The key to it all

Anybody who knows me even a little bit knows that I am not the most organized person.  okay, not even a little organized.  Yeah, I'm a hot mess.  I actually have know idea how I function most days.  I sometimes make lists but I don't usually follow them.  I don't really have a system for anything and I pretty much exist in chaos.  Well, maybe not chaos but close. 

I know it really doesn't fit the normal type A nurse type personality but I manage to get by.  I am fairly good in a crisis and things that would upset most people don't really bother me too much.  I would like to be more organized and in my professional life its something I work very hard to try to do. 

But where does this fit in with my race and training?? 

Last week I got my training log for the race and rather than being excited and eager to start, I FREAKED out and slept in. The race is a 1/2 Iron (in case you missed that) and if you don't know what a 1/2 iron is let me educate you: 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.  You can't do a race like this without training.  You can't train for a race like this without a plan and you can't plan to train for a race like this without some kind of organization.  You see my problem??  But you have a training log, you say.  It's all spelled out for you.  What happens when your life doesn't fit in the training log?  I work 3- 12 hour shifts a week.  I have 3 kids who are in activities and a husband who likes to spend time with me (so he says!) I can't possibly workout on work days and that means I have to squeeze all of the training into the other 4 days.  

Over training leads to injury.  Under training leads to, ummmmm.....sucking at the race.  It's a fine line to figure out how to make it happen.  Enter Coach Sway!!  After an hour or so of sitting down with my calendars she tweaked everything for me and made it work for my schedule.  It's still crazy. It's still a lot.  But its all on my schedule and I am feeling motivated.

This week is the way a first week should be. Eager, motivated, excited!!!  I'm just going to forget that last week happened.

I'm BAAAAAAACKKKKK

Guess it has been quite a while.  Let me catch you up, in the past year I have......

-Broken my toe. Twice. Not the same toe.
-Run 2 Half Marathons.
-Injured myself at the first race. Couldn't run for about 4 months.
-Signed up for and started school for my BSN.
-Registered for my first Half Ironman. 

All of that and everything else that came along with life. family, house, job, etc., etc., etc. 

I'm ready to blog again.  Ready to share this crazy ride with you guys.  Training for a 1/2 iron, going to school, working fulltime, being a mom to 3. The littlest is almost 2 (ALREADY!?!) and into everything.  The girls are so busy with their activities that I think managing scouts, swim, karate, school and social events for the two of them could be its own full time job!

This weeks is week 1 of training. The race  is the Rocketman Half Iron in Titusville. May 5, 2013. 

http://rocketmanflorida.com/

I'm so excited to be signed up with my fabulous coach, Sway and the Tri With Sway Group.  I really couldn't do this without her help and the motivation from the team.  It is such a great group of people.  I've already trained with some of them before and there are so many that I've just met who have already showed me so much support and love.  I know that they will get me through this, even if they have to drag me sometimes! 

Honestly, I'm really not sure how I am going to make everything work.  It's going to take some very strategic planning, lots of support from my hubby and cooperation from the kids.  Right now I am slightly freaking out about so many things.

I hope that I can get all the training in.
I hope that I can finish the race.
I hope that I don't get injured.
I REALLY hope that I don't break any toes!
I hope we can still have a date night once in a while. 
I hope I don't lose my mind.

But as my new friend and partner in VQ reminded me yesterday....just take it one day at a time, don't look at the big picture. (Thanks Heather!)  So I'm just going to take it one day at a time and I'm going to try to remember how to have fun while I'm doing it and in 14 weeks I will race. 

Welcome to my journey to 70.3!!! 

Resolutions

I do resolutions.  I know a lot of people don't.  A lot of people think resolutions are a waste of time, etc., etc.  Sure, I don't keep some of my resolutions BUT many great things in my life started as a new years resolution.  Becoming a nurse, running, triathlons.  All goals that started with the new year.  Last year I had 1 resolution.  Have a healthy baby (preferably an unmedicated water birth).  Mission accomplished.  This year my list is MUCH longer. 

I started to do a 2011 wrap up.  For me it was a pretty great year- and I know I haven't been keeping up with this so I kinda need to do a race recap- but for the first post of the new year I wanted to look ahead. 

2012 Resolutions

-Take more pictures. Of the family, of life.  Its all flying by and I know the girls will be graduating high school before I know it.  I need to take pictures of the everyday. 

-Plan meals. Sit down to dinner as a family at least once a week. This is SO hard for me.  I am such a bad meal planner and the girls are so flipping picky BUT I'm going to make an effort. 

-Pay off debt; save more money (doesn't everyone have this one!)

-Grow a garden.  I try this almost every year but never quite make it.  Or I start it and it falls apart.  But this year I'm really going to try. 

-Lose baby weight.  I have 15-20 lbs to lose before I am at my pre-pregnancy weight.  I'd like to lose it by 3/31.  baby's 1st birthday.  This encompasses many other things.  I plan to do Turbofire, run, go to the gym, eat better, drink more water. 

I have been going back and forth about training for a race.  I'd like something specific to train for, I feel like it helps me to stay focused on a goal, however, I am having trouble committing to something with as crazy as life is right now. Plus, I feel like training can sometimes interfere with losing weight and I really want to get the weight off right now.  I would like to do a late spring 1/2 marathon and also OUC next year.  I think other than that I am not going to train for anything specific.  Next year I feel like I will be able to start getting back into tri-training.  And I really want to but its easier (and more enjoyable) for me to focus on running this year.  

Anyone else do resolutions?  What does everyone have planned for this year? 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I really did fall down on this blogging thing, didn't I??  I suppose I owe everyone a race recap.  I did finsih my race but December is just a really crazy month around here.  So many birthdays plus holidays and then it happens to be one of the busiest times at work.  Life with a new baby is so crazy and as he has gotten more active I have gotten less and less time that I can sit and write.  Or really even just sit. 

2011 was amazing for me.  One year ago I was going into my 3rd trimester of pregnancy and had just started a new job.  I was tired all the time and had pretty much lost a regular workout schedule over the holidays.  I was looking forward to meeting my new little man and had one resolution: Have a baby!  I spent my days that I didn't work getting ready for the baby, taking naps, eating cake and daydreaming about the baby. When will his birthday be?  What will he look like? 

Turns out his day was March 31st.  And unlike his big sisters, he had a head full of hair.  He was 8 minutes away from being an April Fool!  Although I still say he was my hardest labor, I guess maybe it wasn't so bad after all. I had an amazing midwife and doula to help me through. His big sisters got to see him right away and help his daddy cut the umbilical cord.  His Grandma, Aunt Laura and cousin Ella, and 2 of mommy's best friends were there to meet him right away.  He was born into so much love. 

The plan was to get back to working out/running right away and I tried, really I did.  Then I went back to work.  Still I managed to hit the gym and to run.  I wanted to do a sprint tri.  The same race that  I had done the previous year when I was newly pregnant but I just couldn't seem to get time on my bike or in the pool so I decided against it.  My only goal now was to finish the year with a 1/2 marathon.

It's not easy to find time to train. A baby is a lot of work and the 2 big kids are a lot of work, too.  Work is a lot of work!  I managed to complete my 1/2 marathon in December.  My time was 2:25 something.  Definitely not a PR but better than I thought I would do.  I felt good about it and I am really glad I had that goal to push myself to get back into it.  I love running but life is so crazy lately that without a goal I'm just not getting out there. 

 I never really hit my weight loss goal either but my priorities definitely shifted and I'm okay with it.  Now I'm hoping I can get the weight off by his first b-day.  Thats a pretty reasonable goal, I think. 
 I am trying to get motivated to start this year.  I am taking the first few weeks of January to formulate a plan.  I really need to focus on nutrition this year.  I would like to plan to do a bunch of fun races but my reality is that I still am working weekends and I still have a young baby at home. Maybe next year I can do more racing, but I think this year is going to be more about learning some good habits. 

2011 was great.  I can't imagine life without my little man but I'm excited for 2012. 

I've been bad....

really, I have.  I've been a bad blogger.  I've been a bad runner.  I've been bad at a lot of things. 

The past 2 weeks have been overwhelming,  to say the least.  Some of the highlights:

- transmission went on my van. (this is a long saga that involved a lot of money and also included a flat tire and a longish road trip with screaming children)
- baby's first ear illness (okay so it was just an ear infection no big thing but still....)
- cell phone broke (still in the process of sorting that one out)
- busy at work. extra shifts. (and lots of frustration there) 

All of those things combined to make for a very busy, very frustrating and very UNMOTIVATED week (or 2)

Through the whole car fiasco I managed to (kinda) keep from freaking out and although I didn't really make it to the gym I still got my runs in.  But last week with the sick baby, working overtime and I think the stress of the previous week catching up to me I only ran twice.

This week.  nothing. nada. big fat goose egg.  I worked an extra 5 or 6 hours on Tuesday, plus monday was halloween.  but dammit- I don't feel like running.  or spinning. or anything.  The baby is better but he is all over the place and is non stop all day.  I can barely get the house picked up and get a load of laundry thrown in.

 People ask me how I manage to get time to workout and run as much as I do and my answer is usually that my house is a mess. Then I laugh, ha ha ha...but really it is.  But mostly its because I make it a priority- of course the kids are the number one and work number 2  but getting to the gym or running is like number 3 or 4.   But the past 2 weeks it got bumped way, way, way down on the list.  I know that its normal for that to happen.  I know things are going to come up but it still makes me feel like a failure.   

In an effort to turn things around, I got new running shoes yesterday. It will be my first time running in a neutral shoe instead of a stability shoe.  This week is pretty much shot since tomorrow is back to work again but I'm going to try to do a short run today sometime and <barring any more catastrophes> hop back on the wagon next week. 

1 month until my come back race!!! 

my schedule has left the building

Sometimes its just hard to keep to a schedule no matter how hard you try. 

The past 2 weeks I was pretty on it as far as my workouts go.  I had a 15 mile week and then a 16 mile week. Plus spin classes and yoga.  I even managed to get caught up on laundry and kinda straighten up the house. kinda.

This week....not so much.  Mondays are hard because I am coming off a stretch of 3 12 hour shifts.  My nurse friends all know that 3 12's in a row is rough.  Especially if you have 3 busy shifts.  I just wasn't feeling it on Monday.  I did get up and go to spin but I didn't run.  I got up and did track on Tuesday and had a good morning.  Ran with a friend who is faster and I was trying to keep up (I did a pretty good job of it until the end!) then I got a call from work asking for help so I went in and worked 10-7.  No yoga.  Yesterday I was trying to catch up on housework and didn't go to spin.  I managed to get in a quick run last night.  It was pretty awesome.  I only did 3.2 but I felt fast and it felt pretty easy.  I didn't wear my Garmin (might be why it felt so fast) so we will never know but I'm just gonna say it was a PR! 

That brings us to today.  I picked up extra time at work but I'm 'on-call' so I am still at home but have to be ready to go in.   I have a sick 7 year old at home plus the baby.  (Hubby stayed home in case I get called in) I think I should be able to get a long run in this evening but still- thats at least 3 missed workouts this week.  not good. 

There is a bright side.  My 3 miles last night felt really easy.  Amazing how the shorter distances are cake once you start doing longer distances.  And even though it hasn't been going the way I want it to I've still gotten workouts in.  If I can get a longish run in today then my mileage isn't totally shot for the week. 

Next week will be better.  I hope. 

Anyone else having trouble saying no to Halloween candy??  Those mini snickers are really getting me.  No wonder I haven't lost any weight in 3 weeks! 

Randomness

No cohesive post today.  Just some random babbling.

 - I had to invest in a spibelt because I need to be able to carry my phone with me on a long run. I really like it.  It stretches to hold what you need and doesn't jiggle.   I also have been trying to be really good about wearing my road ID.  If you are a runner you should have a road ID. 

- I like the honey stingers gels.  Took them with me on my long run last week and definitely needed them by mile 5.  What do you use on your long runs?  I also have the Hammer Fizz for my water bottle.  Got talked into that one instead of the Nuun I went to buy because it doesn't have any artificial sweetners.  Think I'm still gonna try the Nuun but the fizz is okay. 

- I think its about time for new running shoes.  How often do you change your running shoes? 

- I have been dropping weight during the week and gaining on the weekends when I work.  I'm not eating very good when I am at work.  I need to work on that.  Apparently running and breastfeeding will only get me so far.

-In about 10lbs I think I will be able to fit pre-pregnancy clothes.  You would think that would be incentive enough to watch what I put in my mouth but sadly it is not.  But there has been lots of yummy cake around lately and I like cake.

-My right quad is sore from running Monday night and then again Tuesday morning.  I really need to run in the morning NOT evening.

-I just finished breakfast and I'm already thinking about what I am going to eat for lunch.  What should I eat for lunch? 

- I need a new fall playlist.  What are you listening to?? 

-last week I logged 15 miles. This week should be 15 or 16.  I feel like a runner again. Wish I looked like a runner.

-I ran out of deodorant. I've been using my husbands.  Guess I should go buy my own before Friday so I don't go to work smelling like a man.

-You should answer some of the questions I asked. 

double digits

I'm 2 weeks into my 1/2 marathon training.  Last week was my first double digit week.  I ran just over 10 miles for the week including a 5 mile run in the rain Thursday night. 

I really need to get 4 miles in today but I also just worked 3 days in a row, have a ton of laundry to do, have to get groceries, want to take Mr. Baby to story time and I have a cold.  Since I didnt run early in the morning it will have to wait until after J gets home from work.  Which means 4 miles tonight and then track at 6am tomorrow.  Thats hard.  I'll do it though. 

Trying to decide if I feel like doing spin today.  I think I don't but will probably feel better if I do.

Haven't lost any weight recently.  Like in 2 weeks.  This last 20lbs is going to be hard.  Its easier to stay motivated when the scale is being nice to you. 

In other news,  I've got a lot of Halloween decorations up.  Love this time of year.  I've also had lots of pumpkin spice latte's but no pumpkin pancakes yet.  I think I might make some pumpkin muffins this week. 

Hope I get my motivation back soon.

 10 weeks til race day.

1/2 training kick off and the saga of the foot

This week starts my 1/2 marathon training.  From now on I will be focusing on running.  I would like to continue to go to pump at least once a week and spin 2x/week to crosstrain but the focus will be running. 

My plan is to do a tempo run Monday, track Tuesday and then a long run Thursday.  I didn't exactly know that was my plan until this morning so yesterday I just did spin. 

Once again I am going to state my goals that I hope to accomplish by the time of OUC 1/2 (that would be first weekend in December) exactly 12 weeks away. 

In order of importance:

1- complete OUC 1/2 marathon
2- Lose 20 lbs.
3- Finish the race in a respectable time (would a PR be asking too much?)

I'd gladly sacrifice a PR in order to lose 20 lbs but I have a feeling if I lose the 20 then I will have a good shot at a PR. 


So whats my biggest obstacle right now?

MY FOOT!!!  Here's the story.  When baby was a few weeks old I stepped on glass.  We pulled it out (or so we thought) with tweezers and it was still sore but I was walking fine no big deal.  Then it gradually started hurting again and felt like there was still something there so of course, we dug at it and couldn't find anything so I went to my doctors office (they had a podiatrist there) and had him look at it, they did an xray and he scraped at it and said that he saw the trajectory of the glass but didn't see anything obvious there but it actually felt a little better so we kind of assumed that maybe it was a tiny sliver and he shaved it off.  But now its back.  The other night I felt like I pulled a piece of something out of it but its still hard and feels like there is something there.  So I had Jon look at last night and he said he thought he saw something shiny but couldn't get it.  It doesn't hurt so bad that I can't run on it but its right on the ball of my foot and I feel like I am starting to compensate a little.  I definitely have pain when I bump it or touch it.  I figured I better get it taken care of now at the beginning of training rather than run on it until I can't anymore. 

So I made an appointment with another doctor.  I go this afternoon.  I am really hoping she can figure it out and help me. Not only help me but make it better right away and not impact my running.  Is that too much to ask?  No, I don't think so either.  So wish me luck at the podiatrist this afternoon. 

ITS TIME!!!

PUMPKIN TIME!!!

I am breaking from any talk of training to talk to you about something important and near and dear to my heart.  PUMPKIN!!!

I love pumpkin!!  I am the Bubba Gump of pumpkin.  I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin spice latte's, pumpkin martinis, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin risotto......did I miss anything???  And it doesn't even have to be food!  I like pumpkin candles, pumpkin body wash, pumpkin lotion, pumpkin EVERYTHING!!!!

The only pumpkin thing that I don't like is pumpkin beer.  And thats just because I don't like beer and it doesn't really taste like pumpkin at all.  But I would be up for trying it again if someone could recommend one that really does taste like pumpkin.

My first pumpkin purchase this year?  A pumpkin harvest febreeze air freshener.  It might be 90 degrees out but my house smells like fall. 

I don't know why I like pumpkin so much.  I guess because I have a fall birthday and because I love Halloween.  Maybe because its just damn tasty and yummy smelling?  Maybe because its one of those things that you can only get a few months out of the year.  Even though now you can get it year round I still limit myself to September-December.  I don't think I would love it as much if I had it more often than that.  It just wouldn't be right to have pumpkin anything in July!

So do you have any good pumpkin recipes?  Let me know, or even better just make it for me (I don't cook much)!  If you go to a restaurant that serves an awesome pumpkin dish, please tell me.  And if you notice Starbucks selling pumpkin lattes before I notice it please tell me!!! 

I think this year I am going to get a pumpkin facial. One year I dressed up as a pumpkin girl for Halloween.  I can't seem to find a pic, though.  Trust me, it was cute. 

HAPPY PUMPKIN SEASON!!!!

just breathe

Just finished doing 5 days in a row.  I was technically scheduled for 5- 12 hour shifts, friday through tuesday.  That could have been really bad.  It could have been extremely busy all 5 days but it wasn't.  I ended up only working 3 full shifts and 2 partial shifts but I was at work the past 5 days and that kinda sucks no matter how you look at it.

My house is a MESS!  I have a TON of laundry to catch up on and I really don't feel like doing any of it. I started some laundry and cleaned the kitchen.  I'm really trying to get up the energy to fold and put away some laundry while baby is napping but it feels so good to just sit and do nothing. 

I think I am done scheduling myself for overtime for a while.  Its not worth it.  AND its running season now.  Or at least its heading into running season.  I'm going to be full on training for OUC 1/2.   I'm not exactly sure when the group starts training but as of next Tuesday I will be doing track and trying to increase my running miles and definitely within the next few weeks will start a training plan. So excited to actually be training again!
 Here are my fall goals:

1) Run OUC 1/2.  No time constraints- just finish it. 
2) Lose 20 lbs.  (would love to hit pre-preg weight by December!)

And thats all I've got for the fall.  Anyone else have any fall training goals or races? 

Hopefully the blog will get a little more interesting now since I won't just be randomly bitching but I will actually be training for a race.  It surprises me when I talk to people and they say something about the blog.  I kind of just babble on here and it helps me stay on task for my workouts.  I sort of forget that people actually read it sometimes. 

Next time I write will be about my FAVORITE part of fall.  Those who know me well won't be surprised.  Anyone have any guesses about my favorite fall thing????

Every run is a PR....

when you suck!!

 j/k but that really is a good thing about starting over.  Last year when I was running a lot it seemed like every race I was shaving minutes off of my times.  I knew it wouldn't last forever, that eventually I would get to a point that I couldn't take that much time off.  But now I am slow again and most nights when I go out I'm running faster.   I have a loop thats about 3.22-3.24 miles.  I ran it 2 weeks ago in 36min then last week 35m and this week 34.  Closing in on that 30 min mark.  I really need to start increasing my mileage, though.  I've been sticking between 2 to just over 3 miles.  I think I am ready for 4, but it will be slow! 

This weeks total mileage is at about 7 1/2.  I'd like to get to 8-9 next week and be in double digits before October.

So far I've lost almost 40 lbs.  Pretty awesome.  I kind of thought from the beginning that I would lose the first 30 or so pretty easily.  I'm happy it worked out that way.  I really haven't dieted at all.  I kind of watch what I eat.  I have a diet heavy in fruits and veggies and whole grains.  I don't eat a lot of fried foods or high fat foods.  I try not to eat too much dairy (only because it doesn't agree with Mr Baby)  I do still like sweets but I am not eating them like I was before. Mostly I run and go to the gym (spin/body pump).  I am keeping my calories up because 1) breastfeeding 2) metabolism.  Anyone can lose weight if you drastically cut calories.   I like to keep my calories up and increase my workouts and boost my metabolism.  It worked before and I'm hoping it works again.  I like to eat!! 

I didn't do so hot at the gym this week.  Didn't make it to pump.  I had one good spin class and one crappy one.  I ran 3x.  After this week I will really be boosting up my running in preparation for OUC 1/2.  I will definitely have to adjust my training schedule.  I am hoping to continue to get at least 1 day of weights.  I think in addition I would like to only spin 1-2 days and add a yoga day. 

Goal: 3-4 days running
          1-2 spin classes
          1 yoga class
          1- body pump 

That is my fall training plan.  I'm giving up on swimming until spring!  I'm hoping to lose the last 20lbs by December.  That's 3 months.  Think I can do it??? I'll keep you posted!

so you want to be a runner??

I was always jealous of the runners.  I wanted to be one but felt like I couldn't do it for whatever lame ass excuse I could come up with at the time. (I get too bored, I get out of breath too easily, I'm too slow, I have to walk too much, it's so hot, my knees/shins/feet hurt) Then I decided to be a runner.  and I was. That easy.  Here's my advice to those of you (I know you're out there!) who want to be runners.

1) Big secret....we all hate to run.  Sure, there are a few freaks of nature out there who really just love it but most people don't love it ALL the time.  I love how I feel after. I love how I feel when I have a great run or a great time.  I love when I'm feeling frustrated/angry/upset and can work it all out on a run.  But most of the time I don't want to start.  The first 1/2-1 mile is almost always hard and sometimes I am bitching to myself the whole, damn way.  But then I finish and think wow, that was great.  You just need to suck it up and do it and stop the excuses. 

2) Buy good shoes.  Really.  Go to a running store and get fitted.  plan to spend about $80-$100.  If you want to run you need running shoes.  This is not a place to be cheap.  Especially if you have issues (shin splints, plantar fascitis, etc) but really, even without issues you need good running shoes.

   I also think that a watch and comfortable running clothes are pretty important.  I'm not talking about spending a ton of money.  Just a cheapo stopwatch to help you keep track of your times and some clothes that don't ride up, fall down or make you chafe and a good supportive sports bra if you need it!! You can get all of that at Target for not very much money.

3) Just because a certain program doesn't work for you doesn't mean you aren't a runner.  I'll admit it.  I HATED couch to 5k.  I couldn't tell you why, I didn't even really do it.  I just read it and it seemed like SO much work to me.  Here's my running plan:

     -get good shoes

     -map out a certain distance in my neighborhood (1mile, 2miles, 3miles, etc)

     -go run it

     -try to get faster/go further every time

for real.  thats where I am at right now.  Now, I have had a more formalized running program but that was with a group and I didn't really have to think about it.  Thats what I love most about running.  I don't have to think- or I guess more specifically I can let my thoughts go anywhere and not really focus on what I am doing.  A lot of people love, love, love c25k.  More power to them if that is what works.  But keep in mind there is also Galloway program, running programs on runners world and lots of other places.  One of my favorite running books (another mother runner) is coming out with a book of training plans next spring.  Basically, what I'm saying is if one thing doesn't work for you try something else. 

4) Find friends.  There are lots of places to find people to run with.  A training club, a meet-up group.  Its scary, I know it is.  I'm a pretty social person and even I find it scary to join a brand new group but it will be the best thing you can do.  I promise.  You will find friends and you will get better and get faster.  There is so much to say about joining a training group that I will have to make it a whole post on its own.  But for now I will say that groups are the same as training plans...if one doesn't work out for you just try another!

5) Sign up for a race.  Signing up for races is what keeps me motivated even when I don't want to train.  Its what pushes me to go out to that workout when I'm tired and just don't feel like it.  Plus, race day is just plain fun.  You get a t-shirt, sometimes a medal there's always food at the end and a lot of times there's beer!  You feel super accomplished because you set a goal and you stuck to it.  And if you don't enjoy race day and you still think running sucks then you can say hey, I did this and it wasn't for me. 

Ultimately, you have to like it enough to invest the work.  Its one thing to say you want to do it but if you want to be a runner you have to make time to run.  Trust me, I know how hard it is to find the time but if you really want to run you will make time.  You have to know that every run isn't going to be awesome but you need both the good runs AND the sucky runs in order to get better.  Getting past the sucky runs is what makes the good runs so good. 

Now go get some shoes and sign up for a race!! 

PLAYLIST!

I had a great run tonight.  I've mostly been running my little 5k loop around the neighborhood.  (its actually 3.22) The past 3 times I've done it I've been able to do it with no walking and have gotten faster each time.  Tonight I actually felt good the whole time and didn't feel like I needed to walk at all.  The other times I wanted to walk but pushed myself to keep going.   Tonight was 34:47 and I really did feel like I could have pushed harder.  Definitely making some improvements.  I think I can work towards more speed and maybe even start adding some distance.

I really needed a good run.  I've been feeling frustrated again because I've been at the same weight for the past 2 weeks and it drives me crazy.  But I remembered tonight that I like to run. And I also like to eat and if I run a lot I can eat more.  When I am running more (or biking/spinning) I tend to want to eat healthier foods but I don't really feel guilty about eating dessert here and there or having wine, etc.  Its a workable plan!!  I lost weight and got in shape before by running and biking (and some swimming) and by making reasonable food choices.  It took some time then and its going to take time now but I'm sure it will work eventually.  Find something you love and stick to it and the rest will fall into place.   I am going to try to be more patient with myself and not be so damn scale obsessed!!  (I said TRY, its a tall order for me)

Now on to the playlist!!  I picked out a playlist to share last week but wanted to run to it first to see how it was.  Tonight I ran to it and had a fabulous run so I guess its a winner.  I did have the songs in a certain order but forgot to switch off of shuffle so they ended up mixed up and it worked.  The music is pretty all over the place but I like that when I run because I don't get bored. I guess its pretty heavily hip-hop/dancish, though.  I also like to alternate faster and slower songs and I really like songs that drop lots of f-bombs so if you are easily offended make your own playlist. 

I think you can tell a lot about a person by what they listen to.  Wonder what my playlist says about me??  Without further ado....here's blog playlist #1:

Novocane- Frank Ocean

Stronger- Kanye West

Closer- Ne-yo

Bad Influence- Pink

Savior- Rise Against

Crystalised- The XX

Fell in Love with a Boy- Joss Stone

Rockstar- N.E.R.D

Look at me now- Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes

Dirrty(tracey young remix)- Christina Aguilera

Rock that Body- Black Eyed Peas

Emerge- Fischerspooner

Let me know if you like it and if you do I'll post another in a few weeks.  Plase feel free to share what you are listening to as well.  I need to change around my music A LOT and always appreciate good recommendations. 

whoa busy

Didn't forget about the blog- I've been working on some posts but can't seem to pull together my ideas.  Just have been super busy.  Here's whats up:

I'm now working 4 days a week starting this week.  Its crazy busy at work and we are a bit short so I decided to suck it up and take some overtime for the next month.  That leaves me just 3 days a week to work out, which sucks..BUT once I come out of this little over time stint I'll go right into training for OUC 1/2.

My weight loss was going awesome I got almost to my 2nd goal and then STALL the past week and 1/2.  I've actually gained a couple back and not losing the past few days.  Sucks because I'm running more now.   I am feeling better but then I go to try on clothes and they are still tight, so I get frustrated.  We'll see what the next week or 2 brings.  Maybe it will be another big loss.  Big thanks to my work friends who have been really supportive and encouraging and keep telling me how good I'm doing.  You guys are keeping me positive and I appreciate it.

Like I said, I'm running more.  I ran 3 times last week.  2 miles then track on Tuesday (total maybe 5 miles but doing Kenyans and I didn't keep track) then last Thursday I ran 3.22 for the first time without stopping!!  That was the first time I've been able to do that since starting again.  I'm thinking I ran a total of about 10-ish miles last week.  Guess I should wear my Garmin at track to keep track of mileage.  Unfortunately my overtime days are on Tuesdays so I won't be able to make track for a while.  So far this week I've gotten in another 3.22 mile run- without any walk breaks and I took a minute off of my time from last week.  Its coming back. slowly.


Working on a post with my advice for people who say they want to run but they can't and also working on a running playlist to post.  Hopefully I can get it together to share those with you guys. 

wrap up

Things I know this week. 

-It is a little cooler in hell right now than it is in Florida.  I'm sure of it.

-Teething babies do not sleep well.  And they eat.  A lot.

-Melanie should totally win SYTYCD.

-menu planning and couponing is hard and totally not my thing.

-vegetarians should not cook meat.  I have a horrible burn on my arm from trying to cook meat for the hubster.  (hot oil splattered on me) It hurts and I'm sure its some kind of cow karma.


Overall not a bad week. (other than the burn on my arm) Could have been better for sure but I am feeling more glass half full today. 

Monday:  Took 2 of 3 kids in for shots.  Bigger kid did great with them and the little one not so much.  He has been fussy the whole rest of the week and that has been challenging.  He pretty much wants to nurse and be held about 80% of the time.  But today it feels like there might be a little tooth working its way in.  Its not through yet but it feels like there is a little bump there.  After the doctor appt. I went to work for some overtime hours so no workout done that day. 

Tuesday:  wanted to go to track but due to fussy/cranky baby I didn't make it.  I did get out around 7 and did my normal 5k loop and felt okay about it. Garmin wasn't charged so I don't have a time.  I went to bodypump later in the day.

Wed: spin.  thats it.  good class. 

Thurs:  pump and then the 5k loop again (ended up being 3.2m) I went out at 6pm.  HOT. HOT. HOT. and I was pretty slow.  I actually stopped to walk twice.  The first time just for a little but the second time I walked about 1/2m.  I felt okay just was so hot and my heart rate was pretty jacked up.  I ended up doing it in 39 minutes.  SLOOOOOOWWW.  but like I said I'm feeling good about the week and I'm just happy I got out there twice.  Every run I do is a step in the right direction.  I'm going to be slow while I build back up.  Getting faster will happen as long as I keep getting out there.  Thats the hard part.

I'm also losing weight again after a few weeks at the same weight.  I'm now down another 2-3 lbs.  That puts me about 2-3 away from the 2nd goal 10.  I'm really glad I decided to break things into 10 lb increments.  Its so much more manageable.  Even though I have at least 32 more to lose it's only 2 to go until I get a little reward. 

Now I work for the next 3.  Hopefully I can keep up the positive attitude through next week.  Next week should be a full 4 day training week so I'm hoping to fit a lot in. 

narrow bridge

I saw this quote the other day and loved it:

"Being pregnant and giving birth are like crossing a narrow bridge. People can accompany you to the bridge. They can greet you on the other side. But you walk that bridge alone.” African Proverb

I have often said something like that about birth and thoughts like this (but with many 4-letter words)went through my head during my last birth. No matter what the circumstances are or how many wonderful people you have there to support you the fact is no one can do it for you.  The work of birth is the work of the woman.  You own it. 

You can apply this to training and racing, too.  I felt that way when I did St. Anthony's.  On the swim the water was so rough and I am not a super strong swimmer. I really thought I was going to die.  But then I thought "there is no one who is going to notice if one little pink cap goes under the water and doesn't come back up. YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!"  I mentally cursed everyone I could think of who could be responsible for me being in this predicament (mostly my coach but also my husband and friends for telling me I would be fine, of course, we all know it was my idea) but I mentally picked myself up and swam to the end.  I swore that as soon as I got out of the water I was handing in my chip and quitting.  But I didn't. I got out of the water and ran to my bike and I finished the race. 

It really helps to have friends to train with and people who can support and encourage you but in the end its you who has to get up early and do the workout.  Its you who has to give up something to be able to fit in training time.  Its you who has to not eat the cake to lose the weight. (who am I kidding I always eat the cake!)  At times, I wonder if I could do more.  If I could fit in another workout.  If I could make those morning workouts work.   I have wonderful people who support me but they can't do the work for me. Right now I'm just on that bridge trying to get over it the best I can. 

I'll do a weekly wrap up post later after I get today's workouts in. 

this week

I'm going to run. 

track tuesday.

a longish run on another day (longish for my current ability so, like 3-ish miles).

I want to be a runner again.  Need to just DO IT!

RUN. RUN. RUN. RUN. RUN. 

Time for a facelift

For the blog...not for me.  I think I have a few more good years before I have to start thinking facelift for me! 

So what do you think???  The other layout was crappy, I know.  I'm new to this bloggy thing and still trying to figure it all out.  But I think this is much better.  I'll try to keep making changes as I learn more. 

This week was definitely a better week, for the most part.  Here's the stats:

spin 3x
run 1x (only a mile!)
pump 1x

weight loss 0

Since last week I did NOTHING thats a pretty good week.  I do wish the weight would start coming off a bit faster, though.  Next week I really need to figure out how to get in some running time.  And maybe I can actually get in the pool once. 

Anyone hear of the book "The Eat Clean Diet" by Tosca Reno?  I've heard some good things about it.  Not really a diet so much as a way to eat healthier and cut back on the refined processed crap.  Guess she has some good tips, recipes and food ideas to incorporate into a normal busy life.  Maybe I will get and review for my followers.  All 11 of you!

If I can get in a swim and some running next week I might re-visit the idea of doing the 8/20 tri.  I'm still thinking its not likely but I'll keep you posted.  Gotta take it day by day!

music makes the run faster

Had a GREAT workout last night! A good spin class followed by a 1 mile run.  Not a huge workout but a good one! The run was the best I've felt running since I started running again.  Now it was only 1 mile but it was straight off of the bike.  I went to pump today and was thinking about running but probably won't get to it.  Thats okay though I can keep last nights run fresh in my mind for a while longer.  A year ago I would laugh about being so excited about a measly 1 mile.  I don't even know how fast it was I didn't wear a watch at all.  It was probably a 12 minute mile- but I felt fast and thats what matters right now.

Last night I was listening to a new playlist and thinking how much music can make the run better.  I can (and have) run w/o music.  My mp3 player wasn't working during gasparilla 1/2 and I had to run w/o music.  That was a PR race for me, too.  2:01  I never run with music at track and sometimes on training runs with the group I chat instead of listen.  On my own, though, I am usually listening to something.

I'm always looking for music thats good for running.  Last  night Dog days of Summer by Florence and the Machines came on and it was awesome.  It even tells you to run fast in the song!!  Also loving Novocane by Frank Ocean.  Its dirty but I like it.  I think if you ran through my playlists you would get confused.  So many different varieties of music.  I pretty much only use it when I run so its all stuff I like to move to.  In any given run you might hear: Justin Timberlake, TheXX, Tribe Called Quest, Deftones, Silver Sun Pickups, Deee-Lite, Ne-Yo, Tori Amos, Adele, Prodigy, Brittney Spears, Phoenix, The Postal Service, The Rolling Stones, Annie Lennox and lots of other misc. stuff.  Notice the lack of country.  Yeah, I don't really do country.  Although I do have one song by the Dixie Chicks. 

I use Napster for my music.  I pay monthly and download whatever I want and change it up as often as I like.  I have to sync it monthly to keep it playing.  Its not that much and works well for me because I change what I listen to so frequently. 

So....do you run with music? Whats on your favorite playlist right now?  Check out the 2 songs I mentioned.  but don't do the Frank Ocean one if the F word offends you.  He says it a lot.