Thursday, February 11, 2016

Ready or Not It's Time to Run!

It's that time again! 


It's kind of funny that I so look forward to my running trips but I always end up packing at the last minute. We leave for Austin first thing in the morning. I'm really looking forward to getting away with Chris. And, it's Valentine's weekend - it's perfect.

There is one slight problem. I feel like I'm getting a cold. It is pretty typical that I get sick at this time of year. After all, I have spent the last three weeks testing kindergarten and first graders who are like human petri dishes just full of every known (and unknown) virus. 

That said, I have been infusing my body with every known remedy today. I started my day with 32 ounces of Gatorade, followed by an essential oil tea, followed by a vitamin C water. I dabbed essential oils on my feet, neck and chest. I took extra vitamin C. I bought Airborn lozenges. I will diffuse more essential oils while I sleep. I will NOT be sick this weekend. There is a race to be run!

Because I have been a bit under the weather (and still suffering through cold weather here in Florida), I have not done much in the way of training this week. Let's just call it my taper. I did, for the most part, try to eat healthy.

One night we had Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Bulgur, Tzatziki, and Spiced Oil. Oh my, was this good. I've never had bulgur before, and by itself it would be very bland, but drizzled with the spiced oil and topped with pepitas, it was simply delicious.


Tonight's dinner was Creamy Barley & Sweet Potato Risotto with Lemony Broccolini and Parmesan. Risotto has quickly become a favorite of mine. I thank Hello Fresh for introducing me to cooking it. In the past, I had always heard how difficult it was to make and just figured it wasn't something I would do at home. I'm so glad I've learned how!



Monday, February 8, 2016

Quick Update

Just a quick update for Monday:

I didn't care for the Super Bowl Half Time show.
My daughter is now a redhead.
The scale hasn't budged in 3 weeks.
It's too cold and windy in Florida this week.

I walked with Chris for 45 minutes, approximately 3 miles.
21 Day Fix Total Body Cardio complete.
6 days until the Austin Half!

Swiss Chard & Wild Mushroom Penne with Chili and Parmesan for dinner.


Sunday, February 7, 2016

Savory Sunday #7

Since I've committed to really focusing on food this month (and given the fact that I will be travelling later this week) there is not going to be a savory sweet treat today. Instead, I made a Hello Fresh winter salad. Yes, on Super Bowl Sunday. I'm just not that into the game since the Patriots are not playing.


Back to the food... I've got quite a few Hello Fresh meals stocked up in the fridge this week as I went out with my son who was visiting on Wednesday and again with my mom on Saturday. I made smart restaurant choices each time. And, since we weren't really doing anything special for the Super Bowl game, I just decided to make a regular dinner. I didn't get any complaints. In fact, dinner was complimented several times! Below is the picture of the Roasted Beet and Lentil Salad with Feta Cheese, Arugla, and Walnuts.


Sunday Summary:

I didn't run as much as I would have liked. I wimped out in the cold and windy Florida weather. I ended the week with 6.01 miles. To make up for not getting outside this weekend, I caught up on two episodes of The Biggest Loser and accumulated over 3 hours on the ellipical. I also added in two Beachbody workouts. I did the 21 Day Fix Total Body Cardio on Monday and Yoga today. Not too shabby for a week before the race. 

This week's accomplishments:

1. I finally added in some strength training again.
2. I met my Fitbit goal of 5 days of at least 30 minutes of activity.
3. I cleaned my bathroom!!! (Trust me, this is a big deal!)

Friday, February 5, 2016

I Have a Problem with Commitment

Wow, is it really Friday already? Where did the week go? It just disappeared!

The good news is that I got my two training runs in. The bad news is that there were two new yoga classes I wanted to try this week but I missed the first due to a scheduling conflict and I was just too wiped out by 5:30 this afternoon to get myself to the second one.


A friend of mine, a coach at Beachbody, recently opened the Living Healthy Studio where she is offering free group workouts. Kim, Nadine and I tried it out this week. Dark and early on Monday morning we made our way into the freshly painted workout space in the Village Square Shops. It's a nice, inviting environment - a large open area allowing for movement and sweat to happen. We completed the 21 Day Fix Total Body Cardio video. I had always done the videos on my own, so it was interesting to do the workout in the group atmosphere. I purposely took it slow as I have a long run this weekend and a very hilly race scheduled next weekend. That said, I do think I have the tendency to push harder when others are around! I was sore all over the next day but it felt good to know I had worked enough to feel the results of my efforts. 

The next day Debby invited me to join her private 21 Day Fix group for motivation and support. Chris and Nadine convinced me that I always do well when I commit to something and have some accountability. So, I reluctantly have agreed.



Why am I reluctant? I have not ever really done this program the whole way through. Although I have done boot camps and boxing camps and seen some pretty good results, I haven't done it on my own. I'm not sure how working out every day will combine with running. I'm hoping it won't be too much for me. I also am not sure about the food part, although that is where I need the largest amount of accountability. I mean, really, do you see how small these containers are?


Those of you who know me well will understand the fact that I'm not an in your face type of person; I kind of like to hide in the background. There are a few hoops to jump through in order to be "in" the 21 Day Fix group. I had to write a statement (see below) on what my goals were and why. I also have to take before pictures (so not a fan of sweaty selfies) and measurements. So, here I go, putting it all out there...wish me luck! 

Why I Want to Try the 21 Day Fix Program

The simple reason I want to do this is to tone up. Of course, it goes way beyond vanity. For the last few years, since I've had my thyroid removed, I've had to adjust to the fact that the scale is not my friend. My relationship with the numbers it produces has changed because I no longer rely on it to tell me the whole story of me. I believe the results I want to see will be determined by "inches lost". So, toning up will be the result of me losing actual fat and gaining strength. The reason I want to do this is: as I look at pictures of myself I am starting to see the "familial shape". I know I'm getting older and life has a way of settling, but I don't want it to settle around my middle. Most members of my family have had that happen and as a result have some pretty serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart and cancer scares. I have goals and dreams, such as running and traveling, and I don't want them to be impeded by my health. The goal of toning up and gaining strength will also help me with my running goals in that as I become stronger, my running form and endurance will improve, resulting in an improvement in my running times. While I don't intend to win races, it's always nice to improve upon yourself. I would like to aim to beat my half marathon PR someday, but I can't see that happening with the back fat jiggling and the underarm wings flapping. Long story short, I always do better at keeping my commitment with a bit of accountability. 


Sunday, January 31, 2016

Savory Sunday #6

So I followed a recipe for Clean Blueberry Protein Muffins that I found on the Eat Yourself Skinny blog for our savory treat this week. Besides the 2 1/2 CUPS of protein powder, it took 10 eggs to make 1 1/2 cups of egg whites. Then the batter looked way too thin to me so I added 1 cup of oatmeal. They came out looking more like popovers than muffins but they taste pretty good! 


Sunday Summary:
Despite the weather during the week, I managed to get all of my miles in for the week. Mainly because I ran both Saturday and Sunday. I ended with 19.2 running miles. I also managed to get myself to a yoga class today. It was the perfect way to end my Weekend Warrior phase.

Accomplishments this week:
1. I was down by a pound on the scale. 
2. I went to yoga!!
3. I have already been grocery shopping and done some meal prepping for the week.

January Goals:
Even though I never formally announced them, my goals for this month focused on consistency. I wanted to be more consistent with both running and the blog. This makes the 18th post on the blog this month, so much more consistency there. And, I had 60.63 running miles this month. Comparing that to previous years' totals, I think I'm doing great.
2012       3.64
2013     60.07
2014     50.27
2015     44.63
2016     60.63

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Sweaty Saturday

I have a Saturday sense of accomplishment! I woke up nice and early and met Kristine for our bridge repeats, our speed training in disguise. Two weeks ago we did 3 sets for 7.5 miles and they felt good. Today was 4 sets over and back for a total of 10 miles. It was a cool morning and the first thing I did was take these babies out of the box!


My new Brooks Adrenalines arrived this week but the rain had preempted my regularly scheduled runs. And I really wasn't kidding about the RAIN. We recorded 2.25 inches on Wednesday and 1.67 on Thursday. Normally I would have preferred to try the new running shoes out on a shorter run first, but that was just not meant to be. 

Anyway, I had some problems with the last model of the Brooks Adrenalines so I was happy to hear they went back to the old style of sizing for the 16s. Much to my dismay, the heel was a bit loose on these and as I walked out the door I noticed I had some sock issues. Back into the bedroom I went and grabbed my heel inserts and a pair of socks with the lip at the heel. I changed everything in the parking lot of the park and tightened up the laces a bit more...good to go! 

Bridges were much tougher this week. My legs felt stiff and tired right away. We had increased our interval to 2:1 in preparation for some upcoming races, but took it nice and easy. We did seem to warm up after the first go around, but it never seemed as "easy" as it did last time. Of course, there was more mileage and I didn't get my runs or any crosstraining in during the week, so that could be a part of it.

I must say, I am pretty proud of us. Sometimes, especially when we are both not feeling it, we "negotiate". I'm sure if one of us had broached the topic the other would have easily been convinced to just walk the last trip over and back. I am pleased to announce that this was not the case! We completed all four trips. 


BAM!! Training goal reached and new shoes broken in!

Friday, January 29, 2016

Full of Excuses and Comfort Food

Monday:
A great 3 mile run in the morning.
Maintained good eating habits.
And then....

Tuesday:
Meant to be a cross training morning but it felt nice to sip coffee and relax in the morning.
Drive 1.5 hours, workshop 3 hours, drive 1.5 hours.
Cheeseburger and fries for lunch.
Lazy!!


Wednesday:
Woke up to rain = no run.
All day workshop.
Indulged in a facial and got home late.
Unmotivated to work out!!!

Thursday: 
RAIN AGAIN!!
Worked late.
Settled in to pity party mode.
Thai food for dinner.
Starting to feel like this:



Friday:
Missed communication with my running partner and missed run.
Pasta and meat sauce for dinner.
Working on blog and forcing myself to change my attitude...

Note to self for Saturday:
You CAN do 10 miles of Bridge Repeats.
You WILL eat clean, healthy food and get back on track.