Tag: mlfitness

Reclaiming My Treadmill

  • 3 mile run
  • stretches and abs

The gym was PACKED today – I knew from friends/colleagues at my gym that it’s really been a madhouse lately. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find a treadmill to use. However luck was on my side. My favorite treadmill was open and I was ready to pound her/him (awkward haha).

I’ll be the first to admit, DAMN those 3 miles were haaard. It wasn’t so long ago that I’d say “only 3 miles.” ONLY my ass, that shit is work any way you cut it. I was an 11:30 min/mile paced sweat machine with the biggest freaking smile on my face the whole time. 

Actually I ran my 3 miles on a “negative split.” I found a nice stride and banged out the last mile in under 11 minutes – we’ll see how my legs feel tomorrow. 

It’s so crazy how weak and out of shape I feel, yet physically I pretty much look the same. The peace of mind in working out and eating well really is such a wonderful source of confidence. 

I can’t wait to get back to spin class on Wednesday!

Getting back on the horse…

The scariest part of taking a few weeks off to get my life together was being terrified of the scale. I wasn’t working out, I wasn’t eating well and I just didn’t feel good. I spent so much of last year feeling good that the scale really never scared me. I was so scared that I gained 10 pounds or 15 pounds – I even felt some days like I gained ALL the weight back and that I undid all my hard work. In the long run these 2 months will be a BUMP in the road.

I feel weaker and slower, but I know that I can and will bounce back. My strength and speed will come back to me and I look forward to pushing myself to new levels of strength and speed this year.

I’m going to plan out a new running routine. I have some miles to make up in my quest for 1000 this year. I need to look into my next race, I do best when I have a goal to focus on. I do know that I am going to run my Race For Hope 5K in DC again in May with the plan to shave 10 minutes off my time last year – which was my first race ever. I’d love to find a 15K in April to train for – I think that’d be a perfect distance right now, we’ll see I may push for another half marathon. I do know that this fall I WILL be running a full marathon – there will be a lot of factors to calculate into which one I will run, but IT IS happening.  I also want to make sure I get to yoga and spin as much as possible – I always love how accomplished I feel after both these classes.

  • Last WIW (1/19/11): 182.4
  • Today: 180.4
  • Lowest Weight (12/1/10): 175.8
  • Overall Difference: +4.6 lbs
  • Weight Lost to Date: 42.2 lbs
  • Left to Lose: 12.4/25.4

I must not forget those 42+ pounds that I lost. I’m not starting from scratch and I’m not going to beat myself up. I got this.

Run W Run

For a while now my boyfriend has talked about how he wants to go running with me. He said he used to run a lot with a friend who was military, but he hasn’t in forever. He knew he couldn’t keep up with me so I thought it would be a good idea to go to the track. We could each run as much as we wanted at whatever pace. 

He kept cracking on himself about how he was going to throw up or not be able to move after, which I knew wasn’t true, but I didn’t know what to expect when we got out there. Well I was quite impressed with him. He walked a lap, ran a lap, walked a lap, ran a lap etc for about a total of 2 miles. I do know that in the future he will need some Vaseline or petroleum jelly. He had some chaffing issues haha.

I knocked out 5 miles and I have to admit it was weeeeeird being back on the track. I haven’t ran on the track since May or June. I felt like I was moving so slow, but then I’d look and see I was running at sub 10 min pace. 

I did straight laps the first 3 miles and the last 2 miles I did interval spirits. I want run as fast as I could on the straight aways and walk/jog the curve of the track. W was quite impressed with my running. He knew I was serious, but he didn’t think I was as fast and into as I am. 

I really enjoyed being out on the track with him, we are going to do it more frequently which I’m excited about. Him and I also went to a state park and went on a little nature walk which was fun. He taught me how to skip stones – I had a few successes, but he’s way better. I enjoy being active with him and I hope we continue to do more outdoorsy things – did I mention he took me 4wheeling last week?!?! I even drove it after a while!

Who needs a foam roller…

…when you have a boyfriend!

W thinks it’s so badass that I’m a runner and he wants to be good to my legs and feet and DAMN can that boy give a massage.

No joke. PAINGASMS like whoa.

I actually had a Charley Horse the other night and the next day he massaged my calves, it HURTS SO GOOD.

I have asked him on more than one occasion where the HELL he was in October when I was running two half marathons. Looks like marathon training will be far more pleasurable!

I’ve had many professional massages in my day, but all from women. Well let me tell you a man’s bigger and stronger hands are far superior when it comes to giving a massage.

The Cost of Running

In 2010 running was my #1 priority. I did it at any cost.

Well in 2011 I am going to be more mindful of cost. Far too many times I spent money I didn’t have to register for races (more often than not an out of town race), buy new running clothes, trying fancy healthy food, etc. In my mind I was like well this is good debt.

This year I am hoping to BEGIN to get my finances in order. Budgets, consolidations, etc. With this being said I have decided to NOT run the Los Angeles Marathon in March (maybe one day). I don’t have the money for a race and a flight and a hotel and all the money I’ll need to put into training properly (new sneakers, gels, etc).

I still would like to run a Marathon this spring. It’s FOR SURE happening in 2011, but I need to get some control first. I’m very bad at telling myself “NO." Which could explain why I was overweight for a long, long time. 

I have ALWAYS been bad with money. I’d sincerely appreciate any advice, tools, etc. I need to handle my debt better because it WEIGHS on me more than my fat ever did.

Re-Focused

I am headed to spin class tonight then knocking out 6 miles on the treadmill.

However what I am MOST excited for is that I bought Jillian’s 30 Day Shred – it’s getting shipped to my mom’s house, so I will be able to do something besides just running while I’m gym-less.

Annnd I picked up my dress from the tailor for the wedding this weekend. It looks BANGIN’. I do plan on wearing Spanx under it, but I want to look the best I can look. I’m even getting my hair blown out for the wedding that morning. I want to make sure I FEEL as good as I know I will look!

11 miles

An 11 mile run stands between me and leaving to go see my boyfriend. I may PR 😛

PS – My friend Kathryn is running her first Marathon as we speak, sadly it’s a small marathon so I have to wait for to tweet updates! Tomorrow is her 30th birthday and I can’t wait to celebrate her marathon and the big 3-0 with her!

WIW

Last Week: 175.8

This Week 176.8

Change: + 1

Christmas parties and just getting my period are partially are at fault. I’m still kicking ass and taking names in the running/workout department. I’m still hoping to lose a few pounds in December, but I’d take maintaining over gaining.

Toys for Tots 10K

I dragged myself out of my cozy bed to run in a 10K this morning. I wasn’t 100% committed to running it because of not wanting to wake up, but I bit the bullet and bought a Barbie for Toys for Tots last night so I KNEW I had to get up and run.

It was a brisk 37 degrees when I woke up. I did however opt to run in only compression shorts and a dri fit shirt – which was a good call! The race had a 1mi run as well as a 5K and 10K. Lots of LITTLE kids – I mean like 2 and 3 year olds “ran” the 1 mile run with their parents. It struck me as strange for a second, but then I realized the parents are developing good habits for their kids! There were a good bit of middle schoolers running the 5K. In hindsight I wish I was truly exposed to running earlier and hope one day to have my kids race with me!

Back to my race. Good group, excellent weather, HILLY course. This town is nicknamed “the loveliest village on the plains” – plains my ass. I fought the whole race to pace myself and not burn out too early. I also hoped to run the whole thing non-stop. I accomplished both! My hope was to come in under and hour, but I told myself to not be disappointed if I come in within 1 hour 1 min because it was realistic.

Well, I ran the 10K in 58:46 – that’s almost 11 min faster than my previous 10K I ran in July!

That’s an average of 9:27 min/mile

My Nike sensor told me I PRed on my mile with a time of 8:26

My 5K split was 29:30 – so I ran the second half in an illusive NEGATIVE split.

Great freakin race – I couldn’t be happier! I hope all of you that has raced today had stellar runs too!