What am I missing???

OK - so my postings have been scarce lately. For good reason, there's been nothing to post.

I took a week off to give my body a well-needed rest.

I got the "Flu-Shot Flu".

Now, I have an injured arch tendon.

I ran the first of two holiday 5k's this weekend. It was stinking cold outside! The wind was blowing...I felt in a great mood for a run. AS I was warming up, I felt a slight stretch in my right heel. So, I did what I thought was the right thing - I stretched it out really good. I stretched my achilles and my calf - wanted to be all stretched and warmed-up for the start.

AS the ran started, I could feel that slight "stretch" in my heel, thought maybe I just needed to get it warmed up and it would go away as I continued to run. So that 's what I did - continued to run. I felt good. I was walking / running. I was using my Nike + / IPod to determine that I was running a pretty good pace (for me). So, as I got within a quarter-mile of the finish, I was feeling really good, felt like I had it in the tank to finish-up with a little sprint, went to push off my right foot and ""POP"".

At least that's the sound I heard and definitely felt as I jog-stumbled across the finish line.

Not a pleasant feeling. Having heard a similar ""POP"" when I tore my calf muscle years ago, I knew that sound was not a good thing.

So needless to say, I won't be running in the T-day Run in NNY. I will be sitting on a couch - with my legs up - resting...sucks!

I am headed to the specialist tonight for x-rays and an "official" diagnosis and a treatment plan. I guess PT is probably in order. Too bad PT means Physical Therapy and not Physical Trainer...though they could be one in the same!

I was supposed to leave for my parents yesterday. I won't be leaving until at least tomorrow. The quiet time at home today has been nice, but I'm ready to do something...anything...only 2 1/2 hours until my appt....

Ho-hum...another injury for the BIG LOSER! Hopefully, I'll bounce back stronger and more educated about what ever it is that I need to be educated about in order to continue to prevent these stupid injuries that keep happening to me...

Until then, enjoy your holiday week. Don't eat too much of the bad stuff on Thanksgiving day (or the days leading up to or following...).

I'll give an update in a few days.

I like Chips!

I admit it - I like chips. I like the crunch - I like the salt - I just like them.

I ate some this morning. I looked at the calorie content and said, "hmmm, 2 snack bags of chips is 300 calories. That's about 30 minutes on the glider."

So, now I'm back from the gym and burned 324 calories - thank you very much - on the glider.

Now I'm even.

I just have to watch what I eat the rest of the day...ho hum...

Let's Move On!

Now that I've gone through that horrible week of weariness, chills and headaches, it's time to Move...on!

I headed back to the gym today for a run on the treadmill. I have been dreaming of this for a few days now...I know, it's sick. But when I start dreaming of it, I just have to do it. I will be running in a 5k on Saturday - in the FREEZING COLD!!! I also have another 5k on Thanksgiving Day. That's plenty of motivation to keep moving through what can be a long, holiday week.

Since I have the week off, I'm trying to plan ahead so as not to thwart what little progress I am making...

... I pre-registered for the T-day run with my family - there's no
backing down now!

... I plan on grocery shopping first thing when I arrive home on Sunday
afternoon. I'll buy the staples that will keep me from losing
footing.

... I am putting together a couple of exercise routines that will keep me
focused for those days home...

... I am mentally preparing my plate for Thanksgiving Day so that I
don't overdue it. I hate that overwhelmingly full feeling that accompanies overeating - I don't want to go there!

Just for Fun!

Ok - so I saw this in one of the blogs I follow and thought I'd play along.

So, here's 7 random / weird facts about myself:

1. I follow the Dallas Cowboys - but I live near Philadelphia. When I moved here, I became more obsessed with following the Cowboys, including purchasing an authentic #9 jersey! And, I just love to say, "How 'bout them Cowboys?" on a Monday morning when they have won and the Eagles haven't!

2. I like to exercise. I like the burn you get the day after when you can barely move, walk, or stand. It's like that toothache that you just keep playing with - I just like it. I get sad when I work-out and feel nothing the next day.

3. Scarecrow and Mrs. King was my favorite show in high school. I would sneak a blanket over my head, put on headphones and turn on the little TV in my room to watch it - even though my bedtime was 9pm. Can you believe it - 9pm!!! That was my bedtime until I graduated high school, but then again, I rarely went to bed at 9pm. I had my little blanket and headphone routine after 9ish...don't know if my parents ever caught onto that. If they did, they never said anything.

4. I wanted to be "JO" from Facts of Life. I thought her character was spunky and tom-boyish - just like me. Though, sporting the female mullet was not a dream of mine! :)

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5. I like ALL the seasons. I like fall in all it's autumnal splendor; I like winter for the snow and cold (think turtlenecks and hot coffee! mmmm); I like spring for all the newness - flowers, leaves budding, birds; summer for all the warmth and shorts and days at the beach!

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6. All my high school and college crushes are my friends on FACEBOOK! HA - you figure out who's who!

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7. I don't like to be bored. I like to do stuff or be busy. I don't think I would ever be a good unemployed person ... I would go crazy!!!

Stinking flu shot!

Last Monday - got the flu shot.
Tuesday - I woke with a hugh headache.
By Wednesday - got the flu!

I spent the rest of the week with headaches, achy muscles and chills! So, needless to say, going to the gym did not happen. Going to bed - did!

So, it's been a week and I'm still not 100%, but I packed my bag and am headed to the gym at lunchtime today! I need to.

I signed up for a 5k on Saturday - eek! I also have the traditional Thanksgiving 5k that I do with my family in NY. I have to get some cardio and strength-training in to be able to consider doing well.

Wish me luck!

Where's the Pain Killers?

I did my first strength training workout in over a week yesterday. Today, I'm feeling it!

It didn't seem like we did much, but I guess it was enough!

We started out by doing the longest walk - with hand weights (20 steps - 3times). I could feel the muscles in my butt by the second set. Today, I feel them even without moving them.

In between each set, we did 12-15 shoulder lifts. 10 lbs. That's it - and I could barely lift them. My shoulders were screaming.

Our second group of exercises included 15 push-ups and 15 dead-weight row lifts. I was able to do all 15 push-ups and the 15 lifts (45 lbs weight) for all 3 sets. But today, my chest is killing me.

Final activity - abs!. I did only 2 sets, 15 each of ball crunches and reverse crunches on the bench. My stomach was burning and still is!

Only a few exercises and my body is paying the toll!

So, where are those pain killers?

A Time for NEW Beginnings...

It's a new day of a new week...and I'm back in the groove!

It's time.

The week off was nice. I enjoyed lunches off and the leisure pace of an hour - I even went to the mall once. It was nice, but I missed my daily schedule of going to the gym.

I'm ready.

I have my gym bag in the back seat of my car...my mind is focused on getting to the 12 o'clock hour so I can run over to the gym for a time of cardio bliss! I packed my lunch and am mentally preparing my meals for the week (for that holistic approach). I even bought an expensive health drink (just one) to get me in the mood.

Whatever it takes!

It's on my calendar for the week. No exceptions - no excuses. I have extra socks and extra other things to ensure I have no excuse!

Taking it off!

It's time - gonna take off a few more of those stubborn pounds. Gonna get lean and ripped. Gonna...ok, so I'm going to sweat a little and work a little more on toning my arm and leg muscles...maybe, lean out the abs a bit more...

Either way - it's Time!