...And more exhaustion

After working 14-hours last night, I got off this morning, dropped the kiddo off at school, and convinced myself to go to the gym.

I ran 3 miles before my weightlifting class (I probably had time for 4 miles but I thought the class started 10 minutes earlier than it actually did). I did an hour of Group Power (I went heavier than usual on back today). Then, I finished up with another mile.

This week's running goal is to run 10 miles. Today's running made 5 miles total for the week so far.

I wish I was as productive the rest of the day. I fell asleep sitting upright doing the taxes this afternoon and lost about 6 hours of life in the process. Looks like it's gonna be a late night to make up for it.

Workout: ran 4 miles (weekly total: 5 of 10); Strength (2nd of 2).
65 net grams of carbs

It's Nice To See Improvement

Today was my ~3 hour gym day.

The Zumba class was first (I'm still humming the tunes from that class while I'm here at work). I hadn't been to the class in months, and it was surprisingly not as as fun as it used to be. This may just be a reflection of the weird mood I've been in lately rather than a criticism of the class. But, the great thing about today was that Zumba used to make me winded and sweaty 15 minutes in. I held my own today. I guess it's a testament to my fitness level as compared to February and March.

Another teacher taught both the core strength and muscle challenge class. As you guys know, I like my weight lifting plain. No jumping or cardio mixed in. I barely like to break a sweat. And the last time I took her muscle class I heard other classmates referring to her as either "homicidal" or "maniac." But, because of my schedule I couldn't make either of the barbell classes this week. So, I convinced myself to go, and I held my own in her class too.

Overall, it was a good workout day. I could have done without the rain and gloom though.

I'm just leaving work now (10:40pm), then it's back home for some ZZZ's, and an early start tomorrow (6am) in order to drive to Jersey City for the race. I'm excited, even though I have to be back at work in CT by 4pm tomorrow, because my family and close friends are all coming out to either run the 5K, walk in the 3K or run in the kid's sprints.

Look for tomorrow's race report!

40 grams Net Carbs
Workout: Zumba, Core, Strength

Shorter And Faster

I didn't do my scheduled run today.

After working until 7 am this morning, I slept most of today. I finally woke up around 5-ish, too late to run before my weight lifting class. I went to Group Power at 6:40pm, so I only had 15 minutes after class to run before the gym's childcare center closed.

I increased my speed to 5.8 mph today (I usually run at 5.6), and ran for only a mile. It was a little more uncomfortable than my usual runs, but I pushed through. It was kinda cool to run shorter and faster. And at least I could withstand that speed for 10:26. Last time I tried to run at 5.8, I stopped at 2 minutes.

Group Power (a barbell class) went well. I went heavier on back, triceps, and chest. I love weight lifting!

I got on the scale today to find myself 2 pounds lighter, bringing my total to 12 pounds lost. That means I only have 10-15 more pounds to go, with 4 weeks to go to achieve my goal.


Net Carbs: 15 grams
Workout: Group Power, Running
Days 'Til 5K: 22

Week 7 Tally: 2/15-2/21

This is my tally for week 7, including today's run of  2.74 miles in 30 minutes. I ran 27 minutes straight (which worked out to be 2.5 miles), walked for 1 minute and finished up with 2 more minutes of running.

Only one more week left of this running program before I'm running 3.1 miles straight!

I didn't get much sleep today before my run, and from minute 10 to 16 I started to fatigue. But, just like previous runs after minute 16, a second wind kicked in and it felt good. 

Time for a hot, Eucalyptus soak before work!

12.4 miles in Run-walk drills 

(131 minutes running, 4 walking)

2 hours of Strength work

10 pounds lost total 

(Of 22-27... none lost this week)

26 days 'til my first 5K

I'm A Running Woman... Not A Betting Woman

I've missed two days of posting for the first time since I started this blog. I feel so guilty!

Wednesday, hubby and I went to the casino for his birthday. He likes sushi, so we went for the sushi buffet and a little bit of Roulette and Black Jack. I lost all the money rationed for my gambling, and he won it all back. So typical. Neither of us gamble much, but it doesn't suit my personality -- too stressful!

I definitely overdid it on the carbs at the Sushi buffet, but I expected it going in and scaled back the day before and the day after.

The next morning, I had to be at work at 7am for a 13-hour shift, so afterwards, I couldn't pull myself together to post. Sorry... but I'm here today!

Today, I was back in the gym after those 2 rest days. First, I ran 3.21 miles in 35 minutes (25-minute run, 1-minute walk, 9-minute run). Then, I took the muscle challenge class right after.

The run went well. I turned the treadmill TV off and ran with just my audiobook. At minute 16, I got bored for a second and wasn't sure how I would pull off the next 9 minutes. But, I kept pushing, focused on just moving my legs and I got a second wind.

Muscle challenge was tough after running 3+ miles. My left leg kept quivering (I think it was calling out for help) no matter how much I tried to shake it out. So, I went half-intensity on anything leg, avoided using the Bosu (me and the Bosu have met before), and focused more on back-chest-upper body.

Now, it's time for a quick catnap before my 11pm shift. G'night!

Net Carbs: 20 grams
Workout: Running, Strength Training
Days Til 5K: 28

Stronger Each Day

Today's run was not pretty. 

I tried to go up to 5.8 mph and felt very winded and uncomfortable. I realized once I hit 3 minutes that I couldn't sustain that pace for the rest of the 20-minute interval. So, I downgraded to 5.6 mph again.

It still wasn't my best run. I didn't drink enough water during the day, nor did I sleep well, and it definitely took a toll. But, I still ran 2.75 miles in 30 minutes with a 1-minute walking break (that went too fast).

On the other hand, my weight lifting class afterwards went well. I increased my barbell weight for squats, chest, and triceps and finished all of the reps. At the end of the class, I was able to do the side plank with one knee down and the top leg extended without wavering (this pic has both knees bent, but you get the idea).

Also, when I did the regular plank, I didn't feel my usual sense of impending doom half-way through. It was work, but I could have held it longer if the song continued.

I'm getting stronger -- but not quite faster -- by the day.

I went grocery shopping tonight after the gym and my low-carb finds of the day are: Murray Sugar Free Cookies (creme and shortbread cookies) and Smucker's Sugar-Free Grape Jam!!!

I can have 8 shortbread cookies for the amount of carbs in one large cookie! I can't even tell either flavor was made with Splenda. I'll try out the jam on my low-carb toast tomorrow.

Net Carbs: 39 grams (blame the taste-testing and the Teriyaki stir fry I made for dinner!)

Workout: Running and weight lifting

Days 'Til 5K: 32

Gluts... Ankles... and a Great Workout Day

My gluts were so sore today thanks to Billy Blanks. I'm somewhat ashamed that a man on my computer screen worked my tush harder than it's been worked in the past few weeks.

The ankle performed well today. I barely remembered I "injured" it. I actually twisted my ankle a little yesterday running after my kiddo in the snow. Maybe I twisted it back into place, because it feels excellent today.

I ran intervals again today on the treadmill. Since I've been feeling so good lately running at 5.2mph (11:30/mile), I decided to crank it up to 5.4. Just like Monday, I felt a burst of energy at the end and decided not to stop at 30 minutes. I kept going until I hit 3.1 miles (or 5K... for the first time!) and ran it in 35 minutes including a 1-minute walking break. According to dailymile, today was my fastest pace - 11:17/mile.

Then, I went to weight lifting class where I went 5 pounds heavier than my usual on chest, back and squats, and even though it burned, I could finish all of the reps.

Overall, a great workout day. Who would have known that I had to sweet talk myself into going to the gym in the first place? Fortunately for me, reruns of my two favorite TV shows were playing on my treadmill's TV during my run: Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. Definitely made 30 minutes feel like 5.

Now, I'm typing to you guys from my nightly 106-degree Eucalyptus Aches & Pains bath soak (yes, I measured!) which I soooo deserve. Good night!

Net Carbs: 39 grams
Workout: Running and 1 hour of weight lifting
Days Til 5K: 36

My First Injury?

Even though I got off at midnight last night, I still got up this morning for my 9am muscle challenge class followed by 30 minutes of running. I usually like to run first (while I still have all of my energy), but I was not getting up any earlier than I did.

I got up to 13 minutes of consecutive running today. The first minute or so, my left ankle felt a little stiff (it did that yesterday too), but it loosened up just fine without any pain. However, when I was stretching, I noticed that when I touched the outside of my ankle, it was tender. I massaged that ankle while I soaked it in the jacuzzi, and it felt better.

I wonder when I hurt it - if it's from poor form, or maybe when I lost my balance doing lunges last week.

Running itself went okay. I got tired around minute 11 during the second interval, but I kept going.

Ok... time to go back to work (noon to midnight again)! Tomorrow is my (work AND workout) off day. YEY!

Net Carbs: 26 grams

Days 'Til 5K: 45

The Week Ahead

It's the beginning of a new week and a NEW MONTH, and here's what I have in store, based on the 8-Week Plan I've been following.

WEEK 5

"Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach."

--Dr. George Sheehan

Mon	Tues	Wed
Run/Walk Run 12 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 4 min Zumba	Run/Walk Run 13 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 2 min Weight Lifting	Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest

Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Run/Walk Run 14 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Weight Lifting	Run/Walk Run 15 min Walk 1 min Run 14 min Cardio Contact	Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest	Rest

The Long Gym Day

Today was my long gym day. I got off work at 7am, got to the gym by 8am. Did run-walk intervals for 30 minutes (2.39 miles) with 25 minutes of running and 5 minutes of walking.

I stayed for Zumba with the high-impact teacher. My calves were burning, but dancing to the Latin music was fun, despite being out of breath. Then, I took the half-hour core strengthening class followed by the hour-long muscle challenge class. 3 hrs and 15 minutes of consecutive exercise!

I found myself having trouble getting through through multiple sets of planks, lunges, or boy pushups without stopping or modifying. But, I'm happy to report that my abs and obliques are surprisingly strong (especially after my hernia doc told me my rectus muscles would never come back post-pregnancy), as is my upper body and back.

My muscle challenge teacher really pushed us. I typically like to weight-lift when I want to get strong without breaking a sweat or jumping all over the place. She had us lunging while doing bicep curls, squatting during our "breaks," alternating between abs and pushups multiple times ("roll over!"), all at a fast pace. She was no joke. It felt like bootcamp -- with a yoga mat, 4 hand weights, a water bottle and a towel.

I'm sure I'll be stronger for it come Monday.

Inspiration Monday

There are so many inspiring runner-bloggers out there... Reading their posts daily keep me from throwing in the towel on most days.

Last Monday, I read an Inspirational Monday post that I wanted to share with you guys. It's a guest posting by Tricia from Endurance Isn't Only Physical on a different blog: A Very Busy Mind last Monday for Inspiration Monday. Her story of weight loss and fitness is so amazing.

Here's the link: http://averybusymind.com/2010/01/18/endurance/

The Week Ahead

It's the beginning of a new week, and here's what I have in store, based on the 8-Week Plan I've been following.


WEEK 4

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

--Theodore Roosevelt

Mon	Tues	Wed
Run/Walk Run 8 min Walk 1 min Repeat 3X Run 3 min Weight Lifting	Run/Walk Run 9 min Walk 1 min Repeat 3 Groove Class	Run/Walk Run 10 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 8 min

Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest	Run/Walk Run 11 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 6 min Core/ Weight Lifting	Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest	Rest

Week 3 Tally: 1/18-1/24

9.9 miles in Run-walk drills (up to 6 minute intervals)

2 hours of Strength work

1 hour of extra Cardio (Zumba)

4 pounds lost (with some muscle gained)
54 days 'til 5K

Rough Workout

Today's workout was rough. I don't know what happened this week, but I have been so tired, and un-motivated to run or workout. I had to drag myself to the gym today, after falling asleep when I was supposed to be working on a presentation. I think I've napped every day this week so far!

I repeated the 6 minutes running, with 1 minute of walking in between, but at 21 minutes, I just didn't want to run anymore. I was tired, my left hip felt like it was tightening up, and I didn't want to miss my muscle challenge class which was starting.

Then, I thought about you guys. And how I would feel having to blog that I only ran for 21 minutes for no real good reason other than lack of motivation. So, after taking a long walking break (to 23 minutes), I ran again for another 6 minutes.

Muscle challenge was also hard. Legwork after running/walking for 30 minutes was difficult, but the hardest for me was the core work. Squats, lunges, inner/outer thigh stuff, all fine. Upper body, great (as usual). But, I kept having to stop or modify almost all of my core work.

I felt guilty about cutting the running short by 2 minutes, so I stayed for the Zumba (Latin Fitness) class afterwards. But, I did treat myself -- a pedicure with foot massage -- as soon as I left the gym.


Net Carbs: 20 grams
Days 'Til 5K: 56
Workout: 29 minutes of running-walking; Muscle Challenge class; Zumba fitness class

Sixty Days And Counting...

In exactly 60 days, myself and two friends will run our first 5K.

Today, I increased to 4 minutes running, 1 minute walking. It didn't go that well. From an endurance standpoint, it felt great. I did 4 minutes without even coming close to feeling winded. During the second 4 minutes, my left shin started burning then cramping (yes, again). I tried to walk it out but it didn't really work.

I went to my weight lifting class, and afterwards, finished up the remaining 10 minutes. I felt a lot more out of breath than the first few sets.

From an endurance standpoint, I think my 3-day rest did some good. Regarding my shin cramp, I think it's time for new sneaks.

Net Carbs: 30 grams
Weight: -5 lbs. (We're back to checking again!)
Workout: Run/Walk drills as above; Group Power Class (weight lifting) for 1 hour.
Mileage: 1.57 miles + 0.84 miles = 2.41 miles in 30 minutes

Thanks to Barby for the sports bra suggestion!

The Scale Hath Betrayed Me

The scale says I gained a pound today.

I hate this point of working out and losing weight where you're gaining muscle (which weighs more than fat) faster than you're getting rid of fat.

I've done this enough times to know that even though I've stopped losing pounds on the scale, my body is starting to look different (my calves are looking particularly athletic these days). And, if I push through this temporary plateau, the numbers will start dropping again.

But, it still hurts to see the number.

I keep reminding myself that while muscle does weigh more than fat, muscle requires more calories to maintain. So I'm burning more calories in my sleep with muscle than I do during some cardio workouts.

I might avoid the scale for a few days until my body works this all out.

Net Carbs: 23 grams
Weight: -4 lbs. :-(
Workout: Group Groove class (cardio/dance), Group Power class (weight lifting). Today was a non-running day.

Week 1 Tally: 1/4-1/10

7.8 miles in Run-walk drills

2.7 miles walking around NYC

2.5 hours of Strength work

1 hour of extra Cardio (Zumba)

4 pounds lost (18-23 to go)

Counting Carbs

Using the Atkins Carb Tracker, I've started counting carbs today. 

Usually, during the first two weeks of Atkins, you should limit your NET carbs to 20 grams a day. I'm planning on allowing up to 40 grams a day given all the running I'll be doing. 

Unfortunately, I surpassed both guidelines today: 75 grams of net carbs.

On a brighter note, I used a free pass to Healthtrax gym and joined the 1-hour muscle strength class this morning.