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.

Not Just Yet.

The medication the doctor gave me for my arthritic toe is helping. I haven't yet put on the running shoe and hit the road. I feel like I need to wait a couple of days for that. I have been riding my recumbent bike. I rode for 30 minutes yesterday and got up at 5:30 this morning and rode for forty. Yesterday I did 8 miles and today I did 11.5. I'll probably try to get on it again tonight. I have really been watching my caloric intake. I have been feeling a little lethargic and I know that it is must my body adjusting to fewer carbs and sugars. I haven't completely cut anything out of my diet. I am just watching it. I can't help but think that if I drop a few pounds that my feet will thank me and I will feel more confident about myself.

I'll get there. It may take more time than I would hope for but I'd rather get there healthy and uninjured.

One Mile At A Time

I told myself last night that this morning I would get up and run before it got too hot. I guess that is why I woke up at 5:30 this morning and could not go back to sleep. Anyone that knows me very well knows that I don't wake up that early unless I really have to. My legs were still sore from my run on Thursday night. I took both as a sign to get my rear end out of bed and get on the road. It was about 7:00 before I was out the door.

There was a breeze blowing and it felt nice out. I walked about a quarter mile and then took off. I felt good, my pace was comfortable, my breathing steady and there was very little traffic on the road at that time of day. My plan was to run a half mile then walk a minute or so and run another half. I only wanted 3 miles total today. I was feeling so good this morning that when my Garmin showed I was at a half I decided that I could probably do a whole mile without stopping; and I did! To folks who run regularly that seems like a small feat. I haven't run or really done much exercising all summer; so to m it was an true accomplishment. I walked about two minutes then began running again. I got about a half mile before stopping again. I ran and walked 1.66 miles then turned around and started running back. I decided that I would do 3.5 miles today since I had gone out more than 1.5 before turning around. Again, I ran more than I walked. When I got to my neighborhood I looked at my Garmin and I had 3.45. Then I decided to do 4 miles. I took off around another subdivision near mine. By the time I got home I had 4.01 miles in 54 minutes. Again, to a person who has been running awhile that seems really slow. To me it felt great! It took me 44 minutes to do 2 miles on Wednesday. So, I am improving already.

Tomorrow if hurricane Ivan isn't taking his wrath out on Arkansas I will run again. I'll shoot for 4 again and try to improve my time. If Ivan rears his head then I guess I'll hit the recumbent bike for an hour or so.

I have to go and get my 15 year old princess out of bed. She has an appointment to get her hair done. More running to do, only a different kind! Just as rewarding!