4/25/13 – Thursday – Day 9 – Fight Back Festival

I am short on time today, but I wanted to at least publish a short post and report that I did complete my work-out that I moved from yesterday to today.  The Nike poster – “Yesterday You Said Tomorrow” is really resonating with me.  So, today I completed the 25 minute Slim In 6 Getting Started workout and then rode on my indoor bike for 20 minutes/6.2 miles.

It is amazing how much the body can hurt when you first start getting into shape, and then how quickly it can adjust to workouts and the changes being made.  Just one week ago I was struggling and in absolute pain trying to complete the exact same video I just completed tonight.  I certainly had some pain and could feel the burn tonight, but it was significantly less than last week.  I am sure I will feel it tomorrow, but it should be significantly less so than last week.

I love that feeling of improvement, even though it is just the slightest bit, it is still improvement.  I am getting stronger.  I will take that little morsel and let it motivate me to do my work-out tomorrow.

What are your accomplishments that keep you motivated?

I am also motivated and excited because I have plans to run with a friend tomorrow.  Having other people to run with really helps me to get out the door and get my run in.  Do you have friends or groups you run with?  If not, you should!  It really makes a big difference.  You can really motivate each other on the days when you are lacking any desire to get your butt off the couch and can think of a million excuses as to why you cannot exercise.

Check out this ad from Tufts Health Plan, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2JSWgkwRL4, it’s great and is just so true, you have to laugh at yourself.  How many of those excuses have you used? I know I have used the I forgot my sneakers before.

AOP Miles Today – 0 miles

Treadmill Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 11.83 miles road, 2 miles treadmill, TOTAL 13.83 miles

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 6.2 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 12.2 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 6 hours, 9 minutes, 27 seconds (369 minutes, 27 seconds)

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4/24/13 – Wednesday – Day 8 – Fight Back Festival

Today is my rest day instead of Friday, because I am going to run with some friends on Friday.  So, I switched it up.  Plus, I am exhausted.  But it’s a good exhausted.

I spent a good portion of my day promoting and meeting with the organizing committee for Fight Back Festival.  It is such a great event and I am so excited to plan an event bigger & better 2013 Fight Back Festival.  What is this festival you ask? 

 

Pictured above is the top 2012 Fundraising Team – Team Headstrong.  They raised over $20,000!!!!  Can you put together a team that can raise more than that this year?

Fight Back Festival is the best, most family friendly and affordable event around.  There is something for everyone including biking, running, walking, eating, playing and dancing plus it raises much needed money for an organization that truly makes a difference every day in the lives of Mainers who have cancer and their family, friends and coworkers. 

You really have no excuse to not participate!

To entice you even more, not that you needed it, but after working hard to bike, run or walk in support of your loved ones with cancer you are rewarded with a delicious BBQ with beer – all of which is included in your registration fee.  You can kick it up a notch by upgrading to a lobster bake for $20.  Family & friends are welcome to join the event and can purchase BBQ & Lobster Bake tickets.

Bring the ENTIRE family – including the kids and Grammy & Grampy – there really is something for everyone.  There are tons of free children’s activities all day including two moonbounces, kid’s bike rides, a kid’s run, balloons, face painting, potato sack races and an obstacle course.  kids 12 and under are free for any distance bike, run or walk – including their lunch! 

Register Today! – (http://www.StayClassy.org/2013FightBack)

Not that you needed any more reason to make sure you are there on 9/28/13, but there is also live music all day. 

Last year, there were more than 800 participants, plus an additional 150 volunteers and another 100 fans and friends to cheer everyone on and join in the celebration.

Proceeds from Fight Back Festival benefit the free programs and emotional support services provided by the Cancer Community Center, six days a week, in South Portland.

We really need your help as our goal is to raise at least $102,000 from Fight Back Festival this year.  It is an aggressive goal and we can only get there with your support.  Go the extra mile once you register to participate and create a fundraising page to collect pledges from friends and family.  Set a goal of raising $250 and see how much you can raise.  More details about fundraising prizes will be announced in May.

Here are the event details:

What: Fight Back Festival 

When: Saturday, September 28, 2013

Where: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine 

Event                                                 Time                       Fee

60 Mile Bike Ride                             8:30am                       $30

10K Run                                           10:00am                    $20

5K Run                                             10:15am                    $15

25 Mile Bike Ride                             10:30am                    $30

10 Mile Bike Ride                             11:00am                    $30

1 Mile Stroll & 5K Walk                   11:15am                      $10

 DON’T FORGET – All registered participants will receive a complimentary BBQ lunch with beer (ID is required).  You can upgrade to a lobster dinner for $20. Additional meal tickets may be purchased for family & friends, so bring the whole gang.

Our website (www.FightBackFestival.org) is being updated as I type and complete details will be added over the next couple weeks.

www.FightBackFestival.org

Like us on Facebook. (http://www.Facebook.com/CCCFightBackFestival) 

Share the event with your friends & family.

 AOP Miles Today – 0 miles

Treadmill Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 11.83 miles road, 2 miles treadmill, TOTAL 13.83 miles

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 6.0 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 5 hours, 24 minutes, 27 seconds (324 minutes, 27 seconds)

4/23/13 – Tuesday – Day 7 – What To Wear

My mom always overdresses when she runs.  I used to always under dress.  The big question for runners, both newbies and veterans alike, is how should I dress?  How many layers?  Gloves?  Hat?  Headband?  It has taken many years of trial and error, but I think I have it figured out.

Getting out on cold days can have it’s advantages – you get to see beautiful scenes like this one of Central Park in NYC after a snow storm.  I took this with my camera phone several years ago running one of my many New York Road Runner races.  The crazy thing is there were still hundreds of people out there with me!

I heard or read a tip somewhere along the way – cover your head any time it is below 50 degrees.  I have found that any head covering when it is above 50 is a bit too warm for me, so I tend to go with 40 or 45 as my rule.  But everyone is different.  Figure out what your rule is.  Figure out what is comfortable for you.

This morning it was 34 degrees as I was getting dressed for my run.  Not fun in April when it is supposed to be spring and the promise of warmer weather running days should be upon us here in Maine.  Instead I am putting on my fleece lined pants, long sleeve tech shirt, fleece sweatshirt, gloves and fleece headband. 

I prefer to be on the warm side when I start running as I can always take off my gloves, hat or jacket.  But I don’t want to have too many layers that I am carrying half a load of laundry a few miles down the road.  It is a very careful balance.  From my years of winter running I have learned that very rarely are more than two layers ever needed.

Today, I dressed perfectly.  I folded my gloves down, half-way off, after 2 miles and then with just about a half mile left I was warm enough to take off my gloves.  Everything else was just right and stayed on for the run!

What are your cold weather running tips?  What are your favorite items to wear when the weather is on the chillier side? 

For those of you in warmer climates, I will have the same discussion about warmer weather…some day.  Then you can share with us your warm weather running tips!

AOP Miles Today – 3.23 miles @ 10:48 pace

Treadmill Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 11.83 miles road, 2 miles treadmill, TOTAL 13.83 miles

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 6.0 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 5 hours, 24 minutes, 27 seconds (324 minutes, 27 seconds)

4/22/13 – Monday – Day 6 – Starting The Week On the Right Foot

I am just not a morning person – never have been and never will be.  I have a hard time getting up and much to my husband’s dismay I can hit snooze over and over again and not even think twice about it.  Needless to say, rolling out of bed at 6am to get in that 5 mile run was not all that thrilling to me.  But, I remembered this poster I had seen – “Yesterday you said tomorrow”. 

I knew it was a slippery slope to push off the same workout for more than one day.  I just had to do it.  I finally rolled out of bed at 6:20am, and of course I did not have my running clothes laid out so I did not get out the door until 6:40am.  After taking the dog out and getting my GPS to load, I finally hit the road at 6:50am.

Yes, this meant that I would be a bit late for work, but I am very fortunate to have a very flexible job where I am able to arrive a little late as I work, on average, more than 40 hours a week anyway. 

Sometimes it is important to remember to put our personal needs before other things – even work. 

Running is the cheapest therapy I know.  It clears my mind, gets me off on the right foot for the day and on this day, Monday, for the week.  I also have some of my best brainstorming ideas while running.  Now, if only someone would invent a running GPS watch that also has a voice recorder!  So in the end my employer benefits when I start my day with a nice run and I come up with some great ideas, plus I am more relaxed and productive throughout my day!

Tip for the day – Lay running clothes out before going to bed, it eases the pain of rising early to get in that run – especially on these lovely April days in Maine when it has been about 34 degrees in the morning.

AOP* Miles Today – 5 miles @ 11:35 pace

*By the way, AOP means Ass on Pavement – thanks Durgin!

Treadmill Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 8.2 miles road, 2 miles treadmill, TOTAL 10.2

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 6.0 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 4 hours, 51 minutes, 31 seconds (291 minutes, 31 seconds)

4/21/13 – Sunday – Day 5 – Boston Strong

Today started out wonderfully amazing at a fabulous brunch with great friends.  My body was still aching a bit and I was not feeling very motivated so I decided to just rest today and to move my 5 mile run to tomorrow.  So, I will let this video inspire you instead:

Boston Strong

 

Can’t believe this is on YouTube!

Ha, what is not on YouTube, I mean really? I used to know this video so well and do it without being directed. Maybe I will have to do it again some time soon! They did work well!!!

4/20/13 – Saturday – Day 4 – And the Celebrations Continue

Since I danced for over 2 ½ hours last night and sweat more than I have in a very long time, I counted that as my 60 minutes of cross training for today. 

It was an honor and pleasure to attend the Bridal Shower for Annie today and wishing she and Ron the best in their marriage.  Cannot wait for the wedding!

If finding fun, non-elliptical ways to get in a cross training exercise is as challenging for you as it is for me here are a few ideas:

• Slim in 6 Videos (I Love Them!)
• Jump Rope
• Swimming
• Go really old school and pull out the old VHS video aerobics collection which includes MTV The Grind Workout, Sweatin’ To The Oldies & Tae Bo.  Oh wait I don’t have anything to play them on – wish I did!
• Crank the tunes and dance around the house for an hour
• Scrub the bathrooms and then rewards yourself with a nice soak in your clean tub
• P90X
• Biking
• Take the dog for a long walk (I just wished my 14 ½ year old could go further than ¼ of a mile, although she has never really been a runner or a walker)

Get creative and let me know if you have any fun ideas for fitting in and making your cross training workouts exciting and fun?

4/19/13 – Friday – Day 3 – Celebrating with Friends

The day started with a very painful 2 mile treadmill run at 6:30am.  I was hoping it would really help get the lactic acid out of my legs and enable me to move with a lot less pain…not so lucky.

 

As I was getting ready later that night to go out to celebrate and say goodbye to my favorite running couple, Chris & Tracey, shots were fired in MA and the bombing suspect was cornered.  I watched as the manhunt came to an end and then I went out to celebrate two of the most dedicated runners and athletes I know. 

Chris & Tracey Lydon. 

Thank you both for always keeping me motivated to run, cheering me to the finish line, being supportive, opening your house and for making one hell of a breakfast.  You will be missed, but I know our relationship will not end as you move and begin your running career in NC. 

(It was 80’s Night – hence my outfit, ha!)

Thank you, Chris & Tracey, for inviting me to celebrate your final night out in Portland!  It was a blast!  Plus it was my 60 minutes of cross training that I was scheduled to do on Saturday.  I think 2 ½ hours of dancing my ass off counts as 60 minutes of cross training!

Running Miles Today – 0 miles

Treadmill Miles Today – 2 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 3.2 miles road, 2 miles treadmill, TOTAL 5.2

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 6.0 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 3 hours, 54 minutes, 23 seconds (114 minutes, 23 seconds)

4/18/2013 – Day 3 – The Best Laid Plans…

I am a planner.  I love to plan anything and everything.  I love the process of planning, researching and organizing.  I like looking at options and gaining knowledge along the way.  I enjoy it because I now know what expectations I have established and what my goals are.  Training for races is perfect for a planner.  This is probably the reason why once I started running marathons I became instantly addicted.  The hardest part about running a marathon is the time it takes to plan and train, not the actual process of running the 26.2 miles on race day. 

Thanks to my friend Laura for the very appropriate Marathon Freak bumper sticker which is posted on my office door!

 

If you are interested in seeing what some training plans might look like these are my two favorite resources:

Hal Higdon (My Favorite!!!) – http://www.halhigdon.com

Jeff Galloway (Runner Up) – http://www.jeffgalloway.com

When it comes to running, well actually in all of life’s plans, I have learned that being flexible is critical to success.  Hal Higdon advises in the following manner on his website about his training plans:

”The following schedule is only a guide. Feel free to make minor modifications to suit your work and family schedule.”

Today is one of those days in which I need to adjust and be flexible.  I need to listen to my body today and rest.  But my rest day is scheduled for tomorrow.  Am I quitting already, on the third day of the rest of my running life?  No, the reality is that I am so out of shape that two consecutive days of exercise has made just about everything I do to be slightly painful.  Another great piece of advice and reason why I love Hal Higdon is this tidbit about the Rest Day in the training plan:

“The most important day in any beginning or intermediate running program is rest. Rest days are as vital as training days. They give your muscles time to recover so you can run again. Actually, your muscles will build in strength as you rest. Without recovery days, you will not improve”.

So, I am going to rest today and move my 2 mile run with strength training to tomorrow. 

This is especially easy for me to do and keep track of because I have an Exercise Calendar on my Google Calendar – I warned you I was a planner.  I put on my calendar each day’s planned workout, including rest days.  I love feeling like I have stuck with my plan and accomplished what my schedule was for the day – especially rest days!

This is a screen shot of what my calendar looked like tonight after I changed my plans!  Still on track!

If I was too rigid I would probably give up after one or two days of moving things around or always feel bad about not following the plan precisely as it was laid out.  You know what they say about the best laid plans…

If I can complete at least 75% of my planned workouts, I am pretty satisfied and usually in pretty decent shape.

So, do what you need to do today – create a plan, go for a run, have a little treat, take the dog for a walk, clear the cobwebs off your bike or just simply rest – even if it wasn’t in the plan, but is what you need for your body, spirit and soul, go for it!

Running Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 3.2 miles

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 6.0 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 1 hour, 29 minutes, 23 seconds (89 minutes, 23 seconds)

4/17/2013 – Day 2 – My Mantra for Today…Okay Maybe Tomorrow Too

When pushing through the difficult times – like getting into shape or reaching that finish line – it is so important to have a mantra that helps you get there.  I have several that I use.  Tonight’s was “No Pain, No Gain”.  As my arms were burning, all of 5 minutes into my Slim in 6 video and my legs were wobbly after only 4 squats, I just kept thinking, wow am I out of shape.  But then I had to remind myself, “No Pain, No Gain”.

These negative thoughts like I am out of shape, this is going to take forever to get back into shape, why did I let myself go so badly are what will discourage me from doing this video again later in the week; or ever again for that matter.  So, I must turn those thoughts around, push them aside and focus my goal of getting fit and how great it will feel when that workout is easy and I can move to the next level.

I always have to laugh when I think “No Pain, No Gain” because it comes from my childhood.  Before you think my parents were horrible people who pushed their kids too hard you need to understand that my dad was a high school swim coach and it was the motto for his team one year.  All the swimmers had shirts with “No Pain, No Gain” printed on the back.  (My shirt said “My Daddy’s The Coach”.)  I am grateful to my dad for not only teaching me at a very young age, but showing me through example, that in order to find success you have to work hard and sometimes it does have to hurt.

What’s your mantra?  I will share other mantras on Wednesdays in the future.  It is hump day and we all need a little push to get us through the rest of the week.  Plus, I am really going to need this mantra when I get up at 6am tomorrow to get in my 2 mile run and strength training!

Running Miles Today – 0 miles

Year to Date Running Miles – 3.2 miles

Indoor Bike Miles Today – 6.0 miles

Year to Date Indoor Bike Miles – 6.0 miles

Total Time Dedicated to My Fitness & Future – 1 hour, 29 minutes, 23 seconds (89 minutes, 23 seconds)