Ok, wanna hear something great? I LOVE training!!! I just got back from the second time of working with my girlfriend, and it was fantastic. She's wonderful to spend time with, which of course makes it fun. But what I'm so excited about is that I really love the actual process of working with someone. Getting feedback on how the exercise feels to them. Teaching proper form, or modifying an exercise based on feedback. Correcting posture or helping them to know where they should be feeling the effort. Counting reps, and encouraging at the very end of the set. All of that -- it's great! It honestly feels like I may have found what I've been looking for -- the "what I want to be when I grow up" thing!
Fit & Fresh
You must check out the Fit & Fresh website. They have the BEST containers for taking healthy foods with you on the go. I'll be using their Salad Shaker for my dinner tonight at bingo. What's so great about the container is that it keeps the dressing separate from the salad till you're ready to use it. And because the way it's designed is so neat, Tucker's taken salad for lunch twice since school started, and having your 10-year-old WANT to bring salad? That's big!
Mud Run
The Mud Run was a blast! Walking up and seeing the mud pit, Tim and I were both thinking "Why do we do this???" But anything that's worth something comes with a price, right? And the price for great family memories, in this case, is getting dirty, and in my case, little girl knees. That's right -- both knees are black and blue (well, now turning purple and yellow!) and scraped up from the tunnels you crawl through and the mud pit.
Austin was having hamstring troubles so he dropped out after 3 miles. Tim completed the 5 miles looking strong and handsome as ever! The big news of the day, though, was Tucker who also ran the ENTIRE FIVE MILES! He was only about a minute off my time, although since the men and the women start at different times, we didn't finish together.
And (drum roll, please) I finished THIRD in my age group, and 21st out of all the women! But I think that the mud keeps a lot of women away, so maybe the competition isn't as stiff as it could be, but still, I'm very happy with third.
My neighbor came and her husband and son ran the race while she took pictures of all of us. As soon as she gets them to me, I'll put them on the web. We all came home tired, dirty, and happy, which is how the mud run always is. It's amazing how much harder it is to run 5 miles when you throw in some ammo boxes, tunnels, walls, and of course a big hangin' pit of mud!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
So much to say, so little time!
Guess what I'm doing in about 30 minutes? Working with my first client! I've had several people say, when they find out I'm studying to be a trainer, "I'll be your first client." This friend took it one step further, though, and set aside time for us to go to the gym. Do I feel ready? Heck no! But I was up at 6:00 writing out two different weight workouts, some nutrition suggestions, and a more intense cardio workout than what she's doing now (steady state, low intensity, and it's not getting her anywhere). Wish me luck!
Let's talk about sex
Sex is one of the reasons I want to be a trainer. I've known for a long time that I want to work with women, particularly women in my demographic -- married, kids, juggling too many responsibilities. My hope is that through working out, women can feel strong and confident in a way that permeates all areas of life, including life in the bedroom. I'd love it if through working out, a good marriage can be even better because of the confidence that comes from getting into shape. I don't know about y'all, but when I feel dumpy and thick, and my confidence is down, the last thing I want is for my husband to see me nekkid, ya know? Also, when you're taking care of your body, all systems work better, including the system that regulates desire. More fitness = more sex. (Maybe THAT should be my business name!)
Another thought about sex and training is this: I think, generally speaking, men should train men, and women should train women. The line between working out and sex is blurry at best. When you workout with a trainer, they're in your personal space, sometimes really close. There's sweating and intensity and sometimes even sounds as you struggle to eek out those last few reps. And having someone focused on you, really focused, for an entire hour creates an intimacy that's very appealing. So I think it's safest for the genders to not mix it up in training. Of course, if you train in a gym, it's not private, so that's good. And I'm not saying that you should never workout with someone of the opposite gender. But I'm only going to train women.
It's time to get my son to junior high, and then I'm off to the gym to train my girlfriend. Wish me luck!
Let's talk about sex
Sex is one of the reasons I want to be a trainer. I've known for a long time that I want to work with women, particularly women in my demographic -- married, kids, juggling too many responsibilities. My hope is that through working out, women can feel strong and confident in a way that permeates all areas of life, including life in the bedroom. I'd love it if through working out, a good marriage can be even better because of the confidence that comes from getting into shape. I don't know about y'all, but when I feel dumpy and thick, and my confidence is down, the last thing I want is for my husband to see me nekkid, ya know? Also, when you're taking care of your body, all systems work better, including the system that regulates desire. More fitness = more sex. (Maybe THAT should be my business name!)
Another thought about sex and training is this: I think, generally speaking, men should train men, and women should train women. The line between working out and sex is blurry at best. When you workout with a trainer, they're in your personal space, sometimes really close. There's sweating and intensity and sometimes even sounds as you struggle to eek out those last few reps. And having someone focused on you, really focused, for an entire hour creates an intimacy that's very appealing. So I think it's safest for the genders to not mix it up in training. Of course, if you train in a gym, it's not private, so that's good. And I'm not saying that you should never workout with someone of the opposite gender. But I'm only going to train women.
It's time to get my son to junior high, and then I'm off to the gym to train my girlfriend. Wish me luck!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Way too much in my head
Just a quick note to say hi. Studying is going well. Life is busy and good. There's SO much I want to write about, and I have no time at the moment. But when I DO have time, here's what I'll be covering:
Mather Mud Run (it's tomorrow, and our whole family is running it for the 3rd time!)
Coming back from injury
Sex and training
Fit & Fresh (which is not the same thing as the previous subject!)
Comments on comments (I'm amazed at the cool people who take the time to write about my posts!)
Be good!
Mather Mud Run (it's tomorrow, and our whole family is running it for the 3rd time!)
Coming back from injury
Sex and training
Fit & Fresh (which is not the same thing as the previous subject!)
Comments on comments (I'm amazed at the cool people who take the time to write about my posts!)
Be good!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Loving "school"
Just taking a quick break from learning about using calipers to measure bodyfat. I LOVE studying! I know, it sounds kinda dorky, but when your options (after working out, of course) are laundry, cleaning, or shopping, well studying feels fantastic.
Also my husband informed me that all fitness-related things I purchase will be tax deductible (workout clothes NOT included, darn it!). If I'd done this personal trainer thing when I first thought of it, we probably would have saved millions!!!
Another fun thing is coming up with ideas for the workout room I'll be creating. I'm going to use our spare bedroom upstairs. So I'm considering paint colors, equipment options, layout ... everything that relates to creating a workout room.
Finally, I'm trying to come up with a name for my business. The best one I've thought of so far is this:
Girl Power, because it's never too late to be a powerful girl!
Whaddya think? Also, if you have any suggestions for the workout space, I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear them!!!
Also my husband informed me that all fitness-related things I purchase will be tax deductible (workout clothes NOT included, darn it!). If I'd done this personal trainer thing when I first thought of it, we probably would have saved millions!!!
Another fun thing is coming up with ideas for the workout room I'll be creating. I'm going to use our spare bedroom upstairs. So I'm considering paint colors, equipment options, layout ... everything that relates to creating a workout room.
Finally, I'm trying to come up with a name for my business. The best one I've thought of so far is this:
Girl Power, because it's never too late to be a powerful girl!
Whaddya think? Also, if you have any suggestions for the workout space, I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear them!!!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Back to school
It's been an eventful few days. Sunday was Austin's 13th birthday party. We had 14 tweens at the house for a murder mystery party, dinner, and swimming. Tim and I were tired that night for sure!
Monday was Austin's actual birthday and the last day of summer for the kids, so I spent the day hanging out at home so that they could hang out at home. Austin got an airsoft gun for his birthday, and most of the day was spent playing a version of "hide & go seek" where the person who's "it" has the gun. (Sweatshirts, jeans, and goggles were worn by all participants, in case you're wondering.) Boys are so different from girls, cuz playing hide & go seek with a GUN?!?! That's just pure crazy!
Yesterday was first day of school. Austin started at the Junior High, and Tucker's in 5th grade. The both came home happy about the day, liking their teachers, and happy to be back with friends. And guess what? Yesterday was MY first day back at school too. Well, it's self-study, but I had planned to devote a LOT of time to the NASM study materials when the kids went back, and I did. Yesterday it was about 2-1/2 hours of anatomy and physiology. Today it was about 3 hours of the same. I'm gettin' excited about being certified!
Finally, a hamstring update. My PT cleared me to run, but running hurts the whole entire time. I did 5 miles yesterday, stopping and stretching every mile, and while it didn't hurt after the run, it really hurt during the run. Today I did 6, but I walked up every incline, figuring that's where you get the most hanstring involvement. So it was a slow (10 minute per mile) pace, but I covered the distance. Think I'll take tomorrow off from running. "Don't be stupid" is my new motto, along with "do something!"
Monday was Austin's actual birthday and the last day of summer for the kids, so I spent the day hanging out at home so that they could hang out at home. Austin got an airsoft gun for his birthday, and most of the day was spent playing a version of "hide & go seek" where the person who's "it" has the gun. (Sweatshirts, jeans, and goggles were worn by all participants, in case you're wondering.) Boys are so different from girls, cuz playing hide & go seek with a GUN?!?! That's just pure crazy!
Yesterday was first day of school. Austin started at the Junior High, and Tucker's in 5th grade. The both came home happy about the day, liking their teachers, and happy to be back with friends. And guess what? Yesterday was MY first day back at school too. Well, it's self-study, but I had planned to devote a LOT of time to the NASM study materials when the kids went back, and I did. Yesterday it was about 2-1/2 hours of anatomy and physiology. Today it was about 3 hours of the same. I'm gettin' excited about being certified!
Finally, a hamstring update. My PT cleared me to run, but running hurts the whole entire time. I did 5 miles yesterday, stopping and stretching every mile, and while it didn't hurt after the run, it really hurt during the run. Today I did 6, but I walked up every incline, figuring that's where you get the most hanstring involvement. So it was a slow (10 minute per mile) pace, but I covered the distance. Think I'll take tomorrow off from running. "Don't be stupid" is my new motto, along with "do something!"
Saturday, August 19, 2006
No More Raincloud
To everyone who emailed encouragement and support -- thank you! I KNOW it helped.
So the raincloud that is depression has lifted. Yes, it's clinical depression in that it's been diagnosed and I'm on a low dose of an anti-depressant to manage it. (My family tree is filled with depression and alcoholism, as well as longevity, ambition, and athleticism -- go figure, huh?) What I forget from time to time is that it's playing with fire for me to start eating poorly or getting inconsistent with exercise. So the combination of an injury, poor eating due to "well, I'm running a lot, so I can" thinking, and the rabid energy that is my kids right before they go back to school -- well, I think they all had a part in creating the raincloud. It feels great to be back in the sunshine!
Comments on Comments
Lori asked if I felt fat from taking some days off from exercise, and the answer is YES, I feel big and sausagey when I don't exercise. But what surprised me was when, in the midst of that kind of mindset, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. What I saw there was not fat or sausagey and all. So I think no exercise makes my head fat!
Jennifer (who said I looked like Kelly Preston in some of my pictures -- WOW!) asked about the fitness competition photos on my Flickr account. Those pictures are from last summer when I competed in the Women's Tri-Fitness competition in Las Vegas. Yes, at age 44 I was on stage in a microscopic bikini, with my husband and kids cheering me on, and it was amazing! The competition has three parts -- obstacle course, fitness skills, and figure. Because I dislocated my shoulder while training (loose shoulder joint), I was only able to do the figure part of the competition, and I don't plan to compete again, cuz my goal is to avoid shoulder surgery, and climbing up walls with a rope and doing cargo net climbs -- well they don't move you in the direction I want to go. My old weblog detailed the process of getting ready for the competition, and that was how I got started blogging.
Jules and Suz had some great sexy song recommendations -- thank you! Oh, and Jules, a few posts back, I did write down my weight workout that you asked about ages ago...
And finally, to everyone who has the same "big hair" problem -- it's so nice to not be alone!
Fitness stuff
I've been reading "The New Rules of Lifting" by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove (I swear, if Renee writes about it, I buy it!) They are big-time fans of compound movements, and in reading the book, I'm starting to form my own training philosophy.
I believe that weights are the way for women to transform their bodies.
I believe that strong women are resilient women, both inside and out.
I believe that compound movements (multi-joint exercises -- think squat vs. leg extension) are superior for both functional strength and appearance benefits.
I believe balance training is crucial as we get older. And so is flexibility training, so you don't move like an old person.
I believe that diet is just as important, and maybe even a little more important, than exercise in recreating your shape.
Ok, so that's not everything, but it's a start, right?
So the raincloud that is depression has lifted. Yes, it's clinical depression in that it's been diagnosed and I'm on a low dose of an anti-depressant to manage it. (My family tree is filled with depression and alcoholism, as well as longevity, ambition, and athleticism -- go figure, huh?) What I forget from time to time is that it's playing with fire for me to start eating poorly or getting inconsistent with exercise. So the combination of an injury, poor eating due to "well, I'm running a lot, so I can" thinking, and the rabid energy that is my kids right before they go back to school -- well, I think they all had a part in creating the raincloud. It feels great to be back in the sunshine!
Comments on Comments
Lori asked if I felt fat from taking some days off from exercise, and the answer is YES, I feel big and sausagey when I don't exercise. But what surprised me was when, in the midst of that kind of mindset, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. What I saw there was not fat or sausagey and all. So I think no exercise makes my head fat!
Jennifer (who said I looked like Kelly Preston in some of my pictures -- WOW!) asked about the fitness competition photos on my Flickr account. Those pictures are from last summer when I competed in the Women's Tri-Fitness competition in Las Vegas. Yes, at age 44 I was on stage in a microscopic bikini, with my husband and kids cheering me on, and it was amazing! The competition has three parts -- obstacle course, fitness skills, and figure. Because I dislocated my shoulder while training (loose shoulder joint), I was only able to do the figure part of the competition, and I don't plan to compete again, cuz my goal is to avoid shoulder surgery, and climbing up walls with a rope and doing cargo net climbs -- well they don't move you in the direction I want to go. My old weblog detailed the process of getting ready for the competition, and that was how I got started blogging.
Jules and Suz had some great sexy song recommendations -- thank you! Oh, and Jules, a few posts back, I did write down my weight workout that you asked about ages ago...
And finally, to everyone who has the same "big hair" problem -- it's so nice to not be alone!
Fitness stuff
I've been reading "The New Rules of Lifting" by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove (I swear, if Renee writes about it, I buy it!) They are big-time fans of compound movements, and in reading the book, I'm starting to form my own training philosophy.
I believe that weights are the way for women to transform their bodies.
I believe that strong women are resilient women, both inside and out.
I believe that compound movements (multi-joint exercises -- think squat vs. leg extension) are superior for both functional strength and appearance benefits.
I believe balance training is crucial as we get older. And so is flexibility training, so you don't move like an old person.
I believe that diet is just as important, and maybe even a little more important, than exercise in recreating your shape.
Ok, so that's not everything, but it's a start, right?
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Fighting the good fight
Depression has come back. It sucks. It's not going to win. That's all I've got to say about that.
Sexy Songs
Have you heard the song "Close the Door" by Teddy Pendergrass? If not, you should. I heard it at Chik-Fil-A today (of all places) and had to get it from iTunes. It's one of the best sexy songs I know of. It's like mellow sophisticated sexy. Some other wonderful sexy songs are "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails (completely raunchy), "Feelin' Love" by Paula Cole (slightly less raunchy, mainly because it's hard to understand the lyrics) and "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Joe Cocker (pure fun!).
Hamstring update
I've done virtually nothing all week. Well, I did an upper body workout last night and 25 minutes on the ARC trainer at a really low incline and resistance. I'll be back at the gym in the morning for another upper body workout. You can't even know how much I want to run or do a lower body weight workout. If anyone is dreading their workout as they're reading this, please know that I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat.
Sexy Songs
Have you heard the song "Close the Door" by Teddy Pendergrass? If not, you should. I heard it at Chik-Fil-A today (of all places) and had to get it from iTunes. It's one of the best sexy songs I know of. It's like mellow sophisticated sexy. Some other wonderful sexy songs are "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails (completely raunchy), "Feelin' Love" by Paula Cole (slightly less raunchy, mainly because it's hard to understand the lyrics) and "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Joe Cocker (pure fun!).
Hamstring update
I've done virtually nothing all week. Well, I did an upper body workout last night and 25 minutes on the ARC trainer at a really low incline and resistance. I'll be back at the gym in the morning for another upper body workout. You can't even know how much I want to run or do a lower body weight workout. If anyone is dreading their workout as they're reading this, please know that I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
On the DL
Rather than doing a long run yesterday, I packed up both boys and two of their friends and headed to the new high school. I figured the boys (ages 13, 12, 12, and 10) could play and I could do some speedwork. Warmed up for 2 miles, and my left hamstring felt twingey, but I kept going. When I went to do my second speed interval, I felt something give in the back of my leg, and I had to stop running.
Went to my PT today and I have a hamstring pull (not a tear, which is really good!). So I need to stay away from running for a few days, find some flat places when I start running again (Rocklin is ALL hills, I tell you!) and make friends with ice.
Beauty
So instead of fitness, let's talk beauty for a minute. I have found the BEST shampoo. It's called Phytojojoba by Phyto. You see, I have the opposite problem of every girl on the planet. Everyone else seems to want more body in their hair, and I just want mine to LAY DOWN! I've even smoothed it with hand lotion on more than one occasion, much to my hair dresser's amusement. Well, this shampoo (and the Phytocitrus deep conditioner) make my hair smooth and silky and GREAT -- hooray!
Also, I'm still a fan of Bare Escentuals makeup, and from myblends.com found a link to a site where you can get samples of Bare Minerals products as well as empty shaker jars (for some reason, not all the BE products come in shaker jars, although they really should!). Anyway, I feel like my skin is better since using BE stuff and it's so easy to use that even a girl-challenged person like me can make her makeup look good.
Went to my PT today and I have a hamstring pull (not a tear, which is really good!). So I need to stay away from running for a few days, find some flat places when I start running again (Rocklin is ALL hills, I tell you!) and make friends with ice.
Beauty
So instead of fitness, let's talk beauty for a minute. I have found the BEST shampoo. It's called Phytojojoba by Phyto. You see, I have the opposite problem of every girl on the planet. Everyone else seems to want more body in their hair, and I just want mine to LAY DOWN! I've even smoothed it with hand lotion on more than one occasion, much to my hair dresser's amusement. Well, this shampoo (and the Phytocitrus deep conditioner) make my hair smooth and silky and GREAT -- hooray!
Also, I'm still a fan of Bare Escentuals makeup, and from myblends.com found a link to a site where you can get samples of Bare Minerals products as well as empty shaker jars (for some reason, not all the BE products come in shaker jars, although they really should!). Anyway, I feel like my skin is better since using BE stuff and it's so easy to use that even a girl-challenged person like me can make her makeup look good.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Good for the Soul!
Friday Jenny and I ran 9-1/2 miles and for the rest of the day I felt BEAT UP! So I did something unheard of for me recently -- I took TWO DAYS OFF of exercising. Didn't do a thing yesterday or today, and guess what? It feels marvelous! So I got 28 miles in for the week -- a little less than I'm shooting for -- but I think it was best to listen to my body rather than militantly stick to plan, ya know?
Something else I did that was so good for my soul -- I had THREE Krispy Kreme donuts this morning. We went after church, and usually I just sit and keep my family company while they indulge. Not today baby!
So I'm listening to "More Bounce" by Heavy D and the Boyz and can't wait to run in the morning. I got a bunch of new songs, some because we rented "Roll Bounce" and the music brought back so many memories (as a class of '79 grad, the soundtrack is SO right on!). The others I bought because they just work for me. And the "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" I found on the myblends.com forum about workout music. It was posted as a great pre-working out song. So here's what I'll be listening to on my 8 mile run in the morning:
Battle Without Honor or Humanity, Tomoyasu Hotei
(based on watching Roll Bounce)
Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
Betcha She Don't Love You, Evelyn "Champagne" King
Mony Mony, Billy Idol
More Bounce, Heavy D and the Boyz
Hollywood Swinging, Kool & the Gang
Lovely Day, Bill Withers
Fire, Ohio Players
Pick Up the Pieces, Average White Band
(random stuff I just like)
Closer, Nine Inch Nails
Give it Away, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Thriller, Michael Jackson
Valotte, Julian Lennon
Gimme Shelter, Rolling Stones
Jesus Walks, Kanye West
Lose Yourself, Eminem
Something else I did that was so good for my soul -- I had THREE Krispy Kreme donuts this morning. We went after church, and usually I just sit and keep my family company while they indulge. Not today baby!
So I'm listening to "More Bounce" by Heavy D and the Boyz and can't wait to run in the morning. I got a bunch of new songs, some because we rented "Roll Bounce" and the music brought back so many memories (as a class of '79 grad, the soundtrack is SO right on!). The others I bought because they just work for me. And the "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" I found on the myblends.com forum about workout music. It was posted as a great pre-working out song. So here's what I'll be listening to on my 8 mile run in the morning:
Battle Without Honor or Humanity, Tomoyasu Hotei
(based on watching Roll Bounce)
Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice
Betcha She Don't Love You, Evelyn "Champagne" King
Mony Mony, Billy Idol
More Bounce, Heavy D and the Boyz
Hollywood Swinging, Kool & the Gang
Lovely Day, Bill Withers
Fire, Ohio Players
Pick Up the Pieces, Average White Band
(random stuff I just like)
Closer, Nine Inch Nails
Give it Away, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Thriller, Michael Jackson
Valotte, Julian Lennon
Gimme Shelter, Rolling Stones
Jesus Walks, Kanye West
Lose Yourself, Eminem
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Computer troubles
My computer has been having troubles and is less than reliable these days. So posting may be very limited due to technical difficulties.
In the meantime, whatever you are, be a good one!
In the meantime, whatever you are, be a good one!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
What I'm Reading
I have a (slight) book addiction. And most of the time I don't do anything to curb or contain it. I think it's the promise of a better me that draws me in. Here are the sections in my home library:
fitness (of course)
organization and de-cluttering (because I am by nature a slob who married an ultra-neat person)
beauty and fashion (because I need girl lessons!)
home decorating (ditto!)
quilting (I used to quilt a little bit and I am a book learner)
self-improvement of various kinds
fiction (small section)
I used to read fiction more, but don't like that "I MUST finish this book" feeling that I get when I'm about 2/3 of the way through. However, I did finish a really good book yesterday: The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards. It's not a lighthearted summer read (for that, check out any of the Shopaholic books -- a guilty pleasure, for sure!) but thought provoking and compelling.
And I just started Free Gift With Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup by Jean Godfrey-June. It's fun. It's light. And it's perfect for the end of summer.
fitness (of course)
organization and de-cluttering (because I am by nature a slob who married an ultra-neat person)
beauty and fashion (because I need girl lessons!)
home decorating (ditto!)
quilting (I used to quilt a little bit and I am a book learner)
self-improvement of various kinds
fiction (small section)
I used to read fiction more, but don't like that "I MUST finish this book" feeling that I get when I'm about 2/3 of the way through. However, I did finish a really good book yesterday: The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards. It's not a lighthearted summer read (for that, check out any of the Shopaholic books -- a guilty pleasure, for sure!) but thought provoking and compelling.
And I just started Free Gift With Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup by Jean Godfrey-June. It's fun. It's light. And it's perfect for the end of summer.
Monday, August 07, 2006
1000 lunges a day? No way!
From January to late March, I decided to do 1000 lunge walks per day for the entire year. Don't really know what caused me to decide to do it -- kind of because I could, I guess. I would do 2000 one day, take a day off, then do 3000, take 2 days off -- like that. And I continued through late March, when I realized the the constant soreness was causing me to avoid cardio, and as a result, I was getting bigger, not smaller, because of my efforts. Note that these were done holding no weight, just using body weight, and the most I ever did in one day was 6000, which incidentally takes a little less than an hour. And yes, I had a pedometer (thanks Tim!) to help me keep track. My ending number was 89,000 total lunges.
So yesterday I decided to revisit lunges, grabbed some 10 pound weights, and did maybe 150 lunge walks. Today I am SORE SORE SORE. Holy cow -- how did I EVER do all those lunges? I promise I wasn't lying when I wrote about them on my old weblog, really! But I can't even imagine doing that now. Of course, someday I may look back and think, "How did I ever train for a marathon..."
So yesterday I decided to revisit lunges, grabbed some 10 pound weights, and did maybe 150 lunge walks. Today I am SORE SORE SORE. Holy cow -- how did I EVER do all those lunges? I promise I wasn't lying when I wrote about them on my old weblog, really! But I can't even imagine doing that now. Of course, someday I may look back and think, "How did I ever train for a marathon..."
Sunday, August 06, 2006
What Tim Says I Should Write
I think I must be bugging Tim, cuz he suggested I get on the computer and write. I told him I had nothing to say, and he came up with all sorts of things he thinks I should talk about. So here they are:
Tim's running: Wednesday night we ran 5 miles together, and I thought Tim did great, but he says I kicked his ass. But my longer running miles have encouraged him to get out there and run again -- he's run 3 marathons, but the most recent was maybe 7 years ago -- and he did 6 miles on Saturday night, his longest run in a long time.
Speed work: I got up at 6:30 and went to the new high school's track this morning. Warmed up for almost 2 miles, then did pick ups where I ran 1/2 of the track fast, then recovered the other 1/2. I did this 6 times and boy was I tired. But the track -- it's beautiful! It's that composite stuff that makes your feet and joints feel great when you run. I'm taking the kids there tomorrow to check it out.
Leading my family astray: This week I ran 38 miles. You'd think with all those miles you can have ANYTHING AT ALL YOU WANT IN THE WHOLE WORLD TO EAT, right? Nope, at least in my case, cuz sugar makes me a total nut case. So Friday I ran 10, and that night I wanted a treat. So I made up some brownie mix (minus the eggs and most of the oil, because I had no intention of baking any brownies) and got me a ramekin and a spoon -- YUM! Then I encouraged my family, who likes ice cream, to try mixing brownie batter mixed with ice cream, which was a huge hit. Huge enough that Tim feels like I led us all into nutrition hell with my idea. Well, everyone else seemed to do fine with it, but I woke up really depressed on Saturday, and spent the entire day in a funk that I just couldn't shake. I felt a little better after I finally went running late afternoon. Today we went to IKEA, and I steered clear of the cinnamon rolls the rest of my gang indulged in.
A great license plate frame: "A Queen and Four Jokers" This seen on a car in our church parking lot. Isn't that an awesome boy mom thing?
NASM Certification: I'm waiting till the kids are back in school to really start studying. They just have 2 more weeks of summer left, and I want to enjoy the time with them. We went to a blackberry farm last week where they have thornless blackberry bushes. We picked a flat of berries and are nearly done eating them, this without freezing or smoothie-ing a single berry. (We LOVE the blackberries, we do!) This week we're heading to the Crocker Art Museum for a day, and I'm not really sure what else. But I do know that as much as summertime can be hard as a stay-at-home mom, I'm gonna miss my boys like crazy when school starts again!
Tim's running: Wednesday night we ran 5 miles together, and I thought Tim did great, but he says I kicked his ass. But my longer running miles have encouraged him to get out there and run again -- he's run 3 marathons, but the most recent was maybe 7 years ago -- and he did 6 miles on Saturday night, his longest run in a long time.
Speed work: I got up at 6:30 and went to the new high school's track this morning. Warmed up for almost 2 miles, then did pick ups where I ran 1/2 of the track fast, then recovered the other 1/2. I did this 6 times and boy was I tired. But the track -- it's beautiful! It's that composite stuff that makes your feet and joints feel great when you run. I'm taking the kids there tomorrow to check it out.
Leading my family astray: This week I ran 38 miles. You'd think with all those miles you can have ANYTHING AT ALL YOU WANT IN THE WHOLE WORLD TO EAT, right? Nope, at least in my case, cuz sugar makes me a total nut case. So Friday I ran 10, and that night I wanted a treat. So I made up some brownie mix (minus the eggs and most of the oil, because I had no intention of baking any brownies) and got me a ramekin and a spoon -- YUM! Then I encouraged my family, who likes ice cream, to try mixing brownie batter mixed with ice cream, which was a huge hit. Huge enough that Tim feels like I led us all into nutrition hell with my idea. Well, everyone else seemed to do fine with it, but I woke up really depressed on Saturday, and spent the entire day in a funk that I just couldn't shake. I felt a little better after I finally went running late afternoon. Today we went to IKEA, and I steered clear of the cinnamon rolls the rest of my gang indulged in.
A great license plate frame: "A Queen and Four Jokers" This seen on a car in our church parking lot. Isn't that an awesome boy mom thing?
NASM Certification: I'm waiting till the kids are back in school to really start studying. They just have 2 more weeks of summer left, and I want to enjoy the time with them. We went to a blackberry farm last week where they have thornless blackberry bushes. We picked a flat of berries and are nearly done eating them, this without freezing or smoothie-ing a single berry. (We LOVE the blackberries, we do!) This week we're heading to the Crocker Art Museum for a day, and I'm not really sure what else. But I do know that as much as summertime can be hard as a stay-at-home mom, I'm gonna miss my boys like crazy when school starts again!
Friday, August 04, 2006
My husband -- he's a good one
Tim was at Starbucks the other day and saw a soldier in uniform in line behind him. Because Tim had already gotten his coffee, he couldn't order something for this man. Tim went so far as to go next door to get some change so he could offer to pay for the soldier's coffee. But when he got back, the soldier was gone. Tim then bought 4 Starbucks gift cards so he'll be ready for the next time.
Isn't that the best?
Isn't that the best?
Remarks on comments
To everyone who wrote about The George: Thank you! I think Costco's online George (with removable grill plates) will be on my list for Santa this year!
Mari: thanks for taking the time to read! I checked out your blog, and loved that the picture you show is the race that Steve Runner (of the Phedippedations podcast) was talking about on an old podcast I was listening to. What a beautiful place to run!
Lobo: thank you for your continued running wisdom! I had a friend tell me last night to find a composite track to do intervals on, if possible, and I think that's where I'll try next time. I was able to run 5 more miles that night, although I was pretty tired, so the endurance is starting to improve...
Jennifer: Yeah, gymnastics is way cool for boys. When Tim took the kids camping, he kept referring to them as "my 12 pack" and he's not kidding. The other night, Tucker was down in pancake splits with his chest glued to the floor, so his coach lifted one of his legs into OVERsplits! I was on the bleachers watching and a bunch of mom's were going "Can you believe he can do that?" Yep, that's MY kid, baby! Austin's got front and back giants down on high bar and his pommel routines are beautiful! Proud? You betcha! Oh, and I think Brown's Valley is about an hour or so from here -- let me know if you have time to get together, cuz I'd love to!
Irene: Thanks for the carb advice. I'm training for CIM (California International Marathon, December 2nd), with a goal of qualifying for Boston. I just need (well, maybe it's not a "just") a sub-4:00 marathon in order to do it, and based on my half-marathon time from November, most race calculators think I can do a 3:40 marathon (yeah, right!). So it's an agressive goal, but aren't goals supposed to stretch you???
Jen and Eileen: In my mind, you girls are my BFF (blog friends forever). You continue to inspire just by who you are!
Mari: thanks for taking the time to read! I checked out your blog, and loved that the picture you show is the race that Steve Runner (of the Phedippedations podcast) was talking about on an old podcast I was listening to. What a beautiful place to run!
Lobo: thank you for your continued running wisdom! I had a friend tell me last night to find a composite track to do intervals on, if possible, and I think that's where I'll try next time. I was able to run 5 more miles that night, although I was pretty tired, so the endurance is starting to improve...
Jennifer: Yeah, gymnastics is way cool for boys. When Tim took the kids camping, he kept referring to them as "my 12 pack" and he's not kidding. The other night, Tucker was down in pancake splits with his chest glued to the floor, so his coach lifted one of his legs into OVERsplits! I was on the bleachers watching and a bunch of mom's were going "Can you believe he can do that?" Yep, that's MY kid, baby! Austin's got front and back giants down on high bar and his pommel routines are beautiful! Proud? You betcha! Oh, and I think Brown's Valley is about an hour or so from here -- let me know if you have time to get together, cuz I'd love to!
Irene: Thanks for the carb advice. I'm training for CIM (California International Marathon, December 2nd), with a goal of qualifying for Boston. I just need (well, maybe it's not a "just") a sub-4:00 marathon in order to do it, and based on my half-marathon time from November, most race calculators think I can do a 3:40 marathon (yeah, right!). So it's an agressive goal, but aren't goals supposed to stretch you???
Jen and Eileen: In my mind, you girls are my BFF (blog friends forever). You continue to inspire just by who you are!
My weight workouts
Hola, amigos y amigas!
Kids are having a lazy around the house day, playing with a friend, and as all is going well right now, I can take a few minutes to write.
Actually, my kids are anything BUT lazy, and they've both taken up running in addition to their gymnastics workouts! We're doing the Mather Mud Run as a family at the end of the month. (See my Flickr pictures to see the fun.) We're all doing the 5 mile run this year, and while 5 miles is not a short run, it's amazing how much longer it feels when you have to crawl on the ground, jump over ammo boxes, do a tire run, and crawl through a mud pit in every single lap! So anyway the kids are training. Tucker did 1-3/4 miles the other day, and a mile yesterday, and Austin did 2 miles yesterday, then went to our gym with a friend to do weights. I was showing the boys how to do anterior and posterior shoulder raises to hit all heads of the deltoid (do I SOUND like a trainer?) and a man working out said, "You're a good trainer!" Made my day!
A long while back, Jules asked about my weight workouts. Here's pretty much what I do twice a week:
Chest
Press: 45 pound bar, 2 or 3 sets of 13 reps (why 13? cuz it's my favorite number)
Push ups: body weight, 2 sets to failure
Back
Single arm rows: 25 or 30 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Modified pull-ups (kind of laying down under a Smith machine bar): 2 sets, 13 reps (this position doesn't put nearly the strain on my shoulder as the overhead reaching involved in regular pull ups)
Shoulders (note -- I had multiple dislocations of my shoulder a little over a year ago, so I purposefully keep weights light here -- I'm highly motivated to keep it in place and avoid surgery! I also do rotator cuff rehab exercises before this workout.)
Overhead press: 10 pounds, 2 sets, 10 reps VERY carefully!
Side raises: 12-1/2 pounds (gym just got new free weights -- very cool!), 3 sets, 13 reps
Upright rows: 12-1/2 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Anterior lifts: 12-1/2 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Posterior lifts: 12-1/2 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Triceps
Stretchy band push-downs: to failure several times
Bench dips: to failure several times
Biceps
Curls: 15, 20, and sometimes 25 pounds, 1 set of each, 13 reps, THEN
Curls: 15 pounds, slow negatives (lift forearms parallel to the floor, then lower to a slow count of 4), repeat to failure
Legs
I haven't been doing leg weights nearly as much now that I'm running more miles. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE the seated leg press machine, and really like what I do on it, and think it's kind of different. But then again, I'm going for definition (think dancer!) not size so much. Also (I'm sure you know this, but) you never lock your knees when doing leg press, right? Right!
So I plant myself on the leg press machine, set the weight for 85 pounds (which is light, I know), and do a warm-up set of 20 presses. Then the fun begins!
Using only one leg, and moving it towards the center of the pad, do a set of 20 reps.
Switch legs. Do 20 on the other leg.
Repeat so you do 3 or 4 sets on each leg.
NOW, using both legs, play with tempo. Hope I can describe this right. Have you ever seen a ballroom dancing lesson where the instructor is saying "quick, quick, slow" for the tempo? If so, that's the tempo for this, so you would bend (quick) straighten (quick) bend (slow, like 2 counts). Then you'd straighten (quick) bend (quick) straighten (slow). I'll do this for maybe 100 counts or so -- amazing how tired your legs get!
Kids are having a lazy around the house day, playing with a friend, and as all is going well right now, I can take a few minutes to write.
Actually, my kids are anything BUT lazy, and they've both taken up running in addition to their gymnastics workouts! We're doing the Mather Mud Run as a family at the end of the month. (See my Flickr pictures to see the fun.) We're all doing the 5 mile run this year, and while 5 miles is not a short run, it's amazing how much longer it feels when you have to crawl on the ground, jump over ammo boxes, do a tire run, and crawl through a mud pit in every single lap! So anyway the kids are training. Tucker did 1-3/4 miles the other day, and a mile yesterday, and Austin did 2 miles yesterday, then went to our gym with a friend to do weights. I was showing the boys how to do anterior and posterior shoulder raises to hit all heads of the deltoid (do I SOUND like a trainer?) and a man working out said, "You're a good trainer!" Made my day!
A long while back, Jules asked about my weight workouts. Here's pretty much what I do twice a week:
Chest
Press: 45 pound bar, 2 or 3 sets of 13 reps (why 13? cuz it's my favorite number)
Push ups: body weight, 2 sets to failure
Back
Single arm rows: 25 or 30 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Modified pull-ups (kind of laying down under a Smith machine bar): 2 sets, 13 reps (this position doesn't put nearly the strain on my shoulder as the overhead reaching involved in regular pull ups)
Shoulders (note -- I had multiple dislocations of my shoulder a little over a year ago, so I purposefully keep weights light here -- I'm highly motivated to keep it in place and avoid surgery! I also do rotator cuff rehab exercises before this workout.)
Overhead press: 10 pounds, 2 sets, 10 reps VERY carefully!
Side raises: 12-1/2 pounds (gym just got new free weights -- very cool!), 3 sets, 13 reps
Upright rows: 12-1/2 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Anterior lifts: 12-1/2 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Posterior lifts: 12-1/2 pounds, 3 sets, 13 reps
Triceps
Stretchy band push-downs: to failure several times
Bench dips: to failure several times
Biceps
Curls: 15, 20, and sometimes 25 pounds, 1 set of each, 13 reps, THEN
Curls: 15 pounds, slow negatives (lift forearms parallel to the floor, then lower to a slow count of 4), repeat to failure
Legs
I haven't been doing leg weights nearly as much now that I'm running more miles. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE the seated leg press machine, and really like what I do on it, and think it's kind of different. But then again, I'm going for definition (think dancer!) not size so much. Also (I'm sure you know this, but) you never lock your knees when doing leg press, right? Right!
So I plant myself on the leg press machine, set the weight for 85 pounds (which is light, I know), and do a warm-up set of 20 presses. Then the fun begins!
Using only one leg, and moving it towards the center of the pad, do a set of 20 reps.
Switch legs. Do 20 on the other leg.
Repeat so you do 3 or 4 sets on each leg.
NOW, using both legs, play with tempo. Hope I can describe this right. Have you ever seen a ballroom dancing lesson where the instructor is saying "quick, quick, slow" for the tempo? If so, that's the tempo for this, so you would bend (quick) straighten (quick) bend (slow, like 2 counts). Then you'd straighten (quick) bend (quick) straighten (slow). I'll do this for maybe 100 counts or so -- amazing how tired your legs get!
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Running changes much, and little
Ok, so I had written a great (ha!) post last night, but then my computer froze and I lost it. And now I want to write about something different than what I wrote last night, cuz all of a sudden what I wrote last night seems boring. Thank you computer for sparing my friends... :)
With running 30 to 40 miles per week, you'd think I'd be struggling to keep weight on, right? Nope. I've lost 2 pounds in a month (although I'm holding onto a lot of water due to time of month right now) and that's not much at all. Part of why I'm not losing is that the extra mileage makes me extra hungry. I'm trying to make good choices, but sometimes (like Saturday after the 13 miles) a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the only thing that will do!
Let me tell you what is changing, though, and that's my shape, and it's changing in ways I like. My upper thighs are getting leaner -- actually even the mid and lower parts are trimming down. And my waist is more defined and all over I'm just a little smaller. So even though I really do want my scale number to be lower, I'm grateful I'm not usually a scale freak, cuz if I was, I'd have stopped this madness long ago, cuz according to the scale, not much has changed.
A Fast Run
I did my first speed workout yesterday. Ran 2 miles to our church's parking lot, and decided I'd run from one side to the other as fast as I could. I used the Forerunner to see how far and how fast, and at one nano-second in time, my pace was 5:13 per mile -- wow! Now keep in mind that my intervals (I did 3 of them) were just a little over 1/10th of a mile. But I know that I was not going all out fast when I ran them, so I kind of would like to improve my speed so that at some point before the marathon, I could see a pace that's in the 4's. Why? Because it's fun to try!!!
Comments on your comments
I've chosen to blatantly copy FV Tom's method of answering comments, so here goes:
To everyone who thinks double digit miles are hard or impossible to run: Anyone who wants to badly enough can run just as much as I'm running. But running isn't easy (darn it!) and the first mile always sucks. Some people (like me) actually start to enjoy it after that first mile, so it doesn't stay awful forever. Having said that, I don't like bike riding for fitness and am impressed with those who do. Maybe it's a case of "to each his own" or "find something you like and DO IT!"
To Jennifer: My "other" blog is a case of Tucker taking initiative because he thinks weblogs are way cool. So he got onto blogger, chose a template and put together the framework for his "Young Gymnast" weblog. But with all the controversy about My Space pages and the like, I can't see letting a 10-year-old have a weblog, no matter how supervised or benign it is. But both of my kids do compete. Austin's a level 7 (doing some level 9 moves on occasion) and Tucker's a level 6 and I can't believe how hard they work and how good they are. And as a former gymnast, you KNOW how hard they work!
Well, time to mom-up, so I'll have to continue this later. Have a great day and remember, whatever you are, be a good one!
With running 30 to 40 miles per week, you'd think I'd be struggling to keep weight on, right? Nope. I've lost 2 pounds in a month (although I'm holding onto a lot of water due to time of month right now) and that's not much at all. Part of why I'm not losing is that the extra mileage makes me extra hungry. I'm trying to make good choices, but sometimes (like Saturday after the 13 miles) a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the only thing that will do!
Let me tell you what is changing, though, and that's my shape, and it's changing in ways I like. My upper thighs are getting leaner -- actually even the mid and lower parts are trimming down. And my waist is more defined and all over I'm just a little smaller. So even though I really do want my scale number to be lower, I'm grateful I'm not usually a scale freak, cuz if I was, I'd have stopped this madness long ago, cuz according to the scale, not much has changed.
A Fast Run
I did my first speed workout yesterday. Ran 2 miles to our church's parking lot, and decided I'd run from one side to the other as fast as I could. I used the Forerunner to see how far and how fast, and at one nano-second in time, my pace was 5:13 per mile -- wow! Now keep in mind that my intervals (I did 3 of them) were just a little over 1/10th of a mile. But I know that I was not going all out fast when I ran them, so I kind of would like to improve my speed so that at some point before the marathon, I could see a pace that's in the 4's. Why? Because it's fun to try!!!
Comments on your comments
I've chosen to blatantly copy FV Tom's method of answering comments, so here goes:
To everyone who thinks double digit miles are hard or impossible to run: Anyone who wants to badly enough can run just as much as I'm running. But running isn't easy (darn it!) and the first mile always sucks. Some people (like me) actually start to enjoy it after that first mile, so it doesn't stay awful forever. Having said that, I don't like bike riding for fitness and am impressed with those who do. Maybe it's a case of "to each his own" or "find something you like and DO IT!"
To Jennifer: My "other" blog is a case of Tucker taking initiative because he thinks weblogs are way cool. So he got onto blogger, chose a template and put together the framework for his "Young Gymnast" weblog. But with all the controversy about My Space pages and the like, I can't see letting a 10-year-old have a weblog, no matter how supervised or benign it is. But both of my kids do compete. Austin's a level 7 (doing some level 9 moves on occasion) and Tucker's a level 6 and I can't believe how hard they work and how good they are. And as a former gymnast, you KNOW how hard they work!
Well, time to mom-up, so I'll have to continue this later. Have a great day and remember, whatever you are, be a good one!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Boo boo feet
I did 13 miles on Saturday and didn't wear my "good" socks (Bal Ga is my brand). That was a mistake. I got a small blister on the end of my baby toe. Yesterday I was going to do 7 or 8, but ended up doing 10. Small blister turned into big blister. Ow. I opened it last night but kept the top skin on (as per my running book's info about blisters that won't stop hurting) and it's better today. But I want it to go away.
Other than the discomfort factor with blisters that are healing (I just got over another one in a different place), blisters are preventing me from having pretty feet. It seems stupid to get a pedicure with an open wound on your foot, so I've stayed away from the nail salon. But it's summertime and I want my toes to look good. And without the help of the nail salon, this runner's feet are not a pretty picture -- literally!
Other than the discomfort factor with blisters that are healing (I just got over another one in a different place), blisters are preventing me from having pretty feet. It seems stupid to get a pedicure with an open wound on your foot, so I've stayed away from the nail salon. But it's summertime and I want my toes to look good. And without the help of the nail salon, this runner's feet are not a pretty picture -- literally!
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