Amazing the difference 20lbs can make

I'm looking at my self-portraits on the side, taken 1/28 and 20ish lbs ago, and I'm thinking I look "chubby" in those shots! Funny now, because at that time I was thinking how much I could see the 20lb weight loss in my face! Amazing how much a difference 20 lbs makes, yet again!

Before: The 1st 20 lbs

After: The next 20 lbs (and pardon the hair - it is my post-workout look)

WOW! Ouch

It is really nice out today, so I decided to go for a run outside, rather than go to the gym. So, with my trusty Purple Pal in hand, complete w/new uploads of B-52s and the Theme from Rocky, I headed off to the track with the determination to run 2 complete laps non-stop.

I have been visualizing myself doing just this for a while now. And I felt confident that, while I would be very tired, I *was* capable of running 1/2 mile if I just did not let myself come up with an out. And I do so much better on the track or outside than I do on the treadmill. I can go that extra minute it takes to go to the landmark outside, but inside each and every second is torture!

So off I went, walking only one full lap at quite a brisk pace before I started running; normally I walk 5 minutes and that is just a bit more than a quarter mile. But I walked my quarter mile faster than normal ... 3.5 mins actually. Then I began running. One lap was easy, this was looking good! Another half lap, I was running into the wind which was defiantly harder, but oddly enough easy once I just let the sound take me away. Now I was only 1/4 of a lap from 2 full laps; I was going to do this!! 2 laps down and I felt OK. So, I said just go a quarter of a lap farther. I did, and then some; I ended up running 3 full laps today!!

Then my hip hurt. It just came on quickly as I was almost to the end of my 3rd lap. I felt tired-ish, but not spent and was going to keep on running. But when I got just past my lap mark I had to quit as it hurt too much.

Rats!

I was never able to run again either, the pain was too much and I was afraid of hurting something seriously. And now I am so very bummed that I was not able to get a "real" workout in today. Hardly even was breathless, did not even break a sweat. grrrrr..... this being in shape thing is hard now! ...well, not quite in shape now, but much more so than 3 months ago!

Officialy Allergic To Running

So, this is the 2nd time my eyes have swelled up after running. Sniffelous has nothing on alien eyes!

So, do I take Bennedryl for running, or do I just not run!?

On The Track

The girls had gymnastics today, and since it is an hour long class right next to the old HS track, I decided to use the time to run on the track today. I did pretty good! I completed 1.5 miles in 20 minutes.

I ran 4 quarter mile sets, or close to that at least. The first set I did a complete lap (Well, I'm pretty sure this track is metric, but it is like 3yrds short of a quarter mile, so I'm counting it as a quarter mile for this purpose.) and I ran it in 2:52 ... that works out to me running at about 5.8 ish too! WOW!

The other runs were a bit slower - more like 5.3 ish or 5.5 ish. And I ran about 3/4 of a lap or a bit more before I stopped. The last lap I ran half a lap, walked for 22 seconds, then finished running the lap. I was getting tired by then, and my shin was hurting. Unfortunately I think I am developing shin splints. rats!!

But all in all I did pretty good, I think. I still need to find a day when I am supposed to do the real workout and run my 5 minutes / half mile. I've been 2 weeks at this "week 4" gap and still have not done the official week 4 workout. But I'm doing good at keeping on going.

Hmmm - It Was Supposed to Be Easy

Well, it was easy to do, but I surprised myself by just how easy my afternoon run was today!

I know what those in the know are thinking - I'm supposed to meet Trish this evening at the gym to run, and I will. I just wanted to go outside and get a little bit more lovely exercise today. (?Lovely?) Well, I ran a 1.5mile neighborhood run today - same route I ran yesterday, only today I kicked ass for taking it easy!! I ran a few sets at close to 6mph - for 1.40 minutes! For me that is killer!! I ran 3.22 mins at 5.2mph - just about perfect! And, really, I could have gone on longer, but I was at the end of the path and that was where my mental break was already scheduled to stop, and since I was trying to NOT push myself too hard, I decided to go ahead and stop.

Hmmm, I ran a total of .82 miles, walked .68 miles and it was all just a light little jaunt. hmmmm, 3 months ago that would have been my day!!

Warm Weather

Wow - spring has finally arrived here! A bit early I think too! Not that I am complaining - I am eager to be outdoors in the sun a bit. Especially since last summer was so cool! Not complaining there either :) Just saying, that's all.

Went "running" outside yesterday. It was just so nice that I had to go outside. I ran 5 times in my mile-and-halfish run. The longest split (on my lovely Purple Pal!) was 2.08mins. yawn My hardest run was the first: 1.05 mins and I thought I was going to die after it ... I must have been going WAY too fast. The other sets were soooo much better, breathing wise.

Weighed myself today - first time in a week. Not too bad considering the weekend of eating I had ... I am .5lbs more than last week. That feels good. I have a long weigh (sorry, had to do that) to go still, and I have hardly lost any weight this past month or so. Trish is also feeling out of sorts, and I need my motivating partner!!

Going out for a semi run right now. Then I will meet Trish at the gym tonight too. ugggg.... But, I think it is a good kickstart to get me back to where I need to be. I still have 16 lbs to loose by my birthday. I'm also supposed to be able to run 2 miles straight. HA! So very very far away from that; doubt I'll be doing that by then. But you never know. maybe ....

Oi-Vey! A Week of "Leisure" is Very Evident!

Today was a very bizarre workout! I can tell that last week was a low-key workout week!

Last week I went to the gym on Sat, but I only used the elliptical -- I did do 3 miles / 45 minutes on it, and maintained a 128-130 heart rate, but I did not run. Sunday and Monday I took off. Tues I went to the gym and did a wonky workout that never had any run longer than 3 mins. I did do my 2 miles, but I did not push myself because I have my class on Tues evenings. Wed. I took off due to Girl Scout craziness. Thurs I went in early, in an attempt to cross paths with Trish in the afternoon. I ran some, but not the official workout or even close to my crazy version of week 3.5 -- I did mostly 2 minute runs, some fast some normal 5.0 speed, some at an incline, one or two 3 minute runs, some one minute runs. I did do my 2 miles in under 28 mins, but not the "real" workout I really needed. Friday I left for WWW4 and did not workout. Sat I walked 3 hours on the beach, and Sunday and Monday I recovered. Today still a bit sore in my hip.

Went to the gym today and DID NOT want to work out at all. Walked for 5 mins at 2.5mph, then finally upped it to 3.5mph. Walked for 15mins before I finally ran. Ran for 2 mins at 5.0mph -my normal speed. Walked for a few minutes, ran for 2, walked for a few minutes, ran for two, walked, ran for 90 .... yea, I was feeling lazy! I was not so tired by the 2 min mark, I simply did not want to run! I can feel the leisure and indulgent weekend and week prior in my body. I hope Trish & I meet up Thurs and inspire each other! I need it!

WWW4 - Tawas Baby!

Oh these lovely weekends are so much fun, even if we just sit on our butts and eat far too much food. I think that was fun for me simply because I have not eaten so much food in 2.5 months! Yum!
Women should not knit and drink ... I think that is the Catheter Cosey Andra is knitting for her dad there.

But then there was the questionable fashion choices we made in lovely downtown Tawas. Ya like?


And really, have you ever hear of light-up knitting needles? How funny!

OH, what a great weekend, but I think I seriously put on 5 lbs this weekend! Even the 3-hour walk in the sand did not burn off the beer, chips, hummus, brownie, pizza, and whatever else we ate and ate!

Good times, good friends, who could ask for much more? Oh wait - I get good times with more friends soon too! Trish & I are going to do a girls night out soon too! Whoo Hoo me!!

Jumped the Hump!

It has been beautiful out lately - sunny and 50's -so being a bit short on time today, I decided to go for a run outside rather than go to the gym. I thought about mapping out a run, but then thought I would just be lazy and use my pod-runner podcast for week 4. I set out, dressed in a long sleeve t-shirt w/a regular t-shirt over it, and chose the least snowy route. When I reached the path in our sub I quickly changed my mind and continued along the road way. It was hilly, but snow free! OK, here is the really really really really good news; I ran for my 5 minutes!!! I did: 3/90, 5/2.5, 3/90, 2.5ish ... the last run was all uphill, and it ended at our house. Bad planning, but oh well. I am still amazed that I did the 5 minutes, and it was not even that hard! Luckily I finished downhill, but still I was ready to go a bit farther if need be. Glad it was not required, but I was ready none-the-less.

And, to make me even happier .... it looks like I ran the 5 mins at about 5.6mph! I was right that once I got outside I would be able to get over that hump! Now to plan a better run and do the 2nd of my 5 min sets too!!

But still, big celebration in my head today since I did the 5 min run!!!!!

A Big Fat (Mental?) Hump

So, last night Trish & I ran again. But crap, getting past the 3min mark is just damn hard! I did do 4 mins - once. the last time I crapped out at 3 mins and had to walk for 15 secs .. then ran once again. I just suck!!! Yes I am tired, but I am 90% sure I could push on for that extra minute or so ... my head just screams STOP RUNNING! and I succumb.

I have have have to get over that hump in my head!!

And the End Of Success

Today was not successful in my running! I was all over the place with my heart rate and length of running. I was simply not able to mentally or physically maintain my running. It is getting "too long" feeling, not so much physically, but mentally time wise. Makes little sense, I know.

I'm waiting for things to warm up some more and the snow melt so that I can try running on the track. Or in the neighborhood.

Regardless, I am making some progress; I did a total of 2 miles in less than 28 minutes, I ran 5.0 for all my runs, and I even did 2 runs at 5.5/7 and one full minute at 6.0.

Ehhhh, tommorow is another day.