Back at it -12 JAN

First run since Christmas break. Needed to clear my head, but I also managed a new personal record -

6 miles in 51:37

My foot bottoms are quite raw however. Maybe I should invest in some proper running socks.

Also, first bowl of beet juice I've had since probably before I joined the navy. Getting back to my roots! (Get it!)

Double Cardio

Today was a return to form. A few years back, I used to thoroughly enjoy the holiday season -- an easy excuse "relax" and do nothing more than that. This year, however, I grew weary of my traditional Christmas obligations and wished to get back to my routine. Although I've run and spun since my last post it was nothing worth writing about, simply maintenance and a way to brace myself for having my schedule be thrown all out of whack, which indeed it was. And although my routine won't go back to normal until after the new year, I was able to savor a taste of the refreshing strictures of my familiar structure. For one, Julie taught the class today and she is quickly eclipsing Sarah as my preferred instructor (partly due to the fact that Sarah hasn't been around -- too busy with her Girl Scout duties I guess) and despite the fact that I had maintain absolutely zero smoking, the three days away from cardio did a number on my lungs and I felt like I was gasping for breath like a pack a day person. But Iade it through without feeling like I was cutting corners. I did the spin supplement prior to class as I had to leave right afterwards to get to the library in time so the weights were, though fully completed, not up to the standard I expect from myself. As for the 5 mile run, I felt like my intestines were being time up in knots twice during the run and that alog with my standard excuse of right knee pain caused my time to be 54:25. Nonetheless, I am so happy to feel "normal" again -- I even got to juice in between cardio which undoubtedly caused part of the abdominal pain as my body is now used to chocolates and cakes and ices rather than necessary whole foods.

Double Cardio

I don't know if I really believe in the saying "you are what you eat" but I would say what you put in your body definitely makes a difference. For the most part I try to eat healthy -- I very rarely eat out and even with my fries/chips addiction I generally prepare salads or tuna/corn mixes for my main meals. This was not the case yesterday. There was yet another holiday potluck at work and this time I ate whatever I found on that table -- various dips, Hawaiian rolls and BBQ smokies replaced my intended lunch of tofu soup and romaine.  I will not make the mistake of eating such terribly unhealthy food again on a day I intend to spin. My heart rate did not go above 120 for the entire endurance ride and I felt generally lethargic throughout the whole class, a complete waste if you ask me. Fortunately, the annoyance I felt over this did result in a major positive. Later that evening, after getting more and more frustrated/angry over the day's (and previous week's) events and recalled why I wanted to start running in the first place -- a healthy outlet to "vent" my anger and anxiety while undergoing some major life changes. And so I ran. It was slow going at first but about a mile and a half in I remember why I thought running was such a great outlet. All my frustrations seemed to perspire away and eventually would be trampled underfoot. Yes my right knee was feeling strained again (I really need to find some stretches that will confront the knee issue) but ultimately it was worth it. I'm convinced that I don't need to self destruct when bad things happen in my life, that things like running or meditative breathing (specifically last night to Naqoyqatsi) is all I need to release the negative energy and carry on.

Weekend

I did not run this weekend. I did, however, do the little elliptical routine with the free weight supplement. That seems to be my standby workout when I don't feel motivated to really push myself I just get on those machines and go for 65 min with a general goal of 6 miles and 70" calories. I probably should increase the target distance/calorie burned but then again, this is the routine that I don't have to "psych" myself up for and have that lingering doubt of whether it's something I can finish (actually, earlier this year, I did have to psych myself up for it) but in any case, it gets me active and that's really the only goal I have with this particular routine. Running on the other hand....

Spin Shoes!

Specialized Body Geometry Spin Shoes. Total splurge. I cannot wait to try them out this evening!


Update: although I didn't try them out that evening I did the following one and what a difference! I'll have to practice "clipping in" since I could not do it on my own. I will also have to adjust the seat and bar position because the shoe adds at least an inch to the leg and I definitely noticed that. Otherwise the major impact these shoes have for cycling is the ability to really perfect that "circle motion" the instructor is always talking about -- because your feet are in constant pressure with the pedal you necessarily have to push and pull constantly -- it's exhausting.

Double Cardio

After the embarrassment of my last post, I decided to decree Tuesday as double cardio day. Actually, becuase I keep pushing the limits of how much my body can take, "double cardio" is now the only time I feel like my workout is satisfactory. Anyways, I went for the regular elliptical routine (65 min, ~6 mi and ~700 ca) and the spinning free weight supplement and then I left Williston. Upon returning home, I fixed myself some eg, I mean juice ("classic" recipe; carrots, apples, celery and ginger:) and give myself a couple dozen minutes to process it before trudging over to the apt complex gym. There I ran 5 miles in 52:48. I know, its not the 10 min mile I'd like to maintain but I have a decent reason for that time -- ever since losing my crosstrainers on the airplane I haven't had a decent pair of shoes to run in. I guess the pounding of my heel on the treadmill with no shock absorption has not been kind to my right knee, as it began to hurt halfway through the run and although I slowed down to a brisk walk to stretch it out, I woke up this morning with a very sore pair of knees. Before I run again I must buy a new pair and I think I will stick with Nike model I had before, they seem to work well. Until then, I will look into stretches that alleviate this knee pain and if I find anything helpful, I will post it here!

Weekend

Thanks to the intrepid weather (along with my lack of initiative) I only went to the gym once over the weekend. I used the elliptical for 65 min, went 6.03 miles and burn 700 calories. The reason I note the calories is because it indicates the resistance I'm working at, since I could be on the lowest level resistance for 65 min, travel the 6 miles and not even break a sweat. I also completed the spin supplement weights routine.

In other news, I'm looking to buy clip in cycling shoes. I've been meaning to do this for awhile now since I really enjoy biking outside but with my increased activity in spinning I feel like it is necessary now (losing my nike cross-trainers on the airplane also helped) I almost settled on Giro Sante Road Bike shoes before realizing that they are incompatible with the spin bikes. There are a pair of Louis Garneau "multi rx" cycling shoes that I'm interested in but I think it best to ask the spin instructors what they recommend since I have no idea where to begin to compare one to the other (they all look great to me) until then, I'm stuck with puma, which I've realized are geared much more towards fashion rather than function.