Standard Time...A New Beginning

It's time to fall back...and fall back, I did.  I've been a yo-yo weight wise for a long, long time now, and I have officially gained 20 big, fat lbs since B graduated in early May.   Time to get serious...again...and lose this 20 lbs...again (...and then some...*ahem*)  Never quit quitting bad habits, I guess.

First, the good news is I completed my 10 mile race last month.  I was hoping to finish in 2 hours, which averages to 12 min/mile, but it took me 2:08:08, which is 12:49 min/mile.  I got a really bad cold the weekend before, and pulled a 60 hour work week.  And, even though I kept up with the long runs for my training, I was not running as much as I wanted.  I'm slow, and I'm mostly ok with that, but I know I can do better.

I haven't run a step since that day (until today)....and I've gained 6 lbs since race day.  So, here we are again.    B recently started working out with kettlebells, and he bought one for me too.  I used to work out with kettlebells back in Austin with my trainer, so I took to the Pinterest boards to check out some workouts and create a VERY basic, not-dr.-or-trainer-approved plan that works a few different areas.  I'll see if I can start by sticking to a 3x a week, 20ish minute plan.

Here's what I'm trying for the first few weeks.

1. Warm up - Stretch+Run around the block (.7 miles, according to GPS)
2. Kettlebell Swing  10 reps, 20 lbs
3.  Around the Body Pass.   10 reps, 20 lbs
4. Dead lift. 10 reps 20 lbs
5. Yoga Ball V Ups   10 reps with yoga ball
6.  Plank for 30 seconds (and work my way back up)

Repeat 2-6.

I'm also going to work on nutrition, following the orders of  my former Austin nutritionist.  Her orders were to set 2-4 SMALL, ACHIEVABLE nutrition goals every 2 week, and stick to them.  Then, every few weeks, you just add to those achievable goals (never subtracting).  No calorie counting, just smarter, healthy, conscious changes.  Here's what I'm going to start with these first few weeks.

1.  Drink 6 glasses of water daily.
2.  Eat 1 piece of fruit daily.
3.  No more than 2 diet cokes daily (eventually, weekends only...but I need to ween...)
4. No Splenda in the coffee (I admit, I got out of this habit a long time ago.  If you need a sweetener, it's better to use the real thing.  But, wanted to include on my 'week 1' list anyway!)

That's it.  Keeping it simple.  Gotta start somewhere...let's see what I can accomplish before the new year.

Surpassing Expectations on the Running Trail

I tackled a new lake for my run this past weekend.  Yesterday, I started my route along the East side of Lake Calhoun and continued beneath the bridge to circle the Lake of the Isles for a windy, sunny and fulfilling 6.3 mile run.  I managed to pull off the run in 1:13:17, which equates to 0:11:38 a mile, and I'm pleased to say my pace was pretty consistent throughout.  Finally, I'm no longer starting too fast and losing steam in the last few miles.

Picturesque mansions encircle the Lake of the Isles, and it was nice to escape and dream a little about what it might be like to live in one of those houses.  I needed that escape after my hectic and draining work week.

I was nervous and resistant to getting out for this run, since I hadn't gone out for a run of any kind in over a week.  As of late, I've been arriving home from work well after dark, thus foregoing my weekday training runs.  Because I hadn't been logging the miles, I started worrying that I had lost too much time and training to truly be ready for my upcoming 10 mile race.  Brian encouraged me to get out on Saturday and give it a go.  So I did.  I ran without expectations, I focused on staying relaxed, I aimed to run in the moment instead of worrying about the next mile, or the work I had to do after my run was complete...I was pleasantly relieved that the 6.3 felt rather effortless.  Perhaps I can pull off the upcoming 10-miler after all....just 2 more weeks.  2 more weeks where work will no doubt post some serious obstacles in the form of stress and long hours, but I refuse to let that be an excuse.

When I'm able to commit to running, it is the best opportunity for stress relief and meditation that I have ever come across.  I prefer to run alone for this reason (and because I'm super slow).  When I run, I feel more in tune with myself and the world around me, I let go of the expectations and doubts I have about myself.   Such good feelings...I really deserve to treat myself to a good run more often.




A Perfect Fall Run

Today felt like a fall day, with temps dipping below 60, a cool wind with scattered showers, and hints of color on the tips of the trees.

Great running weather!

This evening, I fit in a 4.25 mile run around Lake Calhoun.  I started a bit quick (quick for me that is), with a 0:10:19 mile, and slowed way down for mile two before finding my groove for the last 2 and a quarter.  All in all, I averaged a pace of 0:11:10 mile, and felt comfortably tired when I finished.

I also ran iPod free, which was a nice change of pace and helped me to pay more attention to my breathing and form.  I plan to run the Medtronic 10-mile without music and just enjoy the race, so this run was good practice.