I am doing pretty good following the workouts on the "run" training program that the Mini gives out. My body is certainly looking forward to Cross Train Monday. That's for sure. I have also learned that I think of my accomplishments in terms of miles. So it is hard to do this plan because it is based on slower speed and working for time. Not...how fast can you run 4 miles w/o falling over or getting an asthma attack...which is how I have been training. So, just a different mindset there. I think I am on track and pretty excited about things!
Casey and I went to Dicks and bought heart rate watches. I am really a fan, even though it is a touch bulky for my taste. I hope to get used to it. It is pretty neat to get an accurate reading and see the percent of your max heart rate right in the middle of your workout.
I have determined that my legs and running shorts are not friends. So the next time you see someone in spandex (who's semi fit and running a million miles) don't judge. I have come to grips with the fact that I will probably be running in compresion shorts for a really long time. I can't stand some of the pairs of running shorts I have and at least with the spandex, there is nothing to get in the way.
Off to work. Happy Cross Training Monday!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
day 2
I can't come up with a better title for today. I guess one could say "withdrawal." This diet thing is going to take a bit of getting used to, and today I caved. I bought my Speedway Coke Slushi in 32 oz. I had been going great and had said NO...but a stressful hour made me cave and next thing I knew, it was in my hands and I was in heaven. That's it for the week though. No more. Cut off.
I went to the gym straight after work. I did a 5 minute warm-up at 3.0 (on the treadmill) and then ran for 30 minutes at 5.5 and 5.0 (about 11 min at 5.0). I walked for 5 more minutes. I did a nice long stretch and left. I have to say that it was different. I am not used to running for time at a percentage of difficulty (easy for today)...but will certainly need to get used to it as it is how the training schedule is laid out.
Hmm. Today I may have made the conclusion that I may be consuming gluten in the form of oats and thus may need to eliminate my once a day quaker oatmeal packet (breakfast) and clif kids bar and turn to the trusted Bob's Red Mill GF Oats. I am not sure how I feel about this, but may entertain it when all the others are out of the pantry. I feel pretty good, but it seems like I have been getting some really bad spots on my face and it happens at least monthly. My new year's resolution was to get clearer skin...well, we are 26 days into it and i can count 5-7 spots on my face that are scabs...yes, like the ones you'd get on your arm or leg, not the facial scabs. These spots are like zits or pimples but are WAY worse. They feel like mountains and just are not what I had to battle in high school. This is something different...which has lead me to some research and yes, gluten is correlated to a form of acne...so I am not off base in my thinking there. We will see. I am not sure what I want to do with this info. At least I am honest, right?
I also want to write that I am going to try a fiber suppliment for the first time. It seems that is an area where I don't get enough grams simply because it is harder for me to find the foods and eat the foods that contain substantial amounts. So, we'll see.
I counted calories like no ones business (well, my husband did the tallying). I even measured out my night time bowl of cereal and 1/2 cup of vanilla soy milk. I am actally in shock at how much over eating I have done with regards to serving size. It is so easy to just pour a bowl and pour some milk and be done. Instead, after the measuring, I am satisfied. I must also say that a green granny smith apple with 2 tbs of peanut butter is a phenominal 10 am snack. :)
Ok, time for bed. Good night.
I went to the gym straight after work. I did a 5 minute warm-up at 3.0 (on the treadmill) and then ran for 30 minutes at 5.5 and 5.0 (about 11 min at 5.0). I walked for 5 more minutes. I did a nice long stretch and left. I have to say that it was different. I am not used to running for time at a percentage of difficulty (easy for today)...but will certainly need to get used to it as it is how the training schedule is laid out.
Hmm. Today I may have made the conclusion that I may be consuming gluten in the form of oats and thus may need to eliminate my once a day quaker oatmeal packet (breakfast) and clif kids bar and turn to the trusted Bob's Red Mill GF Oats. I am not sure how I feel about this, but may entertain it when all the others are out of the pantry. I feel pretty good, but it seems like I have been getting some really bad spots on my face and it happens at least monthly. My new year's resolution was to get clearer skin...well, we are 26 days into it and i can count 5-7 spots on my face that are scabs...yes, like the ones you'd get on your arm or leg, not the facial scabs. These spots are like zits or pimples but are WAY worse. They feel like mountains and just are not what I had to battle in high school. This is something different...which has lead me to some research and yes, gluten is correlated to a form of acne...so I am not off base in my thinking there. We will see. I am not sure what I want to do with this info. At least I am honest, right?
I also want to write that I am going to try a fiber suppliment for the first time. It seems that is an area where I don't get enough grams simply because it is harder for me to find the foods and eat the foods that contain substantial amounts. So, we'll see.
I counted calories like no ones business (well, my husband did the tallying). I even measured out my night time bowl of cereal and 1/2 cup of vanilla soy milk. I am actally in shock at how much over eating I have done with regards to serving size. It is so easy to just pour a bowl and pour some milk and be done. Instead, after the measuring, I am satisfied. I must also say that a green granny smith apple with 2 tbs of peanut butter is a phenominal 10 am snack. :)
Ok, time for bed. Good night.
Monday, January 25, 2010
feeling inspired...probably a good thing
I am feeling inspired today. I know they say you aren't supposed to start a diet or a training regimine on a Monday...but I feel best when I do. So, I am officially in training mode for the Mini Marathon. May 8, 2010-for those of you not registered. I will be following as close as possible to the "run" program that the Mini puts out. I have also signed up for the training runs...the first of which is Feb 13. It is a 5k and I am not too worried about it. I am going to try and stick to my "diet." Pretty much that means I am going to stay away from all the dang sweets I've been craving. Uh Huh, good luck with that, right? :)
Today's workout consisted of a 30 minute bike ride (stationary) at about 12/13 mi/hr. Then I did some random weight sets...squats on BOSU ball with 20lbs, shoulder press and bicep curls on Bosu, tricep over the head on bosu, crunches on swiss ball (15 center, 15 per side), reverse crunches? with swiss ball at feet in plank like position, and 10 boy push ups. I was pretty spent after this workout.
Today I have had: 1 bowl quaker oatmeal, 3 turkey sausage links, 1 banana, 1 mixed fruit cup, 1 100 cal pack smart popcorn, 1 cup coffee with creamer, 5 gluten free fish sticks with mayo, brocoli and cheese-green giant single, 1 clif kids choc chip bar and some soy crackers. I believe for dinner I am having some chicken and corn. (it is only 5:40 pm) I will probably have a small snack when I get home so I don't sleep on an empty stomach.
I hope to update everyday. I hope this will keep me accountable. :)
Today's workout consisted of a 30 minute bike ride (stationary) at about 12/13 mi/hr. Then I did some random weight sets...squats on BOSU ball with 20lbs, shoulder press and bicep curls on Bosu, tricep over the head on bosu, crunches on swiss ball (15 center, 15 per side), reverse crunches? with swiss ball at feet in plank like position, and 10 boy push ups. I was pretty spent after this workout.
Today I have had: 1 bowl quaker oatmeal, 3 turkey sausage links, 1 banana, 1 mixed fruit cup, 1 100 cal pack smart popcorn, 1 cup coffee with creamer, 5 gluten free fish sticks with mayo, brocoli and cheese-green giant single, 1 clif kids choc chip bar and some soy crackers. I believe for dinner I am having some chicken and corn. (it is only 5:40 pm) I will probably have a small snack when I get home so I don't sleep on an empty stomach.
I hope to update everyday. I hope this will keep me accountable. :)
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Merry Christmas
Good Morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know I did. I got a lot of things from my list. I am pretty excited to try them out. I got lots of new running socks and a new sports bra.
My workout yesterday went like this: 4 minutes on the bike=.5 mi, then 3.5 mi running at 5.7 and then .25 mi of cool down at 3.5. I was feeling pretty good and worked up a good sweat. I am so excited to get back on my training schedule and to prepare for the Mini!!
I wanted to write here that I typically run in Saucony Ride (they are the white/black/orange in pic). I am a neutral and prefer a lot of cushion after my leg surgery. I have also love the Saucony Triumph and have had the 5 and 6 (both pictured). They have less cushion, but feel like pillows. I have also liked the stability of the Mizuno Creation. I hear this is a love it or hate it shoe. I have liked it because I am a bit of a heel striker...thus allowing the shock to be absorbed through the wave plate that runs the full length of the shoe. I have had one other pair of mizunos and was impressed. I ran in a pair of Asics cumulus and they were cushiony, but had a hard time after 3 miles outside. Still not sure why. I have attempted to run in Brooks Adrenaline, I think, but they rubbed the top part of my foot and just didn't fit right. So, if there are any questions about shoes, I am your gal. I worked briefly in a high end shoe store and have had happy feet, legs and back ever since! :)
Today is my day off...I look forward to hitting the road tomorrow if it isn't too dark or cold. Winter in Indiana is a little crazy to forecast. Happy Running!!
My workout yesterday went like this: 4 minutes on the bike=.5 mi, then 3.5 mi running at 5.7 and then .25 mi of cool down at 3.5. I was feeling pretty good and worked up a good sweat. I am so excited to get back on my training schedule and to prepare for the Mini!!
I wanted to write here that I typically run in Saucony Ride (they are the white/black/orange in pic). I am a neutral and prefer a lot of cushion after my leg surgery. I have also love the Saucony Triumph and have had the 5 and 6 (both pictured). They have less cushion, but feel like pillows. I have also liked the stability of the Mizuno Creation. I hear this is a love it or hate it shoe. I have liked it because I am a bit of a heel striker...thus allowing the shock to be absorbed through the wave plate that runs the full length of the shoe. I have had one other pair of mizunos and was impressed. I ran in a pair of Asics cumulus and they were cushiony, but had a hard time after 3 miles outside. Still not sure why. I have attempted to run in Brooks Adrenaline, I think, but they rubbed the top part of my foot and just didn't fit right. So, if there are any questions about shoes, I am your gal. I worked briefly in a high end shoe store and have had happy feet, legs and back ever since! :)
Today is my day off...I look forward to hitting the road tomorrow if it isn't too dark or cold. Winter in Indiana is a little crazy to forecast. Happy Running!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
health
For some background, I think it's a good idea to mention some of the health concerns that I have gone through to bring me to this point. Hopefully, it will give an understanding to why running is/has been a challenge for me. I never knew I was sick, until I got well.
Age 12-Diagnosed with borderlined Lupus, saw a nephrologist for years and had routine bloodwork done, found that I have an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
Through high school-had shin splints, taped for games and practices, and iced through the on and off season, had electrolosis where they would shock my shins and create barriers of some sort. Had horrible acid reflux and often couldn't eat more than gatorade and crackers.
College soccer-taped arches and shins and had ultrasounds on my shins done, iced with dixie cups, spent an hour before and an hour after practice in the training room.
Dec 2004-had surgery on both legs for medial tibial stress syndrome and compartment syndrome (all 4 compartments, both legs). Recovery time was AT LEAST 2 years...but I am finally comfortable doing any type of exercise
Aug 2005-had a Lap Nissen Fundoplacation done for my reflux. Best decision I've ever had. I told myself that the surgery would pay for itself if I weren't on acid medicine full time in 5 years. We are approaching the 5 year mark and I am happy to say that the medicine I take is for the erosion that was caused by the reflux, not because I have reflux!
Feb 2008-Exploratory surgery of reproductive area. Found some answers...started to do some questioning in other areas.
Aug 2008- Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Thought this was the greatest answer any doctor has ever given me. It FIT! So I started to read and find ways to maintain a normal life. I kept stumbling upon DIET. So, I thought I needed to eliminate MSG from my diet. Turns out, I just needed to eliminate gluten.
Nov 2008-GLUTEN FREE!!! I am self diagnosed with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. That means, the vili in my small intestines have not been damaged by gluten consumption. Turns out, NCGS mimics auto-immune disorders...see Lupus and Fibro above. So, yes, I believe I have had this my whole life, but because it can't actually be tested via labs or biopsies, doctors don't diagnose it. The only way to know if you have a sensitivity, is to eliminate ALL of the gluten in your diet. It is also hereditary. My mom has been on this diet a few months and is finding benefit in the elimination as well.
Currently, I have played a few games of indoor soccer and feel better than I felt in high school. I competed on a volleyball team with other college athletes and we won the championship. I completed my first 5k with a time of 33 minutes. If anything, this is my way of saying to you that YOU know your body better than ANYone. Don't let a doctor tell you there is nothing wrong. If you believe there is something wrong, please start investigating. Don't be afraid to try a few things...with plenty of research of course. Also, I will say that I went to my family doctor a few months ago to make sure it would be "ok" for me to begin training for the Mini and he said yes. He later told my mom in one of her visits that I looked better than he had seen me look in the whole 10 years since I'd been going to him. I didn't go to him very often over the course of the 10 years because I saw a specialist for most of my issues. So, anyway, I thought I should give a little bit of background for why this journey has been amazing and why I never thought it would be possible.
Possible workout tonight: 3-4 miles depends on inside or outside...I get bored on the treadmill really fast...but it might be warm enough to run outside...34 degrees or so.
Happy Running! :)
Age 12-Diagnosed with borderlined Lupus, saw a nephrologist for years and had routine bloodwork done, found that I have an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
Through high school-had shin splints, taped for games and practices, and iced through the on and off season, had electrolosis where they would shock my shins and create barriers of some sort. Had horrible acid reflux and often couldn't eat more than gatorade and crackers.
College soccer-taped arches and shins and had ultrasounds on my shins done, iced with dixie cups, spent an hour before and an hour after practice in the training room.
Dec 2004-had surgery on both legs for medial tibial stress syndrome and compartment syndrome (all 4 compartments, both legs). Recovery time was AT LEAST 2 years...but I am finally comfortable doing any type of exercise
Aug 2005-had a Lap Nissen Fundoplacation done for my reflux. Best decision I've ever had. I told myself that the surgery would pay for itself if I weren't on acid medicine full time in 5 years. We are approaching the 5 year mark and I am happy to say that the medicine I take is for the erosion that was caused by the reflux, not because I have reflux!
Feb 2008-Exploratory surgery of reproductive area. Found some answers...started to do some questioning in other areas.
Aug 2008- Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Thought this was the greatest answer any doctor has ever given me. It FIT! So I started to read and find ways to maintain a normal life. I kept stumbling upon DIET. So, I thought I needed to eliminate MSG from my diet. Turns out, I just needed to eliminate gluten.
Nov 2008-GLUTEN FREE!!! I am self diagnosed with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. That means, the vili in my small intestines have not been damaged by gluten consumption. Turns out, NCGS mimics auto-immune disorders...see Lupus and Fibro above. So, yes, I believe I have had this my whole life, but because it can't actually be tested via labs or biopsies, doctors don't diagnose it. The only way to know if you have a sensitivity, is to eliminate ALL of the gluten in your diet. It is also hereditary. My mom has been on this diet a few months and is finding benefit in the elimination as well.
Currently, I have played a few games of indoor soccer and feel better than I felt in high school. I competed on a volleyball team with other college athletes and we won the championship. I completed my first 5k with a time of 33 minutes. If anything, this is my way of saying to you that YOU know your body better than ANYone. Don't let a doctor tell you there is nothing wrong. If you believe there is something wrong, please start investigating. Don't be afraid to try a few things...with plenty of research of course. Also, I will say that I went to my family doctor a few months ago to make sure it would be "ok" for me to begin training for the Mini and he said yes. He later told my mom in one of her visits that I looked better than he had seen me look in the whole 10 years since I'd been going to him. I didn't go to him very often over the course of the 10 years because I saw a specialist for most of my issues. So, anyway, I thought I should give a little bit of background for why this journey has been amazing and why I never thought it would be possible.
Possible workout tonight: 3-4 miles depends on inside or outside...I get bored on the treadmill really fast...but it might be warm enough to run outside...34 degrees or so.
Happy Running! :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Day ONE of blog
So, the past week has been a little busy, but this has been on my list of To-Do's. I had planned to start this blog on Dec. 12, 2009-the day of my first 5k. Eh, I'm only a week behind. I blame that on the sinus infection that had me down for the count this past week.
So, I have been working up to this point for 4 months or more. I registered for the Mini-marathon and decided to give myself PLENTY of time to train. Afterall, I am not a normal case. This is the first time I have really pushed my legs since surgery in Dec. 2004. I feel pretty good, all things considering. At 25, this is the best I have ever felt. No joke. I pretty much told myself that THIS is the time.
This blog is hopefully going to help capture my journey as I go from "retired" soccer player to half-marathon-er. :) For those of you that don't believe you can do it, I challenge you to look inside and dig deep, and try it. You'll never know what you can do unless you try. I have been surprising myself time and time again throughout this journey.
I want to write that I ran my first ever 5 mile (consecutive) run in 32 degree weather. I completed my first 5k last week in 28-30 degree weather with a time of 32.52. I have ran a few 9.13 minute miles over the course of the last month or so. I am just super excited at the things I am accomplishing and can't wait to see where this journey takes me!
Join me in my journey by stopping by and leaving some encouragement. I will do my best to update often. Happy Holidays!
So, I have been working up to this point for 4 months or more. I registered for the Mini-marathon and decided to give myself PLENTY of time to train. Afterall, I am not a normal case. This is the first time I have really pushed my legs since surgery in Dec. 2004. I feel pretty good, all things considering. At 25, this is the best I have ever felt. No joke. I pretty much told myself that THIS is the time.
This blog is hopefully going to help capture my journey as I go from "retired" soccer player to half-marathon-er. :) For those of you that don't believe you can do it, I challenge you to look inside and dig deep, and try it. You'll never know what you can do unless you try. I have been surprising myself time and time again throughout this journey.
I want to write that I ran my first ever 5 mile (consecutive) run in 32 degree weather. I completed my first 5k last week in 28-30 degree weather with a time of 32.52. I have ran a few 9.13 minute miles over the course of the last month or so. I am just super excited at the things I am accomplishing and can't wait to see where this journey takes me!
Join me in my journey by stopping by and leaving some encouragement. I will do my best to update often. Happy Holidays!
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