Yesterday was a great day. It was a bit too hectic at work, as is normal, and I even had to bring work home, but I didn't let that interfere with other priorities. Other priorities being: 1) eat clean and 2) exercise.
I swear, this is such a huge feat for me that I should make it a public announcement: I ATE ALL OF WHAT I PLANNED TO EAT AND ONLY WHAT I PLANNED TO EAT, AND I DIDN'T BINGE ALL DAY (OR NIGHT)!!!!
Silly? Sure. But a huge accomplishment nonetheless. See, I had this plan to go home and fix salmon and I actually did it. Often in the past, I'd have that plan, get home, realize I had tons of work to do and wanted to carve out time to exercise, so I'd either skip dinner altogether and find myself too exhausted to have a good workout or binge on cheese-its & bbq sauce (yea, weird, but it's my thing) and find myself too queasy to have a good workout. So not only did I fix the planned healthy meal, I was so glad to find out it was quite delicious!
It's been a long time since I've tried to plan my meals and log them and eat according to a 40/40/20 distribution of macronutrients. I seem not to be one of those people who can just make good choices at each meal and have it all balance out at the end of the day. It's safe to say I'm not there yet, although I still remain hopeful.
Today looks to be another good day, even if it will be another long and busy one. More later on an interesting e-mail I received from TrainingPeaks.
Running towards fitness and never, ever, away from a challenge!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
This week was certainly not my best effort. Although effort wasn't the problem as much as being unable to breathe or think due to the cold/fever-ish stuff I picked up at last week's group run. Yuck.
So due to feeling like crap, I did Monday's run r-e-a-l-l-y slowly and skipped Tues & Thurs, did Friday's pushups and Saturday mornings long run. Long, slow run. Very slow and no shame in that!
The pushups were a bigger challenge than I expected. Well, first I still couldn't breathe and had just taken more Advil Cold & Sinus (this stuff workeds, but I still had no energy and was worried about not recovering from whatever it was). But also, it was a total of 47 pushups, I think. That's quite a bit for someone who hasn't done any in months. It felt pretty great to finish and even better to realize that my biceps were twitching for the next 30 minutes. Sort of a "wow ~ I did something!" moment. I loved it!
So due to feeling like crap, I did Monday's run r-e-a-l-l-y slowly and skipped Tues & Thurs, did Friday's pushups and Saturday mornings long run. Long, slow run. Very slow and no shame in that!
The pushups were a bigger challenge than I expected. Well, first I still couldn't breathe and had just taken more Advil Cold & Sinus (this stuff workeds, but I still had no energy and was worried about not recovering from whatever it was). But also, it was a total of 47 pushups, I think. That's quite a bit for someone who hasn't done any in months. It felt pretty great to finish and even better to realize that my biceps were twitching for the next 30 minutes. Sort of a "wow ~ I did something!" moment. I loved it!
Monday, August 04, 2008
Training Plan for Week of: 4 Aug 2008
Running (looks like an easy week)
Running (looks like an easy week)
- 4 Aug: 25 minutes run/jog / 25:26; 2.15 miles (treadmill)
- 5 Aug: 30 minutes run/jog / skipped ~ ill
- 7 Aug: 20 minutes run/jog / skipped ~ ill
- 9 Aug: 6 miles long, slow run / 1:30:00 ; TH Park
- 4 Aug: W2D1: 9, 8, 6, 4, max / 9, 8, 6, 4, 9
- 6 Aug: W2D2: 11, 9, 7, 7, max / skipped ~ ill
- 8 Aug: W2D3: 10, 10, 8, 8, max / 10, 10, 8, 8, 11
Other Stuff
- 6 Aug: Muscle Breakdown spinning dvd / skipped ~ ill
- 8 Aug: Recharge spinning dvd / skipped ~ ill
- 10 Aug: Recharge spinning dvd
Week 1 of Hundred Pushups Challenge
- W1D1: 7, 7, 5, 4, max / 8, 7, 5, 4, 9
- W1D2: 9, 8, 6, 5, max / 9, 8, 6, 5, 10
- W1D3: 10, 8, 8, 5, max / 10, 8, 8, 5, 8
Day 1 of Week 2 of the Hundred Pushups Challenge. Despite having a cold/sinus thing from hell, the pushups went rather well. Jogging for 25 minutes went less well, but I didn't expect much. Still 2.15 miles, as medicated as I am, I'll take it.
I've decided I need to be a bit more clear on what I'm doing with this challenge. I need to better track my training, and although I do track it on Training Peaks, I don't keep up with all the little details. One day they might matter. I suppose the best way to track it is to do a post at the beginning of the week with the plan, and return to it to update/edit as the week progresses.
Okay, off to do that now!
I've decided I need to be a bit more clear on what I'm doing with this challenge. I need to better track my training, and although I do track it on Training Peaks, I don't keep up with all the little details. One day they might matter. I suppose the best way to track it is to do a post at the beginning of the week with the plan, and return to it to update/edit as the week progresses.
Okay, off to do that now!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Well, I'm keeping up with my weekly training schedule. It's nothing too ... what's the word I'm looking for? Too ambitious maybe? My goals are reasonable. I'm not trying to break any records ~ good thing, too! I'm simply following the KatyFit plan, and it seems not to be too much of a jump from doing little bits of not much to what I'm doing now.
Nothing is hurting too badly, anyway. Nothing more than my left Achilles' tendon, although I find that icing it after a Saturday run is sufficient to keep it from flaring up too wildly. This getting older business sucks. I suppose it would suck even more if I didn't do anything to try and improve my fitness level.
So, Monday was day 1 of the Hundred Push-Up Challenge for me. O U C H !!! Actually, I did not so great on the initial test, but I was able to complete the full day of pu's without any problems. (I guess that's what happens when you're on the slow/weak person's program!) It's a Mon-Wed-Fri thing, so I look forward to trying this again tomorrow. I could definitely feel a soreness in my chest while I was jogging tonight. That's good, right?
I heard tonight about an alleged hazing incident at a local high school. All I can see is that I don't look forward to my daughter growing up. Too many young girls (not all obviously, but the ones you hear about on the news) have no sense, less class, and a dire need to have their butts whipped. What the hell are they thinking to pee in their undies and put them on someone's head?? Someone you're going to be cheering with all year long. Someone who is likely to be on your shoulders at some point... Someone who could easily have an OOPS! moment in the near future.
Clearly I'm about revenge. It'll be interesting to see how this is managed. The girls are all said to be away at cheer-camp right now, so nothing happens until later. District policy is supposed to specify that anyone participating in "hazing" will be removed from the team and not allowed to participate in other extracurricular activities. hmmmmm I hope that if these girls really did do this that the punishment is applied fairly and not ignored because of *who* they are. (note: I say that without knowing a single thing about who these girls might be.. it's the principle of the thing in my opinion.) I guess we'll see what happens soon enough. Until then, yuck!
Nothing is hurting too badly, anyway. Nothing more than my left Achilles' tendon, although I find that icing it after a Saturday run is sufficient to keep it from flaring up too wildly. This getting older business sucks. I suppose it would suck even more if I didn't do anything to try and improve my fitness level.
So, Monday was day 1 of the Hundred Push-Up Challenge for me. O U C H !!! Actually, I did not so great on the initial test, but I was able to complete the full day of pu's without any problems. (I guess that's what happens when you're on the slow/weak person's program!) It's a Mon-Wed-Fri thing, so I look forward to trying this again tomorrow. I could definitely feel a soreness in my chest while I was jogging tonight. That's good, right?
I heard tonight about an alleged hazing incident at a local high school. All I can see is that I don't look forward to my daughter growing up. Too many young girls (not all obviously, but the ones you hear about on the news) have no sense, less class, and a dire need to have their butts whipped. What the hell are they thinking to pee in their undies and put them on someone's head?? Someone you're going to be cheering with all year long. Someone who is likely to be on your shoulders at some point... Someone who could easily have an OOPS! moment in the near future.
Clearly I'm about revenge. It'll be interesting to see how this is managed. The girls are all said to be away at cheer-camp right now, so nothing happens until later. District policy is supposed to specify that anyone participating in "hazing" will be removed from the team and not allowed to participate in other extracurricular activities. hmmmmm I hope that if these girls really did do this that the punishment is applied fairly and not ignored because of *who* they are. (note: I say that without knowing a single thing about who these girls might be.. it's the principle of the thing in my opinion.) I guess we'll see what happens soon enough. Until then, yuck!
Friday, July 25, 2008
I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill last night. Nothing phenomenal about it ~ just getting the minutes in to increase my endurance. I'm working on lengthening my stride on the treadmill so that I'm working harder and hopefully, better mimicking what I'd be doing if I ran outside.
I've scheduled a very early morning run on Saturday with the girls. 5 miles. It'll be nice to get out and run with them while it's still somewhat cool. The group is meeting later for the same distance, but I prefer completing the run earlier this weekend.
Not much else going on here, except that I learned about this neat little Hundred Push-up Challenge I'm thinking of doing. It should be quite difficult, very challenging, and lots of fun.
Work is so crazy right now that I can't even think to blog. My mind is a blank because it's so filled with work stuff. Since I don't blog about that, I'll end this now.
I've scheduled a very early morning run on Saturday with the girls. 5 miles. It'll be nice to get out and run with them while it's still somewhat cool. The group is meeting later for the same distance, but I prefer completing the run earlier this weekend.
Not much else going on here, except that I learned about this neat little Hundred Push-up Challenge I'm thinking of doing. It should be quite difficult, very challenging, and lots of fun.
Work is so crazy right now that I can't even think to blog. My mind is a blank because it's so filled with work stuff. Since I don't blog about that, I'll end this now.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Patricia, if you're reading, I ran again today! 35 minutes, well 34:36, and I did 3 miles. yay me! Last night's run was super slow because I took the doggie out with me. She had fun, but she stopped and sniffed a lot, too. Tonight was quicker because I was in a climate controlled environment with a/c and a fan ~ yes, I ran on the dreadmill.
Gotta love the t/dreadmill; it makes my overall average speed look much less pathetic.
Tomorrow is a night off, but think I'll try to do yoga or pilates or something useful. Hunter also has to film an audition for a Target commercial. Wish her luck!
Gotta love the t/dreadmill; it makes my overall average speed look much less pathetic.
Tomorrow is a night off, but think I'll try to do yoga or pilates or something useful. Hunter also has to film an audition for a Target commercial. Wish her luck!
Monday, July 21, 2008
So I haven't blogged in a while... again. I have been running, minus the business trip to Toronto. It would have been great to run there, and I did take my stuff with a plan to do just that ~ run. Then there were the long hours of work and then the long hours of networking and then the multiple glasses of wine and/or vodka. It just didn't add up to a landscape that said "put on your running shoes & go!"
Actually, it did but I felt obligated [read: weak] to do the social thing with the boss I only see rarely and the team members from other places. The course I attended was great. I can't wait to begin instructing. But I needed to run, and I didn't.
I paid for it on Saturday morning. Trish was unable to join us as she's still in Cali, so Tina asked that I run with the front of the group, while she ensured that we didn't lose any stragglers off the back end. That worked out well as our group is full of different paces and fitness levels. I felt badly because we had one woman who had to get to work fairly quickly and so she needed to run faster than the group was going. If I'd gone with her, the bulk of the group would have been left behind. What I did was keep an eye out for her going on without us and one of the guys ran up with her (safety, and all that). It worked out well. We all finished slowly, but we finished and I felt good in the end.
Only note on aches/pains is that this is the second Saturday in a row that my left Achilles tendon has felt tight and painful (not excruciating, just not good) toward the end of the run. Then it gets worse throughout the day. I avoided much of the "later in the day" pain by first taking the kids and the rottie to the park then returning the rottie to the house and taking the kids to the pool. We hung out there all afternoon and had a blast. I also think the water & stretching worked to relieve some of the pain. Oh yeah, and the ice I put on it. That didn't hurt.
At this point, I'm not worried about it but I am going to keep an eye on how it feels. The goal is to do this stuff without getting hurt. Doing it is not enough ~ it must be that I'm doing it pain-free.
Next event is 8/31/2008 ~ HR10k in Austin ~ woohoo!
Actually, it did but I felt obligated [read: weak] to do the social thing with the boss I only see rarely and the team members from other places. The course I attended was great. I can't wait to begin instructing. But I needed to run, and I didn't.
I paid for it on Saturday morning. Trish was unable to join us as she's still in Cali, so Tina asked that I run with the front of the group, while she ensured that we didn't lose any stragglers off the back end. That worked out well as our group is full of different paces and fitness levels. I felt badly because we had one woman who had to get to work fairly quickly and so she needed to run faster than the group was going. If I'd gone with her, the bulk of the group would have been left behind. What I did was keep an eye out for her going on without us and one of the guys ran up with her (safety, and all that). It worked out well. We all finished slowly, but we finished and I felt good in the end.
Only note on aches/pains is that this is the second Saturday in a row that my left Achilles tendon has felt tight and painful (not excruciating, just not good) toward the end of the run. Then it gets worse throughout the day. I avoided much of the "later in the day" pain by first taking the kids and the rottie to the park then returning the rottie to the house and taking the kids to the pool. We hung out there all afternoon and had a blast. I also think the water & stretching worked to relieve some of the pain. Oh yeah, and the ice I put on it. That didn't hurt.
At this point, I'm not worried about it but I am going to keep an eye on how it feels. The goal is to do this stuff without getting hurt. Doing it is not enough ~ it must be that I'm doing it pain-free.
Next event is 8/31/2008 ~ HR10k in Austin ~ woohoo!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Today I woke up early to run before going to work. I knew I'd return home late after the HOA Board meeting and I wanted to be certain I didn't have any excuses to avoid my run. It turned out to be a good thing. My legs didn't feel too tired. They weren't too sore while I was running. I did simple 3/1 repeats and was able to maintain a faster pace due to more frequent walking breaks. I hate doing 3/1's. They feel like failure to me. HUGE, HORRIBLE, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. (yes, I know I tend to be a bit dramatic at times)
However, compared to overstressing myself and not being able to finish what I start, I'll have to accept that I am not at the level I want to be just yet. That sucks, but it's the truth, and one thing I've learned is that no matter how ugly the truth is, it's still the truth. It doesn't change just because it's not pretty enough.
I head out on a business trip next week. It's to a new place, so I'm excited about that. Also, I have a new camera and I'm anxious to test it. New places are usually good for that sort of thing.
I'm tired now so I'm going to curl up with with chocolate, a good book, and Nicholas and go to sleep. He's already in our bed and asking if he can share my pillow. Between him and Joel, I can't decide who is giving me the biggest puppy dog looks and fussing the most for me to come to bed. It's cute and sweet. I think I'll go now.
However, compared to overstressing myself and not being able to finish what I start, I'll have to accept that I am not at the level I want to be just yet. That sucks, but it's the truth, and one thing I've learned is that no matter how ugly the truth is, it's still the truth. It doesn't change just because it's not pretty enough.
I head out on a business trip next week. It's to a new place, so I'm excited about that. Also, I have a new camera and I'm anxious to test it. New places are usually good for that sort of thing.
I'm tired now so I'm going to curl up with with chocolate, a good book, and Nicholas and go to sleep. He's already in our bed and asking if he can share my pillow. Between him and Joel, I can't decide who is giving me the biggest puppy dog looks and fussing the most for me to come to bed. It's cute and sweet. I think I'll go now.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Today I received an email from the KatyFit coach with a bunch of info for use in preparing to start training. It's embarrassing to admit how excited I was to get it. Apparently it doesn't take much to get me all worked up these days.
So, off I rushed to download the entire season's training plan and after reviewing it my thoughts were somewhere along the line of, wtf was I thinking? Then I shocked myself by thinking, I should have signed up for the half.. the half would have been easy. Oh yeah, says the woman who turtled through a 5k with an official time of 41:12. Easy-peasy as my colleague would say.
Once I reminded myself that this is not only a challenge, but in fact is also a birthday present to myself (the whole achievement thing), I moved on to my next fear ~ there aren't enough really LONG runs in there. Okay, pardon me but really, what do I know about this other than what I read? I barely know enough to know what's crap and what's good advice. Why on Earth would I question guidance from a national training organization?
Yep, you guessed it. I have already begun lining up excuses for failure. What's remarkable is that I only just realized that fact. I thought I was simply being a know-it-all and difficult, as I'm often prone to be. So tomorrow, when Joel asks why I was up typing after I logged my training data into the system, I'll be able to say I was having a lightbulb moment.
Speaking of those moments when you realize something profound, or less than profound, I'm anticipating another one soon. I've been eating everything that can't run from me and I don't know what the motivation behind that could be. Whatever it is, it isn't fun and it needs to end in a hurry. I've been under stress at work, but that's not anything new and it's good stress. I'm completely wigging out about something else but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is. By putting it out there into the Universe, I hope to release it.
I won't be a slave to that which won't show itself, ya know? That sounds a bit like a taunt, although it's not meant to be. No good reason exists to fret and agonize over something that's vague and lacking in clarity. Enough real horror is present to obsess about, if I choose to do it.
I choose not.
So, off I rushed to download the entire season's training plan and after reviewing it my thoughts were somewhere along the line of, wtf was I thinking? Then I shocked myself by thinking, I should have signed up for the half.. the half would have been easy. Oh yeah, says the woman who turtled through a 5k with an official time of 41:12. Easy-peasy as my colleague would say.
Once I reminded myself that this is not only a challenge, but in fact is also a birthday present to myself (the whole achievement thing), I moved on to my next fear ~ there aren't enough really LONG runs in there. Okay, pardon me but really, what do I know about this other than what I read? I barely know enough to know what's crap and what's good advice. Why on Earth would I question guidance from a national training organization?
Yep, you guessed it. I have already begun lining up excuses for failure. What's remarkable is that I only just realized that fact. I thought I was simply being a know-it-all and difficult, as I'm often prone to be. So tomorrow, when Joel asks why I was up typing after I logged my training data into the system, I'll be able to say I was having a lightbulb moment.
Speaking of those moments when you realize something profound, or less than profound, I'm anticipating another one soon. I've been eating everything that can't run from me and I don't know what the motivation behind that could be. Whatever it is, it isn't fun and it needs to end in a hurry. I've been under stress at work, but that's not anything new and it's good stress. I'm completely wigging out about something else but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is. By putting it out there into the Universe, I hope to release it.
I won't be a slave to that which won't show itself, ya know? That sounds a bit like a taunt, although it's not meant to be. No good reason exists to fret and agonize over something that's vague and lacking in clarity. Enough real horror is present to obsess about, if I choose to do it.
I choose not.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Today I turtled through the Run Wild 5k at Uptown Park Plaza. Seriously, I wonder if I could have been slower if I tried. I wasn't the slowest person out there, not even in the slowest 20 actually. However, my hr was so flippin' high that I was actually scared at the end. I didn't hurt at all, but I'm not stupid and I know when I need to slow down and get my hr under control.
I wonder if it was because I was dehydrated; I didn't take as much care as I should have to properly hydrate this week. Frankly, I had far too many diet cokes this past week. I also got in little exercise. Joel is home this week, my new manager was in town, and I wanted to spend my evenings with the kids. That all combined to result in no workouts during the week. 6 miles on Saturday, 3 miles on Sunday followed by walking all day at SeaWorld, then nothing until this morning.
It's no wonder I felt horrible.
Tomorrow I meet Tina & Trish early to do another 3 or 4 miles. At least it won't be 100 degrees at 5:30!
I wonder if it was because I was dehydrated; I didn't take as much care as I should have to properly hydrate this week. Frankly, I had far too many diet cokes this past week. I also got in little exercise. Joel is home this week, my new manager was in town, and I wanted to spend my evenings with the kids. That all combined to result in no workouts during the week. 6 miles on Saturday, 3 miles on Sunday followed by walking all day at SeaWorld, then nothing until this morning.
It's no wonder I felt horrible.
Tomorrow I meet Tina & Trish early to do another 3 or 4 miles. At least it won't be 100 degrees at 5:30!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
6 miles today, and a big old OUCH this evening. Nothing more than being sore from having not run much more than 2 miles at a time in a couple of weeks. So Tina had a swim meet with kids this morning and Patricia ended up with a delayed flight from the west coast, and I ran alone. Me and the hundred other folks who were out there ~ running, cycling, and I even saw one guy inline-skating. I miss doing that. I wish I'd known about this trail/park when I first moved here.
I was worried that running alone ~ without another person willing to turtle along with me ~ would make it difficult for me to do the full run that I'd planned. Instead, I had my iPod with me and just let the music set the pace. That and the HR readings from the new Garmin305 I splurged on. Not only do I know for real how far I've run now, but I also know I can find my way back if I'm ever foolish enough to get off course. Having a screwy calibration, care of my calibrating the Nike+ on a treadmill was likely to be detrimental to training for this marathon. With the extra .20miles it added for just about every real mile I ran, well, just do the math on that. I'd never train as much as I should, and then the 26.2 would end up feeling like 30+ or something.
The kids and Joel are playing KungFuPanda on the Wii as I type this. It's cute and they're just cheering daddy on! I think we may end up at the movie soon. Hunter's seen it but Nicholas, Joel & I have not. hmmmm what else.. tomorrow we head out for a day trip to SeaWorld. We had such a great time there week before last with Dakota and them that we're taking the little ones for the day. The season passes definitely look like they'll be getting used this year. I plan to get up and do a short recovery run with the girls early and then come home, clean up, and head out for the 2+ hours in the car. Nicholas has been asking all week to go back on the "rollercoaster boat" and the "dolphin rollercoaster". So it looks like we're going. I'm looking forward to it.
Oh, and I'm all excited because I signed up for a 5k on the 4th of July and I can't wait to do it! Also, I just signed up for the Nike+ Human Race 10K something or other in Austin... woohoo!
On the new shoe front, below is the link to the pair I have. I'm still not sure if I love them or need to trade them in for something more suitable. They're really comfy, but the heel feels low. I wonder if that won't become a problem on a long run. Since I want to consider returning them, I don't want to take them out for a longer (for me) run. I should have gone to a running store. The folks at the particular Sports Authority from which I purchased them had no clue about the shoes they were selling, other than the price. Oh well... lesson learned.
Nike Zoom Hayward 3.0 If anyone has info/opinions/etc on these shoes, please post a comment. Thanks!
I was worried that running alone ~ without another person willing to turtle along with me ~ would make it difficult for me to do the full run that I'd planned. Instead, I had my iPod with me and just let the music set the pace. That and the HR readings from the new Garmin305 I splurged on. Not only do I know for real how far I've run now, but I also know I can find my way back if I'm ever foolish enough to get off course. Having a screwy calibration, care of my calibrating the Nike+ on a treadmill was likely to be detrimental to training for this marathon. With the extra .20miles it added for just about every real mile I ran, well, just do the math on that. I'd never train as much as I should, and then the 26.2 would end up feeling like 30+ or something.
The kids and Joel are playing KungFuPanda on the Wii as I type this. It's cute and they're just cheering daddy on! I think we may end up at the movie soon. Hunter's seen it but Nicholas, Joel & I have not. hmmmm what else.. tomorrow we head out for a day trip to SeaWorld. We had such a great time there week before last with Dakota and them that we're taking the little ones for the day. The season passes definitely look like they'll be getting used this year. I plan to get up and do a short recovery run with the girls early and then come home, clean up, and head out for the 2+ hours in the car. Nicholas has been asking all week to go back on the "rollercoaster boat" and the "dolphin rollercoaster". So it looks like we're going. I'm looking forward to it.
Oh, and I'm all excited because I signed up for a 5k on the 4th of July and I can't wait to do it! Also, I just signed up for the Nike+ Human Race 10K something or other in Austin... woohoo!
On the new shoe front, below is the link to the pair I have. I'm still not sure if I love them or need to trade them in for something more suitable. They're really comfy, but the heel feels low. I wonder if that won't become a problem on a long run. Since I want to consider returning them, I don't want to take them out for a longer (for me) run. I should have gone to a running store. The folks at the particular Sports Authority from which I purchased them had no clue about the shoes they were selling, other than the price. Oh well... lesson learned.
Nike Zoom Hayward 3.0 If anyone has info/opinions/etc on these shoes, please post a comment. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I'm still not consistent about posting, but I'm getting better about running. Go me!
I managed to leave my iPod at home tonight so I couldn't officially track my 2 mile run through Nike+. I did add it to the BTT tracker, but it won't count in my challenges. That's a shame. Every slow mile that I slug through should count, I think.
My laptop battery is almost drained. It's late, and I'm tired. There's not much to say except that I'm still enjoying running. Yoga took a backseat this week to work, which is crazy. I did manage to get in some cross-training on the elliptical trainer. I think I'm almost ready to try spinning again or possibly, just maybe, swimming.
Then again, maybe I'll just stick to running and whatever you call what I do on the elliptical machine. Swimming seems like too much mental effort, or I could just be a wuss.
I managed to leave my iPod at home tonight so I couldn't officially track my 2 mile run through Nike+. I did add it to the BTT tracker, but it won't count in my challenges. That's a shame. Every slow mile that I slug through should count, I think.
My laptop battery is almost drained. It's late, and I'm tired. There's not much to say except that I'm still enjoying running. Yoga took a backseat this week to work, which is crazy. I did manage to get in some cross-training on the elliptical trainer. I think I'm almost ready to try spinning again or possibly, just maybe, swimming.
Then again, maybe I'll just stick to running and whatever you call what I do on the elliptical machine. Swimming seems like too much mental effort, or I could just be a wuss.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Yoga rocks.
Went to a fantastic 60 minute class mid-day. I was a bit sore from this week's running and in need of relaxation and stretching, and the class did not disappoint. Lots of static positions, a whole bunch of stretching, and even some visualization thrown in there for good measure. I so enjoy it when the instructor doesn't just approach yoga as an athletic endeavor, but one for the mind, body, and soul.
So what do I do when I feel all rejuvenated and inspired? I rush home after work, feed the kiddos a quick dinner, pile them into the car, and go to Bally's where I proceeded to spend 20 minutes on the StairMaster (not the stepper but the actual stair-climbing torture device) and then 40 minutes on the elliptical machine. It just feels so good to be active again. I know I still have a long way to go, but this is so much better than the whole couch-potato image I was sporting.
yuck. That visual was just icky, wasn't it?
The weight loss effort is going well. I'm down about 15lbs. R E A L L Y S L O W P R O G R E SS but I am happy that the scale is moving in the right direction. It could be a lot worse if I wasn't losing, or gaining. I think it's helpful that I'm attempting to make better choices about food. Instead of just starving myself and then binging on crap, I'm probably half starving myself and then eating healthy foods. It's a start, right?
Occasionally I feel a panic attack coming on when I think about 26.2 miles. At this point, 5 miles seems like a killer. 10 is a "holy shit, how will I do that?!" moment. 26.2????
I am SO going to do this. Not only am I determined, but I'm also excited. I really can't wait! The weight loss will be a perk, not to mention that it will make it easier to finish the run, but beyond that, just running this marathon will be such an accomplishment.
Went to a fantastic 60 minute class mid-day. I was a bit sore from this week's running and in need of relaxation and stretching, and the class did not disappoint. Lots of static positions, a whole bunch of stretching, and even some visualization thrown in there for good measure. I so enjoy it when the instructor doesn't just approach yoga as an athletic endeavor, but one for the mind, body, and soul.
So what do I do when I feel all rejuvenated and inspired? I rush home after work, feed the kiddos a quick dinner, pile them into the car, and go to Bally's where I proceeded to spend 20 minutes on the StairMaster (not the stepper but the actual stair-climbing torture device) and then 40 minutes on the elliptical machine. It just feels so good to be active again. I know I still have a long way to go, but this is so much better than the whole couch-potato image I was sporting.
yuck. That visual was just icky, wasn't it?
The weight loss effort is going well. I'm down about 15lbs. R E A L L Y S L O W P R O G R E SS but I am happy that the scale is moving in the right direction. It could be a lot worse if I wasn't losing, or
Occasionally I feel a panic attack coming on when I think about 26.2 miles. At this point, 5 miles seems like a killer. 10 is a "holy shit, how will I do that?!" moment. 26.2????
I am SO going to do this. Not only am I determined, but I'm also excited. I really can't wait! The weight loss will be a perk, not to mention that it will make it easier to finish the run, but beyond that, just running this marathon will be such an accomplishment.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sometimes I wonder how a few select people make it through the day without just keeling over from the sheer magnitude of the combination of ignorance and ego. And then I come home and run and feel a bit better. Thank goodness I have Friday off.
The more I run, the more I realize that running is beginning to provide me with the sense of calm I've needed for a while. I still have a long way to go towards finding peace, seeking joy, and all that kum-bah-yah crap, but I'm enjoying the journey.
Tonight's run felt good; I felt stronger than I have in ages. The reasoning behind it is a mystery to me, but I'm appreciative nonetheless. I'm looking forward to Saturday's run with Tina and the other KatyFit'ers.
Tomorrow I'll try to make it to a mid-day yoga class, but the work may get out of control. I think I should rename "yoga" to "physical therapy". It is, after all, the prescribed route for physio-ing my shoulder injury so it's not entirely untrue. Besides, they have the BEST yummy salads I can bring back for lunch.
The kids had so much fun at Bally's the other night that I'll try and make time to get up there after work with them. I hope to get in some cardio that evening, even if it's just elliptical training or the stair machine. It wouldn't kill me to do some resistance training, but I'm still hesitant about my shoulder. Think I'll stick with yoga for a bit until I know my arm isn't going to go all painful on me again.
I suppose that's it for now. It's time to see if I can convince Nicholas to get back in bed. The kid just doesn't require any sleep. I don't know how he does it!
Toodles!
The more I run, the more I realize that running is beginning to provide me with the sense of calm I've needed for a while. I still have a long way to go towards finding peace, seeking joy, and all that kum-bah-yah crap, but I'm enjoying the journey.
Tonight's run felt good; I felt stronger than I have in ages. The reasoning behind it is a mystery to me, but I'm appreciative nonetheless. I'm looking forward to Saturday's run with Tina and the other KatyFit'ers.
Tomorrow I'll try to make it to a mid-day yoga class, but the work may get out of control. I think I should rename "yoga" to "physical therapy". It is, after all, the prescribed route for physio-ing my shoulder injury so it's not entirely untrue. Besides, they have the BEST yummy salads I can bring back for lunch.
The kids had so much fun at Bally's the other night that I'll try and make time to get up there after work with them. I hope to get in some cardio that evening, even if it's just elliptical training or the stair machine. It wouldn't kill me to do some resistance training, but I'm still hesitant about my shoulder. Think I'll stick with yoga for a bit until I know my arm isn't going to go all painful on me again.
I suppose that's it for now. It's time to see if I can convince Nicholas to get back in bed. The kid just doesn't require any sleep. I don't know how he does it!
Toodles!
Monday, May 12, 2008
I still love running.
It's still kicking my tail. Tonight was surprisingly easy given that I spent last week in Chicago doing nothing but working, eating & having my limit of 1-2 glasses of red wine per evening. I'm lucky I didn't gain 10 lbs.
Saturday's run is schedule to begin earlier to accommodate the heat and increasingly longer distances. Fortunately, I'm still not going that long. I'll get there, but not quite yet.
I'm sort of excited about going this week because it looks like Joel might go with me. He put forth a half-hearted effort once before when I tried to get him involved in what I enjoyed, but that's all become clear in the past few months as to why he never really gave it a shot. Now that we're moving beyond those problems, I hope he can find enjoyment in the things I like, as I'm trying to do the same for him.
We'll see. I am looking forward to seeing how this all turns out.
It's still kicking my tail. Tonight was surprisingly easy given that I spent last week in Chicago doing nothing but working, eating & having my limit of 1-2 glasses of red wine per evening. I'm lucky I didn't gain 10 lbs.
Saturday's run is schedule to begin earlier to accommodate the heat and increasingly longer distances. Fortunately, I'm still not going that long. I'll get there, but not quite yet.
I'm sort of excited about going this week because it looks like Joel might go with me. He put forth a half-hearted effort once before when I tried to get him involved in what I enjoyed, but that's all become clear in the past few months as to why he never really gave it a shot. Now that we're moving beyond those problems, I hope he can find enjoyment in the things I like, as I'm trying to do the same for him.
We'll see. I am looking forward to seeing how this all turns out.
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