oprahsfitclub

I am back

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:34:03 GMT

Man, I was gone for a long time.

I'm back.

I went to the gym last night and thawed my membership (it was frozen).

It felt so good to be back. Although my legs are extra tired today.

I ran/walked for 35 mins. Today I am going to do some weights and the bike for a little while. It's gonna rule.

Weigh In

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:11:14 GMT

Current Weight: 157

Not bad for not doing much these days.

Of course I drank a Coke and ate Ice Cream after dinner last night.

Today: to the gym I go!

Here we go again

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:23:10 GMT

Yesterday I rejoined the gym. I forgot how much I love it there. AND they just added a freakin SAUNA to the ladieroom. I am sure I will never use it, but it rules anyways. They have now replaced all the shitty bikes with awesome ones and they are in the process of replacing all the treadmills and ellipticals. That place is gonna rule so hard. I can't wait. Yesterday, even though it was Monday at 5pm, it was kinda dead in there. I guess it is still summer. Perfect for me though.

It felt really good to get started again.

Today I think I am just going to ride the bike for 20 mins slow and walk for 10.

I have to be careful that I don't go at this too hardcore since it could screw up my timing for pregnancy.

Also, Michelle promised to take a Yoga class with me at the gym. I think we might try it out on Wednesday evening.

Turtle workout part 1:
30 minutes walking at 3.0

I wanted to do weights too, but I am too scared of my shoulder still. Maybe in a couple of weeks after I prove to myself that I'm all better.

did i mention?

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:11:18 GMT

Have I mentioned that I've lost 21 pounds?! I now weigh 150 (last i checked). And I haven't been active at all in nearly two months. Just wait to see what happens when I start running again!

Pictures

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 16:44:02 GMT

there's my old pictures...

http://oprahsfitclub.livejournal.com/1332.html

heres todays...

life rules.

Weights down..

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:11:47 GMT

Weight: 153 holiecrap. I've lost 18 pounds. Life rules.

Still can't do anything. Going for an MRI on my shoulder on Monday. I'm still in quite a bit of pain. Hopefully we can figure out what it is and fix it. Quick. I got running to do!

I've stopped drinking for now. I might have a couple of drinks for my brother's 30th bday next weekend. We will see. I could be the driver for my drunky family :) Maybe that's a better idear.

I out on the 30 Day D.L.

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:01:14 GMT

Last night I weighed myself just for fun (after a cookout and some beers) and I'm at 154! Which means I have lost 17 pounds!!!!! At this point I think I only want to lose about 10 more, maybe 15 so that I can hang out around 140-145 for the rest of my life and I will be VERY fine with that.

So I am still out on the Disabled List with my shoulder which goes into spasms when I am active (even just walking to the bar less than a mile away ended up hurting for a few days). My goal is that by the end of this week to hopefully be able to do some very light workouts at the gym (probably just ride the bike with my O Magazine for 15 mins at a time). We will see...

I hate that I can't go running with wifey or ride my fancy bike around town. I can't even ride my scooter because it puts too much strain on my neck (you have to look around a lot with a heavy helmet on).

I didn't forget about you, Oprahsfitclub. Don't worry.

I didn't forget... I swear

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:37:53 GMT

I am still hurt and can't work out yet. It's awful, really.

At least being on so much medication has made me not drink very much and now that I am drinking a little, it's really just a little. I had one glass of wine last night (with a bottle of Pelligrino) and it was fantastic.

Current Weight: 154

Which means, I am still losing weight although I am pretty inactive... hopefully not losing muscle. I can't even walk the dogs these days because they sometimes pull and it would kill.

The problem is that I am having muscle spasms and the only way to make them stop is to be very inactive and relaxed and take muscle relaxers and advil. So I can't even do a light workout at the gym until maybe this weekend... We will see how I am feeling by then.

Don't worry, Oprah, I haven't forgotten about you! As soon as I am better, I'm headed to the gym!

running and running

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:08:49 GMT

i know i havent been posting here. we have been doing a lot of walking and not as much running, except for the races.

last weekend was the Mansfield 5k (time: 38:08)

Saturday we ran a Foxboro 5k in 40:49 (with a huge walk break)

and yesterday we ran the Corrib Pub 5k in 38:49!!!

today i feel like i got hit by a truck. i will post later with pictures and details about each race, you know, for the record.

today: going to the gym to ride the bike slow and steady and read O magazine for a while.

this mornings weight: 159 (-12 pounds)

38:08 on man. who knew?!

Mon, 21 May 2007 11:48:30 GMT

Yesterday we ran the Mansfield Boosters 5K in Mansfield, MA where I grew up. At first it seemed like an awful race with a million high school kids everywhere and an equal number of super hard core runners. Also, it was a walk, but they had the walk at 9:30 and the run at 10:30 which meant that the chances of me being last were very high.

Right before the race I convinced Michelle to run it with me instead of running ahead. She is way faster than me. Everyone is, actually. It was raining and as we lined up it started to pour which meant I couldn't see out of my glasses at all. Luckily the day before we went for a bike ride in the rain and I rode without my glasses (because I couldn't see) so I wasn't too nervous about it.

We started out way too fast. WAY too fast. Michelle said I was sprinting. HAHA. But we got going ahead of people. One group that stayed behind us the whole way. Michelle kept giving me updates of how far back they were. Perfect.

It rained almost the whole time. It felt so good.

The course was pretty good, flat, and I grew up around there (we passed my uncles house where I spent every summer growing up swimming in his inground pool) so I knew the route and knew pretty much how much futher we had to go.

We took 3 small walk breaks (super small, not even a minute each) which I have learned from interval training are very helpful.

Final time: 38:08 (which is a 12:25 pace! oh man! my pace for the last race was over 14!)My goal time was 40 mins and I beat it by two! And it was 4-6 minutes faster than my usual 5k time! woohoo!

Today I am already sore, but I am going to walk to the gym and work out lightly and walk home.

38:08 oh man!

Week of drinking...

Sat, 19 May 2007 19:12:12 GMT

I have had a bad week and instead of running my feet off, I drank a lot of beer.

Yesterday I went to the gym and ran 1.25 miles. The 1 mile I ran in 13 mins with a 1 min walk break. I have definitely increased my pace. I love it. Wifey has been running with me lately and I like that even better.

Today we went for a 4 mile bike ride. It was nice. and raining. I need wipers for my glasses.

Tomorrow we have a 5k in my hometown. It's basically going to rule. I going to run it hard and I think I am probably going to win. My goal is to finish in under 40 mins. I said it. You heard it.

Bring it.

I wish Kael was here.

Monday and Tuesday

Wed, 09 May 2007 12:23:04 GMT

Monday: Ran 3 miles @ 6/1 intervals (I ususally do 4/1, so this was a two minute run time increase, it was hard but good and really improved my speed).

Tuesday: Walk two miles with Zoe and Fenway. My best friends.

Today: Run another 3 miles @ 6/1 intervals

Then tomorrow and Friday we will be in NYC (OH YEAH!) and I am hoping we can get in a Brooklyn run on Friday. Then I would like to take a long run on Sunday. My first LONG run (other than races).

Sicky McSicko

Thu, 03 May 2007 12:51:52 GMT

Man, I am wicked sick with a stoooopid cold. Which has now officially screwed up three days of my training (I am in training to Rule the World, in case you hadn't heard).

Today is a running day and now that my cold-of-the-century has moved completely into my face/head, I am going to run it out. It will help clear out my lungs too. Which will feel fantastic. I am going to run/walk my 3 mile route today, with no expectation to run the whole thing. And FINALLY tomorrow, I will start working with some weights.

At least I've been able to eat a lot of ice cream and watch a million episodes of Oprah.

not feeling good

Tue, 01 May 2007 13:24:04 GMT

I'm struggling a bit with a cold (that resides in my throat and chest) which led me to walk the dogs for an hour yesterday instead of go to the gym (I figured at the gym I would end up working out too hard). Then we got dinner and beers and came home and walked the dogs for another 30 mins or so (about 2 miles) and it was great. They loved it. Of course this morning I am feeling way worse than I did yesterday.

Yesterday:
Rest/Strength Day
Walk: 1hr 20 min total
No weights
Dinner: Mussels, salad and cod. Yum.

Today our grocery order arrives. I am very excited to see all the tasty fresh food we are going to get!

Today is a running day. I am just going to see how I feel later. Wednesday I have a huge meeting at work at 3 (which is when I usually leave) so I don't know if I am going to make it to the gym.

Eating and Back Fat

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:24:37 GMT

Today I feel sick. Like head cold/fevery sick. And I know it's because I've been eating bad the past couple of weeks. Not enough veggies. I am a looosah.

Last night I made some steel cut oatmeal (YUM) to have for the week. It was delicious this morning and made me feel much better. Also we had brussel sprouts for dinner. Steamed and fantastic. I'm going to the store today. I want to get some steamable veggies.

I took some pictures of myself yesterday without my shirt on and can see a massive improvement in my body shape. I am very happy. But, I still have back fat and my back is getting sore after a run so I think I am going to spend some time on back/core strengthening. The problem is that I don't know how to do this.

I don't know how to use the back machines at the gym (are there any? I never go into the other room) and don't even know where to find any. And although I was loving the yoga for a while, there is something so great about going to the gym and working out so I would much rather do that than do some workouts at home. At least for now.

Anyways, Ben? Aimee? Kael? Wife-lady?

I am looking for some low-weight strength exercises that I can work on 3x per week. Nothing too complicated. I am hoping there is a magic machine I can just work on a little at a time. I love magic.

Todays Hardcore Workout

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:20:54 GMT

Weight: 157! Holiecrap! I did it! I broke below 160! It's probably because I had an ice cream sundae for dinner. I should do that all the time.
Distance: Just under 3 miles
Intervals: 8 x 4/1 (with a couple extra walk breaks near the end)
Weather: A little foggy, 48 degrees, sticky, the ground was a little wet. Pretty much perfect for running.
Feel: I am not feeling very well today, stratchy throat attack. I thought I would be okay to run it out, but near the end I was really tired.

The run was pretty good. Not as good as yesterday, but I didn't expect that anyways.

Tomorrow: Rest/Strength at the gym. No running.

Today: Red Sox at Yankees 1:00pm Yankee Stadium. Good thing I got my run in early.

Cemetery Running and Cross Training

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 18:15:14 GMT

Yesterday:
Rest/Strength Day
Weight: 160 (I just can't get away from it!)
Bike: 30 mins (at the gym)
Weights: Focused arm weights, light weight, one set of 50 reps each machine (6 machines)
Stretching: 10 mins on weird stretchy thing (looks like a spider web)
Situps: 50 on red ball (which I think they recently added weight to)
Total Workout: 58 minutes (now that I have a stop watch, I know these things).

Today:
Running Day
Weight: 160 (as usual)
Running: intervals
11 Reps of 4/1 (run/walk) minutes
total interval time: 55 minutes
total workout 1:07 minutes (including warm up and cooldown which is really the time it takes to walk to the running route and home)

look! another runner!

this is when i was really thirsty and hot (it's at the end of the least shaded part of the route) and i wanted to jump in for a swim.

yikes a moose!

this is when it got really shady and perfect, about the last 15 mins of the run.

overall i did really well with the run. i had moments of feeling tired, but the intervals really helped me to recover quite well. some intervals were naturally harder than others.

i am going to drive through the route in a little while to check the mileage because i am not too sure. and i would like to know how far im going.

i feel really good now, too. hungry, but good. not overly exhausted or hurting at all. i took two advil, a kashi bar, and a glass of water before the run (with two cups of black coffee this morning). my arches feel fine as do my knees. life is good.

Interval Success Story.

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:06:28 GMT

Weight: 160
Distance: 3.5 Miles
Total Time: 54 minutes
Intervals: 35 minutes of 4/1 intervals (4 mins run, 1 minute walk, as dictated by new fancy watch)
Warm up: 5 minutes
Cooldown: 15 mins (accidently, I would've run more intervals, but I got a little lost on my route and thought I was much closer to home so I started walking, which is really what I should've done anyways).

Apparently the cemetery by my house, if you go around the edge of the whole thing, is 3 miles (including back to my house). Which is perfect training for me. And it means once I get stronger, I can do laps around the whole thing. It has parts of hills too (but short ones).

Today: Light biking at the gym followed by strength training weights, low weights, high reps.

I am so addicted to running. And I can't believe how aware I am of nature. I've never been like this. I am very excited to take some pictures tomorrow of the trees blooming. In fact, I would like to take some pictures of the same trees through the seasons to chart their progress. I find this all very interesting all of a sudden. I guess I am just seeing such a large change in myself that I am getting real excited to see that change echo through nature. And I am also spending more time outside to notice.

Galloway's Book on Running and a Watch

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:39:27 GMT

Last night instead of riding my bike (it was raining) or going to the gym, I went back to Marathon Sports and got Galloway's Book on Running and this watch.

The book is incredible and so is the watch. It's not very attractive (like my fancy Swatch watches of the past) but it is great. And the nice boy at the store showed me all the different ways to program it, tested it, and then set it how I wanted. "I am looking for a watch that I can set 4/1 intervals on to beep at me when I've run for 4 minutes then I walk for 1 minute and it beeps to tell me to run again." Boy at store, "Well, here you go! All set!" Nice boy. Thanks.

It also has a timer and stopwatch... So now I am going to be able to set the timer for 30 minutes in the background and then switch to the interval alarms and do intervals for 30 minutes. Woohoo!

After reading Galloway's book last night (just a few chapters), I am already changing my plans.

I am going to run 4x per week.
I am going to run 3 of those times for only 30 mins (for this upcoming week) and not worry so much about miles.
On my long run, I will run for 45 mins. Which I already know I can do just fine.
Tomorrow and Monday I will do some light biking and weights (low weight, high reps).
Saturday and Sunday will be the only days I run two days in a row. Sunday is my long run day.
I am thinking about starting to run in the morning on my Tues/Thurs running days.

I am going to do this schedule and NO MORE for a week.

The guys at the running store were SO encouraging. One of them told me that a lot of people struggle to go over the 5 mile mark and once they do then they are able to run much longer distances.

My goal for now is to be able to run 10 miles.
Then I am going to work on my speed.
And I am going to rule.

Also I am wearing my running sneaks during the day. Maybe just for a few days to get my arch back in working order. Flat sneaks were hurting me wicked bad. I would rather have to replace my good running sneaks sooner than have a broken arch. Also, they really need to get dirty. It's so embarrassing.

Running two miles.

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:41:41 GMT

Yesterday I ran two miles after work. It was REALLY hard. I think I am just still tired from the race on Sunday.

The two mile run was so hard that I started to evaluate my training... Wondering if I should just focus on running 2 miles 4x per week for a couple of weeks... with no longer run. I am getting really frustrated that I can't just plan the whole thing out and then do my plan. Because really, I do have to listen to what my body can do. Like today, I was going to ride my bike to work, but I decided that I couldn't since I had a headache and my whole body was so sore. So I will go to the gym today instead...

I guess I really do just have to take it one day at a time. I am doing really well and I know that. I can feel it. Making these big plans will just make me disappointed.

Gross.

I am a runnah. And I am getting better.

I found myself running down Hyde Park Ave (ie Wicked Busy Street) at 4pm and NOT embarrased about running (even without Zoe who is usually my embarrasment buffer). I was actually proud. And that ruled.

Ouch.

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 11:42:22 GMT

Today I am sore... but I woke up to weigh 158!!!! Which means I lost 2 pounds from the 160 I've been hovering at for a week... and a total of 13 now. Oh man. Bring it. So, yeah, I am sore but I don't care. It feels really good. I'm just so proud that I can't stand it and can't wait to run today.

Two miles here I come!

I am thinking that this will be my new training schedule:

Monday: Rest and Strength training (ie light weights at the gym) *edit* with light cardio for 10 mins or so before
Tuesday: Two mile run
Wednesday: 60 minute bike riding
Thursday: ~~Three mile run~~ Two mile run
Friday: Rest and Strength (ie light weights at the gym) *edit* with light cardio for 10 mins or so before
Saturday: ~~Four mile run~~ Three mile run
Sunday: 60 minute bike riding

Which means I am back to the gym 4 days a week and running outside 3 days a week.
Or gym 7 days a week if I can learn how to run on the treadmill. Which I am going to have to figure out before it gets really hot out. Yikes.

What do you Pros think of my training schedule?
This is really only for this week (as far as mileage goes), I am going to increase the running miles a little each week...

Weight: 158 (-13)
I just had to write that again.
Wifey's Weight: 160 ha!

Doyles 5 Mile Race! We did it!

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:36:38 GMT

We did it!!!

So I did it. I ran 5 miles. It was wicked hard. It was probably too hard, but I did it. They ran out of water, so I only got water at the first mile which sucked and made it even harder. It was about 75 degrees and super hot. The beginning and end of the course were shaded though, thank Oprah.

I have the greatest friends in the world and I was really struggling in the last mile and all of a sudden I see Michelle who had already finished, running back to me with two bottles of water for me and ready to run the last mile with me, then at about the last half, Kael and Aimee arrived and the four of us ran the last half together. It was really amazing. I didn't realize it at the time (because I just wanted to finish), but it was really one of the best moments of support I've ever felt. And my parents were there at the finish with Tucker (their puppy) cheering me on. Along with (what felt like) the rest of the entire world... I have incredible friends and great support and I am very proud to be a runnah.

Today I am really sore, but basically took the day off work and I am just hanging out with these guys:

Anyways, I love my life and all my friends. Thanks everyone! You ruled! Also I am so proud of them. Wifey ran an incredible race, and Kael is on his way to Kenyan status (he may have to leave the QuickTick team). Kanin and KelleyAlice did incredibly well and made a LOT of noise when they passed me at the 3 mile turn which made me feel like a superstar. And Aimee is my favorite infiltrator due West. Oh and Ben and Wilson and his friend were sitting at the half way point to cheer us on too which was HUGE because I was really hot then and starting to get disappointed.

So thanks everyone for your help and runnah love. You all rule.

I am going to post friend pictures on my regular journal.

pre race picture. we got there a little too early and it was pretty hot. not really a good idea. but we were all very psyched.

sneaks

wifey stretching

a lot of racers

this is more what my race looked like. and for the record, even though i trailed these two women for the entire race, i did beat them in the end! woohoo!

post race family picture. we ruled so hard core.

Rest Day

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:14:21 GMT

Yesterday I took a rest day.
Well, I did walk to the bar and home. Which is two miles.
I like that I used to consider that "a workout" and now I consider it a "rest day"
I like that a lot.

Today I am going to run a little. Maybe two miles, maybe even less. And generally rest. And this time by "rest" I mean drink a lot of beer and watch the Red Sox KILL the Yankees tonight.

At a bar.

That I am going to take the bus to.

I Ran 4 Miles!

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:41:04 GMT

I ran 4 miles. Seriously. With one minute walk breaks at each mile (and one extra walk break for about 30 seconds on a GIANT hill). In the rain. Did I mention that? Man, we rule.

this is the path (also the course for the upcoming 5 mile Doyles race), i took this while i was running...

another path picture. the course runs through a park with a golf course. it's pretty fantastic. i can't wait for good weather. it's going to be the best running course ever in the universe.

i'm a runnah!

Spirit Workout

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:19:05 GMT

Yesterday I worked on my Spirit at the gym.
I have been struggling with boredom and giving up a little.
So I had to show myself that I can keep going when I don't want to.
I rode the bike for 60 minutes (8.75 miles) and read Oprah.
My butt hurt. My hip hurt. My legs were tired. I had ladie-cramps.
But I finished. And it was worth it.

Today the training continues. 2/2 Run/Walk Day is today. The weather is awful and I have ladie cramps, so this is going to be tough.

Also, I bought a new digicamera, a really tiny one so I can take pictures on races and stuff.

Weight: 160 (-11 since the beginning)