Getting Faster

So the screencap above are my latest runs from March up until my last run a couple days ago. The two runs at the top (my last two) are starred because those are my fastest paces for 4 miles (9:37 pace) and 3.1 miles (9:24) for the year!! It seems like after I broke my 30 minute 5k time, I have been keeping up with it! It's a good feeling. I am trying to increase my distance slowly - by adding a few more 4 milers in during the week (although doing 4 around the 'hood is one of the most boring runs EVAR!). I was going to do my usual 5k lunchtime run today, which I was seriously going back and forth multiple times as to whether I would go or not... I was about to put on my running gear when I changed my mind at the last second NOT to go. My left shin has been a little achy and my right hip (which has been bothering me for the past 3 weeks) is still tight and sore. I'm not running a race any time soon, so I decided that I need to give my body a rest and NOT push it today. Plus it's over 80 degrees out there. Ugh.


I want to calculate my month to month progress (average pace) and report it here. Garmin's website does it, but it doesn't show the time, it shows the average speed (like 6.0 mph, etc). For my purpose, I will need to break out the calculator! I'll try to do it on my next post.

I also want to schedule a physical therapist consult to see if they can help me with my hip issue. I don't want to make it any worse. Icing helps, but it comes right back.

I signed up for another 10 classes of Bikram (which I have to use in 30 days). I went yesterday and I will probably go tomorrow night. I also got one of my friends to do the other yoga classes with me! We will go to that one every Saturday morning (if our schedules and families allow). I went for the first time in over a month and even though the poses were not as physically demanding as Bikram, I still got a great stretch. And it's more fun with a buddy!

I REALLY need to start working on strength training. So far, the yoga has DEFINITELY helped with running and knee pains. So I am sure that with the extra strength training, I will reap more benefits. I really need to work out my core and flabby arms. Once we get our home gym set up in the garage (Our shed will be built this month - come hell or highwater!!! The shed is where everything in the garage will eventually be stored), I will be able to cross train on my rowing machine and use Joel's weight bench. Then maybe after I get the strength training down, I will finally work more on my diet!! One step at a time!!! :)

Up and At 'em

So I'm getting back into somewhat of a groove of getting my fitness on! I've got 2 different types of yoga (fusion yoga and Bikram) in addition to my running, so I am feeling great about that!!!

photo from http://bikramyogasavannah.com/

I started my Bikram yoga classes (26 yoga poses and 2 breathing exercises in a 105 degree room), on a whim... it was mentioned in one of my fusion yoga classes and the idea of it just got me interested. The Bikram studio here in Savannah offers a $25 ten-day unlimited introductory period and I went 4 times in my intro span. The first 3 classes were awesome and I felt great --- thinking  "hey, this isn't so bad! I could do this multiple times a week if I had the time!"), but the 4th class last night was very challenging. I don't know whether it was my first PM class (the first 3 - I went in the morning) and had a kind of heavy lunch... or what. Because I was getting dizzy, almost to the point of blacking out, and felt just plain WIPED OUT! I really wanted to leave at one point, but they are really against leaving the room in the middle of the hour and a half class, so I fought through and tried to focus and do the poses to the best of my ability. I am glad I did.

The heat isn't so bad, but the sweat is the gross part. What I like about hot yoga is that because you are sweating, it feels like your body is working really hard. Also, I've had noticeably decreased body aches since I started.

Anyway, other than that, I've been running as well. Instead of listing my progress like I have done in the past, I will just post this screencap from my garminconnect.com profile which pretty much sums up the last number of runs since I last updated. My DailyMile.com profile has the FULL fitness training log.

The starred run is my 5K PR for this year so far - 30:12. I hope to break 30 minutes on March 9th. I signed up for the Savannah Shamrock 5K Run. I've run it a couple times before - it's a flat easy course, so I should be able to do it! I also just signed up for another 5K at the end of March. Woohoo!

3.1 - Newport, and starting a new class tonight

Newport
January 13, 2012, Friday
12:41pm
3.1 miles
32:23

This last run was about one minute faster than the last time(s)! I was more aware of my pace, though, so I think that helped. I tried not to let it go under 11! I also had a few knee issues the night after, but I am fine now.


I am starting a class called "FitWit Flow", which is a combo of yoga and pilates moves. I was looking for a yoga class around here and this was the closest thing. I hope it's good. I tried yoga with a guy friend of mine waaay back in the day (before Liam) and I could not take it seriously (mainly because I was laughing at my friend trying the positions and "impressing" the older women in the class). So, I didn't go back. But I think I am at a good point in my life where I could definitely benefit from it - the breathing and the stretching techniques. I have to face it, my body is pretty much effed and I need to take care of it a little better these days. Plus I need some me-time. Joel has his nights at JuJitsu, so I wanted to do a class too.

I also joined a site called dailymile.com, which is a Facebook type site for exercising. I've been looking for something like this. Thanks to my blogging mommy friend Christina for introducing it to me! It synchs up to my Garmin uploads and imports them into my dailymile profile. Although... they don't use seconds when reporting times! :( Every second counts! Don't they know? haha They rounded up my time for latest run (as shown in the widget to the right)!

2011 Savannah Bridge Run 5k and Runs since then (sadly, not too many)

The 2011 Savannah Bridge Run took place shortly after we moved back to Savannah. I can't remember if I did a "training run" before the race or not... Anyway, I ran the 5k race in 32:41, honestly it was better than I thought I'd do considering the lack of runs beforehand. This event is somewhat dear to my heart as it is one of the first races I've done and trained for, and is also the race that I have done the most. They have some of the best post-race parties: with yummy Brunswick stew and free beers!! Plus a lot of my friends have run it too. It's a great race. I posted some photos from this race in the Race Photos tab.

I only ran once after that in Dec 2011. And so far 3 times in 2012! My goal is to run at least every other day, with longer runs (eventually) on the weekends. I need to get in half-marathon shape by November!

Since Liam is in daycare now, I can use my lunch breaks to get a run in because I would not be able to otherwise. It's pretty awesome.

+++

1.
Wilson Bridge Trail
November 13, 2011, Sunday
7:46am
4 miles
44:10, 11:02 pace

2.
Savannah Bridge Run 5k
December 3, 2011, Saturday
8:19am
3.1 miles
official times: 37:19 (chip), 10:31 pace

3.
Newport (my Neighborhood in Savannah)
December 14, 2011, Wednesday
12:19pm
3.1 miles
32:03, 10:20 pace

4.
Tom Triplett Park
January 2, 2012, Monday
late morning
3 miles (approximate, I forgot my GPS watch)
n/a time unknown

5.
Newport
January 6, 2012, Friday
12:18pm
3.1 miles
33:25, 10:47 pace

6.
Newport
January 10, 2012, Tuesday
12:30pm
3.1 miles
33:25, 10:47 pace (NOTE: Exact same time as last run!)