Time Flies By

Well another 11 days have gone by without a post, I apologize!

I'm in the midst of week 5 training and all is good.

I added strength conditioning and boy am I sore!

I didn't know that triceps could be ache so much!

The running is going very well and I have had some joyful runs.

Not all runs are joyful but lately they have been.

I went out by myself in the cold for a 6 mile run and it was fantastic!

I enjoy running with my buddy Lisa but this time...I was fine.

Better than fine...I really enjoyed it.

Afterwards, I knew I could have run further but I'm sticking to the training program.

It's nice to know that my legs & lungs had more run in them.

In running, like all sports, there are good days and bad days.

BTW I'm also sticking to my diet plan!

58 days without meat just a very little bit of fish every now and then.

I feel great and yes, I think I look good!

For those who are in the midst of reviving themselves; I said it!

Yes I think I look good...LOL!

I am sleeping thru the night more but those hot flashes keep on coming!

Some nights they go on and on and even show up during the day.

But I'm getting use to them & able to handle them better.

Is it the diet or exercise that's helping?

Who knows but I'm sticking with my plan!

Need to go for a run now;

Boy does time fly....

Good news, bad news

The bad news is, I haven't had time to continue my blog for the last 10 days.

The good news; I have continued my training.

The last 2 weeks have been very busy.

I'm happy to report that 2010 is starting off with a bang at work.

New & old customers are placing orders.

Ty is ready to go off to Italy for 3-4 months.

Between his business program and traveling opportunities; I'm jealous!

Pam is the new communication coordinator for SF 49ers stadium campaign.

Peter, well he's too busy putting together his episodes of Celebrity Apprentice that we haven't been able to talk to him.

Ok ok I know, to know me is to know about my kids!

Back to my training....

I'm about to finish week 4 and I'm feeling great.

I have had some truly joyful runs.

I even ran outside...I just couldn't do another treadmill run.

It was a sunny day but only 29 degrees outside.

I was doing a short run, only 3 miles.

But something got into me!

Either being outside for the 1st time in a while, the cold or the beautiful scenery; I ran 3.1 miles in 31 minutes!

Me, doing a 10 minute mile....whoo hoo!

Don't know how this happened, maybe it won't happen again but who knows?

The cold air didn't hurt my lungs like it did the first time I ran in cold weather.

Whatever happened that day; I hope it happens again!

Bottom line; I'm enjoying the Hal Higdon's novice 1/2 marathon running program.

I'm running 3 days a week and cross training 2 days a week.

I enjoy the StairMaster but not crazy about the elliptical machine...thinking of taking a spin class instead.

I do love to bike ride!

The only thing I need to do is add strength conditioning & stretching.

So much to do and so little time....

Running Journey continues

After Day 2 I promised I would continue telling you about my running journey.

Well welcome to menopause; I forgot!

So the journey continues...

After taking that torturous running test; I started the program.

I finished the 1st 5 weeks & lived.

So I took the test again..

Survived it and found out my stats really improved.

A new program was handed to me.

The new program was faster with inclines....OMG!

After day 1 I thought I would kill the trainer.

I persisted with lots of encouragement from my trainer & sheer will-power.

Unbelievable but I completed the 2nd program.

Retested again....more improvements...moved on to program 3.

During the 3rd program, I started taking the Stride class at my gym.

Stride is a group running program on treadmills; 6 people in total.

Since my trainer taught the class, he would customize my run during class.

What a great motivator!

But even better was the other people in the class.

Many wonderful women and a few good men!

And so funny, most of the women in the class had names that began with L.

Lisa, LeeAnn, Laurie, Leslie....

Anyway 1 particular women, Lisa, became my biggest PIA, I mean motivator.

One day in March '09 she said...GET OFF THE TREADMILL & RUN OUTSIDE!

I thought she was crazy; me run outside..no way, no how!

Running outside without the cushy mat of the treadmill pushing you along...

Are you crazy?!?

At the time I was 51, she's 45...she's nuts...she doesn't know what she's talking about.

Lisa is telling me how blissful it is to run outside, you get lost in your thoughts, breathe fresh air, follow the beautiful scenery....

Yeah right!

And she said a group run is the best.

Let's run with a group of women.

And all I thought was that I would be coughing up a lung, be in agonizing pain, crying my eyes out and end up hit by a car!

It's late & this story is long...so I'll continue tomorrow....

I Surprised Myself

After a very long day of working...

Taking my son to another appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in NYC.

Yes, he needs surgery but after Italy...thank goodness!

Did I mention the traffic to & from the city???

It was outrageous!

I haven't been in that much traffic since I can't remember when...oh well.

And even after dinner...

I worked out!

BTW I changed training programs.

I realized the 1st training program was designed for someone who can really run.

I mean, run 4-6 miles 5-7 times a week.

That's not me.

So going with my friend Lisa's suggestion,

I'm following the Hal Higdon's Novice 1/2 Marathon Training Guide.

Since I was in CA for the long holiday weekend, I missed week 2 of training so I started week 3!

And I'm doing it!

Hal Higdon's training guide has me running 3 times a week & crossing training 2 times a week.

Today was a crossing training day and I rode an incumbent cycle for 32 minutes, 7.5 miles.

Tough but it felt so good!

Even though I was tired from the day; I'm committed to running the 1/2 marathon so I gotta stick with my training.

I surprised myself & did!

Whoo hoo!

Day 11 & 12

Off my training schedule.

In LA with my family celebrating the New Year.

And going to the Rose Bowl to cheer on the Oregon Ducks.

Sometimes life gets in the way, but let it!

These are the good times.

Went to lunch and met with one of my eldest son's closest friend.

In a NY minute...I love her!

Now I know why I have heard so many wonderful things about her.

Anyway some BIG news...

Due to a bit of peer pressure....

I ate sushi today!

Just couldn't resist Katsu-ya sushi.

But I'm thinking...this is a good thing.

A little fish every now & then will probably do me good.

With all the good omega's 3's, 6's & 9's....maybe my memory will improve!

Well I'll get back to my running story and running another day.

Just want to enjoy the family, some good football and beautiful weather!

A happy, healthy & prosperous 2010 to all!

Day 10: & 8 & 9

How did 2 days go by and I didn't post a new entry?

My life got in the way!

No need to go into all the details but quickly....

Belated extended family Hanukkah celebration...so much fun!

More doctor appointments for my dislocated shoulder son.

He'll need surgery but it can wait until he returns from studying abroad in Italy.

And then, it was my oldest son's last day home.

Now due to all this I missed my first day of week 2 training.

But I took care of it today.

It was a tough and not a joyful run.

I'm feeling so blue and pissy today.

There are times I wonder if hormones can really make one so crazy.

Or am I going crazy?

Blue, pissy...it's just not me!

But boy, you should be glad you're reading this and not around me today.

Back to my run.

I ran after an hour Core Method class at the gym.

I didn't enjoy the class which was strange but I thought I would enjoy my run.

Well I didn't!

Even though it was a tough run, it was a comfortable run, only 3 miles.

But it didn't bring me the joy or the endorphin rush I usually experience.

But it's behind me and I'm sure my next run will be better.

At least I ran...

Day 7: 1st week of Training

I did it!

Even though it was a very stressful week, I did it!

I completed my first week of training.

Today was the third and final run of week 1 training.

Total mileage; 10.

Just think...all I need to do is run 3.1 more miles and I've completed a half marathon.

Too bad I need to do this all on the same day!

I'll get there; I know I will.

By the way, I laid off the sugar yesterday and slept thru the night...go figure!