Another Week Bites the Dust

I am officially three weeks down on my 1/2 marathon training schedule! Let's review shall we?

Monday - Stretch and Strength - I took Monday to relax a bit, I did a little stretching but over all, I'd call it a rest day.
Tuesday - 3.5 Mile Run - My legs felt like concrete but I was able to get through all 3.5 miles before it started to down pour!
Wednesday - 2 Mile Run or Cross Train - I was soo tired on Wednesday, achy, sore, exhausted. I planned to rest but the guilt hit me hard (you can read more about it here) and I went for a walk.
Thursday - 3.5 Mile Run - My body couldn't take it anymore, I needed a full on rest day. So I skipped my 3.5 miles, took a 40 minute epsom salt bath and rested instead. I regret nothing!
Friday - Rest Day - Yes, I took two in a row!
Saturday - 40 Minute Cross-Training - Woke up tired but decided to hit the pavement, with my bike! 40 minute cross-training - got in almost 6 miles.
Sunday - 5 mile run - It was slow and humid, but because of my rest, I didn't feel any pain in my knees. Success overall!

This week will be the same, program wise, but I hope to have more energy and less pain so I can complete my days.


PS - I have some super exciting things coming up, so please follow my blog! Think giveaways!

Schedule Slave

Have you ever started a work-out program and found that the schedule was difficult to keep up with (think Beachbody, Jillian Michaels, Marathon/Half Marathon training programs)? We have all been there. Some of us quit, some of us keep up with it, but beat ourselves up over skipping extra days, some of us even may get injured by pushing to hard to fast.

I am here to tell you, you do NOT need to be a slave to your program. In the words of Barbossa, the program should be more like "guidelines than actual rules". It is soo important to remember that you need to listen to your body, if you need extra rest, take it, if you need to switch up days, do it. You don't need to skip a day and than do double the next, you don't need to speak poorly to yourself about skipping a day. Our bodies sometimes just need extra time, extra rest, extra "me time". So take it.

For example - as I've mentioned, I started a half marathon training program two weeks ago. For me, it's rather intense, as it requires 6 days of working out a week, three of them being running. The first two weeks I sailed through, no issues really. But this week, I sort of hit a wall. My knees and back started to ache, and I just became more tired. So Wednesday, I decided I was going to stretch and rest, instead of cross train (walk two miles). But than, as I sat on the couch, the dreaded guilt set in, "why are you sitting doing nothing, get off your ass, stop being lazy" So I headed out for a 2 mile walk.

Enter Thursday - my body was screaming at me. My knees were killing, I was exhausted, my back was having some slight spasms when I'd turn a certain way. This was my bodies' way of saying "ENOUGH! I need a full, real, true rest day!" So I took it, I said "Okay, I hear you." I sat on the couch, than I took a 40 minute epsom salt bath, than I sat again (with Icy Hot on my knees). And it was glorious.

Because here's the thing, my goal right now, is to make it to my half uninjured and ready to run. How will it help if I push myself to far "training" and can't even run the race anyway?

PS - today is my scheduled rest day, and I'm taking that too, with no guilt. #imnotaslaveforyou

Photo from Google Images but original source - http://barefootcolo.com/

Buh-Bye Week 2!

Week two is over....here is how it went...

Monday - Stretch and Strength - Spent 20 minutes doing some stretching. My body was tired, so I allowed it rest. It felt good to get specified time JUST for stretching.
Tuesday - 3 Mile Run - It ended up being a 2.45 mile run, due to weather. Some thunder and lightening started, so I headed back. Overall a good run though, no shin pain and not to much fatigue.
Wednesday - 2 Mile Run or Cross - Cross training again, a 2 mile walk. I have no guilt about choosing walking as my cross training. It's a legitimate way to cross train and I think it's ignored by a lot of people.
Thursday - 3 Mile Run - One of the most comfortable runs I've had in a long while, I even had negative splits! Felt good to run and not feel too fatigued.
Friday - Rest Day - which actually turned into peeling wallpaper day, so I consider it another cross-training day
Saturday - 30 Minute Cross - Used this day as a wallpaper peeling day. With the up and down of getting on a step ladder, and the scrapping with a putty knife, I can feel it pretty good in my triceps. Cross training/home updating success!
Sunday - 4 Mile Run - By far one of the best runs I've had so far this training program. Went smoothly, no pain, times weren't bad and I enjoyed it. Listened to a podcast, which is my new jam. If you've never tried running to a podcast before, I'd suggest it just for a try. I never thought I'd like it but come to find out, it's almost better than music sometimes for me!

So, I'm two weeks down. Somehow, even though I've been busy busy, I'm feeling pretty good. I've been sleeping great, eating when I need too, and making sure I take down time for myself. Looking forward to what this week brings!

Week One Done

Week 1 of 12 is over. Here is how it went...

Monday - Stretch and Strength - Took it slow, did a short (15 minute) arm workout and some crunches. Nothing to crazy or drastic
Tuesday - 3 Mile Run - Pace was slow, but I got it done. Having not run much in the past few months, I was happy to have no pain and minimal soreness after
Wednesday - 2 Mile Run or Cross - Took a 2 mile walk with my friend as my cross training. Was lovely to have a walking buddy.
Thursday - 3 Mile Run - Pace wasn't much better than Tuesday, but I got it done.
Friday - Rest Day. Oh glorious rest day!
Saturday - 30 Minute Cross-Training - Used my cross training day to my advantage and removed wallpaper from my future kitchen. Lots of squatting, stretching, reaching, and sweating. I'd call it a successful cross day!
Sunday - 4 Mile Run - So tired, hard run. Walked a lot, but didn't quit. 4 miles in just over an hour, which is just a little more than my average pace.

Overall, success. Now, onto week 2!

My Journey to a Half

A half marathon, 13.1 miles, 69217.5 feet. 

My journey started nearly a year ago when I decided I was going to do a triathlon. The thought popped into my head one day and BOOM, I was going to do it. I started running, biking and swimming. I started working on transitions between biking and running, and started to plan out where I could practice open swims.

and than, something happened. I fell in <3 with running. Forget the damn biking and swimming, I wanted to RUN! And just like that, the dream of a triathlon went by the wayside, and a new dream emerged, one that, even to me, was insane. I wanted to run a half marathon. Up until that point (around August/September 2013) my furthest distance was a 5k. But, screw it, I was going to do it! 

I signed up for my very first 10k, which took place in November 2013. I decided when that was over, my half training would begin. I knew what half I wanted to do, and I was ready. 

My 10k went as good as could be expected and now I was ready to train. I picked a Jeff Galloway training program and got to work. My goal was to complete the plan twice, as my half wasn't until October of 2014. And off I went, 3 miles, than 4 miles, than 5 miles, 6,7,8 miles. I was on a role, I ran outdoors in the cold and snow and when it got too icy, I headed indoors to the gym. Than the day came, March 8th to be exact, I ran 10 miles. 10 whole freaking miles. I was a champ! If I could do this, I could do anything.

And than.......I hit a wall. After my 10 mile run, my knee started acting up, so I started to slow it down. Than, before I knew it, I fell off my plan completely. I was still running but by no means keeping up with my program. 

Which brings me to now...since March I have done the Fight for Air Climb, a 10k in May, a 10k in June, and a 5k in July. But, I have been sticking to no sort of plan. I got lazy. Really lazy. But, I haven't given up.

This previous Sunday marked 12 weeks until my half. Only 12 weeks before I cross that finish line and become a half marathoner. *Cue slight freak out*

But not to worry, I have a new training program and LOTS of support from friends and family. This half marathon will be my bitch! I'm two days down and ready to prove that I can do this, if for no one else, myself. I have it in me, I know I do.

Race Recap: Escape to Belle Isle 5k

Race: Escape to Belle Isle 
Size: Around 350
Race Distance: 10k 5k
Time: 45:07

Another race on Belle Isle, it's a perfect place to run. The scenery is great and the course is nice and flat. 

This was my first time doing this race but it's in it's 6th year. When I registered, I registered for the 10k. I hadn't run a 5k since last September (I've been trying to keep my distances up), but earlier in the week I came down with some stomach issues, and instead of cancelling all together, I figured I'd just do the shorter distance. I emailed the race coordinator and they switched it over for me with no problem. 

On-site packet pick up was fine for me personally, as I don't mind a line, especially one that moves quickly, however, there was in fact a line, 1 for the 5kers and 1 for the 10kers. But I got through the line in about 5 minutes, so I didn't consider it an issue. The race started about 5 minutes late, but again, not an issue for me personally. All racers started at the same time and there was an hour and a half limit for both the 5 and 10kers. In a lot of ways, I am happy I changed to the 5k, because my 10k is JUST at the limit and I'd hate to be late. 

On the 5k route there were two water stations, but I brought my hydration belt so I didn't partake. The course was clearly marked and had pace cars going around so everyone knew where to go. The on-site volunteers were supportive and positive, with one even dancing for us. As you crossed the finish line, they were calling out your bib numbers, which was different; whenever I've been at a race where they called out, it's always been my name. 

Post-race food was the usual, bananas, bagels, oranges, water. They also had some apple and orange juice and I THINK I saw some McDonalds sandwiches (the race benefited the Ronald McDonald house). 

All racers received a finisher's medal and they were of really nice quality plus everyone received a Tech T, and although the color was a little bright for me, the quality of the shirt was nice.

For more information on the race - you can visit their website at - http://www.escapetobelleisle.com/ 

What I Thought About Crossfit

It's easy to find out what society thinks about crossfit - just look at the memes...

For some, Crossfit is a way of life, something that motivates them, pushes them, and makes them feel invincible. To some, it's a under-taught, aggressive form of working out that can lead to serious injury. 

My best friend recently discovered it, and I've never seen her so invested in something. So when she asked me and our other friend to join her at one of her personal training sessions, I decided to give it a go (and our other friend did too).

Background - The CF we went too is owned by a friend of ours we have known for years. He has always been an athlete and I'd trust him 2000% to show proper form and scale things so I could do them without injury.

Alright, back to the session. For the first 30 or so minutes, we did a warm up that consisted of squats, kettle swings, deadlifts, and some walking with bands around our knees (no idea what that was called). We spent a lot of time on kettle swings because our other friend and I could NOT get the form right, and he was not moving on until we knew what we were doing wrong. He even recorded us on his phone to show us what part of the form we were missing. So once we went through that, we moved on to the circuit portion of the session. Our circuit consisted of 8 wall ball throws, 4 ring rows, and 2 burpees. We had to do as many times as we could in 10 minutes. He was very patient, showed us some easier ways to do burpees if we struggled with them, and was motivating yet not pushy. I was on my ring rows of my 7th set and had about a minute and a half left, he came in front of me and said "You have a choice now, you can finish this set, or you can finish this set and get one more set in". That little bit of perspective allowed me to get one more set in, for a total of 8 in 10 minutes.

It was a good workout, and here I am, three days later, still feeling sore. I burned a lot of calories and felt pretty strong. But, I don't think it's for me. However, I do have a new respect for it, as long as it is taught properly by coaches who care about your well-being.

What has been your experience with Crossfit?