Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Keep on pushing...

It has been less than a month since I last ran.... but I did it yesterday.  After all the yummy holiday treats, fatty food, and numerous alcoholic beverages I knew the run would be hard.  And hard it was.  Approximately, 0.75 miles into my first mile I started to cramp up bad under the right side of my rib cage.  I made it to one mile and then had to walk.  I was frickin pissed that I couldn't do the 2 miles I had planned on doing, but when I reached 1.2 miles my cramp went away and I finished the second mile!  I can't believe how happy I was that I was able to finish both miles.  Incredible!  I was as bright as a tomato when all was done, but I felt fantastic when it was over.  I am going to do 2 miles again today and then celebrate by buying a new duvet cover.  Target.... here I come!

Follow me - http://go.nike.com/5bgtq2p

Friday, November 19, 2010

I RAN 3 MILES..... no really... I did!

Last night was amazing.  My husband and I ran together yesterday evening (which I love because him being there is already motivation).  I was sore from the gym the night before and could already feel my muscles tightening.  I ran 2 miles without walking or taking a break.  I was going to stop at 2 miles when Husband told me to keep going.  He said that he believed in  me and knew I could do just one more little mile to get us all the way home.  I grunted at him and said, "ok" because I wanted to do it for him to prove that I could do it.  Funny, I didn't even want to prove it to myself!  The last mile I removed my headphones to really focus on my body.  I kept repeating "I can do this.... I can do this" which made me sound like a crazy person because I was talking to myself.  Sometimes a girl just needs to motivate herself!  I just happen to do it out loud.  At the 3 mile marker we stopped and I yelled "OH MY GOD I DID IT!!!"  I wasn't too winded but my body was really tight (damn weight lifting).  I'm not really sure how I was able to make dinner or do laundry because all my body wanted to do was sit in a hot tub or the bathtub.  When my 3.05 mile run was posted on Facebook so many friends congratulated me that it was really motivating.  Only 1.3 more miles to run before I can really participate in the Pat Tilman run in April... but I'm gonna do it!!!!

Follow me - http://go.nike.com/j7s66g

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Running to clear my mind

Yesterday I thought my brain was going to explode.  I went to a meeting to learn about starting up my own business as a part time thing.  It sounds really interesting but I don't know if it's a financially viable option for us right now. When I got home I needed to run.  I didn't need to run for exercise, but I  needed to run to clear my head.  I ran at night so I didn't run with headphones which was great because it gave my brain a chance to go through some scenarios with this potential part time gig.  I decided the only way it could really work is if my husband helps me a bit.  I ended up running a little over 2 miles but I ran most all of it!  It was gorgeous outside and there wasn't a single person in sight.  I was just able to listen to my body... to the wind... and let my brain putter away at stuff.  I wasn't too winded when I got home but I felt a million times better than I did before I left. I guess running is my new way of letting my brain think about problems or ideas without having to actually think about them.  It's almost therapeutic!

Follow me - http://go.nike.com/171b6r7

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My body is breaking down on me

I am a mess.  My calf muscle was so sore last week that I had to rest it so I wouldn't do serious damage.  The chiropractor said my problem is my arch.  I bought some orthopedics for my shoes and that seems to help.  Turns out I also sprained my thumb.  While this doesn't prevent me from running it's still annoying.  I didn't run at all last weekend so now running is gonna be a bitch!  Husband was still out of town so I decided Monday would be that day I start back up.  Orthopedics were in my shoes and the weather was perfect.  I was having a hard time breathing but at the one mile marker I was miraculously able to breathe.  I guess my body figured out the groove and breathing was no longer a problem.  At 1.4 miles I had to pause and stretch my calf muscle.  Once done I ran almost 1 more mile.  I completed 2.38 miles ALL BY MYSELF!  Husband is mighty proud of this girl.  To follow my last run - http://go.nike.com/0f1pdp0.  Once I was able to run without lack of breath or cramping calf muscle I was actually enjoying it.  I'm still not sure if I can do 4.2 miles, but at least I'm more than halfway there already!!!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Having doubts already

I think I hurt myself.  I'm pretty sure I irritated or strained my right calf muscle.  I tried running yesterday afternoon and was just able to make 1.8 miles.  I probably actually completed 3 miles, but I was only able to jog 1.8 miles of it and the rest of the time I was walking and stretching.  I am hoping that the chiropractor can help me out with this problem.  I went to see him for the first time on Monday.  He believes that I close off my lungs which (obviously) makes running harder.  So my goal is to open up my upper body and to stop using my inhaler for exercising.  Lofty goal but I think I can do it.  Also, I'm having doubts about running.  I don't know if it's the calf problem, but it's hard.  I knew it would be hard, but sometimes I think running 4.2 miles is a crazy goal that I'll never accomplish.  Hopefully I'm wrong.

Yesterday's run - http://go.nike.com/82em3cc

Monday, November 1, 2010

I didn't make it as far as I wanted today

This morning was rough.  I was planning on running since I was a slacker and didn't accomplish it over the weekend (however, my house is spotless and I made my husband's favorite dinner so it was at least a productive weekend).  I decided to get myself motivated this morning and got up at 6:30am.  I stretched for a few minutes (but maybe not enough) and then started my run. It was pretty cold this morning (wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt) but I was feeling good.  However, it was harder to breathe than normal.  At around the 1 mile mark my right calf muscle started cramping.  I only completed 1.2 miles when I figured it was safer to stop then to hurt myself.  So I walked home and stopped my watch from counting the time.  Husband said that it's normal for some days to be harder than others.  I'm not sure if it was hard because I hadn't done it in a few days, or because it was cold outside, or because I didn't stretch enough.  In any case, I didn't get anywhere near the 2.8 miles I needed to complete today.  Maybe I'll try again tonight after my date with the chiropractor.

Follow my short run - http://go.nike.com/07qh8uvt

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Power Song of the Week

I ran over 2 miles thanks to my ipod shuffle.  I told myself "you will run through the next song that plays and then you can be done" (yes, it was my self motivation tool).  Turns out the next song to play was 5 minutes and 36 seconds long.  So THANK YOU Shinedown for the song Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom).  It is the BEST song to run to because it has a fantastic beat and kept me going.  I probably could have run longer but I decided to stop.

Completed 2.27 miles last night... all running (ooooh yeah!)

I am a running machine.  Yesterday I ran 2.27 miles (without stopping) in just under 23 minutes.  I'm not sure if the Sportband is 100% correct, but if it is this fact is AMAZING.... it says that I ran my first mile in 12 minutes 13 seconds and my second mile was completed in 10 minutes 32 seconds.  How awesome is that?!  I burned a total of 322 calories which is also amazing.  Husband and I ran outside around the neighborhood with our oldest dog.  It really helped my mentality when Husband and Brinkley were running next to me keeping me motivated.  I received a lot of positive feedback on Facebook which was nice.

Messages included:

Jacquie - Wow, you are cruising right along there girl! Good for you! :)
Jason D. - Go Ash!!! Get your hubby running too so he can come back out and play volleyball with us!
Soizik - wow Sunnyheehaw! You're already over 2 miles!? That's awesome!

Thanks to all of my friends for being so supportive.  It really does help encourage me to continue on my mission to complete a 7k!

Oh!  My pouch arrived last night which will store the Nike Sportband sensor.  I no longer have to look down at my feet to see if the sensor is still in my shoelaces.  Now it is in a pouch which is Velcroed around my shoelaces!  It's pretty awesome and it was only $3.99 on Amazon.com. I got one for Husband, too, because he is getting a red Sportband for his birthday from my parents.  Then we can run together and keep track together... how romantic.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

I ran 2.8 miles yesterday

Yes, I ran 2.8 miles yesterday.  Actually I did it in two sessions... 1.4 miles in the morning outside with my dog and 1.4 miles in the afternoon on a treadmill at the gym.  The treadmill was much easier because I was able to keep my pace and not overexert myself.  The run with my dog was exhausting because she kept pulling me.  I get to take today off, but I might still go for fun this afternoon.  Running for fun... ha... who would have thought.  I am full of energy and feeling great so this running thing is really starting to take a positive turn for me.  One problem with all this running and exercise is that I feel hungry all the time.  I need to focus on not overeating (even if it's healthy) because it will be easy to do!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Morning Run - 1.4 Miles in 16 minutes 43 seconds

No running for me over the weekend.  I was supposed to complete 1.4 miles on Saturday but ended up house hunting with my parents and attending a house warming party for some friends up in Sun City.  Friends in their early thirties... not friends in their sixties.  I still can't explain why they live up there but they do have a 5000 square foot beautiful home so that is really nice.  While at the party, I told my girlfriend, Jessica, that I was going to compete in a 7k.  Jessica is a runner... she can probably do a 7k no problem with very little training.  She said she would love to do it with me and now I really have a reason not to back out (friends are depending on me!!!).  I am excited to have a friend to help keep me motivated (in addition to my husband) so I'm getting  more and more psyched for this race!


Today was rough for running.  I took Chloe my 90 pound beast of a dog with me thinking "oh, she needs some exercise, a slow jog will be good for her."  Well she showed me... she is a big girl but man does that dog have energy.  She basically pulled me the entire run.  I ran faster than I should have and eventually had to stop so I could catch my breath.  The great thing about running with your dog is 1) they need the exercise, too, so you're being a good parent and 2) they help keep you energized so you'll continue the run!  I must have looked like an idiot at 6:45am... being dragged by my dog.  Oh well... I still completed 1.4 miles and felt great once it was over (you know... once I was able to catch my breath!).  Here is the log of this run on my Nike site:  http://go.nike.com/01t3cidp.  I wish I had a photo of Chloe and I running together, but sadly I do not.  In any case here is a photo of my girl and you can just imagine her pulling me along.  Chloe is the black dog (half German Shepard half Rottweiler).  The blond dog is Brinkley and she is an incredibly fast runner.  I don't take her with me because she gets bored with me.  At least Chloe will entertain the idea of running alongside me.








Friday, October 22, 2010

1.4 miles in 15 min and 57 sec

My new running shoes arrived yesterday afternoon!  I bought them at Finish Line and they're the most comfortable and light shoe I've ever owned.  The brand is Brooks... totally recommend them to anyone.  I used them yesterday for my 1.4 mile run.  They were FANTASTIC.  Great arch support, hugged my feet well, and they're stylish!  Look at that blue... just beautiful!  I had a nice run last night.  Although, I was pooped afterwards.  Can't say I've ever run 1.4 miles straight without walking.  But I did a good job... pat on back.  I completed my slow run in 15 minutes and 57 seconds - 

http://go.nike.com/11e4b3p.  



We went to a friends house for dinner so we didn't get to eat super healthy.  We had some pizza/lasagna thing (which was delicious), breadsticks, salad, and wine.  We also played Wii bowling so I guess that counts as exercise, right?  

Tonight I don't have to run, so instead we're planting a tree in our front yard.  It's going to be nice taking a break from the running.  Although, the thing I like most about my run around the block is that it's all about me.  No one bugging me for dinner, a back massage, and no dogs busting my chops for anything.  It's all about me and my thoughts (or sounds of my ipod shuffle).  Overall, I think this might be an enjoyable goal (or at least I hope so).

Thursday, October 21, 2010

First measured run

Yesterday I had to calibrate my new Nike+ Sportband.  I had to walk a mile at a steady pace (4.0mph for this girl) and then I had to run a mile.  The walk took about 15 minutes or so.  I was able to complete my jog at 5mph in 12 minutes.  Now I know 12 minutes isn't a great time.. but's not the worst time either!  The best part was I was able to keep my breathing under control and I wasn't panting or dying after it was over.  My husband did mention that I swing my upper body from left to right which constricts my breathing and makes running harder.  I need to focus on that part.  No body swinging.

Today's goal is a 1.3 mile run.  That shouldn't be too terrible.  I am going to do it around my neighborhood in the great outdoors.  I prefer running outside to running in the gym on a treadmill watching other sweaty people workout.  At least outside there is fresh air, things to look at, and no one creepy is staring at my ass (yes it happens at the gym... I don't care how overweight you might be).

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dinner Tonight - 10/20/10

Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken
Small dinner salad with light dressing
Baked Sweet Potatoes


Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken
2 chicken breasts
1 juiced lemon (to taste)
lemon pepper
1 red bell pepper
1 onion
1 T garlic


Sprinkle lemon pepper on both sides of chicken breasts.  In a baking dish place chicken breasts.  Chop up red bell pepper and onions.  Sprinkle bell pepper and onion around chicken in pan (yes some will get on the chicken).  Sprinkle garlic on and around chicken.  Add lemon juice to pan.  I like the chicken to be swimming in the lemon juice (I also like to marinate the chicken in the juice and pepper overnight if I remember).  Bake for 20-25 minutes on 350.  


Note:  I only server half a chicken to each person and save the other half for lunch the next day.




Baked Sweet Potatoes
Peeled sweet potatoes
Extra virgin olive oil (lightly add to cover potatoes)
Garlic (chopped)
Onions (chopped)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)


Heat oven to 400.  Peel and chop sweet potatoes (place in large bowl).  Add olive oil, garlic, onions, pepper, and salt to bowl.  Stir up all ingredients until potatoes are well coated.  Spread mixture onto an oiled baking dish (ex. cookie sheet).  Bake for 45 minutes or until potatoes are cooked and crunchy.

AM I CRAZY!?

It’s official. 

I’m a crazy person. 

No, not in the lock me up, 51/50, need to take drugs because I have multiple personalities kind of way… but more in the no one is going to believe YOU came up with this idea all by yourself and you must have lost your frickin mind kind of way.  

And yes, in case you’re curious, I DID come up with this idea all on my own thankyouverymuch!

How it started…

I’ve been taking my dogs (one at a time of course) for a run every morning (or at least one time per dog per week) for a few weeks (ok, days.. but whose counting) now.  We have three large dogs and I can barely handle one of them on a walk/run.  The smallest is 65 pounds and the biggest is 90 pounds.  I had no idea how far we ran/walked and was trying to figure out a way to calculate this.  Not only did I not know how far I walked, but I didn’t know how many calories I burned.  For ladies, calories burned is important.  Gotta maintain that sexy figure not only for the guys who can't have me but especially for my husband.  I want to look good for him so he still wants to love-on-me.  

The other day (actually 2 days ago) I found a Nike+ App that basically calculates the miles ran, calories burned, and some other stuff I don’t actually care about.  I investigated.  I didn’t have an iPod that was compatible with said app, but wouldn’t you know it, Nike offers a non-iPod way of calculating these things.  It’s called the Nike+ Sportband.  It’s glorious!  Basically, it’s a watch that communicates wirelessly to this Nike+ shoe module thing that goes in or on your shoe.  The Sportband is only $59.99 + tax where a new iPod that IS compatible is like $150 or something.  I'll take the Sportband for $59.99 please Alex. 

I did a lot of research.  I tried to figure out if A) this thing actually works and B) if I really want this thing.  Turns out I really want this thing.  I show the Sportband to my husband who thinks it's also pretty cool.  He's trying to lose some weight and is trying to get back into runners shape (he used to be a great runner back in the day).  Lucky for him his birthday is coming up so we can give that idea to my parents.  Not so lucky for me, my birthday is 2 months away and I just can't wait.

That night Husband and I go to Finish Line to take a look at this thing.  Not all the stores carry it and they don't carry all the colors.  Before even showing up I decided I wanted the pink Sportband.  Why wouldn't I want pink?!  It's awesome... ok.  Well, they don't have pink but can order it for me.  While looking at the yellow and blue versions I decided that the yellow one was actually really cool looking.  That's right marketers, the way to my wallet is to make a cool product that's pretty and color coordinates with my stuff.  The yellow is more neon than Live Strong so I buy it.  In addition to buying the band Husband and I also get new running shoes.  $300 later we walk out of the store.  (I'd just like to point out that the guy at Finish Line was awesome.  He spent over an hour with us talking about the Sportband and the running shoes he recommends.  He was so convincing (and we both really did need new shoes) that we bought them on the spot.  Good job Finish Line!  I wish I could remember his name, but he works at the store at San Tan Mall in Gilbert.)

Come to think of it... maybe buying a new iPod would have been cheaper!

Ok, so now it's Wednesday.  I'm being a good employee and doing my job, when it dawns on me... before Husband and I start talking about having kids and starting a family I want to participate in a race.  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't setting my goals on a marathon or anything... just a simple 5k.  In fact, I chose the Pat Tillman 5k race as the race of my dreams.  It's 6 months away so that's plenty of time, right?! 

I tell Husband about my new life goal.  The supportive husband that he is doesn't laugh (right away).  I should probably mention that I am a horrible runner.  I have an inhaler for exercising and I use it every single time I work out.  I am hard on my feet when I run and my body tenses up which apparently makes running harder.  Husband tries to explain that I could participate in a 5k, but it's gong to be really hard and I might want to rethink my goals for 2011.  I gave him the sad face and he walked away to go make lunch.

Five minutes later Husband comes back and makes me a deal:  "I will help you train to participate in the 5k if you will help me lose 25 pounds."  I think about it and agree immediately.  

Today's goal is to get my new neon yellow Nike+ Sportband calibrated so it knows I am a slow-ass runner.  My next goal is to plan meals so Husband can start losing weight.  Actually the meals I have been making are healthy.  The problem is 1) he eats too much of my food which makes it less healthy 2) he drinks beer like it's going out of style and 3) he's from Wisconsin so he likes to add cheese to EVERYTHING.  

I think I have my work cut out for me.