Day 93 = Running + Slumdog Millionaire

"Who wants to be a millon-airrrr??!?"

Finally watched this movie tonight. Not really seeing the award-winning aspect of it, but I never claimed to be a movie snob. It wasn't bad. It was graphic and eye-opening. And the littlest kid who played Jamal was the cutest little boy ever. He really wanted that autograph, didn't he.

After a four-hour, post-breakfast-at-Kerbey Lane nap to hopefully sleep off the last of booze from last night, I went for a 30-minute run and felt very free. I like this feeling. I'm not talking about "patriotic living in a free country" free. I'm talking about free from emotional bonds free. It's a good place. I love this place.

Day 92 = Running + Marilyn Monroe

I love movies set in New York City pre 1990. Movies like Working Girl, Annie Hall, Midnight Cowboy and How to Marry a Millionaire.

This Marilyn Monroe 1953 classic has got it all: fashion, snow skiing, cute boys, parties, romance, and of course, New York City. It was filmed in the "miracle medium" of Cinemascope. Can we make a period piece with this old technology so that it looks more of the period? I own the DVD and the special features shows Bogart and Bacall at the premiere. I love the little phrase the girls keep saying in the movie: "Is it on the level?"

This movie makes me think of "Mad Men" and my friend's grandmother who lived in Manhattan and worked on Wall Street back in the 1940s and spent something like 10 cents a day at the automat. And the automat is like an old-fashioned vending machine, or like FEBO if you're in Amsterdam.

So this morning before I set off on my 6-mile run (the first 4 were running, the last 2 were more of a run/walk because what was I thinking setting out so late in this heat?), I put in the DVD and had some breakfast and watched a little MM. In the end, all the girls find true love. It's sweet.

Day 91 = Walking + LMFAO

It's Day 91. I'm going to take this as far as I can go. I went walking after work tonight before meeting up with some friends to watch UP in 3-D. Yes, we're grown ups. What about it?

I thought tonight about how I love to laugh. I've even done some stand-up comedy in my time. Everyday there's something new to laugh about. Even iTunes got in on it today and suggested I download a song by LMFAO. That's the band name. I guess there is something to the iTunes genius because "I'm in Miami, Bitch" is my new favorite workout song.

Something else that made me laugh today was this explicit video of Miss Piggy. I love my friend for introducing this to my eyes. Miss Piggy is an icon.

One more thing that's been keeping me laughing: the 3-wolves-1-moon t-shirt. Just read the comments and you'll understand why I love this shirt.

Day 90 = Running + GOAL!

Did. Done. Complete. Today was the 90th day of my 90 consecutive days of workouts. I left the house on my run tonight listening to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey (only the most unifying bar song ever) and walked up to my porch with so much pride after a 45-minute run and "Lebanese Blonde" by Thievery Corporation was on my iPod. I gave the gold frog on my porch the thumbs up.

So now what?

Well, I plan to keep on going as long as I can. See how long I can take this. Ninety days is just the beginning. But first thing's first: pop the champagne. I wish someone could have filmed me opening this bottle because you'd think I was playing Russian Roulette. With every twist of the cork, my anxiety grew because was that the twist that would lead to the cork popping off into the up and beyond? I swear it took me five minutes. I finally opened it and turned around and saw my neighbors across the street watching me. Who knows what it looked like from behind. I waved and poured a glass and went inside. I wanted to drink in peace.

I actually wondered if I'd make it to this day. Not that I thought I'd give up, but God forbid, what if I'd fallen down my stairs this morning or twisted my ankle or had a car wreck or passed out or was kidnapped. I found it interesting that for the last 89 days, it has been nothing to rally my motivation to work out, but on the 90th day, I felt so much pressure to perform. I even procrastinated! It is evidence that if I want to do something, I'll make it happen. Otherwise, you need to dangle money in my face. Preferably 10s and 20s.

A couple of days ago, I began to think of how I would commemorate this achievement. Should I ask someone to join me on my run? Should I plan a dinner after my run with friends? Then I thought, why should I? I did this on my own. I found my own motivation. It was my idea. It's a personal accomplishment that only I can really truly appreciate. My friends and family have been uber supportive, especially when they realized how far along I was getting. I thank you all for that. Thank you for your well wishes, Twitter and Facebook comments and emails. I thank you all for understanding when I couldn't come out for a happy hour or when I had to get in my workout before meeting up for dinner or a movie. And I thank all who worked out with me! I'm so glad I didn't give up.

In the past, there have been a lot of times when I've wanted to give up on something, and I have. This time, it was different because I wanted this, and I grew to need it. As I was running tonight, I went back to a memory I have of a poignant moment that often reminds me of what it means to keep trying. In 2005, I was volunteering for the ice skating competition for the Special Olympics in Houston. During the technical program, one 40-something woman was working diligently on her figure 8s. The point is to complete a figure 8 without getting out of the lines carved into the ice. I stood at the wall watching her skate a little along the line, stop, rest, then start again to complete another small section of the figure 8. It took her probably 20 minutes, and this is something that takes an 8-year old novice skater less than a minute to achieve.

After the competition, she came to the lunch room where my job was to pass out hamburgers and fries to the athletes. She saw me and said excitedly, "Did you see me? Did you see me? I didn't give up!" I said, "You didn't. You looked great!" She was so happy. Nothing could have brought her down. That 20-minute long figure 8 was probably one of the highlights in her life. And here I am 35 years old and completely capable of at minimum getting out and going for a walk every day. If she didn't give up, then what right do I have to give up?

So keep reading. More blogs and workouts to come (including retro-blogs from March and April). I'm still going.

Day 89 = Gym + Meetings

Could I be in more meetings today? This is typical, actually. Meetings. Working sessions. Phone calls. Budget meetings. Planning meetings. Meetings to get on the same page with one group of people before taking another meeting with another group of people. Weekly vendor status meetings with at least 5 vendors plus partner and internal "core team" and staff meetings. Then I have to block time out just to do my busy work so no one will schedule anything over my so-called free time. Then there are those days when I spend the better part of a day just trying to schedule a meeting with people in three different time zones. I try to remember, "Did I stop to pee today?"

Even though I had a personal training session this morning, which counts as my 89th workout, I can't help but yearn for getting out and taking a walk to decompress. I was also invited to check out some live music and drink beer with friends tonight. But I'd rather go for a walk than drink empty calories. Who have I become!? (not so fast; this wine drinker is still here...) While I am not on a fast track to try to fit into my little size 4 prom dress again (unless I want to go as a zebra for Halloween this year), drinking beer isn't going to get me any closer to it.

I had a paradoxical epiphany the other day: I'm at my best when I have things planned out, when I have a goal in sight and feel like I'm accomplishing it, yet I'm at my worst when I can't be flexible. I don't like to be pressured; I get plenty of that at work, which I thrive on. So how can I love planning but also want to spit venom on it, too? I have to learn what I can and cannot control with planning and let go of what I can't. Now, who has those instructions? Maybe I should ask the Memphis Waffle Guy what his take is on that....

That said, while I appreciate my friend's invite (thank you, Amy!), every minute of my day has been scheduled since 5:30 this morning, and I kind of need a break from that. After all, I have a big day tomorrow. It's Day 90.

Day 88 = Running + Running

I am proof that you do not have to look like a runner to be one. In 2001, I lived about 8 miles from a beach, and I remember the first time I took a run there. I could barely get through one minute without stopping. But over time, I started identifying landmarks to run to that were farther away from the last one, and I increased my endurance. I started to enter 5k fun runs and began my collection of t-shirts. In 2006, I trained myself in 3 months to run my first half marathon (13.1 miles). The following year, I ran two half marathons (with better times) and my first marathon. I've had setbacks along the way (injury, demotivation, lack of focus), but I always come back to running. I've run to de-stress, and I've run for beer.

And the thing is, I’m not built like a runner. I’m not a fast runner. I’m not even really a disciplined runner. But somehow, I’m addicted. I like how it makes me feel after a race or a run. I like how it’s up to me to improve and that I’m in control of it. I like that it’s accessible and that I can really see the results and effects of running. I like the solitude and being with my thoughts when I run. I like being able to understand and listen to my body. I like that I am part of a really exclusive group of people in the world who have run a marathon distance, let alone have an inkling of motivation to do it.

Tonight I ran on Day 88. Now I can run miles without even realizing how long I've been out. I know my limits. I know the first 3 miles are the toughest and the next 15 are easy. I know my left toes start hurting after about 4 miles and I silently remind myself to get a cortisone shot from my podiatrist, who I have on speed dial. I know when my shoes need to be replaced. I know what kind of socks to not wear. I know that 1,871 songs is not enough to get through a marathon.

I just wanted to write a little tribute to running and what it means to me. It has saved me. I can't remember what it feels like to not be happy because running is the best therapy ever. The photos are of me and Danny, my college roommate's (Lisa) husband who ran me in the last 6 miles of the Dallas Marathon in 2007. He ran the same marathon last December. God bless him!

Day 87 = Gym + Jogging + Inspiration

This morning was session 1 with my new trainer, Regan. She's a volleyball coach, too. And she challenged me. And she reads this blog. (Hello, Regan!) I don't mind waking up and going to the gym before work if I have a purpose. And by purspose, I mean that I'm paying someone to meet me there. But also, I realized yesterday that I really want this. That is the primary reason. Secondary for the first time ever are the reasons of looking good and being healthy. I really just want it. There is no other reason that I really need.

I've read "The Secret." I've also watched the DVD multiple times. Yes, I'm one of those people. In January, I wrote down (to the Universe, as The Secret dictates) that I want to want to lose weight. You can say you want anything, but you have to actually WANT it. There's a difference. Once you put it out to the Universe, then you just have to have faith that it will happen and not think about the how. Just know it will manifest. Well, a couple of months later, I started this experiment in March. As time went by, I realized that working out each day was something I looked forward to. Something I got excited about. Something I couldn't imagine going a day without. It lifts my spirits. Clears my mind. Helps me focus. Increases my endorphines. And now, my desire has manifested. It just takes patience and faith.

This morning, I received a touching message from a former high school classmate. Robert wrote that he was so inspired by my blog that it motivated him to start his own 90-day plan, including a blog. I was honored that I had inspired someone! I felt like Oprah. I felt cool. Not just cool. I felt four popped-collars cool!

Tonight, even though I'd completed my workout this morning, I couldn't wait to get out and take a jog around the neighborhood. (Yes, a two-a-day!) It helps that I gave up cable and shows are in summer re-run phase. I don't miss cable at all.