All Eyes On Me Just Like A Circus
I did it. I got out there and ran this morning! Lucky for me, it was a beautiful, sunny morning, so that always helps get me going.
I planned on doing 6 miles in honor of my friend, Reen who is celebrating her one year anniversary of running and set on 6 miles as a goal to commemorate it. I didn’t quite make it to 6 miles today. Sorry, Reen 
Things started off okay. I did a 5 minute walking warm-up, then ran with intervals of 10:1 (10 minutes running/1 minute walking). For now, I like this interval the best. Running less than 10 minutes before a walk break doesn’t give me enough time to build up any momentum mentally. And running, for me, is all about the mental!
By my second mile, I was doing well. I was into it and my legs were feeling strong. But then, I got distracted. I was running in my lonesome hilly neighborhood (have I mentioned that hills SUCK ?) and the garbage truck pulled in. Why is this a problem, you ask? Well, besides inhaling fumes of foul garbage, I got really self-conscious running in front of the garbage collectors. They stared at me. I waved. I should have continued about my business. But, I could not help cringing at the show of ass gymnastics that I was giving them as I ran in front of the truck. Jiggling, bouncing and rolling. Maybe it was more like a 3 ring ass circus.
I know that is stupid and I shouldn’t care. *Sigh*. But, I do. I am self-conscious that way. So, it threw off my whole run and by the time they finally got out of my neighborhood, I was totally mind-screwed and didn’t want to run anymore. I ended up making it to 5 miles though, so I was only a mile short, Reen!
When I got in from my run, I felt a little hungry but didn’t want to really eat. My appetite wasn’t there. I thought it was the perfect time to try some of the Amazing Grass that I won a while back.
I always go for the chocolate…
I blended the packet with 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze, 4 gigantic strawberries and 3 drops of liquid vanilla NuStevia…
Err….it was interesting. I would not call it amazing. I wanted it to be. I have seen rave reviews in the blogosphere about it, but…I’m not feelin’ it Any Amazing Grass lovers wanna give me some pointers?
After my less than amazing experience, I needed back-up. French press and some Puffins did the trick…
I have to admit, I was surprised at the holding power of Amazing Grass! I ended up not being hungry for 4 hours after having it along with my coffee and cereal! Hmmm…I might have to force it down try it again 
When I finally got around to lunch, I wanted something quick and easy. I opted for a Boca Grilled Vegetable Burger on a Bagel Thin with cheese and hummus, along with a juicy orange…
Dinner was hard. I made a traditional Easter treat that my family and the husband’s family makes every year. My family calls it Pizza Rustica, but the husband’s family calls it Pizza Gaina. I just call it good! It is a “pie” made with a mixture of Italian meats and cheeses baked in a bread dough-type of crust. Everyone loves it!
Ready for the baking…
All done…
A vegetarian’s nightmare…
I almost cried when I served it to the family. I made an extra one for Easter. I can’t wait!
While they chowed on the pie of my dreams, I chowed on this…
and lentil soup…
I cry.
Only 3 more days…
Have a great day, everyone!
Brilliant Blogger (remember that?!): Check out the great post by Kathleen over at Journey To Becoming Healthier Inside and Out before you dig into the Easter baskets this weekend!
Do you ever feel self-conscious about exercising in public?
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
36 comments
One of the reasons I’ve put off running outside for so long, and still do, to an extent, is because I’m self conscious about it. I imagine all sorts flying in everything direction and people driving past me thinking “Why is he even trying?” I try hard to remember that most people probably aren’t even paying attention, but its hard sometimes. Ugh!
Congrats though! 5 miles is nothing to scoff at!
You done did good!
Good for you for running five miles! You’re amazing.
I hate running in my neighborhood for the same reason. Especially since one of the good running streets (less hills than most, and paved unlike half the streets) also happens to be home to several houses full of twenty something guys who hang out on their porches. I have such an issue with running by and being SURE they are chatting about my fat ass running past looking all sweaty and bedraggled and barely running in the first place. For whatever reason, there is something about twenty somethings that makes me particularly nervous. Yesterday, after passing Dude street, a car full of similarly aged girls kept driving by me (probably lost, our neighborhood is crazy and huge) and I was getting SO self conscious. Fortunately, I was mid way through my second to last running segment and so proud of myself that I stopped caring.
I wonder why we all do this? I NEVER, EVER see someone running on the road and think negative things. If they’re heavy, I swell with pride for them because I know how hard it is. If they’re fit, I admire that and aim for it. No matter what shape you’re in, running is never easy…
Marisa Reply:
April 1st, 2010 at 8:22 am
I feel the same when I see others out there. I always cheer them in my mind!
Okay. So for the record, Marisa, you are my hero. Running 5 miles AND running in front of the garbage men? Don’t think I’d have the courage for that! And hills too? Luckily, the neighborhood(s) that I run in are fairly flat or don’t know if I could have done it.
Okay. So a little honesty here, I screwed up a bit. I mapped out my route last week and had it posted on the fridge. So I was all ready to go yesterday morning. When I got to the end of the route (as I remembered it) I thought, wow, I could go a little further, and I did. When I got home, I was all full of myself, thinking I had run further than 6 and couldn’t wait to get to the computer to see how far beyond the 6 miles I had actually run. Trouble was at the end, I messed up and didn’t follow the original route, so I came up a half mile short! Darn! But I was not going to let my mistake get in the way of meeting my goal. I grabbed my hat and got back out there and ran around the half mile that I had come up short.
So I did the 6 miles, just took a few minutes breather at the end unfortunately.
I’m a little stiff this morning, combination of the 6 mile run AND I skated last night as well. I’m sure I’ll loosen up. Not planning on running today, taking a break, but maybe tomorrow, in between all the yard work I have to do.
Marisa Reply:
April 1st, 2010 at 8:23 am
The fact that you got your shoes back on and headed out to finish the job is AMAZING! You rock, Reen!
Dang! 5 miles? You should be celebrating!!!! I have moments where I could care less what other people think of me and then there are the other days when I’d just rather be a hermit! Just call me Cybil! HA!
I know exactly how you feel. I agree with Heather, too. Twenty something guys make me most nervous. Sometimes I stop what I’m doing just to avoid the imaginary ridicule.
That’s odd. I always stop and do a five-minute pose-down when I come across the sanitation workers. I figure their job is so mind-numbingly boring that it’s nice to give them something to talk about the rest of the day…
Marisa Reply:
April 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
Buwahahahahaha! That visual is hilarious!
Amazing accomplishment giving up meat for Lent. I had the SAME experience the other day as it was my first time visiting a nearby park. I was thinking “Oh gosh, I have absolutely NO form and I know I’m jiggling everywhere” so I definitely understood your feelings. Next time just keep going though, I’m sure they were thinking how great you looked, and didn’t even notice anything else!
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that recipe looks delish!!
you should share it with us… winkwink
Heck yeah I am self-conscious. Particularly when I am out in my trisuit with my upper arms bared. I wave hi to everyone as I pass by…..
*However* – I do not let those feelings stop me from doing what I need to do.
And you really never know what someone’s thoughts are when you are out exercising. Could be they notice the jiggle. Could be they *like* the jiggle. Could be that you inspire them to put on their shoes later and go out. You just never know. So like Nike says, just do it.
I used to feel self-conscious, not so much any more. I wear my ipod and that tunes out everything, so I completely focus on my running and ignore people. I am aware of my butt jiggling sometimes and the cars that pass me. But I try to block that out!
Way to go with the 5 miles – incredible!!
Thank you! Thank you! You just made my morning! I called my son in to make him see my blog in your post! I admire you for sticking to running. I have managed to place 3 -1 minute jogs in my 50 min. walks but between my endurance and my bladder, haven’t been able to manage more than that. I couldn’t even imagine what I look like jogging definetely something I do not want to see but I tell myself who cares what others think. Do it for you!Keep at it! You are the first review I have seen that doesn’t like Amazing Grass. I have been afraid to try it. I am glad you are being honest. I think some bloggers are afraid to be, because they got the sample free or what not. If I try something new and I like it, you will hear about it, but if I don’t you will hear that too. Again, Thank You!
Marisa Reply:
April 1st, 2010 at 10:16 am
Aw, glad I could make your day! It was a great reminder for the upcoming baskets of goodies that will be inundating our homes!
Hi Marisa!
I wanted to give you a little pointer with the Amazing Grass-When I first tried it, I wasn’t a fan but Iplayed with it and actually started to like it. The first thing I noticed is that it is MUCH better with Yogurt, not almond milk/milk or water. Use yogurt, maybe even use a flavored yogurt. If you like banana, try adding half of one to the mix. The final tip I can give you is only use half of the packet at first. When you use the whole packet and you are not used to it, it can be a little weird tasting, you need to work yourself up to a whole packet. I hope this helps a little-and congrats on the 5 miles and don’t worry everyone gets like that when they run
You made me wanna come over on Easter to eat that pie with ya! HOLY MOLEY THAT LOOKS TASTY! Hang in there, you are almost finished!!!
I never liked to exercise in public- we use to go to a gym but I hated walking in, I was the fattest girl there all the time.
Now I go IN A BATHING SUIT to go workout…and nope, Im not the largest. 
I always feel self-conscious about running in public but I try not to let it show. I get honks down the street if I run on a public street (like yesterday). In fact, I was just walking to the train the other day (about 1 mile) and the garbage truck was following me the WHOLE WAY there! lol. I felt really self-conscious then too! Just put your head up, shoulders back and pretend that it doesn’t bother you one bit. Run like you are the greatest run of all time! lol. That’s what I do. Fake it til you make it!
oh man, check your willpower!!!! those pies look amazing. thank goodness you made an extra for easter
My mother in law makes pizza gain – it is a vegetarian (and healthy eater’s) nightmare! I had about 2 bites of it last year and went into sodium overload. My mother-in-law’s was over 5 pounds!
Ass gymnastics??! If I weren’t standing right now I would have fallen off my chair – thanks for the laugh!
I don’t exercise in public. Ever. The one time I went for a walk in my own neighborhood by myself I received 2 or 3 catcalls from different houses. Ridiculous – this is the same reason I won’t go to bars/restaurants alone.
Hey Marisa: wow you are really killing the vegetarian for Lent challenge. I admire how you are sticking with it even though it is difficult for you. To answer your question, I don’t really feel self conscious when I run. Sometimes I think I look kind of like a faker because I’m this slow, round person not all decked out in the coolest gear but I push that out of my mind because I know I don’t judge anyone I see running. No matter what their speed is, or what they are wearing, if I think of them at all, I think Right On, Go For It!
And the truth is, I don’t think anyone is looking at me, really, except that I am there, you know, like any other person walking, or pushing a stroller or taking a photograph or sitting on a bench. Just another person, doing my thing.
There is a TON of construction in our neighborhood right now and I get sooooo self conscious running around all the dudes. But I’m trying so hard not to get in the habit of running on the treadmill. But GO YOU on the 5 miles! (and the food? amazing)
Oh my gosh! Give those garbage men a show! Every time I see a truck, I push it just a bit harder and SHAKE IT! Toss that ponytail! They want to see it, it’s early in the morning!
Oh woman, I HATE exercising in public!!! So I feel ya – I would have turned around and ran away if I saw those garbagemen, lol!
That pie looks SO GOOD – I’m glad you made one that you can enjoy on Sunday!
wow that food looks amazing and I think it might be the reason I haven’t gone vegan!
Great job on the run! I’m always self-conscious when I run outside. The other day a really old guy (truly old, even compared to me, and I’m old!) actually imitated my running and shouted at me “I’m gonna race you!” I just kept on thinking the whole time, “Do I look that bad?” Didn’t help my run at all…
I think Amazing Grass takes some getting used to. I think I may like that it’s supposed to be good for me and that it keeps me full more than the actual flavor…
In fact, I think the texture is what took me most getting used to. But I do love the peanut butter chocolate protein bars. They don’t taste “grassy” to me, have a good amount of protein, and keep me full. If they weren’t so expensive, I think I’d eat them every day.
The dinner pies look AMAZING! It’ll be Easter soon!
ooooh – I would have been self-conscious too!
Can you make a Pizza Rustica for yourself? Maybe sub the meat for some huge chunks of veggies? oohhh…that would be yummy too!
5 miles that is awesome! Oh yes the garbage man makes me feel self conscious. I will cross the street and get out of his sight when I am out walking!
That meal looks amazing, good for you for staying out of it. That is will power!
[...] Marisa Hey everyone! Thank you so much for the wonderful comments on my last post. It’s strange that I don’t feel uncomfortable when I’m exercising in a group, say at [...]
I love your willpower. I swear.
Marisa – I am just now getting a chance to sit down and read blogs after being on my feet all day making “Easter Pie” – aka -Pizza Gaina! I also peel garlic for artichokes, made homemade sauce and my daughter & I made gnocchi (which we always call gnouchla)
I wonder if we use similar recipes for Pizza Gaina? Does your have a ricotta base? My grandmother’s does not, just eggs, cheese & meats. The crust I use is more like a pie crust with added flavorings, but our results are nearily identical!
Way to go on your 5 mile run!
~Marcy
OH NO! I just bought that chocolate Amazing Meal stuff! I hope I like it because it was $25! I too keep hearing how great it is in the blogosphere… we shall see I guess!
oh my!! I love this post, what you wrote about ass gymnastics is friggin hilarious and so true!!! well for me as well. Way to go on your run!