Running, Roller Derby and kids.

Familiar routines

2012-02-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

Running is not going awesome right now. It's not stellar, I don't dream about it. I don't spend my afternoons wondering how far and fast I'll run tomorrow.

Nope, right now my running is the tender and familiar arms of mediocrity.

I ran 3 miles, kind of slow, and it wasn't a terrible effort. Which sounds fairly unimpressive. But for my line of thinking it's just wonderful.

I show up, I do the work, it's a nice part of the day, and I'm done.
Yeah me!

Jogging stroller!

2012-02-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day back with the jogging stroller since.... maybe October?

Back in October I remember it being almost no effort at all to run the kids to school. Two of them. It was only 2.5 miles, so it's not really a major effort, but when I first started it felt like a freaking marathon.

Fast forward to today. Just getting back into running. It was really only a month or two off, but that's enough. Now that the weather is warming the jogging stroller calls.

When I started running with it before I recall pain, burning lungs, nauseating spit, and beet red skin. Today was not so bad. It was a freakin effort I'll say though. But the only pain was really the cardio effort. It was actually really good.

So here I go back to the great outdoors! Hoping for some decent weather to keep on running!

Spring into running!

2012-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

The running swing is officially back! Yeah! I had two runs this week that were short, but included the all important "this feels kinda good" period.

And today I hit 4 miles, ran really well and parts of it kind of fast! I did 7.5 mph for over 5 minutes. It was a tempo run and I just kept going up and up!

The Newtons really do feel like miracle shoes. No foot pain at all, like zero. Super happy with the purchase. My only issue is that they run super duper small. I wear a 9.5, ordered a 10.5 and I think I should have gone with a size 11. They feel fine during the run, but afterwards the tips of my longer toes are a little chafed. Next pair I get will be bigger.

Spring has sprung here, which is usually when I get my workout "shit" together. Winters burn me out and I just want to snuggle up and knit or hang with my babies. Next year I'd like to try to keep up with the running, even if it's toned down. But either way, it only took 6 runs to get back to 4 miles. Pretty sure I can get back to my usual 5 milers by next week. Which is just fine for me.

Yeah!

Newtons

2012-01-24T12:16:00.000-08:00

On the long and often interrupted journey back to some sort of fitness level.... I'm trying some new running shoes. Newtons.

These are listed as minimal shoes, which is kind of weird cause they are super duper cush. Anyways, the heel is lower and the ball area has more cushion. Which is hopefully going to work for me.

I have a fairly forward strike, which is supposed to be good for my knees, but is awful for my big toe and the ball of my foot. I got no natural padding. Skinny white women feet. Well at least the feet are skinny.

Anyways, they say to start slow to adjust. This is kind of timely as I'm starting slow to adjust back into movement in general.

First day run, alternating 5 minutes of easy pace running 5.5-6pmh with 5 minutes of walking. Felt a little weird and significantly less stable. Had to really think about using my feet. But otherwise pretty good.

Fast track, slow track

2012-01-11T11:23:00.001-08:00

So I guess I'm taking the super slow route back to the gym and running thing. I went once last week and called it!

I did achieve ridiculous soreness that restricted my ability to sit on the toilet without holding onto the sink and towel rack, though. Which is totally great in my book. I tend to grade my workouts on how sore I am the next day.

So the goal is to run for 5 minutes and add 5 each week. So each day at the gym, hopefully 4 days, I would work up to the normal 30 or minutes I previously was running and then add in a long run once a week.

Today I ran 10 minutes, and could have done way more, but hey I'm lazy! I guess the whole lung bleeding sensation really was a chest cold I was experiencing last week.

Anyways.

I bought new running shoes, Newtons, lower heel. Will post details when i get them!

Happy New Something!

2012-01-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

So my 2 months of slackerhood have sadly and happily come to an end. I slowed down on workouts and runs for a month and half and then completely stopped all physical movement for 3 weeks while my husband recooped from foot surgery.

Today was my first real weights day and yes I believe I have accomplished some serious noodlehood! Yeah!

I've done a little bit of running and am having some serious knee pain so will be taking that ramp up super slow. Just 5 minute increases each run. I want my strength training to catch up first.

AND!!! my man will be starting walking in the next month or so, which will be ramping up to light running over the springtime! So I'll have a running man to forward to this summer! Yeah!!!

It just wasn't working...

2011-11-28T14:35:00.000-08:00

I tried, I really did. I thought maybe we were just in a "chill cycle". But the less and less we did the farther it went and was going no where.

So I did what works, what always works and when I thought about it, I really missed.
I rejoined the Y.

The home gym just wasn't cutting it. It's nice. It really is. But it doesn't get me working out like the Y does. Or at least the Y's 90 minutes of free child care, does.

Yeah I called up this morning, paid the bill, and took me and the baby in. It didn't take much to kick my weak-haven't seriously lifted in 3 months- ass.

Pretty happy about my decision. Even if it does cost $100, I don't have, a month.

Fair weather runner

2011-11-19T10:13:00.001-08:00

Yeah I totally wimp out when it comes to cold weather. So the runs have been sporadic and uneventful. Pretty much I've settled into knitting, drinking coffee, eating too much and staying warm.

I live in the Pacific Northwest. We are happy to have 50 degree weather most days, including summer. But dipping into the 30's is where we draw the line.

I've been doing some treadmill action and am just starting to get back into the swing of weight lifting. I'm lifting in my garage so it's a little harder to get motivated than when I was in the warm, clean gym.

It's winter. I'm fine with that.

Good run!

2011-10-28T14:01:00.000-07:00

You know the whole run to school battle has a lot of pros and cons.

It's almost all downhill the first 2.5 miles. Definitely a pro.
But it's 1.5 miles almost all uphill the way back. Major con. I'm cool with a little uphill with the stroller, but 1.5 straight miles of it is not so cool.

Getting it together before 8:30 am is another definite con. And I don't mean get my shit together, I mean get myself and 2 small children fed, "hygiened up", dressed and out the door for a run by 8:30 am. Kids really do complicate things.

Today I tried another approach. Drive kid to school and run my favorite, mostly flat 4.8 mile run with only one kid. Worked like a champ. Think I'm gonna try doing that next week!

Off and on the bandwagon.

2011-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

I seem to have about a 6 month cycle of being on the exercise bandwagon. When I fall off I tend to slack more, obviously, exercise less and with less intensity. These lulls seem to last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

I believe I am starting one now. The change of seasons to chilly and often rainy weather doesn't help. But I try to scale back the workouts while still keeping a base level of fitness. Then I just have to hold on until I get the hardcore feeling back again.

So for now it's a little less push. I'm ok with that.

Ran 4.86 miles on Monday- no kids!
Walked 3.25 miles on Tuesday
Ran 3.75 miles today.

I would really like to get back on the weights. That's the one thing I'm having a hard time getting back on. Mostly because I'm not going to a gym, and that seems to be the easiest way for me to do weights. hrrrm.

I needed that!

2011-10-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Photos by Danny Ngan! Love that man!

So bout day has come and gone. And my love for derby has been rekindled. You see we had been going strong for about 18 months. From February 2010 to August 2011 it was non-stop training to skate, to ref, to call penalties, form a group. All the work required to get a fairly functioning ref group was pretty vigorous and after a year and half most of us were pretty burnt.

So from August to October I've been on a break/leave/burnout phase. I hemmed and hawed about leaving the league. Tried to figure out how to scale back, and trying to decide if I wanted to do this at all.

Saturday night brought it all together and answered all those questions. There is nothing like a good bout to bring back the fire!

I've had to make changes to my derby routine. Now, along with my new work schedule, I only attend once a week. I get together with my lady refs for food and then go to practice. It makes the whole process of going to practice a lot more enticing.

The bout had some trying moments. One of the refs slotted to skate didn't show. We're pretty sure she didn't realize she was on the roster while she was on leave. So that put us down one skating ref. I stepped in for one game, and one of the newer refs stepped in for the other.

Yeah so I haven't been on skates since August. Not a step! And I hadn't called penalties since Rollercon, again in August. I was feeling nervous.

The problem was I went to Rollercon and ended up demoralized. I skate reffed twice while there and it was not a good thing. Rollercon is flat track. I ref banked track. The rules are not super different, but between the differences, the new environment and the entire flat track skater culture I was super off my game. It sucked.

So I came back feeling like I sucked as a ref.

Enter Saturday's game. Upon realizing I would be skating I geared up and went to do a little warmup. Could I still do this? Umm yeah, not a problem. Actually I couldn't tell I had missed a day of skating! Thankfully after skating for close to 2 years my legs had not forgotten a thing.

So now the issue was the penalty calling, oh yeah and pack definition. This was a major problem for me at Rollercon. I think in retrospect I was just spooked. Also flat track skaters skate backwards which really freaking screws me up.

During the game the penalties were sooo easy for me to see! And pack definition was so prominent! It was like taking that break allowed my brain to process all the stuff I'd learned over the past 2 years. I felt awesome!

And it was a freakin amazing game! The teams were really evenly matched. I saw so many incredible, and clean, hits. What an awesome game to start back up with!

Anyways. It went great and now I am so very for-sure, back in derby!

Bout day!

2011-10-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well I'm finally back in the swing of roller derby things. Technically I'm on the accelerated path back to reffing. One practice in and there's a bout!

Not much running to speak of the past few days. I think I get worried that I'll either blow up like a balloon or irreversibly sink into sloth-dom if I don't run daily. But I think I'll be all right.

Ran Mon through Wed and decided to walk Thurs and just plain chill on Friday. So only 16 miles this week. Back to grind on Monday!

License to slack

2011-10-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why there is this constant urge to increase and improve on physical performance. I have been running about 4-5 days a week, usually around 5 miles a day. Some bits walking, some days a smidgen less. But all in all a respectable number of miles and at a respectable pace.

So why do I feel like a slacker? I haven't done any weights the past month and a half. Which is lame. The transition into school mom mode has been tough, but I'm hitting my stride.

I keep feeling like I should run or walk the second half of the day as well. And maybe do some biking or swimming. Cause I should be doing more.

The notion of getting pregnant actually feels like the only reasonable excuse to do less. Do I need a license to slack or something?

Not always about running!

2011-10-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

Planned to run today and knew it wouldn't happen as soon as I put the Bailey's knockoff in my morning coffee! Hey it's the weekend man. A little tipple before noon never hurt anyone.

Finally made it back to practice! I've been on leave since our last bout in August? Sept? I'm not actually sure when it happened.. hrrmm.

Well anyways, my brain retains the most random of details so it was no stretch to step back in. I did penalty tracking for a closed junior league scrimmage. It was nice to be back with everyone and all seemed to have a good time. While I've enjoyed my time off, I've really missed my derby people.

And because fall and winter are our best times for home projects, we have gotten quite a bit done! I organized the spare bedroom into a craft and sewing room. Yeah!

Also we finally built shelves in our totally non-functional bedroom closet. Tons of space and no way to use it. Now there is room for everything, we were able to remove an extra dresser and trunk from the bedroom and it's clean!

And finally I painted a bare wall with chalkboard paint to make a calendar and drawing area. Holy smokes I've needed to do this. We used green and purple and it looks awesome. We have to wait a few days before we draw on it, but it's going to be awesome!

Doing good! Even without a day of running.

Bad Ass!

2011-10-13T18:08:00.001-07:00

Yeah I'm sure when someone says bad ass you have to PR or add hella crazy miles or something remarkable. But in my world showing up is still an accomplishment.

So yes, once again, I ran to school (in cold ass weather I may add) and ran home. Yeah that's a whole 2.5 miles with 2 children mostly downhill, and 1.65 miles home with one child, MOSTLY UPHILL!!!

Oh yeah, that is soooo BAD ASS!!!!

Much better

2011-10-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

I was starting to sink into runner super slackerdom. You know when you get into a running routine, it's not very hard so you don't really push.

Yeah the running with the kids thing has gotten pretty easy. I had further slacked by only running to school in the morning and picking up Koz in the afternoon in the car. For good reason, hanging around in sweaty running tights on chilly days is not so nice.

Running 2.5 miles to school, walking home with the baby girl and then hitting another 2.5 on the treadmill should be fine right? 5 miles is a nice round number. But I wasn't really pushing and after a week or two there is no improvement.

Though today, my friends, it was a new day. Yes today I actually ran home. So with one child in the stroller and taking on all the hills I made the full 4 mile loop. It's actually like 4.18 miles but Mez wanted to "balance" on the curb for a couple blocks. And I walked the super short but steep half block hill.

Did the last mile on the treadmill.

Nice day.

Oh how annoying...

2011-10-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

I got to run to school with just one child today! That means I can run the full 5 miles in one go. OMG running back up those moderate hills with a empty stroller are a dream!

And then on my way back my foot tweaks. Left ball of my foot decides it's going to hurt and no you cannot run on me. Totally annoying.

Though you can run surprising well on the side of your foot.

3.5 miles total. Lame.

Having kids

2011-10-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

No run today. Totally felt like being lazy! There is no school and I work tonight. (Did I mention that this is the last of 2 night shifts!)

So we have been laying around, making cookies and watching movies. I've been working on a dino stuffy for Koz.

Days like this is why I like having kids.

We're morning people

2011-10-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

I get up just after 6 am. Koz pretty much is laying there waiting for me to get up, so he can get up. We make food, listen to music, play, go running, go walking, you name it, we do it.

So today like the rest started early, did 5 miles of running (2.5 on the road with the kids and another 2.5 on the treadmill) with a 1.5 mile walk break in the middle. My 3 year old has walked the entire 1.5 miles home every day this week!

Having our afternoons and evening free has been such a treat. We've been doing projects and cooking. Having dinner by 4:30-5pm is really nice and keeps me from snacking all day.

Yesterday I made a sweater stuffy, and today I'm hoping to start work on a Halloween banner. Yeah!

It's working out!

2011-10-05T17:45:00.001-07:00

So the job had a little scheduling snaffoo... and they asked me if I can work Sunday morning (my soon to be and most desired shift) early and skip Saturday night shift!!! Hell yeah!! I will still be rocking the Friday night, but that's fine. Only two night shifts left til it's all day all the time!

That may not seem that big a deal to the rest of the world, but I honestly prefer to be asleep by 8:30-9pm. Just not a night partier. When I was in my early twenties I actually used to meet up with my partying friends at a bar downtown where they opened at 5am for the all nighters.

Yeah.

In other news, I'm liking the treadmill option. It's crappy weather these days, which I love. But getting soaking wet during a nice run, then waiting 2 hours to do it again is not as much fun. It's fine in the summer, but fall not so much.

4.29 miles outside, 2.75 miles inside. 5 of those run.

A little this and a little that

2011-10-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

Some days I want to wear real clothes. And I mean the kind of clothes that include matching socks, zipper and button waistbands, and a non-moisture wicking coat. But the schedule doesn't always allow.

Today we ran to school, walked back and the 3 year old once again pretty much walked the whole way. But instead of sitting around on the old interwebs, we went to the studio and I did another 2.5 on the treadmill. The plan was to walk to school for pickup in real clothes! But I may have lost track of time and left too late to walk.

Still got to wear real clothes though.

Ran 5 miles, walked 1.26

Happy Monday!

2011-10-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

Only two more weeks of night shift!!!! Oh there is sooo a countdown.

Anyways today David is home so I ran to school. Was going to run home, but little Meza, 3 yrs old btw, wanted to walk. The whole 1.68 miles home! Yeah!

Ran 2.5 miles, walked another 1.68 home.

They love me

2011-10-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well I guess they love me at my job. I'm one of the more senior and experienced staff for my group. I figured I was doing great, but really I mostly work by myself, which I prefer, so feed back only happens sporadically.

I called work to talk with our scheduling manager to see if I was being laid off, just in case. She said "hell no!" and wished I could work more shifts! So they love me.

But my schedule will be changing, which I am over the moon about, to a long shift on Sunday. 6am to 8pm. I'll get my entire part time work week done in one day. And it's the busy shift. I've been working nights which is ok, but there is a lot of slow time. This means the only real work I have to do is cleaning. Sad. Sunday I'll get to rock it!

So stress gone. Job good. Two more weeks of night shifts yeah!

I'm gonna walk

2011-09-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Today is an optional walk day and I'm taking it. So we'll take the shorter route and only do a 4.5 miles round trip.

I'm feeling a little stressed with work tonight. One of my co-workers was laid off under questionable circumstances. I think I'll be fine, but my position is definitely a potential issue.

I only work part time and have had to recently cut back my hours further due to the ridiculous schedule my kids have with school. If I were to be laid off it would be ok, but I prefer to get a regular paycheck even if it's a small one. And I really couldn't complain if the company needs my shift to accommodate someone full time.

So tonight may be a lay off night. Who knows. It may be fine, but it still worries me. I hate not knowing. Even if I am laid off, I'll still stay on for relief. That's always given me plenty of shifts, just less dependable.

4 days straight!

2011-09-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

So last week and the week before I only ran the kids to school 3 out of 5 days. And technically on Monday I only ran half the loop. But I'm on day 4 and doing well. Though I will say I didn't seem to have any power in my legs this morning.

And I've decided to make Friday a day off option day. But honestly it's nicer to run, makes it go faster!

Even with the weakling legs I still managed a respectable 10 min pace. Pretty much if I'm not pushing hard I make 10 each time. Which I am completely ok with that. The fact that I keep going each morning is still impressing the hell out of myself!

But another beautiful day and another 8.29 miles, 5.5 run and the rest walked.

Cold and beautiful

2011-09-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of living in the PNW is our falls. We get our bouts of rain, which I like too, but there is a lot of cold, crisp and beautiful sunny days.

Today was just that and perfect for running. Legs are improving every week. It's weird because now I often feel like I haven't worked out at all. I think I may need to start upping the miles and intensity.

The run to school was 2.5 miles with both kids in the stroller at a 9.2 pace. That's definitely the fastest I've run with both of them. My goal is to start adding more running on the way home. So far I did another .5 miles back uphill towards my house. I'll hopefully do this on both trips. Then slowly add another .25 mile here and there until I'm running the whole thing. How cool would that be?

One of my methods for adding on mileage is to slow down. I figure I can run just about any distance if I go slow enough, and I'm really not tracking time anyways.

Well I did the second leg of my kids to/from school run. I ran the 2.5 with one kid in the stroller in 21.30. Yeah, that's a 8.20 pace. F*ck yeah! And being a little tired from that, I elected to walk the rest home.

Loving it

5.5 miles run
2.79 walked
8.29 total

Rain rain rain

2011-09-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Classic fall in the Pacific Northwest. Rain, steady, for real, not drizzle, straight up rain.
Perfect for running!

I really enjoy running in the rain, even though it feels like my raincoat is soaking through.

Oh and you know what is super awesome? I got a new raincoat for running. One of those super light, water wicking, la la la kind. It has a pocket you can stuff the whole thing in and zip up. Makes the whole thing about the size of my hand.

Yeah well I showed how cool it was to my husband, set it down somewhere and now I can't find it. Yeah awesome. How cool is it that it compacts so small now?

Did the school loop. Run 2.5 miles with two kids in the stroller to school. Walked with one kid back home another 1.64 miles. Was going to repeat this 2 hours later for a total of 5 miles run and 3.29 miles walked but we decided to drive and go for lunch. It's awesome. I love it!

Back in action

2011-09-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back to fairy normal after a weekend of flu/stomach flu fun. My appetite is crap so I'm running slower than usual and it's harder. But it's tolerable and I've never been one to be slim on appetite for long.

With the new school schedule I am finding it increasing difficult to make the crossfit classes. We are looking at cutting back my hours at work as well. So I may be dropping Crossfit to save time and money, but happily working a shorter schedule. I am sooo totally ok with this. I had no idea when school started how difficult and taxing 5 days a week school would be. Freakin crazy! And I'm not even the one in school!

Sunday: Slept for like 17 hours and then slept some more.

Monday: Ran 5 miles and walked 3.29 for a 8.29 total

Tuesday: Stayed home with the sick kid! He started puking and crapping at 3am and did not stop til after 7am. Call this one a rest day.

Wednesday: Ran 5 miles and walked .5. Still home with the sick kid, but fortunately we have a treadmill!

Thursday: Ran 5.5 miles and walked 2.79 for a 8.29 total. Are the kids better? Of course not, Koz puked like a gallon all over the couch. And Meza has joined in with the every 30 minute diarrhea. Awesome!

Friday: Nothing today. Not only was it another sick day, the kids still puking and crapping, I strained something in my neck and the spent the morning in paralyzing pain. How freakin lame! Off to work tonight. But it looks like my schedule will change in October and I'll be able to work one day shift from now on. No more nights! And it's only one shift a week. What a freakin relief that will be!

Saturday: So this whole neck thing is bullshit! It's loads better from yesterday, but I still have a lot of pain and can't move normally. I want to run and do my usual day! Sucko. Man I hope tomorrow is better!

Two things

2011-09-13T14:48:00.001-07:00

My favorite two things right now:

Using running as a form of commuting. I take the kids in the stroller to run to the store or school or park. Sometimes I get to run places by myself too!

David saying he wants to start running with me! Sadly he has to have foot surgery and will likely be not able to run for another 6 months after, but he's interested and that's a world of change from his previous interests.

So cool.

School's starting!

2011-09-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is the week I've been training for! School!

The plan for each day is to run 2.5 miles to school, walk or run home, hang out and then run another 2.5 back to school, and definitely walk home. (two kids in the stroller on the way home!)

I'm hitting a crossfit class today, one this week during the evening and again on Saturday. And there may be another longer run or two sometime during the week. I'm very excited to get my run on!

Sun: Duplicate from yesterday but mapmyrun does Sun-Sat and counts better than me. So yesterday had a 5.58 mile run .58 mile walk

Mon: Crossfit. and that's it.

Tues: 8.29 miles! 6 total run, and 2.29 walked. Broken up into 2.5 miles to school twice and 1.65 miles home twice! Run there and run part of the way back. My pace on the 2.5 too school was first 10.0 with both kids then 8.8 with one kid. Hells yeah!

Wed: 9.29 miles! 6.5 total run, and 2.69 walked. Same deal two loops of 4.63 miles.

Thurs: 8.29 miles. Ran 5 total and walked 3.39. A little sore today!

Fri: Well I can't say I'm surprised. I'm sick. First week of school stress was bound to do that. I spent the night with horrible painful body aches, and the GI tract has decided everything needs to jump ship. I don't actually feel tired though. But I am going to take it easy today as I'm working tonight. So driving to school. Happy Friday?

Sat: Still sick

Sun: Still sick.....

Well the end of the week did not go as planned. I called in sick on Saturday night and it was a really good thing. I've the past 17 hours and feel much better. Hoping to be back in the running swing tomorrow.

Total miles for this week are still good though!
Run: 23.08
Walk: 8.48
Total: 31.56

By the numbers

2011-09-05T09:45:00.001-07:00

Mon: Great run! 8.32 miles 10.32 pace.
Knees a smidge sore but the cardio part has finally kicked back in. If you asked any part of my body above my knees it would have said keep running! The knees were not on board.
Good run anyways. Was really hoping for a sub 10 but as this is the longest run I've done in a couple of months, I'll take it!

Tues: Ran 3.8 miles and man was it hard! Walked another 3ish miles. I this is a recovery day from yesterday's long run. Oh how quickly 8 miles became a long run! Crossfit. Knees are sore!

Wed: Ran 3 or 4 miles of a 12.35 walk with the kids. Not sure how much I actually ran, but man I am beat!

Thurs: Crossfit and I'm feeling like I'm done for the day.

Fri: Today was a bust. Got a flat on the stroller and worked the night shift so no run for me. Lame.

Sat: Got the wheel fixed! Did a short and sweet 3.5 mile run plus 2.11 mile walk home.

Sun: Ran 5ish miles walked another .5

Total:38.65 miles
Run: 24.65 miles
Walk: 14 miles

Weekly numbers

2011-08-31T20:13:00.000-07:00

Monday: Ran 6.8 miles, broken up into 1.8 before crossfit class, 1.8 after crossfit class, and another 3 to the park to play with the kids!

Tuesday: Rest day with a 5.6 mile walk with the kids in the stroller.

Wed: Run 3.6 miles with both kids in the stroller, walked another .6. Then got another 5.3 run in later without kids!

Thurs: Ran 4.8 miles with the kids, did another 5-ish miles walking.

Fri: Ran 4.01 miles no walks and with 2 kids in the stroller!

Sat: Crossfit class and ran 6 miles.

Sun: No class today, I'm sore and beat! So today was a rest day. Ran a short 2 miles and walked another 4 miles

Weekly Totals

Run: 32.2 miles
Walk: 15.2 miles

Total: 47.4 miles

Pretty good!

Rolling babies

2011-08-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

So me and my man have been so very charmed by our two children that we have decided to have another one!

Now I've been enjoying the benefits of injectable birth control. That means it could be up to a year before any baby creation could actually happen. So in the mean time I will be doing my best to keep pushing to a higher level of fitness.

My plan is to keep exercising, and more importantly running, through this next pregnancy. And it would be really cool to gain like 20-25 pounds instead of 65-85 pounds! I want to skate until it no longer makes sense, keep lifting weights and keep eating great. Not too much to ask right?

This week

2011-08-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Monday: Back at it and sore as hell! Saturday's crossfit seriously trashed my legs and butt. Today I ran 4.5 miles, weights for 1 hr, and another crossfit class! This time my class lasted longer than 15 min!

Tuesday: Ran 5 miles, skipped the gym cause I'm freakin tired! Ran another 2.2 miles walked another 2 miles.

Wednesday: Ran miles the 4 hardest miles of my life! I cannot believe how tired and sore I am! Crossfit class tonight is going to interesting and yes I am totally skipping the gym today.

Thursday: Ran miles 5 miles, felt soooo much better! walked another 1.5 miles.

Friday: Rest day, and off to work!

Saturday: Crossfit class and more work.

Sunday: Ran 3 miles with Mez in the stroller. Walked another 2.5 home after breakfast. Perfect! Did another 4 miles this afternoon. And they were freakin fast! I think I may need to take the next day or two off though. My knees, shins and feet are super sore.

Weekly Totals:

Run: 27.7 miles
Walk: 5.5 miles

Total miles: 33.2

New routine

2011-08-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready for my son to start kindergarten and that means a new training schedule!
I'll be running him to school in the morning and getting used to the whole jogging stroller is pretty tough. So a lot more running is planned for the next month!

Sunday: Run with stroller, made it 3.25 miles and walked the rest. Yeah and there was only one kid in it! I'll be pushing two!

Monday: Ran the same 4 mile loop sans kids, walked just for a few minutes of it but did fine in 40 minutes. Weights, fairly light, 1 hour. Crossfit class 1 hour though it was mostly just orientation so like 15 min of actual workout.

Tuesday: Run 4 miles (still had to walk a little of it), weights 75 minutes

Wednesday: Run 4 miles (yeah some walking, less this time) with 2 kids and stroller, weight 75 minutes, Crossfit class 1 hr, still only 14 minutes of actual workout. Though I am learning some really great technique details I previously had been muscling through.

Thursday: Run 5.5 miles and walked another 2.65 with two kids in the stroller. We ran 2.8 miles to the bakery, then had lunch, then ran another 3ish miles, then walked to the playground and then walked home. Taking the break in between runs was kind of nice, but it would have been nice to just do it all at once. The whole kid thing makes for lots of interruptions though.

Friday: Run 5 miles, go home and deliberate going to the gym. Decided to say fuck it and went for another run instead. 4 miles, and yes I walked probably .25 miles of it. I'm just loving how my legs feel!

Saturday: Stayed in bed with the hubs so no run in the morning. Did crossfit class 1 hr total workout only 12 minutes though... What's up with that? I'm sure once I get to the actual classes it will be longer and I'll be missing the shorter workouts.

Sunday: Rest! Had a bout last night, it went great! And now I am freakin wiped out!

Week is done!

2011-08-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Well today would normally be a run day, but the man is working and I got both kids. I'll do my final run for the week tomorrow.

I'm ramping up the weight training by doing 3 days in a row, Mon, Tues, Wed, run on Thurs, weights Fri and run on Sat. (or Sunday as the case may be).
Mondays I run after the weight workout.

This has upped the weights to four days a week and I think it's paying off. Running has been much stronger. Still an effort cardio wise, but the legs feel awesome!

I've upped a lot of the weights.
Deadlifts are at 110lb
Squats are at 185lb
Still sucking at benching and the arms weights. I have weenie arms.

Ran 5.75 miles at a 9.32 pace yesterday and totally thought I was running at an 11 pace. How weird is that?!

Anyways. Good week!

Sum it up

2011-08-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

I was posting almost daily, but man did it get repetitive. Run, weights, skate, run, weights, skate.
So I'm going weekly to bi weekly format.

Last week:
Rollercon!
Not much exercise and some skating.
Fun, but not so good for the waistline.

This week:
Weights 2 days. Legs are stronger! Arms are not.
Ran 2 times. Yesterday with a stroller and my younger child. 3 miles Holy smokes that is hard!
Today by myself, much faster and easier! 5 miles

Hoping to get back into the swing of things as the out of town time screwed the schedule.

Work all weekend. Yeah.

Humid run

2011-07-25T13:19:00.001-07:00

It was a deluge today, then it stopped for about an hour so I could run, then it rained again.
I actually really like running in the humidity.

Good:
5 miles

Weights and the hubby

2011-07-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

Did a short weights workout with my man in the home gym! Boy is he out of shape.

Good:
Weights 45 min

5 miles

2011-07-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

Yes I an finally back up to 5 miles. Only took 6 weeks of getting past the crazy weightlifting soreness.

Still not timing myself, but I felt pretty fast.

Good:
ran 5 miles.

Weights weights weights

2011-07-21T13:26:00.001-07:00

weights, run, skate, weights, run, skate

story of my life.

Good:
80 min weights

4 again

2011-07-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how quickly my body gets used to running less. I'm doing 4 miles now and it's still a challenge on the last mile. Granted the last mile is all up hill. But whatever.

I'm working on a loop that goes by my son's school. So we'll be able to run to school in the mornings! Yeah!

Over the next month I'm going to start bringing the running stroller. That part will be very challenging.

Good:
4 miles

Easy gym

2011-07-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

I go through phases where I don't want to workout. Shocking, I know. But I use this time to do light workouts and feel good I'm still moving.

Gym today. Weights. I've decided to pretty much do the whole thing in the weights area. Not much of floor work impresses me these days.

Did way heavier on the lower back lifts and tried out the back up thingy with a weight. You know the thing that is like a sit up bench but for your back? Totally killed it. And I did a really great abs routine on the ab bench.

Good:
Weights 80 min.

Easy run

2011-07-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

Went for a short 4 mile run. One of my goals, which I am still working on, is to stop timing my runs and stop weighing myself. Ermm. Yeah. Those are strangely difficult to do.

But so far today I've managed to do both.

Good:
Ran 4 miles. and it was nice!

I need sore...

2011-07-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

I've been pushing hard at the gym... but maybe not hard enough. I haven't been sore in weeks!

Good:
1hr 15 min weights

Introducing...5'10" Irish (fighting irish)

2011-07-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

So the new derby name has been decided and submitted to Twoevils, the international derby name roster.

Changing names a year and a half into a derby career might seem a bit fickle, but I have to say I really don't identify with Geek 3000 anymore. And honestly it was always kind of a stupid name.

But I didn't have anything better so I just went with it. This time around I've decided to put more thought and meaning into a name. Something that I like and can have some significant longevity.

Anyways the new name has a bit of the underdog fighter theme. Which I particularly like. I didn't know how to skate when I started this whole thing. I was, to say the least, way more socially awkward. So joining a league of tough, cool derby playing chics was pretty extreme for me.

I fought my way through some bullshit, physically and politically within the group to get to where I am today. A fairly well trained, skating ref, a trainer and coordinator within the group. It was not easy and there were many times when I wanted to quit.

But here I am and I'm deciding to start a new chapter. One with a stronger more aggressive outlook. I've chosen to do a play on words with the phrase "Fighting Irish". Instead of fighting I'm using 5'10" Irish, which sounds about the same said aloud. I'm not actually 5'10", I'm 5'8", but I am that tall on skates!

So anyways. Last game of the season and I'm ready to retire Geek 3000. See you next season with my shiny new name!

- 5'10" Irish

Low carb running is hard

2011-07-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

So I've been really good on my low carb pursuits, but man does it make the whole running thing hard.

I'm trying to be realistic and reevaluate my goals. My minimum run is 3 miles. I try to walk several more miles on top of that. And I'm finding while it's really hard to do post weights workout, I'm kinda liking it.

I've been running almost everyday for the past week. So my total mileage per week has been about the same, just more spread out.

Good:
Ran 3 miles, walked 2 miles.

Derby names and slackin!

2011-07-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'm thinking of changing my derby name. I love the whole Geek thing. And I will always be happy to be called a geek. But Geek 3000 is really very reminiscent of a more awkward and well.. doughier time.

My husband has never embraced the name, partly because he associated it with me staying up late watching weird movies that put him to sleep. And because he never felt it was a positive name. I like being geeky and probably always will. But this is definitely a new chapter in my life.

Yesterday I was supposed to run. Speed workout. Strangely I was looking forward to it. But it never happened. The teen I take care of left early yesterday and wasn't here long enough for me to do the workout with the little kids being watched.

Anyways I've been regretting it ever since. Lame.

But today's weight workout was great as usual!

Good:
Weights 90 min

Best workout ever!

2011-07-11T14:46:00.001-07:00

Went to the gym with no kids! Did a full 90 minutes of heavy weights! Pushed super hard and did super great!!!

Got home and went for my post weights shorty run. Did great! Made a full 3.3 miles this time and did great on time! Walked another .75 mile home.

Hoping to make the loop by next week!

Tomorrow is a speed workout. More miles and much faster!

Good:
4.04 miles
90 min weights

Some bout photos!

2011-07-11T03:04:00.001-07:00

Geek 3000 yo!

Lot's of spills!

Sophisticated hand signals

Very important discussions

Lot's of thumbs

And lots of action!

Photos courtesy of Danny Ngan and Jason Garland!

Bouts and runs!

2011-07-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

Ran a bit yesterday, then off to the bout!

It went so incredibly well. It was absolutely my best skating, best penalty calling, best everything! The learning curve has been steep and a hard climb but we are really getting it!

It was sooo cool too when they introduced the refs and they said my name.... a whole bunch of people cheered!! Yep pretty much that was the best part of my night! Fans and friends are the best part of derby for sure!

I pack reffed one bout, which by the way was my first pack reffing in a bout. Actually I've only pack reffed 2 scrimmages prior so it was a challenge! I've decided I really really like it though! Then I jam reffed the second.

Oh by the way my new wheels, Poisons, were freaking awesome. They have a little drag so I had to work just a smidge harder, but boy are they worth it! I stuck like glue and felt soo much faster for it. Feeling in control is a really good feeling.

Thank you to everyone who came out! And next bout is the championships so come see us! I won't be working afterwards so I'll get to say hi to everyone afterwards!

Good:
Ran 3 miles yesterday
Skated 3 hours last night
Ran 3 miles today!

So nice

2011-07-08T16:42:00.001-07:00

Ran yesterday for a little over 5 miles. Such a nice run! Today was the gym and lots of cool new exercises. Then I decided to run the dog for a couple of miles. Well tried to run, halfway walked!

Good:
1hr 20min weights
45 min run-ish

Oops?

2011-07-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

So I had my nice rest day on Saturday. Ran on Sunday... Ermmm Monday and Tuesday? May have been spent getting rather drunk and then hungover respectively.

New day!
Gym weights workout! Yeah! Love using the squat rack. Finally went over to the bench press, and yes I benched the bar. No weights, just bar. I think I could have put more weight on, but I'm kind of getting used to it.

Did more pullups today too! I'm really working on pullups and pushups. Those are both exercises that I can just barely do and not correctly. No dead hang with the pull up unless I have assistance and the pushups still don't touch the ground, but whatever.

We got an ab tower off of craigslist. Totally worth the $60 and 30 min drive. It has a pull up bar with various positions and a dip bar. We hooked up the exercise bands to it so I can do a dead hang pull up. I have a goal, now I can get working!

Good:
1hr 15min weights

bike sort a

2011-07-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

My plan is to start incorporating an hour of biking post weights workouts. Well today I eeked out 30 min post weights. Half way there!

And we're buying an ab tower from craigslist. $60 for pull ups, chin ups, dips, and ab thingys. Yeah!

Good:
1hr 10 min total body weights
30 min bike

New training plan

2011-06-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

Well the derby season is coming to a close.

We have a bout next weekend, then a final championships August 20th. After the bout will likely be a hiatus for the rest of August and a bit of September. Our next season won't start again until January, so I'll be able to focus on more training!

My plan will be as follows:

Mon: weights, 1 hour bike
Tues: 1 hour run, 1-2 hour skate
Wed: weights, 1 hour bike, 1-2 hour skate
Thurs: 1 hour run, 1-2 hour skate
Fri: weights, 1 hour bike
Sat: 2 hour easy run
Sun: Sleep!

Breakfast; coffee, carbs and some protein
Lunch: protein and veg
Dinner: protein and veg, and optional low carb drinks!
Snacks: more coffee

Legs legs legs!

2011-06-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Skated last night, ran speed stuff today, more skating tonight!

Good:
Ran 5.8 miles 8.48 pace, (average)
walked another 1.8

Pull ups! Sort of..

2011-06-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

Finally did pull ups. Not dead hangs of course. That would be remarkable. But if I jump up and don't fully extend my arms I can do about 10.

But now I have a goal. Oh yes, they will be mine.

Good:
total body weights 1hr 15 min

Happy sore..

2011-06-28T14:59:00.001-07:00

Yeah! My butt is sore! And a lot of other body parts. Anyways, still have a bit of the chest cold, which made today's run really really hard. But I plugged away and still made ok time.

Yesterday's weight were highly effective and my back is tired today. Very nice to see all the work is paying off!

Good:
Ran 5 miles, 10:20 pace.

Monday's are great!

2011-06-27T13:55:00.001-07:00

I love starting the week with a good weight workout!

I didn't get sore much last week, so either I'm in good enough shape that my body is handling the workouts, or I'm not pushing enough. Kind of feeling like the latter.

Today's I spent a lot of time trying to make my body feel like a noodle, and I think I did a good job. My shoulders were aching pretty much the whole time.

Good:
Total body weights 70 minutes.
Tomorrow run!

Short and shorter

2011-06-24T13:50:00.001-07:00

Nice short run, even shorter weights. Now for work!

Good:
3.7 miles 10:30pace
30 min total body weights

The gym was closed!

2011-06-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

Lame! Whatever, we headed home for the old studio workout. I actually did some new exercises that really hurt and fairly well killed the legs. Practice tonight should be challenging.

And of course cause I'm at home, well, the workout was a little shorter than usual.

Good:
1 hour weights.

The trashed legs live!

2011-06-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Yeah yeah yeah!!! Killed the hills run today! Maybe I just needed to go run outside and not on the treadmill.

Anyways.. Did a hill workout. Ran a mile there, did 1 mile hill loops times 3. Walked most of the way back. Total 6..8 miles! Yeah!

Good:
Ran 6.38
kind a slow, but who cares!

Kinda glad...

2011-06-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda glad now that I've finally made the decision. Not to run the half, that is. I was going to have to cut back on weight training so my legs would be fresh on Saturday. But now I can wreck em as hard as I want.

Today was successful. I actually feel like I didn't work my legs hard enough. But I can always make up for it tomorrow.

My arms, on the other hand. Fairly well noodled.

So I have a milestone. A proverbial mountain to climb. The pull up bars at the gym. I don't think I can actually do a pull up without assistance. And even if I could it'd only be 1 or 2 pull ups. But I want to start doing those, and knee pull ups.

The hitch being, I hate to try something at the gym that is totally beyond my skill level. Even though I know no one is paying attention.

I almost did it today. But there were people using that area when I was ready. Maybe tomorrow.

Good:
70 minutes total body

Facing the facts

2011-06-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

When I signed up for the half marathon it was over 3 months prior. So I really can't complain. In the future I really need to sign up for smaller events that are still open closer to the date. But whatever.

Things that are thwarting me:

-Past 5 weeks have not cooperated with my running plan. Which really is ok.
-Back injury 3 weeks ago. Feels much better now.
-Head and chest cold this weekend. Almost gone.
-Pickup for packets is the industrial district and I have at least 2 small children and up to 5 kids with me at all times.
-Working til 2:30am the night before the half marathon.
-Working at 4pm til 2:30am the day of the half marathon.
-Need to watch the kids so husband can demo concrete and lay new concrete under the kids room the day of the marathon.

I think there is a point where you need to just let go of doing a race. Sadly I already paid for it. This is a lesson learned when it comes to planning a big race. My life right now does not work with big races. And really, the smaller races are more fun anyways.

"B" Fit

2011-06-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

So I follow this blog http://bonitafit.blogspot.com/ about this awesome lady who does all sorts of fitness and crossfit stuff. Anyways she is great and looked like a good resource to ask questions about my own training.

I'm super duper getting into the weight lifting and specifically the crossfit style of lift that incorporates a series of moves in an exercise that hits lots of muscles instead of the super specific weight machines. It's rocking my world and kicking my ass.

Anyways my legs are pretty much constantly trashed and it's hard to run on super sore legs. I inquired to the B fit superhero what she thought about it and I'm glad I did. Her suggestion was to back off the running for a month and get my body stronger. Specifically doing hip flexor leg exercises. Then reintroduce to running.

With stronger legs my running should see some significant improvement. On the few weeks where I haven't lifted as much I've noticed how much faster I am when I run, so I'm hoping to really see improvement in the next month or so.

It's amazing that running and swimming are such great exercise but still don't do squat when it comes to lifting weights.

Yeah for crossfit and lifting weights! And stronger running!

Oh why couldn't the rock and roll be at the end of July or August so I could rock it properly! oh well.

Further derailement

2011-06-19T03:01:00.000-07:00

Apparently I will be lowering my expectations for next weekends half marathon. Today is my rest day... Yeah. Oh and I'm sick.

Moderate head cold. That's fine. It's the lungs that are not ok. When I cough I feel like they will bleed. Awful!!!

I'll probably be fine by Saturday, except that I will likely not be doing a long run tomorrow like I planned. This whole month is seriously cutting into my running and it's bull.

Whatever. I can walk it with a cold. And I'll still get the shirt. That's the whole reason we sign up for them right?

And..... sick

2011-06-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Yep. He did me in. Lame.
Got the sick.

Oh and it's the totally stupid kind. Sore throat, cheesy cough, headache, sleepy, foggy. Bad enough to make you miserable but not bad enough to call in sick when you only work part time and just came back from vacation....

One more night shift though! Part time really is the best schedule ever.

Good:
Rest day, thought about cleaning. Read a bunch of weight training blogs.

Just as hard as I remembered...

2011-06-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

OMG running after weights is still just as hard. Eeked through a little over 5 miles.... And I'm a little worried about a head cold. David is sick and may have shared the wealth!

Good:
sort of ran 5.2 miles

Back in the swing

2011-06-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

So nice to back to normalcy! Went to the gym to torture my arms and shoulders with weights!
Did a great routine, burnt out quickly and lifted heavier! Yeah!!!

Good:
Weights 1hr 10 min

I'm back!!!

2011-06-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Back home!

Went to a banked track derby tournament in Phoenix and had 4 days of great derby with a lot work and even more great people.

Sadly I did not get a lot of exercise in. Last weekend I hurt my back moving track pieces. And the 2 weeks before that were so heavy on the weight lifting that my running really suffered.

Yeah this is not a huge deal, except.... that I have the Rock n' Roll half marathon in two weeks!
Arrrggghh!!

But I have a plan. Today I ran a really slow, like 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 4 miles on the treadmill and walked another 1.75 miles.

Friday I'll aim for 6 to 7 miles. Maybe a little faster. Then Sunday or Monday do 9-10 easy miles. I'll fit one more 6-7 mile run before the race and should do fine. It won't be fast and I won't be making the time goal I originally had.... But who cares? If I run the whole thing I'll be happy!

Better back..

2011-06-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well the past couple of days spent resting were annoying and enjoyable at the same time. It really is nice to lay around do nothing. I remember when I used to do that every day!

Anyways my back was feeling a little better this morning and I needed to get some exercise in before tomorrow's trip!

I did a little walking on the treadmill, then some weights, and then a 30 min run. Felt good.

I'm not bringing my skates to Arizona. I think the potential to screw my back worse on skates is pretty significant. And really there won't be that many opportunities anyways. So I'll do some running and see what kind of equipment they have in the hotel gym.

Hmmm. Maybe I'll bring my lap suit and do some water workouts.

Tomorrow I leave very early for the airport and off to Arizona! Banked track roller derby tournament!

Good:
45 min treadmill
45 weights

still out of commission

2011-06-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Lame back. Guess it's all arms for me today!

Oops rest day

2011-06-06T16:20:00.001-07:00

Yeah so no big surprise after lifting some 30 pieces of track yesterday, I've strained my back. Guess today will be a rest day!

Post bout

2011-06-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 1:30pm. That's like 10 hours of sleep!
Ran super short couple of miles, hoping to do more tomorrow.
Headed to the warehouse to unload the track. Holy shit that stuff is heavy!
Got a really good workout lifting!

Good:
Ran 2.5 miles 9:11 pace
Lifted about 35 several hundred pound pieces of track for 1 hour. Yeah, probably will be sore tomorrow!

God damn!

2011-06-05T02:12:00.001-07:00

So bout day! Today's bout was brought to you by rough and crazy!

First half of 4 halves. I know that sounds weird but that how it ran. 2 games staggered.

So first half I was head ref. Each bout I ref has been a sharp learning curve. Since the track was finished we have had 4 bouts, 2 of which (including tonight) that I have head reffed. Needless to say I am lacking in experience. And weird shit happens. Sometimes I am quick thinking and handle things. Other times not so quick. It's part of learning and I'll get better. But at this point, well most everything is new territory.

Anyways I learned a lot tonight. I made some good decisions and there we somethings that I would do differently next time. All in all, it went well.

But oh yeah there was the crazy shit!

So sometime during the second half of the 4 halves one of our refs broke her leg. Yeah in case there was any question, roller derby is a tough sport. Shit happens and people get hurt. So they wheeled her off with a leg that had two breaks and a dislocated ankle. So now we do not have enough refs. We dropped the head ref position and between myself, Able C-Man and the infield team we work it out.

Things start getting confusing. The head ref deals with any weirdness. There is a lot of weirdness in derby. Making sure everything gets done and on time. We handled it. But boy did it make the game harder. So I jam reffed the next three halves. With no head ref, me sort of doing it, Able sort of doing it. And the girls were crazy.

There were flying skaters left and right. They barely seemed to be able to stay on the track! The hits were hard and ruthless and we had to dodge the casualties. I normally "go down" like 3-4 times in a game. And by go down I mean go down on one knee to avoid collision. Tonight's game I went down over 30 times. And the lead changes were freakin constant.

What I'm getting at is that it was a crazy, confusing and often hairball game. But on the bright side all my strength training has been paying off. I skated like I have never skated before.

Day 1

2011-06-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

The next 48 hours goes like so...

Get up and out with two children, one infant to school by 9am.
Go to the gym with one child, one infant by 9:30
Get home and take shower by 11:20
Go back to get first child from school. 12:30
Get home, feed all three children, clean house, make food for tonight.
Leave to pick up teenager at 3:20
Drop off teenager, children and infant at house by 3:40
Get to work by 4:00
Work until 2am
Get up late! Thankfully the husband is not working today, so I can sleep in!
Get ready for Sat nights game and be at Everett by 3pm
Head ref the first bout, Jam ref the second! (For those who are non-derby, jam reffing is skate really really fast!)
Finish the bout hopefully before 10pm
Go home and super fast change into work clothes.
Get to work as close to 10pm as possible!
Work until 2am.
Go home, pass out and pretend it was all a dream.
Geez freakin Louise.

Good:
Super light workout today, a little weights a little walking and super little running. Need the legs to work for tomorrows bout. Still currently walking like I'm riding a barrel. Those sumo squats killed!!!

Damn!

2011-06-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

Man these weights sessions are kicking my ass! Or more to the point, my legs! Running the day after weights is soooo freakin hard!

Barely made it through this one.

Good:
1hr 10 min running 5.8 miles yeah, slow!
finished off the legs with 6 miles of the super painful biking!

I can no longer sit down or touch my toes. Yeah legs!
Oh and I'm thinking of going skating tonight!

We love diets

2011-06-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

It's like they are trendy. Low carb, gluten free, high protein, low fat, high fat, fruit fast, la la la

I will admit I am a victim of the feminine need to constantly f with my diet. I'd like to say it's because I want my body to feel strong and clean and whatever, but the reality is I'm just trying to lose more off my backside.

Low carb is not working for me. It makes running really really hard. I don't need running to be any harder than it already is.

So I'm doing my favorite hippie diet. Ah the college days. Brown rice, brewers yeast, veggie stir frys, and lots of raw stuff too. Why do I like this one? The food is yummy, but not so yummy that I want to over eat it.

Yeah, whatever it takes right?

Sick

2011-06-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

I thought it might just be a hangover. Still achy and tired today. Thinking I gots the sick.
Strangely I feel better when I work out.

Good:
1hr 20 min total body weights
upped from 10 pound weights to 15.

Yeah Jam Ref!

2011-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

So last Thurs was my first night jam reffing since the last bout. So about 6 weeks ago. And it was a train wreck! Heavy weights on Wed and 6 miles on Thurs morning do not make for a good come back!

Tonight however was delightful! I pretty much did nothing physical all weekend so the legs were just dandy. The drinking all day yesterday probably did not help, but it was still ok. A lot of sweat!

Anyways I love jam reffing. I still have a ways to go to be a good jam ref, but currently, I can hold me own.

Oh yeah, did I mention our next bout is on Saturday? Yeah, probably a good idea to get some skating in!

Slow start

2011-05-31T13:25:00.000-07:00

Well the weekend was pretty sleepy. I worked both Sat and Sun night. The shifts were fine, but I'm very tired lately.

I didn't get a single workout in over the weekend. And Monday was spent hanging out with friends eating bbq, drinking and watching movies. Generally a very nice way to spend Memorial Day.

Today I had planned for a long run. And once again I'm feeling very tired. I have just a touch of sick lingering, throat, achy, ect. Makes it easy to not workout.

I geared up for a run and the rain, which has been alternating with sunny and warm about ever hour, decided to come down hard for a while.

I tried out the treadmill for half a mile and just wasn't feeling it. I decided on an episode of Glee while biking. It was like the hardest 9 mile trainer ride ever! My legs are like lead and I sweat more than I usually do when running!

The drinking all day yesterday probably is not helping, and I had the once every three months "lady visitor" which really dragged too. Now my legs are soo freakin stiff and I feel like I'm pumped with fluids and turning into a sausage. Yay.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Good:
Eeeked out 9.58 miles on the trainer.

Keeping on...

2011-05-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

Was gonna go light today and seriously considered taking the day off.... but those Gorilla Girls keep me inspired!

Good:
Weights 1hr 20min

Jam Reffing on trashed legs

2011-05-26T21:45:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so yesterday's weights killed. Then today's run re-killed. And tonight's jam reffing was to say the least a bit dicey. Skating on noodles is really not very easy.

Errrph

2011-05-26T13:29:00.000-07:00

Ok lots of new sore today! So yesterday was a new day in the world of weight lifting. I'm trying to replace the machines with more full body exercises and I believe it has worked!

I started with this little number:

Burpee-esque move with 15 pound weights.
Start with 15 pound weight in each hand, on the ground in a pushup position. Do a full push up. Bring your feet to your hands in a squat position. Lift the weights to your hips and straighten up. Make sure you are using your butt and legs and not your back. Take one step to the side so that your feet are shoulder width apart and finish with raising the weights to your shoulders then press straight up over your head, kind of like a clean and press type move. Engage your core like mad!
Repeat 20 times. 3 reps. I find I start to die towards the end of these and finish with like 5 instead of 20.

Push up rows plank thing. Get back in the push up position with the 15 pound weights. Engage your core and lift one weight to your chest. Return to the ground and repeat with the other side. When you get fancy you can raise the lifted weight straight up and rotate to your side so you are in a side plank. Or raise the lifted weight out in front of you. This is very hard too!
Repeat 20, 3 reps

Kettlebell swings with no kettlebell. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and swing a 25 pound between your legs and up over your head. If you do it slow if uses different muscles than if you straight up swing.
Repeat 20, 3 reps

Anyways today my upper back and chest are sore as all get out and I can't really sit or squat down. Good sign I think!

Today's run was painful and difficult.

Good:
Ran 6 miles, 2 warm ups, 2 speed sets of .25 @7mph and .75 @ 6mph recovery, and 2 cool down miles. Oh how they were hard and painful!

Crossfit inspirations

2011-05-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a bunch of crossfit type blogs. I was first turned on to the Team Gorilla page by Rose @Eat drink and be Meri.

So inspiring seeing these incredibly strong women. And I like that it's heavy weight, low rep oriented. My kind of workout.

Today I skipped almost all the machines and did exercises that worked the same muscles as the machines but included multiple muscle groups. I like the whole "not isolated" workout. Kill 6 or 7 birds with one stone. So to speak.

Wonder what will hurt tomorrow.

Good:
Total body weights 1hr 20min

Lazy

2011-05-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

My foot started hurting halfway into a lazy run. Oh well.

Good:
Ran 5 miles
20 min weights, hoping to up that later!

Weights, weights and more weights

2011-05-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Want to do weights 5 days a week. Started today!

Good:
1hr 25min total body weights

Longer run

2011-05-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a sit and screw with the stupid computer and not get out for a run day. Yeah. So today I did my long run. It was nice.

Good:
Ran 10 miles
9:55 pace

Yeah!!!

Weights, weights and more weights

2011-05-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

Friday once again spent at the gym lifting weights. I'm kind of getting into this weights thing. I think I like being sore.

Good:
Full body weights 1hr 25 min

Holy F

2011-05-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Yes well if you were impressed by yesterday's numbers, so were my muscles. Once again I am so sore that I cannot easily sit down to pee.

So today's tempo run.... well let's just say I was struggling to keep up with a 5mph pace. Yeah 5mph! Do you know how long it takes to run 5 miles when you are going that slow?! Well an hour, not a trick question.

Anyways, my tempo pace was a whopping 5.5 1mile and 5.6 half mile. Oh yeah I'm bad ass like that.

Good-ish
Ran 4.5 miles and walked 1 mile in 63 minutes
Oh and I can sit down even less easily now.

By the numbers

2011-05-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

I want to lay out the old weights routine, so here you go!

Machine weights, 3 reps of 10 each

Butterfly press 100lbs
Reverse butterfly 40lbs
Upright bench press 100lbs
Lat press 100lbs
bicep curl 60lbs
shoulder pull down 80lbs
forearm press down 40lbs
shoulder press (up) 70lbs
back row 110lbs
calf press 70lbs

I take about 30 minutes to do all those guys. I've been reading a lot about body building and those guys say to do the hardest weight you can for the minimal reps. If you can do 15 reps, then you need to up the weights.

Then I go to core land. I can't tell you how incredible my back and core feel from these workouts. I used to do regular sit ups and back ups but i had to do hundreds to get them worked. So now I use weights and do waaaay less.

I get two 10lb dumbbells and one 20 pound dumbbell on a mat.

Weighted sit ups: Laying on my back I hold the 20 lb weight resting on the floor behind my head, knees bent. Then I do 20-30 of lifting the dumbbell up above me and pushing up to the ceiling while raising my torso up into a full sit up. These are hard and I can only do like 30.

Twisty side sit up: 20-30 each: First I do crossover sit ups with a 10lb weight in each hand, reaching for your opposite knee.
Then weighted twists. I do two kinds. The first I hold the 20 pound weight and move it from side to side while doing a sit up. So like three movements from side to side to make a full sit up.
Then a full twist, where I sit up with knees bent and touch the 20 pound weight to the ground on either side.

Lower ab weighted: 10 sec or more each. these are hard. Lay down with a ten pound weight in between your feet and the 20 lb on the ground above your head. Hold onto the 20 with your hands and lift the 10lb weight with your feet and count to 10 or longer. I do one set, then shift up the weight to my shins, then knees, then thighs. Totally hard to hold the weight and lift your legs.

Roll over! 30 sec at least! Do the same thing but on your stomach. Hold the 10lb weight between your feet and lift as high as you can while holding the other 10lb in your hands off the ground. You want as much of your body off the ground as possible and hold for 30 or so sec. I alternate this with no weight on my feet, feet spread wide and lifted up, holding the 20 pound weight on my shoulders off the ground. This really uses your hips. Hold for 30 or more. Repeat as many as I can!

Weighted knee dips and lunges. 10 reps, 2-3 sets. Holding the 10 lb in each hand at your sides do 10 lunges forward using the rear leg as the majority of the power as you lower curl the weights and engage your core. both sides. Knee dips: These are really useful in derby, when you start to fall being able to touch your knee and step right back up really helps. Hold the weights at your sides and dip down on one leg. You other leg should only be touching for balance and using the forward leg for all the power, curl the weights as you lower. I have to take breaks in between each set, these are hard.

Weighted squats: Feet wide and toes and knees in alignment, squat down with 10 lb weights in each hand. Hold for 30 or more sec. I do burn outs on these, starting with a 1-2 minute hold, then going for as long as I can until I collapse!

Finally I end the shebang with burn out crunches. With all the weighted stuff I do I don't even bother counting crunches. I just do continuous crunches for 5 minutes or 2 full songs on the ipod. I can barely even feel them!

Good:
1hr 20 min weights
20 minute walk on noodle legs.

I hate diets

2011-05-18T09:59:00.001-07:00

Yes it's true. Generally when i'm trying to lose I do it hard and fast and painfully. But it's quick.

Well my first of two roller derby trips for the summer are coming up and I plan on spending ever minute of it not in stripes, in a bathing suit. Which means it's time to lose the gut.

So no more ice cream, pizza, cookies, and junk food in general. I may be crabby and you may want to avoid me for the next 22 days.

Today is day 1, I have until June 9th. I least I can still have coffee.

Plan deviation

2011-05-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

Well I wasn't really on a plan. I just happened to read a plan and loosely based my running life on it. The whole run 3 times a week, tempo, speed or hills and then a long run.

I didn't actually follow the plan beyond that. But I'm not really racing. So here's my new plan.

Today and the past few weeks, I've been faster. And I like that. I would like to stay faster. So instead of running a long distance and hoping to get faster on it, I will be staying on the faster speed and slowing increasing the miles.

Yes this may seem like the same thing, but it's not.

I have been following the increase your distance and the speed will follow plan. I think. But I like how fast I felt today. So I'll add a little onto that and see where I'm at in 5 weeks.

Yeah 5 weeks til the Rock and Roll half.

Totally not worried at all.

Yeah again!

2011-05-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Today was a long run day, but I really haven't felt the urge to push the distances much. I've been kind of just enjoying improving in the semi longish runs. I think I just may do more runs with slowly adding distance.

But regardless of distance today rocked! On my last few runs I have really felt the urge to push my pace and have been surprised by the results. Each time I get about halfway in I feel like I could have run much faster the whole time, instead of holding back to make sure I get in mileage.

So from the beginning I decided I would push. Not terribly hard, but go a faster comfortable speed. I did it the whole way. It felt freakin awesome!

I did a loop that is mostly uphill the first half and on one stretch of downhill I was sprinting (for me) and it felt so good. I never got tired, I felt like I could go forever. I was nearly laughing it felt so good. The winding was blowing at me, it was raining, but still warm. I almost put my arms out beside me to catch some air.

Anyways back to reality. Today rocked.

Good:
Ran 8.5 miles
9.16 min mile average pace. Yeah!!!!!
oh yeah, that's better than a 10 min pace!

Yeah!

2011-05-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Today was speedwork day. And I'm pretty low expectations with all things running so that included the speed stuff too.

.25 mile at 7 mph recovery at 6mph for .75
3 repeats
warm up at 5.8 1 mile, 6.0 1 mile
cool down at 6.0 1 miles and 5.0 1 mile

I usually walk the last mile but I thought I'd try just a slow jog. It was great! I could run at 5 mph for ages! I'd like to up it 5.8 or 6.0 and I think that'll happen soon.

Big goal for my up coming half marathon is to get sub 10min/mile. Anything sub 10, like 9.59 would be just great! Just single digits!

And I'm starting to think I may just get it!

Good:
Ran 7 miles
1hr 11 min

Tempo noodles

2011-05-13T11:23:00.001-07:00

Combo post with blogger being down.

Ran a tempo run, which again is slow in the grand scheme of things, but was great for me!
Warm up at 5.8 for mile, then 6.0 for a mile, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, recovery at 6.0, walk for 1 mile.

Weights again today and I am the noodle!

Good:
Ran 6 miles
walked 1 mile
1.20 min full body weights.

Noodles

2011-05-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am made of noodles. Today the weights were long and heavy. Today I am a noodle. I think tomorrow I may be sore.

Good:
Total body weights 1 hour and 20 minutes

Another beautiful day

2011-05-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Burke Gilman! Great to run on. Beautiful scenery. Shaded. Flat as all get out.

I'm noticing that flat is not always that much easier. You know the whole up hill part, well it's usually accompanied with a downhill. Which is really easy!

Anyways, it was a really nice run.

Good:
10.6 miles
1 hour 50 min

hrrm hemmm

2011-05-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Family in town has made for a not regular exercise program.....

But I've been thinking about a few things.

I'm not really into the longer runs. Or at least, the 'I have to do a long run' runs. I don't mind doing them if I'm just out for a run and I do an extra lap.

Also I'd like to run more often. The 3 times a week thing has been nice for getting the old legs in fighting form, but I'm ready to add some more on.

Maybe if I do a longer run of 8-10 miles once a week I might do 3 or 4 runs of 6ish miles.
I like the shorter 6 mile runs and I just want to do more of them.

All right?

Beautiful day!

2011-05-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

After working a night shift I managed to sleep into 12 noon. Yeah that was good! No kids, no husband. Just me and a silent house.

I had 3.5 hours before I had to leave for work and really didn't want to sit around reading the computer. So out for a run!

The weather was great!

Good:
Ran 6.8 miles