Say It, Do It

I saw this idea on Fit Chick in the City, so I figured it would probably be a good idea to join in!  It's basically the planning out of your workouts for the week and hopefully saying it out loud and planning it out will help with the follow through.  Here goes.

Monday: 5 x 1000m @ 5k pace with 200 recovery job between each interval.  Abs.
Tuesday: Biceps, back and legs. 2-3 mile run, slow.  Abs.
Wednesday: Tri's and shoulders.  4 miles, hills (read: overpass, it's Florida)
Thursday: ~15 mile bike ride. Abs.
Friday/Saturday: Rest one day, 10 mile run the other day.
Sunday: REST

There you have it.  I'll give an honest report next week on how it all shook out!

McDonalds...we're fighting!

This morning I begrudgingly got up and went to the gym.  And yes, I know I'm doing this to myself...it's just the next few days of getting back into a routine are always hardest for me.  I hit the snooze twice this morning...oops!  When I got to the gym though, I got in a good workout of shoulders, triceps, legs and abs.  I was proud of myself for getting up and then being so productive.

When I got back to the car, I saw I had stashed a McDonald's mailer with deals on breakfast items. Score!  I was excited!  I went through the drive thru, ordered my normal sugar-free vanilla iced coffee with skim milk  (which was my free item!) and then a yogurt parfait.  (I do not like creamer in restaurant coffee...it is always too sweet, plus, why damage the work I just did at the gym by adding 200 calories for just a drink?)  I even hear the cashier boy yell to them, "it's skim milk!".

I get my iced coffee, with liquid dripping from the sides all over my hand and I had to ask for a napkin three times! strike one. Then, I get my food in a bag and drive away.  I put my straw in and take a big sip of coffee and realize it definitely had creamer and it tastes nasty. strike two... I'm mad, but I keep driving to work because I needed to get there on time.  Then I get to work and see a sticker on the bottom of my yogurt parfait:

WTF McDonalds?!

strike three!

Now I remember why I pretty much only eat fast food from Chick-fil-A!

I *heart* good runs!

Last night was a good night at the gym.  I love having nights like that.  I got through my shoulders and tri's workout rather quickly and felt the burn, baby!  Pushed out some leg press...and for the record, the weight I had on the leg press was the same as some of the annoying boys in the gym last week...small victory for me!  

Then, I had a good run.  Well...that was, of course, after I knocked my stupid phone off when I caught the cord with my arm swing.  The phone flew off the treadmill and almost hit a lady. You could see in her face that she felt bad for me looking ridiculous...I hurdle-jumped to avoid stepping on my phone and then almost fell off because I stepped wrong while the treadmill was slowing down all while trying to grab my phone from her...AND end scene.  That was only 1/2 mile into my run, so I jumped back on and cranked up the speed without my music because apparently, I flail my arms when I run like a maniac, and I finished out my 4 miles.  I lost some time with the slowing down, grabbing phone and speeding up and I finished in 36 minutes.  The run felt good.  I've had trouble with good runs lately, but I had one Sunday and yesterday, so hopefully we're on a roll!

The One Where I Gripe About Gym Etiquette...

There are lots of rude people in the gym.  And I'm not really sure why.

First of all:

Secondly, aren't we all there for the same reason?  Fitness?  Why be mean to others that are trying to accomplish the same thing you are?  

Yesterday, I was working out and I was on my own little bench.  I was working on legs, shoulders and tris.  I kept going through my little sets, all of my stuff was on or around the bench and I was actively using the bench. I was not taking long breaks in between workouts, I kept going from one to another, only stopping for water or weight changes.  There were a few other benches around me that opened up a few minutes after I started my workout on the bench I was on.  The one I ended up with happened to be in the middle of everything which I hate, but once I set up, I'll just stick it out.  Well...there was this group of late teen-early 20 something guys in there and they're obnoxious.  They're in there some afternoons and they're loud and pushy and get in your little space when it's not necessary.  Annoying.  While I was on my little bench doing my thing, they would walk really close to me when I was using weights almost knocking into them, or when I'd get up to get new weights or a refill on water, they'd sit on my bench all sweaty like (yuck), while all of my stuff was still there.  There were plenty of other benches around, so it's not like I was being unreasonable.  They would cut in when other people were using certain machines and recovering from their workout.  It's fine to work in with someone, but when there's seven of you, that becomes a little much when the other guy is just trying to knock out his workout on the leg press.  I felt bad for the guys they were cutting in on.

Then, there are those people who hog the cardio equipment.  I'm fine with waiting my turn.  By all means, if you are there to work out, go for it!  I don't want you coming up to me after 20 minutes telling me to get off, so I wouldn't do it to you either.  But, why do you feel it is necessary to take up a treadmill next to your friend who is clearly there to work out, just so you can talk to them right then?  You're walking at 2.0mph just so you can be near them?  Why not just stand in front of them?  Your jeans are an indicator that you are not there to workout and when you're there for 10 minutes while people are waiting for a machine, I find you rude!  I feel guilty and a lot of times will cut my workout shorter if there are people waiting for treadmills and I'm trying to fit in a long run.  But don't use the cardio equipment as a place to stand while talking to your friend...please!

What is proper etiquette for the gym?  

What do you see at the gym that annoys you?

Eat it. Work it. Blog it.

Eat It.
Last week I did really well until Saturday afternoon at my shower.  I started with cake.  Then later that night had a couple cupcakes, sushi (good) and an egg roll (bad).  Sunday was a bad day, I woke up feeling like garbage, got bad news, so this was the worst starting with a donut (at least I limited myself to one) and then nachos from Tijuana Flats.  That was all.  All during the week though I did great.  Gotta work on that whole weekend thing a little better, but all in all not too horrible.  I'll cheat for donuts, although I can usually control it.  I tried one of those special chocolate ones Dunkin Donuts has been advertising...friendly word of advise, stick to the regular donuts...much better...especially munchins...yummmmm!
Work It.
So, I started last week off not feeling too hot, so I didn't get started until Tuesday evening with my running.  I put in 17 miles between Tues-Thursday.  Then, Thursday evening I had laser hair treatment done, so I couldn't workout again until Saturday morning.  I had to get a lot of things done and hadn't slept well the few nights before so I figured I'd do a 10 mile run Sunday, but woke up feeling sick, so...I didn't make my 30 miles this week.  I'm going to work at it again this week.  I have 4 under my belt so far, and will hopefully be much closer to 30 assuming my head stops feeling like exploding...any day now!  Stupid allergies!

Blog It.

I'm not really impressed with myself from last week although it appears that I did lose another pound or two.  We shall see how I fare this week.  I'm bummed about this whole allergy thing, my head feels like exploding at about 3 miles, it was all I could do to push to 4 earlier today.  I was hoping to get in another 3-4 this evening before softball, but I think my body is revolting.  If I can knock this, I'll be on my way though :)

Day 3: Favorite Workout Tips

Day 3: Favorite Workout Tips

Let your body rest!

Sometimes, I feel exhausted...some days, I push through it, but other days, I just know I need a break.  The best way to make sure you get rest, is to schedule a rest day, but be sure to listen to your body.  If you've been pushing yourself hard, or not getting enough sleep, it's important to listen to your body.  This could help you from getting an injury.  But seriously: you need sleep!  It helps your body recover!  Don't skimp on it...you'll pay for it later!

Don't let your mind get you down.

There are those days, when your mind tells you that you "can't" do it...even though you know you can.  Part of training is training your mind and learning to beat those little tricks that your head tells you that you can't do.  Your body can do a lot more than your head wants you to think...just be smart about it.

What you eat matters.

My body feels so much better when I'm eating healthy.  My runs are better, my sleep is better, every part of me feels better.  Eating the right, healthy foods makes a huge difference!  Of course, don't go overboard either...ice cream is good for the soul!

Start small, but dream big.

Signing yourself up for too much at first can be discouraging.  Set realistic goals for yourself.  You know yourself better than anyone, so if you know this is something you can't follow through with, adjust your plan so you know it's obtainable and build on it.  If your plan is to train for a marathon and you've never run before, start with 5K's and build on that slowly...but keep that marathon in mind as your goal.

You CAN do it!

Most people assume if they're not a runner, that they can't be.  That's not true.  It's very hard to start at first.  Your training your body and your mind...trying to get used to the strain you are putting on yourself and getting into a schedule.  But, as you build the mileage, it really does get easier. I'm living proof of that.  I went from struggling through a 5K in 2008 to running a marathon in 2010.  This is the same with any workout plan.  It just takes time, but you have to be willing to put the time in.

Happy Monday Bloggy Friends!  We're back on a regular schedule!  As much as I LOVE the Christmas break...I crave a schedule!  Now....back to my regularly scheduled life :)

Insanity Workout Challenge

I'm sure most of you have heard of P90X and other workouts along those lines.  One morning, I turned on the TV and there was an infomercial on Insanity. 

The same company, Team Beachbody makes these two workout DVD packages, plus many  more.  It sounded like something I'd like to try, so I bought my first item ever off TV.  I started doing the workouts after marathon training last year, but decided to stop so I could focus on triathlon training this past spring and summer and then I once again was training for a 1/2 marathon, so I've decided next Monday, I am starting my 60 day Insanity Challenge.

These workouts are hard.  It seriously made marathon training feel like a break in some ways.  Crazy.  Each workout for the first month is 30-45 minutes and then the second month they are around 60 minutes.  So Monday, I begin the challenge from start to finish.  I am also going to be training for another 1/2 marathon I think John and I are going to do in February, so it should get interesting.  This program is all cardio and plyometrics.  It's hard, but effective.  I saw results in a couple weeks!  It should be exciting.  I will finish up at the end of January.  I'll be keeping tabs with you on my progress!  It's also one of my 101 in 1001, so I'm looking forward to checking something else off my list!

Happy Monday!  I'm happy it's a short week AND Thanksgiving!!