Tag: mlfitness

Weekend Funsies

First I gotta say in the new routine I am developing Thursdays are my 100% rest day and I find comfort in knowing after 4 days of work and working out the evening is mine to just chill and get my mind right to fit in weekend workouts. 

Friday: lunchtime yoga at work and treadmill intervals after work

Saturday: 90min spin class with my friend M at her fancy gym (I already can predict my sore ass haha). 

Sunday: 5K with T and some friends. It’s a “Love the Run You’re With” Valentines themed race. I then head to some Virginia wineries with some other friends and who would have guessed when we planned it it would be nearly 70 degree out! 

Anytime you can mix working out and being social is a total win in my book!

Outdoor miles

I am gearing up to do my interval training outside at 5pm once I wrap my telework day. I haven’t done a training run outside since September – in fact that was the run that made me give up my Army 10 miler bib and really focus on taking care of my heel. 

I did power walk a 5K last month outdoors with friends, but a solo training run is my zone and I’m excited for beautiful 60 degree weather in Feb in DC to see how i feel. I have another 5K this weekend that I plan on run/walking as well. Most of my intervals lately have averaged about 2.75 miles so I’m feel good. 

MLK 5K fun!

Yesterday two former colleagues joined for me a 5K that we power walked and T ran. The 5K was at a park/lake near my old job, so I reached out to some former colleagues/friends who I had been wanting to reconnect with. We had a lovely time walking and talking. It was a super small race so there was no pressure and we didn’t get in anyone’s way. We did the 5K in ~51 minutes. T ran it, but missed a course sign so he ran it a bit short. He ran it in sub 29, that jerk! 

You’d think waking up at 7am on my day off for a 5K was enough for me, but no I went to a 6:30pm kickboxing class that was very choreographed. I loved the instructor’s energy, but her cues could have been better. Not sure if I’ll become a regular, but it was a good workout – I feel it today. 

Priorities

For most of last semester it was “hard” to make a 5:30 fitness class ~30-40 minutes away. This would involve me dressed and out the door around 4:45pm. My work is by no means strict about getting in/leaving work so long as you don’t have a meeting at that time, plus it’s not uncommon for us to have peak workloads – like for me it’s generally in the summer. 

So last Tuesday and yesterday I was successful in making it to 5:30pm classes because I MADE IT A PRIORITY. Work and emails will always be there for me, but the class to is going to happen with or without me. The plan is to get to 5:30pm class today too. Tuesdays is Body Combat – which is a freakin’ hard and sweaty workout!

I’ve been able to workout daily since 12/29 (I had one rest day on Friday), but even before the few days off over the holidays I’ve been great with doing Shred since after Thanksgiving. A 30 minute DVD workout is still a workout and I’m making the choice that 30 min DVD and/30 min brisk walks on the treadmill are better than nothing on days when I can’t make a class or don’t have time for something longer than 30 min. 

Weekend Rundown

Friday

  • Took a half day to take Freddie to the vet because he had been sporadically vomiting all week. Vet called Saturday – Blood work revealed he has hypothyroidism – aka his thyroid is inactive, so he will need a pill 2x a day for the rest of his life. Clearly I was upset, but he’s in perfect health otherwise. This new pill will help him maintain his weight and improve his hair.  
  • I was SUPER productive at work since I was only working a half day. I am always extra productive on days when I’m working an abbreviated day. With focus I’m sure most people could do their jobs in ~25 hours a week.
  • I spent late Friday afternoon at one of my old work bestie’s house hanging with her and her 3.5 yr old and 4 month old. Awesome time hanging out. I definitely miss seeing her daily back when we worked together. 
  • I took a rest day fitness wise since I had worked out for a week straight prior to today. 

Saturday

  • Snow! Just a light coating, but it was super pretty.
  • I had to drive in the snow because I had to bring a urine same to the vet since Freddie didn’t want to go when we were there on Friday. 
  • Made it to body pump class and then walked on the treadmill.
  • Big grocery shop/meal prep shop with T for the week, then we watched movies and were lazy bums. 

Sunday

  • Slept 11 hours, I needed it. I didn’t sleep well Fri and Sat worrying about Fred. 
  • Did Shred Level 3 – day 2. I freaking love level 3 – it’s my favorite of the 3 levels. 
  • Got a manicure, my first since E’s wedding in September. All the housework made it silly to waste money and time on my nails. I got a gel manicure for the first time in YEARS. I discovered the Sally Hansen Nail Effects 2 years ago and they were my go to with an occasional regular manicure. I always admire nails and I feel better about myself when my nails are done (and not super stubby). I’m hoping to keep up a strong nail game this year! 
  • Went to a beautiful Brewery with T in Bluemont, VA and stumbled across a super cute old restaurant that was heated by fireplaces

Miles In Review

  • 2010 Total: 791
  • 2011 Total: 651
  • 2012 Total: 750
  • 2013 Total: 343
  • 2014 Total: 429
  • 2015 Total: 693
  • 2016 Total: 328.95

I took a huge step back in my mileage after my March half and April 10 miler and then stopped running altogether in mid-September. My feet needed a break, badly. My plantar fasciitis/heel spur/Achilles have been nagging issues since summer 2015 early into my Dublin marathon training. I was in such euphoria after the marathon that I really didn’t take much of a break and clearly I paid for it. 

This year I’m going to focus on short mileage – 5Ks mostly and my 1 mile time. I think pushing hard for a short period of time will be better than moderate push for an extended period when it comes to my feet. Clearly I’m going to start things off slow and build up strength and stamina, because I’m pretty sure I couldn’t even run a non-stop mile at the moment, but that’s okay.