June Summary

June started off on a low note, as I was still in "rest mode" to let my hip heal. I tried to stay active by rowing and starting some bootcamp classes. Upon the followup with my PT, I was told that I could run again, but to take it easy and to continue with my routine of stretches he gave me. I did start of with a few low mileage runs building up to a trial 5k to see how I would do back at my normal distance. I felt fine afterwards and decided that I was ready to join the Fleet Feet C.R.E.W Half Marathon Training Group.

My first run with the group was on Saturday, June 16. Saturdays are our long run days. This Saturday we were scheduled to do 3.75 miles. I ended up doing 4.4 miles due to some course confusion! We start and end all our runs with lots of stretching, but when I come home I still feel the need to ice and stretch my hips and IT band out some more. I feel that by doing this, I am preventing any more issues from arising. It's been working out well so far. I love the group and the dynamic and it really motivates me to get up and run in the mornings!

I am proud to say that in June, I have run a personal record amount of monthly miles: 45! Not bad for coming off a hip injury! I am looking forward to increasing that number each month until my half in Nov!

In the beginning of the month I had started a Jillian Michaels 30-day DVD. I am sad to say that I have only done a few days of it, BUT I do plan to continue to do it until I actually do 30 days of it. I think with the bootcamps and running, I am getting enough exercise throughout the week. I go to bootcamp every Wednesday night and I am thoroughly sore the following days after! I love that feeling! I can tell that I am getting stronger.

I am also sorry to say that I have not been to yoga this past month due to my yoga buddy moving away and well, just not having enough time to go. I still have 5 classes left on my one punchcard with one yoga studio and I just have not been to any Bikram classes at all this month.  I love Bikram, but I think I will have to put it off until the off season. I have way too much stuff going on as it is and $20 a class is a bit much right now!

This month I have a few things going on, such as my 4-mile Race in Atlanta with my coworker on the 14th, and my first (virtual) half marathon RELAY on the 28th. Then in August, I am starting a 5 week Crossfit class with Jen – who has quickly become a great friend and running/workout buddy!

All that PLUS a few other trips and fun things sprinkled in between that I am pretty excited about. This half of the year is starting off on a high note! Hopefully it will continue like this until the end of the year! Happy Half Year!

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!!! :)

Benefits of Bikram

I've only taken 4 Bikram yoga classes, but those 4 classes have really changed the way my body works. Most notably the reduction of body aches, like I mentioned in my previous post. But I've noticed other little things too...

1. I can sit with my knees and feet together with very little effort now. Some may think, "big deal!" But it is a new experience for me. I have some tree trunk thighs (sometimes I have to buy jeans a size up because my things can't fit into the legs!), so it's actually WORK to try to get them to come together because my thighs will physically not allow my knees to touch. Well, it's not that bad! But now I can sit all "lady-like" with ease. LOL I think this is possible because in Bikram, about 80% of the standing poses are done with your heels and toes of each foot touching the whole time. I had trouble with this the first class. Sitting with knees and feet together also engage your core muscles, so it's a mini-workout if you sit like this - even more of a workout if you sit on one of those balance balls (I have one somewhere that I used to use at my desk... gotta find it!) 

2. In my fusion yoga class that I take on my off days, I can bend and fold farther than I used to. One of the basic moves is triangle pose (I think?) - where you open your legs and bend over - then touch one hand to the floor and reach up with the other and look up. Before, I was able to touch my palm to the ground, but now I am able to bend over even more and bring my elbow and forearm to the ground!

3. (SORRY ***TMI***) Three words: In the bedroom. Do I need to explain? I would like to keep this PG here!

4. Ability to relax and breathe deep and slow. Those crazy breathing exercises we do actually help with relaxation. I do some deep breathing before I go to sleep and I'm usually out in a few minutes.

But now, I have not gone in almost a week (I am waiting for payday to start my new month)! I kind of crave it! But it's a good thing I have not gone because I'm tapering for my 5k on Friday. I'm going to run today and go to my level one (easier) yoga class tomorrow night... then the next time I do anything will be Race Day!! Woohoo!! Come on sub-30 minute 5k!!!!

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!

Latest Runs and "The Runs"

First of all, my training has been going well. I've been getting out and doing stuff (or in some cases, doing stuff at home). I love my yoga class and I think it's definitely helping with core/balance and stretching out the hips and ITB. I do that twice a week, and I am trying to get some running in at least twice a week as well. And then in between, I am slowly trying to work in some strength training at home. Here is a rundown of my latest runs and yoga workouts:

1.
Newport
January 13, 2012, Friday
12:41pm
3.1miles
32:23, 10:27 pace

2.
Yoga - Fitness Witness, Pooler, GA
January 17, 2012, Tuesday
5:30pm
1 hour

3.
Newport
January 18, 2012, Wednesday
12:40pm
3.1miles
31:05, 10:02 pace

4.
Yoga - Fitness Witness, Pooler, GA
January 21, 2012, Saturday
9am
1 hour

5.
Newport
January 27, 2012, Friday
12:41pm
3.1miles
30:23, 9:48 pace (Note: Fastest 5k time this year, so far!)

6.
Yoga - Fitness Witness, Pooler, GA
January 28, 2012, Saturday
9am
1 hour

7.
Newport
January 31, 2012, Tuesday
1:13pm
3.1miles
30:55, 9:59 pace

8.
Yoga - Fitness Witness, Pooler, GA
January 31, 2012, Tuesday
5:30pm
1 hour

9.
Newport
February 2, 2012, Thursday
12:34pm
3.1miles
31:20, 10:07 pace

10.
Yoga - Fitness Witness, Pooler, GA
February 4, 2012, Saturday
9am
1 hour

11.
Richmond Hill
February 5, 2012, Sunday
6:12pm
6.4miles - Long Slow Distance (LSD) (Note: Longest run this year, so far!)
01:14:00, 11:34 pace


The second part of this post deals with a TMI issue, but I need to address it.

As you see, I did my first long run of the year. I planned on only running  4 to 5 miles, or 1 hour... whichever was longer or what ever I thought/felt I could do. Apparently my mind took over and I felt like a beast who could probably run an entire 13.1 if I had the time. It was Superbowl Sunday, I had no interest whatsoever in the game this year (boring teams - would like to have seen some new teams in the game this year), so I decided to take advantage of the time to go for a run in a new location (my bro-in-law's neighborhood). The weather was AWESOME, had a great view of stars and a full moon. The only issue I had was that it was really dark in some areas. I almost twisted my ankle.

Anyway, my supposed 4-5 mile run turned into a little over a 10k! I seriously felt good. But turns out that my family was worried about me and sent my sis-in-law to look for me! LOL Good thing I made it back before she pulled out of the driveway! Anyway, I got back in and stretched out, then took some time to eat some dinner. Shortly after was when the first "wave" started.

My bowels were cramping up so badly, that I was doubling over in pain. It was awful. I usually had some cramping after running, but this was worse and I knew that I was about to do some "christening" of my brother-in-laws facilities. In total, this happened about 3 times, until my sis-in-law noticed and asked if I was ok. I asked if she had any Immodium AD... and thankfully, after I took that, I was feeling better. She also offered me a Gatorade, which I think helped due to dehydration.

SO... lesson: I don't need to be running this long or far at this point in my training. I think I need to keep doing my 3 milers and try to add distance gradually. Or do shorter LSDs, like 4 to 4.5 miles. The half-marathon isn't until November! I have plenty of time to increase mileage. I just got way ahead of myself. I also need to evaluate my diet and what I am eating before running. I had an entire Snickers bar before the run.. maybe that contributed to the GI issues. Who knows? Updates on this as training progresses...

P.S. The weight gain was a fluke... I am back to my normal hovering between 135#!

Week off

I've been sick this past week and just not feeling up for running. I may go this afternoon at lunch. Maybe if I get dressed now I will feel like I will have to go. Weather is nice (69/cloudy) so I should probably do it.

I didn't go to yoga Tuesday because my free week trial had ended and I had to wait until today (payday) to buy a punch card. I will probably go tomorrow morning. I need to get something in this week.

I had a OB/GYN appointment yesterday and I am back up to 139. Not sure how because I was 135 last week and have not been doing anything. How could I have gained so much so fast? Joel thinks it's water retention.

But on the brighter side, the nurse told me that at my last appointment in summer of 2010, I had weighed in at 151! Not a bad weight loss in one year and a half, considering I wasn't doing much. Also, my doctor told me I had the resting heart rate of an athlete (40-something BPM), which surprised me because I hadn't done anything in a week and I was still sick.

Anyway... got to get some work done before venturing out into the 'hood for 3 miles!

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)!