Month: April 2010

This morning I got on the scale and was nervous about what I would see. I really wanted to be down about 2 pounds and REALLY wanted to be down like 5 pounds. However my weight loss has been SLOW, but steady. I thought about how I ran/worked out 20 days this month…and the past 2 weeks I’ve been running 5x a week. 

The 5K this weekend really put this whole weight loss plan into high gear and it was scary to know where I’d hope to be and where I was. 

I dropped 4.6 pounds in the past 10 days.
That put my total weight loss to date at an even 22 pounds. 

My body apparently loves my scale to say XXX.6 (seriously many of my weight loss increments have included the number ending in.6) – so yes I’m .6 over my MAJOR GOAL, but honestly in this case almost does count. Weight fluctuates so easy and I’m sure that .6 will come and go as I approach Sunday, but I’m not gonna get a scale before then. I’m thrilled with where I’m at and I hope to keep my health in my mind as I spend a long weekend with friends, but still enjoy myself.

Enjoy my pretty graph in my absence!

Chasing Pavement

Today was my last “official” run before my 5K on Sunday. I hope to jog a bit on Friday and/or Saturday – but since I’ll be away it will be hard to see if there will be time.

I was determined today to go hard or go home. I decided to run on the track, I hadn’t been there in 2 weeks and wanted to give it another go. My focus today was running for time. I’d really like to do 10 minute miles at the 5K which would put me at around 32/33 minutes, however I REALLY want to be under 30 minutes. I’ve had some doubts about my goal time, but I think having a goal is important. 

After a warm up walk, I geared up for 1 mile hoping to do it under 10 minutes – I’ve never been UNDER 10 minutes on the track, only on the treadmill. I used my stopwatch on my ipod and my ipod is on my armband so I can’t see the minutes tick by – which is a good thing. Going into the run I pace myself – I start off strong then get into a good for a few laps then on my last lap run with no mercy. As I was running my last lap I was POSITIVE there was NO WAY no matter how fast I ran I’d make it under 10 minutes. So as soon as I crossed the line that marked my mile I stopped my stopwatch to see 00:09:59.9. WHAT?!?! I did it. just barely, but I did it. It was amazing to know that it really was worth it to push myself that last !

I walked a lap to rest and then did 2 laps of alternating between sprints as fast as I could on the straight aways and walking the curve of the track. As I did this I was wanted to try to beat my 1 mile time again. I knew I had more in me, I know I pushed myself that first time, but I don’t think I was giving my “all” because I knew I still had a few more miles to run. 

I geared up for my mile once again. I pumped up the throttle for the first quarter mile, then kinds of went into cruise mode for the next half mile – however I again was concerned I wasn’t going to fall below 10 min. For my last quarter mile I ran to the point that my lungs were burning…I think I can, I think I can (actually I was cursing at myself…I tend to do that, something along the lines of you fat fuck more your goddamn ass you’re embarrassing yourself – hey it motivates me, to each his/her own) I stopped my stopwatch. I look down. 00:09:51.7. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I knocked off 8 seconds – I was on cloud nine.

I really think I have to potential to run the 5K in 30 minutes do to the adrenaline that will kick into high gear, but at the same time I’ve never been in a race (or at a race for that matter) so I have NO CLUE how it’s going to be organized etc. 

Regardless I’m pleased.

After muuuuuuch debate as well as trial and error I came up with my playlist in order for the race. 
1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – David Cook
*Kick off the race with some high energy and obviously David Cook
2. Beating Heart Baby – Head Automatica
*Another CRAZY HIGH energy song that I love working out to
3. Ramalama (Bang Bang) Roisin Murphy
*Yet another gym staple – I actually usually do planks to this song, but running will work too
4. Billie Jean – David Cook
*Yes it’s a slower song, but it’s got a lot of emotion in it and reminds me of all the time I played it BLASTING with all my 
windows open on the way home from the gym every night that spring when I lived in Texas
5. East Coast Anthem – Good Charlotte
*The song has great energy, but I picked it especially because the first lyrics are “Walkin’ on the streets of DC”
6. Dance Factory Super Megamix – Bad Boy Joe
*Back in college I used to go to a wonderful “butts and guts” class and the instructor, Jen, would always play this
7. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
*Do I really need reason c’mon
8. NYC Underground Party Vol. 5 Megamix Part 2 – Bad Boy Joe
*More “butts and guts” dance music
9. NYC Underground Party Vol 5. Megamix Part 1 – Louie DeVito
*In case I haven’t had my fill even MORE dance music
10. AC – Axium
*David wrote this song in he pre-pre Idol days for his brother Adam about his battle with brain cancer and I saw it fitting to
listen to it as I run in a 5K to raise money for brain cancer and it’s on the 1 year anniversary of Adam’s passing.
11. Creep – Axium
*My Anthem. I’m gonna need it my last leg for sure, it will kick my into high gear and remind me of this journey I am on
with taking control of my life and my body
12. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Glee Cast
*A positive kick in the ass for my last minutes running.

**I’d like to note that my playlist is about 45 minutes, but I also get “fast forward happy” if I’m not feeling a song in that instant, so I wanted to have extra. I probably will skip through some of the dance music, but I wanted to have it in there as a back up.

Wish me LOVE AND LUCK please this Sunday. I’ll be sure to give a grand recap when I get back.
Thanks for reading

My Feet Are Mad At Me

Yesterday I had a REALLY shitty workout – it was raining outside so I went to the little Gold’s Gym that’s closer to me, but I don’t like. I think it was really hot in there for something, but it too everything I had to run 3 miles. I actually had to break it into two 1.5 mile runs with a rest/stretch break in between.

So today I was determined for a good work out. My 5K is in 1 week and I wanted to hit it hard. It was BEAUTIFUL out and I wanted to push myself. I ended up doing a 5.3 mile run with like an 1 hour 10 minutes. The hardest part of my run is the first ½ mile because I have to run uphill on my street – yuck. I just really enjoy running outside. I mixed up some routes so I got some new views. When I was running by campus I saw Aubie (our tiger mascot) in a car and he blew me a kiss. I also got honked at once (that I heard…I had my music blaring).

My feet are hurting me now a few hours later, but everything else feels okay. I feel good that I pushed myself. I really think I am gonna commit to a half marathon for the fall. I want to finish my 5K next week and see what an actual “race day” feels like. I’m sure it will be great, but I don’t want to get to ahead of myself either. However once the 5K is over I am going to investigate some half marathon options.

Oh and I got a few more “you look good/skinny” comments this week which was quite exciting. 

Also I came across another weight loss tumblr by a girl who has a lot in common with me. I am really debating switching/transferring this blog to a tumblr. I’m still debating. Anyway I like reading about another woman who is similar height and weight to me with similar goals. She also outlined her weight loss “rewards” I may get working on mine. I actually set up my tattoo appointment for May 7. I’m *hoping* by then to be down another 2 pounds and that would be put me at being down 20 pounds. HOLLER!

Weeks 15 & 16

Sun Apr 11
Wake up: 11:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Run
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Outside Run 3.6mi run – 45min
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: Yes

Mon Apr 12
Wake up: 7:05 am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill:3.05mi 454cal
Stairclimber: No
Other: Abs/Back/Trainer
Food after 9pm: None 
Sweets: No

Tues Apr 13
Wake up: 7:25am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: None 
Sweets: Yes

Wed Apr 14
Wake up: 7:10am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3.5mi 550cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Abs/Back
Food after 9pm: None 
Sweets: No

Thurs Apr 15
Wake up: 7:20am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 490cal
Stairclimber: 110cal, 77mi, 9min
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No 
Sweets: Yes

Fri Apr 16
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3.5mi 540cal
Stairclimber: NA
Food after 9pm: no
Sweets: Yes

Sat Apr 17
Wake up: 11:00am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill:NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: Yes

THIS WEEK’S TOTALS – Week 15
Coffee: 6
Gym/Exercise Days: 5
Miles: 16.65
Calories: 1534

Sun Apr 18
Wake up: 11am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Run
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Outside Run 3.9mi 50min
Food after 9pm: Yes 
Sweets: Yes

Mon Apr 19
Wake up: 7:10am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill:3.1mi 495cal 35min
Stairclimber: .68mi 100cal 8min
Other: Legs
Food after 9pm: None 
Sweets: No

Tues Apr 20
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 425cal 37min
Stairclimber: .92mi 425cal 37min
Other: Abs/Back/Trainer
Food after 9pm: Yes
Sweets: No

Wed Apr 21
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 470cal 34min
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Arms/Chest
Food after 9pm: None 
Sweets: No

Thurs Apr 22
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No 
Sweets: Yes

Fri Apr 23
Wake up: 5:50am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 3
Gym: no
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: No
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: no
Sweets: no

Sat Apr 24
Wake up: 10:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill:3mi 425cal 37min
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: No

THIS WEEK’S TOTALS – Week 16
Coffee: 8
Gym/Exercise Days: 5
Miles: 16
Calories: 1835

Born to Run II

This week I knocked out running 16 miles. Crazy, to think I had kept trying to reach for 10 miles a week and not hitting it, to all of the sudden the past few weeks running 12+ miles a week. I think part of it is also the fact that I’ve upped myself to running/gyming 5x a week. I am trying to get myself of gym/running days are the norm and nongym/run days are my off days. As opposed to my former way of life where going to the gym/running was the exception to the rule.

So much like last Sunday I decided to forgo the gym and the track for running around town. I wish I lived closer to campus, because I feel like I’d get better runs in. I hate running where there are no sidewalks or crappy ones. Regardless I decided to run without my doggie and push it. I ended up running for 50 minutes and mapped out that I did 3.9 miles. I’m a little made I didn’t do 4, I could have. It’s funny the loop back home always go easier than the loop heading out so I really should have gone an extra couple of blocks, you live and learn.

It’s funny I can see my distance endurance in my run increasing, but I still need to work on my pacing. I either run in “fast” bursts or a slow jog. I need a brisk run.

With my 5K under 2 weeks away I a seriously looking towards my next goal. At first I was thinking at 10K, but I know if I apply myself I can pull it off without my additional training. I was looking into a half marathon and I found it strange/rewarding that in 12 weeks I could get there. The training guide said before they start training they should be able to run 10-15 miles a week…I can do that! The training I was looking at had you running 5x a week which is great, but I’m worried that with my busy summer I won’t be able to do 5x a week. Still if I were to say run a half marathon Labor Day weekend that’s 4+ months away and doable. Lots to ponder.

Anyone wanna run a ½ marathon with me?

Tweet

I just tweeted that “I’m gonna make the track my bitch this afternoon.”

I talk a big game, but I think I’ll still end up getting bitch slapped by the track today.

Also I have like binged on the sugar the past 2 days…no bueno. I can avoid cake and sweets when they are not around me. So note to self don’t volunteer to bring dessert to a gathering because I’ll end up eating the leftovers and/or licking the bowl clean (which I sadly did yesterday). 

I hope to knock out a total of 15 miles this week. I should be on par if I do ~5 between today and tomorrow.

Born to Run

After a weekend full of “lady pains” I was determined to go out for at least a little run on Sunday. I didn’t want to drive out to the track so I figured I’ll just run in the neighborhood. Using google maps I eyeballed what I thought would be about a 3 mi run, thinking surely I’ll only do 2.5 miles. I ended up taking my dog with me to get him out of the house as well. It was lovely out and we had a good pace together, I just kept running. I set the stopwatch on my ipod to track my time and I was shocked when I was even 16 min into the run because it flew by. The next time I looked it was 24 minutes, what?! So we headed back home. I felt good, my poor little 7 pound fluffball of a dog was beat. We ended up running for ~45 minutes and I tracked on google maps that we ran 3.6 miles! Those were the easiest 3 miles I’ve ever done. I like mixing up running outside in town with running on the track with running at the gym.

I do however need to setup some better running playlists STAT.
any suggestions?

Weeks 11, 12, 13, 14

Sun Mar 14
Wake up: 1:15pm
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Food after 9pm: Yes
Sweets: Yes

Mon Mar 15
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill:NA
Stairclimber: No
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Tues Mar 16
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3.82mi 568cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Arms/Chest
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Wed Mar 17
Wake up: 7:10am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 440cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Legs
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Thurs Mar 18
Wake up: 7:30am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 4.5mi 708cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Abs/Back
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: Yes

Fri Mar 19
Wake up: 7:30am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Track
Treadmill: Track 2.75mi
Stairclimber: No
Other: Basketball – 1 hour
Food after 9pm: no
Sweets: no

Sat Mar 20
Wake up: 8:30am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 3
Gym: No
Treadmill:NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: Yes
Sweets: No

THIS WEEK’S TOTALS – Week 11
Coffee: 6
Gym/Exercise Days: 4
Miles: 14.07
Calories: 1716

Sun Mar 21
Wake up: 9:45am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: Yes

Mon Mar 22
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill:3mi 487cal
Stairclimber: No
Other: Legs/Trainer
Food after 9pm: None after 9:30pm
Sweets: No

Tues Mar 23
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3.5mi 528cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Yoga
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Wed Mar 24
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3.75mi 576cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Arms
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Thurs Mar 25
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: No

Fri Mar 26
Wake up: 6am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 3
Gym: No
Treadmill: No
Stairclimber: No
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: no
Sweets: yes
Alcohol: yes

Sat Mar 27
Wake up: 1pm
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: No
Treadmill:NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: Yes
Sweets: No
Alcohol: Yes

THIS WEEK’S TOTALS – Week 12
Coffee: 7
Gym/Exercise Days: 3
Miles: 10.25
Calories: 1591

Sun Mar 28
Wake up: 11am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Food after 9pm: Yes
Sweets: No

Mon Mar 29
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill:3mi 490cal
Stairclimber: No
Other: Abs/Back/Trainer
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Tues Mar 30
Wake up: 7:15am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1 (100th cup)
Gym: Walk
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: 45min walk with dog
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Wed Mar 31
Wake up: 7:10am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 470cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Legs
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Thurs Apr 1
Wake up: 7:00am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 4.25mi 640cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Arms/Chest/Trainer
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: No

Fri Apr 2
Wake up: 7:20am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Track
Treadmill: Track 2.5mi
Stairclimber: No
Other: Basketball – 150 shots/45min
Food after 9pm: no
Sweets: Yes
Alcohol:Yes

Sat Apr 3
Wake up: 12pm
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill:NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: Yes

THIS WEEK’S TOTALS – Week 13
Coffee: 6
Gym/Exercise Days: 5
Miles: 12.75
Calories: 1600

Sun Apr 4
Wake up: 11am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: Run
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Track 3mi run, Basketball 20min
Food after 9pm: Yes
Sweets: Yes
Alochol: Yes

Mon Apr 5
Wake up: 8:55am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: Yes
Treadmill:2.5mi 416cal
Stairclimber: No
Other: Abs/Back/Trainer
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Tues Apr 6
Wake up: 7:00am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Wed Apr 7
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 469cal
Stairclimber: NA
Other: Arms/Chest
Food after 9pm: None
Sweets: No

Thurs Apr 8
Wake up: 7:05am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: No
Treadmill: NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: Yes
Alcohol: Yes

Fri Apr 9
Wake up: 7:40am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 1
Gym: Yes
Treadmill: 3mi 507cal
Stairclimber: No
Other: Abs
Food after 9pm: no
Sweets: Yes

Sat Apr 10
Wake up: 10:30am
AM dog walk: No
Coffee: 0
Gym: No
Treadmill:NA
Stairclimber: NA
Other: NA
Food after 9pm: No
Sweets: No

THIS WEEK’S TOTALS – Week 14
Coffee: 2
Gym/Exercise Days: 4
Miles: 11.5
Calories: 1392

Mistress No More

Well if you’ve found your way over here from My Quarter Life Catharsis than Welcome!

This blog here has been my “mistress” for far too long and I think there’s more than enough room in your “favorites” for 2 blogs from me (and my AWESOME tumblr – I like to write, sue me).

Like I said some of the posts are strictly number based and that’s what I thought the blog was going to be, me transcribing what I write in my little notebook onto a blog, but it’s become more than that. It’s become a story of my successes and failures, accomplishments and heartaches.

So if you care to read it, I suggest you look at the archives and start at the beginning. You can skip the posts with my weekly tallies if you’d like, but I don’t want it to be a secret anymore because I’m so proud of myself and where I’m headed.

My friends fitness blogs have been really inspirational and I want to put this out there to inspire and motivate others. Also I think writing all this makes me more accountable, and even more so now because I have invited you all to read this, but I did it because I believe in myself and the power to make changes in your life.

Progress since January…so pretty. Just think I did all of that in the first quarter of the year, just think where I’ll be by the end of the year!

*Note the weight graph includes a trendline (green line), which averages out the daily fluctuations in water weight and uncovers true weight loss progress.