(no title)

I had a hard time coming up with a title for this post. I didn’t want to fall into the old trap of writing, “Finally” or “I’m back” or “It’s been a while” or anything like that. Suffice to say I haven’t blogged in a while.

This means I haven’t run in a while.

In fact, I have not run since October 31st.

And that one was a shitty 7k in HIGH. SPEED. WIND. WARNINGS. With Sarah.

I took a week off due to illness and then, I took a week off due to lethargy.

Yep.

Good ole, “I don’t give a flying fuck right now so I’m going to sit on my couch with booze in my flannel PJs and watch reality TV” (everyone has these weeks right?).

So.

That pity party ended on Sunday when I took my willpower and vitality back (you go girl) and decided that it was time to hop back on the treadmill/paths.

Yesterday I worked from home and after a look at the sun shining outside and a peek at the Weather Network, I decided to power up the treadmill and step on it for 50 minutes (I know! The real runners who are reading are groaning at the fact that I turned down a perfect, sunny, fall day of outdoor running to enjoy the drudgery of the basement treadmill. But, I watched the Tyra Banks show while running – surely that makes up for something). The first 25 minutes flew by (and trust me, Tyra was not that exciting). I clearly remember thinking, “Wow! I didn’t loose as much as I thought." I got through the next 25 minutes pulling 8 and 1s, keeping my pace a steady 5.4. I ended up running 6.92km and am very happy.

I shall run again tomorrow night.

Except this time I will have Jeff Probst to keep me company.

Week of May 11

Well, after all of the running love I experienced last week, I did NOTHING about it this week! Whoops. In fact, my entire week was complete CRAP in terms of exercise, but with good excuse (I should hope).

Monday: Work, no time during work for Curves, after work in the evening I spent time with my family because
Tues-Wed: Conference in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This was a great conference and we got to stay at the Queen’s Landing hotel and enjoy a tasting and dinner at Inniskillin. I was VERY good and did NOT get drunk. I managed to make it back to my room in time for the Biggest Loser winner reveal (I do wish Tara had won, but I guess they all win in the end).
Thursday: A day to remember for sure! I went to Toronto Blue Jay Fantasy camp courtesy of the Toronto Star. I did get loads of exercise in this day (must have circled the Dome three times, plus ran from the home bench to RF seven times). This day was AMAZING! We got an entire uniform, a bag, a day with coaching staff, and we got to play a game on the field! I went 1-2 on a fielder’s choice and stole second (the only steal attempt all day!). Our team won 10-7, then Adam Lind, Brett Cecil and Kevin Millar came out to present MVP’s to each team (dude who hit a grand slam from our team won) and sign a baseball for each of us. After that, I hung out and watched Halladay work out his arm (he didn’t pitch that night) and marveled at his pure athleticism. We showered up and went for drinks at the Hard Rock prior to dinner at Sightlines followed by the game (Yankees) in a private box. Again, I did NOT get drunk (I was driving), but I had such a great time, despite the 3-2 loss.
Friday: No way in hell was I able to do anything with my super sore legs and torso from the day before.
Saturday: My in-laws came, so I wasn’t about to be rude and take off on them for 45 minutes.

And so that was the week that was. I’m back on track this week and have a three run plus three curves visit strategy planned. Let’s hope this time, I stick to it!

Feb 4/09

I must be hitting a plateau in my inspiration/willpower. I have no desire to do any kind of workout anymore and I don’t really care about my cheats. Ah well, what can I do? I have managed to motor onwards. I guess I’ll have a breakthrough again. I betcha that mid-February is when all of those fitness related New Year resolutions get shelved. I can totally see why it happens. The winter is just d r a g g i n g along and the workouts just seem like another part of the drudgery. Well, I will not fall suspect to that trap! My eating may not be the best, but I’m determined to get to the end of those tickers!

B: Cheerios and All Bran Buds, coffee
L: Peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat
S: Grapes, yogurt
D (at my parents): Baked pork chop, potato, corn, jello (lime! Yum!), 2x oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies, tea
Ex: 40 mins on the treadmill, about 5.15km. I pushed the stop button with about 5 minutes left! So disappointing! I did try a different tactic in that I ran at 6.0 during the commercials and then ran at 5.0 during the programming. I don’t think this would work when watching sports, but it is okay during shows like LOST which I was watching. I’m just working to improve the 5km time now and I’m employing some tips I read about online. I’ve also decided to get new orthotics and new running shoes. I can’t get in to see my podiatrist until March, but that gives me time to save for the shoes. My goal is to be able to run outside without shin splints. A friend of mine is keen to do a 5k race, so I’m looking at something in the spring. There is a great one on April 4th, but I already have plans! Oh well, I’m sure 5k races are not that hard to find, especially in the GTA.

S: Nibs
H20: 2L

Jan 27-28/09

Jan 27/09

A good day overall. I’m going on a work trip to Vancouver at the end of February and I have a few mini-goals set to meet before that trip

1) lose 5lbs – I don’t know how I’m going to accomplish this without a MAJOR overhaul of my eating habits so I guess I’m going to have to suck it up and get in line at the salad bar
2) do not drink until we land in Vancouver. This should be easy so long as my social calendar remains relatively blank as it is now.

B: Oatmeal, flaxseed, golden sugar, blueberries
EX: 30 min CURVES
S: coffee
L: Leftover curried beef stew with chickpeas, carrots, onion, celery
S: Yogurt
D: Curried cauliflower soup, multigrain roll with butter, Caesar salad, ¼ granny smith apple (sharzies with my kid)
S: I ate something… chocolate? I can’t remember
H20: Over 2L

Jan 28/09

So I made those mini-goals on this day and started to do something about it (kinda – see my weakness later in the evening)

B: Oatmeal, flaxseed, golden sugar, ½ apple
S: Coffee, yogurt
EX: 30 min CURVES
L: Ham on a multigrain roll, yogurt
S: Handful of Almonds
D (Ate at my parents as hubs went to spinning class): Chicken goulash – chicken breast, carrots, rice, noodles. Jello, 1x chocolate chip cookie, tea (I have NO control when I’m with my folks!)
EX: 25 min run on the treadmill for 3.22km
S: Chocolate marshmallow Santa thing from my kids stocking. It was stale. Handful of rice crackers
H20: Over 2L

So, I know where I go wrong – night snacking! I honestly do not think I do very badly with eating. I dunno, maybe I should track my stuff on a website or something. BAH! I get the less in, more out concept. I just need to get on board I guess.

Jan 9/09

Like always I started the week off strong and ended on a low note. I guess I'm really only good for 4-5 days of pure motivation and will power because I ALWAYS seem to get screwed up by the end of the work week. I actually find it quite a bit easier to get on the treadmill in the middle of the afternoon while my kid naps on the weekend and once I've worked out, I usually am pretty good at keeping on track food wise. AH. I guess this is an issue (willpower) that I need to tackle.

B: Yogurt
S: Granola bar, coffee
L: Lasagna (homemade)
S: Licorice
D: Mixed greens and tuna casserole, cup of tea (at my parents - no cookies or jello or ice cream had though!)
S: Chips, 3x red wine (from the box! I'm slowly finishing it... it doesn't go sour at all... crazy, eh? Its been open since Dec 6/08).

Ex: Nada. I should have went to Curves on lunch but work was busy and I had to leave early for the kid's 2yr appointment so I just worked through.

H2O: 2L