I intended to run my first half marathon this month. There is one in town and I'd kinda planned on it. Until my body revolted! Aside from having the flu and the norovirus back to back (seriously... I am NEVER sick so this should cover me for a couple of decades at least) and a surgery behind me last month. Okay, I have one more surgery ahead of me (don't want to get into the particulars about that) and the recovery time should be like - a weekish. So heres my plan: run again.
I quit running about a month ago and I feel like a total slug. It makes me sad that I know I won't be able to just jump up and run 8 miles like I could just one short month ago - MAN OH MAN but you lose fitness so dang fast! - but I'm not going to be able to stay away from it. I read Runners World. I wear running shoes not only for running but *sigh* just about every day with every thing. Half my wardrobe is spandex and "moisture wicking material". There is no avoiding it. I'm a runner at heart and my heart has been lost this last month.
Even emotionally I'm... Off. I'm losing confidence in my day-to-day activities. My grades are on a slipperly little slope down a couple of grade points (nothing significant but enough to disappoint me). I feel like I can't get organized quite the way I need to and I know the culprit is - lack of mileage!
I will. Run. My first half this year.
On a completely unrelated note, I'd like to mention that I'm so happy I did so much canning this last summer! I have so many yummy treats in my pantry to choose from! Just ate some toast with home made peach jam. YUM.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Running in place! (and some product reviews!)
A dear friend of mine gave me a treadmill yesterday. They were downsizing their home and were planning to trash the thing since the handles are held together with duct tape. BUT!! The computer works, the treadmilling part works so I was more than happy to take it off of her hands!
So, three full minutes into my first run yesterday I got bored. Again today, I got on the treadmill and this time took the advise of another dear friend and put on a TV show. Not just any show, either. I put The Biggest Loser on the TV and it really did make a big difference. The combo of Jillian Michaels screaming and watching people fatter than me sweating was a lovely motivator! Still, the treadmill is going to take some getting used to for many reasons:
1) I have to push buttons to change my pace. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
2) I have to keep a straight course. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
3) I do not think the pace is accurate, unless there is some voodoo magic related to feeling like you're running waaaay faster when you run in place. Which is possible... Who am I to question magic?
4) The scenery doesn't change. This may be an obvious observation, but when you're used to "adventure runs" this makes a big difference.
Okay so that list was all cons. And don't get me wrong - I am so grateful to this friend for passing her treadmill on to me. I was mere days away from quitting running altogether until better weather because my joints just can not take this cold!! So I don't want to just rant... This is a good transition; because however non-entertaining running in place is - gaining weight is even worse! BOY but I can't wait for better weather. I'm holding out for 40 degrees. Also, it's pretty nice to be able to wear some workout clothes that I otherwise would never wear outside my home. That's a big plus!
In other completely unrelated news, I'd like to pass on a couple of product reviews!!
#1: Skinny Coffee by Genesis Today (purchased at Walmart).
-Low calorie and high nasty. Don't do it. It's so gross. Both flavors are THAT BAD.
#2 New Balance GPS Runner (with heart rate monitor):
-This is a nice gadget, although you can't upload your info on to a computer, it is a self-contained kinda unit. Wears like a bulky watch. The heart rate monitor is to be strapped around your chest. I choose not to use the heart rate monitor. I really don't care about that and if I need it, I'll stop and take my pulse. I'm all nursey like that. Keeps track of calories burned, heart rate, km's ran, and other functions that I still can not work. It's nice... maybe too nice for me; I feel like maybe I'll never figure out how to work the thing completely, and if you wear the "watch" on the inside of your wrist when you run, you're likely to be pushing buttons when you swing your arm. I have, anyway.
#3: Vinegar:
-Yeah! Vinegar!! Sean was working in a potato-processing plant (mainenence on the processing equipment) and came home covered in grease and smelling like old fries. I washed his work clothes first with about a 1/2 cup (I eyeballed it) vinegar and then washed them again with detergent. It helped a ton. Also, the cats in this house pee on stuff in the winter (I know - sometimes I daydream about them playing in traffic...) and I've used the same method to wash that stuff and it works like a charm. Remember to wash your fabric a second time with detergent because vinegar stinks. :D
So, three full minutes into my first run yesterday I got bored. Again today, I got on the treadmill and this time took the advise of another dear friend and put on a TV show. Not just any show, either. I put The Biggest Loser on the TV and it really did make a big difference. The combo of Jillian Michaels screaming and watching people fatter than me sweating was a lovely motivator! Still, the treadmill is going to take some getting used to for many reasons:
1) I have to push buttons to change my pace. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
2) I have to keep a straight course. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
3) I do not think the pace is accurate, unless there is some voodoo magic related to feeling like you're running waaaay faster when you run in place. Which is possible... Who am I to question magic?
4) The scenery doesn't change. This may be an obvious observation, but when you're used to "adventure runs" this makes a big difference.
Okay so that list was all cons. And don't get me wrong - I am so grateful to this friend for passing her treadmill on to me. I was mere days away from quitting running altogether until better weather because my joints just can not take this cold!! So I don't want to just rant... This is a good transition; because however non-entertaining running in place is - gaining weight is even worse! BOY but I can't wait for better weather. I'm holding out for 40 degrees. Also, it's pretty nice to be able to wear some workout clothes that I otherwise would never wear outside my home. That's a big plus!
In other completely unrelated news, I'd like to pass on a couple of product reviews!!
#1: Skinny Coffee by Genesis Today (purchased at Walmart).
-Low calorie and high nasty. Don't do it. It's so gross. Both flavors are THAT BAD.
#2 New Balance GPS Runner (with heart rate monitor):
-This is a nice gadget, although you can't upload your info on to a computer, it is a self-contained kinda unit. Wears like a bulky watch. The heart rate monitor is to be strapped around your chest. I choose not to use the heart rate monitor. I really don't care about that and if I need it, I'll stop and take my pulse. I'm all nursey like that. Keeps track of calories burned, heart rate, km's ran, and other functions that I still can not work. It's nice... maybe too nice for me; I feel like maybe I'll never figure out how to work the thing completely, and if you wear the "watch" on the inside of your wrist when you run, you're likely to be pushing buttons when you swing your arm. I have, anyway.
#3: Vinegar:
-Yeah! Vinegar!! Sean was working in a potato-processing plant (mainenence on the processing equipment) and came home covered in grease and smelling like old fries. I washed his work clothes first with about a 1/2 cup (I eyeballed it) vinegar and then washed them again with detergent. It helped a ton. Also, the cats in this house pee on stuff in the winter (I know - sometimes I daydream about them playing in traffic...) and I've used the same method to wash that stuff and it works like a charm. Remember to wash your fabric a second time with detergent because vinegar stinks. :D
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
New year - fresh start!
Lately I've been itching to update so here goes! This year will hopefully bring about a whole bunch of new beginnings for my family. To list a few: I'm going to graduate this year, I'm going to run my first half marathon this year, my oldest will be old enough for *gasp* drivers-ed this year... We've got a lot ahead of us, and some serious transitions in the near future, but everything is really starting to feel within reach. We're all excited and very hopeful for this year.
On the weight loss front - I'd lost 18 lbs, and then the holidays hit and 8 of those have crept back in on me. So I'm back on track with caloriecount.about.com - which is a great (effective) resource for keeping me accountable. But what I think is maybe the best part of 2012 - I stuck with my workout plan! I'm running farther and faster than ever before, I stayed with crossfit for 4 months, and am scheduled to pick back up with family for that in February. I'm back in (some of my) my pre-pregnancy pants (so what if I can't breathe?!?! They're ON and ZIPPED).
Nursing school is very intense, and each passing quarter is a little more so. I appreciate all the friends and family who understand that my 2-year hybernation is almost at an end.
So, bring it on 2013. I'm a little irked that I don't have a flying car or a hover-board yet, but I'm sure the future will bring me one of them eventually.
On the weight loss front - I'd lost 18 lbs, and then the holidays hit and 8 of those have crept back in on me. So I'm back on track with caloriecount.about.com - which is a great (effective) resource for keeping me accountable. But what I think is maybe the best part of 2012 - I stuck with my workout plan! I'm running farther and faster than ever before, I stayed with crossfit for 4 months, and am scheduled to pick back up with family for that in February. I'm back in (some of my) my pre-pregnancy pants (so what if I can't breathe?!?! They're ON and ZIPPED).
Nursing school is very intense, and each passing quarter is a little more so. I appreciate all the friends and family who understand that my 2-year hybernation is almost at an end.
So, bring it on 2013. I'm a little irked that I don't have a flying car or a hover-board yet, but I'm sure the future will bring me one of them eventually.
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