Wow, that stinks...

So, apparently in April I was able to jog for 5 minutes straight... I even blogged about it. Wow, what a huge setback that I'm having difficulty running 2 minutes...

Oh well, I guess I have to build back up to it again!

LP

Training update...

Plugging along...

9/27 - rest day. no cardio

9/28 - running day: run/walking around the neighborhood... mainly 90 sec jogging with 60 sec walking. I started out attempting 2 minutes of jogging, but I lasted 2 cycles. I only lasted 18 minutes (see the obstacle below...) Finished up the 40 minutes with walking. Lower body workout with Sean.

9/29 - non-running day: walked 1.2 miles (3 times around the block) and then an upper body workout with Sean.

Another obstacle:

I've been having right hip pain after running. Feels like it's muscular since I have full ROM of my hip... I'm hoping that it's just my body adjusting to new exercise. I did have to stop running short yesterday, and today I took it easy with the cardio today. If it doesn't get better soon, I'll have to make an appointment with a doctor.

Added benefits of the running?

- I'm getting back on track with nutrition. I haven't noticed any changes in the scale, but I'm not focused on it.

- my time running is great time to reflect on whatever is bothering me... I've found it to be a great stress reliever.

Happy Tuesday!

LP

"Running" update

Until I start a spreadsheet of my own, I'm going to put down my training here:

9/25 - non-running day: 30 min HIT training on the elliptical - level 5

9/26 - "running" day: 20 minutes alternating between 90 seconds of "running" and 60 seconds of walking. Finished off with another 20 minutes of walking. (did 1.6 miles in the initial 20 minutes and 2.7 miles overall).

- I think today's workout needs to be repeated before going on to the next level... I was doing fairly well until about 15 minutes in and then I couldn't maintain the "running" for 90 seconds. Definitely don't think I'm ready to conquer 2 minutes of running in a row.

Obstacles: this darn viral URI... I could swear I heard myself wheezing at about 18 minutes in. :( Hopefully, this cold will leave me soon.

You may have noticed my quotations whenever I use the word run... I assume they'll fall off when my confidence is higher, or when I believe what my efforts actually fit the definition of running...

Have a good one!

LP

The balancing act...

Achieving balance is something that is always a challenge for me. I often have an "all-or-nothing mentality" about things and so I'm either super-strict or super-slack with no middle ground. Add it to the list of the million things I am working on improving...

HOWEVER, I think I did a good job avoiding that wrong thinking over the past few days. While I have cheated each day of my birthday celebration (which this year happened to last 2 days), I have done a good job of getting right back on track. And even on those days, I made really healthy choices with the exception of my cheat dinners (eggplant parm and birthday cake on the 24th and a restaurant spinach salad w/chicken and some of my friend's creme brulee cheesecake on the 25th). Most importantly, today I got up and instead of beating myself up for cheating twice, I had my healthy breakfast and am going for my "run" now...

Who knows... maybe I'm growing up ;-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

LP

Day 3 -- things are a little better :)

Today I hit the road... I walk/ran around the neighborhood - running 60 seconds (no handrails to hold onto this time) alternating with walking for 90 seconds for 20 minutes and then afterward I walked for another 20 minutes. I covered 2.7 miles in 40 minutes... it's a starting point, right?

Two obstacles I've discovered while running on the streets:
(1) DOGS -- Not the biggest pet person, but dogs barking at me (and potentially chasing after me) scares me quite a bit. I encountered 1 barking dog today (he didn't chase), but it put me on heightened alert for the rest of my workout.
(2) I got a BLISTER :( -- I went to get fitted for running shoes, but when I got home, I noticed that my new ones were remarkably similar to my current sneaks (which quite frankly aren't that old). I decided to bring them back and talk to the salesperson, but in the meantime I would use my old sneakers. They have never given me any problems before, but today I got a blister... OUCH! Guess I'll have to go out and buy some band-aids, because a little blister isn't going to stop me now.

I'm pretty excited about my training for this race (even if I do walk most of it). It's nice to have a new goal to focus on rather than numbers on a scale... who knows, maybe this is just the thing to get me back to making healthy choices all around.

Starting my 35th year on the right track...

LP

Day 1 -- how many calories are in humble pie???

... because I just had a big piece of it!

I started training for the 8K. My neighbors are runners and they are helping me devise a plan to prepare -- I am to start with 20 minutes of alternating between walking for 90 seconds and running for 60. I'm supposed to "run" 3 times a week and only one of these can be on the treadmill... doesn't sound so bad, right?

Wrong! Even though I have been doing cardio consistently for 18 months, I could barely get through this workout. I started out with my treadmill workout - walking at 4.0 and running at 5.0. I found that I can only run for 45 seconds before I have to hold on to the handrails. My initial plan was to continue to walk for another 10 minutes after, but luckily Sean was ready for me so I had to go train.

I know that I am still sick and that may have made it a little harder, but I really thought I would be better able to handle the workout... and this is just day 1!

But I'm going to stick with it and I look forward to updating you on my progress...

Happy Tuesday!
LP

Time for my annual freak-out...

So, it's that time of year again... soon to be another year older. And while there are plenty of things that I have accomplished, I find myself thinking about all of the things that have just not happened for me. My life at 33 is nothing like I imagined it would be, and I can't help but be a little sad...

So if you see me this week and I'm a little bit off, you now know why...

Have a wonderful week!
LP

Just what the doctor ordered...

I had originally asked for last week off for our Girl's Weekend Extravaganza Part Deux (a bunch of high school friends got together in CT last September) that was supposed to be a reunion in San Diego. Unfortunately, since most of the girls are back in school our trip was postponed... bummer! I decided that I needed a break and I was determined to make the most of the time off. I called my friend Andrea and invited myself to Tampa...

What a welcomed break -- it was great not to think about work or weight loss or my imbalanced life for a while. I finally met Andrea's S.O. and her crazy (but cute) doggies. And while our beach trip was rained out (well, we managed to go to the bar on the beach and have a drink), I had a lot of fun relaxing, shopping, and hanging out with Andrea and some of her Tampa friends.

I think the trip renewed my spirit... I feel ready to take it all on again. And while I'm cautious about being overly optimistic (only to let myself down again), I'm ready to get back to business. I stocked my fridge with healthy food and have packed my bags for my early am workout.

I can do this...I know I can. It's just going to take time & patience.

Have a great week!
LP

Crazy? I was crazy once...

My friends are beginning to wear me down. They want me to do a race -- an 8K to be exact. This idea seems absolutely CrAzY to me as I am NOT a runner! I don't even think I have the stamina to walk the entire thing... it's just under 5 miles!!!

I think I may try to get ready for the race and when it comes closer to the day I will make a decision... But the fact that I'm even considering this makes me question my sanity.

More to come on this topic later...

Happpy Wednesday!
LP

Yes, I'm avoiding you...

So, I've been doing a crappy job staying on track... I was on service last week and so blatantly ignored any sort of plan. I even had a bagel when I brought them for my team! The Laura from last year would NEVER EVER had done that (well, unless it was a cheat day)...

I really wish I knew what it's going to take to get back on track. I feel all of the hard work I started 18 months ago just slipping away... what is wrong with me?

So, yes... if I don't have anything nice to say it's better not to say anything at all...

Happy Monday!
LP