*headdesk*

Oh, sweet frustration!

I am one stinkin' mile away from the Green Level at the Nike Running website. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this uber helpful and motivating site (which is, like, all of you, I'm sure) the levels break down as follows:

"Nike+ Levels is a new way to recognize the total distance you’ve achieved since joining Nikerunning.com.
There are six Levels that correspond to total kilometers run:

Yellow (0-49km, 0-30mi)
Orange (50-249km, 31-154mi)
Green (250-999km, 155-620mi)
Blue (1,000-2,499km, 621-1552mi)
Purple (2,500-4,999km, 1553-3106mi)
Black (over 5000km or 3107mi)

As you move from one Level to another, we will recognize your achievements in different ways. Look for your color to follow you through the features in Nikerunning.com, updating your entire profile as you reach new Levels."

So, I can't honestly ever imagine ever making it to the Black Level in this lifetime but I've been pretty darn excited to move into Green, partially because I am not a fan of the color orange.

In the past month of training 3+ times a week I've run my fastest mile (10' 24") and dropped my average pace more than a minute, my booty is finally starting to lift, my calves are getting too big for my skinny jeans (and some knee-high socks) and I've GAINED 5 FREAKIN' POUNDS. Oy. Admittedly, most of this has to be from my increased appetite and the resurgence of an "excessive nocturnal overeating" issue I've dealt with in the past, but it leaves me not feeling as accomplished as I should be feeling. I've hit goals I set and I keep piling on the miles and it would be really nice to see a reduction in inches, not an increase.

Starting today (and lasting at least until my upcoming trip to SF if not indefinitely,) crackers and chips are not welcome in my home (Wheat THINS, my ass!) and I'm taking my cross training days and nutrition more seriously. I can change my body, dammit. I'm not gonna kill myself trying to get skinny, but I can try harder to be in better shape.

At least my 4 mile run tonight will put me into that pretty pretty Green level I have been coveting for the past 55 miles.