No Weigh Zone

Finally, I was able to get up this morning and head out for a run ... albeit a short one.


I had scheduled 4 X Hills but being that there are no hills near my house ... I decided I could do some 4 X 400 but then ended up just doing a regular run for the planed 2 miles.

I didn't hit any land speed records but I am extremely happy that I got up, worked out and got to work on time.

Also, I got out there without my IPOD, something I would have shunned in past but am beginning to enjoy more and more. Running without music helps you concentrate on breathing and form so much better ... it really is a noticeable difference. Mind you ... I don't think I can do it all the time but I will definitely do it more often.

I still have to do my challenge sets this afternoon (which I really hope I do today!) And to help guarantee that I do it plan to reward myself which a short bike ride after wards. That is the benefit of doing my runs in the morning ... I can fit in bike rides in the afternoons ;}

Also, I am entering a NO WEIGH ZONE.

I have a obsessive compulsive habit of weighing myself every single morning. It fits in my routine between using the facilities and brushing my teeth and it has an effect on my mood for the rest of the day.

Yes, I know this is bad in so many ways. Yes, I know weighing yourself daily is a no-no. I know this ... I do. Whether you follow Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or even The Secret as your weight loss plan ... weighing yourself every single day is a no-no.

So I have scheduled a 21 day NO WEIGH ZONE.

I will not weigh myself for the next 21 days.

I will work out. I will continue to eat healthy and actually punch that up a much needed notch. I will not obsess about my weigh or silently scream "I LOOK FAT" inside my brain pan (who can catch this movie reference ;)

I hope to break the habit of the daily weigh in and obsess a little less about my weight.

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and a marvelous weekend my "bloggie" peeps!

Thankful Thursday

I woke up a little cranky today. It's the end of the month and bills are coming due but I came to realize that even though the bank is broke when all the bills are paid ... the bills are ALL PAID ... and in this economy that is definitely something to be thankful for!

But I digress.

Last night, I piled my bicycle onto my car and after work headed over to my mom's place for some quality time (i.e. I needed to do laundry and my mom and I have dinner together and watch a little NCIS while we're at it :). We are Abby Sciuto fans because I went through a very similar Goth Phase a little over a year ago ... Yes, I went through my Goth Phase at 29 years old, I'm a late bloomer ;} hehe

Mom picked up some Taco Salads at Taco Bell because she wasn't feeling up to any actual cooking (pictured here)

It's actually not as bad as it looks as long as you don't eat the shell. I was able to refrain and had only a little piece (I was actually quite proud of my restraint ... in the past I would not have hesitated to eat the whole thing!)

For dessert, I had a half a cup of Butter Pecan Frozen Yogurt ... again, I was proud of my restraint because I didn't go back for seconds.

Also, I did not feel guilty about this splurge because we had dinner quite early and I was able to rest up and get my bike ride in as planned ... no challenge sets but my bike ride definitely got me sweating.

During lunch, I ran to Walmart and purchased a Helmet and a "comfort" cover for the bike seat and boy did it make a difference. I did 4 laps which covers about .27M each in the golf course near my mom's house for a total of 2.17M. I also did another 6 or so laps of about .1M as a warm-up to get my "bike legs on" (but who's counting) for a grand total of just over 3 Miles. Today, I have no booty soreness ... that "comfort" cover works ;)

It was a relatively straight course with mild curves so I practiced my turning and breaking. I did almost hit a very nice lady who warned me she was passing on my right ... so of course my bike takes on a life of it's own and vears in that very direction missing her by only a foot or two ... I felt so embarassed ;\ But that just means I need more pracitce.

On to my Thankful Thursday List:

1. I am so thankful that I can ride a bicycle.
2. I am thankful that there is enough money in the bank to pay the bills (although I wish there was a little more in there!)
3. I am thankful for Mom's Laundromat, Diner and Dinner Theater ;}
   

Remember to be try to be thankful even if you're not really feeling it ... once you give it some thought your mood and gratefulness will change ... I'm not cranky any more ;}

Have a Thankful Thursday!

Ouchies and 100th Post!

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch!

I don't know what spirit took over my body yesterday but somehow after run/walking 2.8 miles with my co-worker (right after work around our office complex) I found myself at home, fiddling with my Garmin and heading off for another run. I fully intended for it to be just one mile to make up for a little bit of the walking ... ok, maybe I really needed to do two to make up the walking ... but by the time I got to the 2 mile turn around the spirit had a firm hold on me and I continued on to the 3 mile path.

I arrived at home 40 minutes later having done 3.2 miles after which I obviously didn't stretch nearly enough because an hour later I felt my muscles wincing and complaining (I really must stretch better after runs!).

Mind you I was only supposed to do a standard 3 mile run.

Today I feel every muscle in my body ... which after my past two week or so of slacking and lacking ... actually feels very motivating.

Today is kinda a rest day (switched it from Friday) so I have penciled in a bike practice of no more than 1.5M (I know it sounds like very little but I am still learning to ride so for me that's alot) and my Push-Up/Sit-up Challenge (begining from week 1 ... again).

Also, a toast to my 100th post ... and to the next hundred and the next and the next :)

Have a Humparicfic Hump day!

I.Ride.Bike

Yesterday, I got up and at'em and hit it with P90x Legs and Back ... I forgot how much I truly enjoy that work out as my Monday strength training. Then I followed it up with Billy Blanks Abs Boot Camp which has now been promoted to my current favorite for the Monday Abs follow up to my strength training.

Then I decided it had been too long since Lesson #2 of How to Ride a Bike and I decided to give Lesson #3 a shot ... boy did I rock it :) I can now say I can ride a bike (mind you I'm no Lance Armstrong and I'm still a bit wobbly) but I can stay on and peddle more than twice and go for almost a whole block straight (no turns yet but no biggie). I did a total of 1.25 Mile practice which is 5 laps around my block. I'm SOOOOO HAPPY!?!?! I'll be Triathaloning (is that even a word) in no time :) hehehe

I was so excited about it I forgot to eat dinner and I woke up at 5am with my stomach rumbling but I didn't get up. Now, if I won't get out of bed to eat when I'm stravin' what on earth makes me think I'm gonna get up at that time to go run!?!

Oh, well.

On another note, WOWZERS are my legs sore ... and I did manage to scrape my knee which is sore too.

Tonight, I have another co-worker run but the weather may have other plans.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Weak End

My weekend turned into a WEAKEN which I plan to turn into a WEAK END!

I decided to rest on Friday and ended up having a great time at the JAM but then I wasn't able to get up on Saturday which tumbled into a lazy Sunday followed by a self-deprecating Sunday afternoon.

This has been happening much too often lately and it must end!

Today I plan to do my P90x Back and Legs followed by a catch up on last nights True Blood!

I leave you with my uber-motivation song ... a re-do of Nina Simone's feeling good done by Muse.



Have a great day!

Finally Friday

Well, it's finally Friday here in sunny South Florida and I've got rest day down on my training schedule and for once I'm going to take it.

Yesterday's run was good.

I did 3 miles with two of my co-workers and we managed to run about half of the time. I know that when I run alone I can run the whole way ... but so far we haven't managed to do a full 3 mile run as a group yet. I really don't know exactly how good or bad the run really was because my Garmin screen was blank when I got it out my gym bag. I know we are still building up ... but that also means I need to make up for some of the lacking running time.

My race training really doesn't start until 8/24/09 but I do need to log 15 miles a week minimum and I want them to be quality miles. I plan to schedule my easier runs on my group running days and put some heavier runs on the days I run alone to balance it out.

Also, I started to toy with the Nike + running page. I like the Mini Me Avatar that you create to personalize your running stats it's uber-cute ... but I don't think that justifies me getting the Nike + equipment.

I do need a new Ipod Nano or Touch (due to the incident) but I can't justify buying it right now being that I have my Garmin (which is again fully functional). The screen was blank because the battery slipped out after my changing escapade but I got it working again.

Today's plans include dinner with the Future-In-Laws and a possible JAM ... we will see where the evening takes us :)

Happy Friday!

Thankful Is as Thankful Does

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

- Frederick Keonig

Today is Thankful Thursday and boy do I have some things to be thankful for!

1. I am thankful that I have enough technical prowess to change the battery on my Garmin Forerunner 50.

Let me tell you, it was no easy feat!

There is a reason that the Forerunner Manual says to take it to a professional ... and now I know what it is .... but I digress ... let me begin at the beginning.

My Garmin Forerunner 50 has been flashing low battery for the last couple of days, something that I suspect comes from me leaving it in my gym bag on multiple occasions, where it turns on (by it's own shear will) and logs for 37 hours (it's happened more than once) hence I was not surprised when the LOW BATT sign came up on the screen.

I decided I should do a little research and quickly found some very detailed instructions HERE.

I was illated.

It seemed very do-able and I have great detailed instructions. So after work (and my run) I went grabbed a fresh battery and the screwdrivers I would require and got to making the change.

I got to step 8 and thought I was home free ... until it says to go back to step 6.

Oh, boy was that a PAIN IN MY RUMPUS!!!!

You have to get the battery in just right ... "sliding it in from the lower right to the upper left so it presses against the leaf spring and then set down into the battery case" ... suddenly the battery became a Mexican Jumping Bean.

Then you have to get the clear plastic to stay in place while you then have to slide the clip in ... "the end with the small opening goes in first at the lower left (7:30 position in the diagram to the left) and then the larger end is pressed down and in at the upper right to latch it in place" .... it would not get in there! After much frustration, I decided to bend it slightly with my tweezers to get it to spring a bit before getting it in.

To make matters worse, the entire thing had come out of the plastic casing during step 4 and when I got it in I didn't realize I had put it in upside down until after I had screwed on all 4 screws ... ERGHHH!

Then when I get the screws off again and get it out ... it all springs apart and I had to start all over again ... DOUBLE ERGHHHH!

This time everything came together with alot less trouble ... I guess the 87 times I had tried before were great practice and the battery grew out of it's Mexican Jumping Bean Phase ... and I was able to get it in, back in the plastic casing and the backing screwed on with minor trouble (that is what I had been hoping for since the beginning) ... so it is DO-ABLE.

Once I got it all back together I felt like McGuyver ;} hehe

Tip: When you do this make sure you have your patience with you ... you will need it but it is something you can do yourself.

2. I am thankful that we are at two and a half weeks!

BOY, is Mr. Boyfriend doing terrific! He quit smoking 18 days ago and he is doing great! He's a brand new person! He's feeling great, so much more positive and I even think our relationship is improving ... THAT SMOKE-DETER STUFF IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!?!?!

3. I am thankful that I get over things quickly!

Sunshine was broken into this Monday. (Sunshine is my Yellow FJ Cruiser ... yes, I named my car Sunshine!?! You got a problem with that?)

We're actually not sure how or at what time that evening it was broken into and the only real casualty was my Ipod Classic (I still have my Ipod Nano for my runs) but I still went through the formality of closing my bank account because I am pretty sure there was a check book in my car that I can't find now.

I've gone through the five stages:

1. Denial: I thought Mr. Boyfriend had left my car AWFULLY messy the night before when he borrowed it. My car couldn't have been broken into!?!

2. Anger: UNBELEIVEABLE! THEY BROKE INTO MY CAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE!

3. Bargaining: This one came out more as feeling violated and how I would protect myself.

4. Depression: I MISS MY IPOD!?!?

5. Acceptance: Now I can get the IPOD Nano or IPOD Touch and get the Nike + package :}

I do tend to let things get to me more than most ... but thankfully I get over things quickly.

Onward and upward :)

Yesterday's run was ok. I did my first Hills workout ... 3XHills. I did a mile "warm-up" before going on to do my newly acquired Hill. It measures a .25 mi (.125mi up and .125mi down ... the OCD part of me loves the exactitude of it). I did it 3 times and then looped back to the beginning as a "cool-down" ending with 2.75 mi in 36:59 ... not great but not horrible considering it was quite hot.

I also tested out my new Mission Fast Drying SPF 30+ Sunscreen Spray and Mission Pomegranate SPF15 Lip Balmer. The Lip Balm tastes and feels great on my lips and the Sunscreen smells really good and was SUPER easy to apply. I felt really protected during my run and (it merit's saying again) it was quite HOT!

Today, I'm supposed to go out for a group run. I've invited 5 of my co-workers. Let's see how it goes :)

Be thankful each and every day!

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday

Thought Of The Day:

Circumstance is no excuse for Mediocrity. The philosopher Jagger once said "You don't always get what you want ... but if you try ... sometimes ... you get what you need!"

Yesterday, after work I headed out for a jog with my co-worker and again she crapped out on me. This time she made it twice as far (or .4 mile) which granted is much improved but then she started to walk and would not budge for even a jog ... (so breaking Rule #10 Never Leave Your Buddy Behind) ... I left her behind and continued at my pace.

Unfortunately, since I have to wait for her till 5pm to get off work (instead of my usual 4:30pm ... causing us to get stuck in rush hour traffic on our way to the park) by the time we got to the park I felt like I was running terribly late so I think I subconsciously rushed through my warm-up stretches which in turn caused me to start cramping up in my calves by then end of my first mile.

Then at around the start of mile 2 my right foot started to go numb which caused me to run considerably slower than I like.

Overall this run scores a emotionless "meh"

I got home and decided to cheer myself up with a little bicycle practice and I did a half a mile (not with any particular style or grace and I did notice a couple of bicyclists pass by and glance over at me like I was certifiably insane).

Considering that I was pumping once then coasting, catching my balance with my other foot , then stopping then switching to the next foot and pumping once then coasting, catching my balance ... well you catch my drift ... I do admit I looked silly but I was just trying to get myself used to the fast forward motion which I think was well achieved!

Also, I think I sweat more in those 15 minutes than I did on my entire run and boy am I sore ... what a workout!?! I think I'm going to like this bicycling thing ... but BOY IS MY BOOTY SORE!

I'm feeling much better today. I did started the day of with a CALORIE SPLURGE for breakfast but maybe it helped because I am feeling pretty good. Today's schedule is 3 X Hills and I'm actually excited.

Thursday, I plan for my co-worker and I to run in the complex where we work (cutting out the rush hour traffic middle man) and if that doesn't work ... I may need to return to my solitary workouts at least until we can figure something else out.

Have a great Wednesday!

Twisted Tuesday

I so did not want to get up this morning.

Mr. Boyfriend had to push my out of bed and to make matters worse through out the day I've been getting major cravings for chocolate! I guess it's Mother Nature's Gift time and I'm just not feeling right!

Anyway, today I have another Buddy Run with my co-worker .. and again I am thankful for it because if she wasn't coming I wouldn't be going :\

I've been lounging most of the afternoon trying to get my mood better so I was reading the blogs of my cohorts and getting some laughs from all your wonderful blogs (thanks to you all :) and I ran across Chocolate Shoestrings review of CW-X running tights named My knees love CW-X: A running tights review. Well, I was convinced and did a little research and promptly ordered a pair.

My own review will be coming soon :)

Have a great day!

Mondays are too much with us late and soon

MONDAYS are too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our WEEKENDS:
Little we see OF TIME that is ours;
We have given our LIVES away, to sordid WORK!
WOULD RATHER QUIT THIS WORKING RATHER SOON!

Bastardizing a little Woodsworth in the morning! :) The actual poem is called THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US; LATE AND SOON

Mondays weigh heavy on our back and shoulders,
drawing out life from failing lungs,
Were that there were seven Fundays,
to spend each lounging in the sun.

That one is an original by me :)

Well, enough non sequitur.

Today was a trying day but nothing I couldn't handle. I did end up taking the day and working from home so my planned run didn't happen but I was able to squeeze in a bike lesson!

Bike Lesson One:


Here is Mr. Boyfriend making a funny face and demonstrating what I will hopefully be doing very soon.

I gave it the old college try (I have sore hands and a rather raw booty to prove it) but it's going to take a bit longer than I may have originally expected but I will keep at it!?!

Weekend Debriefing

This weekend was just what the doctor ordered.

I did alot of relaxing and spending of quality time with Mr. Boyfriend and Mrs. Mom.

And big bonus ... I'm finally starting to feel my motivation come back to me.

Today, I went out and did a short 4 miler but I stuck to my guns and kept on the plan. More miles will be piled on soon enough. I need to be patient and build up my miles slowly or I fear I may getting injured or loose my motivation.

I'm registered and the hotel is booked for the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale and I am starting to get excited about the process.

I will hopefully become enveloped in the process and in no time the race will be here.

Have a rest of the weekend!

I was jonesing

Almost didn't get my run in today.

After work I decided that I was jones-ing for the road and could bear the dreadmill treadmill no longer, so I drove straight home instead of to the gym (or the park) because the clothes I had packed were gym adequate but not road adequate (black on a hot day is a no-no!).

I got home and got tangled with Mr. Boyfriend and dinner and relaxing and almost forgot about my run ... but the desire still lingered!

I was jones-ing for the road!

It was already dusk and I feared I missed my running time window but I headed out anyway!

Started off good ... and settled into my pace. I only planned to do 3 miles being that I really haven't run per-se in almost a fortnight. So I didn't want to push y luck. I did good. Slowed down some on the last mile but still good considering.

I got home as the street lights were turning on and lightening threatened in the distance ... talk about good timing ... I made it just in time!

Now I'm psyched about my Sunday 4 miler.

Mr. Boyfriend Quit Smoking Update: He is doing terrific! The smoke-deter has made such a difference!

Have a great weekend!

My First Buddy Runny

After work today I went to the Bermudez Park with my co-worker for a run.

Well, it started out a run at a decent 6.0 pace but that only lasted for about a quarter mile. She needed to slow down and walk for a bit. I tried to get her back up to a run but this being her first time out since the Cooperate Run (April 30th) I thought I shouldn't. She offered for me to keep on going cause she only planned to do 1 mile but I decided to stick with her and at least push her a bit on the distance.

We ended up doing 3.5 miles! Not bad!

The best part is she is coming out again on Sunday and next Tuesday we have 3 more people joining us!

I am quite excited!

Who knows maybe I can get all of them to join in on the 13.1 fun! :)

I will have to get my run in tomorrow but it was so worth it!

Registered: 13.1 Fort Lauderdale

I just registered for the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale with Mrs. Mom.


There is a special for the first 500 people who register in the next 24 hours. You register for the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale and you get to register for the 13.1 Miami Beach for $13.10.

Pretty Cool, huh!

Have a great day!

Thankful Thursday!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank B.o.B. from Discom-BOB-ulated Running for reminding me that's it's THANKFUL THURSDAY!!!

I totally agree with doing this exercise weekly because it helps you put things in perspective and thinking about those positive things really does make you feel better!

1. I am thankful for my WONDERFUL blog followers/commenters who comment and help keep my motivated when I feel down about my running.
   
   
2. I am thankful for my OUTSTANDING boyfriend! He is currently quitting smoking and he is doing terrific (thanks also to Smoke-Deter ... if you smoke and want to quit check that stuff out. Mr. Boyfriends says it has made all the difference ... he assures me I wouldn't think of him as being so terrific during this process without it!)
   
   
3. I am thankful for the EXCELLENT Yearly Evaluation I got at work this week (I still feel like I can do better but obviously my hard work is getting noticed :)
   
   
4. I am thankful for my co-worker wanting to run with me today (My first IRL running buddy that isn't Mrs. Mom and without whom I might not have gotten out there today ;/
   
   
5. I am thankful that Mrs. Mom (a.k.a my mommy: cause no matter how old you get she will always be mommy!) is getting fit and healthy and changing her lifestyle!
   

Have a THANKFUL day!

Hump Hump and Away

Tuesday I finally made it to the gym.

Started off with my challenges but I was certainly in no mood until I finished my first set and then I got going.

Set 1: 9 Push-ups, 14 Sit-ups, 25 SUMO Squats (25 pd weight)
Set 2: 11 Push-ups, 17 Sit-ups, 25 SUMO Squats (25 pd weight)
Set 3: 8 Push-ups, 12 Sit-ups, 25 SUMO Squats (25 pd weight)
Set 4: 8 Push-ups, 12 Sit-ups, 25 SUMO Squats (25 pd weight)
Set 1: 15 Push-ups, 17 Sit-ups, 25 SUMO Squats (25 pd weight)

Afterward, I hit the treadmill and did 5 minutes to warm-up then I pumped it up and realized that there was a terrible thumping. My bra and my run were not argreeing today. I had to slow it down before I made a spectacle of myself. Towards the end I eased back into a jog and for the last half mile.

Today wasn't so great. For my cross training, I planned to do a session of Tae-Bo but about 8 minutes into I stopped.

After dinner (and some work), I tried again but only got through 20 min.

It wasn't hard ... I just had no energy.

Any tips for boosting energy would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Hump Day!

Oh where, Oh where has my motivation gone?

I'm pooped!

I wish I knew why I was so exhausted!

Yesterday's workout wasn't particularly hard. Kept it very easy. Did the elliptical for 60 minutes. My feet started to ache after about 45 min but I fought through. At least I got my sweat on (a little bit).

Today I'm thinking more about the future. I'm trying to get a Team together for the 13.1 Marathon™ - Ft. Lauderdale (in hopes of finding my motivation)

I've already got 5 people on our team so far:

1. Me
2. Mom
3. Mrs. Fireman
4. & 5. Two girls I work with.
   

Hope to get a team name and maybe have some t-shirts made :) that would be pretty neat!

This week I start the Half Marathon Training Plan which has me a little excited!

One step at a time :)

Also, gonna take a B vitamin which helps too.

Have a great day!

The Seven Traits Award

B.o.B. from Discom-BOB-ulated Running awarded me with my very first award.

It's the Seven Traits Award.

The Rules are:

• You must tell 7 traits about yourself
  
• Then pass it on to 7 other bloggers.

Here's my list:

1. I am a Serial Hobbiest. I like to try different things and challenge myself. Some of the most notable include: Playing Guitar, Running, Computers, Playing Drums, Digital Photography, Digital Photo Editing (or Photoshoping), Knitting and Crotchet, Cooking, Firearms Instruction, Judo, Tae-Bo and anything to do with Vampires.

2. I love to travel. It's very important to me and I insist on doing it atleast several times a year as Required Sanity Maintance.

3. I have a degree in English Literature but do not want to teach or be a teacher. Instead I work at a Software Company as a Systems Analyst, which has absolutely nothing to do with my degree.

4. I began to learn to play guitar after a breakup as a way to stay in that ex-boyfriends life but ended up completely leaving it due to the guitar and finding my current boyfriend because of it (I'm glad to say I think this one might be my soul mate ... who knows? :)

5. I am an overachiever. I always feel like I need to do more, better and faster. I tend to involve myself in male dominated arenas and internally compare myself using higher standards.

6. I am a self-sabtoteur. As soon as I see that I am getting close to a goal, I tend to step back and give in right before it's reached. I think I may have a fear of success (as silly as that sounds)

7. I like to be social but I also like to keep to myself. It's a dicodomey I don't completely understand but live with every day.

That was tough.

And the seven Lucky Bloggers are:

1. Chocolate Shoestrings
2. Run on Sentence
3. zctpv58
4. Mel Tries to Run
5. My Chubby Confessions
6. Running Journal
7. 21 Days
   

Have a great day!

I'm Baaaaacccccckkkkk!!!!

Last week I took a sabbatical.

All week, from Monday to Sunday (i.e. yesterday) I did absolutely nothing. I didn't work out. I didn't follow an eating plan. I just vegged out and went to work and vegged out some more.

It didn't feel good.

In fact, I hated it.

All week, all I got were stomach aches from over eating and exhaustion from doing absolutely nothing.

I did not feel myself at all.

But things needed to be dealt with and taken care of.

Today I'm back though. Hitting the gym right after work and easing back into working out.

So glad to be back :)

Have a great day!

Lazy Day

I had quite a lazy day yesterday.

Instead of heading to the gym, I went straight home and made dinner for Mr. Boyfriend which ended up being Breaded Steak with Fried Plantains and White Rice ... or otherwise known as a mess of Cuban-Fried-Foods ... I even got a stomach ache from all that. I'm not used to that stuff anymore.

Today, I don't feel like working out yet again. :\ But I know that once I do I will start feeling much better ... I just need to get out there!

Happy Hump Day!

Rest

The weekend had been quite hectic and yesterday I found that I was exhausted!

So I decided to forego my workout and just relax with Mr. Boyfriend and chill before having dinner with my Most Level Headed Friend at a fabulous little Authentic Chinese restaurant where she spoke Chinese to waitress and ordered our dinner.

Today, it's back to the grind though.

Also got a surprise call and may be starting a new house hunt ;} things are getting exciting.

Have a great day!

J4★Weekend

Well, the 4th of July Weekend has come and gone and so did the J4★5K.

I was underwhelmed by my result of 36:58.

Pretty much no change from a month ago.

I also logged a distance of 3.6 on my Garmin meaning that I still have some more calibrating to do.

It also means I have alot more training to do.

But looking for the positive points:

• I was able to keep up with people who looked alot fitter than me.
• I felt no shin pain or shin splits
• I ran without my Ipod and it felt good (so no more excuses when I forget it in the future).
• Mom ran a good race and again I went back for her and helped her finish strong. :)
• Mom is totally excited about our next race 13.1 Fort Lauderdale
  

So I was dragging a bit after that but I so totally did not allow that to ruin my weekend!






We got our JAM on, I took some outstanding photos and watched some fabulous fireworks! :)

Have an Outstanding Monday!

2009 Mid Year Review

Well, today is the exact day in the middle of the year.

There are 181 days behind us and 181 days before us in this fine year of 2009.

So I've decided to do a re-cap of my goals and see how I've been doing:

Health:

• Run the 7 Mile Bridge Done April 25th ... set a PR too.
  
• Run a sub-35 5k
• Run a Half-Marathon
• Pass the A.P.F.T.
  • 17 Push-Up: I can do it!
    
  • 45 Sit-Up: Working on it!
    
  • 2 Mile in 20:30 min: Almost there!
    
• Pass the FBI P.F.T.
• 22 Push-Up
• 300 Meters in 60 sec
  
• 50 Sit-Up
  
• 1.5 Mile in 12:59 min

Financial:

• Decrease Liability by $5,000 - Very close!
• Pay off Blue Credit Card Completely - Very close!
  
• Start an Emergency Fund and save enough to cover 3 months of bills
  

Career:

• Do the best work that I can
• Merit a raise
• Figure out if I want to go back to school
  

Relationships:

• Love my friends/loved ones unconditionally
• Be more social

Knowledge:

• Learn to ride a Bicycle
• Practice/Learn to Swimming
  
• Study C#
  

Spiritual:

• Read one motivational book a month (or Audio Book) - Been keeping up with this one
  
• Make an effort to be more positive - Been trying and it's been changing my perspective :)
  

Travel:

• Go to Saint Petersberg, FL Done - January
  
• Go to Austin, TXDone - March
• Go to New Orleans, LA Done - May
• Go on a Trip for Thanksgiving or Christmas (not sure where yet ... maybe New York at Christmas! :)
  

Exploratory:

• Do a Photo shoot See it Here
  
• Record 3 live songs Hear it Here
  
• Play at a Live Venue

Not bad ... but still got a lot to do and plan for!

Have a great day!

Happy Hour At The Gym?

Today, I could not wait to get out of work and go to the GYM!

I never thought I would ever say that!?!

But I could not wait to workout! I was very much looking forward to my challenge sets today and even my 1 mile run.

Set 1:

* 14 Push Ups
* 21 Sit-Ups
* 27 Squats (Sumo - 25 pd)

Set 2:

*

19 Push Ups
* 28 Sit-Ups (Broke finger-inter-locking for the last 8)
* 27 Squats

Set 3:

* 14 Push Ups
* 21 Sit-Ups (did without fingers interlocking)
* 32 Squats (Sumo - 25 pd)

Set 4:

* 14 Push Ups
* 21 Sit-Ups (did without fingers interlocking)
* 32 Squats

Set 5:

* 19+ Push Ups (did 15 before I dropped to my knees and did 5
more )
* 28+ Sit-Ups (did 20 without fingers interlocking)
* 24 Squats (Sumo - 25 pd)

Set 6:

* 30 Plank
* 25/25 Under-Leg-Lift
* 50 Crunches
* 24 Squats

Set 7:

* 45 Plank
* 30/30 Under-Leg-Lift
* 50 Crunches
* 30 Squats

Set 8:

* 45 Plank
* 30/30 Under-Leg-Lift
* 50 Crunches
* 63+ Squats (did 75)

Then I hit the track upstairs for some laps.

400M: Slow
300M: 1:32.255
400M: Slow
300M: 1:18.560
200M: Slow

Totaling 1 Mile.

The sets were kinda hard today. I didn't have trouble with the Push-Ups until the last set but I started having trouble with the Sit-Ups on the second set and I finally started to push a bit with the Squats (it had been kinda easy before!) but today was good.

I was visiably dripping in sweat! Loved it!

The run was good too. It was a kinda pre-test for the F.B.I.P.F.T to see where I stand. Not terrible but I need to get it below 1:00.000 to pass. I pushed but not 100% because I had the IPOD in my hand and I kept pulling back because I didn't want to hurt myself before the race but atleast now I have a feel for what the 300M is.

I'm not doing my next challenge set until Sunday (instead of Saturday ... due to the race) and I am considering repeating this day (not nessesarily a bad thing).

Now on to resting up for the race and a little Guitar practice for the JAM on the 4th!

Have a wonderful LONG weekend!

Garmin Forerunner 50: Perfect For This Beginner

I am a gadget girl.

I love bells and whistles and all the data I can get (which explains how this English Major ended up working as a Techno-geek at a software company).

So when I started running, I absolutely coveted one of those nifty watches that logged your heart rate, speed, distance and all sorts of other great information.

But I made myself wait.

I wanted to be sure it was not another one of my whims that would get used two or three times and then end up at the nether region of some box to be found a year from now and discarded.

So I waited ... until I got the running bug and decided it was worth the investment.

So I bought a Timex Ironman heart rate monitor and I liked it.

It told me how many calories I burned and how long I ran from which I could figure out my average pace but it wasn't one of those nifty watches that told you how far you ran or gave you a break down of how fast you ran each mile.

But I honestly thought those watches were too expensive and only for "REAL" runners.

I keep hoping and wishing ... but I didn't think of myself as a real runner. I'm chubby (my subconscious screamed: "Not a REAL RUNNER"), Slow (It screamed again: "Not a REAL RUNNER"), and only run two or three times a week (Again it ROARED: "Not a REAL RUNNER").

Then I ran the 7 Mile Bridge Race and I realized: If I want to be a runner I just have to think of myself as a runner! There are no requirements but to run. You don't have to run fast or every single day ... all you have to do is RUN!

So I ordered my Garmin Forerunner 50 Workout Sports Watch w/ Heart Monitor + Foot Pod

I was so excited.

When I got it I wanted to use it that same day!

But ... I don't like reading instructions ... so when I got it I was pleased to find that it was quite simple to use and figure out.

It's first use was slightly tainted by the fact that I could not pair the Footpod originally which I later found to be due to a dead battery. I suspect this is due to the fact that the Footpod is activated based on motion and shipping is not exactly a stationary process. (I googled the issue and found that it is quite common to experience this out of the box).

So I had to wait.

The next day though, I got a fresh battery into it and the footpod worked perfectly.

But I realized that to see my pace and distance I had to keep using the buttons and toggle back and forth ... I hated that!

I loathed it honestly!

So almost as soon as I got it I started to covet the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS-Enabled Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor (Black) but it was too expensive and I'd already invested alot of money and wasn't seeing rewards yet.

I kept using the Garmin Forerunner 50 and actually started to like all the features and breakdowns and started to realize I was running faster and faster (Something that was not as easy to tell using the combined time but rather using the breakdown of each mile).

The faster I ran the more I wanted to run.

Sometimes I would run just because I had the Forerunner not because I really wanted to ... and some of those runs have been my best to date.

But something was still missing.

Then came that fateful day when I was googling around (something I do to pass the time) and I decided to see if there was any way to change the display to see the distance and pace at the same time and BAM! I found it!

I just had to play with the display features and I got exactly what I wanted.

You can have the display show almost any combination you want of: heart rate, pace, distance, cadance, time, lap time, etc etc.

I am in love with this thing.

It is easy to use and perfect for beginners but robust enough to provide features for more experienced runners ... and plus it's very affordable.

It's definitely something I recommend!

Testing Out A New Path

Yesterday, after work, I headed straight for the gym as I do most days.

I had completely changed into my workout clothes when I realized not only did I bring two different shoes (i.e. not a matching pair) but both were right shoes ... so absolutely no way of me working out. Mind you if they had been a left and right shoe I would have worn them with no shame even though they'd be un-matching just to prove to the Universe that nothing that silly is going to stop me from working out!?!

I was lividly mad the entire way home!

I got home and grumbled at poor undeserving Mr. Boyfriend and got my shoes on, tied on my Garmin Forerunner 50 ... fixed the little issue of the display and got it to show both my completed distance and my current speed (which is exactly what I wanted ... YAY!)

I had plotted a run from my front door to the Golf Course that covered 5.2 and took advantage to give it a test drive.

Turned out to be a great run!

Sceanic, running through Coral Gables (my absolute favorite area). Had a couple of run ins with clouds of nats but otherwise a spectacular path.

Mile 1: 09:47.7
Mile 2: 09:20.7
Mile 3: 11:20.4
Mile 4: 09:28.8
Mile 5: 10:40.5
.3 Mile: 03:14.7

Hit the 5k mark at about 31:30 ... if I do that good this Saturday I will definately hit a new PR.

I got a blister though ... another badge of honor ... but I didn't really feel it happening or even feel it now so I doubt it will cause me too much trouble this weekend. Putting lots of A&D ointment so should be healed almost completely by Saturday.

Today I have my challenge sets and will jog 1 Mile but plan to take it very easy so I can prep for the race on Saturday and being that tomorrow if the Observed Holiday for 4th of July we get to start the weekend!

Happy Weekend!

Back In The Game

I feel like I haven't worked out in ages. Being that last Friday was a Cross Day (did the Elliptical) and Saturday I didn't go to the gym (did Tae-Bo) and Sunday either (Did P-90x) and Monday was a Rest day (watched my True Blood :) . Reality is I have worked out ... I just haven't run!

I do need to keep my running up though to at least every other day. I am still in the starting modes of running so I need to work on that more than anything else so I need to keep up the consistency in that.

Case in point:

Yesterday's workout was pretty good considering I started it with absolutely no motivation at all.

I did my challenge sets first figuring that I could at least get those done.

Set 1: 12 Push Ups, 18 Sit-Ups, 49 Squats (Did Sumo Squats with 25 pound weight)
Set 2: 17 Push Ups, 25 Sit-Ups, 54 Squats
Set 3: 13 Push Ups, 19 Sit-Ups, 40 Squats
Set 4: 13 Push Ups, 19 Sit-Ups, 32 Squats
Set 5: 17+ Push Ups (did 17 with 5 more on my knees), 25+ Sit-Ups (did 28 ), 54+ Squats (did 75)

Then I added a set of 25 Under-The-Leg Lifts and a set of 25 Back Lifts for good measure.

After which I hit the treadmill.

It wasn't one of my most balanced runs and I even had to pause for 30 sec a couple of times, I could not get my breathing and speed figured out for some reason.

Ended up doing 4.04 Miles in 50 minutes which still ends up on the NOT BAD end of the scale :)

But it makes me realize I can't skip my runs ... I need to keep those consistent.

I am back in the game!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!