Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Certifiable

Further evidence of my insanity... I had a dream about a British man driving me around on a tractor last night, which I woke up from extremely happy. I do not remember enough details to make any sense of it but I am pretty sure I would never allow myself to be driven around on a tractor.

Anyway, I did not have a green monster this morning because I had no time. Zero. I have yogurt, cereal (Kashi Go Lean) and strawberries. It was very tasty but I am dragging I think my body believes it needs a green monster every morning. I am sleepy, not focused, and my legs feel like lead weights. Ugh. Hopefully, I will perk up after lunch. I am having White bean, spinach, garlic, tomato homemade pizza with pepperoncini's and an apple.

I do not think I will work out today simply for the lack of time. Oh well I will have to work extra hard tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Do Endorphins Make You Crazy?

Just curious because I seem to think it sounds like a really good idea to do things that a few months ago I would have thought was nutty. Hell, part of me still thinks it's nutty but I am excited to do it. I was talking with Kim about starting 10k training after I accomplish my 5k goal. Not really crazy, but then I was struck by enthusiasm and decided that maybe we should try a triathlon!?!?!

What the what?!?!?!

At the same time as the thought of doing this scares the bejeezus out of me, I also think it sounds amazing and feasible which makes me really excited. We would hopefully start with the lesser of tri's, the one with only a three mile run (just the mere fact that I just used the words only and three mile run together baffles me a little). The swimming part scares me the most as I am not a strong swimmer. I am an ok swimmer but I am out of practice and that seems to me like that will be my biggest challenge in doing this.

For right now nothing is decided. We will see how motivated I am feeling in October after the 5k before I decide which endeavor I want to take on. Will it be the 10k or the tri? Who knows, you will have to stay tuned to find out!

Goal this week: Do not pass out from the heat while alternating long and short workouts all week.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Yoga today...Yoga tomorrow

Yesterday I bought a book about yoga in a bargain bin. Naturally I started reading the book and it inspired me, to the point of actually doing, to add yoga into my workout last night. I started with 35 minutes of yoga then I hit the elliptical (too hot outside, I wussed out) and only managed to go for 20 minutes. The absolute slowest 20 minutes I have ever done. Holy moley! Yoga before running equals mistake.

I haven't given up on the idea, like all my ideas I think it is genius, but I think I may have had an order issue. I think it will work out better if I run first and end with yoga. That probably makes more sense. I am going to test this theory on Thursday. Today will be a 40 minute run with no yoga.

I still do not feel like I am moving along fast enough in this 5k training but maybe I am. I'm trying to remember to be patient that I will not change overnight though in this world of consumerism and instant gratification it is hard not to expect that. It is hard to maintain motivation when after a couple weeks you feel like you should be awesome but are not...yet.

Then once I recovered from wobbly legs I made myself dinner. I made an extra spicy, healthy version of chilaquiles. It was all types of spicy and tasty. I used chicken, balck beans, tomatoes, green chiles, jalepenos, hot salsa, spinach, 2% cheese, and plain yogurt over a bed of homemade tortilla chips (made with whole grain tortilla shells I found that have 12grams of fiber! 12 grams!?!?!) seasoned with chile powder. It was spicy enough to make my nose run, so basically it was perfect. :-)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Feeling Good

Last night I forced my tennis shoes on over my blistered heels. I was happy to discover it didn't hurt nearly as much as I anticipated. So I jogged for 40 minutes on the elliptical machine. It felt so refreshing to be moving again.
Normally, I hate working out inside. I only do it if I have to because I get so bored while I am doing it and the workout feels like it will never end. I need the visual stimulus of being outside. However exceptions have to be made like last night. I have found that watching hour long action tv shows are the only thing to keep me going without focusing on wanting to stop. I have tried several different types of shows. Sitcoms don't work because I am not paying enough attention to get the jokes and if I do get them and laugh then that messing with my breathing. Scary movies also do not work because I cannot focus on what is happening enough to care when someone dies. Romantic comedies do not work probably because I don't like them as much even when I am not exercising. Right now the best show for me to watch while I am working out is the BBC Robin Hood. The episodes move fast, lots of action, I have recently watched them all so I don't have to pay close attention to what is happening, and I adore the accents. What more could I hope for?
Last night for dinner I made the rest of the fresh pasta and sauteed some veggies (broccoli, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and spinach) and then added in some red beans and spices. Served over the pasta with a side of cottage cheese. Delicious and healthy! Mmmm. I even brought the leftovers for lunch today.
Today's goal: Run outside tonight without making my blisters worse.

Monday, June 14, 2010

It's the Eye of the Tiger.

Relay is done!!!! Holla!!

It was a fun, yet exhausting night. I am not sure I could have made it through as well as I did without having the most incredible team mates ever. We cheered each other on as no other team there. I am sure we annoyed other people, but oh well we had enthusiasm in spades. I ate a lot of unhealthy things but I figured I also burned off a ton of calories so I really do not feel bad about having a cheese burger and piece of pizza. It was delicious. :-)

It was also humid. Ridiculously humid. I think I sweated off gallons of water. I have been fighting off some dehydration ever since, not quit able to get rid of this constant thirst. Also lingering behind are two nasty blisters on my heels. Not the end of the world but it will prevent my from running for a couple days. So I have been doing yoga. I cannot describe how amazing it felt to stretch so intensely on the Saturday following the race. I really intend to make a better effort of running and doing yoga most days.

I invented a delicious and carb filled dinner on Saturday night. It had whole wheat fresh pasta I bought at farmers market. I added in some chicken asiago sausage (my new favorite thing at only 110 calories), laughing cow lite cheese, and spices (garlic, onion powder, cajun seasoning, sea salt, and pepper). Broccoli and tomatoes on the side. Mmmmm is was so so delicous.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Average Everyday Sane Psycho

Hello people (though I have my doubts there are actually people reading this, but on the off chance I feel as if I should offer a greeting, so here it is...glad I clarified that)

This week as expected is crazy busy. I am supposed to meet the girls tonight for a run, BUT I think I am too busy. I think I will have to work out alone so I can finish and get to the Relay stuff.

Ack!!! Relay for life is tomorrow afternoon. There is SO much to do and so little time left. I am not good at putting things off until the last minute. Yes, the stress is motivating but at the same time it is all consuming and I hate that. This week and my time feels like it has gotten away from me a bit, but I am sure I will rally fine and everything will work out smoothly. Besides it is totally worth it. Relay For Life is such a great cause. So many people in my family alone have had and died from cancer. It is a disease that touches absolutely everyone and I want to do my part in preventing cancer for future generations.

This morning's green monster was the same as always (banana, strawberries and blueberries, a little vanilla yogurt and almond milk. I left out the juice this morning because I didn't have time to open a new bottle.), delicious. I am thinking tonight will be some sort of pizza I have an idea for, but we will see what my time situation is. I might have to settle for the always classic PBJ. Mmmm. I took off last night because I was just too busy to work out with meetings and what not. Tonight my goal is to improve my miles per hour by .1 miles per hour. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

That's What Friends Are For

The greatest thing to happen during this get healthy, get in shape, 5k training kick is the wonderful, wonderful support from friends. New and old friends are so supportive of my endeavor and several have even jumped on board with me. The main people training for the 5k with me are friends I have had since high school and elementary. We have been friends for a crazy amount of time. We have known each other through big hair, braces, heart break, rumors, bad skin, bad attitudes, crayons, recess, kick ball, tag, moving, marriage, divorces (parent's and our own), successes, and failures. Basically, I know these girls as well as I know myself. It is so motivating knowing that they are counting on me. There are days I do not want to work out, days I want to make bad choices but then I think doing this isn't going to get me to my goal and I will not allow myself to fail them.

Our running group has made talk of escalating. Why should we only work on our bodies when we can use our time together to strengthen our minds and souls? It isn't easy getting everyone on board but they will eventually come around to the new plan. Meeting once a week or biweekly to go yoga and jog. Then followed with a healthy breakfast. I have lots of ideas for different breakfasts we can try. We are also going to start reading books together as well. First book is Eat Pray Love. Would I have ever read that book without one of the suggesting it. No. But it won't hurt me to read it and if I am lucky maybe it will open my mind to something I had never thought of before and I will be a better person for having read it. The worst that could happen is I will not enjoy and and wasted a couple hours of tv time. But can you ever really consider time spent reading more of a waste than rotting your brain in front of the glorious television, probably not.

I am an incredibly fortunate person to have so many wonderful, strong, and funny women in my life. I hope everyone has friends like this, because it makes life that much more enjoyable to live.

Ha! Enough with the sappiness. Back to the facts. Had an incredibly enjoyable green monster this morning. I added a little more almond milk and cranergy, it tasted fabulous. I also improved my minutes per mile by 45 seconds last night. Huge WIN for me!!!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

It's all in your mind

I joggled my two fastest miles yesterday. It felt great when the Nike + congratulated me on my time. It also made me realize I haven't been pushing myself hard enough. I think the problem that is easy to fall into is that when you work out with someone you naturally talk to them. While conversation is good, it takes your concentration away from what you are doing and it is easy to slack off.
However, now that I am aware of the problem I can double my focus and push myself harder whether I am joggling alone or with someone else. Playlist is coming along great. It has gotten slightly out of hand with all the songs I want on it. I think I will refocus the effort and make a 30 minute one, a 45 minute one, and a hour one because I can be crazy obsessive about music.
I have a new recipe floating around in my head. I will make it either today or tomorrow and let you know if it is good. (Pictures included, hopefully) I love cooking, I even love it more when I know that I have made something healthy, delicious, and low calorie. :-)

Monday, June 7, 2010

With enough courage, you can do without a reputation

Whew! It was a crazy weekend. It also promises to be a crazy week. Relay For Life on Friday/Saturday and lots to do before then. I joggled on Friday, it was hot but good. Saturday I did a short workout in the morning and Sunday was my first day off from exercising in the last few weeks. It was a much needed break, I am glad I took it, but I am ready to get back out there today. This morning also marks my first morning without a green monster in a while too (because I overslept! FAIL). I miss it.
Oh well a new week is before me and I am still determined… like Scarlet O’Hara determined. So what if my lungs at times feel like they are going to explode, so what my hip and knee now occasionally hurts. I am armed with apsercreme and stubbornness. *cue light breeze*As God as my witness… *cue sunset* I will never give into laziness again.

Goal this week: Make myself a kick-ass running playlist.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Song to the day

Keep On Keeping On

I was tired most of the day yesterday but I went on another walk during work (perhaps to get ice cream... I'll never tell) that woke me up some, then I did 2.85 miles last night when I got home. I was tired until I actually started doing it then suddenly I felt like I had energy. I wonder if this is just another mental barrier, perhaps I am not really as tired as I believe I am perhaps this is my laziness developing sneaky new methods. Will my deep seeded internal laziness will forever be the Dr. Claw to my Inspector Gadget?

Oh, when I got back home I invented a tasty new recipe last night. It is like a cross between red beans and rice and gumbo except much healthier and lower in calories. I didn't take a picture so I will just tell you what is in it.
I started with Chicken and asiago Sausages (only 110 calories!) sliced into bite sized pieces and sauteed. I then added in a rinsed and drain can of red beans, chopped fresh spinach, broccoli, peperoncinis, a can of enchilada sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning to taste. Let simmer until veggies are cooked. Served over Parmesan cous cous with flax seed.
Mmmmm spicy yumminess!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Beautiful Wreck

I am tired today! I am glad I have people doing this 5k training with me because motivating them to keep going motivates me. Maybe the tiredness is a result of not taking days off as I know I should, the strange dreams about high school, psychology teachers and tornadoes I had last night, or perhaps it is all the result of eating so unhealthy yesterday. Regardless I have to muster up some energy so I am ready to hit the pavement again this evening. I have finally made a schedule so I can see my day off dangling in front of me like a carrot.... or better yet cheese.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Gray skies are gonna clear up

The rain has cleared and the sun is shining! Work out plan for tonight is a go! Lucky thing too since I had pizza for lunch and will be having pizza for dinner. It is ok that I am breaking my organic food kick today because it is for a good cause, the American Cancer Society. I had my green monster this morning with delicious mango-pomegranate infusion Amazing Grass and went on a photo expedition around campus so today has not been a total bust. Goal for tonight...2.4 miles.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

 
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