Weigh-In | 8.1.11

So, it's Thursday already?!  Where does time go?

Yep...once again, life has got in the way (I almost typed "weigh." - Ha!). 
This week....................................I was up.  To be honest, I was surprised.  It wasn't a perfect week - but, hey - it wasn't bad, either - by any means.  I was only up by just over a 1/2 lb. (.6).  Still yet - it was up.
Being up ALWAYS throws me off.  Especially when it comes to blogging.  Hate that.  I've meant to do it.....but, just haven't really got around to it. 

However, here I am...blogging about it anyway.  I've been doing ok this week.  I've felt a little under the weather.  As of now - I've done 4 workouts in 4 days....with tonight's Turbo Kick class making 5!  I took two Turbo Kick classes on Tuesday!  That was pretty tough - but, my SIL just added a 2nd class to Tuesday nights.  It was an off night for me....I wasn't feeling great, so I didn't put my all in it.  I was seriously expecting to burn over 1,000 calories, but came out just under (964, I believe).  It was still a great burn!

On Sunday I started the Couch To 5K program again.  If you've been reading a while, you know I've already completed this - and may wonder why.  Well, I've been trying to come up with a good way to increase my speed.  I thought that if I go through the program again - running at a higher speed, it should get me all prepped to improve my time at the Prevent Cancer 5K in September.  What do you think?  Think it will work?  I've only completed one workout this week, but I'm planning to finish them on time.  Even if I have to run all weekend!  Ha!  I really felt that workout on Sunday.  It wasn't hard for me, but I really felt that run in my hips the next couple of days!  It does feel good to push yourself! 

Well, that's about all the time I have today.... I hope your week is going well, wherever you are! :)

Keep Going!

"Unless you puke, faint, or die - keep going!" 

~ Jillian Michaels ~

       

Today I went out for a run.  The weather was pretty good.  Warm - not super-sunny or anything, just nice.  Early on, I had a destination in mind.  I wasn't sure if I was going to reach it, but I wanted to try!  For those of you who live near me, I started at the state capitol (WV).  I was seriously thinking of running all the way down the boulevard to Patrick St.  Now, I wasn't sure what the mileage was, but, I knew it was going to be a LONG run.  Probably longer than I had EVER run.  I knew the mileage to a certain point, and knew I could totally bail when I got there.  It was about 5K (out & back).  Even if I did that, hey - that's still a good run!

I cranked my "Fee" Pandora station and hit the road.  I felt great.  I mean, seriously - I hadn't worked out AT ALL this week! I should've been feeling good...haha!  I've been sooo terrible this week.  Anyway, I easily made it to the 5K possible turn-around.  But.......I did decide to keep going.  I was feeling good... I had run up & down some steps along the river (for those unfamiliar - there's an upper & lower path), to dodge downed trees from all of our storms lately!  I was having fun!  However, at about mile 3... I was starting to poop out a little.  I knew I was hitting 5K - which is what I'm used to.  That's where the above quote kicked in.  "Unless you puke, faint, or die - keep going!"  I wasn't puking...obviously hadn't fainted or died....so, I kept going!  It was so hard!   I got to Patrick St. and was seriously thirsty.  I hadn't planned that part out well.  I ran over to Subway really fast - and a nice man gave me some water.  Awesome.  I chugged a few cupfuls and quickly did a Google map search to see my distance.  It was at 4 miles.  I wondered if I could run it back.  I knew I would be at 8 miles!  I thought that maybe I'd walk.....but I really wanted to run it!  

I went for it.  To keep myself running - I told myself - If you start to walk - you're going to run up each flight of stairs - TWICE!  (BTW - there's a lot of flights along that 4 mile stretch!).  So, I kept running!  And running....at Magic Island I ran all the way out around the island.  I didn't take the easy straight shot path!  I didn't take it easy on myself!  I was chased by a little yappy dog....and I swear - I almost tripped over that dog 3 times! Ha!  Finally some little girl came chasing after the dog and rescued me!  I should also mention - it started sprinkling at random times during the first part of the run - but kept stopping.  It was about this point that it started again.  I was probably a good 2 1/2 - 3 miles away from my car.  I started plotting stopping points........but kept running!   The sprinkling continued....and picked up.  By this point - it was pretty cloudy-looking.  I was about 1 1/2 miles away from the car when it started raining.  I couldn't help but think - Thanks God...that will definitely keep me going!  I don't want to get soaked.  That, and the quote kept me going. Finally, I could see capitol in the distance, and I just kept plugging away.  

It was NOT easy, by any means, but I did it!  When I got home - I mapped my route.  Sure enough - 8 miles!  Way more than I've ever run before!  I seriously feel great......and feel I'm already looking forward to running tomorrow!  Ha!  I'm so glad I stuck it out.  It's really cool to push yourself and see what you're capable of!  For anyone interested - I ran it in just under 2 hours.  Around 14 minute miles.  Not great, but I wasn't looking for speed today...just finishing what I'd started!

To some....this is not a big deal.  For me - it FIRES me up!  I'm already plotting... I'm thinking of trying out the "Bridge to 10K" training app.  I've looked at it, but didn't think I was ready for it.  Now I'm thinking it just might be time! :)

Hope you're having a great weekend!  

30 in 30 Run Challenge!

I just found a great challenge over at MapMyRun.com!  It's the 30 in 30 Run Challenge!  Run 30 miles in 30 days!  I'm excited!  I NEED a challenge right now!  Not only will me and my body be challenged, but there are some great prizes to be won if you finish!  Say, a brand-new iPad?  I could handle that! 

I completed my first run this evening.  My time was 0:15:18.  Not a great time.  I was taking it easy on myself, though.  I'm still cautious - a little nervous about the hip injury I had in November.  Plus, I had a problem with my knee this week.  I'm pleased to report that both felt great tonight!  Woo hoo!  I'm looking forward to seeing how much I can improve my time over the next month!  I plan to log my miles on the blog, so if you're interested, check 'em out!

Anyone want to join me?  Comment and let me know you're IN!  I'm pumped! :)

Psst!  If running is NOT your cup of tea, check out some of the other challenges here!  Let me know if you decide to try one!

Welcome, Twenty-Eleven!

I'm feel as if I'm a little tardy on the new year reflection/resolution/goals thing.  I had good intentions to post yesterday, but I got caught up in creating a new look for the blog (like it?), and I ran out of time.

I'm not going to lie, I haven't had a whole lot time to sit and reflect on 2010 OR make goals for 2011.  I've been so busy the last couple of weeks that I'm just now beginning to slow down and breathe.  I'm trying to get myself back into a routine.  It's not easy.  My eating has been pretty crazy, and it has caused me to pick up a couple of pounds (at least).  We'll see exactly where I am on the scale tomorrow morning.  I'm not exactly looking forward to it, but, most of me is ready to face the music.  Last week's weigh-in was kind of botched, and my weight has fluctuated all week.  Tomorrow I will see what's going on and work from there.  It's really no different than any other week....... I suppose.

I'm proud of myself for getting myself out of the house this weekend to jog/run!  I've been noticing much improvement in my hip - and was itching to get out and give it a shot!  The weather was unseasonably warm, so I went for it.  It went REALLY well!  I walked and ran - and paid close attention to how my hip was feeling.  I was so excited!  It was a great way to close out the year!  It got me pumped up for the new year and what is to come fitness-wise.  I went out for a good walk/run on Saturday, too!  I threw in some faster running toward the end of the workout!  The last 20 minutes I ran the distance between every other telephone pole.  I loved that, surprisingly!  I stayed out much longer than anticipated - and burned lot of calories.  I'm still feeling that burn!  It's great!

So, I am hitting the ground running in 2011!  What a great feeling!!  You know what also feels good?  Not having to "resolve" to lose weight this year!  I know I'm well on my way!  To anyone reading who has made the resolution to lose weight this year, you're going to quickly find out that it's not a one time, beginning of the year resolution.  It's definitely a daily thing.  Several times a day!  My advice to you is to keep trying!  Keep making that resolution!  If you mess up at one meal - get right back in the game at the next one!  If you miss a workout one day, make it a priority to get it in tomorrow!  It will get somewhat easier, but it will never become a piece of cake...oh, sorry.  Just hang in there, ok?

Happy New Year!

Weigh-In | 11.22.10

Alright - here we go! 

I pulled it together and finished with a loss this week!  I lost 2.4 lbs.  Soooooo, I lost MORE than I gained last week!  Score!  :)  Total weight-loss:  26.5 lbs.!

I went to the doctor today.  No stress fracture.  Just a torn ligament and burscitis.  I'm not to run on it until pain subsides.  In fact, he recommended just walking.  He said that it burns fat better.  He said that running burns more glycogen than fat.  Mmmmkay, well, running burns more calories than walking.  I'm starting to look into this.......if anyone has any feedback or a good source - please share! 

Well, I don't have much more - I hope you liked my Thanksgiving Tactics.  So far, the plan is in place and I'm adhering to it.  Again, I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!