Tag: mlfitness

Running with an Audience?

So today I geared up for a normal run of 3 miles unlike my beastmode 5 miles I did yesterday. 

My favorite treadmill was open (I always feel like I have a better workout on my favorite treadmill) I did some stretching and go to turn on my ipod…and it’s tweaked out. What pisses me off more is that my ipod was dying yesterday and I put it in my gym bag to charge at home. I forgot to charge it overnight and I freaking go back UP the stairs to charge it this morning and get it at lunch all charged up – I even look at the damn screen. So it wasn’t dead, it was tweaked. My ipod does that every once in a while.

I was worried about my run, but begrudgingly ran/jogged 3.5 miles. After my run I did legs which apparently EVERYONE in the gym was doing. 

While I’m switching machines a lady stops me and asks me how long I ran and a few cardio questions. She’s like I can only do about 2.5 miles etc. She said she’s been watching me and thinks I’m doing a great job. A gym groupie I love it!

Cha-Cha-Cha Changes

I decided I want to join the “FITBLR” world so I’m transitioning my blog here!

It’s a crazy week of work, but I hope to move all my posts there.

In other news, I did pay for 10 more training sessions with my trainer Issac – I paid in FULL to avoid a messy contract…I minded my money for 2 months and was able to throw down. Summer is going to be hard since my schedule is wack-a-doo thanks for orientation and I want him to help keep myself accountable. 

Since I was a bum this weekend, but still want to try and run 4-5 days this week I decided I am going to wake up early on Thursday and run outside BEFORE work since my friend Natalie aka NATTY LITE is coming to town Thursday. 

Also my tattoo IS happening FINALLY. This Saturday 5pm. I’m pee my pants excited.

An Inspiration?

I got to see a bunch of friends over the past 10 days since I finally was able to get out of the south for a few days. Now also mind you I haven’t seen any of my friends from home since Christmas aka free running/measuring/life changing. 

I had been a tad frustrated that dropping 22 pounds yielded little feedback from people here, but at the same time it’s been a gradual loss and harder to notice I suppose. It was great to see people who haven’t seen me in 4 months and hear them tell me see TOTALLY notice. A few people even called me svelte – that is such a great word I love it. 

What was really awesome was seeing my friend Star and her telling me today that seeing me and following my journey “inspired her to get focused on getting in shape.” Seriously that’s the best compliment someone could give me. 

The past 10 days have been HECTIC and my running has suffered a bit, but I plan on hitting it hard this week. I even am planning a PRE-WORK run on Thursday. Last Thursday I actually ran before I had to head out of town and it was great to start my day with a little 2 mile run. 

The next few weeks of working are going to crazy, please keep my in your thoughts and give me strength to run as much as I can and to resist the temptation of bad eating choices.

Finish Lines

True Life: I have a new addiction…crossing finish lines.

The Race for Hope was may things, including inspiring, satisfying, magical, and challenging to name a few.

I had the power of David Cook on my side.

In terms of the race itself it made me think back to a quote that got me through grad school: 
No one said it would be easy, 
but no one it would be this hard either. 
They just promised it would be worth it.

Despite training for 4 months, it was a HOT MUGGY morning in DC. I also didn’t sleep as much as I would have liked or hydrated enough or ate enough before the race. 

I didn’t realize running with 11,000 people would be quite as insane as it was. Also running without knowing the course or exactly my progress was a challenge too.

I started off at a great pace, but prob 2/3 into the race I need to slow my pace a but due to the heat. My legs and endurance weren’t the problem. It was sweating and breathing in humidity that was slowing me down. 

The last straight away towards the finish was my favorite part, seeing the finish line and crossing it was a beautiful thing. 

I knew I ran it in about 34 minutes based on my phone, I wouldn’t get my official data until the next day. I was satisfied with my time, I think I could have shaved a minute or two off if I started the race at the front of the pack and also if I was slept/hydrated/ate properly. Scheduling a race in the MIDST of a vacation was the ideal situation, but I didn’t want to sacrifice having fun either.

After the race ended my friend Kelly and I cooled down and enjoyed all the free water/bananas/snacks etc. I really don’t think I’ve been that sweaty in my entire life. My eyeballs were sweating. Kelly and I continued to sweat for a good 30 minutes after the race. 

It was crazy that at 9:35am in the morning that the race was over. The biggest part of my day was done and it was only 9:35am – that felt weird.

My official race time ended up being 33:29 minutes at a 10:47 pace. Honestly I am proud. I know I can run a mile in under 10 minutes, but right now they are in 1 mile spurts. The fact that I ran 3.2 miles consecutively at that average pace is gratifying. I wish I could track how fast I was going at my fastest speed.

I swear I’m hooked on running. I want proper running attire and watches and all kinds of things that will track my runs. 

Running isn’t a bad addiction to have. My friend Josh who we stayed with in DC is a runner. He ran track in HS and college, currently on average he runs 70 miles a week. Crazy, but I loved picking his brain about running.

I haven’t slacked either I walked on Monday and ran a little 5K on the treadmill yesterday. I plan on running today as well.

I think the fact that my brain is obsessed with running and my next run and my time has taken up brain space that used to think about food and when I was going to eat all the time.

I wish I could bottle up how I felt post race and in these days following. 

Half Marathon training is in it’s planning phases. I know the second half of May is going to be crazy, so I am going to “officially” start training June 1 with the hope to run a half marathon in October. And who knows maybe I’ll do another 5K or 10K in the meantime to feed my finish line obsession!

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!

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?

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?

T- 3 Weeks

Today is 3 weeks until my 5K. I’m so excited. The 5K really helped keep my focused on running and weight loss. I can’t believe how much much progress I’ve made. As of today I am down an even 18 pounds since I started my journey at the start of the year. I can’t believe it. I look good and feel great. Today was a first for me, I went running around my neighborhood with my dog today. I looked at some maps to try and figure out how to run in a 3 mile loop. I really enjoyed being outside, I think I even liked it more than the track. My poor little doggie was quite the trooper, for parts of the run we walked due to his tiredness or lots of cars. I used the stop watch function on my ipod to measure how long I’d been out and I ran to a spot that I knew the address of so I could figure out my distance via google maps. I actually was out running for nearly 50 minutes, it FLEW by, I was shocked by how quickly the time went by. So I got home and figured out that I actually ran/walked 3.6 miles total!

I know I’m gonna be able to run the 5K, but I really want to run it for time. I’d love to come in under 31 minutes. I’m gonna try and figure out a good 5K route to practice on outside because I like I said I enjoyed it better than the track by A-LOT.

I’m hoping to really pick up the pace at the gym the next 3 weeks. I’d really like to drop 5 pounds by race day. I’m gonna try and shoot for 5x a week at the gym for the next 3 weeks, we’ll see.