Treadmill Mania!

I've got a new passion - one I never thought would happen.

I love the TREADMILL.

I know, I know. How could I possibly love running on a treadmill. All you do is basically run in place. Your surroundings never change. The only "air" flow you get is from the mini fan located on the treadmill.

Catch this - the gym has cable. Yep, so while I'm running my 10-11 min/mile, I can flip over to the Travel Channel and explore the sites and sounds of Prague or Rome. I get to see the local food-faires or activities. It's educational.

I have been enjoying listening to my I-Pod while watching (with subtitles), the Travel Channel. I have been running harder and longer than when I run outside. Now don't get me wrong, nothing can replace the joys of running outdoors, but if you gotta be in the gym and sweat off some calories, you might as well be doing it on a treadmill.

Plus, I have been sweating unlike I've ever sweated. I never sweat that much during a run outside. I'm not sure if it's because I run harder on a treadmill or that the outside is cooler, but either way, sweat is good.

So, I plan on another 2 miles during lunch today. That's 6 total miles for this week - so far!

If you're looking for me - somewhere between 12 and 1 - follow the smoke that's wafting in the air over the Hatfield Athletic Club. That's the smoke coming from a smokin' hot treadmill. And the person running on that smokin' hot treadmill - that's me - one smokin' hot Treadmill Maniac!

10k is Tomorrow.

I put in another 3 miles yesterday. In fact, I programmed my I-Pod to a 5k - to see what I could do. But yesterday was not my day. When you head out on a run, it doesn't take that long into it (maybe a half-mile) and you know how it's going to go. I was sluggish. I knew it was a matter of just slogging through the 3-miles. That's how it felt - that's how it went. My time was average for me, but I felt sluggish and tired. I'm kind of glad today is a rest day, especially since tomorrow is the 10-k.

I've still had that odd pain in the back of my calf near the crease in my knee. I have no clue what it is. Just when I think it's gone, it comes back. It's just weird. I've been stretching pretty diligently in hopes that maybe it's just a tight muscle that just needs a little stretching. I've been wearing a neoprene calf sleeve to keep it warm when I run - hoping that will keep it warm and loose. It works while I'm running. Maybe I need to wear it all day too.

I'm ready for tomorrow's run. It's supposed to be windy and possibly chilly because of the wind. I'll be wearing shorts, but a long sleeve top. I'm kind of excited about the 6.2 miles. It's my first "official" 6.2 run. I can put it in the record books as a time to beat in the future. It will also be a good test for how I'm going to do on the 10-miler - though the 10-miler is completely downhill the entire way - now that's cool! No extra strain.

As far as any weight loss, it seems I'm hanging onto this 209 lbs. It's just been a battle that I am getting tired of fighting. I'm continuing to watch what I eat and I've been following this run schedule pretty diligently. I havent' been going to the gym everyday, but that's because I don't want to wear myself down from this training schedule.

Any hints/ideas/suggestions or words of encouragement to get me from this plateau would be greatly appreciated!

I'll try to update tomorrow after the run to let you know how it goes. If I don't, just check out my Nike+ Mini. She'll update when I download my run.

Until later...happy running.

My Butt Hurts!

Well...after a pretty hard work-out yesterday, I'm reaping the benefits (or rather the fallout) of my workout.

MY BUTT HURTS!!!

I can't place my finger on exactly which exercise I completed that did this to me, but I wanna do it again! If it hurts, then somehow, I don't know how or why, it must be working!

BUNS OF STEEL HERE I COME!

I'm also feeling the pain in my quads. Oh dooggie! The stairs this morning are a killer. I think I'm more sore today than I was after completing the half marathon. (and I was pretty sore).

Maybe I should start my own workout video. Maybe a group training session...

I could be rich...Rich...RICH!!!

Or maybe I'll continue to just workout and see if I can be firm...Firm...FIRM!

The Results are in!

I have finished. The 14-day challenge is over.

The results are in....

I've lost just over 3 lbs. Woohoo.

It's not much, BUT IT'S SOMETHING! Maybe I'm not a BIG Loser...more like a little loser!

I've been to the gym everyday but Fridays for the past 14 days.

I've met with my trainer twice.

I've gone to the doctor once (blood test results are in next week and a follow-up appointment will be on 7/7).

I'm doing my part. I'm seeing results. I have to keep going.

So what are the REAL results? This 14-day challenge will be extended. I will keep going. I will continue giving this EVERYTHING I have - in fact, I'm willing to donate 50 lbs for FREE!

Anways, I'm going to continue to eat lo-carb (with most of my carbs at breakfast). I will continue to eat protein at every meal. I havent' eaten a single french fry over these 14 days. I will continue to skip out on the fries. Wendy's gourment salads are an everyday staple for me. I will continue to eat those Chicken BLT and Cobb salads - yum! I've even gone days without drinking any diet soda. I haven't yet given those up - maybe, maybe not...

Keep cheering for me. Pray for me. I'm believing I'm being a good steward of the body that God has given me. I want to be as healthy as I can - for HIS purpose.

Alright, let's go for another 14-days. We'll go from there!

Keep going...

So today marks the 4th straight day of hitting the gym for those 45 minutes of cardio workouts. I found this machine in the back of cardio room #2. It's sort of like a gazelle - swing your legs back and forth - machine. After about 2 minutes, I was ready to jump ship, but I thought to myself, this is an opportunity to push myself. And indeed I did. I pushed myself for 20 minutes straight on that thing. Then I jumped over to the treadmill for the remainder. I had surely worked up a sweat.

How do I get through 45 minutes (you may be asking)? I watch the travel channel! It's so cool. I am learning all the quaint places to eat and buy watches in Switzerland. On Saturday, I watched and waited for an entire hour on the strange phenomenon that is known in Roswell, NM. You can't visit Site 51, but the show was cool. Now that kept me peddling for longer minutes than I anticipated.

I found that "I love Lucy" is on during the lunch hour. That may become a favorite too. Or "Fresh Prince" - that's just plain funny stuff.

Ok - so back to work I must go...until next time, "Keep going!"

I don't wanna...

OK. I'm being real here. I haven't been to the gym and I have not run a single footstep since Friday of last week. That's 3 days (4 if I don't do anything today).

I just don't wanna...

Just stating some fact here. Life is a little busy over these past few days - some late nights, family entertaining, catching up on some well-needed rest...I just have no motivation. No nothing.

But...I'm gonna...

I have to! That's just it. I have noticed a significant difference in my jawline and legs since I've been working out. I remind myself why I do what I'm doing. I don't wanna go back to my old life.

I don't wanna gain any of what I've lost (mind you - it's not much!). I wanna keep moving forward.

So, a paradigm shift is in order.

I'm going from: I don't wanna ... exercise, run or eat well
to: I don't wanna ... lose momentum, gain weight or lose strength!

Let's be real! Forward motion is not easy, but it's the best way to keep from going backwards!