Training Day 3

I woke up at 6 am with full intent to be out of the house and on the road by 6:30.

6:10 am, I was back under my blanket, sleeping.

I ran at 8 instead. I was so sleepy and cold.

I was really excited running today because I got my Nike+ Sportswatch GPS! Besides with the issue that I received an obviously previously opened product and drove out an hour to exchanged it because I didn't want to wait till Monday and have double charges on my card (!) and I wanted to use it! But Nike isn't done hearing from me. The original product I got was whacked. It was already charged and everything. I paid a lot of money for that, should be at least right the first time.

Anyway, its not the cheapest GPS watch but its the most stylish! The CSR I spoke to accidentally let it slip that theres a new color coming out (!) but I'm pretty good with the black and the green. Its neutral and the neon green helps me see better, or I think it does.

I did three miles today and I did okay. I was sprinting/walking. I should really try to maintain a proper and constant pace as opposed to run and walk run and walk, which works, but I want to develop endurance. I know all about the walk run method training plan, but I really want to build endurance and improve my heart's ability to pump blood! VO2 lets do it!

 TIME      AVG. PACE
1- 15:19     15'17"/mi
2- 13:39     13'37"/mi
3- 14:46     14'42"/mi

Those were the data for my laps (per mile) I actually run/walked more than three, but since I share my route online I start/end each run not where I live. Paranoid? Maybe. Haha.

The first mile, I actually got lost. I took a turn too early and went up a street only to find it was actually a court (it was ____ Place, not ____ Court) so I had to back track and stuff. The second mile, was mostly flat and I ran it on the asphalt and was easier on my left patella that is still tracking. It hurts when I sleep, more on that later.  So that was my fastest mile and easiest and I got overzealous and got a side stitch! I haven't had one of those in awhile.

I think I got a side stitch because I brought my water bottle with me and I was drinking while running, which I don't normally do but I felt that I had to because I didn't eat or drink before hand. I didn't want to waste a GU, I only take those if its 3+ miles so I didn't take one. So I was drinking while running, especially in the beginning.

About my tracking patella on my left leg. I have a neoprene compression brace and KT tape. I love love love my neoprene brace but its really bulky. I wear it when I can and I know I should be wearing it all the time but its pretty bulky and makes my leg weird under my jeans. So I have KT tape that I still haven't applied, but will prolly do it in the morning. I hope I do it right and that it helps! I'm glad to have friends who are kinesiology majors!

I also ran with my new Nike Pacer shorts which I got at Sport Chalet! Sport Chalet is having an additional 50% off their clearance items till 4th of July! These shorts retail for $32+ tax and i got them for $10! I'm about to get more. I love the shorts because they have an inner lining and they don't ride! It is HARD to find shorts that have linings and don't ride up when you run.  They are also dri fit and I stayed dry!

Anyway, so excited. I'm still using my Free Run and so far so good. I was worried before that I wouldn't last in them, but too early to say since I'm only on day 3 of the training, but I think I should be okay. I haven't used my FAAS at all, but I think I'll give them a try since they match my, PINK!, Pacer shorts, & my, PINK!, Nathan Bottle! I don't like running the with the bottle tho, its just heavy on the hand and its hard to maintain a nice arm swing.

I'm also sunburnt! I burn so easily its pretty sad, but note to self, sunblock!

Anyway, that was my long recap for my short run today! I can't wait to kick some pavement! I'm really excited. I'm thinking about doing the other half- besides the NorCal Half- that the same company hosts.  If I do it, I get another medal for doing both! Haha! That one is in October 23, so I'll see how I feel.



#sexyback11 followers! I'm not weighing myself weekly because I just started carb cycling. And at first weight will fluctuate and I don't want to get discouraged ;-) But soon my sexy pals! Very soon!

t-minus 12

It is officially the start of my training for the half marathon! Its the 12 week half marathon training plan by the infamous Hal (we are on a first name basis).

Today was just stretching and strength training.

I wanted to do some actual running on the first day, but since my knee has been acting up (left knee) lately, I'm okay with not doing some actual running.

I'm excited to run when my new toy gets here!

I also found a free 5k held by the local Nike store here for July and decided to do the Warrior Dash this October [updated my events calender to your right!]

I'm excited for the Warrior Dash since I found a few other crazy friends to do them with me. I'm going to try and recruit more. Haha! I'm worried about a bunch of things since Warrior Dash has climbing involved and I have no upper body strength but its all good, do your thang P90x!

Anyway, just wanted to commemorate the official first day of training!

So far, so good! So excited! Going to wake up early and run! I think when its dewy and dark right before the sun rises is my favorite time to run!

Haha!

Running & cross training. All in one day. Because I can.

Because in 2 days, I will be more strict with my training and I can't.

06/23/2011 Run

Look at that road begging to be ran!

Its about .31 miles (so almost a third of a mile) almost flat stretch of road that runs behind the hilly park where I like to run.  That little incline you see towards the end of the road puts you to work when you're going pretty hard then hit that slight incline. Theres a steeper part where I like to run, I'll take a picture of that next week.

For today's run, I went to said hilly park. The route/loop around the park I take is a little over a mile and I do it twice then do intervals on that stretch of road. I did about 3 miles today when I decided to go home (I drove to the park) because there was a group of guys in the park who was being really crass. A side tip for guys, when you begin to objectify girls and act all crass and crude, remember that we are a father's daughter. That when you have your own daughter you would NOT want them to be objectified like that. Its just wrong.  Have some respect. < / rant >

The sun was really brutal today as well. This park has very little shade and when I looped the park, I can feel my skin burning. Its cray. I guess a downside in running is that I'm getting darker. Yes, I know, I'm still light and I still probably glow in the dark, but I can tell the difference. But I'm getting over that.  But yeah. I have to double up my sports bra and it really sucks to have to run in two bras. Its a fact of life for girls, so if you're guy and you just read that and went TMI, well, you know, you'll deal with it when your daughters start running and have tatas =]

I also didn't eat prior. I had  GU and took my multi vitamin with Gatorade and dipped out.  The GU helped a lot since I my energy level was pretty out there. I was able to jog/run twice of that flat stretch of road (2/3 of a mile) under the blazing sun without stopping! So happy to see progress in endurance. I've been "running" in that park for over a year and that park owned me all the time, I would really walk instead of run. It would take me 20+ minutes to finish a mile lap around the park.  Now it takes me 10-15 depends how sunny it is and how fueled I am. And that park is hilly! HILLY I tell you! HILLY! I'm really happy with my progress tho.  When I get my new gizmo, I can track millage more accurately and I'm sorta looking forward to that, sorta not because I've been so focused on just being able to jog/run for a longer amount of time that I've been sticking to 3 milers.

As far as aches & pains, my left knee (the notorious complainer of the two) is kinda hurting, but nothing too bad where I can't tolerate or I have to brace it 24/7, which I've had to do before.  While running, I had a dull pain in my rib cage, sorta like a side stitch but in my rib cage? A rib cage stitch?  But nothing that lasted too long or didn't go away when I stopped "pushing" it.  Which was kinda a hard since I fartlek'ed today.

But yeah, longest run re-cap ever! Haha. I loved todays run except for those guys. I know I could have ran more! Maybe later on when then sun isn't blazing I'll do another 3 miler. Or really, I should P90!

As far as weight loss, I haven't weighed myself in a while since I'm carb cycling and carb cycling will ultimately result in weight loss but in the beginning weight will fluctuate and I tend to obsess over numbers on the scale. So yeah. I forced weight loss to the back burner so I don't obsess over it. But I know I'm ganing muscle (especially my legs, 'ole mole!) and loosing fat because my clothes are fitting way better. I need to find my measuring tape. Surprsing I can't find one of mine becasue I sew and have a bunch of em!

Grass!

For todays run I decided to go to my old elementary school and run laps around the grass. I figured I'm going to be starting the training for the half very soon and that includes increasing miles and stuff so I should take it easy on the knees. I read that 1 pound = 4 pounds of pressure on the knees. That is just greater motivation for me to get rid of excess weight and to be better. I have a new found appreciation for my knees that take all this beating without complaining. Okay, well they complain sometimes, but not too much!

I ran around in the grassy field but I guess I had high expectations.  Most of the "trail" was actually hard and dry dirt and the grass hid a lot of the holes!  With the Frees, my feet were able to adapt to the "terrain" since this really was more like terrain running. I had muscles that I never work/use during my road runs that were aching after a couple of laps.

It was a good run all around. I walked to the school and ran around some then ran back home. I'm so glad that my endurance is improving SO much from when I first started. It makes me happy to see progress in that area and I really enjoy pushing it.  I've also been experiencing shoulder pain and elbow pain from running. Its weird, but someone told me to think of myself as a limp doll that someone is lifting by the head and my shoulders should have that natural stance.  I'm a visual learner and when I can't see something with my eyes, analogies are the way to go. So through  out my run I was thinking about that analogy and it helped! Not much shoulder pain today and elbow pain? I have no clue how to make away with that, but its decreased as well.

Right now, I'm not really structured as far as my runs, I honestly don't know how far I totaled today, but come June 27, its going to be a lot more structured for that half training.  I'm kinda scared since I love to mess around and have a hard time following anything too structure, but at the same time, I'm also looking forward to something with structure, maybe I'll see more progress that way.

I'm also bummed that I've been slacking off on my P90x! I really really really enjoy P90! Its crazy but its true.  I like the "soreness" and just being all focus and driven [major thanks to jack3d for that one] while lifting. I'll probably wake up early and do some of that tomorrow. Looking forward to it! I don't want to slack of in strength training just cuz I'm training for the half.

Date A Girl Who Runs

Read this in one of the many running communities I follow.


Date a girl who runs. Date a girl who chooses to move than to let the world pass her by. She will cover the roads with you while talking about the mundane to the profound without gasping for air. She will notice and appreciate the little things: the extra cushioning of her shoes, the softness of the pavement vs concrete, or how much cooler it is to run 30 minutes earlier in summer.

Take her to a race and be there with her 30 minutes before gun start. You will watch her fret over her gels, and her hydration, and the portalets. You will laugh because she gives so much importance to running as if it was her entire life. But, you will learn later on that it only shows how passionate she can be about what is important for her.

Hold her jittery hands before you enter the assembly area. She will hope to break her PR at the half marathon, but do not wish her luck; she won’t need it after all the speed work and tempo runs. Instead, show her a reassuring smile that she’ll be fine and that you’ll be proud of her whether she finishes first or 50th. Let her know that you’ll be waiting at the finish line—or at least you’ll show up there in case she finishes several minutes before you do.

If you find a girl who runs, never let her go; register for a marathon and train together. Be her best friend on the road. When she talks, listen to the joys of her first 5k, the pains of her recurring Plantar Fasciitis, and the 1,001 reasons why she loves to run while pretending that you can keep up with her “easy” pace. In between stories, allow her to take a sip from your water bottle or remind her when it’s time to take a gel. Watch her glow when she talks about running; she is in her element. She is running by your side.

She is happiest on Sundays, the day when she can run long with you. She loves to sweat, and the sore legs, and, of course, the hefty breakfast along with the good conversations that follow each run. Always have a cold, wet towel in the cooler waiting for her. Surprise her with her favorite post-recovery drink, low fat chocolate milk, and if she runs an extra 5km, spike it with her favorite coffee from Starbucks. In her simple joys, you will find an abundance of happiness.

Propose after your first marathon abroad. Or drop the ring in her hydration bottle. Or run the trails together and end with a proposal at sunset.

When you marry a girl who runs, the only time you will see her slow down is when she walks down the aisle towards you. She’ll be a picture of beauty and strength in a gown with her running shoes upon her feet and all you will be able to think of is the thousands of kilometers you will run together. You will find the best running partner in her. You will talk about the household, career, and finances during your long runs. You will fight during your hill training and make up during easy runs.

She will never force your children to run, but they will learn to love it when they see her passion for running. She will make living a healthy, active life easy, natural, and best of all, fun. Expect a lot of laughter, sweat, and sports beans. Running will not be a sport, but it will be a way of life for you and your children.  You will never run alone.

Love a girl who runs and she will love you back the same way she loves running. You will ask her why she loves running and she’ll answer: Because I can. You will ask her why she loves you and she’ll reply: Because I do.


By Jaymie, the Bull Runner

The Ugly Side of "Pretty"

after my run!

I think being comfortable in my own skin as I am now is the greater mental goal than "waiting" to be where I want to be physically then being happy.

This is the ugly side of my work outs.

I've said it before and nothing has changed. In the beginning, I started to run because I wanted to loose weight.  Tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin, tired of the way I looked. Just plain old tired.

Eventually after a while, my motivations changed,  you can read more about that here.

Lets not get anything wrong, from even before I started this blog, till now, I've lost a lot of weight, and even tho my motivation has changed, I still want to drop a lot more, at least 70 more lbs as a matter of fact.

I normally don't mention numbers here, but I did it to prove a point. When I typed out that number, I felt so disgusted. Very disgusted & disappointed with myself.  How the hell did I let myself go to the point where I want to lose that much weight? Granted, at my height, that weight is really low [if I mentioned my target weight, and then people can calculate my current weight, my insecurity flares up so much, I might puke all over my keyboard with disgust, so I won't]. 

This is my ugly side of "pretty." 

The side where I'm frustrated at myself for letting myself go.  The side where I forget what my true worth is [you & I, were worth the life of Christ!] and place it on superficial things like looks.  The side where I feel compelled to run two sets a day.  The side where I won't eat anything for a whole day but a slice of toast.  The side where I'm constantly berating myself when I don't have time to run or P90x.

The ugly side of pretty.

My motivation is still the same. I want to live a life a healthy life. A higher quality of life that can be achieved by being healthy.  Its not so much a one time thing to get rid of unwanted pounds as it as a lifestyle change.

I'm going to raise my kids barefoot, eating healthy foods [of course with in reason, kids need cake & candy. I'm a kid at heart!], and I'm going to encourage them to run and all that lovely stuff.

But there are days when the ugly side of pretty comes up.

There are days when I stare in the mirror disgusted. There are meals where I have to force myself to eat because I feel like every bite is a pound gained.  There are runs where I push myself so hard I feel like my bones are going to snap. 

Throughout this time tho, I learned that there will always be days like this.  The ugly days when things just don't seem to be working.  Days when I feel like an elephant. Days when my runs feel like I'm moving slower than a snail. Days when P90x just kicks my ass.

These days, they come & go, they sometimes get to me deep and sometimes I just want to give up.  But then I look back at how far I've come, how much I progressed and I realize that while these days come once in a blue moon, progress is forever. Proving myself wrong, boosting my self-esteem, ass kickin'... those things... they last forever. 

I'm thankful for the ones who listen to me when I have my off days.  For the ones who keep remind me to look past this tiny dot that blocks my eye and see the whole picture. About how far I've come and how far I'm going to get.

So ugly days, they come & go.

But what you're doing for yourself, that will stay forever.

Calendar

click through for readability!

I can easily see why this "stuff," stuff being working out, getting fit, eating right is midly addicting. I'm setting up my calendar for marathon training (green), carb cycling (orange), & p90x (purple).  Before, and I must admit even a really tiny bit now, I would be like f'ck it and give up. But right now, I'm really, freakishly, excited!

I haven't finished inputting everything. I'm waiting for my friend's opinion to see if I'm being too ambitious or if anything is more harmful than good. I'm scared that I might be a little too ambitious. Am I determined? Yes, but I also don't want it to be more harmful than good nor do I want to bite off more than I can chew, figuratively speaking.

Anyway, heres my calendar. I hope things work out.

For today, I was going to run but I think I need to face my laundry first and I haven't eaten and I'm pretty hungry right now. Gonna eat, do laundry, wait for the heat to die down a little and run today. I'll probably P90x, actually I should. I didn't do it yesterday.

Shine On! Sweat On!

I wasn't going to run because of the crazy weather, but I ran anyway! Scrubby galore huh?! Its me in all that nasty sweaty beast mode glory!

Short run tho, just a mile and a half. The bugs seem to love me at night. It was gross.

Anyway,  I'm so sweaty even if its a short run (my normal runs are 3 miles long) becuase of the heat and I ran most of the mile and a half! Endurance up! Capilaries are now growing in muscles! Go VO2!!!

Rolling In The Heat

Its really hot. Too hot to go running outside!

This is crazy and I hope its over soon cuz my training for my half starts next week!

I'm also carb cycling, so its going to be a super interesting experience.

Good Intentions

I'm so discouraged right now.

I really didn't know at first where this came from, but I think I know.

Its from "good intentions" from other people.

I know people mean well, I chose to believe the best. I don't think anyone wants harm towards lovable me.  Its just hard when someone comments on something that you're working hard on and yeah, while they have good intentions, it sometimes comes off the wrong way.

I'm working hard on this whole loosing weight thing while trying to improve my running and train for that half. Don't totally diss what I'm doing as completely wrong. I'm working hard on it.  A cookie once in a while is okay, using kinder/gentler words to voice your concern is also okay.

No one knows how much toll this is taking on my body and my mind but me. And I'm already pretty hard on myself because I'm so dissatisfied of where I'm at.

Folks, I know you mean well, I really know you do. I know you love me and want the best for me.  Just please, I'm the type to be encouraged by words [if you want to encourage me or make me sad, use words, it will affect the heart right away] use kinder words.

Pushing It?

I keep on trying to go on my long runs but my left leg is acting up.

Maybe I should give it a rest since I'm going to start the training plan in a week.

I'm supposed to have ran, be running, 8 miles either today or yesterday but its just not happening cuz my left leg is acting up.

I should give it a rest because in the marathon training tapers of at 10 miles.

Maybe I should treadmill it later today so I can get at least 7 in. I ran 6 last week.

I'm so worried about hitting 13 miles. The most I ever ran was 8 a long time ago. And when I say ran, its a run/walk combo. Haha. Since I've never done 13, I'm supremely worried.

Oh well.

I have to respect what my body is telling me. Its my only one.

Half Marathon Goals

I like to layout goals, so here are my goals for my half at September:

• Finish (duh!)
• Finish under 3.5 hours
• Beat my 13 minute/mile pace that I set in Pasadena

I can't imagine running/walking for 3.5 hours, but to be honest, I do that in Disneyland, so I know I'll be okay.

Sort It Out

I get antsy when I have too much time to think about things. I thrive under pressure. When I had to write papers or have comps, I usually churn out my best work the last minute. The only 100% grade my English teacher ever gave was to me, and it was a paper I worked on until 3 am the day of.

I am officially registered for the half marathon and like I mentioned, I have some trepidations about the run.

I know & I know that if I keep up with training, which I so plan to, that I will probably better do way better than my predictions right now. So I really have no reason to be so worried about not finishing and finishing last- which are my two greatest fears about this run.

To be honest, my self-image is always on low. Its not that I'm running this half to loose weight, really I just mentioned that because deep down, I seriously feel like I don't belong.  To me its like seeing a Hummer in a Nascar event.  And did I just compare myself to a Hummer? Damn. Its worst than I thought. I really don't want to be self-depreciating, I don't want this to turn into something where I'm constantly wearing my self esteem down. Its not healthy. I'm just being honest here.

Really tho, if this event is anything at all like the Pasadena, runners are some of the friendliest, welcoming, motivating & encouraging group of community I've ever met.  Regardless of where you are physically or anything, they are always there to encourage. The pavement is always there to be ran on. Its just on you.

And right now, its exactly that.

This run is on me.

I do want to do it. Don't get me wrong. I'm scared, I'm nervous, I have feelings of inadequacy but I do want to do this.  I'm the type of person who will ride out what they feel because if I suppress it, its going to eat me up. But yes, I do want to do this.

I'm determined to put in the work, I'm determined to go out there and train, I'm determined to see results. I'm determined to do this for me.

I'm thankful for those who constantly remind me that yes, I can. Even when I feel like I can't. I'm the type to be encouraged by words, and in the same vein, I'm also easily discouraged by words. And we all know we can be our worst and best motivators.  As someone said, "don't let that fail seed© grow" (yes, its copyrighted!). I think my fail seed is my self-image. My fail seed is the fact that because of my poor self image, I have already discounted myself to loose. Even if I am motivated to work hard, and am working hard, I have already filed myself into the "fail" category.  Its not a good thing to think that way. I maybe getting fit physically but mentally I'm breaking down.

I know that its ultimately up to me to change the way I think. And I know that every training I do, every hill I conquer, every run I take, I'm taking a step towards proving myself wrong.

Each step, each hill, each run is me telling my self that I can in fact do this. That I am capable. That its my decision and I'm out there doing it, that says something you know. That while I feel like I'm a Hummer in a Nascar race, its a Hummer going out there doing work and holding her own.

So from now on, I resolve to believe the best in me. I sincerely believe the best in others, why can't I do the same about me?

Hill & Tempo

I thought I worked at 9:30 today, so I woke up early but I work at 11:30. I got my run in early instead.

I decided to combine my hill & tempo work. Where I like to run hills, there is a flat stretch of asphalt that is perfect for tempo. Obviously, there are also hills.

I found this guide online and it helped.

I have two weeks till the 12 weeks half marathon training program starts so in this two weeks I'm trying to get every part of of the training drilled to my head. I'm still pretty uncomfortable and clueless as to the actual training.  Before I found the program I went with what I was told which was regular run, tempo, then long run. Adding a mile or two every week to the long run. My regular runs are 3 miles long. Tempo is usually up in the air because I didn't measure the route but I do it for 45 minutes to an hour long. The longest run I've taken is 6 miles.

The training plan, to me at least, seems to focus on building endurance by slowly upping the miles then tapering before the race. I guess since I know I'm not the lean, mean, running machine yet, I should cut myself some slack in terms of time. I want to finish the half- which I am now officially registered for- for sure and I'm hoping that I'll average below 13 minute a mile- which is what I averaged at my 5K in Pasadena.

I'm really running 13.1 miles. That's crazy to me, sometimes I still ask myself what I got myself into. I'm no where near tip top shape, or fit.  How am I going to propel all this body mass that I am so unsatisfied with the whole 13.1 miles? I have no f'ckin clue. But while I'm scared and insecure, I'm really excited. I know that I'll be okay. I know that at least one person- other than me- believes I got this and I know that I'm going to be so giddy the week off. I'm really excited for the expo. I love me some free swag.

I'm hoping to find a 10K to do between now and the half, so hopefully I find one.

Off to eat some egg whites, toast, and cheese!

I'm ready to kick some ass, just have to get rid of the fail seed© in my mentality, or at least never water it, never let it grow.

Step by Step

Run, Cat! Run!

Yesterday was supposed to be a tempo or long run.

It turned out to be my normal run of 3 miles, half of which was done outside in 86 degree heat and the other half in the treadmill, the boring-mill.

It was so hot and sunny outside that when I was finished, I could wring out my clothes for sweat. It was disgusting. I want to run today but I have to wash my sports bra. The perks of being a girl -_- NOT! I need to buy more but I'm really picky.

Today, according to my Google calendar, I'm supposed to be doing chest & back for P90. I'll do it in a while, maybe I can wash my clothes while P90'ing and I can get my run in later if its not blazin hot. Its supposed to hit 90 today.

Head Up

Today is a new day! Yesterday was horrible in terms of mentality and self esteem. It was very horrible. 

Days like that happen tho, and its up to me if I want to let it get to me or not.

I'm the biggest dreamer, I set the bar high, but at the same time I'm also easily discouraged so I take that bar down.

I was really worried and bothered by the half.

The fear of not finishing, of passing out, of everything pretty much anything wrong that could happen was in my head yesterday.

I went for a run even tho I wasn't "supposed" to to clear my head and it didn't work but had a good talk with a friend and that helped a lot.

Its a new day. I put in work yesterday and I'm really happy about that, it was just all in the mind. Which is really just as important as the physical stuff.

Anyway, its a new day! Smile!!!

I'm going for either my tempo or long run later on today. I couldn't do it early in the morning because I didn't eat enough yesterday. I can tell I would have nothing to fuel my body. I could take my GU, that I bought out of guilt because I took up so much time at RR but didn't buy shoes, but that won't last if I have nothing to begin with.

600 & 0

I'm currently at 600 calories right now at 8:13 pm.

I did P90x this morning had a protein shake (120) & greek yogurt (100) = 220

Went to work for four hours.

Had a turkey "burger" (bread: 80, cheese 70, turkey patty 170 [where can i find turkey patties that are lower than that damn 170!]) = 320

Then had some strawberries = 49

Went for a run just now & ate nothing.

TOTAL = 589

Round it up to 600 because its almost there anyway.

This is compulsive calorie counting for me & its normally my signal to chill & stop. I'm really peeved at my weight and I really want it to change fast.  This mentality is what gets me in trouble because I won't eat. I'm already a lazy eater to begin with. Like really lazy but I seriously need to change this mindset.  Its not helping me mentally or physically to think this way.

My self esteem is at 0 but not eating right won't fix that.

I should force myself to eat -_-



---Edited to Add---

Its 10:34 pm

I ate a turkey patty at 170 and a Balance Bar at 200

for a grand total of 970.  Its not entirely my daily requirement, but better than 600. I can feel the lack too since I ran and P90'ed.


Dear Cat,

Sure you were discouraged and your self esteem is at zero, but today is almost done. Tomorrow doesn't have to be the same.

Love,
Cat

dear chubby cheeks,

go away.

forever.

love,

cat

I'm loving P90x more & more everyday. Maybe its the jack3d cuz I don't take it when I run but I do when I P90x.  Form is getting better, I think, because well I actually need someone to tell me if my form is getting better, but I think it is! Haha. I think my left hand is weaker than my right, well I know that for sure. LOLS.

Okay dokay. Gotta shower then work then home. I love being home. 

Training Program

I randomly stumbled into what seems to be a totally do-able training plan for novices for a half marathon.

Its a 12-weeks running program and it seems do able.

At this point, I just want to make sure I finish.

Here is a link to it.

Note that I didn't really read into it. I've been looking for a training program/schedule for a while now and this one laid it out really simply and didn't overwhelm me upon first glance. I hope its okay. I still have to ask my source if it seems copacetic. I'm not really trying to race this run, just finish it and hopefully shave time off my per mile pace that I set at Pasadena 5K, 13 minute mile.

I'm probably going to change Wednesday's 2 or 3 milers into tempo days.  and for cross days, probably just walk or strength train, I don't really have access to a pool and the bike here at the house is too tall for me.

Anyway, lately I've been really scared of not finishing, so hopefully this will alleviate some of that anxiety & fear away.

Here we go...

P90x Progress Post!

I finished my workout hours ago, and now decided to document it cuz I talk about running a lot but not P90x.

I have one problem, I have no clue where to put my fraekin' resistance bands when I do Chest & Shoulders!

I have a ghetto rig and I think its not working because I'm not feeling the "burn." I'm going to double up resistance but I don't want to put too much strain on my ghetto rig because I have a feeling it will snap. And I don't want that to happen again.

I should get a pull up bar (I returned mine it was so faulty!) but I wouldn't know what door way to put at when I work out.

::sigh::

#firstworldproblems

Anyway, its going good. I'm really enjoying it and with Jack3d, time seems to fly and I know I'm a bit more focused and it pushes me to do well.

DISCLAIMER "well" is relative. Alright. I'm getting there, but my "well" would probably be the normal person's "easy peasy." =]

I think I'm going to half my jack3d tho because it lasts too long and I'm just all over the place for two-three hours. Its crazy.

I also don't follow the P90 calendar because I run and I don't know if running justifies not following  the calendar but I really don't want to strain my body. I'm only hittig 1200-1500 calories a day and on my runs I know that it isn't enough. I'm tapped out by 5 pm.

I also feel like I can push it some more while working out. I feel lame, like I wasted time, if I'm not feeling the burn after because it feels like I wasted my time. But I'm trying to do P90 with good form. And that takes a ton of effort in my part because I have bad form. Both in P90x & running.

Anyway, yeah. Thats that. It should be fun to see what happens in a month or two.

#stinkygirlswag

May 25, 2011

June 7, 2011

#stinkygirlswag. haha... i look so scrubby after working out, its grossly hilarious. but i'll post em anyway for my entertainment. can't be too serious all the time, i'll lose it!

Double It Up!

Today, I doubled my miles, from 3 miles to 6 miles (5k to 10k)!

I was really nervous to even begin my run. First of all, I slept really late, past 3:30 am, and so I woke up tired and not motivated to get up and run at all. So I actually ran at 12:10 pm. Second, I was scared that I wouldn't finish and would have to call someone to save my butt! But I did finish!

Granted, I did a good amount of walking, but I'm just glad I finished!

I finished 6 miles in an hour and thirty minutes.

Not bad considering I stopped by walgreens to buy a bottle of water and rent a movie from Red Box! Hahaha!!!

Anyway, it was crazy because the last mile and a half, I felt like puking. Probably from the water, but when I hit about a mile from home, I felt a kick and just ran a good amount of the rest of the way home.

DISCLAIMER, my "running" pace maybe considered a jog compared to those 5 minute per mile people. Crazy mofos, I'll get y'all some day!

Anyway, yeah.

I also doubled up my sports bra, and it helped to lessen back pain after the race! Wheee!

In retrospect, 1:30 is about right for my Pasadena pace of 13 min per mile. But I so wish I can improve that time! Grrr!!!

Even tho I've only done one "race," I think its always a little a bit "better" on race day. The hype that surrounds it feeds your drive to do better. Haha. Hopefully that will ring true.

Anyway, I'm also officially invested in a half or a full marathon for this September! I can pick either or, but I'm leaning towards the half >.<

I'm kinda sad since I'm the only one up here who likes to run and I'm going to finish, cross the line, and be like yey me, go hug yourself Cat -_-

Pasadena

I figured I should take some time to talk about my first ever 5k.

Like I've mentioned several times in this blog, I started running primarily to exercise to lose weight.  As I've also mentioned, running just became addicting.  However, I never really took it seriously. I was never interested in running a race, joining a club, sharpening my skills, or any of that until a friend got me into it.

Said friend was running the Pasadena, and so in the spirit of taking my running to the next level, I decided to do the 5k.

A 5k is 3.1 miles, my route for running was roughly 3 miles, so really I didn't really train for the 5k. I was still nervous and apprehensive about not finishing. Not sure why, but I was. I went into the whole thing looking down and really just scared and timid about it. I know I can do my runs up here, but can I do it in Pasadena?

As the day approached, I just wanted to finish the 5k, and under 45 minutes please. I know that isn't the best time in the world, but by no means am I an Olympian.  If I want to , I can usually push myself 4 miles in an hour, so really, under 45 minutes is a good time for me.

So yeah, that's how I approached the race.  I wanted to finish under 45 minutes, and I was still scared.

The day before, we went to go pick up the packets which included the bib and shirt.  Let me just say, free stuff is #winning. Even from the expo, I was nervous. I seriously felt like I didn't "belong" which is a stupid thing to feel, but hey, I'm just being honest.  To me, races were for people who were fit, who are fast, who are in shape. Not for people, for a lack of better words, like me.  Being in that environment where people were in shape was both intimidating and inspiring, however I mostly felt intimidated.  But anyway, too late to back out now.  I had my number, 7677, & my red shirt [red shirts die! haha] and my Soy Joy cinch bag filled with Soy Joys & yucky coconut water.

The day of the race, May 15, was filled with anxiety and rain.  I was anxious to start and finish the run and the skies were pouring down the rain.

I was there early for my friend's 6:30 gun time for his half.  Which gave me plenty of time to kill till my 7:30 gun time for my 5k.

During that hour, I seriously didn't know what to do. I peed. Washed my hands, walked around the expo a bit. Looked for shelter from the pouring rain. I ran laps like I knew what I was doing and stretched like my life depended on it. Stretching is something I hardly spend 5, if any, minutes on when I do my daily runs. Bad, I know.

I thought time was taking forever to pass by, but when they announced for all the 10 & 5k runners to line up at the chute... I was nervous.  I was next to an older lady tho and we chatted it up, I love talking to strangers I know I'm probably never going to see again, and she was really encouraging about it. She's been running the Pasadena since it started years ago. Well, she said she walks it. So she was really nice about it. She said its more of the spirit of the community for her as opposed to something that she runs for time. Which totally makes sense.

I'm not exactly sure where I lined up at, I could clearly see the front, but not the back, but since the gun time and my chip time were only seconds away, I would say I was pretty close to the front. I don't know if I pulled a marathon no-no by lining up in the front and not being one of the fastest, but I actually ran for a while, past mile marker 1, before I had to slow my pace and I stayed away from the obvious runners that were behind me.

Anyway, it was pouring, my nose was runny, I was just doing the whole one foot in front of the other thing.  And eventually, I found a group of people I could pace with. I was pacing with this Mom who had a stroller and lady who was by herself. But their pace was comfortable, it was something I managed to keep up with.

I was just beginning to be comfortable in running and was just getting settled, learning when I can push it and learning when I need to chill it, then bam! I made the gigantor mistake of pushing it before that last turn because right when I saw that "Finish" banner, I think it was a mental signal that at last, I am "allowed" to stop, and even tho I was actually okay and not in pain, I got a freakin' side stitch! I didn't want to walk across the finish, so I pushed through that side stitch and ran across the finish. It wasn't the most beautiful or fastest thing but I seriously thought I was about to crumble from that side stitch. I thought I was good, and I know I was good, it was just that crazy mental-jedi-mind-trick. You know, even if you know you're good, but when you know you don't have to "push through" you'll slow down or something.

Crossing the finish line was something I thought would be more epic, to be honest. I thought I was going to cry, I thought I was going to puke, I thought I was going to be fist pumping my way through. Instead, in my head, I was like "That's it?"  Haha. not that I wanted to run a full, but I was just getting settled! That's how I felt. I was thankful it was over but in a way I felt that I went through that side stitch, which promptly disappeared as quickly as it came, for nothing.  But hey, I got my finishers medal!

Anyway, final time, 40:22!

Under 45 minutes!

That is my official stats from the race. 

Like I said, its not the best compared to a whole bunch of other people out there, but its my best and at least now I know if I improve on it. To be honest, that 22 seconds is pissing me off. It pissed me off when I saw it, and its pissing me off right now looking at it.  If I pushed myself a little bit harder, I could have been in the "30" range.  I hate lying somewhere in between the border because I feel like if I just gave a little bit more effort... like damn. But yeah. That stupid 22!!!

So that was Pasadena. I want to go back and do it again next year! Maybe I can do the full! It would be epic to go from the 5k from one year, and then the full the following! But I'll see on that. Thanks to those who supported me, there wasn't a lot of them. More doubters than anything, but thanks for those that did. Thanks for the awesome friends that hosted and entertained cat while I was there. It was fun.

For now, I just want to shave 10 minutes off my time.  So I can be at a 10 minute per mile pace, or under 30 minutes for the 5k.

Granted, I know I have a long way to go to get there. Mentally, I don't think I can reach that goal till I weigh as much as a pretzel, if you can't tell my insecurity is my looks [ffffuuuu chubby cheeks and everything else!] but its a mental game just as much as it is a physical game.

I know where I want to be, and I'm taking steps to get there =]

Right now I have some options for races, and I want to do the Las Vegas Rock & Roll, but its probably goign to cost an arm and a leg! R&R events are expensive!

This Sunday, I'm debating between a 5k or 10k.

Then on the 23, there is another run, either a 5k or 10k again.

Then the half marathon on September.

These are really lofty goals and timelines for me. I'm not promising anything. I'm scared to commit to the half on September. Right NOW I'm not confident at all about finishing a 10k, let alone a half, but well see. I have some time to decide.

Fear

I have such a cautious approach to marathons that I hinder my own progress by not going out there and doing them.

I know I'm scared to fail and if I don't go out there and try, I won't fail.

I mostly run to run, but I know that I should push myself and run & race.

The fear of not finishing is there, but at least I tried.