Ice, Ice, Baby

Today when I was getting ready for my run, Kevin told me to put on my Yaktrax.  He found some for me at Goodwill a couple of years ago.  I only wore them twice.  They sort of annoyed me, but it wasn't icy like this when I wore them.

Wool socks, tights, skirt, thermal shirt and jacket ended up being way to warm.

I thought it would be fine.  The sun was out, it was up to about 25 degrees, and there wasn't much wind.  I figured most of the ice would be melted by now.  Wrong-O!

Looks like water, but was solid ice with water on top.  First time I almost fell!

It was actually a gorgeous day out!

I almost fell on my ass about 5 times.  I followed the usual trail I do for my 3 mile runs.  I figured it would be easier to run on a path instead of sidewalks where no one seemed to have shoveled.

Well, the whole, entire path was covered in a solid layer of ice.  I had to shuffle along and hope I had a strong core to balance me.  Going over the bridges was the scariest part.  There are 4 of them I run over.  I was holding on the railing of the second bridge taking baby steps and still almost fell down!  And all the sun was doing was making the ice more slippery by forming a layer of water on top.

Slow run, but I didn't take any walk breaks!

I wasn't too sore afterwards.  My inner thighs and upper calves were a little sore, but that went away after stretching.  Tomorrow is a speed workout and I think I may have to skip it.  It's way too icy out to go bursting off as fast as I can.

My knitting is coming along as well.  I've been working on the trinity stitch.  It took me two days to finish it!

I'm not sure what stitch I am going to do next!  Only nine more squares to go!

Do you like to run inside or out?

What Just Happened??

Yesterday I woke up sooo sore.  I could not figure out what the heck I had done to warrant this.  The previous day I had pretty much done nothing but some light cleaning and sat on my couch and knit (knitted...was knitting??).  I had gone for a walk, but that wouldn't make me this sore...would it?  I had done a slow run/walk a couple of days ago, but had felt fine.  All day at work I wondered what was wrong with me!

Finally, about 6 hours later, I remembered what it was!  When logging all of my measurements for my starting point in my fitness log book there are some fitness tests that I had to do and then I do them again in a year to see the improvements.  I did push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and balanced on one leg at a time.  When I was doing the squats I felt like I could do a million.  They didn't hurt at all and I finally stopped after about 25 (almost a million, right?).  I was able to balance on my right leg for almost a minute.  I only managed about 6 push-ups and 6 sit-ups.

From Fit Mama's FB Page

My legs and sides were SO sore that next day.  I could really barely walk.  I should have taken some ibuprofen or something, but I didn't think of it at the time.  I was just so confused that I was in so much pain.  I can't believe I had totally blocked out those fitness tests. I guess I'm not as fit as I thought!

The funniest thing was when I was doing my push-ups.  They were so hard!  I started laughing at myself and the difficulty I was having!  I maybe could have made it to 8 if I wasn't laughing so hard at myself.

Thankfully, I am feeling much better today.  I have a 3 mile run on schedule to get in!

What is your favorite exercise?

Weekly Goals

I've really been struggling with my New Year's goals.  So, I thought it would be easier to focus on the smaller picture.  I will make small, weekly goals to help me along.

This week my goal is to track all of my food.  I have been using Weight Watcher's Points Plus system.  Oh, no.  I don't pay for it.  I found some free sites from a blog called Freckleberry Finds.  She had a blog post about free WW calculators.

I did Weight Watchers years ago.  I lost 50 lbs doing it, too.  My problem was that I would still binge right after the weigh in and then spend the rest of the week trying to drop extra pounds.  I never really grasped the whole healthy eating for the long haul until I started to take running a bit more seriously.  What I eat directly affects the way I feel while running, so I had to eat (relatively) healthy.

I needed something different to get me excited about logging my food again.  I had been using Spark and still use it to log my fitness, but I had really fallen out of logging my food.  So, I thought maybe using WW would make it fun again.

I started yesterday and logged everything.  I get 32 points a day.  I was right on until Kevin brought a giant baked potato home with melted butter, sour cream, and shredded cheese on it for me.  Yes, I could have said no, but obviously I have a problem with self control.  I ate it and it was delicious.  And then I had some sherbet ice cream.  And some hot chocolate.  So, I used 24 extra points!

What I've learned after 2 days of tracking?  I am eating way more than I thought (NEWSFLASH!).  So, I am already out of points; weekly and daily after today.  Thankfully, I have running to do this week to balance it out and I can earn some extra points back.  I guess I am not as healthy as I thought I was!

Here is my workout schedule for the week:
Mon: off
Tues: Run 3
Wed: Speed Work 5x400s (Depending on the ice situation)
Thurs: Run 3
Fri: off
Sat: Run 3
Sun: Run 5

Do you track your food?  If yes, then how?

Knitting Machine!

Today I decided to really buckle down with my eating.  Ever since I made my New Year goals I really haven't made any effort to make them happen...story of my life.

This morning I faced the dreaded scale.  It wasn't a big surprise that I had gained a couple of pounds.  It's a starting point, right?
I then recorded my measurements in this cool tracker that Becky got me at Barnes and Noble.

You record all of your body measurements and it even has some fitness tests.  You record how long it takes you to run a mile, how many push-ups, sit-ups, squats, balance that you can do at the start.  Then you record for the whole year and you see the results!  It also has a workout and food journal.  At the end of each month, there's a page where you summarize everything and see your progress.  I am pretty excited about it.  I really like these kinds of things.

I also needed to look for a running plan to follow.  Otherwise, I really don't have any motivation to hit the pavement.  I looked at my race schedule and my next race is in March, the Blarney 5K Run/Walk.  I printed out Hal's 5K Intermediate Plan.  It is exactly the number of days until the race and this way I can work on getting faster (in theory).

Yesterday, I started knitting a blanket.  I really don't knit and wanted to try and make something.  I decided to make squares using different stitches.  That way, I make a blanket and perfect different stitches.  I have a book with a bunch of knitting stitches in it.  I finished the Stockinette stitch square (top) and the Moss stitch square (bottom).

I'm going to make the blanket 3x4 squares.  I'm using wool and it is going to be a really warm blanket.

My cat was not a fan of me knitting, though.  Every time he would come lay on my lap he would get bopped with the knitting needle.  Then, he would get up and give me the stink eye.

What's your favorite hobby?

Potato and Spinach Soup Recipe

I ran for the first time this year today.  Yes, I know what the date is.  I know I waited a full 8 days to put on those running shoes, but I have a really good reason.  I was working a lot, it was cold out, my cat insisted on tummy rubs.  Lots and lots of good excuses valid reasons.

Not really.  I was lazy and didn't want to get off my couch.  But, the great thing about running is that there is only one way to move and that is forward.

So true!

So, after my 8 day work week I was able to get in 4 miles with Becky in 47:19.  And I'll be honest: I probably wouldn't have gone other wise.  It was actually pretty nice out.  It was near 40 with a little wind and full sunshine.  Becky said it is supposed to be up to 57 on Saturday and fall to 27 on Sunday.  Only in WI!

I finally took down the Christmas decorations today.  It was sad to see them go.  The Christmas tree is Eggy's absolute favorite toy.  So, we decided to put his tree in front of the window so he can enjoy the view out the front window.

I have been eating like garbage the last week and really want to get back on the healthy train.  So, today I decided to make a big pot of soup.  I sort of made up the recipe as I went.

Potato and Spinach Soup

2 Tbsp EVOO

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

3 carrots, sliced

8 cups vegetable broth

4 red potatoes, cooked with peel and cut into squares

2 cups spinach, fresh

1 tsp. saffron

1 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp salt

Put large soup pot on medium heat and add the EVOO.  Heat for about a minute.  Add the onions and cook until softened.  Add the garlic and cook until soft, about 1-2 minutes.  Add the sliced carrots.  Cover and cook for about 3-5 minutes, until softened.  I then added the saffron, thyme, salt, and vegetable broth.  Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes to let the flavors cook in.  Add the already cooked potatoes.  (I just poked holes in the potatoes and cooked mine in the microwave.)  Then, mash the potatoes a bit until chunky with a potato masher.  Add the spinach last.  Bring to a boil and then lower heat and cover.  Simmer for about 30 minutes.  

It's a very brothy soup, so I think that I could have added some wild rice or barley and it would have been good too.  I really liked it, but it isn't a meal in itself...at least not to me.  

I finished the night with the ladies at Craft Night.  We had it at Melissa's.  She is due any second, so shouldn't be out driving by herself!

What is your favorite winter soup?

Goals for 2013...Yes, the Whole Year

I was going to put resolutions, but goals is more appropriate.

1) Finish my first marathon

Yes...just yes

I plan on completing my first marathon on May 4, 2013 called the Wisconsin Marathon.  I did the half last year.  It wasn't my favorite course since we ran by the finish line a couple of times, but I want to do something close to home and inexpensive.

2) Run 1000 miles by December 31, 2013

I came just a couple of hundred miles short this year without any kind of goal until  the last month besides run consistently.  I even filled up my whole running log that I get free with my Runner's World subscription. I think it will be fun to have a numerical goal to aim for.

3) Put the SB back into SBR! (Swim, Bike, Run)
While I doubled my runnning, I pretty much stopped swimming and biking, which are two things I really enjoy.  It was a conscious decision, because I wanted to focus on running and getting faster, but I also want to stay in triathlons and complete an Ironman by the time I'm 50!

4) Find a way to make money by doing things I love!

Be Happy

Running, blogging, and crafting, of course!  Yeah, me and everyone else in the world!  I have some ideas, but I need to really develop them actively over the next month or so.  Stay tuned!

5) Save money!

Scrooge McDuck

When I put my mind to it, I can save like no one's business.  I just have a problem with impulse spending.  I left my debit card at home for a few weeks at a time so I wouldn't spend anything.  It worked out pretty well.  I just need to make sure that I am planning ahead and not making impulse purchases.  I need every spare penny for races and running shoes!

6) Get to my goal weight!

Source

It's been a long time coming and I need to make a conscious effort to get to my goal weight.  I haven't gained weight in a really long time and I have been dropping a pound here and there, but I am still pretty heavy and need to drop weight so there's less stress on my body as I run longer distances.  I'm in a place now where it's less about vanity and more about health (I mean some vanity, but not completely).

Now here's the hard part...Follow Through!!

What was your favorite moment of 2012?

What are your Goals for 2013?

Don't Be Blue About 32!

That's right.  I like to rhyme stuff.

Today is my birthday!  Turning 32 really wasn't that bad.  I feel like 31 was really hard.  I was pretty sad about leaving my 20's and 31 was harder than 30.  Thirty-two has gone well.  I've gotten to spend the whole day with friends and family!

Laura came over at about 10am to exchange Christmas and birthday presents.  She got me an awesome Contigo cup like the one I had and loved!  She also got me a pair of ProCompression calf sleeves in hot pink!  They are just what I've been wanting!  I had bought the socks before and they were way too big, so I never wore them.  I knew that if I ever got another pair I would want to just get the sleeves, so I can't wait to try them!

I went to my parents at about 1pm for cake and presents.  My mom got me a faux fur throw that is so insanely soft.  I'm surprised my cat hasn't claimed it yet.  As soon as I wrote that he jumped on it and started purring.  My dad also got me a unique present.  It's called a Pot Maker.  Imagine my confusion when I opened the box and saw this.

I was like, my dad wants me to grow pot? Lol.  But then I understood it.  You make biodegradable seed starters.  It's a really cool idea.  He found it online somewhere.

I had a low key Saturday night.  Kev and I watched For the Greater Glory: The True Story of Christiada.  It was a slow beginning, but it got better.

I also made an iPhone cozy.  I found the pattern here after searching on Pinterest.  I was going to make the owl that was shown, but I may be too old for that now.  I just followed the pattern for the body and top flap, found an old button to sew on, and POW, I got me an iPhone cozy!

 I really like crocheting small things instead of giant afghans.  I feel more accomplished since I can finish them faster.

Have you started thinking about your New Year's Resolutions?