I ran my final race for this year on Sunday. I say it's my final race because I froze my ass while waiting for the start. It was so cold that I wore a large hooded sweatshirt and gloves and was still cold while running. BRRRR! I also tried to keep warm the whole time by running the whole thing. I only stopped once for a small hill near the water station and strangely enough my finish time was 45:10 and the Army run race in September (with walk breaks) my finish time was 45:09.
I was amazed that I could run so consistently and for so long, it makes me feel great. I may not be faster yet, but it shows to me that my endurance is really getting to all time lifetime high :) I hope I can continue with the increased mileage that's required for the 10km races and that my weight will also begin to drop again with the extra distance.
I do feel really rough this morning tho... oh boy. Headache, achy body and I just wanted to stay in my warm toasty bed. Alas, I must work for a living to pay for my "running in races" habit among others hahahaha
The race was well organized and they fed us bagels, bananas, chili, cookies and lots of water after the race. Ensure was also there handing out a little bag with a bottle of vanilla flavoured Ensure and a pamphlet with some coupons. I didn't drink the Ensure, it's on my desk right now staring at me. It's almost 6 points worth in that tiny little bottle. I can eat a ton of food for 6 points.... so I think I'll pass... might have drank it after the race if it were chocolate.
I'll post a picture of the bib, medal and my cool skeleton hoodie sweatshirt that struggled to keep me warm :) It was a Halloween themed race, but not many people got dressed up. My hoodie was pretty unique, so I'm guessing there will be some Zoom photo shots that I can steal later on :)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Pictures
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| That's what a happy 40 year old looks like. |
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| Me with my friend Tonia. I have beer in hand and I'm just waiting for pizza. Notice the massive amounts of bling :P |
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| The ambitious 10k schedule |
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| My new toy! |
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
YES!
*DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE*
I am down another pound... yes! Love it when the scale goes in the right direction.
Last night was my first run after 2 weeks off. I was scheduled to run 6kms, but I told John that I would accept anything over 3kms. I ran 5kms! Because I was wearing my new Garmin in the dark, and I'm still not 100% sure how to use it, I couldn't figure out how to get it to tell me when I'd run for 10 minutes, so I had to keep glancing at the watch. First 1 minute break was after 12 minutes of running... (wow, I ran for 12 minutes and could have kept on going... that was just the first glance) the second break was at 27 minutes and the third was at 40. I'm stunned LOL
It was really cool to see the graphs that the Garmin spits out... it even showed the spot where the skateboarder dude and I almost collided almost giving each other heart attacks as well.
I'm not fond of running outside at night by myself because I've seen too many crime dramas that always seem to have stories about female runners getting killed. Now I'm not cute and skinny enough to be a target... but I might be someday! Besides, serial killers can be chubby chasers too! Aside from the annoyance of trying to stick to large streets with lot's of lights, it was a good run, the air was cool so I wore my running jacket and gloves (thank goodness for those gloves!) and I was back in safety behind closed doors by 8pm.
This morning I defied the laws of nature and actually got up early and did my first ever run through of Jillian Micheal's 30 minute Shred, level 1. It was tough, especially after a night of running (my knees were a bit tender) but I was surprised that I got all the way through it without too many issues. Apparently running has gotten me in better shape than I realized! SWEET!
Today I'd like to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite bloggers Ms. Bitchcakes http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/
"You are not going to "lose the weight" or get to goal if you don't make the changes - so focus on what you have control over: the changes and the choices you make - NOT the number on the scale."
That quote just really rang in my head like a big GONG!!! Might just print it out and put in on my inspirational bathroom mirror...
Yes, I owe you guys tons of photos... but I can't post them from work... I'll try and get better at that :)
I am down another pound... yes! Love it when the scale goes in the right direction.
Last night was my first run after 2 weeks off. I was scheduled to run 6kms, but I told John that I would accept anything over 3kms. I ran 5kms! Because I was wearing my new Garmin in the dark, and I'm still not 100% sure how to use it, I couldn't figure out how to get it to tell me when I'd run for 10 minutes, so I had to keep glancing at the watch. First 1 minute break was after 12 minutes of running... (wow, I ran for 12 minutes and could have kept on going... that was just the first glance) the second break was at 27 minutes and the third was at 40. I'm stunned LOL
It was really cool to see the graphs that the Garmin spits out... it even showed the spot where the skateboarder dude and I almost collided almost giving each other heart attacks as well.
I'm not fond of running outside at night by myself because I've seen too many crime dramas that always seem to have stories about female runners getting killed. Now I'm not cute and skinny enough to be a target... but I might be someday! Besides, serial killers can be chubby chasers too! Aside from the annoyance of trying to stick to large streets with lot's of lights, it was a good run, the air was cool so I wore my running jacket and gloves (thank goodness for those gloves!) and I was back in safety behind closed doors by 8pm.
This morning I defied the laws of nature and actually got up early and did my first ever run through of Jillian Micheal's 30 minute Shred, level 1. It was tough, especially after a night of running (my knees were a bit tender) but I was surprised that I got all the way through it without too many issues. Apparently running has gotten me in better shape than I realized! SWEET!
Today I'd like to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite bloggers Ms. Bitchcakes http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.com/
"You are not going to "lose the weight" or get to goal if you don't make the changes - so focus on what you have control over: the changes and the choices you make - NOT the number on the scale."
That quote just really rang in my head like a big GONG!!! Might just print it out and put in on my inspirational bathroom mirror...
Yes, I owe you guys tons of photos... but I can't post them from work... I'll try and get better at that :)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Back in the saddle aka running shoes :)
Time to get back to the running schedule! 40th birthdays are fun and all that, but I am missing my running and since I'm signed up for a 5km race this coming Sunday, I have to get my lungs back in gear.
I might have mentioned this in my last post but this time, for some strange reason, taking a break from running didn't make me feel like a big fat loser hahahaha The first week that I was "away" was a stay-cation that involved a fair amount of physical labor (mostly climbing up and down a ladder) and last week I had a few days off just to bum around in the days around my birthday, but I didn't sit on my laurels (what the heck are laurels anyway? def: award: a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction Oh well, now we know!) So I didn't sit on my "awards" (ouchy on the buttocks is all I can say there) and I did some fun running around like spending my birthday gift cards and walking around malls in general. Not high intensity cardio, but enough to take care of some of the extra food calories :)
I think at weigh-in this week I will either be the same or one pound or two higher.
But enough of that garbage, I'm tired of maintaining the weight that I don't want to be. I know I have myself to blame, and I know that I've not been dedicated enough to add extra amounts of exercise and way more diligence on the food plan front.
It's time to get out of the 230's and into the 220's and I want to accomplish that before Christmas. It's a reasonable goal, and I think with some reasonable adjustments to my life and renewed commitment to making the scale in the right direction instead of up or horizontal -> that 10 to 15 pounds can be lost before the Xmas family reunion.
I did get some great running gifts for my b-day: Running socks and a baseball cap headlight from Alex and with the gift cards from 4 other good friends I finally bought my geek running nerd toy that I have coveted for awhile.. the Garmin 305. Yes it's the older clunkier version, but I don't care, it's going to be awesome to be able to track my distance.
I was not thrilled with the end of my last running clinic when the group was down to me, the instructor and maybe 2 other people. The instructor would call out the route, everyone would take off and I would make it back to the store before everyone else, not because I'm speedy Gonzalez, nope, because I was so far at the back of the pack that when they would reach the store with their GPS watches and realize they hadn't yet completed 5km, they would run a few more circuits around the street behind the store, but I would have no clue where the heck they were ... so I would do my stretches and go home pissed off that I'd only run 3 or 4kms. Damn my slowness! Now with my new toy, I don't have to rely on others, I can run my own speed without stressing out and I can complete my kms as per my schedule.
Another thing I'm looking forward to testing out is pushing my pace to go faster and wearing the heart monitor to see how much time I spend in that good heart pumping zone. You know, just after getting off the couch and just before heart attack :P
Tonight it's back on the running schedule... not sure if I can run 6kms after 2 weeks off, but I'll aim for more than 3kms and see where that takes me.
I am also planning to try and get my life a bit more organized so that I can do the 30 min Shred in the morning before work a few times a week *shudders in fear* The hardest part is getting out of bed, but I'm sure that after a week or two of doing it, I'll get used to is... but be prepared for a ton of cry baby whining until I get used to it!
I'll try and post some pics of my 40th... after I steal em from my friends heheheh
I might have mentioned this in my last post but this time, for some strange reason, taking a break from running didn't make me feel like a big fat loser hahahaha The first week that I was "away" was a stay-cation that involved a fair amount of physical labor (mostly climbing up and down a ladder) and last week I had a few days off just to bum around in the days around my birthday, but I didn't sit on my laurels (what the heck are laurels anyway? def: award: a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction Oh well, now we know!) So I didn't sit on my "awards" (ouchy on the buttocks is all I can say there) and I did some fun running around like spending my birthday gift cards and walking around malls in general. Not high intensity cardio, but enough to take care of some of the extra food calories :)
I think at weigh-in this week I will either be the same or one pound or two higher.
But enough of that garbage, I'm tired of maintaining the weight that I don't want to be. I know I have myself to blame, and I know that I've not been dedicated enough to add extra amounts of exercise and way more diligence on the food plan front.
It's time to get out of the 230's and into the 220's and I want to accomplish that before Christmas. It's a reasonable goal, and I think with some reasonable adjustments to my life and renewed commitment to making the scale in the right direction instead of up or horizontal -> that 10 to 15 pounds can be lost before the Xmas family reunion.
I did get some great running gifts for my b-day: Running socks and a baseball cap headlight from Alex and with the gift cards from 4 other good friends I finally bought my geek running nerd toy that I have coveted for awhile.. the Garmin 305. Yes it's the older clunkier version, but I don't care, it's going to be awesome to be able to track my distance.
I was not thrilled with the end of my last running clinic when the group was down to me, the instructor and maybe 2 other people. The instructor would call out the route, everyone would take off and I would make it back to the store before everyone else, not because I'm speedy Gonzalez, nope, because I was so far at the back of the pack that when they would reach the store with their GPS watches and realize they hadn't yet completed 5km, they would run a few more circuits around the street behind the store, but I would have no clue where the heck they were ... so I would do my stretches and go home pissed off that I'd only run 3 or 4kms. Damn my slowness! Now with my new toy, I don't have to rely on others, I can run my own speed without stressing out and I can complete my kms as per my schedule.
Another thing I'm looking forward to testing out is pushing my pace to go faster and wearing the heart monitor to see how much time I spend in that good heart pumping zone. You know, just after getting off the couch and just before heart attack :P
Tonight it's back on the running schedule... not sure if I can run 6kms after 2 weeks off, but I'll aim for more than 3kms and see where that takes me.
I am also planning to try and get my life a bit more organized so that I can do the 30 min Shred in the morning before work a few times a week *shudders in fear* The hardest part is getting out of bed, but I'm sure that after a week or two of doing it, I'll get used to is... but be prepared for a ton of cry baby whining until I get used to it!
I'll try and post some pics of my 40th... after I steal em from my friends heheheh
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Going the distance.... the new distance that is :)
Sorry for the disappearing act, but I took a week off to stay at home. No I didn't sit around, eat bon bons and watch TV all week. I got a lot of stuff done:
Painted upstairs bathroom
Painted french door
Hemmed all living room curtains
Hemmed the powder room curtain
Oil change for my car
E-test on my car
New stickers for my car
Prepared two pans of lasagna, froze one in pieces and fed the other to us and some friends on Thanksgiving.
I even managed to fit in some *me time* which to me means taking myself to a movie, or stop at Starbucks/Chapters and enjoy a skinny Latté and browse the books and "stuff"
I am now working on a new distance: 10km!!!!! That's right folks, I'm finally moving myself forward to a bigger challenge. I pulled a schedule from an online training website, not sure I can keep up and complete 10km in the prescribed weeks listed, but I'm gonna give it a shot!
It's a very ambitious schedule... makes me break out into hives and breath in a paper bag when I look past week 3 LOL
Another thing worth mentioning is that last week when I ran my 5km on the treadmill, I noticed that I was running too slow.... yeah, you read that right... too slow....and I noticed I wasn't breathing hard... at least not as hard as when I run outside... so I pumped up the speed from a 5.5 (pace of about 11:00) up to a 6.0 (pace of about 10:20) and was breathing hard like I'm used to hearing. I do remember my average race pace for the Army run was listed as 10:01, so obviously I'm not hard enough on myself at home LOL Time to take out the whip!! I won't run at 6.0 all the time, but I'll try to do it for one or two of my 10min intervals. Gotta keep pushing the boundries of speed and distance!
Painted upstairs bathroom
Painted french door
Hemmed all living room curtains
Hemmed the powder room curtain
Oil change for my car
E-test on my car
New stickers for my car
Prepared two pans of lasagna, froze one in pieces and fed the other to us and some friends on Thanksgiving.
I even managed to fit in some *me time* which to me means taking myself to a movie, or stop at Starbucks/Chapters and enjoy a skinny Latté and browse the books and "stuff"
I am now working on a new distance: 10km!!!!! That's right folks, I'm finally moving myself forward to a bigger challenge. I pulled a schedule from an online training website, not sure I can keep up and complete 10km in the prescribed weeks listed, but I'm gonna give it a shot!
It's a very ambitious schedule... makes me break out into hives and breath in a paper bag when I look past week 3 LOL
Another thing worth mentioning is that last week when I ran my 5km on the treadmill, I noticed that I was running too slow.... yeah, you read that right... too slow....and I noticed I wasn't breathing hard... at least not as hard as when I run outside... so I pumped up the speed from a 5.5 (pace of about 11:00) up to a 6.0 (pace of about 10:20) and was breathing hard like I'm used to hearing. I do remember my average race pace for the Army run was listed as 10:01, so obviously I'm not hard enough on myself at home LOL Time to take out the whip!! I won't run at 6.0 all the time, but I'll try to do it for one or two of my 10min intervals. Gotta keep pushing the boundries of speed and distance!
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