Tag Archive | Training

I’m So Tired.

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:)

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.

Time’s They Are Changing…. Or Are They?

Jan18

When I ran my first Half Marathon in May of 2014, I had no plan. I had not a care in the world other than finishing the race. I literally went into it on a wing and a prayer. No training plan and hoped to finish. No idea. Just planned to run. I think all first Half Marathons should be like this. Actually this is how all my first races no matter what the type went!

Things are a little different now. It’s not that suddenly I know what I’m doing (because I don’t). It’s just that I’ve now run a few Half Marathons. Not many actually. I’ve only run 4. Although it seems like more. The difference is due to all the different events that I have run in the last year, I do have an idea of what I can and can not do. I’ve also followed actual training plans and have goals. That being said, I am still figuring it out.

So next week, I will be running my 5th Half Marathon. My first race that will count towards my 9 plus 1 program for NY. This race has snuck up on me and I will admit that I have, sadly, NOT been doing any training for it AT ALL. So maybe times are not changing as much as I would like to think. I have been sporadically running, but not training. Chalk it up to post marathon I need a break from training and am just going to run now.

Another reason I have not been training is because from the time I signed up for this race, I knew this was one that I was going to run just to run. A way to jump into the 9 plus 1 early. I do not plan on setting any type of PR’s. Plus since it is a winter race, I was not and still am not sure what the weather conditions will be that day. Therefore, from the get go this has always been a race that I planned to just run to finish.

See I am even borrowing a cute hat from my sister to keep me warm and have some fun:)

I will check out the weather later in the week to finish up what I will run in.

Now all this being said, I am still putting more thought into this than I did my first half. I know that I am not running full throttle, but I still want to finish decent. I would be happy with around 2:20 which is what I ran Gretta’s Gallop (same location as this half). Although, I did have a great pace setter then that I will be missing this race. (Robyn – the ski slopes can wait and I miss you!) But I do think it might be time for me to put my Big Girl panties on now and set my own pace.

YUCK!

This requires thought.

This requires knowing what I’m talking about.

and

This requires follow through.

So I found a online Pace Calculator and working it all out.

WHAAAAAAA

It’s so much easier to just follow along:)

Do you have a race plan?

We All Need a Little Rest

Jan7

As the year starts to slowly begin, I am still pondering how to meet my goals for it and also how I can remain injury free. I think when you start running (or really anything) as a younger person, you don’t contemplate possible injuries as much as you do when you start in your 40’s. Life is really not as footloose and fancy free as it is when your younger and the thoughts of being sidelined by an injury does not creep in until you are older (not that I’m old). Besides the fact that as a mother of three and the Household Manager (fancy title isn’t it?), I really don’t have time to nurse a possible preventable injury.

Now when I say injury, I am not talking bad toe nail or such. I’m talking the type that will require rest, doctors, ect. Things that I don’t have time for. Things I started thinking about after my Marathon when my ankle developed some tenderness. Tenderness that I still notice now and then. I must remember that I am not that spring chicken that my mind things that I am.

Yes, that sucks.

As I’ve said before since starting this journey, I have never been good about the “Rest Day.” In the beginning, my Rest Day would consist of Crossfit. I will admit that Crossfit is NOT a rest day. I love it. I really do. I love adding on the weights and seeing how far I can push myself. But that is not a rest day especially if the WOD includes Box Jumps or running or any other things. Crossfit by design is meant to push your body to the limit. The more I read, the more I realize that my running rest day should be something that isn’t pushing myself with high impact exercises but something low impact.

There are many other things that I can do on my Rest Day’s. Things that give my joints a break. Things that I enjoy too.

Things that I could use for my Tri training too.

Swimming

Biking

also

Bikram Yoga

Even strength training, but maybe not at the intensity that Crossfit requires.

I’m struggling with this.

I haven’t been to Crossfit a lot recently.

I thought that I would jump back into it as I enjoy it,

BUT

I’m struggling to put a plan in place.

I’m struggling to realize that going may not be what I need to meet my goals.

The more I think about it,

the more I know the truth.

The sadder it makes me.

Kind of like saying by to a good friend that you know you won’t see for a while.

I guess this post is making me see what I need to do…..

Time to sign up for swim lessons again.

Time to get to Yoga again.

Time to give my body low impact rest days on rest days:)

Time to show off (not really) how much I can lift at YMCA.

I’ve already been told that I lift a lot for a girl.

Really:(

What is your go to “rest day” exercise?

Check Your Ego at the Door

Dec15

I have gone for runs in the rain.

Light rain, but the rain.

I have gone for runs early in the morning.

I have gone for runs at dusk.

What until today I have never really done is gone for a run at dark. I mean dark. Unless you count one summer night where my sister and I ran my neighborhood block for a short mile. I don’t count that one because it was really just around the block. Today was different. I didn’t get out for my run until after 6:00. It was dark, but I really, really, really needed this run. The Christmas cookies all said so. You do what you have to do to get it done.

Now I will readily admit that before running if I saw someone out at night, I would think to myself, “What is wrong with that person?” I realized once I started running that there was nothing wrong with that person. That they just needed to get their run in and obviously this was when they needed to get it in. That being said, I have seen some boneheaded runners at night and I knew early on that I would not be one of them. So even though I never ran at night, I was prepared for I knew that the night would arrive when I would have to go out in the dark if I wanted to get a run in.

The most important thing to do when running in the dark is to check your ego at the door. This is not the time to worry about how cute you look if you are one to worry about those things. This is the time to make sure that not only can you see where you are going as we all know how wonderful the sidewalks and roads can be, but you also have to make sure that others can see you.

1. Headlamp – yes, you look like you are getting ready to go on a mining expedition, but that’s ok as long as you can see and oncoming cars can see your little light bouncing while you run.

2. Reflective Vest – I will say that I bought a bright neon Pink one with pink reflective strips on it. You know pink is my color!

3. Since it wasn’t that cold, I wore a short sleeve shirt with arm sleeves that happen to have reflective strips on them too.

4. I didn’t need my running belt tonight but I wore it again because it had a reflective stripes on it.

5. My running tights which I love also reflective lines on them.

6. Just for good measure, I put on my ankles those yellow reflective bands that most normal people wear on their arms,but I kind of liked them on my ankles and we all know I’m not normal.

Now, I hope you noticed a pattern here with my outfit.

REFLECTIVE!

We all know how people drive during the day when your highly visible. Why not make yourself as visible as you can at night too because their driving really doesn’t get better at night?

Now another way to check the ego at the door that must be done (at least for me) is to SLOW DOWN. Yes I knew the road I was taking, but that doesn’t mean I know every bump in it. I also adjusted my routine to run on roads with both wider sidewalks and more visibility. I also knew that I needed to run safely and take it easy out there. Even though I run these roads all the time, it is different at night. Just know that your night runs are not the time to do a speed workout unless you are at the track.

Lastly, I will say that only other runners understand the need to go out at night. When I shared the picture of me from my run, all of my running friends gave positive comments. Then there was the one non running person whose comment was “Goofy.”

Well I wasn’t trying to be Goofy. I was just trying to get a run in and make it home safe. Just remember that that is the most important thing when you are out on a run. Getting home safe.

As they said in one of my favorite shows growing up

Let’s all be Careful out there!

Do you run at night?

You Knew It Was Coming

Nov1

I think in the back of my mind, I knew it was coming. I knew it was inevitable and I knew there would be no going back. If not, why would I run 20 miles. I did my 20. I was sore from my 20, but I survived my 20 and really within a day felt fine. Once I crossed that barrier, there was no going back. It was just fighting the inevitable and it was a logistics game.

I casually brought up the subject with Dear Hubby. Mentioning that friends were trying to get me to do run a marathon with them, but it was in Philly and I would have to sleep there the night before. I think part of me was hoping that it would be a problem for him, so as to have an excuse not to run one till next year. Just my luck, Dear Hubby was totally supportive and fine with it. Nope. No problem with me going to Philly and running 26.2 miles. Damn, that supportive husband of mine!

Now the only excuse left was that maybe I’m a big ole chicken who still doesn’t think that she has what it takes to cross the finish line and become part of the 1% of the population who has completed a marathon. I guess the only way to find out is to actually attempt it.

So I did it!

I signed up!!!

Not sure who was more excited, me or my cohort in crime. She called me and left me a very excited message about it. She is the excited one. I am the nervous one. But what’s done is done. I’ve signed up and if you no nothing about me, know that I am one determined SOB. Now that I’ve signed the dotted line, there is no going back. If I have to crawl accross the finish line, I just might. Eye on the prize. Eye on the prize. (which reminds me, Is there bling for this race? I will have to check into that!)

One of my many motto’s is

GO BIG

GO BOLD

GO HOME

Luckily, I’ve trained my @ss off for the Hat Trick. I did my 20 with a fair amount of hills. I’m in taper now! So it’s all easy training till the starting line.

Sent to me from my very exited friend whom I could not do any of this without

That’s what I’m going to try and do now.

Game on!

You Must Have a Lot of Free Time?

Oct1

The age old question.

How Do You Find The Time?

If your a runner, triathlete, or just exercise enthusiast, you’ve probably been asked this question. Probably more than once. Usually followed, by how that person doesn’t have that much time to dedicate to it. Almost like either we have a magical extra hour or two in our day or we just don’t have anything else to do. Let me be clear here….. THEY ARE WRONG! Yes, these things that we do take valuable time from our days. Time that is usually made up elsewhere. I don’t know about you, but I still have a whole host of other things that I need to get done including taking care of the people that live in my house.

Now, I will admit that I am luckier than many. I have a part time job working just 4 hours a week at the local YMCA. I will further admit that I am lucky that I no longer have young children to take care of during the day allowing me more time. That being said, I have a house to take care of, children to take care of, a husband to take care of, I bake time consuming cakes, I am in charge of my sons Cub Scout Pack plus I am his Den Leader, ect, ect, ect. Yes, I am home during the day. That does not mean that my day fills up any slower than yours.

As I’m writing this though, I realize that when I was an avid scrapbooker (I will eventually catch up on them again in the off season); I heard these same comments. I’ve also heard it when I would spend 12 hours or more on one of my cakes. So maybe people say these things not belittle, but to justify why they aren’t doing it themselves.

I have always said (and I mean it), that people will find time to do the things that they want to do. I know people who work full time, have young children, husbands, ect and STILL find time to train for a marathon. They find the time because they WANT TO. So rather than people put us down for doing something that we want to do, maybe they could use that time to do something more constructive like NOT SAYING ANYTHING AT ALL.

Have you been asked How You Find the time too?

Can’t Do It All!

Sep19

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to be serious about your training. Even a Stay at Home Baking Mama can be serious about her training. No, I do not expect EVER to run at the top of the Pack. I’m happy with the back of the Middle:) What I do expect is to run the best race that I, personally, can run. In order to do that, I have to be serious and dedicated to the training at my level which isn’t always easy…

You want to be able to do it all. Be the Best Mom, volunteer for your kids activities, bake some cakes, clean your house. get the laundry done, make healthy dinners, cross train, get some sleep, and also have a life. I’ll be honest. It isn’t easy. I’ll be even more honest. It can’t be done at least all at the same time. Something has to give. That’s just the way life is or at least the life of the Mama in this house.

In looking at my training schedule through the weekend, I realized that I have the following:

Friday: 5 Miles

Saturday: 7 Miles with repeats @ 10K page

Sunday: 10 LSD

Also in this time frame, I have to decorate a two tiered cake in a circus theme, I’ve got to get J1 (Big Guy) up and out for a Boy Scout Hike, J2 (Middle Son) to a soccer game, J3 (Little Guy) has to go to Goalie Training, host a meeting at my house, maybe sneak in some family time, as always pick up the house and some other things too!

During a run this week, I was running with two other running Mamma’s and I found out something interesting. We all said that we make sure that our running doesn’t effect the men in the house. Why is that? I’m not sure, but it seems a common theme. I know my Dear Hubby works very long hard hours and he really doesn’t ask for much. He just needs some quiet fishing time on his days off and maybe a nice dinner now and then. He has never told me I couldn’t do a race. He has never told me that I couldn’t go for a run, bike ride, or gym. He has never been anything but quietly supportive of all that I do. So it’s not him. It’s me. Why? Is it that 1970’s mentality that is still coming through?

I think for me (and I’m only speaking for me) part of it is the Mom complex. If something needs to get done, Mom generally does it. I’m getting better about having J1 & J2 help with some things, but the whole reason I am a stay at home Mom is so that I can take care of things around here. I just didn’t know how many hours that require and how much scheduling goes into it! But I am getting better. Kind of. I am learning to say no things and juggle time. Sort of. I’m also learning that I don’t need to do it all. Some things really can wait.

This morning I was stressing myself out trying to figure out how I was going to squeeze in a run, Crossfit, some household chores, and bake a cake all before school got out. I realized that just by taking Crossift out of the equation it removed a big portion of the stress. Am I sad that I couldn’t go? Of course, but in the whole scheme of things it was an unnecessary stress for today. I need start looking at the big picture. Yes, I’m sorry that I couldn’t go, but once race season is over I’ll get back into my gym routine.

So the lesson for today is……… Look at your day that is stressing you out and see what you can change to lift some of your burden off.

Now I’m off for my big stress reliever AKA my run:)

How to you do it all and handle the stress???????

Clear Skies

Sep16

Today was a day I should have done something.

Run
Biked
Crossfit
Anything!

Got up and dressed for a workout as normal. Was planning on a run, but it was raining. Now, I will run in the rain but this was a cold downpour fall type of rain. Then I thought I’d wait for the skies to clear and would go later in the day.

The clouds parted. The skies clear and guess what happened?
NOTHING!
By the time the weather was ready for my run, I was knee deep in the daily minutiae of things that need to be done between training.
Guess what else happened?
The more hours that passed, the grumpier I got.

Add to that a heavy dose of hormones and you’ve got a perfect storm.

The problem with exercise is that once your body gets used to the stress release it brings, it does not function as well without out it. Me without a place to workout daily frustrations is not a happy Mama! Now don’t think that I am an over-stressed Mama. I’m your average over extended, three kids and a boat load of responsibilities Mama like everyone else, but I had a lot going on today that would have gone better with a run. But tomorrow, I will attack the hills with friends right after drop off of the kids. This will adjust my mindset, push me and hopefully make up for those Oreos I shoved in my face in frustration today.

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!