REALISTIC SCHEDULE

My new Realistic Fitness Schedule

Between Adam working shifts and him doing some things on his own, I just don't have the time to get out 3 times a week by myself right now. Not unless I want to rely on sitters twice a week. No thanks.

So.....

Once a week I'm going for long slow runs

Other Two times I'm at the YMCA.

One of those times I will do Yoga for an hour,

The other time I will run on the treadmill, or cross train.

This way I get to improve my distance in running, but also stretch, and strengthen my other muscles. Especially my core.

This will help me for when I start increasing my mileage this spring.
Also helps get rid of the excuses about not wanting to go out in the cold winter weather.

Napping vs. Running

So.....no race for me.

I was up over 6 times last night with 3 different kids and was just completely and utterly exhausted this morning.

My body took priority. My tired...tired body.

There will be other races and runs.

Till then....I'm going to take a nap.

Running My First 5km Tomorrow

I am an EXTREMILY Competitive person. Not necessarity against others, but definitely with myself.

I always need to push myself, strive to succeed in whatever I do...and beat my old records so to speak. To be honest, sometimes I drive myself crazy doing that.

You see...I know I don't stand a chance to actually Win the race tomorrow. That is o.k with me. But I really....really just want to be able to enjoy it. To go out and see how fast I am and where I stand. Not RACE.

However...I also know my competitive nature will take over and I will start to crave some sort of victory...a time? a medal for my age group? And to be completely honest, I WILL be a little dissapointed when I see I am not quite as fast as I used to be.

So now I'm nervous for the race. I feel it in my bones.

Grrrrrr...

Pray for me. I just Want to Have Fun...Really.

Yoga and Tempo Runs

I did my first Yoga session the other day. It was so nice to stretch for nearly an hour. My body thanks me.

If there is any area in the fitness department I am failing on is definitely in the flexibility department.

I am going for a second session today, then out for a TEMPO RUN.

A TEMPO run is running at the Pace I plan on Running ON SATURDAY ( at my first 5km race). I will warm up for 5mins, then hit a good hard pace to about 3kms....then slow it down for 5 mins.

Breaking things down

I decided I would like to run the Marathon in 4:00 Hrs doing 10:1. (run10min:walk1)

That means For:

1Km a pace of 5:32

5Km a time of 28 mins.

10Km in about 56 minutes

Half Marathon 2hrs


Since I can run a very slow 10km in about 60 mins I think this goal is achievable. I have ample time to train and by the Fall I should be faster and able to go much longer distances.

At this point, the idea that my long runs will be over a Half Marathon is quite daunting....so I won't think about that.

One step at a time.

Together is so much Better

Ran with my husband tonight. A nice slow 10km run. It is one of life's pleasures for us to run together.

We ran it in 56mins (9.5 or so km)...It felt good. I took two walking breaks just to make sure my knees were happy with me.

Happy Campers all Around

I joined the YMCA. It was the best decision I could have made this winter.

I have been struggling getting outside in this frigid cold, and the kids are quite restless. You can shove a kid outside in these temperatures for only so long.

So....

We made the plunge as a family and got a membership. We were worried at first about the expense but it is the Y!!! They change your fee depending on your salary. From Free to Whatever!! Yay for us!!

It has worked out Fantastic so far.

When Adam is working I can take all three kids, drop the littlest off at the fun play center, and the oldest gets to do programs.

I get a break from them...and they get a break from me.

The extra beauty of it all is that swimming lessons are included as well as any other program. We can go whenever we feel like it which is wonderful since Adam works shifts and his schedule is never the same. I don't HAVE to go on certain days or times.

I also LOVE that I only need to leave them for 30mins-1hr...and voila! we are together again. No two hour babysitting while I run into town for a workout. This way they make new friends as well.

So...happy all around are we ;)


I'm really....really sore these days though as my body remembers what lunges feel like.

It is OFFICIAL!!!!

I AM SOOOOO nervous scared EXCITED!!!

The On-line registration just opened up for my Marathon and it is OFFICIAL!!

I...AM REGISTERED FOR MY FIRST MARATHON.

OH BOY.

Inspiration

It's cold. -25C/-10F Cold.

So here is what I can be found doing today. Reading my Runner's World magazine and my bible under the soft glow of candlelight.

Post Run Snacks

I managed to head out the door today for my longest run to date (In 2008).
I ran nice and slow, and took two 1 minute walking breaks. I managed to run 10km and I feel pretty good. Just a little stiff. It took me under an hour which is nice, especially since I was hardly breathing.

An important part to training is ALWAYS replenishing your body. Even if you are trying to lose weight it is very important to replenish those glycogen (energy) stores and help restore your muscles with some protein.
If you are trying to lose weight...just so you know, that you will not store this food as fat. It will go to help you have even more energy for later on. The last thing you want is to burn out.

My post run meals are always water water water, and within an hour after running I make sure I have something to restore my carbs and protein. My glycogen stores have been depleted so we are opting for pasta tonight with some yummy meat sauce. Delish.

Sometimes a good shake with banana,yogurt,berries and soy milk will do as well. If I'm in a hurry, cottage cheese or whole grain crackers with peanut butter is always a good replenisher.

Or a Whole Wheat bagel with some peanut butter or cream cheese. yummy.

A little remedy goes a long way

I'm feeling better since Wednesday. I still think my body is gearing up, but....

I've slept a little,
gone for a run,
taken extra Evening Primrose oil,
and sipped some camomille tea and lavender.

oh, and a visit to my chiropractor/massage gal is always a bonus.

It's THAT time again.

I think my body is gearing up for my first period since.....June 2006.

I have so many of the symptoms.
I'm cranky...really really cranky.
craving fat/sugar/alcohol
I am tired
Pimples
I have headaches
I'm also having other symptoms I won't mention here.

So this is the remedy for SEVERE PMS (something I suffer from)
FYI I normaly only get my period 4 times a year and I get PMS for 3 weeks prior to it. Yes I have 3 children...don't ask me, ask God.

Anyway I digress...here is the 'cure'

Sleep
Exercise
avoid caffeine,sugar,alcohol and fat
eat a ton of veggies and good stuff.
multi grain bread every couple of hours.
water
camomille tea and lavender.
avoid stress...get a massage. read a book, take a bath.

All great suggestions...but try doing all that with 3 little kids and a husband that is working 12 hour shifts, and you really...really like fatty foods. It is soooo hard not to give into the cravings.

Please pray for me over the next couple of weeks. Pray for my children and my husband too. I love him and don't want him to move out ;)

I NEEEED TO RUN

I managed to get out for a run today. I have to admit that I really did not want to.

I'm just tired...but the run made all the difference in the world.

How funny that is. When I DON'T run, I become tired and want to eat all the time. This of course leads to more eating and becoming even more tired.

BUT...when I run I feel better, sleep better, want to eat better, I'm happier and I have way more energy.

You would think it would be the opposite. But it isn't and I need to remind myself of that.

An old guy on the road stopped me to chat (I live in the country), and he casually mentioned that he did not think I 'needed' to run. No..I don't NEED to run for weight loss or anything, but oh my...yes I NEEEEEED to run. I need to run for all the reasons mentioned above. I need to run to feel alive....oh I need to run.

Winter Blahs

This winter weather is NOT helping my marathon training.

I love love love to run in the cold. However...I have limits. Windy,blowing snow does not help. Especially since I need to run on a fairly busy road. Sometimes it is just too dangerous.
O.K, and it is proving very difficult to find the motivation to get out the door.
I have to admit, that part of me..o.k most of me, is thinking I have forever to train for the marathon so another week can't hurt.

not good....

I think I am going to HAVE to get a membership to the YMCA. That way I will have NO EXCUSES to run in the winter. I can go with my kids, drop them off in playland and run on the treadmill. Can I get a membership for just a few months? Perhaps if I pay the money I won't want to waste it.

I am also going to officially sign up for the marathon...pay the fees ect.
Then there will be no turning back...right??