21 Days 'Til 30... Time With Mom

**Now that my countdown to 30 has officially begun, I've decided to do something extra special every day until I turn 30.**

Today's special something involved me and my mom spending the day together. First we walked 3 miles, then ran 2 miles (well, I lost her between miles 4 and 5, don't tell her I told you that). Then, we did 25 pushups and 200 situps.

This is her after our workout:

I also introduced her to Muscle Milk, so we could get the protein in within an hour after our workouts.

We finished up the day with manicures (she got a pedicure, too).

Second Day on the Ankle

After getting off at midnight last night, I overslept today and missed most of what turned out to be a gorgeous Winter day (45 degrees and sunny) -- a day that would have been great for running. Oh well. I'm sure my body needed sleep more.

I did my scheduled interval treadmill run tonight: ran for 17 minutes, walked for 1, then ran for 12 minutes. My ankle hurt during the whole run, but it decreased as time went on.

From an endurance standpoint, it is getting easier. I did find myself making deals like, just make it to 10... then 15... but I think it was more about my boredom (during commercials) rather than being winded. It may be time to run at a faster pace.

Net Carbs: 43 grams

Workout: Running only.

Days Til 5K: 38

The Week Ahead

Since yesterday's run on the injured ankle went so well, I'm gonna be daring and put up this week's workout plan. The plan is to run 4 days this week, strength train 2 days, and have one day of fun cardio.

WEEK 6

"You can have anything you want, if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, if you hold that desire with singleness of purpose."

--Abraham Lincoln

Mon	Tues	Wed
Run/Walk Run 15 min Walk 1 min Run 14 min	Run/Walk Run 17 min Walk 1 min Run 12 min	Walk easy 30 min Kickboxing Zumba

Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Run/Walk Run 18 min Walk 1 min Run 11 Weight Lifting	Rest	Run/Walk Run 19 min Walk 1 min Run 10 ?Weight Lifting	Rest

If Your Scale Manages to Lie To You...

... your pants won't.

I was running late for conference today, where I was scheduled to give a lecture. I dressed up in my only clean (and brand name) suit because I also had a (side job) interview after the lecture. Yes, the pants were a little snug coming up over the thighs, and yes, I had to hold my breath to get the hook to attach. But never did I expect to bend over to get my lipgloss off the floor and hear RIIIIPPPPPPPP!

I spent about 3 minutes feeling myself up looking for the dreaded tear in my pants. But, it wasn't there. Fortunately for me it was just the lining... and I ran out the front door just in time. Still... I should have known better than to stuff my heavier self into those tailored pants.

On a brighter note, I ran outside on the track today. I couldn't bear the thought of going back on the treadmill today. The weather surprised us and got up to 45 today with some sun. So, I ran about 2.6 miles in 30 minutes. Ten minutes running, 1 of walking (twice), followed by 8 more minutes of running to round it out. That's the first time I've run 28 minutes during my interval training!

I am so excited, and what's better, I felt like I could have run at least another 1/4 mile with ease.

Net Carbs: 36 grams

Workout: Run only

Days 'Til 5K: 51

Singing (and Running) in the Rain

I've been dying on the treadmill lately. So, I prayed for warmer weather in an effort to get out on the road. Well it came today -- a 55-degree day in the midst of 20- and 30-degree days. But, with it came a rainstorm and some mean and gloomy clouds.

Saturday was actually a sunny 45-degree day, but I missed the chance to run in it because it was my off day. I found out when I left for work at 2 pm, cursing the fact that this was the 3rd time a gorgeous day fell on my workout "off" day. The nice weather will not escape me again!

Run Summary
The run went just okay. It was humbling for sure.

I walked down the incline to warm up (about 10 minutes), then started my intervals. I was supposed to run for a consecutive 8 minutes, but I hit my first hill at 4 minutes. I haven't been doing inclines or hills on the treadmill, so this killed. Legs felt heavy, out of breath, feeling like I was moving in SLO-MO. I only made it to 6 minutes for fear that I'd mess up the entire 30-minute run by pushing too much.

I walked it off, then sprinted for a minute up the second hill. Again, killer! Once I got on level ground, I ran 8 minutes without a problem. The second 2 hills were mostly downhill.

But, what happens when you reverse the route that has downhills? UPhills! I only made it 4 minutes then 1 minute up hills 4 and 3 on the return route.

My Thoughts
I'm proud of myself for running the same route as 2 weeks ago and getting farther than the first time I tried. Yet, I'm disappointed that the hills got in the way of me running 8 consecutive minutes. In total, my run-walk drills lasted 32 minutes (23 was running, 9 was walking). Then, I walked the rest of the way back home which was 1.5 miles -- including walking back up that crazy incline to the house.

In total I ran and walked 4.6 miles today in under an hour, in the rain. My MP3 player died with about 3/4 of a mile left to walk, but I kept SINGING (yes, aloud). Oh -- the best part... after getting completely drenched from head to toe, the sun came out just as I finished. Go figure...

I'm also proud that I found it in me to head to the gym for my weight lifting class right after. I completed all of the reps without having to stop or modify the movements. It was a good strength day!

Lastly -- I tried a new Atkins Endulge Bar today: Caramel Nut Chew Bar. De-li-cious. So happy I'm giving them a second look.

Net Carbs: 24 grams
Workout: Run (see above), and an hour of weight lifting
Days 'Til 5K: 53
Breakfast: Atkins Shake, 3-egg omelet with spinach and Turkey Kielbasa, Atkins Endulge Bar
Lunch: (slept through) Atkins bar with 18 grams of Protein -- after the run
Dinner: Turkey Burgers with cheese and pickles wrapped in low-carb tortillas, Steamed broccoli and carrots

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

Running and the Dentist

I spent another morning at the dentist. This time, to get the first step toward a crown for the tooth I cracked. It took at least 4 different needles  (I actually lost count) to finally get my bottom teeth numb. I've been pooped all day after gripping my hands in anxiety, bearing the few times I felt pain, and handling the pain I've had all day since.

But, I learned from Tuesday and got my rump out of bed this afternoon and to the gym.

I had another best today - 2.55 miles. I ran 6 minutes, walked 1, ran 6, walked 1, ran 7, walked 1 then ran 7!! That's the longest I've run since training. I wasn't supposed to run 7's today but I lost track of the time (which is a great sign!).

Net Carbs: 10 grams (Could only drink liquids with the numb lip earlier, but I have "date night" with hubby in 10 minutes, so I might be adding to my total).
Workout: Just running today.

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!

Last Day Off

Today was day 3 of my extended break from working out and running. According to what I've read, rest days are just as important as training days. I feel nice and energized now.

I am proud to report that my resting heart rate was 60 today! When I'm not active, it's usually about 80. I knew there was an athlete developing inside somewhere!

The true test will be running this week and seeing if my endurance holds up. Back to the gym tomorrow.

Net Carbs: 26 grams

Sports Bra Hunting

Over the years, I've learned that affordable sports bras are not often constructed for shapely women. The bra is either too tight with resulting spillage from the top... or the bra fits the twins, but is too loose around the bottom making a huge gap where they can fall in and get stuck. Or even worse, the bra fits, but provides less control than a regular bra.

I went on a hunt recently for a device to tie the twins down with all this new running I'm doing. The salesgirl gave me a strange look as I explained my shapely girl woes (see above). She suggested I check out the Champion line, and if not, to try Lane Bryant (??).

Of course, the Champion sports bras only went up to a C-cup. But, I have been stuffing the girls into the Champion C9 Sports Bra for a week and it is way more comfortable than any of the five other sports bras I own. Oh, how did I forget? And it was only $16.99 -- So, two thumbs up for Champion!

In My Head I'm Still An Athlete... My Body Doesn't Always Agree

I was really excited to graduate to 2 minutes of straight running today with only 1 minute of walking in between.

I psyched myself up: "It's no big deal. If you can run 1 minute, you can do 2." Yea... not so much.

At 01:45, much huffing and puffing commenced, and the 1 minute of walking was about 30 seconds too short for me to fully catch my breath, or to convince myself I wouldn't fall out during the next 2 minutes of running.

Yet, I tried again. I did have to go back to 1 minute of running with 2 minutes of walking for 2 repetitions (I was dying). So, I ran for a total of 18 minutes and walked a total of 12. It should have been 20 and 10.

I hope tomorrow is easier.

Net Carbs: 63

Weight: -5 lbs

Today's Workout: Run-walk drills for 30 minutes (2.22 miles), 2 min run, 1 min walk; weight-lifting - upper body, lower body, core for 1 hour.

Running: The Answer to My Fitness Goals?

So, I think I figured out a way to stay interested in being fit: Running.


It's been a long time since I've run. I used to run cross country in high school (since you all know how old I am, you can do the math), and I tried for a few weeks this past summer, but I haven't run consistently in forever.


The cool thing about running is that it's one of the few sports that you can pick up in adulthood and still compete.


So I started running today. I'm following the Runner's World 8-week Beginning Runner's Training Program. I ran on the treadmill for 1 minute then walked for 2 minutes, over and over for a total of 30 minutes. It felt great to run again... not as hard as I expected.