Procrastinating…Get me outa here!

Man, today is one of those days that I had to peeeeel myself out of bed. Truth be told I wish I was still in bed RIGHT NOW. But I’m not. So I’ll make the best of it by sitting on my LUV seat typing to YOU.

Remember how I told you Wednesday I was stumbling all over myself to get out the door to my workout? I couldn’t wait to get to it!?  Yeah, that was weird. Yesterday I took as a rest day, mostly because my hip flexors were hurting BAD from the Ab Ripper and partially because I had a full day of work. Other than that I felt pretty good. Today my hip flexors are STILL hurting, what’s up with hat? Second day soreness, what!? I have a full afternoon of work (12-5:30). I know, rough life.  So I have to get my workout in this morning.

My plan is: Running by 9 and to the pool by 10, out of the water by 11, dressed and in my car by 11:40. 

Problemo is, I’m cozy and tired and it’s cold outside. See? I ‘m starting to think I am bipolar, hot and cold. Seriously. How can I do a complete 180 like this? I know myself though and if I don’t workout this morning I will be kicking myself later. So it’s not really an option. G.Money is charging, the sun is shining….what more could a girl ask for? Oh that’s a whole other post, I wont go there…

It’s looking like this weekend’s long run of 9 miles will be done on the dreadmill, if at all. Or I will be getting up super-O-dark-thirty to get it done before the Hubs has to leave for his class. I don’t do super-O-dark-thirty though, so treadmill or bust tomorrow.

On a side note, I got an email from Seattle Rock N Roll Team in Training yesterday. I’m seriously considering doing it to raise money for the American Cancer Society. As you all know my dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer last May. So this is something that is kind of tugging at my heart strings. And didn’t I just say that I like the Memorial Runs so much more than the Rock N Roll series races? Well, this would put a little bit more meaning into it for me.

What do you think? What do you know about Team in Training? How will it work with me being in North Carolina and the Team being in Washington? I guess I don’t actually have to train with them, right?

Well, 20 min until I’m supposed to be running. I better stop procrastinating!! Do you ever procrastinate? I am the WORST ever in the world about it….Can’t help it. Always have been one, always will be one.

So, I’m going to try to take some exciting pictures for you today. I’ve been slacking in the picture department lately. There just isn’t anything cool around here that I feel you would enjoy seeing. But today I’ll try. Just for you. What would you like to see pictures of?  And single ladies, don’t say the dudes at the pool, that would just be really awkward for me. Don’t think I could that….see? Still procrastinating. Ugh.

Happy Friday!!

Weaknesses Be Gone!

…and the only way to do that is to work on them!

Yesterday was off the chain! I couldn’t get dressed fast enough to get my workout on.  For whatever reason I was ready to run and swim. I love days like that! Honestly, it doesn’t happen too often but when it does man-oh-man it feels good!

I got dressed and headed to post. I texted Hubs to see if he was going to be able to meet me to swim. No go. He had to work and  had plans to do a Ruck/Run with the dudes (6 weeks to train for 26.2 with a ruck, good luck with that…). I decided to run first so I could clean cool off in the pool, plus I haven’t been getting good, quality runs in when I do them after a bike or swim. I want to focus on some running for a while. I headed to the track for my 8 x 400 yds @ 5k pace.

I lost count and actually only did 7. BOO. FAIL. But I guess if you look at my first lap it was faster than my slow ones, so I could count that as a 5k pace.  My goal was to keep each of  my fast laps under 2 min. Goal-Accomplished.

When I got to the pool it was packed! It is so dumb that there is only ONE pool on  a post with 40,000 soldiers and  more people when you account for families. I shared a lane with 5 dudes and one girl wearing a string bikini, swim cap and high speed speedo goggles swimming the crawl stroke with her whole head out of the water. Now I don’t like to poke fun but seriously it was kind of a funny site. Then there was the guy who insisted on doing the breast stroke IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. It was nearly impossible to get a workout in until both of them moved to the other pool (the one without lanes). That still left me sharing with four dudes but at least I could move down the lane and pass them with ease. Is it appropriate to say I was chicking dudes in the pool? If so then I was chicking them. I kind of felt bad. That wasn’t my intention. I had to do 4 x 200 yds with 20 sec rest between.  I was pushing myself and actually for a minute thought I might puke.  That would have been bad. Embarrassing. Humiliating. They would have had to close the pool. So I brought it down half a notch. I finished the workout with 1500 yds.

I have met a few guys who are training for tris. It is fun to talk shop with them for a bit about training, running , biking routes, gear and then inevitably it turns to the  awkward question “So you want to go for a run or ride sometime?” “How do you swim so fast?” It’s a true ego booster.  But I’m really not by any means an accomplished swimmer. I have never competed, never trained, and have no clue really about true competitive swimming. I think it is where my natural ability is though. I bet if I would have ever been on a swim team I could have been great.  But if you put me in the water with real swimmers I’ll look like that bikini clad girl flailing around. 

When I got home I searched the house high and low to find my p90x DVD. It has been MIA since we moved. I found it!!!! It was still in our old DVD player that has been in the garage.

So of course I did an Ab Ripper session after my run and swim. It is time to bring it back! Ab Ripper THREE times a week. A strong core is so important for good running! And well, lets be honest, I still want to sport a two piece speedo someday….

Today is a busy day, not to mention a 3 hour school start delay for LB (it snowed about 57 flakes). I should take it as a rest day but I might jump on the trainer this evening. My plan calls for a 3 mile run and a 25 mile ride. I have ZERO rest days actually written in. This weekend will be a challenge too. We are going to Charlotte and I wont get in my long ride with my Triple Threat girls. So I may have Sat and Sun as rest days.  I realized last night I could revamp my plan to 9 day weeks so that I can actually write in and plan rest days.

Thanks for all your input regarding the Bataan Memorial Death March! I really got motivated to do it after reading all your encouragement. I put in a request to my Official Race Crew and TFF in the PNW (i.e. Jessica!!!!!). She is checking her schedule and may be able to meet us in New Mexico to fulfill her duties as Official race Crew. I am so blessed! If it works out I think I will do the full 26.2 miles. Not for time but for the experience. Seriously, who wants to join me????

I’m sore today. I know it is from speed work and core, my hip flexors are screaming. Core is my biggest  weakness. What’s your weakness??? I think being able to identify your weaknesses is HUGE and a first step in improving! I’m committed to improving my weakness, are you?

Self-Affirmations: You Should Do It Too!

Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!

----Yeah!

So, first of all sorry about yesterday’s post. I was in a mood. A bad one at that.  After posting I finally got dressed and out the door to run 4.5 miles in the neighbor(ing)hood. I took it nice and slow and just allowed all my frustration to flow out with my sweat. It was a good, mood cleansing run.

I came in and stretched and got dressed to head to the pool. So, to totally trump my run and throw me back into the mood of all moods I couldn’t find my ID card which means I couldn’t get on post to the pool without it. I turned my gym bag inside out, my purse upside down. I searched through the laundry and pockets. I had it on Monday and Tuesday it was gone. PooF. Disappeared.

I was mad at myself for being so laze faire, so absent minded, so irresponsible, so flighty. So I had a forced half-rest day. No swim. For the rest of the day I went into fits of furry searching high and low until finally, FINALLY around 5 PM I found it. On the passenger side of my car, on the floor tucked under the mat. How did it get there? I have no idea. My luck. But not my luck today! Today is a new day! A good day!  And I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me! Wait, did I already say that?

Anywho, today I am heading out to buy new tires for my Jeep before it snows tonight. I have  8 x 400 yd @ 5k pace (eeeks!) at the track then to the pool to do yesterday’s swim. It’s gonna be a killer workout.

The Hubs asked me last night if I wanted to go to New Mexico to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March (you should check it out and watch the video!). Initial reaction based on destination race excitement: YES! Then, after actually considering the name of the event and checking out the deets: Not so much…. “Miles and miles of nothing but desert”. It is a march in memorial and honor of the service members who defended the Philippine Islands during  WWII. The “Death March” race title is actually due to the fact that many soldiers actually died on the march in the Philippines. He is doing it with four other dudes in the Heavy category, meaning they are going to be rucking 26.2 miles with 35lb packs. Yikes. There is a marathon and a 15.2 mile run. I might go to do the 15.2 miles. I know I’m not ready, nor could I really be ready for 26.2 by March 27 but I could certainly do 15.2 miles. And knowing me, if I can get something lined up as far as childcare for LB I’ll be there with my shoes laced up. It is hard to pass up opportunities like this. And if I can’t lace up and join then I’ll be there in full support. I’m a huge fan of the Memorial Races, favorite to date: OKC Memorial Marathon.

So who’s in for this race with me????? Bueller? Bueller?

Have you ever done a Memorial Race? To me they just have SO much more meaning than other races like the Rock N Roll series.

So do you practice self-affirmations? What do you tell yourself to put a little more pep in your step? I think they really work and if at first you don’t believe yourself keep doing it.

Take me down….

…to the paradise city where the grass is green and the trails are plenty! (a little spin on some Gun’s N Roses for you…)

Motivation is not coming easily today.

I have a 4.5 mile run and a 1500 yd swim on the schedule for today and all I really want to do is the dishes, laundry and vacuum this pile of crumbs that is annoying the crud out of me by my foot. Yep, it’s that bad folks…I am contemplating cleaning the house over my workout. Doctor! Doctor! Come quick!!! She must be REALLY sick!

What should I do first? Run? Swim? NAP?

Lately my problem is a lack of running routes. I am

sick.and.deathly.tired.of.my.neighborhood.

UGH.

Shoot me now. Ok, don’t really shoot me now but that is another problem. On New Year’s Eve evening a poor soldier was running on the ONE and ONLY running trail here (it’s 4 miles so makes for an 8 mile out and back. WOW.) He was shot. Yeah. Some idiot, sorry excuse for a person was hunting and thought he was an animal. Shot him dead. I’m sorry, I have no problem with guns or hunting. I DO have a problem with idiots with guns and hunting.

That trail also runs through the straight up ghetto. So unless I am packing serious heat myself I’m not running there. I will never run on the road outside of my neighborhood again either. So what does that leave me?

• The same ole route around the airfield (boring).
• A track.
• Treadmill.
• My neighborhood.

I am dying here folks.  I knew it was going to be hard leaving the PNW, or as I called it Runner’s Paradise, but I had no idea it would be so bad here. I did see a sidewalk yesterday! It was about 100 yds long. I think I should go run on it. Back and forth 80 times to equal 8000 yards or approximately 4 miles. There is just no concept of active lifestyle living around here. Or else people just don’t know how good it could be, they’ve never experienced a better community, or they don’t care. Is it too much to ask to pave a trail in a safe area?  How can I make a change in this stupid community? No one cares! No one wants sidewalks or running trails. If they do they don’t know how to voice it either.

I know sitting home feeling sorry for myself isn’t going to help anything and I am certainly reminded as to why how I got into my out-of-shape, depressed, lazy self the last time we lived here. I can’t and wont let that happen. But I feel myself falling into somewhat of a depressed slump lately. I hate it here these days (and that in NO way reflects on the friends I do have here: Breaking Pace and JK, you’re 2 of the reasons I am still halfway sane). So I guess I have to start with finding the motivation within and making do with what I have…

The sun is shining and my neighborhood gives me 3.64 miles….

How are you doing with your motivation? Crawl out of any slumps lately? Do share your secret! I need a swift kick in the bootie-or a vacation. Or a trip back up to the PNW….

Step into my office…

Join me as I procrastinate my weekly reports and flirt with the idea of a rest day….

Rest day? You say…I know, I’m trying to be smart here. I believe a rest has been earned but I could swim today and pass  on the spin class. But I kinda want to go to spin. It is so hard when I actually want to work out.

This weekend was madness! Saturday it was raining cats and dogs, seriously. We got 57 new puppies running around. Ok, not really but it was pouring buckets, so different from the PNW rain that I loathed running in. I was not going out in the deluge of wetness that was happening. I kept pushing off my 9 mile run. Finally around 3:30 it cleared up and the Hubs was headed to the private gym at his work (la-te dah…) so I came along.

Around his work is a 1.5 mile wooded trail and I can make a small detour that makes the loop 2.11 miles. I hate running circles, have I mentioned that? I set out for 9 miles. I felt a few drops of rain and decided that if it started pouring I would be fine with one lap but alas, the rain held off.

I ran, blew snot rockets, coughed, loosened my speed laces, ran slower, got hot, and ran some more. It was a miserable run. My hip flexors started aching and my calves were tight. I realized I was increasing my mileage too much too soon. I haven't been running as much as I should. I decided to cut the run to 7.5 miles. Done and done. I made it back to the car where Hubs and LB were done with their working out and we headed home.  In the warm car I started to cough. I couldn’t stop. I felt like a freaking giant was sitting on my chest, like it was tight and closed. I couldn't breath, couldn’t stop coughing, couldn’t catch my breath. It was the kind of coughing that gags you, makes you almost puke.  It was so weird to me, that is what it must be like to have asthma. Awful!!! I rolled the window down and stuck my face out into the cold air, I felt like a dog but it was the only way I could breath.  Once we finally made it home I took a couple puffs of Albuterol and my chest was finally opening up and I could breath.

Sunday was bike day. I  had 45 miles on the plan but all three of us (my Triple Threat riding biddies) were sick last weekend and missed our 35 mile ride so we opted for 35 miles this weekend plus there was a little thing called the Super Bowl coming on at 6. Priorities people, priorities.

I had started out in the neighborhood with hopes of riding the 7 mile loop around our house but the cars were just flying by, going at least 65-75 mph on a 50 mph road. There are too many trees and curves to be able to safely ride or run on that street. I couldn’t even turn out of the neighborhood onto the main road. So I headed to the AFB where I could ride around the airfield, safe from stupid cars (with stupid drivers) who have no concept of exercise and sharing the road with runners OR bikers. Jerks. But that is another story…

Once there I met Breaking Pace, or rather parked by her car. She was somewhere around the loop so I headed out with hopes of catching her. I rode hard! I had no idea how far ahead she was or if I could catch her but I wanted the challenge plus I also wanted to see how fast I could go on a flat course (apparently my hope of 22-25 mph is a bit ambitious???That is the good thing about being a noob, ignorance is bliss…). I was happy to see a steady 18-19 mph on the Garmin. My average for the first 7 miles was 18.6 mph with 320 ft elevation gain and 324 elevation loss. My max speed was 24.7 mph. I’m certain that was on the 324 ft of downhill….When I go downhill I feel like that pig in the commercial, you know what I’m talking about, where he’s hanging out the window yelling, “WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

I found Breaking Pace, or more like she was waiting for me at the end of the loop. We rode a second loop together, riding with company is so much more enjoyable. At the end of the second loop we said our farewells (she was hosting a Super Bowl party later) and I went on for a third loop. All together I hit 23 miles  at 16.6 mph average. A far cry from the 22-25 mph but I’ll take anything from 18-20, seriously.

I need to get G.Money fixed. The pin in the band broke . Here is my temporary solution:

Pretty good huh?

And the best thing about being sick? I get a new toothbrush!

It’s the little things people, the little things!

Did you all watch the Super Bowl?? 

What was your favorite Super Bowl snack???? Thought I was going to say commercial didn’t you? I thought they were kind of lame this year, the snacks on the other hand….DElish! We had cheese dip to dive into, brownies, and a cupcake that I wanted to the whole game through but never got around to eating…

 

So, true story…

Last night I snuggled in my bed with a few books and LB at around 7:30. I guess I ended up taking him to his bed but next thing I knew I was getting up to go to the bathroom. I thought it had to be at least 3 AM but NO, it was 10 PM. I hate that! I hate it in a good way but the feeling of being so disoriented just creeps me out. Point is I went to bed freaking early last night and it was great!

If you will recall yesterday I was supposed to do 20 miles on the bike and run 3. Did that happen? Not so much. I met the Hubs at the gym around 10. He talked me into a full body weights workout. Great……Weights are good, but holy soreness. Today my back, shoulders and chest are sore. After an hour of lifting we hit up the bikes for 20 miles. 45 min in I was sweating buckets, tired and chaffing because I am a biking noob and wore Nike Tempo shorts. I called it quits at 11 miles. I’m pretty sure stationary bikes (and not the recumbent ones) are way harder than the real deal.  Do you think? I was struggling to keep it at 15 mph. I know that in my race I want to be at 22-25 mph at least. Is that ridiculous? Can I even do that? I have NO IDEA. But if I’m going to be riding for 56 miles I would like to be done in just over 2 hours and they say the course if flat. I need a good, flat test run to see if I can even go that fast.

Once the bike punched me in the gut I headed to the treadmill so it could punch me in the gut too.I fully intended on running 3 miles. I was exhausted and lightheaded so I stopped at one mile. 1 mile.  I know I am still weak and coughing makes it hard to do just about anything.  But I can’t help but feel that very valuable training days are passing me by.

Thanks for the advice many of you gave me on how to get back into my plan. I have decided to kind of pick up where I should be in the plan with only a few tweaks, especially since I am so early in the training cycle, this is week 4 of 18. I know I have time to bounce back if I can just be smart over the next week while I am still trying to kick this flu.

Today’s 9 mile long run is most likely not going to happen. There are about 5 things that are preventing it from happening: weather (I’m not running outside while I’m still kind of sick), lightheadedness, the Hubs isn’t home so I have LB,  I could take him to the gym with the kid play area but there is no way he would last long enough for me to make 9 miles, and finally I just don’t have the energy.

I know I am full of excuses.  What do you do when you know you are full of excuses?

Guess what!??? I won something!! Stacie at Impossible is Nothing hosted an Allied Steele giveaway! I never win anything but figured I would give it a try!!! I emailed her this picture of my medals, so sad:

Such a mess! Since we moved I haven’t found a good place to keep them. But now, now I will have a beautiful way to display all my hard earned medals!!! I’ll be working with Joel to either do a custom design or pick one of the ones they already have! I can’t wait to show you all!!

And just curious, once I get my display is it appropriate to hang it on the wall in my living room once I get it?? Or on my office wall (I’m a therapist by the way) next to my diploma? Vain? Arrogant? Too much??? I don’t know….sometimes I need help with these things. Where would you display yours?

I almost fell off the wagon today…

This is my story.

Today I felt stuck in the mud. I felt like I lost all my fitness and was starting from scratch. I knew I needed to get back at my training, but I felt like I couldn’t. For the first time in a long time I felt overwhelmed, like I couldn’t. Like I should quit. Like I wanted to quit. Like there was no use. Like a nap was a better choice, or actually like a nap would make the feeling of needing to work out go away.

I KNOW. Terrible.

I have no idea what was going on. I think this flu thing got in my brain and burrowed holes or caves or something. I was scared to get back at it. I haven’t been scared or intimidated by my training EVER. Not even when I started my first marathon training.

I knew that if I didn’t grab my gym bag and get in  my car I chanced not EVER doing it again, or at least for a long time. I was on a slippery slope. I was about to fall off the wagon. After texting with Mel-Tall Mom and Jessica I knew I had to go, my Triple Threat Girls needed me to get back at it, after all we committed to this Half Iron together.

As I drove to the pool I realized I forgot my towel. #$%# @$%#!@! $%#%!!! I almost turned to go back home for it. But I didn’t. I kept moving forward, like a freaking magnet was pulling my Jeep nearer to the pool…like a stupid UFO beaming me in or something.

I had planned to swim an easy 1000 yds then make it to spin class at noon where I would give about 75% effort. I know, I am sure that is insulting to the instructor but I wanted to be frugal with my new energy. I’m telling you, it is strange how this sickness knocked my confidence.  I got to the pool, took a shower, froze my bootie off until I got in the pool then SWOOSH….I swam.

I felt good! I felt strong! My lungs felt good! My body felt good! My arms felt good! The water felt good! I wasn’t drowning, I wasn’t coughing up a lung into the gutter, I wasn’t sucking wind! I was OK!

I finished up my 1000 yds at 12:00. I was a little disappointed to realize I wouldn't make it to spin class but really, this was a good first day back. Usually Fridays are my easy swim day so I’ll switch today and tomorrow, leaving me with a 3 mile run and 20 mile bike tomorrow.

On my drive home I was thinking. When we feel good, or at least for me, when I feel good, I take it for granted. I never stop to remember how bad I felt that one time I was sick. It’s not until I feel like crap do I think of my good health, I always imagine myself in a sunny field with flowers and a soft breeze, or driving in my car with the windows down, laughing and just feeling good.  So this hit me like a slap in the face, what about the people who don’t feel good all the time? People like my dad, who is fighting pancreatic cancer. I know he doesn’t feel great but he gets up and he smiles and plays with his grandkids and he goes about his day.  He feeds the cows and hauls fire wood, he checked my oil when I was home last. He is not taking his health for granted any more. The good days are a blessing. I don’t know when or if he feels bad, he doesn't really say. But I felt kind of bad for feeling so bad the past couple of days.  I guess my point is this, I’m going to make a point to be thankful for the good and not take it for granted. 

When you are sick, what is your healthy again daydream?

You don’t have to answer this, but what is something you  realize you have taken for granted? Can you turn it around RIGHT NOW and be thankful for it from now on?

While I’m feeling all sappy-licious….you’re all pretty awesome!! Thanks for being YOU!

75%…

I think I may be back at it….tomorrow!

I am still really congested and have a cough that wont quit which means my abs are hurting like no other. My throat is now a dull pain, an improvement over this morning’s inferno. Throughout the day I have been improving and my lightheaded and dizzy spells are becoming fewer and farer between.

What day is it anyway? Sheesh? Have I been down and out for 8 (EIGHT) days? I guess so. Wow! I feel like I have lost ALL my fitness. I feel squishy and out of shape. I feel like I don’t know where to start….I feel Too Far Gone…I looked at my training plan today and man-oh-man…bad idea but the head in the sand method doesn’t really work for ALL occasions.  I missed a lot! I  know I can’t make up the missed days but I’m not sure I can just skip over them and jump in where I should be as if everything was just peachy.

Have you ever missed a huge chunk of your training? What have you done to tweak your plan so that you can catch back up and fall back in line?

And seriously, thanks to everyone who kept checking in on me. Mel-Tall Mom enjoyed asking me daily, “Are you alive?” How can I not answer that text?  It’s nice to know I am cared about. You all rock!

Oh yeah, and totally random but is it just me or does everything hurt worse when you are sick? Like I was feeling ALL kinds of injuries over the last 8 days: my right shin, my left foot, my left shoulder…all seriously hurting.  Like if I wasn’t sick those things alone would have had me sidelined. So weird….???

I’m excited to get back at my training!! I was on a roll and had a huge set back. Over the next few days I will be evaluating what happened and my hand washing habits,  from my diet/fuel to amount of training and rest I was getting. This flu hit me hard and I want to make sure I am keeping my immune system strong. I know I most likely could not have avoided the sickness all together (LB and Hubs both had it) but I feel like I got hit hard, harder than I should have. For the most part we (as runners) have higher immune systems unless we are over-trained and under-rested….and over stressed. Full report coming soon.

Peace out home chickens!!!

I’m back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!