Stroll in the park

Today was the first day in a long time that I felt somewhat normal. I started out thinking I'd only get in 2mi. I don't know what it is, but I can't get too much further than that. I just have to be patient. Anyway, I've been having a battle with my will power. I haven't had to do that in months. Heading into mile 2, I wanted to stop. But then as I finished mile 2 the feeling of wanting to stop was over. And I just wanted to continue. I felt good. I felt like I did before I jacked my knee up and got sick. I felt like me. It helped that I started out slow. And I switched up the scenery a bit. I always run in the park since it's so close. But I usually run on the park road. I think that's safer since I'm out in the open, especially if I'm running later in the day. I rarely take the path through the woods, but I did today. There were other joggers and walkers out, so I was Kool and the Gang. The path is much tougher than the road too, so I'm surprised my pace is the same as last time. I'm on my way. Music: Elements Beyond, Pt. 1 by Osunlade (I completely forgot I had this on my Zen. It's my first time listening. It's a good album so far. It's more upbeat than his other albums. Good for running.) Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 33 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -16 ft Date: 03/15/08 Up/Downhill: [+95/-111] Time: 09:35 AM Difficulty: 1.7 / 5.0   Weather: Mostly Cloudy   46 F temp; 79% humidity   46 F heat index; winds N 15 Performance Distance: 3.65 miles Time: 0:39:46 Speed: 5.5 mph Pace: 10' 54 /mi Heart Rate: 172 bpm (Avg) Calories: 411 196 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .27mi   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 01m 3%  0.12 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 0%  0.00 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 04m 11%  0.39 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 13m 32%  1.19 mi (none) out of range 0h 21m 53%  2.00 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 11' 39 +0' 45 5.2 -0.4 139 -46 ft 2 10' 52 -0' 02 5.5 +0.0 181 +23 ft 3 10' 27 -0' 27 5.7 +0.2 188 -20 ft end 10' 27 -0' 27 5.7 +0.2 192 +27 ft Versus average of 10' 54 min/mile

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It's a better day

Today was much better. I started out slower, so I felt better as the run went on. Not quite 3mi but close enough. I was concerned about getting home at a decent time. I don't plan runs anymore. I just got up and felt like going out. I really need to start with a schedule again. I'm more apt to get out there if I do. I am noticing a difference in how my body feels. Last week 2mi felt like 6 or 7. I was sore like I got a serious workout in. Now, not so much. I guess I just have to stick with it until I'm completely back to normal. Hopefully, I won't get too frustrated in the mean time. Music: Frank by Amy Winehouse Breakfast: Big bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon, raisins, flaxseed and a splash of soymilk Lunch: PB&J (if I'm not too lazy to make a sandwich before I leave) Dinner: Most likely Jen's mustard crusted tempeh w/sweet potatoes and collards (because it's easy and tasty and I'm lazy) Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 34 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -20 ft Date: 03/14/08 Up/Downhill: [+78/-98] Time: 09:34 AM Difficulty: 1.5 / 5.0   Weather: Fair   45 F temp; 82% humidity   45 F heat index; winds E 5 Performance Distance: 2.69 miles Time: 0:29:18 Speed: 5.5 mph Pace: 10' 54 /mi Heart Rate: 177 bpm (Avg) Calories: 303 196 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .39mi   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 0%  0.00 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 03m 12%  0.30 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 15m 50%  1.37 mi (none) out of range 0h 10m 36%  1.00 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 11' 20 +0' 26 5.3 -0.2 164 -50 ft 2 10' 36 -0' 18 5.7 +0.2 185 +4 ft end 10' 36 -0' 18 5.7 +0.2 188 +26 ft Versus average of 10' 54 min/mile

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A Little Late

I ran Tuesday and didn't get a chance to blog about it. I needed a new AC adapter for my laptop that just came today. Thank goodness. I felt like I was cut off from the world. Anyway, I'm still only doing 2mi. I don't feel comfortable doing more. I guess I'm still going too fast, although I did make it a point to go slower this time. Once I'm feeling better I'll start another running plan. I guess we'll see next time I'm out there. My meal plan is still nothing to blog about. I am eating, but I'm not back to normal yet. And on that note, weight is still coming off. I've lost about 8lbs in a month. I broke down yesterday and went on Mission: Buy Smaller Pants. Mission Accomplished. I now own jeans that actually fit. Yay!! Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 35 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -53 ft Date: 03/11/08 Up/Downhill: [+45/-98] Time: 04:06 PM Difficulty: 1.4 / 5.0   Weather: Fair   50 F temp; 42% humidity   50 F heat index; winds NW 3 Performance Distance: 2.00 miles Time: 0:21:54 Speed: 5.5 mph Pace: 10' 57 /mi Heart Rate: 172 bpm (Avg) Calories: 225 190 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool down = .76mi   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 0%  0.00 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 03m 13%  0.27 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 10m 47%  0.96 mi (none) out of range 0h 08m 37%  0.76 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 11' 05 +0' 08 5.4 -0.1 161 -56 ft end 10' 52 -0' 05 5.5 +0.0 186 +4 ft Versus average of 10' 57 min/mile

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Just a tad too fast

I know I'm pushing it but it felt good to just be out there. It was a short one. It's gonna take a bit before I start adding mileage again. For one, I have to talk myself into going slower. We'll see how that works out. On the food front, there's not much going on today. I made multi-grain pancakes. And I'm about to get down on a smoothie with hemp protein. I haven't decided on dinner. I'm out of tofu. I do have tempeh. I'm sure I can work something out. Oh, I forgot to mention that I tried out my running skirt. I bought it a few months ago. Today was pretty warm, and I didn't feel like sweating to death in pants. I'm not big on skirts or shorts for that matter, so this was going to be interesting. Never thought I'd be caught running in a skirt, but I have to say it was very comfortable and I should buy more. My only concern was that my phone would be too heavy for the side pocket, but it was fine. Anyway, happy running or happy doing whatever it is that you do. Just keep it moving :) Music: Seven Ways to Wonder by Reel People (A friend sent me this today. Good album.) Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 37 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -46 ft Date: 03/04/08 Up/Downhill: [+49/-95] Time: 03:36 PM Difficulty: 1.4 / 5.0   Weather: Overcast   67 F temp; 60% humidity   67 F heat index; winds S 7 G 17 Performance Distance: 2.00 miles Time: 0:20:25 Speed: 5.9 mph Pace: 10' 13 /mi Heart Rate: 172 bpm (Avg) Calories: 228 197 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool down = .72mi   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 01m 6%  0.12 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 1%  0.02 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 01m 6%  0.12 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 06m 32%  0.63 mi (none) out of range 0h 11m 53%  1.09 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 10' 26 +0' 13 5.8 -0.1 156 -49 ft end 9' 57 -0' 16 6.0 +0.2 190 +4 ft Versus average of 10' 13 min/mile

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Two In A Row

I went out again today. I went a bit faster. It felt good, but I definitely should take off tomorrow and do some yoga. Hopefully I won't be lazy about it. I have nothing much to report on the meal plan. I'm in the middle of tofu scramble with homefries and toast. I'm heading off to NYC this morning to hang with a friend. I'm sure I'll find some tasty vegan food somewhere along with a couple drinks. Music: The Difference Podcast can be found here Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 33 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -33 ft Date: 03/02/08 Up/Downhill: [+65/-98] Time: 09:02 AM Difficulty: 1.9 / 5.0   Weather: Fair   33 F temp; 51% humidity   33 F heat index; winds Vrbl 7 G 20 Performance Distance: 2.50 miles Time: 0:26:41 Speed: 5.6 mph Pace: 10' 40 /mi Heart Rate: 171 bpm (Avg) Calories: 285 195 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool down = .51mi   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 01m 6%  0.15 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 0%  0.02 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 01m 4%  0.11 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 07m 28%  0.71 mi (none) out of range 0h 16m 59%  1.52 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 11' 02 +0' 22 5.4 -0.2 148 -53 ft 2 10' 30 -0' 10 5.7 +0.1 188 0 ft end 10' 14 -0' 26 5.9 +0.2 192 +19 ft Versus average of 10' 40 min/mile

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Blessing In Disguise

So I didn't run the other day. I was up a lot later than I needed to be, like 4am late. I had the same kind of night last night, but I woke up wanting to run. So I fit it in. I have to say that I felt like crying when I first started. I was just so happy. There was no pain whatsoever. Nothing felt like it was out of place. FINALLY. I guess it was a good thing that I got sick. If I had been well, I would have been on my knee sooner than I needed to be. The run was good considering I haven't run in a month, my diet's been all messed up and I haven't taken my iron like I should have since it doesn't mix with my antibiotics. But for the most part, the big thing I've noticed was the loss of cardio fitness. My heart rate was sky high. I guess that's to be expected. Although I wasn't comfortable as usual, I did pick up the pace in the second mile just because it felt good. It felt good to get a workout. Right now, I'm a tad sore but it's a good sore. I think I'll try it again tomorrow. Hopefully my breathing will be better. We'll see. Pre-run: OJ Breakfast: Big cup of hot chocolate soymilk and half serving of oatmeal (w/raisins, cinnamon, maple syrup, flaxseed and unsweetened soymilk) Snack: Honey wheat pretzel sticks Lunch: Cookies n cream Clif Builder Bar (I know, I know. It actually filled me up. I'm still working on expanding my stomach.) Dinner: Tofu scramble, home fries, toast w/EB and OJ Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 36 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -46 ft Date: 03/01/08 Up/Downhill: [+45/-91] Time: 09:35 AM Difficulty: 1.5 / 5.0   Weather: Partly Cloudy   43 F temp; 46% humidity   43 F heat index; winds W 14 G 32 Performance Distance: 2.00 miles Time: 0:22:04 Speed: 5.4 mph Pace: 11' 02 /mi Heart Rate: 168 bpm (Avg) Calories: 237 195 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool down walk = .75mi   Elevation (ft)   Pace (min/mile)   Heart Rate (bpm)   Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 00m 1%  0.02 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 0%  0.01 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 00m 2%  0.05 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 02m 10%  0.20 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 13m 58%  1.13 mi (none) out of range 0h 06m 27%  0.60 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 11' 24 +0' 22 5.3 -0.2 152 -50 ft 2 10' 37 -0' 25 5.7 +0.2 186 +4 ft Versus average of 11' 02 min/mile

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Checking In

Hey, everybody!! I know you're concerned about me. I'm better now, but I haven't run yet. My appetite is back, but I can't eat as much as I did before. I guess my stomach shrank. I'm working on expanding it back to normal. I am actually cooking, so that's a good sign. I've set my alarm for an hour earlier tomorrow and hopefully I can do a couple of miles and be back to normal. Please send me good vibes. I'll let you know how it goes. I can't wait to be back.

I won't even dare

So two weeks ago I told myself that I'd try to run this weekend. Well then I got sick. And I'm still sick. Running would be a bad idea. Besides being loopy from the cough syrup with codeine, I haven't eaten over 1000 calories since last Saturday. Actually, most days were way less than that. I haven't lost my appetite since I had the chicken pox way back when. Anyway, I've lost 3 or 4lbs this week with my lack of eating and tons of night sweats. My pants fit like they belong to someone else. And it pisses me off because I just went shopping recently. And we all know how much I hate shopping. With all this going on, my body is in no condition to be out on the road even if my knee is okay. The good news is that I was actually hungry yesterday. And I'm hungry again today. Bad news is that I'm too tired to cook anything. I think I'm going back to bed. I need the rest.

This is fun

I left work early today. I had a series of uncontrollable coughing fits that would come out of no where. I coughed myself until I was red eyed and tearing. It's kinda hard to talk to people when you can't even form words. So while I'm waiting for my doctor to get back into the office, I figured I'd make myself useful.

So here's two answers to random topics:

Two names you go by:
1. Christie because that's my name, and I like it.
2. Chris, but only my mom calls me that. And it's not often. If someone else calls me Chris, I won't answer.

Two things you're wearing right now:
1. Green sweats
2. A black and white keyhole top that does not go with my sweats at all. I actually wore it to work under a jacket, and I'm too lazy to take it off.

Two things you would want (or have) in a relationship:
1. I would want the relationship to never get stale. Is that even possible?
2. I would want my partner to give as much as I do. I was in a situation where I kept giving and he kept taking. We're no longer together, thank GOD.

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Laugh
2. Dance

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. I want the PB&J I just ate to stop sitting in my throat. Yeah, not feeling so hot.
2. A good night's sleep

Two companion animals you've had/have:
1. Bootsie, my cat who I have to share my food with, or she'll jack me for it at knife point. She's so greedy.
2. Sheba, my other kitty who likes to lie across my chest and put her tail in my face while I'm in bed on my laptop. She's so cute, but damn, she's heavy.

Two people you think will fill this out (i.e. you’re tagged!):
1. Marcy
2. Katie

Two things you did last night:
1. Chit chatted on the phone
2. Coughed myself out of sleep

Two things you ate today:
1. PB&J
2. Rooibos tea, oh wait, that's not food. I haven't eaten anything else today. Wait, does a cough drop count?

Two people you last talked to:
1. Storm
2. Daddy

Two things you're doing tomorrow:
1. Making a cup of tea because it makes me feel oh so much better.
2. Hoping that my time at work flies.

Two people who are no longer alive who you'd like to talk to:
1. Marvin Gaye..I just want him to sing.
2. Someone from the Mayan tribe. I want to know what's going to happen in 2012 when the Mayan calendar ends.

Two longest car rides:
1. New Jersey to Stone Mountain, Georgia..the family has done this drive plenty of times.
2. New Jersey to Ormand Beach, Florida..I was actually driving to Gainesville with my mom. She misread the directions and had us close to Daytona. We finally made it to Gainesville the next day after examining a map. Never again will I have my mom in control of reading me directions.

Two favorite holidays:
1. My birthday
2. Are there any others that matter?

Two favorite beverages:
1. Water..yes, I know I'm boring like that, but it's true.
2. Rooibos tea

Update

I apologize. I have not been a good virtual friend these days. I haven't been running, so I've not been in the loop. I haven't read a blog or even been on Kickrunners, and I love that site. I did take my knee out for a spin on Feb 2nd. I only ran 2mi. I was so not healed. My knee reminded me. It screamed at me actually. It's weird because it felt fine until I started mile 2. Afterwards was pretty bad though. I had a painful walk home. It was pain I had never felt before. Okay, so I'll give it some more time. I haven't run since. I was thinking I'd see how the knee is doing after 2 weeks. That will bring me to this Saturday. Hopefully it will be better by then.

In other news, I've come down with a cold or something. And I never get sick sick. It started out with a throat tickle. Then it turned into a painful cough, congestion (in the ears too), a ridiculous headache, cold sweat, and loss of appetite. I guess it doesn't help that I can't really taste anything. So why bother? Good news is that I'm on my way to 6 pack abs with all the coughing I've been doing. Seriously, my abs are sore.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing better than I am. I'll be back to checking y'all out once my energy is back up.