Just Plodding Along

It is not recommended. In my mind I am still at the same fitness level I was a month and a half ago just like in my mind I am still 21. Sadly I am not really fit at all and I am soon to be 31...(ahhh what, that shit snuck up on me). In a nutshell I am feeling winded and ....mature. I have noticed as I have gotten older I don't get in shape as quickly or stay in shape as long or recover from deciding that lifting weights is a "good idea" quickly. And since I have had about zero time to get back in shape for the Wild West Relay I am not really sure how well that is going to go. On the one hand I am super well rested. Injury free. And a bit stronger due to body weight training and Pilates. I feel ready to go. On the other hand this race is at high elevation and I am way under trained in the running department So my general approach to the last few days and the next coming days until the relay are to run (either a HIIT on the treadmill or and easy outside run) abou...

Yesterday I checked out a gym on Fort Bliss. I was all motivated and decided to lift weights. I did a full body workout. Arms, back, legs, the whole shebang. I even did that crazy stair stepping thing that is like rotating stairs. Never ending stairs. I went up like 70 floors. I felt great. I was like I am nailing this whole fitness thing. Weight lifting is not that hard. Pssshhhhh Well today.... So that was not a great life choice. I should calm myself when I get all hyped about lifting. Just put one body part out of commission at a time not the whole damn thing. My absolute favorite thing about the gym though is the family room. There is a kid pen. Genius! You can dump your kids in the pen with some toys and get your workout on. For some reason I thought this was brilliant and hilarious all at the same time. This gym in particular caters to families so that is nice. Now if you excuse me I am off to lie very, very still.

Well spring has finally sprung!!!!  So that meant that Max had to play ball for about 12 hours.  Max had a very good weekend. I did too. Got two runs outside and in sunshine done. The last double digits until the marathon. That is right, running a marathon next weekend in case you missed it. Just kidding. No one has missed that nugget of information. While I was cruising along on my runs this weekend with the bunnies and the bees thinking about nothing and everything at the same time I realized that I really liked training for the marathon. That might same crazy but training for this has made me push myself more than I ever have before. I have run more than I ever thought possible. And endured more on the treadmill than I ever really wanted too (thanks never ending  Illinois winter). I know I haven't even run the darn thing yet and this will definitely sound crazy but I am excited to do it again.  I have already found the next ...

Lately I have been doing about zero running and a lot of other stuff. Walking, biking and lifting weights have been my exercises of choice while my hip gets better. Yesterday I went for a 3.5 mile run and my hip started hurting again after 9 days off. And I got mad. What the heck hip. I gave you time off. I have stretched and rolled and sticked and laid off pounding into the ground with high mileage. What is your problem? And then I decided to shift focus. I have been focused solely on running for so long that I have taken on a T-Rex body type. My legs are fairly strong but the rest of me......is just kind of there. So maybe some cross training is what I need and instead of running 6 days a week I should cut down to 3 or 4 and focus on lifting weights, body weight training, yoga, and other exercises to be more well rounded and stronger overall and perhaps that will help me be less injury prone. Makes sense in my mind anyway. The other focus should be on continued weight loss to ...

Have now worked out three days in a row. Am fitness guru and 25 lbs lighter.  Just kidding. I haven't lost any weight and I know nothing and my body hurts so bad I am having a hard time standing and sitting, just moving in general. Working out sucks the big one is super fun. Who knew a little weight lifting would bring the pain like no other.  The workouts that have me living in a world of pain: Monday: plyo jump squats- 8 sets of 15 lunges- 6 sets of 8 one leg squat- 4 sets of 15 dead lifts 3 sets of 6 with 45lbs calf raises 3 sets of 15 Spinning: 30 min 40 min walk with Max the wonder dog (later that evening start crying) Tuesday: 3 mile run in 30:17 with negative splits starting at 10:30 and ending at 9:35 min. mile sit-ups  4 sets of 15 push-ups 4 sets of 15 (lets be real- they were on my knees) leg raises- 4 sets of 15 mountain climbers- 5 sets of 15 40 minute walk with Max the wonder dog (start to avo...

Miles run: 92 (goal set: 80) Cross training: Weight lifting, Yoga, spinning & elliptical  Half Marathons Completed: 1 in 2:20: 02 Medals obtained: 1! Feel pretty good about November. Ran more than I thought I would and am getting faster. I still don't have those freakin Tom's glitter shoes and have stalled on the weight loss but I expected that to happen with the holidays. My response is to get better at calorie counting again and I have thrown in a walk with Max the wonder dog a few times a week to burn a few more. I have done more cross training than usual (No more pool since it is freezing in the morning). My right foot has been sore still and am not sure why. The plan is to cut down on the running and do more cross training for a week or two until it is feeling better. I have two halves coming up this week and next (Fiesta Bowl and Tucson 1/2s). When those are done I think I will take a full week off of running and spin/yoga and walk and go from there. Goa...

DO NOT DO squats lunges or  The day before running unless you are a fan of shuffling with a pained/constipated look on your face. Duly noted. (and yes you are welcome for the bare chestedness if that is your style, otherwise I apologize.)