Saturday, July 31, 2010

Better Than Last Month

Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 45:06 min.

I have been rather inconsistent with my exercise for the month of July. I did manage to work out 3-4 days a week for most of the month, but I gave up walking, and I slipped up big last week.

That being said, I set out this morning to go at least three miles. The reason I wanted to go that far? I wanted to do better in my mileage for the month of July than I did for the month of June, and three miles would just get me over the mark!

I ran in 8-minute segments and walked in 3-minute segments until I got to three miles. It took me 45:06 min. That gives me great hope that by the time the Susan G. Komen race rolls around, I'll be able to run it in under 40 minutes. Hey, I might even shoot for something crazy like 36 minutes!

Once again, it felt good to be out moving. Waking up early on a Saturday isn't always easy, but the temperatures are worth it.

One little nagging problem is heel pain and shin splints. I'll admit, I don't stretch, and I have sucked with my weight training. Need to do better. And I will.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Week 6 - A Bust

Time: 31 min.
Distance: 2.17 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:17/mi.

My lazy brain took over this week, and I only ran on Monday and today. (My goal is to run 4 days a week.) I didn't even follow Week 6's plan on the two days that I did run, so I am going to follow it starting on Sunday. I am also going to run tomorrow, but I'll run according to how I feel rather than follow times or distances.

I gave in to the laziness. I was so lazy on Wednesday that I set out on my run, but my Garmin died at 6 minutes, and I quit and walked home. I could have used my phone for a timer, but I didn't want to bother with it. I didn't want to run without knowing my distance. Major cop out on my part.

The key for me is to keep going. Even if I don't want to run or eat healthy, I need to do it for a few days. Then I trick my brain into thinking this is the norm. Then it becomes the norm. If I act lazy and eat junk, my brain thinks that is the norm. I want the healthy norm.

My run this morning was just what I needed. I certainly did not want to get up, but I was very happy after I was done.

And now on with my day.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Back From Vacation

Time: 34 min.
Distance: 2.34 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:31/mi.



This is how I spent my first day at the beach...and let me tell you...I was in heaven! I was comfortably chilly, relaxed on a blanket on the warm sand, covered with my sweatshirt and towel, and at one point all alone while the boys took a walk. The only bad thing about that day was I got a sunburn. I should have known better not to slather on the sunscreen even though it was overcast. Bad Heather.

In any case, that picture pretty much sums up my whole attitude over the past three days. Lazy, relaxed, comfortable.

I know I yakked on and on about how I wanted to run at the beach. I even took my clothes, shoes, Garmin, etc. Then I just had no motivation to leave the hotel room to actually run. I'll blame Hudson because he slept in my bed and woke me up every two hours during the night. It's not the best excuse, but it will do.

I also ate like there was no tomorrow. Onion rings, Caesar salad and steak at McLintock's. Buttery clam chowder and bread at Splash Cafe. Candy in the car. Soda. Shudder.

To make matters worse, we came home on Saturday night, and I intended to get up on Sunday morning to run. That didn't happen.

So here I am on Monday, trying to pull myself out of this vacation induced slump. I got up and ran this morning, and I intend to do so for four days straight. I haven't pulled out of the bad eating just yet.

Running felt hard, but good once I was done. I just want to be back at the ocean. I want to sit on my blanket at the beach and let the 62 degree weather wash over me. I want to live there. We plan to go back for the day in a few weeks. The kids had a great time digging in the sand. I forget that we can get there and back in a day. It's not that far.

Trying to pull myself out of vacation envy.

I have just three short weeks of summer left before the teachers go back to school. Then a week later the kids arrive. I've been in and out of school all summer, but I'm not quite ready to go back full time. My how summer flies.

The backgrounds on my blog went haywire, so I switched to this design. I'll see if it grows on me.

The only other interesting thing that happened to me today was nearly burning my eyeball out of the socket. I use Clear Care contact solution. It says on the bottle not to use it to rinse lenses. I guess I thought I was smarter than the bottle, but I'm not. Oh my Lord I nearly fell to the ground in pain from the burning. I could barely get my eye open enough to get the lens back out. I rinsed and rinsed with water. Luckily I can still see. That ranks up there with one of the more stupid things I have done. Note to self: follow instructions on the bottles.

And with that, I'm going to go rest my still sore eye.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Two Miles

Time: 35:12 min.
Distance: 2.54 miles
Avg. Running Pace: 12:34/mi.
Avg. Total Pace: 13:51/mi.

When I set off on long runs (hee hee, I am still at a point where I consider two miles to be a looooong run!), my mind is so much more in control than my body. If my mind sucks it up and says, "I can do this," then I feel fine. When my mind gives in to the huffing and puffing and the aches and pains, then I want to quit.

My mind was in charge this morning. Last Thursday I ran for 20 minutes without stopping. Today I did the distance of two miles. It took me 25 minutes and 12 seconds for a 12:34/mi. pace. I am pleased. I am proud. I also love that my running pace has the numbers 1-2-3-4 all in a row! Yes, I am strange like that! (I also love that everyone in my little family here was born on an odd day, and the three boys are the 3rd, 13th, and 23rd!)

Run is done, I've already downed a glass of water and a Fiber One bar, I washed all the dishes, and I'm now about to jump in the shower and start the rest of my day. I feel really good right now!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Forgot

I ran yesterday but didn't post! Time just got away from me. And my dishwasher broke, and I had to wash an entire dishwasher full of dishes by hand. Anyhow...here are yesterday's stats.

Time: 37:04 min.
Distance: 2.54 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:37/mi.

I ran two segments of 3/4 miles each. I was pleased because I managed to maintain at least a three-minute pace for each 1/4 mile.

I'll be running two full miles on Thursday. I expect it to take me a while. I need to get good sleep tonight so I can do this!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The 11's!

Time: 36:41
Distance: 2.55 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:22/mi.

Today starts Week 5 1/2 of Couch to 5K training. Last week I followed the time suggestions for Week 5. This week I am following the distance suggestions. I ran three segments of 1/2 miles with two 1/4 miles segments in between.

I was super excited to see my paces for the first two 1/2 mile segments were 11:28 and 11:35! The last one was 12:20. I wasn't really pushing for the first two. I was just running at a pace that felt pretty comfortable. I LOVE it when I am running at what I think is a comfortable pace, and I look at my watch and see that it is faster than I would have ever imagined! Great confidence booster.

A couple other cool things to report this morning. Sunday is my "weigh-in" day. I say that because while I am following the Weight Watcher concepts, I am not signed up with the program and going to meetings. However, I'll still have my official weigh-in on my scale right in my bathroom on Sunday morning. And this morning?!!! I lost 3.9 pounds this week! Yahoo! Yippee! Yay! It feels good to eat well and exercise and see results!

Sorry about all the exclamation marks. I'm just excited! My goal is to lose 36 pounds before I'm 36 (Feb. 11). That means I need to lose about five pounds each month. I am well on my way (weigh!) to losing my five pounds for this month.

I can definitely say this has been one of my best eating weeks in a LONG time. My poor body doesn't know what to do with all these fruits, vegetables and fiber. Feels good, though. It also helps with digestion. I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago, and ever since then, digestion just isn't the same. Eating well really helps to regulate all that.

The last thing to report is I successfully drank at least 64 ounces of water each day since last Monday. The water challenge is great. I wake up craving water, it satisfies me, and I feel clean from the inside out.

I want to be especially mindful of my eating, water and exercise this week because we get to take a short overnight trip to the coast this weekend. We already have reservations at a steakhouse for dinner, and we'll be so close to Pismo, that it would be a crime not to swing by Splash Cafe for some of the most amazing clam chowder I have ever had in my life. I don't know how that will all pan out for next Sunday's weigh-in, but I don't care. Splash Cafe is to die for!

I hope to run at the ocean. Oh what a dream that would be to do every day!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Four Days a Week

Time: 35 min.
Distance: 2.38 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:41/mi.

The Couch to 5K program calls for three days of running. I have been doing three days of running with sporadic walking on the off days. I want to increase my running to four days a week with two days of walking. Eventually I'd like to be up to running five or six days, but I want to increase slowly. Last winter I had some nagging hip problems from running, and I'd like to avoid that.

I didn't set my alarm to go running early today. I wasn't really even planning to go this morning. I was at my computer at 7ish, and Eric asked me if I was heading out. I said no.

Then I started reading weight loss and running blogs, and I started to get some motivation! I kept checking the temperature outside. I knew I'd feel better the entire day if I just got out there and got moving. I also knew that I would not want to get on the treadmill, even though I always say "I'll run on the treadmill later." The dreaded "later."

I got my running gear on, told the kids to be good, kissed Eric, and headed out for a somewhat hot run. I did two 10-minute runs in the bright and sunny 80-degree morning. I am not a sun worshiper, so getting out in the 6 o'clock hour to avoid direct sunlight is a good thing for me...besides it being cooler.

Not the easiest or best run, but I don't regret getting out there. I love that saying or various versions of it. In effect, you don't regret exercise, but you will probably regret NOT exercising. I won't regret eating healthy, but I'll probably regret eating junk. Etc, etc.

Enough of my ramblings. We are headed out to get allergy shots. Three out of the four of us get poked, and it's just a matter of time before Child #2 starts injection therapy. I do have to say, it's been a pretty mild allergy season for me this year. I guess years of being on shots has finally paid off!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Ah Did It!

In the words of Hudson, "Ah did it!" What he is saying is I did it, but it comes out a little country!

What did I do? I ran for 20 minutes without stopping. Yippee! Trust the training plan, I guess.

Time: 30 min.
Total Distance: 2.08 miles
Avg. Running Pace: 12:45/mi.

The plan called for running two miles in 20 minutes. Yeah, not gonna happen right now. Maybe with three more years of training I'll hit that mark! I made it 1.57 miles when my 20 minutes was up. Not bad.

I must have been pretty anxious about this run, because I have been awake since 4:30ish, and I'm not that tired. I got to bed at a decent hour, so I feel pretty well rested. I finally got up at about 5:30 and left the house at 5:50. I took a cold shower once I got back, and now it's time to get ready for school.

I love it when I get things accomplished before 7 a.m!

I got all my water in yesterday, and I'm working on my first 16 ounces already this morning. I'm also doing well on eating within my point range. The one area where I am not doing well is strength training. I don't have much time in the morning to fit it in along with a run, so I have to leave it for later. Then later comes and I have no motivation to do it. I'll work it in eventually.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Water

The oddest thing happened this morning. I woke up wanting and craving water.

I have spent the past three days being very mindful of drinking at least 64 ounces of pure, non-packet flavored, non-carbonated aspartame laced water. I like my water cold. I measured one of my big cups, and it holds 16 ounces of water along with 10 ice cubes. As long as I drink four of those puppies, I'm good.

I've never been much of a pure water drinker, so imagine my surprise this morning when I woke up and all I could think about was downing some ice cold water. Hmmmmm. Maybe this water challenge will be a good thing for me.

I walked around the house with my glass of water, opening windows, getting my shower ready, and checking Facebook. Before I knew it, my first 16 ounces were gone, and I felt more alert and refreshed. And I needed that this morning because Child #2 decided his bedtime should be 11 last night, and he woke up several times in the night. I was ready to scream.

This water challenge is becoming a pleasant surprise.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

8 Minutes

Time: 31 min.
Distance: 2.06 miles
Avg. Pace: 15:01/mi.

I can once again run for 8 minutes straight! I know that isn't the most amazing feat ever in the history of running, but it always amazes me when I successfully add more time or more distance to my run. Running is simply HARD for me to do. So each time I do better, I am proud and amazed with myself!

This morning's run included two 8-minute runs with a 5-minute walk in between. Felt pretty good. Both of the runs clocked in at under 13-minute mile paces (12:30 and 12:50). Slow, I know...but I don't care. I did it!

I'm a little nervous about Thursday's run. I never understood how the program goes from the longest stretch of 8 minutes to suddenly doing a 20 minute run with no walk break. I guess I shouldn't question it too much. I'm nowhere near being a running expert, so what do I know about the best way to increase speed or distance?!

Anyhow, good run this morning. Decent temperature, but can't wait for winter running.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Gettin' Serious

Time: 31 min. (Week 5)
Distance: 2.02 miles
Avg. Pace: 15:21/mi.

Walk with the boys
Distance: 1.13 miles

Today I was up and out of the house before 7 to do Day 1 of Week 5. It went okay. Not too bad. I didn't die.

Once I got home, I told the kids to hurry and get dressed, because I was planning to take them to our neighborhood park. Early in the morning is the only time we can go out, because it just gets too stinkin' hot to be outside in the afternoon. I wish we had a pool.

We ended up having to rush the three blocks home because Child #2 needed to poop. Sigh. After he took care of business, we walked BACK to the park. I kept them there til nearly 10. Once we came home, we were home for good.

And now onto the serious part. I have been doing pretty well with my exercise. Now it's time to get serious about my eating habits. I started today. My birthday is exactly seven months from now, and I'll be 36. I'd like to lose 36 pounds by my 36th birthday. That is about five pounds a month which is completely reasonable.

I'm not going to go to Weight Watchers, but since I have been a member in the past, I understand the process, and it is practical. I'll be using the WW lifestyle to keep track of what I eat. Today was a pretty great eating day.

I found a recipe in Cooking Light magazine for a Peach/Tomato salad. I would never have thought to cut up peaches, onions, and tomatoes and drizzle them with oil, vinegar, and honey! The recipe made eight servings, and I think I ate over half the bowl! It didn't matter because each serving was only one point.


Yummers!

I am also starting a three-week challenge to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. That officially starts tomorrow. I think I got close today. No more sodas. Also, no more fake water. No flavor packets. No aspartame. Just clean, pure water. These two blogs are the creators of this challenge: ALL THE WEIGH and THE DAILY DIARY OF A WINNING LOSER. Both of these blogs are extremely inspiring.

Water, exercise, food. That seems to cover it. Getting serious.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Not Feeling It

Time: 30:46 min.
Distance: 2 miles
Avg. Pace: 15:22/mi.

I guess I am still feeling a bit sluggish from being sick. Or maybe I'm just tired. Or maybe I'm just lazy. Whatever the reason, I cut my run short this morning. That is something that I haven't done since I started running again five weeks ago. I hate that I did it, but I felt so weak out there.

In total, I got in a mile of running before deciding to skip the final 1/2 mile. I just walked until I hit the two mile mark and called it a morning.

I think I am going to move on to Week 5 in the program next week. The perfectionist part of me wants to finish Week 4 1/2 in a positive way (as opposed to how it ended this morning), but I have to get over the fact that not every run is going to be great...or even successful...or even finished! It's okay to move forward even if I didn't feel like I conquered the prior week. And by conquer, I mean finish, even if it is with super slow times.

On a positive note, I have stuck to my short sessions of weight training. I did my arms this morning.

We are going to go see Despicable Me today. My daycare provider is on vacation, so I am taking Child #2 and Child #1 (along with the rest of the summer school kids). He has never been to a movie before, so we'll see how he does. I am fully prepared to hang out in the lobby if he can't handle it, but I hope he enjoys the movie.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Walk

Time: 30 min.
Distance: 1.59 miles
Avg. Pace: 18:54/mi.

Easy, pleasant walk this morning. My throat is a bit scratchy. I'm hoping it's just congestion or allergies.

Not much else going on. We are smack in the middle of those lazy days of summer. Next week I am teaching summer school, so I'll be a bit busier. It will be good practice to see if I can still squeeze my workouts in in the morning. I hope so.

________________

Edit: I went to the doctor, and she confirmed that I have a sinus infection. I pretty much didn't move all day. Even reading was too much effort. Now I'm wondering if I should attempt my run in the morning. I've already got antibiotics running through my system, but I'm so wiped out. Maybe I'll take a rest day tomorrow and resume on Friday. Being sick sucks.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

New Ring

Time: 37:29 min.
Distance: 2.55 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:41/mi.

I was sooooo tired this morning. It could't be helped though. I have very important tv to watch on Monday night so as to keep up with my celebrity gossip. It is terrible, but I am addicted to The Bachelorette and True Beauty, and just about anything reality or trashy. What can I say? It is mindless entertainment.

Anyhow, I was tired. I managed to get up one minute before my alarm went off. It was so tempting to get back in bed and forget running. But I didn't do that. I ran. I always think to myself, I'll never regret getting out there and exercising, but I'll probably regret NOT doing it.

Today's run was an improvement over Sunday. I love it when that happens. I went a smidge further and cut off about a minute of time.

Later this afternoon Child #1 and I drove to a childhood friend's ice cream shop. She has the cutest shop. It was fun because my mom and her friends were there, too. We had a great time talking and eating.

I also bought the cutest little ring while I was there. I think rings are going to be my new accessory fad. I wish I'd also bought the big orange flower ring. I just might need to go see Julie again very soon!


Isn't this cute?!

Fun day.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

OW!!!

I dropped a five pound weight on my foot this morning. See? I knew I shouldn't be doing strength training! It is tender, and I'm sure there will be a bruise, but other than that I think I'm fine.

Time: 38:21 min.
Distance: 2.54 miles
Avg. Pace: 15:06/mi.

Week 4 1/2 of Couch to 5K. I followed the distances as opposed to the times for Week 4. It took me a while to finish, but that's okay. I just kept chugging along.

We were at a wedding last night. Granted, we were home by 8, but I was still tired this morning. I let myself sleep in an extra 20 minutes. Once I was up and out the door, it felt good to be moving. I just wish I could crawl back in bed right now. That won't be happening. My mom and sister will be here later for the 4th. I need to shop, cook, and clean.

Happy Fourth of July!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Better

Time: 34:56 min.
Distance: 2.25 miles
Avg. Pace: 15:33/mi.

This morning I ran three minutes and walked three minutes. Ran three minutes and walked three minutes. I did that until I got to two miles. Then I did my cool down walk and came home.

I wasn't following the Couch to 5K program, but was just doing my own thing. I want to build up to four days of running and two walking. I just finished Week 4 of Couch, but I am going to repeat Week 4 instead of moving on to Week 5.

This past week I followed the times (run 3, walk 90, run 5, walk 2 1/2, etc.). This week instead of following the times I am going to follow the distances. I can run 1/4 miles in 3 minutes. Did that consistently in today's run. However, I can't do a 5 minute 1/2 mile pace. My paces are somewhere in the 11 minute and change range.

I figure I'll follow this plan for the rest of the Couch program. First week follow times, and the second week follow distances. The 8-Week plan will turn into 12 weeks, and that's okay. I'm not going anywhere, and the roads aren't going anywhere. The Susan G. Komen race isn't until October, so I'm good. Last year I didn't start training until August, and I did fine.

I got back from my run and did five minutes of leg strength training. Oh how I hate strength training. However, I notice that my legs are pretty fatigued on my runs. I think having stronger muscles might help with that. I know five minutes isn't that long, but it's a start, and I'll build from there.

We are off to a wedding this afternoon. Looking forward to a long weekend.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Same Time, Same Distance

Time: 31:30
Distance: 2.17 miles
Avg. Pace: 14:30/mi.

My stats listed above are the exact same stats for Sunday's run. I compared the two runs, and there are slight differences in the individual walk/run segments, but overall, I was moving my body at the same speed as I was before. However, it somehow felt easier than Sunday. It definitely felt easier than running on the treadmill on Tuesday.

I wore one of my running skirts this morning. I like the way it fits, and I like how it looks. I slathered Body Glide on my thighs, so chafing wasn't on issue. The skirt didn't bunch up between my legs. But, there was a problem. The waistband slid down and the my shirt rode up leaving about two inches of my belly showing. Ewwww.

I spent quite a bit of time either trying to hike the waistband up or trying to yank the shirt down. I think that might have accounted for some of my slower run segments. Not easy yanking and tugging while trying to run.

I HATE having my belly showing. I felt like I did when I was pregnant, and I was constantly worried that the stretchy panel in my pants was showing. I was always telling my husband to tell me if the panel was showing so I could yank my shirt down.

By the end of the run I just had to let it be. Of course, normally I see NO ONE at 6 a.m., and today I must have seen 20 people out running, walking and driving. Where is everyone going at 6:17 in the morning?

Short of pinning my shirt to my skirt, I'm not sure what to do about this little wardrobe issue. Maybe I'm just self conscious about it because I don't exactly have a flat stomach.

On a happier note, it was a glorious 60 degrees out this morning! Yahoo! It felt so good to be out in the cool, fresh, nippy air. It is still supposed to get into the 90's this afternoon, but that's okay. I plan to be indoors when that happens.


Non-running related photo of my boys and their blankets. They aren't even aware of me. Probably watching SpongeBob. Good thing they are such active little buggers during the day.