As a good friend pointed out recently, this is turning into a training journal, which is extrememly limited. Besides, I'm pretty sure it'll get pretty old if you have to read about sweaty people doing painful things all the time.
Today, I want to take an opportunity to write on a subject I have never written about: Princess, Little Man, and Hubby. Let's start with Princess.
Princess made it to dance class this week for the very first time. Class actually started last week, but we couldn't find it. We had all of the necessary information--except for location. Princess and I went to the middle school, the high school, the elementary school, and back to the middle school. I ended up taking my disappointed Princess home and stuffing her with rainbow sherbert.
After another long week of anticipation for both of us, on Tuesday night we finally made it to class in the middle school cafeteria...Who'd a known? After about two seconds of shyness, Princess jumped into the social life of dance. She smiled the entire time, and it was really fun to see her having bucket loads of fun in a social setting. I am pretty sure we'll be back next Tuesday; Princess liked dancing in a circle to the Little Mermaid theme song the best. We have 16 weeks and one performance to go. Princess is finally happy, and I get to see her hair pulled off her face for at least one hour each week...Priceless!
If you're a parent, want to be a parent, or remember funny stories from your childhood, I invite you to share them. Or, if you too have experienced that natural phenomenon that happens when you become parents and are magically expected to know things, what was your experience? What's your story?
Oh yeah...
1.27.2011 Training update:
3 mile slow run
Weights with some increases
And, I finally broke down and ate the rest of the cake. Sorry Princess, Little Man, and Hubby! Could I possibly argue that Cake Loading falls safely under the umbrella of Carbo Loading? Food for thought...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
1.26.2011
Today, I made endorphins...
After my first real interval training in about ten years, I actually feel pretty good. The workout consisted of a .5 mile warm-up, 5x400@ 5K race pace/7:30 mph, and a .5 mile cool down. I was a little nervous about the speed work, but the first 400 interval was the toughest.
As I seek endorphins, I also seek positive aspects to treadmill training. Treadmill training will teach me exactly what speed is what. By the time I can get outside without getting frostbite, I should be able to rely on my own internal pace-o-meter. Another benefit is that I cannot possibly fall off the treadmill due to destractability. I had forgotten how focused these workouts have to be. By zoning in on the training at hand, everything else goes away for the duration of the exercise, which will definitely come in handy during races.
On a more health conscious note (no, I avoided the chocolate cake for breakfast!) I took the time today to go see my favorite Chiropractor (http://docsaradc.com/location.html). Doc Sara has worked with Olympic Athletes, keeps current on beneficial techniques like Graston, and enjoys working with not only athletes, but women and children also. Today, Doc Sara performed the Graston technique on my neck. She has also worked on my IT band using the same technique in the past. In many aspects, I prefer Graston to other more traditional techniques. Have you ever had your IT Band stripped? I find it to be an uncomfortable experience to put it mildly. With Graston, the tools used help Doc Sara better address such issues with less discomfort. Today's session was equally satisfying. I left Dr. Sara's office feeling much better.
Tomorrow's training session is much intense with a three mile run and some weights!
After my first real interval training in about ten years, I actually feel pretty good. The workout consisted of a .5 mile warm-up, 5x400@ 5K race pace/7:30 mph, and a .5 mile cool down. I was a little nervous about the speed work, but the first 400 interval was the toughest.
As I seek endorphins, I also seek positive aspects to treadmill training. Treadmill training will teach me exactly what speed is what. By the time I can get outside without getting frostbite, I should be able to rely on my own internal pace-o-meter. Another benefit is that I cannot possibly fall off the treadmill due to destractability. I had forgotten how focused these workouts have to be. By zoning in on the training at hand, everything else goes away for the duration of the exercise, which will definitely come in handy during races.
On a more health conscious note (no, I avoided the chocolate cake for breakfast!) I took the time today to go see my favorite Chiropractor (http://docsaradc.com/location.html). Doc Sara has worked with Olympic Athletes, keeps current on beneficial techniques like Graston, and enjoys working with not only athletes, but women and children also. Today, Doc Sara performed the Graston technique on my neck. She has also worked on my IT band using the same technique in the past. In many aspects, I prefer Graston to other more traditional techniques. Have you ever had your IT Band stripped? I find it to be an uncomfortable experience to put it mildly. With Graston, the tools used help Doc Sara better address such issues with less discomfort. Today's session was equally satisfying. I left Dr. Sara's office feeling much better.
Tomorrow's training session is much intense with a three mile run and some weights!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
1.25.2011
Today, I feel red. Some say that means impatient; others might interpret it as anger. Nope, I just feel red. I like the color; I have lots of things that are red; it holds no significant meaning for me; I just wanted to share it with you...
My training session today consisted of a .5 mile warm-up, 3 mile run, and .5 mile cool down. Overall the most challenging part of it was figuring out what the heart rate monitor was telling me. I think the watch end of my monitor is dead, but fortunately the chest strap zoned in on the heart rate monitor on the treadmill. Honestly, if I would have believed what my watch was telling me, I should have scampered straight to the emergency room. It had me up around 220 bpm on a standard 3 mile run and 6.5 mph.
That said, I chose to ignore my watch and focus on the treadmill's readout. My goal for today was to keep my heart rate between 130 and 140 beats per minute (bpm) for an easy aerobic run. What I noticed is that I was settling in to an average bpm of about 125 and 130. What I found most intersting, however, was that every time I let my mind wander from the training at hand (which happens quite a bit...), my bpm spiked way up. Then when I focused back on movement and breathing, it came down and settled back in rather quickly.
Overall, it was a decent training session. I will say though that instead of crumbling to that rich chocolate cake that would have gone soooo goooood with my healthy banana for breakfast, I did opt for a granola bar instead. I consider that to be my huge personal accomplishment for the day!
Tomorrow, interval training!
My training session today consisted of a .5 mile warm-up, 3 mile run, and .5 mile cool down. Overall the most challenging part of it was figuring out what the heart rate monitor was telling me. I think the watch end of my monitor is dead, but fortunately the chest strap zoned in on the heart rate monitor on the treadmill. Honestly, if I would have believed what my watch was telling me, I should have scampered straight to the emergency room. It had me up around 220 bpm on a standard 3 mile run and 6.5 mph.
That said, I chose to ignore my watch and focus on the treadmill's readout. My goal for today was to keep my heart rate between 130 and 140 beats per minute (bpm) for an easy aerobic run. What I noticed is that I was settling in to an average bpm of about 125 and 130. What I found most intersting, however, was that every time I let my mind wander from the training at hand (which happens quite a bit...), my bpm spiked way up. Then when I focused back on movement and breathing, it came down and settled back in rather quickly.
Overall, it was a decent training session. I will say though that instead of crumbling to that rich chocolate cake that would have gone soooo goooood with my healthy banana for breakfast, I did opt for a granola bar instead. I consider that to be my huge personal accomplishment for the day!
Tomorrow, interval training!
Monday, January 24, 2011
1.24.2011
This is the day I've been waiting for. But it kind of feels anti-climactic. The training for the day consists of weightlifting with .5 mile warm-up and cool-down, and stretching. I chose to go with the flexibility section of SPINeRVALS' Flexible Warrior. (It has a tough sounding title...) Overall, it was a good training session.
Today, I also worked to get ready for tomorrow's session, which consists of a 3 mile run. It feels a bit lean, but Wednesday's session is interval training. In order to get ready for tomorrow, I need to be sure my heart rate monitor is working (the battery was dead, and I didn't quite know how to work it properly). I did get a new battery, and I have played with the functions enough that I think I'm good for tomorrow. Tomorrow, during my 3 mile run, I'll be working to get a feel for heart rate zones. As with other aspects of "training", it's been a long while since I've done heart rate training. I guess I'm not too old to start it up again!
Today, I also worked to get ready for tomorrow's session, which consists of a 3 mile run. It feels a bit lean, but Wednesday's session is interval training. In order to get ready for tomorrow, I need to be sure my heart rate monitor is working (the battery was dead, and I didn't quite know how to work it properly). I did get a new battery, and I have played with the functions enough that I think I'm good for tomorrow. Tomorrow, during my 3 mile run, I'll be working to get a feel for heart rate zones. As with other aspects of "training", it's been a long while since I've done heart rate training. I guess I'm not too old to start it up again!
Friday, January 21, 2011
1.21.2011
T-3 days and counting...As my workouts have steadily improved over the course of the week, so too has my anticipation of Monday, January 24th!
A very intelligent man I know tried to define for me the difference between exercising and training. He told me that the difference is in the intensity of the activity. By this standard, I have just been excercising for about 7 years. What I am committing to over the next several months will be intensity. In short, speed work...
Yesterday, at the gym, I was on the treadmill doing my comfortable 4 mile run. I though to myself, I can do this pace forever...Then I got it. I was exercising. I wasn't training. Feeling a bit wimpy at this revelation, and with a bit of taunting about the "baby weights" I was using to bench press, I "trained" during the weight session. I moved out of my comfort zone, increased weights where it was safe, and got a little sore.
Today, I can honestly admit that my 75 minute bike session was exercise. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. On January 24th, I start training!
A very intelligent man I know tried to define for me the difference between exercising and training. He told me that the difference is in the intensity of the activity. By this standard, I have just been excercising for about 7 years. What I am committing to over the next several months will be intensity. In short, speed work...
Yesterday, at the gym, I was on the treadmill doing my comfortable 4 mile run. I though to myself, I can do this pace forever...Then I got it. I was exercising. I wasn't training. Feeling a bit wimpy at this revelation, and with a bit of taunting about the "baby weights" I was using to bench press, I "trained" during the weight session. I moved out of my comfort zone, increased weights where it was safe, and got a little sore.
Today, I can honestly admit that my 75 minute bike session was exercise. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. On January 24th, I start training!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
1.18.2011
T-Six days and counting! Today my workout play consisted of four miles on the treadmill, followed by a light weightlifting session, and a bit of forced relaxation in the tanning bed.
First off, workouts aren't always cleansing or invigorating no matter what level you're exercising at. If you're just starting out, or if you have been at it for a long time, some days just stink. I would rate my run this morning at about a toe jam infested smelly sock level--meaning that there are worse things that can happen, but there are definitely much more enjoyable running days. About half way through, I really wanted to stop and take a break. Instead, I lied to myself saying, "Man up princess! Just get through another quarter mile!" It actually got me over the bump, and the rest of the run was manageable.
Coming off such a stinky run, I moved into my weightlifting for the day. Here, my brain settled in, and the toe jams and smelly socks became more like over-ripe fruit. It was defintely an improvement! I was able to settle in, and focus on the various exercises. One of my friends on FB recently posted something about taking joy in the smaller things in life. With that in mind, I focused on each rep of each set of each exercise. And then, when I was doing squats, the sun broke from the clouds for a glorious minute, and if I closed my eyes, I could imagine what it will be like in a few short months when the sun is warm and everything is green. In the end, it wasn't a bad session at all. I found some peace.
Finally, I topped everything off with some forced relaxation in the tanning bed. In no, way, shape or form could this 20 minutes of warm bliss smell bad. In fact, I could actually smell the beach and summer! (Of course, it's inconsequential that I was also using summer-smelling lotion!)
First off, workouts aren't always cleansing or invigorating no matter what level you're exercising at. If you're just starting out, or if you have been at it for a long time, some days just stink. I would rate my run this morning at about a toe jam infested smelly sock level--meaning that there are worse things that can happen, but there are definitely much more enjoyable running days. About half way through, I really wanted to stop and take a break. Instead, I lied to myself saying, "Man up princess! Just get through another quarter mile!" It actually got me over the bump, and the rest of the run was manageable.
Coming off such a stinky run, I moved into my weightlifting for the day. Here, my brain settled in, and the toe jams and smelly socks became more like over-ripe fruit. It was defintely an improvement! I was able to settle in, and focus on the various exercises. One of my friends on FB recently posted something about taking joy in the smaller things in life. With that in mind, I focused on each rep of each set of each exercise. And then, when I was doing squats, the sun broke from the clouds for a glorious minute, and if I closed my eyes, I could imagine what it will be like in a few short months when the sun is warm and everything is green. In the end, it wasn't a bad session at all. I found some peace.
Finally, I topped everything off with some forced relaxation in the tanning bed. In no, way, shape or form could this 20 minutes of warm bliss smell bad. In fact, I could actually smell the beach and summer! (Of course, it's inconsequential that I was also using summer-smelling lotion!)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
1.15.2011
One week ago, I registered for my first half marathon! I've been thinking about it for awhile, and have always been clueless as to why someone would want to do the same activity for roughly two hours, give take roughly 45 minutes either way. Honestly, I consider myself too distractable to run for an entire 13 miles without tripping, falling, or veering off the route to say hi to a fuzzy kitty or a random, hopefully not rabid, puppy dog!
My first challenge was a question on the registration form. It asked me why I wanted to do this race. The only answer that came to mind was "I'm curious". Heck, I can walk that far, probably. I could even run most of it, maybe. At the very least, I can crawl the last few miles if necessary. I beg you not to challenge my logic. It's working for me right now...That sums it up. I'm curious as to why people love this so much.
The next more practical challenge was how to train for such an event, in the middle of winter, in Minnesota. Armed with my home treadmill, my newly acquired gym membership (http://www.suburbanhealthclub.com/), and heaven forbid the great outdoors--if I find that my treadmill dies, or the gym spontaneously combusts, I have set a training program (www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon) that will end exactly when it is supposed to end, on April 16th.
My training officially starts on January 24th! I'm counting the days with trepidation.
My first challenge was a question on the registration form. It asked me why I wanted to do this race. The only answer that came to mind was "I'm curious". Heck, I can walk that far, probably. I could even run most of it, maybe. At the very least, I can crawl the last few miles if necessary. I beg you not to challenge my logic. It's working for me right now...That sums it up. I'm curious as to why people love this so much.
The next more practical challenge was how to train for such an event, in the middle of winter, in Minnesota. Armed with my home treadmill, my newly acquired gym membership (http://www.suburbanhealthclub.com/), and heaven forbid the great outdoors--if I find that my treadmill dies, or the gym spontaneously combusts, I have set a training program (www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon) that will end exactly when it is supposed to end, on April 16th.
My training officially starts on January 24th! I'm counting the days with trepidation.
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