Rainy day!

I woke up this morning to a HUGE thunderstorm.  It made me sad that there aren't going to be summer thunderstorms anymore.  I like those better, it doesn't get cold when they are over.

I was happy that I wasn't really sore this morning after my lifting last night.  I'm never sure if thats a good thing or not.  I know I worked hard,  but I like the next day reminder that I worked hard.  I went to kickboxing tonight.  Janet did lots of different moves / sequences, so I feel like I spent more time trying to remember what I was supposed to be doing.  I know I missed things.  I keep forgetting to kick on the one move, like every time.  My mind was just totally blocking that.  I didn't think the kickboxing was too tough, but Janet got me with the ab workout!  Started with just a crunch, but it went downhill from there.  One tough one - while laying on a mat, feet up in the air, you reach up to touch you toes.  Then, we did one where we pulled our knees into your chest, then straight out and scissors.  We finished with a six inches hold.  Tough abs!

Time for the biggest loser :)

Happy Birthday Steph!

Its my sister's, Stephanie's, birthday today.  Happy Birthday Steph! Hope you had a great day and those kids were extra nice to you today.  No hard questions!

Today at the gym was a muscle day.  I did that dreaded stairmaster for 18 minutes at level 8.  I did cross country this time, which is a killer.  Lots of ups and down, and then you end it by starting at the top and working your way down.  Rough!  I then did a circut of arm and leg weights with some abs in between.  I went up to the 'women's gym' because I hate lifting with the meaty men.  It was much better.  Only 2 other people were up there and one was some woman with a trainer, so no one was looking at me.  I finished off the day with a couple of minutes in the sauna.  Muscles relaxed while I struggled to breathe...

Biggest Loser starts!

Yesterday I was the definition of a 'couch potato.'  I couldn't get off the couch to do anything, so I didn't.  I thnk it may have affected my mood today.  I felt like a cartoon character with a dark cloud over my head all day.  I should have known when I started 'washing' my hair with condioner this morning instead of shampoo.  Therefore, I forced myself to go to kickboxing!

Kickboxing was really empty today, I think there were 6 people.  I was focusing on the mind-muscle link today.  Sometimes I feel like I just throw my limbs out there, so I was trying to punch moreso today.  My arms are feeling a bit sore now, which is good.  I also noticed that the pushups were a bit easier today from the weights on thursday.  I'm gonna have to make sure that I keep that up!

New season of the biggest loser.  Looking for motivation.  I usually cry during the first episode (well, most of them really) so I'm hoping I can hold it together.  Battle of the ages - I would always choose Bob as my trainer!

5k results

My 5k on Saturday went really well.  I turned in my best time at 28 minutes and 52 seconds.  I took off almost 1:30 from my time on the same course last year.  And I finished 5th in my age group (although I didn't stick around to see how many people were in my age group...probably like 10, there weren't that many people there).  When I was sprinting at the end (or going as fast as I could, sure it wasn't that fast), I thought I could maybe throw up, but I made it to the end.  It was a rough ending, but a good race overall.  Little bit of a chilly day, would have liked to see the sun out a little more to warm me up!

Funniest part of the race - there was an older man (think 60s) who had cut up a t-shirt, but in the oddest way I've ever seen.  He cut off the sleeves and basically cut a 'window' to expose his chest and back, but left the shirt in the lower part to cover his stomach and lower back.  I so wish I had a camera to take a picture of such a 'shirt.'  My thoughts...why wear a shirt?

Spinning

Big news, Riss made the paper!  Its now hanging on my fridge.  First picture on there, if you are in the paper, you can send me a copy and I'll put it on my fridge as well.  They got the score wrong though.  You can't win in tennis with the score of 6-5. 

Today I went spinning with Andrea.  It started out a little crappy.  Who spins to Coldplay?  Apparently Andrea.  It was questionable music today, but it was a good spin.  Climbed some hills and did some jumps.  Legs are feeling a little sore, but good for the most part.  I did do a couple arm weights before spinning as well.  Hate to waste time at the gym and not do anything.

5k is coming quickly.  Off day tomorrow and race Saturday.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Tennis day

Today was a day off for me.  I went to see my sister, Rissy, play tennis after work.  I got there just in time to see her beat the girl in singles, but told she was going to play doubles.  After waiting an hour, no doubles, but got to see the team win. 

I was going to run today; I'm a little nervous about the race on Saturday, but I figured since I will be running on Saturday, I can switch the off day today.  Plus, I actually got a bike for spinning tomorrow!!

Ugh, cake

There was cake at work today.  Epic fail.  I ate a piece.  Worst part...it wasn't totally worth it.  Not the best cake.  Need to find that will-power soon!

At least the workouts are going well.  I went to kickboxing tonight with Janet.  It didn't seem too bad, but I was sweating like crazy.  Then we ended the class with a bunch of kicks for like 5 minutes.  Of course, then there were abs as well.  May be hurting tomorrow, but that's the best kind of pain :)

Finishing Pride and Prejudice tonight.  Its taken me a while, but great book.

Running the hills

Today was a run outside.  I ran around town with my friend Leia.  We did a 2.56 mile run in 30 minutes.  When we were done with the run, Leia decided she wanted to do some hills, so we did about 30 more minutes, running up hills and walking to the next one.  It was a good workout and without Leia, I definately would have quit way before that.  Pushed me up those hills!!

Fall shows are starting already!  It seems really quick.  First, the end of Bachelor Pad tonight :(

Remembering....

Crazy to think it was 10 years ago.  I still remember that day very clearly.  Praying for all those who lost loved ones.

It was a good workout day.  I got a nice 2 mile run in (after the 6th turnover in the Steelers game, I missed the last one).  Then did an hour walk with my mother.  Nice start to the week.  5k on Saturday.

Finishing the night watching the stories from 9/11, tissues in hand

Are you ready for some football???

Ah, so excited.  Fantasy roster is set.  Only have to wait until Sunday for the Steelers to play.  Cannot wait!!!

So I think I tried to go too far in the new shoes.  I ran on the treadmill today (rain, rain, go away so I can run outside!).  I did a 2:30 minute walk, ran for 20 minutes, then was going to walk for 3 and run some more.  When I started to walk, I noticed that my arch on my right foot was blistering.  I tried to run to see if I could get through it, but it wasn't happening.  I had to quit.  Guess I pushed to far.  Final stats: 27:30, 2.57 miles. 

Heres to hoping for a better run next time...

Happy football season everyone :)

End of summer

With the end of summer upon us, it has become clear that I need to get my ass in gear!  After doing really well, I've become very lazy over the summer.  My workout schedule has been awful, eating bad, and drinking more often than I should.  I have gained 5 pounds since I was at my lowest weight.  Back to the diet!!!!

Yesterday was kickboxing with Janet.  It was a good class.  It was definitely a hard day to get to the gym with all the rain, but I made it.  I even had a shot yesterday, but made sure I got to the gym.  Abs were a killer at the end.  We used a little ball for the exercises and I can still feel it today.

Good news:  I got new running shoes!!  Look how pretty they are

I wore them at the gym today, but with it still being wet outside, made sure to not wear them out in the rain.  They were very comfy and super light.  I wasn't sure about the black color, but I think it will grow on me.  I love Asics!!!

Today was a 'Get back in gym mode' day.  I did the stairmaster for 18 minutes at level 8 (out of 20).  It was rough towards the end.  It is a great workout though.  I was dripping with sweat by the end.  I then did the rowing machine for 5 minutes, followed by the ab machine.  A set of kettle bell one arm raises and then the rowing machine for another 5 minutes (I'm going to be feeling that one tomorrow!!)  Cool down on the arc trainer for 10 minutes and then stretch.  Good workout :)