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Yesterday evening, I had left work and went straight to the rec center. It was a rare day when I didn't have to drop K off at home first before hitting the gym.

I weight trained for 45 minutes.

I jogged for about 12-13 minutes for a one mile distance around the track.

I walked the track for about 55 minutes.

My knees have been feeling funky this week and hopefully if I take it a bit easy they'll recover quickly.

My arms and abs feel sore and tight today from the weight training.

ithinkicanithinkican

I went to the outdoor track today and did 4 miles in total. I ran one mile of it. My knees are not happy with me.

just a movin'

This was a good workout weekend.

Saturday I met up with Chrissy and Mary and we ran 3.1 miles at the rec center. It was nice to have finally run that full distance again, since it was my first time to do so after my 5K.

I felt great afterwards and was surprised that I didn't have too many aches and pains in the evening.

I walked the dogs in the early evening and it was a nice leisurely stroll for about 30 minutes.

Sunday I met up with Franzi and we played racquetball for about an hour and ten minutes.

Today my knees are feeling a bit abused but overall I feel relaxed and body accomplished.

red faced, mussed hair, and sweating

I went to the track today around 11:30 a.m. By the time I walked two miles it was 12:05 and that's when I started to run.

Oh my...it is friggin' hot out there!

I only ran 1.5 miles but overall I was out on the track for 4 miles.

As I was running the hot wind blew my hair over my face and at times I was grateful for the shield from the sun. Every once in a while I was graced by a cool breeze that would come out of nowhere and would chase me for about five seconds. It was just enough to tease me and make me wonder why the hell I was out there cooking my brain as I pounded the concrete course.

As I sit in my chair now while cooling down the feeling of lucidness washes over me as it usually does after a good workout.

I might of had a crappy run but the overall feeling I got from working out is well worth it.

two miles

Before you read this, go to the entry right before and read the comments for Kealy's covert update on her 5K-dom. Yay Kealy! I know I'm not the only one that is super impressed and so very proud of you!

As for my update, I've been sticking with my three-runs-a-week promise with success. And, even more exciting, I am consistently running two miles every time. Last night, I met Sonnie at the gym and we did two miles in 22 minutes, I think. Last Sunday, Mary and I ran just over two miles in 30. The time before that I ran alone, at the SFA outdoor track - two miles, but I didn't time myself. This is very exciting. I'm not sure what my next goal is. Probably to run three miles each time, and then do another 5K and get a faster time. Maybe try a 10K at some point... who knows? Right now I'm just trying to keep my distances consistent and my running sessions regular. So far, so good!

How about everyone else?

Br-r-race day

It's snowing.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Maybe my luck will change.

My race day.

At 9 am it should be just above freezing.

Fanfreakintastic!

What should I wear? I've never ran in the rain before. Help!

Sneakers!

I realized recently that my sneakers don't fit me. They're too small. This is probably because of that time I washed then and then put them in the dryer. Or maybe my feet are growing. At any rate, my feet hurt after a run and most notably in the toe region. I even got a blister after my run on Sunday! Plus my shoes are old. Like, three years old. So I'm going to Lufkin this weekend to get new ones. Any suggestions for brands or shoes or colors?

Thanks!

Question

I ran outside on Sunday and did great. No pain ... no problem. I went last night to run again, but it was cold and raining so I went to the good ol' treadmill. That's when the pain set in. Shin splints. Ouch.

I was planning on running Monday, Wednesday and Friday (my run is on Sunday) and just doing some other cardio and/or yoga like normal on the other days, but I thought I was going to die! I finished my mile and switched to other machines for the remaining time. I think that I'm not going to run for the rest of the week. I know I'll be fine once I'm out there, but I did have one question ...

What kind of pain relief is alright take while running? I know that I can use some tiger balm, but is advil (or something else) safe to take before the run?

back on track (again!)

Hello friends! My goal last week was to run three times. I ran on Tuesday, but I was just starting to come down with a nasty cold and not being able to breathe kind of puts a damper on your ability to run. Thursday I was supposed to run with Mary, but I ended up staying home from work because I was sick. Sinus pressure and sneezing and headaches. Boo. I was feeling better by the weekend, and the weather was beautiful on Sunday, so I decided to go to the outside track on campus and see what I could do. I ended up running two miles, and it was so hard! My legs were pretty sore afterwards, but I was glad I pushed myself.

This week I'm still a little congested, but otherwise I'm fine. I have a good feeling about this week. Hope everyone is having a lovely Monday!

I think I can. I think I can.

What a beautiful weekend. The sun never went away. I had friends in from out of town on Friday, so I just ran to the gym real quick and did a couple miles on the elliptical. My dad showed up on Saturday morning and I talked everyone into going on a hike with me. I ended up getting a sunburn on my arms and face. It was beautiful outside and I couldn't have been happier to see the sun again.

My dad stayed with me until this morning (after buying me some much needed groceries). He wanted to go on another hike with me, but I told him no. My race is coming up and I have to get serious about training. If I had gone on that hike this morning, I would have not been up to running later. I'm in good shape, but I have hardly done any running outside.

This afternoon I took off. I walked / ran for about a mile to warm up and then took off for a nice steady jog. I made it all the way home (almost 2 miles according to map my run) without stopping and it only took me 24 minutes. Those endorphins kicked in and I felt like I could have kept going forever, but I promised Pfunk I'd be back.

As long as it isn't freezing outside, I know that I'll be ready for my race. I just registered. How exciting!

Weekend Log

Saturday

Weight training consisting of machines, exercise ball with weighted balls, and ab work: 30 mimutes

Walking/Jogging outside: 30 minutes

Sunday

Racquetball: 45 min
Lap Swimming: 15 min
Leisure Swimming: 15 min

Hello, Remember Me?

Yes, I'm still hanging in. I have kind of disappeared from the blog scene for awhile and have been exceptionally lazy about recording my progress, but mostly, Sonnie or Chrissy mentions when they meet with me at the rec center and I haven't done a whole heck of a lot outside of that.

Typically, I go on Sundays with Matt and this past Sunday I ran two miles (not consecutive) and walked about three. I like Chrissy's idea of keeping track of all the miles here and there for the week, but if I think about it too much, the fact that I am not keeping track will stress me out and I already have enough lists. Blorg.

I am also rather bummed that I have yet to run a 5K or really, even 3.1 miles straight except in those early days when I was having uncanny beginner's luck. I am heartened though by Chrissy's reminder that we got in this to make running and fitness a regular part of our lives, not just to run a 5k one time.

I would still very much like to run a full 5k. I know Sonnie, Chrissy, and Michelle have run one--what about everyone else?

It's good to be back online; I'll try to stay up to date from now on.

Brrrrr

It is still too cold outside.

Pfunk's middle school has a kick ass track and it didn't hurt my legs at all to run, but the temperature dropped to about 40 something. I ran a mile. I never warmed up. Texas has ruined me for cold weather.

I'll just wait until that promised 70 degrees comes my way.

Sad - A - Thon

We are having a jog-a-thon in May and so the other EA and I decided to get the kids ready. She has been a runner off and on her whole life, so we thought it would be fun for the kids and us to run off some energy outside. It was a pretty sad scene. I thought for sure that the five-year-olds would show me up, but over half of them couldn't even run one freakin' lap! I was amazed. They were also amazed by me.

Wow! Miss. K! You can run? I've never seen a teacher run!

I ran with the kids who could run and we managed to run 3 laps before it was time to go in. I say we require television viewing to be treadmill powered for anyone under the age of 18.

The weather is changing. It should be mid 70s and sunny this weekend. I'm ready! It is overcast right now and I'm heading out for a few laps at the middle school to train.

Anyone up for donating money for each lap I complete?

humpin' it on hump day

elliptical trainer - 45 minutes

**Reading a large book while pumping my legs as fast as they can go on the elliptical trainer is also a good core workout. It takes balance to make sure I don't embarrass myself and fall off of the elliptical as I turn pages.

under the weather

My goal to run three times this week is off to an okay start. Last night I met Sonnie and Mary at the gym, and we walked and jogged for about 50 minutes. I'm all stuffed up and I immediately got a really bad side stitch - when you can't breathe, it's kind of hard to take in enough oxygen. Oh well. Even if I'm not exactly kicking ass and taking names, at least I'm keeping up with my routine and making running a regular habit.

I commented on Kealy's last post and mentioned that I needed to get remotivated. I did a 5K, but my ultimate goal isn't running 3.1 miles once. It's to make running a part of my life, and to keep doing it for my health. I played around with map my run and found out that my bike ride to work is almost exactly one mile long. Then I started adding up how many miles a day I ride - usually about four (to work, home for lunch, back to work, home for the day) and sometimes more (if I ride to yoga). Then I thought, it would be fun to keep track of the miles I bike each week. I like lists, and I like the idea of competing with myself. So of course that led to me thinking I should keep track of miles run each week, which might motivate me to eek out another mile here and there. If you think about it that way, all those little miles add up to something pretty impressive.

I'm going to try it out and I'll let y'all know how it goes. Sometimes I think I spend more time motivating myself and making lists than actually accomplishing anything. C'est la vie.

Tuesday

Afternoon:

Recumbent Bike: 45 minutes

Evening:

Weight Training: 25 minutes
Walking/Jogging: 50 minutes

hi

I have been going to the gym.

After spring broke, I tried to switch over to evenings. Last week was a horrible week as far as running goes. I went with the intention of running twice. I ran both times, but I was sloppy and slow. I know what the problem is. I tried to skip my period. I started on the pill and was told that I could skip a couple of months. Well ... the force is strong in me and my legs, back, and other pre symptoms came screaming through. Once I realized what the problem was, I gave it a rest. I continued the week on the elliptical and included a little weights.

I also realized that evenings don't work for me. Pfunk decided that she doesn't want to be my partner anymore. I have been replaced by soccer (I got dissed). Plus, I have to fight for a machine in the evenings and I'm just too tired by the time I can get there.

This morning I dragged myself out of bed and was able to run about 2 miles (almost running the whole time). I do not feel ready to run a 5K today, but I might once I get out there. In-between the hail and the rain I may not have time to prepare outside before the big day.

That's all I have to report as of today.

distracted

Hey gang!
So last week I was all set to run three times, and I was going to run FAR and FAST. Unfortunately, I got as far as Tuesday, and that was it. One run. In seven days. What happened?

Nathan's parents came to visit, which required some last minute changing of schedules, which is fine. Then I accidentally got drunk on Saturday and spent all of Sunday in bed. I could barely walk, let alone attempt a 5K. It seems that something always comes up, and I can't remember the last time I actually ran three times in one week. I thought once I was home and not traveling I'd be better, more regular about exercising. How wrong I was!

So this week I make the same promise to myself - three runs, or else! Anyone have any advice for staying on track? Is it better to get it done first thing in the morning? Early in the week? Should I shut up and just do it and stop my whining? Be harsh. I can take it.

Sunday Funday

I met up with a friend at the Rec Center and played racquetball for an hour. I'm always amazed at the type of work out I get from the game. It's pretty intense on my lower body. When you sprint, suddenly halt/pivot, and stay in a crouched position it makes me realize that there are some muscles that remain untouched until racquetball.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and finish it out on a good note.

Getting a jump start on my day...

Treadmill: 45 minutes (20 minutes of it was spent on running broken into two 10 minute intervals)

Elliptical: 30 minutes

thirsty

Just got back from my run today and boy is it hot and humid outside. Did I really wish for Summer??

I ran the 5K route on campus that Chrissy and I ran last Saturday. I didn't fare so well on the route today. I had to stop a couple of times and walk because my legs kept tightening up and trying to cramp on me. Hrm. It could be from just having a bad running day but I'm thinking it's because I'm not hydrated enough. I haven't been very good about keeping up with my water as I'm doing all this running. I know because last night I couldn't stop drinking water. I was so thirsty and couldn't quench my thirst.

I'm going to have to force myself to do better on drinking water.

But regardless if I stopped a couple of times I still got the run under my belt for today.

Happy running!

Sweat Log

Tuesday
Lunch hour
Elliptical Trainer: 30 minutes
Weight training: 20 minutes

P.M.
In the evening I met up with Chrissy and Mary. We walked for a bit. We ran one mile together. We worked on abs and weight trained lower body.

Wednesday
Lunch hour
Elliptical: 35 minutes
Recumbent bike: 15 minutes