bbrrrr...

Could it be any colder?? BIG storm front moving in tonight with 6-8 inches of snow, followed by ice. Fun, fun, fun. Run, run, run on the treadmill.... ugh.

Gym complaint

Okay, so this story may get lost in translation. But here's what happened to me at the gym today. I'm working away on the elliptical, minding my own business when this guy approaches the girl who had been on the elliptical next to me for about 15 minutes and says something to her. Then he taps me on the arm (and mind you, I'm listening to my MP3 player) so I shut it off and he says "are you going to be much longer?" I don't mind this too much I guess, but his tone wasn't very nice. So I said, well I've got about another 10 minutes. He just looks at me. So I said, is that okay? And he said, no, not really but you're already on it now. Then he walks away. He didn't ask anyone else on any of the other ellipticals. Hmmmm.... And there are plenty of treadmills, and the other type of elliptical machines, and the bikes available.

Yes, I did 45 minutes today, but I've been in there when there were zero machines available and I either a) chose the bike which I hate or b) politely waited knowing any minute someone would get off. Now, if there had not been any cardio equipment available, I would most likely cut my workout short and only gone 30 minutes, even if no one had approached me. So, I'm not a machine hog!! And there is no rule posted that says limit your time to 30 minutes (I've belonged to some gyms where this is the case). I couldn't believe this guy. And the girl next to me - we just looked at each other and rolled our eyes. What a goober!

Sunny weather

Finally, some nice weather! 39 and sunny today, so I was excited to be able to run outside for the first time in over 2 weeks. Did 3 miles, and definitely could have done more. Felt really good. Funny how the runners from the Spirit of the Marathon movie kept popping in my head.

Can't wait to get back into training mode :)

Ready to Run

Last night I saw "Spirit of the Marathon" which followed the story of 6 runners preparing for the Chicago Marathon. Beautifully shot, completely cool, totally inspiring! One of the neatest things was being surrounded by all these strangers watching the movie too, laughing at the same things I found humorous, because they "get it" too!

So I think I'm ready to get back in the saddle, and I'm more convinced than ever that I will be ready to rock that half marathon in May! I ran my 3 three-milers this week, so I'm back on track and ready to start training in February and start building up that mileage. I have a clear to do so from the physical therapist, but I go back in March, just to see how things are progressing.

Man oh man, I miss those long, slow runs on Sundays. Unfortunately, I haven't run outside for 2 weeks. I miss the road! I miss the outdoors. And yep, I do miss running those longer distances. I am pretty excited to start training. But I promise to follow doctor's orders and take it slow & easy. I think the weather will be decent enough to run outside this Sunday, and I'd love to throw down 5 miles, but I would surely pay for it afterwards. Just another 3 on Sunday is what I'm planning!

I really mean it this time!

I just did 3 easy miles on the treadmill. It's been so cold this week, and the coming week I don't think it will get over 30 all week. So I may be chained to the treadmill again! I would like to run outside at least once a week, but it's got to be at least in the 20s for me to hit the road!

I know I said last week I was going to get back on track, but I felt like holy hell all week, so I didn't quite make it. I've only got 2 weeks before I officially start training, so this is the week I absolutely will get back on track. No more cheating on the diet. No more slacking off on the cardio! 3 3-milers this week, come hell or high water!

Feeling better

After battling the stomach flu on Sunday and most of Monday, I am feeling much better physically and I'm in a much better frame of mind. I think this will be the week I get back on track. First, I wound up running 3 times last week but a short distance for the 3rd run. So this week, the plan is to run 3 of the 3 milers. This should put me right back in the saddle again. I just came back from the gym with my strength training session, but I feel fantastic and wish I could go run right now! But I'd probably collapse! It's been a long day.

So if I do 3 of 3 milers this week & next week, I should be ready to build up a little more base mileage before hitting it hard & heavy on the Higdon plan in early February. All the sudden it's only 3 1/2 months away and it's sneaking up on me. Bring it!!

ugh

ugh! What is wrong with me? I just am such a slug this week. I just want to eat pasta and sit on the couch! Maybe it's the weather... it's been so gloomy. And it'll be rainy or just nasty and I can't or don't want to run outside, so the thought of running on the treadmill is just too depressing. I dunno. All I've done this week is run twice. No other cardio, no strength training. Nada.

I'm so totally off the diet, it's ridiculous. One of my New Year's resolutions was to lose the rest of the weight by end of February. So I need to just get my a** in gear! I kind of took a "break" during the holidays, and getting back on track is just... it's just not happening. I'm pretty much annoyed with myself right now.

Dreadmill / Lost Momentum

Will someone please stop the rain? It's so depressing outside that I feel like it's been night for a week! It warmed up which is great, but please just stop raining... so frustrating. I mean, okay, at least it's not snow but if it's going to tease me by being warmer, at least it could not rain so I could run outdoors. Today while I was running on the treadmill, I was trying to tell myself that running on the TM is better for my legs, ankles, knees, but it still kinda sucked.

So the holidays are over and I'm getting back into the swing of things, but I still feel like a total slacker! First, I haven't posted as much here as I should be. Getting back to the diet has been seriously challenging. And now I'm SSSOOOOO close to my goal that all it will take is one final push, but I'm just having trouble with it. And my strength training has fallen by the wayside a little. And I've backed off on the miles I'm running to try to rehab my crazy ankle - leg - knee problems so that I can get healthy before I start the half marathon training. So I've kind of only been running 2 times a week or so and I cut out the long runs each week, and now I need to start building it back up. (I'm following the advice of a sports medicine physical therapist on this). I'm chomping at the bit to get back at it full force. I definitely feel as though I lost some momentum, and starting back up again is difficult at best.