So since I haven't been to CF in 2 weeks (AR and then a break), I went this past Friday. I didn't know that it was changed to Happy Hour, making me pick my own workout...aka making me think OMG. After being dazed and confused for the first 20 minutes, I picked Angie, thinking it was the most doable.
100 pullups (I did jumping pullups)
100 situps
100 pushups (90 done from the toes, wimped out and did my last 10 from the knees)
100 squats
My time = 23 minutes (I think, or maybe 21)
Knowing I hadn't really worked out in the past 2 weeks, I knew any workout was going to be tough and I would be sore the next few days. YUP it's Monday morning and my quads are SORE.
Saturday night was spent with some BC friends. Dave appreciating the additional testosterone around the house to watch the MMA match. Me-appreciating the company to share a bottle of wine, good conversations, etc. Is this Mars Vs Venus?
I had a nice massage at the spa yesterday. What a treat. Thank you Dave! I love you!
The masseuse person asked what, if anything was sore. HA! What wasn't?!? So I told her about my quads and my hamstring. She worked on that and then pointed out my left IT band was tight. Yeah I already knew that from months before, but I'm so used to that now. And then she pointed out that it's not just my hamstring that's tight, but my gluts are really tight. Yeah-Buns of Steel! Oh not the same thing? Darn.
Next Friday I need to do a workout with weights. Can't wimp out and take the "easy" workout, if there is even an "easy" workout in crossfit. HA! That'll be the day!!!
And tonight is the first day of the new BC cycle=Test in.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Life isn't always full of good surprises
I just got off the phone with a friend of mine-P. He's always off to New York, or Phoenix, or Chicago, London, etc. So when he called I thought he just got back from vacation in (insert some city). I forgot he was in New York for his boss' son's wedding.
So he had just gotten back from New York when he got a phone call from the Wichita police. His father died in his sleep, and P just spoke with him the night before. His father sounded fine. Now, after the funeral, the settling of the estate and how to take care of his mother who has alzheimers, who was being taken care of by his father. How tragic. I feel for their whole family, especially his mother. Can you imagine being lost, not always knowing where you are, or even who you are? But then there's always one face that you recognize, who you feel safe around. And then all of a sudden that person is gone. You don't know why. You don't know when. You may not even know why you feel scared, why you feel your security is gone, only that you know you're lost.
So we really need to show the people we love how much we appreciate them. And Mr G, I hope you're at peace. I never met you, but I've met your son and one of your daughters. And I know from them that you were a good and kind person.
So he had just gotten back from New York when he got a phone call from the Wichita police. His father died in his sleep, and P just spoke with him the night before. His father sounded fine. Now, after the funeral, the settling of the estate and how to take care of his mother who has alzheimers, who was being taken care of by his father. How tragic. I feel for their whole family, especially his mother. Can you imagine being lost, not always knowing where you are, or even who you are? But then there's always one face that you recognize, who you feel safe around. And then all of a sudden that person is gone. You don't know why. You don't know when. You may not even know why you feel scared, why you feel your security is gone, only that you know you're lost.
So we really need to show the people we love how much we appreciate them. And Mr G, I hope you're at peace. I never met you, but I've met your son and one of your daughters. And I know from them that you were a good and kind person.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Run last night
I'm off the marathon training schedule so I'm off doing my own thing for a bit. Ran 5 miles yesterday, hoping for mid-tempo pace. Times 52:26 total with 27:09 and 25:15 splits. After taking all this time off, it actually felt good. No pain in the beginning and the shin didn't start to bug me until the very end.
Overall-felt good. Felt good to WANT to run, even though my mantra was I hate running with a passion. After the tri, my new mantra is I hate swimming with a passion.
That's it. Not much else to say, except made a killer ceviche last night. Yummy.
Overall-felt good. Felt good to WANT to run, even though my mantra was I hate running with a passion. After the tri, my new mantra is I hate swimming with a passion.
That's it. Not much else to say, except made a killer ceviche last night. Yummy.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Mental vacation is WONDERFUL
So I see I haven't blogged since Wednesday because I had nothing to write. I didn't work out. In fact, I didn't move much. I spent the whole weekend relaxing. D and his boys were in Fawnskin, bonding with Dave B so I was planning a weekend of QUIET.
My ZEN PLACE (boring to some, but needed for my mental health):
Friday night I was asleep on the couch by 9pm. Woke up Saturday around 7am. Spend most of the day sitting in my backyard with my dog (even she didn't run around or bark much), contemplating what the next project will be, listening to the birds (AKA quiet), watching the baby lizard running around, bonding with the squirrel who came and hung out a bit above my skychair, looking for the hummingbird to come around to the strategically placed feeder, etc. Finally around 3 I decided to leave the house, go to Armstrongs Nursery and spend my GC from Christmas. Worked on my drip irrigation, planted a new fern and fushia (hopefully I'll keep these alive this time). Then back to the skychair to admire my renewed "woodland" area.
Later than evening I met other BC/Crossfitters for a Girls Night Out that consisted of an evening at CAWine & Cheese and then the chick-flick Mamma Mia. What a fun night full of laughing, wine and an interesting audience participation movie.
Damm that Jane! She was talking about the next events. After the AR I swore I was done with races until next year. ALL RACES! With the mental and physical break I just took, I'm starting to think about the next race. Damm that Jane! Ok I MIGHT still do the sprint AR. Not that I think I can't do it, it's just I was tired and wanted to NOT think about training, racing, working out. I'm starting to think that break is over. No more summer vacation for me!
Sunday was pretty much the same as Saturday until 4:30 when the boys came home, talking about what they did over the weekend, what they saw, the hike they went on, the bike ride they did, shooting the BB gun and what they did or did not hit, the Playstation noise in the background, yada yada yada...back to "normal."
So now that the vacation break is over with, and it's the start of a new week, I might open up the maration training schedule to see what's next. Or I might plan a long run, just to get the legs moving and HR up. Also thinking about doing the 200m sprints at the Arcadia track. Oh such options.
My ZEN PLACE (boring to some, but needed for my mental health):
Friday night I was asleep on the couch by 9pm. Woke up Saturday around 7am. Spend most of the day sitting in my backyard with my dog (even she didn't run around or bark much), contemplating what the next project will be, listening to the birds (AKA quiet), watching the baby lizard running around, bonding with the squirrel who came and hung out a bit above my skychair, looking for the hummingbird to come around to the strategically placed feeder, etc. Finally around 3 I decided to leave the house, go to Armstrongs Nursery and spend my GC from Christmas. Worked on my drip irrigation, planted a new fern and fushia (hopefully I'll keep these alive this time). Then back to the skychair to admire my renewed "woodland" area.
Later than evening I met other BC/Crossfitters for a Girls Night Out that consisted of an evening at CAWine & Cheese and then the chick-flick Mamma Mia. What a fun night full of laughing, wine and an interesting audience participation movie.
Damm that Jane! She was talking about the next events. After the AR I swore I was done with races until next year. ALL RACES! With the mental and physical break I just took, I'm starting to think about the next race. Damm that Jane! Ok I MIGHT still do the sprint AR. Not that I think I can't do it, it's just I was tired and wanted to NOT think about training, racing, working out. I'm starting to think that break is over. No more summer vacation for me!
Sunday was pretty much the same as Saturday until 4:30 when the boys came home, talking about what they did over the weekend, what they saw, the hike they went on, the bike ride they did, shooting the BB gun and what they did or did not hit, the Playstation noise in the background, yada yada yada...back to "normal."
So now that the vacation break is over with, and it's the start of a new week, I might open up the maration training schedule to see what's next. Or I might plan a long run, just to get the legs moving and HR up. Also thinking about doing the 200m sprints at the Arcadia track. Oh such options.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I guilted myself into running
So after I blogged last night, I started to feel guilty about being a slug.
So here are my splits for the 5 miles-56:18 total (28:16 and 28:02). Crappy times!
I just couldn't catch my breath. I kept feeling pressure so I just couldn't breathe right on the run up to Rancho x Orange Grove, which is 2.5 miles from my house. Don't know what's wrong, but it felt like I was trying to run during a smog alert. And then I kinda forgot I got a blister from the AR. Yeah don't know how you would forget that, but I did. It's on the side of my big toe so I didn't really notice it until the run down. Yeah I also forgot that my arch was bugging me after the AR and I didn't start to feel that one until the half way point. Started to feel the pounding on my right quad on the way down. So many whiny complaints!
How much did I block from my memory? OMG!
On the way up I tried to get my arms to move correctly. Don't move them in front of my body-that's a waste of energy and movement. Are my feet landing directly under me? Can't tell. Tried to correct my breathing, but I couldn't. Stop looking at the ground and look at a point straight ahead. STOP LOOKING AT THE GROUND.
Finally on the last 2 miles, on the slight downhill, I could take in deep breathes, I could get my form down, I could get my arms moving forward, I could feel like I was landing mid-foot. FINALLY on my last 2 miles. OK I could still feel the blister but I was almost home. I felt like I was running correctly ( I know the downhill helps) but it was all starting to feel right.
Then I'm home.
So here are my splits for the 5 miles-56:18 total (28:16 and 28:02). Crappy times!
I just couldn't catch my breath. I kept feeling pressure so I just couldn't breathe right on the run up to Rancho x Orange Grove, which is 2.5 miles from my house. Don't know what's wrong, but it felt like I was trying to run during a smog alert. And then I kinda forgot I got a blister from the AR. Yeah don't know how you would forget that, but I did. It's on the side of my big toe so I didn't really notice it until the run down. Yeah I also forgot that my arch was bugging me after the AR and I didn't start to feel that one until the half way point. Started to feel the pounding on my right quad on the way down. So many whiny complaints!
How much did I block from my memory? OMG!
On the way up I tried to get my arms to move correctly. Don't move them in front of my body-that's a waste of energy and movement. Are my feet landing directly under me? Can't tell. Tried to correct my breathing, but I couldn't. Stop looking at the ground and look at a point straight ahead. STOP LOOKING AT THE GROUND.
Finally on the last 2 miles, on the slight downhill, I could take in deep breathes, I could get my form down, I could get my arms moving forward, I could feel like I was landing mid-foot. FINALLY on my last 2 miles. OK I could still feel the blister but I was almost home. I felt like I was running correctly ( I know the downhill helps) but it was all starting to feel right.
Then I'm home.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
After AR blues
I'm having a hard time getting motivated for anything. It's been non-stop since, well, Mt Wilson training in Feb. The really hectic time seemed to start mid-June. First the marathon training started, overlapping the AR training and planning, overlapping Dave's boys coming down south for the summer turning our lives, our limited space, our privacy, and schedules upside down. Whew. Where to start? Where to go? Where? What? When? Have you ever felt like you were pulled into 15 different directions and just can't control anything? Can't breathe? Can't think? Can't hear? And poor Dave's life is even more hectic since they are his boys and he has to deal with them more.
Now that the AR training and planning is over, I just want to STOP! I want to stop and rest. Stop and relax. Stop and just have some quiet. JUST STOP AND HAVE SOME CALM IN MY LIFE!
I remember the times, before I found bootcamp, where my summer nights were spent at the Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford theater. When the weekends were waking up and making breakfast with a mimosa, then maybe a trip to the museum. There was plenty of time for movies, concerts, weekends in Santa Barbara or in Laguna. I could sit and read a book. How different my life is now. That calm has been taken over with training for (fill in the blank).
I know this isn't good. I have to continue working out. I have to continue training but the motivation isn't there. I usually get this way at the end of the year when it gets dark early and the holidays consume everything. This is summer and with all the daylight I should want to be outside moving, outside running, outside biking, just outside moving. But for now I will fight the urge to curl up in a ball and lay in bed for days.
I feel like my life parallels Koyaanisqatsi (Hopi for Life out of Balance). It's a movie-check it out.
Maybe tomorrow I'll get my running shoes on and do a few mile. I think that's what I was supposed to do tonight for the marathon schedule. Well it's not to late. Maybe, just maybe I'll run tonight, when it's dark and quiet.
Now that the AR training and planning is over, I just want to STOP! I want to stop and rest. Stop and relax. Stop and just have some quiet. JUST STOP AND HAVE SOME CALM IN MY LIFE!
I remember the times, before I found bootcamp, where my summer nights were spent at the Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford theater. When the weekends were waking up and making breakfast with a mimosa, then maybe a trip to the museum. There was plenty of time for movies, concerts, weekends in Santa Barbara or in Laguna. I could sit and read a book. How different my life is now. That calm has been taken over with training for (fill in the blank).
I know this isn't good. I have to continue working out. I have to continue training but the motivation isn't there. I usually get this way at the end of the year when it gets dark early and the holidays consume everything. This is summer and with all the daylight I should want to be outside moving, outside running, outside biking, just outside moving. But for now I will fight the urge to curl up in a ball and lay in bed for days.
I feel like my life parallels Koyaanisqatsi (Hopi for Life out of Balance). It's a movie-check it out.
Maybe tomorrow I'll get my running shoes on and do a few mile. I think that's what I was supposed to do tonight for the marathon schedule. Well it's not to late. Maybe, just maybe I'll run tonight, when it's dark and quiet.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I survied the AR
So the AR was yesterday. We camped out Friday night and got our mandatory meeting at 9PM, getting our map at around 10. We went back to camp, figured out the UTM coordinates, and camp went quiet around 11. Everyone started to wake around 3am for our 4am start time where we got our first leg's map.
Out with headlamps looking for 4 checkpoints was fun. Staight out of Blair Witch, but not spooky... just alot of fun with other insane people.
So after 10 1/2 hours we finished trail running, biking, trail running/hiking and then back on our bikes, covering over 20 miles and elevation gains starting at 642' elevation and going to over 2000'.
What I learned from the AR was that my fears were justified, but my team got me through this. I couldn't have done this whole thing without their physical and emotional support. So thanks for that. I had my emotional breakdown between Eagle Rock and Hub 2. Bob was towing me and I was having conversations in my head. Poor Bob. He was so good about asking me questions just to make sure I was coherent. So when I was asked if I was OK at the Hub, I couldn't help just breaking down and crying. I could feel it coming on, but I couldn't stop the emotion from coming though. I had to just sit there and cry. I sooooo wanted this to be over. I was sooooo tired and I hurt. I hurt all over. My quads, my feet, my calves, my shoulders, even my abs. I was hot and uncomfortable.
But what I learned was that I can rely on others, on my teammates, and that its acceptable to have that help. I didn't want to rely on others. I've always been taught to stand on my own two feet. Sound familiar? There's no giving up when its a team and their victory of completion depends on EVERYONE on the team completing. If I quit, they would all get a DNF. And it would be my fault. THAT is not acceptable. I couldn't let them down just because I was tired, sore, hot, uncomfortable because I also knew they also were and they were all willing to finish this.
So knowing that and the fact that we only had 3 checkpoints left, I had to go on. At least we were on bikes again. Didn't think I'd ever think that after the first bike leg.
After 10 1/2 hours of this torture, my pour Dave-O only wants to come up and hug me and congratulate me and all I could say was "Not Now!" If he did, another emotional breakdown would have happend right then and there. I needed space after finishing this grueling race just to put this all into perspective. He's now seen me enough after being exhausted that my bark MAY be worse than my bite and he endures it. After 3 years, he's willing to understand my emotions, or at least parts of it. Just another reason we are "us."
Out with headlamps looking for 4 checkpoints was fun. Staight out of Blair Witch, but not spooky... just alot of fun with other insane people.
So after 10 1/2 hours we finished trail running, biking, trail running/hiking and then back on our bikes, covering over 20 miles and elevation gains starting at 642' elevation and going to over 2000'.
What I learned from the AR was that my fears were justified, but my team got me through this. I couldn't have done this whole thing without their physical and emotional support. So thanks for that. I had my emotional breakdown between Eagle Rock and Hub 2. Bob was towing me and I was having conversations in my head. Poor Bob. He was so good about asking me questions just to make sure I was coherent. So when I was asked if I was OK at the Hub, I couldn't help just breaking down and crying. I could feel it coming on, but I couldn't stop the emotion from coming though. I had to just sit there and cry. I sooooo wanted this to be over. I was sooooo tired and I hurt. I hurt all over. My quads, my feet, my calves, my shoulders, even my abs. I was hot and uncomfortable.
But what I learned was that I can rely on others, on my teammates, and that its acceptable to have that help. I didn't want to rely on others. I've always been taught to stand on my own two feet. Sound familiar? There's no giving up when its a team and their victory of completion depends on EVERYONE on the team completing. If I quit, they would all get a DNF. And it would be my fault. THAT is not acceptable. I couldn't let them down just because I was tired, sore, hot, uncomfortable because I also knew they also were and they were all willing to finish this.
So knowing that and the fact that we only had 3 checkpoints left, I had to go on. At least we were on bikes again. Didn't think I'd ever think that after the first bike leg.
After 10 1/2 hours of this torture, my pour Dave-O only wants to come up and hug me and congratulate me and all I could say was "Not Now!" If he did, another emotional breakdown would have happend right then and there. I needed space after finishing this grueling race just to put this all into perspective. He's now seen me enough after being exhausted that my bark MAY be worse than my bite and he endures it. After 3 years, he's willing to understand my emotions, or at least parts of it. Just another reason we are "us."
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy 4th
So in honor of the Forth of July, and to stay with the marathon training, I ran 4 miles. Yeah it was supposed to be 5, but I guess I just can't read. I did mapmyrun and figured out a 5 mile loop. What I didn't count on was my memory, or lack of it. I thought I was supposed to run to Rodeo X Orange Grove, but it really was supposed to be Rancho. OPPS. So my run was really 4.6, not 5. Bummer. I was wondering why my time was spot on even though I felt like I was running so slow and I . Big OPPS.
So here are my splits for 2.25 miles 25:54 and 24.52. The reason the last was faster was because it was slightly downhill. And the uphill also included stopping to speak to a lady walking her dog about the stray that was running around about 50 yards from us. And to stop and say "Hi" to Ben and Lee who drove by after finishing their 5 miles. I was trying to get them to stop longer so I could have a longer break-no luck.
Talking about being accountable?!? What other group would you run into other friends at 7:15 am on a holiday! And they stop to offer works of encouragement! Love this group!
Skipped the 6 miles this morning. I was going to go, but after D&J B's last night, I decided to skip it. I was good and no drinking because I planned on leaving early so I could wake up to run. But after talking to DB and telling him about my new pain, he said it sounded like shin splints. We went on-line, and yup, new event, new injury. BUMMER. So I decided to ice-ice-rub-ice and not run today. Gotta be better for the AR. I iced, rubbed and wrapped it last night and did some jumping up and down on it. That seemed to help. Might wrap it for the AR.
So here are my splits for 2.25 miles 25:54 and 24.52. The reason the last was faster was because it was slightly downhill. And the uphill also included stopping to speak to a lady walking her dog about the stray that was running around about 50 yards from us. And to stop and say "Hi" to Ben and Lee who drove by after finishing their 5 miles. I was trying to get them to stop longer so I could have a longer break-no luck.
Talking about being accountable?!? What other group would you run into other friends at 7:15 am on a holiday! And they stop to offer works of encouragement! Love this group!
Skipped the 6 miles this morning. I was going to go, but after D&J B's last night, I decided to skip it. I was good and no drinking because I planned on leaving early so I could wake up to run. But after talking to DB and telling him about my new pain, he said it sounded like shin splints. We went on-line, and yup, new event, new injury. BUMMER. So I decided to ice-ice-rub-ice and not run today. Gotta be better for the AR. I iced, rubbed and wrapped it last night and did some jumping up and down on it. That seemed to help. Might wrap it for the AR.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The addiction to blogging
I was never one to write in a diary so I was resistant to blogging. I didn't really see the value of it. My emails are usually short and concise. The letters and cards I send are to the point and without much elaboration. But blogging? I'm addicted!
Why do I feel the need to electronically post my trials and tribulations, my emotions, my frustrations and my inadequacies that I try to hide when I know this is available for all to see? Maybe some self-exploration is needed.
Got another lecture (for a lack of a better word) from Eric about nutrition. He read my blog and said my snacks weren't in the Zone. Where was the carbs when I just the the turkey-hey that's all I had available at the time. Damm I thought I was picking some good choices. I'll dig out the book again and go through it. I have to make flash cards with pre-determined meals to make this easier on me.
So he would be disappointed to hear my dinner yesterday was half a can of salmon, about 3 T of white beans, a slice a cheese and a cherry tomato (yes just one). Basically whatever was in the fridge or I had in the pantry that sounded somewhat zone-like and had ZERO prep time other than using the can opener. I didn't have time to go shopping, got home at 8:45 from the meeting and didn't want to eat late, especially if I had to prepare something. Its been a bit difficult since Dave's boys are here now. Since this is Week 1, we haven't gotten into a routine. And I don't think we know how meals, schedules, etc are going to work this summer. We don't seem to be having many "family" meals because of their schedules and my schedule doesn't overlap well. I think I'll be on my own for meals for 8 weeks. HMMM that might be perfect timing to Zone. If I'm responsible for ONLY my meals, then I can determine what I want since I would be responsible for ONLY me. No McDonalds! (not me-the kids like it). And Dave-there will be tofu in the fridge now! HA!
Last night we had a team meeting. It was SO informative. I found out that we are not as prepared with supplies as I had thought. We're not bad, but there was alot more we need. And there were some tips from Eric that were so helpful. As a team, I think it helped to ask him questions. Bob is the only experienced 12-AR member of the EFB Rouge Rabbits. And Jeff and Bob were warned they are going to be towing me alot-maybe through this whole AR. So they better get used to me because they will be seeing alot of me next Saturday!
It was good to have the meeting, but it just sent my anxiety level through the roof. I woke up this morning at 4 with the AR checklist going through my head. Damm-I wanted that extra 2 hours of sleep! The lack of proper nutrition (yes I woke up a bit hungry) from last night's dinner might have contributed just a bit.
Tomorrow's workout is 5 miles at mid-tempo pace. I have some electrolyte pills to test out on tomorrow morning's run. Don't know why, but taking those pills kinda scare me. Can't figure that one out since ibuprofen is my best workout buddy.
Well tonight was going to be an off-night. No working out. But that gives me a time (AKA an excuse) to go shopping! Need more zone foods like fresh veggies and fruits, a trip to REI for a longer pair of gaiters and maybe some new shorts, Sports Chalet in the mall (yuk), maybe Run With Us to see if they have Hammer Gel and electrolyte. No wonder Eric stresses a day off is just as beneficial to our fitness as the workout days.....hmmm I'm starting to think this AR sounds fun.
Why do I feel the need to electronically post my trials and tribulations, my emotions, my frustrations and my inadequacies that I try to hide when I know this is available for all to see? Maybe some self-exploration is needed.
Got another lecture (for a lack of a better word) from Eric about nutrition. He read my blog and said my snacks weren't in the Zone. Where was the carbs when I just the the turkey-hey that's all I had available at the time. Damm I thought I was picking some good choices. I'll dig out the book again and go through it. I have to make flash cards with pre-determined meals to make this easier on me.
So he would be disappointed to hear my dinner yesterday was half a can of salmon, about 3 T of white beans, a slice a cheese and a cherry tomato (yes just one). Basically whatever was in the fridge or I had in the pantry that sounded somewhat zone-like and had ZERO prep time other than using the can opener. I didn't have time to go shopping, got home at 8:45 from the meeting and didn't want to eat late, especially if I had to prepare something. Its been a bit difficult since Dave's boys are here now. Since this is Week 1, we haven't gotten into a routine. And I don't think we know how meals, schedules, etc are going to work this summer. We don't seem to be having many "family" meals because of their schedules and my schedule doesn't overlap well. I think I'll be on my own for meals for 8 weeks. HMMM that might be perfect timing to Zone. If I'm responsible for ONLY my meals, then I can determine what I want since I would be responsible for ONLY me. No McDonalds! (not me-the kids like it). And Dave-there will be tofu in the fridge now! HA!
Last night we had a team meeting. It was SO informative. I found out that we are not as prepared with supplies as I had thought. We're not bad, but there was alot more we need. And there were some tips from Eric that were so helpful. As a team, I think it helped to ask him questions. Bob is the only experienced 12-AR member of the EFB Rouge Rabbits. And Jeff and Bob were warned they are going to be towing me alot-maybe through this whole AR. So they better get used to me because they will be seeing alot of me next Saturday!
It was good to have the meeting, but it just sent my anxiety level through the roof. I woke up this morning at 4 with the AR checklist going through my head. Damm-I wanted that extra 2 hours of sleep! The lack of proper nutrition (yes I woke up a bit hungry) from last night's dinner might have contributed just a bit.
Tomorrow's workout is 5 miles at mid-tempo pace. I have some electrolyte pills to test out on tomorrow morning's run. Don't know why, but taking those pills kinda scare me. Can't figure that one out since ibuprofen is my best workout buddy.
Well tonight was going to be an off-night. No working out. But that gives me a time (AKA an excuse) to go shopping! Need more zone foods like fresh veggies and fruits, a trip to REI for a longer pair of gaiters and maybe some new shorts, Sports Chalet in the mall (yuk), maybe Run With Us to see if they have Hammer Gel and electrolyte. No wonder Eric stresses a day off is just as beneficial to our fitness as the workout days.....hmmm I'm starting to think this AR sounds fun.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The hell of 800M x 6 speedwork
So my goal was supposed to be 4:34. That's IF I can run a 5K in 30. I would LOVE to run a sub-5K and that is a goal of mine. I need some, what, bragging rights? Some marker to say "Yes-I did that!" But right now I haven't been able to acheive that. I'm still trying and I'm not giving up yet.
Back to Hell. We ran 800 meters x 6 with a 2 minute break between laps. My goal was supposed to be 4:34. Here's what I actually did:
1-4:29
2-4:43 (9 sec over)
3-4:50 (16 sec over)
4-5:00 (26 sec over)
5-5:00 (26 sec over)
6-4:48 (14 sec over)
Eric keeps mentioning nutrition as a key factor in training. Yes I hear him. I was REALLY hearing him in my head around Lap 4 when I was running out of steam. I kept thinking that I should have had more than an apple at around 2:30. I should have had something at around 5 or 5:30 but I was a bit rushed. I had to decompress after work. I had to roll my solis and my quads. I had to feed the dog. I had to find my goal time to confirm it's what I had in my head. I should at least have grabbed a Gu or had a bar. I should have heard that voice earlier.
I have to thank Lee for getting me through my 5th lap. She doesn't know it, but when she ran by me in the back straightaway, I listened to her footsteps and tried to keep up with that rhythm. You helped me through that one. I was thinking Lap 5 was going to be around 5:10 since at 400 M I was at 2:33, but I was able to pick up the pace listening to you. Thanks Lee.
I don't know what happened in Lap 6, but I was able to keep a slightly faster pace than Laps 3, 4 & 5. Maybe it was thinking this was the last lap. One more and it's over for this workout.
Or maybe I was able to concentrate more on my breathing and my running form. There wasn't anyone in front of me and I could think about matching my breathing to my footsteps. I could think about trying to run more upright and concentrate on how I think my foot was landing-was I reaching forward or was I lifting my leg, was I leaning properly? If I do this, how does that feel? I can't breathe-pull more upright. Use my arms more. An upward movement is a waste of energy-try to keep my feet close to the ground and moving forward. All this was going through my head just to get me though that last lap. Through the other laps I would concentrate on Elba or Carol and just think I need to keep up. Maybe the trick is to learn to block out everything and just listen to the voices in my head.
I know all of this will get me closer to a sub-30 5K, maybe a sub-60 10K. Wouldn't that be sweet. Yes this is the marathon training, but I'm just looking at the baby steps.
Back to Hell. We ran 800 meters x 6 with a 2 minute break between laps. My goal was supposed to be 4:34. Here's what I actually did:
1-4:29
2-4:43 (9 sec over)
3-4:50 (16 sec over)
4-5:00 (26 sec over)
5-5:00 (26 sec over)
6-4:48 (14 sec over)
Eric keeps mentioning nutrition as a key factor in training. Yes I hear him. I was REALLY hearing him in my head around Lap 4 when I was running out of steam. I kept thinking that I should have had more than an apple at around 2:30. I should have had something at around 5 or 5:30 but I was a bit rushed. I had to decompress after work. I had to roll my solis and my quads. I had to feed the dog. I had to find my goal time to confirm it's what I had in my head. I should at least have grabbed a Gu or had a bar. I should have heard that voice earlier.
I have to thank Lee for getting me through my 5th lap. She doesn't know it, but when she ran by me in the back straightaway, I listened to her footsteps and tried to keep up with that rhythm. You helped me through that one. I was thinking Lap 5 was going to be around 5:10 since at 400 M I was at 2:33, but I was able to pick up the pace listening to you. Thanks Lee.
I don't know what happened in Lap 6, but I was able to keep a slightly faster pace than Laps 3, 4 & 5. Maybe it was thinking this was the last lap. One more and it's over for this workout.
Or maybe I was able to concentrate more on my breathing and my running form. There wasn't anyone in front of me and I could think about matching my breathing to my footsteps. I could think about trying to run more upright and concentrate on how I think my foot was landing-was I reaching forward or was I lifting my leg, was I leaning properly? If I do this, how does that feel? I can't breathe-pull more upright. Use my arms more. An upward movement is a waste of energy-try to keep my feet close to the ground and moving forward. All this was going through my head just to get me though that last lap. Through the other laps I would concentrate on Elba or Carol and just think I need to keep up. Maybe the trick is to learn to block out everything and just listen to the voices in my head.
I know all of this will get me closer to a sub-30 5K, maybe a sub-60 10K. Wouldn't that be sweet. Yes this is the marathon training, but I'm just looking at the baby steps.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Blogging our food?
So according to our Illustrious Leader-Eric, we're supposed to be blogging our food and using this as an on-line food journal. This could be very boring or very embarrasing.
So let me recount yesterday. The day I didn't work out but instead used my bike as an project.
Breakfast (same pretty much as every other day)
1/4 c oatmeal
3/4 T protein powder
topped with blueberries, flaxseed and almonds
Can't forget my coffee.
Snack
1 C low fat vanilla yogurt topped with frozen blueberries
water
Lunch
A large bowl of lettuce covered with shavings of parmesean cheese, 1/8 C white beans, a handful of organic baby heirloom tomatoes all topped with a county italian dressing.
water
Snack
3 pcs of turkey lunch meat
smoked oysters (got hungry waiting for D to get back from bootcamp)
Fizzy water
Dinner
Hamberger patty w/cheese
baked beans
corn
Fizzy water
So far today is a repeat of yesterday except my big bowl of lettuce was covered with lots of olives, capers, 12 grilled shrimp, baby heirloom tomatoes and 1 1/2 eggs with a basalmic vinegarette. My version of a Salade Nicoisse
HMM maybe tomorrow I'll have an antipasta salad.
I live for salads in the summer and soups in the winter. But I'm digressing. My food choices are simple-Oatmeal to lower my cholesterol, blueberries for macular degeneration that my optometrist tell me "Wow-I usually don't see that until the patient is in their mid-sixties." THANKS A LOT! Then to be reassuring, he says that it may level off and I would never notice. Yeah-that's very reassuring. I've known him WAY too long. Yogurt for the calcium all women need. Flaxseed is high in Omega-3s.
I get into my forties and my food choices have to be thought out. Boy I long for the days of wondering if I want The Hat, Roscoes Chicken & Waffles, The Stuffed Sandwich or The Boat. Yummm The Hat. Dipped bread pilled high with pastrami. Yummmm. My heart is beating faster but I don't know if that's just the plaque and cholesterol building up from the thought of pastrami
So let me recount yesterday. The day I didn't work out but instead used my bike as an project.
Breakfast (same pretty much as every other day)
1/4 c oatmeal
3/4 T protein powder
topped with blueberries, flaxseed and almonds
Can't forget my coffee.
Snack
1 C low fat vanilla yogurt topped with frozen blueberries
water
Lunch
A large bowl of lettuce covered with shavings of parmesean cheese, 1/8 C white beans, a handful of organic baby heirloom tomatoes all topped with a county italian dressing.
water
Snack
3 pcs of turkey lunch meat
smoked oysters (got hungry waiting for D to get back from bootcamp)
Fizzy water
Dinner
Hamberger patty w/cheese
baked beans
corn
Fizzy water
So far today is a repeat of yesterday except my big bowl of lettuce was covered with lots of olives, capers, 12 grilled shrimp, baby heirloom tomatoes and 1 1/2 eggs with a basalmic vinegarette. My version of a Salade Nicoisse
HMM maybe tomorrow I'll have an antipasta salad.
I live for salads in the summer and soups in the winter. But I'm digressing. My food choices are simple-Oatmeal to lower my cholesterol, blueberries for macular degeneration that my optometrist tell me "Wow-I usually don't see that until the patient is in their mid-sixties." THANKS A LOT! Then to be reassuring, he says that it may level off and I would never notice. Yeah-that's very reassuring. I've known him WAY too long. Yogurt for the calcium all women need. Flaxseed is high in Omega-3s.
I get into my forties and my food choices have to be thought out. Boy I long for the days of wondering if I want The Hat, Roscoes Chicken & Waffles, The Stuffed Sandwich or The Boat. Yummm The Hat. Dipped bread pilled high with pastrami. Yummmm. My heart is beating faster but I don't know if that's just the plaque and cholesterol building up from the thought of pastrami
I have the potential to get into ALOT of trouble!
So you know the phrase "ignorance is bliss?" Well I found that out last night.
I decided to skip any workouts yesterday. My knee was feeling pressure going up and down the stairs at work after the 6 mile run on Sunday. (I know-wimp). I also needed time to work on my moutain bike since I will need that as an essential part of my equipment in 12 days. And I've been saying for weeks that I need to have my brakes worked on. Now I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I've worked on my other bikes before. So how hard can that be. Brakes? No problem. I loosened up the screw, adjusted the cable, lubed some joints, etc. Tested it. Made more adjustments. Piece of cake. Brake pads seem too high, like they rub on the tire and the rim. I'll fix that. HA this is easy.
So this is where cockyness and ignorance comes in. My derailer rubs the chain when the front is in the lowest gear (or is the smallest gear considered the highest?) There's a screw, I had the allen wrench in my hand... how hard can that be? I loosened up the screw, adjusted the cable, shifted, and........nothing. It won't shift. SHIT! WHAT DID I DO? I loosened up the screw, played with the cable, maybe it was too...what? Tight? Too Loose? OMG I NEED this bike in a week. How fast can Stan's fix my bike? Will he be able to do it in a few days? OMG WHAT DID I DO? SHIT SHIT SHIT! Ok-look at this again. Maybe I can call Brad-Mr Gadget AKA Mr Fixit. I know I have his phone number. Maybe I can take him my bike and he can fix it.
Stop. Look at this again. Follow the cable. THINK. THINK. Hmmm this cable seems way too loose. Why is this cable loose? Hey-what's this thing down here. It looks like the cable should slip around this since there's some dirt/marking there. Loosen up the screw, place the cable to go around this thing, tighten the cable. PRAY! Shift...YES. So this little thing is the key. Got it. Hmmm loosen the screw, adjust the cable again, piece of cake.
When it comes to projects, I'm a firm believer in DIY, as long as I know that I can get someone to fix my mistakes. I can potentially save alot of $$ and have that sense of accomplishment by doing it myself. AND it gets done MY way. The key is knowing I can get someone to fix my mistakes if I get myself into trouble. OK-I do know my limitations and I'm not THAT much of an idoit. And I don't crawl where there might be spiders. YUK. Or other creepy crawly things BIG YUK.
Basically you don't know what you're capable of unless you try. Now I just need to apply that idea to this AR and to my workouts.
I decided to skip any workouts yesterday. My knee was feeling pressure going up and down the stairs at work after the 6 mile run on Sunday. (I know-wimp). I also needed time to work on my moutain bike since I will need that as an essential part of my equipment in 12 days. And I've been saying for weeks that I need to have my brakes worked on. Now I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I've worked on my other bikes before. So how hard can that be. Brakes? No problem. I loosened up the screw, adjusted the cable, lubed some joints, etc. Tested it. Made more adjustments. Piece of cake. Brake pads seem too high, like they rub on the tire and the rim. I'll fix that. HA this is easy.
So this is where cockyness and ignorance comes in. My derailer rubs the chain when the front is in the lowest gear (or is the smallest gear considered the highest?) There's a screw, I had the allen wrench in my hand... how hard can that be? I loosened up the screw, adjusted the cable, shifted, and........nothing. It won't shift. SHIT! WHAT DID I DO? I loosened up the screw, played with the cable, maybe it was too...what? Tight? Too Loose? OMG I NEED this bike in a week. How fast can Stan's fix my bike? Will he be able to do it in a few days? OMG WHAT DID I DO? SHIT SHIT SHIT! Ok-look at this again. Maybe I can call Brad-Mr Gadget AKA Mr Fixit. I know I have his phone number. Maybe I can take him my bike and he can fix it.
Stop. Look at this again. Follow the cable. THINK. THINK. Hmmm this cable seems way too loose. Why is this cable loose? Hey-what's this thing down here. It looks like the cable should slip around this since there's some dirt/marking there. Loosen up the screw, place the cable to go around this thing, tighten the cable. PRAY! Shift...YES. So this little thing is the key. Got it. Hmmm loosen the screw, adjust the cable again, piece of cake.
When it comes to projects, I'm a firm believer in DIY, as long as I know that I can get someone to fix my mistakes. I can potentially save alot of $$ and have that sense of accomplishment by doing it myself. AND it gets done MY way. The key is knowing I can get someone to fix my mistakes if I get myself into trouble. OK-I do know my limitations and I'm not THAT much of an idoit. And I don't crawl where there might be spiders. YUK. Or other creepy crawly things BIG YUK.
Basically you don't know what you're capable of unless you try. Now I just need to apply that idea to this AR and to my workouts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)