Much better workout today

Things were so much nicer today.  I did run on the treadmill (yuck), but the run went better (yeah!).

Today was an interval day.  I warmed up for 10 minutes at a nice easy pace then I did 6 rounds of intervals.  I did 2 minutes hard and 2 minutes easy.  Each of the hard intervals I descend with the last round being the fastest.  Then I did 10 minutes of warm down at an easy pace.  It felt so much better than yesterday.  Yesterday just was awful and I'm erasing it from my brain.

After my run I did weights.  Today I did upper body.  I'm getting stronger.  No only can I feel it, but I'm starting to see it in the tone of my arms.  Next week I have to increase the weight on about 3 exercises.  I'm happy about that.

When I got home I did a core workout, but it was really fun.  It's kind of like a drinking game, but with exercise.  Here is what I did.

So not only am I working out, but I get to rewatch the entire Buffy series!!!!!!!  Now some episodes will have more exercise than others.  Like today I started with episode 9 of season 1 since that's where I am in my rewatch.  I ended up doing only 5 squats and 50 jack knife sit-ups.  That's it.  There wasn't a lot of other stuff.  I think I may change the Giles glasses set to when he takes off his glasses.  He did that a lot, but he never cleaned them. While I was doing this, the dogs were in the playpen just watching me and laying on their bed.  They probably thought I was nuts.  Indy sat on the couch and when I was stretching, she would try to come get attention.  That's the other added benefit of this, I stretch while I'm watching.  That should really help as well.  I do stretch, but not as much as I should.

I've been watching the Olympic Trials every night.  It's exciting to see our swimmers do well.  I'm glad they are streaming it online.  It's fun to watch really fast swimming.  So far we've had swimmers make second swims each night.  I'm going to check the results from prelims this morning in a bit.  It's just so exciting!!!!!!!!

I'm off to buy new running shoes.  I want to have them broken in and ready to go for my 10K at the end of April so I need to get them today.  Tomorrow I have an easy 3-4 mile run and I'm doing legs.  I have to do it really early as we have the Victor Davis Meet starting tomorrow.  I'll be at the pool for 3 days so I really want to get tomorrow's workout in before the meet.  I don't know what I'll be able to do Saturday and Sunday.  Should be a fun weekend!

Enjoy your Thursday!

Frankenstein's Run

That's what I felt like today.  My feet felt heavy.  I felt like those hippos from Fantasia.  Not smooth and not flowing at all today.  It was a beautiful day too.  I let myself sleep in a bit so I went out around 8:30.  I started out feeling great and then about a mile and half in everything went to pot.

I just couldn't get back into a rhythm at all.  Nothing was working.  I finally just gave in a stated walking a bit to try to stretch some, but that just didn't work at all.  I felt like crap!

I was really looking forward to this run too.  I am really starting to like the long runs.  I love the feeling of just going and not thinking.  Today that wasn't the case. 

I did find a path down to the wetlands that I discovered last week.  It takes you right down to the edge.  I stopped my watch and stretched right there for about 10 mintues.  It was quiet.  I couldn't hear any traffic, just the birds.  There was one goose that came right up and just watched me stretch.  He just sat there watching me.  It was nice.  The trees were filled with birds too.  I didn't mind that part of the run.

Oh well, tomorrow is an interval run so hopefully that goes better.  I am skipping the weights today though.  I just can't take another round of crappy work today.

Inspiration Tuesday

Wow, it's hard to believe that this is the last week of March!  It seems like it just flew by.  Well, our warm weather is gone for now, but we are still well above the norms here so I can't complain too much.  The last two weeks just spoiled me.

I adjusted my training schedule for this week because I don't have to go into the University on Wednesday.  I made Monday my rest day.  I was at a Regional Learn to Train swim camp all weekend and Monday made more sense as a rest day.  Today I got up and went to the gym for my cross training day.  I did the recumbent bike for 45 minutes.  I also started reading a biography on Mark Spitz.  I thought it fitting since I just finished up one on Michael Phelps and Olympic Trials start today in Montreal.  I got about 2 chapters done, but so far so good!  I love reading biographies as the inspire me and I love being inspired.

Speaking of being inspired, today is Inspiration Tuesday!  Here is my inspiration for the week.

I am constantly trying to push myself further and harder.  I run and I set goals as I'm running.  Things like make it to the next stop sign in 30 seconds or run hard for 1:00 minute and see how far you go.  It breaks things up, but it also makes me realize that I can keep going.  Sometimes when I'm running I feel like my legs can't go anymore so I set a mini goal.  Once I get to that stop sign I see that I can keep going so I set another mini goal.  Pretty soon I'm done with my run when I thought I wouldn't make it through the last little bit.  It really helps me work on defying my limitations.

Tomorrow I will be using this as I have my long run.  I am coming to love those long runs, especially now that they are outside.  I love the fresh air and the sounds of nature.  It's been really nice.  I'll see in just over a week how all this training is helping me.  I have a 5k on Good Friday and I'm excited for it!  I hope my time is what I'm hoping it will be.

I'm off to watch Olympic Trials now.  They are streaming it online and the 400 IM prelims are this morning.  I love to watch the 400 IM, plus a lot of our swimmers are swimming!  Enjoy your day!

And we have rain

I am kind of glad that I have to be at the pool this weekend if it's going to be this dreary and cool.  I'm working at a Regional Swim camp and am at the pool this weekend.  It's was fun today.  I did get a couple of great ideas that I just know my swimmers will love...Ha Ha. 

After the first morning water session I got a short run in through the arboretum.  It was just over 2 miles and it was quick.  I felt like lead running, but I did it.  Ugh...and I love running through the arboretum too.  I just never really loosened up at all.

On the way home it started raining.  I'm surprised it waited that long.  It's been dark, windy and dreary all day today.  Not my favorite type of days, but at least it's still warmer than normal.

My training this week has been off.  Thursday I had a migraine all day and yesterday everything was just so crazy.  I think that could be why I felt like lead today.  Tomorrow is a cross training day so I'll do the recumbent bike after the training camp.  Mike leaves for Pennsylvania so it will just be me tomorrow night.  I can get the ride in on my way home from the pool and then figure out dinner since I'm right by the grocery store. 

I'm really hoping that next week will go better training wise.  I have 13 days until my next race and just over a month until my first 10K.  I want to be ready for it so I have to get mentally into my training again.

Off to have dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening with Mike!  I hope you enjoy it too!

Inspiration Tuesday

I know I missed it last week, but here we are for this week.  Today I got up early to go for a long run.  On the schedule was a 6 mile run, but I made a wrong turn and only did 4.5 miles.  I was looking at my time and thought I was making really good time, but then when I got home and double checked the map I found out I turned the wrong way.  I was a bit disappointed, but I will be able to get in next week without a problem.

It was nice cool morning.  I started out running in the dark, but got to watch the sun rise.  I ran past a wetlands area and the picture was amazing!  The sun was coming up, there were about 100 geese on this pond with the trees sticking up and the fog rolling in.  I wish I would have had my camera or phone or something.  It was an amazing picture.  I thought to myself that if I wasn't running at that time of the morning I would have missed that beauty.  Then I wondered if the cars driving by took the time to notice it or not.  I didn't even know that wetland area was so close to my house.  It really made my morning.

I got home and James was putzin' around getting ready for school.  We were going to walk to daycare, but he just couldn't get himself in gear, so we had to drive.  He didn't seem too upset.  Tonight is his last swim lesson for this session.  He's upset, but he starts back up again in a few weeks.

After dropping James off, I stopped by the gym to do some weights.  I did upper body and core today.  I just increased my weights before March Break and then took the week off.  It was a little tough this morning, but I was fine and glad I pushed through it.

The next few months is going to be crazy.  Mike is away a lot and I've got long course season starting up.  We are going to be busy, but by the end of May it looks like everything will settle down.

As I was running up yet another hill (it seems that I mapped out the route with all the hills), I kept having to remind myself to just keep going.  I could do this.  I had to remind my body to shut up and keep going on several occasions.  That's why this is my inspiration for the week.

I have to remind myself that I just have to keep going.  I just have to keep up what I'm doing.  If I'm patient I will see the results.  I can do this if I just let my brain be the boss of my body. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

What a beautiful Monday morning!

I got up today to the smell of fresh air because we got to sleep with our window open.  There is nothing better than starting your day like that. 

James wanted to walk to daycare and I was more than willing to do that.  I grabbed my gym bag so I could do weights on the way home.  Our walks are always fun.  He talks about everything.  Today it was the difference between dolphins and porpises.  He knows his stuff.  He also thought that he might one day want to be a vet or help save the environment.  Either way he's going to do great things!

I walked back to the gym after dropping James off at daycare.  I'm back on my training schedule after about a week and a half of hit and miss training.  Today was a cross training day so I got on the recumbent bike.  I finished reading my book and got a good "ride" in.  I only rode for 40:00, but I got nine and half miles in so it was all good.  Then I did a quick leg circut on the weights.  Time became a factor so I had to be quick.  I did get a lot of good work in though.  I walked home and started working on swim stuff.

I'm doing a bit of cleaning today and hitting the grocery store.  I'm ready to start my spring cleaning and I'm doing it a little bit at a time.  I want to be able to get some yardwork done Easter weekend so the house needs to be done by then.

I'm back into the routine after a week off and it feels good!  Have a great day!

St. Patrick's Weekend

We had a great weekend this weekend.  The weather was beautiful and we got to spend a lot of time outside. 

We started off yesterday by going to Mountsberg Conservation Area for their maple syrup festival.  We went last year and had a ball so we decided to go again.  The weather was a bit cool and foggy to start off, but we didn't mind.  We got there and started for a hike along one  of the trails.

After our walk we had to run to the car to get a back for all of our nature stuff.  James saw a deck and some solar panels that he wanted his picture taken in front of, so we did.

We saw a pond with a willow tree.  We walked down to see if there were buds on the tree yet.  There was!!!!  Spring is on the way!

Then we hit MapleTowne!  We got to see how they collect the sap and boil it down.  Of course we had to have pancakes.

After we got done at MapleTowne we went for a walk on another trail.  This one had a lookout that we could climb up.

There was a play barn and lots of farm animals with the spring babies.

We finally made it over to the Raptor Center.  They have a really nice rescue program and you can see all of the birds up close.  My favorite was the nesting eagles.  They were so beautiful.

We headed home for our own St. Patrick's Day celebration.  We got some pub food and had that for dinner.  It was a nice day.

Today we got up and went out for breakfast and tried a new park.  It is huge!  It's built on an old landfill.  The playground is really nice.  They have a splash pad, a skate park, mountain bike trials, and a leash free park.  It was fun to play and explore the trails.

James wanted to run the mountain bike trails.  He ran pretty hard too.

Then it was more playing on the playground before heading home.

Later we had to go to the grocery store so we took the dogs and walked.  James got to walk Mulder.  He loved doing that, but didn't like picking up the poop.

Tomorrow I'm back on my training schedule and ready to do my runs outside.  James and I will be walking to daycare then I'm going to the gym for some cross training and weights.  Then I'm home to do some cleaning and work on the newsletter for the swim team.  I have really enjoyed my March Break.  I just hope the warm weather hangs around so we can do more outdoor activities on the weekends.

March Break

I have been on March Break this past week.  It's been fun and the weather has been great.  I went down to Indiana to see my family.  I had a nice visit and got a run in on Tuesday.  I got to see my grandpa and his new dog Roscoe, my grandma, my parents, my brother and sister-in-law and my neices and nephew.  I visited with a few friends for lunch and did some shopping.  The four days seemed to fly by.

Here are a few pictures.

Friday I got my fourth tattoo.  I have been planning it out for awhile.  It's for my maternal grandparents.  My grandpa coached basketball in Celina, Ohio for many years.  They are the bulldogs.  He also battled colon cancer and that's the ribbon on the bulldogs collar.  My grandma sews and she helped my mom make me a quilt that I love.  So I had the quilt done in the colors for the high school where grandpa coached.  I love the way it turned out!

I got it done by Mike's cousin at Motor City Tattoos in Oshawa.  He has done my last 3 tattoos and each one was fantastic!!!!!!

Today we are off to Mountsburg Conservation Area to hit Maple Town and the raptor center they have there.  We went last year and loved it!

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my March Break.  Monday I'm back on my training schedule and getting ready for my 10K!!!!!!

Slainte St. Patrick's Day 5k

Today was a nice day to run a race, especially one that ended with a free beer.  I ran this race last year and really enjoyed it so I signed up again this year.  The course is downhill for about the last 2k.  It was a beautiful day.  Clear, but cold.  There was some wind at points in the race.  I felt really good the entire time.

I chatted with another lady before the race which made the hour and a half wait at the start line go by faster.  They bus us up to the top of the hill and we run down from there.  Once I got started I did regret that I decided to not bring my gloves with me.  It was cold for the first 1.5K.  My fingers were numb and since I wore my running shirt and not my jacket, I couldn't even pull the sleeves down over my hands.  Not so bright on my part, but that's okay.

Once I started down the hill I felt better.  I was moving pretty good and felt really good.  About halfway down it felt like my shoe was loose. I looked at it and it was fine so figured I just didn't tie it tight enough.  Pretty soon it felt really loose.  I looked down again and saw that my shoe had come untied.  I was NOT going to stop while running downhill to tie it so I just kept on going.  Once I got to the bottom there was only about 3 or 4 blocks left so I was not going stop then either.  I just kept on going.

The finish line was at the pub so we went in for beer and chili.  I was pretty happy with my time as well.  It was 34:20 on my watch.  Once we got in the car Mike told me that the race people were saying that the course was longer than 5k.  It was actually 5.53k.  So my time was even faster.  We got the results emailed to us and had a link to converted times and my 5k time would have been 31:15.  I was super excited about that!  I'm that much closer to my 30 minute goal.  I figure on a flat course that will be about a 32:30.  I have a month until my next 5k so I'll find out then.

Here are a few pictures from the race.

Tomorrow I'm hitting the gym for a recovery ride on the recumbent bike.  Then I head to my parents house for a few days.  I'm really excited about that.  The dogs are going with me so I'll have company.

I'm happy with my race and excited for tomorrow.  Off I go to finish packing!

What a long weekend...I need Inspiration Tuesday

This past weekend I was in Ottawa at the short course Provincial meet.  I had 3 swimmers qualify for this meet.  They did pretty good.  I had one 13 year old girl go a 1:02 100 free and just miss her Age Group Champs cut and she went a 28 50 free.  Another 11 year old girl went a 30.6 in her 50 free.  My 11 year old boy got his Provincial cut for long course in his 100 breast.  They had some really good swims and there were a few not so good swims.  It made for a long weekend, but it was a good weekend.

I got home late Sunday night and spent Monday finishing up the stuff for our reception for our Olympic Trial qualifiers.  It was really nice, but it kept me busy all day yesterday.  And it was another late night.  I didn't get home until around 11pm.

I got up this morning and went to the gym.  I ran 3.3 miles and did weights.  It felt good.  I did run Friday at the hotel, but Saturday and Sunday I didn't get anything in and yesterday I opted for sleep.  Tomorrow it's supposed to be really nice so I'm taking my running stuff to the University and running through the arboretum.  I have a 2.5 mile loop that I do so it will be a nice run.

I have 3 more days of practice and then it's March Break.  I need the break.  My brain is so overloaded and I just need the rest.  I'm going to Indiana for a few days.  I'm excited to see everyone.  I'll head over to Ohio to see my grandma and grandpa too.  But first I have a 5k on Saturday.  I can't wait to see what my time is going to be.  I know it will be faster than my normal race time because it's mostly downhill, but it will give me a good idea of where I'm at with my training.

I come back Thursday and then that Friday I get my next tattoo.  I can't wait to see how this one turns out!  Ben always does such a great job!  The 17th we are going to a local conservation area for maple syrup time!  We did it last year and really liked it.  It's small and not to crazy busy.  Then its back to work.  We have long course season starting up and I have to get the kids ready for that. 

I can't believe we are almost halfway through March already.  It's crazy how fast everything is going.  I'm glad that spring is almost here though.  I'm ready to be outside more.

This week my inspiration has to do with will power.  I found that I started to struggle a bit with hitting the wall and having to draw on willpower to break through it.  A few days it's been by sheer will that I get through a workout.  So here's my inspiration for the week.

I'm going to have to keep using my will power so that it will get stronger and stronger so I can run further and harder.

Have a great day!

It comes in like a lion

March is here and we have some slushy snow and were under a freezing rain warning.  March is trying to roar.

I had an easy 4 mile run this morning.  At the 2 mile mark I did hill intervals.  I did 6x:45 seconds of hills at a 12:30 pace.  It felt pretty good, but I did run an easy 4 miles.  I am going to do weights tomorrow instead of today so after the run I came home.

Tomorrow I head to Ottawa for Provincials.  I have 3 swimmers swimming and I know 2 of them are really excited.  My two 11 year olds are so pumped for their first Provincial meet.  They've worked hard and I hope they swim well this weekend.  It's a long drive, but it will be worth it.

Last night Mike made fish tacos for dinner.  They were really good, but a bit spicy.  I'm one that loves spicy, but this just didn't hit me right last night.  I would have them again though.  Tonight I'm making chicken taquitoes.  Those should be good.

Well, I'm off to make some centerpieces and have some breakfast.  Enjoy your Thursday!