Friday Follies

I wasn't stoked to head out on my 5 mile run but I was looking forward to crossing it off my list. But as luck would have it, as I walked out the front door of my office building, it started to rain.

Not allowing myself to be completely defeated, I dusted off the P90x Back and Legs DVD and brought out my 100 Push-Up/200 Sit-Up/200 Squat Challenge notebook and got to work.

Challenges	Push-Ups	Sit-Ups	Squats
Set 1	11	17	15
Set 2	15	22	20
Set 3	9	14	13
Set 4	9	14	13
Set 5	15	22	22
Extra	10

At least I got my heart going:





Have a great 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Lazy Saturday

Woke up late feeling very lazy. Didn't get to my workout till 2pm.

Decided to forego the my 30min Fartlek due to an achy knee and did 45 min of Billy Blanks Tae-Bo II Advanced then hit the deck for my challenges.

Set 1: 12 Push Ups, 18 Sit-Ups, 31 Squats
Set 2: 13 Push Ups, 20 Sit-Ups, 38 Squats
Set 3: 10 Push Ups, 15 Sit-Ups, 31 Squats
Set 4: 10 Push Ups, 15 Sit-Ups, 31 Squats
Set 5: 15+ Push Ups (did 17), 23+ Sit-Ups (did 25), 45+ Squats (did 50)

I was pleasantly surprised and did all my Push-up sets quite well. It may have helped that used my stop watch and had 60 seconds of rest time between each set (presrcibed is actually 90 sec ... I will follow this more in the future). Very encouraged and may not need to do a repeat week after all.

Tomorrow I do my Progress Tests and see where I stand.

Have a great day!

Friday's Workout

Today's workout was moderate.


I completed 6.33M on the eliptical in 60 min and then jumped right off to do some strength sets. I had spent most of my lunch break researching Inner Thigh exercises so I stuck mostly to those.


I did 5 sets of 25 each:

• Sumo Dead Lift Squats (with 25 pound weight)



• Under-The-Leg Lifts



• Crunches



• Scissor Kicks

I tried to do a single set of 10 Push-ups. I found it hard but was able to get through it. Makes me think that depending on how tomorrow goes, I may want to go back a week on my challenge sets.

Have a great day!

Happy Friday

Started my day off by reading a great quote I had to share:

"The marathon is kind of like the Ph.D. of public fitness accomplishments. There are very few times as an adult that you can go out and do something that's authentically difficult and be publicly lauded for it."
-Marcy in Cate Terwilliger's "Marathon Woman"

Now back to our regularly scheduled blog post :)

Yesterday afternoon, I wasn't feeling so hot.

At about 3pm my blood sugar went down and my vision got blurry (I suspect the cause to be Mother Nature's monthly gift). I had some crackers with Peanut Butter and felt alot better.

Went to the gym as expected and started with my challenges again. I was still alittle low on energy but got through it.

I decided to jump back into my challenges schedules because doing the same number of reps each set is a great way to pigeon-hole yourself into that amount and not let yourself do more. So I jumped back on the bandwagon and found a place to pick up seamlessly. :)

Push Ups : Week 2 Day 2
Sit Ups: Week 2 Day 2
Squats: Week 4 Day 2

So my sets looked something like this:

Set 1: 10 Push Ups, 15 Sit-Ups, 27 Squats & Hold for 10 Sec
Set 2: 12 Push Ups, 18 Sit-Ups, 34 Squats & Hold for 10 Sec
Set 3: 9 Push Ups, 14 Sit-Ups, 27 Squats & Hold for 10 Sec
Set 4: 9 Push Ups, 14 Sit-Ups, 27 Squats & Hold for 10 Sec
Set 5: 13+ Push Ups (did 15), 20+ Sit-Ups (did 25), 28+ Squats (did 30) & Hold for 10 Sec

I pulled through it (I did very well I might add) and hit the treadmill which is where my workout went slightly a rye. My left knee was achy (nothing bad but being that I've had injuries to it before it makes me nervous) and figuring I'd had two good GREAT run's this week I had no intention of pushing it too far and walked my 3 miles.

When I got home I iced it and took some of Mr. Boyfriend's prescription of Chocolate Ice Cream ;) and I'm feeling much better today, hehehe.

Today I am hitting the elliptical for some cross training or possibly some Billy Blanks ... not sure how the evening will transpire yet.

Have an Outstanding Friday!

Happy Hump Day!

Last night's workout has been my best to date.

I decided to start with my challenges for a change this time (like I used to in my ROTC days). It always seemed to work then so why not give it a shot.

I also decided to give up the training wheels and put the Bosu Balance Trainer away. I had been using it as a crutch to do my Push-ups and Sit-ups for the last week and a half or so. I am still using the Fitness Ball for squats though. I haven't decided if that makes the exercise easier or harder (I think I need to ask a Personal Trainer that question).

Challenges went like this:

Set 1: 10 push-up, 20 Sit-ups, 30 Squats + hold for 10 sec
Set 2: 10 push-up, 20 Sit-ups, 30 Squats + hold for 10 sec
Set 3: 10 push-up, 20 Sit-ups, 30 Squats + hold for 10 sec
Set 4: 10 push-up, 20 Sit-ups, 30 Squats + hold for 10 sec
Set 5: Maxed 15 push-up, Maxed 22 Sit-ups (needed Bosu for assist), Maxed 35 Squats + hold for 15 sec

After that, I felt a mild nausea but still had to do my run. So I started off easy and warmed up for for a half mile (instead of usual .25M) then jumped right in. Pushed myself to keep at least a 5.6 (my PR which I reached last week) and decided to up it at least one to 5.7 ... was able to keep it there about 90% of the time (kept moving from 5.6 to 5.7 to 5.8 and back again).

I forgot to stretch after and boy am I paying for it today :\

But I reached another PR for a 5K in 32:38 (although my 5M time from Sunday is still a little better on the pace).

Today I have Hills scheduled and am actually excited about it. I seems that every time I do variable inclines I get a speed boost :) Can't wait!

Have a Happy Hump day!

Ploting and Scheming

I've been plotting and scheming today.

It's something I like to do on Monday's.

This week I adjusted my workout schedule. I will be working on Hal Higdon's Marathon Training -- Personal Best Schedule for the next 30 weeks. I hope to keep my running and my strength training balanced and hope to start learning to ride a bicycle.

I found a great used bike on Craig's list. Going to see it tonight after my workout ... wish me luck :)

Tonight's workout is P90x Back & Legs plus something for my Abs ... not sure what yet.

Have a great Monday!

Improving

I had such a great workout I couldn't wait to write.

Today, I went straight to the gym after work today and the first thing I did was bee-line for the treadmill. I was not going to let my fear of running get the best of me today. After a 5min warm-up I set the treadmill at 5.6 pace and kept it going for a whole 3.1 miles. I ran a whole 5K with no walking breaks. I think that is the longest distance I've ever run straight (well, other than the 7 mile bridge where I was motivated by the fear of the bus chasing behind us).

I reached a new PR.

5K in 33:30.

Doesn't sound like much but it's a vast improvement for me.

Also considering that at the end of mile two I started to develop my first blister (which I consider a badge of honor! :)

I tried to fix my shoe once I did 5K but had no success so I jumped off the treadmill and hit the stationary bike where I logged 7.2 miles in 20min. I am trying to strengthen my bicycling muscles for when I finally get my bicycle and venture to learn to ride it (yes, you heard that right, I don't know how to ride a bicycle ... YET! :)

I had some time left so I started my 10-20-30 sets. I do 10 Push-ups, 20 Sit-ups and 30 Squats. I got through 4 sets before my agoraphobia beat out my OCD and I couldn't deal with the crowd that developed in the calisthenics area of the gym.

Overall a great workout, except that I forgot to stretch :\ and now I'm sore.

Oh, well ... still a great workout :)

Times, They are a changing

Well, first things first ... I finally got to the gym yesterday and I was feeling good. Kept it simple and as planned jumped on the Elliptical and did my 10k in 62min ... not bad. I still had a little time and energy left and wasn't quite feeling like doing squats and crunches so I hopped on the bicycle instead. Need to get those bicycling muscles into shape and I did 7.2 miles in 20 min.

On to other things:

One of my other many other hobbies is photography ... and in one of my informative articles this morning I saw a video about how photography stills are changing.

Living Movie Poster - Students Have No Class from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.

My first thought was "Very cool!?!" But then I thought "A little freaky!?!". Reminds me of that movie Minority Report (if you haven't seen it, it's a good flick). Very exciting and scary at the same time.

Kinda makes me miss the my childhood in the mountains of Puerto Rico ... now, mind you I am very much an American City Girl ... but Times, they are a changing ... and the past always seems like a safer place.

But the past is no place to place your better days! (paraphrasing a lyric from a DMB song :)

Happy Thursday (or as I lovingly know it: one-day till Friday!)

Focus Friday

Actually, I should call it RE-Focus Friday.

For the last two days, I've kinda been beating myself up a little bit (I'm a Black Belt in Put-Your-Self-Down-Kun Do). I think it has to do but the energy-low I've been having the last couple of days since the FLU has been trying to catch up to me that caused me to slip this time.

I have a really bad habit of as soon as I get things in order (i.e. workout consistently for more than a couple of days, lose a couple of pounds, get organized) of doing something totally off the wall or unexpected to break my streak.

Hello, My name is Eliza and I'm a self-sabotage-er.

This always bothers me.

It's a weakness and I really don't like weakness in myself ... I feel like I have something to prove and I have to prove it 10x better than anyone else would have to.

Normally, I would let it get me so down I completely break what ever streak of good things I'm currently working on and veg out in front of the TV for a couple of days before I get fed up and try again. It's a bit of a vicious cycle.

NOT THIS TIME! I am not going to allow a little bump in my road to get me off this path.

Currently I am on a 12 day Exercise streak (i.e. I have worked out every day for the last 12 days for at least 1 hour or good worth while sweat-soaked-t-shirt exercise and I will not allow anything to break my streak :)

I have cheated though.

Out of those 12 days, I have run only once, which is shameful being that I am training to run. But I think I need to get it into my Thick-Taurean skull that I need to get in shape to get in shape.

I am caught in a catch-22 situation. I am a little too over-weight to be running (at least, the distances and times a week I want to run are in fact too much and this has lead me to suffer from Runner's Knee in the very recent past). So I need all the other "frilly" sweat-soaked-t-shirt workout to get my muscles strong enough to take my runs ... But I will admit I have been doing a little too much frill.

So today, I will re-hash my work out schedule with balance in mind and set a new goal of not beating myself up if I have a "frilly" workout because I need it to get me ready for the hard stuff :)

P.S. Thanks to the people who sent me comments ... they helped me shake off this funk :)

Have a great day!