Clay land) and I flew like Superman on a bender.  I remember thinking, “Aw crap.”  And then I hit.

Asphalt and skin do a great job slowing you down, btw.  Within seconds I was laying in the middle of the dark road, at 5:15 in the morning in a bloody heap. I looked around (just to make sure I wasn’t going to end up on YouTube) and tried to find my phone.  Then I did a systems check to make sure nothing was broken (on the phone and on me.).  Nothing was. I was just sore and bloody. So I did the only thing I could do: I got back up, dusted myself off and kept running.

There’s a life lesson there somewhere.

Goal Weight: 195 lbs.

I overslept yesterday and didn’t run.  No real excuse other than I was dead-dog tired. The rest of the day was another crazy day (I’m stacking crazy days up like cordwood these days) and fatigue has started to take its tool.  Forget burning the candle at both ends. I’m burning the damn thing in the middle.

I was mad at myself all day for not waking up and running.

I think the thing that got me so down was that I felt a real fear of going back to where I was before — too busy to exercise.  Too busy to eat right. Too busy for whatever.  Too fat to live my life like I want to live it. My biggest fear when I oversleep? Before I know it, I’ll be back to 248 lbs. and no energy.

And to Hell if I’m ever going back THERE.

If I am going to be successful — if I am going to reach my goals, I have to have energy. And the only way to get that energy is to make daily good choices.

I’m happy to report that I made a very good choice this morning.

I got up at 4:30, ran 5.13 miles in 54 minutes and burned 861 calories. I explored a new route and enjoyed the cool morning air.  I’m tired but the satisfaction of getting out of the bed feels so much better than yesterday’s disappointment.

If you want things to happen in your life, you have to get out of bed and make them happen.  Make wise choices. Take the hillier route.  Enjoy the run.

This morning, I did.