In honor of the 3 blog followers that I lost in the past 3 hours (yes, it's true...although I'm not sure what warranted this sudden unfollowing trend)...
I'd like to give a warm, Joggerslife welcome back to two of my old best friends.
Collar Bone,
and
Triceps Muscle!
Upon their recent reappearance, I questioned their months long hiatus. I learned that they have been on a temporary vacation, one in which they brought along massive quantities of food, and did very little exercise.
I'm happy to have them back, I really missed them.
I plan to fully question collar bone and triceps later on today to see if I can figure out where some of my other former companions (gluteus maximus, biceps, latissimus dorsi) have been as of late. Hopefully, together with collar bone and triceps I can convince the rest to return.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sexy Six Pack Challenge (LATE) Update
I had every intention of publishing this post prior to the 2/20 Sexy Six Pack Challenge deadline, but the dog ate my laptop. Not really. I just didn't do it. For some reason, I'm having a difficult time lately turning my laptop on between Thursday & Sunday. There are just so many other things to do lately. In addition, I'm sure most of you know that when the computer turns on, one is instantly sucked into the centrifuge that is "the world wide web". An innocent check of the email or blog comments can turn into a 3 hour traipse around the WWW, and I have no willpower when it comes to such centrifugal things.
In any case.
I did not post in a timely fashion, but wanted to update just the same.
When I started the challenge, I planned on doing the 2009 Men's Health Belly Off program. This proved to be somewhat too complicated for my brain to wrap itself around, and I ended up here, doing a free, streaming version of 8-Minute-Abs from 1980-something. The deal was that we were to do our chosen plan 3 times per week. I stuck with that, and I also did some less intensive abs at the gym from time to time. In addition, I've been training for my 1/2 for the past 4 weeks, so my running mileage has increased, as well as having added push-ups and some additional stability and core work. These things have factored into the equation as well. I haven't, however, changed my eating habits in any significant way. If anything, I've been eating more because I have been so schmarfing hungry lately.
In one of my impromptu Thoughtful Thursday updates, I told you about my snafu with the measuring tape, so these measurements are based on my new (less forgiving) measuring tape. I did all new measurements around February 5th when I discovered the measuring tape debacle, so there is about a week of "limbo" in there. No biggie.
Waist 2/5: 33"
Waist 2/20: 31.5" (ironically, this is where I started with the old measuring tape)
Loss: 1.5"
Bust 2/5: 39.5"
Bust 2/20: 38"
Loss: 1.5"
Hips 2/5: 38"
Hips 2/20: 37"
Loss: 1"
Right Biceps 2/5: 12"
Right Biceps 2/20: 11.5"
Loss: 0.5"
Left Biceps 2/5: 11.5"
Left Biceps 2/20: 11.5"
Loss: 0"
Right Upper Thigh 2/5: 18.5"
Right Upper Thigh 2/20: 18"
Loss: 0.5"
Left Upper Thigh 2/5: 18"
Left Upper Thigh 2/20: 18"
Loss: 0"
Right Calf 2/5: 16.5"
Right Calf 2/20: 16"
Loss: 0.5"
Left Calf 2/5: 15"
Left Calf 2/20: 15"
(I was quite surprised that my right calf was a full 1.5" larger than my left calf. That was interesting since my right calf is the one that is always bothering me.)
Loss: 0"
Total Loss: 5.5"
My conclusion:
In addition to the 5.5" (all over) loss, my abs are much tighter. Did I mention much tighter? I was dealing with a serious bowl of jelly before, and now I actually feel my abs engaging when I run, as well as when I'm doing everyday things. I was basically ignoring my abs. They were completely neglected and planning a hostile takeover. I would attribute the inches lost not only to the ab work I did with the 8-minute abs video, but also to increased mileage with running.
From a core-strength perspective, I really like the 8-minute abs video. I'll continue doing this video on a regular basis. It gives me exactly what I need...a fast, concise, pin-pointed ab workout, in only 8 minutes. I'm chronically impatient, so it's perfect for me.
In any case.
I did not post in a timely fashion, but wanted to update just the same.
When I started the challenge, I planned on doing the 2009 Men's Health Belly Off program. This proved to be somewhat too complicated for my brain to wrap itself around, and I ended up here, doing a free, streaming version of 8-Minute-Abs from 1980-something. The deal was that we were to do our chosen plan 3 times per week. I stuck with that, and I also did some less intensive abs at the gym from time to time. In addition, I've been training for my 1/2 for the past 4 weeks, so my running mileage has increased, as well as having added push-ups and some additional stability and core work. These things have factored into the equation as well. I haven't, however, changed my eating habits in any significant way. If anything, I've been eating more because I have been so schmarfing hungry lately.
In one of my impromptu Thoughtful Thursday updates, I told you about my snafu with the measuring tape, so these measurements are based on my new (less forgiving) measuring tape. I did all new measurements around February 5th when I discovered the measuring tape debacle, so there is about a week of "limbo" in there. No biggie.
Waist 2/5: 33"
Waist 2/20: 31.5" (ironically, this is where I started with the old measuring tape)
Loss: 1.5"
Bust 2/5: 39.5"
Bust 2/20: 38"
Loss: 1.5"
Hips 2/5: 38"
Hips 2/20: 37"
Loss: 1"
Right Biceps 2/5: 12"
Right Biceps 2/20: 11.5"
Loss: 0.5"
Left Biceps 2/5: 11.5"
Left Biceps 2/20: 11.5"
Loss: 0"
Right Upper Thigh 2/5: 18.5"
Right Upper Thigh 2/20: 18"
Loss: 0.5"
Left Upper Thigh 2/5: 18"
Left Upper Thigh 2/20: 18"
Loss: 0"
Right Calf 2/5: 16.5"
Right Calf 2/20: 16"
Loss: 0.5"
Left Calf 2/5: 15"
Left Calf 2/20: 15"
(I was quite surprised that my right calf was a full 1.5" larger than my left calf. That was interesting since my right calf is the one that is always bothering me.)
Loss: 0"
Total Loss: 5.5"
My conclusion:
In addition to the 5.5" (all over) loss, my abs are much tighter. Did I mention much tighter? I was dealing with a serious bowl of jelly before, and now I actually feel my abs engaging when I run, as well as when I'm doing everyday things. I was basically ignoring my abs. They were completely neglected and planning a hostile takeover. I would attribute the inches lost not only to the ab work I did with the 8-minute abs video, but also to increased mileage with running.
From a core-strength perspective, I really like the 8-minute abs video. I'll continue doing this video on a regular basis. It gives me exactly what I need...a fast, concise, pin-pointed ab workout, in only 8 minutes. I'm chronically impatient, so it's perfect for me.
Friday, February 20, 2009
My run-in with the bucket of Pad Thai yesterday didn't prove to help nor hinder last night's run. I ran a little over 4 miles, and my average pace was 10:28. Not as good as Tuesday's super fabulous 10:16 pace, but I'll take it. I'd love to stay consistent now in the 10:30 area. It seems much more favorable to announce "I run at a 10:30 pace" rather than "I'm so slow that moms running with baby strollers filled with 40lb children pass me".
It's kind of humiliating when things like that happen.
p.s...is it even OK to put your 40lb child in a stroller? That always makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it, but maybe that's just me.
Moving along...
I'm no stranger to humiliating jogging moments though. The first time that I ran in Centennial Park (where I now do my long Sunday runs), was for a 5K race. It was the same location (different race) where My Gazelle finished the Police Pace 5K like an hour before me.
This first experience with the 5K at Centennial Lake came as a result of Robert.
Hmmm...I think I'm noticing a pattern here.
Back then, Robert had organized a group of runners to wear gear for his studio, "Peak Performance Fitness", during the race. He wanted us to run the race, but he also wanted us to advertise for him by having his logo emblazoned across the front AND BACK of our shirts.
I was cool with that.
I had been training.
A little.
Not much.
But certainly enough to make it through a piddly ass little 5K.
In the dead of winter.
In Maryland.
It was the Jingle Bell Run. That means that it's ass cold outside, and a bunch of total toolbags (like me) get together and run 3.2 miles. Snot flying everywhere. Oh, and we also tie bells onto our shoelaces, so with every wretched step, there is this cute little "jingle". Isn't that adorable?
The reality was that I wasn't prepared at all.
Within the first 1/4 mile, I was pulled off on the side of the road "stretching". In other words, I wanted to turn around and run back because I was way too friggen winded and tired and defeated to go another step. Instead, I paused to collect my thoughts, wipe the snot from my upper lip, "stretch", and then tried to forge ahead.
Again and again (and again), I would start off strong, run for about 2.8 minutes, and then pull off on the side of the road again. It was pathetic.
As if the humiliation of not being able to run even a 1/4 mile without stopping wasn't enough, I was advertising "PEAK PERFORMANCE FITNESS" in huge letters...plastered across my chest as I gasped for air and hacked up a lung.
At one point, pulled over on the side of the road, someone ran by and yelled "C'MON PEAK PERFORMANCE FITNESS! WHAT KIND OF PEAK PERFORMANCE IS THAT??!!"
If I had any energy left at all, I would have turned my shirt inside out.
I finished that stupid race in 34:30. I took a lot of stretch breaks.
At this moment, my only fear is that Robert is going to expect me to wear one of his shirts for the Frederick 1/2. I think that I will humbly decline.
It's kind of humiliating when things like that happen.
p.s...is it even OK to put your 40lb child in a stroller? That always makes me feel uncomfortable when I see it, but maybe that's just me.
Moving along...
I'm no stranger to humiliating jogging moments though. The first time that I ran in Centennial Park (where I now do my long Sunday runs), was for a 5K race. It was the same location (different race) where My Gazelle finished the Police Pace 5K like an hour before me.
This first experience with the 5K at Centennial Lake came as a result of Robert.
Hmmm...I think I'm noticing a pattern here.
Back then, Robert had organized a group of runners to wear gear for his studio, "Peak Performance Fitness", during the race. He wanted us to run the race, but he also wanted us to advertise for him by having his logo emblazoned across the front AND BACK of our shirts.
I was cool with that.
I had been training.
A little.
Not much.
But certainly enough to make it through a piddly ass little 5K.
In the dead of winter.
In Maryland.
It was the Jingle Bell Run. That means that it's ass cold outside, and a bunch of total toolbags (like me) get together and run 3.2 miles. Snot flying everywhere. Oh, and we also tie bells onto our shoelaces, so with every wretched step, there is this cute little "jingle". Isn't that adorable?
The reality was that I wasn't prepared at all.
Within the first 1/4 mile, I was pulled off on the side of the road "stretching". In other words, I wanted to turn around and run back because I was way too friggen winded and tired and defeated to go another step. Instead, I paused to collect my thoughts, wipe the snot from my upper lip, "stretch", and then tried to forge ahead.
Again and again (and again), I would start off strong, run for about 2.8 minutes, and then pull off on the side of the road again. It was pathetic.
As if the humiliation of not being able to run even a 1/4 mile without stopping wasn't enough, I was advertising "PEAK PERFORMANCE FITNESS" in huge letters...plastered across my chest as I gasped for air and hacked up a lung.
At one point, pulled over on the side of the road, someone ran by and yelled "C'MON PEAK PERFORMANCE FITNESS! WHAT KIND OF PEAK PERFORMANCE IS THAT??!!"
If I had any energy left at all, I would have turned my shirt inside out.
I finished that stupid race in 34:30. I took a lot of stretch breaks.
At this moment, my only fear is that Robert is going to expect me to wear one of his shirts for the Frederick 1/2. I think that I will humbly decline.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thoughtful Thursday
My first thought when I typed "Thoughtful Thursday" was...
Holy crap! It's Thursday already?! And, that has basically been the theme for my whole week...
Holy crap! It's (insert day here) already??!!
I am completely off balance/out of alignment/non-focused this week from a mental standpoint. I mean...I'm not mental, per se. Just not all "there". I'm scatterbrained. Flaky. Blonde. Without being exactly blonde.
Sorry blondes.
That said, don't expect organization to magically occur in this post. Don't wait for it. It just won't ever arrive.
1) I wonder if the fact that I just ate an entire troth full of shrimp pad thai from Pei Wei is going to make me run fast like lightening tonight? My logical guess is a resounding "NNNNNOOOOO!", but a girl can dream. Shrimp pad thai is basically the bane of my existence. I crave the cilantro. The noodles. The peanutty spicy goodness. I'm pretty sure that if someone set another troth of shrimp pad thai in front of me right now, I'd eat that one too. All of it. With no regard for how slow it'd make me run tonight. Now that's devotion. To the pad thai, and to my running schedule.
2)
You know what this is? This, loved ones, is a registration confirmation which clearly states, "there is no backing out now, candyass!" Oh, you don't see it there? It's definitely right there in bold font...maybe you just can't see it because it's written in a font that can only be viewed by candyasses like myself. So, consider yourself lucky that you can't read it.
This is my official registration for the Maryland Double, which means that I am really and truly going to run two 1/2 marathons this year. In the same calendar year. Within mere months of each other. I've only ran 3 5K's in my life. The pure logistics of pulling this off still sometimes boggles my mind, but I'm really doin it. The novelty will wear off. I'll stop marveling in it. Just be patient with me. I need some time. Love me anyway, ok?
3) Proof that I can actually pull this off is in the fact that I'm 3.5 weeks into training, and I feel awesome. I had to shift my run schedule because last night I got locked out of my house (long story), but I'll make it up by running tonight and tomorrow (my normal full rest day is Friday). So, Tuesday I did a 4.5 mile awesome, SUPER, fabulous run on the treadmill at 10:16 average pace. WHAT? Did I just say 10:16 aahhhvvverage pace? Yes, yes. 10:16 average pace. I was totally kicking ass. I did the P:I week 3 run again, and totally crushed it. My legs were sore from the strength crap that I did on Monday, but I ran through it and everything was fine. I'm actually kind of glad that I switched up my runs this week because I had an extra day to recover from that run on Tuesday. Tonight I'll run 4, tomorrow just 2, then Sunday is my long run of 7. This week I will actually do 7...no copping out this time like last week. Candyass.
4) I am going to get a Garmin. I said it. I'm still a jogger though. Don't be fooled by the Garmin. I'm just afraid that if I get the Polar, I'll wish that I got a Garmin down the road at some point, and then I'll have to buy a Garmin too. Then I'll have this random Polar running watch laying around the house...taking up $125 worth of space on my dresser...getting knocked on the floor when I vacuum, then taking up $125 worth of space on the floor behind the dresser. Lost. Never to be found again (because WHO ever cleans behind dressers anyway?). So, rather than buy the Polar and then doom it to a lifetime of existence behind my dresser, living in filth, I'm going to kindly request a Garmin from My Gazelle for my birthday. I love him.
5) I love him for so many reasons, but he brought me breakfast this morning at work. And, not only was it breakfast, but it was an everything bagel from Panera. And, it had sausage, egg, and cheese. I mean seriously...despite the fact that it's horrible for my arteries, and could possibly take up permanent residence on my round, perfectly-shaped (cough, cough) ass, is this NOT the sweetest gesture ever? To show my appreciation, and only to show my appreciation, I completely schmarfed the entire thing in about 2 seconds flat. I think he got the idea. I appreciated.
6) Speaking of schmarfing. I am SO schmarfing hungry lately! I can only guess that it's because of the increase in my mileage, but holy schmarfing schmarfing! In the midst of my increased state of schmarfing, I've been reading about My Other Gazelle being completely schmarfing hungry lately as well, and I know that she is also running more. It seems to be a theme around bloggville lately. I guess everyone is training more for race season, and thus schmarfing more. Hopefully I will still be able to fit into my schmarfing SkirtSports Skirt come race day!
7) Our condo is being painted. I love the idea of fresh paint. I don't, however, love the idea of being locked out of my condo because I gave the painter the key and he doesn't understand English, so he took my key home, and My Gazelle is policing and can't conveniently meet me to give me a key. Picture it: Me, my 2 poor, helpless, rescued pups, and my iPhoney, traipsing around the DC area in My Gazelle's pickup, trying to gain access to our home. We were homeless. Temporarily of course. But homeless just the same.
The only thing worse than being homeless was finally gaining entry to our home and realizing that the painter hadn't left any windows open. I opened the door to "my condo just got painted, how beeeeaaaautiful", so the reality of "oh my GAWD, my poor bird's eyes are completely glazed over" was a bit of a buzz-kill. My $900 (not-rescued, but equally-as-loved) parrot was wallowing in paint fumes for 5 hours. I half expected to visit the birdy-vet last night. It made me sad. I immediately opened every window in the house, turned on every fan, and began refreshing my memory on the techniques of birdy CPR. I couldn't recall having learned any. I almost started to dial 9-1-1, but then the freakish look in her eyes subsided, and she started talking to me again. Crisis averted. All she needed was a little fresh air. I'm glad the painting is over.
8) I know that the answer is "no", but I'm asking it anyway. Does Diet Dr. Pepper = hydration? I wish it did. Because I'd be really hydrated right now.
9) Happy Thursday! Love you!
p.s...I'll check in later with a report on how fast the pad thai made (or didn't make) me.
Holy crap! It's Thursday already?! And, that has basically been the theme for my whole week...
Holy crap! It's (insert day here) already??!!
I am completely off balance/out of alignment/non-focused this week from a mental standpoint. I mean...I'm not mental, per se. Just not all "there". I'm scatterbrained. Flaky. Blonde. Without being exactly blonde.
Sorry blondes.
That said, don't expect organization to magically occur in this post. Don't wait for it. It just won't ever arrive.
1) I wonder if the fact that I just ate an entire troth full of shrimp pad thai from Pei Wei is going to make me run fast like lightening tonight? My logical guess is a resounding "NNNNNOOOOO!", but a girl can dream. Shrimp pad thai is basically the bane of my existence. I crave the cilantro. The noodles. The peanutty spicy goodness. I'm pretty sure that if someone set another troth of shrimp pad thai in front of me right now, I'd eat that one too. All of it. With no regard for how slow it'd make me run tonight. Now that's devotion. To the pad thai, and to my running schedule.
2)
You know what this is? This, loved ones, is a registration confirmation which clearly states, "there is no backing out now, candyass!" Oh, you don't see it there? It's definitely right there in bold font...maybe you just can't see it because it's written in a font that can only be viewed by candyasses like myself. So, consider yourself lucky that you can't read it.
This is my official registration for the Maryland Double, which means that I am really and truly going to run two 1/2 marathons this year. In the same calendar year. Within mere months of each other. I've only ran 3 5K's in my life. The pure logistics of pulling this off still sometimes boggles my mind, but I'm really doin it. The novelty will wear off. I'll stop marveling in it. Just be patient with me. I need some time. Love me anyway, ok?
3) Proof that I can actually pull this off is in the fact that I'm 3.5 weeks into training, and I feel awesome. I had to shift my run schedule because last night I got locked out of my house (long story), but I'll make it up by running tonight and tomorrow (my normal full rest day is Friday). So, Tuesday I did a 4.5 mile awesome, SUPER, fabulous run on the treadmill at 10:16 average pace. WHAT? Did I just say 10:16 aahhhvvverage pace? Yes, yes. 10:16 average pace. I was totally kicking ass. I did the P:I week 3 run again, and totally crushed it. My legs were sore from the strength crap that I did on Monday, but I ran through it and everything was fine. I'm actually kind of glad that I switched up my runs this week because I had an extra day to recover from that run on Tuesday. Tonight I'll run 4, tomorrow just 2, then Sunday is my long run of 7. This week I will actually do 7...no copping out this time like last week. Candyass.
4) I am going to get a Garmin. I said it. I'm still a jogger though. Don't be fooled by the Garmin. I'm just afraid that if I get the Polar, I'll wish that I got a Garmin down the road at some point, and then I'll have to buy a Garmin too. Then I'll have this random Polar running watch laying around the house...taking up $125 worth of space on my dresser...getting knocked on the floor when I vacuum, then taking up $125 worth of space on the floor behind the dresser. Lost. Never to be found again (because WHO ever cleans behind dressers anyway?). So, rather than buy the Polar and then doom it to a lifetime of existence behind my dresser, living in filth, I'm going to kindly request a Garmin from My Gazelle for my birthday. I love him.
5) I love him for so many reasons, but he brought me breakfast this morning at work. And, not only was it breakfast, but it was an everything bagel from Panera. And, it had sausage, egg, and cheese. I mean seriously...despite the fact that it's horrible for my arteries, and could possibly take up permanent residence on my round, perfectly-shaped (cough, cough) ass, is this NOT the sweetest gesture ever? To show my appreciation, and only to show my appreciation, I completely schmarfed the entire thing in about 2 seconds flat. I think he got the idea. I appreciated.
6) Speaking of schmarfing. I am SO schmarfing hungry lately! I can only guess that it's because of the increase in my mileage, but holy schmarfing schmarfing! In the midst of my increased state of schmarfing, I've been reading about My Other Gazelle being completely schmarfing hungry lately as well, and I know that she is also running more. It seems to be a theme around bloggville lately. I guess everyone is training more for race season, and thus schmarfing more. Hopefully I will still be able to fit into my schmarfing SkirtSports Skirt come race day!
7) Our condo is being painted. I love the idea of fresh paint. I don't, however, love the idea of being locked out of my condo because I gave the painter the key and he doesn't understand English, so he took my key home, and My Gazelle is policing and can't conveniently meet me to give me a key. Picture it: Me, my 2 poor, helpless, rescued pups, and my iPhoney, traipsing around the DC area in My Gazelle's pickup, trying to gain access to our home. We were homeless. Temporarily of course. But homeless just the same.
The only thing worse than being homeless was finally gaining entry to our home and realizing that the painter hadn't left any windows open. I opened the door to "my condo just got painted, how beeeeaaaautiful", so the reality of "oh my GAWD, my poor bird's eyes are completely glazed over" was a bit of a buzz-kill. My $900 (not-rescued, but equally-as-loved) parrot was wallowing in paint fumes for 5 hours. I half expected to visit the birdy-vet last night. It made me sad. I immediately opened every window in the house, turned on every fan, and began refreshing my memory on the techniques of birdy CPR. I couldn't recall having learned any. I almost started to dial 9-1-1, but then the freakish look in her eyes subsided, and she started talking to me again. Crisis averted. All she needed was a little fresh air. I'm glad the painting is over.
8) I know that the answer is "no", but I'm asking it anyway. Does Diet Dr. Pepper = hydration? I wish it did. Because I'd be really hydrated right now.
9) Happy Thursday! Love you!
p.s...I'll check in later with a report on how fast the pad thai made (or didn't make) me.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Polar Running Watch?
This, my friends, is a Polar 190025960 RS200 Watch. Purportedly, this little gadget keeps track of your heart rate as well as running distance and pace, allows you to set pace and heart rate goals, has alternating and repeating countdowns/alarms.
Here is the descriptive mumbo-jumbo:
"The RS200 was made for goal oriented runners who want to prepare for their first running event or who want to enhance their running experience. Use the Polar sports zones and the event countdown timer to manage your training for that key running event. You can even upload your settings to your running computer and then download your workout files to the Polar Running Coach Web Service for analysis. Wearlink fabric transmitter included."
Goal oriented runner? Check!
Enhance running experience? Check!
Manage training? Check!
Upload settings Check!
Download workouts Check!
It would seem that this here Polar running watch is the answer to my prayers, but is it all too good to be true?
Help! Does anyone have one of these?
Better yet...does anyone want to donate one of these to me? Lord knows that I've spent the gads of money that I've saved on coupons over the past 6 months on REPLACEMENT NIKE + RECEIVERS!
I kid. I kid.
No donations necessary. I'll buy the darn thing if it works. I just can't bring myself to spend $200 (or more) on a Garmin...but I really don't want to be cheapola and buy this one if it doesn't work.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Training Update
In the midst of searching for "the best wrinkle cream ever", I am pausing for a moment to post an update on my training! I realized that I haven't really said much as of late about my actual training progress, so although wrinkle cream is very important at this juncture, it can wait.
Did I mention that I'm getting wrinkles?
Yeah. This concerns me.
Moving along.
I am fully immersed in week 4 of my modified Hal Higdon plan, and things seem to be going good so far. I am tired today, but I'm not sure if it is a result of the past 3 weeks of training, or staying up until 1AM cleaning and lugging furniture around in preparation for the painters arrival tomorrow. We're getting the condo painted. It needs it. Badly.
*Week 1 of training consisted of 14 total miles, with a long run of 5 miles. That was the week I was in Tennessee, and got 2 nice outdoor runs while I was there.
*Week 2 of training consisted of 15.25 total miles, with a long run of 6.25 miles. Week 2 was my first semi-self-organized group Sunday run at Centennial Park with Robert, Carol & Amanda. This was the 6.25 beauty (my longest run to date) that Robert had to drag me up the hills on. I love that man. Week 2 was also my first time in YEARS of running 3 consecutive days, which I was very nervous about. My body cooperated though, much to my surprise.
*Week 3 of training (last week) consisted of 16.25 total miles, with my long run again at 6.25 miles. The goal for Sunday long run was 7 miles, but I was really struggling. It was much (much) colder out at a mere 35 degrees at 9:30AM, and my legs felt really heavy from the beginning. I didn't warm up sufficiently, and that was most likely my mistake. I was already walking during the first lake loop, so I knew I was going to be slow. To make matters worse, my stupid dumb Nike + receiver pooped out the night before during my 40 minutes on the elliptical. Due to that, I basically just had to rely on Robert's Garmin to keep track of my time for me.
Sidebar: Have I mentioned how much I sometimes HATE my stupid Nike + thingamabob? Yes, yes, I have. I am so tired of replacing my receiver and sensor...and then my receiver again...then my sensor. Scuse me...Junk Miles? If you're reading, can you please inform the leader of your cult that this Nike + contraption needs to be better engineered so that it will be sweat-proof? Because for realz, I'm going to go bankrupt from having to replace the stupid things every month. And the chances of me sweating less are pretty much nil. Thank you. Muah. Love you.
I have been using the P:I workouts at least twice a week, and I gotta tell ya...this is some really great stuff! Remember how scared I was about trying out the Podrunner Intervals plan? Yeah, not anymore! I just love them. Last Thursday, during my 4 mile workout with Fred Mill at my good gym (as opposed to the gym I go to at lunch on work days), I had an awesome run to the P:I Week 2 interval podcast. For the first time in my life, I experienced that strange tunnel vision feeling while I was running, and it was amazing. Anyone else experience this? I felt like I could have gone on forever, and it occurred around the 3 mile mark. I basically "sprinted" (which for me is more like saying "ran" instead of "jogged") for the entire 3rd mile because I felt so incredible, then I turned down the heat a little and ran another 1/2 mile after that.
*So, here we are. One day into week 4 of "the plan". Yesterday was "stretch and strength" day, and I did a bunch of girlie pushups, some back exercises, walking lunges, abs, bi's and tri's. I was basically just trying to get an overall strength workout, and then I did 15 minutes of good stretching at the gym, followed by 15 minutes more when I got home last night. Pre-cleaning and furniture lugging.
The problem me with right now, at this very moment, is that my right calf is tight. Not as tight as yesterday, but still tight. I have a feeling that it is from the shoes that I wore yesterday, which were flatter than flat...but I did put my nerdy insoles in them, so I shouldn't have really had any issues from them. Who knows...it could also be from Sunday's seemingly torturous run...but I felt fine on Sunday night. I just don't know. I'm going to do some foot stretches at lunch, because they always seem to help.
Have I mentioned that sometimes I feel like a science project?
Did I mention that I'm getting wrinkles?
Yeah. This concerns me.
Moving along.
I am fully immersed in week 4 of my modified Hal Higdon plan, and things seem to be going good so far. I am tired today, but I'm not sure if it is a result of the past 3 weeks of training, or staying up until 1AM cleaning and lugging furniture around in preparation for the painters arrival tomorrow. We're getting the condo painted. It needs it. Badly.
*Week 1 of training consisted of 14 total miles, with a long run of 5 miles. That was the week I was in Tennessee, and got 2 nice outdoor runs while I was there.
*Week 2 of training consisted of 15.25 total miles, with a long run of 6.25 miles. Week 2 was my first semi-self-organized group Sunday run at Centennial Park with Robert, Carol & Amanda. This was the 6.25 beauty (my longest run to date) that Robert had to drag me up the hills on. I love that man. Week 2 was also my first time in YEARS of running 3 consecutive days, which I was very nervous about. My body cooperated though, much to my surprise.
*Week 3 of training (last week) consisted of 16.25 total miles, with my long run again at 6.25 miles. The goal for Sunday long run was 7 miles, but I was really struggling. It was much (much) colder out at a mere 35 degrees at 9:30AM, and my legs felt really heavy from the beginning. I didn't warm up sufficiently, and that was most likely my mistake. I was already walking during the first lake loop, so I knew I was going to be slow. To make matters worse, my stupid dumb Nike + receiver pooped out the night before during my 40 minutes on the elliptical. Due to that, I basically just had to rely on Robert's Garmin to keep track of my time for me.
Sidebar: Have I mentioned how much I sometimes HATE my stupid Nike + thingamabob? Yes, yes, I have. I am so tired of replacing my receiver and sensor...and then my receiver again...then my sensor. Scuse me...Junk Miles? If you're reading, can you please inform the leader of your cult that this Nike + contraption needs to be better engineered so that it will be sweat-proof? Because for realz, I'm going to go bankrupt from having to replace the stupid things every month. And the chances of me sweating less are pretty much nil. Thank you. Muah. Love you.
I have been using the P:I workouts at least twice a week, and I gotta tell ya...this is some really great stuff! Remember how scared I was about trying out the Podrunner Intervals plan? Yeah, not anymore! I just love them. Last Thursday, during my 4 mile workout with Fred Mill at my good gym (as opposed to the gym I go to at lunch on work days), I had an awesome run to the P:I Week 2 interval podcast. For the first time in my life, I experienced that strange tunnel vision feeling while I was running, and it was amazing. Anyone else experience this? I felt like I could have gone on forever, and it occurred around the 3 mile mark. I basically "sprinted" (which for me is more like saying "ran" instead of "jogged") for the entire 3rd mile because I felt so incredible, then I turned down the heat a little and ran another 1/2 mile after that.
*So, here we are. One day into week 4 of "the plan". Yesterday was "stretch and strength" day, and I did a bunch of girlie pushups, some back exercises, walking lunges, abs, bi's and tri's. I was basically just trying to get an overall strength workout, and then I did 15 minutes of good stretching at the gym, followed by 15 minutes more when I got home last night. Pre-cleaning and furniture lugging.
The problem me with right now, at this very moment, is that my right calf is tight. Not as tight as yesterday, but still tight. I have a feeling that it is from the shoes that I wore yesterday, which were flatter than flat...but I did put my nerdy insoles in them, so I shouldn't have really had any issues from them. Who knows...it could also be from Sunday's seemingly torturous run...but I felt fine on Sunday night. I just don't know. I'm going to do some foot stretches at lunch, because they always seem to help.
Have I mentioned that sometimes I feel like a science project?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Weekly Recap 2/9/2009-2/15/09
1) My solo trip to The Smithsonian was very liberating. And androgynous.
2) This week's Thoughtful Thursday featured product review cliff-hangers, an introduction to Fred Mill, opera singers, and some sort of thick blood affliction (that I'm still trying to self-diagnose).
3) ANOTHER (??) giveaway?? Yes, it's true. Tell me about your the old sheeeet in your closet, and you could win a SPIBelt or iFitness belt!
4) Since I finally (!!) finished the vid for my coupon tutorial (Part II, section I), I'm giving away 3 coupon binders! Seriously? I'm just getting out of hand now. But I love you guys. I can't help it.
2) This week's Thoughtful Thursday featured product review cliff-hangers, an introduction to Fred Mill, opera singers, and some sort of thick blood affliction (that I'm still trying to self-diagnose).
3) ANOTHER (??) giveaway?? Yes, it's true. Tell me about your the old sheeeet in your closet, and you could win a SPIBelt or iFitness belt!
4) Since I finally (!!) finished the vid for my coupon tutorial (Part II, section I), I'm giving away 3 coupon binders! Seriously? I'm just getting out of hand now. But I love you guys. I can't help it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
