April 29, 2009 - Upper body strength training + 3 miles + yoga

The gym was fairly empty when I got to it this morning so I took the opportunity to try out some new exercises. (Eh-hem, Bethie....plank move with pull thingy....) It felt good to push myself a little. I still don't like the shoulder press. Only problem is my arms were now gooey and I work with small scale lab work...which makes it interesting to keep a steady hand!

In the evening, Beth came over and we ran 3 miles (36:24). It was a nice run. The temperature was nice and my 3-mile loop is so much more interesting with someone with whom to talk. Beth ran a marathon in Nashville last Saturday and has another one in Kenosha this Saturday. I was more than happy to use her taper as an excuse for a good run without pushing my pace. My legs appreciated it too! We rounded off the evening with yoga. We're convinced that we would get kicked out of an actual yoga class, well, especially me. I would definitely get kicked out. I couldn't help myself though! Beth looked like a Charlie's Angel!

Upcoming Races:

• 2 days until the Run to Remember (5K)!!!
• 79 days until the Warrior Dash (6K + 13 obstacles + 30th birthday)
• 136 days until the Lewis & Clark Marathon

April 28, 2009 - 3 miles + lower body strength training

I ran 3 miles this morning on the treadmill. I'm reserving my 2-miler for tomorrow, if necessary, or not at all. I kept it relatively easy because I was fighting with my mind. I finished in 34:30 (I think....) or somewhere there abouts.

William was sick yesterday so no exercise was accomplished (other than 10 million loads of laundry). As a result, I headed to the gym this afternoon to strength train my lower body. It went really well today. I changed the order of exercises which gave variety but I also did some of my least favorite earlier on in the training. I also tried squats (without weights) on the bosu. It was comical, to say the least. I looked like I was balancing on jello! And I was not a fan of how I jiggled. Oh well. Gotta start somewhere, I suppose!

April 25, 2009 - 3 miles

I ran my 3 miles right away this morning because Matt had to leave at 7:45 and I need to leave at 8:15 to get Isabelle to her first (and only, this year...) track meet. I left about 10 minutes later than I planned to I was trying to run at a good clip. There was a headwind to for the first half but I keep thinking "tailwind on the way home, tailwind on the way home". Something worked though because I finished my 3 miles in 31:48!!! Yay me, fastest since high school!!! =) My lungs and tummy were feeling it though. I'm glad I did it because I feel ready for next Saturday's 5K plus there's supposed to be thunderstorms the rest of today so I won't have to run inside!

April 24, 2009 - Upper body

I crammed in some strength training this morning. I did only 2 sets for each but did higher number of reps each to make up for it. I also tried the free weights portion while balancing on a bosu ball. I'm going to add this into my routine for legs too (I think).
I also think I need to push myself a little more with strength training. I don't write anything down so I'm not tracking my weights/reps/sets, other than by memory. I'm just lazy and don't want that extra thing to do. Plus, I'm usually running behind schedule... We'll see.

April 23, 2009 - 36 minutes

I ran outside after work today. It was windy, but nice. I didn't feel like running the 1-mile path three times so I decided to run around the campus at work. Since I wasn't sure of distance, I ran for time. I felt pretty tight but all-in-all I think it went okay. I did run one loop of the 1-mile path in ~11:45 so I know I definitely got to three miles.

April 22, 2009 - 3 miles

Another most successful 3 miles with Bethie (34:06...I think). Plus super yummy basil, tomato, and cheese (including goat cheese!) pizza. Hooray for left-overs! ...Yes, I'm thinking more about the food than running! =)
I'm a little disappointed that I didn't strength train in the morning. In my defense, it's because I took a couple hours in the morning to go to my daughter's chapel service, which her class was leading. Even so, I wish I had weight trained in the afternoon (silly work!).
I'm thinking of squeezing two days of upper body in a row (Thursday & Friday) but maybe that's a bad idea...

Upcoming Races:

• 9 days until the Run to Remember (5K)!!!
• 86 days until the Warrior Dash (6K + 13 obstacles + 30th birthday)
• 143 days until the Lewis & Clark Marathon

*gulp*

April 21, 2009 - 2 miles and lots of registering

This morning I ran 2 miles in 22:25. The run felt good. I have only one 2-miler left until September.

This morning I also received a "to-do" list from Bethie:

- Run 2 miles CHECK
- Remove Awesome Sauce from Body CHECK
- Register for Warrior Dash CHECK
- Register for Lewis & Clark Marathon (gulp) CHECK AND DOUBLE GULP
- BLOG! IN PROGRESS CHECK
- Email Bethie, tell her she's awesome and report on aforementioned stuff YET TO COMPLETE
- Work (I guess, you might get bored otherwise) ALSO IN PROGRESS CHECK

I also added:
- Register for Run to Remember CHECK
- Register for Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 marathon RECOVERING FROM OTHER PURCHASES, WILL POSTPONE UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND CONFIRMATION THAT BETHIE IS RUNNING

I think I'm becoming dependent on her as a running buddy...it's one of the "hazards" of running with Bethie. If you don't have a running buddy, get one...just not mine! ;)

Now if you'll excuse me, I must report my activities to Beth and take three zillion deep breaths to calm my nervous stomach.

Oh, and work.

April 20, 2009 - lower body strength training

Ugh. My mind is getting the better of me. I'm a crab and a half. And I really don't enjoy a lot of the leg strength training exercises. Plus it's been 3 weeks and zero results.

(sorry, I just want to moan and groan about working out...)

April 19, 2009 - 3 miles

Another busy weekend but I was determined to get my 3 miles done on one of the weekend days. Unfortunately, I choose the rainy, cold day of the two. So I ran my 3 on the treadmill. I was dreading it but it actually went really well! I finished in 34:06.

April 17, 2009 - Upper body strength training

Sore.
Weak.
Trembly.
It was a good work out.

April 16, 2009 - 2 miles

It was a gorgeous evening for a run! I ran 2 miles is 22:15.
Saturday's supposed to be nice too! I can't wait! =)

April 15, 2009 - Upper body strength training plus 3 miles

This morning I strength trained my upper body. I was really tired...falling asleep on the way to work...which is bad because I drive to work. My muscles are pretty tired entering into week 3 of this new exercise routine. I must work through it though. In another week or so, it should feel more like a habit and (hopefully) be easier to be motivated. I'll have to actually register for some shorter races and the half marathon to give myself some goals.

In the evening I ran a 5K with Bethie. We were awesome! We finished in 33:01. I do heart running with a buddy. Plus it's just fun to hang out with a friend! After running, Beth made protein shakes and dinner. All-in-all a most enjoyable evening and a great way to work through this exercise hump!

April 14, 2009 - 2 miles

Now my left foot and my right ankle hurt, but not when running. Maybe I'll end up needing to run everywhere so my body doesn't hurt! =p I'm just glad my foot doesn't ache after running because then I would fear another stress fracture.
Anywhoosie-whatsie-what, I ran 2 miles on the treadmill this morning. I really didn't want to run. I was tired (still am). But ran I did.
Tomorrow is 3 miles with Bethie. Whoohoo! Running buddies!
And I'm planning on registering for the Run to Remember 5K (May 2nd), although I'm using my sore foot as a stalling excuse....

April 13, 2009 - 3 miles plus lower body strength training

The weekend was packed with activites, times with friends, celebrating the Resurrection, and time with family. So my 3 miler didn't get done until this morning. I ran at home and was absolutely roasting. Apparently the heat was on (because it's near freezing in April!) and the vent (directly above the treadmill) was open. Normally it's kept closed. I will definitely keep that on my "to check" list before my next treadmill run. Regardless, the run went pretty well. I stuck with my 12:00 min/mile pace until the very last lap. I think that any difficulties I had were mainly a mental thing and not a physical one. My body felt pretty good. My left foot has really been bothering me but actually feels good when running. I don't get. Walking or standing hurts my foot, but running? Not so much. Wearing shoes with heels are okay too. Weird. Part of it is that I just need to wear supportive shoes at home more often. Walking around barefoot is probably not the best for my high arches. Problem is, I love being barefoot! I'm also suspicious of my orthotics from the doctor. It presses right into the sore part of my arch. I'm considering removing them from my shoes. On a happy note, I did buy some Dr. Scholl's orthotics for my running shoes. The arch is not quite as high so it doesn't put pressure where my foot is sore and the cushiony heel is wonderful. I wore them running this morning and my knee didn't hurt! Hooray! Maybe I'll go get a second pair of this type for my everyday shoes. Here's hoping the trend continues! (Not that one run with the new inserts is a trend...) =p
After running, I showered and went to work for lower body strength training. That went well. I'm still working out weights and positions on the machines but I think I did enough to work out the muscles without over doing it. My legs are tired now though. Not near as tired as they have been though, so they'll be fine. I stretched after it was all said and done and I'll need to stretch again tonight.

April 10, 2009 - upper body strength training

I strength trained my upper body this morning. I was running short on time though (stupid morning meetings!), so it wasn't as good a quality as I would have liked. I do have free weights at home but honesly, I doubt I'll get to them. I'd rather have some popcorn, watch a movie then go to bed! ;)

April 9, 2009 - 2 miles

I got up early again (5 a.m.!) to run 2 miles on my treadmill. I find that if I just get up and do it and not think about how early it is, I actually do it. I was thisclose to waiting until the afternoon to run because it's gorgeous outside (or was predicted to be rather...although it is gorgeous), but I didn't. Today's kind of busy anyway with a 7:30 - 11:30 teleconference then the rest of my job then Maundy Thursday service in the evening, and choir practice after that. I really didn't want to be Stink personified for all of that. So I ran on the treadmill. Another 2 miles in about 23:15. I've been trying a slow increase in the pace with every two laps. Might as well do that now while my miles are low and I'm on a treadmill.

April 8, 2009 - 2 miles + upper body + yoga

This morning I ran 2 miles (~23:15) and strength trained my upper body. In the evening Beth came over and we did 45 minutes of yoga. I'm happy to report that the yoga was no more difficult for me than it normally is. This is not to say that it wasn't difficult, I was just concerned that it would be worse. Although, admittedly, some of the poses were more difficult because 1. I have no balance and 2. Beth and I were laughing. I can behave in yoga class with an instructor, believe it or not. But my house has different rules! =)
All-in-all a most successful exercise day and the first of many Superhero meetings with Bethie! Hopefully the next one will involve running and ice cream!

April 7, 2009 - 2 miles

Ow. I woke up feeling pretty good this morning (save for it being 5:15 a.m.). The 2 miles felt good too (although there was lots of talking to myself and encouraging because of the early...for me...hour). But now I'm really feeling yesterday's lower body strength training.

Ouch.

And yes, I did stretch. Lots. I think I will be treating myself to my very own Foam Roller. I already purchased a new gym bag. Pink and dark blue. $10 at Marshalls. =)

April 6, 2009 - Cross Training(-ish) and lower body

This morning I biked a mile (~5:32, 5.5 resistance...whatever that is...) then strength trained my lower body. After that, it was another mile on the bike (~5:34, 5.0 resistance).

Please remind me again the cross training is good for me and will get easier! I could use that reminder for strength training too...I'm kind of worried that my already manly legs will end up manlier. =(

April 4, 2009 - 2 miles with my new training buddy

Today I ran 2 miles (24:17) with my new training buddy, Isabelle!...She was on her scooter. Now to just work up her endurance for when I get to those longer runs come training! ;)

April 2, 2009 - 2 miles + arms

Ran another 2 miles today (wow! three days in a row!). Then I strength trained my arms.
I need to come up with a better strength training schedule because I'm spending too much time midday at the gym. I think my new schedule I'll try is:

Mondays - cross train (warm up/cool down on bike) plus legs
Tuesdays - run
Wednesdays - arms in a.m., run with Bethie in evening
Thursdays - run
Fridays - arms in a.m.
Saturdays - run
Sundays - rest

April 1, 2009 - 2 miles

No April Fool's joke here, I've actually run two days in a row. Another 2 miles (23:52) then I foam rollered a bit on my quads, hams, and IT bands. Then some ab crunches and copious amount of stretching.

Meanwhile, let's imagine a cross-section of Julia, shall we? Primarily there is a large layer of "fluff" and then we see a teeny-tiny, eensy-weensy muscle. If you listen close enough, you can hear that teeny-tiny, eensy-weensy muscle crying out it pain because of strenght training yesterday.