Time to Re-Focus

Training for: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

 

Cardio: 7x400 interval training (about 3.75 miles) - around 400

1-mile walk on break (missed morning walk) - 83

Calories Burned: 483

 

Food: Breakfast - Quaker Take Heart Blueberry Oatmeal - 160

         Lunch - leftover steak quesadilla - ???  (more than I'd like to know)

         Snack - most likely, none

         Dinner - Black Bean Soup & Salad - 660

Total Food: 820 + quesadilla = more than I need

 

Self-Confidence: N/A

 

 

I survived the trip back to West Virginia, and am glad I went.  I was afraid people would ignore me or wonder what I was doing there since I never put any effort to keep in contact with that side of my family after I graduated high school.  But, quite the opposite occured.  Everyone was completely warm and loving, and I enjoyed my visit - despite the circumstances.  The funeral went well....as well as one could go, but I really wish my brother had been there.  I think being able to experience the love and togetherness this occasion brought would have been very beneficial to him.  Although he does plan to come back stateside within the coming months, his experience probably won't be the same.  It will however, be a good experience for him regardless.

 

Now its time to get down to business.  I have less than 4 weeks left to train for the Springtime Tallahassee 5K.  And seeing as how the last few weeks have been less than consistent, I really need to buckle down.  I haven't gotten any good interval/speed training in lately, which is what I am hoping to accomplish this afternoon.  I still have a goal of completing it in less than 30 mintues - even with the hills.  This means I need to average a 9:30 pace, which, is sounding easier and easier.  I think this weekend - after all my "chores" are done - I'm going to go run the 10K route around Myer's park and see what kind of pace I end up with a relaxing run.

 

 

Where do I start?

Training for: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

 

Cardio: 2-miles walking (on breaks) - 200

Weights: none

Calories Burned: 200

 

Food: Breakfast - Quaker Take Heart Blueberry Oatmeal (160)

         Lunch - Chicken Salad Pita w/ Havarti Dill (360)

         Snack - Dannon Yogurt (60)

         Snack - Popcorn (100)

         Dinner - Probably Greek Chicken Pasta - (??)

Total Food: 680 (if I eat my popcorn - I haven't eaten it the past 2 days, so, we'll see) +Dinner

 

Self-Confidence: 7ish

 

Ugh.  What a crazy last two weeks.  I apologize for not posting more regularly.  Early last week, I was pretty sick, with ALLERGIES!  I hate that bad allergies can make you feel crappy/achy/fatigued like a regular cold would.  I don't feel like an allergy attack is a good enough excuse to use sick leave - though, I really really wish I had called in sick.  But, even if I wanted to, I couldn't.  I took off last Friday and this past Monday from work.  Steve and I drove up to NC to visit our new nephew, Declan.  He was born January 13, and is SUPER cute.  Definitely brought the "baby fever" back.

 

Needless to say - my training efforts have been little to none.  I think I ran last week once, and I can't even remember if I lifted.  I think I just ran last Wednesday, and that was it.  Tuesday, I attempted to run.  I made it 17 minutes into my workout, and, I got a friggin' nosebleed on the treadmill.  So, I of course scurried to the locker room.  I'm sure if anyone had actually *noticed* they would have wanted to kick me out of the gym.  Embarassing as it was, I'm almost glad I was at the gym when it happened, vs. tooling around Tom Brown park - its not like there are bathrooms stocked with tissue readily available along the mountian biking trails.  So, that attempt was pointless.  Though, I really felt like I was running through mud or wet sand.  Not to mention, the treadmill was killing my knees (as usual).  Which, is why I'm glad the weather is getting better.  Running outside is so much better on my joints.  Which, is what I did yesterday.  I did a nice run through Tom Brown, but stayed on the paved trail in order to take it easy, and work my way back up to harder training since I've been out sick and out of town.  It was VERY slow going, but felt good.  Needless to say, I was exhausted afterwards.  I didn't even cook dinner - Steve picked up wing-stop.  Which, made the run almsot pointless. Oh well.

 

Now for the drama: 

 

About a month ago, my gpa on my step-dad's side got pretty sick.  He was in ICU for a week or so, and they didn't know whether or not he would recover.  Eventually, he got better, and was taken of the crazy machines he was on.  I never really heard much on his condition after this point.  But, Wednesday, I got an email from my stepdad saying he had passed away.  Most of the memories I have of him are from when I was around 10 or 11 and when we were still living at PAFB, FL.  My gma and gpa would come babysit us frequently, or we would go visit them, as, like many retired people in FL, they had their own little mobile home about 10 minutes away from us where they would stay when they were down here.  I'd say overall, my memories of them are plesant.  But, since my stepdad & mom split, I don't think I've seen them.  This pretty much means I haven't really seen them in almost 20 years....it is really weird to think its been that long.  I may have seen them once when I was in HS - but, I don't really remember.  Either way, the point of this is, I was never close to him.  So, while I am saddened, I don't have the typical reaction that most people might have when their grandfathers pass away.  I am however, flying out for the funeral tomorrow.  I haven't seen my step-dad since my wedding 3 years ago.  I'm pretty sad I never made it out to Germany to visit - but at the time, everything was so expensive, and Steve and I get zero vacation time.  I think the recession came too late for that - because now, it seems travel has been getting cheaper due to the fact that no one is travelling!  Anyway, I haven't seen anyone else on that side of the family (aunts/uncles) in about a billion years either.  So, its going to be weird.  But, at the same time, I think it is going to be good - despite the circumstances.  They are afterall, still family, whether we're close or not.  This will also give me a chance to see my real dad, who has been pretty sick with pnuemonia.  He apparently had been carrying the bug for 2 years and went undiagnosed!  That in itself is a different story.

 

3 down...

Training For: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

 

Cardio: 2-miles walking (on breaks) - 200

Possibly a 3-5 mile run around Myer's Park - depending on school stuff - 300-500

Weights: 0

Calories Burned: 200 +running?

 

Food: Breakfast - Total Cinnamon Crunch w/ skim milk (213)

Lunch: Black bean & corn salad (231)

Snacks: Dannon light n fit yogurt (60)

             Orville Redenbacher's Light popcorn mini bag (100)

Dinner: Fish Tacos (not sure cals, hopefully in the 600-700 range max)

Total Food: 604+dinner?

 

Self-Confidence: 9

 

So I'm feeling pretty good today.  I've dropped 3lbs since the New Year.  I have approximately 9-12lbs to go to make it to my "pre-Florida" weight.  I'd like to do this by my 30th birthday if at all possible.  Since this is just a little over 2 months away, I think its feasible, so long as I keep up the hard work. This is going to be tough, as next week I have two mid-terms (neither of which I'm looking forward to).  At least one is open book, and, the other consists of writing two essays (we were given the questions ahead of time thankfully).  For whatever reason, I've always been good at writing provided I have adequate reference information or information outlines.  I'm great at project and report writing.  Ask me to write something abstract, or anything where I'm required to "think for myself" (for lack of a better term) - I'm pretty much screwed.  I'm not good at coming up with stuff on my own - but I'm great at regurgitating facts.  So, as long as I have a good outline in my head and have my list of references (which we're allowed to bring with us) I should be ok. 

 

Anyway, school is starting to take a toll on me this semester.  Go figure that my final semester would be my most challenging.  Also, I've been spoiled since I have access to most of the software I need either at work or at home, however, in this particular class, I have to make an effort to go to the computer lab (poor me I know).  Its just annoying to have to cut into my workout schedule to do this.  I'd much rather be running than doing homework.  So, I think I'm going to use a few hours of annual leave today and take off from work early to head to the lab vs. going after work and skipping my run.  This way, I can head over to Myer's park around my usual workout time and attempt to run some hills.  We'll see how this pans out.  I had problems with my homework on Thursday, but hopefully it works today, and if not, I really hope the TA is around to help me. 

 

Something that I've been involved in that I haven't mentioned much on my blog is my musical aspirations.  Currently, I'm playing in a woodwind quintet.  For those of you that know me, you know that I don't play a woodwind instrument.  So, how can this be?  Well, funny enough, I am playing the oboe part, on my violin.  Its actually quite fun.  I've never been in a non-stringed small ensemble before.  The closest I've gotten is during Chamber Orchestra in college where we would occasionally bring in a few winds/brass to play some Correlli or something similar in nature.  Anyway, its been quite a fun experience delving into the world of woodwinds.  Not to mention, its just great to play again.  I wish I could afford private lessons (when you get to my stage of playing they're anywhere from $50-100/hour/week).  It was definitely a perk to get free lessons in college, and at times I've considered registering for FSU's orchestra class, but, they meet at such crappy times.  Its something like, 7-9 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It should be more like CSU's where we met 3-5.  Oh well, what can you do.  Maybe someday I'll get back into playing in a larger ensemble again and refining my skills.  But, until then, I'm enjoying the time I'm spending with "Easy Done Well" (our unofficial name). 

 

Gyms are Gross

Training For: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

Cardio: 0

Weights: Upper Body - two of each muscle group: chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps
Calories burned: unsure

Food: Breakfast - Total Cinnamon Crunch w/ skim milk (213)
Lunch - Sahara Greek Restaurant (probably a few hundred)

Dinner - Famous Dave's (another few thousand)

Total Food: at least a million

Self Confidence: 8


I came across this article today, and it amused me somewhat:

Exercising Etiquette: Don't be a gym diva

It made me think of some of my own pet peeves that I come across (many of which overlap the article) when I'm at the gym - so here they are:

• This is a gym, not Happy Hour - I really really can't stand the Skinny Minnie girls that show up in their short shorts, revealing tank tops, and trendy hair-down hairstyles that come to the gym. I mean, really, you show up, spend 20 minutes doing 2 sets of 8 reps with 3lb weights. What is the point? I honestly think you spend more time fixing your hair and makeup than you do working out. If you want to get noticed, do it at the bar, where I'm least likely to care about your annoying behavior, as stuff like that is expected in bars.
  
• No, I do not need a spot - If I really wanted you to gawk at me, more or less talk to me at all, I'd be the person I mentioned in bullet point #1. And, yes, I am probably stronger than you.
• Deodorant is your friend - while sometimes being hot and sweaty can be hot & sexy, if you are smelly - its just plain gross. I realize, sometimes we all forget to swab our pits on the way out the door, but, I'm sure that a nice travel sized stick can fit in your desk drawer, center console, or gym bag. And, by the way, cologne is NOT a deodorant. The last thing I need is to be next to someone on the treadmill who forgot their deodorant, doused themselves in eau de whatever, and get a massive headache. I'd rather smell your B.O. I don't get headaches from B.O.
• I'm not interested in laying in your sweat - is it really hard to bring a towel? Even if you forget, there are paper towel dispensers all over. This goes for weight machines and cardio machines. Nothing is more gross than stepping on the treadmill and seeing sweat droplets splattered all over the machine. Ugh, I'm getting nauseous already.

Anyway, I probably notice at least two of those every time I go to the gym - which, on a good week, is everyday. This is part of the reason I hate going to the gym. Unfortunetly, I am not rich and famous and cannot afford my own home gym with my own 24hr personal trainer. So, until then, I have to put up with the public. No pain no gain right?

A Case of the Tuesdays

Training For: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

Cardio: 5-mile run 500

Weights: 0
Calories burned: 0

Food: Breakfast - Total Cinnamon Crunch w/ skim milk (213)
Lunch - Bistro To-Go Salad (360)

Dinner - unknown as of yet - but I think it might be a sandwich from somewhere

Total Food: 573 (pending dinner total)

Self Confidence: this morning - 4, this afternoon, 8

Running today felt great. I really needed it. The hour flew by. I am really excited about how easily running has been coming to me lately. My knees have also been cooperating which has been fantastic. I had been toying around with taking glucosamine, and finally decided to try it. I read up on it, and, the worst thing it can do to me is give me the placebo affect - which, whatever. I guess I've been taking it for about a month now. Most information I've read says it needs about 2 months before any real effects are noticed. So, I guess I'll keep taking them and see what happens. They were BOGO at Walgreen's, so, I have approximately 180 more pills to take (the dosage is 3 a day).

Anyway, this morning totally sucked. I'm out of coffee filters. Therefore, I stopped by Panera to get some coffee. Well, I don't even make it out the door before I spill some on my khaki's. Then, I get to work and go to put my lunch in the fridge, and the container I used to bring milk for my cereal leaked. Milk ALL over the bag. I am SO glad that it didn't get all over the $200 worth of school books in my backpack. I really despise milk, but yet I can't eat cereal without it. The thought of smelly dried milk all over my backpack really freaks me out and disgusts me. I know, I'm weird for not liking milk. I don't like eggs either - oddly enough our neighbor just gave us 60...yes 60 fresh eggs. I better start making more belgian waffles and cakes!

On another note, I am officially a biker chick! I passed the written test with 100% and only lost 3 points on the driving test. Whoo hoo! Now we just have to buy a bike....can anyone say, tax refund?? :) We've been looking at Yamaha V-Star 650s. Should be a good way to start - and, while Steve will probably want to get something more powerful, I think I'm pretty good with a 650. We learned on 125's, so, this is a huge step up. Going to be doing a lot of practcing around Fallschase.

The registration for the Springtime 5K is finally open. I think I'm going to register Steve and I here pretty soon. I need to start running through Myer's park in order to get some hill training in. I think I've said this before....but I mean it this time!

Longing for water

For January 29th

 

Training for: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

 

Cardio: Running - 3.2 miles (320)

            Cycling - 6 miles (240)

Weightlifting: 0

Total Calories Burned: 560*

 

Food:  Breakfast - FiberOne Carmel Delight w/ skim (213)

          Lunch - Bistro to Go Caesar Salad (360)

          Snacks - FiberOne Yogurt (80), Fuji Apple (80)

          Dinner - Chicken Fajita Tacos (890)

Total Calories Consumed: 1623

 

Self-Confidence: 8

 

**calories calculated via ontri.com

 

 

For January 30th

 

Cardio: 0

Weightlifting: 0

Total Calories Burned: 0

 

Food:  Breakfast - FiberOne Carmel Delight w/ skim (213)

          Lunch - Bistro to Go Chicken Walnut Salad (210)

          Snacks - FiberOne Yogurt (80), Fuji Apple (80)

          Dinner - Who knows - going to a birthday party!

Total Calories Consumed: 583 +whatever party food I eat

 

Self-Confidence: 7

 

 

Due to birthday festivities, there will be no gym today.  But, I did an hour of cardio yesterday and it felt great.  Plus, I'm starting to see some results of all this training, so, I'm fairly happy with the way things are going despite me only being able to work out twice this week.  But, I guess the only upside of that is the fact that I won't be drinking much (if any) since I have to get up at the butt-crack of dawn to continue my motorcycle lessons.  Its going to be fairly chilly tomorrow morning, but, I'd rather it be cold out than hot considering I have to wear jeans, boots and long sleeves.  I will most likely be indulging in a nap tomorrow afternoon.

 

If you haven't noticed, I've started rotating in cycling into my cardio.  While I am training for a 5K, I anticipate participating in the Freedom Springs Triathalon in Mariana on 4th of July weekend.  It is a sprint triathalon, meaning its a 1/4mile swim (just a little over 400yds - I've competed in the 500yd in the past, so I don't suspect this to be a challenge), 10 mile bike (when I bike to work, its 4 miles each way), and 5K run (I've done a few of these, so I should be ok).  While the individual aspects by themselves are a piece of cake, doing them back to back will probably be a challenge.  I'm trying to remember what my 500 time was....I want to say it was somewhere between 6 and 7 minutes (or, so it used to be back when I competed).  Not sure what it would be these days.  I'm patiently waiting for the Myer's Park pool to reopen so I can start swimming again.  That is one of the things that I find completely ridiculous about Gold's Gym - they have 3 locations, and none of them have a pool!  What kind of gym (in Florida no less) doesn't have a pool?  Both gyms in Fort Collins had a pool, and that's Colorado!  Makes no sense to me.  And, the cost to join the local US Master's team here is ridiculous - they want $50/mo.  Sorry, but, for 3 days a week, that's not worth it.  I'll go back to getting workouts in my email inbox and swim on my own thank you!

 

Anyway, my runs this week were more short & sweet warm-up type runs.  I think next week I'll run some hills and then do a few speed drills to prepare.  The Springtime Tallahassee course is around Myer's park, which is very hilly.  In fact, maybe I should just run outside from work over to Myer's park and around to see what its like.  Might not be a bad idea come to think of it.

 

Harleys and Yamahas

Training For: Springtime Tallahassee 5K

Cardio: 0

Weights: 0
Calories burned: 0

Food: Breakfast - Total Cinnamon Crunch w/ skim milk (213)
          Lunch - Bistro To-Go Salad (210)

          Snack - Apple (80), FiberOne Yogurt (80)
          Dinner - unknown as of yet

          Total Food: 583 (pending dinner total)

Self Confidence: 8, then 5

 

I felt good this morning, despite the fact that I was tired.  But, I grew happy very fast when a pair of banana republic pants I had bought long ago (back at my peak low-weight since being in Tallahassee) fit me this morning comfortably. There was even a little room to spare around my bum.  I had been avoiding wearing them for awhile because I was afraid of the "muffin top" they created, but, today, no muffin top.  :)  So, I was off to a good start.

 

Then, I get to work and remember that tonight, is day one of the motorcycle safe rider's course Steve and I had signed up for.  I am pretty nervous about this for a few reasons, none of which seem to be logical and typical of someone about to embark on this journey.

• Reason one: I've never driven a motorcycle.  Yes, this makes me uneasy about this course, because I've heard that many times experienced riders who let their license renewal lapse are forced to take this course.  Also, many people that know how to drive one and have never formally gotten their motorcycle license will be in this class. 
• Reason two: I hate being put on the spot - especially when I don't know the answer.  While there are no typical "answers" in this class, I'm horrified of making a mistake and looking like an idiot.  Completely illogical I know, considering the entire purpose of this class is to teach people who know nothing about riding how to ride.
• Reason three: I can't figure out why I'm not more excited about this.  I mean, c'mon, motorcycles are fun and badass.  I love going for rides on them.  So, why wouldn't I be super extra excited to learn how to drive one?  Well, let me rephrase that - I would be super excited to learn how to drive one if I could do it out in the middle of nowhere with only one or two people that I know and feel comfortable with teaching me - like, my dad (in VA).  I would love to learn from my dad, as it would be the most uninhibited non-threatening scenario that anyone could possibly imagine.

If you notice above, my calories burned for the day is zero.  This is because, class is from 6-9pm tonight, meaning, no gym time.  Not unless I want to skip dinner completely (with my neurosis kicking in saying "that might not be a bad idea after all").  And, being as neurotic I am about my food and workout schedule, this does not make me very happy.  Not to mention, dinner will most likely be homemade pizza - which while not the healthiest option, homemade is better than take out, as we use turkey pepperoni and homemade whole-wheat pizza crust, or, dinner will be take-out from somewhere.  I've eaten out at least once in the past 4 days.  It makes me sick just to think about that.  Moving on...

 

I need to find a way to channel this uneasy/nervous/annoyed energy into excitement.  I'm really hoping that when I get to class tonight, the teacher will be some uber-cool dude (yes dude, if its a chick, I'll probably feel more intimidated, again, completely illogical), and that everyone in the class will be mostly inexperienced and in the dark as much as I am.  I guess I will just have to wait and see.