Friday, March 28, 2014

Spring Has Sprung! {Five Things Friday}

My favorite local weather experts have declared that winter is (finally) officially over as of today. I happen to love winter, but it had its turn and now I am ready for spring. In celebration of the season's arrival, here are some of my favorite things!

The Five BEST Things about Spring

1. Baseball! 'Nuff said.

2. Easter candy (I really should have bought stock in Cadbury a long time ago...)

3. New life, from the buds on the trees to the flowers and grass, and also all the adorable baby animals that are born this time of year.

4. Outdoor activities: picnics, hikes, campouts, and of course lots of RUNNING!

5. My darling daughter, born on April 9th last year. Celebrating her entrance into this world will now be one of my favorite things to do every Spring!

Of course, it's not all sunshine and fuzzy bunnies, so I will be fair and honest.

The Five WORST Things about Spring

1. Bees

2. Pollen

3. Dark mornings, for now

4. Pollen

5. Rain (except when it washes away some of the POLLEN!)

Happy Spring, everyone! I'm off to take some Benadryl with a Cadbury Creme egg chaser...

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Still Falling Short {Weekly Summary}

Total # of Workouts: 2
Total # of Runs: 2
Longest run without walking (time): 12 minutes
Highest total running mileage in one day: approx. 2.0 miles
Total running mileage for the week: approx. 3.8 miles
Fastest speed sustained over a mile: approx. 5 mph (12 min mile)
Progress on training plans: I'm still on day 9 of my "30-day" ab challenge. I am almost done with week 5 of the 5K training plan that I'm somewhat following.
Progress on safety goals: Started researching self-defense classes.
Injury Report: No injuries, but I've been fighting this sinus gunk for over 2 weeks now. Some days are better than others. I had sinus congestion headaches for 5 days straight. Sometimes I can fight through the symptoms and exercise anyway, but sometimes the symptoms win.
Weight: 226
Weekly Change: -1
Overall Change: -4 from starting weight of 230
BMI: 32.9 (obese)
Jean Size: 20
Waist Circumference: Have not measured lately
Next Goal Weight: My first goal is just to stay under 230 for a whole month. Just one week left in March and I'm well under 230!
Next event goal: None yet.
Last week's goals: (1) Incomplete: I ran only two times. (2) Incomplete: I did zero ab workouts. (3) Incomplete: I wrote only two blog posts.
This week's goals: (1) Run 3 times. (2) Do 3 ab workouts. (3) Write 3 or more blog posts, including this one.

Analysis: Wow. I was not expecting to be writing an update like this. I really thought this was going to be the week when I finally managed to run three times, and I thought for sure I'd be able to keep up the ab workouts. Instead, life got in the way, like it loves to do. I don't want to sit here and make a million excuses. It was an incredibly busy week but I should have made that third run happen somehow. And I need to stop using my sinus congestion as an excuse not to even try to do ab workouts. I need to do better this week. It's going to be hard, because I've already gotten off to a lousy start. Luckily, I can do hard things. I've got this. My next weekly summary will be very different than this one.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Confessions of a (Former) Weather Wimp {Wordy Wednesday}

This has been quite a winter, and it's not over yet! Though my calendar clearly states that spring begins tomorrow, the 7-day forecast tells quite a different story. We're in for another cold snap next week, with the possibility of yet another winter storm!

But I'm not complaining. I'll be out there running whether we get snow or really really cold rain.

A pretty amazing phenomenon has occured over the past few months. It started before I got back into running, actually. When I was still taking the train to work each day, I discovered that I really enjoyed walking in the cold. I assure you this was not always the case.

I grew up in the South, but never cared much for the heat and humidity. Part of what drew me to the Mid-Atlantic area was the climate -- I love having 4 distinct seasons (even though in some years the temperatures fluctuate like a wild roller coaster rather than gradually increasing or decreasing the way they "should."). I even love winter, especially when it snows. However, the more extreme the temperatures, the more likely I was to complain and attempt to stay indoors.

This winter, we've experienced some unusual blasts of record-breaking cold (polar vortex, anyone?), with single-digit temps and wind chills well into negative numbers! I fully admit that on the very coldest days, I stayed warm and snug inside my house as much as possible. But somehow, experiencing that insane cold toughened me up enough to appreciate temps in the 20's and even the teens! What I used to consider too cold now has become pleasant -- the previously intolerable is now not only tolerable, but enjoyable!

The feeling carried over from walking outside to running. In weather that once would have driven me straight to my treadmill, I've gone out for fantastic frigid runs! My new favorite way to enjoy a snow day is to run down the freshly-plowed streets of my neighborhood, breathing in the crisp air while admiring the frosty beauty all around me. I still draw the line at negative wind chills, but for the most part cold is no longer a deterrent to an outdoor run.

I used to be content being a weather wimp. I was pretty honest with myself about it and knew what my limits were, and I tried to keep my complaints to a minimum as long as I wasn't forced to brave the elements. My husband got me a treadmill for my birthday a few years ago, and I was grateful to have a nice climate-controlled place to run on my wimpy days. I still appreciate having that option, but I don't think I will need it nearly as much as I once did.

Being less wimpy about weather has its benefits. For one, it makes me feel awesome, like I'm overcoming huge obstacles just by pushing myself out the door. I feel tough. For a moment, I might even feel invincible! Second, I think it will better prepare me for any races I choose to run in the future. The thing is, you can't control the conditions on race day. You might choose to train only on sunny, dry, moderate days, but you could wake up on race day to a cold rain or a heat wave. If you're already accustomed to running in a variety of conditions, some of them unpleasant, then the weather shouldn't throw you off your game even if it's not what you expected it would be.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the progress I've made with extreme cold will also translate to extreme heat. My wimpiness might rear its ugly head again this summer as the mercury rises. I hope it won't though, because I really like the idea of shedding one of my many weaknesses. I'd really like to think I'm making strides toward becoming a stronger person all around, and this is just the beginning.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Third Time's the Charm {Weekly Summary}

Total # of Workouts: 2
Total # of Runs: 2
Longest run without walking (time): 12 minutes
Highest total running mileage in one day: approx. 1.7 miles
Total running mileage for the week: approx. 3.2 miles
Fastest speed sustained over a mile: approx. 5 mph (12 min mile)
Progress on training plans: I'm still on day 9 of my "30-day" ab challenge. I finished week 4 of the 5K training plan that I'm somewhat following.
Progress on safety goals: Started researching self-defense classes.
Injury Report: Nothing to report.
Weight: 227
Weekly Change: N/A
Overall Change: -3 from new starting weight of 230
BMI: 33.0 (obese)
Jean Size: 20
Waist Circumference: Have not measured lately
Next Goal Weight: My first goal is just to stay under 230 for a whole month. Halfway through March and I'm still at 227 - I feel like I will be able to meet this goal!
Next event goal: None yet.
Last week's goals: (1) Incomplete: I ran only two times. (2) Complete: I did an ab workout! (3) Complete: I wrote two blog posts.
This week's goals: (1) Run 3 times. (2) Do 3 ab workouts. (3) Write 3 or more blog posts, including this one.

Analysis: I have mixed feelings about this week. I achieved 2/3 of my goals, but the one I failed to accomplish is the one that is most important to me. Somehow that third run per week remains elusive!! Getting started on any fitness plan is difficult, and one key to success is making exercise a habit. I know that once running is a regular part of my routine, it won't be as much of a struggle to find the time and energy. It will just be something that I do, no hesitation. As long as I'm only running two times per week, it doesn't feel frequent enough to be a habit. Each run is a challenge in terms of scheduling and also overcoming all the excuses I naturally make. I think that when running becomes a habit, it will be easier to focus on the quality of those runs, and on adding in various types of cross training. So I did adjust my new goals based on what I accomplished last week, but #1 is still the most important one to me. I've started off right with a Monday run, and hope to do my second one on Thursday, leaving both Saturday and Sunday options for the third run. Perhaps I will pop in and let you know if I manage to make it happen!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Self Defense/Martial Arts {Tuesday Tips}

Nearly two months have passed since I was assaulted, and I have done a lot of healing and strengthening. However, I don't necessarily feel any safer out in the world, so it's finally time to improve my self-defense skills. I've decided to accomplish this in two stages: (1) Learn quickly some very basic self-defense moves that can be applied in simple assault situations, and (2) Study some discipline of martial arts well enough to be able to handle myself in just about any attack scenario.

Stage 1 I think I can figure out on my own. I have a few leads on some people I can contact who can show me some moves -- I just need to get my butt in gear and DO IT already!

Stage 2 is where I need some help. I don't have a clue which discipline of martial arts I should study. There are so many options -- karate, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, just to name a few! I've only just begun to research them, and I don't trust myself to make a decision based on what I read online. I would love some advice from people who have firsthand knowledge of one or more disciplines.

Here are some basic facts about me that might help you guide me:
- I'm tall and fairly big-framed.
- I'm currently very overweight and out of shape, but I'm working on correcting that. :)
- Time and money are always limited in my world.
- I don't plan to compete and I'm not seeking out a spiritual experience.
- My primary interest is self defense and being able to neutralize threats quickly if necessary.

Please tell me what you think I should try, and why! Thanks!

Monday, March 10, 2014

A Milestone, Literally {Weekly Summary}

Total # of Workouts: 3
Total # of Runs: 2
Longest run without walking (time): 12 minutes
Highest total running mileage in one day: approx. 1.5 miles
Total running mileage for the week: approx. 3 miles
Fastest speed sustained over a mile: approx. 5 mph (12 min mile)
Progress on training plans: I'm still on day 9 of my "30-day" ab challenge. I'm in week 4 of the 5K training plan that I'm somewhat following.
Progress on safety goals: Still slowly getting stronger and faster. Have not pursued self-defense classes yet.
Injury Report: Nothing to report.
Weight: 227
Weekly Change: -2
Overall Change: -3 from new starting weight of 230
BMI: 33.0 (obese)
Jean Size: 20
Waist Circumference: Have not measured lately
Next Goal Weight: My first goal is just to stay under 230 for a whole month. A week into March I'm at 227 - so far, so good!
Next event goal: None yet.
Last week's goals: (1) Incomplete: I ran only two times. (2) Incomplete: I did ZERO ab workouts. (3) Incomplete: I wrote only one blog post.
This week's goals: (1) Run 3 times. (2) Resume ab workouts. (3) Write 2 or more blog posts, including this one.

Analysis: Hmmm. I feel like I should be mad at myself for failing to meet any of my goals for the second week in a row. And yet, somehow I actually feel okay about it. One reason might be that I hit a signifcant milestone this week with my running: I ran a mile without stopping! Yay!! Another reason could be that I have failed so many times in recent memory to get an exercise routine going, and this time only running 2x per week feels like a real accomplishment! Yes, I do still want to make three runs per week the norm (and add in some cross training as well), but as long as I'm consistent with the two runs and not backtracking to one or fewer, I am pretty satisfied. I'm a little frustrated with myself for not resuming my ab workouts, but they are secondary to running so I just can't get too upset about it. To be perfectly honest, I'm most annoyed with myself for failing at goal #3! I really want to do more blogging, because writing is good for me in so many ways: not only does it keep me accountable with my fitness goals, but it also serves as therapy for whatever ails me mentally or emotionally, AND helps me hone my writing skills for future endeavors. So if I had to prioritize my goals for this week, they would go in this order: #3, #1, then #2. If a few days go by and you don't see another post, please yell at me! Thanks in advance. :)

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Ice Ice Baby {Belated Weekly Summary}

Total # of Workouts: 3
Total # of Runs: 2
Longest run without walking (time): 10 minutes
Highest total running mileage in one day: approx. 1.5 miles
Total running mileage for the week: approx. 2.8 miles
Fastest speed sustained over a mile: N/A
Progress on training plans: I'm still on day 9 of my "30-day" ab challenge. I'm in week 4 of the 5K training plan that I'm somewhat following.
Progress on safety goals: Still slowly getting stronger and faster. Have not pursued self-defense classes yet.
Injury Report: Nothing to report. I've had some soreness in my legs that makes me nervous, but it always goes away before the next run.
Weight: 229
Weekly Change: -2
Overall Change: -1 from new starting weight of 230
BMI: 33.3 (obese)
Jean Size: 20
Waist Circumference: Have not measured lately
Next Goal Weight: My first goal is just to stay under 230 for a whole month. I started March at 229 - so far, so good!
Next event goal: None yet.
Last week's goals: (1) Incomplete: I ran only two times. (2) Incomplete: I did ZERO ab workouts. (3) Incomplete: I wrote only one blog post.
This week's goals: (1) Run 3 times. (2) Resume ab workouts. (3) Write 2 or more blog posts, including this one.

Analysis: I don't know what happened with my ab workouts. I was on a roll, doing them fairly regularly and making good progress! My husband was joining me and it was fun to have the company and support. We were doing them at night right before bed, and I just started getting really tired at night and kept skipping, until suddenly more than a week had passed and I hadn't done a single core exercise! I really need to get back on track with that ASAP before I lose the strength I had built up. Fortunately I do know what happened with running...I missed my third run of the week because I was too sore from another exercise -- ice skating! My 8-year-old wanted to do something special with me (in lieu of the mother/son dance at his school), so we went ice skating together! I hadn't been on the ice in years, and I'd forgotten how much fun it was. We skated for nearly two full hours, and boy did I feel it the next day! I actually wasn't *quite* as sore as I'd expected to be, but my whole body was just exhausted. And it was totally worth it. :)