Boo NBA

My family is so sick of all of the lockout talk going on with the NBA, and even more bummed that the season is basically over.

I found this funny site with T-shirts relating to the NBA lockout.

:)

...And We're Back!

So, a lot has happened over here.  I mega slacked on my running because I had a baby!  I'm still recovering (I'm only three months post partum) and I'm trying to get back into training for a half marathon.  It's really hard to find time to run and exercise during the day, and when I do either its way hot or I feel like I can't go because I don't have a good jogging stroller.  I suppose I could just run at night, but I want to spend time with my family when they're all home so it's hard for me.  So, I'm attempting to do the Couch to 5K program with my travel system stroller in the meantime.  I figure running for 2 minute intervals won't kill the stroller or the baby.  Once I really get back into more mileage, I'll hopefully *fingers crossed* have a jogging stroller, or I'll just go on my own at night.

I'm really hoping this blog keeps me accountable even though no one really reads it.  It's more for my personal benefit than anything else. 

My game plan right now is simply to finish the C25K program and begin to incorporate some strength training.  Baby = flabby arms!!

Wish me luck ;)

All Signed Up!

After sitting there for 15 minutes terrified to push "Submit"...I did it.  I signed up for my first ever 10K race.  The Deseret News Marathon/10K is on July 24th, at 5:30 in the morning!  I think hubby and I are going to stay in a hotel in SLC so that I don't have to wake up at 3:30 to get there.  I just don't think I can handle that.

The race is downhill (woo hoo!) and seems to be a pretty easy route.  The starting elevation is a little over 5000ft, and the ending is just a little under 4000. 

I'm really excited to do this.  It is just another step closer to my big, ugly marathon!  I've been going on a lot of monstrous hikes lately, so I haven't really been actually running, but I think my 7 mile hike at a 21% incline won't HURT my running abilities, that's for sure.

Wish me luck!

Keep on runnin'

Running with a Throbbing Noggin

Frustrated.

I am so ready to go running tonight, my body rested and nearly healed.  Right about 4pm at work, I get a headache that feels like someone threw a brick at my forehead.  Something about pounding my feet against the pavement over and over doesn't sound like much fun right now.  I took 3 tylenol.  I hope it goes away.

Hubby & I are going out for dinner tonight because I forgot to put the roast in the crock pot.  I ate half a funnel cake for lunch (& my two snacks) at a carnival with the kids I watch.  This is a not-so-stellar fitness day.  I will have to behave myself at whatever restaurant we decide to go to.

One of those days......

Hill Runs

So, yesterday left me feeling pretty sore in my quads.  Today, unfortunately for me, was my hill run day.  I went to the tredmill and tried my hardest, but my legs were just too dang tired!  I ended up walking briskly for most of it, and made my incline a little steeper to compensate for my walking.  I did it, though!  I am not sure how my "race pace" run tomorrow will be.  Luckily for me my race pace is pretty slow! :)

I did better with food today.  I turned down a delicious chocolate cookie, and tried hard to limit my carbs.  I wasn't perfect - but who is?  I had a new snack today that I LOVED.  I found these cute little tubs of all natural fruit sorbet at the grocery and bought two mango and two raspberry.  I had a mango tonight and it was really delicious.  I like that they are all natural, so I can feel like I'm having a treat on my semi-strict diet.  My goal is to be even better with diet tomorrow so I can fuel up for my race pace run.  I'm hoping I'll have tons of energy since I'll have an exam I'm way nervous about done with by the time I run at night.  Bleck, I hate Biology!

I haven't mentioned my little "reward system" I've established for myself.  I printed off these incredibly corny dollar bills with my face on them and whenever I am "good" with diet and exercise, I give myself a few.  Actually, I make my husband do it in a very ceremonious way.  I let myself spend the money at the end of each month.  This month I made a whopping $42, but I'm deciding to roll it over to possibly buy a sexy dress I've been eyeing at the store :)  It's been really motivating and I really like the system.  If anyone is interested, I can give you the site where I created my own money!

Keep on runnin'

Day One of Running Fun!

Well today was the beginning of my 6-week journey to a 10K.  I found a program that I really like and it seems like it's quite do-able.  Today I was supposed to slowly jog for 3 miles.  I knew I could go three miles but I wasn't quite sure if I could jog the whole time because I hadn't been running in a while.  I'm so proud to say that I did it!  I ran the entire 3 mile distance.  Much to the shagrin of my quads and knees, of course.  Tomorrow I think I do hill runs, or something similar.  We'll see, I guess!  It's going to be hard this first week getting back into it but I can so do this.

I'm also trying to work on my diet.  It may sound funny coming from someone who wants to be a runner, but I'm trying to cut back on my carbohydrates.  I love the darn things and I have a slow metabolism so they KILL me.  I got out my handy-dandy P90X nutrition book, dusted it off, and found the diet of Phase 2 called "Energy Booster."  (The Phase 1 diet is just too crazy for me.  It's more for people who are lifting tons.)  I'm going to try to plan out my meals the night before so that there's no issues.  I'm also trying to drink tons of water.  I think eating right will help me run better.  Actually, I know it will!

So day one was a success.  Usually day ones are :)  But I have to be proud of myself either way!

Keep on runnin'

I Walked on the Moon!

This is one of my favorite Brian Regan skits. I cannot stand these people who try to "one-up" everything you say. Maybe it's just because I'm a girl, but it really hurts my feelings and offends me when people do this! I had this happen recently at dinner, and it involved my fitness goals. Now, these fitness things are pretty touchy for me anyway, because I don't have tons of confidence on that front. I had mentioned to this particular party of folks a while back that I had a new fitness goal--to do ONE pull up. My husband even mentioned to me that he had never seen a girl do a pull up and that he will give me $100 when he sees me do one. I knew I could do it, and I've been doing really great! I have a loving husband who lets me sit on his shoulders to take some of the weight off me. So, he basically does squats with the weight I'm not using for my pull ups :). Anyway, at dinner the other night someone (a girl) started going off about how she did like 10 pull ups. Not only that, but she had her boyfriend hang on her waist as she did some pull ups. Oh and did you know that her sister did a pull up too? Which ones do I think are easiest? Oh gee...well.....

My husband seemed quite surprised and I was too. Then I looked down at my dinner and realized, "WTF?! She had her bulky boyfriend hang on her waist as she did a pull up?" That is pure, solid bull crap. I almost laughed thinking about it. Later on I began getting frustrated with this whole scenario. It seems like my parade is rained on quite a bit when I try to do these things.

So you know what?

Forget all that! I am going to start running again! I'm going to train for a 10K in July. By the time I run a marathon, not too many people can one-up that ! I'm not just doing it to show up people. I've been wanting to get back into the swing of things for a long time, now I have motivation.

So, I feel like I have a New Year's Resolution thing going on right now but hear you me, I am running that dang 10K in July. I won't get the best time but I am going to finish it! Then, watch out half marathon!!

Frustration

So I have been successfully losing weight at a rate of 1lb. a week and doing great! This weekend, I've had some strange health issues and now suddenly I'm up TWO POUNDS! I didn't get much exercise (doc wouldn't let me) but I stayed under my calorie limit with the exception of one day. I'm not really sure why I have just gained two pounds. My only guess is water retention from my body being out of whack. It's so frustrating and I wish I could find out the real explanation for this mysterious weight gain.

I am planning on upping my exercise this week quite a bit to see if that helps. I'm lowering my caloric intake by 100 cals. I'm planning on trying to burn 1,000 more than I consume every day and hopefully with my increased exercise I can kill this weight that mysteriously appeared. I just hope I can get back to where I wanted to be this week.

What am I thinking....

So after my awesome Zumba class tonight I thought "hey, wouldn't it be fun to be the TEACHER?!" Yes, I realize that my English-Caucasian blood gives me no right to teach a Latino salsa dance class and look sexy doing it, but I can dream, right? I looked up some certifications for being a personal trainer and a Zumba instructor. It costs a pretty penny, but after you pass the test with flying colors (seriously, you have to get a 90%) you get a certificate to train to your heart's content. It sounds like a lot of fun since for the past year or so I've been into fitness and health. I have a lot of people close to me who are unhealthy and overweight and I would love to help them, and the other people out there who need help!

Hmmm.....should I do it? Should I become a personal trainer and then certify to teach Zumba?


I think I should. I'm sure in a week, though, that I'll move on to the next career I think would be fun. It's just that not only does this one sound fun, but I have an interest/passion for it and it is attainable for a reasonable amount of money. (Comparing my MFT considerations at 45,000 a semester to the one-time personal trainer payment of $350 for the class and certification is like apples and oranges here...)

Any feedback? Does anyone even read this blog? :) It's okay. It's therapeutic to talk to yourself....right?

Zumba!

I know I already posted today, but I just have to tell you all about a fitness class I went to today. I'm sure you've all heard of it--it's called Zumba. It's like a latin/salsa aerobics class that is so much FUN! I worried about feeling like a dork for about 5 minutes and then I just let loose and really had a good time. I usually don't like those aerobics type classes and so I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed myself this time.

I really like it because it's a double-duty workout for me. I'm learning some dance moves and getting a good cardio workout in! I fully intend on using my awesome new moves on the cruise we're going on this May. WOO HOO!

I'm not Dead

I just haven't posted on this blog in like a year!

Quick update:

I've been running and planning on finishing a 10K sometime this spring. I originally wanted to do one in January but 1) I didn't feel I was ready and 2) I realized that running in 20 degree weather with a wicked nasty inversion wasn't my favorite activity. So, I keep plugging along and this spring you'll see me somewhere in Utah running my first ever 10K!

I've been really focused on weight loss/eating healthy/BEING healthy since the beginning of the year. Yeah, I jumped on the New Year's resolution bandwagon, but I'm proud to say that I've stuck with it and I'm now down 6.2 lbs! I have about 16 more to go before I reach my ultimate goal weight (which may change depending on how I feel I'm doing).

I feel like I'm doing REALLY well and I feel healthier than I ever have! I've been learning good lessons about my body (i.e. you can't eat cookies for breakfast and expect to have a solid 4 mile run) and learning about what foods I can enjoy while still losing weight and feeling good.

I'm really excited for this year. I have some big running plans and some even bigger weight loss plans. My ideal would be to run a half by the end of this year (I'm thinking the Vegas Rock & Roll) and begin working on my full for sometime in 2011. I'd really love to have my first marathon under my belt before any little ones come along so I'm working hard to accomplish this goal soon.

8/20/09 Log

Man, I keep forgetting to post my logs on the day I actually do the workouts!

On the 20th, I did the P90X workout Legs and Back and Ab Ripper. I am proud to say that I did every exercise/move to my best ability! Now that it's two days later, I am so freakin' sore! Today is supposed to be my big run day but there's no way. I just rode the bike and walked around the track for a bit.

I have been eating like a PIG this week and I really need to quit it. I was doing so well and I just crashed and bombed this week. But next week is a new week! Plus, I'm going jean shopping next weekend so I better eat well so I'm not a blimp when I try on jeans...that's no fun.

Another thing that's been on my mind is the idea of joining a running club. There's one at BYU and one at a local running store. BYU is about half the price of the runner store club, but I'm not sure if I want to join a club at BYU. I have my reasons. :) Hopefully I can figure it out soon. Iknow it's not a huge life-changing decision, but it kind of is for me, haha. I can finally get my distance running in order!

Log 8/19/09

This log is a day late, but that's okay. I'm still recording it!

Tony has been a little sick lately and I felt like I was catching his bug. Last night I had made up my mind to lounge around to avoid being sick. Around 9:30pm I changed my mind and went for a run. I finally had my iPod cord so I could load Beethoven onto my ipod.

I was planning on an easy jog while Beethoven inspired me to do my best. I began the symphony after a short warm up and man, did it ROCK! I never realized how inspirational it is to listen to classical music when you run! I made it through the first rockin' movement and then slowed my run down a bit.

I've been reading a book for beginning runners by Jeff Galloway and he talks about how when you run, your right brain is more active because of the nature of the exercise. He challenges his readers to see the pictures that your right brain develops as its creativity is flowing. So, I listened. I slowed my tredmill down a bit, held on to the side bars, and closed my eyes. The music was inspiring my right brain for sure, as I could see myself effortlessly running through meadows filled with wildflowers. The soft grass felt good on my feet and my knee was perfect! I opened my eyes and laughed a little. Then...it happened......

I sped my tredmill back up to my running pace and suddenly I felt a glorious tingle that started in my head and ran all the way to my toes. At that moment I felt like I was running on clouds! I upped my speed quite a bit and ran harder and faster than I ever have--with little to no effort.

It finally happened to me...I had a runner's high.

It was, without question, the best run of my life. And it was only 3 miles long on my easy day. :)

Log 8/18/2009

Today I did P90X Arms and Shoulders workout with a little Ab Ripper thrown in the mix. I am a former P90X dropout and so hopefully these workouts won't intimidate me like last time.

I can tell that it did a lot for my body because I felt sore and tired immediately after my workout ended. Washing my hair was quite the chore in the shower and curling it was even harder! I'm trying to up the intensity level a bit so that I can get results.

Hopefully I don't ruin all my good work at the Cheesecake Factory. I haven't heard too many nutritious things about the food there. I'll try to be good...maybe.

Already Foiled!

So, today I was planning on counting calories and doing some hardcore lifting. I'm still planning on doing that but we are celebrating our 3 year anniversary tonight and where are we probably going to go?

The Cheesecake Factory.

I love this place. I love cheesecake. I am already (at 10am) figuring out what to eat at this place so that I don't gain 5 pounds--which I am sure I successfully did on the weekend haha. I've found from researching a bit that the salads there, while yummy, are huge and not healthy at all. I looked around on their menu and found the Appetizer Salads. I found one full of good veggies (even edimame!) and I'm sure I could pick a lower fat dressing for it. So, entree solved.

But I'm still back to my first problem: the Cheesecake. I noticed a Low-carb cheesecake on the menu but after looking up it's nutritional value--impossible to find, they keep it locked up tight!--I've found that it has tons of calories and fat! Maybe I'll skip out on the Cheesecake for the sake of the "bikini bod" I'm lusting after.

Has anyone sucessfully been to the Cheesecake Factory without gaining 5 pounds? Do tell. DO tell.

My Training Blog

I have decided to make this blog my training log. I will then not only be accountable to myself--but to everyone who reads this blog! Which, lucky for me, is like two people. I am sick of hitting all of these plateaus and having lapses in my fitness goals. I need to keep myself accountable.

I have found a fitness regimen by Jillian Michaels for people with <20 pounds to lose. She talks a lot about how people with that much weight to lose have to really step up the intensity. I still plan on following the Biggest Loser 30 day meal plan, but my workouts are going to change quite a bit.

I'll post my first log sometime tonight (I'm hoping). If not tonight then for sure, 100% tomorrow. I'm going to get this!

Wish me luck!

Beat Beethoven!

I've found a new race! Next month Pleasant Grove is hosting a 5K race for Pleasant Grove Heritage Days called "Can You Beat Beethoven?" It's awesome--they play Beethoven's 5th over loud speakers for the duration of the race, and people who finish before the last note of the symphony (approx. 32 minutes) get a pin that says "I beat Beethoven!" I began training today so that I can totally beat Beethoven. I know for some finishing a 5K in 32 minutes is no biggie, but I've never focused on speedwork so this is a new challenge for me.

I am so stoked to beat Beethoven. I have 5 weeks to conquer this composer, and I'm going to do it.

XT?

Today I decided to ride a stationary bike for my workout because the heels of my feet were killing me. I think it had something to do with walking around a carnival in flip flops all day yesterday. I brought the latest issue of my Runner's World magazine to help keep me from going insane. (I ended up only reading it on the commercials of What Not to Wear...loove that show!) I've been interested in this issue because it has been dedicated to Half Marathons. It talks about programs for seasoned marathoners and beginners, and those in-between as well.

I'm not planning on running any halfs anytime soon, but I AM training for a 10K and I'm always looking for opinions on how I should train. Especially now, as my knee is worse than ever before. It used to be that I would run, my knee would hurt for about a mile, and then it would go away. Nowadays my knee hurts the instant I begin to run, and only gets progressively worse throughout the workout. UGH.

Back to my point. I read through the suggested training schedule for beginners, and was amazed at how much XT was on the schedule! (that's cross-training for those who didn't know) With my previous programs, there was hardly any (if any at all) cross training on the schedule. Cross training is awesome because you can choose any activity you want, as long as it isn't running! ALSO, the only workout measured in distance is your Saturday long runs. The rest say something like 40 min run, 50 min run, etc. Same with the cross training. The woman who designed this program, Jenny Hadfield, emphasizes that for beginners it's all about slow, steady improvements and that cross training is a huge part of that training so that you can avoid injuries, fatigue, and BOREDOM.

I think I'm going to give it a shot. Jenny mentions in the article that most beginning runners keep sticking to their schedules even if their bodies don't adapt. I feel that I do that. She claims that her program will help beginner runners' bodies adapt to the changes of running long distances. I'll let you all know how it goes.

If you want to see the program, try visiting runnersworld.com, or leave a comment and I can let you in on it ;)

4th of July 5K

Well, we did it. I sucessfully convinced Tony and his parents to complete a 5K with me this past Saturday for the 4th. We all did really well for our different levels. Tony (he's a fast guy) finished 2nd in his age division! I was so proud of him! This was his first race ever. I knew he would do well because he likes the short, faster distances.

I was hoping to beat my last 5k time by four minutes and I was on good pace to do so, but right around mile 1 I twisted my knee by slipping on some loose rocks causing causing me to have to walk some of the race. BUMMER! But, despite being injured, I finished 12th in my age division and was right around my last 5K time. I was pleased to know that I am indeed faster than I was before since I walked some of the race and finished at a similar pace.

I was glad to have watched the movie "The Spirit of the Marathon" a couple nights before the race. I didn't watch it FOR the race, but just because I thought it looked interesting and I've been wanting to see it for a while. There was a girl on there who was talking about how you can train and train until you're brains melt out of your ears and be more ready than ever for your race, but if your body isn't feeling up to it that day, there's nothing you can do! It's kind of discouraging, but kind of ENcouraging at the same time. Yeah, I was a little sad that I didn't get a better time, but it wasn't because I wasn't good enough. My body just didn't let me finish the way I wanted to. That's always something I will have to deal with as a runner. So, there's my take-home message for the day.

In other news, I am planning for my first ever 10K! I started the training program yesterday and I've picked out a race that I'd like to do in Park City, Utah. For those who don't know, a 10K is 6.4 miles--twice a 5K. I have gone that distance before, but only ONCE. In my training I'm going to work up slowly to it for an 8-week period. I'm so excited! I'm also trying a new diet system to hopefully shed some poundage. I'm sure that being 10lbs lighter will help my running immensely.

My BIG goal that I've recently set is to run the Half Marathon in the SLC Marathon events next April (2010). I ran my first 5K in that race and I think it's a pretty doable goal. I think I'll have plenty of training time. Then I'm going to train for the big dog, and complete my first marathon sometime after that. I'm not quite sure how long it takes to train for a marathon, but I am thinking the October following my half I would go down to St. George and run that race.

I'm crazy.

Question Answered

So, my three workouts = OVERKILL! It didn't help that I decided to sprint a good chunk of my run on Tuesday night. Here I am sitting, it's Thursday, with dead legs and I haven't run since then. I did some stretching last night but it didn't help. I am sooo sore! I tried to get on the tredmill to time my mile but my legs gave out and I stumbled down to the floor. Luckily no one was watching me.

I better burn MEGA calories for this. 'Cause I'm hurting!