Training Season!!

Yikes! I have been a bad blogger! Now that winter break and the holidays are over I am happy to be getting back into training mode. I always work better under a deadline, even if it is a manufactured deadline, I need the pressure to get motivated.

Currently, I am signed up for a 10K and two half-marathons. The 10K is in early March, the first half-marathon is in early May and the second half is in late August. I am strangely excited to finally be training for a half. I wanted to last year and just could not make it work with my schedule. This year I am getting promoted to the big 3-5 and it feels great to have such a concrete goal as my prize.

My challenges for training will likely revolve around the weather, the health of my kids and my husband's work schedule. Right now our weather is cold but manageable. However, I am really not going to get out and run on snow and ice covered roads. I know some runners do and I applaud them, but I am not as coordinated or sure enough on my feet to brave icy roads. So far my route has been in great condition and I hope it stays that way.

Sick kids and and a non-traditional work schedule for my husband will just have to be handled as they happen. My plan for dealing with those obstacles is to allow extra weeks in my 13 week training plan. Or send my kids to school hopped up on Tylenol and run fast enough to out pace the Tylenol wearing off. ;)

This week's training plan is pretty basic and focuses on getting used to running 4 days a week again. I ran very little (once a week) while the girls were on winter break. I ran 3.15 miles on Monday and 3.30 today (Tuesday). Wednesdays will always be my rest days and I plan to do my long runs on Thursdays with Friday being a slow easy recovery run or cross-training. This Thursday's long run will only be 4 miles and Friday I will run 3 miles at the insanely hot gym.  

I hope to share my training each week and hopefully keep my self accountable through this blog. Next week I plan to post my training schedule. It will be a mixture of a Hal Higdon's schedule and the Train Like a Mother's Finish it half-marathon schedule. I can't have any weekend runs and only can run 4 days during the week so I am trying to work out a happy medium between the two plans.

What training plans do you like best? What are the biggest obstacles to your training plan? DO you have any special goals or prizes in mind while you are training?

Happy Holidays!

I am so happy to have a reason to put on snow pants and some outdoor gear.  Snow!

I had two weeks of off exercise, one from travelling and one from sickness.  It was so nice to get to snowshoe around the block with my boys and stretch my legs.   Once you get into the habit of moving your body, you realize how much it adds to the dynamic of your whole life.  You start to yearn for movement.

Now, I'm looking forward to some time in the North Woods, snow shoes and sledding instead of a treadmill at the Y.

See you in the New Year!  I hope you either enjoy the snow, or have the choice to stay snuggly warm inside.

I just signed up for my first event of 2013, an indoor triathalon to see how I'm doing.  I waffled for too long on the Lincoln Half Marathon-sold out in less than a day!

What are your plans for 2013?

Goal... Interrupted

So I really really wanted to run the Full marathon in May.  It was a Goal.  I was doing so well.  Then I got hurt.  I am really way more hurt than I let on.  I ended up going to the doctor.   I had to find a new doctor just to go to one.  So I had not been to a Family doctor in a few years.  He referred me to Physical Therapy and I started that on Friday.  I told her my goals and that I had hoped to run a Full.  She figured out what was wrong with me and told me she has a plan to get me back running.  I have not even been able to run lately.  She said I can help you but I think if you run the full you will just be right back in here seeing me again after you are done.  The half is a reasonable goal and I can help you with that but the Full is not something I would recommend.  So I was disappointed and started thinking what should I do, should I listen to her, should I still try it?  I then walked out of the room we were in and everyone was talking about Sandy Hook Elementary.  I turned on the radio in my car, I then watched the news on the TV.  I cried and cried.  I hugged my little ones.  I gave Paige the biggest hug when I picked her up from school.


I felt silly for worrying about what race I would run.  The thing is I will be able to run a race again.  I want to be able to run 26 miles for the 26 victims at the school shooting but if I can't do that in May I will still do it.  My dream is not gone, my dream was just interrupted by a injury.  An injury I can work though and overcome.  In light of recent events what race I run on May 5th does not seem all that important.  My family and friends and spending time with them and telling them I love them is what I want to focus on now.  My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. 

p90x- Week 2

Day 8: Core Synergistics- my favorite workout of the week!

Day 9: Reality. Sinks. In. Workout everyday? Ummmm..... I took a nap with one of my daughters. Big fail. And I totally regretted it the rest of the day!

Day 10: Back in gear... AND, I need heavier weights! Bring on the 8 pounders!

Day 11: Yoga. I do Jillian Michaels Yoga instead. Feelin' the burn.

Day 12: Legs, legs and more legs. I am shaky and sore within minutes of completing it and the soreness last for 3 whole days.

Day 13 & 14: Both rest days. ooooopsies. I find its actually harder to work out on the weekends when my kids are here.

So, in all, not the greatest week, BUT Im still proud of how far I've come and how much stronger I feel, in general. No noticeable difference on the scale, which is fine, but I'm really feeling good!

Week 3!! I'm going to push hard before the "rest" week!

30 Day Shred

I was inspired by Megan and my half-marathon Sole Sisters to kick up my workouts a notch. I've been pretty consistent with my running but not upping my mileage as I've felt on the verge of an injury recently. I have a good routine of running 2-3 times a week, 2 days of elliptical plus a core class at the Y, and the occasional yoga class. However, the running and strength training have gotten much easier for me over the past few months, and with my kids in school and a new job I find that I'm less active during the day.

I've owned the 30 Day Shred DVD for some time - I bought it when we lived in our old house, so I've probably had it for 2 years. I've never done it. Not once. So sad! The workouts are only 20 minutes each so I'm committing to 1 DVD workout a day in addition to my regular routine for the month of December. The holidays are a hard time to keep focused on health and fitness, what with all of the extra obligations and tempting treats, and I'm not a New Year's resolution kind of girl!

Here's hoping that a little extra cardio and strength training will up my running game enough to commit to a big race, or at least keep those extra holiday pounds at bay... as the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! What are you doing to keep fit during the busy holiday season, replace missed runs due to bad weather, or cross train?

P90X- Week1 DONE

Day 1: I literally yell "I hate you" at my computer screen while doing superman/banana rolls.

Day 2: So sore. And now you're going to make me do an hour of cardio.... want.to.quit!!! BUT I DONT! Miracle.

Day 3: Sore. Tired. Baby up a lot last night. But, I do arms, chest and abs like a champ.

Day 4: Aleve is my new best friend. And Yoga. Lots of Yoga today.

Day 5: Legs, back and abs. These ab workouts are insane. Literally, crazy. My legs are shaking 2 hours after this workout, but I feel good.

Day 6: I actually don't get the KenpoX done. Kids wont give me a quiet moment and with football on, hubby isn't watching the kids while I do it, either. He did watch the kids while I went for a walk/run this morning. Nearly 3.5 miles with my Sole Sisters. It was a good day and a good way to shake out my sore muscles.

Day 7: Rest day. Thankful. I feel lighter already- weird? Not sure yet. I've also already had to change from 3lb weights to 5lbs! I'm a maniac!

83 more days to go!!!

Another injured player

I hate to say it, but here comes another post about injuries.

This is my first injury.  I'm still not sure how it happened, what it is, or when it will go away.  It started in my shins and has traveled down to the area right above my ankle.  It was both legs, and now it's just my right.

Injuries are weird.  And annoying.  And I want to be out there running.

Wait, what?  What did I type?  "I want to be out there running." 

I can't believe I'm saying it, but it's true.  From someone who never thought she'd run, it's a gratifying feeling.  I'm injured, but I'm missing the slap of my soles against the pavement.  The feeling of accomplishment after a run.  And that's a good thing!

In the meantime I have been enjoying some good walks on a steep incline at the Y, and an early morning brisk walk with one of my BRFs who is also injured.  A walk outside in December in Nebraska!  It's crazy! (I actually just came inside from turning off my sprinkler!)

I think I'm almost healed but I'm scared to start running again.  Soon, legs...soon.