Today my lab mate cut his finger while we were changing a water filter and his blood dripped down onto my hand. Like, a lot of it. Those of you who know me at all in real life will know that it is a miracle that I did not shriek with horror, sob bitterly, or pass out. Even more impressive than that was what happened this evening.
I rode my bike to the grocery store.
This is how the bike ride materialized in my mind: "I'm such a dummy. Five blades doesn't mean five replacement cartridges, it means five blades on EACH razor... I need to take this razor kit back and exchange it for just refills and never go grocery shopping with Brittainy again. Hey, I also forgot sandwich meat... Those things are small enough to fit in my bike basket." That's when the little lightbulb lit up.
Brittainy flipped it back off and said that it might rain, but then offered to pick me up if it rained and I didn't want to ride back in it (for that, she wins the good roommate award, and partially makes up for being a distracting shopping buddy). I thought that it would be more likely that she'd have to pick me up because I would get exhausted and be stranded on the side of the road with jelly legs.
On the way home, I listened to the podcast of the Young Women's general meeting from General Conference this weekend, and by the time I even started to get tired, I realized I was only a block or two away from home, so I just stood up on the pedals and got myself up that last incline. As I pulled up the driveway and kicked out the kickstand to unlock the door, I did a private victory dance.
Today was truly a red-letter day. I feel so strong!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Achilles Ankles
I tried to start again on C25K last week. I have a lot to say about this but not a lot of time to say it, so I'll save it for another entry. I trained for my first 5K mostly OTP (off the program), running when I felt like it and walking when I needed a rest. I ran my 5K that same way. After I ran the 5K I started back on the C25K program. With that reasoning, and the idea that anything is better than blatant inactivity, I am going to
Problem: My ankles KILL me when I try to run on the program. I guess it's all the hills here, and the unnatural pace that the program forces. My method now is to run on all the flat parts, half the down-hills, and the last little bit of the uphills. I'm going to keep doing this until it feels comfortable and easy, and then I will gradually increase. When I can run for several minutes without ankle pain, I'm going to start on the structured program again and train for a 5K.
In the meantime, genius athletes out there, what do you think I should do about my poor ankles to help them along?
Problem: My ankles KILL me when I try to run on the program. I guess it's all the hills here, and the unnatural pace that the program forces. My method now is to run on all the flat parts, half the down-hills, and the last little bit of the uphills. I'm going to keep doing this until it feels comfortable and easy, and then I will gradually increase. When I can run for several minutes without ankle pain, I'm going to start on the structured program again and train for a 5K.
In the meantime, genius athletes out there, what do you think I should do about my poor ankles to help them along?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I own a bike, but I'm not a hippy.
In anticipation of high gas prices this summer, I bought a bike. I have never felt so out of shape as when I am riding it.
My goals regarding the bike is to be able to bike an average 5 mile Provo stretch (grrrr hills) and still be able to walk afterwards eventually. A more immediate (and practical) goal is to be able to ride to my new apartment by the time I move in so I don't have to find someone with a bike rack. An even more immediate goal will be to do grocery shopping on my bike. So... I may be GPSing my bike rides soon now, too.
Also, I really haven't given up on running. I've just taken a little break after falling up the stairs a little over a month ago. My shin is still a little sore, but in reality it's good enough to start again. It's just frustrating to have to restart AGAIN. Whatever. Life's all about starting over, right?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Legacy Pains
I'm back on the ball - I worked out three times last week in total because although I added a day of weight training, I left off a day of running. My bad. I guess I'm just not ready for that yet. Maybe I'll just wait until the running stuff becomes easy.
Speaking of running coming easy, it definitely didn't tonight. I had the same ankle problems today that I did during the Lavender 5K over the summer. I feel fine now (as I did that day) but it was really annoying when I was going through it. The pain really climaxed during the end of the first five-minute burst of running, and it was then that I turned off the C25K app and just ran/walked at my own pace. I still did almost 2 miles, but it wasn't as much as if I had stayed on the plan.
I am going to try dynamic stretching on Wednesday and see if that solves some of my problems, and probably stay on Week 4 for another week and a half. This is where I start hitting walls, much as I would like to NOT hit them right now.
It kind of put me in a bad mood, which was even worse because today is Valentine's Day and everyone just assumed I was bitter. Really, no. But running is the thing that normally makes me feel good, and today I felt defeated by it. I'm recovering, though, and it's nothing a viewing of some sappy romantic movie before bed can't remedy. :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Chewing the Fat
Hey kids. I just finished my run for the day, despite what I told myself momentarily when I saw that "5:00 left to run" on my iPod. You know how I mentioned the Inner Coach earlier? Well, I rolled my eyes at her when she said, "You're halfway done with this run!" after two and a half minutes. I finished it, though. I will say, it sure was nice to see my numbers on Strands today with improvements in all categories from duration to speed.
I noticed that when I was warming up, I was counting down the seconds left. I was walking at the time, so it is odd that I would be counting it down. I think it's just that I feel bored after doing the same thing for a certain amount of time on such a contraption as a treadmill. I kept that in mind when I was longing for the running segments to be over. Really, though, none of it was too bad. I think I'm back to the point where monotony is a greater challenge than the physical effort of running.
The last few minutes, I measured my cadence by counting how many times my feet hit the belt in 15 seconds. My right foot struck 22-23 times every fifteen seconds, which is exactly what your cadence should be. I try not to stride too big and concentrate on keeping my back straight and tall, bending forward from my ankles, and I guess all that concentration on proper form has paid off. I'd really like for someone who knows what they're doing to look at me and tell me things I can do to be even better.
More good-ish news. I have not been dieting. I repeat: I HAVE NOT BEEN DIETING. I weighed myself, and I've lost 3.4 pounds since the end of the month. It's a little more than 2 pounds per week, so if it happens again, I need to do something to slow it down. Don't get me wrong; weight loss is great. I just don't want to lose it too quickly and then gain it all back (with interest) even quicker than I took it off. I averaged a loss of one pound per week when I was doing this last year, and that was a perfectly comfortable weight loss - I was never hungry, and didn't spend inordinate amounts of time at the gym. Also, I never did gain it all back, and that's incredible considering the junk I was eating last semester (you can ask my roommates if you don't believe me). If I can continue this pace, I will be in spectacular shape for my high school reunion next summer. Not the ultimate goal, but it would be nice.
Anyway, it's a good "start" to week 4, even if it is really the middle of the work week.
C25K W4D1
Distance: 1.99 mi
Time: 32 min
Weight: +8.6
Sensation: Drippy
I noticed that when I was warming up, I was counting down the seconds left. I was walking at the time, so it is odd that I would be counting it down. I think it's just that I feel bored after doing the same thing for a certain amount of time on such a contraption as a treadmill. I kept that in mind when I was longing for the running segments to be over. Really, though, none of it was too bad. I think I'm back to the point where monotony is a greater challenge than the physical effort of running.
The last few minutes, I measured my cadence by counting how many times my feet hit the belt in 15 seconds. My right foot struck 22-23 times every fifteen seconds, which is exactly what your cadence should be. I try not to stride too big and concentrate on keeping my back straight and tall, bending forward from my ankles, and I guess all that concentration on proper form has paid off. I'd really like for someone who knows what they're doing to look at me and tell me things I can do to be even better.
More good-ish news. I have not been dieting. I repeat: I HAVE NOT BEEN DIETING. I weighed myself, and I've lost 3.4 pounds since the end of the month. It's a little more than 2 pounds per week, so if it happens again, I need to do something to slow it down. Don't get me wrong; weight loss is great. I just don't want to lose it too quickly and then gain it all back (with interest) even quicker than I took it off. I averaged a loss of one pound per week when I was doing this last year, and that was a perfectly comfortable weight loss - I was never hungry, and didn't spend inordinate amounts of time at the gym. Also, I never did gain it all back, and that's incredible considering the junk I was eating last semester (you can ask my roommates if you don't believe me). If I can continue this pace, I will be in spectacular shape for my high school reunion next summer. Not the ultimate goal, but it would be nice.
Anyway, it's a good "start" to week 4, even if it is really the middle of the work week.
C25K W4D1
Distance: 1.99 mi
Time: 32 min
Weight: +8.6
Sensation: Drippy
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Upper Body and Catch-up
I slipped up a bit and didn't write yesterday, but I did run! For some reason, it was a little slower than usual, which is probably why it felt a little easier than usual.
I realized today that I run 2 minutes slower per mile than I did in September. Hopefully that will improve as we head into week 4 tomorrow.
Also, I am beginning to work out 5 days a week for the time being. It is odd because the C25K program gives me something to do three times a week. I felt lost going into the gym today because there wasn't anyone in my ear telling me when to do what. It was fine, though, because I did go in with a plan. A five-minute (which turned into 7 as I got caught up in the Kentucky game) warm up on the elliptical with three sets of 15 on an upper-body circuit. Then on Thursday I'll work on lower body. As far as core goes, I should probably be doing those every day, but I don't. One thing at a time, though. One thing at a time.
I saw several people I know at the gym today. I like it when people know me wherever I am, but more so at some place that I find threatening like the gym. So, a big shout-out to you if we see each other at the gym!
Next week I am going to try the Nike Training Club App. It looks like it will be really good, and I have been really excited to try it out since I downloaded it, but I didn't want to add in too much too fast. Then again, I also really liked swimming on "off" days back when I did it. I guess I'll just try different combinations, and we'll see what I like best. I just know that I need to do something to firm up the muscles before I start losing weight from all the running so as to prevent flab.
I realized today that I run 2 minutes slower per mile than I did in September. Hopefully that will improve as we head into week 4 tomorrow.
Also, I am beginning to work out 5 days a week for the time being. It is odd because the C25K program gives me something to do three times a week. I felt lost going into the gym today because there wasn't anyone in my ear telling me when to do what. It was fine, though, because I did go in with a plan. A five-minute (which turned into 7 as I got caught up in the Kentucky game) warm up on the elliptical with three sets of 15 on an upper-body circuit. Then on Thursday I'll work on lower body. As far as core goes, I should probably be doing those every day, but I don't. One thing at a time, though. One thing at a time.
I saw several people I know at the gym today. I like it when people know me wherever I am, but more so at some place that I find threatening like the gym. So, a big shout-out to you if we see each other at the gym!
Next week I am going to try the Nike Training Club App. It looks like it will be really good, and I have been really excited to try it out since I downloaded it, but I didn't want to add in too much too fast. Then again, I also really liked swimming on "off" days back when I did it. I guess I'll just try different combinations, and we'll see what I like best. I just know that I need to do something to firm up the muscles before I start losing weight from all the running so as to prevent flab.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friday Night Fever
When I went to the gym on Friday night, I was encouraged by the number of attractive people there who were also spending their Friday night on a treadmill. It made me feel less pathetic for being there instead of out doing something more glamorous. I can't say that there could have been anything better for me to do, though, so I am grateful I have the opportunity to run as often as I do.
Week 3 seemed really hard looking at it from Week 2, but now it's not too bad. I was actually surprised and somewhat disappointed when my workout was complete the other night. I felt like it ended too soon, but both timers said it had been 28 minutes, just like it was supposed to be. Monday finishes up week 3, then it's on to week 4. I'm excited about the progress I'm making, and how much easier it seems this time around. It's like my body remembers that it used to do this all the time just 6 months ago.
I also finally got to see the end of Dark Knight at the beginning of my workout. Like I always say, you gotta hold onto those little things!
Next week I plan to add in two more days of light exercise. For now I think it might just be 10 minutes on elliptical and 20 minutes of weight training or 30 minutes of laps at the pool, just to mix it up a bit and still give my joints a break.
Workout:
Time: 28:00 min
Distance: 1.70 miles
Sensation: Entertained, pleasantly sweaty
Week 3 seemed really hard looking at it from Week 2, but now it's not too bad. I was actually surprised and somewhat disappointed when my workout was complete the other night. I felt like it ended too soon, but both timers said it had been 28 minutes, just like it was supposed to be. Monday finishes up week 3, then it's on to week 4. I'm excited about the progress I'm making, and how much easier it seems this time around. It's like my body remembers that it used to do this all the time just 6 months ago.
I also finally got to see the end of Dark Knight at the beginning of my workout. Like I always say, you gotta hold onto those little things!
Next week I plan to add in two more days of light exercise. For now I think it might just be 10 minutes on elliptical and 20 minutes of weight training or 30 minutes of laps at the pool, just to mix it up a bit and still give my joints a break.
Workout:
Time: 28:00 min
Distance: 1.70 miles
Sensation: Entertained, pleasantly sweaty
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