Double Workout

Wednesdays I always take Body Combat, and today was no different. I left before abs, though, so I could make up yesterday's run. I used the Y treadmill and ran 3 miles in 29:28. I love their treadmills - they are so smooth. All the treadmills have a TV attached, but I usually turn mine off and listen to my iPhone instead. My favorite app is Stitcher, which plays podcasts. Today I listened to Slate's Politico Podcast, which was very interesting.

I had a good morning, too. It was the first weigh in for my school's "biggest loser" contest. We had the option of weighing in before the holiday, and if we maintain or lose weight, we get part of the entry fee back. I was thrilled to weigh exactly the same - I know I had gained some over the holidays, but this resolution has help put me back on track.

My first day off

Yesterday I took body combat. Today I was scheduled for a 3 mile run. I decided to  wait until tomorrow - I've been feeling not so good all day. I feel a bit feverish but when I take my temperature, it is normal. I'm afraid if I go for a run, I'll make myself feel worse. Maybe my body is just rebelling over 8 straight days of hard exercise and needs the day off anyway....

No, it can't really be the last day of vacation....

Ugh. It's finally here. I felt like a chicken with its head cut off today trying to finish up my vacation to-do list. I was unsucessful, but we did get the house un-decorated and some other random errands finished. At least we were able to get a good run in with nice weather. It was perfect running weather this morning, and we were on schedule to do 7 miles. I LOVE round numbers for the week, so we ran 7.2 miles in 1:14:53. That's a 10:24 pace, which is a little faster than usual for a long run.  It leaves me with a nice weekly total of 18 miles.

Daily Total: 7.2 miles
Weekly Total: 18 miles
Yearly Total: 18 miles.

Weekend run

Yesterday I took an hour Body Combat class. I love this class because it is fun, has great music, and also adds strength work. I was rewarded at the mammography place when the nurse asked me if I work out my arms. I told her I do, and she answered, "I can tell."

This morning Chris and I did a short run of 3.3 miles. Two of the boys biked along with us. Tomorrow we have our weekly long run. It is supposed to rain, so we'll see what happens. I hate running in the rain, especially cold rain. Yuck.

Daily total: 3.3 miles
Weekly total: 10.8 miles
Yearly total: 10.8 miles (only 989.2 to go!)

Tempo Run

According to my Runner's World schedule that I got at http://www.runnersworld.com/training, today I was to do a 5 mile tempo run. For a 5 mile tempo run, you warm up for 1 mile at a slow pace, then run 3 miles at a "comfortably hard" pace, then do a 1 mile cool down. It was my intent to follow this exactly, but I accidentally planned my route a bit long.So I did a 1 mile warm up, 3.5 mile tempo run, and then a 1 mile cool-down.

Daily Total: 5.5 miles
Weekly Total: 7.5 miles
Yearly Total: 7.5 miles

Christmas pictures.

 I have no run scheduled today - instead I am heading over to the Y at 6:45 to take a Body Combat class. We also did some yardwork today, so I'm definintely getting my excercise in! So I'll take the time to upload some Christmas pictures. The first is of the family at church on Christmas Eve. Benjamin played trumpet and Alexander played his tuba for both services.

 After we opened our presents, we pulled up Skype so we could open presents from the Martin's. What a fun way to be "close" to family at this time of year.

 Hmmm... I wonder what is in my stocking?

 Christmas morning

 Our presents from Jeff

Duct tape!

Our steps were filled with stockings, including Mom's, Dad's, and Jeff's, who were all here for the holidays.

A New Year Begins!

I had planned on taking yesterday, New Year's Eve, off from exercise. However, we decided to go ice skating. The local rink had a special of $5 for the night, including skate rental! All 5 of us went, along with a few of the boys' friends. We had a great time, although I'm sure my muscles will ache tomorrow. By the end, I could barely keep my ankles straight. What a perfect way to end the year - I felt like I was back in PA, but then we stepped out into 60 degrees and I remembered where we were.

We got home by 10, then played a few games and set off some mild fireworks. After watching the ball drop, I was in bed by 1 so I could be up this morning for the first workout of the year! The Y opened at 8AM with a Les Mills body combat class, my favorite! I was surprised how full the class and the Y was. When class was over, I went over to the treadmill and ran my first 2 miles of the year in 20:20.

One of the things I've learned in all my reading about running is that the best way to get injured is to add too many miles too quickly. I'm using Runner's World's Smart Coach app, which is helping me plan my training for the Daytona Half. We have 7 weeks to get ready. According to the app, today was a 2 miler. It was tempting to do more, but I restrained myself. Tomorrow is a day off, so I'll go to the evening body combat class so I'll be ready for Thursday's 5 mile run.

Weekly total: 2 miles
Yearly total: 2 miles