Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Frederick Women's Distance Festival

I got the go-ahead from my coach, so it looks like I'll be running in the Frederick Women's Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk on August 10th.  Which means I have 10 days to figure out how in the heck to run a 5K.

Even though I've been doing speed work once a week, my running lately has been more focused on laid-back, easy runs, and building up mileage.  It's been ages since I tried to run at a fast pace and hold it for any length of time.   Yesterday I did mile repeats, but I know I can't hold that pace for 3.1 miles.  I suppose I'll just have to go out and wing it, like always, but I do wish I had a better idea of what I'm capable of.

Actually, that's part of the whole reason behind running this race- so that I can find out what I'm capable of!



Fortunately, unless I trip and break something, there's a high probability that this race will go better than my last one, so that's something, at least.  Plus, this is an all-women event for a good cause, so there's that.  

Now, I'm off to the gym.  Someone remind me why I thought an hour long training session would be a good idea today?  

*crickets*

Yeah, that's what I thought! 

Monday, July 29, 2013

Week 3 Recap

Week 3 of my half marathon training is officially over - I can't believe there are only 11 weeks to go!  When I signed up for this race, it seemed soooooo far away.  Not anymore!


GMM Half Marathon Week 3 Training Schedule:

  • Monday - Rest
  • Tuesday - 3 miles speed
  • Wednesday - Rest/Cross Training
  • Thursday - 2 miles easy
  • Friday - Rest/Cross Training
  • Saturday - 6 miles
  • Sunday - 2 miles easy

How it actually went: 

  • Monday - Rest
  • Tuesday - 3.25 miles (Hit all my paces, but somehow the math was off, so with the cooldown, this was 3.25 miles)
  • Wednesday - 1/2 hour training session at the gym 
  • Thursday - 2 miles easy (Super slow, some calf pain)
  • Friday - Rest
  • Saturday - 6 miles (Nice run, very happy with it)
  • Sunday - 2 miles (Faster than I was supposed to, got chastised by my coach)

So, 13.25 miles for the week (plus a 1/2 mile on the treadmill before my training session, which I'm not really counting).   All in all it was a good week, and last night's run made me realize that I'm ready to try another 5K, so I've asked my coach for her blessing. The last one I did was just a miserable day and I know it's in no way indicative of what I can actually do right now.  

I found a local-ish race that supports a good cause that is on a cut-back week in my training cycle, so I'm just waiting to hear back from my coach.  Fingers crossed, people - I'd rather have permission than do it anyway and get yelled at later. LOL

Happy Monday!



Saturday, July 27, 2013

In The Long Run

My alarm went off at 5 this morning and in true Di fashion, I turned the bugger off.  No way was I getting up. 7 a.m. rolled around and my son came in to snuggle with his dad for a bit.  Saturdays are my morning to sleep in, but I knew I had 6 miles ahead of me, so I got up.

Last week, my 5 miler was .... crappy.  Too much walking, too many stupid little things going wrong.  I had no real hopes for today's run.  I couldn't stop to think, I just went out.

I had a few aches and pains here and there (the dog tried to kill me last night, but more about that later), but mostly I was fine.  Kept it slow and just plodded along.  Got home feeling quite pleased with myself.


(Avg. pace was 12:52, I think - right in the middle of the pace range I was given. Huzzah!)

Today was the first time I'd run 6 miles without regular walk intervals since January.  It felt damn good.  Though it's cotton and ended up weighing 3,000 lbs by the time I got home, I was so glad I'd worn this shirt:

Don't mind the sweat, it was hot out there!



It was nice to come home and have gone over my "step" goal before 9 a.m.  In fact, my Fitbit rolled over 25,000 steps today, all told - over 12 miles!  It was a good day - except for one thing.  I am in so much pain now, I want to cry. 

Remember when I said my dog tried to kill me last night?  I tried to take pictures of my injuries as proof, but they're not showing up well on my phone right now.  I'm sure they'll be nice and ugly tomorrow. But I digress. 

Last night, I was stepping back into my house from my garage when my foot slid out from under me, my other leg caught on the step up into the house, and my leg buckled and I went down like a ton of bricks.  Why did my foot slide out from under me, you wonder?  Well, I'll tell you.  My lovely dog decided that the best place for her water was not in her bowl, or in her stomach, but all over the tile floor in my kitchen, right in front of the door leading to the garage.  Water + tile floor = Di go boom. 

After the initial "AHHH!!!" and the subsequent crying (because I am a weenie and it HURT!) and the examining where all the skin was scraped off my knee and top of my foot, I realized that I was feeling ok and decided not to worry about it.  (Though I did threaten the dog.  I swear she hates me.)  

Fast forward to mile 4 of my run, when my hip/butt started to hurt.  I figured it was just from having weak glutes and/or adductors.    Fast forward to going out to dinner with my husband tonight, and in the car driving to the restaurant, my legs are hurting.  Fast forward again to walking around the mall and EVERYTHING hurts.  Legs, shoulders, neck, back, you name it.  I talked about DOMS in my last post - this was more like DOPFFOMA (Delayed Onset Pain From Falling On My Ass).

Now I have fun bruises and my everything is sore and I have a run scheduled tomorrow and I don't wanna and waaaaaa!!  

Insert pouty face here. 

So, I am going to go take some anti-inflammatories and toddle off to bed hoping that tomorrow, I will be able to walk without limping.  If I can do that, I can run, right?  RIGHT?!??  

Stupid dog.  *sniffle*  


Thursday, July 25, 2013

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

You know what's fun?   That burning sensation in your muscles the day after a hard workout.  The feeling of heaviness, pain, and soreness that makes it hard to lift your arms, walk down stairs, or sit, depending on what muscle groups you tortured worked on.

It's a blast, isn't it?

If you're new to exercise, the day after being in the gym, you may wake up thinking that you've injured yourself.  While that is possible, it's more likely that you're just experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (or DOMS).   So what is DOMS, anyway?

This article explains that:

 Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) describes a phenomenon of muscle pain, muscle soreness or muscle stiffness that occurs in the day or two after exercise. This muscle soreness is most frequently felt when you begin a new exercise program, change your exercise routine, or dramatically increase the duration or intensity of your exercise routine.

Also:

Delayed onset muscle soreness is thought to be a result of microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers. The amount of tearing (and soreness) depends on how hard and how long you exercise and what type of exercise you do. Any movement you aren't used to can lead to DOMS, but eccentric muscle contractions (movements that cause muscle to forcefully contract while it lengthens) seem to cause the most soreness.


Fortunately, DOMS goes away after a few days - and if it's bothering you too much, you can always take ibuprofen or something similar to help with the pain.  The absolute best way to deal with DOMS, however, is to prevent it in the first place - for example, by not giving up on the gym for over a year and then expecting to pick up where you left off.  (And yes, I'm talking to myself here.  Don't mind me.) 

For more information on DOMS, you can go here.  If you'd like to experience DOMS for yourself, I can give you the name of my trainer.  



(He IS kinda hot....  My trainer.  Not this guy.) 



Monday, July 22, 2013

Week 2 Recap

I've been a very lazy blogger this week, mostly due to the fact that my parents were staying with us and I tend to let everything slide when we have house guests.

I was not a lazy runner, though, and I did all of the workouts that my coach laid out for me.

GMM Half Marathon Training Week 2 Schedule:

  • Monday - Rest
  • Tuesday - 3 speed
  • Wednesday - Rest/Cross Train
  • Thursday - 2 easy
  • Friday - Rest/Cross Train
  • Saturday - 5 miles
  • Sunday - 2 easy

How the week actually went: 

  • Monday - Rest
  • Tuesday - Rest (Tuesdays have not worked out lately! Grr!) 
  • Wednesday - 3 speed (hit my paces PERFECTLY, if I do say so myself)
  • Thursday - 2 easy (not a great run, but it was ok)
  • Friday - Rest
  • Saturday - 4.8 miles (major malfunctions all over the place, including my watch dying, hence the short run since I didn't know exactly where I was supposed to turn around)
  • Sunday - 2.2 easy (possibly the easiest run I've ever had)

I'm over being upset about Saturday's run (it was UGLY and I walked a lot), but if I were a newer newb, I'd be pretty disheartened and would be questioning my ability to do a HM in a few months.  Fortunately, I know I can complete the distance because I've done it before.  The question now is just whether I'll be running it or run/walking.  I'm hoping for the former!   We'll see.  Lots of time still!  


So, Week 3 begins today - fortunately with a rest day, because I'm feeling blah today (and I'm taking my parents to the airport this morning).    No new weight loss to report - but no gain, either, so that's good.  At least I know I can stop tracking calories for a few days and keep off what I've lost so far.  Actually, I think it's good to relax for a few days every once in awhile - otherwise it all ends up feeling like such a chore that you might say "Forget this!" and stop trying altogether.  Not what I want!   So I'm back to counting calories today and paying a little bit more attention.  5 months left in 2013, and I am 5 lbs from the goal I set for myself in January.  Pretty sure I can do it, but only time will tell. 


Fitbit Zip Update - Last week I accidentally wore my Zip in the pool for about 5 minutes.  NO HARM DONE!  I was shocked (and totally relieved) to see that it still worked perfectly, and has had no issues since.  Phew!  Well done, Fitbit, for creating something that is Diana-proof! 

Happy Monday, all! 
 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Fitbit Zip Review

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to buy myself a Fitbit Zip in order to try to further my meager attempts at weight loss.  After two solid weeks of use, I am ready to give my honest opinion about the Zip.

(I got the pink one!) 


I love it.

I wish I had gone ahead and splurged on one of the two "fancier" models that also track sleep patterns, but oh well.  The Zip was in my price range (I think I paid $60), and what I really wanted was a kick in the pants to get myself up and moving.  As a stay-at-home mom, you'd think that I'd be constantly moving around, chasing after the kids, cleaning the house, etc.  You would have been wrong.  I'd fallen into a rather sedentary daily routine as the kids had gotten older, and I am embarrassed to admit that there were days when I spent hours in front of the computer without getting up once.

Run four times a week?  Sure!  Do anything else remotely active?  Eh, no thanks.

Then I got the Zip.  Since then, I have consciously made the decision to be more active.  Knowing that this small device was tracking my movements actually makes me move more.  Seeing the numbers rack up, I'm actually more motivated.  "8,000 steps - BAD day, gotta do better."   Next day -  "13,000 steps before dinner! Yes!"   It's been amazing, this little competition with myself.

Could I have bought a regular pedometer for less?  Absolutely.  Is the Fitbit worth $60?  To me?  Absolutely.  I like being able to log on to the website and see my daily and weekly progress.  I like getting text messages saying "Overachiever! You've surpassed your daily goal!"   You can also see how you stack up next to others who have a Fitbit - so if you're at all competitive, it'll push you just a little more.

And the result on the scale?  I'm down to 150 lbs as of this morning.  That's an official 5 pound loss in the past 3 weeks, and most of that since I started wearing the Fitbit.

Yes, I've been eating less (and slightly better), but I've also been moving more - and I've been feeling better about myself.   I am so glad I decided to get the Zip!


**All opinions are my own and I was in no way compensated for this post, though I am never opposed to doing things for money.  That sounded dirty.  **

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Week 1 Recap

This past week was my first week of training for my Oct. Half Marathon.  This was also my first week of following any kind of a real training plan, so I wasn't sure how things would go.  The plan was pretty simple.


  • Monday - Rest Day
  • Tuesday - 3 miles speedwork (400m repeats)
  • Wednesday - Rest/Cross Train
  • Thursday - 2 miles Easy
  • Friday - Rest/Cross Train
  • Saturday - 4 miles
  • Sunday - 2 miles easy 

Since nothing in my life ever goes exactly to plan, here's how my week actually looked: 

  • Monday - Rest Day
  • Tuesday - Rest Day
  • Wednesday - 3 miles speedwork (hit my prescribed paces, was very pleased)
  • Thursday - 2 miles easy (did not feel easy)
  • Friday - Rest Day
  • Saturday - 4 miles (blah)
  • Sunday - 2 miles easy (felt just fine) 
I got absolutely no cross training done this week (I'm supposed to be doing core/strength work!), and the 11 miles that I ran did not feel spectacular.  But.  I got it done, and that's the important part.  

This week, my parents will be visiting, so I'm hoping that most of my runs will get done in the a.m. (when I prefer to run) instead of in the evening (which is when my last few runs have been).    I'm also hoping that if I tell my mom "I'm supposed to work out every day," maybe she'll give me that "mom look" until I've done so. LOL  

So.  1 week down, 13 to go.  October seemed so far away when I signed up for this silly thing! =)


Friday, July 12, 2013

Walk This Way

This week, my husband has been busier than usual, and has only been home in the evening one night.  So my kids and I have been spending even more time together than usual - and since I'm trying to be healthier these days, by default, so are they.  (Though I did just order a pizza.  Don't judge. It's Friday, and besides - I put veggies on it!) 

Last night, after my husband left to go to a meeting at the Lodge, the kids put on their sneakers and we headed out for a little family walk.  We started these walks this past weekend, in order to "practice" for all the walking we'll be doing at Disney next month.  We've taken a few short jaunts down the street and back, no big deal.  Last night, my son decided he wanted to walk to his school playground.  

Which is a mile away.  Up a rather long hill.  Have I mentioned that my kids are 5 and 4 and my daughter has the shortest legs in the known universe?  But I smiled and said "sure," fully expecting the complaining to begin before we even made it to the hill.  

An hour and 2.36 miles later, we returned home sweaty, giggling, and in need of popsicles.  Not one complaint was issued the entire trip.  I am so in love with these little feet. 




My kids know that I like to run, and that being active will "give you energy," as my littlest puts it, but we have never talked about being fat vs. being skinny.  I have never told my children that I want to exercise to be skinnier - I've always said it's about being healthy, which it is.  There are so many people in our family that are, to be polite, larger, and part of me is worried that my children will end up that way.  

I want them to be healthy and happy - childhood (and adulthood) is hard enough without the added stress of being overweight.  I am hoping that they will stay active, and that it will never be an issue, but at this point I just don't know.  

Are you active with your kids?  Were you active as a child? 

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wonderful Wednesday!

Wonderful thing #1 today - I got on the scale, and it said 152.4.   That's the smallest number I've seen in years, people!  At my heaviest, I was 168.  When I got married, I was 138.  I would like to be in the 140s, and it looks like I might actually manage that soon!  Whoot! (Goal weight for 2013 is actually 145, but anything in the 140s will make me smile!) 

Wonderful thing #2 today - Kids had camp, so I had 4 glorious hours to myself!  

Wonderful thing #3 today - Speedwork!  Wait, what?  Did I just type that?  The Green Mountain Half Marathon  is on Oct. 13th, and I officially started training this week.  I was supposed to start yesterday, but life got in the way, so I started today.   My coach said I should run 4x400m with 400 recovery jogs.  Half mile warm up and cool down.   My "easy" pace is supposed to be 12:16 - 12:56, 400m pace is supposed to be between 9:19 - 9:55, and my recovery pace is supposed to be 13:04-14:03.  



Obviously I bombed on the recovery paces (I will admit to walking!), but for my first formal attempt at speed work, I am pretty happy with this!  I hit the paces for the 400s (though as you can see I attempted 1/4 miles, since I wasn't at a track, and I wasn't always exact.  You'd think the tree I used as a landmark wouldn't move, but apparently it did LOL), and I managed to stay in my paces for the warm-up and cool-down, as well, which is good.  I have been going "too fast" in my easy runs and am trying to train myself to slow down.  (Which is hysterical to me, when you think of how slow I really am!) 

AND!  AND!  I got to eat a Panera bagel today and I'm still under my calories for the day.  LOL   So happy about that. =)   I've gotten my family brainwashed to agree to daily family walks as "preparation" for our trip to Disney next month, and the extra moving around is really helping me stay on track.  The more I sit, the more I eat, so I have to keep moving!  

To aid me in that effort, I bought a FitBit Zip.  I have only been using it a few days - I will do a proper "review" giving my thoughts in another week or so, but so far so good.  

I hope you are all having a Wonderful Wednesday!


Saturday, July 6, 2013

July Stride Box


The July Stride Box hit my doorstep last night, and I promptly opened it up and took a blurry picture: 

        

Inside the water bottle was the following: 

            

So what did we have this month?  Lots of food and drink products - reaffirming my instinct to cancel this membership.  I still say it's a great way to be introduced to new products, but I just don't like the taste/texture of most of this stuff, so it's kind of wasted on me.  Still, I will be trying it all, because hey, it's here already.  The water bottle is nice to have, though, and I love the red white and blue "RUN" sticker! 

Included in this month's Box were: 

  1. Bearded Brothers - Natural Energy Bad
  2. PR*Bar - Nutrition Bar - Apple Pie 
  3. Body Glove Surge Gel - All Natural Energy Gel
  4. SpiderTech - X Spider - Pre-Cut Kinesiology Tape 
  5. StrideBox Hydration Bottle
  6. Vega Sport Electrolyte Hydrator Mix
  7. Gu Brew Electrolyte Tablet
  8. Zym Catapult Sport Drink Tablet
  9. Healthy To Go! Aci Energy Drink Mix
  10. HDX Hydration Mix
  11. Nuun Electrolyte Drink Tab

I will try it all, and if anything stands out to me, I'll let you guys know.  Otherwise, I'll just keep my mouth shut because there's no point in trashing something just because I don't like it.  A million other people might like it - I am fairly picky and silly about things.  

Speaking of things that I like and don't like, Sparkling Ice contacted me quite awhile ago and said they'd be sending me a free case after I wrote about the drinks here.... I have yet to see that case.  Bah Humbug.  I'm still buying the stuff like it's going out of style, though.  Oh well.  

Happy Saturday! 



Thursday, July 4, 2013

Independence Day


In honor of our nation's Independence Day, I declared my own independence.  I cancelled my Stride Box subscription, and I went for a run.

In case you're wondering, I still think Stride Box is a fun idea, but since I'm the world's pickiest eater (besides maybe my 5 year old), a lot of what comes in it is kind of wasted on me.  I do have one more box headed my way, and I'll review it when it comes.  But 3 months was apparently my limit of spending money on stuff I don't need or want.

As for my run, well, that was just a regular ole run.  Except it was blazing freaking hot and my face pretty much melted right off.  I felt like this:

(Except much sweatier and uglier.)  


Still, it managed to be a fairly good run for me. 


See that "feels like" temp?  Yeah.  They left off the 1 at the beginning of the 93.  Holy moly.  

Anywho, since it is the 4th of July, and my house is clean and my kids are asleep, I say it's cupcake time.  Lest you yell at me for eating a cupcake when I'm supposedly concerned about my weight (which, by the way, would be very rude of you), here is a photo of the cupcake.  


This is a regular cupcake tin, with the cupcake I am going to eat inside on of the cups.  How I found cupcakes this freaking tiny at my grocery store, I will never know.  But I did.  And I shall eat one!

I will leave you with a blurry cellphone picture of the fireworks we watched last night.  The kids had so much fun, I almost wish we could watch fireworks every night.


I hope everyone had a blessed holiday!  And for those of you who are not American, I hope you had a lovely Thursday! =)