Just an off day

It started when I got a headache out of nowhere yesterday afternoon. I went to bed and was in and out of sleep with the same headache. And of course when I woke up for good, I still had a headache. I debated about not going to work today. But I went. I figured I'd drink a cup of coffee and hope for the best. I felt better as the day went on but I didn't eat much. A headache can kill a healthy appetite. Anyway, I made it through the day but I ended up staying way longer than I wanted to. I get off at 5pm. I clocked out at 6:15pm. Yep, a customer kept me on the phone for over an hour and a half. Nice lady but she was a BIG talker. She jacked up the rest of my day. I stopped for Chinese take out because I was NOT cooking. But before I could eat, I had to get my run in. It's bad enough that yesterday was all jacked up because I went out to dinner with friends after work. So I had no time for strength and yoga. And I had every intention of making it up today. But after how my day started and ended, it just wasn't happening. I did not do one squat, lunge, push up or anything else. Week 4 will just have to wait. Okay, so I got home after 7pm. I seriously considered just postponing the run but I really hate to be off schedule. I'm already off schedule and I'm not in the mood to make anything up. Anyway, I gulped down a cup of chocolate soymilk and headed out. I started out too fast. I did an out and back route, and the back part is mostly uphill. Halfway through, I wanted to stop. The only thing that kept me going is knowing that I'd have to walk 1.75mi home and I'd get home much quicker (for dinner) if I just ran. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I got a major stomach cramp heading into mile 2. I guess I shouldn't have had the soymilk. But I was starving. I needed something. My splits are all tore up but I'm not that mad about it. I had a restless sleep, I got rid of yesterday's headache 24hrs after it started, and I didn't eat much prior to running. Oh, and let's not forget that it's HOT. It was after 7pm and still 89° out. And it did not help that once the run was over, I felt like I could spontaneously combust. I get SO MUCH hotter the moment I stop running. I guess running creates a breeze. And when I stop I feel like my temperature shoots up. I'm sure it does. Anyway, I just finished eating not too long ago and I'm developing yet another headache. So I'm going to wrap this up. Night all. Morning: Coffee w/soymilk and raw sugar Peanut butter crackers Afternoon: Clif Builders Bar (mint chocolate) Evening: Chocolate soymilk Broccoli and fried tofu w/garlic sauce and brown rice Activity Route: 3.5 Out and Back Elev. Avg: 0 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 07/21/08 Up/Downhill: [+0/-0] Time: 07:20 PM Difficulty: 0 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 89 F temp; 42% humidity 91 F heat index; winds W 6 Performance Distance: 3.50 miles Time: 0:33:44 Speed: 6.2 mph Pace: 9' 38 /mi Heart Rate: 180 bpm (Avg) Calories: 389 198 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .18mi Pace (min/mile) Heart Rate (bpm) Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 00m 0% 0.02 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 00m 2% 0.06 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 01m 3% 0.11 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 02m 7% 0.26 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 12m 35% 1.26 mi (none) out of range 0h 18m 54% 1.89 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 54 +0' 16 6.1 -0.2 159 -- ft 2 9' 21 -0' 17 6.4 +0.2 184 -- ft 3 9' 42 +0' 04 6.2 -0.0 192 -- ft end 9' 26 -0' 12 6.4 +0.1 194 -- ft Versus average of 9' 38 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

It's hot out there

My plan was to get up early enough to beat the heat. That so didn't happen. I was tired. I got up around 8am and still didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked. So I opted for some coffee. Iced coffee actually. It's too hot to drink hot stuff. I'd be miserable. I wasn't ready to leave the house until around 10:30am but of course it was just too darn hot by that time. So I took myself to the Y. I don't go often enough anyway. Might as well get some of my money's worth. The run wasn't bad. I was actually near a fan, so that made it much MUCH better. I just hate running indoors. You can never get away from your own sweat. Anyway, the best part about today's run was out running the young guy (late teens maybe) on the treadmill next to me. On to push ups...I completed Week 3 Day 3. Honestly, I didn't think I could. I haven't looked at Week 4 yet. I'm sure it's every bit as intimidating as Week 3. We'll just have to see if my little arms will hold up. If not, it will be Week 3 Round 2. Morning: Iced coffee w/chocolate soymilk Afternoon: Finished the last of lasagna w/garlic toast Chocolate soymilk Evening: Smoothie w/strawberry, blueberry, banana, soymilk and hemp protein Tings Raw zucchini pasta w/pesto and diced tomatoes Vanilla snaps Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 0 ft Location: -- Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 07/19/08 Up/Downhill: [+0/-0] Time: 11:00 AM Difficulty: 1.7 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 4.00 miles Time: 0:39:28 Speed: 6.1 mph Pace: 9' 52 /mi Heart Rate: 173 bpm (Avg) Calories: 422 192 bpm (Peak) Notes Incline = 1.0 1mi @ 10:39 2mi @ 9:51 3mi @ 9:38 4mi @ 9:20 Cool Down = .25mi Girl Push Ups = 80

Posted from bimactive.com

Stroll Through Gnat City

Yep, it's my turn to blog about gnats. It's been a hot topic this week. Well, the high was about 97°. Then it rained. Then I walked. Really not a good combination. I could feel them flying into me. I was so disgusted and probably looked crazy swatting and walking. I had my head down most of the time to avoid them getting in/on my face. On my way out of the park, there was a bunch of them congregating on the path. I ran by to get away from them. I think some critter bit me on the ankle. It's now all itchy. Anyway, I've been tired and low on energy and was thinking about doing yoga for cross training today. But I figured with all the snacking and lack of actual food food today, walking was a better option. Hey, you get your period, you snack on what you see fit. That's just how it goes. But I did redeem myself with a bowl of raw zucchini pasta with pesto and diced tomato tonight. Now I need to rest up for manana. I have 4 miles to get in before it's unbearable. Tomorrow is supposed to be a hot and humid 98°. Great. Just great. Activity Route: Park Walk Elev. Avg: 43 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: +3 ft Date: 07/18/08 Up/Downhill: [+88/-85] Time: 07:38 PM Difficulty: 1.9 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 89 F temp; 46% humidity 92 F heat index; winds SW 7 Performance Distance: 2.01 miles Time: 0:30:07 Speed: 4.0 mph Pace: 15' 00 /mi Heart Rate: 110 bpm (Avg) Calories: 154 152 bpm (Peak) Elevation (ft) Speed (mph) Heart Rate (bpm) Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 14m 48% 0.97 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 09m 30% 0.63 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 04m 13% 0.28 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 00m 1% 0.03 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 00m 0% 0.00 mi (none) out of range 0h 02m 7% 0.13 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 15' 20 +0' 20 3.9 -0.1 98 -56 ft 2 14' 19 -0' 41 4.2 +0.2 123 +59 ft end 13' 20 -1' 40 4.5 +0.5 135 0 ft Versus average of 4.0 mph

Posted from bimactive.com

1 Year Runniversary

A year ago today I started the Couch to 5k program. It's amazing how far I've come since then. Really, I have. A lot of people who start running used to run before or played sports or was somewhat active at some time in their lives. But that's not my story. I've never run because I just couldn't being born anemic and all. I'd get winded before I could really get started. Heck, I couldn't bare the elliptical trainer for more than 5 minutes. And no, I've never played a sport unless I was in gym class. So going from a true couch potato to someone who is capable of running 8 miles is a huge accomplishment. Of course, I can't run 8 miles today (because I need to get my mileage up again), but I will soon. I'm working on it. Oh, that reminds me. Today was yet another personal record. I had my fastest 3miler at 28:35 and my fastest mile at 8:57. 8:57?!?!?! Seriously, I don't know how it happened especially since I got my period today. I took some ibruprofen before the cramps could even get started. Otherwise, I'd never get started. But still, I'm usually tired and have a headache. And just so you know, ibruprofen doesn't work on my headaches. So that was my morning. I don't know. There must be something in the water. Oh and another good thing about today..the scale dipped below 140 for the first time in ages (like junior high school ages). It won't stay there for long with all the bloat I'm due, but still, it's a good way to start the day. AND my dress pants have been kind of loose these days. So maybe I'll be in a 4 by the end of the summer? I don't know..wishful thinking. Anyway, happy running, everyone. Morning: Chocolate soymilk w/ibruprofen Strawberry blueberry banana smoothie w/soymilk and hemp protein Coconut chai breakfast cupcake Afternoon: Susan V's banana coffee cake A plum Raw walnut pesto zucchini pasta w/diced tomato Activity Route: 3mi Park Run Elev. Avg: 35 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -42 ft Date: 07/16/08 Up/Downhill: [+59/-101] Time: 08:02 AM Difficulty: 1.5 / 5.0 Weather: Fair with Haze 70 F temp; 84% humidity 70 F heat index; winds Calm Performance Distance: 3.00 miles Time: 0:28:35 Speed: 6.3 mph Pace: 9' 32 /mi Heart Rate: 172 bpm (Avg) Calories: 334 194 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .61mi 2x15 Crunches w/Twist 2x15 Forward Lunges 2x15 Squats 2x15 Hip Flexor 3x15 Dumbbell Chest Press 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 2% 0.06 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 02m 8% 0.22 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 05m 18% 0.51 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 12m 42% 1.30 mi (none) out of range 0h 09m 31% 1.00 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 10' 11 +0' 39 5.9 -0.4 153 -52 ft 2 9' 24 -0' 08 6.4 +0.1 179 +26 ft 3 8' 57 -0' 35 6.7 +0.4 188 -19 ft end ** ** ** ** 194 ** ft Versus average of 9' 32 min/mile ** Insufficient data to calculate this split

Posted from bimactive.com

What in the world?

So today was a 2mi record for me (again with no music). I swear I wasn't trying. For the most part, my thought was, "Let me just get this over with." It was pretty warm and I just wanted to eat my dinner. Also, I ended up running my fastest mile to date at 9:21. Seriously, totally not expected. I'm done with records for the month. My period is due soon. And we all know how everything goes out the window during that time. As far as push ups go, I tried Week 3 Day 2 just to see if I could make it through. And you know what? I did. I still can't believe that I didn't have any soreness from the other day. I'm sure it will be a different story in a few weeks when I start over doing real push ups. But first, I need to get through Week 3 Day 3. Wish me luck. Morning: Coconut chai breakfast cupcake Afternoon: Chickpea-hijiki salad sammich and a plum Peanut butter crackers and a banana Evening: Chocolate soymilk (post-run) Leftover lasagna w/garlic toast (I swear it tastes better every day. I made THE BEST pasta sauce ever.) Activity Route: 2mi Out and Back Elev. Avg: 60 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -3 ft Date: 07/15/08 Up/Downhill: [+85/-88] Time: 06:29 PM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 88 F temp; 29% humidity 86 F heat index; winds Calm Performance Distance: 2.00 miles Goal: 2 miles in 21:00 duration Time: 0:19:17 Speed: 6.2 mph Attained: 96% Pace: 9' 39 /mi Heart Rate: 173 bpm (Avg) Calories: 221 190 bpm (Peak) Notes Girl Push Ups = 73 Cool Down = .15mi Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 53 +0' 14 6.1 -0.1 -23 ft 2 9' 21 -0' 18 6.4 +0.2 +20 ft end ** ** ** ** ** ft Versus average of 9' 39 min/mile ** Insufficient data to calculate this split

Posted from bimactive.com

I woke up with a headache, so naturally I wasn't in the mood to run anywhere. I opted for a cup of coffee to cure the headache and just took my sweet time finally getting out the door. And you know what? It wasn't that bad. Not to mention, I didn't bring any tunes along either. I have so much music on my mp3 player. And sometimes it's a pain in the butt just to decide what I'm going to listen to. I wonder if I'll keep this up as I get into longer runs. You know, even though I woke up with a headache, I was really surprised that I didn't wake up sore. I was expecting sore abs and pecs from yesterday's push ups. So maybe I'll see if I can manage to get through Week 3 Day 2 of the program? Also, the lunges and squats didn't bother by backside this morning. And just think, last week that was all I felt, especially running on an incline. Speaking of inclines, check out the elevation chart. I'm really surprised my buns weren't burning. I knew I was in trouble during the first half since it was mostly downhill. I was doing an out and back route, so that meant I'd have to go uphill on the way back. I thought it would be a struggle, but it wasn't all that bad. Morning: Coffee w/chocolate soymilk Coconut chai breakfast cupcake Afternoon: Strawberry banana sorbet w/lite coconut milk (I love my new KitchenAid. Can't you tell?) Chickpea-hijiki salad sammich (from Vegan With A Vengeance) w/steamed broccoli Evening: Leftover lasagna w/side salad Vanilla snaps Activity Route: 3mi Out and Back Elev. Avg: 48 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: -7 ft Date: 07/14/08 Up/Downhill: [+134/-141] Time: 01:42 PM Difficulty: 1.8 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 75 F temp; 73% humidity 78 F heat index; winds W 3 Performance Distance: 3.00 miles Goal: 10' 30 min/mi pace for 3 miles Time: 0:30:19 Speed: 5.9 mph Attained: 102% Pace: 10' 06 /mi Calories: 336 Notes Cool Down = .25mi My heart rate monitor lost it's mind, so no heart rate info today. Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 10' 32 +0' 26 5.7 -0.3 -30 ft 2 10' 02 -0' 04 6.0 +0.0 0 ft 3 9' 39 -0' 27 6.2 +0.3 +23 ft Versus average of 10' 06 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Sunday Stretch and Strength

So I'm on Week 3 of the 100 Push Ups Challenge. I went from 33 push ups to 64. So I may go back to Week 2 and do the second column until I'm comfortable doing more. We'll see.

I did some yoga today. It's been months since I've done an actual routine. I must get back into that. I'm so tight. And it will really help with my running. AND I don't want to jack anything else up. I haven't had any fibula issues for about two months. Hopefully it will stay that way.

Morning:
Chocolate soymilk and coconut chai breakfast cupcake

Afternoon:
Peanut butter crackers
Chocolate Mint Clif Builder bar and a plum
A few blue corn chips from a co-worker

See, this is what happens when I don't pack a lunch. I depend on snacks to get through the day.

Evening:
Pineapple strawberry sorbet w/lite coconut milk
Lasagna leftovers w/garlic toast and a side salad w/sweet mustard dressing
Raw almond cookies
Vanilla snaps

64 Girl Push Ups
2x12 Crunches w/Twist
2x15 Forward Lunges
2x15 Squats
2x15 Hip Flexor

Yoga: 25min
Yoga For Every Body: Hips, Knees, Ankles and Feet

4mi Record

I'm just racking them up this week. There must be something in the air but I ran my fastest 4miler to date. I'm so surprised. It was very unexpected. I've spent a lot of time the past few months not running as much as I should for one reason or another. So the increase in pace with all that going on is just amazing. How I did the last two miles at a sub 10:00 pace is beyond me. Before today, I had run my fastest 4miler back in December. And at the time, I was complaining that I was going too fast. Anyway, I really don't know how I made it through the last mile. Most of it was in the sun. And when it was over, I immediately got hotter. Apparently, the heat index had gone up to 87* by the time I started my cool down walk. So on to food... I got a sweet tooth and made Susan V's coconut chai breakfast cake (well cupcakes in my case) last night. I made my own chai because I have THE BEST chai recipe. It turned out really well and I will definitely make it again. It was quite easy and tasty. But I have tons bananas that need to ripen so maybe I'll make veganized banana crumb muffins again. They were wonderful last time. Music: None (just not in the mood) Morning: Coconut chai breakfast cupcake w/coffee Pineapple strawberry sorbet Afternoon: Pumpkin seed pate sandwich (w/tomato and sweet mustard dressing) Red plum Raw almond cookies Evening: Lasagna leftovers w/garlic toast Vanilla snaps w/chocolate soymilk Pumpkin seed pate sandwich (It's just so tasty I end up licking my fingers so I don't miss anything. I will be making this again pretty soon.) Activity Route: Park Run Elev. Avg: 0 ft Location: Willingboro, NJ Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 07/12/08 Up/Downhill: [+0/-0] Time: 10:13 AM Difficulty: 0 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 80 F temp; 71% humidity 83 F heat index; winds Calm Performance Distance: 4.00 miles Time: 0:40:18 Speed: 6.0 mph Pace: 10' 05 /mi Heart Rate: 167 bpm (Avg) Calories: 453 193 bpm (Peak) Notes Cool Down = .27mi Girl Push Ups = 33 Pace (min/mile) Heart Rate (bpm) Heart Rate Zones Zone Range (bpm) Time In Zone Distance In Zone 1 93 - 111 0h 00m 0% 0.02 mi 2 111 - 130 0h 01m 4% 0.15 mi 3 130 - 148 0h 03m 7% 0.29 mi 4 148 - 167 0h 10m 24% 0.97 mi 5 167 - 185 0h 19m 48% 1.98 mi (none) out of range 0h 07m 16% 0.70 mi Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Heart Rate Elev Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 10' 46 +0' 41 5.6 -0.4 140 -- ft 2 10' 03 -0' 02 6.0 +0.0 169 -- ft 3 9' 41 -0' 24 6.2 +0.2 178 -- ft 4 9' 40 -0' 25 6.2 +0.2 188 -- ft end ** ** ** ** 193 ** ft Versus average of 10' 05 min/mile ** Insufficient data to calculate this split

Posted from bimactive.com