Brrr, It's Cold Outside

When I started running a year ago it was rather warmish for a January.  This year it is the complete opposite.  During our Saturday morning training run it may have topped out at about 21 with a real feel of around 10 (if that high).  Add to that, it started snowing.  Actually I don't mind running in the snow as you don't get quite as wet as quickly as you do when you run in the rain.  It isn't a good time of year to be wet and outside.  Brrrr.  I'm sure when we are running in the July and August heat and humidity this won't seem as bad, right now I am feeling like a crazy loon. 

The two parts that get the coldest as I run are my nose and my butt.  Surprisingly, neither fell off, but I wouldn't have minded a bit of the butt disappearing.  One of the coaches was telling about the down-filled mini skirts for running.  I'm thinking I need to look in to that.  I find nothing worse than sitting down at the end of the run and finding you butt stinging from the cold.  Normally I would have cranked on my have heated seats, but I wasn't driving so they aren't very helpful.  

With the BRRC, I managed to do a little over 6 miles, which was equivalent to a 10k.  I didn't run the entire course, but I did manage to complete it.  It is good to know I can complete the 10k, now I just want to do it just a bit faster.  My perfectionism is rearing its ugly head, so I'll have to keep an eye on that.  It was great meeting others who were at the same level as me yesterday.  That definitely helps with the motivation.    I have 11 weeks until I take on my first official 10k race.  I think I'll be ready and it will be much warmer then too, so that is a positive. 

Today I am feeling the affects of not only the 6+ mile run, but also all the weighted squats I did on Friday night.  I am feeling like a 100 year old rather than a 40 something year old.   I think it is time to go and pamper myself a bit and maybe get in some yoga stretches.  Hopefully next week, the short run will stay at around 6 miles, between the runs and Sadist, I'm not sure I"ll survive.  :)

The End of 2013 Racing

Today, Maria, Jenn and I ran the last race of the year and it was a doozie.  At least it was for me, who up until today had only ran about 4 to 4.5 miles.  The Celtic Solstice 5 Mile Road Race was exactly as it was billed - 5 miles.  It was a winding and hilly run that seemed to go on forever and it was balmy 39 with a good chance of snow or sleet.  It was a lovely day for a run, NOT. 

I managed to keep pace with Jennifer, who by the way is the Energizer Bunny.  She just keeps going and going.  I on the other hand seem to go in stops and starts. 

My trouble came when we came on around 3.75 to 4 miles and my left leg no longer seemed to listen.  The upper part continued as expected but the foot and ankle was another story.  At one point the girls each grabbed an arm and held me up as I attempted to "pick" up my foot.  I found it actually easier, if you can believe that, to run instead of walk.  At least while I was running I was able to keep my legs bent therefore making my foot work just a little better.   As we came to the last part of the lake section of the run I noticed we were less than a half mile from the finish line and it was all down hill.  Woo hoo!!  Of course that meant the start was all uphill, no wonder it seemed so hard. Sigh. 

As usual as I came around the corner and saw the finish line and my afterburner kicked in.  Usually that is a good thing, this time, it was very challenging.  As I got closer to the line, my leg challenged me even more.  Luckily I had sunglasses on as I had tears running down my face.  Why I'm not completely sure, except that I was so full of emotion.  As I passed the line several very kind people helped me as my leg finally revolted.  I was able to continue standing but moving was hard and the streaming tears in the bitter cold was not helping. It was several minutes before I was able to decompress and move was more control. 

On the drive home I looked at the sole of my shoe and sure enough I had managed to wear a hole into the toe.  I only bought the shoes 2 months ago and they hadn't even made it 100 miles.  I guess new shoes are going on my Christmas list this year.

It has been a long but quick year.  I have managed to complete 15 races and one walk that we ran.  I have made some fabulous friends and even though I still don't love running, they have made it more than tolerable.  At the end of today's race I declared (yet again) I wouldn't do that again.  As I'm sure you have figured out by now, I will probably do it again and again.  Thank you to everyone who has inspired and motivated me, especially those of you I have had the pleasure to run with.  I would have never made it this far.  As of now the next race isn't scheduled until March, unfortunately the next torture session is scheduled for next Tuesday.

 

Run Grumpy!

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.  :)

Quick & Dirty

Today was the first time I did not have a training session since July 3.  It felt somewhat weird not to be walking down the steps to the studio after work.  I also missed seeing someone's annoying but endearing smile. To make up for that I headed down to hotel basement and into their fitness room.  They have a pretty nice one that had a several types of new cardio machines along with a small weight room and a pool.  Although I didn't spend a full hour working out, I did work up quite a sweat and even managed an ab exercise or two.  It felt good to get the workout in especially after two days of decadent eating.  They had chocolate covered strawberries today and I just can't say no to them.  Worse yet, after everyone returned to the meeting room after the break, there were three left.  I couldn't let them sit on that plate and go uneaten, so I saw it as my civic duty to make sure they weren't left to be tossed out. Yum yum.  I can't see what to see what else is on the plate tomorrow.  I'm sure I'll pay for my gluttony on Friday when I stand on the scale, but it has been so nice to enjoy food prepared so well.  It would crack me up if I were to lose weight this week after weeks of making minimal progress. I can definitely tell you that is frustrating.  Unfortunately, I've not been overly hungry lately and so my eating has been down, which can have the opposite effect of what one would think.  I've had this trouble before, when I just didn't eat enough.  Who would ever think that would an issue?  Well, I'll find out what the result of my decadent eating in just a couple of days.  It's been good having a little break from the workout but I'll be ready to get back to it on Friday.

Midweek Therapy

My therapy bag.

Today I had my annual physical and like any other time I go to the doctor, I came out feeling worse then when I went in.  It didn't seem to matter that I have been making positive strives to improve my health. When I told my doctor about my weight training with the trainer and doing cardio the rest of the week all I got was a "mm hmm."  There was no "good job" or "keep up the good work."   There was nothing positive, just all the things that were wrong with me, and apparently there are a lot of them.

By the time I got home, I was down in the dumps and by the time the sun set I was spitting mad.  After a couple of hours of brooding (yes, I do brood and I do it well).  I realized I had a lot of pent up anger.  I had a strong urge to punch something (or someone) until I just felt better.  As luck would have it, I own a punching bag and it is good for just these occasions and if I happened to get in a workout, all the better.  I spent the better part of half an hour punching and kicking the crap out of the bag.  I moved the bag all around the floor and even managed to spill some of the water out of the base.

The best part was that I could really see the strength I have gained from working out with the Sadist as well as the difference in my balance.  I was able to place some rather good in to out and out to in crescent kicks, as well as roundhouse kicks.  By the end of my little impromptu session, I had both a good sweat going and a much calmer demeanor.   The punching bag provided a two-fer. I not only got a great workout but a wonderful therapy session too.

Goodbye Comfy Couch Corner

The new inhabitants of the infamous comfy couch corner.

For the past two months I have spent less and less time on the couch and more time in the gym, dance studio, and pool.  There are times I desperately miss my couch and its comforts.  I miss just being able to sit there and do nothing, but its not to be anymore.  I actually feel guilty if I am not doing some sort of exercise each day. 

Right now, I don't mind going to the gym as I have it timed so that I show up when the O's start their game and I can bike my way through the first couple of innings.  Once the season is over, I'll have to make due with Jeopardy and my iPod, but it just doesn't hold the same appeal.  This is one of those times when football just can't compete with baseball.  As a once a week sport, it doesn't provide the same exercise motivation. It is more of a ,sit at home and watch it on the big screen with friends, beer and lots of munchies type of thing.  I'm sure others will tell me I'm wrong, but hey it's my blog and I can have my own opinion on the matter.

My trainer, who I affectionately and sometimes not so affectionately call the Sadist, has been great to work with for the most part.  Of course as I do that one last rep and my muscles are cramping and I'm sweating profusely I really don't have those warm fuzzy feelings instead they are something along the line that wouldn't be prudent to post here.   I'm reasonably sure that trainercide is frowned upon in this state or any state for that matter.  I doubt, however, they would say much of anything should a dumbbell or kettle bell fall accidentally from my hands on to said trainer's foot.  So far I have resisted, but there is always a first time to everything.

As during July, I continued to update my FB friends with my various adventures. Below I have posted them for all to see.

August 3: Had my monthly assessment at the trainers. I actually kicked some butt on it, though I still hate doing situps. The sadist tells me my abs love it, but I beg to differ. Although I probably won't admit it to him, I actually enjoy those torture sessions. :)

August 7:  Another Tuesday and another trip to the trainer. I sure hope that this is making some sort of difference long term, cause short term I just feel inadequate. I'm glad my trainer believes in me otherwise I would be back on the couch in 2 seconds flat. For some reason I'll be back in the studio on Friday for yet another session. I'm a glutton for punishment.

August 10: Had a surprisingly good training session with the sadist today. I've been working on coming up with other names for him. So far I've come up with tormentor and tyrant. Apparently, I have made some major accomplishments strength wise and I even did an ab exercise that wasn't horrible. I didn't think that was possible

August 14: Another Tuesday and another visit with the trainer. I got to wear the boxing gloves today and the tormentor made a lovely target which was definitely motivating. Not my best workout but it had its perks today.

August 21: Survived another Tuesday at the Trainers and for some unknown reason I arranged to do this for another 12 weeks. I must be a glutton for punishment cause every muscle I used today is screaming at me. As much as I hate doing this each week, I seem to love it just as much. Crazy.

August 28: As I worked with the sadist today, I really wondered about my sanity. What was I thinking in continuing this ongoing torture? Do I really enjoy it or am I just a glutton for punishment? I can tell my strength is improving but I so miss sitting on the corner of my couch reading a book or surfing the web. The life of the couch potato was so much easier. At least I don't have to deal with the sadist for another few days.

The questioning of my sanity and whether or not I am a glutton for punishment seems to be a common theme this month.  I'm sure that will come up more as I continue along this path I have started.  As part of my staying out of the comfy corner of the couch, I'll head off to Zumba tonight to get in a little cardio.  Although that is a tiring workout, at least I have a little bit of fun shaking my booty and singing along.  The only booty shaking I do with the Sadist is when my legs are so tired that they start wobbling uncontrollably just to hold me up. That just isn't quite the same.

I just hope as I continue to spend more and more time away from the couch that it understands it wasn't anything it did, but that it was time for my butt to see other surfaces.  I still miss my little corner but like they say all good things must come to an end, so goodbye little comfy couch corner, I promise to visit every now and again.