I’m So Tired.

Feb21

As I mentioned yesterday, we got a new puppy. His name is Finn and I underestimated how much having him would impede me from my training. I forgot how much time would be required. Logically, I knew but I still didn’t add it all up. For example, yesterday I had planned to run. It was brutally cold. Brutally. I still thought about running. I thought about going to the Y to run, but then I napped on the couch when Finn napped. Like a Baby, I have been getting up with him multiple times a night. Except unlike a baby, I am ending up outside in 4 degree weather. Then I come in and can’t necessarily fall right back to sleep. So I’m tired. So tired.

We are trying to crate training him. I know that I’m not doing it right. This morning, my son came out to the living room to find me snuggled next to the cage sleeping with the dog who was not in the cage. I admit it. I’m weak. I’m a patsy. I’m working on it. I have a Dog Trainer coming to the house today who is going to tell me all the things that me (and my family) are doing wrong. I’m hoping with some professional help, I will be better.

But since I’ve only had Finn for a few days, I’m giving myself a chance to get into the new routine with him as it will need to be tweaked in the beginning. I will make sure to include my training time on his schedule. I will work it out. I will do what I need to do. Not just for me, but for him as well. As my sister said there is nothing better than a well trained Big Dog and Finn is going to be a decent size. He is a Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Most people have never heard of this bread. He’s Swiss and he end up about 70 pounds.

But when he’s bigger, he will need a decent amount of exercise. I envision running trails with him.

It’s going to be so much fun and I think he will like it too! But like anything else it’s going to take some work to get to the fun part. Not that some of it isn’t fun now:)

You Know Your A Runner When….

Feb16

You get ready to leave for a run and say, “I’m going for a short run today. I’m only going 3 miles.”
When you have more running clothes than any other type of clothes.
When you think nothing of ringing a friends bell to use her bathroom because your out for a long run.
You buy your GU by the case
You have more running shoes than days of the week
You consider your running time your me time and guard it accordingly.
You think the best way to help your sore legs is more running to “work it out.”
You are not only willing but excited to spend 15 minutes getting dressed for cold weather because it means you will be able to get your run in no matter what the thermometer says.
You match your pedicure nail polish to the shade of blue one of your toenails is already colored.
You check to see if there are any races taking place where you plan to vacation.

How Do You know Your a Runner….

Putting it All in Perspective

Feb9

Today was the day. Today was the day that I was going to be picked for the #AMRSaucony Winner. Just like Saturday night I was going to win the lottery. Actually, I did throw my name in the hat for the Every Mother Runner Saucony Winner. I knew that I wouldn’t win. I even said so to a fellow Mama when she asked while we were out on a run. Not to say that there wasn’t a part of me that was dreaming, because there should always be hope in all that we do. It’s just I’m a bit of a realist. Although I will say that Amy from Amyupnorth.com sounds amazing and I congratulate her on being picked. Can’t wait to read more from her and I do have to say Kudos to the way that Every Mother Runner announced it. Very cool showcasing a lot of other mother runners.

Now all that being said, I admit I was disappointed. I’m a realist, but just like when I realize that I didn’t win the lottery I am slightly disappointed. But then I had a reality check. I had plans this morning to spend with a friend helping her make cake pops for her Breast Cancer Support Group. Thankfully, my friend is on her way to recovery. She is finished with her Chemo. Just finished up another surgery and is one her way! We had a fun morning, but it does put things in perspective. Not just about the blog, but about my training and life in general.

Before she came over I was looking at my totals for last week. I realized how much I had allowed myself to slack last week. Some due to weather. Some due to the couch just being too comfy on a weekend morning. I just didn’t bring my A game. Although, I did do the speed workout, but still only did 2 out of the 5 runs my training plan called for me to do. Ooops. No excuses. I’m hoping that this week will be better.

I know one thing that motivates me is just seeing what everyone else is doing. It makes me feel like a slacker, but I’ve been a slacker so I should feel like one. Although, I am thankful for these groups, their motivation and inspiration. If not for them, I think it would be so much easier to hang up my shoes and call it a day. It’s hard to do when you see what all the BAMR’s are doing. They don’t make excuses and just get it done. I think the key to keeping yourself on track besides having a goal is to have friends who will text, message, or call you to see how your training is going, People who want to meet for a run, a yoga session, or just compare notes. People who also have goals.

Who Inspires you?

Friday 5 – Fitness Snapshots

Feb6

Danger, Will Robertson, Danger!

(Am I the only one old enough to remember where that came from?)

Anyway consider yourself warned!

Today’s Friday 5 hosted by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Now, it would have been helpful to me to look ahead to see what today’s post was going to be about and then I could have taken actual snapshots during the week. Since I didn’t do that, I am going to just go with 5 Fitness Snapshots.

1. This photo goes way back. Back to before I even signed up for my first race. This goes back to the beginning of this fitness journey. This is from the Bootcamp class I started that gave me the courage to sign up for my first Triathlon. This was the beginning….

2. This is the bike that I bought to ride in my first Triathlon. I thought I was going to be one and done, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I am promising to train with it more this year when the roads clear and spring comes. It is a great low impact leg workout and I do need to get more comfortable in the saddle.

3. This is a scary, scary picture, but it is hard to look both perky and good after a 90 minute session of Bikram Yoga in a 116 degree room. I don’t know if I would enjoy yoga as much without the heat and knowing me, probably not. I like the intensity that the heat gives the yoga. I’ve also promised to do yoga more this year as I need more balance and flexibility in my life and body:)

4. Strength training. Although I am sadly resigned to temporarily giving up the intensity of Crossfit, this does not mean that I will give up working with weights. There is something to be said for pumping iron and if you’ve never tried it you should. My goal is to lift weights at least twice a week.

5. This is an obvious one….. Running. This year I’m focusing on time which means that these legs and feet are going to have to push it to their limits. It will be an amazing adventure to see how far they can take me.

What did you do this week?

Laying It All Out There….

Feb5

I’m being Bold.

Yesterday while pursuing the internet, I was reading an article that was about healthy weights and BMI (Body Mass Index). I thought to myself, “I know that I need to loose a few pounds but I wonder where I stand with my BMI.”

After calculating it, I found out a shocking fact. A fact that I don’t believe. It’s not that I am in denial. It’s just that I think it’s totally wrong and this chart doesn’t take into account many things. Curious as to what this chart told me?

According to this handy dandy chart that many healthcare professionals (and I’m sure insurance company’s use) to help determine my health,

I am

Wait for it.

Here it comes….

I am (according to the chart)

Overweight (yeah, I know),

but also according to the chart

on the boarder of becoming obese.

Yup, you heard me.

This apparently is what borderline obese looks like.

As the saying goes, I beg to differ.

I’ve discussed this before in It’s Really Just A Number.

Today, I’m going one step further and putting it out there as I’m not ashamed and it really is what it is. I’m 150ish pounds depending on the day.

It’s just a number after all. Yes, a little bigger than I would like, but it does not define me.

Yes, I do know that I could stand to loose 10 pounds and maybe a few more. I’m not disputing that. Never have. I just like food. I admit it. Yes, I am 5 foot 2. Yes, I weight between 150 and 155. Yes, according to the handy dandy chart a healthy weight for me is between 118 and 132. Well, I haven’t seen those numbers since before my first son was born and I doubt very much that I will ever see them again. I’m ok with that as I’m doing ok as I am. I would really settle for 140 to 145 but I’m not actively dieting. I’m ok with that too..

Now, to go a step further, this handy dandy chart does not take many other factors into account. It is a generic chart that too many people depend on to determine their health. It does not take my muscle tone into account. I’m not one to brag, but my legs are solid muscle. Solid. My arms aren’t’ too flabby either. I will readily admit that I have no muscle mass around my belly and it does like to jiggle like a bowl full of jelly which I’m working on (sometimes). I will also admit that I very comfortable in a size 8 and if I don’t want to breathe I can fit into a 6.

So please, please tell me how this makes me borderline obese. I hate that there are people looking at just these charts, looking in the mirror and then feeling bad about themselves. One size does not fit all and we have to stop generalizing sizes, weights, BMI, and everything in between based on a number or size.

I will further say that even with a high BMI, my cholesterol is VERY good with my good levels being much much higher than my bad which is very low. I have good blood sugar levels, blood pressure and all those other things they check.

So my question is why we always try to fit everyone into one mold?

Giving up the Reins, but taking back control…

Feb3

Right now we are in the midst of what they are calling a Flash Freeze. Sounds like something done in the food industry, but this is what the weather people are calling our plunging temperatures and freezing surfaces. Got to have a catchy phrase. Just like the snowstorms have to have catchy names now. Last nights storm was called Linus? Who names these snow storms and why?

Non Funny Joke of the Day…

You know what a snowstorm was named when I was growing up?

A Snow Storm

Ha Ha (not really, but true).

Anyway, where was I going….

There are so many things not just in our training, but in our everyday normal lives that we can’t not control. As much as we would like to micro-manage everything and think it’s all in our control, most things in life are not.

Scary Stuff I know.

We must honor that lack of control.

We must embrace that lack of control.

We must just accept that lack of control.

Honestly, throw your hands up in the air and give up control.

All is not lost though.

We do have some control.

Each and every one of us has total control of the way we react to the challenges that the Universe throws at us.

As true as this is, you might be wondering what any of this has to do with running. I’m getting there.

We all have goals (big, small, and every where in between) when it comes to our running. We all have days where as much as we want to, we just can’t do what we felt we needed to do that day. Maybe we missed a training run, had to shorten it, or just had an “off” running day. Maybe we missed a class at the gym. Maybe even getting sick or injured causing a total lack of training. Maybe hard as we tried, we didn’t make a PR that we wanted or any such things. These things happen. These are just some of the things that are out of our control. These things cause us stress. These are the things that might even put us over the edge.

We need to come back from the edge though.

That is our only choice.

Life is better….

When you realize that since you can’t change the challenges thrown at you

When you learn to face them head on and with a smile when possible

(which isn’t always the case).

If you miss a run…

if you miss a goal..

life happens

remember

Hard to argue with Nelson Mandela, isn’t it.

So dust yourself off, get back up, and keep moving.

Don’t Take This Wrong Way….

Jan30

When I say that I run my longer runs at a slower pace and you ask what that pace was and I reply that I ran 11 – 12 minute pace, …

I am not putting anyone down whose pace this is. A run is still a run no matter what the pace. This was my pace when I started running. This is no longer my pace. My average run pace now is about 10 to 10 1/2 depending on the day. If I’m pushing it, I can go faster. Also why did you ask if you didn’t want to hear.

When you talk about the “Marathon” that I just ran and I correct you that it was only a Half Marathon, ...

I do need to correct you because I do NOT want to take credit for something I didn’t do. When I ran my full marathon, I took credit. I owned it, but I don’t want to claim something that I didn’t do any other day.

When I order french toast instead of an egg white omelet at breakfast because I’m carb loading, …

probably shouldn’t be eating it either. There are probably healthy ways to carb load, but french toast is my weakness. Besides the way I look at it, the benefit of running all over town is to be able to eat the french toast if I want.

When you ask how far I ran today and I say that I only ran 5 miles causing you to roll your eyes, …

I am not trying to sound all uppity. I am saying only because that tends to me my normal run when I have time. So my average run mileage is about 5 miles.

When you ask why I’m running a 5K and I say that I want to run a shorter race for time, …

I am not putting anyone down whose goal race is the 5K. It is no longer my goal race. My favorite race of choice at this time, I would say is a half marathon. There is a big difference between how I would pace myself for a 5K as to a half marathon. I might even say that since my goal in a 5K is time, I might even be pushing myself harder.

When I share my runs on Facebook, Instagram, or any other place, …

it is not because I am bragging. It is because I have many friends who are also runners. We like to share. We like to see what we are all doing. We like to cheer each other on. We are a strange group, but we love to do this. If for some reason these posts bother you, please feel free to hide me or even delete me because this is who I am and this is what I love.

No, I really am not trying to be a jerk.

Really, Really, Really

I get where you are coming from as I was once on the rolling eyes side.

I admit it. I did.

It was more a reflection on what I thought of me than you.

I also know that these things do not bother my real friends as they know how hard I work for the things that I do. These things do not come easy to me. I push and then I push some more.

Have you seen the eye rolling?

I get that it might appear that I am bragging, but I’m not. Am I proud of what I’m doing? You bet.

Should it bother you that I’m doing it? I don’t think so.

You do what makes you happy and I will do what makes me happy.

Anything to add….

Friday Five – Favorite Indoor Workouts

Jan30

Friday Five link-up hosted by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s topic

Five Favorite Indoor Workouts

Now, you know I’ve been struggling to come up with my routine. I think I’m getting there and these are the five that will stay in the mix.

Bikram Hot Yoga

Love, Love, Love it! I’m not sure that I would love the Yoga without the heat. I guess that is how you know that I am not a true Yogi which is something that I never claimed to be. I am actually not very flexible at all either. I’m hoping that will come with time as I can’t do many of the poses properly, but it doesn’t stop me from trying. One day I may even be able to do Dhanurasana (#19) Maybe the same day that I can pronounce it, I will also be able to reach my ankles.

Swimming

This is on my list of things to get back to on my rest days from running. It is low impact, but still an amazing workout. Plus since one of my goals is to have a better swim time in my September Triathlon, I really need to get going. I want to get comfortable enough in my swim that when I do go out in the bay, I don’t have my normal panic attack and end up doing the backstroke. Although I’m not sure swim class will help with that as it is more a panic attack from not being in the pool.

Strength Training

As you know, I’ve made the decision to cut Crossfit out of my routine. It was a hard decision that I still wonder if it was the right one. But as much as I love it, it doesn’t go with my goals for the year. That being said, I am not giving up on weight training as I really think it was good for my running too. All studies show how beneficial it is to women for not just their weight, but the bone density and many other things. So don’t be afraid to pick up a weight.

Here is me doing my favorite lift – The Deadlift

Spin Classes

I couldn’t just get on a bike inside and ride. If I did, I would go at a leisure pace and not push myself. Therefore, Spin Classes are perfect. Great low impact workout for the legs. There is also some talk that it is great cross-training for runners. I can believe it as it is all legs! You are going full throttle building leg muscles but non of the impact of a run. Plus with the way you push up the “hills” in class it is a great interval training.

Must remember to take more spin classes.

Kettle Bell Workout

If you don’t have a kettle bell, get one. It’s something that doesn’t take up a lot of room in your house. You can leave it sit in the corner of your closet or in my case, my workout stuff corner. Don’t have time for a full workout? Want to add something extra on a short run day? There are so many things that you can do with it to target so many different muscles. Can you tell I love mine? I need to use it more as it really does pack a punch. Don’t believe me. Then just give it a try.

I guess it is good that I’ve thought about all of these great indoor things that I should be doing more of because we are entering a really, really, really cold front. Plus my YMCA catalog just came. So I think it is time to add some of these things back into my routine.

What is your favorite indoor workout?

Now What?

Jan29

So as the expression goes,

I’m off and running.

So far. So good.

I’ve met my January goal having completed not just one, but two events. February, my local MRTT group is hosting an event, so I’m good there and I’ve got races scheduled in March, April, and May for the 9+1; so I am on my way. Although, I am not getting ahead of myself as I know I’ve got a long way to go, but it is nice to have a plan.

Speaking of plans…

My next NYRR race is the Washington Heights Salsa and Blues 5K. It seems like a fun event. Plus it’s short even though they say it is a hilly course. Now my cohort in crime has informed me that we are training to do this in 25 minutes. SAY WHAT???? Did she not see the part about it being a hilly course? Of course, Dawn loves her hills so this will be a good excuse to run some hills. That being said, my fastest 5K is around 27 minutes on a course that could really only be described as non hilly. But being as Dawn is my cohort in crime and I’ve talked her into (yes, your in) running the 9+1 AGAIN this year as she already did it last year and will actually be running NYCM this year, she is doing it again. Therefore, I will train on hills. I will run as fast as I can. I will hope that we can do it. The beauty of a shorter race is that you can run full throttle and just pass out or throw up at the end. But lets hope that doesn’t happen and we are prepared for it.

Now the question will be….

How to prepare for it?

I’m not sure, but I do believe there may be some hill repeats, some dreaded treadmill workouts, and some other torturous running involved.

The next question will be…..

Why?

Easy answer…..

Because we can or at least think we can.

That is the beauty of running. Just lace up. Go out and see what happens. The way I look at it, if it doesn’t happen what is the worst that can happen? We have to try it again. Now, I know that I am no Speedy Gonzalez and that a 25 minute 5K is probably the fastest I will ever run it (if I ever do). You know what “that’s what it’s all about.” Pushing limits. Having fun and just seeing where it will take me (and my cohort).

In a million years would never imagine that I would be running races at all let alone setting time goals on them. So I will just see how far I can go which is already farther than I’ve ever imagined.

Word of the Week – Celebrate!

Jan28

Today I am going to have two words of the day as I think that they go hand in hand.

Celebrate & Display

celebrate

verb (used with object), celebrated, celebrating.

to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:

display

verb (used with object)

To show or exhibit; make visible

Now as Mom’s most of us are great at doing this with our children.

We put their art work, grades, ect up on the fridge for all to see.

We have pictures of them through out our houses.

We proudly display their ribbons, trophies, or such on the mantle.

BUT

When it comes to our own accomplishments, we may tend to down play them.

We celebrate the moment, but as soon as we come home we jump back into “Mom Mode.” We work hard for each and every one of these events. We don’t just show up. Then we pass the finish line, collect our bling which we may even wear afterwards with our fellow runners. But by the time we get home, we are ready to put them in a drawer and move on.

Now I’m not saying we should walk around wearing our bling at the grocery store because that would just be obnoxious. That being said, we can still share our accomplishments by more than a few Facebook posts. I know most of us don’t want to appear like we are bragging although that’s not a problem when it comes to our kids. Why is that? We deserve a little celebration of our own too. Just because you are an adult doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to be proud of your accomplishments no matter how big or small.

Now, I will admit that last year, I did buy a display plaque from Etsy for my bling and bibs for me. I hung it in my office in the basement. This tends to be my area and I wanted to be able to see my medals to continue to inspire myself. But over the weekend, I took it a step further. I added some of my favorite race photos to it and I really like the way it looks. Plus there is room on the other side for more. I think I might save that side for the NYC Marathon.

I call it

The Wall of Me!

I think that every person should have a place to celebrate themselves. No matter if it’s running, knitting, writing or what ever should be celebrated. Now, I’m not saying that it needs to be in peoples faces, but a celebration none the less. My Wall of me is for me. It is in my basement which most people don’t go in. It is by my computer and as I write my blog posts, sign up for races, or just play on my computer. I can glance at it and smile. It can encourage me to push myself further remembering how far I’ve already come.

I think by taking pride in my accomplishments, I am being a good role model for my children. Think about it. What message does it send to your children if they don’t think that their mother’s accomplishments don’t deserve a spot on the wall.

Do you have a Wall of Me?

Do you want one?

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!

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