Things Are Looking Up!

‎5.8 mile run!! Wow, was that rough!! I did an out & back route & was going to try for 6 total. But I couldn't quite get to that next intersection. LOL But the plus is that I'm getting my body used to running longer! Took me 80 minutes because I had to take walk breaks. And the awesome downhills on the way out became impossible uphills on the way back! I almost couldn't walk up one of the hills...for real!! And I didn't bring bus money. LOL

Less than 8 weeks 'til my half marathon! Eek!!

Soup's On!!

‎5 miles done! Wow, was it soupy outside! After all this hot & humid weather the past few days it finally rained & brought the temps down but raised the humidity & stickiness! Went to Alverthorpe Park to stay shady & to have the water fountain nearby!! I stopped at the water fountain the two times I passed it in the park for a quick drink & to splash my face/neck. Needed a few short walk breaks plus my left knee IT band was giving me a few twinges. All in all with the weather conditions I did OK. Slow, but OK all things considered. Ended up doing the 5 miles in one hour & 10 minutes. Lost about 5 minutes with the water breaks & the short walk breaks. So I'm about where I was earlier if I didn't need to stop & slow down.

Glad I got it done! I have exactly 8 weeks from today to get ready for the half marathon & need to up my long runs as soon as I can. Hope to do 6 miles next weekend. Please give me some cooler weather!!!! I may try going to the track a few times to work on speed as well. I wanna be ready!!!!

<3

I'm A Beast!!

OMG, ended up doing Insanity Max Interval Circuit at 7:30pm tonight! The roulette workout envelope was not nice to me today! That's what I get for napping when I got home!! An hour of rough sweating with Shaun T. Wait...that doesn't sound too bad!! ;) But just goes to show me I can get it done!!!! That man is truly amazing! He just won't let me quit even when I want to! I just kept pushing through & did the best I could! Took breaks when I needed to, but tried not to stop too often. Whew...I'm done. LOL

Hopefully I will be able to get a run in on Sunday outside. If it's too bad outside I'll go to the Abington Club & use my free guest pass to run on the treadmill. Would rather be outside but we will see how high the temps are!!

It's time for the weekend!! Woohoo!!

All Clear!!

Survey says: I'M FINE!!!! Just got back from my cardiologist & he said he doesn't think I need the nuclear stress test at this stage!! Yes I have PVCs (extra/irregular beats) but we know about those & everything else looks great!! YIPPIE!! But he did say no running today...too hot!! LOL I'll take it!! So now it's time to relax, refocus & get back on track. This 100 degree weather is doing a number on my running schedule, but I'll knock out a workout inside instead. I think tonight will be Asylum Back To Core!

Now I just gotta work on this weight... :/

Every Little Step...

Well, today my brothers & I begin the long, daunting task of cleaning out the house. Room 1...their bedroom. It's been a long time coming, but it's finally happening. I may work on some other areas while they're getting started until I'm needed. It's going to be great when it's finally done! I have plans to turn it into a guest/workout room!! Soooo cool!! But it's a loooong process. Gotta take that first step!

Speaking of step, this blister on my ankle that I got on Thursday from my new sneakers is KILLING me!! I took the band-aid off yesterday to let it air out & start to heal. Well, being that it's right on the ankle, every time I walk & bend/straighten the ankle, it's pulling the skin & causing the blister to open. Feels like a knife being stuck in my ankle!! OUCH!! May have to "run" over to Rite-Aid in a bit & get some ointment & bigger band-aids to cover it again. Ugh, it's always something...

So needless to say, with all this cleaning going on this weekend I will be taking off from exercising/running. Cleaning will be my workout of choice the next few days.

Deep breath. Here we go...

Something New...

Wow, I have to give a quick plug to Zappos.com!! I ordered my Merrell Barefoot sneakers yesterday & they arrived TODAY!!!! So I tried them out on my 3 mile run today. They were interesting. Can't decide yet what I think. They are very light & you can definitely tell you run differently. My time was even a bit faster than before...not sure if that just because I'm getting my mojo back or if it is truly the shoes. Only problem is that I got a bloody blister on the back of my right heel. So I need to figure out whether it's just that the shoes need to break in a bit or if it's always going to do that. It's an elastic strap on the back and that makes it fit nice & snug. But for some reason it's rubbing on that foot. Could be my gait itself?? I'll have to try them again & see.

The one funny thing about the sneakers is that you could hear every step. I felt like I was clod-hopping along. LOL I guess because it changes the way your foot hits the ground, each step sounded loud. Does help to force you to hit mid-foot instead of your heel. I'm not gonna jump & return them right away. Zappos won't let you return used things, but how can you know about a running shoe without running in them?? I'll call them if I have to.

Otherwise feeling good about things. Hoping to be able to work on speed more & get my distance going as well!!

One day at a time...moving forward & staying positive!! <3

Roller Coaster!!

Whew has it been a crazy few weeks. I've been stressing over this upcoming nuclear stress test that I was supposed to have tomorrow, then it turns out I'm not having it...for now. Soooooo...it turns out my insurance won't pay for it unless I check myself into the hospital & have it done there. Not happenin'! So my doctor suggested I see my cardiologist & we can go over the results together & decide if I need to have it done! My doctor thinks I'm OK & this cardiologist is just being cautious... That's what I'm thinking, too, but it's still nerve wracking. They're causing me stress!! LOL

So, on the workout roulette card for today was Insanity Cardio Power & Resistance. Crazy going back to Insanity. I wouldn't say it's easier, or harder, just different. It's fun mixing up the workouts, although the last two days I've picked Insanity workouts. Time with Shaun T...not a problem! :)

Just going to K.I.M. & look forward! I know I'm healthy & I'm feeling great! One day at a time... <3

Stayin' Focused...

Back at it! Picked Insanity Max Interval Sports Training today out of the roulette envelope. Haven't done that one in a long time. My bronco kicks looked like dead fish. LOL Felt good & I'm just taking it one day at a time & trying to focus on that day & what I have to do.

Today was 4 years since I lost my precious Casey! I miss her so much everyday. I am happy that she is no longer suffering, but I just wish we had more time together. <3 Had our yearly memorial Chinese food dinner with my dad in Casey's honor. It was yummy but I think it made it a bit hard to workout after. I would have before but was really hungry so I decided to eat first.

Trying to stay focused...

Daily Struggle...

I know, I posted already today, but I've missed a few days & I was sitting here thinking about some things so I decided to post again. :)

I did a double today! Workout...no...nap. :/ I have to really start looking into why I let myself have these crazy lazy days so often! I know the goals I have & I know what I have to do to reach them. But yet I find it too easy to give in & go back to my old ways. I have a constant struggle each & every day between the old me & the new me. I love the new me & want to find her again. Right now I'm somewhere in-between! I know how much better I feel after I workout & I could get my workout in & done in an hour or less & then be lazy the rest of the day, but I still skip it. Sure, I could still workout today, but I'm not.

Time for some major introspection & digging deep to find out the root to my hesitation. I have to find the push & dedication to get on track & STAY there!!!! I know I can do it!! I know if I had somebody to workout with or to push me in person that would help. But at the end of the day it comes down to me & what I want. Only I can make myself reach my goals. Guess I gotta figure out why I'm always getting in my own way!!!!

Dog Days Of Summer!!

Wow is it hot!! The humidity was lower the last few days, but this sun is HOT!! Went out for a 3 mile run yesterday & it felt like 20... Not that I know what 20 miles feels like. It was brutal! Sure I run at not the greatest of times (around noon), but still!! Can I get a cloud???? I had to zig-zag on some streets to go under the trees & get a bit of shade. My body is feeling OK & my breathing is doing well, too, but I really need some good temps to be able to get my longer runs in & to work on my speed. I have 10 weeks from today to get ready for the half marathon! That's a good amount of time & I hope my body will acclimate quickly!! I don't just wanna run the half but I want to feel good & get back to where I was 2 years ago!!

Went out to dinner with Vira & finally got to meet Betsy from our Get Goin' group! It was like we've known each other for years! It's great to meet new people & to get along so well! Looking forward to our next girls time out!! Hoping to meet up at Peace Valley Park one day!

Feeling a little alone & unsure about some things these days. Just trying to stay positive & keep myself surrounded with positive people who will help keep me lifted & not bring me down. As my friend likes to say...gotta K.I.M (keep it movin')!! <3

Hey, I'm Here!!

Whoops, just realized I haven't posted in a while. I'm here and things are OK. The holiday weekend went by fast as usual. I ran 4 miles for the 4th & it felt good. It was extremely hot & humid so I did need to take 2 short walk breaks for my survival, but my body felt pretty good. Except for my damn shin splints. I need to stretch more & try to get a few pounds off!

I'm not working out as much as I'd hoped to, but I'm doing the best I can. I'm so tired when I get home & if I run errands first then it's running into dinnertime. I have to push through like I've done in the past & at least get in a half hour of something! As long as I keep progressing with my running I'll be happy, but I really want to get some workouts in on the other days, too.

I'm just human & I have to figure out how to make a deal with myself & find a comfortable schedule to workout. I really wish I had a workout buddy...or two!! :/

Happy 4th Of July Weekend!!

Wow, is it really July already? Sheesh...where is 2011 going?? Well, went for another 3 mile run today & it was another great run. My left shin was hurting a little bit but I managed to push through. My time was actually a little over a minute faster than my run the other day. Hoping this is just the beginning of my training moving forward & hopefully getting back to "normal".

I've been taking my blood pressure everyday at least twice & it has been textbook normal to actually low each time since I was at the doctor's for my stress test. I just pray I can stay calm when I go back for the nuclear stress test so I don't skew my results again. I think my dad is going to go with me, so maybe that will help??

Feeling good & trying to stay positive. I'm fine, I'm healthy & I just need to keep my eye on the prize. I have a trip to Vegas next June & I gotta be in tip-top shape when I get there. I want Shaun T to be proud of me when I FINALLY meet him!!!! Woohoo!! :) <3 But even before I get there I have a half marathon in September to train for!!!!

Spending the day tomorrow with the girls at Parx casino for some Chickie's, some Phillies & some Soul Cruisers!!

Have a great weekend everyone!! <3