Good Morning

Another week begins and I celebrated by running 2.9 miles on the TM. Also did the push ups and sit ups and felt good to get back in gear.

As you know I took Saturday off because my foot was bothering me. Slept Friday night and Saturday night in that sock to no avail. Yesterday when I came home at noon I decided to put those orthotics in my shoes and wear them a while and see how they felt. And they felt fine! Foot didn't bother all afternoon or evening. So I wore them while running this morning and the same thing. So what the heck? Last summer they hurt like crazy to have them in and now yesterday and this morning they feel ok. So, I don't get it. Can't wear them today though because they don't fit into my winter shoes. Another mystery. Like weight.

Have a good day.

The Good and The Bad

Let's start with the good! My weight was at 130.4 this morning! And this was POST shower (because I forgot), so I'm sure that means that - minus the water - I'm at 125. Right? RIIIIIGHT??????

I got up before my alarm this morning, which was a really good thing because I might have wet the bed otherwise! I slept hard and didn't get up all night! I've been working with about 5 hours of sleep each night this week, so I'm not surprised I went out like a light.

Ran this am. Was good. Did ab stuff, too.

OK, the bad. I'm falling apart! My right foot was very tender today but, even worse, I'm having what I assume is sciatic (I can't believe I spelled that right on my first try!) pain. On the left in the back and down my leg. Here is my thought - I've been doing these ab exercises, including leg lifts. For ages I've had something funky with the left side of my back - not debilitating, just sore. And I'm wondering if the leg lifts are irritating my left side. And I wonder that cause they irritate my left when I'm doing them! Yes, I'm like Sherlock Holmes! Anyway, I've already quit the lunges. Now I'm quitting the leg lifts. Hopefully this will set me right!

Have a great one!

Friday Morning

Good morning. I did it again today but am thinking I might need a day or two off. Again, I'm feeling a little twinge down there in my right foot that I don't like. Have it on the ice bottle now. Think I'll wear that sock to bed tonight, too. I need new shoes and hope to get some on Monday. Have to go into the city to find some. Anyway, I ran my usual 2.8 miles and took Barry M. with me today. Now off to work.

I Won At Treadmill!

Long time no see, right? Well, I've been slacking, but that's besides the point. Slacking time is over and now it's crunch time.

Chuze Fitness has really been a blessing. I enjoy going there much more than I did Bally Fitness and having Julie to go along with me is an added bonus. It's one measly hour an evening and I totally have no reason to justify not going.

So, yes, I beat the treadmill. I originally intended to go 5 miles but the machine wouldn't let me go beyond 60:00. Not matter how many times I pushed the button. In my world, that's a win. Granted, I was going at a paltry 3.5 mph, but that's further than I've gone, without being chased, since the early part of the millenium.

I like to spend one day a week at the gym doing nothing but treadmill. Next week I'll best it and get my 5 miles in, even if I have to make the readout say TILT.

131.8

Yep! I'm getting there! You are the only person who gets the candid rundown on my weight! Well, you and our millions of readers........

But I have really been watching what I eat and I can tell. This week has been really difficult for me as far as getting to the gym or running hills. So that means the only thing I'm doing different is reducing calories. Sad!

I woke up to coffee Palmer would love! It was clear - I left my beans in the grinder rather then putting them in the basket!

I wanted to tell you that I'm doing great at eating at my table. Ever since I first mentioned it, I have had breakfast and dinner there. And I think that helps me feel like I'm "really" eating. Not just snacking. The food journal is helping me, too.

OK, on to the run! It was great. Really nice day again. I didn't get run down by cars and I saw no new people. Only the usual suspects.

I did abs when I got back but I skipped the lunges. My legs were feeling really weak. I might actually take a day off tomorrow. My left Achilles tendon has been tender the last couple of days. Honestly, I'm blaming the lunges. That is the only new thing I've added. Guess I had better stick with squats.

OK, time for a late dinner - just got home. Love you!

780

That's how many calories are sitting on my counter - in cupcake form! Jessica brought me a GIANT chocolate cupcake yesterday and I can't bring myself to eat it. I looked up giant cupcakes and they have 780 calories - give or take. Probably GIVE! So.....my food diary has ruined me!

I had another great run this morning. Even though I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. It was a beautiful morning, too. Not too cold and the sky was very blue and I could see the moon - it was very bright! And the sunrise in the other direction. Very enjoyable. I listened to Muse today.

No hills or gym - just too busy at work. That will stop soon, though. Monday will be the end of it for a few months, I guess.

Had to start my dinner over tonight! Thank goodness it is just thawing! I took something out of the freezer and forgot to put it in the fridge before going to work.
I didn't want to risk it!

I hope your day was great!

Quick Update

Well, January has finally become January! I've been waiting for work to get insane all month and today it hit. It has not been bad at all, though, this month. So one week - well, we can deal.

Point being I just got home and am eating dinner. I'm so glad I've been cooking ahead. I'm having some delicious soup and a steak salad. My steak is all cooked and measured out in 3 oz servings. Making it easy on myself!

I took yesterday off and I could really tell this morning. I just had such a great run. Felt good.

I was so irritated at the car that made me stop, though! You can see the giant dip in my Nike+ upload! SIGH. Oh well, I just kept on!

Monday Morning

Great way to start off the week with my new longest run ever! 3.5 miles today! Just wanted to see if I could do it and it wasn't even hard. Taking the time is my biggest challenge. I want to get to 4 miles. Might have to start getting up a little earlier....but not this week!

Finally!

Whew! It took a week but I'm back to my pre-Jacuumba weight. Boy, I do not do a good job making food choices when I am out of my normal routine. I really need to work on that. Speaking of which, we went to Alpine tonight and I ate a ridiculous about of cheese.

But I had a great run today. I like how Nike lets me see my mile pace. I was really consistent on every mile. And I didn't slow down when I got to the end. And that is good to see - made me happy.

I'm not sure if I'll run tomorrow or not. Might be time for a day off.

I don't know how much I'll get to the gym next week. It will be very busy at work. But I'll play it by ear!

Saturday Morning

Good morning. But it's getting close to afternoon here! We slept until 8:00 am this morning! I had trouble going to sleep though so don't feel like I got any extra time in the sack. But feeling ok.

Lance Armstrong congratulated me this morning on my longest run ever! 3.27 miles. I was so surprised to hear someone talk to me! I have the voices turned off on the nike+ but these congratulatory messages must override that. I wanted to do 3.1 for sure but then I got lost in a song and before I knew it I was over 3.2. Gotta watch that. Don't want to get carried away here.

I think they moved the 5K from Friday night to Saturday because they didn't want to heat up that huge building for just 14 runners. And I don't blame them. I wouldn't either. They are doing a half marathon Saturday morning and have 64 signed up for that and a full marathon on Sunday morning and have 70 signed up for that. Then they are doing a 10K Sunday afternoon and have 18 signed up for that. This is a first time event so it will grow next year I'm sure. I'm hoping now that maybe Megan will take Angie's place but haven't heard that for sure yet.

Yay Friday! This week sure seemed long even though it was a short one. I'm gonna sleep in like crazy tomorrow!

I had a good run this morning. Lots of other runners out! More then I usually see and a lot of strangers. So I did a lot of waving. I did the lunges and abs, too.

And I got out and hit the hills again today. It was a beautiful day, so it was fantastic to be out there. Let me tell you, I'm out of hill running shape. I've really gotten out of the habit of doing them and I can tell now when I tackle them. It's hard! That just means I need to get consistent again.

Tomorrow we are going to Alpine for bbq. I'm going to do my best with my eating!

Have a great Saturday!

Friday Morning

My appointment yesterday was great! My numbers are all excellent. Blood pressure 112/68. Overall cholesteral 142. LDL (bad cholesterol) 69. HDL (good cholesterol) 60. Triglycerides 65. A1C 6.0. All excellent! I was very, very pleased. And I weighed 2 lbs LESS on their scale than I did at home fully clothed! That's never happened before. Always weigh more there. So I was very happy about it all.

I ran on the TM again today and did the exercises. Push ups were more challenging because I also had a flu shot yesterday and my arm is sore. But I did 'em.

-20 here this morning!

Stuff.....

.....and things. I can't always think of witty titles. OK, I often cannot think of witty titles! Don't judge!

Well, today I got up. I ran. It was great actually. Yesterday was pretty dreary and today turned out to be beautiful. So I enjoyed it a lot. I did lunges and abs after. And I totally forgot to weigh myself. Probably for the best.

I did run hills at lunch but ended up working really late so no gym tonight. My arm muscles are sad.

How was your appointment?

Question

Is it possible to OD on menthol patches? Cause I've got about 5 million of them on right now! I woke up feeling like someone beat me and I've been sore all day.

I slept in, too! Only 15 minutes, but it still threw me off a bit. But I did my run (it was good) and lunges and abs.

No hills today. It was cloudy and I was sore. I did go to the gym, though. Did some cardio and then leg weights. So I bet my legs will hurt tomorrow!

I have to tell you, I ate so healthy all last week (excluding The Popcorn Incident!) and I undid every bit of good this weekend. Pretty sad. I will have to figure that out. I need to be healthier in general.

Good luck at your appointment! Hope you made your goal!

Wednesday Morning

The running and exercises went much better today. Had a good night's sleep and it makes all the difference for me. Have my right foot on the ice bottle now though because for the first time in a long time I am feeling a litle "twinge" down there. Hmmmm..... Have a good day.

Yep!

I called it! My scale and I are at odds once again. Oh well!

I'm tired and I was tired when I woke up and tired when I ran. But, like you, I did it anyway. And it was.....ok. It was work. You know? And I tripped and almost bailed hard. Which means I was not picking up my feet!

I did hills at lunch. It was an amazing day today. 75 they said. Just beautiful so I made sure to get out and enjoy it. Then we did weights at the gym tonight.

Healthy eating all day long, even though I forgot my food journal! I'm filling it in now. But I did well.

Hope your day was great!

Tuesday Morning

I'm late this morning because I had to have blood drawn at the Clinic before my physical on Thursday. But I did run 2.8 miles and did all the exercises but, wow, it seemed like work this morning. No coffee beforehand, of course, but also I didn't sleep very well and that always affects me. But I got it done. Hope you have a good day!

Monday Morning

Welcome to another week! I slept until 7:30 this morning and it felt good, good, good. So, then I ran 3.21 on the TM!!! That's the farthest I've ever run. 3.14 being the previous record. And I upped the speed to 5.7 mph, too. Must have been the golden oldies I was listening to. Then I did the push ups and sit ups.

The good news today is that nike+ gave me credit for the full 3.21 miles today. The bad news is that my weight is up 1 lb since Saturday!! Just have to accept the fact that I will never understand it.

Have a good day!

Saturday Morning

I feel like this nike+ is cheating me out of miles! I know when I ended the run this morning it said 3.14 miles on it. But when it got sent to the website it only sent 3.05 miles. So what's up with that? And that's what's recorded on the ipod for today's run now. Hmmm.....

On the up side my weight is down a little again today! Hurray! I might make my goal by Thursday.

Had a good run and exercises went well. Heart rate hit 165 this morning. I'm trying to remember to check that a couple times a week.

Have a great weekend and hi to Bart!

Tired!

I feel like I've totally earned a soak in a hot spring! I cannot wait to go. I'm tired, a bit cranky, and......yeah, that's all I've got!

I had a great run today even though it was one of those days where I just didn't wanna. But I knew I'd probably be taking a break this weekend, so I did it anyway. And I'm glad I did. My times have been really good recently. Makes me happy!

I had great eating times again today. I just need to stick with it. It will be hard this weekend. I bought some "healthy" snacks after work. But it is hard because snacks just are not healthy! Plain and simple! So....I'll just do my best! I'll report back, for sure.

I am bringing my running gear. I'll run at least one day.

Friday Morning

Good morning. I finished listening to the Dave Clark Five this morning. They only had 2 or 3 hit songs and the rest is junk. But I did it. Had a good run this morning even though I was not enjoying the music. A month from tonight Angie, Josh, and I are running that indoor 5K. Feb. 11th but it's 4 weeks from today. My weight is back down to where I was last Friday so I'm back on track. Still want to lose a couple more pounds before that Doc appointment on Thursday.

Have a good day!

A million pounds!

I'll just start this by telling you that Bart says both of our scales are clearly broken.

So.......yesterday I weighed 139.4. 139.4!!!!!! Today I weighed 132.6. So there may be some validity to his claim......

I had a really good run today. Because yesterday was a tough one for me I listed to Glee. Made me happy.

I also did lunges (yay! less broken now) and crunches after my run.

No hills or gym today. Lots of work, though. And no snacking! I did really well with my eating and I'm really thinking my food journal is helping me a lot. I'm glad I'm doing it.

Thursday Morning

Good morning. Did it all again today and went well. Listened to Dave Clark Five's Greatest Hits. It should be called Dave Clark Five's Greatest Hit...and other songs. Anyway, had a good workout and going to be religious about the food and snacks again today. I ran 2.84 miles I think today.

5 (alternate title: Me Too)

Not 5 miles. 5 pounds. That is how much more I weighed this morning then I did yesterday morning!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5 pounds!

I kept my food diary all day. I was a super good eater and then.....(yeah, you knew there was another shoe to drop!) I had some popcorn at the movie. Shared! No butter! Only a million handfuls......

5 POUNDS!!! I'll tell you, I'm furious! Stupid scale. Sigh.

Anyway, I too am back to the no snacking.

I had a good run this am. I did 6. Then I went to the gym after work. I did the elliptical for 10 minutes to warm up and then I lifted weights. Upper body.

Oh, I did abs today too. I'm going to do them while I'm cooking my oatmeal.

ETA: I meant to tell you my resolution is going great. I'm am consistently eating at my table. Breakfast and dinner!

ETSx2!: I practiced amazing willpower today. We had sandwiches brought into the office for lunch - cheese steaks from my favorite place with plain fries and garlic fries and a big tub of cheez wiz for the fries. And I had NONE. I stuck to my plan. It was hard but I'm glad. Treats come later. When I deserve them.

Wednesday Morning

Good morning. I did it again today. However, I'm certain that my nike+ said 2.83 miles when I ended the workout but when I went back to it in history it only said 2.79 I think. So, what's up with that? I want credit for every step!

I must confess my sin: I snacked last night! And my weight is up a little more this morning. Can't believe it. It's not like I ate a whole bag of chips or something! But apparently fat calories show up on me immediately! So back to the no snack regimen. Now I have 4 lbs to lose before my physical next week.

Late Night Post

Time for bed, so this is short and sweet!

I felt better today then I have for a week. So that is great news! I had a good run this am. No extra miles accidentally appended!

Bart and I went and saw From Hood to Coast tonight. It was really fun and really motivating! It looks like a fun race. It isn't just a -BAM, do your 17- kind of thing. Each runner has 17 miles but it is spread out between 3 legs.

The best part was to listen to the people who think running is magic. People who feel passionate about running. Like us! Right?!?

Nite!

Tuesday Morning

I ran 2.8 something this morning and did the exercises and it well well today. Felt good. Then I got on the scale and saw that I am up .8's this morning and for no reason! I didn't snack yesterday at all. Weight continues to be the mystery of the ages.

I will join you in another "no snack" week though. Now I have 4 more lbs I want to lose. Yesterday it was only 3!

Lunges

After the pain of the squats last week, I decided to do lunges on Sunday. As I reported. Well, let me report new information. LUNGES HURT TOO!!!!

May I say "Ouch!"?

I'm sure feeling it. Funny to that that, for all the running I do, there are parts of me that are not in shape. I'm working on that, though. I think that getting strong will help with running. And make my stomach less flabby!

I had a good run this morning but I really didn't enjoy it. Why not? SARAH PALIN. She was just so on my mind. And my company. Gotta finish up my school application, that's for sure! Anyway, I accidentally ran an extra mile because I was so upset I wasn't paying attention. Almost a mile - .95. Didn't even realize it until I got home and turned off the Nike+.

And that reminds me, somehow I have set my Nike+ to the guy. I miss my lady!

No gym or hills today. I guess I'm still not 100% (although I do feel so much better!) and I just didn't want to push it.

To bed!

Monday Morning

The new week is off to a GREAT start because I got on the scale after running 3.15 miles (!) and my weight is down a full 5 lbs since Christmas!! Tooting my horn here!! I've really been working at it though. Haven't had a snack of anything - nothing! - in more than a week. Not been so easy to do. Somebody brought brownies and chocolate chip cookies - 2 of the best things in the whole wide world - to church yesterday for coffee hour. I walked by the table a dozen times and looked at them every time but never picked one up. Apparently, "looking" doesn't add any calories so I made it back home free and clear. I have about 3 more lbs I want to lose before my annual physical on the 20th. So, I will keep avoiding the snacks this week, too. I hope.

Something Old, Something New

No! The something old was not me!

I did some ab stuff after my run today. That was my "old" thing. I have not been doing them and I can really tell. I'm very weak in my core.

The new thing is that I did lunges today. And, whew! I did maybe 20 and they were really difficult. They are tough! I have done them ever now and again in the past but I am going to try and be consistent with them.

And I had a good run! Cold day, let me tell you.

Sicko!

Well.....maybe I'm a whiner! But I think I'm sick a bit. I've not felt just the thing since Thursday and I slept until 10:30 today and I woke up a sweaty mess! Almost feverish feeling.

But you know I still ran! I just decided that maybe I would work it out if I did some miles. It didn't work! But that's OK. I'll go to bed soon and continue resting up.

It was a really nice day to run, too. Pretty. It was cloudy but there was some very blue sky peeking through.

Hope your day was great!

Saturday Morning

Didn't I do this yesterday? What the heck? I don't even remember. I thought I did but where is it? Anyway, I did run yesterday and again today. So, I've put in a good week. Every day. Looking forward to my day off tomorrow though. Ran 2.8 miles again today and listened to our friend Barry along the way. Also did the push ups and sit ups. My weight is going down a little each day here. I have not had a snack all week! And I've really been limiting my salt intake. It's apparently making a difference.

Slacking!

I'm sore and worn out! Three days of gym (and cutting down on caffeine) have really taken a toll. I cannot believe it!

So I totally blew off the gym tonight. At the last minute, too. Which means poor Bart had to go alone! But go he did. I then had a crisis at work, had to stop at the store, forgot something super important at work so I had to go back (my iPod!!!). I should have gone to the gym!

But I did run this morning. And it was one of those really great runs where I felt like I was so speedy and strong! Saw most of my people and almost killed a Freeport dog as it ran out at me and chased me FOR A BLOCK! But I really almost ran it right down and I totally would have killed it, I think. Those dogs are just so tiny and fragile. Stupid people.

But I'm not letting potential dog death bring me down! It was a great run.

I was thinking how well set I am for marathon training - when I start. I'm averaging 6 miles a day now. And have been for a couple of months, I guess. That's almost a quarter of a marathon!

Thursday Morning

Did it again. 2.83 miles this morning. I like this nike+! Makes it easy to keep track of. Think I will wear it today when I walk after lunch, too. I've been walking 1 mile every day I'm at church but haven't been recording it.

Good news on the weight front today. I did not snack at all yesterday. Not one bite of anything. And I ate a small supper. And I'm down a pound today. A whole pound. That's seems hard to believe, too. So, we'll see what tomorrow says.

Something New

I'm trying to make Christmas brussels with frozen sprouts from the store. Have you ever tried that with frozen? I'll let you know what happens!

I really didn't sleep well last night. I thought I would and I'm surprised. But I did a lot of flopping around and a lot of light sleeping.

But I ran all the same. I was a bit slow, but such is life. I did hills today, too. Either 5 or 6. I lost track. Then some weights at the gym.

I sure should sleep tonight!

Wednesday Morning

I'm up and at it again. Another 2.81 mile run on the TM and all the exercises. So why can't I lose any weight? And, in fact, my weight has gone up a little every day this week! I can't stand it! I'm walking a mile after lunch every day, too. Very discouraged by this because I don't feel like I'm snacking that much but it's obviously too much. I gotta get a handle on this.

Whew!

Well, I did happen to get a great night of sleep last night. Although it was too darn short! I just plain wore myself out yesterday!

I ate healthy all day yesterday. Although I didn't eat dinner till 9:30! YEP! Have you ever had fava beans? Well, let me tell you something. They are a royal pain in the arse. First you have to shell them. And it isn't easy like shelling peas! Then you have to parboil them. Then you have to pop them out of their little bean envelope! Soooo piddly. But by the envelope stage I was determined that I was having fava beans. And I did. At 9:30........

Great day today. I had a pretty good run this morning. I tried different shoes though and hated them. I'm hoping I don't have a blister on the bottom of my foot tomorrow. Thank goodness for Road Runner's 90 day wear em and love em guarantee. I just need to stick with my shoes.

No hills today because....I didn't wanna! But I did got to the gym tonight. Walked on an incline for 20 minutes and then lifted weights. Arms. It was good.

I weighed myself today and I'm glad. Not as bad as I thought. But not as good as I hoped!

XO

Tuesday Morning

I'm back to work today but started off with a good 2.8 mile run on the TM plus the sit ups and push ups. Seemed like work today though. Probably because I didn't sleep well.

I finished the running book last night! Thanks again for that. That guy is a novelist so I might look up one of his novels and see what it's about.

-5 out there this morning but no rain.

Have a good day.

Check it!

Oh, I did it up right today! I got up and ran today - and it was really good even though I got rained on! Well, sprinkled. But worry not. I brought my rain gear. My ziploc baggie for my iPod. And I used it, too! Anyway, I did 6.

Then I even did hills at lunch. Partially to get out of the office but also because I'm really thinking of doing that Black Mountain 7K. 4.35 miles up a mountain. We'll see. I'm defiantly out of hill shape.

Bart and I went to the gym tonight. I did some treadmill walking and then lifted weights with my legs.

I will sleep like a rock tonight!

I thought I would be all alone on my rainy run today but not so. I saw a lot of brave souls out and about.

OK, I've decided on my resolution for the new year. Eat at my table. Too often I eat on my couch. OK, all the time! So I'm going to make that happen now!

Monday Morning

Good morning! I'm finally up and at it. Slept in until 7:30! Well, it's my day off so why not? I did a full 5K on the TM again this morning. Getting to be a habit! Listening to oldies by the Mamas and the Papas because it was "Monday, Monday" don't 'cha know and just got carried away doing "California Dreamin'." Also did the push ups and sit ups.

Saturday Morning

And Happy New Year! I celebrated by running 2.9 miles on the TM and upped my speed to 5.6 mph. I didn't really notice a difference so will just leave it at that now for a couple of weeks. Also did my 60 push ups and 60 sit ups to start the new year right. I listened to the Shrek soundtrack and I love almost all of those songs.

The nike+ servers are VERY slow here this morning! All those newbies I suppose.

Have a good day.