New Shoes!

I forgot the most important thing! I got new shoes yesterday...bad day to tackle Fleet Feet since the Shamrock Shuffle was today, but we survived! Here they are, including my new chiropractor prescribed insoles!

It has officially begun!

The training...I am officially in training. I know, its still only March, but the Portland group that I trained with way back in the day actually began their training this weekend! So, I downloaded their training schedule for the next 4 weeks. It's on!

I did tweek it a little to incorporate some of the hefty, slightly insane, goals I have for myself this year. Here is what this week will look like if all goes well:

Sunday: Run 3 miles - DONE :)
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Run 25 minutes & lifting circuit
Wednesday: Run 30 minutes
Thursday: Off
Friday: Run 25 minutes
Saturday: Lifting circuit & 20 min crosstraining activity
Sunday: Run 4 miles

It may take a little talking into somedays, but its definitely doable! Especially right now. I'm feeling very positive and very energized because its easy to see progress at this level. I was talking to my friend last night about how to keep this energy going when I hit a wall. Or when progression begins to slow down. Because it will happen. This I already know. He didn't really know, but he said we'd get each other through it. There was no other choice :0) I wish I had his confidence!

I knew I shouldn't have done it...

Gotten on the scale this morning! I've been working out, eating well...and this morning I was heavier than I've seen on the scale in 10 years!!! How does that happen? I'm seriously upset. I try not to make weight an issue on this blog, but this really upset me this morning so I had to vent.

I should also mention that I'm developing a weird crush on the host of Destination Truth. No idea why. I used to find him the most annoying person ever...but somehow he's growing on me. Hmmm.

I'm on a roll, baby!

Today wasn't as easy, but I got it done! I did my same 3 round circuit and then another 30 minutes of running that varied anywhere from 5.0 - 5.2 mph. The lifting went pretty well. Did pretty much the same as Saturday's workout. I struggled a little with the shoulder press...must have weak shoulders today! I also upped the weight on the leg press because I remembered that it felt kind of easy before. This may have been a bad idea because I noticed I struggled a little more on the run.

I started the run at 5.1 and quickly tried to move to 5.2...that didn't feel good. I noticed I was getting out of breath much quicker than my last run. I took it back to 5.0 for a bit until I was feeling good again and then back to 5.1. Near the end of the run, I went back to 5.2 and then into a cool down. There did come a point where I wanted to stop, but I didn't let myself. That was big for me. These are small victories, but I'll take them!

I really want to plan out my week ahead. But at the same time...when (if) I miss a run, I get all down on myself for messing up the plan. So, I suppose the answer to that is to not miss a run... :) I think maybe I'll do a little cross-training tomorrow and I'll plan my week out after that!

And another one...

Another great 30 minute run last night. And...wait for it...wait for it...I bumped the speed up to 5.1 mph! I know...I'm insane!!! :P Hee hee...for real though, I figure if I just bump it up by a tenth of a mile each time and can handle it, I'll be back at 6.0 mph in no time!

Tonight I think I'll go for the lifting circuit again and then the run. I have to try to get my mind wrapped around this being a daily thing. Like this is what I do EVERY day...and the exception is having a day off. Right now, I always phrase it as, "I have to run today". When really, that should be a given and on an off day I should think, "I get to rest today". I hope that makes sense.

I feel incredibly lucky to have two friends training with me this year. Last year I found it very difficult to do it all on my own. One is training for the Chicago Marathon, but since that and the Portland Marathon are only a week apart, we'll be at virtually the same training place and hopefully we can do some runs together. If anything, he tells me when he's done a run and I feel like I have to go do one just to keep up with him. Nothing like a little competition to get me moving! The other doesn't live here, but is training to run the Portland with me. So, we probably won't have much running together, but I'll be lucky to have him waiting for me at the finish line...right now he's running under an 8 min/mile pace and there is no way I'd ever keep up!

I think this is the year I actually cross the finish line!

Oh Yeah, Baby!

Do you ever have one of those workouts that just goes ten times beyond the expectations you set out for yourself? Yeah? Well, that was me today!

I had to work the 9-3pm shift at work. In one way its great because there are limited classes, students and staff in the building on Saturday so you get a lot done. On the other hand, once your projects are done, there isn't a whole lot more to do. So, about 1:30 I got to that point. I didn't really have anything to do. This made me start getting lazy. Thoughts of how it would be so nice to just head home at 3pm instead of going upstairs to the gym started to creep into my head. I even went and snagged a Dark Chocolate Mounds from the vending machine...yeah, I've had my eye on that puppy all week! After swearing to only eat one of the little bars, I even finished it off!

Just as 3pm was almost here, I saw a picture of this athletic toned woman that totally inspired me. Here I was, 7 floors away from the gym, with nothing else planned for the day, and I was gonna skip it? That was ridiculous! So, up I went.

Upon arrival, the gym was empty, lights off and all. I got the place up and jumping and then looked at the treadmill. Not fun. With all the machines empty and readily available for my lifting pleasure, I decided to go that route first. It ended up being an awesome 3 round circuit session that covered legs, biceps, abs, triceps, back and shoulders. Lovely! When that was over, I was feeling a little more sure of myself.

To the treadmill I went. My outdoor runs so far have been intervals of walking and running and they haven't felt all that pleasant. That being said, I decided to start at 5mph and see how it went. That is a bit slower than I usually run at, but then again, I'm not at my usual running ability. I planned to run 3 minutes, walk 2...since that was working on the outdoor runs. At 3 minutes, I felt like I hadn't done anything. So, I decided to go for 5. At 5, I still felt great so I went crazy and decided to just go until I felt I HAD to stop. Halfway through, I knew I would be running the entire 30 minutes. I felt strong. It felt fairly easy. I was out of breath, but not in a bad way. Just enough to remind me that my body was working. For a second, I even considered adding more time, but figured I better not push my luck!

I finished the workout with a 5 minute walk and some stretching. I cannot express how great I feel. I don't feel tired, fatigued, sore (although I'm sure that will come) or anything negative at all. I feel very proud and strong! Now I can't wait to get out there and do it again!!

Bombed!!

I bit off WAY more than I could chew today. I forgot I have to get back in this thing gradually :) Yes, it was a less than stellar running performance, but I got out there and got yet another run under my belt. And that is what I'm going to take away from it!

I've got a really ambitious workout schedule in mind for when I finally get myself to where I need to be. I really want to work on strengthening my muscles, through lifting at the gym a couple of times a week, doing my Windsor pilates a couple times (yes, I bought it off the TV and it rocks!) and then making sure I spend one day a week doing some cross training exercies. No burn out this year and no falling off the wagon!

Let's also pray this weather sticks around and the winter is DONE!!!

A beautiful day

Of course, I'm referring to yesterday and our wonderful near 50 degree temps! I sat in my livingroom, seeing the sun peeking in through the windows all day and finally, about 4pm I kicked myself in the butt and said get out there are run! I am not allowed to use the weather as an excuse if I'm not taking advantage of the good days!

Being that I've run probably 3 whole times in the last 4 months, I decided to do run/walk intervals. It started with run 2, walk 3...cuz I didn't want to over do it and end up walking the whole thing. Once I got a few of those in and was warmed up, I switched to 2.5 run, 2.5 walk. This felt good. There were a few little inclines in there that I thought might kill me, but I doing it! I finished my 3 mile loop with 3 sets of run 3, walk 2. It took 37 minutes. I think that is an outstanding time! I was probably keeping a faster pace while running due to the walk intervals. I felt very tired when it was over, but great at the same time! Although, I had to dodge more than a few ice patches that we still hanging around and I felt like I tweeked my knee a little with my turns and leaps :S

After I was home and settled, it occured to me that I had to meet with the trainer this morning at 7:30am...what had I done?! I ran at 4pm on Sunday afternoon and had to endure 30 minutes of hell 15 hours later? This was not good! Lucky for me, she went a little easy on my this morning. And by easy, I mean I still was absolutely exhausted by the end, but comparing to some of the other workouts she has put me through, it could have been a lot worse! I have another appt with her on Thursday so at least I know I'll have gotten 3 workouts in this week. That is a great week for me these days!

At this point, I'm pretty positive I won't be able to get up out of my chair by the end of the day...but I needed this!

Blob-o-rama

Yeah, that is me right now! I had Chipotle for lunch and it made me bloated as heck! I feel like I'm breakin' out of my britches over here! On the upside, nothing is more motivating to get to the gym than having the waistline of your pants gouging into your stomach all afternoon. Yeah, that's right...blob-o-rama!

I think I might actually make it...

to the gym on my lunch break! I keep telling myself I'm going to go up there on lunch and get a little weight training session in, but somehow I never end up getting out of here. My lunch is generally spent at my desk shoving a bite in my face every few minutes. But today? Today I am going to make it a point to get my butt up from this desk and go get half a workout in! And that will leave less to face after work :)

Also...I think I can say I'm officially decaffienated! I've still been getting a coffee or hot chocolate in the mornings, but its always decaf. Except Sunday morning because I went to my little neighborhood coffee spot and the guy knows me and just started making my usual. I didn't have the heart to stop him! Now, if I can just kick the morning expensive drink altogether and drink water, I'll save myself about $100 a month! Oh yeah! And I also FINALLY stopped driving to work...which costs $16 a day for parking! That was a truly bad habit! This bad weather was too much for me to endure in the morning. But following along the same lines as the new running philosophy, I can choose to drive or I can choose to suck it up and freeze!!! I choose to FREEZE!! And frozen I am :)

Inspiration

I'm forever looking for inspiration. I'm weak. It is hard to find it within myself to accomplish some of my "life" things and I'm just always forcing people to give me words of wisdom :)

It was Valentine's Day. My friend and I happened to end up going out to dinner that night and being that we are a man and a woman, having dinner together, on a holiday for couples, well...it seemed to be assumed by the waitstaff that we were in need of a little romatic push. So, when we ordered our usual huge bowl drink, it came much more alcohol infused than usual! And, of course, we both proceeded to drink more than we ate :) Ah...I love Valentine's Day!

Anywho, this little buzz-fest led to a really, truly inspiring conversation after dinner. My problem with this whole running thing is multi-tiered. First, there is the getting up in the morning to run. I am forever trying to figure out how to be a morning person. Why is this so important? Because when the weather gets hot, I'm also not one to force myself into suffering through a night run. Therefore, if there is no run in the morning...and temps make me call it that night = NO RUN. Next is the whole laziness factor. I admit it! I am lazy! Marathon + Lazy = Failure. It goes without saying that that missing one run during the week makes progression hard enough...but missing multiple runs? That is recipe for disaster...and for some reason, I guess I liked living on the edge :)

So, the conversation. He just put it all so simple. I am in charge of my actions. I can do whatever I CHOOSE to do. Choices. I have to make them. For the right reasons. And another thing he put so simply...don't you want to be able to face the day and everyone in it and think about how much you already accomplished before 9am, that they didn't? YES! Yes, I do! I want to walk into the office and look at everyone and scream, "I ran 8 miles this morning! What did you do?!"

And so what if I can't pig out on pizza everyday? I've got years and years and YEARS beyond this marathon to eat pizza. Can I really not handle passing it up right now? I think I've just been looking at this all wrong. I am in charge of me, my time and my abilities. Not my job. Not the weather. Not my heart rate monitor that rubbed me raw...I am! And I will do what I need to do, to do this right! And everytime I begin to falter, I will think of that buzzed conversation that made it all sound so easy. Just like he made the marathon look.

Decaf: Day 2

That means that yesterday was Decaf: Day 1. And it sucked. I just went to 7-Eleven and grabbed a cup of decaf, threw in some splenda and lots of yummy flavored cramers and was off. It tasted less than appealing, but it was something to satisfiy the hand-to-mouth habit I have in the morning. I thought things were fine. Until 2pm struck. Out of nowhere came the worst headached I've had in I don't know how long! Right in the front of my forehead and in my temples. I don't like medication and I tried to fight through it. I had to go see my chiropractor so I thought maybe a distraction would get rid of it. NO. Instead, walking around in the non-human temperatures there and back seemed to make it worse.

The day wore on and the headache persisted. Finally, at 6:15, when I was ready to leave work, I spotted a little bottle of Advil at the bottom of my bag. I gave in and took 2, thinking of how by the time I got home, my little (huge) headache should be gone. WRONG. It was still going strong when I got home. I made dinner, ate dinner then finally just laid down on the couch. I'd guess somewhere around 8pm it finally ceased. A 6 hour headache! Augh!

So, today is day 2. I gave in and got a decaf Starbucks...that 7-Eleven decaf stunk! I will assume that the torture yesterday will not again occur. At least it better not! Now, my next step is figuring out how to make my tastebuds like tea :)

Morning *cough* Coffee

This morning I went and met my friend for coffee...well, he had tea because he's already knee deep in his training mentality, but I told him I wasn't giving up coffee until Monday :)

We started talking about our training differences and he made some valid points. He wanted to clarify that the reason he wanted to wait until August to train with me was because he wants to make sure that I'm doing it for me. He said that if he is my crutch the whole and and something should happen that he can't continue, he doesn't want me to fall off because I was using him as my motivator. And you know, that is a very valid point. He basically wants me to make sure that I'm doing it for me and that nothing will get in my way.

Then, of course, he addressed my morning issue. You all know how many times I've tried to conquer the early morning thing, but it just doesn't seem possible! I love to sleep! Again, he made another valid point here. We both felt sort of cheated out of our summers in the years that we trained because running had to come first and forced us to miss out on various events and whatnot. But, he says if we can make sure that we run in the mornings, that will leave our weekends and evenings free to take advantage of the good weather and still enjoy ourselves while also getting all our training in. Hmmmm...this guy is kinda smart!

Lastly, he talked to me about my overall dedication and how far I'm willing to go. I never played organized sports past junior high and he thinks that is why the thought of pushing myself beyond my physical comfort level is so awful to me. I've just never had to. My take on it is to find a way to do this in the least disruptive way possible, while his take is to attack it head on and adjust anything and everything in the way.

Now I'm not sure what to do. I guess my way didn't work so well, afterall...I supposed I could try to push myself harder. But that is scary. I supposed now is the time to test the waters, before the real training starts. Yikes!

Training style

My friend who ran the marathon back in 2006 and inspired me to try for 2007 decided to run it again in 2008. I will be running Portland this year, but they are only a week apart so we would be able to train together.

Last night we got to talking about getting started again and where we need to work ourselves up to in order to be ready when the real training begins in the spring. When he ran it in 2006, he made a complete lifestyle change. He was an athlete, but never really a distance runner and yet in his first attempt, in his mid-30s, he finished in 4:20 without struggling at all. But, like I said, he made a complete lifestyle change. He stopped drinking caffeine, cut his caloric intake by more than I truly deemed healthy :), stopped drinking alcohol and going out (which made for quite the boring summer for me!) and just basically completely devoted those months to the marathon. I was amazed and in awe. He made it look so effortless.

As we were talking, I could tell that he wants me to put forth that same effort he will be in this year's training. I want to. I probably really, really need to. BUT...YIKES! I don't want to give up my coffee! I don't want to run 23 miles TWICE before the marathon. I want to enjoy my summer because I feel like I missed the last one. Does that mean I'm not devoted to this? I just don't know what I should do. Do I give his plan a shot and hope I can hang on? Do I learn from my weaknesses last year and change my approach based on that?

I think I already pissed him off and made him not want to train with me :) He said, and I quote, maybe we should just wait until mid-August to train together. Hahaha! MID-AUGUST! By then I'll know if I'm marathon ready or not and won't need as much help! Oh, decisions, decisions!

Small Steps

So, with my promotion come working on alternating Saturdays. Sucks, right? No! Actually, I loved having Friday off and then going in on Saturday where basically no one is there and I can actually get some real work accomplished!! PLUS...since its a short day (9-3pm) its a lot easier to fit in my trip to the gym! Most days, I'm so drained when I get off that I just want to go home and be a lump!

Yesterday, I totally planned to hit the gym after work. But, as the day wore on and the thought of getting home started to creep into my head, the seemed to become less and less enticing. Right when I had almost made up my mind to forget the gym, it was 3pm and time to head out. I'm not sure how or why, but I found myself grabbing my gym bag and heading upstairs!
I got to the gym and it was deserted. Saturdays in a Loop office building are a little quiet :) The lights weren't even on! But the music was still pumpin' through the speakers and the TVs on the machines were going strong. So, with the gym all to myself, I finally attacked a little cardio. I spent some time on the elliptical trainer and then walked some serious hills on the treadmill. And that there, folks, wore me out! I wanted to get some weights in, but I was too tired!

As disappointed as I am at how bad I've let my cardiovascular stamina get, I still feel a little better with every workout. I know its not possible, but I swear I already feel stronger! When I put my hands on my thighs when standing up from the couch, I swear I feel my little quad muscles coming alive! My butt feels just a little bit tighter. And its great to feel some soreness in my abs since that is a muscle group I have always neglected...no matter how good of shape I've been in! I'm taking small steps, but this is the start of something good! I can feel it!

Oh, me booty sore!

Well, my new job has kept me at the office obscene hours this week so I haven't even made it to the gym except for my scheduled appointments with the trainer :( I don't have have time to eat lunch! I finally get away to grab something between 2pm and 3pm and then slowly eat it at my desk over the course of the next 2 hours or so. I kid you not, I usually finish my "lunch" close to 5pm! Its absolutely crazy!

But, that was not what this post was supposed to be about :) Met with the trainer yesterday morning for another circuit training session. I don't know if its been my crazy schedule this week or what, but this time it all felt a ton harder than last time! We started on the squat machine...I can't remember what its called...the one where you put the weights on the bar and squat with it...Smith machine? Can't remember! Anywho, easy enough. Did free weight for upper back and shoulder presses again. Still not too bad. Then I had to do walking side squats down the length of the gym and back holding a weight. Uh...one time down felt okay, but on the way back, I started to get REALLY tired! I mean, didn't I already do squats today?! I finish and we go straight into abs. I'm not sure its possible, but I could swear my abs were still sore from last week!

Just one circuit had me sweating and out of breath! I was so embarrassed! I really think it was the walking squats that were killing me. After the 3rd circuit, I wanted to die! I went into the locker room and I swear I couldn't stop breathing hard! And my legs muscles were so tired, I didn't even want to expend the effort it took to stand up! How pathetic!

This really is freaking me out about running. If lifting is there hard, imagine trying to do some serious cardio! Oh my goodness! I have to work Saturday so going to be sure to stop into the gym after that and give cardio a go. Maybe do a little lifting on my own too. At least she is stregthening my legs! That is bound to help when it comes time to get serious about training. But for now, my booty is sore like never before and my hammies and inner thighs aren't feeling so great either! Oh yeah, and abs...hurts to laugh :) But its still that good pain...pain that reminds you that you got the job done!

Hello, Soreness!

I had my first session with the trainer and boy am I feeling it now. It was yesterday at 7:30am. It's a miracle I even made it out of bed :) She had me do a weight training circuit that lasted only 30 minutes, but what a 30 minutes it turned out to be! I now realize a 5 minute warm-up might have been a little smart, but I will make sure I get there a little early to work it in.

We started on the leg press...one of my favorites. It was easy, gave me the false impression that I was going to fly through this workout. Then on to tricep extentions...still fairly easy. Next was the wall squats w/ the ball, then a wall sit. I almost died. Lower back on the Bosu ball, shoulder press with free weights and abs came next. All became steadily harder to do. By the 3rd set, I could barely finish...which is how it should be, but rarely the level I push myself to!

I woke up this morning and it basically hurts to move everything! Oh my poor muscles! But, at the same time, it feels great because I haven't hurt like this in a very long time. It's incredibly motivating. My goal is to do another weight training stint on my own and get 3 cardio workouts in. With my new job, time seems to be a little hard to come by so I'll be elated if I actually pull it off!

Off topic...the moment that made my morning today? As I was driving down North Ave from the Whole Foods, I saw The Average Joggler joggling down the street! Talk about making me feel lazy! :p

The crickets are a chirpin'!

Yeah, I've been a little quiet around here. Okay, A LOT quiet around here. I'm not even sure the date of the last entry! I will be completely honest here, I was on major burnout. Still am. I've run ONE time since the marathon. And no, that is not an exhaggeration...although you don't know how much I wish it was!

I went up to the gym in my office building, mounted the treadmill and knocked out a whole 5 minutes before I was sucking wind and had to walk. It was down right embarrassing. I then alternated with 2 1/2 minutes of running with 2 1/2 minutes (*cough* sometimes 5 *cough*) of walking. It was an ugly day in the land of decline.

But, there is hope yet! The gym sent out an email offer for 1 personal training session per week for 8 weeks, 5 workout cards per week, nutritionist advice, and prizes at the end for those who put forth the most effort...for only $49!!! I mean, how could I not sign up? The kicker here? The time slot I had to schedule for the training session was 7am on Fridays! That is going to suck! Yet, I need to find some sort of discipline with this so maybe being able to show up for 8 weeks in the worst time slot ever will conquer all! Or in the very least, make me sleep through all the friday nights of fun!

Portland Marathon is official

I know, I know...where have I been? The holidays and some changes at work have already got me stressed out and busy! I had my mom in town for Turkey Day and that limited my free time. Then right after the holiday I asked to be considered for a management position here at the office and...I got it! So, now I've been ridiculously busy trying to keep up with my accounting responisbilities while picking up the slack for the manager who walked out on us last month. Yes, the official transfer won't be until 1/1/08, but somehow I'm already responsible for duties over there. So, its been hectic!

But, the real news is that I just (like seriously JUST) official signed up for the 2008 Portland Marathon. It is no longer just a thought or good idea. It is real. I cannot wait!!!!! Just 10 months to go... :p

The Fam

My mom is in town so it's been busy. Rushing from work to her hotel, dinner, to my place, back to the hotel, back to my place, you get the picture. Tomorrow she and her boyfriend check out of the hotel and spend the rest of the trip at my place, which will make it easier. We have our Chicago Ghost Tour tonight and I'm totally psyched! I've wanted to go on this forever, but couldn't ever find anyone that would go with me! I think we are hitting up the The Art Institute of Chicago tomorrow...yeah, I got the day off...which is another thing I've been meaning to do for the past 5 years! Then it will be off to the grocery store to stock up for the Thanksgiving Day Feast!

Received a funny phone call from mom this morning. It seems they went to the Corner Bakery across from their hotel and lo and behold, there was Jerry Springer getting his morning dose of caffeination! Thank goodness I wasn't with them because I would have been absolutely mortified by what happened next...my mom's boyfriend went up to him and asked for his autograph! You can tell he doesn't travel much... :) So, they are excited to have had a Chicago "celebrity" sighting and I'm sure nothing I do from here on out can beat out that moment! Damn that Jerry Springer!!!