Halfway through the Half Training/30 for 30 for 30 update

For you Fitness Face-Off stalkers...I only did my 15 minutes of yoga 6 out of 7 days this week.  Still reaping the benefits, though, so I'm counting it as a win.

Woohoo!  I am currently in the 6th week of my 10 week training plan for the Bend Half Marathon.

#9 of the 30 for 30 for 30:
training/commuter run

As you may know, I ran my first half marathon in May of this year, and only signed up as a result of being sweet-talked by my hubby.  ("We'll run together - I'll go slow for you - it would be so fun!")  As it turned out, I (enjoyed - gasp!) finding and executing a training plan, doing the majority of the runs on my own, and actually halfed it up solo when the hubby wasn't feeling well on race day.

You know why a lot of smart folks lose weight with programs like Weight Watchers?

Accountability.

I know running is good for me, and if I'm honest, I usually enjoy doing it.  I'm great at sticking to a plan in order to prep for a race.  But no race = no training plan = me lifting weights and not running...like ever.

So after saying I would only do one half - EVER - for my sweet husband...I turned around and signed up for the Portland Rock 'n' Roll Half next May (hey, it was on sale!) and then got antsy for something a lot sooner when my inner thighs started to look the way they always have and not how they'd begun looking in April and May.

And I love Bend, as I think we can all agree.  October is my birthday...plus it's in the fall.  What better way to spend our next sweataway than running a race together in beautiful Oregon?

Train, Train, Train (the twain on twack twee)

What's fun is that this time through the old running plan, I'm way more confident and prepared. 

Pace: Since I beat my goal time by about 10 minutes in my first half, I've upped the ante a little in training...I'm shooting for under 2 hours this time around, and so far the speedwork has gone well.

Gear: I have some new Nike Frees that you've probably noticed...I'm basically in love with them (Jared loves shoes, too, so I think he's cool with it) and wear them like crazy.  I also have more high-impact sports bras in my workout drawer, so the girls are much happier.  (Seriously, if you invest in any fitness attire or gear, prioritize your footwear and your bras...go cheap on something else like a head band or a pair of dumbells.)

#7: commuter ride and
strength training at home

Strength-training: This spring, my weight training really petered out quick.  I had been doing 3-4 sessions of strength training a week all fall and winter and found it hard to make time or have energy for more than 1-2 sessions a week.  It made me kinda bummed out.  This time, I've been able to get 3 on average, and I can tell it's making a difference in my moods, my body fat goals, and my injury prevention (core work for runners really protects your back).  It will also be nice to not feel like I'm way behind with weights once the half is over!

I'm so bummed I can't find this killer workout online! 
I think from Self magazine?  Kicked my butt.

Cross-training: Last time, I took "cross-training/rest" as "rest or maybe go for a walk."  Now I have a brand-spankin' new bike (gotta love good deals), which I am painfully learning to use.  Yes, I learned how to ride a bike as a peewee...but in my neighborhood growing up, we had a shortage of massive hills.  My quads are really getting a workout.

#6: riding through Kirkland with the hubby!

Chilling out: Sometimes, life and stress and lack of sleep catch up with you...and you need to know when to take some time to rest and recover.  Partway through training I got sick and had to slow things down and miss a few runs. 

Me after a killer nap

Fresh basil makes a great pre-nap snack

#5 and #8: yoga chillout sessions. 

Per the hubby, my lulu hot yoga shorts are "yoga booty shorts and therefore not appropriate for public consumption."  So you'll have to take my word that I mixed up the outfit pairings.

Balancing life: To make time for all these sweat sessions, I've really had to work things into my average week.  Thankfully I live close to my job, so I check off a lot of workouts just in the to and fro type of thing. 

Cycling home

#10: very early run to work

#10 cont.

And there you have it...a little update on the first 1/2 of my 1/2 training, and the first 1/30 of my 30 for 30 for 30.  More photos and blather to come.

Have a fit-tastic Labor Day Weekend!!!

Fitness Faceoff Friday...Kind of a Stretch

I told my husband last night that I've always felt Thursday nights were the worst part of the week.  Some people love them, I know, because they signal that Friday is on the way.

But I hate them.

On Thursday night, I start getting burned out from the week...and all I can think is, "Great.  I've been doing all of this all week...AND TOMORROW I HAVE TO DO IT ALL AGAIN."

Thank heaven Thursday night is behind us.  From here on we have 6+ days of happiness.

To get on with the celebration, here's a little recap from the last FFOF...

This is our team: Kyle, Bethy, me, Jared, and one of our awesome buddies giving me bunny ears.  (I've known this little dude his whole life...he actually did the 5 mile round trip hike section of the challenge!)

Event organizer Greg

I was so impressed with the level of organization that went into this event.  This was the 4th annual Rattlesnake Challenge.  We all signed waivers, as well as an additional sheet for each step of the journey (two sheets for the hike).  There were 5 check points: one for the run-bike transition, one for the bike-swim, one for the swim-hike, one for the top of the mountain, and one for the bottom/the finish line.  This ensured that no one would be left behind in need of aid. 

We all milled around chatting while the runners stretched and warmed up, and Greg prayed over the event before we got going.

Runners of all ages!

I loved all the younger kids competing, and especially liked to see the variety in teams...some folks did 4 person teams, some 2, some 3, and some brave souls actually did all 4 legs themselves.  Yikes!

Rattlesnake Ledge!

We saw Bethy off for the run, and then drove over to Rattlesnake Lake to prepare for the swim and hike.

I wasn't quite sure when to start warming up...it was a chilly day and I knew the water would be pretty cold, but didn't want to start warming up too early and then be all cooled down by the time Kyle finished the bike leg. 

*I realized I'd left my swim cap and goggles in my bag...which at this point had been taken to the other side of the lake.  Turns out my super-sweet husband realized the same thing and ran all the way back to get them to me in time.*

By the grace of God, I timed my warmup just right, and plunged into the water after the tag-off from Kyle.  There were water-safety folks out in boats on the lake, which was good for me since I started swimming a little off-course, and they straightened me out.

Swimming's never been my strong point...particularly swimming in a straight line.  I always bumped into the buoys in the pool as a kid.  I hadn't trained for this at all, and the cold water made my muscles pretty unhappy.  My mouth kept getting confused and trying to inhale water instead of air, so I'd flip over and swim on my back to keep from drowning (figured that was a good goal - don't drown).

Somehow, I made it to the other side without losing us too much time!

Jared took off up on the "hike."  That man is a serious competitor.  No strolling up the trail for him - he planned to run the whole steep thing.

It was really fun watching the other swimmers make it across and splutter out of the water.  My favorite was watching these two brothers...the littler one (our team photo crasher above) kept yelling, "Tag me up!  Tag me up!" as his brother came out of the lake.

The record time for previous years was around 1 hour and 22 minutes...this year, the record was broken by our first and second place finishers...both of whom did the challenge solo.

First challenger finishing...

Our team finished first for the teams, and in fourth place overall!  (Winner came in at 1:18:25.)

Teams

1:28:02

Elizabeth R, Kyle R, Meghan M, Jared M

Jared running in...

Jared (and water-safety!)

We had such a good time!  I'm so glad Bethy asked us to participate...and that I did the swim leg.  To me, swimming is the worst part...and now that I know I can do it, I'm considering trying the whole thing next year!

Sweaty couples = happy couples

After the race, I changed into my new Nike Frees...first time wearing those awesome shoes.  I'd done a trail run that morning with a girlfriend and took my old, cruddy shoes to keep the new ones nice a little longer.

My mom says this shirt is the most
depressing thing ever.
THERE IS NO FINISH LINE.

This shirt was like a prophecy about my day...trail run in the morning, swimming a race in the afternoon, and then I got roped into playing Ultimate Frisbee with friends at the park that evening.  I'm turning into some sort of monster...who obsesses over workout clothes and feeds voraciously on protein.

This Week's Face-Off: Yoga

As you may or may not know, I'm in my fifth week of half-marathon training...and things are going WAY better than my first.  My endurance is way up, I'm enjoying the running itself more, I'm working on my form and seeing results in my speed.  I've also been really good about cross-training and getting in my strength-training.  But now my body is starting to complain a little about how hard I've been working...since I kinda haven't been great about doing my yoga.

Usually I try to do yoga every day, even for just 10 minutes...but lately, I haven't been very consistent, and my body thinks that a little longer would be good for me.

So, this week, I commit to doing at least 15 minutes of yoga every single day. 

The last thing I want is to get injured halfway through my training when things are going well...and I think really stretching out these muscles, especially in my legs, will prevent my pulling or overworking something.

You tell me: What are you proud of accomplishing lately?  How many Muscle Milks do YOU drink each week?  What's something you're working on incorporating into your life?

Fitness Face-off Friday: Rattlesnake Challenge

First off, a recap of last week's faceoff:

I spent the evening with my amazing, lovely friend, Meghan S.  (Obviously we are some sort of soul mates since we both have the H.  Or our parents are baby name soul mates?)  She paints, tutors math, does ballet...

Graceful Meghan

And is pretty much coocoo for cocoa puffs...er, karate...

Butt-kicking insane Meghan

So last week she convinced me to tag along with her to the DoJo.  We started things off with a picnic inside Whole Foods (yes, gotta love Seattle summer weather) - most of our food was healthy...until Meghan yelled, "Oh my gosh!  Organic maple bars!!!"  Then she tried to walk away but I was already hooked.  We split one.  Soul mates ^ 2?

Then off we toodled to Z Ultimate for a private lesson followed by the tail end of a group class.  I have to say, karate was way more fun and much less intimidating than I'd expected.  There were a few traditional rules, like bowing a certain way when walking in the door, but for the most part, everyone seemed really chill and just focused on getting a good workout and having a good time.

I learned a series of 8 blocks, and then had to put them together with footwork.  Nothing fancy, but coordination of this sort is not my forte.  Then I had to try to kick Bob to the ground.  Bob weighs about 200 pounds...so I never quite succeeded.

BOB

If you want to test your Bob-kicking powers, you can buy him on Amazon.
Then I got to punch and kick our sensei.  He had pads and such...plus I'm tiny and not very scary.  Meghan worked on her super awesome sequences that were very fast and made her look like part of a ninja video game.

We headed to group class after that, and got to kick and punch each other, and one of those big punching bags.  Meghan actually kicked me in the leg once...she felt bad, but I felt VERY cool for taking a real kick and not screaming like the little girl I am.

All in all, I would highly recommend Z-Ultimate.  If you aren't sure your life calling is to become a black belt, you should still check out their women's self-defense classes.  You will work up a sweat and gain a ton of confidence along with useful, real-life skills.  And that's what fitness is all about, right?

This week's face-off: The Rattlesnake Challenge

A family friend has been hosting this killer event every summer for several years.  This will be the 4th one...and I've missed every R.C. so far.  Italy, weddings, etc. kept getting in the way.  Tomorrow, that's all going to end. 

The challenge is thus:

• Run 2 miles
• Bike 6 miles
• Swim 200 meters
• Hike up Rattlesnake Ledge

You can do it alone, or as part of a team.  My dear friend Bethy and her husband Kyle asked Jared and me to join them.  We're still working out whose leg is whose (limbs are so confusing!) but it looks like I might end up with the swim.  Yikes!  I have a serious looking swimsuit and I've done the Dara Torres ab workout from a magazine...but I'm not really a swimmer.  I guess that's why it will be a challenge?

If I don't drown, I look forward to posting photos of this crazy shindig.

Happy Friday!  Get moving this weekend!

Fitness Face-off Friday - KARATE CHOP VERSION

Yes, that's right folks.  Tonight, for the first time in my life, I am going to a karate class.

I have a friend who loves karate...and I love hanging out with her, so we're doing a picnic dinner this evening followed by me joining her at the dojo.

She promised I didn't have to have white pajamas on hand to wear for the class, and that I would have a good time.

My challenge to you this week?  Try something you would never have thought of doing - something way out of your comfort zone!  Extra credit if you have a friend along who can show you the ropes and share the joy.

Fitness Face-off Friday - Mission Accomplished!

Not much time for a long post...but I did all three runs this week.  Yessiree.

Old Navy, here I come!

I might stop by Great Harvest this weekend as well...I LOVE their breakfasts.  Add some fresh fruit like raspberries or cherries, and eggs or turkey sausage for protein.  Homemade chai latte tops it off for an amazing, relaxed, non-smoothie meal.

Rest Day/Fitness Face-Off Friday

Sometimes, you just need to give it a rest.

I worked out for 2.5 hours on Wednesday, and almost as long yesterday.  Today was gonna be my upper body workout day...but as my sleep tank is low and my heels are killing me, I've thought better of it and intend to do nothing today except perhaps a little yoga before bed.  And watch the final HP installment for date night.

Tada!

Seriously, there is no reason to get injured or become ill because you are wearing yourself too thin.  Some of us seem to need a lot of motivation to get going on our workouts...others of us need something really serious (like a trip to the hospital) to convince us to slow down and take it easy. 

If you are the type that shudders at the "pansy" idea of doing some easy cross training or bumping your routine down a notch, imagine yourself unable to do anything for weeks due to an overuse injury...and then take your darn rest day.

Tired feet in Italy.  Ah...

In other news...it's Fitness Face-Off Friday!  Basically, this is the day when I use you to motivate me to do something I otherwise know I won't.

This week's challenge?  Running.

I used to run 3-5 days a week when I was training for my half marathon.  Now I'm lucky if I run twice in a week...and my "long" runs on the weekend with Jared are feeling much longer and harder.  Plus, my thighs and I have never exactly gotten along...but we were starting to be friends when I finished the half.  Now we're back to that awkward polite acquaintance stage. 

Obviously I prefer racquetball, strength-training, the stair machine, and yoga to running, since I do some combo of the above like every day.  But this madness has to stop.

Between now and midnight on Thursday, I will run 3 times.  For at least 20 minutes each.

Reward: I will buy myself something cute at Old Navy.
Punishment: I will not blog for 3 weekdays straight.  Gulp.

Want to join me on FFOF?  Leave a comment below telling me how many times and for how long you plan to run this week.  It can be more or less than mine...as long as you are moving, you are making progress towards a healthier life! 

Good luck and Happy Friday.

Relative-ly Fit/Fitness Face-off Friday

Are you good at anything?

Are you bad at anything?

Do you spend your life pursuing your strengths and avoiding your weaknesses?

Me, too.

Something I am good at:  Singing.  Have been ever since I was two.  Good sense of pitch, rhythm, etc., learn best through hearing, took voice, blah, blah, blah.  When I was in high school a family friend joked that I was like a Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland film: "Hey, we should put on a show!"

Something I am bad at: Absolutely Anything Involving Hand-Eye Coordination.  I played softball for three years as a kid...heaven only knows how I lasted that long.  The only sport I could do was skiing (no ball!) and so I pretty much avoided participating in or watching any sport where a ball might be present.

But lately as I've gotten more fit I've apparently gotten a little braver, too. 

A few weeks ago, I asked my racquetball champ father to come to the gym and teach me some of his moves. 

We had such a blast that we've got a weekly recurring date set up!

Don't let the awesome sense of humor disarm you.
He will run the socks off you.

Dad and Jared

Fitness Face-Off Friday

Challenge - Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Here's my plan this week...I'm going to be leading an informal outdoor fitness class for a bunch of friends.  Yipes! 

This means I'll be digging through all my resources (yes, including trainer hubby) to put together an hour-long session of circuits, core work, and yoga.  I love working out, and I love being with friends, but it can be intimidating to try to put together for other people that will be effective (but not overwhelming) and teach it to other people.

Yes, I have to post photos in order for it to count.  My reward if I succeed?  Hearing that anyone wants to do another class!

Suggestions on how you can Face-Off with me:

• Take a new class
• Try a sport you used to hate
• Try a sport you used to love but haven't done in years
• Workout with someone who you know will go longer/faster/harder than you usually do

Let me know how you do!  Happy weekend

Blogger Ate My Cookies/Fitness Face-off Friday V3

Yesterday I posted about sunflower cookies.  This morning Blogger had scary technical issues.  Today, my cookie post is gone.
BLOGGER YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT MY COOKIES!!!

Source

Hmph.  I will have to re-post about them next week. 

Good News: Today is Friday!!!

No time today to post fancy rules and rewards, etc.  The challenge this week:  Do Something New.  For me, this is checking out the nearby barre3 studio with my momma.  I've been meaning to take a class for a couple months now, and some weeks it really seems like blogging is the only way to hold myself accountable for getting stuff done.

You can participate in the challenge this week by doing something new yourself - could be a new class, a new workout move, hiking/running/walking a new route, or taking up a brand new sport.

Let me know what you end up doing!  Have a sweaty-awesome weekend.

Fitness Face-off Friday: V2

So...here's the much anticipated result of last week's challenge:

SUCCESS!!!

Hard to believe...oh, wait, except that I've been freaky sore for 4 days straight.  But seriously...I don't think I've strength trained for 3 days out of a week in two months or more.  So thanks for holding me accountable!

Day 1/3 (Monday): Impact Workout

Holy freakin' crap.  Worked out with the hubby on Monday night for the first time in forever.  And by that, I don't mean he trained me.  I mean I did his workout with him.  Yeah.  55 minutes of super hard-core manly stuff.  (He makes it all look effortless when he's showing me.)  I did pretty well...did less weight and/or less reps and had a great time...until I started feeling dizzy and nauseous.  So that last column with the hammer curl and such I let him do alone while I went and had muscle milk and tried not to fall over.  I'd totally do it again (nothing like working out with the cutest guy at the gym), but maybe eat a few more calories beforehand.  Sheesh.

Day 2/3 (Wednesday): Bodyworks + Abs class

Since cameras aren't allowed in the gym, this is me pre-sweat getting ready to head off to class.  It was weird...the first time I went I used killer weights but was really workin' those lungs.  This time I had to use peewee weights but wasn't breathing hard at all.  Running, what have you done to me???

Day 3/3 (Thursday): Abs and Core and Abs and Core

So...in order not to overwork myself pre-half, I got Jared's expert advice and focused on my abs today.  I used a medicine ball for half the exercises, so I think that counts as weight-training...and I did 20 minutes.  So checking off day three, just in the nick of time!!!

I did the first 13 minutes with the hubby, and he showed me three killer moves you can do using only a bath towel.  So for those who don't want to pay for a gym membership or a bunch of fancy-pants equipment, here's how you can knock your abs out for free (I'm assuming you all shower or go to the beach and thus have towels):

My buddy Landon has a BuzzLightyear towel.  Jealous?

Plank Drag - get into a regular plank position but put your feet onto the towel on your kitchen floor (or any other slippery surface).  Using your arms to "walk", pull yourself to the other side of the kitchen, staying in plank the whole time.  The towel allows your feet to drag along with you.  (Walk for 20-60 seconds)

Knees Up - get in same starting position as before.  Keeping hips and back as parallel to the floor as possible, pull your knees towards your chest and then push your feet back out to the starting position.  Again, the towel allows your feet to slide/drag along. (Do 12-20 reps)


Hips Up - same starting position.  This time, keeping your legs as straight as possible, slide your feet towards your hands.  Your hips will raise, putting you in an upside-down V. (Do 12-20 reps)

Sorry I couldn't find decent photos of these online.  But your lower abs will thank me for passing them on.  Seriously, like 1-2 sets of these and you'll be good for the day.

For other ideas, check out this gal's video.

Yes, I will be buying myself flowers tomorrow at the farmer's market.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE: Up the Ante

Challenge - Beat a Time

So as I may have mentioned like 20 times before, I am running my first half marathon on Sunday.  It would obviously be enough to say, I just want to run it and finish...but especially considering how well my training has gone, I wanted to up the ante and give myself a goal time. 

The awesome breakfast I plan to eat on race-day

Here's how you can face-off with me: pick something you are already planning on doing this week and do it faster.  For example, say you like to bike and you were planning to bike 3 miles on Saturday.  Set yourself an ambitious but not insane goal time, and then BLOW IT OUT OF THE WATER.

Rules

I am not a super-fast runner, but counting in at least one anticipated bathroom break (hey, I drink a TON of water), my goal time is 2:15 or less.  This is roughly a 10:15 pace...but really I'm thinking 5 minutes for a bathroom break (there could be a porta-potty line!!!) so 2:10 of running   So a sub- 10:00 pace.  I ran the 10k in 9:48 or so.  I think I can do it.

Reward

I'm a total lululemon fan...but I also have a budget and things like tithe, rent, gas, and groceries usually seem to come first.  (Weird, I know.)  So if I finish in my goal time, I am going to buy myself a new pair of workout pants. 

Um, talk about motivation.  Maybe I can convince Jared to buy them ahead of time and then run slightly ahead of me waving them in my face and threatening to return them when the race is over.

Bonus

UM...if I finish in under 2:10, I'm gonna get myself a new headband, too.

Penalty

If it takes me longer than 2:15...well, first I might cry, because I'm a total cry baby. 

But then I will take Monday completely off posting.  And have to wait until Tuesday to talk about the race.  So we'll all know if I DON'T make my goal when I'm silent on Monday (I realize that to the rest of the world, my silence is a reward, not a penalty.)

Last long training run

Although I plan to post pictures and details about how awesome the race goes, the cool part of this week's challenge is that y'all can check up on me yourselves.  I hear they post results for this things on a device called the internet.  Zounds.

So basically if I make the time, we'll all know.