Hard Workout

I had an accidental hard workout today! I went to the gym and first decided to run a hill on the treadmill. So I set it to 15% incline, which is really substantial! And I ran at (I think!) 3.4 for 5 minutes. Very difficult. My lungs were burning by the time I was done! Then I did TSWTH. But I set the intervals wrong! I set my work rate to 86 and my rest rate to 83. But usually I do 68/63. So I was so very confused because it was so difficult. I couldn't even figure out how I lost so much stamina in just a couple of days! I didn't figure it out until I had 2:38 left to go. Then I lifted weights and did abs. I need to get a little notebook to bring with me so I can note the amount of weights I'm using. Big runs for both of us tomorrow!

Better

I am feeling a lot better today. Actually, I felt fine this morning but then got a headache again this afternoon. Very strange. I did run 7 miles this am. Pretty slow! Beautiful day out there though. My plan is to run tomorrow, gym Friday, long run (probably at Miramar) on Saturday. Did some abs today, too!

Headache

What a headache I had today! I only ran 5 miles even though I wanted to run more. I had a headache when I left and I it didn't get better. In fact, I felt really bad by the time I got home. Anyway, I ran 5 miles and that was good. Quiet day here and I do feel a lot better tonight. I bet I'll be fine in the am.

Getting Stronger

I think, anyway! I had a gym day today (rained last night and a little this morning), so I stayed in. Just did 20 minutes of cardio and then weights. But I feel like I'm getting stronger. For the bicep curls, I was doing 3 sets of 12 with 10 pound weights. And today I did one set with 15 pound weights. Then 2 with the 10s. And I have been using this triceps dip and pull up machine. Where you choose weight to assist you. And I can do that with ten pounds less. So that's good!

Good Morning

Only 32 here this morning, windy, and we have little ice pellets on the deck!  So no hills for me today.  I ran 4 miles on the TM inside where it was warm!  What happened to our 70's and 80's?

Technology!

Well, I got so irritated today, I just gave up! 1. The mouthpiece came off of my camelpak hose and I had juice squirting EVERYWHERE, including on my new chair! Which apparently has some kind of protective coat because it just beaded off. WHEW. 2. I did something that made my iPod just loop through one song. Yes. ONE SONG. Over and over and over. And I shut it totally off several times. I tried all kinds of things. Nada. Good song, though. 3. While I stopped (well, I stopped multiple times) trying to fix my iPod, I paused my watch. And apparently forgot to restart it. Because I looked and saw the time staring back at me. I checked my history and it was under 4 miles. And I knew I had gone 6 or so. So at this point I said....well, something I won't repeat. And I quit running and walked home.

New Personal Record

My plan for today was to run 9 miles.  I actually only ran 8.3 but I never stopped or walked along the way!!!  Which is a first for me.  The previous record for me was about 4 miles.  I was pretty slow in the second half but I kept moving.  I had planned to take some side trips to get up to 9 miles but decided I would be happy to get home without stopping or walking whatever the mileage was.  I can't quite believe I did it.  But the Garmin doesn't lie and there are no big dips in my cadence chart at all today.  Lots of little dips but no big ones.  I am tired now though.  Off tomorrow and ready for a day of rest.

Gym Day!

I really like this getting ready at the gym business. Giant time saver. I left my house later than I like but still had more than enough time to accomplish what I wanted. Did 20 minutes of cardio then a mix of upper and lower body weights. Guess Friday is the morning to go to the gym. Empty in there! Long run for me tomorrow, too. I've had a bit of a noggin ache today, so I hope that goes away.

Inside Again

It rained during the night and was threatening this morning so I did my 4 on the TM again today.  In the end, it didn't rain so I could have gone outside so that's the way it goes.  Long run outside tomorrow.

Great Run!

As you know, I didn't do too much yesterday. But I sure feel good about what I did today. I did 7 miles (Kensington route). My pace was pretty good, I think it was 10:13/mile. I'm planning on running again tomorrow and then going to the gym Friday, long run Saturday, gym Sunday. I want to keep up on the gym and really try to build some muscle. Posted from "The Chair"

Slack!

I did a super short run today. It was cold and I was up until midnight last night and just not really into it. So I did 3ish miles and called er good! No hills again today. Hopefully work quiets down a bit!

Did It!

I had another morning at the gym and today I even remembered my purse! I was the complete package. And getting ready there really gives me so much more time. Pretty amazing. Today I ran a mile and then did TSWTH. Then I did both upper and lower body weights. Lots of squats. I should be able to get outside and run tomorrow. It will be cold though!

Hills

I ran north on 180th, east on 150th all the way to 170th, then back up that long hill half way, back down again to 170th and then all the way back up that hill and continued on 150th east past 180th and down a shorter but steeper hill there and back up and home.  4.2 miles.  I walked some coming all the way up the long hill on 150th the second time.  My goal will be to run that whole route without stopping so we shall see how that goes.  This training program only calls for running hills one day a week but, of course, there are hills on every route I take around here so I will make a point to run them every day whenever I come to one and, hopefully, get better at it.  I can feel a different burn in my legs already from this morning.  did all my situps and pushups, too, and that really felt like work.  I've been slacking off on those every since going to SD.

Weekend Wrapup

I had a pretty good weekend of exercise, despite the rain. Which persists today, but today should see the storm move out and we'll be dry and sunny again tomorrow. So "they" say! I went to the gym both Saturday and Sunday. I did cardio both days and on Saturday I focused on my lower body and on Sunday, it was an upper body day. I'll go again today and then (hopefully) get back to running tomorrow. My weight continues to be a source of mind boggling frustration. I think I'll call the doctor today and see if I can go to a nutritionist or something. I have, as you know, been stuck at 137 for two weeks or more. Despite keeping good track of my calories and I know I should be dropping based on my intake. I had been seeing a bit of downward movement and was at 135 on Saturday. And now I'm back to 137 today. I'm very seriously considering saying "f this" and living a life of eating ding dongs. It is filling me with absolute rage.

Executive Decision

I got all my gear packed up last night so I could go to the gym again this am, but I was so sore. I knew I wouldn't be able to lift weights. And then I looked at the weather and saw that it is really planning on raining tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday. All day, each day! So I decided to run while I had the opportunity. I figured I could just do three and call it good. But I started really warming up and getting unsore around a half mile and ended up having a really good 5 mile run. Gym tomorrow! No hills today. I must have expended all of my energy the past few days.

Good first try!

Well, my gym experiment was good. And this method will give me a lot more time at the gym. But I have got to make sure that I get everything ready the night before, or I'll never make it out the door that early in the morning. One thing that didn't go well was the fact that I forgot my purse at home. Which meant I forgot my phone at home! Believe you me, I came back and got it before I went to work! So I ran a mile on the treadmill and then did TSWTH for 15 minutes. That really made me a hot, sweaty mess. Then I did leg weights, mostly variations on squats. I also did some ab stuff and back stretching exercises. And I ran hills at lunch! My weight continues to be a mystery. I told you that I was at 145 forever and then took a GIANT dip to 137. And I'm still there. For over a week. And I have been working out and watching what I eat. maybe I'll take another giant dip. I can tell that my cloths are fitting better again. Not quite right, but getting there. So I'm happy that I can feel the change. Gym again tomorrow and then back to running on Saturday.

Lonely Times!

Well, things are pretty quiet and lonely here. I miss you! I did go to the gym this morning. Did the usual cardio and then focused on upper body stuff as I'll go back tomorrow and focus on lower body stuff. I'm trying something new tomorrow. I have my food for the day packed already and my clothing. And I'm going to shower and get ready for work at the gym. And just go to work straight from there. I think it will give me about 15 minutes more time in the am when I do the gym. We shall see! My intention was to run hills at lunch today and I realized I forgot my sports bra! And then I realized I needed a new one because what I wore Sunday just tore me up. So I changed into hill gear (except the bra!) and went over to RRS. I was about to walk out of there with "seamless" bras when I saw a worker lady and asked her if those would actually solve my problem. And she gave me a resounding "no!" because this is apparently caused when the bra is too loose and so it rubs against the skin. So she helped me find one that should work. We'll see. I'll have to test it on a long run because that's the only time this happens. So I only got two hills in. But that's something!

We did it!

I'm pretty proud of us!

Good Luck To Us!

Tomorrow is the big day in San Diego!  And I hope we both have a great run!

Last Effort

Well, sort of. I am going to run hills tomorrow. Nothing too crazy. But today really was our last day before the big run Sunday. I saw that my running group (I'm affiliated with them only in that I get their emails!) is doing a 3.5 mile "shake out" run on Saturday. No thanks! I'm planning on conserving! We will be fresh and ready to run on Sunday. I went to the gym this am and did the elliptical and TSWTH. Then weights. Then I did run hills at lunch today. It was really really hard to get out of the office, let me tell you. But I'm so glad I did. That needs to be a priority. Especially before the SF run.

Late Post!

I shut off my computer last night and realized I didn't post! So here we go - better late than never. I guess. I ran 3 miles yesterday. It was one of those days where it was cold and I really didn't feel like doing it so I just did a little bit. I did, however, run hills at lunch. I'm going to try and do that again today. My weight is exactly the same again today. It is mind boggling that I'm not dropping.

Brrrr!

It was chilly out this morning! I hope it's like that on Sunday, actually, because it was pretty good running weather. I'd rather have it be cold than too hot, that's for sure. Anyway, I saw crabby old guy tonight. And I also saw a girl running in her underpants! Too bad you missed her!

San Diego Running

It's GREAT to be in San Diego!!  This morning I went for a 5 mile run down to the Kensington neighborhood and back.  I saw lots of green everything and also flowering trees and shrubs and 5 orange trees and 1 lemon tree that were all loaded with fruit.  'Tis the season!  Great run and so nice to be outside in shorts and a t shirt doing it!

Countdown!

Well, we're close, huh? I'm slowing down a bit, well, I have more than my pace! That's been slowing down for some time! But I mean I'm reducing my distance and today I ran 5 miles. I think. This morning seems like 20 years ago. So, that's what I did. It was a really nice morning. Beautiful day all day. As you know. Because you're here!

Good and Bad

I really thought I posted yesterday! Geesh, my mind was blown I think. I did run yesterday and that is the bad of this post. It didn't go well. So what is the good? Lessons learned. I planned on running 12 miles yesterday. I set out around 10 am and ended up getting 10 miles in, but it was very hard. I can count on one hand the number of times when I've had to quit and this was one of them. I actually felt sick. And, despite what the tv show The Biggest Loser seems to be teaching people, I think that if I work out to the point where I'm sick, I'm doing something very very wrong. So I finally started walking (which I never do!) at 9.71 and stopped my timer. Then I ran a bit, then I walked, then I ran. When my watch said 10 I just walked the rest of the way home. So what are my lessons learned? 1. The other day (Monday, I think) I pulled out my food diary and started getting pretty restrictive. Standard "woman diet" calorie number, but not (I think) adequate to run 10 miles running. 2. It was really really hot. Do not get me wrong, I've run in hotter weather. But I have not ran in the heat and sun for 6 months or so. So, from a conditioning standpoint, I just wasn't ready for the heat. 3. I got very dehydrated very quickly. I think this was heat related. I had water (and coffee) in the morning and I had my pack with me so that's 32 ounces of water to which I added electrolyte tablets. But I was done with that around mile 8 and I had been drinking sparingly since mile 5 because I realized it wouldn't last. So those are all bad things. But the good thing is that this happened a week before the race. I have time to fix what I need to fix. I've upped my calories so that will help. And we will not have to worry about the heat on Sunday because we are starting so early. If the race started at 10 am, yes, I'd be worried. But I really don't think we will have to contend with that on Sunday.

Short One

I did a 3 mile run this morning. I was/am pretty darn sore but just wanted to do something because it was on my schedule. I did not run hills, though, because I am doing a big run tomorrow and wanted to conserve some energy for that. Feeling less heart sore about last night and just irritated. I feel like I was not listened to.

Bah

I had a really good run this morning. I did 7 miles. Similar pace as I have been, but that's ok. It was cold this am and pretty dreary! Looked like it had recently been raining, but it was fine for running. But, let me tell you, I did not have fun at pilates tonight. At all. I'm totally embarrassed to say this, but I actually almost cried. I have no strength left at all. Frankly, it was really depressing. We did a private session because the other ladies couldn't make it tonight. Anyway, I'm feeling really sad and frustrated tonight. I suppose I'll feel better tomorrow.