PAIN :-)

sooo rolling / fell out of bed to stretch -> shower
(read: no mileage in the AM)

Walked around a lot at work = better by time to hit the gym w/ coworkers!

I definitely would have slacked if we hadn't brought our clothes to work. :-) Thanks KS and MS!!
Gold gym -> 4 miles on the treadmill -> abs for 5 minutes (eek!)

Let's see if I can contract my ab muscle tomorrow after two days of working them out!
AND my arms are definitely tight but 2nd day after workout is the worst!!!! :-/

I'm going to have the goal of running 3 miles so I can comfortable STRETCH in the AM... 4:15 alarm is set!

Gold's Gym - UVA

So with the motivation rubbing off from my coworker (thanks KS) - I printed the 7 day trial for the local Gold's gym (another coworker got a deal worked out to remove the intiaition fee).

Parking lot - redic full
Exercise equipment - individual TVs on most, still available w/ full parking lot
Free Weights - eh, okay...multiple sites but not consistent 5, 8 and 10 lb sets in one weight lifting location!
Group classes - appear to be limited post 6 pm (or pre 7 am conclusion)

So after 2 miles on the treadmill, arms (typical set) and abs (quick 5 minutes of the 10 min video routine :-D )... we went to Whole Foods ... spent more b/c hungry (duh!)

KS and I agree that $35 / month is not bad but with the fabulous weather we want to take advantage of the fall outdoors... so I'm debating putting the membership off for a while *until there's bad weather! :-D

To full or to half - that is the question...

Discuss with MB & Amanda brought up that this "crash course" type training cannot be healthy for my body - mainly my joints - and how 1/2 marathos would be better b/c
1. able ot train up to schedule mileage during work week easier...
2. bring down my 1/2 marathon time
3. enjoy the location traveling to vs rest before and after race day

My rationale side is saying "okay" but my stubborn side (pride?) is saying NO! b/c
1. goal of marathon in each state!
2. can run 13.1 miles anywhere, anytime -> why spend $ and travel
3. Glory is in the 26.2 bragging rights, right?
4. Would I really even train for 13 miles? need to really keep at a healthy weight and balance out my crazy bad food habits...

The decision is still up in the air - trying not to put too much pressure on myself for the Portland marathon ... will that be my last for a long while? ... :-/

Fabulous Update

Okay - so long time no talk. I have been working out a bit more at work (on-site) but this weekend defintely takes the cake!

Next marathon 10/02 = finaly got some fire under my booty!

Thursday - REALLY late arrival to INDY but scoped out the 24/7 gym at the HGI.

Friday AM - got up and ran 3 mi before 8 am start to marathon of calls! Didn't love or hate it - definitely FABULOUS to run on treadmills with TVs again. Helped me forget the whole "running" thing
Friday PM - went running with Ms Amanda. Such a gracious host! (1) went running with me (2) delayed meals and fun that evening so I could do so (3) accommodated my crazy 2 workout / day with social/meals!

Saturday AM - got up rather late, thighs tight - ran the 3 mile there & back from Friday PM and I was brain numb ... no bueno. Don't like outdoors I guess b/c it was fabulous weather! I proceeded to consume some liquid calories that nulled out the cal burn BUT yay for catching up with friends!!! (i.e. Sat PM workout = nap then 15 min yoga)

Sunday AM - groggy, gosh these friends don't sleep in even until 10 AM?! 2nd weekend morning = le tired! Grumpy = I'll run when there's a TV! hah
Sunday PM - hotel by 4:30 -> treadmill and thankfully stumbled upon the movie National Treasure. Definitely didn't realized how close to the beginning I found it but HUGE blessing :-) Got me thru 90+ minutes of 3:30 min 7.0 / 1:30 min 3.5 intervals. Then random shows (less distracting) = I survived 1 more hour making 14 miles in 2:30 hrs. I was just above 10 min/miles at 13.5 miles and didn't want to end without a whole number -> walked! yay 1500 cal burn!! I haven't felt that in a while!

Monday AM - E.A.R.L.Y. 3:10 on the elleptical for 10 min (1 mile) to work out leg cramps tightness -> stretch for 10 min. whew. glad I stopped at 2.5 hrs yesterday! & switched my 100% cotton socks every hour (forgot to pack decent, moisture wicking socks). Idon't have huge blisters or hip soreness out the ying yang. My legs are sore but it's a long missed soreness! :-) Hoping to keep up the 2x / day at least 3more weeks -> 2 weeks of tapering before 10/02!!!

48 days

Wow - that seems like a long time in terms of a book I read... "48 days to Work You Love" - I didn't even survive the schedule of reading just a small portion of the book for 48 days (I read the whole thing the first day and got bored of the individual daily tasks after 11 days).

48 days = how many days until the Portland ME marathon...

Sunday - ran 9.5 miles. Forgot (1) heartrate monitor chest strap in VA and (2) ipod at home or UVA... So - I decided to run silver comet trail OUT towards Costco and back. Umm, this would've been fine if I put on SUNSCREEN! I banked on the shady trail and didn't remember that when changing the plan. Oh I remembered 4 miles in when my sholders began to feel... oh FRIED! :-p Needlesstosay, I'm a bring red person on my face, shoulders, arms, and neck... I am wearing foundation today! crazy = probably the 6th time ever in my life! Anyways, I quit after the loop to Costco (only 9.5 miles) b/c I was out of water (2L camelback) and thought the next 3-4 miles might prevent me from working out the next day. The 9.5 mils at least burnt 1000+ calories = the entire chocolate bunny I ate Saturday...HAH proving I run to break even NOT be "fit" :-p

Saturday - nothing. ditto of Friday

Friday - nothing. home and successfully procrastinated with cleaning, work, etc

Thursday - nothing. le tired = slept a LOT

Wednesday = rest

This morning I woke up and it was 6:40 ... umm subconcsiously turned off my alarm?

Needless to say - I did not work out this morning. I did do a 125 ab things:
- 25 butt lifts (lie on back, lift legs straight until feet "flat" toward ceiling -> lift booty up while keeping legs straight and feet towards ceiling)
- 50 bicycle (alt leg elbow to right knee, right elbow to left knee - that's 1)
- 25 crunch to left
- 25 crunch to right
Sadly, I felt the 125...just displays how much my abs have gone away... :-) There's one way to get away from that: do 125 every AM until it's not crazy -> then increase! :-D

Tonight: did not work out - I attempted to use tonight to get ahead of work (before the travel day) BUT my internet card kicked me off the client VPN 3x within 15 minutes...so :-) I took that as a sign to stop and watch TV!

3 x and it's only Tuesday

So...finally getting somewhere motivation wise when I gave myself permission to not bite off the entire marathon workout - and play "catch up" -> I changed to working out 2x day to get in the miles until I feel ready to run the long mileage at once!

I have to say, not only am I going to have mid-week laundry but I'm not planning properly to accommodate enough sleep to recharge before the next workout... :-p
How is it only Tuesday?!?! Tomorrow = another 2x day... le tired!

Tuesday PM
Goal: run 45 minutes
Actual: ran 4.5 miles in 45....and walked 5 straight minutes 30 minutes in...

Tuesday AM
Goal: run 45 minutes
Actual: ran 4.8 miles in 45 woot woot!...with 3.5 minutes of straight walking in there...

Monday Evening
- Ran hills
Definitely a pain in the booty (hills, hah) and it was H.O.T. ugh. How much longer is it summer??

Updates...

Sheesh - i'm behind for the week!

Tuesday- sore from the run, ate (only) cookies for dinner again
Wednesday - thought even less about working out BUT ate a real dinner
Thursday - got home and chilled...ate cheesecake for dinner
Friday - real food, no workout
Had fun w/ a friend who came over for dinner! Card games = the best -> little party -> back to crash thinking I'd get up early to run (hah)
Saturday - real food, no workout + cheesecake and cookies
Sunday - real food, no workout + just cheesecake
*Bought "iced" coffee (frappicinos (sp?) mochas) from Costco and had to weigh the suitcase... 53 lbs. The method of weighing including zeroing scale, weigh myself, add suitcase and find the weight of the suitcase. Sad part - I was 167.3 ... whoa. Umm so cookies do add weight. That's about 2 lbs just last week!

Goal: actually use the new workout clothes MB bought me Sunday :-) (yay purple shirts!) and NOT eat all cookies... limit cookies/dessert intake to ONE time (snack, after lunch or after dinner) and limit to 2 portion sizes :-)

The marathon is sneaking up on me. I think I will count the days and start a countdown to really have the severity of the situation sink in. I CANNOT go thru another tough marathon - I don't think MB has the patience to deal w/ me after another either! Wish me luck and patience to RUN :-)

12KM - almost :-)

Today was interesting - 6:30 pm meeting was cancelled -> got back from whole foods before 9 pm :-)

I ate 6 pieces of cookie dough waiting for the 6:30 meeting (5:15 office departure) so thankfully I wasn't too hungry while shopping

AND

another positive thing = I was not hungry so I could hit the gym right after getting back from the store! WOot woot!! 6.7 miles in an hour :-D yayayayay

So the marathon training called for 12 km run Saturday - close enough :-) Playin' a wee bit of catch up for slacking this weekend. I know, I know, catch up is never recommended but 10/02 is sneakin' up on me! I start to worry about my catch up technique when workouts become less spuratic :-D

Right now: sitting pretty for the evening
Tomorrow: 40 min easy on schedule & I brought AM/PM yoga from home if I feel over eager! :-)

Weekend Productivity

This weekend in atlanta was hot (well mild-ish being less than 100 majority of the time) and STICKY (waaay too much humidity). I definitely rode the "it's nasty outside" excuse all the way to Monday morning :-)

Now with that said, I was still really productive this weekend compared to most. If I can find how many calories per hour you can burn scrapbooking, I'd be set for the weekend :-) I am almost done with my life 7th grade - 2010....that's over a decade! Woot woot!

Costco coupon for 100 prints for free in each set of picture frames purchased = it made my day to save $13.00 ...a few times over! That made my saturday...

Anyhoo, going to run at least the 2 miles of hills this evening :-p 10/02 marathon is sneeking up to me!!

Weekday Workout

Wednesday was a long workday -> 7am first mtg to 8pm end of last mtg = le tired!

After the last meeting was 2 hrs (with food), a coworker and I motivated each other to at least a run a few hills before crashing. We were heading out of the apartments to start the run close to 9 PM!?! crazy - now that removes my excuse of not wanting to run because of late departures from work :-p but I'll prob still attempt to still use it in the future!!

So after two miles, I felt better about things -> proceeded to work late a night several times this week. It made this week feel very rough, never ending, etc -> got to balance my time better so I can work out in the AM, productive use of time while at work, and CRASH to reboot the body for the next day!

Anyone else stuck in similar bad patterns?
Goal for next: keep exercise goals in the forefront of other decisions, ensure I don't sell myself short of reaching them due to required tasks...

This weekend = get OUTSIDE and enjoy the decent morning temperatures! :-)

Sleep Patterns

I love tv - sadly it distracts me from a good sleep pattern. I watched TNT until 11... yay for summer tv :-) Boo on not falling asleep until after midnight - time to chill before actually sleeping :-p

I ignored the alarm from 5 am to 6:20 - finally got up and left for work by 7... but at least I dried my hair this morning vs bun on top of my head :-)

Today I don't even remember what specifically happened - a LOT of work and processes being finalized this week = hectic!!! Team social this evening = no workout but motivation to hit the gym tomorrow morning (the apt gym tv's are back...missing yesterday). :-)

Miles = 0 :-p

Neighborhood Hills

Well, Saturday night = a lot of fun with the neighbors! I learned a new card game and drank 6ish beers...this means my 26 yr old body did not feel like doing ANYTHING until at least noon!

I kicked myself out of bed (with the help of MB) and ran this street back and forth...that would look like a U when you stand in the middle (both ends go up vertically). I ran around that 3 times and it kicked my booty!! It burnt almost 300 calories and was close to 2 miles :-p

Anyhoo, after that I felt a bit better about my carbo-loading for no reason AND pushed the hangover past the "I want to die" moments :-) I showered and went to a manicure... I tell ya, this weekend was FABULOUS!!!

Now to just kick start the pattern of working out while on-site for work...

Hot Run

Yesterday evening I went for a run on Silver Comet - turned around at the gas station crosswalk (4.2 ish miles). It was NOT a pretty run as it was close to 100 degrees AND 80+ % humidity! I was hoping to run the 8.5 miles averaging 11 min / mile.

I was making it with 4 minutes to spare for pace...at 6.6 miles into the run - I get stung by a bee right above my tongue of the right running shoe, through my sock...! CRAZY! I stopped and dealt with that (flicked it off my foot, took my sock off, got water on it from the camel back, called mom and dad it see if I was allergic, etc!) for at least 5 minutes...then walked/jogged back to be only 3minutes over goal pace :-)

YAY for heat run
Boo for being the object that furthered the mission of a suicidal bee - as that is a determined bee to sting someone while RUNNING and THROUGH my sock...

Today - had a personal trainer session scheduled but traffic made me late...and I didn't make it before the person left! :-p Groupon.com NOW deals are fab - just got to make it happen!! :-)

How to start again

My running pace is almost back to square 1... weekend before last I went for a run in ATL expecting 9+ miles = mother nature laughed! I barely made it 3.5 before I got sick -> turned around! The 7 miles were in 11:30+ min/mi I am embarassed as I type that and following it with a "and I walked almost 50% of it" doesn't make me feel better!

The next day I was fired up to really see how bad at running I've become - I ran afterwork at the apartment gym, quick 3 miles, less than 27 minutes :-D YAY I don't suck completely...

I proceeded to take the rest of the week off. HAH.

This past weekend I was whitewater rafting, canoeing, and lazying :-) Sadly my arms were sore for a day after the water sports paddling!

Last week I went as far as puting a training schedule together for the 10/02 marathon. I haven't started it...BUT it's on the outlook = MUCH closer :-D AND today I brough "Insanity" DVDs to work apartment = might do that versus being too lazy to leave the apartment??

Tonight: going to finish work before bed so I can remove AM workout excuses! :-D GOING to start again...but not craving the runner's high/pain - yet!

Oh motivation

(lack there of)....

I did not hit the gym when I got back to ATL - or this morning! I was up dropping MB off for his trip this week and I drove home w/ an upset stomach. What you eat can definitely affect training - when did I get so old??

I am starting w/ the simple things this week

Vitamins
take general daily vitamin + fish oil + beta caratene (sp?)
Allergy Meds
remember to take the two RXs to help w/ the upcoming pollen!
WATER
consume at least 4 full glasses every day
Salad at 1+ meal
eat a salad with at least one meal (lunch / dinner)...some forced veggies
Stretch 15+ min every day
doesn't require a gym, can be right out of / before bed!

If only I could go back to the good habits I was coached through while in middle/high school?! I need to get MOVING and start to crave the workouts again - right now my cravings are limited to the oatmeal choc chip cookies downstairs... :-)

Triathlon Training?

I have been reviewing my fitness goals over the past few weeks (w/ all the lack of exercising, I've had free time HAH) - realizing what is required to complete the IronMan trianing the next 2-3 years.

Other resources that will be required to compelte this may be:
- Swim Coach
get past the fear of swimming longer than 15 min
- Ocean Practice
move past the HATE for salt water & open water swims
- Wet Suit
COLD water when swimming so far out in the ocean
- Biking clips
learn how to use the cleats, faster/better w/ each stride
- Long Rides
Longest ride thus far has been less than 55 miles, need 122...
- Marathon Time
decrease time to less than 4 hrs...take less % of 17 hrs total

I researching getting a coach and the price tag has me scared. The overall triathlon coaching is $200+ start up w/ $100+ ish monthly for 1-on-1 meetings and updates periodically. If I just want an overview plan and maybe just one/initial assessment it's a $300 flat rate.

Coaching Needs I can think of thus far:
- Need swim assessment
- Swim coaching? would like feedback intermediately...so monthly the way to go?
- Training plan a MUST to be dynamic b/c I don't know where I'll be staffed, and that can change the entire feasibility of swim days/cycling options/etc
- I would appreciate help planning to train for multiple marathons a year = need to be weary of over stressing the body
- I need help how to increase in the types of TRIs.... sprint completed, what about stepping up through each type (olympic, half ironman, ironman...)

I'll keep updating what I decided - but any hints from anyone would be greatly appreciated :-D What would you focus on first? Is in the initial money for setting things straight/planned worth the hefty cost?

...

Today: it's raining in NY so we are not skiing - I cannot try out my new boots. BUT I wouldn't want to subject them to a rainy introduction! :-D The four of us are just chillin in the condo - I am missing my 9 miles (or 90 minutes of working out I was counting on via skiing) BUT I should be well rested to hit the gym when I get back to ATL tomorrow afternoon!

Feb 28th - March 4th

Monday - Lazy. Working in an Atlanta office this week but did not workout...

Tuesday - Mentioned how fab the GT gym was to a coworker in town during a team dinner...still didn't workout myself -> plans to go together Wednesday.

Wednesday - went to the GT gym for the first time in a LONG time (prob last spring). I was trying to talk myself out of swimming BUT I did it :-D I survived 3 x 100m - sad to state as such an accomplishment but I was proud!

1st 100m - swam completely freestyle, less than 2 min
2nd 100m - swam 80+ complete freestyle, 2 ish min
3rd 100m - swam 75+ freestyle

The person I was sharing a lane with looked at me weird when I left...kinda "did I kick you or something" hah. I am proud I survived 300m! Just need to do that daily to get used to swimming...and increase distance, that whole thing...

Thursday -> headed up to NY for another ski trip!!! Travel time after working in an office in Atlanta = I should have hit the gym int he early AM to fit something in (read: need to get back in the AM workout habit)

Friday - survived Blues again (and total blues, including the "wall"s ? (read: steepest drops). I also got ski boots on uber sale ($159.99 + tax). A good thing I have a HUGE size foot that they had the largest and smallest size left from a fall tent sale. I guess I'll have to ski A LOT more next year!! :-D

Feb 14th - Feb 27th

Feb 14th - 19th
Lazy around Atlanta - went for the first ride of the season (road bike) on Silver Comet Trail w/ MB. We went for a short (less than 45 min) ride and it was a BLAST. The next time for Silver Comet - MB rode his bike while I ran 4 miles in less than 36 min :-D YAY for first run since marathon!

Feb 20th - Feb 24th
Cancun trip! Did not work out there...

Feb 25th - Feb 27th
Longer ride - 20 miles! I LOVED the ride on the weekend. I "ran into" US Senate conadidate Chuck Donovan - he was great and got me thinking again about what in the world is going on in US politics. That's a darn deep topic for a ride but might get me thinking about how it might be a way to get people to discuss the important stuff - multitasking w/ long workouts :-D That would definitely help my time crunch!!

This was also MBs birthday weekend - we had a large dinner party to celebrate...and I let him relax w/ a day off ;-) for his birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE

Feb 7th - Feb 13th

Time at home was shortlived - headed to Cincy for the week. I was excited to learn a new serviceline offering and knew the Cincinnati area basics from 2+ years living there.

Monday AM - landed and arrived on site to feel very sluggish. I chucked it up to be dehydrated or something.

Monday PM - could not ignore my feverish switching to chills, migraine, stomachache, etc -> got to go from the resturant at the bottom of the hotel, cranked the hotel heat to 85 (yes crazy) and ate a little of dinner every hour or so dozing in & out of sleep.

Tuesday AM - got up early to run to the CVS down the street and picked up these thin strips for kids (kinda their version of dayQuil) to take every 2 hrs...and 4 bags of Halls.

The rest of Tuesday & Wednesday I churned through those thin strips to keep from coughing all over people...and a bag of halls a day. I could not keep my coughing down Thursday and did not go on-site (I felt like a loser...).

Friday - paid w/ Delta miles to get home earlier -> attempting to get an appt w/ my PCP (primary care physician) but ended up at the Concentra quick care on North Ave. After 3 Rx's, using both inhalers and 2 regular allergy meds - I slept a lot Friday afternoon/night :-)

Saturday - MB was a champ and drove me to Jax, FL for the marathon. I drank TONS of water while we were driving (causing prob a few more pit-stops ...sorry MB :-* ...) and prepared w/ extra meds for the run the next day.

Sunday - Donna's 26.2 marathon is always VERY motivating. Majority of participants wear a sign on their back stating who they are running for - I had the honor of running for women through my mother... too many!

Miles 0-8
I don't remember much about these miles. Beginning - toes were numb w/ how cold it was outside. Beach miles - were okay, my stomach dropped when the 1/2 marathoners left the path to go back. "That would be nice..."
Miles 9-12
Cruised along, kept a decent pace - forcing myself to keep miles greater than 10 minutes in hopes of not drastic slowing at the end (hah)
Miles 13 - 18
Realized I was fading fast...nothing I could do about it then. I was proud I had survived past the halfway point before wanting to melt away.
Miles 19-24
Walked more than I ran. This is when the lack of training hit me like a brick. Marathons are definitely HUMBLING.
Miles 25-End Got the tip to walk backwards b/c my hamstrings and lower back were SO freakin' tight. A fellow runner pointed out that the lower back was from tight hamstrings. Moral of the story - STRETCH more and frequently :-p

First marathon of 2011 is complete and it was a honor to do so for the women who have battle breast cancer - a more than worthy cause.

Jan 28 - Feb 6th

Transitioning back from LA was a bigger hassle than I thought! Just the act of unpacking (read: find room for 2nd apt worth of stuff in my room) was stressful b/c now the place in ATL looks overcrowded to me. I had to fight the urge to THROW IT ALL AWAY! :-p I managed to avoid working out at all - completely disregarded all of the workouts to prepare for the 2/13 marathon. Literally - I ran maybe once. I did workout a little -> I went SKIING in NY w/ MB's family for my bday weekend!

Note to self: ALWAYS make skiing a 3 day weekend - it was fabulous to ski without dodging people every 2 seconds :-) I actually improved to do Blues and enjoyed spending the time w/ Mrs B!

Downer - MB was sick as a dawg that weekend. Literally Mrs B & I took him to the ED (emergency dept) Saturday night. He did not get to ski at all that weekend - BUT we had the 2nd weekend planned already :-)

Overall - I would say I am becoming comfortable with the idea of skiing. I do not have to mentally prepare myself to THROW my body down a hill anymore :-) Deciding which "run" (?) is not a matter of which will I not hyperventalate on but which will be more fun! :-D MB is more than happy that I am pumped for ski trips now!

End of LA trips

This is the last week in LA for work; therefore, I am attempting to wrap up all loose ends! You never realize how much is up in the air until you try to stop juggling! (and I don't have a scale to weigh myself - outside of the gym I haven't set foot in - because roomie has it packed for going home!)

Next Marathon - 16 days - AHHHHHH
Beach - 23 days - umm starting to search for larger bathing suits! and cover ups...

This week = 0 workouts for me. I haven't even done a quick abs or back in the AM or PM. My best claim to fame has been sleeping in my work out clothes hoping it would motivate an AM workout HAH :-)

Home next week = start up the gym membership in ATL without the concern of wasting it completely...now which one to get?
- Georgia Tech is closer but limited hours due to parking constraints
OR
- LA Fitness that is ALWAYS crowded and not ventilated properly but parking is a breeze?

Sidenote: I've been blogging from my iPad and I still have not got the feel of how to type on that keyboard ... or the patience to hover over typing errors to correct them! :-p Humm even mental workouts are bringing out my laziness!

9.15 is close enough

Weigth: 165.2 (post dinner but pre-ice cream :-D )
Calorie burn: 1150 "offically" during the run
Calorie intake: pretty high - lunch out w/ TONS of bread

Today's goal was to ocmplete the 10 miler I ignored as Sunday's goal. If the title did not give it away - I did not complete all of it... I finished the 9.15 in less than the 100 minutes... so I'll just take that w/ a grain of salt.

Unfortnately, my workout made me aghusted - I have TONS of work to get done, that is not rocket science and therefore, I cannot focus while being tired! Debating how early I need to get up to finish it all before 7:30 AM mtg... current estimates are approached 4 AM. ugh.

Coworkers are all about the South Beach diet - I understand the concept: lean meat and veggies, minimal other stuff but increase to include whole grains. My mother has done this diet right before doctor check-ups so it can't be that unhealthy.

Weekend = blind spot?

Weight: 169.5
Days to next race: 28
Days to beach: 35
Calorie burn << calorie intake

My strength in schedule ( training wise ) was the weekend... After traveling during the week, I was hoping i could blame the inconsistent schedule on traveling during the week BUT now it is starting to be ALL e time. :-(

The end of last week = great discussion time with coworkers (read life complaint sessions :-D). It was a great reality check with other to ensure I am not going crazy having a hard time adjusting to the long hours and lifestyle. I will definitely have to work really hard to break this pattern of lack of working out!

This weekend was a visit frm Ms KC(M). Definitely great weather in LA to stay and avoid the lingering snow and ice in ATL. We ran/walked an hour or so on Santa Monica beach, then walked all of then touristy things of Chinese theater, wax museum, rodeo drive, etc. Definitely replaced all calories with a trip to yogurt land :-)

I was supposed to run from west wood to Santa Monica beach (10 ish roundtrip) but I was wiped out after cleaning up the apt, groceries for the week, etc. It gets dark at 5 pm here?! Going to hit the gym while watching cry fest (abc extreme home makeover).

Wednesday Update

Tuesday = nothing accomplished aerobics wise

Wednesday = 6 miles

Finally kicked myself in the butt enough to get to the gym! Definitely falling behind on the pace schedule for the marathon - barely got enough the miles in a little hour an hour. It was very difficult to keep the typical pace up - I did the sterotypical start at the 5k pace, slowing down to run / walk debating even finishing the mileage. Got so angry at myself that I picked it back up to make the full six before the time constraint to get ready for work became a factor.

Ugh! Not liking the tight timeline for the marathon Feb. 13th! Well, I have made my bed and now I've it to lie in it! Hope I can still survive a sub 4:30 finish :-P

Tonight is a work "social" - I am attempting to finish work before 7:30 pacific so I can go guilt free! Then set the loft secondary goal of going to the gym to ride the stationary bike for at least 30 min afterwards!

Just realized that the wireless router in the corporate apartment is up and running -> going to work on using the health conscious apps tonight/tomorrow! :-)

Snow Day (?!)

Did not do abs in the morning - did the abs/back tonight.

Atlanta got 5+ inches of snow...then 2 inches of ice. My flight was cancelled - and actually earlier. This put a kink in the works of attempting the workout - HAH who am I kidding?! I wasn't going outside unless completely necessary! I wasn't getting paid for the gym - I do get paid to get on the flight. (well, to travel in general)

I looked at the running schedule for tomorrow - 5 miles in 43 minutes.
That time might be a bit lofty but I am going ot get up for the gym at 5 :-) PUMPED!!!

Bummer of the evening: NCAA football is over for a while...when is the first gameday 2011??!?! :o)

Tip: try Fage Total 2% "w/ Blueberry" or "w/ Strawberry" - this greek yogurt that is really healthy for you but fabulous tasting (I promise! most taste terrible but the fruit filling side makes it taste like pie filling - YUM!)

Sunday = repeat of Saturday!

I did not get to the gym. Definitely woke up at almost 1pm - needing to prepare for 4:15pmscripture study. After being flustered for a few hours before I realized this was just a reflection of my priorities at this present time.

1. Caught up on sleep
2. Celebrated friend birthday
3. Caught up on laundry
4. Attempted to correct the hurricane aftermath look of the bedroom. :-p
5. Scripture study

I need to figure out how to balance things better ... Working "up to" 3 times a week is going to be harder than I thought! I will have to s week to keep myself on EST time this week ( or just make myself sleep 5+ hours every night!)

Follow up from homework: I found lots of apps - just trying a few out before I advocate for any of them!

Sleep = Step 1

This week was flat out crazy in terms of work hours. I doubled my sleep with almost 12 hrs last night. Next weekend I am staying out in LA with Ms KC(M) coming out -> I can't just die on Friday with a guest :-). Goal for next week includes at least 5 hrs of sleep each night!

This afternoon cycling group I know of had a 2 pm ride... But it's cold! And I hadn't even ate at that point :-p therefor, I did not join in o the fun.

I did however, go buy an iPad! Definitely a fun new toy - and I am hoping to use it to track workouts, subscribe to magainzes but I ca also take it in the gym with me to view workout DVDs or track visuals of weight lifting routines.

Does anyone know of fitness apps or great online sources that will coordinate a routine - kinda like an electronic personal trainer? I am on the hunt! Just got the iPad to turn on and the automatic spell check is just fabulous while in any application.

Today's goals:
1. Continue the abs / back twice a day
2. Locate at least one fitness app t o track progress ( or at least add current websites to ipad for less excuse?)
3. Complete at least one workout video before dinner out
4. Plan schedule for tomorrow to include gym trip! Got to swim!!!

Epic Fail

soooooo work caught up to me with the end of a project -> final documentation. Last night was a 2 hrs of sleep evening with another late night of over midnight working.

I attempted to eat more healthy BUT I downed all the angel food cake w/ whip cream in the apartment :-p Not the worst I could do but it was def 3/4 of a round.

Ugh. Not enough time ot workout during the week. I HAVE to get a 10+ mile run in this weekend.

To accomplish a workout in Atlanta in Jan/Feb - it typically requires a gym membership to avoid the rainy/cold weather. I will have to research the LA Fitness deals but might just go for Ga Tech's gym b/c it's bound to be less crowded then new years resolution, lack of air circulation filled LA fitness!

Goals:
1. Go to bed in hopes of 6 hrs tonight
2. Rise to finish work prep before mtgs start at 7
3. Survive until the 2:20 flight -> sleep?
4. SLEEP IN MY BED
5. Get up Saturday and EXERCISE until I need another sleep session (long nap :-D )

I'm ready for time inb/w projects so I can just be at the gym for HOURS and get back to baseline. :o)

Tough Day!

So... results of the abs/back 2x day -> made the first day, missed the 2nd morning but onto the 2nd evening :-) 3 out of 4 thus far = passing....

I had insomnia (sp?) last night and did not get to sleep until at least 12:30 AM PDT -> I did not get up to run at 5 AM to be at work by 7:15 :-p Meetings kept me in the office until almost 7 PM - getting home around 7:15!
* FOOD was the first thought
* Teammate bday celebration snacks/Biggest Loser viewing with teammates was the second
* Report validation and final recommendation documentation was (and still is) waiting for me when I got back

No real time to run 5 miles after work.
Tomorrow's Goal - push for some shut eye in the next hour so I can get up at 5 AM -> hit the treadmill for the 10 :-D maybe arm weight lifting if I get to the gym and start running close to 5.

Self Praise: got up this morning and stretched for 20 minutes (but forgot abs/back?!) before the shower and rush of the day began. Definitely helped me relax through the ebs and flows (sp?) of the crazy day

Self Challenge: laid my bathing suit out on the dresser I have to view (and pass by) in the AM...a reminder of why in the world I should kick the snooze button habit! SCARY SWIMSUITS!! AAAHHHH

Hello 2011

So I haven't fallen off the face of the earth - I am here and still working out spuratically :-) Lots of things are happening but first things first:

AM Workout: 3 miles in 27:44, arms (3, 5, & 8 lb circuit), and 1 set of legs (lunges & step routine) with 20 (?) lbs on shoulders.

1. A coworker sent out an inspirational email about getting healthy...and it stopped me from an ice cream errand last night...and helped me when the snooze war this morning! Other coworkers are referencing the health conscious email when discussing coffee breaks, lunch plans, etc. This is making me debating making a "biggest loser" of sorts for the next company conference (in April) - but w/ various categories of % improvement in weight challenges, mileage increase in set time, weight loss overall, etc. I will have to think further on this but I think people would be more motivated if it's reported to all :-) (aka I would be!)

2. Marathon on Feb 13th = I've put off running consistently long enough! (ugh) I ran 20 miles on Christmas and was DYING the last 8. yes 8. I ate two cinnamon rolls (yumm pilsbury cinnabon) and one mimosa ... and napped 3 hrs before just going out for a stroll of 20 miles.

Damn fool is what I was! I can max 2 hrs on inadequate fuel; therefore, I will PLAN with at least basic nutrition before the next long run.
Pro - proved I can survive 20 w/ stupid planning -> 26 is got to be possible w/ some planning!
Con - ouch. I was sick as a dog a few days later as well...think I weakened my immune system w/ the 20 mi crap and then flying home w/ all those kiddos

3. Beach trip planned for the 3rd week in Feb -> need to get ready for a bathing suit. Oh. My. Goodness. I've avoided it for MULTIPLE seasons - literally haven't been to a beach (for non-triathlon event) in at least 2 yrs; therefore, I am offically scared of my swimsuits. I am going to do abs and lower back every morning and night ...small reps, 2 sets but 2x day = improvement in the 95ish AM or PM opportunities. :-)
Abs
(1) 25 bicycle (each time left elbow to right knee = one)
(2) 25 to one side (lie on back, bend knees, tilt knees 45 degree to side and hover :-D )
(3) 25 to other side (same as #2, other side)
(4) 25 center w/ split knees (work center, lower abs by crunching up to sligthly split knees)
Lower back
25 - Alternate between (left arm up, right leg up), (alt arm & leg), (both arms & both legs)

I hate the idea of the stereotypical 6.5-7 wk weightloss dream but gotta push for the vacation plans.... and it won't hurt w/ the marathon looming as well :-)