Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know.
No Weekly Workout Logs for the past 2 weeks.
I haven't had much to write about. I get this way towards the holidays. The procrastinator in me gets all worked up about buying Christmas presents, it (finally) gets cold in the Kansas City area, and, let's face it, when you are newly dating someone, it's so much more fun to snuggle up with them than work out.
But the New Year is almost upon us.
I've always thought of 13 as my lucky number anyway, so here's to a better 2013. A few general resolutions I'm making:
1. Get back to clean eating.
2. Stick to the workout plans and use the tools I'm getting from my weekly trips to the gym.
3. Be a little more forgiving and little less judgemental.
4. Stop worrying so @#$# @#$@# much.
It's snowing here, so tonight will likely be a fancy night in, and I'm ok with that.
Here's to a 2013 we can all be proud of!
xo,
Eliz
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
On Not Running
I don't know how it happened, but 2012 has reached it's final month and that month is already quickly shuffling through its days. When I started this year, I had high hopes for my running. Really high hopes. I never would have guessed that I would have spent more months of 2012 not running.
I suppose it might be easy to glance at things and conclude that I got burnt out on running.
My friends, that is simply not true.
I got burnt out on being injured. On having to walk not because I was tired but because I was in pain. It's physically, mentally and emotionally taxing to constantly battle injury, to feel like nothing that you do helps long-term.
I miss running. I particularly miss running the Sandrat Trail with S & D on Sunday mornings. That trail was ... is one of my favorite places to run. It's hard to justify a 45 minute drive for a run, though, and I've not really made an effort to find a new place to run in my new home. Maybe I'm just a little apprehensive about find a new favorite and then not being able to actually run it. Who knows.
Running isn't gone forever. I haven't given up on it. There are just a few more things I want to get worked out before I get attached to running again. I want to make sure that my body can handle all the training I want to do. I want to hit that 18 minute 2 mile goal. I want to run a sub-60 minute 10K and most of all, I want to finish the Dublin Marathon.
I'm not going to lie, I'm doubtful of that last one. I don't know if my body can take all the miles it's going to need in order to be ready for 26.2 miles. That's a lot of running, and it scares me. It scares me that I may get halfway through training for this thing and realize I'm breaking down again. It scares me that I'll get through all the training, only to have to drop out in the middle of the race. It scares me a lot. Almost to the point of saying "Eh, I don't really need to do a marathon."
Almost.
But I'm not giving up on myself. I know I have the tools and the knowledge to keep myself from being injured. All I have to do is actually use those tools and that knowledge.
So, I'm telling you right now. Be ready.
Be ready to read about speedwork again. Be ready to read about hill repeats (my favorite!). Be ready to read about weight lifting. And push ups. Be ready to read about a sub-60 min 10k at the Hospital Hill Run. Be ready to read how fast I was at the 2 Mile Turkey Trot. And most of all, be ready for the sappiest recount of a marathon, EVER (let's face it folks, I'm a sap).
And I'll be ready, too.
I suppose it might be easy to glance at things and conclude that I got burnt out on running.
My friends, that is simply not true.
I got burnt out on being injured. On having to walk not because I was tired but because I was in pain. It's physically, mentally and emotionally taxing to constantly battle injury, to feel like nothing that you do helps long-term.
I miss running. I particularly miss running the Sandrat Trail with S & D on Sunday mornings. That trail was ... is one of my favorite places to run. It's hard to justify a 45 minute drive for a run, though, and I've not really made an effort to find a new place to run in my new home. Maybe I'm just a little apprehensive about find a new favorite and then not being able to actually run it. Who knows.
Running isn't gone forever. I haven't given up on it. There are just a few more things I want to get worked out before I get attached to running again. I want to make sure that my body can handle all the training I want to do. I want to hit that 18 minute 2 mile goal. I want to run a sub-60 minute 10K and most of all, I want to finish the Dublin Marathon.
I'm not going to lie, I'm doubtful of that last one. I don't know if my body can take all the miles it's going to need in order to be ready for 26.2 miles. That's a lot of running, and it scares me. It scares me that I may get halfway through training for this thing and realize I'm breaking down again. It scares me that I'll get through all the training, only to have to drop out in the middle of the race. It scares me a lot. Almost to the point of saying "Eh, I don't really need to do a marathon."
Almost.
But I'm not giving up on myself. I know I have the tools and the knowledge to keep myself from being injured. All I have to do is actually use those tools and that knowledge.
So, I'm telling you right now. Be ready.
Be ready to read about speedwork again. Be ready to read about hill repeats (my favorite!). Be ready to read about weight lifting. And push ups. Be ready to read about a sub-60 min 10k at the Hospital Hill Run. Be ready to read how fast I was at the 2 Mile Turkey Trot. And most of all, be ready for the sappiest recount of a marathon, EVER (let's face it folks, I'm a sap).
And I'll be ready, too.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
This week was a tough week for me, as I had been fighting a stubborn migraine since Thanksgiving. Part of it was my fault (got lazy about reading food labels) but I'm still certain at least 50% was due to something beyond my control. I actually broke down on Friday & was at the doctors office in a fit of tears, but we did come up with a solution that hopefully will make my life more than livable again.
In any case ...
Monday: BodyRockTV's unapologetic sweat workout + Operation: Gun Show
**this one was ok. I mean, it was good, but I think I'm getting bored with my BodyRock workouts. Just means it's time to switch things up again, I guess.
Tuesday: Killer migraine today. It was pretty awful.
Wednesday: Still wasn't feeling the best but managed to crank out the randomabs workout of the day and an Operation: Gun Show workout.
Thursday: did about 40 minutes of yoga on my own. I thought it would help the migraine a bit. It didn't really, but the yoga still felt good.
Friday: It was date night with ICG so I made some vegetarian chili (apparently it wasn't hot enough ... whatever) and then we went to see Skyfall. I so heart James Bond.
Saturday: Another good workout with my trainer. I worked so hard, I had to stop and think about what came next in the last circuit I did. It's been a long time since I've hit "workout stupid".
Sunday:Yoga again. Apparently, I've missed doing yoga. A lot.
I also met up with an old running friend for coffee and shopping at H&M. We talked about races that we might do in 2013, and she invited me to join the Monday night running group. This one pretty much meets up and does a quick 30 minute run so they can have beer and food without feeling guilty. Sounds like the group for me! I said I would be there, unless it was really cold. (Preview for next week's workout log: it was REALLY COLD on Monday. Oh well)
In any case ...
Monday: BodyRockTV's unapologetic sweat workout + Operation: Gun Show
**this one was ok. I mean, it was good, but I think I'm getting bored with my BodyRock workouts. Just means it's time to switch things up again, I guess.
Tuesday: Killer migraine today. It was pretty awful.
Wednesday: Still wasn't feeling the best but managed to crank out the randomabs workout of the day and an Operation: Gun Show workout.
Thursday: did about 40 minutes of yoga on my own. I thought it would help the migraine a bit. It didn't really, but the yoga still felt good.
Friday: It was date night with ICG so I made some vegetarian chili (apparently it wasn't hot enough ... whatever) and then we went to see Skyfall. I so heart James Bond.
Saturday: Another good workout with my trainer. I worked so hard, I had to stop and think about what came next in the last circuit I did. It's been a long time since I've hit "workout stupid".
Sunday:Yoga again. Apparently, I've missed doing yoga. A lot.
I also met up with an old running friend for coffee and shopping at H&M. We talked about races that we might do in 2013, and she invited me to join the Monday night running group. This one pretty much meets up and does a quick 30 minute run so they can have beer and food without feeling guilty. Sounds like the group for me! I said I would be there, unless it was really cold. (Preview for next week's workout log: it was REALLY COLD on Monday. Oh well)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
FINALLY! Getting back on track ... it feels good, folks, it feels good.
So here's what I did this week:
Monday: Rest. No real excuses, I just felt lazy.
Tuesday: BodyRock's Don't Wake me Up Workout plus Operation: Gun Show Tuesday workout
***this was a quick 8 minute workout, but super good. The 20 tricep dips afterwards were a killer, because my legs were shaking.
Wednesday: Random Abs and Operation: Gun Show Monday workout
***OMG this random abs was tough! I couldn't believe how hard I was working! And I really love the OGS Monday routine. I feel so BA when I finish 3 rounds of tricep pushups.
Thursday: Ummm .... I got my hair done. And then I hung out with Ice Cream Guy. Whoops.
Friday: I left work late, Ice Cream Guy left work early and we were scheduled to drive to Tulsa for the big ball. I got in a round of pushups. Meh.
Saturday: Drill Sergeant Mom workout on my HIIT Trainer App. I though it was appropriate for the weekend :). Also did a few rounds of curls and kickbacks and some stability work for my knees and hips. That hotel gym was a pretty awesome gym, actually ...
Sunday: I had every intention of working out on Sunday. That was until we went to a bar Saturday night. Did you know there isn't a clean indoor air policy in Tulsa? Or Oklahoma? I smelled so bad Sunday morning, there was no way I was going to make myself sweat while smelling that bad.
Yuck.
I know. Crappy excuse. It was a fab weekend, though. I'll tell ya all about it later.
So here's what I did this week:
Monday: Rest. No real excuses, I just felt lazy.
Tuesday: BodyRock's Don't Wake me Up Workout plus Operation: Gun Show Tuesday workout
***this was a quick 8 minute workout, but super good. The 20 tricep dips afterwards were a killer, because my legs were shaking.
Wednesday: Random Abs and Operation: Gun Show Monday workout
***OMG this random abs was tough! I couldn't believe how hard I was working! And I really love the OGS Monday routine. I feel so BA when I finish 3 rounds of tricep pushups.
Thursday: Ummm .... I got my hair done. And then I hung out with Ice Cream Guy. Whoops.
Friday: I left work late, Ice Cream Guy left work early and we were scheduled to drive to Tulsa for the big ball. I got in a round of pushups. Meh.
Saturday: Drill Sergeant Mom workout on my HIIT Trainer App. I though it was appropriate for the weekend :). Also did a few rounds of curls and kickbacks and some stability work for my knees and hips. That hotel gym was a pretty awesome gym, actually ...
Sunday: I had every intention of working out on Sunday. That was until we went to a bar Saturday night. Did you know there isn't a clean indoor air policy in Tulsa? Or Oklahoma? I smelled so bad Sunday morning, there was no way I was going to make myself sweat while smelling that bad.
Yuck.
I know. Crappy excuse. It was a fab weekend, though. I'll tell ya all about it later.
A Recap of Trotting on Turkey Day
Thanksgiving this year was different from the past ... oh 15 or so years.
This was the first time in all of those years that my immediate family celebrated in my hometown in Iowa, rather than traveling to my mom's hometown in Minnesota.
This was the first holiday without my bad-ass Grandma.
Before Thanksgiving, my dad made a comment to me during a phone conversation that we wouldn't have much to do.
Really, it was almost like a challenge: find something to do!
So, I found a local Turkey Trot, and encouraged the entire family to attend. In the end, it was an event shared with my siblings, while the parents stayed home, cooking. And Jeff joined us, too!
I knew it was a small race, and thought maybe this would be the race for me to place in my age group, but I also knew that I was still feeling pretty tight in the hips while running, so it wouldn't be a speedy race.
My brother is 6'4" and a former cross country runner, so I knew he was going to be quick, even at his old age of 31 (hehehehe). My sister signed up for the walk and volunteered to wrangle Jeff, so I was left to just feel things out.
The race wasn't chip timed and I didn't bring my Garmin - did I mention it was only 2 miles? So when the whistle blew, I just set out at my usual comfortable pace. Then I decided I could go a little faster. Took out a few gals that I thought might be in my age group (yes!). About a half mile in, the tightness crept up, and for the first time, I noticed how it affected where my foot landed (a tight left hip made my left leg come in at a much sharper angle than my right) and there I was, half running like a runway model.
Since the course was an out and back, soon the speedy kids were heading back towards the start/finish and there was my brother.
We totally high-fived.
In any case, I eased up a little, but still managed to keep whoever was chasing me (she was a heavy breather) behind me ... until the turnaround. When we got there ... SHE TOTALLY TURNED IN FRONT OF ME!
"CHEATER!" I screamed in my head, "YOU ARE A CHEATER!"
However, I soon realized it didn't matter because I needed to give my hip a stretch. She would've passed me anyway.
She was still a cheater.
As I was heading back, I met my sister, who was wrangling a very excited Jeff (runners do that to him). So, I took him and we bounded off. Man, that dog can pull hard for being only 15 pounds! It wasn't long before we had the finish in our sights and I did my best to pick things up so I came in at a decent clip - no sprinting, mind you (I had pretty much assumed there were at least 5 ladies in my age group who had already finished) - but a decent clip. I finished in 25 something .... 27 something ... I don't really know. It wasn't fast. But then again, I wasn't focused on being fast. I just went out there and ran. I actually forgot to pull off the tab on my race bib to give to the finish people and didn't do anything until my brother reminded me that I should. Oops.
So, I went back and said "I forgot to give this to you, but I don't really care how I place ... so whatever." They laughed.
My brother ended up 2nd overall and 2nd in his age group. We had expected him to get 1st in his AG because the guy ahead of him ... well, was also in his AG. But, they gave him both awards. I was just kind of minding my own business when I hear my name.
Uh, really?
Wait, seriously? There was only 1 other person in my AG? In the 20-29 AG, there were only 2 people running the 2 mile?
Well DAMN! I'm running this race every year! Next year, though, I hope to run it faster than Army requirements. For the dudes.
This was the first time in all of those years that my immediate family celebrated in my hometown in Iowa, rather than traveling to my mom's hometown in Minnesota.
This was the first holiday without my bad-ass Grandma.
Before Thanksgiving, my dad made a comment to me during a phone conversation that we wouldn't have much to do.
Really, it was almost like a challenge: find something to do!
So, I found a local Turkey Trot, and encouraged the entire family to attend. In the end, it was an event shared with my siblings, while the parents stayed home, cooking. And Jeff joined us, too!
I knew it was a small race, and thought maybe this would be the race for me to place in my age group, but I also knew that I was still feeling pretty tight in the hips while running, so it wouldn't be a speedy race.
My brother is 6'4" and a former cross country runner, so I knew he was going to be quick, even at his old age of 31 (hehehehe). My sister signed up for the walk and volunteered to wrangle Jeff, so I was left to just feel things out.
The race wasn't chip timed and I didn't bring my Garmin - did I mention it was only 2 miles? So when the whistle blew, I just set out at my usual comfortable pace. Then I decided I could go a little faster. Took out a few gals that I thought might be in my age group (yes!). About a half mile in, the tightness crept up, and for the first time, I noticed how it affected where my foot landed (a tight left hip made my left leg come in at a much sharper angle than my right) and there I was, half running like a runway model.
Since the course was an out and back, soon the speedy kids were heading back towards the start/finish and there was my brother.
We totally high-fived.
In any case, I eased up a little, but still managed to keep whoever was chasing me (she was a heavy breather) behind me ... until the turnaround. When we got there ... SHE TOTALLY TURNED IN FRONT OF ME!
"CHEATER!" I screamed in my head, "YOU ARE A CHEATER!"
However, I soon realized it didn't matter because I needed to give my hip a stretch. She would've passed me anyway.
She was still a cheater.
As I was heading back, I met my sister, who was wrangling a very excited Jeff (runners do that to him). So, I took him and we bounded off. Man, that dog can pull hard for being only 15 pounds! It wasn't long before we had the finish in our sights and I did my best to pick things up so I came in at a decent clip - no sprinting, mind you (I had pretty much assumed there were at least 5 ladies in my age group who had already finished) - but a decent clip. I finished in 25 something .... 27 something ... I don't really know. It wasn't fast. But then again, I wasn't focused on being fast. I just went out there and ran. I actually forgot to pull off the tab on my race bib to give to the finish people and didn't do anything until my brother reminded me that I should. Oops.
So, I went back and said "I forgot to give this to you, but I don't really care how I place ... so whatever." They laughed.
My brother ended up 2nd overall and 2nd in his age group. We had expected him to get 1st in his AG because the guy ahead of him ... well, was also in his AG. But, they gave him both awards. I was just kind of minding my own business when I hear my name.
Uh, really?
Wait, seriously? There was only 1 other person in my AG? In the 20-29 AG, there were only 2 people running the 2 mile?
Well DAMN! I'm running this race every year! Next year, though, I hope to run it faster than Army requirements. For the dudes.
 |
| Picking out my AG prize |
 |
| I'm #1?? Ok! |
 |
| Sibling photo with the Turkey. Boo. Yeah. |
Monday, November 26, 2012
Weekly Workout Log ... x2 I guess
Meh. I've gotten lazy. Mostly because I was lazy.
It happens I suppose.
Now that I've officially declared myself in a relationship on Facebook with Ice Cream Guy, I have to admit, I'm very nearly falling back into my bad habit ... skipping workouts to spend an extra hour with that boyfriend of mine.
UGH.
I'm making it a point to not do that. So, while Runner's World is having their Holiday Streak Challenge of running every day, I'm having my own streak of working out every day for at least 12 minutes (uh, yeah, that's BodyRock time). I'm also still trying to overcome puppy mom guilt so I can leave Jeff at home for 20 minutes so I can use real weights instead of my wimpy 3 pound weights. And yes, I could buy some 8's or 10's but why when there is a nice little gym in my apartment complex that has weights?
So here are the days I actually did something, other than sit around and be lazy ... and it's an embarassingly short list for 2 weeks:
Monday, 11/12: BodyRock's Slippery When Wet workout. I know. Followed this up with Operation: Gun Show
Wednesday, 11/14: Operation: Gun Show and a quick round of jumping jacks, squats and pushups. Sigh. My life has become anything but running. When I think about it, I get a little sad. Still have got quite a bit of tightness that seems to be aggrivated only by running, though, so I'm not quite sure what to do about it.
Thursday, 11/15: I know I BodyRocked, but I have no idea which one I did. Sometimes I pick and choose rather than going with the WOD, and this was a day I got picky. I do remember it was pretty hefty on the arms, so I skipped Operation: Gun Show.
Friday, 11/16: An early morning with my trainer. It was a doozy. Sprints, wall sits, curls, overhead presses, making my feet fly over a bench and abs. Then after that was over, 100 reps to work the tri's using the rope pull down thingy (y'all know what I'm talking about, right??).
I was painfully sore for a good 3 days
Monday, 11/19: BodyRock's Sexy & Lean workout & Operation: Gun Show.
Thursday, 11/22: 2 Mile Turkey Trot with my brother and sister back home. My brother got 2 overall, which was super exciting and I won my AG! I'm planning an RR soon.
Saturday, 11/24: my own little circuit: 15 min on bike, 15 pushups, 20 squats, 15 tri dips, and abs X2. A quickie, but not too bad.
So that's what I've been up to. Hoping I find a way, both mentally and physically, to get back to running sooner rather than later, but I know it will be waiting with open arms when I return.
It happens I suppose.
Now that I've officially declared myself in a relationship on Facebook with Ice Cream Guy, I have to admit, I'm very nearly falling back into my bad habit ... skipping workouts to spend an extra hour with that boyfriend of mine.
UGH.
I'm making it a point to not do that. So, while Runner's World is having their Holiday Streak Challenge of running every day, I'm having my own streak of working out every day for at least 12 minutes (uh, yeah, that's BodyRock time). I'm also still trying to overcome puppy mom guilt so I can leave Jeff at home for 20 minutes so I can use real weights instead of my wimpy 3 pound weights. And yes, I could buy some 8's or 10's but why when there is a nice little gym in my apartment complex that has weights?
So here are the days I actually did something, other than sit around and be lazy ... and it's an embarassingly short list for 2 weeks:
Monday, 11/12: BodyRock's Slippery When Wet workout. I know. Followed this up with Operation: Gun Show
Wednesday, 11/14: Operation: Gun Show and a quick round of jumping jacks, squats and pushups. Sigh. My life has become anything but running. When I think about it, I get a little sad. Still have got quite a bit of tightness that seems to be aggrivated only by running, though, so I'm not quite sure what to do about it.
Thursday, 11/15: I know I BodyRocked, but I have no idea which one I did. Sometimes I pick and choose rather than going with the WOD, and this was a day I got picky. I do remember it was pretty hefty on the arms, so I skipped Operation: Gun Show.
Friday, 11/16: An early morning with my trainer. It was a doozy. Sprints, wall sits, curls, overhead presses, making my feet fly over a bench and abs. Then after that was over, 100 reps to work the tri's using the rope pull down thingy (y'all know what I'm talking about, right??).
I was painfully sore for a good 3 days
Monday, 11/19: BodyRock's Sexy & Lean workout & Operation: Gun Show.
Thursday, 11/22: 2 Mile Turkey Trot with my brother and sister back home. My brother got 2 overall, which was super exciting and I won my AG! I'm planning an RR soon.
Saturday, 11/24: my own little circuit: 15 min on bike, 15 pushups, 20 squats, 15 tri dips, and abs X2. A quickie, but not too bad.
So that's what I've been up to. Hoping I find a way, both mentally and physically, to get back to running sooner rather than later, but I know it will be waiting with open arms when I return.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
I am not
I am not, nor will I ever be, an XS by most store's standards. Some days, I'm not even a small.
More power to me.
I am not, nor will I ever be, an 8 minute per mile runner. I probably won't be a 9 minute per mile runner.
More power to me.
I am not, nor will I ever be, a fashionista. I will always look out of place in cities like New York, L.A., Paris, Tokyo and Milan. I will always look like I'm from the Midwest.
More power to me.
I am not the girl who cares about her weight. I kinda brag about it these days.
More power to me.
I am not one to care about my jean size. Jean sizes are the most un-universal set of sizes in the history of the world, anyway. Seriously. WTH?? It takes forever to find the right size when I go jeans shopping these days and it bugs the crap outta me!!!!!!
More power to me.
I am not the girl who feels guilty about skipping a workout. I am the girl who suddenly wonders why her fuse is shorter than normal and then gets annoyed with herself when she realizes why (skipped workout).
More power to me.
I am not one who refuses to indulge in a trip to the ice cream place. Or a drink. I am the girl who eats and drinks everything in sight until I finally get the one thing I'm craving. So I just give in after a week to save everyone from that disaster.
More power to me.
I am not the girl you need to worry about getting some type of unhealthy addiction. Unless you classify reality TV as an unhealthy addiction. In that case guilty as charged.
More power to me.
I am not a lot of things, but what I am is an athlete. My current focus: shaping my body into the best machine it can be ... while still indulging in wine, gummy candy, chocolate, ice cream and the occasional whiskey mixed drink. I'll never be a fitness model, but you can bet I'll be selling tickets to a pretty decent gun show sometime soon. You'll never be able to bounce a quater off of my abs, but you'll be able to bounce it off my ass by the time I'm 30. And I will never run a sub-20 5K or a sub-4 marathon, but I'll still be out there, crossing that finish line and celebrating like I did anyway.
More.
Power.
To.
Me.
More power to me.
I am not, nor will I ever be, an 8 minute per mile runner. I probably won't be a 9 minute per mile runner.
More power to me.
I am not, nor will I ever be, a fashionista. I will always look out of place in cities like New York, L.A., Paris, Tokyo and Milan. I will always look like I'm from the Midwest.
More power to me.
I am not the girl who cares about her weight. I kinda brag about it these days.
More power to me.
I am not one to care about my jean size. Jean sizes are the most un-universal set of sizes in the history of the world, anyway. Seriously. WTH?? It takes forever to find the right size when I go jeans shopping these days and it bugs the crap outta me!!!!!!
More power to me.
I am not the girl who feels guilty about skipping a workout. I am the girl who suddenly wonders why her fuse is shorter than normal and then gets annoyed with herself when she realizes why (skipped workout).
More power to me.
I am not one who refuses to indulge in a trip to the ice cream place. Or a drink. I am the girl who eats and drinks everything in sight until I finally get the one thing I'm craving. So I just give in after a week to save everyone from that disaster.
More power to me.
I am not the girl you need to worry about getting some type of unhealthy addiction. Unless you classify reality TV as an unhealthy addiction. In that case guilty as charged.
More power to me.
I am not a lot of things, but what I am is an athlete. My current focus: shaping my body into the best machine it can be ... while still indulging in wine, gummy candy, chocolate, ice cream and the occasional whiskey mixed drink. I'll never be a fitness model, but you can bet I'll be selling tickets to a pretty decent gun show sometime soon. You'll never be able to bounce a quater off of my abs, but you'll be able to bounce it off my ass by the time I'm 30. And I will never run a sub-20 5K or a sub-4 marathon, but I'll still be out there, crossing that finish line and celebrating like I did anyway.
More.
Power.
To.
Me.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
A tardy Weekly Workout Log
This is late. I'm super sorry for that. This week (or was it last), I started Operation: Gun Show, because I have a ball to go to and I'm wearing a super pretty dress. So naturally, I want gun show worthy arms so I can effectively tell the Loop's T.O.'s gun rack joke properly.
I've also done a video blog but it wouldn't upload so now I have to redo it, and ... well I've just been lazy with my free time.
Monday: BodyRocks' New Sexy Killer Curves workout. Yikes.
Also, Monday's routine for Operation: Gun Show. I found this workout on Pinterest.
Tricep Push ups – 12 reps
Rest 20 seconds
Bicep curls – 12 reps
Rest 20 seconds
Tricep Kickbacks – 12 reps each arm (Complete 12 reps total for each arm. It’s O.K. to either perform one type or combine the three types of kickbacks in the video…only 12 reps total per side)
Rest 1 minute
x3
Tuesday: BodyRocks' Friggen Awesome Real Time Workout.
Eh. It was ok.
Tuesday's routine for Operation: Gun Show.
Tricep Dips - 20 reps
Wednesday: rest day
Thursday: date night with Ice Cream Guy. I forget what we did, but it was fun. It's always fun.
I was bad & skipped my workout because I was having a pretty good hair day & didn't want to mess it up.
Friday: Operation: Gun Show's workout:
Tricep Push up – 12 reps
Bicep Curls – 15 reps
Lying Tricep Extensions – 15 reps
Rest 1 minute (I don't really do this part)
x3
Saturday: I thought I was going to get my butt kicked again by the trainer, but I showed up at 7:30 & the place was closed!!! WHAT????
So then I tried to kick my own butt, which wasn't nearly as successful. I don't even remember what BodyRock workout I did.
Operation: Gun Show:
Bicep Curls – 20 reps
Rest 20 seconds
Tricep Kickbacks – 20 reps each arm
Rest 20 seconds
x2
Sunday: lazy lazy lazy day. It was great.
I've also done a video blog but it wouldn't upload so now I have to redo it, and ... well I've just been lazy with my free time.
Monday: BodyRocks' New Sexy Killer Curves workout. Yikes.
Also, Monday's routine for Operation: Gun Show. I found this workout on Pinterest.
Tricep Push ups – 12 reps
Rest 20 seconds
Bicep curls – 12 reps
Rest 20 seconds
Tricep Kickbacks – 12 reps each arm (Complete 12 reps total for each arm. It’s O.K. to either perform one type or combine the three types of kickbacks in the video…only 12 reps total per side)
Rest 1 minute
x3
Tuesday: BodyRocks' Friggen Awesome Real Time Workout.
Eh. It was ok.
Tuesday's routine for Operation: Gun Show.
Tricep Dips - 20 reps
Wednesday: rest day
Thursday: date night with Ice Cream Guy. I forget what we did, but it was fun. It's always fun.
I was bad & skipped my workout because I was having a pretty good hair day & didn't want to mess it up.
Friday: Operation: Gun Show's workout:
Tricep Push up – 12 reps
Bicep Curls – 15 reps
Lying Tricep Extensions – 15 reps
Rest 1 minute (I don't really do this part)
x3
Saturday: I thought I was going to get my butt kicked again by the trainer, but I showed up at 7:30 & the place was closed!!! WHAT????
So then I tried to kick my own butt, which wasn't nearly as successful. I don't even remember what BodyRock workout I did.
Operation: Gun Show:
Bicep Curls – 20 reps
Rest 20 seconds
Tricep Kickbacks – 20 reps each arm
Rest 20 seconds
x2
Sunday: lazy lazy lazy day. It was great.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
Still haven't gotten back into the routine of saving this as a draft and editing it throughout the week.
Bad, Eliz, bad.
On the other hand, as I'm trying to remember workouts from the week, I reference it in terms of what Ice Cream Guy and I did.
Awesome, Eliz, awesome.
ho-kay. Here. We. Go.
Monday: BodyRock's Hot Dirty Lust workout. I believe I have done this one before. Still like it. Still challenging. Woo-hoo!
Tuesday: Superhero workout on my HIIT trainer app. It was pretty funny, as all the demo pictures were done by people dressed in PowerRanger costumes. I get the feeling Superheros workout harder than this one, though.
Then Ice Cream Guy cooked me dinner.
Wednesday: Uhhh ... I cannot remember. It was Halloween. That's all I know.
Thursday: BodyRock's Nothing but Sweat workout. This was one I had avoided before because it uses equipment I don't have. But I rocked it anyway & glad I did. This is also a good one.
Then Ice Cream Guy and I went for sushi and gelato. Yum and yum.
Friday: random abs, plus 2 rounds of pushups and squats, because I felt like it.
*** random abs that day SUCKED. Oh Em Gee.
Then I cooked Ice Cream Guy dinner.
Saturday: the epic ass kicking. I'm still sore.
Sunday: about an hour of yoga, loosely following something I found on Pinterest. It's been well over a year since I stopped my Friday night yoga classes when I moved to a different city and I still miss them. Sigh.
I really need to get a few runs in. I plan on doing another 5K in two weeks and then a 2 miler on Thanksgiving morning. Suddenly, I got rich and can afford all of these races. Not sure why I think that, but oh well.
Ice Cream Guy is doing the 5K with me. =)
Bad, Eliz, bad.
On the other hand, as I'm trying to remember workouts from the week, I reference it in terms of what Ice Cream Guy and I did.
Awesome, Eliz, awesome.
ho-kay. Here. We. Go.
Monday: BodyRock's Hot Dirty Lust workout. I believe I have done this one before. Still like it. Still challenging. Woo-hoo!
Tuesday: Superhero workout on my HIIT trainer app. It was pretty funny, as all the demo pictures were done by people dressed in PowerRanger costumes. I get the feeling Superheros workout harder than this one, though.
Then Ice Cream Guy cooked me dinner.
Wednesday: Uhhh ... I cannot remember. It was Halloween. That's all I know.
Thursday: BodyRock's Nothing but Sweat workout. This was one I had avoided before because it uses equipment I don't have. But I rocked it anyway & glad I did. This is also a good one.
Then Ice Cream Guy and I went for sushi and gelato. Yum and yum.
Friday: random abs, plus 2 rounds of pushups and squats, because I felt like it.
*** random abs that day SUCKED. Oh Em Gee.
Then I cooked Ice Cream Guy dinner.
Saturday: the epic ass kicking. I'm still sore.
Sunday: about an hour of yoga, loosely following something I found on Pinterest. It's been well over a year since I stopped my Friday night yoga classes when I moved to a different city and I still miss them. Sigh.
I really need to get a few runs in. I plan on doing another 5K in two weeks and then a 2 miler on Thanksgiving morning. Suddenly, I got rich and can afford all of these races. Not sure why I think that, but oh well.
Ice Cream Guy is doing the 5K with me. =)
Sunday, November 4, 2012
"I could use a good ass-kicking"
A few weeks ago, I took advantage of a Living Social deal of 8 personal training sessions plus an initial consultation session for only $39.
Yes. Thirty. Nine. Dollars.
I know, right? Who wouldn't take advantage of that??
So, I finally get my first session scheduled for 7 AM yesterday (Saturday). Why in the world I decided 7AM would be okay is beyond me.
Whatever.
So, I make it to the gym at 7AM & sit down with the trainer. Turns out this guy runs his own little shop, and it's more of an athletic training type deal rather than a gym with personal training.
I can dig it.
Anyway, we sit down & I give him a brief overview of what I've been doing, the injuries I've been dealing with, how I have to correct my stride and, finally, how I want to run a marathon next fall.
Then I end with "And so I'm here because I want some guidance on how to strengthen, tone & get my body in amazing shape. And also, I could use a good ass-kicking once a week."
No sooner were those words out of my mouth and he put me on circuits that kicked my ass.
After a 5 minute wake-up/warm-up, he had me doing excercises that I never expected I would do.
Like making waves with that really heavy rope.
Like doing high knees back and forth over that rope.
Like doing plank work with my legs on a stability ball (this is where I really got my ass kicked. I so need a stability ball so I don't look like such a wimp).
Afterwards, we briefly touched base.
I pretty much told him that I hated him for the last 5 minutes, and that was exactly what I was looking for.
He laughed and said we would get along really well, then.
So now my Saturday mornings will be filled with ass-kicking through the end of the year.
I'm already excited and scared for next Saturday.
Yes. Thirty. Nine. Dollars.
I know, right? Who wouldn't take advantage of that??
So, I finally get my first session scheduled for 7 AM yesterday (Saturday). Why in the world I decided 7AM would be okay is beyond me.
Whatever.
So, I make it to the gym at 7AM & sit down with the trainer. Turns out this guy runs his own little shop, and it's more of an athletic training type deal rather than a gym with personal training.
I can dig it.
Anyway, we sit down & I give him a brief overview of what I've been doing, the injuries I've been dealing with, how I have to correct my stride and, finally, how I want to run a marathon next fall.
Then I end with "And so I'm here because I want some guidance on how to strengthen, tone & get my body in amazing shape. And also, I could use a good ass-kicking once a week."
No sooner were those words out of my mouth and he put me on circuits that kicked my ass.
After a 5 minute wake-up/warm-up, he had me doing excercises that I never expected I would do.
Like making waves with that really heavy rope.
Like doing high knees back and forth over that rope.
Like doing plank work with my legs on a stability ball (this is where I really got my ass kicked. I so need a stability ball so I don't look like such a wimp).
Afterwards, we briefly touched base.
I pretty much told him that I hated him for the last 5 minutes, and that was exactly what I was looking for.
He laughed and said we would get along really well, then.
So now my Saturday mornings will be filled with ass-kicking through the end of the year.
I'm already excited and scared for next Saturday.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
I don't usually celebrate Halloween
I'm not really the Halloween "type".
I blame it on a really frightening haunted house experience when I was in kindergarten. Not even the security of holding my dad's hand made me feel any better about that stupid haunted house.
And then there's the stress of finding a costume. I'm terrible at costumes and then "having" to participate in the costume contest at the community center ... GAH! It was more than this little girl could handle.
But hey, now I'm almost 30 and a runner and there was a 5K that was part of a Holiday Run series nearby. I had to sign up, you see. Then I figured it was the perfect excuse to re-use a tutu from a spring 5K that I ran with some girlfriends.
It always starts with a tutu.
As the big 5K day drew near, the clown in a tutu idea just kind of seemed ... meh. Luckily, Pinterest and Real Simple saved me with a clever last minute costume idea. So I left my apartment that morning thinking I had a really fun costume. I didn't realize that not many people would get it and everyone would just stare at my chest with furrowed brows.
In any case, I still smiled for the camera man:
I think I look very much like a Fork in the Road, but I guess it was too cold that morning for people to think that hard.
The best part of this costume was that I could still wear it to work on actually Halloween, and still look pretty darn cute:
My co-workers appreciated the 'joke' a lot more. I kept getting visitors who were sent to see my costume, but they weren't told what I was. So, I guess I still got some furrowed-brow stares, but I also got lots of laughs after they figured it out.
Ice Cream Guy liked it, too.
I blame it on a really frightening haunted house experience when I was in kindergarten. Not even the security of holding my dad's hand made me feel any better about that stupid haunted house.
And then there's the stress of finding a costume. I'm terrible at costumes and then "having" to participate in the costume contest at the community center ... GAH! It was more than this little girl could handle.
But hey, now I'm almost 30 and a runner and there was a 5K that was part of a Holiday Run series nearby. I had to sign up, you see. Then I figured it was the perfect excuse to re-use a tutu from a spring 5K that I ran with some girlfriends.
It always starts with a tutu.
As the big 5K day drew near, the clown in a tutu idea just kind of seemed ... meh. Luckily, Pinterest and Real Simple saved me with a clever last minute costume idea. So I left my apartment that morning thinking I had a really fun costume. I didn't realize that not many people would get it and everyone would just stare at my chest with furrowed brows.
In any case, I still smiled for the camera man:
I think I look very much like a Fork in the Road, but I guess it was too cold that morning for people to think that hard.
The best part of this costume was that I could still wear it to work on actually Halloween, and still look pretty darn cute:
Ice Cream Guy liked it, too.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
Ugh, still slacking on keeping these updated. It's really hard to remember workouts a week after they happened.
Monday: BodyRockTV's Refreshing & First Date workouts.
I don't remember much about them, except they were hard. Yay.
Tuesday: HIIT app's Olympic Challenge workout.
Still super hard.
Wednesday: HIIT app's Autumn Abs workout. This app has a featured workout every week. This one was 30 minutes of ab workouts. @#$^@$@#$@#%
I may or may not have ruined all that work for ice cream with a cute guy. Who's really funny. And totally knocked the socks off of my feet. I can neither confirm nor deny this. (!!!!!)
Thursday: I took one of my old roommates out for her birthday. This was the first time in I don't know how long that I had 3 alcoholic drinks in one night. I slept horribly, but it was worth it. I love catching up with my roommate.
Friday: Random abs workout of the day.
Saturday: Halloween Hustle 5K. It was colder than a witch's boob in a brass brassiere. Like, it was really cold. I learned I don't do well in really cold conditions. Even though I completed my warmups a minute before the gun went off, my easy pace didn't allow for me to stay warmed up. So it took half the race to get warmed up again.
Used this race to focus on not running like I'm working the friggen runway, so I took things super slow. Finished in 36 and change, not my slowest 5k, but certainly tons slower than my fastest.
I miss just being able to run. And being 100% healthy. Sigh.
Sunday: I walked around an art museum for 2 hours, except for the part where I stared at the most beautiful Monet for 5 minutes. Guess who was with me. (!)
Monday: BodyRockTV's Refreshing & First Date workouts.
I don't remember much about them, except they were hard. Yay.
Tuesday: HIIT app's Olympic Challenge workout.
Still super hard.
Wednesday: HIIT app's Autumn Abs workout. This app has a featured workout every week. This one was 30 minutes of ab workouts. @#$^@$@#$@#%
I may or may not have ruined all that work for ice cream with a cute guy. Who's really funny. And totally knocked the socks off of my feet. I can neither confirm nor deny this. (!!!!!)
Thursday: I took one of my old roommates out for her birthday. This was the first time in I don't know how long that I had 3 alcoholic drinks in one night. I slept horribly, but it was worth it. I love catching up with my roommate.
Friday: Random abs workout of the day.
Saturday: Halloween Hustle 5K. It was colder than a witch's boob in a brass brassiere. Like, it was really cold. I learned I don't do well in really cold conditions. Even though I completed my warmups a minute before the gun went off, my easy pace didn't allow for me to stay warmed up. So it took half the race to get warmed up again.
Used this race to focus on not running like I'm working the friggen runway, so I took things super slow. Finished in 36 and change, not my slowest 5k, but certainly tons slower than my fastest.
I miss just being able to run. And being 100% healthy. Sigh.
Sunday: I walked around an art museum for 2 hours, except for the part where I stared at the most beautiful Monet for 5 minutes. Guess who was with me. (!)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
VIDEO BLOG!!!!
What did I think of volunteering at the finish line of the Kansas City Marathon?
Have a look-see:
Volunteering at the KC Marathon
Toodles!
Have a look-see:
Volunteering at the KC Marathon
Toodles!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
I don't know if anyone reads these, but I've been guiltily silent on workouts the past few weeks because I've been a lazy lazy lazy lady.
The week after the 10 Mile, I did almost no working out. I was just so ... over it that week. I think I did maybe one day of random abs ... and then spent most afternoons using Jeff & the dog park as an excuse to not do anything.
Ugh, I felt like a slob.
This past week, I did a little better:
Monday: random abs
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's workouts from Monday (They seem to post later in the day than I want to workout ... and I want to workout around 5pm. I know, right?). I'm almost embarrassed to say the names of the workouts, but here they are: Hot Dirty Lust and Sexy Coregasm.
I know.
They were super tough, though! I definitely got my ass kicked.
Wednesday: rest day. Mostly because BodyRock had a workout that involved equipment I didn't have & I didn't want to think about how to modify it.
Thursday: BodyRocks' Nothing but Sweat Workout. I did sweat. A lot.
Friday: .... I can't remember. I probably did nothing. Actually, I don't remember anything I did Friday night. Great.
Saturday: I spent the morning volunteering at the Kansas City Marathon. I did a video blog about it, but haven't posted it yet. I'll try to do that today.
Sunday: Olympic Challenge Workout on my phone HIIT trainer app. That one is always a beast.
There you have it. Trying to get out of my lazy person funk. This week, I'll need to get one or two runs in, being that I have a 5k next Saturday. Whoops.
The week after the 10 Mile, I did almost no working out. I was just so ... over it that week. I think I did maybe one day of random abs ... and then spent most afternoons using Jeff & the dog park as an excuse to not do anything.
Ugh, I felt like a slob.
This past week, I did a little better:
Monday: random abs
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's workouts from Monday (They seem to post later in the day than I want to workout ... and I want to workout around 5pm. I know, right?). I'm almost embarrassed to say the names of the workouts, but here they are: Hot Dirty Lust and Sexy Coregasm.
I know.
They were super tough, though! I definitely got my ass kicked.
Wednesday: rest day. Mostly because BodyRock had a workout that involved equipment I didn't have & I didn't want to think about how to modify it.
Thursday: BodyRocks' Nothing but Sweat Workout. I did sweat. A lot.
Friday: .... I can't remember. I probably did nothing. Actually, I don't remember anything I did Friday night. Great.
Saturday: I spent the morning volunteering at the Kansas City Marathon. I did a video blog about it, but haven't posted it yet. I'll try to do that today.
Sunday: Olympic Challenge Workout on my phone HIIT trainer app. That one is always a beast.
There you have it. Trying to get out of my lazy person funk. This week, I'll need to get one or two runs in, being that I have a 5k next Saturday. Whoops.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Like a Runway Model
For those of you who remember my wicked awesome experience running on a treadmill surrounded by infrared lights (or some kind of red light that tracks my body movements on a computerized, stick version of myself) ... you'll have noticed that I haven't said anything about the results.
Well, I got them last Saturday, when I went to see Tom to get all of the tightness worked out from the winged 10 Miler. After my incredibly long-winded version of why I was momentarily crazy, we got to talking about my superhero-esque run.
Apparently, when I run, my feet cross over the imaginary center line of my body. So literally, I'm running like a model walks the runway. IMAGINE THAT! No wonder my hips and IT bands and knees are all out of wack when I up the mileage.
I rarely quote the Simpsons, but "DOH!!"
So, now when I run, I actually have to think about what I'm doing, rather than spacing off and thinking about, oh I don't know ... how Duchess Kate and I would totally be BFFs if we lived in the same city or how the guy I eventually marry is going to laugh his head off when he learns how much wedding planning I've already done or how wonderful it's going to feel when I finally cross that finish line in Dublin in just over a year. Ugh, instead I have to think about where I put my feet!
BUT ... don't you think this means I'm qualified to model for Nike or Brooks or Asics? I mean, I run AND I can work the runway without a second thought. Plus, HELLO, I have style. And swagger. And you just can't teach any model that stuff.
(ps - I was so going to include a funny runway model picture of myself, but it just didn't work out. As in the pictures looked really really bad)
Well, I got them last Saturday, when I went to see Tom to get all of the tightness worked out from the winged 10 Miler. After my incredibly long-winded version of why I was momentarily crazy, we got to talking about my superhero-esque run.
Apparently, when I run, my feet cross over the imaginary center line of my body. So literally, I'm running like a model walks the runway. IMAGINE THAT! No wonder my hips and IT bands and knees are all out of wack when I up the mileage.
I rarely quote the Simpsons, but "DOH!!"
So, now when I run, I actually have to think about what I'm doing, rather than spacing off and thinking about, oh I don't know ... how Duchess Kate and I would totally be BFFs if we lived in the same city or how the guy I eventually marry is going to laugh his head off when he learns how much wedding planning I've already done or how wonderful it's going to feel when I finally cross that finish line in Dublin in just over a year. Ugh, instead I have to think about where I put my feet!
BUT ... don't you think this means I'm qualified to model for Nike or Brooks or Asics? I mean, I run AND I can work the runway without a second thought. Plus, HELLO, I have style. And swagger. And you just can't teach any model that stuff.
(ps - I was so going to include a funny runway model picture of myself, but it just didn't work out. As in the pictures looked really really bad)
Monday, October 15, 2012
I have decided ...
... red nail polish is definitely the way to go, particularly China Glaze in Drastic.
SHA-BAM! How 'bout them nails???
SHA-BAM! How 'bout them nails???
Friday, October 12, 2012
Sometimes, You're Just Plain Stupid
It happens, you know?
I had a stupid moment over the weekend. Actually ... it was a stupid 12 hours.
Blame it on being back in the Twin Cities, where I lived during some of the most memorable 2 years of my life.
Blame it on those trees being the perfect fall colors.
Blame it on seeing my bestest running friends again.
Blame it on the Twin Cities Marathon for having the best finish ever. Yes, ever. Out of all other finish lines, this one is the best. I would contend that even Olympians would agree, if they had the chance to cross it.
Blame it on me. Me and my sentimentalist self, which totally goes insane when it's kicked into full gear. And it was in full gear on Saturday afternoon.
So, I found myself offering to run the TC 10 Mile with a friend who wasn't going to run because of a slightly bothered knee. Then, I found myself surprised when she actually said, "Let's do this." And by the time common sense took over a few hours later, I was hearing, "Just knowing we are going to do this together tomorrow has lifted my spirits."
Great. I can't back out now.
Sigh. This is what I get for bringing my good running shoes, in case I wanted to take a jaunt across the Stone Arch Bridge (my old running route).
So, somehow, between what I brought to do a quick workout in the hotel and all the extras my hotel roommates brought, I scraped together a last minute outfit. That night, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, even my psoas was complaining. I kept thinking to myself, I'll text my friend in the morning and tell her, I can't run but I'll go to the start with her.
But morning came and I didn't text her. It's the people pleaser in me. When I was younger, I was desperate to make everyone happy, to have everyone like me and some days, it still gets the best of me. I forget to take care of me and try to take care of everyone else. People say it's because I have a big heart. Perhaps there's some truth to that, but really ... well, that in itself is a story that doesn't belong here.
So we start the race. I try to do warm ups, but when it's 28*F, and you have to stand in a crowded corral for 15 minutes, warm ups aren't very effective. Great.
The thing that I do love about the TC 10 Mile is that it goes fairly quickly. The first time I ran, miles 3 and 4 were there before I knew it, and in spite of purposely going slow, they still managed to fly by this time around. And soon we were hitting the medical drop out point, which I believe is somewhere around mile 5 or 6. Had I been smart, had I been thinking at all, I would have realized that my friend was doing just fine & didn't need me the rest of the race. I could have gracefully bowed out then. I would have been happy with a 5 or 6 mile run that day on a course that I love.
But I didn't stop, and soon after, I began to think I should have. I walked a lot. I stopped to stretch. I stopped for Tylenol.
side note: did you know they won't give you Advil during a race? Apparently, it's really bad for your kidneys to take an NSAID and then exercise. I so need to have a conversation with my sports med doc.
We stumbled (very nearly quite literally) across a woman who was also struggling. So I decided to finish with her. We walked when she needed to walk. I scolded her for checking her watch (seriously, at that point, who cares? Let's just get to the finish). The last half a mile was painful for her. It was painful for me too. My calf started cramping and I couldn't push off as hard as I wanted to. That finish was beautiful. It always is. That finish also sucked. Stopping and finally feeling all of the pain was the worst. Hearing that my friend felt like she could have ran a marathon made me want to scream. I felt like I had run a marathon.
It's a blurry screen shot from a video, but I know you can tell I was in pain. My friend, on the other hand, was on cloud 946.
I was glad that I had gotten my friend on the course. I was glad she had the confidence boost she needed for her half marathon this weekend. I was annoyed with myself. Irritated. So much that I didn't want the finisher medal. I didn't want the finisher t-shirt - they were never mine in the first place. The only reason there is a medal in my house now is a volunteer shoved one in my hand and I didn't have the energy to argue. Whatever.
I was a hot mess after the race. The only thing that saved me was the massage tent and a very great gal who was willing to work on my psoas and find that awful knot in my calf.
I could go on, but I probably sound like the candidates on the debates by now - simply repeating the same damn thing without offering any new information.
Here's something new: no one ever forgets their first race. The feeling of accomplishment at crossing that finish line, of doing something they never thought they were capable of doing. I remember that feeling so vividly, and after a year of crap races, I think a part of me desperately needed that feeling again. That's probably why I didn't drop out. That's probably why a lot of us don't drop when we are supposed to. That finish line is very nearly the best thing ever.
And perhaps that's why I've beaten myself up so much over this race. I didn't find what I was looking for. But my friend did, so I keep reminding myself of that. That is what matters, right?
I had a stupid moment over the weekend. Actually ... it was a stupid 12 hours.
Blame it on being back in the Twin Cities, where I lived during some of the most memorable 2 years of my life.
Blame it on those trees being the perfect fall colors.
Blame it on seeing my bestest running friends again.
Blame it on the Twin Cities Marathon for having the best finish ever. Yes, ever. Out of all other finish lines, this one is the best. I would contend that even Olympians would agree, if they had the chance to cross it.
Blame it on me. Me and my sentimentalist self, which totally goes insane when it's kicked into full gear. And it was in full gear on Saturday afternoon.
So, I found myself offering to run the TC 10 Mile with a friend who wasn't going to run because of a slightly bothered knee. Then, I found myself surprised when she actually said, "Let's do this." And by the time common sense took over a few hours later, I was hearing, "Just knowing we are going to do this together tomorrow has lifted my spirits."
Great. I can't back out now.
Sigh. This is what I get for bringing my good running shoes, in case I wanted to take a jaunt across the Stone Arch Bridge (my old running route).
So, somehow, between what I brought to do a quick workout in the hotel and all the extras my hotel roommates brought, I scraped together a last minute outfit. That night, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, even my psoas was complaining. I kept thinking to myself, I'll text my friend in the morning and tell her, I can't run but I'll go to the start with her.
But morning came and I didn't text her. It's the people pleaser in me. When I was younger, I was desperate to make everyone happy, to have everyone like me and some days, it still gets the best of me. I forget to take care of me and try to take care of everyone else. People say it's because I have a big heart. Perhaps there's some truth to that, but really ... well, that in itself is a story that doesn't belong here.
So we start the race. I try to do warm ups, but when it's 28*F, and you have to stand in a crowded corral for 15 minutes, warm ups aren't very effective. Great.
The thing that I do love about the TC 10 Mile is that it goes fairly quickly. The first time I ran, miles 3 and 4 were there before I knew it, and in spite of purposely going slow, they still managed to fly by this time around. And soon we were hitting the medical drop out point, which I believe is somewhere around mile 5 or 6. Had I been smart, had I been thinking at all, I would have realized that my friend was doing just fine & didn't need me the rest of the race. I could have gracefully bowed out then. I would have been happy with a 5 or 6 mile run that day on a course that I love.
But I didn't stop, and soon after, I began to think I should have. I walked a lot. I stopped to stretch. I stopped for Tylenol.
side note: did you know they won't give you Advil during a race? Apparently, it's really bad for your kidneys to take an NSAID and then exercise. I so need to have a conversation with my sports med doc.
We stumbled (very nearly quite literally) across a woman who was also struggling. So I decided to finish with her. We walked when she needed to walk. I scolded her for checking her watch (seriously, at that point, who cares? Let's just get to the finish). The last half a mile was painful for her. It was painful for me too. My calf started cramping and I couldn't push off as hard as I wanted to. That finish was beautiful. It always is. That finish also sucked. Stopping and finally feeling all of the pain was the worst. Hearing that my friend felt like she could have ran a marathon made me want to scream. I felt like I had run a marathon.
I was glad that I had gotten my friend on the course. I was glad she had the confidence boost she needed for her half marathon this weekend. I was annoyed with myself. Irritated. So much that I didn't want the finisher medal. I didn't want the finisher t-shirt - they were never mine in the first place. The only reason there is a medal in my house now is a volunteer shoved one in my hand and I didn't have the energy to argue. Whatever.
I was a hot mess after the race. The only thing that saved me was the massage tent and a very great gal who was willing to work on my psoas and find that awful knot in my calf.
I could go on, but I probably sound like the candidates on the debates by now - simply repeating the same damn thing without offering any new information.
Here's something new: no one ever forgets their first race. The feeling of accomplishment at crossing that finish line, of doing something they never thought they were capable of doing. I remember that feeling so vividly, and after a year of crap races, I think a part of me desperately needed that feeling again. That's probably why I didn't drop out. That's probably why a lot of us don't drop when we are supposed to. That finish line is very nearly the best thing ever.
And perhaps that's why I've beaten myself up so much over this race. I didn't find what I was looking for. But my friend did, so I keep reminding myself of that. That is what matters, right?
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
Um .... I have no idea what I did the past week. Usually I'll update this post every day and just save it in draft until Monday ... and now it's already Wednesday. Uff da.
Monday: I did something ... I just can't remember what. I really promise, I did do something! Now that I'm thinking about it ... maybe I at least got some random abs in??? Does that sound familiar???
Tuesday: BodyRocks Seriously Wild Core Workout.
***I don't remember a lot about it, but I'm sure it was wild. It had my new favorite ab move.
Wednesday: I started doing BodyRock's workout of the day, but then I quit. I realized I really don't like the workouts Sean does. So I did a ZWOW (another 12 minute HIIT workouts), which was pretty BA.
Thursday: My long-lost friend flew in from Philly. I was at her parents' place the entire night and skipped a workout, completely guilt free. "Family" is so much more important.
Friday: I drove to Minnesota. That is a workout in itself. I hadn't packed enough snacks and that last 45 minutes of the drive, my blood sugar was low enough that every other word was the f bomb. My dog was scared.
Saturday: I had every intention of getting an HIIT workout in. I even packed my shoes, my booty shorts, a sports bra and a tshirt just for working out. Then see what happened Sunday. I should've gone for the HIIT workout.
Sunday: A spur of the moment TC 10 Mile. I made a rash offer to run with a friend who wasn't going to run because of a slightly banged up knee, never thinking she would actually take me up on the offer. And because 1) I'm an idiot and 2) I'm a people pleaser and my friend was so excited to know that she was running again, I did it. I love that course, but I shouldn't have been out there. I'm lucky I've done so much BodyRock because otherwise I would have really screwed myself up. And then I also upset the person whose bib # I ran under which I still feel just terrible about. All in all, it was definitely in the top 5 most stupid things I've ever done.
Monday: I did something ... I just can't remember what. I really promise, I did do something! Now that I'm thinking about it ... maybe I at least got some random abs in??? Does that sound familiar???
Tuesday: BodyRocks Seriously Wild Core Workout.
***I don't remember a lot about it, but I'm sure it was wild. It had my new favorite ab move.
Wednesday: I started doing BodyRock's workout of the day, but then I quit. I realized I really don't like the workouts Sean does. So I did a ZWOW (another 12 minute HIIT workouts), which was pretty BA.
Thursday: My long-lost friend flew in from Philly. I was at her parents' place the entire night and skipped a workout, completely guilt free. "Family" is so much more important.
Friday: I drove to Minnesota. That is a workout in itself. I hadn't packed enough snacks and that last 45 minutes of the drive, my blood sugar was low enough that every other word was the f bomb. My dog was scared.
Saturday: I had every intention of getting an HIIT workout in. I even packed my shoes, my booty shorts, a sports bra and a tshirt just for working out. Then see what happened Sunday. I should've gone for the HIIT workout.
Sunday: A spur of the moment TC 10 Mile. I made a rash offer to run with a friend who wasn't going to run because of a slightly banged up knee, never thinking she would actually take me up on the offer. And because 1) I'm an idiot and 2) I'm a people pleaser and my friend was so excited to know that she was running again, I did it. I love that course, but I shouldn't have been out there. I'm lucky I've done so much BodyRock because otherwise I would have really screwed myself up. And then I also upset the person whose bib # I ran under which I still feel just terrible about. All in all, it was definitely in the top 5 most stupid things I've ever done.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
This was an awful showing of a workout week for me. I keep forgetting to blog about the new diet, but I got lazy with my meals and my lack on energy when it came time to workout showed. I'm never doing that again. Being lazy about my meals, that is.
Monday: ugghhh ... I'm trying to remember what I did! BodyRockTV's BodyRockers Group Sweat. Apparently they asked people to send in videos and then they got to "lead" a workout with one of the BodyRock people. There was like 5 minutes of introductions that I could have gone without. Then I did randomabs.
****This was one of the toughest workouts I've done with them so far. I'm not quite sure why. I cheated a little on my diet & had potato chips and perhaps that's why I was feeling a little sluggish. I know it sounds silly, but I'm starting to really believe all the health freaks that say what you put into your body really matters.
Tuesday: huge project that HAD to get done took over my evening. The only time I wasn't in front of my computer from 5 until 10 was when I took Jeff to the dog park and when I was cooking. Sigh.
Wednesday: still working on the project and it was date night. Looking back, I'm a little irritated that I skipped a workout to go have dinner with the side-hugger.
Ok, ok, so he actually is a good guy. Clearly, we just have different ideas of what we want out of life ... or something like that. With what he does and how much he loves it (teacher & coach), I can't judge him harshly. Still ... a side hug?
Thursday: BodyRockTV's Sexy Girl on Fire workout. Personally, I think this was a fail on the name of the workout, but the workout itself was a butt-kicker. I love workouts by this host, Lisa. She's the outlandish one with the amazing abs and big fake boobs that really polarizes people. But I love her workouts and that's what matters. Besides, who am I to judge about big fake boobs? I've never had small boobs, so I don't know what I feels like to have "almost A's". I imagine it's about the same as having to wear a bra in 5th grade before anyone else and having people tease you for that. Thank goodness that doesn't last nearly as long as always having small boobs does.
And I think I also did random abs.
Friday: nothing. I was lazy.
Saturday: my run in the way awesome room was all I got in. I don't know what was up with me over the weekend, but I had no motivation.
Sunday: again, nothing. Blah. But this picture makes me feel better.
Monday: ugghhh ... I'm trying to remember what I did! BodyRockTV's BodyRockers Group Sweat. Apparently they asked people to send in videos and then they got to "lead" a workout with one of the BodyRock people. There was like 5 minutes of introductions that I could have gone without. Then I did randomabs.
****This was one of the toughest workouts I've done with them so far. I'm not quite sure why. I cheated a little on my diet & had potato chips and perhaps that's why I was feeling a little sluggish. I know it sounds silly, but I'm starting to really believe all the health freaks that say what you put into your body really matters.
Tuesday: huge project that HAD to get done took over my evening. The only time I wasn't in front of my computer from 5 until 10 was when I took Jeff to the dog park and when I was cooking. Sigh.
Wednesday: still working on the project and it was date night. Looking back, I'm a little irritated that I skipped a workout to go have dinner with the side-hugger.
Ok, ok, so he actually is a good guy. Clearly, we just have different ideas of what we want out of life ... or something like that. With what he does and how much he loves it (teacher & coach), I can't judge him harshly. Still ... a side hug?
Thursday: BodyRockTV's Sexy Girl on Fire workout. Personally, I think this was a fail on the name of the workout, but the workout itself was a butt-kicker. I love workouts by this host, Lisa. She's the outlandish one with the amazing abs and big fake boobs that really polarizes people. But I love her workouts and that's what matters. Besides, who am I to judge about big fake boobs? I've never had small boobs, so I don't know what I feels like to have "almost A's". I imagine it's about the same as having to wear a bra in 5th grade before anyone else and having people tease you for that. Thank goodness that doesn't last nearly as long as always having small boobs does.
And I think I also did random abs.
Friday: nothing. I was lazy.
Saturday: my run in the way awesome room was all I got in. I don't know what was up with me over the weekend, but I had no motivation.
Sunday: again, nothing. Blah. But this picture makes me feel better.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
I felt like I was in a Sci-Fi movie
Over the weekend, I had an office visit with my ART therapist, also known as New Guy. I suppose at this point I can call him Tom, since he's not really new anymore.
Tom still works in the same office as the Hot Canadian, but also started working at an office in the Kansas City area on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. The extra-special appeal of the Kansas City office is that they have a room.
A room.
This is a super swank room, with an area sectioned off that holds a treadmill. This treadmill is at the center of about 6 infra-red cameras that essentially allow for an advanced gait analysis.
So ... I go to my appointment and walk into this room ... it's all dark, except for this erie red lighting.
I am directed into the area with the treadmill, which is all white, except for the treadmill and the lighting is casting even more eire red shadows everywhere.
I end up having to put on a jacket because the sensors are having a hay day with my bare arms.
And this jacket was the bomb.
At first, it appears to be a normal black running jacket ... until you get to the finger holes! They are the best finger holes ever! There were 3 - one thumb hole and two for your fingers. This made the backs of my hand covered too, and with my black leggings, I kinda felt like the Black Widow. BAM!
Side note: Ok, so I guess that really means I felt like I was in a Marvel Comics movie, but I'm not dwelling on technicalities.
So back to the actual gait analysis. Essentially, I did a lot of T-stands to make sure the software was detecting me correctly, and then I walked, did an easy run and then a tempo run. At one point, they asked me to lengthen my stride, which was fine for about a minute, and then I had to ask permission to go back to my normal short stride.
(Seriously, don't these guys know how distance runners run??? lol).
I'm supposed to get the results back by the end of this week. I'm pretty excited to find out how I'm running.
Oh, and when we were done with the gait analysis, I got some ART. Tom's the bomb at ART.
Seriously. Anyone in the KC area who has chronic soft tissue issues, you should come see Tom. Email him and tell him his favorite patient sent you: teberline@darisports.com.
PS - this took me much longer than necessary to write because E.T. was on and Jeff was being particularly cute.
Tom still works in the same office as the Hot Canadian, but also started working at an office in the Kansas City area on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. The extra-special appeal of the Kansas City office is that they have a room.
A room.
This is a super swank room, with an area sectioned off that holds a treadmill. This treadmill is at the center of about 6 infra-red cameras that essentially allow for an advanced gait analysis.
So ... I go to my appointment and walk into this room ... it's all dark, except for this erie red lighting.
I am directed into the area with the treadmill, which is all white, except for the treadmill and the lighting is casting even more eire red shadows everywhere.
I end up having to put on a jacket because the sensors are having a hay day with my bare arms.
And this jacket was the bomb.
At first, it appears to be a normal black running jacket ... until you get to the finger holes! They are the best finger holes ever! There were 3 - one thumb hole and two for your fingers. This made the backs of my hand covered too, and with my black leggings, I kinda felt like the Black Widow. BAM!
Side note: Ok, so I guess that really means I felt like I was in a Marvel Comics movie, but I'm not dwelling on technicalities.
So back to the actual gait analysis. Essentially, I did a lot of T-stands to make sure the software was detecting me correctly, and then I walked, did an easy run and then a tempo run. At one point, they asked me to lengthen my stride, which was fine for about a minute, and then I had to ask permission to go back to my normal short stride.
(Seriously, don't these guys know how distance runners run??? lol).
I'm supposed to get the results back by the end of this week. I'm pretty excited to find out how I'm running.
Oh, and when we were done with the gait analysis, I got some ART. Tom's the bomb at ART.
Seriously. Anyone in the KC area who has chronic soft tissue issues, you should come see Tom. Email him and tell him his favorite patient sent you: teberline@darisports.com.
PS - this took me much longer than necessary to write because E.T. was on and Jeff was being particularly cute.
Friday, September 28, 2012
I won't apologize for it
I went on a date a few nights ago.
And then he didn't call.
Well, ok he didn't call the very next day.
Honestly, I don't expect him to call. I got a side hug at the end. A side hug.
But I'm not surprised. Every time I mentioned something about myself over dinner, I'd get this look. Like he was trying to figure me out. Or like he was surprised that he was out with someone who would say that.
For a few hours, I fretted. Worried.
I shouldn't have said that.
Maybe I should have worn something else.
And then, I realized, it's not my problem.
So guess what?
I like to wear light pink scarves with white polka dotted black shirts.
I like my light pink nail polish. Hell, I like pink.
I like watching TV. I think hard all day long & it's nice to have mindless entertainment.
Yes, I'm a crazy dog person. My dog is awesome. He's fun, and he's what I come home to right now. Any other single person with a dog is like that. I promise you. You would be like that, too if you had a dog.
I have no idea what the people in the small town where I grew up would say. I really don't.
I don't care if you've owned 2 houses in the past. In this economy, it's still a big deal to me when someone buys a house. So I will tell them congratulations.
I have no trouble admitting I have overpaid for a few things in the past. Namely, hair services.
I don't care if Mizzou wins or loses. I don't even really care if my Gophers win or lose. I don't follow sports. But if I'm at the game, in the stands, I'll care then. That's when they can hear me yelling, anyway.
No, I'm not going to talk about anything that I'm passionate about on the first date. Because the things that really get me riled up are taboo, political topics.
Yes, I'm an airhead at times. It happens. As I said before, I think a lot at my job. I turn off half of my brain after 4:30.
When I'm nervous, weird stuff comes out of my mouth. Awkward pauses happen while I'm trying to unscramble my thoughts. First dates make me nervous. Stop looking at me like that.
I'm not sorry. I don't feel bad. All of that up there? That's me. And honey, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
And then he didn't call.
Well, ok he didn't call the very next day.
Honestly, I don't expect him to call. I got a side hug at the end. A side hug.
But I'm not surprised. Every time I mentioned something about myself over dinner, I'd get this look. Like he was trying to figure me out. Or like he was surprised that he was out with someone who would say that.
For a few hours, I fretted. Worried.
I shouldn't have said that.
Maybe I should have worn something else.
And then, I realized, it's not my problem.
So guess what?
I like to wear light pink scarves with white polka dotted black shirts.
I like my light pink nail polish. Hell, I like pink.
I like watching TV. I think hard all day long & it's nice to have mindless entertainment.
Yes, I'm a crazy dog person. My dog is awesome. He's fun, and he's what I come home to right now. Any other single person with a dog is like that. I promise you. You would be like that, too if you had a dog.
I have no idea what the people in the small town where I grew up would say. I really don't.
I don't care if you've owned 2 houses in the past. In this economy, it's still a big deal to me when someone buys a house. So I will tell them congratulations.
I have no trouble admitting I have overpaid for a few things in the past. Namely, hair services.
I don't care if Mizzou wins or loses. I don't even really care if my Gophers win or lose. I don't follow sports. But if I'm at the game, in the stands, I'll care then. That's when they can hear me yelling, anyway.
No, I'm not going to talk about anything that I'm passionate about on the first date. Because the things that really get me riled up are taboo, political topics.
Yes, I'm an airhead at times. It happens. As I said before, I think a lot at my job. I turn off half of my brain after 4:30.
When I'm nervous, weird stuff comes out of my mouth. Awkward pauses happen while I'm trying to unscramble my thoughts. First dates make me nervous. Stop looking at me like that.
I'm not sorry. I don't feel bad. All of that up there? That's me. And honey, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Remember these?
Running-Related Resolutions:
1. Stop accepting “good enough”. Push for better.
2. Don’t be a wimp. Run outside.
3. Give yourself time goals. Make them public.
4.
Try to not get your butt kicked when you are running in Broncos colors
during the 39.3 Series. And don’t lose a bet with Shaun again.
5.
Since I don’t feel like I’m physically able to run every day without
flare-ups of tendinitits, workout every day. At the very least, do the
10 minute P90X ab video. Yowza.
Not Running-Related Resolutions:
1. Be a better manager of my financial life. This, in turn, will let me do more fun running stuff.
2. Seriously cut down sugar intake. There is no need to go 50 grams over on your calorie and nutrient tracker every day.
3. Make more meals at home. From scratch. I can do it.
4. Don’t be afraid of 29 and not married (this actually might be my easiest one, thanks to you all).
5. Give people a chance. A real one. Not everyone I meet is going to let me down. Or break my heart.
Running-Related Goals:
1. Progressively PR during 39.3 series.
2. Keep up with strength and cross training. Strength twice a week, swimming once a week, yoga once a week.
3. Get to as close to a 2:00 13.1 as possible by the end of the year.
4. Run a marathon (?!?!?!) faster than Kate Gosselin (sub-4:59)
5. sub-60 min 10K
Suffice it to say, these went to hell in a handbag. A really expensive one. It's time to re-evaluate. Actually, the re-evaluation has been long overdue.
So what can I do with the last quarter of 2012?
- I can still not be a wimp and run outside.
- I can still try to get some type of workout in every day, at the very least, a quick ab workout.
- I can still keep up with the cross training. Since I'm in cross-training with some running on the side mode, this is pretty easy right now. Hopefully I can stick with it when I decide I want to run more.
- I may still have a chance at a sub-60 10K. There is a Healthy Holiday Run Series in the area, and my goal is to be able to participate in all 3 - which have a 5K and a 10K event. Since the first one is Halloween, I'll be running in costume for the first time (as a clown, so I can re-use that tutu I made for the 5K in March), so that should be fun. I would like to do the 10K in both the Thanksgiving and Candy Cane races, but we will see what happens.
I'm not gonna lie, I already have big plans for 2013. But you'll have to wait for the usual end of the year recap to hear those plans =)
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
Week three of the Weekly Workout Log series.
Exciting stuff, eh?
Monday: BodyRockTV's Twelve Minute Madness workout. A smorgasbord of their toughest intervals. It was 12 minutes of madness.
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's Twelve Minute Magic and Play Hard Abs workouts. Hello, deep burn.
****I'm getting better at pushups! This is super exciting!
****Doing tuck jumps for 30 seconds for as fast as you can really sucks. Like, really. Sucks.
****Also, want a deep ab burn? Try this move 25x:
-lay on your back, legs straight, arms above your head, holding weights
-do a full sit up with legs extended
-as you go back down, bring your legs up to 90* and do an extra crunch,
reaching hands to toes
-go back to start.
Wednesday: Rest Day. Took Jeff to the dog park. He played so hard he threw up water. Great. That's my dog. He also chases other dogs, with a tennis ball in his mouth, while barking. Loudly. That's also my dog. Needless to say, he was a little pooped:
Thursday: went for a run on the trails with Jeff. See "Epiphany" for the deets. It felt great to run. Then I did a round of abs prescribed by my ART guy.
Friday: BodyRockTV's We are Never Getting Back Together workout. I'm reluctant to admit I cut it off a minute early. I was exhausted from the week, and don't think I'd had enough calories to get through it properly. And then I tried the Girl on Fire yoga (also BodyRockTV) and wasn't feeling it either. So I played with Jeff instead.
Saturday: for all intensive purposees, a rest day. I did clean the house, including scrubbing the kitchen and bathrom floors, but my arms weren't even a little tired after that. Either BodyRock is really working or I didn't scrub hard enough.
Jeff also got to go to the dog park. Not as many dogs this time, so he wasn't as tired. He still managed to cover the entire area, though, so I got a bit of walking in =)
Sunday: Sunday Runday. I didn't set an alarm, so missed the running group, but set out on a "trail" of sorts - one of the rails to trails that'ts crushed gravel. I got about 30 minutes in and it was ... eh ... not a sufficient substitute for trails, I guess.
Exciting stuff, eh?
Monday: BodyRockTV's Twelve Minute Madness workout. A smorgasbord of their toughest intervals. It was 12 minutes of madness.
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's Twelve Minute Magic and Play Hard Abs workouts. Hello, deep burn.
****I'm getting better at pushups! This is super exciting!
****Doing tuck jumps for 30 seconds for as fast as you can really sucks. Like, really. Sucks.
****Also, want a deep ab burn? Try this move 25x:
-lay on your back, legs straight, arms above your head, holding weights
-do a full sit up with legs extended
-as you go back down, bring your legs up to 90* and do an extra crunch,
reaching hands to toes
-go back to start.
Wednesday: Rest Day. Took Jeff to the dog park. He played so hard he threw up water. Great. That's my dog. He also chases other dogs, with a tennis ball in his mouth, while barking. Loudly. That's also my dog. Needless to say, he was a little pooped:
Friday: BodyRockTV's We are Never Getting Back Together workout. I'm reluctant to admit I cut it off a minute early. I was exhausted from the week, and don't think I'd had enough calories to get through it properly. And then I tried the Girl on Fire yoga (also BodyRockTV) and wasn't feeling it either. So I played with Jeff instead.
Saturday: for all intensive purposees, a rest day. I did clean the house, including scrubbing the kitchen and bathrom floors, but my arms weren't even a little tired after that. Either BodyRock is really working or I didn't scrub hard enough.
Jeff also got to go to the dog park. Not as many dogs this time, so he wasn't as tired. He still managed to cover the entire area, though, so I got a bit of walking in =)
Sunday: Sunday Runday. I didn't set an alarm, so missed the running group, but set out on a "trail" of sorts - one of the rails to trails that'ts crushed gravel. I got about 30 minutes in and it was ... eh ... not a sufficient substitute for trails, I guess.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Ephiphany
First video blog of the new ... blog =)
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4BSorxw5o8&feature=youtu.be
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4BSorxw5o8&feature=youtu.be
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The Circus, People Clad in Next to Nothing, and Races
... that got you reading, didn't it?
My weekend was a pretty rockin' weekend. It was the first time in a long time that I had something going on every day. I'm so not used to that - usually I have one day that is pretty "dull" and allows me to get some errands done without feeling guilty about leaving Jeff at home.
Not this weekend!
First, Friday in general was a red lipstick kind of day. I'm not quite sure why it requires a certain sense of security in order for a woman to wear red lipstick, but it seems to. I would like to get to a point where every day feels like a red lipstick kind of day. I think I look quite good, don't you?
Friday night, I got to be a kid again when I went to the circus! Did you know there are musical numbers at the circus these days? Right?!?!? It had been a long time since I had that much fun going to any type of live show. The stunts were amazing - I was very nearly biting my nails in anticipation watching the tight rope walkers, some guy catapult across the Sprint Center while on fire (!), and other acrobatic tricks. I giggled at the clown acts and loved watching the tigers (seriously, how in the world do they get them to sit still like that? I need to get Jeff do to that!)
A few pictures (courtesy of my 2-year old phone, I really should get a new camera):
Saturday night, one of my good running friends was competing in a fitness competition - the Natural KC Classic. She had spent the previous 6 months getting ready for a really long day, so I wanted to support her by whooping and hollering as she strutted her stuff on stage in nothing by a teeny bikini. And she did great! She looked amazing (and folks, she's a momma of 5!) and got first place in one of her divisions and fourth in another! I'm so proud of her!
Sorry folks, no pictures.
Sunday morning, two of my friends were running a 10K in Kansas City and another friend was tackling her first marathon in Illinois. I couldn't be in Illinois, but I was up early to cheer at the 10K. I'm the type of person that has to cheer for everyone. I don't know how some people can just stand there and stare as runners go by, especially when you know they could use a little encouragement. So, I clap and yell until my throat gets scratchy and then clap and yell some more. It was an overcast morning, but super sticky, so I know it wasn't the most pleasant of runs for everyone. I even got another friend to clap and yell with me, which made it even more fun! We actually had several people come up to me after the race and thank us for cheering. And our friends did awesome! Both had finishing times faster than they thoughts - and two shiny new PRs! I'm so proud of them!
A third friend became a marathoner Sunday morning - some of you know her as ber94 on the Loop. She ran her first marathon in 4:16, which is an amazing, AMAZING time! I'm so proud of her!
My weekend was a pretty rockin' weekend. It was the first time in a long time that I had something going on every day. I'm so not used to that - usually I have one day that is pretty "dull" and allows me to get some errands done without feeling guilty about leaving Jeff at home.
Not this weekend!
First, Friday in general was a red lipstick kind of day. I'm not quite sure why it requires a certain sense of security in order for a woman to wear red lipstick, but it seems to. I would like to get to a point where every day feels like a red lipstick kind of day. I think I look quite good, don't you?
Friday night, I got to be a kid again when I went to the circus! Did you know there are musical numbers at the circus these days? Right?!?!? It had been a long time since I had that much fun going to any type of live show. The stunts were amazing - I was very nearly biting my nails in anticipation watching the tight rope walkers, some guy catapult across the Sprint Center while on fire (!), and other acrobatic tricks. I giggled at the clown acts and loved watching the tigers (seriously, how in the world do they get them to sit still like that? I need to get Jeff do to that!)
A few pictures (courtesy of my 2-year old phone, I really should get a new camera):
 |
| The opening act. |
 |
| The elephants! |
 |
| Seriously, the guys on these things were insane to watch. One did a flip on the outside while the thing was still swinging around. |
 |
| How many clowns does it take to change a light bulb? |
 |
| The finale, complete with confetti. |
Sorry folks, no pictures.
Sunday morning, two of my friends were running a 10K in Kansas City and another friend was tackling her first marathon in Illinois. I couldn't be in Illinois, but I was up early to cheer at the 10K. I'm the type of person that has to cheer for everyone. I don't know how some people can just stand there and stare as runners go by, especially when you know they could use a little encouragement. So, I clap and yell until my throat gets scratchy and then clap and yell some more. It was an overcast morning, but super sticky, so I know it wasn't the most pleasant of runs for everyone. I even got another friend to clap and yell with me, which made it even more fun! We actually had several people come up to me after the race and thank us for cheering. And our friends did awesome! Both had finishing times faster than they thoughts - and two shiny new PRs! I'm so proud of them!
A third friend became a marathoner Sunday morning - some of you know her as ber94 on the Loop. She ran her first marathon in 4:16, which is an amazing, AMAZING time! I'm so proud of her!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Weekly Workout Log
Monday: Rest. Was going to do random abs & then decided ... eh.
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's Game Time & Get it Here Workouts. Followed by randomabs.
****This was tough. Had to scale down the lateral jumping because it was aggravating the old injuries. No harm, no foul though. Yay!
Wednesday: BodyRockTV's Sexy and Slim Workout. A few sun salutations to work on my flexibility and then some tree poses to improve balance. BAM.
****Um, hello abs. Nice to hurt you.
Thursday: the Olympic Challenge workout on the HIIT app on my phone. I dare you to try it.
-2 rounds of: Butt Kicks (30 sec), Knees to Elbows (to work obliques, 30 sec), Jumping Jacks (30 sec), side lunges (1 min)
-3 rounds of: 10 burpees in 30 sec (seriously, 3 seconds per burpee???), 20 pushups in 30 seconds, dumbbell row from plank (45 sec), rest (30 sec)
-3 rounds of: 25 dumbbell lunges in 1 min, 10 left side plank dips in 45 sec, 10 right side plank dips in 45 sec, 20 tricep dips in 45 sec, rest (45 sec)
-6 rounds of high knees (30 sec), jog in place (30 sec)
****it's a killer folks. Mark my words, one day, I will be doing 10 burpees in 30 seconds, complete with tuck jumps. It. Will. Happen.
Friday: rest day. I went to the circus! More on that later
Saturday: HIIT trainer ab challenge. Per-tey darn good if you ask me. I liked it a lot. Then I went to watch a few friends who were in the Natural KC Classic. Wowsers. That is the place to go for motivation to get in mad shape! More on that later, too.
Sunday: I skipped Sunday RUNday and headed to the Plaza 10K to support 2 friends who were running. I cheered like a mad woman, and got my voice all nice and scratchy. That counts as a workout, right?
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's Game Time & Get it Here Workouts. Followed by randomabs.
****This was tough. Had to scale down the lateral jumping because it was aggravating the old injuries. No harm, no foul though. Yay!
Wednesday: BodyRockTV's Sexy and Slim Workout. A few sun salutations to work on my flexibility and then some tree poses to improve balance. BAM.
****Um, hello abs. Nice to hurt you.
Thursday: the Olympic Challenge workout on the HIIT app on my phone. I dare you to try it.
-2 rounds of: Butt Kicks (30 sec), Knees to Elbows (to work obliques, 30 sec), Jumping Jacks (30 sec), side lunges (1 min)
-3 rounds of: 10 burpees in 30 sec (seriously, 3 seconds per burpee???), 20 pushups in 30 seconds, dumbbell row from plank (45 sec), rest (30 sec)
-3 rounds of: 25 dumbbell lunges in 1 min, 10 left side plank dips in 45 sec, 10 right side plank dips in 45 sec, 20 tricep dips in 45 sec, rest (45 sec)
-6 rounds of high knees (30 sec), jog in place (30 sec)
****it's a killer folks. Mark my words, one day, I will be doing 10 burpees in 30 seconds, complete with tuck jumps. It. Will. Happen.
Friday: rest day. I went to the circus! More on that later
Saturday: HIIT trainer ab challenge. Per-tey darn good if you ask me. I liked it a lot. Then I went to watch a few friends who were in the Natural KC Classic. Wowsers. That is the place to go for motivation to get in mad shape! More on that later, too.
Sunday: I skipped Sunday RUNday and headed to the Plaza 10K to support 2 friends who were running. I cheered like a mad woman, and got my voice all nice and scratchy. That counts as a workout, right?
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Fall is coming!!!
It's chilly in the mornings - I need pants & a jacket when I take Jeff out in the wee hours.
I'm pretty excited. Fall is quite lovely after the hot summers in Kansas.
In celebration, here are a few things I love about fall:
As soon as I post this, I will probably think of 10 more things I love about fall.
Honestly, this is why I stay in the Mid-west: the seasons, seeing changes, having a different environment for a little bit, knowing that even when I'm complaining, there will be another change soon enough. I'm sure places like Southern California or Hawaii are nice. Amazing, most likely. Me? I like a little change every now and then. I'm almost positive that after awhile, all that sunshine would get to me.
I'm pretty excited. Fall is quite lovely after the hot summers in Kansas.
In celebration, here are a few things I love about fall:
- Yoga pants (they make my butt look great)
- Long sleeve running t-shirts
- Hoodies
- My super awesome slippers
- The Twin Cities Marathon
- Running capris (I feel so fast in them)
- Knee-high boots
- Everything becomes pumpkin flavored
- Crunchy leaves
- Running is insanely easy after a hot summer
As soon as I post this, I will probably think of 10 more things I love about fall.
Honestly, this is why I stay in the Mid-west: the seasons, seeing changes, having a different environment for a little bit, knowing that even when I'm complaining, there will be another change soon enough. I'm sure places like Southern California or Hawaii are nice. Amazing, most likely. Me? I like a little change every now and then. I'm almost positive that after awhile, all that sunshine would get to me.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Stalking an Ironman
The Loop on Runner's World is a magical place.
You can write blog title like this one and no one thinks you are actually stalking someone in a creepy and criminal way.
You can also call someone one of your very good friends, even if you've only met him once.
It's ... unsusual, I know.
In anycase, it's the truth. One of my good friends, Stewmanji, as he's called in the Loop, completed is first Ironman today. I've followed him from his first blog (we started blogging at the same time), and, because we have a Minnesota connection, we became loyal readers of each other's posts.
Stew is an inspiration. If you ever find yourself delayed hours on end in the airport with Internet access, I recommend finding his blog in the Loop and just read. His motto is to never give up, and he lives that out loud. The hours of training he has spent, first improving his marathon time and then in preparing for this FULL Ironman boggles my mind. I'm fairly certain he has put in more training hours in the past year than I did in studying the 2.5 years I was in graduate school.
I couldn't be there in person, but I promised him I would follow his splits online. And, seriously, it's been more like stalking. Aside from the "break" I took to have lunch with friends, I had the Ironman track athlete page on my computer, refreshing the page every 15 minutes, and then every 5 while waiting for the final split (as if Stew would suddenly get REALLY fast).
And then ... it finally popped up. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. He had done it. He had mastered insanity. He was an IRONMAN.
I will never be an Ironman. Or an Ironwoman for that matter. Which is why I can totally post the following link (which I've shared with Stew at least twice):
But I will be an Ironman
Congrats, my friend. You are freaking awesome.
And now, please, buy your wife something nice for putting up with that training =)
You can write blog title like this one and no one thinks you are actually stalking someone in a creepy and criminal way.
You can also call someone one of your very good friends, even if you've only met him once.
It's ... unsusual, I know.
In anycase, it's the truth. One of my good friends, Stewmanji, as he's called in the Loop, completed is first Ironman today. I've followed him from his first blog (we started blogging at the same time), and, because we have a Minnesota connection, we became loyal readers of each other's posts.
Stew is an inspiration. If you ever find yourself delayed hours on end in the airport with Internet access, I recommend finding his blog in the Loop and just read. His motto is to never give up, and he lives that out loud. The hours of training he has spent, first improving his marathon time and then in preparing for this FULL Ironman boggles my mind. I'm fairly certain he has put in more training hours in the past year than I did in studying the 2.5 years I was in graduate school.
I couldn't be there in person, but I promised him I would follow his splits online. And, seriously, it's been more like stalking. Aside from the "break" I took to have lunch with friends, I had the Ironman track athlete page on my computer, refreshing the page every 15 minutes, and then every 5 while waiting for the final split (as if Stew would suddenly get REALLY fast).
And then ... it finally popped up. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. He had done it. He had mastered insanity. He was an IRONMAN.
I will never be an Ironman. Or an Ironwoman for that matter. Which is why I can totally post the following link (which I've shared with Stew at least twice):
But I will be an Ironman
Congrats, my friend. You are freaking awesome.
And now, please, buy your wife something nice for putting up with that training =)
Weekly Workout Log
I'm trying a new thing, the Weekly Workout Log. Hopefully this will keep me accountable. I'm tired of my wobbly bits and allowing my 30-life crisis to motivate me to cutting fat & getting rid of the wobble.
Monday: BodyRockTV's Hot Leg Show workout
****literally, sweat was dripping off of my nose. It was awesome. Also, this was the first time I felt brave enough to do some of the plyometric work.
(me, all sweaty after only 12 minutes - boo yeah)
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's Lean Lovers workout
****Another doozie. I was huffing and puffing. I have been constantly amazed with these HIIT workouts. Something that seems pretty easy, like squatting & then jumping, following by 5 high knees, can get so tough after about 30 seconds.
Wednesday: BodyRockTV's Less is More Workout & random abs
**** Only a 4 minute workout, which I could have done twice through, but somehow I knew my form was going to SUCK in round 2. So I went to random abs & did their WOD. Definitetly felt it the next morning.
Thursday: you guessed it! Another BodyRockTV workout. This one: Sexy Beast. Boo. Yeah.
*****I did full out burpees for the first time during this workout - with tuck jumps! It was exhausting. And wonderful. Then I did a little bit of yoga to work on my hamstring & calf flexibility.
Friday: Surprise, surprise, BodyRockTV. I seriously love this place. I've never pushed myself so hard using "workout videos". The trainers are super awesome. This workout focused on abs, which I need to work so much more than I do. Name of workout: Tease it
****you know that super deep burn? I rarely get it in my abs. They usually just hurt. But this time, super deep burn. Holy. Hell.
Saturday: Jeff & I took a super long walk around the Nelson Museum Sculpture Garden in KC. I love that place. It's our new Saturday hangout. Then we took another super long walk that afternoon on the trails that go through my apartment complex. And then I did random abs while I watched When Harry Met Sally.
Sunday: Sunday RUNday - a free group run that a Loopster had suggested a few (ok 15) miles south of me. It is a bit of a drive, just for a run, and I pulled in just as everyone was taking off so I was the straggler, but I did catch up with two really great ladies who were telling me about all these awesome running groups that are good for marathon training. I ran much farther than I had intended, but I'm glad I went, even if I turned back before anyone else & didn't feel like hanging around like a weirdo so I could join the group for breakfast. Maybe next week.
Monday: BodyRockTV's Hot Leg Show workout
****literally, sweat was dripping off of my nose. It was awesome. Also, this was the first time I felt brave enough to do some of the plyometric work.
Tuesday: BodyRockTV's Lean Lovers workout
****Another doozie. I was huffing and puffing. I have been constantly amazed with these HIIT workouts. Something that seems pretty easy, like squatting & then jumping, following by 5 high knees, can get so tough after about 30 seconds.
Wednesday: BodyRockTV's Less is More Workout & random abs
**** Only a 4 minute workout, which I could have done twice through, but somehow I knew my form was going to SUCK in round 2. So I went to random abs & did their WOD. Definitetly felt it the next morning.
Thursday: you guessed it! Another BodyRockTV workout. This one: Sexy Beast. Boo. Yeah.
*****I did full out burpees for the first time during this workout - with tuck jumps! It was exhausting. And wonderful. Then I did a little bit of yoga to work on my hamstring & calf flexibility.
Friday: Surprise, surprise, BodyRockTV. I seriously love this place. I've never pushed myself so hard using "workout videos". The trainers are super awesome. This workout focused on abs, which I need to work so much more than I do. Name of workout: Tease it
****you know that super deep burn? I rarely get it in my abs. They usually just hurt. But this time, super deep burn. Holy. Hell.
Saturday: Jeff & I took a super long walk around the Nelson Museum Sculpture Garden in KC. I love that place. It's our new Saturday hangout. Then we took another super long walk that afternoon on the trails that go through my apartment complex. And then I did random abs while I watched When Harry Met Sally.
Sunday: Sunday RUNday - a free group run that a Loopster had suggested a few (ok 15) miles south of me. It is a bit of a drive, just for a run, and I pulled in just as everyone was taking off so I was the straggler, but I did catch up with two really great ladies who were telling me about all these awesome running groups that are good for marathon training. I ran much farther than I had intended, but I'm glad I went, even if I turned back before anyone else & didn't feel like hanging around like a weirdo so I could join the group for breakfast. Maybe next week.
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