Monday, December 28, 2009

Holiday Routine Buster

I do have to say, the last 10 days has completely kicked my behind. My schedule has been all out of whack with the holiday hustle and bustle...running has been a hit and miss event while I grasp for any activity at all...yoga, DVDs, anything to keep me active. Now that Christmas is over...the routine hits hard and heavy. I'm spending this next week with heavy indoor strength and stretching before I hit the pavement hard on the 5th for the first "official" training run. The past 6 weeks or so have been gearing me up for the heavy training.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Training Update

Running in 40 degree weather is definitely not my forte. I am not fond of running in multiple layers nor having to carry tissue to wipe my nose while running. One thing I am finding...the colder weather is helping my time. I think I know I have to keep moving to stay warm and since I want to get back inside, my pace is quicker. Hopefully, I can get back to 5 days a week and my long runs soon. Yet for now, I'm taking the time I can get and any running is better than the couple of weeks I took off around Thanksgiving.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Training Update

Weeks 5 and 6 have not gone as planned. Thanksgiving, cold weather and the impending anniversary of my stepbrother's death has really thrown me for a loop. I'm taking some time off, just a few days, really. Hoping by Sunday, I can get my head swiveled back on straight to make it for at least a long jog.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Week 4: Update

Well, Sunday ended week 4. It was not a pretty week. Lack of motivation due to no soccer and colder weather makes it hard right now. I ran practically every night I was scheduled to run. I didn't do my core workouts, any other cross-training, nothing. Week 5 may be better. Let's hope. Anyone have any motivation to kick my hinny in gear?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Week 3: End Week Update

Training Thursday night went extremely well. I needed to make up my core and weight workout from Wednesday since my youngest child refused to sleep, therefore causing me to miss my workout. Last night, I set out to run my 3.5 miles. Weather was perfect. Not hot, not too chilly. I ended up running 2.5 miles since I was going strong, but my foot was starting to yelp at me, I decided to cut it short to have enough energy and motivation to get home to do my weights and core workouts. Albeit, during part of my run, I ran over fallen pecans and nearly twisted my right ankle. Just a bit tender, but I think next time I’ll avoid them.

My weight workout consists of 3 sets of 20 reps of arm and chest moves combined with leg movements to keep the caloric burn high. I work the triceps, biceps, and shoulders as well as muscles in my legs that might get not quite as much as a workout during my runs as the quads, hamstrings, and calves, mainly the inner thigh muscles, ankles, and whatever muscles that are up at the very top of the back of my leg whatever they may be called.

My core workout, which I found from Runner's World, consists of the “Superman”, a normal plank hold, side planks, the bridge and metronome...all major core strengthening moves.

To me, this is the best workout I’ve had. Afterwards, I felt strong and beautiful. I felt proud of the sweat covering my body, proud of the burn of my muscles, proud at the fact that I’ve been diligent for nearly 6 months now, proud of what I’m working towards.

Last night, I attempted my easy run. I think I overdid it on Thursday because all I could muster was 1.8 miles. Yes, I know that's almost 2, but it's not. The fact that I couldn't make it another .2 miles really irked me. At least lesson learned, eh?

This morning, I finally did morning yoga. I've been looking forward to it all week. I probably should have done some other conditioning/cross-training, but I really needed a full stretch. Also, I'm wanting to do swimming at the Natatorium, but I still need to check into it and buy a sports swimsuit (yuck, I thoroughly despise swimsuit shopping).

Tomorrow ends my soccer season, but not my soccer training schedule. I am attending a soccer clinic with a friend who wants to get started, so my current training schedule will extend through November 22. Then, I shift gears into the full onslaught of marathon training. I'm actually quite excited!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Beginning Training Schedule

I have had many requests for my training schedule for my half marathon. I hope that it is because I am motivating others and looking at my schedule will help them get moving to their own fitness regime. If any of you are interested, feel free to take my schedule and modify it to your own needs. Also, I am happy to help you come up with a regime with you. My beginning schedule was modified from Hal Higdon's Novice Training Schedule. I modified it to my current soccer schedule to incorporate my running averages in games. My schedule through Thanksgiving is as follows:

Monday - yoga/rest
Tuesday - run (3.5 miles)
Wednesday - weights/circuits/cross-training
Thursday - run (3.5 miles) I did have soccer practice, but the time change has prevented that since we use a "no lights" field.
Friday - Run (2 miles)
Saturday - yoga/weights/cross-training
Sunday - Game (average 5 miles running)

Cross-training includes swimming, bike riding, something of that sort.

Each workout last 1-2 hours depending on what I am doing. I usually average an hour of training.

Monday, November 9, 2009

A Week Lost, Appreciation Gained


I lost a week of training after a minute procedure took everything out of me last week. The procedure was really nothing, just prevention of further reproduction. Yet, since I am borderline anemic, it ended up taking me down to bed rest for four days. The four days droned on as if I had lain in bed or lounged on the couch for a year. As I rested, I gained a new appreciation for the training I do, the activeness I have, the need, urge to run, workout, train for the newest goal I set upon myself. Yesterday, I found myself anxious to get back on the schedule. The urge rose again with more fervor than I have felt in months. Today, I begin Week 2 of training, perhaps at a slower pace, but I appreciate the fact that I need and want to continue training.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

First Two Days of Training

Tuesday night, I not only began my training schedule, but also began my evening workout schedule. Evening workouts are not my forte. I have long days with work, kids, normal working mother things to do. I prefer early morning workouts. Someone once said I was the one who woke up the rooster so he could wake up everyone else. Yet, Tuesday night I ran 3.5 miles, actually 3.56 miles according to MapMyRun. I think that run ended up being tougher than the Komen. I realized I tired faster and my foot argued with me the entire time. 42 minutes. Not too shabby.

Last night, I did weights and core workout. With the weights I used exercises I learned from Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. In three circuits, I did jumping jacks (which always remind me of horrifying elementary and junior high physical education classes), then a series of arm lifting moves to work the triceps, biceps, shoulders, and even the chest and back. After those circuits, I switched to a core workout I found on Runner's World. Just the superman and plank poses made me ache immediately. I kept pushing though, but two circuits did me in.

My favorite part of workouts in the evenings? Recovery. 12 ounce glass of chocolate milk, a shower or bath, and fight sleep until 10 p.m. Now each morning, I tell myself I'm one day closer to making it to the routine, the race and the finish line.

Racing Bug Has Bitten

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, I ran the Susan G. Komen 5K. This race was a momentous occasion in my life and in my "weight loss/get in shape" journey. As a "I only run when I have to" type runner, running was only a way to get back in shape for soccer.  Little did I know, the freeing of the mind and soul would make me a running addict in no time. I finished the 5K (3.14 miles) in 40:39 minutes...official time.

The Komen 5K has sparked a new intensity for running, and the racing aspect has fired up my competitive drives. The funny thing about these races is that I am not competing against the other runners. I compete against myself. Can I do it? Will I make it? What's the best time I can get without killing myself?

This past weekend, I agreed to begin training for a 1/2 marathon in April. I'll be running the Big D 1/2 on April 11, 2010. www.texasmarathon.com The bug has officially bitten. Granted, I now have new goals, other than general fitness, to push me in my running. The training will also keep me on track throughout the upcoming holidays. I suppose this would be the best way to mark my one year anniversary of my change back to the healthy lifestyle I used to lead. The only thing I fear is the one year anniversary of my step brother's death. His passing was what slipped me into the state I found myself in when I decided to change everything. I think what keeps me going is that I know he sees me progressing, achieving, and living, and he smiles upon me.

I hope you enjoy reading my journey through my training. A daily logging will keep me on track and moving towards my goal.