Spring Has Sprung

Saturday was a beautiful day. I started my morning with a 3.1 mile run/walk. I got up a little late so the traffic on the road I prefer to run on was already heavy. I decided that my next best option was to run through subdivisions near mine. My first goal was to complete at least 3 miles. My second was to run 1.5 without stopping. I started out very, very slowly. Testing my knee, and giving my calves and shins time to warm up. There was a little tightness but nothing like last Sunday. I had my mp3 player going and would keep telling myself, "you can run until this song is over" then saying the same for the next song. I did get my 1.5 without stopping and was tickled. I walked .3 miles and the started running again. This time there was no pain, I just fell into a rhythm and kept going. When my Garmin beeped for the third mile I actually did a fist pump! I am getting there slowly but surely.

After I got home I got out in the back yard and worked in my flower beds for the rest of the day. It has been either too cold or too wet or I have been too busy with other stuff to work them and they were getting out of control. My husband I worked until around 4:30 pulling weeds and raking leaves. It was great to see when we got done how good everything looks.

Sunday was a lazy day. The only thing that I did that was productive is fold a few clothes and cook supper. The majority of the day I was on the couch reading.

If it isn't raining tonight I plan to run. If I can't run then I'll do something inside. I was thinking about a Tae Bo DVD that I haven't done in a long time. It might be a good night to bring that out if it is raining. Either way is good for me.

Tuesday Night Twofer

I didn't work out at all on Monday. I watched Michigan State lose the NCAA basketball tournament instead. They played hard until the end. They were just out matched by North Carolina.

Tuesday night I came home determined. My legs were still a little sore from my weekned runs so I thought working out with my Wave would help. There are lots of lunges and leg routines, I also get a pretty good upper body work out which I haven't had since last week. I did 30 minutes of scuplting and then prepared a salad and turkey burgers for supper. I had a quick bite and it was time for American Idol. I set the recumbent bike to tell me when I burned 400 calories. It took 15 miles with hills and 50 minutes to burn 400 calories. I slept very well last night.

I am not sure who will get booted off American Idol tonight. I have a couple of people in mind and I would not be hurt if they went home tonight.

I am planning to run tonight. I bought new shoes yesterday, Asic Gel Kahana 3. I know that these are an older version but they feel really good on my feet. I used them when I worked out last night. The shoes I wore Saturday and Sunday are my Pearl Izumis that I bought two springs ago. I don't know how many miles that they have on them. Probably just enough to make it time for new shoes. They are still wearable they just don't have the support I need for running. After I run I need to do some upper body work. I am starting to notice some definition in my arms. That feels nice.

The good thing is I can work my arms and watch AI and see who get voted off the show. Nothing like being able to multitask!

Balance

After feeling pretty good about myself and my reintroduction to running on Saturday, Sunday really was reminder of how unpredictable my body is. I woke up earlier than usual Sunday morning and was out on the road by 7:30. I was feeling pretty good, a little sore from the previous day but my energy was good. I started off running and before I even ran a half mile I knew today wasn't going to be a good day. My calves tightened up, my right knee started aching and the more I tried to push the worse it got. I was determined to get a least 1.5 in before I quit. I had to walk a lot of it but I did mange to get a mile and a half. Today my legs are a little sore and my lower back hurts. The good thing is that I am noticing that my muscles are toning up. My husband even commented that my behind is getting tighter this morning.

I guess the thing I need to try to remember is that I need to maintain a balance. I need to try and balance the good days with the bad ones. Remembering that as long as I am moving it really doesn't matter how far I go on a particular day. Just that I am out there trying.

I don't know what I'll do tonight besides watch the basketball game (Go Michigan State!)If I have the energy I'll try to run, if not I'll work out with my Wave. Remembering that some is better than none.

On the Road Again!

Put on my running shoes this morning!! Why you ask? I signed up for the Toad Suck 5K. I haven't run since last September. Wasn't sure how it would go. It took me a bit to get my Garmin set but guess what?! I can still run a mile without a walk break. I walked/ran 3.15 miles in less than 40 minutes. That is with some stretching along the way. I am feeling pretty good right now.

On Tuesday I road my recumbent bike while watching American Idol. I am working out more days than not. I am feeling good about that. Still not losing weight. If I don't see some pound lose soon I am going to see the doc to make sure there is not some hormonal thing going on.

I plan to run again tomorrow morning. We will see how that goes.