Moving target

Moving counts as exercise, right?! I have changed jobs and moved...not just moving across the street, but out of state. There has been so much to do... no time... not much sleep... not eating like I should.... not working out as much as I can. Can I have a giant glass of wine on the beach?! Like right now!

I don't love the process of moving. There is still stuff to be moved, but I am starting to get settled in the new job with a new routine. It has been a little hard adjusting since I had been at the same employer for eight years.

Moving didn't really help with my 5K training. But I made it through and the 5K went great! (Race recap and pictures to come.) Somehow my weight has still gone down (not much, but still!) throughout the moving process and I am figuring out a workout routine at my new gym.

Update: Running in shorts is not for me, yet. I tried it and they started riding up within 30 seconds of running on the treadmill... sigh.

Beth :o)

To drink or not to drink

I hate working out sans water especially as the summer heat approaches. Recently, I complained about running for an hour in about 80 degree weather without water. My husband then picked out for me a spiffy water belt. It comes equipped with a bottle, holster for said bottle and a zipper pocket (for keys, chaptsick, whatnot).

On Sunday, I had the first opportunity to use the water belt. My husband and I went to a canal trail for our workout. He ran 10(!) miles while I was just focusing on time. I am doing running/walking intervals and trying to increase my running times ever so slowly.

I was even somewhat color coordinated (actually unintentional!). Note the shirt, it is a somewhat slick workout shirt material. Bad move to use this with the belt. Also, note where on my hips the water belt started.

My first two running bursts I wanted to rip the belt off and throw it in the woods. It kept sliding up and spinning around. The belt would end up about where old men put theirs and the water bottle ended up somewhere unreachable. I tried tightening it twice. Finally I gave up and tightened it as much as could around the smallest part of my waist. Maybe not cute, but it was bearable. The water bottle/holster still slid to the back, but that was ok... since it was so high my arms would have knocked into it otherwise. And there was the swishing sound every time I ran...

But, the belt and I reached some sort of equilibrium and I was grateful to have the water.

Any suggestions for hydration while running?!

Beth :o)

The long and short of it

Yesterday was the first time I have EVER worn shorts to the gym. Somewhat of a mini milestone for me in my weight loss.

My 5K in a couple of weeks has the potential to be a quite humid and hot N.C. evening and I figured shorts might be in order.

But, there is no way I am wearing shorts for the 5K without first trying them out. I don't want to be miserable midway through the race. For all you ladies, I am sure you have experienced the annoying shorts that ride up. It doesn't help either if your thighs are rubbing together and there is chafing involved!!

Test 1: Walking on treadmill, elliptical and arc trainer all good. No riding up or anything. (Note: No shorts on spin bikes!!)

Next week I will try them out actually running!

Beth :o)

All in my head

Running is very much about your physical abillity and getting/staying in shape. But so much of it is mental as well. Your body wants to stop, but you have to force yourself to keep running until the next driveway, finish the next minute or mile.

I always thought it was just me who struggled with these things. It takes a lot for me to stick to my training schedule and I am not even running the whole time.

A lot of regular runners just make it look easy... they are just glowing and bounding along. I always feel like I look like I am on death's door — dripping sweat, out of breath, annoyed and just want to stop.

Apparently, I am not the only one feels this way about running. I have talked about trying to convince myself to run to that next mailbox or finish the block. A couple of people have said to me, "That's running." I guess it is not just me.

I don't think my brain has caught up to what my body can do. That is going to take some adjusting. That is part of the reason I am slowing down my training slightly. I hope my brain will hurry and catch up to the rest of me!

Beth :o)

Off track

The past week has thrown my training schedule off. Life does get in the way sometimes. Running was just not a priority and I haven't had the energy. (That may have had to do with not eating the best either. Is trailmix considered a health food?!)

Oh yeah, and just stress in general.

I am determined to get back on track and not let one blah week get in my way!

So, this week I am making a bit of a tweak to my training schedule. To get myself mentally and physically back on track, I am re-doing last week's running plan. Basically I am sticking to my run 3 minutes and walk 2 minutes intervals. If I feel up to it, I will go to 4 minutes running.

Today, I did Zumba, weights and 30 minutes of extra cardio. I am getting in some running tomorrow along with some Turbo Kick... wish me luck!!

Beth :o)