P90X Week 5 – Let’s Do This

So last week’s P90X training didn’t go as planned, but I’m ok with this. In my defense, it was the planned slow week and I did ok in the beginning of the week, but Thursday and Friday got all crazy. You see, I started working part time (2 days a week) and I just didn’t have time to fit in my workouts. And then Saturday and Sunday, well, they’re always just ridiculous around here, so yeah, not a lot of P90X-ing going on for the last 4 days.

I did start running this week!!! Aaah it’s like coming home again!! Strap on the running shoes, plug in the earphones, crank the tunes and just GO! This is my personal “time out”!! Oh how I’ve missed them. I fit in two runs last week and this week I plan on 3, which is what the Doubles P90X Plan calls for. YES, I’m going to try to do the Doubles. I may need resuscitation after, but I’m going for it!

As for the diet situation… I’m doing great with eating healthy. It’s easy for me being that I LOVE VEGGIES!! I load up the fridge with colorful veggies and eating is a piece of cake… well, you know what I mean. I am still doing the Dr. Oz test for dairy intolerance, and I have to say, I am feeling much better. I think I may just continue to eat this way, since I see no down side. I enjoy Almond Milk and Soy Yogurt, and surprisingly I haven’t missed cheese, much. Now to be completely honest… I am still eating feta. But, it’s because no one else in my family eats feta and I can’t stand to throw away a pricey cheese. But, once it’s gone, it’s gone!! I won’t buy anymore. The bonus is that I’ve lost a few lbs in the process. That’s not my #1 priority, but I’ll take it! Who wouldn’t? I mean bathing suit season is rapidly approaching and I plan on rocking my bikini/ tankini/ one piece by my girls’ weekend in April. Yeah, that’s right Mama’s gonna “suit up” and in the words of Barney Stinson, “It’s gonna be legend-… wait for it… and I hope you’re not lactose intolerant because the second half of that word is DAIRY!”

Free… Yes, F-R-E-E… Marathon

What does the word MARATHON mean to you? Yes, the obvious answer is 26.2 miles of running, walking or crawling, depending on who you are! To me, it’s one of those love-to-hate things like child birth, deep tissue massage or dieting. You know, the intense pain before the immense pay-off! I mean, think about it… when you decide to sign up for that race, you agree to:

1. commit MONTHS of your life to training
2. forfeit a couple toe nails for the cause
3. run through at least a couple pair of rather expensive shoes
4. live with the aches and pains in the hams, hips, quads and knees
5. forfeit your normal social life for one centered around the long weekend runs

AND, for all this wonderful (code word for torturous) fun, you would normally, pay (happily, I might add) a couple hundred dollars just to register!!!! Well, I found a F-R-E-E marathon!!! It’s called The Really Big Free Marathon, and it’s in VEGAS on November 3rd!!! WOOHOO!! Here’s the rub… registration opens on March 24th at 12:01AM PST. Yes, that’s Pacific Standard Time, which is 3:00AM for those of us on the East Coast! UUGGGHH!! Eeeh, what’s a little lost sleep in the grand scheme? RIGHT?!?

Run Hubby Run….

I enjoy my runs… I mean absolutely LOVE my runs!!! Well, most of them. But, I’m beginning to realize that other people DO NOT enjoy theirs as much. And one of those people is my darling husband! Now, to be fair I must say that he is just beginning his running regime, and I’m not sure that anyone really LIKES it at the very beginning, what with all those side stitches and, of course, the breathlessness. But, for those of us that pushed through that painful beginning, is the, ummm, how to describe it… hmm… bliss, ecstasy, euphoria, elation… must I go on? I think you get my drift! So my goal is to get the hubs to stick with it long enough to reach that euphoric threshhold, with hopes that from then on it will be a MUST DO!

How to accomplish this? Yeah, I don’t know for sure, but I’m going to try to take it slow and work him up to a 5K race. We went out this past week and ran/walked 30 minutes, in a 2 minute run/3 minute walk. It went GREAT!! He said I run a little faster than he does, but he kept up and we did it! We started out another day, but the rain started and we had to stop after a walk around the block

Never fear… we are going to keep this up… even if it kills me! Today is suppose to be another rainy day, so maybe we can squeeze in 30 minutes between FLORIDA’s liquid sunshine! I would like to set a 3 day a week schedule, increasing our run time each week until eventually we are running a 5K in 30 minute!!!!

Watch for follow-ups to follow!!!

To Run… Or Not To Run… This Is The Question!

Run 5K or drinks with my girls?

The last time I ran was probably in the Trailblazer 5K on March 20th. And before that… hmmmm… I can’t remember! I’ve been trying to be good! I took my running gear on my spring break trip to Washington DC…but didn’t run! I took my stuff to my 10th annual girls’ weekend…but didn’t run! I’ll pack my stuff for my upcoming trip to Charlotte… but I probably won’t run there either! What is my problem??? Hmmm, maybe that I’ve been in vaca mode for a few months?!?!

But I woke up determined yesterday… well maybe not so determined as much as guilt-laden. You see I was going about my morning routine, when a friend called and asked if his son could come over and wait with us until the bus came. After I said yes, I realized that I should probably get out of my jammies. And since my hubby was so good about getting up with my son at 5:30AM and driving him to school and waking my daughter while letting me sleep, I didn’t want to disturb his nap. The quickest and quietest outfit I could grab was my running clothes that were still neatly packed in my suitcase!

Here I was all dressed and ready to run, but I had no plans to actually go for a run. Then, I started thinking of how good it would feel to be out in the fresh air, jamming to my Race Day play list and sweating out the toxic weekend… and I started feeling guilty. So I got my shoes, hat and sunglasses and headed out! And it was AWESOME!!! A little hot & humid towards the 4th mile, but it was really nice early on! I felt great all day long, too! Great enough to make a pact with myself to run at least 3 days a week! But will I keep it up?

I think that since I don’t have any upcoming races on the calendar, I’m being lazy! So I need to book some races! Stay tuned…

On The Road AGAIN!!! Really!

Let's run!!!

Hi! It’s been a while and I have been really bad about exercising! I mean REALLY BAD!!! Like no exercise at all BAD! Like sitting on my arse in front of the computer BAD! Like I can’t even do the toilet seat hover, BAD!! TMI? Maybe but it’s true!

It’s February 1st and I am ready to return to the pavement! My knees are recuperated…well… as much as they’re going to…so I’m strapping on my sneakers and hitting the road AGAIN! I’m excited and a little nervous since it’s been so long! What if I can’t even run around the block? What if my lungs forget how to breathe and I pass out? Or worse…what if my hubs runs faster than me? Ha…I won’t let that happen!

My nieces have also been taking a bit of a break! One had a BABY…we’ll let her off the hook!!! And the other stopped due to knee pain and then started doing the P90X workout. YIKERS!!! But we’re all back and ready to get moving again!! We’re shooting for a 5k charity run in March!! Wooohooo!  And I am recruiting my husband!! Yes that’s right! He has agreed that he will start training too!! I AM SOOO EXCITED!!! Now I just need to get my kids on board!

Stay tuned!!

Hang-over Running=Runner’s High

So a good, old…as in long time… friend of ours is turning the big 5-0 this month, and we surprised him with a party last night. We had a FABULOUS time, and caught up with some friends we haven’t seen in 20 years. Needless to say, there was a fully stocked libation station…bar sounds so mundane…and since I didn’t want to offend anyone, I agreed to a drink…or two. Not a lot, as far as a night of partying goes, but that second drink was really strong, thanks to my darling husband!! We had a wonderful time and left promptly at 11:30PM since I had scheduled a running rendezvous with my niece at 7:00AM. I know, 7:00AM on a Sunday, what? Why? Because we are running 5 miles per our training schedule, and it gets so hot in Florida by 9:00AM that if you don’t get going early it’s torture! You might as well just stick yourself in the oven and crank it up to 500°F. So, yes it’s early, but it’s better! Sleep is over-rated anyway!

So I was asleep by midnight or a little after…not great but doable! At least I thought until I woke up at 4:00AM with a massive headache and feeling dehydrated! I needed water and a Motrin, but I couldn’t get myself to move. I had a dream that I went into the kitchen, filled a glass with ice water and swallowed a Motrin, but it never really happened! So when I woke up at 6:10AM with the same headache, I was confused! This time I got up and got myself the Motrin and water. I made a pot of strong coffee and readied myself for our Sunday long run. I sent a text message to my niece explaining my ailment, and as expected, she gave me an out if I wanted to take it. But I was not going to back out…no way… my mama didn’t raise a wimp! I would run these 5 miles even if it killed me!

My niece got here and we did our normal stall tactics…stretching, talking, fiddling with the ipod…etc! Finally we got on our way. I still had a faint throbbing in my head, but it was definitely going away!  My breathing was heavy and I was instantly winded. I couldn’t seem to get into a rhythm. But after about a ¼ mile, I hit my pace and game on! I was in the sweet spot for the entire 5.52 mile run! Yeah, we ran over the required 5 miles! We so rock!! This was one of those runs that you hear people talk about, but don’t believe will happen for you! I am here to tell you…the runner’s high is real, and achievable. I could have run all day…no doubt! I only hope that I can feel this good while running the marathon! I found my slow and steady pace is around 9:45, which is faster than I expected! Cool!

So how do I achieve this feeling everytime I run? Hmmm, good question! Maybe I should tie one on the night before and run with a hang over. Or maybe I should just wash down a Motrin with a glass of water and cup of strong coffee. I don’t know, but you can bet that I am going to be searching for the secret and if I happen upon it I will share! Promise!!

Rain, rain go away!

Help! We’re water logged! Yes, I live in Florida and yes, just last week we had a drought going on, complete with wildfires. Now…IT WON’T STOP RAINING!!! How am I suppose to keep up my training when it won’t stop raining!!! ARRGGGHHH!!!

Now, I know I could go to the gym and run on the treadmilll, but that is just not me! It’s too confining, too crowded, too congested! I would rather run in the rain! Hey, wait, why not? Am I going to melt? While some would say that I am, in fact, a witch, I haven’t melted yet! So, is it safe? What do people who live in Seattle do? Do they run in the rain?  I did a little research on the subject, and here’s what I found…

People do, in fact, run in the rain. However, most prefer not to run in a downpour. I only wish I could control it! You know, like the sprinkler system. Set the timer to sprinkle for 40 minutes, and deluge the rest of the day! Anyway, there are a few tips that were given by these rain runners that I found helpful.

1. Be aware of the weather forecast. Because I live in Florida, the lightning capital, it’s imperative to know whether the rain will be accompanied by lightning. If so, don’t run!
2. Wear a hat! This will keep the rain from pelting your face and obstructing your vision.
3. Wear proper clothing. The key is to wear light, wicking fabric that traps moisture, keeping it away from the body. Don’t over dress, this will weigh you down and tire you out!
4. Run on a familiar path. This is not the time to run a new trail. With visibility low, it’s best to stay with the status quo. Save the adventure runs for a dry day.

So, I’m going to try out these tips and do my first rain run! I will detail my thoughts if I make it back!

I TRI-ED!!

Yep...that's me! The one with the cap and goggles!

It’s official…I’m a TRIATHLETE! I am no longer a “newbie” or “tri virgin”! I know, I can’t believe it either! I completed my first triathlon Sunday, Mother’s Day and my 44th birthday,  with 1688 or so other women! Way to go ladies!!!! It’s true…She swims…She bikes…She runs…She Rox!!!! Wooohoooo!

I experienced every emotion during this 3 leg race. From terror as I entered Bay Lake (yeah, swimming’s not really my thing!) … to exuberance as  I sprinted to the finish line with the crowd cheering me on! (Thank you to said crowd for powering me through!) My results were better than I expected, but then again, I really didn’t expect to make it out of the lake! My personal goal was to finish in under 2 hours and I did that! In fact, I finished in 1:48:59!  Not bad, for a first timer! 600th out of 1688 women! Yes I’m bragging just a little! Can you blame me? I’m still wearing my medal proudly!!

Here’s a brief run down of the race…after a night of pasta loading, an annual jammie (as in PJ’s) trip on the monorail, and a brief stint of homelessness due to being locked out of our cabin, we finally went to bed at 11:00P.M., only to wake up before the alarm at 4:30AM. Yeah, sleep was not a big priority for me. We had coffee and tried to eat, but evidently food wasn’t high on my priority list either! We suited up, piled on the golf carts and headed to the transition area. Nerves were jumping off all over the place! I set up my little transition area (complete with a birthday balloon that sings) and then wandered over to the lake to see exactly what a ½ mile swim looks like. By this time I think I was in shock, so I couldn’t tell you if I thought it was farther than I expected or not. I was comforted by the number of lifeguards and swim angels (people treading water with swim noodles for those of us who need a little help) strategically placed every 50-100 feet on both sides of the course. Surely, they would fish me out (no pun intended) when I start flailing about!

My loving family found me on the beach by the lake, and I nervously chatted with them while awaiting the start of the 1st wave.  You see there were 22 waves, each 3 minutes apart and each with a different color swim cap. I was in wave 6, yellow caps (not a good color for me), scheduled to start at 7:15A.M, just after the survivor wave, pink caps, my friend Suzi’s wave.  As I hugged my husband, mother and children and accepted their good luck wishes, I felt the nervous tension bubbling up and tears popped into my eyes. Who knew that I would get so emotional? Why? I am a strong woman about to spend the next 2 hours proving exactly how strong I am. Starting this adventure with tears is not what I expected!

So they call our wave into the staging area as the pink capped survivors walk into water. This wave gets an amazing cheer from the crowd! They are all women who have had or currently have cancer. When you think of what they’ve been through, you can’t help but get a little choked up! They are my heroes!  And here come the tears again! What is going on?

Swim?...check!

So, here I am, standing in the sand, tears running down my face, watching my heroes paddling their way through the course, when I hear the announcer call the yellow wave into the water. Hey, that’s me! Before I knew it, I was in the water, and then I was swimming.  Again, I think I was in shock, so I can’t really tell you what my emotions were, but I was crawling along. It was crowded and people were everywhere, with arms and legs splashing about! I think I went into a slight trance, because the next thing I knew I was watching the ladies beside me stand up and walk out of the water. And sure enough when I reached my foot for the bottom it was there! I had done it! And I didn’t even need to noodle swim! WOOOHOOO! My swim split was 22:52…not bad for a scrappy swimmer.

With the hard part done, I was on my way to the biking portion.  But first I had to run (barefooted, mind you) through sand, across pavement, grass and even mulch to the transition area which was quite a ways away. The women in front of me decided that running was over rated, so we walked. When I finally got to my transition area, I quickly pulled on my socks and shoes, clicked my helmet into place and pulled my bike from the rack.

I think now is a good time to tell you about the bikes that the women use in this race. Most experienced triathletes have invested hundreds and some even thousands of dollars on the latest, greatest and lightest bikes, with teeny weeny tires, that threatened to break the speed of light, and clip in pedals, which seems like being hand…well…foot-cuffed to your bike. Even some newbies rented these super light, super fast bikes. But for some of us, we just used what we had and for me that was a clunky, heavy mountain bike with thick tires and a hint of rust. Oh, and did I mention that the brakes rub? Yeah, that means I have to push harder to travel the same distance.  But it’s a bike… and it’s my bike!

Bike? Check!

So, we had to walk the bike out of the transition area and down the bike path until we reached the pink “mount line”. But, most women stopped as soon as they saw the line, and tried to hop on their bike, only to be reprimanded and told to mount after the pink line. So it was a bit of a traffic jam, but cleared quickly. We rode out the bike path and onto the service roads throughout Disney. Now, living in Florida, there are a couple things that are certain…it’s usually hot… sunny with a chance of rain… and flat…as in no hills. So, how then, did the organizers of the bike portion of this race find not just one, but multiple hills to torture us with? Don’t they know that there are no hills for us to train on around here? And the hills weren’t placed at the beginning of the ride…no…it was towards the middle and end, when our legs were already rubber. As if that weren’t bad enough, the course required us to make U-turns, really tight U-turns, which are tough when you’re on a bike and surrounded by bikes…not to mention doing this while being foot-cuffed to your bike! But after about 49 minutes, I was done with the second leg of this adventure!

After returning to the transition area, I racked my bike, took off my helmet and quickly covered my matted hair with a hat (bad hair day doesn’t even begin to cover it), downed some Gatorade and headed out… music free…for my favorite event…the run. OK, so let me fill you in on my running experience. I love to run! I love to run to my music! I run to the beat of the music that is playing in my ear. But, I was told that if I was caught with an ipod, I would be disqualified, and all my hard work would be for nothing! So, I made the decision to run naked, yeah, that’s what I feel like when I run without music. But, I set off strong, using my breathing as my beat. I passed up the first water table and just kept my pace and breathing steady. I felt good and strong as I ran down the bike path. After what seemed like 3 miles, I heard a volunteer tell a runner that was already on there way back from the out and back course that they were halfway there. WHAT?!?! I was still on my way out and I felt like I should be done! Where’s my music?!?!?! I need some Green Day and Bon Jovi!!

Run? Check!

As I came around the first of two U-turns, I saw a woman with an Ipod! Wait…what…she has music? How could this be? I had to hold myself back from tackling her and taking her Ipod! Son of a …..arggghhhhhh! So, I swallowed my anger and frustration and picked up the pace. I needed to get this over with! Then, I saw Suzi up ahead, walking, due to a knee injury, and I picked up my pace to catch her! As I caught up to her, we turned onto the final ¼ mile! Only a couple more minutes and we would be finished with this whole #$%^^$ adventure!  We could hear the crowd in the distance and the cheers were getting closer with every step! Suzi was running through the pain…you go girl! Before I knew it, I was in the shoot with hundreds of people lining either side, cheering loudly! The adrenalin kicked in and I took off at a sprint to the finish line! I don’t know if it was the desire to finish the race or the desire to get away from all the eyes starring at me, but I turned it on and I was DONE!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

After taking a moment to turn in my timing chip, collect a flower and a medal, I hugged my mentor-friend-survivor, Suzi, and the tears were rolling again! The emotions were unexpected and uncontrollable! I found my family and hugged all of them tightly, relieved to see them again and not from a stretcher! We made our way over to the food pavilion and waited an hour or so until the transition area opened for us to claim our bikes. The adrenalin fizzled and the lack of sleep started to make itself known! I was tired, not physically, like I thought, but emotionally.  Warning…this race really zaps the emotions!

In retrospect, my 1st triathlon was rewarding, exhilarating, surprising, frustrating, phenomenal and inspirational!  It was so much more than I expected, and by far the best birthday gift I could have given myself! I am proud of myself, but most of all I am relieved! Relieved not only that I finished, but that I didn’t make a complete fool of myself in the process!

Next challenge…hmmmm…I think maybe the Disney Marathon in January!  What do you think? Care to join me? Come on…you’ll only regret it for a little while!

Tri-24 Hours and Counting! OMG!

OK, so by this time tomorrow morning I will be swimming along side 2000 of my new bestest friends! Can’t you just picture it? 2000 women wearing some form of pink and big smiles, leisurely swimming across Bay Lake. All 4000 arms (did I do the math right?) moving in unison, as if we had choreographed this entire ½ mile swim down to the last breath. Now, wake up from your dream and reality will be kicking you, no…rather it will be kicking me in the face and the stomach! This is more along the lines of what I am picturing for the SheRox Triathlon!An all out fight to the finish with women dragging themselves out of the water all bloody and bruised! HELP!

If you’ve been following my blog, then you know that Sunday, May 10th is a huge day for me! I’m going to be celebrating Mother’s Day…as  I am a mother and I have a mother, (who happens to be visiting this week! HI MOM!), I’m turning double 4′s (you see it sounds better than 44! Right?) and I’m competing in my first ever, triathlon.  WOW! I have a lot going on! And if that weren’t enough, I decided at the last minute on Thursday, that I would surprise my husband and do a makeover on his home office, while he was away on a business trip! What was I thinking! Huh, I guess I wasn’t! But I did complete it, with the help of my Mom…Thanks Mom…and it looks GREAT!! He was surprised…but now I can’t get him out of there!

So, I’m leaving in a few hours to get checked in to the hotel, tour the course, check in my bike and browse the Expo! YIKES! I thought this day would never come! And now all I can think about is what I’ll feel like once it’s over! I am really excited, but more so to have it over with than to actually do it!  Is this wrong?

I will keep you updated with my progress! Wish me luck!

AAAGGGGHHHH! 13 Days!!!

Swim Girl, Swim!

Only 13 days left until the BIG DAY!!! And by BIG I mean GINORMOUS! It’s my B-day (44-yikes), Mother’s Day (My Mom will be in town, YEAH, and hopefully the kids and husband will be showering me with love and praise) and of course the SheRox Triathlon!! I am starting to freak out now! A little something is flipping in my stomach, and no I didn’t have Mexican food last night!

I guess I should get moving on this whole brick training thing, huh? For those of you that aren’t familiar with bricks, they  are training sessions that include 2 activities back to back, or… if you’re a glutton for punishment, then back to back to back to back… so as to prepare your body for the transitions in the actual race! I wrote about my first bike to run brick a while ago. It was a very strange feeling and, I’m sure, really funny to see! Unfortunately for you…and fortunately for me…no one has surfaced with video of that hilarity yet!