Planning Week 5

Whew.

That weekend went fast.

And here we are at the beginning of another week.

Week 5 of training for April's race.

Just over 10 weeks to go.

Plans are as follows:

• Monday: Core and Strength Training at Home
• Tuesday: Easy Run - similar to last Monday. But I am going to go for a little slower pace, and a little more distance. And a little more time.
• Wednesday: Medium Run - going for the opposite of Tuesday. Will try for a similar time frame, but focus more on going a little bit faster even if it means a little less distance.
• Thursday: Core and Strength
• Friday: Still undecided. If I put in a run, it is going to be a simple, easy one. But I might just focus more on Core and Strength so I have the power for a long run because ...
• Saturday: Long Run - it's all about the distance and getting in a longer run.

Stay tuned!

One More Pound!

I lost exactly one pound over the last week -

going from 184.8 to 183.8

Total weight loss is 5.7 pounds.

Pretty good if I do say so myself.

3 days to see how much more I can shed off for the month of January.

Food for Thought - Issue 2

You can see Issue 1 here.

Thought maybe this would be a fun little column to keep up anytime I had random thoughts and feelings about things related to health and wellness.

Tonight's subject is being judged.


Why do people think they have the right to judge others?

This has been on my mind lately.

I am not implying that I am perfect. I have thoughts about others that I shouldn't. I judge even when I try not to. I have, however, consciously made the choice to try not to judge others. This been a lengthy process. I can also honestly say that many times if I have a judging comment about others, it is less judging - and more comparing. Usually myself to them. Or sometimes it is less judging, and more envy. Both other issues to be more conscious of.


But I really don't get why people judge others. And especially why they do it right to the other person. Or over something said in an e-mail. Or any other indirect-direct way of letting that person know you are judging something they did, said, wrote, whatever.

On a side note, I will input that I keep this blog and this blog mainly for myself. Also, for friends and family to follow along in our lives. To connect with them. But I don't know who all reads this blog. And I realize by keeping an online journal I can't control who all reads it. Or what they will do with that information. But I definitely don't expect for the content I write to be used against me or my family, or to have it used to insult us.


So imagine my surprise when, after writing about the challenges I had a few weeks ago with fitting in my workouts, someone - who I am sure reads the blogs - says to me during another conversation something along the lines of,


"maybe you should put that enthusiasm towards your resolutions."


I will continue to write about the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of my journey as a runner. If I hide anything but the good, I would be hurting myself. Because I wouldn't be being honest with myself. And I made it very clear from the beginning that this record of my journey is first and foremost for myself. Yet, because maybe I can help someone who is on their own journey - or learn from someone who has experienced a similar journey - I will continue to share.

Again I ask, what gives us the right to judge others? The bottom of the matter is that we don't. And yet it happens.


I encourage each and everyone of us to continue to think twice before we do, say, or even think something about someone else. We have not walked in their shoes. We do not now know how we will affect them. We likely are not paying attention to their whole story.

Much like my point in "Issue 1", I hope this food for thought encourages you to be happy with the right now. To make a positive impact wherever you sit right now. To make a positive impact on whomever you are with right now. To always think twice before you speak. To not say anything at all if you have nothing nice to say. To treat others the way you want to be treated.

Thinking with you,

Katie

Another 2 for 2

On the days I plan to go to the gym, I set the alarm for an early 5:00.

Wednesday morning I never even heard the alarm go off.
I didn't wake up til nearly 6:30.
And started the mad dash of getting ready within and hour.

This morning, I was going to go the gym and push out an extra mile or two.
I woke up at 4:35.
Looked at the clock.
Thought to myself I could get up and get going.
But laid in bed and waited for the alarm.
A little while later, I woke up.
Immediately thought to myself, it's gotta be 5 by now.
And as I looked at the clock, I saw it 6.
Never even heard a peep of the alarm.

Boy, oh, boy.

I think I need to go to bed earlier during the week.

2 for 2

As of last night, I was 2 for 2 in regards to workouts this week!

How's that for a strong start!

Monday morning, I got up at 5:20 - 20 minutes later than I wanted to - grabbed a piece of toast with peanut butter to fuel my run, and headed out the door. I was on the treadmill by 5:50. I started with 1/4 mile walk to get the blood pumping, ran 2 miles, and cooled down by walking for just over 1/4 mile. Final stats were just over 2.5 miles - with an average pace of a 13.38 minute mile. I was hoping to go a little farther; but at the same time am happy with the quicker pace, too.

Tuesday night I did a 30 minute pilates video. Pilates is one of those things I have a love-hate relationship with. I feel so awkward doing it. I have terrible posture. I just want to yell at the tv when they tell me how to breath and when. But, I love the burning in my abs when I am finished. Remember: no pain, no gain!

After two weeks of needing to prioritize (remember, thats a huge word for me this year) and focus more on my family, and less on my workouts, I am satisfied with how this week is going.

This morning was a little more difficult, but more on that later.

Planning Week 4

• Monday: Easy Run (probably 2-3 miles)
• Tuesday: Core and Strength
• Wednesday: Mid-Distance Run (3-4 miles)
• Thursday: Easy Run (2-3 miles) & Core
• Friday: Core and Strength
• Saturday: Long Run (4-5 miles)

A couple of thoughts:

- I am anxious to have a good week where everything feels like it is falling into place.

- I am anticipating some challenges with switching to new (earlier) work hours.

- I have some thoughts I am really trying to tie together in a good blog post.

- I'm having a hard time finding a good evening routine.

- I am craving sweets, but did not give in to buying any today!

I think that's all for now. Don't you love the fresh feeling you can get at the start of a new week? Have a good one!

Weigh In Time!

So, I had mentioned I was looking forward to this week's weigh in -
because after last weeks, I watched the number go down again Sunday, Monday, AND Tuesday.
Then Thursday and Friday it crept back up a little, so I really wasn't sure what to expect!

I think going back to work had a lot to do with why it went up.
I do more sitting at work. But I also drink more water.
So not necessarily a good combination.

Well, this morning the scale read 184.8!
That is 2.6 pounds down since last week.
And 4.7 pounds down overall!

I also took measurements two weeks ago of my waist, stomach, and hips.
Happy to report all three measurements were down this morning!

Progress is good!

Week 3

Just over 12 weeks from my first race of the year!

Here's the plan for the rest of this week.

• Tuesday: 45 minute fat-burning Pilates video.
• Wednesday: Medium Distance Run - including 3 miles at race tempo.
• Thursday: Easy Run of 2 - 3 miles, strength training.
• Friday: Cross Training @ home. Thinking a combination of Core and Yoga.
• Saturday: Long Run - going for 5 miles.

Weigh In

I had my official weigh in for the week this morning.

And I was not disappointed.

Especially after the week I had.

The scale read 187.4 -

that is down 1.4 lbs since last week, and a total of 2.1 pounds lost so far this month.

Thinking ahead to what could be when I have a good week of diet AND exercise.

Woo Hoo for a successful week despite the challenges of life.

Looking Ahead

I have decided to just put week 2 behind me and look ahead.

Sometimes, other things just have to take priority. And this week it was caring for Ava, hoping the extra rest would help Chad get healthy, and not putting the extra pressure on myself.

Am I frustrated? Of course.
Disappointed? Yes.
Optimistic? Absolutely!!

My brother and his family are visiting this weekend. If I fit in a work out - awesome. But I am going to enjoy the company and not stress about it.

Here's to a fun weekend.

And a successful week ahead!

Rough Start

This week has not gotten off to the best of starts.

I mentioned I skipped going to the gym yesterday morning so I would have ample time to get ready for an interview.

Last night, I missed doing pilates because the hubby was home sick. He's not very good at sharing the TV. Plus, by the time the little one got to bed, the dishes got washed, and the floor swept, the evening just got away from me.

This morning, just like yesterday morning, I was woken up before 4:30 to a restless, not feeling well hubby. I am not sure what is going on there. But between being tired, and not wanting to put him in the position of getting up if Ava woke up before I got home - I never made it out of bed for a run.

I know some weeks will be like this.

I also know I can't get frustrated and give up.

Maybe he will be feeling better tonight.

If not, tomorrow is a new day.

Week 2 Plan

Normally, today would have been a running day.

But with an interview to get ready for, I didn't want to feel any more rushed than I knew I would. So, I adjusted the plan for the week just a little.

Here goes:

• Monday PM: Cross Train - Pilates
• Tuesday AM: Easy Run - 2/2.5 miles
• Wednesday: Speedwork - going for minimum 3 miles, with faster segments
• Thursday: Cross Train - Core
• Friday or Saturday: Long Run - minimum 4 miles

(long run is Friday or Saturday depending on when it will be easier with my brother and his family coming to visit!)

• If I run Friday and not Saturday - I will strive to put in an easy workout on Sunday.

WHEW! Here's to hitting it hard!

Diet and Weight

Obviously, a part of a balanced lifestyle is a healthy diet. A healthy diet is also important to a runner because it fuels the body for the workout. Much like we wouldn't put regular unleaded gasoline in diesel truck; you can't run on chocolate and fatty foods.

While I won't be following a specific diet; I will be watching what I eat, and how much.

This past week I wrote down just about everything I ate. You would be surprised at how much this one technique will help you in a quest to eating right and losing weight. If you have to write it down - and actually see how much you ate - you are likely to think twice!

Over the next weeks, I really want to start paying attention to how many calories are in what I am choosing to eat. And what the serving sizes are.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have said multiple times already on this blog, that weight is not my ultimate goal. Especially after I wrote this post, I feel that there needs to not be so much focus on how we look and what size we might be. But, alas, monitoring my weight is one tool I have in keeping track of my progress towards a healthier lifestyle.

So, in addition to my workouts, I have decided I will "weigh-in" on the first of every month - and then weekly for that month. For January, that means Saturday weigh ins.

(of course my obsessive side still checks in throughout the week, but there will be only one official weight a week!)

Last Saturday, Jan 1 the scale read: 189.5

This morning the scale read: 188.8

Progress so far is: -.7 lb

Hmmm - it's progress!!

For my own notes (READ: TOO MUCH INFORMATION MAY BE INCLUDED) a few things affecting the scale this week:

• PMS & start of period
• increased water intake
• different work and bedtime schedules around the house
• eating breakfast!

All in all - I'd say we're off and running to a good start! :)

Rounding Out Week 1

Last scheduled workout for the week was today.

Saturday's are my "Long Run" days.

So far, I have found I am not quite ready for the mileage in the training plan I am using; but wanted to at least have an appropriate workout.

All week, I found I ran into both a mental block and a physical block right around mile 2.

Leaving me curious to see how things would go today.

At a minimum, I wanted to do 3 miles.

Goal accomplished!

I did a quick 1/4 mile warm up. Then ran the rest of the 5K Loop option on the treadmill - so total running distance was just under 3 miles.

A couple of points of significance:

• Ran faster than the suggested pace.
• 3.1 miles is just under half of the distance I will be racing in April.

Feeling good ... feeling good!

Food for Thought*

*no pun intended by the title, considering this is a blog focused on diet and exercise!

I was still thinking about this mornings workout as I was walking into work this morning. And I was thinking about my goals - ALL of them.

From the distances I would like to run, to the number I would like to see on the scale, to the way I would like to be eating, to the clothes I want to fit back into. And trust me when I say I have a large pile of jeans and pants that haven't fit in quite a few years.

BUT. Many of those pants did fit when I met Chad. That was 7 1/2 years ago.

Ultimately, my goal is to wear those pants again. And weigh what I weighed then ... seems a far off dream.

When I think about what size some of those are, they now seem so SMALL. (Don't get me wrong, I never was - nor ever will be - a size 0 or 1 ... not even close.) What really got to me though is that I don't think I was happy about the way I looked then either. Or the size I was wearing. But why now, is that where I want to be?

I guess it just made me realize how we live in a place where we always want to be someone different. We want more than we have. Things are never just good enough.

And yes, I still want to work towards my goals. Because I want to be a healthier person.

But, it also made me realize that some of my other goals (that you can read about here, here, and here) need to be kept in the forefront too. It is all about Enjoying the Moment. Living for the Now. Letting go of the Perfection. Having thought about this - has also made me realize that maybe I am making progress on doing those things, too.

Lastly, it makes me stop and think and pray - that I am able to raise my daughter to not be so concerned about her size and shape. To have a positive self image and body image. To share my struggles with her - as I do with you - so that she can learn. I want to set an example for her that life is about being happy with what you have and where you are RIGHT NOW.

Goals are good, and we should work towards where we want to be. But they are nothing if you don't enjoy the journey to get there.

Week 1, Run 2

Went to the gym this morning to make up for not going yesterday.

Though the plan was to be on the treadmill by 5:30 .....

.... I think I might need to adjust that plan ....

I was there by 6.

I started running and it was feeling great. I bumped up the speed a little -

and things continued to feel pretty darn good.

And then I crashed!

I felt that I was getting a little tired; so I slowed the pace back down some.

And then, against my better judgement, I took a walking break.

And I know from experience - for me anyways - I cannot get my muscles moving again once I slow them down.

So instead of torturing myself to finish the workout by thinking I could start running again - and then going back to walking - and so on -

I ended with a brief cool down on the elliptical. Did some stretching. And headed home.

Final thoughts .... I love that the distance I did run, felt good. It felt easy. I was bummed that I didn't complete the mileage I wanted to and that I feel like the workout just bombed halfway through.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A little mid-week update.

The Good - I followed through with using my stay (stability) ball and Core workout DVD last night. Linked here if you want to see what I am talking about. I have used this in the past; and for two days would be able to feel the pain in my abs. Its that good! But, I knew I wanted to be able to move - and run - this morning. So, I only did 1 set of each exercise instead of two. I felt it when I was done, but feel great today. No soreness at all!

The Bad - I slept through my alarm this morning. Woke up about 20 minutes late. I knew the planned workout was going to take an hour. If I went late, I wasn't going to be able to fit it in and still get home to take care of Ava. So, I opted to put off the run until tomorrow morning. I will just switch today's workout with tomorrows. Hopefully no big deal.

The Ugly - The ugly would just be the sense of guilt and disappoint with getting off track just a couple of days into it. It's still an easy fix though. Not really stressing about it.

Something to Laugh At.

"The trouble with jogging is that,

by the time you realize you're not in shape for it,

it's too far to walk back."

~Franklin P. Jones

I collect quotes each day to share in my classroom; when I saw this one today, I knew I had to share it here.

Hope I'm not the one saying that anytime soon! :)

Week 1, Day 1

You know when you have to get up in the morning and you are afraid of oversleeping; how it causes you to wake up throughout the night looking at the clock in panic mode?

I did that last night.

Over a workout!

It was the first time in a long time I had to plan to workout in the morning. With Chad moving to nights (starting today) this will become my new normal.

Since I was still taking Ava to day care this morning; I set my alarm for 5:15. This gave me ample time to get up, get to the gym, get in my workout, get home and showered. Hopefully all before 7; when Ava usually wakes up.

I got out of bed at nearly 5:35am. I hit the treadmill right about 6am.

I did a quarter of a mile warm-up. Then started running the planned 2 miles. The first mile I ran a tad faster than suggested. The second mile, I needed to go back down to the suggested pace. When the 2 miles were up, I did a short cool down and headed home.

After going to bed early, Ava had woken up early. That put an extra twist into the morning. But we made it. Even with the late start.

I expected the two miles to go over slightly easier than they did. But I finished, and that is what matters.

First day = success.

On another note; the toe was not an issue at all. Thank goodness!

Let the Training Begin

Time to hit the treadmill.

Tomorrow is the first day of my training plan leading up to the Earth Day Half-Marathon Relay.

Week 1 plan:

• Monday - Run an easy 2 miles.
• Wednesday - Run 5 miles - including 3 miles at tempo.
• Saturday - Run 6 miles. (Saturdays will be my long run days)

In addition to the planned runs - I plan to incorporate two Core workouts. I love my Reebok stay ball and the video that came with it that really targets those most troubled areas.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll do a little weight training with the Monday run.

But for that to happen, I better get to bed.