This one's for the Cookies!

So after feasting on sugar cookies from the neighbor for lunch, a little workout was in order.
40 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• arm weights while walking
• 20 intervals @ 4.5 jog (40sec) 3.5 walk (40 sec)
• cool down
• 2.5 miles
• 386 calories

Minimal workout

22 minutes on the treadmill - did arm weights while walking.

• 13 minute warm up
• 5 intervals @ 4.0 jog (40sec) 3.0 walk (40 sec)
• cool down
• 1.2 miles
• 173 calories

Jogging to CNN & thinking about cookies

Alyce, you'd be proud I'm watching a news channel besides FOX news.  lol. CNN seems pretty fair so I'll bounce back and forth for now.  

Can I just say how annoyed I am (not at the males this time) that I'm working out, eating healthy and I'm not seeing the weight loss like I thought.  I've actually gain a pound or two the past couple weeks.  Couldn't have anything to do with the cookies Bethany dropped off ;)  or the bounty of candies and cookies at work ;)  Speaking of which....  mom, where are grandma's date cookies? 
 
21 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• 10 intervals @ 4.5 jog (40sec) 3.5 walk (40 sec)
• cool down
• 1.31 miles
• 197 calories

Sans toddler

Haven't put in a workout since Wednesday.  Just when I think I'm motivated - toddlerdom happens and I'm exhausted by 8:00.  I'm going to take a survey at the Firecracker to see how many of the entrants are FT single parents.  It's going to get even trickier as my "helper" moves out.  No more 6am workouts at the Y to swim and bike.  I'm going to have to come up with another plan. I'll figure it out.  I'm sans Ceci this week until Christmas Day so no excuses!!!

Upped the run time, lowered the walk time.  I tried to do straight running and only made it a couple minutes.
45 minutes on the treadmill

• 13 minute warm up while I found something to watch on TV
• 20 intervals @ 4.5 jog (40sec) 3.5 walk (40 sec)
• cool down
• 2.8 miles
• 480 calories

Clementines and choices

I know, I know!  Third workout in two days.  Making up for lost time.  And I opted for a clementine last night, BTW.  Ceci and I go through at least a box of clementines a week.  We have really turned into healthy eaters.  I've even coordinated a Trader Joes run to Chicago with a co-workers wife.  I need access to more choices.  Plus, who can pass up a trip to Chicago?  Mom, if I don't get that bread maker for Chirstmas can you get me one for my birthday?  (Needed to get that random thought in there.)

13 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• 6 intervals @ 4.5 jog (30sec) 3.5 walk (45 sec)
• cool down
• 0.8 miles
• 116 calories

Enough calories for a blizzard

Check me out.... two workouts in one day.  ( I can take the next week off, right?)

23 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• 12 intervals @ 4.5 jog (30sec) 3.5 walk (45 sec)
• cool down
• 1.39 miles
• 207 calories

25 minute power walk with Christy at work this morning.  I think I burned enough calories today to offset a blizzard from DQ.  Be right back......

That workout Sunday never happened.  Never happened yesterday either.  And when I finallly got my fat ass on the treadmill this morning it was slow going.  But I did it.  I decrease my walk time (per my training schedule) to 45 seconds.  And although I walked and ran slower, I did go further.  (Is it further or farther?)  Mom got a kick out my Sunday blog, but then agian we share a brain, so she gets me.  Either that or she's my mom and she has to support me.

27 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• 17 intervals @ 4.3 jog (30sec) 3.5 walk (45 sec)
• cool down
• 1.7 miles
• 253 calories

 

WARNING

I'm having my period, so this blog entry may be hazardous to my health but who gives a shit?  Three of my dearest friends and my mom are the only ones reading this....  (Why is it I always grow balls when I'm hormonal?) No workout the past two days I blame my period.  Bloating, severe body aches.  It's like having the flu for five to seven days every four weeks.  I'm getting spayed.  I've been getting ready for my dysfunctional dinner party this morning.  I swear I'll get on the treadmill and do my time before getting in the shower.  Otherwise it's not happening again today.  Shit, I need to be ready in 45 minutes.  I can do it.  Skip the hair and make up. Working out today is a must. BTW - men are irritating.  Yes, the entire gender.  That statement should be great for my dating life.  I should make a link from my match profile, what do you think?  

Let's hear some chatter

I just want to re-emphasize how much of a runner I am not.  I look back over the progress I've made and I know I can do this. I still need all the motivation I can get. I've gotten a couple comments this week from people on the weight loss.  Very motivating to have people notice.  One of the moms at daycare, the monica lewinsky look-alike and Ceci's future mother-in-law, went out of her way to say something to me and she only knows me as Ceci's mom.  :)

25 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• 16 intervals @ 3.7 walk (50 sec)/4.4 jog (30sec)
• cool down
• 1.636 miles
• 242 calories

More motivation:  avoid family history of type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol

 

Feeling good!

20 minutes on the treadmill

• warm up
• 12 intervals @ 3.5 walk (50 sec)/4.3 jog (30sec)
• 1 minute cool down
• 1.25 miles
• 210 calories

Christy and I also did a 25 minute power walk at work today.

Weighed in last week, lost another pound for the month of November!!

Not a good sign

It's not  a good sign that I haven't been able to motivate my ass to workout since swimming Wednesday.  Mom, you need to call me at 7:30 (after Ceci is fast asleep) and yell at me to get on the treadmill.  I need that trainer from Biggest Loser, the mean one.  What's her name?  Jillian!  That's what I need.

Decreased walk time on intervals from 55 to 50 seconds
15 minutes on the treadmill

• 3 minute warmup
• 7 intervals @ 3.5 walk (50 sec)/4.3 jog (30sec)
•  1 minute cool down
• 0.9 miles
• 132 calories

I need to plan ahead to make sure my training program is going to get me to tri ready by July.

 

 

 

If at first you don't succeed, swim, swim again.

Got my ass out of bed this morning and got to the Y for my weekly swim/bike workout. (Too many people on Wednesday mornings - must get up on Mondays and go when there are fewer people.)

Swam for 30 minutes
~16 laps freestyle
~6 laps with kick board
Biked for 18 minutes

Jogger and hunger don't mix

So I decided to go the cheap route and bought a jogging stroller off craigslist for $10. Break doesn't work but besides that it's in good shape. Ceci and I picked it up after work yesterday then went for a jog. Now, this child had already eaten a full dinner when we headed out but decides once we get on our second interval that she's hungry. "Eat, eat, eat." "You've got to be kidding me?" I said in response to her pleas. "Eat, eat!" When this kid gets something in her head, there's no turning back. So I started back and took a left onto a side street to get a couple more laps in. Ceci promptly reminded me which way to go by pointing towards our house and chanting, "Ceci home." So much for getting one over on the 21 month old.

4 intervals with warm up about 12 minutes :-e (had to look that up - it's disappointed)

Running with H1N1

Came home from black friday shopping yesterday and started to feel wiped out.  My entire body ached, especially my joints.  I ended up sleeping for four hours, in the middle of the day.  I started feeling better later in the afternoon but still don't feel 100% today.  I don't think I have the flu but it sure felt like it.  Mom and I did some intervals this morning. We got 12 intervals in before running into Ceci and Papa at the playground.  When's the last time you swung on a swing?

Thanksgiving Run with mom

Early morning run with mom. 
22 minutes
12 intervals jog @ 30 sec/walk @ 55 sec

Didn't want to do it!

The parents got in to town last night.  One of my favorite times is having coffee with my mom in the morning.  Just her and I and girl talk.  Motherhood, dating, family gossip and I made her read my blog finally.  I was so comfy curled up on the couch talking and drinking coffee I really didn't want to work out.  I finally motivated myself to get on the treadmill.  The workout and waiting for the most amazing french toast for breakfast is what I blame for my tardiness at work.  No one really noticed.  That is until I managed to spill coffee on my laptop.  "SHIT!"  Yes, outloud, at work.  Ever heard the sound a laptop makes when introduced to fluids?  Not good.  Something similar to the sizzle on a fajita plate. I borrowed a co-workers laptop who left for the holiday already and did training as the only thing I could access was the Internet. Then left at 3:00 as we're always dismissed early the day  before a holiday - SWEET!  Anyway, here's the workout:

25 minutes on the treadmill

• 3 minute warmup
• 12 intervals @ 3.5 walk (55 sec)/4.2 jog (30sec)
• 4 minute cool down
• 1.53 miles
• 220 calories
  

Bring it on

Anne - pencil this one in.....Firecracker Triathlon, Benton Harbor, MI 07/03/2010 (1/4mi swim/12.9mi bike/3mi run)
This will be our warm up for August!

Are you kidding me?

So I got up at 5:20 AM without an alarm this morning and went to the Y to swim. What ever happened to that 12 year old competitive swimmer?  I have no idea, because she wasn't in the pool this morning. I take back what I said about swimming. When you don't use those muscles for 20+ years, "owie" as Ceci would say.

• 14 laps in the pool
• 20 minutes on the stationary bike

Feeling sore as I sit here at work. I can really feel it in my arms from swimming and on the inside of my thighs from biking. I'm feeling great though and excited to keep going. I'm thinking once a week for the first couple months then we'll up it in February.
As I'm on the Schwinn in the cardio room there is this woman working out two rows up from me. (Picture this if you will) She is on a step machine wearing a thong. "How does she know this?" you may be asking yourself. Oh, because her shorts were see-through! But my thought, while I'm on the bike, is those things ride up your ass as it is. How uncomfortable to be working out on a step machine in a thong? I wanted to pick her wedgie for her. Good Lord.
Ran into a old co-worker from Gast in the pool. He also got the tri bug and just started training. Looks like I'll have another cohort. It's inspiring to see other people just starting out in this quest. Especially those of us who have a "long row to hoe".

Chariot

SWEET!  I've found several used Chariot Carriers in the Chicago area that come with the jogging and bike attachements.  You can get the cross country skiing and hiking options for this carrier too.  Ceci and I may be taking a road trip to Chicago today.  Let the fun begin!

20 while the little one sleeps

20 minutes on the treadmill (forgot to decrease the walk time)
warmup
10 intervals @ 3.5 walk(60 seconds)/4.2 jog(30 seconds)
cool down

1.2 miles
178 calories burned
knees feel good

Weight Loss Progress 2009

Here's the official weight loss for 2009 to date.  Steady progress!  Of course I'm not a complete idiot and would never post the actual weight, just the weight loss.  I'll post the actual when I get within 5 pounds of the goal.

Slow and steady wins the race......

QUICKIE

20 minutes on the treadmill while pounding coffee
3 minute warmup
10 intervals @ 3.5 walk(60 seconds)/4.2 jog(30 seconds)
3 minute cool down

1.2 miles
174 calories burned

knees are feeling strong
decrease walk interval to 55 seconds next round

Let the feast begin

No workout today but I coordinated one hell of a Thanksgiving feast at work.

Thursday's Log

Had time for a quick workout. 
5 minute warm up @ 3.5 MPH
Typical me started out too hard and the knees were screaming early.  Slowed to the following:
15 min of intervals @ 4MPH jog/3.5MPH walk 30 sec/1 minute
5 min cool down @ 3.0 MPH

219 calories burned
1.506 miles
10 intervals

Sneakers & Joggers

This is my catalyst. God knows I'm not going to be able to do this by myself. Mom has already signed up to cheer me on, on race day. Pencil it in Sue Ann. Last Sunday in August. Long Island, New York.


So as I texted Annie the other night, I went to a local running shop and bought my first pair of "big girl" running sneakers. What a difference it makes when you don't buy your sneakers on clearance at Kohl's. Saucony's. First pair I've ever owned. Fell in love with them the first workout. Now how often am I supposed to replace these suckers? I can already see this getting to be an expensive hobby! 

Speaking of expensive, I've been researching jogging strollers too. Here are the specs:
- rainfly and breathable mesh covers
- convert to bike trailer
- convert to skiing (optional)
- fold up to fit into trunk
- storage

Found a jogger at a store next to the running store where I got my sneakers called the Croozer. Doesn't have the option to ski, but fits the rest. They had a double stroller in the store. Ceci absolutely loved it. She made me buckle her in then refused to get out. She even insisted on wearing a "hat", as she called it, (child's helmet) located in close proximity to the jogger. At least I know the jogger won't get denied like the kelty did. Which by the way I have hanging out in the livingroom to try to get her used to it. I think it's more being up high than anything else. She'll sit in it when it's on the ground. Getting it up on mommy's shoulders is the trick. I digress..... the other jogger I've found is the Chariot. This one has the skiing option. How cool would that be?

Someone please talk me out of this!

Here it is. My training log. Now, don't go thinking this is some kind of performance cross training triathlon blog that you're going to get tips and tricks from. This is my motivational journal. A beginner at running. A one time distance swimmer. A sometimes "thinks she can" mountain bike-er. I've always been athletic but never routined in my sports. This is my lifestyle change.

My main motivation started back in September when my awesome friend Anne posted on FB that she had just completed her first tri. I met up with her and some other friends the following week and was instantly hooked. THAT was my goal. A mini triathlon. Most people I've talked to balk at the swimming portion. That I can handle. The only thing that worries me there is getting my lung capacity back to it's pre-smoking strength. I'm sure the Camel Special Lights did some good damage to the lungs. The biking I have the leg strethgs for and it's not so harsh on the knees. The running will be my crutch.
My knees are genetically bad (thanks dad) and ruined even more by 80 pounds weight gain during pregnancy. I've been slowly building them back up to be able to run. Slowly is the key word here. I have a tendency to get over zealous and end up two steps back in the process. Case in point when I started training with my friend Bethany a number of months ago. "I'll be fine, I'll be fine" I said running, proceeded by five days of barely being able to walk. Take it slow. Bethany has turned me on to interval training. Starting with a 10 second jog and a 1.5 minute walk I've buld up to a 30 second jog and one minute walk for up to 45 minutes at a time. This has been a scheduled and gradual build up versus running until I collapse.
Tobay Triathlon, Sunday, August 29, 2010. 1K swim, 15K bike and a 5K run. Someone tell me I'm crazy because right now I'm thinking this is very doable.