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| Morning run @ the lake |
Wow! I can't believe it is the end of October already. Where did the time go? It seems it just started and now we are heading into November. Even though it is cooling down, it doesn't mean I'm done with races. I have 4 races between now and the end of the year. If all goes well, I'll have completed 16 official races and 1 walk that we turned into a run. My goal was to run the relay in the marathon of the Baltimore Running Festival. I didn't run the relay, but I think the number of races exceeds that initial goal. I did run in the BRF and did my best time to date. Not too shabby if you ask me.
Spent the evening with my favorite Sadist. The torture session was as usual, torturous. On Friday we had worked on my shoulders and by the end of that session I was ready to weep. My shoulders were toast. Today I worked on the arms (I think he has it in for my arms). Each set I did were variations of specific exercises. For example, here is the what I did with push-ups:
20 standard push-ups
20 push-ups using the push-up grips
20 push-ups with my arms on uneven surfaces
In between the push-up sets, I did dips. I reiterated that I don't do dips and as usual he said that I do do dips. Well, he was right and I did do dips but not happily.
It was the planks that did me in this time. I managed to hold the first plank which had my feet on the half-ball for a minute. When I did the variation and put my arms on the half-ball, I didn't do so well. I kept rolling off. The last plank was just a standard plank, but by that point my abs were done. They were no longer interested in holding me up. I sweated all my tears out, otherwise I would have cried. I managed to do the minute but it wasn't one continuous hold and that just annoyed me.
The Sadist seemed pleased with today's workout while I on the other hand was not as pleased. I hate when I don't accomplish something and that includes not getting as many reps done as projected. I know sometimes he tests where my breaking points are but that doesn't make a difference. I want to not only succeed but to exceed as well and today was not an exceeding day. The good thing is that I did survive, though that means dealing with Mr. Sadist again. Well at least there is a silver lining even if it does come with clouds.
Twenty-four hours ago I was ready to throw in the towel. The Sadist pushed all the wrong buttons last night and as we worked out, I felt everyone one of my 43 years and then some. I did cardio strength training and for some reason I was not happy. I came in happy, but I left irritated and ready to quit. I called him every name I could think of, which was hard to do as I could barely catch my breath let alone think. He had been on vacation for the week and returned all tan and relaxed. I'm sure that did not help my mood. It also didn't help that I was running in the Baltimore Running Festival today, so doing all those squats and presses was irritating.
The hardest part was doing the box jumps. I have told him time and time again that I couldn't jump. I know that sounds strange, but I just can't get the legs to coordinate. It completely frustrates me. Yet another reason to put me in a bad mood. I did manage to do three actual box jumps which took a lot of energy and concentration. So I give myself a woo hoo for that. The rest of the time I did step ups. As usual I managed to complete everything but refused to step on the scale. It hasn't changed in months, no need to remind myself of that.
I slept like crap last night, so after dealing with the Sadist and a bad night I was one grumpy person this morning. According to the gang (I belong to a running gang, Tinkle Toes, who would have thunk it) I run better grumpy. I hate to admit it, but I think they are right. I had my best time (36.24) to date on a 5k.
The rest of the gang ran the 1/2 marathon so I was feeling a little left out. Of course they told me not to, but I do anyway. I am so proud of Team Tinkle Toes. They did a fabulous job. They worked hard and kicked some 1/2 marathon butt. Go team!! Maybe next year I'll be ready to join them.
I'm glad I didn't throw in the towel. I wouldn't have gotten my personal best and I wouldn't have seen the gang rock the 1/2. I may run Grumpy, but that is just who I am and I continue to push forward even when I am grumbling and bitchy. It's time to start preparing for the next run, whatever that may be. :)
