Family during the holidays

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!
I realize I have been hiding for a while, but I have had issues I am still trying to come to terms with. That is not the point right now. I was at Starbucks this morning and I asked one of the baristas how her Christmas was. She said it was great because her family is all of about 4 minutes away. That got me to thinking about the holidays and family. I live in a military town, it is rare to have family nearby, but then again in this day and age, military or not most of us do not live near our families. I have one friend stationed in Germany who had to face the weather in Europe to come home for the holidays. I, however, live all of about six miles away from my parents (I know this because I will run to their house, get a drink of water and run home!). My parents are a huge part of my family. My boys go to church with my dad. My mom (the true matriarch of the family) drives my boys to appointments when I can’t because of work, watches them for me when they are sick (unless it is the stomach bug then they are all mine!). When I need some ‘me’ time, my parents invite the boys over to their house, and so on. This year my parents are going on a nice long vacation, all my mom really wanted for Christmas was to go out for dinner. She didn’t want to cook, she didn’t want to clean, she wanted to go out and enjoy herself and be able to get ready for her trip with nothing to worry about. So, that is what we gave her. Ok, it cost over $200, but for everything she does for me, it was well worth it to see how happy she was!
My sister gets to play a major role in my children’s lives. Ok, we live with her, she is like their second mom. We joke around about my younger son being her child. This kid has been caught so many times curled up in the bathroom in the middle of the night reading (we keep the bathroom light on), my sister was caught a time or two doing the exact same thing. A lot of his oddities are similar to my sister’s! My older son, is a (not so) little version of me. He tries a lot of the same antics I used to pull, and to bad for him, I know them so he doesn’t get away with them, but he does get credit for trying!
My family might drive me nuts on a regular basis but I think I would truly be lost without them. I kind of like living close to them (not that I wouldn’t move if the opportunity presented itself, but I am grateful for having them near).
I wish everyone a happy New Year!

Update

Ok, it has been a while since I posted, but I swear I have a good reason! I almost want to say all hell has been breaking loose, but it is more like all hell is going in the right direction!
Not only was last Wednesday my birthday, I managed to be stupid enough to schedule my follow up appointment on that day (I know, what was I thinking!). Prior to my appointment I received a call from the doc’s office telling me my Vitamin D was low and I need to start taking supplements NOW! I of course googled it and found out Vitamin D (specially D3 [the one I was low on]) is from the sun. Hello, I run marathons and triathlons, I get plenty of sun time (and most of the time I only put sunscreen on my face!). Then I looked further into it “what causes vitamin D deficieny?” my friend google told me, cancer, cancer, cancer, lupus, cancer. Great! And I am going to the doc’s office on my birthday why? Somehow I managed to clear my head and figured if it were that bad, well they would call me in sooner!
Wednesday morning I dropped off my kids and headed to the gym. I only did 5 miles, my HR spiked to over 180 and averaged in the 170s! WHAT???? I never spike higher than the 170s and average in the 150s (max). Next I went to the doc…
Not only was Vitamin D low, my B12 was low too! My ANA level is still making the doc suspect lupus and I have a referral to a rheumatologist (aka rheumy). My x-rays looked good (YAY! No arthritis!), I was told to up my one of my meds and come back in a month.
Then Saturday came around (still tired as all get out), my sister, my kids and I went out to pick up a few things. I had to hold on to my younger son for dear life so I would fall over! He left me to get something, I reached out to grab something and my sister had to grab me before I fell. I called my doc back on Monday and he said lower the dosage back to what it was! He called me back into his office yesterday (still having dizzy issues, but rest of the problems were kind of calming down), took me off that medicine completely (but he is pretty sure that is not what is causing it), just in case! He also put me on an anti-dizzy medicine to see if that helps. No I am just waiting for my rheumy appt to be scheduled. First they look at my file (should be done beginning of next week), then I get a priority level, then I get scheduled (late December/early January). Until then I do what I can and hang on for the ride.
I have had to modify my training a lot lately. Trying to be realistic; for the first 10 miles, I will run a song, walk a song. After 10 miles, I will run one song every mile. I promised my sister I will not hit my favorite trail in case I need emergency medical transportation! My favorite trail can go miles with no easy road access. Saturday I will run around my neighborhood, Sunday I will leave my neighborhood, but both days I will be doing sidewalk runs. If I didn’t agree to this I have a feeling my sister would have hidden my running shoes!

I am back!

I have now put 7 miles under my belt for the week so far and I feel great! The last two weeks kicked my butt and for once I actually listened to my body! I made it to the treadmill yesterday and got 3 miles in, today I managed to get 4 in on the elliptical machine; I was very careful not to use the handle things!
I have seventy odd days until race weekend and I am now thinking about what to wear! I have fallen madly in love with my CW-X tights, no matter what I wear I always have them on underneath! Since this will be a race weekend (not just a one race thing) I will be making sure my legs get all the support possible! With that said, the question is what to wear over the top! Trust me, me in just running tights – not a pretty site (I did do that once, and yea, never again!). I am a fan of running skirts, sadly SkirtSports’ skirts don’t work right on me (if they fit my thighs, the waste falls down!). I have been considering giving Running Skirts a shot (I love their purple plaid skirt). I have found a few shirts I will probably get for that weekend. I would love some input on Running Skirts products.
Tonight I go pick up my car from the garage (it died last night while I was trying to leave work!), then off to class and then home zzzzzzzz!

Waiting and Training and Waiting and...

At this point in time I am only get tidbits of information. I went to PT and luckily he needed my x-rays so I was able to get the results from him and it is a good thing he is as cute as he is otherwise I would have thrown something at him! My x-rays looked good, bones are good, spacing of my vertebra are all good. In the same breath he said he didn’t expect to see anything with just an x-ray. Then why waste my insurance on them? Talk about frustrating! But I am happy with those results, that means no arthritis!
I spent the majority of the weekend, again, sleeping in and taking everything slow and not even really looking at my running shoes. I did think about the fact I was laying in bed being completely lazy while the Denver marathon was off and going, then I fell asleep again! I did find out that lupus flair ups are even worse one week prior to that time of month, which would explain a lot! This morning when I got out of bed I felt so much better! I have energy, I still have a little bit of pain, but it is manageable without the happy pills.
I finally got a call from the doc’s office telling me I need to start taking Vitamin D right now! I am as low as I can go without falling out of the healthy range. Rest of my results the doctor will discuss with me when I go in next week. I don’t like that, but I can live with it. Today is the first day in a while I actually feel like climbing on the treadmill. I will be smart and walk more than run (taking it nice and easy), depending on how this week goes, I might have to pull my training from Intermediate II down to Intermediate I . Or even scrap that and go to Runner’s World and create a 12 week program and kind start at square one again. After looking at the two schedules, I am pretty sure at a minimum I will go from the Intermediate II to a modified Intermediate I

I have to say, this whole Lupus thing has, for the first time ever, got me to slow down and listen to my body. I have to know when I truly don’t feel well vs. just not wanting to do something. The past two weeks I have felt like crap and instead of trying to tell myself ‘you are fine, just push through it’ I am now able to look forward and keep my excitement about my upcoming race. I am still tender but I am not landing myself on the bench! Oh! And PT on Friday – wonderful! He took it nice and gentle and the grinding in my neck has decreased, my constant headache is just annoying now and not painful!

Self Assessment

I am still waiting for answers, this sucks. I know they had my x-rays back on Wednesday, and the lab said most of the results are less than a 24 hour turn around. I have an appointment on the 27th but that is over a week and a half away (and if it is anything other than ‘you are perfectly healthy’ I don’t want to hear it on my birthday!). “The results are sitting on the doctor’s desk and blah, blah, blah” Get them off the doctor’s desk and tell me what the hell is going on! Sorry, this is really getting to me! I will know my x-ray results this afternoon because I told the doc’s office that my PT wants a copy (well, he does!) luckily I see him this afternoon.
I am going to try to head out for some miles this weekend. If I was the whole way, fine! I plan on taking it nice and easy, if I can run a little bit without hurting I will do so. I just have to get out and get moving, the stationary bike SUCKS! According to my training schedule I have 7 miles on Saturday and 10 miles on Sunday. I will do what I can and not worry about the rest, if I need to down grade my training plan I will. I am not going to kill myself just to get my miles in. If need be I will train to WALK the races. It is all about having fun.
On a sort of unrelated note, it is Self Assessment time at work. One of my greatest qualities is my attitude/personality. I am always happy go lucky and willing to help anyone and everyone. This past year, Jose has been in the ER twice, urgent care twice, a ton of other things going on. Cuervo has been to urgent care once, had a run in with the cops/paramedics/firemen. My grandfather passed away. I found out there is a very good chance I have lupus, my back went nuts (right in the middle of trying to get a proposal out), my baby girl (canine) died… The list goes on and on, yet somehow I have managed to keep my happy go lucky façade at work even though all I really want to do is break down and cry or scream or tell certain individuals where to shove it! My supervisor (officially she has no right being a supervisor, but my official supervisor has put her in that position) didn’t even realize I was even in any pain when my back went out until I called her and told her I had been put on bed rest until further notice (most of my co-workers saw/commented how stiff I was). I do have to say, this woman is very oblivious about what is going on unless it directly affects her. I understand that is how some people are, I am just not that way. I also have the ability of getting stuff done fast because I have gotten to know people and they are more often than not more than happy to help me. My work signature block quote says Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle ~James M. Barrie you also never know when you might need their help! Plus it is just plain better to be nice to people!

The waiting game

My shoulder was feeling a little bit better yesterday, that was until I went for my one stop shopping at x-ray and the lab! They took somewhere around 20 shots of my neck, back and shoulder. I got called back, I was told to undress from the waste up and put the gown on opening to the back (you gotta love hospital gowns!), I went in and she started positioning me, moved my hair and told me I had to remove my earrings! Mind you, my ears have a ton of piercings in them but I do not wear earrings in my lower holes. I have an industrial, my helix, tragus and daith all done! I wanted my rook done, but I have to many blood veins so it can’t be done! Then I told her when she does my shoulder I will have one more to remove, I thought the poor woman was going to have a heart attack! I went in there in my work clothes (professional), ok I did have my flip flops on (I rarely wear my work shoes outside of work). When she came to take a x-ray of the top of my spine she asked if I had my tongue pierced, I used to! Yes, I am a little bit of a wild child! I have five tattoos and I plan on getting a few more! For the record though, one of them is Betty Boop on a 1940 style bicycle, wearing a 1940 style swimsuit and running shoes!!!! I got her for my triathlons and when I have earned my M dot tattoo, she gets one too! All of my tattoos are covered (for the most part) when I am at work. While I am doing all this Jose is walking from school (it is only one big block away). I get back into the dressing room and I shoot Jose a text letting him know I am getting dressed and he replies he is outside. I walk out of the dressing room and there he is sitting quietly and patiently! We go a few feet to the lab and he starts helping me put all the jewelry back into my ears (I took care of the other one all by myself, thank you very much!), I get called back just as we were trying to put one in. They stole four tubes of blood from me! Don’t they know I need that blood too? The nice lab lady said most of the labs will be done that night. I really hope I get good news. Ok, I hope they figure out what is going on and it is good news; I know, I am picky. It feels like today will be another bike day (maybe a walk), but that is ok. I am training for a fun race! I WILL listen to my body this time around and I will cross the finish line without being in tears from pain.


Hourglass image obtained from http://api.ning.com/files/yesER6QmymDkMh9yNC1SWWXeDaMxbty2QY-XZ1vOOUvwPcXA4OX3-b6IEThAXM8dglKJ5MrMfFHthPhm5vWGVVXcepnY3jHm/hourglass1.jpg

A Beauty Weekend

Believe it or not I took everyone’s advice and did not even look at my running shoes this weekend. I did however get my nails and hair done!
Saturday was Pawtober Fest 5K, I had planned on running it but instead I slept until 10 am! I got up, went and got my nails done, started on my hair (I color my own hair). While I was still putting the primary color in I get a call from my parents letting me know that they are back in town with my boys, but they are having car problems. They stopped to get something to eat so they don’t need my help for about an hour. Perfect! I finish with the first step, grab my sister and away we went (with our little portable battery charger). We get to where our parents and my children are, my dad hooks up the charger to the battery (I have an thing about electricity), and my mom starts the car with no issue. As good children, we follow my parents to their mechanic, just in case! We get there, my mom asks for help backing into a parking spot (which translates to ‘someone else back my car into the parking spot’), so I hop in and park. I shut off the car, get out and try to lock it, guess again! It is dead again! I vote it is the alternator or crap in the gas tank, but what do I know. After spending another few hours driving them everywhere they needed to go to get everything taken care of so they could leave the car with the mechanic I was finally able to go home!
Sunday, my sister and I were good children again and saved my parents $90 an hour for a plumber and replaced their kitchen faucet for them. Ok, when I got home I had to take a vicatin and then a flexural, but my mom is happy she loves her new (working) faucet!
Today I did 10 miles on the bike, I might go for a walk during soccer practice, but then again, I might not! Taking it slow!

Headed in the right direction?

Yesterday afternoon I went for my annual checkup with my primary doc. She has finally got me on meds for the lupus(?), I will be getting an x-ray of my back to see “how much arthritis” I have in my back, I really wished she had said “if” instead of “how much” cause quite frankly I am too young to have arthritis! Since she is pretty sure she won’t see what all is needed in the x-ray the next step will be an MRI. She is sure I have a connective tissue disease/auto-immune disease, she is still leaning towards lupus, but she wants to run more tests and I go back on the 27th at which point I will ask to see a rheumatologist. She was happy to hear that I backed out of New York (I am still upset about that one), but she thinks as long as I take it gently I will be ok to do my next race.
On the subject of races, I will not be doing Pawtober Fest this weekend, my shoulder has been to mad at me. While at physical therapy the PT doc asked what I was planning for this weekend and I told him a 7-milers and a 14-miler. He asked me to please take it easy this weekend. As much as I am sitting here grumbling about it, I think I will take Saturday off and see about a short easy run on Sunday (ok, might hit the incline go up slowly and come back down the trail slowly) – depending on how I feel! This week will be chalked up to a recovery week and I will start again on Monday.

To Cool!

I follow a number of blogs, primary running/triathlon. Heather posted a giveaway blog about medal hangers (yes, I actually mead medal, as in racing medals!). I don’t know about everyone else, but I have medals everywhere! I have eight hanging up in my cubical at work and a whole much more in my underwear drawer at home because I have no idea where to put them! I tried to remind my sister that my birthday is coming up at the end of the month! But who knows! Anyway, you might want to check out the giveaway and if I don’t win, hopefully one of you are lucky enough to win one!

I survived another visit to PT!

Well, PT went better than expected! I was not told to get on the hand bike, I was not lectured, I was not tortured (to much). My PT doc is a little worried about this slip back and the fact that when he tested my strength I was half of what I was when I started! I told him it was because I went swimming yesterday! I am sticking to that one! He asked about RA and I reminded him my doc was thinking more like lupus; either way, not good!
I found a website about marathon cross training. I am hoping my shoulder starts liking me again soon, but I am not going to sit still until it does! I think I will be looking at the cycling idea for a few days and see where I am at. Obviously, I will not be getting anywhere near the areo position!

Marathon cross training is a great way to stay in shape should you need to take time off from running due to an overuse injury or if the weather does not allow you to run. If the weather is bad and you have access to a treadmill, then you should run on the treadmill. Following are some great marathon or half marathon cross training exercise for marathon training. Remember though, running is by far the most beneficial exercise when training for a marathon. You should not expect to be able to finish a marathon by just cross training.
The big difference is these exercises eliminate the constant pounding your legs experience by running. Just use these exercises as needed due to injury or bad weather. Marathon cross training is a great way to maintain conditioning during injury recovery.
• Cycling
Cycling is great because it works your legs and cardiovascular system while taking away the constant pounding your legs experience while running. This is a great exercise to use if you experience shin splints and need to take time off from running. To determine how long you need to cycle, multiply the estimated running time for the day’s training by 1.5 and cycle for that amount of time in place of the run. Stretch after the exercise just as you would after a run.
http://www.marathonrookie.com/marathon-cross-training.html


I go back to my normal doc later this week and then back to PT on Friday! Hopefully I am headed back in the right direction!

Oops!

I think I am going to get in some serious trouble when I go to PT today! Yesterday I did three miles on the elliptical machine and my shoulder ended up a little pissy, but nothing major. So I went for my weekly swim after work… I was ok until I was about half way done. Breathing to the right was really aggravating it (I alternate left only, right only, both), but did I listen? NOPE! I thought maybe I could stretch it out. I did try breaststroke, that lasted for all of three strokes – there was NO question about the aggravation level on that one! I got home, took Tylenol and put on a heating pad (thank you Therma Care!) ate dinner and called it a night. This morning I am still hurting so I took a look at what was on the books for the week.
On the books ************Planned *************might have to do
Monday – X training******3 + 1500y swim*********3 + 1500y swim
Tuesday – 3***************** 7 ************************Rest
Wednesday – 7 **************3 *************************3
Thursday – 3 ****************7 *************************7
Friday – 0 *******************0 *************************7
Saturday – 7 *****************3.1 (Pawtober Fest 5K) *****3.1
Sunday – 14 ******************14 ***********************14

We shall see!

Finished Week 4!!!!

I had a great ‘race report’ and ‘race review’ write up, but my computer ate it! I will try again!
I am going to see if I can find it, but if I can’t then I will retype the whole thing! I can say I PR’d (but then again, this was only my second 10K and it was a pretty flat course!) I will say, without a shadow of a doubt, this was an awesome race!
This entire weekend seemed to by my bad luck with electronics weekend. Saturday (at the race) my Nike+ sensor decided it didn’t now want to work (no big deal). Right before Mile 6 I looked down at my Garmin and saw a blank screen. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? When I started the race I had a 56% charge, which should have been fine! When I got home I plugged it in and it said I had a 34% charge, then why the hell did you die on me? Sunday, I got up, got to my long run start, again, my Nike+ sensor decided it didn’t want to work, my watch was fully charge and I was ready to go. Mile 9.something I iPod went nuts on me. So I finished off the remainder of my 13 miles with no music (for my long runs right now I run a song, walk a song). I finished my run, but I was a little miffed!
I have now completed a month of training; I completed 95% of the training miles. I only have 3 more months to go! Yes, I am overly excited!
I went to my pain and torture appointment on Friday and I told the doc that my shoulder blade has been pissy, so after my neck massage (ok, it isn’t a neck massage, he is trying to get my spine to loosen up and sometimes it does hurt!) I told me to roll on my side and started messing with my shoulder blade. As soon as he started on my shoulder he started making noises. You know, it is never a good thing when a PT (doc or therapist) make those types of sounds! I asked him if I had a really bad knot back there or something and he told me that my scapula is stuck! WHAT? He explained that he should be able to put his fingers under my scapula (he won’t use shoulder blade cause it isn’t the correct term!) but he can’t do it on that side. So he messed with it for a while. Luckily there was a fish tank within my line of sight otherwise I am sure I would have been in tears. That hurts, I know he was trying to be gentle, but ouch! Part of my would like an x-ray of my back just so I know what the hell is going on back there, but right about now I really don’t want to hear more bad medical news. I can only take one bad thing per year. The thing is, I can swim just fine. I can run fine, so I think ignorance is bliss right now!

September

I didn’t want to post this until I could post a full report. So here is my report!
My 30-day challenge had some issues along the way…
30 Day Challenge:
Sodas out – FAIL!
Completed at least 90% of training mileage – YES! GOT IT! (got 100%!!!)
Miss no more than two P90X workouts – FAIL! But in my defense PT and marathon training in addition to P90X plus issues with children not the greatest combination!

More importantly…
I lost a whole 3 pounds this month which for the record I blame my trip to Taco Bell!!! (I lost nothing this week but my total weight loss to date is 12.4 pounds)
Mileage for September is 91.26 – goal mileage for the month… 91 miles (mind you, not all of the miles are truly pounding the pavement, enough of them are elliptical machine miles – my doctor begged me to keep the pounding down as much as possible so I have traded a run or two mid-week runs in for elliptical machine workouts)

Next month goals:
Keep up the weight loss (no matter how slow it may be)
Books show 164 miles for October… school starts for me again on Tuesday so I am shooting for the at least 90% again.
Track everything I eat!
Swim at least once a week

Oh! And it turns out I am racing tomorrow! Hey, I have a 6 miler (pace) on the books, this is a 10K for a good cause, so why not!

Getting there!

Good news is I got a run in yesterday afternoon, bad news is my run was cut short. I was on the treadmill settling into my pace and I get a text message from my sister (who was kind enough to pick my boys up) saying “please hurry”. While running I replied and asked what was going on (if she needed me home right then and there, she would have said ‘come home now’), I find out that Jose has a MAJOR project due today (which I knew about) and he had NOTHING on it. For the past week I kept asking him what he needs to get this project done. What can I do to help? “We are working on it in class, blah, blah, blah.” I did 3 miles (half of the planned miles) did a quick cool down and went home. Grabbed a handful of Triscuits, loaded everyone in the car and headed to the library (via Starbucks, of course!) For the next two hours Cuervo played in the kid section, I was on my computer, my sister kept finding books she wanted to read and Jose was doing his research (no, I was not going to let him use the computer for all the information). We left a whole 13 minutes before the library closed. I was hungry, poor Cuervo hadn’t had dinner (this is 9pm) and my sister was famished (hadn’t really had lunch). Oh, and I am sure Jose was hungry too, but didn’t dare whine about it. My sister told me to pull into McDonalds so she could get two spicy chicken sandwiches, Cuervo got a hamburger happy meal with apple slices (kid can’t stand fries). We then hit Wendy’s and I got a baked spud (think that might work better than a Taco Bell burrito?) and home we went. Don’t worry, Jose got to eat dinner (I am not that mean of a mommy even when I am pissed). Jose made himself some mac and cheese with hot dogs and veggies. Cuervo finally was in bed asleep by about 9:45 and Jose was asleep by 10:30.
Today is a new day, it is weigh in day, I couldn’t make up my mind if a) I was going to do 3 or 4 miles and b) if I was going to try to get it done during lunch or after work. Well, during lunch won out because I was going cross eyed at work, when I got down there I set the treadmill for 3 miles (I was a little frustrated because my nike+ sensor was not in my bag) but 2.2 miles in or so I felt great and set it to 4 miles. I did intervals and felt like I got an amazing run in! I was dripping sweat and breathing hard and aaaaaaa!
Like I said, tonight is weigh in. Cuervo has soccer practice tonight, not sure what I am going to do with Jose (not sure I will make my sister sit on him or if I will drag him to the WW meeting).
OH! 1.74 miles until I hit 90 this month! I got an email from my dad tell me I had better not try to get 100 this month!

3 Weeks Down!

Last week ended with me getting 66% of my miles done. Luckily, I am at the point of, life happens! Saturday, I hit my favorite trail towards the end of what I normally run, ran north for a few miles and then came back. Sunday I started a lot further north thought I was going to die on the way up and finally found my grove on the way back. I figured I would give the whole Gatorade G series a chance. I had my G1 before the run and my stomach was going insane, I guess now would be a good time to mention we had Taco Bell on Saturday night (I NEEDED a burrito). I am 99% sure it was the Taco Bell that was ripping up my stomach. I have a few more G1s so I will be trying it again this weekend (without having Taco Bell). The G2, to me, is normal Gatorade (at least in taste). The G3, that one will take some getting used to! Again, I am giving them a chance and if they don’t work, oh well! I am very loyal to my Sharkies during my long runs, I cannot do Gu (YUCK!). I personally like the kid’s Sharkies the best, but I will take either.
This week has started off on the right foot. I got a nice easy 3 miles in on the elliptical machine during lunch (hitting 80 miles so far this month), then during Cuervo’s soccer practice I hit the pool for a nice easy 30 minute swim (1500 yards done). Because of time limitations I cannot try to push myself harder/longer than I should at this point in the game. Last night I couldn’t help but let my mind wonder to 2012 and my Ironman. I am in the pre-pre-training and I am grateful I can start this early. I have always been a swimmer, but with the time I have I get fine tune everything and work on speed (obviously right now I am going very slow, but then again I don’t want to piss off my shoulder/neck). The bike, well, I will be trying to get as many spinning classes as possible while I can’t ride the roads (once it snows the sand keeps me away from the streets and right now being in that position for any period of time is taking to many risks), but when I can get back out there I have been checking out nice hilly routes; hills are my down fall (both running and on the bike).
Tomorrow night is another weigh in, and dare I say it, I am feeling pretty good. Right now, if I lose weight great, but it is not my consuming focus. My consuming focus is my race in AHHH! 100 days! How did that happen? Tomorrow I will be in the double digit countdown!
Well, today I have PT (hopefully it won’t hurt to much) and then (assuming PT doesn’t kick my butt) I am planning (oh, no not that dreaded word) do to my mid-week long run tonight.

Parenting and Marathoning

Let me preface this whole thing by saying that both of my kids are “special needs”. Jose has Asperger’s Syndrome (a form of autism) and Cuervo is (rapid cycle) bipolar (he has already been hospitalized).
Last night I planned on going straight from work to gym to get my six miles in. Well, my sister was still at work at 4 (Jose needs to be picked up by 4:30 and she works a good 45 minutes away), I had the boys’ medicine (which needs to taken no later than 5), as I was trying to walk out the door Cuervo’s assistant principal called… Cuervo has had a VERY rough week, Saturday he was downright insubordinate, Sunday/Monday he was have “off days” (tripping over everything, crying at the drop of a hat, and the list goes on). Tuesday he was higher than a kite (still could not get to sleep at midnight), Wednesday he was a little more himself, Thursday he seemed to be ok. The one of the meds Cuervo is on will make him fall asleep if he does not have enough protein (there are times a carton of eggs are not enough protein) so yesterday in class he fell asleep (the school is VERY understanding about this). This kid who has been bullying him for at least a week took it upon himself to wake Cuervo up, and ended up with an elbow in the face. If Cuervo is not woken up a certain way he will jump; now if the elbow to the face was intentional or not, who’s to say? The teacher did not see this and neither child said a word. The next class brat boy continued. In the past this would have sent Cuervo into such a rage I would have been called immediately and the school’s team that supports him would have been activated, but not yesterday! The two boys were called down to the principal’s office and Cuervo did hide under her desk until he was able to regain control and they were able to discuss the whole situation. In the past he has hidden in the lost and found, he has run off school grounds, he has climbed up the fence behind first base (you know, the really tall fence) and 90% of the time he remembers nothing! I am extrememly proud that he was able to keep this situation under this much control (brat boy has also been making fun of Cuervo for doing gymnastics because it is a ‘girl sport’, Cuervo LOVES gymnastics). With all that said, I know, what is the point? When he is that agitated he will go after his brother at the drop of a hat! So there was no way I was going to leave both my boys with my sister alone just so I could go run!
This entire week has been one that I MUST remain flexible. Ok, my entire life with those two I must be able to remain flexible. I know I have a training plan, but I have to keep in mind there will be some weeks I just will not be able to get all my miles in, and this is one of those weeks. Ok, I could get my miles in this week, but I will not push it that much. After pain and torture I will get to the gym early and get on the treadmill and see how much I can do before my personal trainer appointment. As long as it is more than 3 I will be happy!
This weekend is a 6 miler and an 8 miler. The 6-miler I will be leaving my neighborhood, just for a change of scenery I will hit a lower section of my trail on Saturday and Sunday the part of the trail that goes around the lake! Both of these runs are done before my boys get up!!!!!

And another bites the dust!

I realize I had planned on hitting the elliptical machine twice this week due to the schedule adjustment, but when I got down to the gymlet yesterday I wanted to run! Not only did I want to run, I wanted to do intervals! So that is exactly what I did for three miles and enjoyed every step of it. Today is a six milers, which will not only be done on a treadmill it will be done on a treadmill in the gymlet (hey, very few people go there and it is nice and quiet!).
Last night was my weekly Weight Watchers weigh-in and I lost another pound (which is fabulous since I am retaining water right now!). I was a tenth of a pound away from a Weight Watcher’s goal, but that is ok, there is always next week!
I have an appointment with a personal trainer on Friday. Last year I signed up for I don’t remember how many training sessions and didn’t use all of them, I got a phone call from my gym and was told if I am interested they can reinstated my last training session. Of course I am interested! I explained to the trainer (the guy who called) about the injuries and my neck/back issue and the PT doc says I need to strengthen those muscles and the trainer said we can definitely work on that. Hey, why not! I am not really one to work with a trainer, but getting some ideas on how to strengthen that area I am all for it!
OH! Lately I have been having VitaTops for breakfast. LOVE THEM! They are only 100 calories and talk about tasty! I have found them at King Soopers (Kroger) and Costco so far. Give them a try!

“Let’s find something fun to do!”

I had a physical therapy appointment yesterday and I went through my normal hand bike, and wall work and neck massage, stuff with the bands… then my PT uttered the dreaded words “Let’s find something fun to do!” Those are not words you want to come out of a PT’s mouth! He had me on a ball throwing a weighted ball in the air. The other PT thought it was funny that I was throwing every direction except straight up. Then I was told to put my hands on a balance board and do shoulder pushup (all the work is in the shoulder instead of the arms) and then on to the slanted trampoline to throw the weighted ball at that (hit myself in the face once). He had me doing a few other things but next time I hear him say those words, I am outta there! When I got back to work my arms were shaking so bad I was having a hard time controlling my mouse!
An old army buddy (geeze that makes me sound old) was in town on business and I had a chance to meet up with him last night for dinner. After getting out of work, picking up kiddos, taking older one back to school to pick up his homework, dropping them off with my sister, I ran out of time to get any miles in. Since this is my step back week I don’t have to many miles on the books for this weekend, so I had to slide everything back a day. Today and Friday will be 3-milers (both on the elliptical machine because of the move in schedule) tomorrow will be a 6-miler on the treadmill.
Today is also Weight Watcher day! Because of the weight loss last week I got some Halloween Betty Boop toe socks! They have a big selection at Wal-mart so here’s to getting a new pair!

Oh my love, how I have missed you!

First I have to admit the 30 days without soda thing has gone a little off track! The end of last week was one of the weeks I wanted something sweet and my Diet Dr. Pepper hit the spot perfectly!
I am in my final week or so of pain and torture. To make sure everything is going the way it should be my doc told me to go ahead and hit the pool (something I have not done in a long time). Cuervo had soccer practice last night (an hour and a half long) so while he was getting ready for practice, I was getting ready to hit the pool. I told myself no more than a half hour. I had looked at the local pool schedules and saw the Y only had one lane opened for lap swim during that time so I figured I would go to 24 (yes, I have two gym memberships, the Y has the better spinning and yoga classes, 24 has no kids!). I dropped Cuervo off at practice and off I went. I couldn’t even find a parking spot at 24 so I headed to the Y. I found a spot and there were lots of people heading out! I went in, grabbed my swim stuff and headed to the pool. To my surprise there was one person in each lane and there were three or so lap lanes going. So I asked a gentleman if I could share his lane (you never just jump in, you always ask) and he said sure. As soon as my body hit the water I felt everything just relax; I put my cap on; grabbed my goggles; damn, no ear plugs (I get ear infections so fast it isn’t even funny). I don’t care, I am here I am in the pool, I am going! I did a whole half mile, took me about 20 minutes, and man did it feel good! My shoulder felt great, it was wonderful getting out of the pool, pulling my clothes on over my wet swimsuit, putting the towel on my car seat so it would get wet and driving to pick up little man soaking wet!
Last night I even pulled out my triathlon book and started reading it again. I am blaming all this motivation on John! He just finished his first Ironman (which is awesome) and I realize my first one is still about a year and a half away but I figure it is never really too early to start getting ready. I haven’t been in a pool in God only knows how long and going back last night nothing else existed while I was in that pool. I am looking forward to buying new bike shoes and a helmet this spring (my bike made it out of the garage for its tune-up this year and nothing else). I am getting my running legs back (very slowly) and enjoying every step of it (ok, I might be singing a different tune tomorrow after my 6-miler on the treadmill tonight). I know that I have to take all this at a much easier pace than I had been. I want to remember my journey as something I have loved, not something I forced myself to do.
My race plans for next year consist of two marathon (one in January, one in November), two half marathon (one in January, one is September), a century race (June, I think) and a half ironman. All of these are not “races” they are training. The half ironman to see where I am at compared to last year (didn’t do to bad considering I had been on almost a week of bed rest due to a stomach bug the week before the race AND I was not permitted in still water for the previous two weeks because of getting a HUGE gash on my nose that had to be glued shut). Century race good way to see where my biking is lacking, I know I need to work hills! Marathon and half marathon – well I need to take family vacations at some point!
This week – I have
Monday – Cross training (hit the pool)
Tuesday – 3 miles (will most likely be my 6-miler – treadmill)
Wednesday – 6 miles (3 miles during lunch)
Thursday – 3 miles (3 miles on elliptical unless 6 miles wasn’t done on Tuesday)
Friday – zzzzzzz
Saturday – 6 mile pace (not running neighborhood, I think I will hit part of my trail)
Sunday – 8 miles (gotta love pull back weeks!)

Marriage and Marathoning

No, I am not getting married, shoot, I am not even dating right now!

While I was out running this morning I could help but think about just how much marathoning and marriage are a like (ok, I failed at the marriage thing, but I am doing pretty well with the marriage gig!). Before you even get to the race itself you have to go through so much, you have to find the right pair of shoes, you have to put the miles and miles of training in, you have to know you are ready for the race, you have to figure out your nutrition, you have to get to the race, and the list goes on and on. Once the race has started you can't just have the attitude of 'I made it, I am don't have to try any more'. Even after you cross the finish line you still have to do even more things.

I have been divorced for the better part of a decade now. I did get two amazing little boys out of my ex and I know there had to be something that attracted me to him in the first place, but more often than not I don't remember what that was. I have to say that marriage was not treated as a marathon, let alone the entire marathoning experience. By the end of my marriage I had packed on some serious weight, I lost my personality, and my spine was packed so far in the back of the closet it wasn't even funny. Since the day the judge granted my divorce (he was the same judge who married us ironically) I have not only found the good parts of the old me, I have discovered parts of me I never could have imagined.

My family (my parents and my boys) has started nagging me about when am I going to get married again. Well, that is one race I am not sure I am ready for quiet yet. This time I will cross that finish line, I refuse to get another DNF. I work full time, I have two special needs (both have mental disorders) kids (the kid factor has already scared off a few possible suitors), I am working on getting my degree, I race and quiet frankly I do not NEED a man in my life (when I married my ex I NEEDED a man in my life).

If I was able to ponder this today only doing 5.6 miles I am worried about what will happen tomorrow, shoot, I am worried what I will come up with during my 20 milers!!!!!!

Oh, and todays run felt great! I shaved off more than 30 seconds per mile from the exact same run last week. I think I am finding my running legs again, but my inner turtle is still with me!

Not a running day

This week has not worked out for my P90X workout by any stretch of the imagination. A friend had to go out of town and since her baby was recovering from kennel cough and was unable to check in to the local doggy hotel, I did what any friend would do and stepped up and agreed to puppy sit. Luckily this friend lives very close to my parents, so my mom swings over in the morning and I swing by in the evening. By the time I spend time with her, feed her, this that and the other, I get home rather late (which is fine, I don’t mind) and doing an hour to an hour and a half video is out the window. BUT that is ok. I am still getting my running in and quite frankly that takes priority.
This week I have a whopping 27 miles to do. It is funny to see people’s response when I said I am going to go do a 10-miler. I decided not to tell them that was only week 1 of training, before I know it my 5-miler will be a 10-miler and my 10-miler will be a 20-miler. It is nice to be out there again. I am taking it a lot slower than I normally would, but I don’t want to get benched again. I realize I am hitting more hills during training runs than I will even see during the race, but I keep hitting them because it is good training (and the only way I won’t hit hills if by doing all my training on a treadmill!!!!) This weekend for my 11 miler I will be spending less than 3 miles on the same course as I did last weekend. I love the area, but this way I don’t get board. I mean this month I have 91 miles scheduled, Oct – 164, Nov – 172, Dec – 177 and Jan – 47.2! I know there will be times in the coming months that I will not be able to hit my favorite part of the trail, but this thing is over 30 miles (at least I have run 30 miles of it at various times!)
Today I was very excited to run three miles (last run of the week [before the weekend]) but then I realized I had already done my two actual runs and I would be doing these three miles on the elliptical machine. I know this sounds odd, my training schedule has five days with miles on it, because of the race I will be doing I need to get both of those runs in as runs. My doctor will not tell me to stop running, but she has requested I replace at least one or two days with cross training, she is happy with me moving even one of my runs to the elliptical machine (less pounding). So I permit myself to do two runs during the week and both runs on the weekend, anything else must be low impact.
I am excited to report that my ticker is still moving in the right direction after last night’s weigh in. It isn’t running sock worthy, but a loss is a loss! I am now down over 11 pounds! Unfortunately with the increase of miles comes the increase of appetite my goal is to make sure I treat those munchies with caution. I am not saying ignore them, I just have to keep an eye on what I am stuffing in my face!

Colorado

98% OF AMERICANS SCREAM BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM COLORADO AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY SODA AND WATCH THIS!' NOW:
You're from Colorado if you'll eat ice cream in the winter. Guilty!!!
When the weather report says it's going to be 65 degrees, you shave your legs and wear a skirt. I would rather not wear a skirt unless I am running!
It snows 5 inches and you don't expect school to be canceled. Why would you cancel for anything less?
You'll wear flip flops every day of the year, regardless of temperature. Yea, and the physical therapist yells at me for it too (no matter what the temperature!)
You have no accent at all, but can hear other people's. And then you make fun of them. I would never!
'Humid' is over 25%. YUCK!
Your sense of direction is: Toward the mountains and Away from the mountains. Is there any other way?
You say 'the interstate' and everybody knows which one. We have two around here.
You think that May is a totally normal month for a blizzard. And for it to be 70 in December, your point is what?
You buy your flowers to set out on Mother's day, but try and hold off planting them until just before Father's day. Duh!
You grew up planning your Halloween costumes around your coat. Of course!
You know what the Continental Divide is. Been there!
You don't think Coors beer is that big a deal. That’s cause it’s not!
You went to Casa Bonita as a kid, and as an adult. Their food sucks, but it a lot of fun!
You've gone off-roading in a vehicle that was never intended for such activities. I guess a VW Beetle would fall in that category.
You always know the elevation of where you are. Definitely more than a mile above sea level
You wake up to a beautiful, 80 degree day and you wonder if it's going to snow tomorrow. OR it blizzard yesterday and today is 80 degrees.
You don't care that some company renamed it, the Broncos still play at "Mile High" that will never change
Every movie theater has military and student discounts. Of course
Everybody wears jeans to church. And there is a church on every corner!
You actually know that "South Park" is a real place not just a show on TV. :)
You know what a 'trust fund hippy' is, and you know its natural habitat is Boulder. yea
You know you're talking to a fellow Coloradoan when they call it Elitches, not Six Flags. But then again, it is not longer Six Flags (and I am required to get season passes!)
A bear on your front porch doesn't bother you. Bears go shopping in the stores around here, why can’t them make house calls?
Your two favorite teams are the Broncos and whoever is beating the crap out of the Raiders. Ummmmm, no.
When people out East tell you they have mountains in their state too, you just laugh.
You go anywhere else on the planet and the air feels 'sticky' and you notice the sky is no longer blue. Yup!

Adjustments…

As a single mom of two special needs kids, I have to say, I MUST stay flexible! Marathon training is no different!
Sunday I got my 10 miles in (I got to hit my favorite trail and my old Nikes did not let me down). After Saturday’s run I decided I would pass on the P90X workout (Kenpo) for the time being. Once my running legs return to me I might consider adding it back in. Wednesdays are pretty hectic, so I really can’t do my mid-week long run on that day, so that has to be moved. This week running my schedule looks like:
Monday – cross (4 miles)
Tuesday – 3 miles (0)
Wednesday – 5 miles (4 miles)
Thursday – 3 miles (3 miles)
Friday – Rest (rest)
Saturday – 5 miles (5.5 miles [the route I take is about 5.56 miles)
Sunday – 11 miles (11 miles)
I already hit the treadmill today and I am thinking if I am going to get miles in on Mondays I will hit the elliptical machine instead of the treadmill. Next week is a recovery week (surprisingly) for both P90X AND marathon training so I will be hitting play on Saturday and enjoying YogaX, but that is next week!
The P90X training schedule this week is:
Monday – Chest and Back, plus Ab Ripper X (Chest and Back)
Tuesday – Plyometrics (YogaX)
Wednesday – Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X (Shoulders and Arms)
Thursday – YogaX (Plyometrics)
Friday – Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X (Legs and Back)
Saturday – Kenpo X (rest or stretch)
Sunday – Rest or X Stretch (rest)
I have to shift my schedule around until the end of October when soccer season has to end. Which of course is the entire first half of training! Excitingly I will be done with this round of P90X by the end of November.
All in all I am happy with how Week 1 turned out. 1 week down, 17 to go! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!

shoes!

A few weeks ago a local running store had a HUGE tent sale, which of course I went to! I picked up a pair of Mizunos for $35 and I LOVE them! I went about a few days later to get new bottles for my fuel belt and guess what! They still had some shoes left over from the tent sale and I found a pair of Asics, well, they didn't workout so well, they cost a whopping $30 (they are great gym shoes, but they suck for running). Last night I had to go back, yet again! Charlie ate the lids off the bottles I just bought. We walk up and there were still shoes out there. I looked through and found another pair of Asics, men's this time (I need the width) they felt amazing, got on the treadmill for a little while, still felt great. The sales guy said they are the Asics version of the Mizuno I bought.

This morning was my short run of the weekend and I got up before the butt crack of dawn strapped on my new shoes and out I went. First off, it was only a five-miler; second, if they started causing to many problems I could call my sister and she could bring me another pair of shoes (I was on the streets). They felt great during my warm-up. When I started running my feet were almost purring as much as they do in my Mizunos.

I completed my five and a half miles, got home, everyone was still asleep (that included the dogs) took my shoes off and my feet still felt pretty good.

Tomorrow I have a 10-miler, I will be hitting the trail with my old Nikes, they will probably have two more long runs (tomorrow included) before they are put into retirement. They have done me proud!!

YogaX

Yesterday I got a nice and easy run in during lunch. But the chore was still to come. The hour and a half yogaX is not very schedule friendly workout. For good or for bad, since Cuervo is not feeling well the doc said NO strenuous activities for the remainder of the week; so no gymnastics, no soccer. Jose’s taekwondo schedule is pretty flexible (he can go whenever he wants during the week). So, we figured we would go home, I would hit play and the boys could help me! Cuervo started off in the backyard on puppy duty, then he came in to participate! It was so much easier this week, I think I only had to hit pause twice due to child issues. I had no major issues in the moving sequences, not to mention they felt great! I had a kiddo sitting on my bed telling me what they were doing, even with the TV turned all the way up, I cannot always hear what is being said. There were a few times I would hear “your arm isn’t high enough” or “no, no, that is not how you do it” I had to explain that there were some moves I just could not do the way they were doing it and I was modifying so I can get close to what I need to do.
This morning my neck is feeling great! I am sure that won’t last past lunch through (I have to go to PT again today). Tonight is back and legs, tomorrow 5 miles and kenpo, Sunday 10 miles! Let the weekend begin!

Oops!

Last night was my Weight Watchers meeting and, well, I had a 0.4 gain. At first I was very upset, and then I thought back to the weekend… Less than half a pound? I can live with that! My sister pointed out it was probably a VERY good thing that I was getting my workouts in. This week, I will be better BUT be able to look back and realize where I slipped makes it a lot easier to hit play. At first I was ferious! I am running and I am doing P90X and what happens? I put on weight! Friday I had Chinese food (I don’t do well with high sodium levels), Saturday – French fries (at the amusement park) and Red Robin (I did get a salad), Sunday – etouffee, Monday – Mexican; hmmmm why did I put on weight? That is ok, it was a minor setback and this too shall pass!
When I woke up today I was struggling. I still managed to get up and get to work, I also managed to hit the stairs instead of the elevator all day AND I got my 3 miles in. My 3 miles felt pretty good, I was very slow, but I didn’t want to push it. I wanted to enjoy it!
Tonight YogaX! I am still undecided it I like that one or not. I am sure my abs are grateful that Ab RipperX is not on the schedule. I am up to 20 reps on most, 15 on a few and 40 mason twists. Tomorrow – no running, but I have legs and back (plus physical therapy). Saturday I have a 5 miler, this time I will start earlier, I will eat something before I head out AND I will have water with me!

The start of a new week

I know, Wednesday is the start of a new week? Since when? My Weight Watchers weigh ins are on Wednesday so for all intents and purposes today is the start of the week! This past week has been a little crazy, but felt great! I have completed all my P90X workouts so far, I am back running, and my eating has been pretty good. I feel as if I am coming alive again!
Jose and Cuervo (is that better than Kiddo #1 and #2??) are getting used to me coming in, heading straight upstairs and hitting play. They will actually sneak in from time to time to what Tony is doing. They love watching Ab Ripper X because of the comments I make!
This past weekend we spent two days at an amusement park in Denver, I was a little misbehaved, but not too bad considering where I was! My PT doc should be happy with me, the only thing I was on/in was the wave pool (the water wasn’t too deep and I wasn’t in there much during the waves) and the lazy man river (or whatever they want to call it). I let my boys get on whatever rides they wanted and I sat and waited for them. They kept asking me to go on rides with them and I told I can’t! My neck is a little off today, but not too horrible, but I am sure the doc will fix that when I see him this morning!
I know I said I wouldn’t run on plyo days, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I would not be able to get my miles in today, so I hit the elliptical machine yesterday during lunch and did my miles. I was dripping sweat by the time I got off the machine! Yes, I took a shower before returning to work. Today I will be zooming from work to Jose’s cross country meet, picking up Cuervo, dropping him at soccer, flying over to Weight Watchers, back to pick up Cuervo, then home to do P90X, luckily my sister will be home and making dinner. I will eat and then I will crash!

Weekly scheduled miles: 3 miles (hey, this is only day 2 of week 1 of training)
Weekly completed miles: 15.02

30 Day Challenge:
Sodas out – I went to an amusement park twice this past weekend and thanks to the help of my sister I was able to maintain the no sodas, we had some lemon aid, but no sodas!
Completed at least 90% of training mileage – Since I have only had to complete 3 miles last week I am currently over 200% of what is scheduled so far!
Miss no more than two P90X workouts – I did have to shift them a little, but so far I have not missed any!

Labor Day

Before I headed out on my first training run of marathon training I started working on a post (I had to charge my watch) but after getting back I realized there were more important things that I would rather post.
Like I said, Day 1 of marathon training is complete, well my mileage is done, but the day is far from over. The run was a little of the difficult side for a few reasons: I waited to late in the morning to head out, it was a little toasty; I should have brought water with me; I need to work on hills; and I need to strengthen my feet (one of them cramped up, but that is an easy fix). Oh, yea! And eating something before I head out would have been a good idea too!
Day 1 of marathon training also just so happens to be Day 1, Week 2 of P90X. Friday – Sunday had to get shuffled around a little, but I got all my workouts in! Friday I was going to get my workout in before going to PT, well, that got changed. A friend asked me to go with her to the Humane Society to see if there was a puppy there for her. Of course I went, I got back just in time to get to PT, afterward I was in no condition to do P90X; they beat me up some fierce! Saturday as soon as we got back from Elitch Gardens I did my leg and back workout – all I can say is LOVE IT! I know, that sounds strange, I would have to say my favorite workout is the back and legs. Sunday was Kenpo, luckily, Jose is in Taekwondo, poor kid had to keep coming and explaining the different moves. I can definitely say I had a good sweat going by the time I finished.
Due to the insanity of the upcoming week I had to move mileage around a little, but my 26 miles for this week will be completed by Sunday.

The plan on I am working on, Monday is a cross training day, Wednesday is the midweek “long” run, Friday is off, Saturday is a pseudo long run which just so happens to be half the distance of Sunday (which is exactly what I needed). Tuesday and Thursday are also run days but they increase from 3 miles to 5 (I think) miles over the weeks. Because of P90X, I have to shift things around a little. I was reading that you shouldn't run on plyo or leg days, all that means is I have Tuesday's run to Monday. This week is a little more complicated due to everything that is going on... On Wednesday we have: PT, cross country meet, soccer practice and Weight Watchers (ok, I can go to a meeting on a different day).
Mileage According to the plan for this week (plan modification):
Monday – cross training (5 miles) – completed 5.6 miles
Tuesday – 3 miles (cross training)
Wednesday – 5 miles (3 miles)
Thursday – 3 miles (3 miles – elliptical)
Friday – rest (rest)
Saturday – 5 miles (5 miles)
Sunday – 10 miles (10 miles)

On a completely unrated matter as a cyclist nothing pisses me off more than seeing people on bikes who are under the impression they too are cyclists. If you are on the road you MUST follow the laws. There is a reason most drives hate us and it is because of those who think they own the whole damn road. Even my parents tell me on a regular basis that I have no business ride on the roads. I have to tell them time and time again that a true cyclist not only knows that laws of the road, but follows them. You do not ride multiple across, you do not run red lights, etc.

Om!

Yesterday I was feeling pretty good. I went down and did a nice 45 minute workout on the elliptical machine. My knee was feeling ok (had a few twinges here and there). After checking on how kiddo #1 was doing (gotta love parent portals) and finding out he was missing homework AGAIN! I decided he would NOT go to Taekwondo. I figured I would start P90 X and then when it was time to take Kiddo #2 to gymnastics WELLLLLL, that didn’t happen! First I got a phone call from Kiddo #1’s cross country coach and turns out his attitude isn’t the greatest one around! His motivation sucks most of the time and AHHHHH! We got home and Kiddo #1 was doing homework (he had permission to come disturb me if he had any questions) and Kiddo #2 was outside playing with the dogs. Next thing I know I hear a girl scream, I look out my window and Charlie (the 100 pound dane/lab) had broken out of the back yard. I threw a shirt on and went flying down the stairs and out the door, Charlie came back in without an issue. I asked the girls if they were alright and they said yes (I think he just scared them) and I apologized profusely! Needless to say, Charlie came inside and stayed inside (my sister is fixing the hole today). I go back upstairs and rewind a little (you don’t actually think I took the time to grab the remote and hit pause do you?) and I continued. Charlie decided it was his job to not only share my yoga mat with me but to chase my shadows while I was working! Freddie on the other hand figured downward dog meant I was supposed to have a dog under me giving me kisses while I was doing that. While trying to work around those two, I hear Kiddo #2 crying. I hit pause and call both boys up to me to ask them what is going on. Kiddo #1 “I just bopped him upside the head.” Kiddo #2 had still not come up so I called him again. When he finally made it upstairs he was hunched over holding his stomach. He said Kiddo #1 had punched him in the stomach. I sent Kiddo #1 away to finish his homework and Kiddo #2 helped himself to my book shelf and planted himself on my bed. Somehow I was able to finish the workout and it only took me about two hours! We had dinner and things seemed to have calmed down. That didn’t last long. I went back up stairs to get things ready for bed and I hear a scream from downstairs, Kiddo #2 comes up with his hand over his eye crying. Kiddo #2 claimed he accidently threw something at Kiddo #2. Kiddo #2 had a nice little cut going up to his eye. It was a raisin box that was thrown and Kiddo #2 was supposed to catch it. Kiddo #2 got to sleep in my bed last night. I was watching BBC’s Oliver Twist and since Kiddo #2 LOVES that movie he curled up on my bed, next thing I knew he was asleep. Charlie could care less who slept in my bed, Freddie on the other hand was very confused about the fact that one of his brothers was sleeping in his spot on mommy’s bed! Then this morning my car keys went missing so I have to drive my truck!

Ignoring all the distractions, I have to say YogaX kicked my rump last night! I love sun salutations, I went through those with no issues. Next were the runner’s poses WHOA! (that is when all hell was breaking lose and the breaks were much appreciated!) Talk about a workout! The balance poses were ok, I skipped the shoulder stand (my neck and shoulder would not have appreciated if I have done that). Then the stretching Kiddo #2 and I agreed that one leg is longer than the other! I could reach my toes on both sides, one was just easier than that other. What struck me as odd was my shoulder started complaining when both legs were straight and I was holding my feet, needless to I lessened the stretch until I stopped feeling it in my shoulder. I was ecstatic when we did the happy baby, I would have to say, that is my all time favorite pose!

Yesterday I ordered my running socks. Now, I have an issue paying $5 shipping for a $9 pair of socks. So I cheated, I still was due a pair of running socks for my first 5 pounds and I know I will need more when I lose another 5, so I ordered 4 pairs! They have been shipped and I can’t wait until I get them!


Tonight – P90X Legs and back and physical therapy! I am hoping to get my workout down BEFORE I go to PT! To add my own personal disclaimer. I am well aware of the warning that P90X has about knees, backs blah, blah, blah. If there is one thing I have learned this past year is to listen to my body. For the most part I feel as if I can do these workouts, yes, there are some exercise I chose to skip because of injuries to certain parts and again, do I expect to see the same results as others see? No! I am just using this to get into better shape and help me lose weight. Maybe my second round I will be able to do everything without issues.

Rubin hold the meat

Last night was an insane night! My older son had a cross country meet and his grade was supposed to start at 4:00 pm, which I have to admit made me a little sad (I don’t get off until 4). I went flying out of work cussing up a storm the entire way since I had NO idea where I was going. I finally get there, and after circling around the parking lot a few times a found a spot! Then I had to figure out where all the kids were! After a nice stroll I not only found them, I also found out that they were running behind! YAY! I get to see my son run. An hour and a half after they were supposed to start. I am very proud of how he did on such a hilly course. As we were leaving he made a comment about hating hills, I told him the reason he feels that way is because he sucks at them, and quite frankly, I hate hills too! So we will start working hills together!
While I was at the meet, I had to call my sister so she could pick up my younger money and bring him to soccer. Being a single mom with two kids in two different activities can be VERY difficult at times! He did make it to practice, he was a few minutes late, but hey, he made it!
After Tyler’s meet we went zooming down the interstate, I WAS going to my Wight Watchers meeting and I WAS going to get weighed! I was to close to my goal not to go! We made it, OK, we were a little late, but we made it! I got on the scale and I could help but “YIPPEE!!!!!” and hop off the scale. Ladies and gentlemen, not only do I get my yoga mat, I get another pair of running socks! I have now lost 10.6 pounds! I have 8.56 pounds until I hit MY next goal (yes, Weight Watchers sets their goals, but I am working off of my goals). After the meeting was over, Kiddo #1 and I headed home (Kiddo #2 and my sister were still at soccer) and I popped in my Day 3 of P90X and away I went.
Knowing I have very weak shoulders (not to mention my neck/shoulder issue) I set up my lightest band and hit play. I did 15 reps of the majority of the exercises, the bicep work I moved up to my 50 pound band, the straight arm lifts I had to get my cheap, I have no idea what weight, band. My goal is Week 3 to be able to use my 30 pound band for those. Once again, I only did 10 reps during the abs. I know next week I will be ready to move up to 15. I realize I will not get the same results as others but starting with a low number of reps, but I am working this program for me!
After that we went to dinner and I just HAD to have a Rubin (without the meat)!!!!! I enjoyed every last bite of it! Today, is elliptical machine (or maybe the bike) and P90X Yoga!
OH! I put in three miles yesterday on the treadmill in my new Asics, I wasn’t as lucky as I had been with my Mizunos. I will give them one more chance before I kick them to the curb (OK, I will wear them as regular street shoes).
Looking back through my blog, according to Weight Watchers my next reward is a new pair of jeans!

Modify, modify, modify!

Happy hump day to all! Thank God August is over! This entire year has been on the rough side, but I think August has taken the cake so far. But, this is a new month and everything will be better!
Yesterday I went to my PT appointment, I have to say, my doc is HOT! But that is neither here nor there. He poked and prodded and OUCH! My nerves and muscles are all knotted and stuck together! He was trying to break apart the nerves (or whatever) and I kept seeing spots and talk about a headache! He gave me stretches and I go back on Friday!
On the P90X front… As I was leaving work yesterday, I was heading down the stairs (I try to use them as often as possible) out of the blue my right knee started SCREAMING at me! Very strange. I got home, I still popped in my workout video (plyometrics) and during the warm up we were doing lunges, my knee made it very clear that we won’t be doing to many lunges. Ok, so I modified it. I kept it 95% low impact, my heart rate still got up there, but not as high as I would have liked it to. This morning my knee is fine. I don’t know! If my body starts talking I WILL listen. I am planning on hitting the treadmill today (in my new Asics) for another easy 3 miler, worst case I walk the whole thing. Actually, really worst case scenario I will get on the treadmill and my knee will let me know that this is not happening. Tonight is Day 3 of P90X and I am feel good, ok, fine, my abs are sore, my arms are sore but it feels amazing!
Tonight is Weight Watchers night. Since I am planning on hitting the treadmill during lunch, I will not have to do my run during soccer practice, so I get to go to MY meeting! I am still hoping for a pound or two loss, so here’s to hoping!

I think it is time to hit the 30 Day Challenge again!

1. Sodas out (ok, I had one this morning)
2. Complete atleast 90% of weekly training mileage (marathon training starts this coming Monday)
3. Miss no more than two P90X workouts

Oh! And August brought a 1 pound loss! (Hey, after that month, I am excited that it isn't an increase!)

Junk Food Junkie

No, I am not now, nor have I ever been a “Junk Food Junkie”. I will admit to enjoying junk food from time to time (some times more often than others), I got the way I am today because I love food.
I was packing my food for the day this morning, weighing/measuring out my food and I started thinking (I know, LOOK OUT!). I sat there and packed ¼ cup of cottage cheese, 20 g of blackberries, 20 g of raspberries, 39 g of strawberries and 127 g of Greek yogurt, I realized just how much food I was packing (all of that is for breakfast). Mind you, that breakfast has pretty low calories, not a whole bunch of fat, but is a great source of all sorts of healthy stuff, not to mention it tastes great. My lunch I have a salad, a little on the bland side, but I was too tired to see what all I could find, lots of fruits and veggies, I have some pudding (a nice little dessert to keep me away from binging). I was looking at all the food I pack and started thinking about what I have eaten in the past (and still do sometimes), all the processed food (yes, I know my pudding is pretty processed) I would consume in a day. I would eat oatmeal for breakfast, but it was the fruit and cream oatmeal, I would eat a frozen meal for lunch, I would eat about the same amount as I do now, but now it is fresh (or frozen) fruits and veggies, it is stuff that actually has significant nutritional value. Yes, I still have cookies from time to time, but you have to permit yourself to indulge every now and then.
I started P90X again last night. This time I am working with bands (I purchased 30 lb, 50 lb and 70lb)… WOW! I could seriously feel a difference! Right now I am doing about 90% of the pushups on my knees. I try to get 5 in off my knees before dropping down. The ab work, before I started I agreed to doing just 10 reps for now; next week we will go up to 15 and so on. “Coach” aka Freddie kept coming in and checking on me, he would get up on my bed and peek over while I was doing the abs, while I was doing the first part he was on my bed guarding my water bottle!
Today I have PT so no lunch time work out, but that is a good thing, I have plyometrics tonight. I will be doing a mix of low and high impact. Tomorrow is Weight Watchers, I have less than 0.2 pounds before I get my yoga mat. And 0.6 pounds before I get another pair of running socks (I get socks every time I lose weight, I get running socks for every 5 pounds I lose). I have been hitting the stairs at work (I work on the 5th floor) both coming and going, I have been parking in the WAY back of the parking lot. I wasn’t to horrible over the weekend, so I am hoping I will see another good number (a nice 2 would send me to the moon!)

I love Nike…

I have to say I have been loyal to Nike running shoes most of my adult life. With that said, I have to confess to cheating on them. I mentioned this before, but last weekend one of the local running stores had a HUGE tent sale, since Kiddo is running cross country we stopped by to get him some shoes and I just so happened to get a new pair too. They didn’t have any Nike’s that were my size. I found a Mizuno version of my shoe and it was less than half of what I usually pay for my Nikes, and you know what? We are in a recession here people! Of course I got them. I took them (and Charlie) for a walk last week (forgot to put my inserts in them) and they felt pretty good, but I was walking and I didn’t have MY inserts in them so I couldn’t really judge them properly. Since they weren’t Nikes, I went back this past weekend to get a Nike+ sensor holder thingy and wouldn’t you know it, they still had some shoes on sale! I found a pair of Asics for $35! Yes, I grabbed them too! Hey, Goofy training starts next weekend and that means I am training for TWO races on the same weekend (well, three cause I am doing the 5K with my family). Now, last time I did Goofy I wore my ‘old’ shoes for the half and my ‘new’ shoes for the full. This time I will spend this season breaking in both pairs and have one for the half and one for the full and not worry about ‘old’ and ‘new’.
Today during lunch I hit the treadmill (because of PT Freddie is learning to go without lunch visits) and did a nice easy 3 miles in my Mizunos WITH my inserts in the AND my Nike+ sensor holder thingy and all I can say is ahhhhhhhhh! My feet felt amazing! Those shoes are so comfortable it is not even funny! I plan on my first two long runs will be in my Nikes, after that they will be retired to yard work or whatever else I need them for. Wednesday will be the new Asics on the treadmill (I keep my Nikes with me in case the new shoes don’t work out, that way I have not ruined my whole workout).
Tonight – P90X, Day 1, again!

Level field

The other day my older son had his first cross country meet. As I was walking up to the meet I noticed an insane looking ramp right at an eighth of a mile before the finish (according to http://www.mapmyrun.com/ it is only a 3% incline, but it looked a lot steeper). It was a nice hilly course. I was talking to (I am assuming) a coach of one of the other teams about the course. She showed me the map a I made a comment about that ramp, the way she responded was a very true statement but I never really thought about races that way. It is a leave field; all the kids have to go up the same ramp, everyone has to run in the same heat. Well, #1 I know at races everyone is running the same course, but I never really thought about it like that. #2 in that particular race, yes, all the kids ran in the same heat (temperature), but in a marathon (since I am a slow poke) the elites are not running in the same heat that I do. The gun went off to start the race (yes, I am still VERY jumpy when it comes to certain sounds and a gun is definitely one of those bad sounds, fireworks are another…) it felt really strange just standing there, the race started and I was not racing! After the start of the race (luckily the 6th graders went last) I cheered Kiddo on and then followed rest of the parents to another area to cheer on the kids. Kiddo struggled up the hill and I cheered him on, knowing his approximate pace I stuck around for rest of the kids (I think I was the only parent who did that) cheering them on no matter what school they attended. I was telling them stuff like the ‘hill was almost over’, ‘where there is an uphill there is a downhill’ – a young lady who was walking responded with ‘that is why you walk up the hill and run down it!” (I had to give her credit for that comment!!!!!) After all the kids had gone by I returned to that stupid ramp. Some kids decided to run up the stairs instead of dealing with the ramp. I told Tyler to try taking it on his toes. I finally saw him coming up the sidewalk, so I started cheering even louder! He started walking up the hill but then tried to run it. He got back up on the track (1/8 of a mile remaining) started walking again, but the final stretch he did run. He finished in 18 and some change (1.5 miles), I am so proud of him! He is really starting to enjoy it.
Tomorrow is a nice easy “long run”, ok, so there is a pain in the butt hill at the beginning (mile 2), but once I am over that, I am good to go! Now, I am not 100% sure how far I will go yet, I will let my body dictate that, since I am running the road it won’t be hard for me to call my sister and say, ok I am done. For better or worse there is MAJOR road construction going on along this route, but I am making sure I stop before that (the farthest I can go it 9.5 miles IF I make it that far, I can wait for my sister at Starbucks!!!!) Come to think of it, there is a Starbucks at miles 6.75 (ish) and 5.75 (ish) too! Mmmmm, a nice iced latte and some fresh fruit, Yum! Sunday I think a nice swim is in order – that will depend on how my neck/back is feeling (actually all my physical activity is completely dependent on my neck/shoulder). (Oh, and I didn't get my run in yesterday, I was just to tired. I did take Freddie for a walk so he could meet as many people as possible [and he got weighed in at 9 pounds!])
Oh! Yea, I went back to my doc for my follow up, he has decided it is time to pain and torture, I mean physical therapy. He was happy to hear I had started running again (especially since my neck and back started to relax during the run), he told me I can keep doing physical activity as long as I listen to my body and if says no, then don’t do it!
Here is to a great weekend!