Back At It

I got back on the TM this morning and did my 3 miles plus the pushups and situps.  Not nearly as stiff and sore as I thought I might be after that class on Thursday.

Personal Trainer Day!

Meeting 2 with my Personal Trainer. Super like him. I ran over (under a mile) and then did the bike for 10ish minutes. Then it was time for our appointment. And he showed me a bunch of different exercises. I'm not feeling sore right now, but I bet I will a little bit tomorrow. I like this, though, because he's not breaking me. Thing I learned today: pushups work the same muscle group as the bench press! I almost ran again this afternoon because I really wanted to listen to my audiobook. But I don't want to get into overkill. So I didn't.

Whole New Routine at the Gym

In December I was just starting to feel like I was "getting it."  Today, a whole new routine!  Says she changes it up every 3 months so I was back in spasticville today.  Feel so totally uncoordinated when I go there!  Good workout though - what I could do of it.  Part of my problem is that I can't hear and understand a word she is saying.  Music is loud and without the hearing aids I don't get anything that she says.  So I can't follow instructions because I don't know what they are.  I just have to watch and try to copy.  I'll go again next week though because I think it's a good change up from running every day.

3 miles

I almost didn't go because I was so tired. But I decided what the heck, I can walk if I don't really feeling like running once I get out there. But I ran the entire way, so that's good. Turkey meatloaf for dinner tonight! So far that is the only part of my dinner plan. Better think of some vegetable.

One More Time

More of the same for me this morning.  Very discouraged by my weight though.  I have been really good this week and haven't lost an ounce.  I did better when I was in Florida and eating fried shrimp every other day.  No kidding.  I just don't understand how weight works.

Gym day with the girls tomorrow and then a day off on Friday when we are in Duluth.

I'm tired!

I did run today, but that's not why I'm tired. It's just been a busy and kinda stressful day. And I'm still working! Almost done, though. I had a good run. Really beautiful day today. My old phone that I'm using when I run died on me again today! First time that has happened since I have started holding it in my hand when I run. And, yep, it happened after I decided not to hold it in my hand.

More of the Same

Yep, same old story here.  Not a body scrubbing place in sight!

Big day!

Guess I made up for my day of exercise slack yesterday. I didn't sleep well at all Saturday night, and I was pretty much a zombie yesterday. But today I ran, lifted weights at the gym, and did the elliptical! I know, nuts! Today was a scheduled gym day but things were getting a little harry with work and it was getting ready to rain. Because I was starting to question my ability to get to the gym, I decided to run. 3 miles. Kensington Loop. Zero coyotes. Then it turned out I could get to the gym, so I did! I did my routine, 5x5 style. Then I decided to do the elliptical, mostly because I wanted to listen to my book. Thursday Mike (my PT) is going to measure me. Then I'm going to set some kind of goal and some kind of reward. Not a food reward, though. I was thinking that a pedicure would be a good reward. Or maybe a visit to that Korean body scrubbing place I love.

See Yesterday's Post

Did the same today.  Seemed more like work today though.  But I got it done.

Back in the Game

I got on the TM this morning and ran a whole 3 miles without walking or pausing.  Will probably pay for it but I did it and felt good about it.  I also did my full complement of pushups and situps (50 each) which I neglected in Florida.  So back at it.

My butt hurts!

I have a pretty interesting result (to me!) of my session yesterday. Usually when I do squats, my quads hurt. Today it is my butt that hurts. Different form! Let's see if I can keep it up. I think I'll make some modifications on the 5x5 so that I can make sure I'm doing the forms correctly. Like with the squat. I ran this afternoon. And not in Coyote Kensington! I decided to do the Texas Loop. I ran down to Texas, did the hill once, and came home. I suppose I have to start training for the half here soon.

PT Day!

What a really great meeting I had today! We went though all the exercises in the 5x5 so I know what I'm doing and don't hurt myself. So I'll continue to do that at the gym and then, next week, we'll work on other different things. I also asked him to measure me next week so I can keep track of any size changes. I ran there and back. I think it's just under a mile each way. So, fun day!

Last Cape Coral Run

I was a little late getting out there this morning and it was already 70 degrees but I did my 2.3 mile route around the neighborhood here.  Very nice.  And I wore the old orthotics in the Atrex shoes and had no problem at all so guess I will stick with that arrangement for now.

We will be leaving the house here at 7:30 am tomorrow so that will be a day off for me.  But I am really looking forward to that TM in the basement on Saturday!  NOT!

Tiny Hills

Today I did tiny hill intervals. It was good. Listened to my book which got me to 30 minutes rather than stopping at 20 minutes! Tomorrow is my appointment with PT. I'm excited about it. I'll fill you in.

Another Run

I did another run here this morning but wore my old running shoes with the orthotics.  These are the shoes I retired when I bought the Atrex a while back.  However, these shoes are done.  No support left in them at all so it didn't go well.  Will go back to the Atrex shoes tomorrow.  Guess I'll go back to the old orthotics, too, because they didn't bother me in those shoes.  Can't keep it all straight!  Tomorrow will be my last outside run until I get to SD!

Running

Really not too much to report. I went for a 3 mile run today. Absolutely beautiful out. Pretty sore from my gym times yesterday!

Day off!

Well, yesterday was a day off from exercise. Today was a day off from work. Today I went and met the personal trainer and I signed up for 6 30 minute sessions. I liked him and his facility. Very low key, I'll feel comfortable there. He is going to show me the 5x5 exercises, per my request. I want to make sure I'm doing them correctly! And then we'll do other things, as well. After that I went to the gym and did one of my 5x5 sessions. Then I did the elliptical for 20 minutes. Level 7 today, not level 9! Still very challenging, though. And, I think, a way better workout. Level 9 was such a grind but I didn't feel all sweaty. Today I was really sweaty. Good sign, I think! Running tomorrow!

Good Morning

What a beautiful morning here! I went for a 2.3 mile around the neighborhood and it was just gorgeous out there.  I did a little walking though, too.  I'm just not what I use to be!

I am going to go shoe shopping today I think.  There is a running store here and my feet are becoming more and more uncomfortable in those Aetrex shoes I bought a couple of months ago.  I feel like my orthotics are wrapping up around my feet.  Don't know how to explain it but I think these shoes are too narrow.  Should have gotten wider shoes. I don't have this problem when I put them in my everyday Asics that use to be my running shoes.  I'm going to check it out anyway.

Cape Coral 5K

I completely forgot to post this yesterday!  Must be having too much fun here.

Anyway, we were up at 5:45 am - WAY TOO EARLY when on vacation!  We left the house at 7:00 which also turned out to be too early because there was no traffic to deal with at that time on a Saturday morning.  It was only 50 degrees though so we even had the heater on in the car driving to the start area.  Run/walk started at 8:00 am.  I did terrible!  Very slow.  I just don't know what's happened to me that I feel so out of shape this winter.  My weight is up as we all know but it's been at this level for more than a year now so I don't know that that's the only issue.  But ever since the Whistlestop I just feel so sluggish and out of shape.  Oh well, I will just keep plugging along and hope for the best.  I'm not going to quit and do nothing.

I am doing nothing this morning, however.  Didn't sleep well and feel stiff and sore from yesterday's effort.  And we had company (Carl and Diane Hansen) here for dinner last night and they didn't leave until after 9 pm and we weren't done cleaning up and doing dishes until almost 10:00.  So when I went to bed I was still too keyed up I think.

That's the report from the land of old people for today!

Texas Loop Run

It's been awhile since I've run down to Texas and then home, but that's exactly what I did today. I got a pretty late start but we didn't get too hot today, so that was fine. My quads are just all torn up from the squats I've been doing so that made running very challenging. I suppose I should take a day of rest, maybe tomorrow. Maybe!

Day B of 5x5

Well, I was super sore from squats, I'll tell you that! But they were on the menu again today so I did them. I was going to do them with a bar only. Last time I did them with a weighted bar. But the bars that you actually put weights on seem to weigh more than the pre-weighted bar I used the other day! So I used that 20 pound bar again. After weights, I did 20 minutes on the elliptical which was very challenging. I had it at a high interval level. I have an appointment on Monday with someone at Science Fitness on Adams Avenue. I just want to make sure that I'm doing my weight exercises right! And if our meeting goes well, I'll buy a 6 (30 minute) session package. That package comes out the same as it does for Chuze, my gym. So we will see what Monday brings!

Running Sore!

Seriously, it's like I've never done a squat before! I cannot believe how much I can feel the weight lifting workout from yesterday. Crazy. But a good sign. I did run today, intervals. The tiny hills. And I actually made it for 30 minutes! I had my doubts when I started because my muscles were so sore! But I did it. Absolutely beautiful day out there. Really delicious.

Something Different - For Real!

Not just different listening material! As you know, I've been going to the gym and lifting weights. You also know that I'm not losing any weight. I do think I'm making some muscle gains, but not as much as I'd like. I know I've mentioned that I've been toying with the idea of going to a trainer. But, honestly, I just don't want to spend that money. Anyway. The other day Bart told me about a weightlifting program called 5x5: http://stronglifts.com/5x5/ I decided to give it a try and I mentioned it to Angie. She says this is the program that Mike and Josh have been using! I did day 1 yesterday and, I'm surprised, but it was pretty hard! Challenging. And this morning I can feel it. Which means I didn't start my weight low enough, I suppose. In theory, I'm supposed to go up 5 pounds each new session. But I am going to hold steady till I'm unsore. There are questions. I don't have a workout partner so I never want to lift to the point of needing a spotter. I guess at some point I'll just plateau my weights. But I wonder if it will stop working then or if I will just maintain. Also, the plan says to take a true day off between lifting sessions. I am not going to do that. I am going to run. So......how much will that screw me up? I will find the answers through trial and error, I'm sure! I kinda suspect that these rules are really for meatheads who want to super bulk. Which is not my plan. My goals are: Fat reduction, increased calorie burning, muscle, strength. I have decided I'll try this for 12 weeks and see if I have any changes. I can always go back to my old routine or try a different method, if need be.

Something Different

What was different? I ran listening to actual music today! I don't know how long it has been since I've done that! It's been 5 books at 20 hours each long! It was fun. Good run. Really sweaty! I weighed myself today and it was, as usual, a total disappointment! I really thought I'd see a few pounds down but no. Just one. Oh well! I just got off the phone with you and you are having a WONDERFUL time!

Great Run!

I must be feeling better! Today I ran 4.5 miles - just for the heck of it! Well, that's not quite true. I was at such an exciting part of my audio book and almost done with it that I really ran because I wanted to keep listening. And, yep, now it's time to start the 6th and final audiobook! Slow pace, but that's normal now! In fact, I'm gonna stop saying it! A cross country team ran by me (Ok, technically, they passed me!) and said, "Keep it up!" which is sweet.

Weekend update!

I guess I forgot to post yesterday! I did run - 3 miles. It really wasn't great. Felt hard and it was slow. But I think I was probably still in recovery mode from late night of work on Friday. Anyway, I did it. Today I went to the gym and I didn't want to go! But, as usual, I was glad when I got there. Lifted weights and did the elliptical. Rained all day today! Really fun!

Cape Coral - Outside Run

Hey, this is great!!  Ran around the neighborhood this morning.  Just gorgeous.  About 60 I think, sunny, no wind.  Perfect.  Kind of a slow run though but at least I was outside!

Quick Little Hills

Super busy day today so I just ran some short hills (intervals!) for 20 minutes. Push tonight so I will be working at 1:30 and probably won't run tomorrow!

Gym Again

And it was fun again! 2:30 is the time to go. It's slow then. So I lifted weights. Did some new leg stuff. I bet I'll feel it tomorrow! After weights I did the elliptical for 20 minutes. I'm a lot better but not quite there yet. Less coughing but today I sound like a 60 year smoker sometimes! Last night I took a half serving of Mucusnex (I don't know how to spell that!) because I kept coughing after I was in bed. So I'm going to take another one tonight before I lay there coughing for an hour!

Back in Business!

Or I'm pretending to be! Actually, as the day progressed, I am more pretending. I am better, no question. But I have such a headache this afternoon and evening. Maybe it's just all the changing pressures in my body! I ran today - Kensington route. Only a couple slackers still have decorations up! Good run. Decent pace. Then I did ab stuff when I got back. I'm feeling flabby after these days of moping!

I did something!

Yay! I went to the gym today! First time I've done any exercise in days. I'm not 100% but I feel so much better than I have been. I thought the gym would be busier today with post-new year people, but I suppose I was early enough that they were still working. I lifted weights. It was really challenging and I used some lighter weights. I can tell I've been off. And then I did the elliptical. I was going to do 30 minutes but only did 20. I really wanted to cough! And I didn't feel like hacking at the gym. Headache is having a bit of a resurgence here tonight, so I'm happy to have nice brand new sheets to sleep on! That cures all ills! I went to the office today and was relieved that the entire office is already sick! So I fit right in.

Same Old Story

Did my usual again and it was ok.  Didn't have a good attitude about it but I got it done.  Just didn't feel like it this morning but glad I did it now that it's done.

2 Miles Today

I got 2 miles in on the TM this morning but my lungs were still burning so glad that was my goal for today.  Didn't start coughing like I did yesterday though so I think there's some progress being made.  I did all 50 pushups and situps, too, and that went easier than the running.  Not 100% yet but getting there.

Half a Run...

...is better than no run at all.  I think.  I guess.  I hope.

I started out fine but my lungs started to burn at a 1/2 mile and by 1.5 miles I was starting to cough so I called it a day.  Did half my pushups and situps, too, so it was not a full meal deal but it's a start.  I do feel very, very much better so I know it will continue to get better, too.

Hang in there!  It is survivable!