Turkey Day vs. Me

The Holidays are upon us and so is the yearly battle with not gaining the dreaded "holiday weight".

Last year on Thanksgiving morning, I was up at 6 am for a 7am spin class. For dinner, it was just my sister and I and we made a vegetable with some fast and fancy green beans, a sweet potato bake, and addicting roasted cauliflower. The best part, I ate it all guilt free.

This year, my sweethearts family joined us for Thanksgiving. The plan was to get up every day at 6 am to keep to my usual schedule and routine. That was to include my weekly runs, P90X DVDs and the stair master. More importantly, the plan was to enjoy my Turkey dinner, but in moderation.

I would love to say that I did all of the above, but the truth is...I didn't even come close. I can blame the not exercising on the company. Which is true, but only in part. If I really wanted too, I could have made time and excused myself to get it done. But I just didn't feel like it. In fact, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, my boyfriend had to force me out of bed to work out. I was grateful later but downright whinny at the time. As for food....I indulged in waaaay to much mash potatoes, macaroni and cheese and the best....cheesecake, pumpkin pie and even some awesome mimosas.

The result of my Happy Thanksgiving on my body? I have yet to brave the scale. I decided I'll get back on track today and weigh in on Sunday. I didn't quite make it up for my 6 am workout as planned but I did get it in when I got home tonight. However, due to the many splurges on this Monday, I really don't think the workout made a dent in the extra calories I consumed and didn't need today. That's the hardest part of cheating on a holiday like Thanksgiving. I've gotten so use to taking in larger quantities of calories than I'm use too and suddenly I am cutting back and I feeling starved!

To make matters even worse? The lack of exercise flared up the Fibromyalgia. By Friday, everything was aching at some point or another and the meds just weren't cutting through the pain and the exhaustion was setting in. Oddly enough, this made me NOT want to exercise even more!

I guess the lesson learned this fine Holiday is that you can't win them all. Now it's time to get back on track. No body is perfect.

Thanksgiving is now over and Christmas is just around the corner. I will be spending it in NC with my sweethearts family. Lets hope I make out better this time. If not with the food, at least with the exercising!

Officially in training for Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder is possibly the toughest event on the planet. The 7-12 mile course is designed by the British Arms Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie Forget finish times. Simply completing a Tough Mudder is a badge of honor and it's a badge I want. www.toughmudder.com Footage can also be found on youtube.

I will be competing in a Tough Mudder obstacle course on April 9th at 11 am in Allentown, PA. I am sooo freak'n excited. Even better, my sweetheart will be competing with me. Feel free to come watch. Spectator tickets are $15, but I promise you, it will be an amazing event! Especially if I make to the end and get to run through a wall of fire!

However, the kink in this plan is that after the concussion/neck injury in late June, I've only done cardio and no strength training. Any muscle/strength I might have had is long gone. How can I possibly make it through a Tough Mudder obstacle course when at the moment, I have absolutely no upper body strength whatsoever?!?!?

Thus, training began. On Monday November ,I began my P90X workouts. I've even made it up at 6am for a full week! When I started P90X some time ago I was picking at random which of the 12 DVDs I wanted to do. This time, I am flowing the guide book. Tonight, I take my measurements and before picture and hopefully by April, I'll look something like Dreya above. Maybe not quite that good, but I'm hopeful. *smile* Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?!

I have a little less than 5 months to train. I even went out and bought my Iron Man "Gym" which hangs over my door to allow me to do my modified pull ups and chin ups and also is useful in my push ups. Yes, I can do modified push ups and pull ups in just two weeks! Woohoo!

I'm on my way to strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie!

Tough Mudder, here I come!!

Half-Athelete

I started my training a few weeks late because I was training for my Lancaster 50K bike ride. I modified the training program to fit the time I had to train. Oh, and I waited until two weeks before the race to read the Galloway book which was full of all sorts of useful training information I could have used when training for the Baltimore 10 Miler. But I did it, I ran a half-marathon. I ran 13.1 miles for the first time ever!

Not only did I run it and love it, but I ran it in 02:03:36. The best part, I had a 9:26 pace! I was hoping for a 10 minute pace! Woohoo!

Next year, the full marathon! Or, at least that's the plan. The only hitch with that? The fibromyalgia. I noticed after my 12 mile run in NC, I slept through the car ride home from NC to MD. I then slept for another couple of hours after getting home and I slept through the evening just fine as well. After the half-marathon, the same exhaustion hit and I went to bed by 9:30 pm on more than one evening last week. Is it the shear act of running 13 miles or is it the fibromyalgia? Is it a combination of both? If I'm this exhausted after 13 miles, what's going to happen when I'm trying to run 20 miles?

Next up, I have the 5 mile Celtic Solstice on December 18th. Last year, they ran this race in a blizzard. After that, I'll be looking forward to the Tough Mudder competition in April. Time to focus on not just cardio but strength training. If I'm going to make it through a 12 mile obstacle course, I need to start working on my upper body strength.

Tough Mudder, here I come!

I'm still being referred to as an athlete. Still feeling rather blah about that word. Feeling more like a half-athlete really. Maybe after Tough Mudder and hopefully completing the full marathon, I'll be ready to call myself an athlete.

I survived the NC fire ants!

That there is what I looked like when I realized I had stepped in a fire ant hole and my feet and shoes were covered in them. I wasn't even standing there for two minutes, trying to take a photo. As I walked back to the car I'm wondering why on earth are my feet itching and burning all of a sudden. Looking down, it was only seconds before my shoes went flying and I'm frantically trying rub the little buggers off of me. Did I mention the concern to see the veins on my feet swell as the pain continued to get worse.

Where would we be without the Internet and smart phones? After a brief search on my lovely IPhone, we paid a visit to Walgreen's where I promptly purchased Witch Hazel and 100% pure aloe gel, sat down in their parking lot and doused my feet. Thank goodness the relief was almost immediate. While I had to apply every few hours to keep the pain away and my feet were a slimy green mess for the rest of the day, I am lucky enough to report that we worked quickly enough and I did not have any "pustules" on my feet from the little bugger bites, as the Internet suggested I might get.

Why was I in North Carolina being attacked by fire ants, you ask? The main reason was to attend wedding. Therefore, I needed my feet to look beautiful and sexy in the only pair of sexy black heels that I own. But, just as important, it was my last long run to complete for my training before the Big Half Marathon taking place this Saturday. I had to run 12 miles and needed my feet not to be swollen, burning and itchy.

I did manage to run 12 miles, for the first time ever! Even better, I had the pleasure of doing it on the Al Buehler Trail in Duke Forest. It was a beautiful site. So much so that I did not even use my ipod to listen to music. Just enjoyed the natural sounds around me. How rare is that.

However, this leads me to wonder why is that I have to go all the way to North Carolina to trail run?

As for the Firbromyalgia, the running is taking it's toll. Between the run and the drive to and from NC, the exhaustion set in and I slept through most of the car ride home, after I got home and even through the night. Feeling better and managed to run my 5 miles on Tuesday. The week before a race it's important to reduce the mileage and rest up. Thursday I run 4 and then...

The next time I post, it'll be after running my first half-marathon (13.1 miles) on October 16th as part of the Baltimore Running Festival. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm hoping for a 10 minute pace but I've heard there are plenty of hills on the course and they just may slow me down.

Wish me success folks!

Running - be it on the road or hitting the trails

I have just realized that it has been over a month since I last posted; shortly after I completed my first 50k in Lancaster on my mountain bike.

Currently, I am training for the Baltimore Running Festival, where I will be running my first half marathon. For this reason, I will be running 10 miles this weekend. It will be the 2nd time ever having done so and the 1st time since I ran the Baltimore 10 Miler in June. I ran 9 miles yesterday morning and having skipped my 5 mile run on Thursday, it was not easy, to say the least. I have 3 more long runs, including this weekend, to slowly increase my mileage from 10, 11, and then 12. I’ll run 13 for the first time the day of the race. Less than a month to go!

To help aid me in my training, I decided to once again try those energy packets you squeeze down while running. My first experience with the energy pack was a different brand and I didn’t think I as going to be able to keep it down. It was like warm strawberry/banana yogurt. This time I tried an apple cinnamon gel flavor by “Boom” and damn, was that good. Imagine running along and opening up a packet of apple pie filling and squeezing it into your mouth. All that was missing was the crust! Not sure it gave me the energy it promised, but who cares when you’ve got squeezy apple pie on the run! Next up this weekend will be the “Gu” brand. Lets up it’s just as good as “Boom”!

Before the big race, I have the Race for the Cure 5k, the first weekend in October. Nothing like a good 5k to get the adrenaline going. Can’t wait to run with the Team – Go Anytime Fitness in White Marsh!

Once I complete the half-marathon and my official training is over, I’ve decided I might look into some trail running. For the locals, no, the NCR trail does not count. While visiting a friend in NC back in July, I got to experience trailing running for the first time in the beautiful Umstead Park. I probably ran about 4 miles but due to the uneven path, rocks, tree roots and all sorts of other natural obstacles I had to avoid, it felt like 6 miles. I would prefer to forget that I failed to avoid those natural obstacles a couple of times, but given my clumsy history, I expected nothing less and I believe my friends would be disappointed if I hadn't fallen at least once, haha.

In addition to the try trail running, I need to decide where I’ll be completing my full marathon in 2011. If I am going to make it 26 miles, I would prefer it to be flat. Baltimore, I have learned, is not flat. What's better than going on vacation to run 26 miles! Nada! Therefore, I will be scheduling next years vacation around running my first marathon. Right now, Little Rock Arkansas is on the table. Disney’s marathon sounds awesome but I won't be ready by January 2011, and I work the first few Saturdays in January anyway, so that one is out.

Anyone have any suggestions?

An athlete?

We did it! Katie and I completed our first ever Covered Bridge Metric Century bike ride in Lancaster, PA. The ride included three possible distances for us to choose from; 25k (17 miles), 50K (31 miles) or a 100K (62 miles). It took us 5 hours to complete it and it rained for probably the last 10 miles, I mean, really rained, but we finished the 50K; 32 miles (the route ended up being 32 miles, instead of 31)… This was quite an accomplishment for both of us, as the most either one of us has over done before was 20 miles.

We were greeted at the finish line by Katie’s mom and two little girls that joined us for the weekend. Also joining us were two other lady riders, who completed the 100k; that’s 62 miles. Should I mention that they completed it in less time than it took us to complete the 50K? Nah….haha. I have to admit I find that a bit embarrassing, but at the same time, I’m still amazed that I did it at all!

I’d like to say that I lost a couple of pounds riding a bike for 5 hours, but not so. I was so hungry FROM riding a bike for 5 hours that I think I consumed enough food to make up for every calorie burned during the ride. The sugar cookies, pretzel sticks and turkey hill ice cream they provided after the ride were damn good and well earned!

The volunteers working the water/snack stops were friendly and helpful. The riders were supportive and friendly. If they found you resting along the side of the rode, they’d ask if you were OK as they whizzed by. I assume if you were to say no, they’d send some help but not sure I believe they would have actually stopped. There was the sac wagon that cruised by every once in a while making sure that we were all safe and feeling well.

It was pretty clear from the beginning that I didn’t really fit in with these riders. First off, I wasn’t wearing the right clothes. I had on my ¾ length exercise pants that are really yoga pants apparently and a yoga tank top, belonging to another exercise outfit of mine. Apparently I find yoga gear to be very comfortable to wear when running. All the other riders had their spandex shorts and spandex shirts with cute little pockets on the back to hold stuff. I’ve decided while I can do without the spandex, I need one of these shirts!

Not only were my clothes all wrong, but apparently my bike was too. I believe it was at the first rest stop when a rider noticed that I was sporting a mountain bike and I was then told that I was “ambitious”. I am pretty certain it was a nice way of saying “stupid”. Most riders had what I am told is called a “road bike”. It’s a much thinner, lighter bike; the frame is smaller and the tires are probably half as thick as mine. However, considering the rainy weather, I’d like to think I had the advantage of having the safer tires. *smile*

I am trying to convince Katie that next year, we will be ready to ride the 100k – 62 miles. Guess I will be adding that on to my goals for 2011, right along side my goal to run a full marathon.
Next up, is the half-marathon scheduled for October 16th, 2010. I began my 12 week training for it this past Tuesday. Unfortunately, I wasn’t thinking clearly and miscalculated just how much time I had to train. This means that it will actually be only 9 weeks instead of 12. Considering all the runs I missed and the multiple injuries I endured, including the concussion, while training for the 10 miler in June, I can’t say that I’m all that concerned. I say lets get it on!

There are also a few smaller races before then. There is the Race for the Cure (5k) on October 3rd I’ll be participating in. I also received a notification in the mail about a “Run to Remember – 5k” on 09/11/2010 to begin at 8:46 am. Having been living in NY and working at Morgan Stanley when the Twin Towers went down, I found myself registering for this run as well.

During a conversation this week I mentioned that because I had plans after work, I had to be up at 6 am to run my 4 miles on Tuesday. It was then said that I didn’t “have” to but that I “chose” to. I replied with, “No, if I want to run a half marathon, I HAVE to run. If I want to stay healthy and keep the weight off, I HAVE to run”. This isn’t a choice. It’s something I HAVE to do to, to maintain my health, both mentally and physically.

So, here I am; having run a 10 mile race, going to run a half marathon in less then 9 weeks, having biked 32 miles along with having run various 5k’s, even a 10k and doing some hiking. Who’d have ever thought it? Certainly, not me.

Within the last week I’ve had three separate people call me an athlete. This word seems foreign to me and all I think is, really? You think I’m an athlete? Nah….

I suppose in the back of my head I secretly want to complete a triathlon – maybe then I’d consider myself an athlete. In fact, I’d be a tri-athlete, haha. But that thought also terrifies me at the same time and I think might just be a goal for 2012.

Right now, I am just someone who is trying to be healthy and fit. Does that make me an athlete? Nah….but it’s nice to think about. *smile*

California Tortilla - Good but Bad!

Back from my weekend trip to NC and pretty much healed from my recent knee injuries. All that’s left is a bit of scratch, definitely some bright pink scaring and some lingering pain in my right hand which the Good Dr. said is probably a strained tendon from the repeated falls. I chose to call them battle scars. *smile*

Despite skipping my Tuesday evening run this week, I have actually been pretty good about sticking to my exercising. My eating habits however, have seen better days. Lot’s of candy, maybe even a mint chocolate chip and pistachio ice cream waffle cone and well….two trips to California Tortilla in two days. Not such a good thing...my stomach and my weight seconds that notion.

I have not been on a scale in several days, but the last I checked, I was at 138. That was pre California Tortilla, of course. I’ve decided I’m going to wait until Monday to weigh in again. Give myself several days of eating right, a run and even a 32 mile bike ride. I hope to be back to 135 sooner rather than later.

Besides the fact that my numbers are creeping above 140, which is not an option for me, I have a wedding that my boyfriend has invited me too, in just over a week’s time. I need to make sure I fit into the dress I plan to wear at the wedding! It’s good incentive to pass on the candy bar, or the late night snacks. He and I even did some P90X last night before our dip in the pool. It was my first time doing P90X since the concussion/neck injury from the pool show in June and his first time seeing P90X. Felt great afterwards and I am hoping to get back to my 6 am workouts again.

Might be back to running without my running buddy. Unfortunately, changes in our lives often screw up our schedules and interfere with our day to day stuff. Hopefully we’ll be able to work out a new routine to keep us both running.

I was yet again at the Doctors office this past Monday and with all of the recent bodily injuries, the staph and so forth, I commented to him that I feel as if I’m at the doctors office more now that I’m “healthy”, than I ever was when I was 209 lbs. This thought has been bothering me for sometime, but does no longer. The Good Doctor pointed out to me that one doesn’t get staph or various injuries from sitting on the sofa watching TV, unless perhaps he stubs his toe on the way to the bathroom to pee. I like the way he thinks! LOL *smile*

Thankfully, the Fibromyalgia has been my friend lately and has been treating me well.

This weekend – The Covered Bridge Metric Century in which Katie and I will be completing a 50K (31 miles) on our bicycles in Lancaster, PA. This past Sunday, I rode 20 miles for the first time EVER, and it was great. The Monday after, my legs were definitely feeling it and I was wobbling a bit but still loved it. I can’t wait for this weekends challenge. Keep an eye out for pictures folks!