Running Thoughts

A review of my week's exercise: Last Sunday: Ran a few miles with a friend Monday: Yoga Tuesday: Recovered from migraine Wednesday: Ran about 3 miles Thursday: Insanity Workout, yoga Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Nuttin Hmmmmm...looks like my weekend could have been a little more productive! I have switched gears a little. I have been getting up early to do an Insanity workout on Tues. and Thurs. So, haven't been lifting after all. I really like the workout, but would still like to lift. It's hard to fit in everything I'd like to do. Plus, our little town is hosting a marathon and a half marathon in May. (Here's the link.) So, I'm thinking of running the half. You should join me!!

Today is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

I was so sore from new kinds of workouts! It made me aware of a couple of things.... 1. I lost some muscle during my cleanse I did a while back 2. Crosstraining is awesome! I've been just running and lifting. My two favorites. But now I plan to do this "insanity" workout on Thursdays (and maybe Tuesdays) as well. It's intervals of cardio/strength training...and very hard. I did it yesterday at 7am, and it kicked my butt in a big way! Between that and running and lifting, I've overcome my soreness. Now, I'm only a reasonable amount of sore in different muscles than before. I'm gaining my strength back!

2 workouts yesterday, 2 today! Haven't run though....so cold outside, and I've been wanting to try a couple of indoor workouts. One is P90X and the other the kinect (family Christmas present) "your shape." I was pleasantly surprised that the kinect was an actual workout! And of course the P90x was a good one. I also did yoga and lifted weights. My muscles are sore from both the kinect workout and the P90x. Use them differently, and expect soreness.

Each winter, I end up losing mileage...so now when winter comes, I just *plan* to lower my mileage. Then, I'm not disappointed. For example, last winter was the first winter that I just "went with it" and lowered my mileage purposely. So, when I managed a 9 miler one weekend, I felt like I'd gone above and beyond. The winters before, my mileage just dropped...busy with homeschooling, etc. in winter, and I was disappointed. This winter, I got sick and then sick again and then travels...so I'm thinking a long run will be 4-5 miles this weekend. So goes winter. Seems strange since it's actually my favorite time of year to run. I relish the cool air in my nostrils and throat. I can almost hear the snow crunching under my steps right now. Plus, I feel so tough....running in the snow and cold. I am tough. I am. As I look at the list of races I'd like to hope for this year, I feel really super tough. I'm not sure which ones I'll get to do or ...

Today was chest, biceps, and triceps day on the weightlifting front! I'm following the schedule of the Lean System Success Plan that I downloaded from isatoritech.com. I started it before the holidays and liked it, so I'm sticking with it. Yesterday, I ran 2 miles. 2 miles. That's better than nothing, I guess. I plan to run again tomorrow and lift..back and shoulders day. I like having a plan. I think that I'm going to follow a 21 day training cycle for improving my running and adding miles/time (more on that later in another post). And I'm so excited to see snowshoe running getting some attention! Look at this!!! Snowshoerunning and if you're interested, this!!! Runningsnowshoes Go here if you want to download the lean system journal. And here if you want to read about new year's resolutions on skirtsports.com.

A new year. What does that mean to you? I hope it means...well, hope. I'm hoping for a marathon this year. I think I'm ready to wrap my head around the time it will take to train for a full marathon. The truth is, I don't know if I'll ever KNOW that I'm ready. I lack the confidence to think it's even possible, but when I think back to when I huffed and puffed to walk up a flight of stairs and was more than 50 pounds overweight....and then think of where I am now fitness-wise...well, I want to try. Trying is what melted over 50 pounds and brought me through 3 half-marathons to where I am now, which is perpetually starting over. And isn't that what we do every day anyway? Start over? And isn't the new year a perfect time to start over...again? So, here I am starting over. Hooray for me! I plan to start over and over in 2011. I'm still working out whether I want to run an organized race or plan to run the distance in my own little world. I...

Here it is for your enjoyment....our family's 2010 slideshow... click here Have a happy 2011!!

I'm on vacay. No workout even though I'd thought I'd fit in some push ups, etc....Feels like visiting with family is more important at the moment. Back in the groove when I get home. Leaving tomorrow and will get home tomorrow night after a long day of driving. I'm excited about writing out my new year plans! And I got some great new runnin' gear to show off.... Stay tuned!!

Have a Merry Christmas! Love my garmin. Love my new water bottle. Loved my 3 mile run! Started off slowly, then picked up speed and felt great!

I have tried to blog...really, I have. But cyberspace ate my post and I got discouraged and am just now getting back to it. The disappearing post was about the O2 Diet and how it doesn't give me what I need for running...I figured it out and if I can remember to drink some gatorade before I leave, I feel good...FINALLY. It had been a long time since a run felt good...since I had energy. I even ran a short 2 miler at under a 10 min pace..very quick for me. Yippee! Interestingly, the author of the O2 Diet is a marathoner....I don't know how. The diet is supposed to give you energy, but I can tell you for sure, it isn't enough for me. I do love getting the anti-oxidants in and being more aware of those cancer fighting substances. I plan to do another few days of O2 cleanse after Christmas. Here is a day of the O2 (not the cleanse, but just a regular day): omelet with 1 whole egg and 2 whites with feta orange water with 1 ounce of lemon cup of green tea (black coffee, i...

Well, I finally had a run that seemed worth blogging about! It seems like I'll never get going really well again...missing those long runs, weekly runs only up to 3 miles...can't get over that 3 mile mark lately. Plus, I have had so little energy...not unusual for someone with hashimoto's thyroiditis. Still, frustrating. But, before my great leg workout yesterday....before the funsprints I ran with my kids the day before that....and before the back/shoulder lifting workout the previous day....I went for a really awesome run. It was still short...only a little over 2 miles...and it was soooooooo cold, but I felt great! I had energy! I ran fast for slowme. And I ran hill sprints at the end. I got into a grooooove, and was so happy. :) So, it's been several days, and I'm still thinking about it. The way the cold air felt on my face....the rhythm that has eluded me lately and felt so right...the trickle of the river as it tries to break through the ice...the...

Here is the text on the parts you can't read: the frame where I'm looking through my hands... "choose a base layer, moisture wicking shirt with thumbholes" Me, looking middle-eastern in my neck gaiter.... "how many ways can you wear your neck gaiter?" (mine is a buff brand, tee shirt weight neck gaiter. It can be worn as a pirate hat too...hahaha! I also have a fleece one that is not as versatile, but good for super cold days.) I forgot to mention the pants...I prefer running pants over tights, but tights are good too. I just like that a little flare at the ankle keeps snow out of the top of my shoes. But I have ankle gaiters too. Here they are. The mittens are moisture wicking fleece with flaps so that I can use my fingers for my ipod if I take it and so I can re-tie a shoe, etc. Yak Tracks allow me to run even if there is a little powder on the road, and not fall flat on my face! So, there ya have it. Winter Running=Fun!

....a post about winter running gear! Stay Tuned!

I know I've been a terrible blogger! The good news is that I've not been terrible at keeping up my fitness plans....until this past week, that is. I've been sick this past week...I call it having the snockers. Snot. And lots of it. I woke up today feeling almost normal! So, I donned some cool weather running duds and headed out for my first run in a week! I nearly drowned in snot, but loved every minute of it! Because the first day feeling anywhere near normal is so super human...I plan to lift as well. And get back to those push-ups! But what I really want to say is that I found this: wishpot What's on your fitness wishlist?? Create a free account, download your wishpot button and get busy! It's nearly December! More later after lifting/push-ups!

I'm 2 days into the O2 cleanse.... Day 1 was fine except for the slight headache and lack of energy. I also had an afternoon nauseated time...don't know what that was about, but I felt it again today. Day 2 was similar to Day 1 with some spurts of energy and some lightheadedness. The lightheadedness went away after I ate my boring but nutritious lunch which was late because I'd been nauseated and not feeling like eating. Oh well, cleanses can be that way. I discovered that normal green tea tastes yummy as opposed to the green tea I had been drinking which has added anti-oxidants and tastes like flowers. Flowers smell good. Taste not-so-good. A highlight of the day was when a friend emptied their freezer to move it and brought over a large box full of push-ups, eskimo pies, and nutty buddies. >sigh Spinach and green tea for me right now. I ran 2 miles with very little energy, but managed some accelerations on the mile home. A bigger highlight of the day was seeing...

I had this great idea as a board member for the community arts organization where I live!! I volunteered to teach a youth story-telling workshop over a weekend in September with a mystery dinner as a culminating event. It was super-fun!! I had a great time and spent some quality running time planning it in my mind. It was a big success, with a group of 15 kids in attendance! I intended to teach the workshop "pro bono." I got a check in the mail today for the workshop...a big check. I'm keeping the amount for my expenses and enough to buy some new great running shoes (haven't decided which ones yet!) and donating the rest back!! Tomorrow!!!! Tomorrow I begin a dietary cleanse and 32 day eating challenge. Sara and I are following the O2 Diet book to cleanse and to lose this stubborn muffin top and to become more aware of healthy anti-oxidant foods and how to include more of them in recipes. So, tomorrow is day 1 of a 4 day cleanse and then phase II will inclu...

Update.... Last week included two 3 mile runs with accelerations, yoga twice, and weights. My kitten popped my exercise ball and one of my dumb bells fell of the workout bench and broke. I've procured a new workout ball, but the dumb bell is doomed. I plan to contact Bowflex about getting a replacement...they're the expensive adjustable weights, you see, and I never planned to buy anymore. They were supposed to last me a lifetime. So much for that. My family and I enjoyed a fun-filled weekend trip full of fall colors and friends, and today I got to get out for my 5 mile long-run of last week. I jogged easy up the road for a mile and it started to rain. I decided to run fast back home and finish on the treadmill because I wasn't prepared for rain and it was cool. I ran back for a 10 minute second mile (fast for slow me) and the sky had cleared....fickle mountain weather..., so I turned and ran back up the road for 1..5 miles and back with a final (fifth) mile of 11 m...

Four miles nice and easy. My leg didn't hurt one bit, only my normal hip problems and that wasn't as bad as it could be either. Maybe a rest did my hip some good too. I'm trying to really be aware of my posture too and that may be helping. Nice, peaceful run. AAAAHHHHH!

I'm so excited to run 4 miles tomorrow. It means that I'm ready to build up my mileage again. My leg is nearly 100% better, and I'm in love with outdoors in Autumn. My longest run since twisting my leg was 3 miles which caused me to need to rest the leg more. I've been a good girl, holding back, healing, and getting geared up to re-start, which is my favorite thing about this whole running journey. It's always there, waiting for me. A lot like God.