The Plan

I’m using Hal Higdon’s 10-K Training Program for Novices (www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm), however instead of finishing the program in 8 weeks, I am going to do each week twice and make it last 16 weeks. This will take me up to February and a 10-K I plan on running in Savannah in the Historic District. I also had to adjust the schedule to make it fit my work week. It had runs on Tuesdays originally, and that would be very difficult for me since we work 10 hour days on Tuesdays and I wouldn’t get off until 6:30 PM. I also decided to start at Week 3 since I have been running 4 miles for my long runs for the past few weeks. So this is what my schedule was like last week:

MON: Stretch and Strengthen--I got up at 5:00 AM and did yoga with a DVD and then did 3 sets of 12 reps in my wt. training.

TUE: 35 minutes crosstrain--I deemed it “Taebo Tuesday” and met Billy Blanks in front of the tv at 5:00 AM---it was a killer workout...harder than running!

WED: 2.5 mi run---YAY! It had seemed like FOREVER since I had run on Sunday---got it done in 30 minutes.

THU: Rest---the only off day in the schedule---I felt LAZY but I realize my body needed it to recuperate and rebuild muscle fibers

FRI: 2 mi run and Strengthen---YAY! Had an AWFUL day at work and ended up staying an hour over to tie up all the loose ends so I wouldn’t have to start the week stressed. When I got home, I took my dog, Skeeter, with me and we ran from home up the dirt road, down by the highway, down by the river and back up the dirt road 2 and 1/2 laps. Skeeter is getting better on the leash and we found a good cadence together. I think he enjoyed it as much as I did. When I got back I did 2 sets of 12 reps in my wt. training. I was POOPED!!!

SAT: 50 minutes crosstrain--We spent the weekend at the farm, so I decided to ride my bike from there, down a gravel road and back. It was cold and windy and I felt like I was barely moving against the wind. There were two wild hogs running next to me in a field and then they crossed the gravel road in front of me...that was pretty cool!!! I rode 6.5 miles at the fastest average pace I’ve ever ridden before...7mph!!!

SUN: 4 mi LSR (aka Long Slow Run)--It was cold and windy again this morning. I had a difficult time trying to decide how many layers to wear and I still ended up stripping off my top layer 2 1/2 miles in. It was a good run, although I find it difficult to keep that slow and steady pace. I want to run faster but I know all that does is wear me out and then I’m REALLY exhausted when I get finished. So I just relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors around me and took my time. It took me 53 minutes.

This schedule worked out good for me this week, so I think I will stick to it. I don’t feel too tired so maybe I won’t burn out on this. Now, my eating....I haven’t eaten really bad this week but it hasn’t been that great either. The main thing is that I am paying attention to what I’m eating and trying to manage my portion sizes. I try to balance out the bad with good stuff. I’m eating more fruits and veggies and less simple carbs. I’ll elaborate on my eating plan in a later blog. When you’re running it is really trial and error trying to figure out if you’re eating enough to keep your energy level up. I have started keeping a food diary again which I also think helps. I’m not getting on the scale for a few weeks because it can take that long for your body to adjust to all this change and the scale will fluctuate. However, I can already tell a change in the way my clothes are fitting after this week, so I know something is happening.

Restart

I guess it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged. Basically, it got hot which slowed my running down and my weight loss stalled. It hasn’t helped that I fell off the clean eating wagon too. So here I am again. Trying to hold myself accountable by blogging again. The cooler weather has got me running again but I’ve got to get a handle on my eating habits. I’ve eaten too much fast food the past couple of weeks. It hasn’t helped that McRib is back at McDonald’s. Yes, I know I’m a grown woman who knows that is nothing but a mystery meat sandwich but I just love ‘em. I think it’s a comfort food thing. It brings back memories of my early years when I was young and dumb. Ignorance was BLISS!

Anyway, I guess I should use this restart to set some goals which I will blog about to keep myself on track. I did an online health assessment and received an 87 which is not acceptable! I’ve always been an A student, so I’ve got to work to achieve an A. So, my goal is to drop 25 pounds by next April. I will get back on my clean eating and continue to ramp up my running and sign up for some more races.

Trying out a new blogging software

In an effort to make my blogging easier and maybe do more of it, I am testing out MacJournal for 15 days to see if it helps me. Maybe then you won’t have to wait so long for updates.

Check out my muscle and my redneck visor while you’re waiting for real content. Enjoy!

Tybee Turtle Trot

With my cousin Liz after the race in front of the museum.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle headed home.

I just loved the look on this little boy's face when they brought the turtle by.

Two smaller Green Sea Turtles that were released.

I did another 5K this weekend on Tybee in the sand! I finished in 36 minutes this time. I ran without stopping. It was gorgeous. I think I could run on the beach EVERYDAY. The sea breezes and the view make the time fly by. Anyway, the run Saturday was right up my alley. Most of you know I have a tattoo of a sea turtle on my shoulder. I got it when we stayed on St. Joe's Peninsula in FL after we encountered a sea turtle laying her eggs on the beach. It was a very moving experience for me. The run Saturday was to raise money for Tybee's Sea Turtle program. After the run, they released 4 rehabbed sea turtles. One of them made me cry. He only had one flipper and when they first put him down to go out to sea, he turned around as if to say, "I'm not ready!". It was a beautiful weekend at the beach!

My First 5K: I DID IT!!!

All my hard work and training has been building to this, the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Savannah! It was a beautiful morning and there were over 5,000 participants! It was just me and Zoe, my pug. She wasn't very thrilled about the crowd but people sure loved her. She got lots of petting and made a couple of doggie friends too. The whole experience was so inspiring. I teared up when I saw a bald cancer warrior who reminded me of my Daddy.

The race started out a little slow and then when the crowd thinned some, Zoe got a little faster (I think she was trying to run back to the swamp as fast as she could!), but by mile 2 she was pooping out on me. It was pretty humid and her little tongue was hanging out, so I had to walk and carry her a little while until she caught her breath and then we would run a little more. We finished in 47 minutes. Not a record by no means, but now I know I can do it. I've got two more planned within the next few weeks. I'll keep y'all updated.

What's for Dinner Wednesday: Week 3

Tonight it was chicken strips sauteed in olive oil with asparagus stir fry (find it in the freezer section at Walmart-- VERY yummy!) over 1/4 cup of brown rice. It was quite delish!!!

Tunage Tuesday: Week 3

This week I'm listening to The Best of Vanessa-Mae. She is AWESOME! She is an electric violinist and her music is considered "pop" according to iTunes. If you just want to sample one song by her, you should try "Contradanza". It has the BEST beat to run to...it makes me go really fast and feel really free! I think it would also be great to bike to.