Sunday I was supposed to get up and go run 6 miles. I really wanted to run outside but the air quality here in Utah has been HORRIBLE lately, so that was out of the question. Well, I just couldn't manage to get my butt outta bed to go to the gym to run 6 miles.
Monday, I would've normally run just 4 miles, but since I didn't run 6 miles on Sunday, I had to run a total of 10 miles.
I was kind of concerned about this. I haven't run that long of a distance since October 2010.
I'm kind of impressed with myself. I was able to run 10.1 miles without stopping to walk. Granted, I had to stop for 2 potty breaks, but otherwise, I was able to run the 10 miles! Yay!
Monday, January 31, 2011
I Won!!!
Last week the Salt Lake Running Co post on Facebook that their Free Stuff Friday contest was going to be that they were giving away some entries to The Canyonlands 1/2 Marathon in Moab, UT in March.
My friend that lives up in Spokane, WA is coming down for the race. I hadn't registered for the race, so I thought I'd compete in the contest. I basically had to comment on SLRC's post about the Free Stuff Friday and get as many people to "like" my comment as possible. 1st and 2nd place winners got 2 spots in the 1/2 marathon and then 3rd, 4th and 5th place winners got 1 spot in the race.
I came in 2nd place!!! Wahoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO excited!!! My first race of the season wasn't going to be until April 2nd, but it's now been bumped up to March 18th!!!
My friend that is coming down from Spokane, she's going to let me ride down with her and stay in her hotel room with her. It's gonna be so nice to see her. I haven't seen her in probably 7 years.
Plus...I've never been to Moab. I've lived in Utah my whole life and never been to Moab. Well...I take that back. My dad tells me that I went to Moab when I was like 3 years old, but crap, I don't remember that. Lol. So, it's going to be like seeing Moab for the first time.
The day after the race, we're going to hike up to the Arches! I'm so excited. It's going to be a nice little getaway.
A HUGE thank you goes out to all that voted for me so that I could win.
My friend that lives up in Spokane, WA is coming down for the race. I hadn't registered for the race, so I thought I'd compete in the contest. I basically had to comment on SLRC's post about the Free Stuff Friday and get as many people to "like" my comment as possible. 1st and 2nd place winners got 2 spots in the 1/2 marathon and then 3rd, 4th and 5th place winners got 1 spot in the race.
I came in 2nd place!!! Wahoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO excited!!! My first race of the season wasn't going to be until April 2nd, but it's now been bumped up to March 18th!!!
My friend that is coming down from Spokane, she's going to let me ride down with her and stay in her hotel room with her. It's gonna be so nice to see her. I haven't seen her in probably 7 years.
Plus...I've never been to Moab. I've lived in Utah my whole life and never been to Moab. Well...I take that back. My dad tells me that I went to Moab when I was like 3 years old, but crap, I don't remember that. Lol. So, it's going to be like seeing Moab for the first time.
The day after the race, we're going to hike up to the Arches! I'm so excited. It's going to be a nice little getaway.
A HUGE thank you goes out to all that voted for me so that I could win.
A favorite...
Here is one of my favorite songs to workout to. When I hear this song, it just gets me pumped and ready to hit the gym.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Volunteering at Ironman
I'm SO stinkin' excited. Every May, they do the St. George Ironman. This is a qualifer for the big race over in Kona. My personal trainer, BJ, does this race every year.
This year, I'm volunteering at the St. George Ironman!!! I'll drive down the day before the race and then the morning of the race I'll be a body marker in the morning (write their bib # and age on their arms and legs). And then, 12 hours later, I'll head to the finish line and I'm going to be a catcher!!! If you're unfamiliar with what a "catcher" is, basically after you're done competing in an Ironman, your body is like Jell-O, therefore, they have the "catchers" at the finish line to help you walk over to the transition area/family/first aid/food, or whatnot.
I'm SO excited. This is going to be very inspiring. One day I hope to not be volunteering there and actually be a participant.
5 Seconds & 20 Strokes
I'm SO happy. I've improved my swim time by 5 seconds. Last time I did intervals in the pool with BJ, he had me swim 6 x 100 and my average time per 100 was 2:05-2:15.
Thursday night we did intervals again. We did the 6 x 100 and my average time was 2:00 per 100!!!! Wahoo!!! I think my best time was 1:57.
I was telling my brother about this (he's an awesome swimmer) and he said that it usually takes someone about a year to improve their time that much.
On another note...one of my last posts said that my swim strokes per 25 yds had decreased from 28 to 24. Well now, I'm consistently doing 20 strokes per 25 yds!!! I'm SO happy. Every once in a while, I'll be able to do 18 strokes, but that's pretty rare.
Now if I can just figure out how to do a damn flip turn! Lol. I have NO coordination, so this will be a challenge.
Thursday night we did intervals again. We did the 6 x 100 and my average time was 2:00 per 100!!!! Wahoo!!! I think my best time was 1:57.
I was telling my brother about this (he's an awesome swimmer) and he said that it usually takes someone about a year to improve their time that much.
On another note...one of my last posts said that my swim strokes per 25 yds had decreased from 28 to 24. Well now, I'm consistently doing 20 strokes per 25 yds!!! I'm SO happy. Every once in a while, I'll be able to do 18 strokes, but that's pretty rare.
Now if I can just figure out how to do a damn flip turn! Lol. I have NO coordination, so this will be a challenge.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Delicious Lasagna
This blog isn't just about exercise and what I've done to lose all my weight and my races, etc. I haven't been very good about posting about food, etc. And I feel bad.
But, the other day I found a vegetable lasagna recipe that sounded good, so I made it on Saturday for dinner and it was SOOOOO good!!! It's really healthy too. There's only 380 calories a serving. So...I thought I'd share it with ya. (P.S. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com)
Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna
12 lasagna noodles (If you get the "oven ready" noodles, you can skip the step about boiling the noodles)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 heads fresh broccoli, chopped
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 small zucchini, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (8 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
24 ounces ricotta cheese
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Heat oil in a large caste iron skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot add broccoli, carrots, onions, bell peppers, zucchini and garlic. Saute for 7 minutes; set aside.
Place flour in a medium saucepan and gradually whisk in milk until well blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, or until thick, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in spinach. Reserve 1/2 cup spinach mixture. In a small bowl combine cottage and ricotta cheeses; stir well.
Spread about 1/2 cup of spinach mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, vegetables, spinach mixture and 2 cups mozzarella cheese, ending with noodles. Top with reserved spinach mixture, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Cool for approximately 10 minutes before serving.
But, the other day I found a vegetable lasagna recipe that sounded good, so I made it on Saturday for dinner and it was SOOOOO good!!! It's really healthy too. There's only 380 calories a serving. So...I thought I'd share it with ya. (P.S. I found the recipe on allrecipes.com)
Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna
12 lasagna noodles (If you get the "oven ready" noodles, you can skip the step about boiling the noodles)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 heads fresh broccoli, chopped
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 small zucchini, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (8 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese
24 ounces ricotta cheese
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Heat oil in a large caste iron skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot add broccoli, carrots, onions, bell peppers, zucchini and garlic. Saute for 7 minutes; set aside.
Place flour in a medium saucepan and gradually whisk in milk until well blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes, or until thick, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in spinach. Reserve 1/2 cup spinach mixture. In a small bowl combine cottage and ricotta cheeses; stir well.
Spread about 1/2 cup of spinach mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, vegetables, spinach mixture and 2 cups mozzarella cheese, ending with noodles. Top with reserved spinach mixture, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Cool for approximately 10 minutes before serving.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Word for the Wise
Last week I learned a fine tip from my personal trainer.
I had gone running 4 miles on a treadmill and then went straight down to the pool to do swimming with my personal trainer.
That is SO not a good idea!!! I got serious leg cramps about 4 laps in to swimming. I don't know what causes the leg cramps, but my personal trainer was telling me that it happens with him too.
So...just a word for the wise, if you're going to run and then go swim, take a BIG break in between. Spread it out. If I'm going to do this, I will run in the morning and then swim at night.
I had gone running 4 miles on a treadmill and then went straight down to the pool to do swimming with my personal trainer.
That is SO not a good idea!!! I got serious leg cramps about 4 laps in to swimming. I don't know what causes the leg cramps, but my personal trainer was telling me that it happens with him too.
So...just a word for the wise, if you're going to run and then go swim, take a BIG break in between. Spread it out. If I'm going to do this, I will run in the morning and then swim at night.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
From 28 to 24
BJ is now working with me on swimming. He says I'm a good swimmer, I just need to work on being a faster swimmer and not "snake" through the lane.
When I say that I "snake" through the lane, it basically means I don't swim in a straight line and I weave back and forth through the lane.
When I swim, I swim in a 25 yard pool. BJ has me doing some pretty good drills and stuff like that when I meet with him. BJ wants me to get to the point where I can swim 2 laps in 55 seconds and currently, it takes me about 1 min. 05 secs. So, he's working with me to get my time down. BJ also wants me to be able to swim a lap in 18 strokes or less.
When I saw BJ last, every time I was swimming, it would take me 28-30 strokes a lap. I just wasn't getting it. Well, two days later when I was swimming, I was able to get down to 24 strokes a lap!!! I was SO excited!!! There was one lap where I was able to swim the lap in 20 strokes!!!! I was SO stinkin' excited!!! I'm finally making improvements.
My First Week Back
The last week of 2010 and the first week of 2011 was completely crazy at work. Because of the job I have, it's like that every year. But, I worked like 120 hrs in those 2 weeks, so I had NO time whatsoever to work out. I was sad.
This last week is my first week back at the gym. It's been kind of rough, but I did it.
Over the holidays, I gained 14 lbs, but this week, I lost 7.2 lbs!!! I was seriously shocked!!! I worked out every day this last week and if I missed part of my workout, I made up for it another day.
I think the hardest part to get back used to was running. Monday morning I ran 4 miles. It was rough. There were a couple of times where I wanted to stop and walk...but I didn't. Before the 2 week hiatus from working out, I had got to a point where I could run at 6.5 mph, but I'm back down to 6.0 mph.
The swimming wasn't too bad at all. The first time I got back in the pool, I was getting winded pretty easily, but after that, it was no biggie at all.
Biking...I'm not able to use as much tension as I used to, but I hope to up the tension on the bike this next week and get back to normal. I'll keep you updated.
Weights, I can still do the poundage, but I wasn't able to do as many reps.
One thing about being in shape for so long and then not working out for 2 weeks, you get out of shape, but it doesn't take you long to get back in shape and get in to a routine.
This last week is my first week back at the gym. It's been kind of rough, but I did it.
Over the holidays, I gained 14 lbs, but this week, I lost 7.2 lbs!!! I was seriously shocked!!! I worked out every day this last week and if I missed part of my workout, I made up for it another day.
I think the hardest part to get back used to was running. Monday morning I ran 4 miles. It was rough. There were a couple of times where I wanted to stop and walk...but I didn't. Before the 2 week hiatus from working out, I had got to a point where I could run at 6.5 mph, but I'm back down to 6.0 mph.
The swimming wasn't too bad at all. The first time I got back in the pool, I was getting winded pretty easily, but after that, it was no biggie at all.
Biking...I'm not able to use as much tension as I used to, but I hope to up the tension on the bike this next week and get back to normal. I'll keep you updated.
Weights, I can still do the poundage, but I wasn't able to do as many reps.
One thing about being in shape for so long and then not working out for 2 weeks, you get out of shape, but it doesn't take you long to get back in shape and get in to a routine.
My Personal Trainer
I was on Facebook the other day & my personal trainer updated his status as "So out of shape maybe I will remain in the Clydesdale division".
Oh my hell, I about came unglued!!! Seriously!!! This guy is probably 6' 8" and I wouldn't know what to guess what he weighs, but if he's out of shape then I'm obese. Lol.
I wanted to type on his status "Are you freakin' kidding me? At least it doesn't take you 28 laps to swim 25 yds." Maybe I'll still type that.
But even if he is out of shape, it won't take him long to get back in to shape.
Oh my hell, I about came unglued!!! Seriously!!! This guy is probably 6' 8" and I wouldn't know what to guess what he weighs, but if he's out of shape then I'm obese. Lol.
I wanted to type on his status "Are you freakin' kidding me? At least it doesn't take you 28 laps to swim 25 yds." Maybe I'll still type that.
But even if he is out of shape, it won't take him long to get back in to shape.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
This Last Week
This last week has been another crazy week at work and I've eaten WAY too much and I only went to the gym twice and didn't even do my full workout both times...however, there is good news. I thought I would definitely gain probably 5 lbs that's how much I ate, but I only gained 0.4 lbs!!! I was SO excited.
Work is starting to slow down now though, so I'm WAY excited to start going back to the gym tomorrow morning.
This last Friday morning, I got to meet with my personal trainer and he coached me in my swimming. Wow! I didn't realize how much goes in to swimming to make you a faster swimmer. When I think faster swimmer, I think you need to move your arms faster, but that's not necessarily true. He has me doing all these drills in the water (they're kind of hard to explain), and I'm excited to get back in the pool tomorrow morning and do them and start losing this weight that I've gained.
All I have to say is God bless my personal trainer for having patience with me. First off, we haven't met in probably 4 weeks because his work schedule has been crazy and so has mine. Plus, I have not very much coordination so some of the different drills he has me do, I find quite hilarious. I'm surprised he doesn't burst out laughing at me. I wouldn't blame him if he did. I can't wait to start meeting with him on a regular basis now.
The main thing I can't wait for is my first race of the season to see how his coaching helps me in my races!
Work is starting to slow down now though, so I'm WAY excited to start going back to the gym tomorrow morning.
This last Friday morning, I got to meet with my personal trainer and he coached me in my swimming. Wow! I didn't realize how much goes in to swimming to make you a faster swimmer. When I think faster swimmer, I think you need to move your arms faster, but that's not necessarily true. He has me doing all these drills in the water (they're kind of hard to explain), and I'm excited to get back in the pool tomorrow morning and do them and start losing this weight that I've gained.
All I have to say is God bless my personal trainer for having patience with me. First off, we haven't met in probably 4 weeks because his work schedule has been crazy and so has mine. Plus, I have not very much coordination so some of the different drills he has me do, I find quite hilarious. I'm surprised he doesn't burst out laughing at me. I wouldn't blame him if he did. I can't wait to start meeting with him on a regular basis now.
The main thing I can't wait for is my first race of the season to see how his coaching helps me in my races!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
No Self Control
Wow! This week I gained 14 lbs! I don't think I've gained that much weight in a LONG time. I expected it though.
The first 2 weeks after Christmas are EXTREMELY busy at my job. For example, I clocked 61 hours this last week. But because I work such looooooooong days I don't have time to go to the gym at night and I get such little sleep (avg of 4 hours a night, if that) that I'm so thoroughly exhausted in the mornings from working long hours that I can barely get my ass out of bed to get to the gym in the mornings.
To top it all off, during these 2 weeks, my co-workers make it a "treat week" at work where everybody has to bring a treat one day. They've tried to make it healthy so that every day a different person brings either something salty, sweet, or healthy; however, their version of healthy & my version of healthy are 2 different things. Lol. I guess I gotta give them props for trying, right?
But, it seems that when I don't go to the gym, I have a hard time with self control. I really need to work on that. I'm definitely going to be working and focusing on that this year, 'cause this next Christmas, I don't wanna gain 14 lbs in one week.
However, one plus is, even though I've gained 14 lbs, I can still fit in my smallest pair of jeans! Granted, they're a little snug, but I can still zip & button without having to suck in my stomach or lie on the bed! Woot woot!
Another thing that added to the equation of gaining so much weight is I broke up with my boyfriend during the week, which caused major anxiety and depression; therefore I got the munchies SUPER bad.
So, starting tomorrow, it's back to the gym to gain back some muscle and drop these 14 lbs I just gained. No matter how tired I am, I've got to get my butt outta bed at 4:30 a.m. and go workout. No if's, and's or but's about it.
I hope my personal trainer isn't disappointed in me.
The first 2 weeks after Christmas are EXTREMELY busy at my job. For example, I clocked 61 hours this last week. But because I work such looooooooong days I don't have time to go to the gym at night and I get such little sleep (avg of 4 hours a night, if that) that I'm so thoroughly exhausted in the mornings from working long hours that I can barely get my ass out of bed to get to the gym in the mornings.
To top it all off, during these 2 weeks, my co-workers make it a "treat week" at work where everybody has to bring a treat one day. They've tried to make it healthy so that every day a different person brings either something salty, sweet, or healthy; however, their version of healthy & my version of healthy are 2 different things. Lol. I guess I gotta give them props for trying, right?
But, it seems that when I don't go to the gym, I have a hard time with self control. I really need to work on that. I'm definitely going to be working and focusing on that this year, 'cause this next Christmas, I don't wanna gain 14 lbs in one week.
However, one plus is, even though I've gained 14 lbs, I can still fit in my smallest pair of jeans! Granted, they're a little snug, but I can still zip & button without having to suck in my stomach or lie on the bed! Woot woot!
Another thing that added to the equation of gaining so much weight is I broke up with my boyfriend during the week, which caused major anxiety and depression; therefore I got the munchies SUPER bad.
So, starting tomorrow, it's back to the gym to gain back some muscle and drop these 14 lbs I just gained. No matter how tired I am, I've got to get my butt outta bed at 4:30 a.m. and go workout. No if's, and's or but's about it.
I hope my personal trainer isn't disappointed in me.
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