Friday Hills

I ran my extreme hilly route today. I don't know how far or how fast I went, because my Garmin is on the fritz >:(. I think it was about 5ish miles. I ran for 46.5 minutes.

Back to It

I had a great week last week for workouts. Not so much this week. Oh well, back to it. I did intervals this morning. 4 - 1/2 mile bursts and 2 - 1/4 mile bursts. For the first time ever I actually had brief moments when I didn't feel completely clumsy trying to run fast.

Updates

Well, before I friggin' sprained my ankle today, I was doing quite well. Saturday I played at the pool with the kiddos for a couple of hours. No actual laps, but it was the first time in a long time I was well enough to run around and play. It was totally a workout. Then Monday we went back to Shaw's Nature Preserve and hiked for a little over an hour. Way fun. I didn't have time to work out yesterday (we had friends visiting from out of town), but I WAS going to do some dancing today. INSTEAD, I have to stay completely off my feet for the next two days, maybe more depending on how injured I am, which is not totally determined, but a nasty sprain at the very least. UGH! There goes the four inches I lost off my waist!!!!
The Almighty Liz

Thursday Running/Walking 45 minutes & Saturday Running/walking 35 minutes

Yep, I'm on vacation in the gorgeous city of Minneapolis. They have wonderful mild summers, but I probably would not want to be here for the winter ;)

Thursday running report: I ran 15 minutes, and walked 30 minutes. No idea how far I ran, I hope over 1 mile. Some hills.

Saturday running report: I ran 25 minutes at a much faster pace and I'm guessing I covered about 2 miles. I then walked 10 minutes to cool down. Lots of hills.

I also walked all over nature trails at a bird sanctuary and a bog preserve area for about 2 hours with two kids. Not aerobic because of a kids pace, but still pretty tiring.

Lawn mowing

2 hours of lawn mowing, moving kids play equipment and chopping up toys in the lawn.

Saturday

I ran 12 miles with the group. I hope my knees don't make me regret it.

Feeling Better!

Okay, so I'm feeling better today, which is great. Definitely a more normal cold then has been the case before. We went to the pool, and I did six laps. I would do two with itty bitty breaks between, then a long break, and two more like before. It felt SO good!! I had to hold myself back, but if there's one lesson I've learned in the past 18 months it's this; pushing myself sets me back by a factor of, like, ten, lol! We're going back tomorrow, where I'm going to push things a little and see how many laps I can do consecutively.
The Almighty Liz

Thursday

I've been missing my running buddies, so I got up early and ran with the group today. It turns out that about half of the fast group are currently out with various injuries. Hey, maybe when they get back, I'll be able to keep up with them. ;) I'm just in a difficult spot. I'm faster than the medium people, but I'm not quite fast enough to keep up with the crazy nutso fast people. Anyway, I pushed the medium group till I realized that they were planning on quite the long run, then I relaxed and went more at their pace. We ran about 8.5-9 miles with the Challenge of the Bluffs hills thrown in there. It was a good workout. I don't know what I'm going to do when the kids go back to school. I'll have to get up earlier to do my running, because I'll have to be home to get the kids ready for school. Hence, I won't be able to add the extra 2 mile loop around the mall with the folks I ran with today. I don't always want to be running slow, but for 9 miles, their pace is okay. But for only 6 or 7, I'd like to go faster. Maybe by then I'll be able to keep up with the fast group. I'll have to work on that. I don't know!

Need Some Time Off

*Sigh* I'm sick again. Not too bad this time, definitely getting into the more "normal" zone for that, but all in all, I'm gonna take a few days off. Good news; I lost four inches off my waist!!! And five off my hips, hurrah! I measured myself a month or so ago, and was totally disgusted and vowed to never do that again, but getting out of the shower a couple of days ago I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror (I try to avoid that usually, but sometimes it happens) and realized that I have a waist. Like, one you can see without searching for it. So that prompted the re-measuring, and I am a super happy girl. Funny thing is, my scale says I've gained three pounds. Down with scales!! It's measuring from here on out!!
The Almighty Liz

Tuesday Running/Walking 30 minutes

Running Report- I ran 1 1/2 miles with BIG hills and then walked for 1/2 mile.

Wednesday

I ran about 4.5 miles pushing 2 kids.

Tuesday Night Ride

I'm loving biking! Even though all of the men in my life still beat me at it (that's the peril of being the girl among a hubby, FIL, and a pack of brothers who are all workout nuts - I'm ALWAYS the slowest.) Anyway, even though they still beat me, I feel like the playing field is evened out a bit. 19 miles today. I don't know what my average was - I don't have a computer on my bike >:( ! It felt good though. I think it was in the 18s though.

Dancing

Okay, I did (are you ready?!)....TWENTY MINUTES of dancing!! Two ten minute sections on my video! I was literally dripping sweat when I was done, and holy crow, it's way harder to twenty minutes of dancing then it is to do twenty minutes on my bike!!! But I did it, by golly! (and now, if you will please excuse me, I need to go collapse into a heap for the next week)
The Almighty Liz
PS. Hey girls, did you know we are coming up on our ONE YEAR anniversary for this blog? I think we should have a party!

Monday

Well, I tested out my knees today. I had taken a week off from running because my knee was giving me issues. I ran 5 miles pushing J & C in the buggy just now. I hope my knees don't complain too much! I have a race in less than 3 weeks. I can't afford to be taking time off!! I'm going to take some vitamin I (Ibuprofen) right now.

Something Different

I did about a half an hour or so of hiking yesterday at this nature preserve near our house. It's a totally cool place!!
The Almighty Liz

Friday

Ashley and I walked 4 miles with the dog. Bruce and I biked 22 miles. It was windy and my average was only 16.7 or something like that. Not too good. I meant to workout on Saturday, but I never got around to it. Oh well.

Recovery begins...

I did the first real exercise beyond stretching today: I went for 30 minute walk to pick-up some stuff from the store.
Here's another pic from my test. (For some reason in most pictures of the founder, he is making this hand gesture.)

Friday Hiking in the Woods with the kids 1 1/2 hours Saturday Running/Sprinting/Walking 30 minutes

I'm pretty sure walking in the woods with the kids was NOT aerobic since we stopped a lot for my 3 yr old. But, I was really tired and sore afterwards, and I did have to carry my daughter for long periods of time, so I'm counting it ;)

Running Report- I ran for 1 mile to warm up, and then I sprinted and walked for another mile.

Oooooh, Am I Tired!!

So I've spent most of this week recovering from my vacation last weekend, lol! Sleeping mostly. Yesterday, however, I got back on track and hit my bike (since it was raining and I couldn't swim). I did 21 minutes (up by a minute!) at 13.5-14 mph (a little faster!)for a total of 4.5 miles covered (more distance!). So I increased on everything! Yay me!
The Almighty Liz

Thursday Running/Walking 55 minutes 3 1/4 miles

Plus, 4-5 hours of painting and putting up wallpaper border in my son's room.

Running report- I ran 2 1/2 miles with 1 1/2 miles of flats and small hills and 1 mile with BIG hills for a total of 35 minutes. I also walked 3/4 mile on flats and small hills to cool down for 20 minutes.

I think I'm going to be pretty sore tomorrow ;)

Tuesday & Wednesday

I was planning to go on the Tuesday night bike yesterday, right up until about an hour before hand when I realized that my stupid green beans that I was canning just weren't going to be done in time. However for what it's worth, I did walk the dog about 2 miles.

Unfortunately, my knee is acting up, so I daren't run for at least a day or two. BAD timing with the race coming up! I did put in 40 minutes on the trainer today average speed 17.7 mph.

Now I can slack off (again) right? (Promotion.)

My wife and dear Liz know, but I wanted to let you all know that I tested and received my black belt 1st degree in Kajukenbo Saturday July 11th.
Unfortunately, the only camera was cell phone. Hopefully I can find some good ones.
Just wanted to thank y'all for the support as I tried to better my shape for this. I would probably be in less pain if I tried harder ;)

Erik

Right to left mostly by nickname: Grasshopper, Bobcat (Grasshopper's dad), Sifu Jim Fassler, Spaniard (myself), Chuckinator and Scorpion.

Tuesday Running/ Walking 45 minutes (2 3/4 miles)

Running Report- I ran for 1 3/4 of a mile with BIG hills and then walked for 1 mile on flat mostly.

Vacation workouts- walking on the beach for hours (hard with the sand and only wearing flip flops) and swimming in the ocean for hours (also hard because of the meaner waves trying to sucker punch me in the boob and other little fun things the ocean does to try to drag you out to sea). I missed swimming Monday because of being worn out from traveling, but I think I can get back on track for the rest of the week.

Monday

I got up early and walked the dog 3 miles with my sister Ashley. Bruce mentioned to me that the triathlon is only 3.5 weeks away today. I was SHOCKED!! I guess I shouldn't have been, but I was thinking that I still had a bit more time than that. DARN! I wanted to do good this year, but I've farted around too much. Oh well!

Anyway, I hopped on the trainer and rode for 40 minutes average speed 17.7 with no stops. Then I had Lydia meet me at the back door with the 2 little ones strapped into the running stroller. I immediately ran for 20 minutes pushing Justice and Clayton.

Running and Riding

Thursday I ran 5.5 miles pushing a little one in the buggy.

Saturday I went on a great biking adventure with John. We biked almost 22 miles (dithering a lot in the middle about how to get home, because in true John fashion, we got a bit lost), then we ran 3 miles in the rain. I love to run in the rain!

Swimming

Only four laps tonight ladies, and it was a huge struggle. I swam on a full stomach. Very Bad Idea. I will never do that again!!
The Almighty Liz

Tuesday Buggy Running

I ran 5.5 miles pushing a little one in the buggy.

Biking

I did a little better today. 13-13.5 mph for twenty minutes for a total of 4.1 miles covered. Tomorrow; swimming! (and I will totally stretch before, during and after, lol!!)
The Almighty Liz

Saturday

I did intervals. I did 4 - 1/2 mile bursts. I usually follow that with 2 - 1/4 mile bursts, but I skipped that part. Bruce and the kids were waiting for me at home to do some fun stuff.

Saturday Running/Walking/ Sprinting 30 minutes

Running Report- 3rd time this week! 3rd time this week! I ran 1 mile (slowly, a 14 minute mile) and then I did sprints (with walking in between) for 1 mile. It was slow, and the sprints were not my best either, but with all the gardening this week and it being the third run of the week I think I will cut myself some slack ;).

Just so you know, my sprints are nowhere near Renae's 1/4 mile sprints, mine are more like 100 yard dashes. Which is like 1/10 of a mile?

Swimming

I made it to six laps!! Not consecutively, I still rested a bit in between laps and all, but I still did it! And I got cramps in my legs and right between my shoulder blades. Anyone know how to prevent that? Or fix it after it happens?
The Almighty Liz

Thursday Running/Walking 55 minutes

Plus, 3 hours heavy duty gardening. And now, I am WIPED OUT!

Running Report- I ran 2 1/2 miles (with some flats and some BIG hills), then I walked 1 mile. I ran 35 minutes for an average of a 14 minute mile. So, I was slow, but I still stuck it out and ran longer than I have in awhile.

Still Slugish

I walked 1.5 miles last night just for the heck of it.

Today I ran 2.5 miles pushing J & C in the buggy. Once again I tired out way sooner than I normally would. I walked back home and put Clayton in his crib (he was asleep, also another reason I decided to quit early) and I headed to the basement where I forced myself to do 20 minutes on the trainer 17.1 mph. All in all not a bad workout. I just wish I knew what was up with me. It might be all in my head, I don't know. If I didn't know better, I'd wonder if I was pregnant. That should be nearly impossible, so I'm probably just in a slump. I'll get out of it eventually.

Wednesday Strength 30 minutes

Plus 1 hour weeding and 30 minutes chasing and tickling the kids.

More of the Same

I did twenty minutes on the bike today at 12-12.5 mph for a total of 4 miles covered. That is slightly better than last time! Tomorrow, I'm hoping to do some lappage at the pool, for a change of pace. If that's not possible, I will probably DANCE baby DANCE!!
The Almighty Liz

Another Bad Workout

I went downstairs to run the trainer. The last time I rode the trainer, I did 40 minutes nonstop and averaged 18.1 mph. Today I averaged 17.2 mph. I rode 35 minutes and I stopped several times. Maybe Timpani's right about Saturday. I don't know, but I'm not having a good week. Oh well, it happens. I'll be better next week probably.

Tuesday was Pathetic, but Slightly Better than Nothing, I Guess

I sort of went for a run last night. I don't know exactly what my deal was; it wasn't particularly hot; I did have a slight slight queasy stomach from eating too recently; I just wasn't in the mood? I don't know. I've overcome many worse obstacles than that many a time, but last night, I just wasn't into it. I quit running after just 3.25 miles. I walked 1.5 after that.

I totally don't want to, but I'm heading downstairs to ride the stupid trainer. I've got to snap out of this total lack of wanting to workout.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I spent 3+ hours in the garden yesterday weeding. Who knows.