Leap Day!

Because "real life is for March" I celebrated my Leap Day by wearing blue and yellow. Ryan celebrated by poking me in the eye and pulling my hair even though I was wearing blue and yellow. Basically today was spent trying to make the 30 Rock Leap Day episode a reality. I am pretty sure in 4 years all the faux traditions will be real things.

In the evening I grabbed martinis with some girlfriends and hung out. Then when I got home I had a lot of energy and wanted to get a run in. Unfortunately my right knee didn't cooperate and running caused a sharp pain. Fortunately walking didn't hurt. I am not sure what happened - but when I went to leave work today and walk down the stairs I must have tweaked it somehow because I took step and it hurt. Taking full steps hurt and so I gingerly walked to my car. I was grateful that when I did go to work out I was at least able to walk.

So walking wasn't a crazy, unusual thing for me to do on this Leapiest of Days - but being able to say I got some miles in on Leap Day made my day feel really special. (Even if I squeaked it in at the very end of the day.)

Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 27:25 313cals 1%.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 702.25
Miles Remaining: 797.75
Weight: 134.0

700 Miles!

Excited to get a run in I thought about going to the track, but it as a tad chillier than I was willing to be outside in and so I went to the treadmill. I warmed up a lap, ran another warm-up one at 6.5 then took a slight break and stretched more. Then I did a hard lap, took a short 30 second-1 minute break and repeated that -increasing each lap by 0.5mph. I did laps at 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5 and 10.0 (1:30 lap/6:00 mile pace!). My 700th mile was rounded out at 10.0mph - which I thought was a wonderful way to round out the distance. I then walked a cool down lap at 4.3mph. Total Workout: 2.5 miles in 22:17 388cals 1%.

Every hard lap I listened to Alison Krauss & Union Station "Fast Fiddle and Banjo Tune" and during the breaks I listened to Tegan & Sara "Floorplan". The instrumental was perfect for a lap's worth of hard running.

When I was done I lifted my 5lb weights some, did 100 crunches, and 20 push-ups (timidly so as not to hurt my wrist).

I then ate some salmon (which is basically unheard of for me), vegetables, ate a few Girl Scout cookies, and rewarded myself with a beer.

New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 700.25
Miles Remaining: 799.75
Weight: 133.0

Energy

Somewhere around a sunny 55 degrees; windy but still warm.

After work I had a community soccer meeting and I left there antzy to run. But I had to go grocery shopping. So finally by 9:30 I had time to workout. I wanted to do some weightlifting and other circuit training but I managed to hurt my right wrist yesterday or Saturday and opted to not injure myself further. I initially decided it was too late. But then I decided if I have the energy I better put it to good use rather than sitting discontentedly in front of the TV. Total Workout: 2.0 in 27:59 326cals 1%.

New Miles: 1.0 + 2.0 = 3.0
Total Miles: 697.75
Miles Remaining: 802.25
Weight: 133.8

5 miler

Half Marathon training day run - the plan said to run 4 so I went treading with the expectation of doing 4. As I ran along I motivated myself b saying "In just a little bit I'll be halfway." but also adding in some thoughts of "If I did 5 miles now I'd be half way." And I reminded myself I just needed to mak it to 4.25 first before I tack on any extra. I ran at 6.5mph (9:13 mile pace) for a solid 4 then I jogged at 5.5 for .2 but then rather than cooling down as planned I decided I could run for longer at 6.0 and so I bumped it up and did a mile at 6.0 - total of running solid for 5 miles and then I cooled down. Total Workout: 5.5 miles in 53:22 861cals 1%.

I then lifted my 5lb weights for a number of reps, did 10 squats with the weights, did 20 push ups, and 100 crunches.

I also am trying to get smarter about my Girl Scout cookie consumption - but it has been so hard to not eat them. So even though I limit quantity each time I eat them to 1 or 2 I have found myself eating them like 3 times a day. This has been bad. I need to remind myself that I need to have better self control. Oh, because I also bought a package of Oreos and they also have been finding their way into my mouth. I used to eat a lot of junk food and then for a while I didn't - but in the past week I have started falling back into my old ways and I need to cut myself off before this turns into the Holidays all over again. I am still eating fruits and other healthy things but these dang delicious cookies are setting me back!

New Miles: 5.5
Total Miles: 694.75
Miles Remaining: 805.25
Weight: 134.0

Easy Walk

I felt a bit sore Friday and today so going on a walk was perfect - worked out some of the tired-soreness. The walk was energizing and left me ready to take on the rest of my Saturday - a grocery run and scrapbooking. Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 27:56 0%. Then I did 20 push-ups and 100 crunches.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 689.25
Miles Remaining: 810.75
Weight: 132.8

Fresh Air

Early in the day I planned on going on a lunch time walk as it was to be sunny and warm. The timing was perfect since I desperately wanted to get away from my desk and the weather was perfect 49 degrees (though the "feel like" was said to be 45). The sun was sunny, the clouds were puffy, the breeze was light and I had on my shiny silver flats to walk. I wore my jacket but I quickly felt too hot in it. I did a 1 mile loop and enjoyed the freedom. I didn't feel completely satisfied with my time outdoors but I did manage to propel myself back inside, upstairs, and to my desk.

The "Hello" count got up to 2. So all-in-all a successful walk.

I sat down feeling really hot and sweaty but was re-energized. Not so much re-focused on work but that comes one step at a time, just like my walks.

I was a bit stressed out after work so I got home to work out the stress by working out. I warmed up and then ran at 6.5 for a lap, did half a mile at 7.5, then I walked a little, then I ran again at 8.0, walked some then picked up the pace again to 8.0 - I did about 3 laps at 8.0mph. Then I ran at 8.5mph (7:03 mile pace) for a lap and a half. Then I ran at 6.0 for a bit too cool down and then I walked a cool down lap. Total Workout: 3.0 miles in 28:49 451cals 0%.

Various songs got me to focus and really force out the feelings of stress. Some good ones were Christina Aguilera "Candyman" and Avril Lavigne "Sk8r Boy". I then stood around and found some good songs on my iPod to sing really loudly. I did 20 push ups non-stop and got those out pretty fast. I grabbed the 20lb kettlebell and did 10 sumo thrusters and then 10 throws per arm. I then got the 15lb-er and lifted that for an upright row many times, put it over my head and did a forearm press for a good many reps. Then when I was all done with that I did 100 crunches. And I felt a bit better.

New Miles: 1.0 + 3.0 = 4.0
Total Miles: 687.25
Miles Remaining: 812.75
Weight: 133.0

Friendly Run

Last week my friend made plans with me for us to go running together and tonight was the night. Of course the weather forecast was promising and as per usual the actual weather was not very good - it snowed, it blizzarded for 10 minutes with swift wind-snow, it sleeted, it rained, and then it cleared up and you could see parts of a blue sky right at the end of the day, then on my drive hoe it drizzled. Then when we stepped out the door to run at 6pm it was clear and the warmest temperature of the day - 45 degrees.

We drove over to the track, parked, stretched then headed out on a modified 3 mile loop - where I got us off of the main road as much as possible and it was only 2.5 miles. It was nice having a running buddy and chatted and ran at 10:00 mile pace for those 2.5 miles. It was very enjoyable and a very nice, easy run. I was surprised at home good the run felt. We got back to the track and went to do another mile and kept talking away. Before the final lap was over we decided to run another 2 laps since we both felt great  and since the weather and temperature was perfect. We finished up 4 miles in about 40 minutes and then walked 2 additional laps. Total Workout: 4.5 miles.

We both still felt good but did call it quits. She is going to try to do a 15 miler this weekend and encouraged me to join for the 10 miler. Her encouragement actually left me feeling like I should do the 10 mile race on Saturday - and I am thinking more about doing it especially since I need to get a 10 miler in during my training for the Half. I have already done 7 so I could foreseeably do 10, especially given how great I felt from today's run I think it entirely possible. Those 4 miles went by like a breeze and I ended not even feeling like I had exerted any effort.

When I got home Ryan was almost done making dinner so I stopped in the kitchen and watched him cook and chatted with him then we ate together. All in all a pretty wonderful day.

New Miles: 4.5
Total Miles: 683.25
Miles Remaining: 816.75
Weight: 137.8 (post-dinner)

Training Run

Though the weather was pretty decent I stepped outside after much hesitation and thought I'd run off. But I decided I was too cold. Also I couldn't figure out how to go about getting my minimum 5 miles in - whether to do most of my 3 mile loop and end at the track or come home and do the treadmill. But once I determined what was really holding me back was the chill in the air I smartly chose the treadmill for all of it.

I started out planning to do only 5.0. After a mile in and more around 3 miles in I finally felt decently warmed-up and in stride. On my way to mile 5 I decided I should go a minimum of 6 and if I do 6 I should at least do 6.5 since that'd be half of a Half. But I reminded myself not to get too far ahead of myself seeing that 6 miles was still a few miles ahead in the distance at the time. Block Party "I Still Remember" was the first song to get me committed to the run, Taylor Swift's "Should've Said No" provided a much needed boost a few miles in and later on Dierks Bentley's "Livin' Life on the Run" elevated me to the place where I knew I could keep going as long as I needed to. I also daydreamed about how to redecorate the Little Room of Big Accomplishments -- that mental, spatial visualization did get my eyes off of the boringness in front of me and zoned out to a place of moving furniture and interior decorating.

In fear of over doing it I told myself I should stop at 6. It would be a good mile marker to reach and wouldn't over extend myself. But of course later on I also had the thought that 7 miles would be a good mile marker to reach. Again I backed myself off and told myself I had to set a limit. My first lap was a walk into a 6.0 jog warm up followed by stretching. Then I sustained a run at 6.3mph. It truly was a run all day pace since once my body loosened and warmed up aI felt comfortable there the whole way thru. As I started jogging at 5.5mph after reaching 6.25 miles I felt that I wouldn't be cooled down in time by 6.5 and so I had better round out the mile at least. And so from 6.25 to 6.5 I jogged at 5.5mph but then I ran again at 6.3mph for another lap, brought it back down to 5.5 for a lap and then dropped it to 4.3mph for some running-type motions eased into a walk.

I used this run to also get myself into a mental place where I would be taking days off from running and walking entirely. Because to train for a Half I am going to need to rest my legs and lungs some days. And so this also contributed to my deciding to go that extra distance. I decided I would not walk tomorrow - though I allowed myself space to decide that if I felt up to it and I determined that a walk would actually help me recover faster then I would be allowed to walk.

Total Workout: 7.25 miles in 70:48 1136cals 1%.

After chugging some water and chocolate milk I did 100 crunches and my tired arms pushed myself up 20 times (in two sets of 10).

New Miles: 7.25
Total Miles: 678.75
Miles Remaining: 821.25
Weight: 134.4

Outdoor run

Today was sunny and was expected to get to a high of 45 degrees. Before noon it was about 40 degrees and I bounded outside for my 3 mile loop. I did my three miles in 27:36.

Sometimes the sun came out, sometimes the clouds took over and sometimes the wind cut sharply. But it was great to be outside on dry ground with fresh air.

I did 100 crunches, 20 push-ups, and lifted the 5lb weights a few times.

New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 671.5
Miles Remaining: 828.5
Weight: 135.4

Intervals

I warmed-up a lap then I ran 1.25 miles at 6.5mph. I then did 1 lap increments - 1 at 7.0mph slowed back down to 6.5 then up to 7.0 down to 6.5 up to 7.5 then 6.5 then 7.5 then 6.5 then 8.5 then a cool down lap. Total Workout: 3.5 miles in 33:05 547cals 1%.

New Miles: 3.5
Total Miles: 668.5
Miles Remaining: 831.5
Weight: 134.8

Do I Dare?

Yesterday I had emailed my friend to let her know I was contemplating doing another Half Marathon. I know she's been running and training for a full marathon. She encouraged me to sign up since she would be doing the 30K of the event and she thought our other friend was also going to be signing up for the 30K. Motivated I registered for the Just a Short Run Half Marathon which will be at the end of March. I am excited but also quite nervous.

Today I walked 2.0 miles in 27:57 326cals 1%.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 665.0
Miles Remaining: 835.0
Weight: 134.2

Won't You Be Mine?

Before settling in for a home cooked Valentine's Day dinner I got my run in. I walk/jogged .25 for a warm-up, ran 3.0 straight - 2mile at 6.3, .75 at 6.5 then the final .25 at 7.5mph, then I gradually reduced my speed back to walking for the final .25. Total Workout: I did 3.5 in 34:18 548cals 1%.

Then I enjoyed some golden raisin/pecan/bleu cheese/cranberry balsamic vinagerette salad, avacado with ginger soy dressing, portabella mushroom with spinach and bleu and mozzarella cheese, bruschetta, followed up with some turtle chocolate cake and tiramisu. It was all washed down with some delicious Belgian beer. Then Ryan and I talked for over an hour while sitting at the dining room table.

New Miles: 3.5
Total Miles: 663.0
Miles Remaining: 837.0
Weight: 134.2

Quick Walk

I walked 2.0 in 27:35 325cals 1%. For just over 1 mile's worth I walked at 4.4mph. My left knee hurt a little bit which isn't good if I am to start training for a Half. But the walk was over nice and quick and I hopefully don't have any more knee pain.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 659.5
Miles Remaining: 840.5
Weight: 133.4 (morning)/134.4 (evening)

Training Plan

For a change I slept in on a Sunday morning, eased myself out of bed, ate some yummy breakfast, watched a DVRed TV show and then looked up the "Run a Half Marathon" training program in my Marathoning for Mortals book to see if I could feasibly train for the March 31 Half Marathon. The training program is 14 weeks long; I should be in the 7th week and have gotten a 7 miler in yesterday. Despite not being on track at all Ryan assured me there was still plenty of time to train for the Half.

And so I figured I had to start somewhere - mainly, on my treadmill - and so I got on and walked .25 followed by a solid run of 3.0 followed by a cool down .25. I ran 1.25 at 6.3 and the final .75 at 7.0mph. 6.3 pace felt comfortable and a semi-run-all-day pace so I pushed myself a bit and bumped up the speed. 7.0 was above my run-all-day pace but didn't feel completely undoable. Total Workout: 3.5 miles in 549cals 1%.

I need to figure out what the rest of this training plan will look like but at least run #1 is complete. 

I then did 100 crunches and 20 push-ups. And rewarded myself with a piece of chocolate and plans to drink a delightful beer whilst watching Downton Abbey tonight.

New Miles: 3.5

Total Miles: 657.5

Miles Remaining: 842.5 

Weight: 133.2

Taking It Easy

Up and walking before 9 - walked my daily 2 miles and then enjoyed some Multi-Grain Cheerios and orange juice. I did 2.0 in 27:57 326cals 1%.

I debated doing more (like sit ups, push ups, weights, or Bob Harper's workout) for a while and eventually did 100 crunches and 20 push-ups. I also lifted the 5 lb weight about 20 times. Then I shoveled the 2-3 inches of snow in the driveway for about 15 minutes.

My migraine from yesterday was mostly fought off but my head was  still threatening to go back into it, so I then focused on relaxing and waiting for my Gaelic Football banquet at night.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 654.0
Miles Remaining: 846.0
Weight: 133.4

More of the Usual

Did 2.0 miles in 27:57 326cals 1%, played Fluffy Birds and listened to NPR.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 652.0
Miles Remaining: 848.0
Weight: 133.8

My Civic Duty

During the day I sat in a room performing my jury duty which based on my experience I can only assume means you sit in a room and wonder about whether or not you would ever be picked to be on a jury. The highlight was that since I was downtown I was able to have lunch with my dad, and it allowed me to get out into the sunshine and walk .35 miles to the restaurant and then back. Plus I had to walk to the building from the parking garage and back and then up and down the stairs - which is greater than .05 miles. So I did at least .75 miles by just living today. I got home and relaxed by doing 2.5 miles in 31:25 366cals 1%.

New Miles: .75 + 2.5 = 3.25
Total Miles: 650.0
Miles Remaining: 850.0
Weight: 134.0

Transition Plan

Today I looked up early Spring races - 10 milers and Half Marathons. I contemplated picking one to do that I could start training for - to phase me from my 2 mile walks and short distance running back into longer distances. So far it was just a thought since today I just walked - 2.0 miles in 27:57 326cals 1%.

I did 100 crunches.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 646.75
Miles Remaining: 843.25
Weight: 134.0

Mini Heart Atttacks?

All night then all day, and actually ever since Sunday, my upper center abdomen/lower ribcage area hurt a lot. It is hard to describe -- but basically when I ate food and then also at just some random times it kind of felt like I was having mini heart attacks. I looked up heart attack symptoms - I had about 3 of them. I then looked up liver damage and how to help your liver feel better. I also thought perhaps it was my stomach, but didn't look anything up about that. I don't know what is wrong with me but I just hope I feel better soon.

I ate breakfast and snacked on a banana and then only consumed water and green tea for the rest of the day and I did feel a bit better. But by the time I got home I was back to not feeling well and finally felt a bit hungry so I walked and then I ate some rice and veggies and blackberries/blueberries/strawberries. I walked 2.25 in 31:27 366cals 1%. 

New Miles: 2.25
Total Miles: 644.75
Miles Remaining: 855.25
Weight: 135.6

College Days

After a nice evening visiting my sister at college I got home and walked 2.25 miles at 4.3mph (while playing Fluffy Birds) and then ran for .5 at 6.3mph then walked .25. Total Miles: 3.0 in 39:27 485cals 1%.

I spent most of the day still feeling the ill effects of Saturday night's dinner; just uncomfortable to sit at work rather than curled in a ball. But by the evening I was finally feeling better. I ate a proper meal and then walked and ran - which felt good to do again.

The trip to college reminded me of my days at college and how in the soccer off season I would go on runs around campus and the neighborhood - nothing far but 2-3 mile runs at my comfortable pace -- which at that time must have been greater than 6.5mph.

New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 642.5
Miles Remaining: 857.5
Weight: 135.2 (morning)/136.6 (night)

Double Doozy

I walked 1.0 miles at 4.0mph 167cals in 15:01. I was still a bit hung over from my dinner last night when I had just 2 beers! But the two were apparently a doozy. I couldn't muster up a 2 mile walk at all. I barely made it to one. But I felt accomplished, albeit incredibly terrible, since I had gotten myself to get in at least 1. It allowed me to keep my daily exercise streak alive.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 639.5
Miles Remaining: 860.5
Weight: 136.4

Winter Runderland

After a relaxing morning I faced the mid-afternoon by walking on the treadmill for 2.0 miles in 27:56 326 1%. I listened to public radio and played Fluffy birds while outside a light snow fell.

I did 100 crunches and 30 push-ups.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 638.5
Miles Remaining: 861.5
Weight: 135.8

Stretch it out

After a post-work nap I walked .25 then ran 1.25 at 6.3, took a short break then ran another lap at 6.3, followed by a cool down walk. Total Workout: 2.0 in 20:51 315 1%.

I had worn high heels all day - which actually doesn't happen all that often, especially ever since I broke my ankle. And so when I started walking my right foot was very unhappy. I had to focus on getting it to get back into it's normal place and make it happy being a flat foot again. It took the whole lap walking and some light jogging and then some stretching to get it to not hurt. But I was able to stretch it out and got it back good enough to be able to run.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 636.5
Miles Remaining: 863.5
Weight: 136.0

Runderful

I walked/jogged .25 then stretched and then ran 6.5mph for 2.0 miles then cooled down and walked .25. Total Workout: 2.5 miles in 25:15 393cals 1%. The first lap was difficult but then I got into the groove and the rest of the 2 miles felt good.

New Miles: 2.5
Total Miles: 634.5
Miles Remaining: 865.5
Weight: 136.6

Fe-Brew-ary

Today I decided Ryan needs to make a home brew called Fe-Brew-ary. I had this thought as I looked at the new month and clearly "Brew" is sitting right there in the name. This has nothing to do with my exercise for the day but I did enjoy the imagined deliciousness of the thought.

During lunch it was sunny, semi-cloudy and 52 degrees and so I went out on a brisk 1.0 mile walk in 18:51. I saw three co-workers drive by and so I waved and I saw a lady I do not know also walking and so I said "Hi" (and she said "Hi" back). I felt so popular. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the sun? Well, I love the sun! (I think I do dare to say that I love the sun more than I love beer.) Now sometimes I complain about the sun being too hot, but for the most part the sun just makes me happy.

I have yet to determine my Monthly Resolution for February so until then I plan to keep up the 2 mile per day minimum, especially since this helps me with being able to eat more calories and so I stay on track with my Lose It! plan. But the one thing I am thinking of doing is getting out my old college soccer summer conditioning program and seeing if I can follow it or follow a modified version of it. It is a 9 week program and when I actually followed it the summer going into my senior year I wound up pretty fit. Though it was soccer fit rather than long-distance running fit. So I need to decide if I want to focus on that kind of training or on a half-marathon training plan -- or some mixture of the two.

At home in the evening I walked/ran - half mile walk, half mile run. Total Workout: 1.0 in 11:34 159cals 1%.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 632.0
Miles Remaining: 868.0
Weight: 137.0