Last post: October 17? Yikes.
Though I guess I have never hidden the fact that falling off the path is one of my weaknesses ....
As you know, following the half-marathon I was having a heck of a time staying on track.
I did track another 7.16 miles between October 16 and October 17.
October 20, I came down with a stomach bug that had me felling in the dumps for four days. My stomach was queasy, and I had diarrhea. (Sorry - TMI). Between feeling real weak and being afraid of pooping my pants (honesty is a good thing, my friends!) - those four days got me completely off kilter.
Since then, we have joined the YMCA. We ended up with a family membership, but still need to work on a good schedule so we use it as often as we should.
So far, I have enjoyed the treadmill a time or two, and enjoy playing with Ava in the toddler gym.
My plan for the rest of 2012 is to set up a rotating schedule to stay in shape over the winter. I am thinking some short runs on the treadmill (would like to work up to 5-8 miles - can't picture more than that on it - but know treadmills for me usually = shin splints), some stationary biking, the elliptical, some weights, and some fitness classes (most interested in fitness yoga, pilates, and boot camp). I will share what I come up with.
I also hope to share a very personal story soon. Either right here or over on my other blog. Just not quite there yet to put it all out there.
Sorry for the lapse in posts. I hope you are still reading, and will stick this out with me!
How has your fall been? What about your transition into winter?
Monday, December 3, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: October 8-12
A step in the right direction this week!
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Ran 5.31 miles in 61 minutes.
Wednesday: Ran 5.31 miles in 59:13.
Thursday: had a bike ride planned, but didn't get to go. We had to keep Ava home from day care after she woke up throwing up. Such are the days ....
Friday: rest
Saturday: What a beautiful fall day! Ran 7.49 miles in 1:29.48. I was happy with the time overall, though at times I felt like I should have been able to push it more. This was my longest run since my half-marathon.
Sunday: Another great fall day, although it was windy! If I ever complain about running in the wind again, I am going to remind myself what it was like biking into the wind. Wow, it was not easy. I did end up biking 11.99 miles though! Took 1 hour, 15 minutes.
Totals for the week were 18.11 running, and 11.99 biking.
Much better than weeks prior! Still dreading the transition from fall into winter, but enjoying the nice days we do have left and trying to make the best of the altered schedule!
Monday: rest
Tuesday: Ran 5.31 miles in 61 minutes.
Wednesday: Ran 5.31 miles in 59:13.
Thursday: had a bike ride planned, but didn't get to go. We had to keep Ava home from day care after she woke up throwing up. Such are the days ....
Friday: rest
Saturday: What a beautiful fall day! Ran 7.49 miles in 1:29.48. I was happy with the time overall, though at times I felt like I should have been able to push it more. This was my longest run since my half-marathon.
Sunday: Another great fall day, although it was windy! If I ever complain about running in the wind again, I am going to remind myself what it was like biking into the wind. Wow, it was not easy. I did end up biking 11.99 miles though! Took 1 hour, 15 minutes.
Totals for the week were 18.11 running, and 11.99 biking.
Much better than weeks prior! Still dreading the transition from fall into winter, but enjoying the nice days we do have left and trying to make the best of the altered schedule!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up - October 1-7
A week in to the new month already .....
Monday: I had five miles on the agenda, but found out Chad came home sick at 8:30 in the morning. It wouldn't have been worth the grumbles to try and go out. Instead, I hung out with Ava and we tried to let Daddy get some rest.
Tuesday: Chad was home sick again, so instead of trying to make up yesterdays run, I took Ava with me on a bike ride. 9.25 miles in 55 minutes we biked. After a disappointing start to the month on Monday, I wasn't going to complain about that.
Wednesday: With Chad feeling a bit better, I did head out on a run. I even took a semi-new route to try to avoid a case of the running blues. I ended up with 5.25 miles in 60 minutes. The run felt great!
Thursday: It was a bit blustery. I can tell you, I am not ready for winter. Regardless, I wasn't going to let cooler temperatures and wind (boy, it was windy) stop me. I needed to get the month off to a good start! I did approximately 4 miles of speed intervals. It had been a few weeks since I had done some intervals, and I was just as impressed as last time. I finished 3- half mile repeats in 4:45, 4:25, and 4:45. I walked 1/4 mile after each one. With the 1 mile warm-up and a .79 mile cool-down, it was a good effort! Feels good to push the pace!
Friday: rest
Saturday: was so hoping to get out in the morning for a long run. I slept until almost 7:30, and knew the overnight low had been cold! I just wasn't willing to do it. Plus we left for a wedding in the Twin Cities, and had I gone for a run, we would've been running late! I did do some dancing with my 2 year old dancing queen ... does that count?
Sunday: We got home from the wedding extravaganza just before the Packer game. Turns out I wouldn't have missed much had I gone running during the second half, but I didn't. My hope was that I would be able to go afterwards during the Vikings game, but I also needed to do the grocery shopping. The schedule was just off from a typical Sunday ... plus I was extremely tired (almost missed most of the first half of the Packers because I couldn't keep my eyes open!) So, I chalked one up for the weekend and started to plan for the week ahead.
Generally speaking, I was happy with how the week and month started. I am not thrilled with how the weekend went. Hoping for some better results this week!
Monday: I had five miles on the agenda, but found out Chad came home sick at 8:30 in the morning. It wouldn't have been worth the grumbles to try and go out. Instead, I hung out with Ava and we tried to let Daddy get some rest.
Tuesday: Chad was home sick again, so instead of trying to make up yesterdays run, I took Ava with me on a bike ride. 9.25 miles in 55 minutes we biked. After a disappointing start to the month on Monday, I wasn't going to complain about that.
Wednesday: With Chad feeling a bit better, I did head out on a run. I even took a semi-new route to try to avoid a case of the running blues. I ended up with 5.25 miles in 60 minutes. The run felt great!
Thursday: It was a bit blustery. I can tell you, I am not ready for winter. Regardless, I wasn't going to let cooler temperatures and wind (boy, it was windy) stop me. I needed to get the month off to a good start! I did approximately 4 miles of speed intervals. It had been a few weeks since I had done some intervals, and I was just as impressed as last time. I finished 3- half mile repeats in 4:45, 4:25, and 4:45. I walked 1/4 mile after each one. With the 1 mile warm-up and a .79 mile cool-down, it was a good effort! Feels good to push the pace!
Friday: rest
Saturday: was so hoping to get out in the morning for a long run. I slept until almost 7:30, and knew the overnight low had been cold! I just wasn't willing to do it. Plus we left for a wedding in the Twin Cities, and had I gone for a run, we would've been running late! I did do some dancing with my 2 year old dancing queen ... does that count?
Sunday: We got home from the wedding extravaganza just before the Packer game. Turns out I wouldn't have missed much had I gone running during the second half, but I didn't. My hope was that I would be able to go afterwards during the Vikings game, but I also needed to do the grocery shopping. The schedule was just off from a typical Sunday ... plus I was extremely tired (almost missed most of the first half of the Packers because I couldn't keep my eyes open!) So, I chalked one up for the weekend and started to plan for the week ahead.
Generally speaking, I was happy with how the week and month started. I am not thrilled with how the weekend went. Hoping for some better results this week!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
October Goals
I was almost ready to post these the middle of last week; but then had the hardest time coming up with some goals. I suppose I could have just went with fewer goals, but somehow that didn't seem right!
Considering it is better to be late than never; here are the goals for this month:
1. Work out. Period. I am not setting a specific mileage goal. I am not stating how many times I want to cross-train. I just want to rebuild the consistency I didn't have last month. That's it.
2. Lost 3 pounds. After losing nothing more last month, I don't know how this one will turn out. I just want to hit the -30 pounds mark. Is that really to much to ask?
3. Save $100. For whatever reason, I am feeling the pressure to tighten up on our budget. We spend more than we realize on the weekends, and it is time to monitor where our money is going a bit better. With that said, I am hoping to put $100 into savings.
4. Pick one area of the house to completely declutter. As I was going through the house tonight room by room picking up, I was once again reminded how much the little piles of clutter drive be bonkers! I am not a neat freak, and I am not good at cleaning religiously. But when I do clean, I strive for perfection. (leads to a lot of unnecessary conflict!) And these piles ... they keep me from that!
5. Go to bed earlier, get up earlier. Hoping if I can get into a habit of giving myself even 15-30 minutes in the morning to get something done, I won't feel so pressed for time in the evening. Which will then help me with goal number one. For this to happen, I need to stop staying up until after 11. So, seeing as though it is 10:20 right now, I am off to bed after this is posted!
What about you? What is on your agenda for this beautiful month?
Considering it is better to be late than never; here are the goals for this month:
1. Work out. Period. I am not setting a specific mileage goal. I am not stating how many times I want to cross-train. I just want to rebuild the consistency I didn't have last month. That's it.
2. Lost 3 pounds. After losing nothing more last month, I don't know how this one will turn out. I just want to hit the -30 pounds mark. Is that really to much to ask?
3. Save $100. For whatever reason, I am feeling the pressure to tighten up on our budget. We spend more than we realize on the weekends, and it is time to monitor where our money is going a bit better. With that said, I am hoping to put $100 into savings.
4. Pick one area of the house to completely declutter. As I was going through the house tonight room by room picking up, I was once again reminded how much the little piles of clutter drive be bonkers! I am not a neat freak, and I am not good at cleaning religiously. But when I do clean, I strive for perfection. (leads to a lot of unnecessary conflict!) And these piles ... they keep me from that!
5. Go to bed earlier, get up earlier. Hoping if I can get into a habit of giving myself even 15-30 minutes in the morning to get something done, I won't feel so pressed for time in the evening. Which will then help me with goal number one. For this to happen, I need to stop staying up until after 11. So, seeing as though it is 10:20 right now, I am off to bed after this is posted!
What about you? What is on your agenda for this beautiful month?
Monday, October 1, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up and September Re-Cap
Since it is another short weekly wrap-up, I figured I would also include September's goal recap at the same time.
For the week of 9/24-9/30:
Monday: went on a bike ride; my Garmin died some time between miles 5 and 6. I biked for about an hour, so I assume I biked about 10 miles. Love that biking feels so easy compared to last summer and fall. Hate that that makes me feel like I don't get much of a workout.
Tuesday: I planned to go for a run, but it was one of those evenings that time just got away from me.
Wednesday: Ran my go-to route, which was 4.91 miles. In my typical time of roughly 58 minutes.
Sadly enough - that's it. Thursday I took care of some phone calls that needed to be made, which between having to make several of them and sit on hold took the majority of my evening. Friday is my usual off day and, even on a bad week, that doesn't typically get changed just because its what works for our family. Saturday I did do some hiking as we went to Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester. I just don't know that I really burned that many calories. Sunday was one of those days that, between cleaning, church, laundry, and football, running just didn't make the cut.
Totals on the week: 4.91 miles of running and 10 miles of biking.
With that, I'll move on to the September Goal Recap. Not a pretty picture this month.
1. My goal was to run 87 miles, plus fit in 6 cross training workouts. Clearly I set the bar high this month, probably in hopes of avoiding the post-race plateau. Well, it didn't work. I ended up with 35.71 miles. Super pathetic considering in August I had one week that I ran 30 alone. I did bike 3 times for a total of 26.59 miles. It did feel good to do some cross training, but the consistency with workouts in general was just not there.
2. My goal was to lose 1.8 pounds to bring me to an even 30 pounds lost this year. It should come as no surprise that this goal was not met either. I had one good week that I dropped to around 164; but I quickly yo-yo'd back up. As of this morning the scale read 166.6; a net gain on the month of 1.2 pounds. That is the first time I have had a net gain since January. I am still down 27 pounds on the year, and I guess a plateau was bound to happen. But, that is not much of an excuse either.
3. For the third month in a row, I had join the YMCA on my list. But given financial statuses, schedules, and busy evenings - I just haven't done it.. I know I will end up joining; just waiting for the right time. Not sure there will be a "right" time, but waiting none-the-less.
4. Buy a moisturizer. This was my feel good, take care of yourself goal for the month. I ended up buying Garnier Moisture Rescue Fresh Cleansing Foam. Mainly because I recognize the brand name from having used their shampoo line at one point. Generally speaking, I've been happy with it and it doesn't cost a fortune like Oil of Olay!
5. Track one week of calories in and calories out. I never did a full week, but you can read about what I did track here.
6. Call the eye doctor. I added a sixth goal for the month of September, because I know this really needs to get done. And yet, I procrastinated one more time. I don't even have good reason for it. At least nothing I haven't already mentioned (money, schedules - who wants to leave work to go to the eye doctor? - etc.). I know what is going to happen, I am going to lose a contact and not have a choice. I should just get in before that happens.
So, not my most stellar month by any measurement. I suppose those weeks are bound to happen. I will roll with it, and not let it bring me down.
For the week of 9/24-9/30:
Monday: went on a bike ride; my Garmin died some time between miles 5 and 6. I biked for about an hour, so I assume I biked about 10 miles. Love that biking feels so easy compared to last summer and fall. Hate that that makes me feel like I don't get much of a workout.
Tuesday: I planned to go for a run, but it was one of those evenings that time just got away from me.
Wednesday: Ran my go-to route, which was 4.91 miles. In my typical time of roughly 58 minutes.
Sadly enough - that's it. Thursday I took care of some phone calls that needed to be made, which between having to make several of them and sit on hold took the majority of my evening. Friday is my usual off day and, even on a bad week, that doesn't typically get changed just because its what works for our family. Saturday I did do some hiking as we went to Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester. I just don't know that I really burned that many calories. Sunday was one of those days that, between cleaning, church, laundry, and football, running just didn't make the cut.
Totals on the week: 4.91 miles of running and 10 miles of biking.
With that, I'll move on to the September Goal Recap. Not a pretty picture this month.
1. My goal was to run 87 miles, plus fit in 6 cross training workouts. Clearly I set the bar high this month, probably in hopes of avoiding the post-race plateau. Well, it didn't work. I ended up with 35.71 miles. Super pathetic considering in August I had one week that I ran 30 alone. I did bike 3 times for a total of 26.59 miles. It did feel good to do some cross training, but the consistency with workouts in general was just not there.
2. My goal was to lose 1.8 pounds to bring me to an even 30 pounds lost this year. It should come as no surprise that this goal was not met either. I had one good week that I dropped to around 164; but I quickly yo-yo'd back up. As of this morning the scale read 166.6; a net gain on the month of 1.2 pounds. That is the first time I have had a net gain since January. I am still down 27 pounds on the year, and I guess a plateau was bound to happen. But, that is not much of an excuse either.
3. For the third month in a row, I had join the YMCA on my list. But given financial statuses, schedules, and busy evenings - I just haven't done it.. I know I will end up joining; just waiting for the right time. Not sure there will be a "right" time, but waiting none-the-less.
4. Buy a moisturizer. This was my feel good, take care of yourself goal for the month. I ended up buying Garnier Moisture Rescue Fresh Cleansing Foam. Mainly because I recognize the brand name from having used their shampoo line at one point. Generally speaking, I've been happy with it and it doesn't cost a fortune like Oil of Olay!
5. Track one week of calories in and calories out. I never did a full week, but you can read about what I did track here.
6. Call the eye doctor. I added a sixth goal for the month of September, because I know this really needs to get done. And yet, I procrastinated one more time. I don't even have good reason for it. At least nothing I haven't already mentioned (money, schedules - who wants to leave work to go to the eye doctor? - etc.). I know what is going to happen, I am going to lose a contact and not have a choice. I should just get in before that happens.
So, not my most stellar month by any measurement. I suppose those weeks are bound to happen. I will roll with it, and not let it bring me down.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Calories In
One of my goals for September was to follow through with checking serving sizes and counting calories for one week. Just as a checks and balance system in this journey. I do not make time to do this on a regular basis, but I also eat the same things repetitively. So, if I always use the same serving sizes, I know the approximate number of calories I am consuming. Hey, it works!
I did not make it for one entire week. However, I did track for three days in a row a few weeks back. I then did one day last week when I flipped into sandwich mode for lunch.
Each breakfast for the past three or four weeks has been oatmeal with a serving of fruit (a peach, a banana, 1 cup of strawberries, a pear or 1 cup of grapes). 1 packet of oatmeal is 160 calories; and as a general rule of thumb I count a serving of fruit as 100 calories. That means breakfast = 260 calories.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been switching my lunches from day-day much more frequently. But, I have still kept the basic staple items. Generally speaking my main lunch dish has rotated the following:
I did not make it for one entire week. However, I did track for three days in a row a few weeks back. I then did one day last week when I flipped into sandwich mode for lunch.
Each breakfast for the past three or four weeks has been oatmeal with a serving of fruit (a peach, a banana, 1 cup of strawberries, a pear or 1 cup of grapes). 1 packet of oatmeal is 160 calories; and as a general rule of thumb I count a serving of fruit as 100 calories. That means breakfast = 260 calories.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have been switching my lunches from day-day much more frequently. But, I have still kept the basic staple items. Generally speaking my main lunch dish has rotated the following:
- chicken or tuna (canned) mixed with mayo, and eaten with crackers (about 450 calories)
- about 3 cups of raw veggies (typically a mix of carrots, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower) with ranch dressing (about 360 calories)
- a sandwich (either turkey and cheese or egg salad) (also about 400-450 calories)
Side dishes at lunch and a late afternoon snack consist of the following:
- cheez-its (love them!) So much that I usually eat two servings, or 1 cup of them. (300 calories)
- fruit (100 calories)
- Special K bar (90 calories)
- string cheese (70 calories)
- yogurt (170 calories)
Grand total between breakfast, lunch, and a snack has been equal to right around 1200 calories, regardless of how the above is mixed and matched.
I haven't been good about counting calories at supper. Mainly because we eat a lot of one pot meals, and I am not good about figuring out the total calories and then dividing out the servings to figure out the details. Thankfully, this is my smallest meal of the day (at least compared to lunch).
All of this tells me I am probably higher than the 1500 calories per day I would like to be at. But not over the recommended 2000 calorie adult diet.
I agree that there is always room for improvement and better choices, but I also like the simplicity of how I eat.
I've not counted or tracked what I am burning in my workouts, but a general rule of thumb is 100 calories per mile ran. This would mean the majority of my runs burn an approximate 500 calories.
I will be posting more about this month in particular when I wrap up my goals, but right now I would say the system is working!
What is your biggest dietary hang-up? What habits have you changed? Anything stick out to you regarding my choices?
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: September 17 -23
Better late than never with last week's update, I suppose.
It really wasn't a week to brag about, but something is better than nothing.
So ...
Monday: I ran 4.28 miles in 50:12; I hit the 4 mile mark at about 46:30, so felt pretty good about the run overall.
Tuesday: rest (after running both Sunday and Monday.
Wednesday: decided to take Ava to the library, and these days there are not just enough hours in the day.
Thursday: Chad took it upon himself to get my bike fixed! In honor of that, I headed out for my first bike ride since before half-marathon training! And I don't know how long it had been before that ... I ended up biking 11.89 miles in 1:13.41. It felt great. I didn't have any soreness like in the past, so I take that as a sign my running really has paid off.
Friday: my consistent rest day
Saturday: This ended up being a nice laid back day! Cleaned the house, went to Wal-Mart, and just relaxed. Couldn't ask for much better!
Sunday: Had to take advantage of the beautiful fall afternoon, and headed out for a run. I was hoping for between 6 and 7 miles, but the route I took ended up being 5.52. I finished in 1:04.09. Not a bad run! When I got home, I ended up taking Ava to the park on the bike, so ended up with 4.7 miles of biking as well.
Total mileage: 9.80 miles of running and 16.59 miles of biking. The biking miles have me feeling great; the running miles not so much.
I have had a really hard time getting out on runs since the half. I am trying to figure out if it is due to just needing a mental and physical break from it following all the training; or if it is due to the schedule changes. I am consistently working until 5 to stay on top of paperwork, and the days are getting noticeably shorter. Even within the last week alone, I have noticed it has gone from getting dark around 8 to around 7. So compare to the summer, between work and daylight, I have lost about 3 hours of my evening. Sad. I think it is time to seriously look into the Y, and hopefully that will make a difference.
It really wasn't a week to brag about, but something is better than nothing.
So ...
Monday: I ran 4.28 miles in 50:12; I hit the 4 mile mark at about 46:30, so felt pretty good about the run overall.
Tuesday: rest (after running both Sunday and Monday.
Wednesday: decided to take Ava to the library, and these days there are not just enough hours in the day.
Thursday: Chad took it upon himself to get my bike fixed! In honor of that, I headed out for my first bike ride since before half-marathon training! And I don't know how long it had been before that ... I ended up biking 11.89 miles in 1:13.41. It felt great. I didn't have any soreness like in the past, so I take that as a sign my running really has paid off.
Friday: my consistent rest day
Saturday: This ended up being a nice laid back day! Cleaned the house, went to Wal-Mart, and just relaxed. Couldn't ask for much better!
Sunday: Had to take advantage of the beautiful fall afternoon, and headed out for a run. I was hoping for between 6 and 7 miles, but the route I took ended up being 5.52. I finished in 1:04.09. Not a bad run! When I got home, I ended up taking Ava to the park on the bike, so ended up with 4.7 miles of biking as well.
Total mileage: 9.80 miles of running and 16.59 miles of biking. The biking miles have me feeling great; the running miles not so much.
I have had a really hard time getting out on runs since the half. I am trying to figure out if it is due to just needing a mental and physical break from it following all the training; or if it is due to the schedule changes. I am consistently working until 5 to stay on top of paperwork, and the days are getting noticeably shorter. Even within the last week alone, I have noticed it has gone from getting dark around 8 to around 7. So compare to the summer, between work and daylight, I have lost about 3 hours of my evening. Sad. I think it is time to seriously look into the Y, and hopefully that will make a difference.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: September 10-14
This week was a little bit better than the one before ...
Monday: completed 4.91 miles, but not in my best time (1:06:21). I actually walked a full mile as a warm-up, ran 3, then walked part of the way home as a cool down, too. A nice, solid effort to say the least.
Tuesday: I was all set to get to the cross training, and was super excited to get my bike out after ignoring it while training for the half all summer. Imagine my disappointment when the front tire was not only flat, but wouldn't hold any air at all. Bummer.
Wednesday: Thought about going out and doing my workout in the rain, but opted out of that one!
Thursday: Completed one of my first ever speed workouts! I warmed up by walking/running the first mile in about 15 minutes. That was followed by 4-half mile repeats. The current plan I am following called for 5:18 repeats; mine were completed in 4:40, 4:33, 3:36, and 4:45. I had quarter mile recovery periods between each one (probably took too long to complete those, but I will adjust that another day!). And finished with .92 miles in 10:58, for a total of 4.92 miles in approximately 58 minutes. Not a bad effort!
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest (switched with Sunday, as we had a garage sale)
Sunday: Chad ended up with plans in the morning, so I put my run off until afternoon. Which turned into laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. before I finally headed out for a run around 5:45. I completed 6.88 miles, but it was in 1:28:08. I was so frustrated throughout this run; I just never felt like I got into a good groove, found a consistent pace, etc. But, I mustered through.
Total mileage: 16.71 miles
Better than last week, but not where I wanted to be.
Monday: completed 4.91 miles, but not in my best time (1:06:21). I actually walked a full mile as a warm-up, ran 3, then walked part of the way home as a cool down, too. A nice, solid effort to say the least.
Tuesday: I was all set to get to the cross training, and was super excited to get my bike out after ignoring it while training for the half all summer. Imagine my disappointment when the front tire was not only flat, but wouldn't hold any air at all. Bummer.
Wednesday: Thought about going out and doing my workout in the rain, but opted out of that one!
Thursday: Completed one of my first ever speed workouts! I warmed up by walking/running the first mile in about 15 minutes. That was followed by 4-half mile repeats. The current plan I am following called for 5:18 repeats; mine were completed in 4:40, 4:33, 3:36, and 4:45. I had quarter mile recovery periods between each one (probably took too long to complete those, but I will adjust that another day!). And finished with .92 miles in 10:58, for a total of 4.92 miles in approximately 58 minutes. Not a bad effort!
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest (switched with Sunday, as we had a garage sale)
Sunday: Chad ended up with plans in the morning, so I put my run off until afternoon. Which turned into laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. before I finally headed out for a run around 5:45. I completed 6.88 miles, but it was in 1:28:08. I was so frustrated throughout this run; I just never felt like I got into a good groove, found a consistent pace, etc. But, I mustered through.
Total mileage: 16.71 miles
Better than last week, but not where I wanted to be.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
More Visual Progress
I needed to post just one more picture of the progress I have made!
I am not one to look at myself and see that I have lost the weight I have. And yet, I am super proud of myself for being able to lose nearly 30 pounds. I am also a bit disgusted with where that means I started. It is all part of the journey though, I know.
After the Women Rock Half-Marathon I so enjoyed looking at the pictures Chad captured! I also couldn't believe the difference from just over four months before when I ran the Earth Day 5k in St. Cloud. Enter Exhibit A ....
The picture on the left is from April. (I LOVE that the race photographer captured Ava and Chad in the background!! Such a precious picture to me.) In April, I was around 10+ pounds down, meaning I was probably between 180 and 185.
The picture on the right is from September 1. At 28 pounds down, I am weighing right around 165. That is roughly a 20 pound difference! Looking at these two pictures is one of the first times I was able to realize the progress I have made. Especially in my forever trouble spot - the mid-section. It is still not perfect and I am still not where I want to be, but to be able to look at a picture of myself and feel like I look good ... that tells me there is so much progress being made beyond the scale.
And that makes me feel good (GREAT)!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: 9/3-9/9
I took last Sunday and Monday off as rest days after running the half-marathon.
I was determined to not take more than that off without getting back into a good, consistent routine. So, on Tuesday I headed out and completed 4.29 miles. I was fully prepared to run all slow, easy runs this week; however, surprisingly I had one really good mile split. My overall time was still 53:49, which does not reflect that good split. Oh well!
The rest of the week, as planful and prepared as I tried to be, just didn't happen. I tried not to use the half as the "excuse" every time! It was a variety of different reasons. But mostly, I think I did need the mental and physical break this week.
Disappointed with my efforts this week, but I am not going to let it bring me down.
Hoping I will come back this week feeling as fresh and strong as ever!
How much time off do you give yourself after finishing a training plan and running a race?
I was determined to not take more than that off without getting back into a good, consistent routine. So, on Tuesday I headed out and completed 4.29 miles. I was fully prepared to run all slow, easy runs this week; however, surprisingly I had one really good mile split. My overall time was still 53:49, which does not reflect that good split. Oh well!
The rest of the week, as planful and prepared as I tried to be, just didn't happen. I tried not to use the half as the "excuse" every time! It was a variety of different reasons. But mostly, I think I did need the mental and physical break this week.
Disappointed with my efforts this week, but I am not going to let it bring me down.
Hoping I will come back this week feeling as fresh and strong as ever!
How much time off do you give yourself after finishing a training plan and running a race?
Thursday, September 6, 2012
September Goals
Feeling behind seeing as though we are over half way through the first week and I just now finished up my list of goals. I had a really hard time coming up with new goals that haven't been set before ...
The first two are automatic - work outs and weight loss.
1. Run 87 miles, plus cross train 6 times. This equals four runs a week, plus a rotation between one and two cross training days a week. I am already feeling a bit deflated with this goal considering it is already Thursday, and I have sat in the "I just finished a half-marathon" seat for a bit longer than I would like. We shall see what the next 24 days hold!
2. Lose 1.8 pounds. I would like to lose more, but 1.8 pounds will bring to a total 30 pounds gone since January. Really want to hit that milestone this month! I dropped a few pounds after last weekends race, and the yo-yo'ed back up. Hoping that doesn't put this goal out of reach.
And the rest of them:
3. Join the YMCA. I am not against putting the same goal on the list two months in a row! I really want to get to the Y and get all the membership info. Need to be ready to go when the weather changes!
4. Buy a good moisturizer. I am not one to have a bunch of beauty steps in my morning or night time routines. Never have. But lately I have noticed my face being extra dry, and I can see some wrinkles forming in my forehead - especially from squinting or raising my eyebrows. Any suggestions?
5. Track one week of calories in and calories burned. I will likely use Spark People, because that is what has worked for me in the past. Now that I am done training for the half and my workouts have the potential to change slightly, I want to know where I am sitting!
6. I usually stick to just five wellness goals each month, but I really do need to call the eye doctor. SO, I will put it on the list one more time!
Not the most exciting list of goals, but necessary ones regardless.
What is on your agenda for the month?
The first two are automatic - work outs and weight loss.
1. Run 87 miles, plus cross train 6 times. This equals four runs a week, plus a rotation between one and two cross training days a week. I am already feeling a bit deflated with this goal considering it is already Thursday, and I have sat in the "I just finished a half-marathon" seat for a bit longer than I would like. We shall see what the next 24 days hold!
2. Lose 1.8 pounds. I would like to lose more, but 1.8 pounds will bring to a total 30 pounds gone since January. Really want to hit that milestone this month! I dropped a few pounds after last weekends race, and the yo-yo'ed back up. Hoping that doesn't put this goal out of reach.
And the rest of them:
3. Join the YMCA. I am not against putting the same goal on the list two months in a row! I really want to get to the Y and get all the membership info. Need to be ready to go when the weather changes!
4. Buy a good moisturizer. I am not one to have a bunch of beauty steps in my morning or night time routines. Never have. But lately I have noticed my face being extra dry, and I can see some wrinkles forming in my forehead - especially from squinting or raising my eyebrows. Any suggestions?
5. Track one week of calories in and calories burned. I will likely use Spark People, because that is what has worked for me in the past. Now that I am done training for the half and my workouts have the potential to change slightly, I want to know where I am sitting!
6. I usually stick to just five wellness goals each month, but I really do need to call the eye doctor. SO, I will put it on the list one more time!
Not the most exciting list of goals, but necessary ones regardless.
What is on your agenda for the month?
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
August Goals: The Recap
I am a bit behind in recapping last months goals. I am blaming it on the long weekend!
August was a fairly successful month for me ....
1. Run 125 miles. I ended with 110.92; while I did not quite reach my goal of 25 miles per week for the 125 total, I did increase my mileage from 85 in May (the last 5-week month) to 110.92 this month. That is pretty amazing to me, and shows how far I have come in just the last four months or so.
2. Lose 3.8 pounds. I had no idea what to expect after having two pretty good months in a row in June and July with regards to weight loss. While I yo-yo'ed some over the last week, I started the new month with a weigh-in of 165.4 pounds. That equals a loss of 3.4 pounds for August, and puts me down 28.2 pounds since January.
3. Schedule physical and eye appointments. I half met this goal. My physical is scheduled for mid-September. I have yet to schedule an eye doctor appointment. I know I need to, and I am sure I am procrastinating because I know it involves ordering contacts and spending money. Ugh.
4. Join the YMCA. I wanted to have joined the YMCA so that I could automatically know I will have no excuses to cut back on workouts as the weather changes and days grow shorter. It would also help me focus more on cross-training. I didn't join; for multiple reasons: 1)August was an expensive month with a lot of traveling. 2)I have decided September is not really that cold. 3) I am not quite ready to move my focus to cross training, and I will write more on that later. Joining the Y is still on my radar!
5. Do something for me. When I set this goal, I knew this month would be an easy month to meet this goal. I had my sister's wedding, which gave me many excuses to do girly stuff. I also had my birthday, which gave me a reason to spend some time and money on myself. Goal met!
As always, stay tuned for a new list of goals for the new month ... just a tad later than normal.
August was a fairly successful month for me ....
1. Run 125 miles. I ended with 110.92; while I did not quite reach my goal of 25 miles per week for the 125 total, I did increase my mileage from 85 in May (the last 5-week month) to 110.92 this month. That is pretty amazing to me, and shows how far I have come in just the last four months or so.
2. Lose 3.8 pounds. I had no idea what to expect after having two pretty good months in a row in June and July with regards to weight loss. While I yo-yo'ed some over the last week, I started the new month with a weigh-in of 165.4 pounds. That equals a loss of 3.4 pounds for August, and puts me down 28.2 pounds since January.
3. Schedule physical and eye appointments. I half met this goal. My physical is scheduled for mid-September. I have yet to schedule an eye doctor appointment. I know I need to, and I am sure I am procrastinating because I know it involves ordering contacts and spending money. Ugh.
4. Join the YMCA. I wanted to have joined the YMCA so that I could automatically know I will have no excuses to cut back on workouts as the weather changes and days grow shorter. It would also help me focus more on cross-training. I didn't join; for multiple reasons: 1)August was an expensive month with a lot of traveling. 2)I have decided September is not really that cold. 3) I am not quite ready to move my focus to cross training, and I will write more on that later. Joining the Y is still on my radar!
5. Do something for me. When I set this goal, I knew this month would be an easy month to meet this goal. I had my sister's wedding, which gave me many excuses to do girly stuff. I also had my birthday, which gave me a reason to spend some time and money on myself. Goal met!
As always, stay tuned for a new list of goals for the new month ... just a tad later than normal.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: August 27 - September 2
Real quick this week:
Tuesday: headed out for a quick 4.14 miles. I don't even have my time handy as I write this ... I want to say it was around 50 minutes?
Wednesday: was supposed to be another 4 mile run, and my last training run before the half; but it was hot. So, I just opted to skip it!
Saturday: Race day! Completed 13.1 miles in 2:39:53. And I already dedicated an entire post to all the details.
A memorable 17.24 miles on the week!!
I told you it'd be quick ....
Tuesday: headed out for a quick 4.14 miles. I don't even have my time handy as I write this ... I want to say it was around 50 minutes?
Wednesday: was supposed to be another 4 mile run, and my last training run before the half; but it was hot. So, I just opted to skip it!
Saturday: Race day! Completed 13.1 miles in 2:39:53. And I already dedicated an entire post to all the details.
A memorable 17.24 miles on the week!!
I told you it'd be quick ....
Monday, September 3, 2012
Women Rock Half-Marathon: Race ReCap
The day started when I rolled over in bed to see it was just 4AM. I tossed and turned for over an hour with butterflies in my stomach! I got a few more minutes of shut-eye sometime after 5, but still woke up before my alarm went off at 6!
I got up and was feeling so nervous! After getting all ready, including my race bib and timing chip, I was going to try to eat my planned breakfast of yogurt and granola, but ended up deciding I wasn't going to be able to choke it down. So, I grabbed a water and a few extra Special K bars, and started my walk from the hotel to the race area. I munched on my breakfast throughout the time leading up to the start!
Surprisingly, the butterflies in my stomach were not ongoing, but they did come and go throughout the morning. The start was delayed a few minutes, as the process of shuttling the number of half-marathon and marathon runners that were there from the finish line to the starting line seemed to be taking longer than anticipated. I believe the did end up starting prior to everyone being down there ... Thankfully, I was there and ready!
The start went off without a hitch. It took a little bit to get into my groove, and as I looked at my watch I noticed I was a bit faster than I expected. I was able to bring it back a little over the first few miles, but part of me was okay with pushing it and seeing what happened. I think the hardest part about starting a race is finding your own pace, and not reacting to those around you.
I can't tell you how strong I felt through the first 10 miles. There were a few minor glitches; most noticeably feeling hungry! I tried to outweigh this by taking Power Aid (how is that actually spelled?) at the water stations instead of water, just to get a few calories. I don't know if it actually helped or not ... I didn't start my watch right at the start, so my own tracking was a little off. However, I had myself hitting 5 miles in just over 57 minutes, and hitting 10 miles in just less that 2 hours! I don't think I have reached 10 in less that 2 hours since I started double digits! I was thrilled with my pace through those 10!
I did stop around mile 8 (I think it was), to use the bathroom. It wasn't an emergency, but I didn't want to wait until it was either, you know?
Things got really hard after the 10.5 mile point. I am pretty sure it was leading up to this water station that my mouth was super dry. I was no longer carrying my own water bottle, so I took a cup of water and a cup or Power Aid. That was a huge mistake, I think. This left me feeling full, and from this point on I started feeling a burning feeling like I had to pee, but not really. Just before mile 12, I stopped and wasted nearly two minutes trying to figure out if I needed to go or not .. UGH.
On top of hitting the wall at 10.5; there was a huge hill just before 11 miles. This was followed by a short down hill, and another decent sized hill. In the hardest miles of the day, these hills were the last thing I wanted to see!
Thankfully, at 12.5 miles, I saw Chad and Ava. Let me tell you that seeing them and hearing "Hi Mommy!", after fighting off some emotional responses and just feeling defeated, was exactly what I needed at that point! I was able to push through to the end, and finished my first half-marathon!
Here's a picture of me as I saw them. I wasn't feeling this happy, but seeing them sure made it easy to change that!
Official Results: (copied from results website!)
Notice the pace between each split ... I new I slowed down, but that kind of amazed me! My average pace throughout the race, not shown on this chart, was 12:13. My goal was a 12 minute pace, so I am not complaining.
I can't say for sure when my next long race will be, but I can tell you there will be more!
I got up and was feeling so nervous! After getting all ready, including my race bib and timing chip, I was going to try to eat my planned breakfast of yogurt and granola, but ended up deciding I wasn't going to be able to choke it down. So, I grabbed a water and a few extra Special K bars, and started my walk from the hotel to the race area. I munched on my breakfast throughout the time leading up to the start!
Surprisingly, the butterflies in my stomach were not ongoing, but they did come and go throughout the morning. The start was delayed a few minutes, as the process of shuttling the number of half-marathon and marathon runners that were there from the finish line to the starting line seemed to be taking longer than anticipated. I believe the did end up starting prior to everyone being down there ... Thankfully, I was there and ready!
The start went off without a hitch. It took a little bit to get into my groove, and as I looked at my watch I noticed I was a bit faster than I expected. I was able to bring it back a little over the first few miles, but part of me was okay with pushing it and seeing what happened. I think the hardest part about starting a race is finding your own pace, and not reacting to those around you.
I can't tell you how strong I felt through the first 10 miles. There were a few minor glitches; most noticeably feeling hungry! I tried to outweigh this by taking Power Aid (how is that actually spelled?) at the water stations instead of water, just to get a few calories. I don't know if it actually helped or not ... I didn't start my watch right at the start, so my own tracking was a little off. However, I had myself hitting 5 miles in just over 57 minutes, and hitting 10 miles in just less that 2 hours! I don't think I have reached 10 in less that 2 hours since I started double digits! I was thrilled with my pace through those 10!
I did stop around mile 8 (I think it was), to use the bathroom. It wasn't an emergency, but I didn't want to wait until it was either, you know?
Things got really hard after the 10.5 mile point. I am pretty sure it was leading up to this water station that my mouth was super dry. I was no longer carrying my own water bottle, so I took a cup of water and a cup or Power Aid. That was a huge mistake, I think. This left me feeling full, and from this point on I started feeling a burning feeling like I had to pee, but not really. Just before mile 12, I stopped and wasted nearly two minutes trying to figure out if I needed to go or not .. UGH.
On top of hitting the wall at 10.5; there was a huge hill just before 11 miles. This was followed by a short down hill, and another decent sized hill. In the hardest miles of the day, these hills were the last thing I wanted to see!
Thankfully, at 12.5 miles, I saw Chad and Ava. Let me tell you that seeing them and hearing "Hi Mommy!", after fighting off some emotional responses and just feeling defeated, was exactly what I needed at that point! I was able to push through to the end, and finished my first half-marathon!
Here's a picture of me as I saw them. I wasn't feeling this happy, but seeing them sure made it easy to change that!
Official Results: (copied from results website!)
Notice the pace between each split ... I new I slowed down, but that kind of amazed me! My average pace throughout the race, not shown on this chart, was 12:13. My goal was a 12 minute pace, so I am not complaining.
I can't say for sure when my next long race will be, but I can tell you there will be more!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Checking In
A quick check-in before we get ready to leave town ....
off to St. Paul to attend the Women Rock expotique and run the Women Rock half-marathon!
I cannot believe that 18 weeks of training is about to come to an end. I cannot believe that tomorrow is already September 1.
I was thinking this week that technically I have been running on and off since high school. That was over 14 years ago! (graduated in 1998). More realistically, I have been running on and off consistently (hows that for an oxymoron?) for the last 4 years. I joined Midtown Fitness in St. Cloud in Fall 2008, and ran my first 5K in April 2009. And yet, on a mostly random whim on a Sunday this past May, I printed an 18 week training plan and started training for my first half-marathon!
The butterflys are settling into my stomach as I write this. I am so excited, but so nervous. Mostly for the fear of the unknown.
I am wondering what I should pack for food and beverages. What am I going to be able to choke down tomorrow morning??
I am curious what 5,000 women running in one place for the Team Ortho cause is going to feel like.
I am ready for this experience. Just hope my nerves and mix of emotions don't get the best of me!
I will check in again sometime later this weekend with a race re-cap!
off to St. Paul to attend the Women Rock expotique and run the Women Rock half-marathon!
I cannot believe that 18 weeks of training is about to come to an end. I cannot believe that tomorrow is already September 1.
I was thinking this week that technically I have been running on and off since high school. That was over 14 years ago! (graduated in 1998). More realistically, I have been running on and off consistently (hows that for an oxymoron?) for the last 4 years. I joined Midtown Fitness in St. Cloud in Fall 2008, and ran my first 5K in April 2009. And yet, on a mostly random whim on a Sunday this past May, I printed an 18 week training plan and started training for my first half-marathon!
The butterflys are settling into my stomach as I write this. I am so excited, but so nervous. Mostly for the fear of the unknown.
I am wondering what I should pack for food and beverages. What am I going to be able to choke down tomorrow morning??
I am curious what 5,000 women running in one place for the Team Ortho cause is going to feel like.
I am ready for this experience. Just hope my nerves and mix of emotions don't get the best of me!
I will check in again sometime later this weekend with a race re-cap!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: August 20-26
Monday: started with almost an identical route to last Monday, completing 4.92 miles in 59.13.
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: left the house now knowing which route I wanted to take; so I decided to head down the county road at the end of our street. I've run the road as part of a longer runs, but on this night decided I was going to go to the stop sign, or until I hit 3 miles; then turn and head home. I ran until the stop sign, which was 3.2 miles! Total mileage was 6.4 miles in 1:15.48. I am not a huge fan of out and back routes, but running in the country is a sort of relaxing you can't find elsewhere.
Thursday: wanted to keep it short, but somewhat fast tonight. It didn't work. I took A and the stroller with me. We made it 2.3 miles to the park in 31 minutes. I then let her play, and naturally 15 minutes turned into 25, and she still kicked and screamed as I put her back in the stroller. I don't know if it was the pause in running, the walking in the sand, or the climbing after her on the playground equipment; but my feet and legs just felt tired when we left the park. I decided to just walk home. Total mileage was 4.2 miles; I didn't track a total time as my Garmin died on the way home.
Friday: rest
Saturday: I had my alarm set, but opted to sleep in instead.
Sunday: Got up to do the long run I slept through on Saturday. I ran a figure 8 loop of the same route I've used for my 10 mile long runs. The figure 8 just added the necessary mileage to get up to 12 ... or it should have. I hit the five mile split in 1:01; which is pretty good considering I felt like I was going much slower than that. (That was sort of a theme this week; maybe from the previous weeks 30 miles?) My first disappointment came when two dogs came barreling out of their yards at me on the same road I decided I loved on Wednesday. I am not scared of dogs - but when I am running peacefully down a road past your house, your dog should be tied up and not running after me!! Talk about adrenaline overload. Anyway - I continued on when my blood pressure returned to normal. It was humid out this morning; and I drank up my water expecting to fill up when I got the the park ... lo and behold where I thought there was a water fountain, there wasn't. So I wasted a bunch of time (without pausing my Garmin) walking and looking for a water fountain. I ended up backtracking to the south baseball diamonds. At this point I decided this run was not about pace or mileages - it was just keeping routine. I meandered my way home, cutting my route short, and trying not to let it get to me. I really can't be disappointed - it was the first time I missed the 2:00 - 2:05 mark for 10 miles since I started double-digit runs! Total mileage was 11.35 in 2:28. The three lessons I learned: 1. if you normally wear a headband, wear a headband. Even this small change in habit just messed with me. 2. no matter how cool you think it is (seriously, it was supposed to be 65*, but turns out it was probably warmer and very humid), never wear a cotton t-shirt for a long run. It was soaked and uncomfortable! 3. know where to refill water. don't just assume you know. I could have kept going, but there was no way I was going to make it home without more water. And for fun - lesson 4. bad runs do happen!
Total mileage: 26.87 miles
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: left the house now knowing which route I wanted to take; so I decided to head down the county road at the end of our street. I've run the road as part of a longer runs, but on this night decided I was going to go to the stop sign, or until I hit 3 miles; then turn and head home. I ran until the stop sign, which was 3.2 miles! Total mileage was 6.4 miles in 1:15.48. I am not a huge fan of out and back routes, but running in the country is a sort of relaxing you can't find elsewhere.
Thursday: wanted to keep it short, but somewhat fast tonight. It didn't work. I took A and the stroller with me. We made it 2.3 miles to the park in 31 minutes. I then let her play, and naturally 15 minutes turned into 25, and she still kicked and screamed as I put her back in the stroller. I don't know if it was the pause in running, the walking in the sand, or the climbing after her on the playground equipment; but my feet and legs just felt tired when we left the park. I decided to just walk home. Total mileage was 4.2 miles; I didn't track a total time as my Garmin died on the way home.
Friday: rest
Saturday: I had my alarm set, but opted to sleep in instead.
Sunday: Got up to do the long run I slept through on Saturday. I ran a figure 8 loop of the same route I've used for my 10 mile long runs. The figure 8 just added the necessary mileage to get up to 12 ... or it should have. I hit the five mile split in 1:01; which is pretty good considering I felt like I was going much slower than that. (That was sort of a theme this week; maybe from the previous weeks 30 miles?) My first disappointment came when two dogs came barreling out of their yards at me on the same road I decided I loved on Wednesday. I am not scared of dogs - but when I am running peacefully down a road past your house, your dog should be tied up and not running after me!! Talk about adrenaline overload. Anyway - I continued on when my blood pressure returned to normal. It was humid out this morning; and I drank up my water expecting to fill up when I got the the park ... lo and behold where I thought there was a water fountain, there wasn't. So I wasted a bunch of time (without pausing my Garmin) walking and looking for a water fountain. I ended up backtracking to the south baseball diamonds. At this point I decided this run was not about pace or mileages - it was just keeping routine. I meandered my way home, cutting my route short, and trying not to let it get to me. I really can't be disappointed - it was the first time I missed the 2:00 - 2:05 mark for 10 miles since I started double-digit runs! Total mileage was 11.35 in 2:28. The three lessons I learned: 1. if you normally wear a headband, wear a headband. Even this small change in habit just messed with me. 2. no matter how cool you think it is (seriously, it was supposed to be 65*, but turns out it was probably warmer and very humid), never wear a cotton t-shirt for a long run. It was soaked and uncomfortable! 3. know where to refill water. don't just assume you know. I could have kept going, but there was no way I was going to make it home without more water. And for fun - lesson 4. bad runs do happen!
Total mileage: 26.87 miles
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
32 Goals
In honor of my 32nd birthday, which I celebrated earlier this month, I set 32 goals I would like to do throughout the year. (You can read the entire list here.)
Of those 32, there are a handful that are related to health and exercise.
I thought it would be appropriate to share those here as well; since I talk about that stuff here more often.
They are:
Of those 32, there are a handful that are related to health and exercise.
I thought it would be appropriate to share those here as well; since I talk about that stuff here more often.
They are:
- set a new 5K PR
- workout 260 times (5 times a week); hence the reference to working out five times last week, and the count in the labels of Monday's post)
- cook 12 new recipes (presumably healthy ones!)
- try yoga
- run a 10K
- eat more fruits and veggies
- do 32 push ups (at one time!)
Just realized almost 1/3 of the goals are related to health and exercise. I am glad that it is so front and center in my life right now; I am also glad that since 2/3 are related to other things that it has not overcome me!
I love goals and I love lists.
Here is to a happy, healthy year ahead!
What are your short term and long term goals?
Monday, August 20, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: August 13-19
Monday: despite having been in the car for 5+ hours, and being tired from our weekend away; I did manage to get out and run 4.9 miles in 1:01.32. Not going to complain about the time - just glad I got out there on a night I typically would have skipped.
Tuesday: new running shoes ... (ah, yes. trust me, there was no plan to get new shoes just a few weeks before the race, but when I saw a hole starting to form I decided to play it safe and get new ones rather than have it get worse.) ... had me ready to go and try them out. I completed 6.89 miles in 1:20.15, and felt good.
Wednesday: I completed a fast 4.27 miles in 48 minutes! Anytime I can beat a 12 min/mile pace, I feel pretty good!
Thursday: rest (well deserved, if I say so myself!)
Friday: after driving up to my in-laws on Thursday night in preparation for a weekend up north, I got up to get my long run done! Looking back, it went okay. However, I did find myself feeling pretty tired, I ran short of water, and my new shoes bothered my right little toe from about mile 9 until the end. It could have been due to the 16 miles already logged for the week, not being properly hydrated or fueled from the drive the night before, or just one of those days. Still - lessons learned for race day (have fresh legs, don't give in to traveling cravings!). I hit the 5 mile mark in 1:00 on the mark (give or take a few seconds), the 10 mile mark in 2:02, the 11 mile mark (which was the planned distance) in 2:14, and walked the last .89 miles to make it a total of 11.89 miles in 2:29.40.
Saturday: rest and enjoying the great outdoors.
Sunday: after driving aaaallll the way home from up north, I did muster up the energy to go out and do a quick 2.05 miles in 24:20. The sole purpose of this short, short run was to be able to say I had a 30 mile week. It also gave me my 5 workouts on the week; which I will have to explain in a different post. :)
Total mileage: 30.00.
Feeling good about the work that was done this week!
Tuesday: new running shoes ... (ah, yes. trust me, there was no plan to get new shoes just a few weeks before the race, but when I saw a hole starting to form I decided to play it safe and get new ones rather than have it get worse.) ... had me ready to go and try them out. I completed 6.89 miles in 1:20.15, and felt good.
Wednesday: I completed a fast 4.27 miles in 48 minutes! Anytime I can beat a 12 min/mile pace, I feel pretty good!
Thursday: rest (well deserved, if I say so myself!)
Friday: after driving up to my in-laws on Thursday night in preparation for a weekend up north, I got up to get my long run done! Looking back, it went okay. However, I did find myself feeling pretty tired, I ran short of water, and my new shoes bothered my right little toe from about mile 9 until the end. It could have been due to the 16 miles already logged for the week, not being properly hydrated or fueled from the drive the night before, or just one of those days. Still - lessons learned for race day (have fresh legs, don't give in to traveling cravings!). I hit the 5 mile mark in 1:00 on the mark (give or take a few seconds), the 10 mile mark in 2:02, the 11 mile mark (which was the planned distance) in 2:14, and walked the last .89 miles to make it a total of 11.89 miles in 2:29.40.
Saturday: rest and enjoying the great outdoors.
Sunday: after driving aaaallll the way home from up north, I did muster up the energy to go out and do a quick 2.05 miles in 24:20. The sole purpose of this short, short run was to be able to say I had a 30 mile week. It also gave me my 5 workouts on the week; which I will have to explain in a different post. :)
Total mileage: 30.00.
Feeling good about the work that was done this week!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Visual Progress
I am not one to take a lot of pictures of myself; I am usually the one behind the camera! I am also pretty self-critical, and so despite being down almost 30 pounds, (yes, I said it. I have three more pounds to lose before I am down 30 for this year!) I don't always feel like I look down almost 30 pounds. It is a sad thing really.
So, I decided to put this post together. One where I share lots of pictures of myself instead of others, and one where I admit what the numbers say ... honesty and bravery go a long way in feeling better!
I decided to take this post back about 4 1/2 years: This first picture is from February 2008. 2008 is when I hit my then heaviest weight. I decided enough was enough; I had just started a thyroid medication, and decided I would also start walking/running, stop drinking pop, and make a conscious effort to eat healthy. At this time I was weighing in at 179 pounds.
I lost 15 pounds extremely fast. I am not sure how much of it was related to thyroid versus diet and exercise. Regardless by Summer 2008 I was down to 165 pounds.
Another picture from a wedding we were at in August 2008.
Fast forward a few years. I did not lose much more after those 15 pounds came off. I was able to maintain around 165/170 for about a year before the weight started piling back on. When I got pregnant in September 2009, I was back up to 184 pounds. After I had Ava in May 2010, I quickly fell back to about 180, but was not able to lose any more. Granted I was not exercising as much as I should have been, but I do feel like my diet was acceptable. Here are two pictures from August 2010. I don't look great, but I don't hate how I look either.
So, I don't love the next picture - but I was just three months post-postpartum. My stomach will forever be my worst enemy, I swear.
In late spring 2011, we moved for my new job. After we moved that summer I spent a lot of time walking. Not a lot of running, but I walked like crazy. There were weeks I walked 20 miles because I loved walking around the lake in Albert Lea that much. I was off my thyroid medication from August until October, and I believe that played at least a part in ballooning me to my heaviest yet. Here is a family picture from November 2011. I think my face is what changes the quickest when I gain and lose weight. By late December 2011, I was up to 193 pounds. UGH.
Here is a picture from Easter 2012 (early April). By this point, I had already dropped between 10 and 15 pounds.
And these last three pictures are from this past weekend at my sister's wedding. I am just under 167 pounds these days. The lowest I have been since 2008. Even in this dress, clearly you can see I still have some work to do in the mid-section! When I go back to the pictures from 2008, I think my face is skinnier now, but I like how my overall body looks in the red-shirted picture above. Either way, whatever the reasons for putting weight on, I have visual proof I've put the work in to do something about it.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: August 6-12
Monday: planned 5, completed 5.35. This did break my stretch of fast runs to start a week. I am sure mainly due to having ran on Sunday night, versus starting the week on fresh legs. Still, as slow as it felt, I finished in 1:04.42 - right at minimum goal pace.
Tuesday: rest (with a busy, busy week ahead, the plan was to run M,W,F,Su)
Wednesday: planned for 6, ended with 0 :( This was disappointing, but with some early evening rain and a whole lot of packing to do, I never made it out.
Thursday: rest, which was probably a good thing because we hit rain about half way to my parents house, and it never quit!
Friday: I promised my sister I would run my long run on Friday instead of the morning of her wedding! And I did. I finished 11.2 miles in 2:15. I was right on pace the entire run, and really don't think I could have felt much better. This was a new longest long run!!
Saturday: rest (not counting the dancing!)
Sunday: planned for 4. How silly of me. I knew I wouldn't get up and run in the morning, but I was hoping to feel re-energized by evening and take a nice stroll down by the lake. Looking back, I should have snuck out mid-afternoon, but I was so tired and enjoyed the snuggle time. For supper that evening, my parents had brats and hamburgers with the family to celebrate my and my twin sister's birthday. My Uncle and Opa stopped by, too. Before I knew it, the clock struck 8, and I was done for! I was sleeping before my two year old that night, but to be fair she had over a two hour nap!
Total mileage: just 16.55. Disappointed with the overall mileage, but so glad the long run felt so good.
Goal for this week, is to run all my miles and hope the long run still goes as planned!
Just about 18 days until go time!!
Tuesday: rest (with a busy, busy week ahead, the plan was to run M,W,F,Su)
Wednesday: planned for 6, ended with 0 :( This was disappointing, but with some early evening rain and a whole lot of packing to do, I never made it out.
Thursday: rest, which was probably a good thing because we hit rain about half way to my parents house, and it never quit!
Friday: I promised my sister I would run my long run on Friday instead of the morning of her wedding! And I did. I finished 11.2 miles in 2:15. I was right on pace the entire run, and really don't think I could have felt much better. This was a new longest long run!!
Saturday: rest (not counting the dancing!)
Sunday: planned for 4. How silly of me. I knew I wouldn't get up and run in the morning, but I was hoping to feel re-energized by evening and take a nice stroll down by the lake. Looking back, I should have snuck out mid-afternoon, but I was so tired and enjoyed the snuggle time. For supper that evening, my parents had brats and hamburgers with the family to celebrate my and my twin sister's birthday. My Uncle and Opa stopped by, too. Before I knew it, the clock struck 8, and I was done for! I was sleeping before my two year old that night, but to be fair she had over a two hour nap!
Total mileage: just 16.55. Disappointed with the overall mileage, but so glad the long run felt so good.
Goal for this week, is to run all my miles and hope the long run still goes as planned!
Just about 18 days until go time!!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Women Rock MN
I first learned of the Women Rock MN Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 10K back in April when I went to the expo for the Earth Day runs in St. Cloud. They had a booth set up, and I was drawn to the pink banners.
(Even though I am not usually a fan of the color)
I didn't give it much more thought for a couple of weeks. After finishing April on a strong note, I set a goal for myself for the month of May. Randomly, I remembered this half-marathon signage I saw and looked up more details on the race.
That search was followed by imputing details into a Smart Coach plan on Runner's World website; and much to my surprise, I found that the goal I already had set and the mileage it entailed wasn't far off the half-marathon plan that was sitting in front of me.
Within a day, I took the plunge and registered.
Now, we are just over three weeks away from the race! A bucket list item being crossed off! I am nervous, and beyond excited.
It looks like it is going to be a great race! They have great products (I can't wait to get my hands on that jacket!), and they give money towards a great cause. Read more about Team Ortho here! Plus, I think it will be pretty cool to run with over 4,000 other women runners! (Yes, their facebook page yesterday said they just surpassed 4,200 registered runners!)
Bib numbers are posted .... all the training I've been doing is so close to paying off!
Where will you be September 1, 2012? :)
(Even though I am not usually a fan of the color)
I didn't give it much more thought for a couple of weeks. After finishing April on a strong note, I set a goal for myself for the month of May. Randomly, I remembered this half-marathon signage I saw and looked up more details on the race.
That search was followed by imputing details into a Smart Coach plan on Runner's World website; and much to my surprise, I found that the goal I already had set and the mileage it entailed wasn't far off the half-marathon plan that was sitting in front of me.
Within a day, I took the plunge and registered.
Now, we are just over three weeks away from the race! A bucket list item being crossed off! I am nervous, and beyond excited.
It looks like it is going to be a great race! They have great products (I can't wait to get my hands on that jacket!), and they give money towards a great cause. Read more about Team Ortho here! Plus, I think it will be pretty cool to run with over 4,000 other women runners! (Yes, their facebook page yesterday said they just surpassed 4,200 registered runners!)
Bib numbers are posted .... all the training I've been doing is so close to paying off!
Where will you be September 1, 2012? :)
Monday, August 6, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: July 30 - August 5
Monday: I mentioned last week that I am coming to love my first run of a new week. It has become a pattern that this is one of my fastest runs of the week, usually (I believe) because it is on fresh legs! This week was no exception. I headed out for a 4 mile run; and made it home in 45:19. I even had a mile split (at the third mile) less than 10 minutes. Barely less, but less is less, and it was a PB mile split! Yeah.
Tuesday: Another decent run. It was the first time in a while that I took Ava with me. With the heat we've had this summer, I've gone on a handful of later runs and when I do that I prefer to go alone. We completed 4.18 miles in 51:15. Not my best time; as I have been consistently maintaining at least a 12 minute pace. However, I can tell I am getting stronger when I can now complete a run with the stroller in what used to be my goal pace when alone!
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: Again, it was a nice enough night out that I decided to take A-bug with me. Plus, it gives Chad a bit of a break. He has been quite supportive of my running this summer in his own way! We did 5.2 miles, and finished in 63 minutes. Not great, but not bad.
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest - basically I didn't wake up early enough and decided a Sunday run would be just fine.
Sunday: Well, the beautiful weather we had (finally!) did not lead to a beautiful run. I ended up going in the evening, which I typically do not do on the weekends. I also my diet had not been great throughout the weekend, and I have a feeling this affected my run. I set out to do 7 miles, but did not plan the route out exactly. I finished with 6.88 miles. I took Ava and the stroller with me again ... and the first mile was miserable. I had a stomach ache, and stopped at the bathroom. Generally, I just wasn't in the groove. Even after I got past the first mile, I never got into a good rhythm. There were periods of time I would maintain my goal pace, but wasn't feeling it. I finished in 1:33 - so approximately a 13.5 minute/mile pace. I don't know if it was just one of those days, or if it was the factors I mentioned. As frustrated as I felt at times, I did think to myself that it was a)good to experience running when it didn't feel good before the race and b)better to get such a run out of the way before the race!
Total Mileage: 20.26 miles
It was supposed to be a cut back week according to my training plan, but after the prior weeks low mileage, I wanted to get back to a good mileage base. I did cut back and limit my long run. I think it was a good balance, time will tell if it works in my favor or not!
Tuesday: Another decent run. It was the first time in a while that I took Ava with me. With the heat we've had this summer, I've gone on a handful of later runs and when I do that I prefer to go alone. We completed 4.18 miles in 51:15. Not my best time; as I have been consistently maintaining at least a 12 minute pace. However, I can tell I am getting stronger when I can now complete a run with the stroller in what used to be my goal pace when alone!
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: Again, it was a nice enough night out that I decided to take A-bug with me. Plus, it gives Chad a bit of a break. He has been quite supportive of my running this summer in his own way! We did 5.2 miles, and finished in 63 minutes. Not great, but not bad.
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest - basically I didn't wake up early enough and decided a Sunday run would be just fine.
Sunday: Well, the beautiful weather we had (finally!) did not lead to a beautiful run. I ended up going in the evening, which I typically do not do on the weekends. I also my diet had not been great throughout the weekend, and I have a feeling this affected my run. I set out to do 7 miles, but did not plan the route out exactly. I finished with 6.88 miles. I took Ava and the stroller with me again ... and the first mile was miserable. I had a stomach ache, and stopped at the bathroom. Generally, I just wasn't in the groove. Even after I got past the first mile, I never got into a good rhythm. There were periods of time I would maintain my goal pace, but wasn't feeling it. I finished in 1:33 - so approximately a 13.5 minute/mile pace. I don't know if it was just one of those days, or if it was the factors I mentioned. As frustrated as I felt at times, I did think to myself that it was a)good to experience running when it didn't feel good before the race and b)better to get such a run out of the way before the race!
Total Mileage: 20.26 miles
It was supposed to be a cut back week according to my training plan, but after the prior weeks low mileage, I wanted to get back to a good mileage base. I did cut back and limit my long run. I think it was a good balance, time will tell if it works in my favor or not!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
August Goals
In predictable fashion, a new month = new goals!
This month I will work towards:
1. Running 125 miles! My time span is five weeks; from July 30 - September 2. At 5 weeks, 125 miles is 25 miles/week. These five weeks will end with my first-ever half-marathon! And I couldn't be more excited!
2. Losing 3.8 pounds. Weight loss will continue to be part of my goal until I reach my goal! I had no idea what number to strive for considering the 5 pound loss I am coming off of for July. I chose 3.8 because it will leave me at an even number; should I reach my goal, I will be 28.6 pounds down for the year!
3. Scheduling routine doctor appointments that I am behind on. I had my follow-up with the dentist today to start the repair on my broken front teeth. I need to call and schedule a physical and an eye appointment.
4. Joining the YMCA. With my half-marathon training plan coming to an end, my plan at this point is to start looking at more cross-training and weight lifting. I have progressed more than I thought possible in recent months when it comes to my running, and now I want to shake things up and tone things up. New weight deserves a new body, right? :)
5. Doing something for myself. I need to step away from physical health, and do something to make myself emotionally healthy. In all honesty, this shouldn't be hard to do with my sister getting married. I have a perfect reason to get my nails done, my eyebrows waxed, etc. After the wedding, I would like to get my hair cut, and buy a new outfit!
There you have it ... the five things I will strive to achieve this month.
What are you currently working towards?
This month I will work towards:
1. Running 125 miles! My time span is five weeks; from July 30 - September 2. At 5 weeks, 125 miles is 25 miles/week. These five weeks will end with my first-ever half-marathon! And I couldn't be more excited!
2. Losing 3.8 pounds. Weight loss will continue to be part of my goal until I reach my goal! I had no idea what number to strive for considering the 5 pound loss I am coming off of for July. I chose 3.8 because it will leave me at an even number; should I reach my goal, I will be 28.6 pounds down for the year!
3. Scheduling routine doctor appointments that I am behind on. I had my follow-up with the dentist today to start the repair on my broken front teeth. I need to call and schedule a physical and an eye appointment.
4. Joining the YMCA. With my half-marathon training plan coming to an end, my plan at this point is to start looking at more cross-training and weight lifting. I have progressed more than I thought possible in recent months when it comes to my running, and now I want to shake things up and tone things up. New weight deserves a new body, right? :)
5. Doing something for myself. I need to step away from physical health, and do something to make myself emotionally healthy. In all honesty, this shouldn't be hard to do with my sister getting married. I have a perfect reason to get my nails done, my eyebrows waxed, etc. After the wedding, I would like to get my hair cut, and buy a new outfit!
There you have it ... the five things I will strive to achieve this month.
What are you currently working towards?
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
July Goals: The Recap
Is it me, or does each month just seem to go faster than the one before?
I had 5 goals set for the month of July ... and it wasn't a bad month.
1. Run 96 miles. This wasn't my best accomplishment. The heat got in the way more than I would have liked, along my own laziness that comes with these hot days of summer. My personal goal was to run nearly 25 miles each week; I ended with totals of 20.35, 19, 24, and 13.2. Total mileage was 76.55 miles over the course of the four full weeks (July 2 - July 29). Still 3 miles above the training plan I am using.
2. Lose 5.8 pounds. I totally wasn't expecting to meet this one. June was a fairly decent month for weight loss, and I have found it hard to get big numbers in multiple months. I started the month with a quick 3.4 pound loss, and then spent the next 3 weeks bouncing between numbers. Much to my surprise the last two mornings I have weighed in another 1.6 pounds down. That put me at 5 pounds down for the month (I could care less about the .8!), and 24.8 down for the year! I am 3 pounds from the lowest I was at in 2008; and half way to my goal of losing 50 pounds. WOW.
3. Schedule appointments (physical, eye, dentist). Finally, I did call and set up a follow-up at the dentist; though it will only take care of some of the dental work I need to have done. (Boo-hiss!) Will probably reset this goal for August.
4. Try 3 vegetarian recipes. I posted about the one I did make. And it totally helped that I had found that recipe prior to setting that goal. I am still interested in learning more about eating a more natural diet, and will continue to look for healthy recipe ideas.
5. Wear my pre-pregnancy jeans. At the beginning of the month, I wrote that I didn't know if I had met this goal for June, because I didn't try them on. (June was a up-down month on the scale.) I did try them on shortly after setting my goal; and they are what I have worn the majority of this month! :) Even when it has been too hot for jeans because many of my capris are too big! LOVE.
I didn't meet all of my goals; but progress was made on each one. And that, my friends, is success.
Let me tell you, success is sweet.
I had 5 goals set for the month of July ... and it wasn't a bad month.
1. Run 96 miles. This wasn't my best accomplishment. The heat got in the way more than I would have liked, along my own laziness that comes with these hot days of summer. My personal goal was to run nearly 25 miles each week; I ended with totals of 20.35, 19, 24, and 13.2. Total mileage was 76.55 miles over the course of the four full weeks (July 2 - July 29). Still 3 miles above the training plan I am using.
2. Lose 5.8 pounds. I totally wasn't expecting to meet this one. June was a fairly decent month for weight loss, and I have found it hard to get big numbers in multiple months. I started the month with a quick 3.4 pound loss, and then spent the next 3 weeks bouncing between numbers. Much to my surprise the last two mornings I have weighed in another 1.6 pounds down. That put me at 5 pounds down for the month (I could care less about the .8!), and 24.8 down for the year! I am 3 pounds from the lowest I was at in 2008; and half way to my goal of losing 50 pounds. WOW.
3. Schedule appointments (physical, eye, dentist). Finally, I did call and set up a follow-up at the dentist; though it will only take care of some of the dental work I need to have done. (Boo-hiss!) Will probably reset this goal for August.
4. Try 3 vegetarian recipes. I posted about the one I did make. And it totally helped that I had found that recipe prior to setting that goal. I am still interested in learning more about eating a more natural diet, and will continue to look for healthy recipe ideas.
5. Wear my pre-pregnancy jeans. At the beginning of the month, I wrote that I didn't know if I had met this goal for June, because I didn't try them on. (June was a up-down month on the scale.) I did try them on shortly after setting my goal; and they are what I have worn the majority of this month! :) Even when it has been too hot for jeans because many of my capris are too big! LOVE.
I didn't meet all of my goals; but progress was made on each one. And that, my friends, is success.
Let me tell you, success is sweet.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: July 23-29
Not a great week ...
Monday: If I remember correctly, it was hot? Or I just had a case of the Mondays? Actually, now that I think about it, I do think I was trying to wait for it to cool off a bit, and in the meantime help get Ava to bed. Well, by the time she was sleeping, I was feeling a bit sleepy myself.
Tuesday: headed out late (after the heat) for a quick 3 miles. And quick it was ... 33:47 minutes. One of my faster 3 mile times. :) I am starting to like my first run of the week. I am typically on fresh legs following a rest after the weekend, and seems like these are my fastest runs of the week.
Wednesday: with a chance of storms and just plain ol' feeling tired, this was another rest day.
Thursday: Zero. I don't even know if there was an excuse this night (I mean there really never is) ... I know I ran some errands, and again, was just tired.
Friday: rest (as planned) Although I did attempt to make up for some missed runs by setting my alarm for early in the morning. But that was a failed plan, too.
Saturday: headed out for my long run! Another 10 on the agenda. I hit my 5 mile split in 1 hour flat. I hit 10 miles in 2:01. I finished with 10.2 miles in 2:05. The last 1.5 miles felt a lot harder than last week, but overall, I am happy with the result. Love that it was consistent. Love that even if I can't go just a little bit faster on the long runs, I can at least maintain a 12 minute pace.
Sunday: rest
Total mileage: 13.2 miles
Nothing to brag about; but it is what it is.
Monday: If I remember correctly, it was hot? Or I just had a case of the Mondays? Actually, now that I think about it, I do think I was trying to wait for it to cool off a bit, and in the meantime help get Ava to bed. Well, by the time she was sleeping, I was feeling a bit sleepy myself.
Tuesday: headed out late (after the heat) for a quick 3 miles. And quick it was ... 33:47 minutes. One of my faster 3 mile times. :) I am starting to like my first run of the week. I am typically on fresh legs following a rest after the weekend, and seems like these are my fastest runs of the week.
Wednesday: with a chance of storms and just plain ol' feeling tired, this was another rest day.
Thursday: Zero. I don't even know if there was an excuse this night (I mean there really never is) ... I know I ran some errands, and again, was just tired.
Friday: rest (as planned) Although I did attempt to make up for some missed runs by setting my alarm for early in the morning. But that was a failed plan, too.
Saturday: headed out for my long run! Another 10 on the agenda. I hit my 5 mile split in 1 hour flat. I hit 10 miles in 2:01. I finished with 10.2 miles in 2:05. The last 1.5 miles felt a lot harder than last week, but overall, I am happy with the result. Love that it was consistent. Love that even if I can't go just a little bit faster on the long runs, I can at least maintain a 12 minute pace.
Sunday: rest
Total mileage: 13.2 miles
Nothing to brag about; but it is what it is.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Weekly Update: July 16-22
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Despite more hot (and I mean HOT) July weather, I headed out for a quick run. I waited until just before 9 PM, which I found is the latest I am willing to go. After that it gets too dark before I get home. The humidity made me feel a little bit of uncomfortableness in my lungs that I have not felt in a very long time. Regardless, I knew I was keeping the mileage down, so I tried really hard to keep the pace up. I ended with 3 miles in 36:25. Not great - not bad.
Wednesday: With the weather slightly cooler, I was able to get out a bit earlier. I think this may have been the day it rained, and then cleared up in time for an evening run. It was more humid than I thought, but overall okay. I did 5 miles in 59:50. I am extremely satisfied with the consistency I am hitting 5 miles within the hour time frame.
Thursday: Again, not terrible weather. I didn't go out as early as the night before, but early enough for another 5 miles. Actually, I finished 5.3 miles in 63 minutes. Again, consistency. Love it.
Friday: Rest.
Saturday: Folks - this was a day I had both been dreading and looking forward to. My first ever double-digit mile run. :) The dread was more present given the circumstances of my 9 mile long run last weekend; however, even without that experience in my head this mile marker was a barrier that would make or break the training I have been doing. I kid you not, I woke up with a stomach ache. It took me nearly a half hour longer than expected to get out of the house. It took well into the first mile to shake the nervous, what-if I can't do this feeling. I can't imagine what race day is going to feel like!! Finally, after a slow first mile, a potty break within the first mile, and lots of self-pep talks, I fell into my groove. I was extremely happy with how I maintained my pace without pushing too fast or too slow. I finished the first 5 miles in 62 minutes. A tad slower that goal time, but not bad. I took a route I have driven, but never ran, for the second 5. At one point I thought I may be lost, but a kind woman on her bike assured me I was headed in the right direction! The way home was a little longer than I thought, but it didn't matter ... I was feeling GREAT! I hit the 10 mile mark in 2:02. That means I ran the second 5 miles in an hour! I will be thrilled if I have the energy in me on race day to run a negative split. My total mileage was 10.7 in 2:11. The weather was perfect for a morning run, the running felt great, I felt amazing. What a night and day difference from the week before. I tell ya, after this run ... I can't wait to see what I can hammer out over the next few weeks!
Total mileage for the week: 24 miles.
What an awesome week of running!
Tuesday: Despite more hot (and I mean HOT) July weather, I headed out for a quick run. I waited until just before 9 PM, which I found is the latest I am willing to go. After that it gets too dark before I get home. The humidity made me feel a little bit of uncomfortableness in my lungs that I have not felt in a very long time. Regardless, I knew I was keeping the mileage down, so I tried really hard to keep the pace up. I ended with 3 miles in 36:25. Not great - not bad.
Wednesday: With the weather slightly cooler, I was able to get out a bit earlier. I think this may have been the day it rained, and then cleared up in time for an evening run. It was more humid than I thought, but overall okay. I did 5 miles in 59:50. I am extremely satisfied with the consistency I am hitting 5 miles within the hour time frame.
Thursday: Again, not terrible weather. I didn't go out as early as the night before, but early enough for another 5 miles. Actually, I finished 5.3 miles in 63 minutes. Again, consistency. Love it.
Friday: Rest.
Saturday: Folks - this was a day I had both been dreading and looking forward to. My first ever double-digit mile run. :) The dread was more present given the circumstances of my 9 mile long run last weekend; however, even without that experience in my head this mile marker was a barrier that would make or break the training I have been doing. I kid you not, I woke up with a stomach ache. It took me nearly a half hour longer than expected to get out of the house. It took well into the first mile to shake the nervous, what-if I can't do this feeling. I can't imagine what race day is going to feel like!! Finally, after a slow first mile, a potty break within the first mile, and lots of self-pep talks, I fell into my groove. I was extremely happy with how I maintained my pace without pushing too fast or too slow. I finished the first 5 miles in 62 minutes. A tad slower that goal time, but not bad. I took a route I have driven, but never ran, for the second 5. At one point I thought I may be lost, but a kind woman on her bike assured me I was headed in the right direction! The way home was a little longer than I thought, but it didn't matter ... I was feeling GREAT! I hit the 10 mile mark in 2:02. That means I ran the second 5 miles in an hour! I will be thrilled if I have the energy in me on race day to run a negative split. My total mileage was 10.7 in 2:11. The weather was perfect for a morning run, the running felt great, I felt amazing. What a night and day difference from the week before. I tell ya, after this run ... I can't wait to see what I can hammer out over the next few weeks!
Total mileage for the week: 24 miles.
What an awesome week of running!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: July 9 - July 15
Monday: after running both Saturday and Sunday, this was a rest day.
Tuesday: I ended up with 5 miles in 59 minutes.
Wednesday: Another 5 miles (broken up by a stop at the park with Ava!) Total running time was 65 minutes.
Thursday: Rest
Friday: ugh. I set my alarm to get up and do my long run before a weekend of camping. However, I am just not used to getting up that early as morning runs aren't an option for me. I turned the alarm off, and went back to sleep.
Saturday: Another morning I wish I could have over. I woke up in the tent around 6:15. Just as I was going to quietly get up and sneak out, Ava woke up too. I could have still went ... but the nice mom and wife in me opted out. I felt bad leaving Chad that early in a campground knowing Ava would pitch a fit over me leaving her. Had we not forgotten the stroller, I would have thought more about it ....
Sunday: No excuses for this morning; I needed to get that long run in. Ava did pitch a small fit, but I needed to go and I told Chad that. Headed out to the screentent to grab some water, and lo and behold a bird had trapped itself in there over night. Small as it was, I am not a fan of close up encounters with wild creatures. Against my better judgement, I headed out with a bottle of water. The first 5 miles went great. I felt good, I maintained my pace steadily, and reached in one hour flat. I decided on an out and back route so I wouldn't get lost, and mile 6 - 7 was directly into the morning sun as the day warmed quickly, I hadn't re-hydrated at all, I started to have gas pains, and was feeling tired. I kept trying to push while allowing for breaks, but at just under 8 miles I couldn't do it anymore. I ended up making the decision to walk the last mile back to the campground. I finished 9 miles in 1:57. I was extremely frustrated during the latter part of this run, and disappointed. But these runs are bound to happen. I don't know if I just let the water thing get to my head, or if I truly learned a valuable lesson in knowing when I need to be sure to hydrate.
Total mileage: 19 miles. I feel okay with that, but given all the circumstances of the week, I am hoping for a better week ahead.
Tuesday: I ended up with 5 miles in 59 minutes.
Wednesday: Another 5 miles (broken up by a stop at the park with Ava!) Total running time was 65 minutes.
Thursday: Rest
Friday: ugh. I set my alarm to get up and do my long run before a weekend of camping. However, I am just not used to getting up that early as morning runs aren't an option for me. I turned the alarm off, and went back to sleep.
Saturday: Another morning I wish I could have over. I woke up in the tent around 6:15. Just as I was going to quietly get up and sneak out, Ava woke up too. I could have still went ... but the nice mom and wife in me opted out. I felt bad leaving Chad that early in a campground knowing Ava would pitch a fit over me leaving her. Had we not forgotten the stroller, I would have thought more about it ....
Sunday: No excuses for this morning; I needed to get that long run in. Ava did pitch a small fit, but I needed to go and I told Chad that. Headed out to the screentent to grab some water, and lo and behold a bird had trapped itself in there over night. Small as it was, I am not a fan of close up encounters with wild creatures. Against my better judgement, I headed out with a bottle of water. The first 5 miles went great. I felt good, I maintained my pace steadily, and reached in one hour flat. I decided on an out and back route so I wouldn't get lost, and mile 6 - 7 was directly into the morning sun as the day warmed quickly, I hadn't re-hydrated at all, I started to have gas pains, and was feeling tired. I kept trying to push while allowing for breaks, but at just under 8 miles I couldn't do it anymore. I ended up making the decision to walk the last mile back to the campground. I finished 9 miles in 1:57. I was extremely frustrated during the latter part of this run, and disappointed. But these runs are bound to happen. I don't know if I just let the water thing get to my head, or if I truly learned a valuable lesson in knowing when I need to be sure to hydrate.
Total mileage: 19 miles. I feel okay with that, but given all the circumstances of the week, I am hoping for a better week ahead.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: July 2 - July 8
Monday: the start of an extremely hot week; I headed out at about 8:35PM and completed 3.72 miles in 45 minutes. I was thankful to make it home before dark, and not too disappointed with m pace either.
Tuesday: We participated in a 4 mile Walk for a Cancer Free World. It was miserable, but for a good cause!
Wednesday: 4th of July!
Thursday: It was miserably hot, and I didn't do a darn thing!
Friday: Rest (a usual rest day)
Saturday: a break in the heat just in time for my weekly long run! I did a total of 8.13 miles. I hit the 5 mile mark in exactly 60 minutes, and hit 8 miles in 1:35.30. A half of minute faster than my goal time! :) Overall, very satisfied!
Sunday: much sorer than normal. Waiting until evening to head out. Went out for two reasons: needed the miles and needed to get the lactic acid out from the day before! Took the little Bug with me, and completed 4.5 miles in 60 minutes. My goal was to go slow and steady, but still felt frustrated with that pace. Anyone else have difficulty not worrying about the pace when you are running?
Total mileage for the week was 20.35. More than the training plan called for, less than I was hoping for. But, can't complain!
Tuesday: We participated in a 4 mile Walk for a Cancer Free World. It was miserable, but for a good cause!
Wednesday: 4th of July!
Thursday: It was miserably hot, and I didn't do a darn thing!
Friday: Rest (a usual rest day)
Saturday: a break in the heat just in time for my weekly long run! I did a total of 8.13 miles. I hit the 5 mile mark in exactly 60 minutes, and hit 8 miles in 1:35.30. A half of minute faster than my goal time! :) Overall, very satisfied!
Sunday: much sorer than normal. Waiting until evening to head out. Went out for two reasons: needed the miles and needed to get the lactic acid out from the day before! Took the little Bug with me, and completed 4.5 miles in 60 minutes. My goal was to go slow and steady, but still felt frustrated with that pace. Anyone else have difficulty not worrying about the pace when you are running?
Total mileage for the week was 20.35. More than the training plan called for, less than I was hoping for. But, can't complain!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Recipe 1 of 3
One of my goals for July was to eat three vegetarian meals after reading a couple of articles about vegetarian and vegan diets.
This weekend I tried this Zucchini, Black Bean and Rice Skillet. Generally speaking, I liked it.
A few other thoughts:
.it tastes a little like a stir fry, but with something missing.
.it could maybe use a dressing (even basic olive oil) or even some salt and pepper to spice it up a bit.
.I ate it with a little bit of ranch dressing, since I was also eating raw veggies, and that helped.
.I thought about putting it with a little sour cream since it's a little Mexican feeling.
.I realized tonight I will need to make it again, because I totally forgot to sprinkle the cheese on top.
.that could solve my problems?
Something I will try again; not bad at all.
Happy Eating!
This weekend I tried this Zucchini, Black Bean and Rice Skillet. Generally speaking, I liked it.
A few other thoughts:
.it tastes a little like a stir fry, but with something missing.
.it could maybe use a dressing (even basic olive oil) or even some salt and pepper to spice it up a bit.
.I ate it with a little bit of ranch dressing, since I was also eating raw veggies, and that helped.
.I thought about putting it with a little sour cream since it's a little Mexican feeling.
.I realized tonight I will need to make it again, because I totally forgot to sprinkle the cheese on top.
.that could solve my problems?
Something I will try again; not bad at all.
Happy Eating!
Friday, July 6, 2012
New Month, New Goals
We are almost a week into July already. About time to list out some goals.
1. Run! I am shooting for upwards of 90 miles. That is based on the training plan I am following plus a few more miles.
2. Lose weight. 5.8 pounds would put me at an even number, and down 25.6 pounds for the year. I will take what I can get though!
3. In sticking with setting goals that keep an overall healthy lifestyle, I want to be sure to schedule some appointments. A follow-up with the dentist, a physical, and an eye exam.
4. I've read a few articles lately (that just happened to be in my magazines versus on purpose) about vegan and vegetarian diets. My interest is sparked and while I am not ready to jump in and change my diet completely, I am willing to try some vegetarian recipes. My goal is to try 3 new recipes this month.
5. Following up from June, I am determined to wear some pre-pregnancy jeans!
What are you currently working towards?
1. Run! I am shooting for upwards of 90 miles. That is based on the training plan I am following plus a few more miles.
2. Lose weight. 5.8 pounds would put me at an even number, and down 25.6 pounds for the year. I will take what I can get though!
3. In sticking with setting goals that keep an overall healthy lifestyle, I want to be sure to schedule some appointments. A follow-up with the dentist, a physical, and an eye exam.
4. I've read a few articles lately (that just happened to be in my magazines versus on purpose) about vegan and vegetarian diets. My interest is sparked and while I am not ready to jump in and change my diet completely, I am willing to try some vegetarian recipes. My goal is to try 3 new recipes this month.
5. Following up from June, I am determined to wear some pre-pregnancy jeans!
What are you currently working towards?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Reviewing June
I had five goals set for the month of June. Here's how I did.
1. Run 76 miles over four weeks. I ended with 76.06. Not bad. Half way through I had thought I might end up with closer to 80, or even over 80. But two lower mileage weeks at the end tampered with that. Still, goal met!
2. Bike once per week. I biked a total of zero times. Disappointing, but not upsetting. It would be nice to be fitting in workouts beyond my runs, but my main focus is my running in preparation for the upcoming half marathon.
3. Lose 3-6 pounds. 3 would've put me down 20 for the year. 6 would've put me into a new "decade" of numbers. I yo-yo'ed a lot over the course of the month, and ended about a half a pound short. I am thiiiis close to being down 20 pounds.
4. Fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Honestly, I don't know if its met or not met. With the yo-yo weights, I didn't want to try them and be disappointed. I guess I will need to do that!
5. Eat 3 fruits/veggies per day. I didn't track this one daily. I would say I average 2 per day, some days more. Always room for improvement.
Another successful month. Coming up short on some specific goals, but maintaining consistency and feeling good.
1. Run 76 miles over four weeks. I ended with 76.06. Not bad. Half way through I had thought I might end up with closer to 80, or even over 80. But two lower mileage weeks at the end tampered with that. Still, goal met!
2. Bike once per week. I biked a total of zero times. Disappointing, but not upsetting. It would be nice to be fitting in workouts beyond my runs, but my main focus is my running in preparation for the upcoming half marathon.
3. Lose 3-6 pounds. 3 would've put me down 20 for the year. 6 would've put me into a new "decade" of numbers. I yo-yo'ed a lot over the course of the month, and ended about a half a pound short. I am thiiiis close to being down 20 pounds.
4. Fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Honestly, I don't know if its met or not met. With the yo-yo weights, I didn't want to try them and be disappointed. I guess I will need to do that!
5. Eat 3 fruits/veggies per day. I didn't track this one daily. I would say I average 2 per day, some days more. Always room for improvement.
Another successful month. Coming up short on some specific goals, but maintaining consistency and feeling good.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Race Lessons
I briefly mentioned yesterday that about a day before I ran the Hog Jog I realized it was good I had signed up for a morning race. All my 5k's have been evening runs, and having my first morning race occur the day of the half probably wouldn't be the best idea.
Here are a couple things I realized after Saturday morning.
First, I need to make sure I go to bed on time and wake up ready to run. Saturday morning I would have been just as thrilled turning the alarm off and sleeping in. Granted the half will be the cumulation of 18 weeks of hard work versus part of the training.
Second, I am aware of the possibility of nightmares. The morning of the race I woke up dreaming I didn't have the right shoes and they wouldn't hold off the start for me to get some. Oddly enough, in April I went to St. Cloud without my shoes .... who knew that would haunt me! I don't know what I will do to stop the nightmares, but good to know they are a possibility.
Third, breakfast. Race nerves absolutely gave me butterflies and made it hard to eat. And I know I will need to eat before tackling 13.1. This is something morning training runs cant help with either, because they don't induce the same nervous, pit in stomach feelings.
What have you done to figure out race day routines and obstacles? What can you prepare for? What has caught you off guard?
Just about 60 days until race day!!
Edited to add: Fourth, don't go out too fast! This is not specific to morning races, but a reminder from Saturday's race. I went out and ran high 10/low 11 minute miles for the first three miles. According to my watch, I ran the first 5k in 33 minutes (plus some odd seconds). That is fast for me. While I reached my goal for the race, the last two miles were quite a bit slower. That was two more miles, not 10. Gotta learn to match pace with distance.
Here are a couple things I realized after Saturday morning.
First, I need to make sure I go to bed on time and wake up ready to run. Saturday morning I would have been just as thrilled turning the alarm off and sleeping in. Granted the half will be the cumulation of 18 weeks of hard work versus part of the training.
Second, I am aware of the possibility of nightmares. The morning of the race I woke up dreaming I didn't have the right shoes and they wouldn't hold off the start for me to get some. Oddly enough, in April I went to St. Cloud without my shoes .... who knew that would haunt me! I don't know what I will do to stop the nightmares, but good to know they are a possibility.
Third, breakfast. Race nerves absolutely gave me butterflies and made it hard to eat. And I know I will need to eat before tackling 13.1. This is something morning training runs cant help with either, because they don't induce the same nervous, pit in stomach feelings.
What have you done to figure out race day routines and obstacles? What can you prepare for? What has caught you off guard?
Just about 60 days until race day!!
Edited to add: Fourth, don't go out too fast! This is not specific to morning races, but a reminder from Saturday's race. I went out and ran high 10/low 11 minute miles for the first three miles. According to my watch, I ran the first 5k in 33 minutes (plus some odd seconds). That is fast for me. While I reached my goal for the race, the last two miles were quite a bit slower. That was two more miles, not 10. Gotta learn to match pace with distance.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: June 25 - July 2
Monday: 5 miles in an hour flat. A strong run all the way around. Felt great when I finished that one!
Tuesday: 4.73 miles in 1:04. Felt okay at the beginning, strong in the middle, and terrible at the end. Had stomache pains and gas only running can bring on! Walked the. 73 miles home.
Wednesday: knew it was going t be a hot one, so purposely planned a rest day.
Thursday: between being really tired and going to a retirement party after work, my evening was just off; hence an unplanned rest day.
Friday: rest in preparation for ....
Saturday: Hog Jog 5 mile race. Nothing like a new race distance for an automatic PR! Seriously though, in May I set a goal to be able to do 5 miles in less than an hour by this day. My time was around 56 minutes (haven't seen official times) but I was more than satisfied with that effort. I am also glad I had the chance to run a morning race before the big one on Sept 1.
Sunday: woke up this morning and decided it was going to be a stay home, chill sort of day. I did do laundry and dishes, but I also took a nap and just relaxed. Decided to carry that into my running, too.
It was a scheduled cut-back week. I took advantage of that, and finished just 14.73 miles.
Next week we're back at it in full force.
Tuesday: 4.73 miles in 1:04. Felt okay at the beginning, strong in the middle, and terrible at the end. Had stomache pains and gas only running can bring on! Walked the. 73 miles home.
Wednesday: knew it was going t be a hot one, so purposely planned a rest day.
Thursday: between being really tired and going to a retirement party after work, my evening was just off; hence an unplanned rest day.
Friday: rest in preparation for ....
Saturday: Hog Jog 5 mile race. Nothing like a new race distance for an automatic PR! Seriously though, in May I set a goal to be able to do 5 miles in less than an hour by this day. My time was around 56 minutes (haven't seen official times) but I was more than satisfied with that effort. I am also glad I had the chance to run a morning race before the big one on Sept 1.
Sunday: woke up this morning and decided it was going to be a stay home, chill sort of day. I did do laundry and dishes, but I also took a nap and just relaxed. Decided to carry that into my running, too.
It was a scheduled cut-back week. I took advantage of that, and finished just 14.73 miles.
Next week we're back at it in full force.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: June 18-24
Monday: after doing my 8 miles on Sunday, I took Monday off. Plus it was HOT!!
Tuesday: another hot day, but had to get those miles in. So, I waited until after 8:00 PM and then did 4.68 miles in roughly 57 minutes. Thank goodness there was a breeze!
Wednesday: all set to go, but it was raining. I probably could have snuck in a quick one right after work, but I didn't.
Thursday: rest. We headed out of town right when I got home from work.
Friday: 5.45 miles in 1:06. Not bad.
Saturday: another 8 mile long run! And despite being out of town and running on hilly country roads that I'm not used to, I had the same time as the week before! 1:41.
Sunday: I thought about making up tor Wednesdays missed run, but opted against it. Not sweating the small stuff!
Total mileage for the week: 18.13
Ready to end June on a high note!
Tuesday: another hot day, but had to get those miles in. So, I waited until after 8:00 PM and then did 4.68 miles in roughly 57 minutes. Thank goodness there was a breeze!
Wednesday: all set to go, but it was raining. I probably could have snuck in a quick one right after work, but I didn't.
Thursday: rest. We headed out of town right when I got home from work.
Friday: 5.45 miles in 1:06. Not bad.
Saturday: another 8 mile long run! And despite being out of town and running on hilly country roads that I'm not used to, I had the same time as the week before! 1:41.
Sunday: I thought about making up tor Wednesdays missed run, but opted against it. Not sweating the small stuff!
Total mileage for the week: 18.13
Ready to end June on a high note!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Weekly Wrap-Up: June 11-17
A little late with the update, but all is well.
Monday: did 4 miles, but cant remember what my time was. Pretty uneventful.
Tuesday: went up to the nature center for something different. Found myself surprised the grass didn't feel easier, but hopefully still better for the knees? And to remind myself what it felt like to run on uneven surfaces and watch the trails for rocks, stumps, etc. Ended with 5.53 miles in a little over an hour.
Wednesday: 5 miles, again took over an hour. (62 minutes? 65? I cant remember.) I really do log my time, but not on the sheet I use to refer back to when typing these posts! I could tell it was my third night in a row. I was tired. Sore. My shins hurt. But I did it, and it felt good.
Thursday: rest
Friday: walked Como Zoo with friends, but other than that nothing!
Saturday: rest. Chad was out of town and I had a dear friend visiting.
Sunday: with Chad home, I needed yo get my long run in. The training plan called for my longest run yet; I was actually excited about it when I went to bed the night before! Woke up on time, and before 7 I was out the door working on 8 miles. The last two were tough, but manageable. I missed my goal time by 5 minutes, but not really disappointed!
Total weekly mileage: 22.53 miles
Hows your summer training going? Any races on the agenda?
Monday: did 4 miles, but cant remember what my time was. Pretty uneventful.
Tuesday: went up to the nature center for something different. Found myself surprised the grass didn't feel easier, but hopefully still better for the knees? And to remind myself what it felt like to run on uneven surfaces and watch the trails for rocks, stumps, etc. Ended with 5.53 miles in a little over an hour.
Wednesday: 5 miles, again took over an hour. (62 minutes? 65? I cant remember.) I really do log my time, but not on the sheet I use to refer back to when typing these posts! I could tell it was my third night in a row. I was tired. Sore. My shins hurt. But I did it, and it felt good.
Thursday: rest
Friday: walked Como Zoo with friends, but other than that nothing!
Saturday: rest. Chad was out of town and I had a dear friend visiting.
Sunday: with Chad home, I needed yo get my long run in. The training plan called for my longest run yet; I was actually excited about it when I went to bed the night before! Woke up on time, and before 7 I was out the door working on 8 miles. The last two were tough, but manageable. I missed my goal time by 5 minutes, but not really disappointed!
Total weekly mileage: 22.53 miles
Hows your summer training going? Any races on the agenda?
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Weekly Wrap -Up: June 4-10
Monday: It was hotter than I thought, but Ava and I headed out anyway. We stopped to play at a park but still ended up with 5.25 miles in about 1:17. Not nearly ad impressive as the day before, but a decent effort no matter what.
Tuesday: Another hot day (I guess summer is upon us!) So I decied to wait until evening. Still warm, but bearable. I did an easy 4.5 miles, and for the life of me cant remember what my time was.
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: after making it to my parents, I visited with family and then got readt for a run. My goal was 4.25, and about 1/3 of the way into the route I planned, I felt like I was going to come up short. So, instead of turning where I planned, I kept going and ran out to the lighthouse. Despite growing up there (or maybe because of it) I forget how far out that is. I ended up with 5.92 miles and in great time (70 minutes)!
Friday: rest
Saturday: another run through my hometown. It was so peaceful! Finished the planned 6 miles, after Thursday the 77 minutes felt slow. But really there was nothing to be disappointed about!
Sunday: rest
Total mileage: 21.67
Another successful week!!
Tuesday: Another hot day (I guess summer is upon us!) So I decied to wait until evening. Still warm, but bearable. I did an easy 4.5 miles, and for the life of me cant remember what my time was.
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: after making it to my parents, I visited with family and then got readt for a run. My goal was 4.25, and about 1/3 of the way into the route I planned, I felt like I was going to come up short. So, instead of turning where I planned, I kept going and ran out to the lighthouse. Despite growing up there (or maybe because of it) I forget how far out that is. I ended up with 5.92 miles and in great time (70 minutes)!
Friday: rest
Saturday: another run through my hometown. It was so peaceful! Finished the planned 6 miles, after Thursday the 77 minutes felt slow. But really there was nothing to be disappointed about!
Sunday: rest
Total mileage: 21.67
Another successful week!!
Monday, June 4, 2012
June Goals
1. Follow my training plan consistently. The plan has me completing 62 miles over the next four weeks. Based on what I've been running, my goal is 76 miles. Totally doable since I just did 85 in 5 weeks.
2. Bike once per week. Just another attempt at some cross training and a good way to fit in an extra workout!
3. Lose at least 3 pounds. That would put me at 20 pounds lost since January. 6 pounds would start July in another new "decade"!!
4. I am finally at a pre-pregnancy weight. Now I want to wear my pre-pregnancy jeans! I am so close already! They go on and button, just not completely comfortable.
5. Eat three servings of fruit/vegetables per day.
2. Bike once per week. Just another attempt at some cross training and a good way to fit in an extra workout!
3. Lose at least 3 pounds. That would put me at 20 pounds lost since January. 6 pounds would start July in another new "decade"!!
4. I am finally at a pre-pregnancy weight. Now I want to wear my pre-pregnancy jeans! I am so close already! They go on and button, just not completely comfortable.
5. Eat three servings of fruit/vegetables per day.
May in Review
Proud to say the success I had in April followed me right through May. :)
The goals I set and the results:
Minimum 75 miles: Finished with 85!
Add strength training: still not done.
Get the bike out: I had it out twice.
Lose 5-10 lbs.: I lost 6!! And am down 17 pounds since the beginning of January!
Track calories: ugh. I know this wouldn't be that hard to do. I just haven't done it. I do; however, continue to make conscious choices about what I am eating.
Track new routes: I didn't. But I have taken two runs in our new town. I've just followed the bike/walking paths, and its been a good transition so far!
May, you rocked!
June .... lets keep it going!
The goals I set and the results:
Minimum 75 miles: Finished with 85!
Add strength training: still not done.
Get the bike out: I had it out twice.
Lose 5-10 lbs.: I lost 6!! And am down 17 pounds since the beginning of January!
Track calories: ugh. I know this wouldn't be that hard to do. I just haven't done it. I do; however, continue to make conscious choices about what I am eating.
Track new routes: I didn't. But I have taken two runs in our new town. I've just followed the bike/walking paths, and its been a good transition so far!
May, you rocked!
June .... lets keep it going!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Week 5 of 5
5 weeks ago I set a goal to run a minimum of 75 miles (15 per week).
Here's what week 5 looked like ...
Monday: 3.8 miles
Tuesday: 4.3 miles
Wednesday: rest (good planning since it rained!)
Thursday: moved!
Friday: unpacking.
Saturday: walked with the fam for 3.5 miles through the Nature Center.
Sunday: 5 miles in 65 minutes. 5 minutes from my goal of 5 miles in sn hour.
Total for the week: 16.6.
Total for all 5 weeks: 85 miles!
Most proud that through moving I met my goal. I am so terrible when it comes to balancing big things like that.
My lowest mileage week still came in slightly higher than my minimum goal. So cool.
Here's what week 5 looked like ...
Monday: 3.8 miles
Tuesday: 4.3 miles
Wednesday: rest (good planning since it rained!)
Thursday: moved!
Friday: unpacking.
Saturday: walked with the fam for 3.5 miles through the Nature Center.
Sunday: 5 miles in 65 minutes. 5 minutes from my goal of 5 miles in sn hour.
Total for the week: 16.6.
Total for all 5 weeks: 85 miles!
Most proud that through moving I met my goal. I am so terrible when it comes to balancing big things like that.
My lowest mileage week still came in slightly higher than my minimum goal. So cool.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Week 4 of 5
Monday: 4.3 miles in 57 minutes.
Tuesday: 4.6 miles in 59 minutes. Felt good. Plus my goal is to do 5 in less than an hour, getting closer!
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 3.5 miles. I think it was 42 minutes!??!
Friday: rest
Saturday: moving and packing .... does that count?
Sunday: again moving and packing, but I did do 3 miles in 37.5 minutes.
I was a little disappointed I didn't get a longer run in, but the training plan I am following did have a lower mileage week thrown in. So, win-win?
Total for the week: 15.4 miles
Total after week 4: 68.4 miles
I will reach my minimum goal of 75 miles no problem. The question is how far over will I go?
Tuesday: 4.6 miles in 59 minutes. Felt good. Plus my goal is to do 5 in less than an hour, getting closer!
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 3.5 miles. I think it was 42 minutes!??!
Friday: rest
Saturday: moving and packing .... does that count?
Sunday: again moving and packing, but I did do 3 miles in 37.5 minutes.
I was a little disappointed I didn't get a longer run in, but the training plan I am following did have a lower mileage week thrown in. So, win-win?
Total for the week: 15.4 miles
Total after week 4: 68.4 miles
I will reach my minimum goal of 75 miles no problem. The question is how far over will I go?
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Week 3 of 5
Another week. Another 18.1 miles. Still on track to SURPASS the goal I set for myself!
Monday: 4.3 miles
Tuesday: 3.5 miles (with 20 minutes of park time in the middle!)
These two runs felt hard. My legs were heavy. I just had a hard time feeling in the groove. But I finished them, and surprisingly my times weren't as slow as I was expecting. Win, win I'd say!
Wednesday: bilked about 7.5 miles
Thursday: 4.3 miles. This one felt a little better!
Friday: rest
Saturday: 6 miles, which felt really good actually. The only disappointing factor was not meeting the time goal I had set for myself. Missed it by about 5 minutes, but did barely squeek a faster time than when I had the stroller with last week ;)
Sunday: rest
So, total mileage after week 3: 53/80
Not bad; not bad at all!
Monday: 4.3 miles
Tuesday: 3.5 miles (with 20 minutes of park time in the middle!)
These two runs felt hard. My legs were heavy. I just had a hard time feeling in the groove. But I finished them, and surprisingly my times weren't as slow as I was expecting. Win, win I'd say!
Wednesday: bilked about 7.5 miles
Thursday: 4.3 miles. This one felt a little better!
Friday: rest
Saturday: 6 miles, which felt really good actually. The only disappointing factor was not meeting the time goal I had set for myself. Missed it by about 5 minutes, but did barely squeek a faster time than when I had the stroller with last week ;)
Sunday: rest
So, total mileage after week 3: 53/80
Not bad; not bad at all!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Week 2 of 5
Another great week!
Monday: felt good, but still slower than I was hoping. Because this route has been routinely slower than I felt it should be, when I got home I used mapmyrun.com to re-map it out. Lo and behold I was off by a half a mile! I know exactly where I messed up the calculation too. So now that that is squared away ... 4 miles done.
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: did 3.8 miles in roughly 48 minutes.
Thursday: After celebrating a birthday with pizza, cake, and ice cream ... I headed out for another 4-miler! Got to go by myself since A was playing with cousins. I am having a hard time keeping the details straight, but I think I finished around 52 minutes?? Either way, I felt great.
Friday: rest
Saturday: it was just A and I that morning, so I packed some snacks and off we went. One of my longest runs to date. I finished 6 miles, and did it in just over 80 minutes,
Sunday: went for a bike tide!! Finished about 6.5 miles. So.nice to switch it up and still burn some calories!
Total: 17.8 miles, plus 6.5 on the bike!
Grand total: 34.9 in 2 weeks.
Monday: felt good, but still slower than I was hoping. Because this route has been routinely slower than I felt it should be, when I got home I used mapmyrun.com to re-map it out. Lo and behold I was off by a half a mile! I know exactly where I messed up the calculation too. So now that that is squared away ... 4 miles done.
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: did 3.8 miles in roughly 48 minutes.
Thursday: After celebrating a birthday with pizza, cake, and ice cream ... I headed out for another 4-miler! Got to go by myself since A was playing with cousins. I am having a hard time keeping the details straight, but I think I finished around 52 minutes?? Either way, I felt great.
Friday: rest
Saturday: it was just A and I that morning, so I packed some snacks and off we went. One of my longest runs to date. I finished 6 miles, and did it in just over 80 minutes,
Sunday: went for a bike tide!! Finished about 6.5 miles. So.nice to switch it up and still burn some calories!
Total: 17.8 miles, plus 6.5 on the bike!
Grand total: 34.9 in 2 weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)