Forward March!

You know the funny thing about time?  It never stops, even when you do.  Time does not give a crap if you're busy feeling sorry for yourself, or if you need a break, or if life is busy.  Nope.  The clock ticks forward, the calendar pages turn, and before you know it, whatever you're putting off until Tomorrow (yes, with a capital T) ends up needing to be done Right Now.

Five weeks from Saturday, I'm running a charity 5K.  The day after that, I'm running a 10 race. A few weeks after that, a Half Marathon, and three months after THAT, a 6 hour race.  After that comes the big mama jama, the 24 hour race.

All of which means that there's no more putzing around, no more "easing back" into things.  There's no more time.  The time is now, the time is here. The only thing to do is ....  do.

So, now's the time for that grit and determination I was talking about the other day.  Also, now is the time to stop signing up for races that I'm not prepared for. LOL 

Honestly, though, I'm getting kind of excited about things.  (Finally)  So hopefully I'll find myself in a better position than that poor cow.  Once the weather finally stops being insane, I have a feeling I'm going to be a little giddy at the thought of all that's ahead. 

Of course, that giddiness may not last past the first few races, but we'll see.   Today, I'm just so glad that February is almost over.  What a stupid month. LOL 

Let It Go

The weather the past couple of days has been just wonderful - and I had a great run yesterday.  A really, really great run.  And then today, I let the day slip away from me and even though it's 60 degrees outside and nearly all the snow has melted, I didn't run.  Well, let's say I haven't run, because honestly I still could.  It's not quite dinner time and though it'll be dark after the kids are in bed, it's not like I couldn't go out for a few miles.  Honestly, I probably won't, but who knows.  I could surprise myself.

There's only a week left in February.  How the hell did that happen?  Time is just whizzing  by lately.  The only thing keeping me from hyperventilating over my lack of running lately (and my upcoming races) is that I took a glance at my training calendar from last year at this time (when I also had 2 races looming).  Holy cow, did I slack big time.  Ok, ok, I was sick with the cough from hell for a solid 7 weeks and then had to slowly limp back into running, but still.  It was rough.  One week I'd run 3 miles (the whole week) and the next I'd run 12.  It was a little crazy.  And yet....   I rocked the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.  And the Frederick Half Marathon a month later, too.  On sheer determination and excitement, I plowed through those races and had a great time.   So...... I can do that again, right?

Realistically, I have not been running what I "should" be.  And I will probably not run "enough" in the coming weeks.  I could sit here and kick myself, or I can just let it go.  Admit that I'm not perfect, and be ok with that.

I've been so down in the dumps lately, I'm really trying to just shake it off and move on.  Yesterday's run helped.  Spring will help, too - just have to make it through a few more weeks.  Until then, I'll have to find little things to focus on, find the positives where I can.

Thank goodness for the internet and Google image searches. ;-)

See?  Cute dog pictures abound.  

What gets you through when the blues hit? 

Down The Rabbit Hole

Holy mother of God.  

I think I may actually get thrown out of my house soon.   Hormones plus no running plus stress eating plus STUPID WINTER WEATHER plus kids out of school plus plus plus plus.........  

Even the burpee challenge has fallen by the wayside.  All I'm doing is eating and binge watching bad t.v. shows.  I feel like crap.  Two muffins today.  

Except I can't.  

Anyone else losing their marbles with all this weather? (And/or raging hormones? Bah!) 

Broken Record

I am so tired of complaining about this winter - I feel like it's all I ever do anymore!  Wednesday night we got a bunch of snow dumped on us, so I didn't get out for a run yesterday.  Last night, we got more snow, so the kids are home from school again today.  We're supposed to get more snow tonight and tomorrow.

When. Will. It. End???  I am OVER winter.  Blah.

On the other hand, my husband stayed home from work yesterday and we all cuddled on the couch and watched a movie together - something we rarely get to do all together.  And the kids got to play Xbox with their dad, which they love.   So I shouldn't really complain.  I'm just frustrated because I'd finally gotten back into a routine with my running, and now... blah.  Stupid winter.

But.  It's ok.  Onward and upward.  Or something.

AND! Today is Day 10 of the Burpee challenge and I have not skipped a single day or a single burpee! I did 15 last night, which means I have done 75 since the challenge started.  Only a few hundred to go! =)

Today's cross training exercise will be........ playing in the snow.  It counts, right?  I am NOT a "Whee! Let's play in the snow!" type of person, but .... I have kids.  Therefore, a snowman must be constructed.  I will try not to grimace the whole time.

Do you like winter?  If so.... what's wrong with you?? ;-)

Excuse Me While I Burp(ee)

You know what's fun?  When you realize at 9:39 pm that you haven't done your burpees for the day.

Fortunately for me, the answer is not 10.  Cuz that's how many I just did. (Booya! Day 6 done.)  I have a feeling this question may get revisited at the end of the 31 day challenge. 

Have you ever thrown up as a result of a hard run or workout?  Do you like tootsie pops? (Oh, come on. You know that owl got you thinking about them!) 

Sunday Sums

Today I'm going to start a new "tradition" of Sunday Sums.  This is purely for my own edification, but you can, of course, play along at home.  Previously, when I was training for the Green Mountain Half, I did weekly recaps of my training.  I'm not really training for anything right now, so much as trying to get back into a steady rhythm of running, but I'm still interested in the numbers.

So here it is:

9.15 miles
80 minutes doing workout dvds
70 crunches
33 burpees


Nothing stellar. But for "week 1," I think I'm doing pretty darn well.

PLUS!  I had the BEST run this afternoon.  Ok, it wasn't terribly fast and it probably wasn't very pretty, but I felt good.  Happy.  I ran a slow first mile, did fartleks for a mile, then ran a mile straight back home.  Nothing hurt.  It was a little rough, sure, because I'm out of shape and heavier than I should be.  But it was the best run I've had in ages, and I was just really happy to be out there.   Even if it did start doing this weird sleeting thing during the last mile.

It's nice to end the week on a happy note.  And I'm especially happy because now I'm in my jammies (even though it's only 4pm) and there is chili on the stove.  I predict it will be a good evening.

Before I go enjoy that evening, here's a little cute, just for you.

It Should Not Be This Hard

Just got back from my run and am feeling frustrated.  I know it does no good to be mad at myself, but today, I am.  Since my miserable half marathon in October, my running has been inconsistent (and at times, nonexistent).  I wasted well over three months and lost a ton of fitness.  And in the midst of all of that, I actually had the gall to sign up for a 24 hour endurance race.  To that, today, I say WTF.

I know that I am far stronger mentally than I was when I first started running, but physically, I feel like I'm right back there.  Today, I ran two miles and it was hard.  And I wasn't even trying to push the pace. But I struggled.  For that, I have no one to blame but myself.

Fortunately, I don't have time for a pity party. I've got too much work to do.

Oh, and for anyone who's keeping track, I did my 7 burpees today.  I need to find some other place to do them, though.  The rug we have in our living room moves every time I do one and it's just awkward. Makes me feel like I'm making the earth shake with my heft.  LOL 

"Calories, Calories!"

If you've ever see Steel Magnolias (how could you NOT?), then you might recognize my post title, and even hear it in the appropriate voice.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then just move along, nothing to see here... 

That's what they are, right?

Anyway.  I'm not even sure why I have calories on the brain, except that I probably consumed too many of them today.  I took my daughter to visit her grandmother and great-grandmother, and they offered to treat us to lunch at Panera.  Like I'm going to say no to THAT.    Really, it was a nice four-generational outing.  We don't do that often enough. 

Yesterday, my son had asked me if he could do my kickboxing dvd with me while my husband took my daughter to dance class tonight.  I enthusiastically said yes.   Fast forward 24 hours to my son doing approximately 3 seconds of the warm up, and wandering off to play Legos.  LOL  I don't blame him, really, an exercise DVD with me is not nearly as fun as his real taekwondo class.   I'm just pleased that he showed an interest in something I'm doing, even if it was a total "goldfish" moment.  (Oooh look, a castle! Oooh look, a diver!) 

I did all three sections of the Cardio Kick DVD this time (previously I'd only done the first two sections).  I have to say, I'm not a fan of the third section.  It's the "core" workout, and I just found it a little odd.  She kept talking about pulling my navel into my spine.  And she wanted me to breathe while doing this?!  LOL  I guess I just need practice.  Still, 30 minutes left me sweaty but with enough energy left to do Day 3 of the Burpee Challenge.  7 Burpees! Yay me. =) 

Source

The REALLY good thing about doing my workout just now is that I'm all sweaty and while I will shower, I'm feeling too lazy to put regular clothes back on (I'll just get into jammies), so that means that I will not be heading to Baskin Robbins, even though I discovered today that my favorite all time ice cream is back in stock.   I swear, I squealed out loud AND posted to Facebook today when I found out.  But I'm gonna be a good girl and not go get any today.  I'm  half hoping that if I hold out long enough, it'll be gone again.  (Though, I'll probably cry.  It's been a few years, and I really freaking love this ice cream.)

Oh, World Class Chocolate, how I love you so.  

Oh, jeez, it's a good thing I'm not even hungry right now, or that picture might send me over the edge.  Anyway.......... 

Are there any food items that you have trouble passing up?  If not, please lie because I don't want to know perfect people. LOL 

Ice, Ice Baby!

I went out for my run today and it turned into a run, skate, walk!  Check it:

The second picture looks like the ice goes on forever, right?  Well, it practically did! I think it was a solid tenth of a mile of ice, if not more, just in that picture. Thankfully there was plenty of ice-free path, too, but those two spots were really tricky to navigate, and since I did an out and back, I had to do each one twice!  I tried running off the path, but the sides were a muddy mess.  Ugh.  

But! It was so gorgeous out today, and I'm really glad that I decided to hit the "trail" today.  (It's called the B&A Trail, but it's paved, so I tend to think of it with quotation marks around it.  It's a path.  LOL) 

I didn't post yesterday, but I did exercise, so that means today's officially Day 4 of ... well, whatever this is.  Me being more active.  I don't really need to title it, right? It's life. My life, which happens to now involve more movement. (And burpees.  Oh, god, the burpees!) 

My life also currently involves less muffins. I'm trying not to be bitter about it. LOL  My daughter asked for a doughnut yesterday, and I felt bad telling her no, but I knew that if we went to Dunkin Donuts, I would get a muffin, and then I'd likely just spiral out of control like a crazy person.  So, no donuts for her while I'm creating new habits for myself.   Healthier for her, anyway, even if it's not as fun. 

Getting back to the burpees for a second. Who in the world invented theses torturous things?  Jeepers, I'd forgotten how much I hated them.  I stumbled upon 31 Days of Burpees and decided I'd give it a go.  Yesterday was my first day.  Whooo-boy.  5 was not pleasant.  I can't imagine what 50 is going to feel like.  

I don't know if I'll stick with it or not - I'm notoriously bad at sticking with things, but we'll see.  If Kim can do 44 of some exercise every day, surely I can do this challenge, right?  (Then again, Kim is one tough lady. If you don't believe me, check out her blog!) 

Is there anything you do every day? (Other than bodily functions which you need not share, thankyouverymuch)

Day 2

Someone replaced my calves with rocks. Holy moly! Now I remember why going nearly 3 weeks in between runs is not a good idea.  Jeez.  I need to get reacquainted with my foam roller and work these puppies out.  Yowser. 

So tight calves are the bad news.  The good news is that, as stated, I ran today!  Not far, certainly not fast, but I got out there and I am very happy about that.   I also did a few ab exercises when I got home, and had a nice salad for lunch, so I'm feeling good.   Granted, I really want a cookie, but I'm ignoring that impulse right now. LOL   

Yesterday I wrote down everything that I ate and drank, and today I'm doing the same thing.  I'll do that for the remainder of the week then take a look at it and see if I can make anything out of the info.  Times of day when I'm more prone to snacking, whether or not I'm getting enough water, etc, etc.   We'll see.  Overall I'm just trying to pay more attention to things, instead of just mindlessly going about my day. 

I'm also resisting the impulse to weigh myself.  I never used to weigh myself, ever.  Then somehow I got in the habit of getting on the scale every day.  Why in the hell do I do that?  It's crazy.  So, no more.  The focus needs to be on movement and health, and less on weight and size.  

Easier said than done, but ....  baby steps. 

How about you? Are you taking any  baby steps today? 

Day 1

After spending all day yesterday with stomach pain due to now being too big for my britches (quite literally), I decided enough is enough, and today is officially DAY 1.   First day of the rest of my life and all that.  I keep saying I need to take better care of myself, and I want to be healthier, blah, blah but haven't done anything about it lately.  So, this is it.

Publicly declaring that I am tired of being a slothful lazy fat-ass, and despite my wimpish nature regarding cold temps, I will be back out on the roads tomorrow and on the days I'm not running, I will be doing something else fitness related.  Plus, I will not be hitting up Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts on a regular basis like I have been.  As much as I love my mochas and muffins, they're just not worth it!  Back they go, relegated to being treats instead of daily occurrences!

Source

This morning, I randomly Googled "Workout Video" and came up with the high energy "Bootcamp Calorie Burn" on YouTube.  (For some reason I am unable to actually post the video here, but the link will take you to it if you're interested.)  I am proud to say that I actually kept up the whole time, with the exception of the last two pushups - I am notoriously terrible at them and I was so tired by that point that I just held a plank pose till he said to get up. LOL

Apparently, when I work out, it's taxing for my daughter, too. When I was done, she said "That was so hard!"   She said this from the couch.  Little smart aleck. LOL 

Anyway, now I feel better than I have in days, and I'm off to do household chore type things that got neglected all weekend due to an abundance of family time (not that I'm complaining!).  It is my sincere hope that I will be back blogging tomorrow about Day 2.  

Happy Monday!