Guess I’m just not good at blogging?

Okay, so it’s been awhile again, yes?

I have sort of stumbled again with the scheduled workouts. With the winter and the dark mornings, comes the reluctance to get out there and workout. It might be a good time to get back to a gym or something. I dunno.

One good thing that I have been doing, however, is riding my bicycle. I don’t think I’ve blogged since I got it, have I? Well, a few weeks ago, I got a used Raleigh Sport for $95. When I say used, I mean, it’s used. I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a bicycle that I wasn’t sure I was going to use, so this one is good for now just to get myself out there. It’s a three speed, probably from the late 70’s/early 80’s, and when I went to get it tuned up the guy said everything on it was stock. LOL So, I had the tires replaced, the brakes replaced…and got the pedal gear thing fixed as it was a bit wobbly. Now it rides like a dream. I’ve always wanted a cruiser type bicycle.

So…I have my helmet, blinky lights, basket and bell…and I ride probably once or twice a week around the neighborhood. Since it’s a three speed, going up hills is kind of hard, but whatever. Once I took a ride before a workout, so I looked silly riding around on a cruiser in my workout spandex.

So, in terms of proper workouts, I’ve only done about two. BUT, both were Week 2 runs! I’m getting used to them and LOVING it. I’m learning, however, that I really need to find the best running posture for my body in order to keep it up. What helps is strength training, so I really need to step that up, too.

One hurdle that I can’t seem to get over right now is getting up early for my two weekday workouts. I could do it at night, I suppose…but I like getting it out of the way first thing. It just seems to set the tone for the day.

And I’m still working on eating better. I’ve upped my anti-depressant dosage, and I just started working with a “health coach” through my insurance provider. It’s actually really awesome…they work with people with depression to self manage their lives and get back on track. It’s all over the phone, and they check up on you to make sure you’re reaching your goals and stuff. I haven’t had a proper session yet, but I got the booklet and it looks like it could be helpful. I’m also looking for a counselor to start seeing at least once a week for awhile. I think that I’m finally ready to get some help.

Anyway…life is good. I’m good. Getting back on track and all that good stuff.

Week 2 Day 1 COMPLETE

Okay, so I didn’t blog about my last two times out. I went out the morning of 10/31 and it was really difficult to keep going. I could barely run the sixty seconds, and it was painful walking. The whole thing was hard.

So, I got a new fangled phone…it’s kind of like the stepchild of the iPhone, but I think it’s pretty damn awesome. I downloaded an app that will track your runs/walks, etc, so I did that and here are my stats! I love stats. LOL

Distance: 1.83 miles

 Average Pace: 16.40 min/mi

Calories burned (based on my weight and pace): 399

Time: 30 mins.

Of course that doesn’t include the strength training I did beforehand. I’ve completely forgotten what I did…

After that the next time I went out was on 11/04. I was just so emotionally spent that I just didn’t have it in me to run or anything. Instead, my roommate and I took a brisk walk. It really lifted the spirits. And since I’m a geek, here are the stats for that!

Distance: 1.72 miles

Pace 19:11 min/mi

Calories: 265

Time: 33 mins

What’s funny is that it’s not that much different from my runs. LOL

Then, finally, on Saturday I went out there to do my first Week 2 run. I kicked my ass with the following circuit:

Climbing up the stairs, doing 5 pushups at the top, going down and doing 5 lunges for each side. I did this three times…and I’m STILL sore.

Then I did my Week 2 run…and I finished it!! I felt really good. I felt like I was really pushing myself, but not beyond what I couldn’t do. No wonder the Couch to 5K program is so popular!

Here are my stats for that run.

Distance 2.13 miles

Pace 15.50 min/mi

Calories 463

Time: 33 mins

Considering that I’m now doing 90 second runs and two minute walks instead of 60 second runs and 90 second walks…I really can’t say that this is progress. I’ll have to wait until the next couple of Week 2 runs to see it.

I was supposed to have done my second run this morning, but I stayed up way too late last night. Nevertheless, I’m feeling like I might be losing some weight. I’m wearing a sweater today that used to be a bit tighter than it is now. Might just be me…but I thought that was awesome. Way awesome.

So…that’s it!

Is hair really worth it?

So…I have awesome blue in my hair. There is even a little purple. I’ve had a lot of different colors in my hair over the years…and the one thing that stripped it faster than anything else was chlorine.

So…I have a dream of participating in a a sprint distance triathlon in the next year (if I’m going to be ambitious) or two (if I’m going to be smart), but I certainly can’t be running, swimming, and riding my bike and expect my hair to survive the chlorine and frequent showers.

I’m not sure if I want to give up funky colors in my hair because I really love them there…but I don’t want to NOT swim because I want to keep color in my hair.

It’s a really stupid obstacle that I’m not quite sure what to do with. The answer is obviously clear to everyone…but I am reluctant to accept that.

What do I do?

A Little Inspiration

Just a little something that I wanted to post.

Week 1/Day 2 Repeat

Okay…back to the routine! I took Wednesday off, and I sort of felt that absence of activity…but I think it’s what my body and mind needed after my grandma’s death. But, now back to it.

Strength exercise circuit was as follows, and, as usual, did it three times:

3 Rounds of stairs

10 Hip abductors, each side ( think that’s what they’re called)

10 tricep things, each side

10 squats

Headed out for my run, and it was a bit difficult, but I found that I had to extend my usual route. Sooooo….perhaps the difficulty was in the fact that I might have been going faster? This would be a very good sign of progress and probably that I’m ready to tackle Week 2 of C25K.

I’ve been reading Jayne Williams’ book Shape Up with the Slow, Fat Triathlete (A Fitness Guide For the Rest of Us). So far, it’s extremely practical and inspiring. It’s totally helped with getting me mentally focused and in the right frame of mind. So…I might be fat, slow, and wear stretchy pants…but I don’t care. I enjoy working out. I look forward to hitting the road and sweating my brains out. It’s actually fun…sometimes painful…but I love it, and I want to do more…now.

Now, this may fall under the category of copyright infringement or plagiarism or something illegal I’m sure, but it’s too awesome not to share.

The Imperfect Athlete’s Bill of Rights

I, an imperfect athlete, hold these rights to be inalienable, and I will arm wrestle anyone who tries to deprive you of them.

You have the right to be there, no matter how much “better” than you everyone else may be.

You have the right to wear Lycra, no matter what shape your body has.

You have the right to try any sport or activity you like, at any age.

You have the right to sweat.

You have the right to develop your inner athlete, even if it sometimes inconveniences someone else’s schedule.

You have the right to go as slow as you need to.

You have the right to take a nap.

You have the right to make your activity fun in whatever way you want.

You have the right to eat chocolate.

You have the right to be free of self-consciousness, everywhere and all the time.

So, thank you Jayne for these great things to keep in mind!

I’m really looking forward to this continued journey towards fitness!

Now it’s time to stretch…these muscles are tight. LOL

Fat Athletic Clothing

I’m sure someone out there has their lists of online stores to shop at for good athletic clothing. My workout clothes…a top and a pair of spandex-type capris…have lasted me for nearly three years and are still going strong. I got them from Junonia. I’d love to get another set of clothes, but these work so well for me that I haven’t really had the need. They fit, they wick away sweat, and they’re comfy. Still…it would be nice to have a top that fits better than the one I have. It’s a little big and shapeless.

Yes, I am that vain.

The only thing that I’m super annoyed about are the selections of sports bras out there. I don’t generally like to buy those online because it’s better to try them on first. The bra I have is a joke, but I’ve had it for as long as I’ve had my workout clothes…and it’s about ready to fall apart. I desperately need a new one.

I’ve been reading Jayne Williams’ “Slow, Fat, Triathlete” and aside from being super inspiring, the book is super informative. See, she has unruly girls like I have, and recommended the Enell brand very highly. Looking it up online, I’d say that it would definitely be boob armor…which I need. I’m tired of avoiding bouncy exercises because of my gargantuan boobs.

So, there are two stores here that sell that brand, and I’m going this weekend to try some on, and, possibly, get one.

Next up on the shopping list is a better pair of shoes and some decent insoles.

But, tomorrow, Week 1/Day 2.

Weird day

So, the run went well…but as soon I got home and ate breakfast (that my lovely brother made!), I went back to sleep. Since he went off to class, I just hung out in his room…watched some shows on Hulu and napped.

Then it was time to go see grandma and say goodbye. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I don’t think you’re quite prepared for seeing the body of someone you cared so deeply for. When my mom died, it was entirely different. I was so much in shock from her death that I don’t remember much…except for being in shock. This time around, I wasn’t so much in shock because we all expected it and I had dealt with the idea of losing grandma for sometime before she actually died…rather, I wasn’t sure  how I felt. Maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet.

Since her body is going to be cremated, there wasn’t a casket, nor was there any makeup or anything put on her. To be quite honest, I like it better that way. She was on the stretcher, her hair combed, face washed, and a nice quilt over her body…and she was just…so accessible. I touched her hair, and touched her hand which was under the quilt. I didn’t really want to touch her skin, even though I could feel the cold from underneath the blanket. All the same, that’s what I personally needed to do…touch her for the final time…see her actually gone. I have a huge sense of peace from that. I’m so glad that I was able to do that. The only thing that worries me is that I didn’t cry. Whatever chemicals they were using to keep the smell down or whatever made me really queasy, but I didn’t cry. Maybe I will later…which is okay.

Someday soon I feel that I’m going to be called to help people at the time of death…whether it’s their own, or a loved one. I just feel like death is so important in my life that I need to be close to it. Is that strange? I don’t think so. It’s not like I’m morbid or anything…I just feel that there is not enough healthy attention paid to those who are dying or losing a loved one that the whole issue of death is mysterious and scary. And while it really IS mysterious and scary, there is also a lot of healing and understanding when you are able to accept it for what it is.

I dunno.

I’m going to miss my grandma something fierce…but I really hope that I can be like her. Stubborn, independent, funny, loving, and beautiful.

Hugs and kisses to you, gramma!

Week 1: Redux

Not sure if that means “repeat”….but it sounded good. LOL

So, today I started my second round of Week 1. I felt a lot better about it, even though I’m still feeling tightness in my shins and feet. This time around I didn’t stop to stretch at all, and I think I was better off. Well, I stopped once, but it didn’t really help. So…Week 1, Day 1 COMPLETE.

I was all over the map in terms of my strength exercises, so I don’t really feel like I got a good burn going. I’m not as hungry as I usually am after my workouts. Ah well. Next time I’ll be back home and on my own turf.

Today we are going to do funereal type things…and then I’m back home tomorrow.

Week 1 Day 2 – COMPLETED

So, I got myself up at 4.55 after a wee snuggle with the cats. I actually woke up at about 4 a.m…no idea why. Irritated me to no end considering that I got to bed at about 11. I could have used that 55 minutes of sleep. I put on my clothes, filled my water bottle, stuck in my headphones and headed out.

I planned to do pretty much the same thing as last time, but adding an extra round to my circuit. As I started, I decided to do my circuit this way:

Reading Material!

Even though I play it safe and just generally admit that I don’t read much…there is nothing like a good nonfiction book to get me reeled in and reading.

R recommended that I read Slow, Fat, Triathlete by Jayne Williams. So, I just ordered a copy for $3. I’m not really supposed to be buying anything right now…but I think this is a good exception. For $5 I ordered her other book, The Shape Up with the Slow, Fat, Triathlete. I’m really excited to dive into these books and see what she has to say. I’m really interested in hearing more about being a “fat athlete.” I’ve always felt that I could do so much more than I thought I could with my body. For whatever reason, saying that I could do these things “when I lost weight” seemed more like a cop-out than anything else. Why wait? Why not go for it and see how far I can get?

Okay…off the computer…it’s time to get to bed. Gotta get up and workout tomorrow.