I hope everyone had a great holiday. It was busy for us and mellow at the same time. We slacked a little on our Marathon training. We did about half of what we should have. But now it is a new year and time for a little focus.
I was terrified to see what I had done to myself during New Years (We had a big Seafood Feast at our house) so I didn't weigh in last week. I thought the discouragement would be a bad start to the new year. I did however work my butt off and got back in the routine of regular work outs.
I got on the scale today and WootWoot!! I am down 4lbs. Yeah!! Can you see me doing a happy dance? I got on the WiiFit tonight and it gave me a little triumphant trumpet sound because I have crossed the line from Overweight to Normal. Yep, there is something that calls me Normal. Although it can't truly judge my character it can make me pretty happy in knowing that I am at a normal weight for my age and height.
A huge kudos for Ted. He has been working really hard. He is down to 237, which is awesome. He has lost 30 lbs and has bought 3 new pairs of jeans. He is a total Hottie!!
The training is going well. A lot of time is being spent on the dreadmill because of rain and cold. Ted and I have 2 upcoming races that are part of our training. Next Sat (the 24th, I think) we are going to run a 10 mile race. Then, on Valentines Day, we are going to attempt a 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles).
Sorry that I took a hiatus from the playlist and blogging. It was the holidays after all. But, don't fret, I am back on our regular routine and am more than happy to share my favorite songs with you.
This week is a great one for running on the Dreadmill and a favorite from my younger angry chick days.....The Cranberries: Salvation
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Thursday
Hank Williams Got It Right
I had two really bad weeks in a row. At least that is how I felt. I was slow and mad because I had to workout on the Dreadmill. I would love to always have a positive post for our training but it is so easy to get discouraged. Holiday eating is not helping either, makes me feel ick because I just eat too much of it. Last week, every workout was comparable to a dentist appoint. I even talked myself out of working out twice in the morning. Eventually I did them in the afternoons because I knew I needed to.
Ted says that it is important to keep things fun and try not to make our running feel like work. He has a point. It felt like work last week. I knew I needed to do it and it was hard to find the motivation. In my mind I can't imagine that every time I go out and run that it is suppose to be a good time. I mean, this is six months of training. Oh, and I want to run a marathon. Ted is content with the benefits of what is happening today. He would be thrilled to make it to marathon day and actually run it. Me, I want to run it. I want to run the whole thing. Somedays, that is so completely overwhelming that it knocks the wind out of me.
This Monday, I got on the scale as I do every Monday. Expecting to see a weight gain or breaking even I was pleasantly surprised with a 2.2lb loss. WooHoo!! Not expected, at all. This weight thing drives me nuts. One week I kick butt all over my work outs and gain a lb. The next week, I feel like I have had a root canal and I loose two. I know it is a process of time and metabolism, etc...but really?! So, I am now down 11 lbs. And, that got a little more motivation for this week.
I was able to run outside on Monday because it wasn't raining and it was actually over 40 degrees. Yeah! I pushed myself a little too much and ended up with my knee bugging me all day. So, I iced, compressed and took Tuesday off. Back on the horse on Wed and I felt great. Great workout today too.
My playlist pick this week is for the old school rocker in me and christian music lover (okay, I know I have multiple personality issues) but it is a new song (Aug 2008 release) and new to my playlist and great for picking up my pace on the Dreadmill.
Decemberadio: Gasoline
Monday
Eat Too Much, Drink Too Much
Dec 8th was the beginning of our Week 11 in training. Ted started with all good news and a 4lb weight loss....seriously....Me on the other hand put on another .4 lbs....my competitive spirit finds it extremely annoying that he is loosing weight so easy and yet I am very proud of him for all of his hard work and the truth is, easy isn't a very good word to describe all of the determination and commitment that he is putting into this.
So, the week was a pretty uneventful one. Most of the running was done on the Dreadmill due to really cold and wet weather. Still, not my favorite way to go running so I have added in alternating the elliptical machine because it isn't as hard on my knee and I find more joy in it. Oh, yeah, my knee has started bugging me a little bit. I don't think it is anything serious but it feels tight. I haven't been spending my usual time doing yoga and stretching and I think it is having an effect on it. I will get back to yoga this week and see if it helps out.
We are having trouble making time for our long runs on the weekends. The commitment is there but we are having trouble finding time. We now need about 2 hours for the run. Madi is currently playing basketball and has a game every Sat until the end of January. To top it off, we need a sitter. Someone to come and play with the girls while we run. So far, we can't find anyone. It is also the holidays and there are lots of to-do's.....I am in need of a little refocus and solution finding.
As you can tell from my tone, I have been feeling discouraged. There are just times when the goal is just far enough away that all of the obstacles become distracting and make it hard to see where we are headed. I know where I want to be and I know hurdles are a part of the process. So, on to a new week.
My song pick for this week is Dave Matthews Band: Too Much (disclaimer: the video is the live version and the language isn't censored.)
So, the week was a pretty uneventful one. Most of the running was done on the Dreadmill due to really cold and wet weather. Still, not my favorite way to go running so I have added in alternating the elliptical machine because it isn't as hard on my knee and I find more joy in it. Oh, yeah, my knee has started bugging me a little bit. I don't think it is anything serious but it feels tight. I haven't been spending my usual time doing yoga and stretching and I think it is having an effect on it. I will get back to yoga this week and see if it helps out.
We are having trouble making time for our long runs on the weekends. The commitment is there but we are having trouble finding time. We now need about 2 hours for the run. Madi is currently playing basketball and has a game every Sat until the end of January. To top it off, we need a sitter. Someone to come and play with the girls while we run. So far, we can't find anyone. It is also the holidays and there are lots of to-do's.....I am in need of a little refocus and solution finding.
As you can tell from my tone, I have been feeling discouraged. There are just times when the goal is just far enough away that all of the obstacles become distracting and make it hard to see where we are headed. I know where I want to be and I know hurdles are a part of the process. So, on to a new week.
My song pick for this week is Dave Matthews Band: Too Much (disclaimer: the video is the live version and the language isn't censored.)
Thursday
All Right Now
Week 10 was not a particularly great week for training. I put on a pound over the the Thanksgiving holiday. Not bad but not great. I had a really good run on Monday and then....
....the crud got me and I was down for the rest of last week. It was hard to convince myself that I needed to rest and get better before going out and running in the cold. Dang, it sucked though. I get tripped up so easy and missing 4 days of running is not a good thing.....
Trying to look forward and keep moving....
This is my playlist choice of the week, mostly because sick days come and go and it is going to be alright.
Free: All Right Now
....the crud got me and I was down for the rest of last week. It was hard to convince myself that I needed to rest and get better before going out and running in the cold. Dang, it sucked though. I get tripped up so easy and missing 4 days of running is not a good thing.....
Trying to look forward and keep moving....
This is my playlist choice of the week, mostly because sick days come and go and it is going to be alright.
Free: All Right Now
Tuesday
You Can Ponder Perpetual Motion
This is for the week of Nov 24th. I apologize for being so far behind. It is hard to keep up on the blog when we have company. I promise if you every come to visit that I will also use you as an excuse to procrastinate my posts.....
So, we were truly blessed to have Grandma Joanne come and stay with us for Thanksgiving. I feel a little bad for some of the time we spent running while she was here. I know she understands. But, truly, I don't think I see the amount of time we are spending on our commitment to the marathon training. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Grandma for being so understanding and for watching the girls for our Thanksgiving Day run.
We had a good training week and of coarse the high of the race was a great motivator for the rest of the weeks training.
No playlist would be complete without a little Creedence, so my addition this week is:
Up Around the Bend by Creedence Clearwater Revival
oh, check out the side bar. I am trying a new widget that is the list of the entire playlist in one place....
8k equals 5 miles
We did it. We ran our very first race. Bluecross Autumnfest 8k in Knoxville. Well, we weren't racing really. Ted and I used the run as part of our marathon training. Part of training is also learning what to do with all those jittery nerves that show up during race day with other runners around us. 
Instead of getting up at 5:30 am to put a turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving morning we got up to go running. We had to get up so early so we could "fuel" up and have it digested before the race. On the menu: 1 Banana, 2 pieces of wheat toast, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and water. Lots and Lots of water.
It was about 30 degrees out when we got to the venue. Brrr. We went to the registration and picked up our chips (it is this little thing you put on your shoe that does the timing). We met these two really nice ladies that are both from the West Coast while we were patiently waiting. Whenever we saw them we would throw the W sign and yell West Coast, hehehe (runners are funny people).
The race started at 8:30am....it was so cool. Everyone crowded together. I think there were almost 900 runners. Have I mentioned that this is also the first time Ted and I had run a continuous 5 miles. Oh, yeah.... We did it in 54:56. Placing 751st and 752nd. Our pace was 11:02 a mile. Perfect. We were able to talk to each other through the whole five miles and really enjoyed the entire experience.
It was really amazing and I wasn't nearly as nervous about the whole thing as I thought I would be. I felt really prepared. There is also something to say about Ted's calming effect on me. Having him there, running next to me, makes this an even more wonderful experience.
Instead of getting up at 5:30 am to put a turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving morning we got up to go running. We had to get up so early so we could "fuel" up and have it digested before the race. On the menu: 1 Banana, 2 pieces of wheat toast, 3 tablespoons of peanut butter and water. Lots and Lots of water.
It was about 30 degrees out when we got to the venue. Brrr. We went to the registration and picked up our chips (it is this little thing you put on your shoe that does the timing). We met these two really nice ladies that are both from the West Coast while we were patiently waiting. Whenever we saw them we would throw the W sign and yell West Coast, hehehe (runners are funny people).
The race started at 8:30am....it was so cool. Everyone crowded together. I think there were almost 900 runners. Have I mentioned that this is also the first time Ted and I had run a continuous 5 miles. Oh, yeah.... We did it in 54:56. Placing 751st and 752nd. Our pace was 11:02 a mile. Perfect. We were able to talk to each other through the whole five miles and really enjoyed the entire experience.
It was really amazing and I wasn't nearly as nervous about the whole thing as I thought I would be. I felt really prepared. There is also something to say about Ted's calming effect on me. Having him there, running next to me, makes this an even more wonderful experience.
Resolution of Happiness
130 days and counting....that is how long we have until the starting line of our 26.2 mile run.
7 days and counting...that is how long we have until the starting line of our very first race. An 8k on Thanksgiving Day. Yesterday, we filled out the registration and paid the entrance fee for our first official run. I am a little freaked. Not so much about running the 5 miles but about getting to the starting line. The worst part of my personality is that I am not a very good starter; I am okay once I get there but the anxiety of getting to the beginning almost requires self-medicating.
Last weeks training was okay. Not my favorite, mostly because Wed through Sat were on all machines and not outdoors. I much prefer the change in scenery, even if it does require the occasional dodging of vehicles that don't expect a woman to be out running at 5:30 in the morning. I still managed to total 22 miles last week. Woo Hoo!!
This week has started out well. I had a great Monday and did 4 miles in 40 minutes. I was booking it. I don't know where the spurt of energy came from. It has been cold, I think I just wanted it to be over as quickly as possible. Today I did another 4 but it took 50 minutes. Seriously, it took me almost 20 to do the first mile, but then I kept good pace. It was 22 degrees when I ran this morning at 4:45am (Ted had to go to work earlier today). Maybe that was the problem, that is too early and too freaking cold.....
So, this Saturday we start running our long runs with the local running club. I am excited and nervous. Hoping there are more beginners than just Ted and I. But they teach us how to refuel and have other clinics and there are about 100 runners that we will be able to learn from.
This weeks song I like for the fact that it is a classic and like most of my other choices has some great guitar that keeps me moving at 5am. While I realize my choices are not the usual hip-hoppy aerobic/cardio expectations of an athletes playlist, I will not apologize for enjoying good music.
INXS: Don't Change
7 days and counting...that is how long we have until the starting line of our very first race. An 8k on Thanksgiving Day. Yesterday, we filled out the registration and paid the entrance fee for our first official run. I am a little freaked. Not so much about running the 5 miles but about getting to the starting line. The worst part of my personality is that I am not a very good starter; I am okay once I get there but the anxiety of getting to the beginning almost requires self-medicating.
Last weeks training was okay. Not my favorite, mostly because Wed through Sat were on all machines and not outdoors. I much prefer the change in scenery, even if it does require the occasional dodging of vehicles that don't expect a woman to be out running at 5:30 in the morning. I still managed to total 22 miles last week. Woo Hoo!!
This week has started out well. I had a great Monday and did 4 miles in 40 minutes. I was booking it. I don't know where the spurt of energy came from. It has been cold, I think I just wanted it to be over as quickly as possible. Today I did another 4 but it took 50 minutes. Seriously, it took me almost 20 to do the first mile, but then I kept good pace. It was 22 degrees when I ran this morning at 4:45am (Ted had to go to work earlier today). Maybe that was the problem, that is too early and too freaking cold.....
So, this Saturday we start running our long runs with the local running club. I am excited and nervous. Hoping there are more beginners than just Ted and I. But they teach us how to refuel and have other clinics and there are about 100 runners that we will be able to learn from.
This weeks song I like for the fact that it is a classic and like most of my other choices has some great guitar that keeps me moving at 5am. While I realize my choices are not the usual hip-hoppy aerobic/cardio expectations of an athletes playlist, I will not apologize for enjoying good music.
INXS: Don't Change
Send You Back To Arkansas
Week 7, yep we are seven weeks into our crazy adventure. 4 months and 17 days until the big race....
Things are good and moving along. Ted and I did our first 5 mile on Saturday and it went really well. We ran over to the high school and did a few of our miles on the track. Wow, running a track is completely different. First, it is flat and that is nice. Second, it is easy to keep track of distance and that is nice. Third, it feels like it never ends and that sucks. Fourth, you aren't going anywhere and that sucks. So, it is an okay way to do a part of our Saturday run but I don't really care for it. I would rather struggle up a hill than go in circles.
For week 6 the total mileage was 21, that includes 4 on the elliptical machine. This week should run about the same but more running than walking. I am hoping to run a consistent 3 miles on Thursday morning. We will see, those hills are going to have my foot prints pound into them by the time this training is over....(hopefully).
My weigh in on Monday was not great, I gained two pounds. It is my own fault, I entered a pie eating contest on Saturday and ate half an apple pie to myself (pictures to come soon). Robin ate the other half and we totally kicked everyone's butt so it was completely worth it ;~D
Alright, this weeks playlist song is just a classic. I like it because my runs are getting longer and it makes me wanna move and keep moving. The video is lame but it was the only one with the same song version I have on my Ipod...
Ray Charles: What'd I Say
Things are good and moving along. Ted and I did our first 5 mile on Saturday and it went really well. We ran over to the high school and did a few of our miles on the track. Wow, running a track is completely different. First, it is flat and that is nice. Second, it is easy to keep track of distance and that is nice. Third, it feels like it never ends and that sucks. Fourth, you aren't going anywhere and that sucks. So, it is an okay way to do a part of our Saturday run but I don't really care for it. I would rather struggle up a hill than go in circles.
For week 6 the total mileage was 21, that includes 4 on the elliptical machine. This week should run about the same but more running than walking. I am hoping to run a consistent 3 miles on Thursday morning. We will see, those hills are going to have my foot prints pound into them by the time this training is over....(hopefully).
My weigh in on Monday was not great, I gained two pounds. It is my own fault, I entered a pie eating contest on Saturday and ate half an apple pie to myself (pictures to come soon). Robin ate the other half and we totally kicked everyone's butt so it was completely worth it ;~D
Alright, this weeks playlist song is just a classic. I like it because my runs are getting longer and it makes me wanna move and keep moving. The video is lame but it was the only one with the same song version I have on my Ipod...
Ray Charles: What'd I Say
Friday
Gimme Strength for Round 5
Week 6: It is now the end of week six, I am a little off this week on my posts.
Last week was a wonderful accomplishment. I upped my run/walks to 4 miles and I did a complete 2 mile run, hills and all. I felt great and worked hard and it paid off. When I got on the scale on Monday I was down 4.4 lbs. That puts me just over 10lbs lighter than 6 weeks ago.
It has been a mellow week for me. One that required a little more push. We had a great weekend with very little sleep. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I went for my run on Tuesday. Sleep is still a major issue for me. I keep telling myself how important 8 hours is and still I don't get to bed before 11pm. I have made up for my lazy runs with a little extra cardio and strength training at home. I had a great workout yesterday and today.
Tomorrow we (Ted and I) are going to attempt our first 5 miles (that is a walk/run combo). I'm excited. If we both feel good about it we may sign up to run an 8k on Thanksgiving Day. Now that would certainly take away from the guilt of eating mashed potatoes and turkey while watching football for 4 days straight.......
This weeks song to add to the playlist is a goodie and seems appropriate for election week. Especially since my candidate lost on Tuesday. The video is also a piece of cheezy goodness....
John Mellencamp: Authority Song
Thursday
Breathing Life
It is officially week 5.
Ted and I both stayed even on the weigh-in this week. Not bad. Considering the extra days off and the extra calories over the weekend. I did my measurements this week. I have lost over 8 inches. I dunno if I did the math right because I only measured one thigh, calf, forearm and bicep. I have lost 3.5 on my waist, but still haven't changed pant size, I don't know what that is all about.
I would call this weeks training triumphant. Tuesday I was able to add an extra mile to my run/walk and still kept my time at 12min miles. Today, Thursday, was a big day for me. I only did 2 miles but I ran the entire way. Up this crazy hill that has been mocking me on a daily basis. Today, that hill had nothing on me. I pushed through and made it up both times.
I actually started crying when I got to the end of the two miles. All week it has been on my mind to run two miles straight and conquer those hills. Ted told me I should be proud of myself if I could make it around one mile. These are pretty intense hills and I know he was trying to make sure I didn't disappoint myself. So, the alarm went off at 4:42am, I lay there for a few minutes talking myself into getting up. Hit the alarm when it goes off the second time, right then our dog walks in to check on us. I crawl out of bed, pee, brush my teeth (yes, I brush my teeth before I go), get dressed, stretch, grab my water, grab my keys and ipod. Yikes, it was freaking cold (28 degrees). I walked the first 5 minutes to warm up, which wasn't working. Then I just started running and kept running and the first hill came and I kept going. It was so strange, on the downhills I could actually feel my heart rate going down and my breathing ease up. Then up the next hill, down the next. Before I knew it, I had done it twice, 10 min miles.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have been truly proud of myself. Particularly for something that was up to only me. When I tagged the back of our minivan, I broke into tears. I did it. Me. I ran that @#$% hill. Today, I am a conqueror because I believed I could do it....
To add to the playlist, it is a great song by one of my favorite groups, Skillet. (disclaimer: the video is a little graphic; clips from the movie "We Were Soldiers")
Skillet: Comatose
Ted and I both stayed even on the weigh-in this week. Not bad. Considering the extra days off and the extra calories over the weekend. I did my measurements this week. I have lost over 8 inches. I dunno if I did the math right because I only measured one thigh, calf, forearm and bicep. I have lost 3.5 on my waist, but still haven't changed pant size, I don't know what that is all about.
I would call this weeks training triumphant. Tuesday I was able to add an extra mile to my run/walk and still kept my time at 12min miles. Today, Thursday, was a big day for me. I only did 2 miles but I ran the entire way. Up this crazy hill that has been mocking me on a daily basis. Today, that hill had nothing on me. I pushed through and made it up both times.
I actually started crying when I got to the end of the two miles. All week it has been on my mind to run two miles straight and conquer those hills. Ted told me I should be proud of myself if I could make it around one mile. These are pretty intense hills and I know he was trying to make sure I didn't disappoint myself. So, the alarm went off at 4:42am, I lay there for a few minutes talking myself into getting up. Hit the alarm when it goes off the second time, right then our dog walks in to check on us. I crawl out of bed, pee, brush my teeth (yes, I brush my teeth before I go), get dressed, stretch, grab my water, grab my keys and ipod. Yikes, it was freaking cold (28 degrees). I walked the first 5 minutes to warm up, which wasn't working. Then I just started running and kept running and the first hill came and I kept going. It was so strange, on the downhills I could actually feel my heart rate going down and my breathing ease up. Then up the next hill, down the next. Before I knew it, I had done it twice, 10 min miles.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have been truly proud of myself. Particularly for something that was up to only me. When I tagged the back of our minivan, I broke into tears. I did it. Me. I ran that @#$% hill. Today, I am a conqueror because I believed I could do it....
To add to the playlist, it is a great song by one of my favorite groups, Skillet. (disclaimer: the video is a little graphic; clips from the movie "We Were Soldiers")
Skillet: Comatose
Wednesday
Your Dust Collectors Are Needed
WANTED
ALL OF YOUR BEST OF INTENTIONS
Is your closet hiding a fitness secret?
If we looked under your bed would we find an unused piece of exercise equipment?
If so, Don't fret!!
I have a solution for you......
I need your "stuff".
I need a jump rope, exercise bands, and the medicine ball that never actually got blown up.
Those crazy videos you bought with the best of intentions could be put to good use at my house.
In all seriousness, I am looking to accumulate a few new pieces of exercise equipment. Just the small stuff. If you have any that you would like to get rid of, let me know......
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