Sharry Miller

How Nuts am I?

On August 20, after not nearly enough training, I completed my first marathon. Now, let's be clear: I did not run this marathon. I walked the entire distance. 26.2 miles in 7:02. A very brisk walk for a very long time. I hurt everywhere. My quads, my feet, my calves, my flabby underarms where my skin chafed against the straps of my Camelback water bladder pack. Everywhere. One of the first things I said when... Read more →

Time to Ride

A big cheesy grin is required on the first ride of spring. My first ride of spring. After over four years of posting to this blog, I could just about plagiarize myself and copy a previous year's first ride of spring post because I know they all say the same thing: I have a ridiculous grin on my face as I pedal by the snowbanks and get passed by trucks pulling snowmobiles. This year, I... Read more →

Endorphin Joy

"You need to go for a bike ride." "Get outside. Go for a run." "Go. Now." This is how my family speaks to me on a regular basis. Just a couple of days ago, I commented to Thane that while I'd heard of endorphins, I never thought I'd exercised hard enough while running or cycling to actually get the "high" athletes speak of. "Oh, yes you have," he stated without hesitation. "I've witnessed it." Wikipedia.com:... Read more →

Tracking Progress

Hmm, I'm pretty sure I don't like standard calculators for determining what you should weigh. They're depressing. A friend posted on Facebook this morning that she'd lost 53 pounds since her gastric bypass surgery two months ago and had officially fallen below the "obese" category in the body mass index (BMI) charts. Just for fun, I thought I'd see where the almost-35 pounds I've lost in the last five months had gotten me. Still obese.... Read more →

Hatcher Pass Love

It was a dark and stormy night. No, wait, that's a different story. I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It's gonna be a bright (bright) bright (bright) sunshiny day. It's gonna be a bright (bright) bright (bright) sunshiny day. ~Jimmy Cliff, "I Can See Clearly Now" Yeah, that's better. That's definitely more like it was... Read more →

Self-(mis)Perception

Let me start with a simple fact, and, yes, I'm bragging a little. I'm very proud of myself for having lost a solid 25 pounds since the beginning of February. I now weigh less than I have in over 15 years. It's only a small portion of what I need to lose, but it's still huge. I feel much better, and I'm better able to do the activities I want to do. My muddy leg... Read more →

A Bitter End

I had mentally drafted such a joyous blog post for this wonderful Saturday. I'd been thrilled to make it home from a three-day drill not too late last night, so I was able to help at Rowan's swim meet this morning. Commitments out of the way, I looked forward to making the most of a beautiful day. By noon, the sun was shining bright, the winds had chosen to visit somewhere else, and the thermometer... Read more →

Number Frustration

Four weeks ago, I stuck my bathroom scale in a cupboard. I swore I wouldn't take it out for a month. I had become completely frustrated with weighing myself every morning. Last June, I shared a post here about redefining "body success," focusing on becoming stronger and fitter, not just lighter. Here I am, eight months later, still struggling with this concept. Let me be clear: over the past year, I have been more active... Read more →

One Week to Peru!

The sun was shining, but I should have listened to my gut and worn a long-sleeved jersey for my ride. I had light goosebumps the whole 20 miles. They got a little bigger in the shady areas. Regardless, with just a week left until I head for Peru, I had to get some more exercise. Sun-kissed fresh snow on mountain tops may be one of the most beautiful sights around, but it's one I am... Read more →

A Nursery Rhyme for Me

It's raining, it's pouring, The old lady's roaring. She went outside, and walked real far, And now she feels like soaring. Well, maybe not soaring, but at least I don't feel like screaming like a banshee anymore. Apparently, two days without significant exercise is not allowed. Of course, I didn't go out and do anything while it was nice (i.e., not raining) yesterday. No, yesterday I spent the whole day indoors. Today, I couldn't take... Read more →