OMIgosh, last week seemed to stretch on forever.
I've shared more than enough of my thoughts on everything that happened with Boston. For those of you who didn't read: mostly, my heart just broke. It broke for my friends who were running that day, for the all of the spectators, for those injured, for those who died, and even for those that caused it. I guess my heart just broke for humanity that day.
Since that day, I have vowed to be kind to everybody. Everybody. It will be hard and difficult, but I will be kind.
Monday: rest day. Actually, I did abs. Active rest day.
Tuesday: Arms and legs day. I switched out 1 legged squats for single leg balances on the bisou ball and gritted my teeth through 96 lbs of leg pressing (later I would realize that wasn't the best idea).
Wednesday: Another active rest day.
Thursday: Intervals and arms. My goal was to get in 6 intervals on the treadmill, but the extra challenge I gave myself on the leg press Tuesday didn't make it possible. So I got in 4 intervals instead. Then I kicked some ass with the weights.
Friday: Leg day. I tried doing my routine in a different area, which was nice. I finally felt like I was getting the hang of my plyometric work. Then I had an ART appointment Friday afternoon and I was told to drop the plyometrics for a minute because the stabilization work may be what's irritating my butt.
Sigh.
Saturday: complete and 100% rest day. I went shopping.
Sunday: 3.55 hilly miles. Figured out how to set Tjom to beep every 2 minutes which made run/walking much more pleasant. I'm pleased with what I see of my running pace, although if I continue the run/walk, I doubt I'll break 60 minutes come June 1.
At this point, I'm just happy to get some good running in.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Last week's workouts
Everything that happened on Monday made me forget that I had privately re-committed myself (yet again) to posting these.
Monday: 32 minute run/walk along the Missouri River with Jeff. He loved it, I loved it. We both had a great time.
Tuesday: Legs and arms day. I traded my step ups for leg press and it was a good decision.
Wednesday: I tried to get to the gym for yoga, but traffic and then forgetting my gym pass nixed that idea right in the ... it is bud or butt? I'm too lazy to Google it.
Thursday: Arms day. Have I mentioned there is nothing that makes me feel more powerful than dumbbell bicept curls. Rawr! Before I hit the amrs, I did 5 rounds of 1 minute jogs and 30s at 9:05 pace. It's feeling good, folks. Feel. Ing. Good.
Friday: Legs day. On these days, I do my the same exercises I do on Tuesday, but I also add a round of plyometrics to get supersets for each exercise. Doing dumbbell front squats and then rope skipping is a triiiiiip.
Saturday: Abs.
Sunday: run at Shawnee Mission Park with ICG.
And there you have it!
Monday: 32 minute run/walk along the Missouri River with Jeff. He loved it, I loved it. We both had a great time.
Tuesday: Legs and arms day. I traded my step ups for leg press and it was a good decision.
Wednesday: I tried to get to the gym for yoga, but traffic and then forgetting my gym pass nixed that idea right in the ... it is bud or butt? I'm too lazy to Google it.
Thursday: Arms day. Have I mentioned there is nothing that makes me feel more powerful than dumbbell bicept curls. Rawr! Before I hit the amrs, I did 5 rounds of 1 minute jogs and 30s at 9:05 pace. It's feeling good, folks. Feel. Ing. Good.
Friday: Legs day. On these days, I do my the same exercises I do on Tuesday, but I also add a round of plyometrics to get supersets for each exercise. Doing dumbbell front squats and then rope skipping is a triiiiiip.
Saturday: Abs.
Sunday: run at Shawnee Mission Park with ICG.
And there you have it!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Finally!
A pretty decent run!
Realizing I'm a bit behind on my training schedule for HHR (I honestly have only nailed a schedule once and that was for my first race 4 years ago), I've taken to getting any running in that I can - going for time rather than distance.
ICG and I have been sort of running together lately - I only say sort of because his goals are WAYYY different than mine - he's getting ready for his Army fitness test and therefore has to run a quick 2 miles, while I'm in it for the long run. Literally.
So anyway, basically we start at the same time, and go for a certain amount of time. He never wants to run longer than half an hour, so I have gotten short changed a little on my runs, but I'm ok with that. I know I can still take down the hilly 6.2 miles on June 1.
Todays' run was out at Shawnee Mission Park. For those of you who have never been there - seriously, take the time to go (assuming you are in the KC area). It's huge and beautiful and has a wonderful network of trails all around the lake.
As we started our run, ICG took off and I went at a fast clip (for me) and then taking a walk break every two minutes. 2/2 gets annoying and repetitive, but I tell you what, it really helps keep the inflammation in my piriformis away. And about the third interval of running, I looked down at my watch to see how fast I was going; to my surprise, I was trucking along at a 9:28 pace!
At the end of the run, I averaged an 11:24 pace and got in almost 3 miles in 32 minutes. I could tell that my legs, core and even my back was stronger, but damn ... I could also tell I'd slacked on my cardio.
[insert embarrased face here]
In any case, today's run tells me one thing, and that one thing is all I need to know: I'm making progress.
Realizing I'm a bit behind on my training schedule for HHR (I honestly have only nailed a schedule once and that was for my first race 4 years ago), I've taken to getting any running in that I can - going for time rather than distance.
ICG and I have been sort of running together lately - I only say sort of because his goals are WAYYY different than mine - he's getting ready for his Army fitness test and therefore has to run a quick 2 miles, while I'm in it for the long run. Literally.
So anyway, basically we start at the same time, and go for a certain amount of time. He never wants to run longer than half an hour, so I have gotten short changed a little on my runs, but I'm ok with that. I know I can still take down the hilly 6.2 miles on June 1.
Todays' run was out at Shawnee Mission Park. For those of you who have never been there - seriously, take the time to go (assuming you are in the KC area). It's huge and beautiful and has a wonderful network of trails all around the lake.
As we started our run, ICG took off and I went at a fast clip (for me) and then taking a walk break every two minutes. 2/2 gets annoying and repetitive, but I tell you what, it really helps keep the inflammation in my piriformis away. And about the third interval of running, I looked down at my watch to see how fast I was going; to my surprise, I was trucking along at a 9:28 pace!
At the end of the run, I averaged an 11:24 pace and got in almost 3 miles in 32 minutes. I could tell that my legs, core and even my back was stronger, but damn ... I could also tell I'd slacked on my cardio.
[insert embarrased face here]
In any case, today's run tells me one thing, and that one thing is all I need to know: I'm making progress.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Confessions of an Injured Runner
Last week was the first week that I ramped up the training for HHR - I included some speedwork, I really went after it during my weight sessions and I even hit the foam roller or the stick after my workouts.
But last Friday, I was uncomfortable most of the day. I couldn't sit and spent most of the day standing at my desk. And then Friday night, I laid in bed awake, keenly aware of the familiar dull ache that stretched from the back of my hip all the way down past my knee.
I heaved an inaudible sigh.
There was a level of heartbreak I experienced last year when I couldn't complete any of the 3 half marathons in the Heartland 39.3 Series. I had such ambitions, not only for that series, but for the entire year. I was so disappointed that I didn't run that I didn't even think about running for a good two months. Part of me felt lost; I had spent so much of the previous 2 years identifying myself as a runner that I questioned if I even belonged in that community anymore. Running had stopped being enjoyable; it became a chore.
Those of you who have experienced similar situations know how frustrating this is and how it makes the future completely unpredictable. You don't know if it's just an ache from the first week you really push yourself or if it's something more long term, and subsequently serious.
The thing is, when you've had an injury that just won't go away, when you think you've finally taken enough rest time to let it heal 100% and then the familiar aches and pains come back ... well, it takes you on an emotional roller coaster. You feel helpless, then you keep your chin up and say "let's see how the next workout goes".
Then the workout goes ok and you think that maybe it was just a fluke.
But then a few workouts later, you have to stop in the middle of your leg session to foam roll because your IT band is so damn tight. And then you realize you should cut out the last set of exercises because that could really mess things up. And the cardio afterwards is definitely out of the question.
It's up and down, back and forth and you never really know what's going on. I almost wish there was a stress fracture or a torn tendon or SOMETHING other than inflammation because then at least there is something that has to be done.
But no, no, that's not what I have going on. I know I should feel lucky, but all research tells me its piriformis syndrome and I'm just dreading going to my ART guy and telling him and hearing him say, "Yup, you're right." However, I have to go, chin up and all.
But last Friday, I was uncomfortable most of the day. I couldn't sit and spent most of the day standing at my desk. And then Friday night, I laid in bed awake, keenly aware of the familiar dull ache that stretched from the back of my hip all the way down past my knee.
I heaved an inaudible sigh.
There was a level of heartbreak I experienced last year when I couldn't complete any of the 3 half marathons in the Heartland 39.3 Series. I had such ambitions, not only for that series, but for the entire year. I was so disappointed that I didn't run that I didn't even think about running for a good two months. Part of me felt lost; I had spent so much of the previous 2 years identifying myself as a runner that I questioned if I even belonged in that community anymore. Running had stopped being enjoyable; it became a chore.
Those of you who have experienced similar situations know how frustrating this is and how it makes the future completely unpredictable. You don't know if it's just an ache from the first week you really push yourself or if it's something more long term, and subsequently serious.
The thing is, when you've had an injury that just won't go away, when you think you've finally taken enough rest time to let it heal 100% and then the familiar aches and pains come back ... well, it takes you on an emotional roller coaster. You feel helpless, then you keep your chin up and say "let's see how the next workout goes".
Then the workout goes ok and you think that maybe it was just a fluke.
But then a few workouts later, you have to stop in the middle of your leg session to foam roll because your IT band is so damn tight. And then you realize you should cut out the last set of exercises because that could really mess things up. And the cardio afterwards is definitely out of the question.
It's up and down, back and forth and you never really know what's going on. I almost wish there was a stress fracture or a torn tendon or SOMETHING other than inflammation because then at least there is something that has to be done.
But no, no, that's not what I have going on. I know I should feel lucky, but all research tells me its piriformis syndrome and I'm just dreading going to my ART guy and telling him and hearing him say, "Yup, you're right." However, I have to go, chin up and all.
Monday, April 8, 2013
What I did last week and new toys make everything better!
I think it's fairly obvious at this point that if I don't post a weekly workout log, then I'm a little embarrased at the lack of workouts I did that week ... and also that I'm incredibly forgetful these days and don't remember to post until it feels too late to post.
I am pretty proud of myself that I made all my workouts morning workouts! Here's to 5:15 on the weekdays!
Anyway ... here's what I did:
Monday: 25 minute run/walk on the treadmill. It was purposely an easy run, and it felt pretty darn good. Towards the end of my run, another woman joined me in the fitness center on a neighboring treadmill .... wearing crocs. I was super impressed.
Tuesday: Legs and arms day in the gym. I'm loving this plan (although it's slightly modified so I have a few days of just running) I found on FitnessRx for Women that targets glutes: http://www.fitnessrxwomen.com/training/strong-shapely-glutes/
Wednesday: Rest day. Normally, I do yoga in the evening, but I was simply incredibly tired. So Jeff and I went for a walk on the trails instead.
Thursday: Intervals and arms. Intervals were on the treadmill at the gym, with 1 minute jogging, 30s run @ 9:05mm.
Friday: Leg day. Did a 5 minute warm up on that machine that the guy with the ponytail goes crazy on, and then did 2 rounds of legs. I'm finding step-ups tend to bother my hip and IT band a little and I can't decide if this is a good thing or if I should find a substitute exercise.
Saturday: I had every intention of running, which I should have done when I was wide awake at 7 instead of watching a documentary on the James Bond movies. By 9, ICG and I were running all kinds of errands and enjoying the beautiful day and before we knew it, we had to get ready for a friend's birthday party. Oh well.
Sunday: I joined a friend for my first ever Zumba class. I had no idea what a workout it is! I was pretty tired afterwards, but still managed a short run with ICG and Jeff.
Now, onto this noise about new toys. I got myself a few after my tax return magically popped up in my bank account. It was very exciting.Wanna see???
Ok, bye!
I am pretty proud of myself that I made all my workouts morning workouts! Here's to 5:15 on the weekdays!
Anyway ... here's what I did:
Monday: 25 minute run/walk on the treadmill. It was purposely an easy run, and it felt pretty darn good. Towards the end of my run, another woman joined me in the fitness center on a neighboring treadmill .... wearing crocs. I was super impressed.
Tuesday: Legs and arms day in the gym. I'm loving this plan (although it's slightly modified so I have a few days of just running) I found on FitnessRx for Women that targets glutes: http://www.fitnessrxwomen.com/training/strong-shapely-glutes/
Wednesday: Rest day. Normally, I do yoga in the evening, but I was simply incredibly tired. So Jeff and I went for a walk on the trails instead.
Thursday: Intervals and arms. Intervals were on the treadmill at the gym, with 1 minute jogging, 30s run @ 9:05mm.
Friday: Leg day. Did a 5 minute warm up on that machine that the guy with the ponytail goes crazy on, and then did 2 rounds of legs. I'm finding step-ups tend to bother my hip and IT band a little and I can't decide if this is a good thing or if I should find a substitute exercise.
Saturday: I had every intention of running, which I should have done when I was wide awake at 7 instead of watching a documentary on the James Bond movies. By 9, ICG and I were running all kinds of errands and enjoying the beautiful day and before we knew it, we had to get ready for a friend's birthday party. Oh well.
Sunday: I joined a friend for my first ever Zumba class. I had no idea what a workout it is! I was pretty tired afterwards, but still managed a short run with ICG and Jeff.
Now, onto this noise about new toys. I got myself a few after my tax return magically popped up in my bank account. It was very exciting.Wanna see???
 |
| SHOES! New Balance Minimus V20 something cross trainer. I loved them, but after the Zumba class, I'll probably be returning them. The left shoe was rubbing my foot wrong :( |
 |
| A workout journal! I love filling out forms (seriously, I do) so this was perfect for tracking my weight sessions and what I'm actually eating all day. |
 |
| More shoes! I fell in love with the Mizuno Wave Rider 15 last year but didn't want to pay $120 for them. So when RunningWarehouse had them clearanced for $68.88, I was ordering them faster than you can say "Hey! Those are on sale!" |
 |
| A NutriBlast! Now I drink spinach for breakfast! |
 |
| Gratuitous picture of Jeff. This was my attempt at some artistry. |
Monday, April 1, 2013
I really hope this doesn't go viral
A few months ago, I got on a high horse about how awesome I am and made a proclamation that you may not ever be able to bounce a quarter off of my abs, but you'd be able to bounce one off of my rear end by the time I was 30.
Well ... I'm officially 30 years and one month old and for some odd reason, I actually went through with it:
The Quarter Bounce
Well ... I'm officially 30 years and one month old and for some odd reason, I actually went through with it:
The Quarter Bounce
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