Monday Mileage

Holy soreness, Batman.

I forgot how much my muscles hate me after strength training. Most of it is self induced. By nature, I am not a competitive person, but when it comes to strength training and lifting weights, I want to lift ALL THE WEIGHT. And apparently do all the squats. I may have over done it, hence the lower mileage this week, but I'm cool with that. My ankle has been a bit tender so backing off has been a good move.

As was the purchase of some new shoes! Here's the deal....I love my Merrells. LOVE THEM. But the nagging "ache" in my ankle wasn't going away and after looking back at my training log, I noticed my first mention of it when I started running in my new shoes. Crap. So, I took myself to Running Fit, our local running store, to see about some new shoes and to get fitted for a pair based on my foot type. What I learned is that I tend to roll my feet out when I walk and run and while the shoes I have were great, they weren't great for me. So after running laps around the store (in my little black dress/business attire because I did this on my lunch break) in various running shoes, I ended up with a new (and least fun) pair of Brooks Ghost 7 running shoes. Friday was my first real run in them and I totally dig these shoes. They felt great on my feet, didn't feel heavy and I was able to "feel" my right foot roll to the outside as I ran. The best thing though is because I could feel my foot roll out, I was able to correct it by consciously leveling out my foot. The result.....no pain in my ankle! So excited. It's going to take some getting used to and adding some additional strength in my feet and ankles (while keeping those calves loose) but I am hoping we're on the right track.


Mileage.....
Monday: 2 mile walk with Bandit
Tuesday: 4 mile run
Wednesday: Personal training session, 1.6 mile walk with Bandit
Thursday: 2.5 mile run, 1.75 mile walk with Bandit
Friday: 3 mile run
Saturday: 2.2 mile walk with Bandit
Sunday:  1.3 miles on the elliptical, yoga class, personal training session, 1.7 mile walk with Bandit

Weekly Total: 18.75 miles (9.25 miles walking, 9.5 miles running)

Monday Mileage

Again, yoga took a bit of a backseat this week. I've been working in a few yoga flows after each run but none of them "felt" long enough to be noteworthy.

I started back with a trainer this week. I'm still trying to get my thoughts together about it, so that'll be a post later this week.

As for the running, I felt mostly great this week. Tuesday and Thursday were a bit of a struggle--Tuesday I was just plain exhausted and Thursday I wasn't feeling so hot, but I powered through. And felt better for doing so. I do need to figure out how to pace myself better. As I said last week, the faster I run the more comfortable I feel, it's just that I can't keep it up for the whole run. I had planned on running 4 miles on Friday, but by the 3rd I was spent and I know it's because I ran the first 2 miles too fast.

The highlight of the week though was Monday. When I started my run I figured if I could finish 4 miles in 48 minutes that would be great. I'm still taking walk breaks so I feel pretty good about a 12 minute mile, especially at that distance (especially for this newbie runner). But after the first mile I was feeling pretty good and decided to set a goal of finishing in 45 minutes. It took a ridiculous "sprint" at the end but I finished my 4 miles in 44:37. I was pretty excited. There may have been some no-so-subtle fistpumping on the treadmill.

My week:
Monday: 4 mile run (whoop! whoop!), 1.25 walk with Bandit
Tuesday: 2.33 mile run
Wednesday: 1.6 mile walk with Bandit
Thursday: 3.5 mile run, 1.35 walk with Bandit
Friday: 3.1 mile run
Saturday: 1.5 mile walk with Bandit
Sunday: 1.8 mile walk with Bandit

Weekly Totals: 20 miles (12.93 miles running, 7.5 walking)

Apptastic

Let's be honest.

I would be lost, LOST I tell you, without my iPhone. The dang thing is practically another appendage, but as much as I wish I didn't depend on it quite so much, it has become irreplaceable when it comes to keeping me on track and motivated to workout.

I thought I'd share some of my favorite apps that I've been using to keep track of everything and to keep me moving!

Zombie's Run!

I started using the app earlier this fall when I started running outside and was having a heck of a time "getting in the zone". This app has been a fun way to get in the groove while running outside (especially when running hills). Because I also only use it when running outside, "wanting to know what happens next!" helps to push me out the front door. You can listen to your own tunes while saving the world and the GPS is pretty accurate so it tracks my time, miles and pace which is handy.

Rock My Run

I've seen lots of folks post links to their running playlists using services like Spotify and even Pandora has some pretty great cardio playlists for running. I've used them both in the past and Pandora is a staple at the office, but let's be honest--I'm lazy and don't want to labor over putting together a playlist for the gym. Enter, Rock My Run. I've used this app for the the last week or so and it is fantastic. I love that I can sort and pick out mixes based on bmp. It has definitely helped to keep me going on the treadmill.

Daily Mile & Nike +

I may be a wee bit of an over achiever but I actually log my miles in two places. Weird. I know. Previous to using the Zombies, Run app, I used the Nike+ app for all my runs (inside and out) and bought the Nike Fuel Band to keep me motivated and moving (and it makes for a cool watch). I LOVE the Nike+ app and fuel band, but I also needed a place to log other workouts (yoga, strength training, etc.) which is why I started using Daily Mile as well. I can import my runs/walks from Nike+ and it keeps everything nice and tidy.

Lose It!

I started using this app seriously when I started training with Drew. Everything gets logged here (food and activities), but the only thing I actually pay attention to is how much protein I eat a day. The rest of the numbers, while interesting, aren't really of much concern to me.

Monday Mileage

One of the drawbacks to the gym membership I have is that there are certain "blackout dates" which means I'm on my own to figure out how to workout. It can be a bit frustrating, but since the membership is actually free, I don't like to complain about it.

Having said that, after being away for a week and a half, it felt GOOD to get back and get some good workouts in. One of the challenges I have while running on the treadmill is not trusting my legs. I tend to worry too much about not being able to adjust my pace as easily as I can while running outside. But I'm learning to push myself by running "just 30 more seconds" or "just 0.10 further" before slowing down or taking a walk break.

I'm also finding that I'm more comfortable running a faster pace than I am slower one. I just need to work on being able to run at that pace for longer periods of time, but I know that will come over time. With each run I can feel myself getting strong and stronger which is pretty awesome.

My week.......
Monday: 3.31 mile run
Tuesday: 3.1 mile run
Wednesday: 20 minutes of yoga
Thursday : 20 minutes of yoga
Friday: 3.25 mile run
Saturday: 1 mile walk, 30 minutes of yoga
Sunday: 3.2 mile run, 1.5 mile walk, 60 minutes of yoga
Weekly Totals: 15.36 miles

I've been tracking my miles and workouts on Daily Mile. It's pretty awesome to see them rack up! How or where do you keep track of your workouts or miles?

31 Day Yoga Project: Week 1

Oiy vey.

This week. I just. Real life gets in the way of fun some times.

Things have been progressing very slowly with this project. Which I guess in a way is o.k.

At one point, I had thought about trying to tackle baby grasshopper instead of Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana for this project, but managed to tweak something in my wrist. Sadly this made any attempt at any pose requires my hands/wrists was impossible. But that's o.k. I need to remind myself that building a good base is better than mastering some of these harder poses.

Having said that though, trying to find time for yoga has been difficult. I managed practice 4 days this week, which was a total win. After a 4 day weekend, getting back in the swing of things with work and hitting the gym were a tad difficult so I didn't spend as much time doing yoga or working on my core strength as much as I wanted to.

But, it's a new week and another chance to focus on working on the pose and working on building some strength and flexibility. 

New Goals & Monday Mileage

Two for one deal on this post only! More bang for your buck, I say!

Part 1:
As a writer, I have no shortage of journals and notebooks laying about the place, so I decided to turn one into my training log for 2015. When I sat down to write out my original goals for the year, seeing them in the place I'd be "tracking them" didn't really cause a moment of inspiration or even an inkling of "I've got this". So, I re-evaluated and came up with a revised set of goals for 2015!

--Log between 500-750 miles for the year: Originally, it was 500 miles for the year but considering Bandit and I head out for at least a mile every day, 500 wasn't much of a "go get 'em tiger!" kind of number. Plus, I know there will be some days at a time where I don't log anything and some of these miles will be walking rather than running so that number needed to increase to encompass all mileage. So, 500-750 it is!
--Yoga 4 to 6 times a week: Daily was a little over zealous. But that's o.k. This is feasible.
--Learn and hold baby grasshopper and crow: Bring on a strong core and upper body!
--Strength Train 3 to 5 times a week: Riiiiight. I am claiming the 5th on why this wasn't included before.
--Run my first races!: This is the only that didn't change. At all.
--Complete a fitness challenge each month: What can I say? I get bored. I need a good challenge. In January I'm doing a 30 day plank challenge, which by the way sucks! I am happy to getting it out of the way first thing! I'll definitely do a squat challenge again, pushups for sure another but beyond that I'm not sure. Anyone else have a 30 day challenge they did and somewhat enjoyed?

They aren't too different than before, but enough that I feel like I have given myself a little more direction.

Part 2:
I've never really been great at having a "series" on my blog, but we're going to give it a try! Each Monday, in an attempt to hold myself accountable, I'll check in with my weekly mileage/workouts and all that good stuff. I'm hoping it helps to keep my on track. I have some things planned for this fall that count on it!

So without further adieu, here is my first week:
Monday: 2.06 miles
Tuesday: 1.55 miles
Wednesday: off
Thursday (Happy 2015!!): 6 miles, 25 minutes of yoga
Friday: 2 miles, 20 minutes of yoga
Saturday: 3 miles, 25 minutes of yoga/strength training
Sunday: 2.75 miles

Mileage for the Week: 17.35 miles

Lots of miles which is great. I'm looking forward to getting back in the gym to get some good long runs in without the fear of falling on my butt.

31 Day Yoga Project: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

Two challenges in one month?

Yes. I have officially lost my mind.

One of my go-to places on the web if I have questions about most things yoga related is Yoga by Candace. The videos she does on YouTube are easy to follow and the info she posts on her website/blog on various poses, sequences, etc. are extremely helpful.

So I was really excited when she posted that during the month of January, she was hosting a 31 day yoga project and this months "theme" is Strength. As she puts it on her blog:

That's right people, we are looking to get strong. Why? 
For so many reasons. Let me count the ways. 
building strength may help to prevent injury
building core strength may alleviate minor back pain and sciatica
building upper body and core strength may improve your posture
building strength may burn fat, if you're looking to tone up
building strength may fuel the progress in our practice

Here is the Deal:
--Pick one strength pose to work on: As much as I'd like to dive right in and try to master baby grasshopper, I'm not sure that is wise. Instead I'll be working on Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana or Standing Big Toe Yoga pose. Seems simple, right? But oh how I wish it was! It's a favorite pose of the instructor who teaches the yoga class I take on Sundays and dammit if I don't always have to hold onto the wall OR put my foot on a ledge every stinkin' time we do it.
--Make a Plan: Thankfully this is going to be the easiest part of the whole thing! I've already committed to myself to practice yoga daily, so this won't be to hard to do! I just need to find sequences that will help build my core strength and work on my flexibility and plan on practicing for 30-60 mins 5 times a week. The other two days will be gentle flow.

I'm really looking forward to taking on this "project" and using it as a way to really focus on my strength and flexibility. 

30 Day Challenge: The Plank

Riiiight......

Remember when I said I was really excited about the 30 Day Squat Challenge? Well, it kind of crashed and burned in the first week.

Awesome.

The problem....well....I guess it wasn't much of a problem....is that I was already doing that many squats per session as it was making it anything BUT a challenge.

Yes, but the end of all the squats my legs were shaky, my butt hurt and my quads hated me, but since it was already part of my regular workout (thanks to D's phone-a-friend workouts) I bailed from the "program" relatively early.

But, this month we are going to try it again. And this time, we are going with an exercise I loath....

The dreaded plank.

I really hate doing them. But I know they are good for working the entire body so I'm going to suck it up and get through it. I'm just going to need to convince myself that I shouldn't look too far ahead on the "schedule" to see how long I need to hold one for.

Source

Life after D

Recently, a very dear friend of mine texted me to tell me she was signing up with a personal trainer. As soon as I read her text, I was immediately excited for her and proud of her for doing so. I know how intimidating it can be to make that decision to work with a trainer and putting your trust in them.

But then sadness set it.

It's been about a month since my last session with D....errr.....well, Drew. His name is Drew. And Drew was my personal trainer.

At this point, it seems like I should be "over it". The sadness and disappointment, I mean, of us not working together anymore.

It's a bit weird, really, how quickly that relationship became such an important part of my life  and how hard it has been to let it go.

On one hand, as friends and family like to point out, he was just my personal trainer. He was someone I paid to kick my ass each week in the gym. And I can sign up with another trainer. There are a few others to choose from.

But on the other hand, he represented something that is extremely hard to come by and someone I don't allow myself to have very often in my life: a source of unwavering support and someone I trusted.

For four and a half months, I trained with him for 3 hours each week and checked in with him nearly every day. He knew more about what was going on inside my head, the good and the bad, than my best friends did. He was able to see past the bullshit and get me to open up. None of it was easy and there were times that I hated him for doing it. But I have never felt as strong (mentally and physical) as I do now.

It was by no means easy and I think I had fewer ups than downs and it's taken a lot of time to believe it, but it is true. I am a much stronger person than I ever believed I could be.

So then why I all the anger and frustration and complete and utter sadness over his leaving?

It sounds so ridiculous, but it's because HE left.

The decision to start training had been all me. Each time I showed up at the gym it was because I  got myself there, crammed myself into my compression pants and worked my way through each session with him. And no matter how many times I wanted to give up and quit because "It was too hard", I didn't. Even in the midst of my weird emotional fallout after reaching my "goals" I kept going back. I didn't give up on the relationship and success we had built.

But his leaving feels like he did.

It feels like he gave up on me.

Rationally, I know his decision to pursue other opportunities had/has nothing to do with me.
Rationally, I know that my time with him would come to an end and it was likely better that it happened sooner than later.
Rationally, I know I need to let it go.

But having that decision to now "go out on my own" wasn't one I came to by myself. It was made for me. And that is what hurts and what makes me balk when people ask who I am training with now. Having had that decision taken away from me is what has brought all those walls back up and has me questioning how to get back to that place where I feel like I can trust someone on that level again.

Drop it Like a Squat

I'd thought about doing some big long intro about why I decided to start this blog, what I wanted this space to be and blah, blah, blah.

But we'll get there. There are still bits of that story I am trying to give a voice to. And when that time comes, then I'll be happy to share what prompted this journey.

Until then, we're just going to dive right in.

I've always been leery of those monthly exercise challenges.

I don't know why.

They are kind of a great way to kick start a little competition with yourself to motivate yourself to try something new. And honestly, sometimes it is just easier to not have to think about what needs to be done and have that "plan" already done for you.

Now that I'm working out on my own (oh the sadness of no longer be working with D) each month I'm going to commit to one of these monthly challenges. Just to see what it is all about.

One of the things I learned while working with my trainer is that I LOVE squats. Ridiculous, I know. But I could do them until the cows come home. Regular squats. Split squats. Jumping split squats. LOVE THEM.

For the month of December I'm going to be doing the a Squat Circuit Challenge. Starting tomorrow, I'll be working my way to 4 weeks to 200 squats! I have a feeling that on day 30 I'm going to wish I never decided to do this challenge, but we'll see. I'm always a big fan of proving myself wrong!

Source