So Much to Say!

It's been awhile since I posted, so I'll just give you the breakdown...

1.  I got fitted for orthotics.  I know how some folks feel about them, but right now, I'm in favor...I've been able to run pain-free and thusfar, they have been worth what I paid for them (insurance didn't cover).
2.  I have been running consistently for the last 7 weeks!  Once my orthotics got fitted, my podiatrist had me start running every day, starting with .5mi/day, then moving up each week.  I started and stopped a couple times (most notably due to a vacation to Costa Rica that Christy and I took for our anniversary!), but once I got back from a work trip, I decided that I was going to be more consistent.
   
   I put in 4 weeks straight, getting up to about 12mi/wk.  Two weeks ago, I decided to start putting in more miles per run and less runs per week.  To that end, I ran up to 3mi/run last week and have tried to up a couple runs above 3mi.
3. I have finally made my goal weight!  I officially made it last week, but this morning's weigh-in had me at 178.6, or 30.2lbs from my start almost 9 months ago!

In short...

One last thing...I started an account at DailyMile so that I could keep better track of mileage and routes.  I included a widget (I won't call it little!) on the main page navigation so you can see how I'm doing.  It's on a probationary period for now.

Forced Hiatus

I'm going to need to take a hiatus for the next week or so.  I've been having pains in my knees and my left leg is acting eerily like it did back when I had a stress fracture back in high school.  I'm really scared that it's happening again, and unfortunately, it's causing all of the feelings of helplessness and frustration to creep back in.

After a week, I think I'll go back to the gym to try to work on upper body and flexibility, but for now, the most cardio I will do is ride the bike.

Crap.

Catching Up - Recent Workouts

Been a bit busy, but I managed to put in workouts on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and today (though today was only a run).  Saturday saw me do a 30min non-stop run outside for (what I think) is the first time in a couple years.  Pretty happy about that!

My Tuesday weigh-in saw me stay steady at 191.0lbs.  Considering the week Christy and I have had, I'll take it as a win.

Today, I dabbled in my first bit of speed work on the treadmill.  I did a 30min run with 2x1min walk breaks@3mph.  After 5min warm-up run@6mph, I alternated 1min@9mph with 1min@6mph for 5 repeats.  I then finished the remainder at 6mph.

Overall, I'm just happy with the feeling that if I want to run (and right now, I really do), I feel like I actually can!  That is what I've really wanted from this whole process.

Today's Workout - 02/17/11

Today, I was determined to exercise the demons from Tuesday's workout (haha..."excercise"...nice).  As I laced up my shoes, I planned out a pretty decent resistance routine.  Could have used more upper body, but it wasn't bad:

Squat Jumps - 2x10
Step-Ups - 1x10, 1x5 (per leg) @15lbs
Plank Knee Raises - 1x10, 1x12
Walking Lunges - 2x@40lbs
Bench Press - 2x10@115lbs
Heel Press - 2x15@135lbs
Lat Pull-Down - 1x10@85lbs (forgot to do set #2)

Today's run went GREAT!  I did 30min of non-stop running, alternating a 1deg incline every 5min while keeping a constant 6mph speed.

I feel like I could punch a tiger--IN THE FACE.

Today's Workout - 2/12/11 (Take a Run Around the Block)

For today's workout, I ran around the neighborhood.

Planned workout length was 30min.  Weather was sunny and, even with wind, up to 40deg.  I probably over-dressed just a touch.  I wore my long-sleeve Dri-Fit shirt with a windbreaker over it.  A short-sleeved shirt would likely have been a better bet.

I was able to keep moving throughout the whole time, but I did walk several times, which was pretty frustrating.  My shoes felt good (still loving my GT-2160's!) and my form wasn't too bad.  I just couldn't breathe well, and I think I was just tired from staying up too late this week.  Need to work on that!

At last I got to go outside today, eh?

Today's Workout - 2/03/11

No lifting today.  I decided to do something unusual.

I ran.  

OUTSIDE!


(Waits for applause)


OK...it's not a big, huge accomplishment, at least if it weren't for the fact that the last time I ran outside (on a 40deg day in Texas back near Christmas), I barely made it four minutes before I had to stop to a very slow walk.  I made it 25:46 with two one-minute walks and felt pretty good.  Can't wait until spring!

Of course, back in the day, we trained year-round outside.  Running in the winter (in shorts or warm-up pants) was normal and expected for the Distance Track/Cross Country kids.  You learned what and how to layer, when to go light and when to pile on.  It wasn't uncommon for our cold weather wear to be little more than a long-sleeve t-shirt, a t-shirt, shorts, and a hat/glove combo.  You'd be surprised how many different temperatures that combo was good for...

Offhand, I ran in tights exactly once.  I made it barely two minutes up the street, turned around, took them off, and never wore them again.  That said, I remember being more fond of "loose tights" like these than I'd like to admit.  Shorts worked at least half the time, though.  Today was no exception.

It sure was good to be outside!

Today's Workout - 1/21/11

Not much to say today, except:

30 minutes.  3 miles.  Non.  Stop.

That is all.

Now, the long story is that I hurt my back yesterday shoveling snow and, between that and a time crunch trying to get my workout in before work (heheh...pun?), decided I'd only do running.  I decided to do just go easy instead of doing intervals like I'd normally be doing on my Thursday workout.  I got started and, aside from my back, felt like going for it.  30min (and about 500 calories, according to the treadmill) later, I finished.  It was the farthest I'd run in a long time!

Back in the day, I couldn't count a run on my weekly mileage unless it was 4 miles or more.  Needless to say, I took running 4 miles for granted.  Guess I can't be doing that for awhile, now can I?

Today's Workout - 1/15/11

I feel like today's workout was a big milestone.  Not only did I make it two miles non-stop at speed, I also was able to touch my toes in post workout stretches even seated with my feet flat against the wall!  If you've ever worked out with me, you have some idea how surprising that is.

Perhaps even more importantly, I got a chance to really work out with Christy and push her pretty hard.  You could say perhaps that it was a growth opportunity for our marriage (in a good way)!

For today's resistance training, I had us do lower body plyometrics:

In-to-Out Squat Jumps.  Kind of like Squat Split Jumps, but with two step platforms.  Start between them in a squat, then jump, landing with feet on the platforms, then jump back down, landing with your feet on the floor in a squat. 1x10, 1x12

Split Squat Jump - 1x10, 1x12.  Here's a quick video of what it looks like, though I didn't do it as a cardio-type exercise (good idea, though!):

 

Plank Knee Raises - 1x10, 1x12. Get in push-up position and bring your right knee to your elbow, then back to push-up position.  Repeat as necessary.  Switch and do the left leg

Long-stride lunge - Back and forth across the gym

Wall Sit - 1x30sec, 1x40sec

Cardio was 35min.  I walked for 3min@3mph, then ran for 20min@6mph (2 miles!), walked 4min@3mph, then ran for 5min@6mph.

I'm pretty worn out!

 

Possible Cross-Training?

Went to Rockquest with Christy today for a quasi-date.  Neither of us had gone climbing and both of us have slight issues with heights.  That said, we're always up for a new challenge, so we gave it a shot.

After having a couple climbs up a 20-30ft wall combined with several climbs up a 10ft wall, I can say that I was certainly challenged!  Climbing is hard, but very fun.

Not sure if We'll do it a lot, but it's a fun cross-training experience, I think.  Lots of work requiring upper and lower body strength and muscle endurance--at least lots more than I thought I'd need!

Today's Workout - 1/13/11

Today's workout consisted of:

Resistance - Strive circuit.  No increases of weights, still 1x30 reps

Cardio - Went back to the old workout the trainer gave me--with some modifications. 

What's in a Name?

For those who don't know, I generally hate shoes, socks, and, well, just about anything I have to wear on my feet.  To her dying day, my grandmother would rebuke me for apparently having been born in a barn.  It's not uncommon for me to be seen prancing about in shorts at any time of year (provided I'm indoors), and I'll doff my shoes whenever given the chance.

New Beginnings

So...I decided to start a new blog.  If you're going to stick around to have a look, thank you!  Just so you know what you're in for, here's a quick summary of what I plan on doing with this blog.