I can do it!

We spent all day today at Knott's Berry Farm.  Then we drove home all night.  It was exercise, all right...but not the reportable kind.  :D

After arriving home at 2:30 this morning, I ran around all day long doing "rcovery" errands.  All I had time for was a quick 2 mile run here in the neighborhood before I had to be at my first appointment at 9:00.  Sleep was too valuable to get up any earlier.  Then by the evening, I was just too tired to do anything else.

Ben was a sweetie and agreed to do my 20 mile run with me today.  Since I was extending my last long run by 4 miles, I needed to take it really easy.  So we started with one minute walk breaks after every three minutes of running.  We did that for the first 7.5 miles uphill, at which point we took a potty break at the nearby McDonalds.  I adjusted my garmin to give us four minutes of running for every one minute of walking, and then it was four more miles of uphill before we finally hit the downhill side of the run.  But by then, we were pretty hungry, so we stopped at Del Taco and had break-fiesta egg wraps.  This, of course, made the whole run worthwhile to Ben.  :D  Two miles after that, we took another emergency potty break at town square, where the art festival was taking place, so we had to wait in line.  Then it was smooth sailing the rest of the way home.  We finished the 20 miles in 3:18:37, not counting the three stops.  My legs feel pretty good, but my feet are a little tired.  I did the whole run without my kinesiotape - first time since my injury over a year ago.  Progress! 

This afternoon, we went to the rec center so I could do my upper body workout that I missed yesterday.  I was tired, but I think I made it a good workout.  I am SO ready for bed now.  I'm probably still pretty sleep-deprived.  :)

I woke up at 4:40 AM this morning so that I could go do a 5-mile run with my kids. I felt surprisingly good, especially after the junk-fest last night for Easterand the 20 miler I did on Saturday. We took our walk breaks, but I got in a couple of good fartleks, too. We finished the run in 49:28.

When I arrived home, I did a lower-body work out - squats, lunges, calve-raises, and P90X ab-ripperX.  Now I'm off to go back to San Diego for a funeral, and then off to the Caribbean!!!

This morning I woke up to a beautiful San Diego morning and ran 4.01 nice, easy miles with my sister-in-law in about 52 minutes.  Then we attended a beautiful funeral and drove to Las Vegas to hop on a plane to the caribbean.  :D

Our plane ended up being delayed for FOUR hours!!!  So we didn't fly out of Vegas until 3:00 am.  Ben and I arrived in Punta Cana around 2:00 in the afternoon, and were checked into the Moon Palace Resort by about 4:00.  We ordered room service, took a much needed shower and a short nap, then discovered that the plumbing to the sink was disconnected, and we flooded our bathroom.  So we walked around the resort while they fixed our bathroom, then enjoyed an incredible mexican dinner and attended a Caribbean show.  When we got back to our room, we realized that our door didn't latch unless slammed, our television was gutted, and when we tried to go to bed, the smell of the mattress was horrendous!!!  So we asked for a new room, and at midnight, we finally were able to get transferred to a new room!  The only problem there, was that it had two double beds in it, instead of a king.  But we were so exhausted, we squeezed into the tiny bed and went to sleep.  Needless to say, we had a busy day.  :D

This morning we transferred to another room, this time with a KING sized bed!  Yay.  Other than our flight and room disasted, we are having a fantastic time in the Dominican republic!  This morning we woke up at 6:30 and ran around the resort, to get a better feel for it.  We did 3 miles in 29:35, then did a little more running on the treadmills in the gym.  We argued about the mileage, since the treadmill said it was in kilometers, but I was positive that 7.0 FELT like i was running 7 MPH.  When I finished another mile in just over 9 minutes, I kknew that no matter WHAT the treadmill said on the display, I was measuring in MPH, NOT KPH!  I was happy to be proved right when I finished, since the final readout showed MPH.  We had a fantastic breakfast - I ate an ham and egg-white omelet loaded with veggies, and fresh caribbean fruit for my carb.  Then Ben and I went back to the gym to catch the spin class.  I rode for 50 minutes, sweating like crazy in this humidity.  Tonight we are having dinner at a Japanese Teppanyaki grill...soooo tasty!  Then we plan to go back to the gym for some weight training.  :D

Something I ate did NOT agree with me last night, so I spent an uneasy night with all sorts of stomach pains and cramps.  Dang it.  I slept in, then decided to try out a run, to see if I could do it without doubling over.  So I walked over to the gym, and di a 3.13 mile run in a little over 31 minutes.  I felt pretty good while running, but felt pretty badly afterwards.  So I took it easy for the rest of the day, and Ben and I went on an excursion through parts of the Dominican Republic, touring a tobacco making place, the hill country near Punta Cana, and a typical Dominican residence and coffee/chocolate plantation.  I drank the BEST hot cocoa of my life!  And we bought some pretty souveniers - yay!  When we returned to the resort, we went back to the gym and I ran another 2.2 miles in 20:30, then did a short lower body workout with some squats, leg presses, leg curls, and some ab-ripper.  We ate dinner at a Brazillian barbeque, but my appetite is still somewhat weak.  When we returned to our room, I filled up the jacuzzi with some extra hot water, sweat like crazy for awhile, then we went to see an awesome show with a Michael Jackson impersonator!  It was a good day.  :D

This morning I woke up later than planned.  So when I headed outside to run, the sun was already high and hot, and, being the caribbean, it was humid.  I ran around the resort twice, logging 3.06 miles in 30:18.  By the time I finished, I felt like I was running with leaden feet, and I was sure I was dehydrated from the sweat that was coming off of me.  It was like someone was pouring water on top of my head.  So I went into the gym, hopped on the treadmill, and walked for a half mile while guzzling water.  I felt head-achy and exhausted.  I wanted to do a 20 minute HIIT on the treadmill, so I started running again, made it a tenth of a mile, and gave up.  I grabbed another bottle of water and began walking back to my room.  But after a couple minutes outside, I thought "I can do hard things!" and I walked right back into the gym and started up the treadmill again.  It was my first HIIT on the treadmill.  I'll admit, it turned into a 22 minute HIIT, because I let myself take a 2 minute walk break in the middle of the run, but I still logged 2.5 miles in the 22 minutes.  I started at a 6.0 MPH pace for my level 5, and finished with a 9.0 MPH pace for my level 10.  I know I can go a lot faster in the future, but for today, I know I hit my "10," because I was praying the last minute "PLEASE let this moment pass before I DIE!"  :D  I walked for three more minutes after that to cool down.  It was a great workout.  I ended up doing a total of 2.74 miles on the treadmill.

I decided to attend the resort Zumba class this morning.  It was...different.  Zumba, Dominican style!  Anyway, I did an hour of it, then decided to hit the treadmill for a short run.  I started at 6.0 MPH and gradually increased to 7.5 MPH.  I ended up doing 2.2 miles in 20:04.

We were going to get up early and run around the resort this morning, but when we woke up, it was raining like crazy outside.  So we opened up our sliding glass doors, went back to bed and slept to the sound of the pouring rain!  Tropical life is good.  We spent the majority of the day on a snorkle cruise around the reefs off of Punta Cana.  We had a little bit of rain, but the sun was shining high when it came time to snorkle.  This evening, although I REALLY didn't want to, we decided to go to the gym.  I committed to running two miles, just to say I did something.  My shins are still bothering me, and I was so tired from the day in the sun, that I would have gladly skipped my workout in favor of a nap.  But....I started on the treadmill at 6.0 MPH, ran 5 minutes, then walked for a minute.  After that, I alternately ran for four minutes and walked for one.  Each interval after that, I changeded my speed.  I did 6.5, 7.0, then decreased back to 6.0, and increased from there.  6.5, 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0...then my last two intervals I did at 6.5 and 7.0.  I ended up doing 5.06 in 50 minutes, so I felt pretty good about the workout.  When I get home, I'm really going to have to work my legs over to get those muscles to relax.  I'm looking forward to running on the road again, in NON-humid conditions!

This morning I went to the Dominican version of Zumba class again.  I tried to keep my legs and feet going and put a little more bounce in my step, so I think I got a little better work out than last time.  The Dominicans seem to be very laid back, so often when the teacher would change songs, class would stop altogether for a few minutes while he fiddled with his Ipod.  So I just jumped around a lot.  I had a good time.

After class, I hopped on the treadmill for another HIIT workout.  I started level 5 at 6.0 MPH, took a one minute walk break in the middle to drink some water, and topped it off at 9.0 MPH.  It's funny, because I did the same workout as last time, using the same levels, but with one minute LESS of walking, but I logged an extra (almost) quarter of a mile!  Go figure.  I finished 2.43 miles in 21 minutes.  Yay, me.  :D

I had food poisoning and was SICK and awake all night. Then I was sick and laid in bed as long as I could, until it was time to pack and head for the airport. Then I was sick all afternoon and evening on the plane, but was finally able to stomach some food by nightfall. Needless to say, no running or exercise of any other sort took place. :(

After driving home and arriving at 3:00 AM this morning, I slept in until ten. I needed it after not sleeping at all the night before!  My stomach still felt a little quesy today, but I was able to eat, so I tried to fuel up for an afternoon workout.  This evening, I went to the gym to do what was supposed to be a HIIT on the treadmill, but my body is still tired from the sickies, so I took some extra walk breaks.  I ended up doing 3:11 miles in intervals, finishing in 28:07.  After that, I immediately went over to the Zumba class and did an hour of fun dancing.  So I got in a decent workout, considering the circumstances.  :D

I did a two-mile run this morning as a warm-up to my workout, but then I was so tired that the two-mile run ended up BEING my workout!!!  I honestly have no idea how I'm going to manage doing 16 miles tomorrow.  My right leg feels totally locked up.  I could barely run this morning.  It took me 22:57 just to do the 2.05 mile loop.  Ouch!!!  :(

Ben and I drove up to Diamond Valley this morning to start our run.  I was pretty worried after yesterday, especially since I woke up feeling a lot of tightness in my right calf, and was practically limping when I started running.  We started on a really steep downhill grade, and I came very close to calling it quits...I was at that point when you think, "Am I being stupid here?  Maybe I should just NOT run today!"  But I ran anyway, and after the first 4-5 miles, it seemed to work itself out.  My feet were hurting by the last couple of miles, but I finished them anyway.  I finished the 16.6 miles in 2:34:22, with the first 12 miles at 1:50:53, and 13.4 miles right at 2 hours, then I slowed up a bit for the last 3 miles.  When I arrived back at home I rolled out my soleus muscles right away, and that took the pain out of my arches. 

Ben wanted to ride his bike up the canyon to pick up his car, but we were both hungry, so I decided to join him on the bike so we could stop to get some food.  Bad idea.  My legs were already tired, and I was starving to boot, so I could hardly pedal up the hill.  It was 7 miles to Albertos, and it took me almost 32 minutes to get there.  But the breakfast burrito I ate made the trip worth it.  It only took 24 minutes to do the same 7 miles back home.  :D

This afternoon, we stopped at Costco for some pizza, and ran into some friends of mine.  Ben had never met these people, but I knew Mike was an avid cycler, so we started talking about biking, and he and Ben hit it off.  The next thing I knew, Mike was inviting Ben to ride up Snow Canyon with him and his son this evening!  Of course Ben said yes, and, like a sucker, I agreed to come along.  I felt somewhat silly after the first few miles of hill climbing, as I fell way behind everyone else.  My legs were just DONE.  I ended up doing another 24.5 miles, most of it uphill, before it got too dark and I got too tired...and I finally called my son to come pick me up. 

I am SOOO glad tomorrow's Sunday!!!!  :D

I ran this morning with my girl friends.  It was exactly what I needed, since my legs are SO tired and sore from Saturday's workout.  We did a 5K in 36:59.  I came home after that and did an Upper Body Work Out.  This evening, we went to the pool, but on the way there, my baby touched a hot light bulb and burned his finger to a blistery crisp, so he refused to let me put him down, and I missed out on my swim.  I didn't feel too badly about that though, because I was tired and just wanted to go to bed.  :D

This morning Elijah and I did a five-mile run.  We finished in 48:19.  I feel like it's been a long time since I've had a really great run where I felt like I was very fast and feeling really good.  I think I'm just in a weird funk since I was out of town for so long.  I hope it gets better before the Marathon! 

Anyway, this afternoon I had planned to get to the gym for a HIIT on the treadmill, but I was late getting out of my piano lessons, so I ended up just having enough time to do a mile before Zumba class.  It took me 9:10 to run the mile.  Then I went straight to an hour of Zumba.  I felt pretty good for the first half of class, but then I must have run out of fuel, because I was just dragging the last half.  I quit 5 minutes early and downed a Zone bar, then went to an hour of yoga.  Yoga actually felt pretty good.  I really needed the stretch!

I've been trying to keep my eating really clean since Sunday, because my four weeks of wild abandon with my meals has cost me ten pounds.  Ben has been making fun of my extra love.  But I was down two pounds this morning, so I think if I just eat properly, it will be gone within the next week or so.  I do feel so much better when I eat what I'm supposed to!  It's nice to look good, too.  :D

Howdy folks!  This morning I ran 5 miles with my friends.  Actually, we mostly walked the last mile.  It was slow and easy, and just what I needed.  I've been really tired lately!  My legs are so sore...I'm not sure why they are taking so long to recover.  Whatever.  The run took us 1:03:40.  When I arrived at home, I did a full lower body work out followed by ab-ripperX.  Then this evening, I joined my daughter's youth group for a half-hour of hip hop dancing.  I think I'm not too bad for an old lady.  :D

I woke up at 4:45 this morning so that I could run with Britnee and Elijah.  We did 4 miles in 40:42.  This evening I had planned to do a HIIT on the treadmill, but I ended up having a change in my schedule, so I incorporated another road run instead.  I ran to the college to see a friend's play, and did another 5.2 miles in 48:49.

Ben and I registered for the Saint George Marathon today, along with three of our children.  Yay!

I did an upper body work out today.  I'm keeping it low-key in preparation for my long run tomorrow.  :)

I did a long run with Ben today.  It was the last long run before Ogden, and I was hoping to put in at least 22 miles.  We started out pretty easy, running 3 minutes and walking 1 minute.  After the first 9 miles, we stopped off at home to refuel, and when we started out again, I switched to 4/1 intervals.  But for some reason, I was totally winded when we started out again.  It probably didn't help that it was all uphill for the next 8 miles, but I felt totally wiped out.  I was feeling pretty worried about the upcoming marathon at that point.  I realized that my upper body was so tired from yesterday's work out that I was having difficulty swinging my arms.  Also, in thinking about my last Saturday work out, I realized that a 16.6 mile run and 38 miles on the bike was probably equivalent to running a marathon, so it was like I was doing two in a row.  At least, that's how I rationalized my intense fatigue.  Anyway, at mile 17.5, we stopped off for a quick breakfast burrito at Del Taco, then I finished my run.  I thought about stopping at 22 miles, and again at 23, but since I needed to be home and didn't have time to walk, I ended up doing 24.2.  The time, not counting the 2 stops, was 4:02:55.  So if I had continued another 2 miles, I would have come in around 4:20.  I decided that I am going to be delighted with 4:20 as a marathon time, and, most likely, I will do MUCH better in Ogden, since the course is mostly downhill, and I should be quite recovered between now and then.  So...whatever!  A finish is a win for me at this point.  There's only so much you can do to prepare for a marathon in 8 weeks!  :D

This morning I ran with the girlfriends, 5.02 miles in 1:01:14.  Then I did a lower body workout, complete with a session of P90X ab-ripperX.  Then this evening, just for fun, Ben took me out cycling and we did an easy 32 miles in 1:54:26.  Based on my calculations, at the rate of speed I was going, I should be able to do the 56 mile bike portion of the Utah half in 3:20 or so...maybe a tad faster.  The question is, will my shoulders be able to handle it?  Darn weak girlie upper body!  This is a problem I will have to rectify ASAP. 

I was so tired today, I almost convinced myself to stay in bed this morning!   My body felt like it was exhausted from the workouts of the past few days, and I began to think that maybe I was just a LITTLE bit insane for getting out of bed and heading to the gym anyway for a HIIT.  In fact, my quads are still spasming - they've been jumping around since yesterday morning's workout.  So when I arrived at the gym, I gave myself permission to try out the treadmill, and then quit if anything felt too funny...I definately don't want to damage anything with a marathon on the horizon!  I started with a nice slow jog for a mile (10:43), then hopped off and stretched for a minute.  Everything was still working, so I jumped back on the treadmill and started the HIIT.  I gave myself permission to stop for a walk between intervals, but as I got going, I thought that maybe I could do two in a row, then three, and before I knew it, I was finished!  It was my first complete HIIT on the treadmill, without my cheater breaks!  Now that it is over, and I survived, I'm quite certain I need to up the speed.  I had started with a 6.0 MPH as my warm-up, then went from 6.5-9.0 MPH for my levels.  I probably should shoot for 10.0 MPH, but I'm always afraid of doing too much and pulling or tearing something.  That's why I've avaoided doing my HIITs on the treadmill to begin with!  But 9.0 MPH was definately NOT a "10" for me, so I'll have to rethink that.  I'm taking the rest of the day as a rest day, not because I wanted to, but because I have to go to a meeting tonight.  I probably need a mini-vacation for my muscles anyway.  :D

Oh my goodness!  I think something is seriously wrong with me.  I only exercised ONCE today!  Second day in a row!!!  :D

After another night of little sleep, I woke up at 4:50 to run 5 miles with the girls.  We did it in 1:00:10.  Then I followed it up with an upper body workout.  And then...I stayed home all evening and watched AVATAR for the first time!  We bought it when it first came out, but I never found three hours to plop down in front of the TV.  So I sacrificed my planned swim and stayed home instead.  And now...I'm going to go to bed at a decent hour!  And sleep in tomorrow until 7:00!!!!  I'm giddy just thinking about it.  :D

I did another HIIT on the treadmill today.  Yay!  I did a warm-up run of 1 mile in 10:04, then stopped to stretch.  Then I started the 20 minute HIIT, but this time I warm-ed up at 6.0 MPH, and topped off at 10.0 MPH.  It felt great to do a good sprint!  After the HIIT, I continued cooling down for another .16 miles, making my total miles for the day 3.6.  I want to do more with burst training, since the pro athlete we had dinner with the other night (Matt Lieto) said that interval work is ALL the training he does.  :D

Ben and I woke up at 4:15 so that we could do our last long-ish run before Ogden Marathon.  Tomorrow is the Ironman, so we didn't want to get up uber early to run and then have to be at the venue all day until midnight.  I'll probably still try to get in a HIIT on the treadmill tomorrow, and maybe the LBWO I'm missing today.  Anyway, we had a great run, doing 15 miles in 2:23:19.  My legs felt SO much better today than they did last week!  I think the treadmill intervals are really going to make a big difference in my running strength and speed - exciting!