It is a good life.
I am still going strong, though it be in a little different way than last years' relentless ironman training. We are still doing boot camp! 10 weeks! We generally meet 3 mornings a week now and a few of the girls and I do yoga on one of the off mornings. I am still running regularly (the heat is amazing!) and biking sporadically. Summer schedule (lack of) is in full swing, so the girls and I are travelling around like crazy. I have been good about keeping up with my workouts on the road, generally doing some kind of run/push-up/sit up circuit for a an hour or so.
I have not swam in months. Not sure why. Miss it. Must do something about that.
Diet. Great! I actually WANT to eat fruits and vegetables now. I really cannot believe that. The downer is that for the first time I am experiencing food guilt when I eat crappy food. I guess I didn't before because I was working out 15-20 hours a week and could afford to do that. Now, with an hour a day, not so much! I can tell a difference from just one day of poor eating. Luckily it is not as much of a temptation for me as it used to be; however, when you are on the road a lot like we have been, it makes it difficult to eat well.
Still not signed up for any races for this year. Considering Whiterock marathon in December and maybe the ultra at Cowtown again. I got a top ten finisher's jacket in the mail a couple of weeks ago! It is pretty cool; it says "Cowtown Ultra Marathon Top Ten Finisher" right across the back. Sweet.
So there you have it. Not training for a race, but training for a healthy, active life.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Still on the Wagon
Today started week 4 of boot camp! Lakeview Circle kicks butt! I am so proud of my neighbors. I am totally hooked, too. I had the opportunity to spend the night in Denton so I would not have to leave so early for work today, but I did not want to miss the workout! I have to say, Pete is the boot camp trainer champ. He is keeping us on our toes; we never know what the day will bring. Fridays are fun days and we have enjoyed flag tag, relay races and team activities. We are all learning some fun yoga lingo, too. It is so hard not to laugh at some of those moves. So anyway, we are really enjoying it and have no plans of quitting. We have up to 10 people some mornings; 6 has been the fewest. We are total dorks and are considering getting "LVC" (Lakeview Circle) t-shirts made. You know you're jealous.
My running continues to improve. For the third month in a row I went to the Burleson Run Club 5k and shaved a little more time. I am down to 23:30 and my PR is 22:45, so I am closing in on that. I think I could have run faster yesterday but Pete and I put in 120 miles on the tandem over Saturday and Sunday. Before the run on Sunday we rode in Glen Rose and busted out 40 crazy hard miles. The group we were with took off at a cool 27 mph. If I had not been on the tandem I would have turned around after 1 mile, but I had no choice given my position in the rear! It was one of those days where you sigh and think "I do NOT want to work this hard today" but when it is over and you see how fast you went and know how hard you worked it feels great and you go reward yourself with some Hammond's BBQ! Saturday we rode from the house to Panera (stopped and enjoyed a sandwich) and back for a nice 80 mile ride. Since we had the break in the middle we decided to push hard during the ride, so that made for two hard ride days in a row with my 5k to round out the weekend. I am not disappointed in that.
Want an update on the eating thing?! I am STILL with it! I have eaten vegetables at every lunch and dinner. Last weekend I rode in the Meunster German Fest bike rally and was invited to eat at Catfish Platter after the ride. I, obviously, could not refuse! My meal came with catfish, pinto beans and hush puppies. No green vegetables to be found on the menu. So do you know what I did? After we ate I went to the grocery store and bought some V8 garden vegetable soup and I ate it. Pat me on the back.
And Fruit... I have had a break through. I was pretty stuck, because I just don't like fruit and for some reason could not choke it down like I have been able to do with the vegetables (do not misunderstand me, I still HATE vegetables, but for some reason I can get them down). So I decided I was going to make a smoothie. I don't like yogurt (surprise!) so I was just going to use ice and frozen fruit, like a snow cone! So I got the fruit out of the freezer and a frozen blueberry rolled out of the bag onto the counter. Remember, this is just about 2-3 days into my craze and I have not had my processed carbs that I love so much and my sugar crave is in full force. So this tiny frozen blueberry looks dangerously like a piece of chocolate and before I knew what I was doing I grabbed it and tossed it in my mouth. Shock and fear rushed over me as I realized that I was, in fact, chewing up a piece of fruit. Oh my gosh...no gagging! It didn't taste bad at all! In fact, could it be, no certainly not, but yes, I actually kinda liked it! Then I tried a tiny piece of frozen strawberry and that was ok, too! I did it! I ate fruit! I ate a small bowl full and was so unbelievably proud of myself. I don't know what freezing does to the nutrition of blueberries and strawberries, but whatever, I am eating them. They are organic with nothing added, so I say they count. What an ordeal.
So life goes on. And it is going on for me as I add new exercises and foods for the first time in my 33 years of life. As I have been composing this we broke for lunch and I ate, for the first time in my life, broccoli. Gross. I put a bite in my mouth and had to spit it out. It was making my throat close up and I could feel a gag coming on. That would be embarrassing at work so I discretely did the napkin thing and got rid of that crap. Then I decided I had to eat it because it was the only vegetable (besides those little strings of carrots) that came with my meal. So with every bite of chicken I piled on a small piece of broccoli, so small that even I didn't mind it, and I eventually ate a few stalks of the nasty green stuff. Go me.
Life is good. Mine is blessed. I am extremely grateful.
My running continues to improve. For the third month in a row I went to the Burleson Run Club 5k and shaved a little more time. I am down to 23:30 and my PR is 22:45, so I am closing in on that. I think I could have run faster yesterday but Pete and I put in 120 miles on the tandem over Saturday and Sunday. Before the run on Sunday we rode in Glen Rose and busted out 40 crazy hard miles. The group we were with took off at a cool 27 mph. If I had not been on the tandem I would have turned around after 1 mile, but I had no choice given my position in the rear! It was one of those days where you sigh and think "I do NOT want to work this hard today" but when it is over and you see how fast you went and know how hard you worked it feels great and you go reward yourself with some Hammond's BBQ! Saturday we rode from the house to Panera (stopped and enjoyed a sandwich) and back for a nice 80 mile ride. Since we had the break in the middle we decided to push hard during the ride, so that made for two hard ride days in a row with my 5k to round out the weekend. I am not disappointed in that.
Want an update on the eating thing?! I am STILL with it! I have eaten vegetables at every lunch and dinner. Last weekend I rode in the Meunster German Fest bike rally and was invited to eat at Catfish Platter after the ride. I, obviously, could not refuse! My meal came with catfish, pinto beans and hush puppies. No green vegetables to be found on the menu. So do you know what I did? After we ate I went to the grocery store and bought some V8 garden vegetable soup and I ate it. Pat me on the back.
And Fruit... I have had a break through. I was pretty stuck, because I just don't like fruit and for some reason could not choke it down like I have been able to do with the vegetables (do not misunderstand me, I still HATE vegetables, but for some reason I can get them down). So I decided I was going to make a smoothie. I don't like yogurt (surprise!) so I was just going to use ice and frozen fruit, like a snow cone! So I got the fruit out of the freezer and a frozen blueberry rolled out of the bag onto the counter. Remember, this is just about 2-3 days into my craze and I have not had my processed carbs that I love so much and my sugar crave is in full force. So this tiny frozen blueberry looks dangerously like a piece of chocolate and before I knew what I was doing I grabbed it and tossed it in my mouth. Shock and fear rushed over me as I realized that I was, in fact, chewing up a piece of fruit. Oh my gosh...no gagging! It didn't taste bad at all! In fact, could it be, no certainly not, but yes, I actually kinda liked it! Then I tried a tiny piece of frozen strawberry and that was ok, too! I did it! I ate fruit! I ate a small bowl full and was so unbelievably proud of myself. I don't know what freezing does to the nutrition of blueberries and strawberries, but whatever, I am eating them. They are organic with nothing added, so I say they count. What an ordeal.
So life goes on. And it is going on for me as I add new exercises and foods for the first time in my 33 years of life. As I have been composing this we broke for lunch and I ate, for the first time in my life, broccoli. Gross. I put a bite in my mouth and had to spit it out. It was making my throat close up and I could feel a gag coming on. That would be embarrassing at work so I discretely did the napkin thing and got rid of that crap. Then I decided I had to eat it because it was the only vegetable (besides those little strings of carrots) that came with my meal. So with every bite of chicken I piled on a small piece of broccoli, so small that even I didn't mind it, and I eventually ate a few stalks of the nasty green stuff. Go me.
Life is good. Mine is blessed. I am extremely grateful.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I think I can I think I can
We are in week two of the Lakeview Circle Boot Camp. So far, so good. It is still difficult to get out of bed at 4:45am to exercise but once I get up I feel good. The boot camp type exercises are good for me; I do not ever do arms and abs and I am also enjoying the variety of cardio that Pete brings each day. It has been fun and challenging and I look forward to the results.
As part of the camp, Pete has instructed us on nutrition. Many are out there for weight loss and he emphasized that most of their results will come from their diet, not from an hour of exercise. He cautioned them to not let morning exercise let them become more sedentary throughout the day as it tends to do when you first start an exercise program.
For me, I have finally taken the next step toward healthy eating. A few years ago I started concentrating on lean proteins (rather than chicken nuggets) whole grain carbs (rather than french fries) and reducing sugar. Those are good things, but in my 33 years of life I have never eaten fruit and I can count on one hand the vegetables that I will eat and I can also count on one hand how many times a week I actually eat them. I hate all of them. So I started this week making myself eat vegetables at lunch and dinner, at least 2 servings. I am still out on fruit. I ate half a strawberry last night and only gagged once. I tried to eat a whole strawberry this morning and just could not do it.
I know I can make progress in this area. It is all in my head. I could not take gu until recently and that was a huge thing for me to overcome, so I can overcome fruits and vegetables, too. A little at a time. I eat a lot of carbs and my goal is to one day take in 80% of those carbs from fruit and vegetables rather than grains.
I am also taking steps to cut out processed foods. That has lead to a major sugar detox. Wow, I knew I was addicted to those kinds of foods, but my body is freaking out right now. I switched from whole grain bread to bread made from sprouted grains, so for two days I have not had any processed carbs, so essentially no sugar (since I could not eat the strawberry!) and I am having extreme cravings that make me fight the grumpies. Everyone says that when you are "on" sugar you crave it constantly and when you are "off" sugar you do not even miss it. I cannot imagine that, but I am going to try to achieve it.
I have been able to add in a bike or run workout each day in addition to the boot camp and the running is feeling better and better. Saturday I was able to run in the rain and that was so refreshing! I forgot how great that can be. Now I need to get back in the pool. We turned off the heater to save on the electric bill and I think it is still a little chilly (78 degrees) but it is time to get back in there.
As part of the camp, Pete has instructed us on nutrition. Many are out there for weight loss and he emphasized that most of their results will come from their diet, not from an hour of exercise. He cautioned them to not let morning exercise let them become more sedentary throughout the day as it tends to do when you first start an exercise program.
For me, I have finally taken the next step toward healthy eating. A few years ago I started concentrating on lean proteins (rather than chicken nuggets) whole grain carbs (rather than french fries) and reducing sugar. Those are good things, but in my 33 years of life I have never eaten fruit and I can count on one hand the vegetables that I will eat and I can also count on one hand how many times a week I actually eat them. I hate all of them. So I started this week making myself eat vegetables at lunch and dinner, at least 2 servings. I am still out on fruit. I ate half a strawberry last night and only gagged once. I tried to eat a whole strawberry this morning and just could not do it.
I know I can make progress in this area. It is all in my head. I could not take gu until recently and that was a huge thing for me to overcome, so I can overcome fruits and vegetables, too. A little at a time. I eat a lot of carbs and my goal is to one day take in 80% of those carbs from fruit and vegetables rather than grains.
I am also taking steps to cut out processed foods. That has lead to a major sugar detox. Wow, I knew I was addicted to those kinds of foods, but my body is freaking out right now. I switched from whole grain bread to bread made from sprouted grains, so for two days I have not had any processed carbs, so essentially no sugar (since I could not eat the strawberry!) and I am having extreme cravings that make me fight the grumpies. Everyone says that when you are "on" sugar you crave it constantly and when you are "off" sugar you do not even miss it. I cannot imagine that, but I am going to try to achieve it.
I have been able to add in a bike or run workout each day in addition to the boot camp and the running is feeling better and better. Saturday I was able to run in the rain and that was so refreshing! I forgot how great that can be. Now I need to get back in the pool. We turned off the heater to save on the electric bill and I think it is still a little chilly (78 degrees) but it is time to get back in there.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Nice
It is warm. I am so happy. VERY windy, but that is to be expected this time of year and I will take wind over cold any day.
It is so nice to be out. I get some kind of workout in most days. I have been running on the trail while Soren is at practice now that it stays light so late and I have really enjoyed those evening runs.
We get "Inside Texas Running" magazine and this month my name was in it! I noticed that there was a writeup about Cowtown so I looked over it. I knew I was in the top 10 women finishers, but I did not know that I was in the top 20 overall finishers! I was 19th. It was cool to see my name in print. I saved it :)
I am still recovering, I guess, from the 50k. I can run, but it is slower and much more labored. I have lost almost 2 full minutes on my 5k. We did the Burleson run last Sunday and I ran a 24:14. Terrible. But I know I can get back to where I was and I am really in no hurry.
I need to sign up for a race. It is really the only thing that motivates me to push myself hard and not skip workouts. Pete thinks I should do some olympics and he usually knows best. I will decide this fall what IM I want to do in 2011. Leaning toward Arizona or Florida. To get into FL you have to be at the race, so it will most likely be AZ.
It is so nice to be out. I get some kind of workout in most days. I have been running on the trail while Soren is at practice now that it stays light so late and I have really enjoyed those evening runs.
We get "Inside Texas Running" magazine and this month my name was in it! I noticed that there was a writeup about Cowtown so I looked over it. I knew I was in the top 10 women finishers, but I did not know that I was in the top 20 overall finishers! I was 19th. It was cool to see my name in print. I saved it :)
I am still recovering, I guess, from the 50k. I can run, but it is slower and much more labored. I have lost almost 2 full minutes on my 5k. We did the Burleson run last Sunday and I ran a 24:14. Terrible. But I know I can get back to where I was and I am really in no hurry.
I need to sign up for a race. It is really the only thing that motivates me to push myself hard and not skip workouts. Pete thinks I should do some olympics and he usually knows best. I will decide this fall what IM I want to do in 2011. Leaning toward Arizona or Florida. To get into FL you have to be at the race, so it will most likely be AZ.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
One Week
Well. I worked out everyday this week. Wow. I have lost a lot. When I run I am so out of breath running at a pace that I ran 31 miles at just a month ago. It is crazy windy right now, so I try not to pay attention to my pace on the bike but just give a good effort. One week down. Just keep going...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Little Excitement
I went to the results website for Cowtown to look up a friend's race and my eye caught my name on the front page, which means I was in the top 10! WooHoo! I was 9th overall female in the ultra marathon. They only go one deep for awards and I was 4th in my age group, so I will have to be happy with my finisher's medal. Pretty neat.
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