Running Thoughts

Good news! I have been enjoying the Insanity...."insanity"...the workout called insanity. It's insane. Also, I ran the mile up the ski hill and back for a great, invigorating 2 mile run on Thursday...and I enjoyed every minute of it! I was tired, but the normal "I ran up a hill" kind of tired. So yay! I planned to run my long run today, but it's been my son's birthday weekend (12 years old) and I am exhausted. I'll run my 5 miles tomorrow. Here is the plan for the week: Monday: Long run (5 miles); Yoga Tuesday: Insanity; Run easy Wednesday: Insanity; Run (40 minutes) Thursday: Insanity; Yoga Friday: Insanity; Run (40 minutes) Saturday: Rest Sunday: Long run (6 miles)

I had all these bloggy thoughts in my head yesterday as I ran through about 6 inches of snow. ...Now, what were they? I recall thinking that 4 miles was going to be impossible. I was planning on 4 because my long run works best on Monday, and according to Ruth's plan, 4 miles was my long run for the week. I was right though, 4 miles got me into deeper and deeper snow, not actually impossible except that I had a time limit....it was slooooow going. And I was so tired. I recall thinking that snowshoes would have been in better order. I also recall concentrating so hard on picking the best path and not turning an ankle, that when I went home I was soooo not relaxed as I had wanted to be after a run. And tired, wow. I remember this one spot where I could hear the river trickling through the ice and that I thought how lucky I am to live where I do. I remembered being oh so tired from plowing through the snow, and wondering who it was whose footprints I could see. 2 other people l...

From Women's Adventure: Ann Mehl , gives us 10 simple ideas for running a more satisfying race...or life. This is something you simply must read! I'll give you a sample: 1. Stretch . Not much happens of any significance when we’re in our comfort zone. Had I not dared to stretch myself beyond the one-mile distance, I may have never known my full potential. I ran my first marathon in Boston in 1993 to prove to myself that I am strong and capable. The marathon taught me that I could achieve anything when I put my heart and mind into something. Stretch yourself. Surprise yourself. Do one thing each day that scares you.... Go here to read the rest of the post. I'll admit that a marathon scares me. It's outside of my comfort zone. It's a stretch. I'm hoping to run one this year.

Wednesday: Areas of blowing snow and a slight chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. That's what I'm up against for fitting a run into my Wednesday. Wish me luck.

knit a coffee cozy for a pirate-y friend AND go here to sign up to win free stuff! "Enter to win a $20 store credit to @PeggyAnn_Design on @OhSweetJoy's blog! http://tinyurl.com/2ddk985"

again... I'll be blogging soon, though....

Today was my first run in over 2 weeks. I was sooo sick. It took a while to feel mostly normal again. I've done "Insanity" twice, once last Thursday and then this week on Tuesday again. But I just managed a run today. Just in time to begin training for our little town's new race! I registered today for the Half, and ran 3 miles to get things rolling. It was about 20ish degrees outside and slightly windy on the way home. This should be fun. :) The race is May 22. I'm so happy that Ruthie plans to join me! More about Insanity.... It's insane. Really. It.Is.Hard.Stuff. I love it! It's put out by Beachbody which does P90X. It's a step up from P90X and doesn't require equipment, so some friends and I meet at 7am on Tues and Thurs to kick our own butts. Did I mention that I registered for the May 22nd race? :)

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!