Bellator Wounded Warrior 5k 3-27-10

46 minutes, 10 seconds

I know I didn't break any records there but it felt good to finish and now I have what should be an easy record to look forward to breaking. :)

Yes, posting has been sparse. And, yes, I've fallen off the wagon with everything but running. I knew these lifestyle changes would be difficult so I refuse to be discouraged. I'm still running, which was the first change I implemented, and I'll be gearing up to climb back on my wagon for other goals soon.

My name is Lily and it's been 3 weeks since my last post.

I've seriously been MIA. Sorry bout that. I've thought about posting but haven't actually made it to the website to do so.

The good news is, I haven't slacked off of running nearly as much as I slacked off of posting. I mean, I slacked off of running a little bit. I missed quite a few days in the last two weeks but I am still on track to start off week 9 with the same workouts I had planned and ready to add in cross training and strength training with the running. I say running. Right now I'm still working on a pathetic form of walking/jogging but I'm working my way there man. I'm working my way there.

Today is the first day of week 9. Time for phase two. Instead of chosing a completely different goal I am going to stick with the same category. My first goal was to get active and work up to running. I can now jog for short distances and I am used to getting exercise almost everyday. I can get down right cranky without it. (Or it could just be PMS. I'm not sure which and I don't care.) Now I'm ready to add in some cross training and to really work hard at increasing the amount of time I can run. And to add in some other healthy habits- drinking water, eating healthy meals and snacks, getting my 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day. I am NOT calorie counting. That just seems like cruel and unusual punishment and quite honestly I'd probably fail miserably. Maybe later. Anyway,  it's gonna be a slow build, just like the walking was in the first 8 weeks. Also, I still plan to do the 5k at the end of March. Still trying to chose between the Wounded Warriors 5k and the VA Duathlon 5k, any suggestions?

My main 'goal' for phase two is to lose 16 pounds in the next 8 weeks. Two pounds a week is doable. I am currently at *gulp* 162.2lbs. You hear that internet? 162.2  ugh! It's disgusting and it comes with flab. I'm not having it ANYMORE. So, in 8 weeks I will be down to 146.2lbs and I will have more muscle tone to boot! Like I said, it's going to be a slow but steady build to new healthy habits. The plan for week 9 is:

-add in short periods of strength training and cross training to the running schedule already posted
-eat 1 fruit or veggie a day
-drink at least 1 cup of water a day
-get 7-8 hours of sleep each night

I know 1 fruit or veggie and 1 cup of water seems like nothing. Most days I do that without thinking; but there are days when I do not and I wanted to take it easy on myself while I work on adding in additional and longer workouts. So, there you have it. This is where I am currently. I have survived the first 8 weeks. Go me!

I believe I promised you all an IT band stretch. If you are already a runner, you are already well acquainted wtih this stretch. But as a first time runner it has been an invaluable addition to my cool down routine.

You basically cross one leg in front of the other (while standing) and lean your torso in the same direction as the back foot. You can check out the stretch and the site I learned it from here: http://www.marathonrookie.com/iliotibial-band-syndrome.html

Ciao for now. Peace, Love, and M&M's,
Flower

Digging out

So, I am still recovering from last weekend's snow storm and today we're getting more precipitation! Argh!! When will it ever end?

There's been a lot I could have written about in the last week but I've been lazy. Being trapped in the house snug as a bug in a rug started the week off for me, then I was sans car for a few days on top of that. And so some other things got done, but no writing.

First things first; workout update:

I've learned I need to have at least one rest day a week. I'll probably make that be one of the weekend days. This past weekend the snow storm sort of forced some rest. I did absolutely nothing and didn't feel the slightest bit guilty for it either! I've had to be somewhat creative since then since I couldn't leave the house to walk. Sunday was supposed to be my first day of including short periods of jogging into my walk but, like I said, the whole weekend was sort of shot and I did nuthin'. Monday I was getting stir crazy and needed to do *something*, it was still too nasty outside so I did 30 minutes of yoga instead, which felt great! It wasn't a walk but it was something active that still suited my hibernating mood. Tuesday, I wanted to feel like I had actually worked out so I did a 10 minute crunchless core workout and 10 sun salutations in a row. Let me tell you, my whole body was sore! That is definitely a workout and I expect that will be my crosstrain workout, once I start working those in. Wednesday the roads were actually clear enough to go for a walk. I waited till the afternoon, when it was warmer, but I managed to get my butt outside and do it! I threw in the two 30-second intervals of jogging even. Thursday was a bust. :( I got good news in other areas of my life but no workout. And today, even though it was cold, I got out this morning and walked.

The short jogging intervals feel really good. I'm a little amazed at how easy it is, but I guess that's what the baby steps are for. Make it so easy that you can't fail. Make it feel so good, you actually want to do it! My legs do feel it afterwards but there is no pain during the walk. The last five minutes of the walk, after the second 30-seconds of jogging, my power walk is so strong and effortless. It's like slicing through butter; Beautiful! I felt so good I came inside and did 10 sun salutations. I think I'm going to be sore again tomorrow. lol

Any other time in my life this snow storm would have thrown me off track and I'd have never kept up the workouts. I feel confidant I've just succssfully jumped one hurdle to my workout goals. Now to see what the weather brings me tomorrow. Cross your fingers there's no more snow!

Alright, now that good news I mentioned. Most of you know me and so you know I've been in school for massage therapy. I am finally all done! I have diploma and transcripts in hand and I've submitted my application for the state to torture me with a 160 question exam! I've told some of you but I've not really made it widely known, I hope to go into oncology massage. If massage itself is a new field, oncology massage is exceptionally new. It can be difficult to get established and I definitely need some experience under my belt before I jump in; however, I approached a few hospitals with cancer treatment centers about volunteering and one of them loved the idea of having me in to do hand and foot massages and maybe even chair massages for their clients and the caregivers that come in to the treatment center with them. This is exciting news. I've talked to other therapists and in some areas the hospitals are not open to this at all but I start next week, right after an oriention class. I can't wait!

Next post: The IT band stretch that saved my marathon goals.

SNOW DAY!!!

Maestro's first snow day

And this one; ain't he cute?

As much as I hate snow days, seeing my boys enjoy it was worth it!

Whew...

Helloooo Internet!!

Week 4 began with a most memorable walk in the park. Ryan and Maestro joined me for this one this past Sunday. That in and of itself is sweet and worthy of rememberance; however, I had never felt so thankful to be accompanied then when the strange & bloody dog began exploring the park and the street near the park while we were there. Yes, you read that right. Strange. Bloody. Dog.

She seemed nice enough actually. No growling or whining or anything. She was minding her own business, completely unaware that she was freaking out small children and women with babies and me with my fam. Ryan called animal control and we hung around in the van. Her owner came by before animal control got there thankfully. Apparently she had broken through a plate glass window and took off running. I was all, Dude! What goes on in that house to make a dog run through a plate glass window just to get away from you?

Anyway, we gave the owner some treats so he could try to lure the errant dog back to him. I wish I'd had my camera, and that I could remember the dogs name. It started with a C?...or a K? I think she would have even been cute, if not for the blood dripping from the snout and all.

The rest of my walks this week have been downright uneventful in comparison. I'm enjoying them though. 15 minutes at a pretty fast clip is starting to feel like an actual workout! I'm feeling strange tension in my IT band that I've not experienced before. In the past I've gotten shin splints and tightness in the calf but not in my IT band. Maybe I just notice it now because I know what an IT band is? *shrug* Guess it's time for a massage. Who wants to trade?

Road Hazards

I've learned a few things this week. Where ever one choses to walk, there are inherent hazards to be watchful of.

Yesterday I took my walk in the mall. Very dangerous place. Mental note: only walk in the mall when you can do so before the retail traps open. The lure to spend money I don't have on pretty things I don't need is too great. It is almost as dangerous to be walking that close to those buttery, salted pretzles they have in the mall. I had to talk myself out of buying one after my walk. I am not dieting but I have resolved to not reward myself with food. There are so many other things that won't add to my ...mmmm...bottom line ... that can be used to motivate me. Pedicures for one. A guilt free afternoon in my underwear doing absolutely nothing productive. Those really cool harem pants from girlskirtmission.com that I have mooned over for almost a year now ...

Suprisingly, it is also dangerous to walk in the grocery store. I actually tried this today believe it or not. (I'll do anything to not be cold! lol) The grocery store is dangerous for an entirely different reason though; People! There are lots and lots of people. I made it through my 10 minute walk there without being bodily removed from the premises or seriously wounding anyone, but there were a few close calls. I don't think I'll be trying that again.

Tomorrow begins week 4 and my walk will bump up to a whole 15 minutes. I'm excited and leery all at the same time. The change is beginning to feel like it could become a real and lasting change but there are still challenges ahead to make it that. And at the end of this coming week I will have kept my goals for one whole month. February will be the shift into actually running and March will be preparing for the 5k. I think I'll have to reward myself with those aforementioned ultra-cool harem pants after I've completed the 5k. First up is to complete month one though. So, 15 minute walks here I come and once there have been 7 of you I am going to get myself a pedicure.

Checking in ...

I can't believe I'm almost to the end of week 3. And I've not missed a day since that first weekend! ;)

Today I took myself up to the open air shopping center for my walk again. Sadly it wasn't as warm as some previous days have been. It was actually pretty cold but I made myself get out and do it anyway. (Did I mention I hate cold weather?) I could have driven out to the mall but it seemed silly to drive that far to walk for 10 minutes. On a side note, you'd be suprised just how far you can walk in 10 minutes time.

If I can convince myself to get up earlier I may go ahead and truck out to the mall for the rest of this week and next. We'll see. Today I'm just celebrating because I'm still doing it, I'm still excited about it and that makes for one less thing to beat myself up about. Hooray!