Month: July 2010

8 and I feel Great

I ran pounded the pavement for 8 miles. I ran a lot of it, but I took walk breaks as well. I ended up leaving my place at 7:12pm and the weather wasn’t terrible, it actually started to cool down fairly quickly and there were some lovely breezes. What wasn’t so lovely…trying out a new route for the first half of my run that had more hills and valleys than I would have liked.

There were points in the run where my legs were tired, but I never felt overheated or that I couldn’t finish. I told myself before I left that I wasn’t running for time, I was running to knock out the distance. I actually got home at 9:02pm so a 1:50:00ish run. I feel good about that time, especially since it was my first long distance run in 2 weeks (I missed my long run last weekend due to work). Also my 8 mile run burned over 1,000 calories. CRAZY!?!

Just now I took some preemptive advil and stretched, but I know I’ll be sore tomorrow, but it’s a rest day so I’m good. In hindsight for a better run, I shouldn’t have laid out in the sun today so much – it’s draining, I shouldn’t have tried an unknown route, and I should have brought a little more water – I could have used another 8oz. However you live and learn. 

Random observation: I wore my 10K outfit for my run today and it’s interesting to see how the top is getting a bit looser on me and how my love handles aren’t as terrible in my shorts as they were.

I soaked up some (in a Victoria Beckham accent) MAY-JOR sun today. However I am a lobster who is officially 30.2 pounds lighter. I know I’m a bad girl and jumped on the scale before Wednesday, but I have been sweating my buns off this week and just haaaaaad to know.

It’s also a great motivator because I have an 8 mile run tonight as part of my ½ marathon training. I’m kicking off my run at 7pm CST –please Jesus don’t let me die of heat stroke..– I am currently hydrating like whoa and am planning a shady course. I will listen to my body and not overdo it. Wish me luck!!

I Like Ike

Last night was my last session with my trainer Isaac. I had 25 sessions with him from Jan-April then in May I bought 10 more sessions. I dropped a good bit of money, but I felt it was important to invest in myself. I bought the last 10 sessions to make sure I kept up my routine while I was crazy busy working orientation (which is when I usually fall off the wagon). This year I was able to lose the orientation 10 instead of gain the usual orientation 10 (this 10 pounds effects almost the entire staff…it’s crazy).

Isaac taught me a lot and pushed me even when I was snarling at him. He has been very impressed with my running – he says he’s not a runner and always smiles at me when I’m soaking wet running my heart out with a grin on my face.

Most importantly I really feel confident that “I got this.” I can get to the gym, do the right exercises and keep up my momentum. Plus I really don’t have the extra money to pay for sessions (Honest moment: I actually sold some old jewelry to a pawn shop to pay for my last 10 sessions, but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do).

Also I’m not sure how long I’ll be living down in good old Alabama. I have been itching to return to the Northeast and some opportunities are presenting themselves that could make that happen sooner than later so I don’t want to commit to anything I couldn’t follow through with.

Vegan Banana Ice Cream

One of my friends just tweeted that she made this tonight and that it was delish. So random because I put a banana in the freezer yesterday (again from a fabulous fitblr’s advice) and I thought today when I ate it that it was like gelato. I am on a mission to make it this weekend. Check it out http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2010/06/ultimate-vegan-ice-cream.html

PS – that website looks pretty awesome too

Sweating Machine

That is me.

I mean I am usually pretty gross when I leave the gym, but today was a new level of sweat.

I had 4 miles to run and I decided to run it interval style (this weekone of your fabulous fitblrs mentioned how it would help and the pacing, however I can’t think of who it is, but if I remember or you realize I will give you credit.

I played around with pacing and I did for the first 2 miles: 1 min at 5.2 and 30 sec at 6.5 then for the second two miles I did 1 min at 5.2 and 1 min at 6.5

It was great. I felt really good with my quick bursts even towards the end it was easy to push through 10 more seconds knowing I’d get some sweet relief. In my first two miles I did it with about an 11:06 min/mile pace and the second two miles were at 10:18 min/mile pace. I took 30 second water breaks between each mile. I was so pleased with my time. I like shaved 4 minutes off my 4 mile time. I’m excited to see over the coming weeks how much I can push myself, but I want to make sure to push myself at a slow pace. I still have regular fears of serious injury (or like falling off the treadmill and bashing my teeth against it) and honestly I’ve never broken a bone or gotten a stitch, but as I get older and more of a gym rat the thought of getting hurt terrifies me. 

So for those of you who want to work on speed or sweat more try intervals – figuring out what pacing works for you, but try it. I bet you’ll surprise yourself like I did tonight.

I have recently become obsessed with the Achilles tendon. I never had defined ones and working on that is a specific goal of mine – I am starting to see some “cuts” and definition in my ankle/heel to hopefully one day show off my Achilles. The past few weeks at the gym I find myself lusting over enamored by other people’s Achilles tendons. They just have such an athletic vibe about them and watching people engage their legs and Achilles tendon is quite beautiful. Sadly google images did not have the plethora of pictures I was expecting, but still look at some people’s legs.

Anyone else have a favorite muscle or body part (get your minds out of the gutter people)?

When I move back to the Northeast I am going to give up soda. I have been without my love Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee for over 3 years now (except for quick trips home when I binge on Iced Coffee…is that possible?) Next Wednesday I get Iced Coffee when I embark on my roadtrip to New York – thankfully they have some in Georgia and Charlotte. It makes me sad to think of all the DD Iced Coffee I’ve missed over the years – but I’m sure my wallet is happy. I just can’t wait to get my LARGE TOASTED ALMOND ICED COFFEE SKIM MILK ONLY. Honestly I think I could give up soda for DD Iced Coffee. Maybe I’ll experiment whilst home. Yes I just said whilst.