Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Monday, Monday

That about sums up the day, doesn't it? It was indeed Monday and we all know that means weigh in time again. There was no change in my weight when I weighed myself this morning. When I checked it again a short time ago, I was down 4 oz but I am leaving the fat-o-meter alone. Seeing as I really didn't attempt to follow any kind of a plan since Thanksgiving, I am actually pretty pleased at no gain at all.

We have had cruddy weather, including a downpour today that got me soaking wet trying to get from a store to my van while shielding 2 kids. They stayed nice and dry, I was dripping despite a huge umbrella. Incidently, it was coming out of the mall where this happened. I have to go to the mall office to register as a walker, get my permission card and then I will be set to walk indoors on really bad or cold mornings. The weather did clear out enought that I was able to go out for my run this evening.

I think taking a few days off helped because I felt more refreshed during the run and felt like I was running strongly. I did drop to a walk on a few hills when I felt my run was slowing to the point that I would be faster walking. I would say in a +30 minute run, I walked for less than 2 minutes total. There is nothing wrong with walking since it gives me a needed break to keep going.

Tomorrow is a Nashville trip and then a Girl Scout Cookie meeting so I won't get in my morning walk but plan to make my run.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving!

I went out for my run on Wednesday night but didn't go out last night. My time on Wednesday was 28:58:36 but I did go a little shorter. Apparently the kids of mine that come along on my nightly run are not appreciative of me adding milage. They are on bikes and scooters, they are not running so I am not sure why they are griping. When we near the end of the run and they see me cross the street, indicating we are taking the "long" way back, there is a collective groan. Now, the "long" way is .5 miles back to the house as opposed to .2 miles back to the house. It truly is not a significant change but enough that they feel much maligned.

Wednesday my purse was stolen by some jerk so I spent the day replacing my drivers license, my military ID and getting the few ATM cards I carry cancelled. There was no cash in my purse, maybe $10, but the scumbag did get my Darth Vader Lego pen...waaah!

Today I did brave the stores to pick up a few items, which I will actually bring home on Monday. They were just tossed in layaway today to hold them until I am kid free. I didn't get out for a run but did do a 3 mile DVD.

My knees are feeling this running. They don't hurt, they just quietly let me know that they are not fond of this running. Once I start running, I feel fine. Every night when I go out running, I think on the way out that I am whipped and will just cut it short, taking the "short" way back home. When I reach that intersection, it seems silly to take the "short" way since it is not much further to go the route I had planned.

I am going to continue my current route for a few weeks, at least until mid December, before I change it again. Hopefully I will have a husband back home some time soon so I can actually go run in the afternoons when he gets home from work rather than after kids are in bed.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Gorgeous

It was a clear, cold but beautiful night for running this evening. It was amazing how clear it was and how bright the numerous stars were. I always look for Orion's Belt, mainly because I can identify it, and lately I have been able to see it a lot.

I changed my route today. Not only am I going 2.7 miles now, I also can avoid that bugger of a hill! It was really incredible to me how much better I felt NOT going up that hill, even at a walk. Usually on the downside of my run, when I am less than a mile from being done, I am whipped. Tonight, I still felt pretty amazing.

I have noticed that it used to feel like every minute was more like 10 minutes. Now, when I am running, I am surprised at how quickly it goes. My run this evening was 33:18:40 Just a few weeks ago, I would have sworn that the same route would take at least an hour. I am going to stick to this route for a week or so before I add to it again.

Tonight's run was very pleasing for me. I felt like I got a good work out but I wasn't totally whipped at the end. I can also now talk to my daughter when I am running rather than gasping for breath!

Monday, November 21, 2005

Down, Down!

Okay, I was referring to the fat-o-meter over there but techinically, the red goes up as the weight goes down. In any event, I was down .8 lbs from last week.

As always, I would have liked to have seen a larger drop but I have no one to blame but myself. I had a few days for bad choices and it is reflected in the lack of more loss.

I did 3 miles today. I had one child home sick from school so I could not go out for my morning walk. Since he is running a fever, I just did my DVDs. Tomorrow is shaping up to be even worse, timewise. Ugh! Let's not even talk about the rest of the week when ALL the kids are home from school for a break.

Tomorrow I do plan to get a run in sometime, just not sure when that will be.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Finally!

The weekend so far has just been crazy! I did get out this evening for a run. What a difference in temperature too. It was in the high 40's, which felt downright balmy after the low 20's the other day.

I only missed two runs but it felt much longer. I actually felt ready to get out and run. I was looking forward to it. Isn't that just sick?

I did my 2.1 miles in 31:08:94 I actually only ran for 28 of those minutes. I htink next week I am going to up my milage again. Geeze, I wish I lived in a flat area about now.

I noticed on my run this evening that inclines that used to leave me gasping and walking up, I breezed up them. I am still struggling on the monster big hill though. I am determined to make it all the way running at a decent pace up that hill one of these days.

Tomorrow is my day off so I am off until Monday.
Brr!

After the foul weather on Tuesday, we have dropped down into blasted cold weather! When I went out for my morning walk yesterday, it was just below 30F. The baby stayed nice and toasty warm, the 2 year old didn't fare so well. She had on gloves, winter jacket, hat etc but she refused to let me put a blanket on her. It was no surprise that she complained of being cold near the end of the 2.1 miles.

Evening turned out to be crazy and I didn't get out for my evening run. Really, it was cold enough that I really didn't look forward to the prospect of such a cold run.

This morning, at 23F, I decided it was just too darn cold to take all three kids out into. The baby would have been in the sling and in order to keep HIM warm, I would have been sweltering from pushing the strolling and lugging him and his blankets.

One of my boys has a Webelo camp out this weekend so once again, I had to forego my evening run. I did do a 3 mile work out from my DVDs though so it was not a total failure. I am really hoping to get a walk in at some point tomorrow and a definate run in the evening.

What do you think of the glitter border? Too flashy? Okay?

Thursday, November 17, 2005

A New Look

As you can clearly see, I have a new look. My pigs have been up for a few years so I thought I would take a break. My mother loved pandas and so I have pandas up.

It was pretty darn cold this morning, below 40F, when I went out this morning. I bundled up the kidlets good and then put a blanket across the front of the stroller to block the wind. My time was pretty darn good compared to yesterday so I am making progress.

My evening run was even colder, it was 31F! I warmed up after a few minutes and was glad I had not worn a jacket, just a long sleeved shirt. My time for 2.1 miles was 31:56:36 I would like to see that be faster but I just have to be patient. I am not known for being patient. :::sigh:::

While I was walking this morning, I found a quarter on the road. Now, I could just dismiss it as a quarter on the road but I am going to interpret it differently. I believe I made mention that I plunk a quarter into a piggy bank every time I run? I am taking this as a sign that I am doing the right thing and should continue to run. The quarter I found while out this morning was put into my piggy bank this evening.

I have had a few people leave me comments, thank you so much! I made this blog public so that people could leave comments. I appreciate those of you who take the time to read my ramblings.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

It was a dark and stormy night

No, it is not the start of a bad novel. It really was a dark and stormy night here. We had tornadoes all around us, wind, rain, lights,noise.....I decided to stay inside this evening so no evening run for me.

I did go out for my morning walk with my kidlets. I did the 2.1 miles in just under 41 minutes. I did stop twice to talk to a few people. I found a gold charm bracelet last week and I am trying to track down the owner. It belongs to someone who has a 2 year old daughter named Bevin. What is bizarre is that on Halloween, this lady and Bevin were walking with us for a bit. I have no clue where she lives though. I ask everyone I come across who may know. I placed an ad in the paper but never got a response.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow for me to walk and get my evening run in.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Minty Fresh

First up...it is Monday so we all know what that means. Weigh in! If you already snuck a peek over to the left, you will have noticed the fat-o-meter has more red in it, indicating a loss!! I am down 2.3 lbs from last week.

It was sprinkling this morning but I still did my 2 miles. The baby didn't seem to mind being misted on but I still covered him. I am ordering a weather shield to put on the stroller. I don't mind getting wet but the wee kidlets don't need to get wet.

Actually, I discovered today that my 2 miles is not actually 2 miles. I had clocked it in my previous van at 2 miles but when I checked today, it was only 1.8 miles! In any event, I added distance today and it IS 2.1 miles. After a 3 minute warm up walk (1 minute spent explaining to a child why they had to ride on the SIDE of the road rather than down the middle), I ran the 2.1 miles 31:54:21 I also ran "backwards" today. Where I normally turn, I went straight. It is the same route, just reversed. I am not sure which way is actually easier.

One thing I have found is that I feel better running if I brush my teeth before I go out. I don't know why it helps but it does. Weird, huh?

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Not A Fluke

It apparently isn't a fluke that yesterday I ran nearly 2 miles. Tonight, I did a brisk 2 minute warm up walk and ran the rest of the way!!

It is by no means easy. Let me tell you, it would be so easy to just take the easy road and walk but since I know I can do it, seems like a weeny thing to do.

The hills.....:::sigh:::: the hills just suck. I had 3 of my kids with me and even pushing a bike, one of them can keep up with my running up the hill by them walking.

Tomorrow is my rest day so I am taking a break but plan to be back out there Monday morning. I am going to add some distance too.

Friday, November 11, 2005

I did it!

I am so freaking proud of myself that it is not funny!!

I had been going half a mile before I walked during my nightly run/walk. I decided to see just how far I could go, my goal was to make it to the one mile mark. Once I got there, I decided to go to my next mark. Once I got to that mark, I thought it was not that far to the next one.

Before I knew it, I was back home! I ran for 25 minutes straight with no walking!!! This may not seem like a major deal but considering just a few weeks ago, I could barely run a minute before I had to stop, I am pretty impressed (if I do say so myself)

The hills in this neighborhood are going to be the death of me, though. I slowed to just above a snails pace going up a few of them but I didn't walk.

Woohoo

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Whipped!

Wow, time slips away when you are not looking. Each evening I have been meaning to get on and update but things seem to get in the way.

First up, I have not slacked off at all. I am still going strong but more on that later.

Second, I lost 2 pounds this week! Whee! My fat-o-meter over there has been changed since Monday even if I didn't get on here and post.

I have been going out twice a day for the past week. I walk 2 miles in the morning and then in the evening, I go out for my run/walk. We have had such extreme differences in the temperature in the evening too. One night when I went out for my evening run, it was 71F. This evening when I went out, it was a chilly 41F.

I can see a difference in my running now that I am going out in the evening sans kids. I am running more than walking during my 2 miles. I drove my route today and I can go half a mile before I walk for a minute or so. Once I get fairly comfortable running a mile, I will add more distance to my evening run.

I do have to say it is cool to be able to put a quarter in my bank every time I run. I almost didn't go out this evening but when the time came when I normally go, I just had to go do it.

I don't really enjoy running but I do feel better when I get out there and do it. My inital running distance is always the worse. It is when my lungs are burning and I watch for my marker to stop running. Once I reach it, I am feeling good enough to keep going. I was running this evening, thinking about something and before I knew it, I was on the horrible hill.

The horrible hill - I hate this hill. It is a nasty hill that is on my return route and is a long, steep one. I can make it up almost half way running. Even walking, it is difficult. I know in the long run, it will make me a better runner but I still feel the need to daily state, as I struggle up it, that I hate it.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

Much Easier

Wow, what a difference in my run today! I was able to go out without the stroller and it is amazing what a change it is. I was not really faster without it but I was able to run easier and for longer stretches during my run.

Last year, I had gotten my husband a heart monitor to use when he goes out running. (He is a runner, he ran a half marathon last year and routinely runs several miles a day). I looked for it but could not find it. After talking to him on the phone, he has it with him. Well, drat. I wanted to try it out while I was running to see if I was actually running hard enough.

I have been getting in plenty of water and doing okay with my food. My food is always where I can use improvement. I am still losing steadily. I think if I really put in an effort more, I would lose more.

One thing at a time, I will get there eventually!

Friday, November 04, 2005

A Bit Longer

I didn't blog yesterday since there really was not much to say. I went out and while I ran longer legs during my trek, my overall time was slower again.

I know I am going for distance right now but it is disappointing to be slower. It is not a huge difference but enough to make me sigh.

Today I went out walking rather than my normal walk/run. I still get a good workout since I am pushing the stroller with two kids and have a third across my chest. I had someone with me today so adding talking into the mix had me puffing and sweating on the hills. I also went a little longer than normal since I was walking. I will have to go drive it to get the actual distance I went. I am thinking I added an extra half mile, maybe.

Tomorrow, I am not sure when I will be able to get out for a run. I am thinking I may have to do it after the kids are in bed but we will see. Have a great weekend all!

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Another Quarter

I got out of the house much sooner than I normally do so was finished with my run shortly after 9 am. There is not a lot to say about my run this morning.

It was easier in some ways. My breathing is getting much easier, my mind is wandering some. When I first started, I was counting steps, I was watching a mailbox in front of me, where I would walk again. Today, I targeted a mailbox up ahead but then starting thing of the errands I needed to do later. Before I knew it, the mailbox was right there in front of me. I did one leg that was almost 2:30 since I was not quite so focused on running.

In other ways, it was still hard. My legs hurt, my arms hurt and I still live in a hilly area. I am still pushing a double stroller. I still weigh too much.

I did get an MP3 player today. Now I can listen to some tunes while I am running. I think that will help out in making it seem to go faster. Of course, it will be down low so I can still hear traffic but it will be nice to have.

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Two Minutes

I managed to run several 2 minute legs of my run this morning. Now, 2 minutes doesn't sound like a long time but when you are out of shape, it is a lifetime! I never knew 2 minutes would last so long. I thought for sure I had been running closer to 5 minutes. Oh well, I will get there eventually.

I noticed that today, my breathing was a little easier and my legs are not as tired. My overall time was slower today, I did my two miles in 27:50:10 I can also see why it is advised to ditch the watch.

When out running, the watch becomes like a scale. I keep looking at it, trying to remember if I was at X point yesterday before or after this time. Then the mild panic when it looks like my time will be slower! Horror! LOL I need to just leave it at home because right now, it truly doesn't matter if I am slower or not. I am out there and I am running. I need to concentrate on that more than my speed. Once I can go the distance I want, then I will worry about speed.

I got in about 90 ounces of water today. I need to get in some tomorrow before I run though. I probably should bring water too but right now I am already carting a load of stuff when I go run. I have the stroller, 2 kids, blankets on said kids, cell phone and keys. Add in there that I am not coordinated enough yet to push a stroller, run, breathe AND drink water at the same time. I will get there but I am not there yet.

I did get to add another quarter to my bank and I added a few more reasons to my cards.

I have mentioned that I post on another board and am taking part in a 6 week challenge there. A couple of the ladies on my team (we are the POINTer Sisters) have decided to look into starting a running program. I just love how we motivate each other and inspire one another. Isn't the internet grand??