NYC Marathon

What an amazing race today! It is crazy to watch the top runners cruise....seems so effortless. Interesting to note that their slowest mile is part of my fastest 5k, cough, wow!

I love to watch races. I'd watch more of them if I wouldn't rather run in them! I'm always inspired by their SPEED, dedication, mental stregth, and effort. It makes me want to be a better runner

Can't wait to run tomorrow!

Racing

I ran the dollar race again this morning. What a great thing....a good run and a good price! I like running in smaller races too...it's nice to not feel so crowded. It has less of the excitement and hype that a big race has...but again, nice. I came in 3rd overall (you never know who will be there) and timed a 18:54! Yeah! I officially broke through the 19's! It felt good and sadly like I could have gone faster. But it's nice to get to know this course and hopefully when I race there again my time will drop even more just by knowing where I'm at in the race.

There was a big team of young girls there to run too. Their parents had come to cheer them on and put posters along the way. Two that I remember went like this:

May the course be with you

You'd be done now if it weren't for the running


It was good to see kids out having fun and running...and entertaining. Hope you get some race on soon!

Play List

Watched my first episode of Glee this week. THIS song will be pumpin during treadmill runs this week!

Also listening to Makano (however the video is really corny!)
and Kanya

race results

Ran the 10k race in Dallas. It went pretty well. I felt good and raced decent. I ended up getting 2nd in my age category. The first place girl was about 20 secs in front of me...sooo close! Also there racing, in the same race, were a bunch of sponsored elite runners. They ran with us, but had kind of their own competition going on. In their pack I would have finished 5th. I did get a nice MONEY prize for my finish though!

Anyway, I did get to thinking about those elite runners though. Since I finished pretty good even among them, I should be sponsored too right? ha! Sooo...I just got back from Luke's Locker (a big running store chain here), who sponsored most of those runners, and talked with them about being on the team. Apparently they have different levels of sponsorship from paying for racing to completely outfitting a runner. NICE! I would probably have to race more (bummer!!! ;) and I'd get to train as much as I could with some pretty fast runners! SUPER COOL!

I have yet to talk with the main man, but it really is sounding like this is a possibility for me! CRAZY!

We'll see....

Race Time

I'm running in THIS race tomorrow. I've done The Best 10k Workout Ever twice (see 10k on the side bar). That is 3 x 2 miles with 5 mins rest/jogging recovery. Actually, I didn't check the workout beforehand and only took a 3 min rest...does that make it even better?

I paced at a 6:39 min mile...which should put me at a 38 min 10k. Um, I may have been a little off on that pace number! I would be really happy with a 40 min 10k and think that I really would have had no problem with that before the whole stress fracture incident.

The foot still hurts and I had to take 3 weeks off. Nice. I've been back on it for almost 2 weeks. Mostly it's an issue of confidence. I can still probably run a 40 min 10k...but it's just going to hurt a whole lot more than it would've/should've/could've. Oh well. I am excited and will love racing no matter what.

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Okay. Here are all my numbers: 300, 420,330, 500, 660,650,700. Since I have no idea what you have done the last couple days, I am a bit worried. My stomach muscles are thanking you for the challenge though!
-Deanna 3,560


Here are my numbers: 400, 500, 500, 220, 500, 600, 650
3,370


DEANNA wins bragging rights! I can't believe it! We were a difference of 190! That 220 day really killed me. I kept thinking I'd do more, but never got to it. Not only did Deanna put in all of those squats/lunges/crunches/pushups....but she also kept up with her PX90 workout!..oh, and her 5 kids...and no gym pass!


I have the best LUNG IN THE WORLD to share with all of you though. I'll try to write out how to do it....

Choose a pair of weights, or do without. Step into lung, front knee bent, back leg straight. Lower chest on top of front quad and place hands holding weights in front of foot. Straighten front leg while raising back leg and chest in a straight line. Arms should hang down towards the ground. So you should look like a straight line with arms hanging down and front leg straight. Then bend front knee and lower back foot and hands back to the ground. Repeat. SUPER sore from these!

Thanks Deanna for helping me in this challenge! Now go brag that you kicked my butt!

Challenge

Today is the final day for the Squat,Lung,Pushup,Crunch...whatever I called it Challenge.

...I'm sore!

...Deanna, my opponent, is a tough nut to crack...I think I may have done it....but she could be sneaking in extra squats right now...

The Prize Goes To...

DEANNA! She was a really good girl and stuck to ONE THING AT A TIME.
I'm sending her the neutragina wave.
I came across this product as I was lusting after the Clairisonic cleaning thing...BUT $200!!! I'd have to sacrifice a few pairs of running shoes! alas, being healthy also entails taking care of your skin, so when I found this less expensive option I took it. and LOVE IT! My face feels sooo much better after just a few uses....like it can move around better and feels cleaner.

Hope you like it!

as for the current challenge...I'm trying really hard to win and am a bit sore in the process :)

Get started

Today DEANNA and I will start the Lunges/Squats/Crunches/Pushups challenge...wish me luck, this girl is tough!

Chicken Dinner

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner....

So did anyone finish the One Thing At A Time Challenge?



Starting Next Week NEW CHALLENGE!

and it's against me....

squats, lunges, sit-ups, pushups.

Now that I have to take a little break from running I'm going to pick up on these few other things....

Let's start next Wednesday the 25th to the following Wednesday the 1st of September. You need to keep count of

Squats, lunges, sit-ups, pushups

and add them all together. Obviously some people are going to be better/strong at one thing than another....so if we mix them all together it should work out right?
At the end of the week we'll all report our numbers...

What do you get? BRAGGING RIGHTS! I'll be pushing myself on these (I'm usually not very good at these things...because I'd rather run), so if you beat me, you win fair and square.

Are you in???

stressed out

I've been having some foot pain. i was hoping that it might be a little ligament pull or something sweet. today, worse case scenario confirmed....stress fracture! NO! I'm really sad and can't believe my racing season this fall is in jeapordy. if i can lay off of it and get it better, i'll still be out of shape for the rest of the season. stink! the culprut?: WAY too much pounding in my favorite barefoot shoes....hum....why is it so hard for me to follow simple directions like start out slow?

anyway, Deanna, you may be the unofficial winner of the Challenge...that's two for you!...anyone else still at it?

Secondly...new, very tough challenge starting in a few days.

Summer Eats

Right about now we're all pretty hot. I thought I should share a summer (all the time) favorite of mine.

Frozen Fruit!

I like to freeze everything...

Frozen Banana (peel it, cut in half, insert popsicle stick for easy eating)
Frozen Grapes (YUMMM!)
Frozen Orange (peel, segment, place on plate or something)


and then you know...blueberries, cherries, peaches

It's best if you let them sit out of the freezer a few minutes before eating.
I'm about to get my Frozen Grapefruit out!

*anyone still in the Challenge?

Start Today

Our Challenge (see below) started today and goes for one month. Only a few people entered to win the prize at the end...so your chances are good! Good luck and remember One Thing At A Time!

Another Treadmill PR-Training Log

Today I felt great and ran a 18:23 5k on the 'mill. Yippy!
...felt so good I could have done it again, but I'd burned my feet to smitherines...wearing my vibrams toe shoes...sore!

A Challenge Anyone?

It's been a while since we've had a challenge...

This one is inspired by myself. Yesterday I was driving down the road, calling a friend, and stuffing left over gold fish snacks into my mouth. In the midst of if all I thought, "Gross...what am I doing?" I wasn't hungry, I wasn't enjoying the drive, the convo, or the fish.

So, the Challenge is...One Thing at A Time. Specifically, No Driving and Eating/No Phoning and Eating/No TV and Eating. That's right...just Eat when you Eat...you might enjoy the eat a bit more.

Oh, for ONE WHOLE MONTH! Let's start next week, July 19th until August 19th.

...and winner gets a little prize from me :) How do you win? Let me know on August 19th if you completed the challenge faithfully. I will then randomly select a winner from those finishers.

Comment if you're in!

News Report

F as in Fat

American's are still getting fatter

Obesity Increases in 28 States


Some helpful links
Action for Healthy Kids

Eat Right

Yet again...

Just wanted to give a final shout out to these shoes! Monday I wore them out on the trails and tripped over my big toe. It would have happened in any shoes, but the old toe was pretty sore for the next few days. To give it a rest, I decided to wear my "normal" running shoes on the treadmill for a 6 miler w/ 3/4 mile intervals. It felt AWFUL! Those shoes felt so big and heavy and I couldn't feel my feet. My old shoes are still fine for nice long runs, but for the fast stuff, I don't want anything on my feet other than Vibrams or my running flats.

New Book

I just finished reading Dr. Abravanel's Body Type Diet And Lifetime Nutrition Plan. You select a nutrion plan based on which of four glands (Adrenal, Thyroid, Gonadal, Pituitary), if you're a woman, or three glands (Adrenal, Thyroid, Pituitary), if you're a man, is most dominant in your body. You determine your dominant gland by assessing your body image, where you put on weight, personality characterisitcs, and food cravings. This gland is often overstimulated in the process of satisfying cravings. Due to constant overstimulaiton, the dominant gland is exausted, unable to function, and weight gain persists. Dr. Abravanel teaches to avoid foods that you crave and in doing so, you will lose the craving. Eventually, the tired gland will become active again, but you must continue to avoid trigger foods throught your life. He claims that you will lose weight from trouble spots and have greater dieting success as a result of fewer cravings. This book also includes exercise recomendations, weekly menu plans, success strategies, and lots of other good-sound-advice.


I happen to be of the Adernal sort and liked several of the recommendations and guidelines based on my body type. I've always felt a little guily not being able to eat a very big breakfast. You know, Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Queen, Dinner like a Peasant. Or even keeping meals equally proportinate. This book recommended that my type eat a small breakfast...for me the bigger the breakfast the more I eat ALL DAY...so let's avoid that! I also liked the spacing between meals. 5 hours between breafast and lunch, 6 hours between lunch and dinner. Seems like a long time, but for me it gives my body a chance to digest and spend at least an hour burning in the fat zone. I'm hungry for meals, but am more quickly satisfied.

Anyway, it's one worth reading...and fun to find you type.

Beans are the new Applesauce

Banana Bread Muffins
Very Good!

1 c sugar
3/4 c bean puree*
6 over-ripe medium bananas
2 eggs
1 Tbs flax seed + 3 Tbs water

BLEND until smooth

Add

2 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Blend well.

Pour into cupcake tin (you can use a bread loaf, but cook longer) that has been covered with baking spray. Let sit for a few minutes. Bake at 350 for 20 mins (about an hour if making bread). Make sure muffins are almost firm to the touch.

*bean puree: 1 can beans (I used Greath Norther White Bean) drained and rinsed. You can also make your own beans and use them in the recipe (that would take longer of course). Puree beans in food processor until smooth...I added just enough water to get them moving. I also used just less than 3/4 c beans and topped it off with canola oil. Canola oil has good Monounsaturated Fatty Acids that are good for you and I wanted to keep a little in my muffins. You can use just the beans though and the muffins will turn out great!

Training Log

Should have taken a picture of the treamill, but yesterday I ran 3.1 in 18:33...AND it felt easy! I really want to race, but will have to wait till fall. That new workout I wrote out, the one you have to do outside for several minutes at what you think is your race pace and then a few minutes rest is really making a difference. I really think I can go even faster. Could you imagine ME running in the 17's? ooooo!

Best 10k workout ever

oooo-I'm really on a Running Times high. There are just a few workouts that I want to get filed away for later. This one is for 10ks.

The best workout:
3 x 2 miles at goal 10k pace
5 min jogging recovery

Buildup workout #1:
6 x 1 mile
start this 8 weeks before your 10k
at goal pace with 3-4 min joggin recovery.

Next week:
10-12 x 400m at 5k pace, 200m jogging recovery

Buildup workout #2:
2 miles + 4 x 1 mile
Six weeks from 10k
2 miles at 10k pace, 5 min resting jog.
1 mile repeats at 10k pace, 3-4 mins resting jog.

Next week:
3 m tempo run or race 5k

Buildup workout #3:
4 weeks from race
2 x 2 mile + 2 x 1 mile
at 10k pace, 5 mine resting jog between 2 mile repeats
3 min resting jog between 1 m repeats

Next week:
20-24 x 200m
at 5k pace, 200m jog betwen

BEST WORKOUT EVER:
3 x 2 miles

RACE you 10k

I haven't tried this out yet, up will do for my next 10k
(please, it says "The Best 10k Workout," that's worth trying!)

Hey Ladies!

Just getting CrossFit tips...these girls would totally kick my butt! After watching this I hit the gym hard...to see if I can do a pull up...it's been a while. I did 10, ha! I'll keep trying! ...get through the girl at first who obviously has a chip on her shoulder, the rest is cool!

running naked

As in running BAREFOOT. I wanted to post some good advice from Running Times that will help you decide if less is more.

Note that not every foot is meant unshod. Some people naturally heal strike and need the added protection and cushion that a running shoe provides.

Here's the test to see if you're a midfoot striker, ie: can possibly run in a minimalist shoe with training.

Jog in place for a few seconds barefoot to feel what it's like to land on the ball of your foot. Do this until it feels normal. Then start to run forward comfortably fast. See how far you can go before your heels start hitting the ground. Repeat for the distance of about 10 seconds without heel striking. After a few weeks of this practice, try running strides at 100%. If you unconsciously go back to heel striking, don't continue trying to develop a full-time midfoot strike. You work better as a heel striker.

The article goes on to give pointers on starting out. "Don't go too far too soon." AKA, just a few strides after your run in the first few weeks. "Don't go too fast too soon." Fast running puts a lot of strain on feet and legs, so easy jogging to start. --Running Times May 2010 p. 36-37.

As for me and my feet...
LOVIN" IT! Luckily, I spend a lot of time barefoot and have continued to do some conditioning barefoot since my college days enabling me to start out a little farther and faster. Tuesday I did a hilly treadmill run and Friday a 5k tempo run in my 5 Fingers. I also did some strength training "barefoot." My feet did feel a bit beat up after Friday and my legs were really sore...but it felt great! I haven't felt that in a while...so I know these shoes are working my feet and legs in a different way. I had to wear my normal sneakers the other days to give my feet a rest, but they felt weird and big and I wished I was wearing the Fingers!

Pocahontas on the fly

I couldn't wait to write out my review. I've had the Classics (originally I thought I wanted the Sprints because they're more diverse, but the store was out/I couldn't wait and now I'm happy 'cause these are so comfy and I would still take them hiking and swimming they hold on so well)since Thursday and have worn them twice. Friday I was stuck in the gym, but I got some weight lifting in and two quick miles. It took me about DOUBLE the amount of time to get the work done because everyone was gawking at my feet. I couldn't get two sets in without explaining again why I was walking around in water-socks. Everything felt great though. Squatting was amazing and felt so much better without all of the rear end cushion of a normal running shoe. The other plyometrics and core exercises I did also felt better, more controlled, balanced. My two miles on the 'mill felt just fine too.

TODAY I got to take these puppies for a spin outside. I ran a mile and a half to some trails and about 3 miles on those before heading back home. They say "take it slow" with these shoes as you get used to them. Well, now, that just ain't my style. The run felt great! I kind of felt like I'd developed super human powers...I caught myself thinking, "Oh, yeah, I can run barefoot wherever I want without feeling any pain." On the trail I did hit a couple of tough roots, but nothing painful. Hills were fun with the added traction offered by my actual toes! The mile and a half back home on the road started to feel a little sore, but pretty good overall. I'm going to enjoy these shoes and not really miss my old ones. Think you want a pair? I'll give you some good tips and advice I've read next post.

loved it

Training Log

ran it, LOVED it! just did the workout described below yesterday. I went out to a large park and turned my watch on to 4 mins. I ran the 5 x 4 mins. i didn't look at my watch, just repeated my mantra, "it's the effort, 5k effort." I think I did a pretty good job in judging my pace. I felt pretty smashed at the end, but probably could have done one more...just one. I really see how this is going to help my 5k though. I was actually training for a real race, rather than on the track or treadmill. I had ups and downs, corners, and people to get around. I'll probably do this one again in two weeks.


oh, and those Vibram 5 fingers...just BOUGHT THEM! My review will happen in a week or two.

Running Times

April's magazine had some good 5k workouts in it. One comment by Pete Magill really struck me. He coaches 1,000's of runners and usually takes them off the track for workouts. I've got to say, I LIKE my track and even though I'd always rather be outside, i LIKE my treadmill! I like the reassurance that I'm on pace, on time. Pete commented on this by describing two such runners who worried that leaving the oval might hurt their specific time goals. These two were running 19 min 5k and trying to get into the 18's. HUM...sound like anyone (me)? A few months after training with Pete one runner PRd with 16:40 and the other with 17:50!!!! So, maybe that treadmill is holding me back :)

Here's one of his workouts. I'm going to leave my comfy 400m tomorrow and race through the neighborhood.

This is a 5k specific workout and such workouts should be run once a week. This is a progression of sessions, so start where you think you are and move up as you train. All reps are followed by 3 mins jogging unless indicated. Oh, you should run these at your CURRENT 5k pace. Don't go too fast or too slow. When you finish you should feel like you could do a couple more. If you don't feel tired, you didn't go fast enough.

*5-10 x 1 min (2-min recovery)
*5 x 2 min
*5 x 3 min
*4 x 4 min
*5 x 4 min
*4 x 5 min
*5 x 5 min

Tomorrow I think I might start with the 5 x 4 or the 4 x 5. This will substitute for my normal mile repeats that I do on the treadmill (oh, the safety!). I've been warming up, running 3 x 1 mile repeats at 6 min mile (my goal pace) and a cool down. Pete commented that we should not be running our goal pace as we train, but running where we're at (which is more like 6:20 for me) and that in doing so we'll lower our times by conditioning properly.

April's magazine also had a big article on barefoot running. Took me back to my college days, when not only did we complete many workouts barefoot, by I got an A+ in Speech 101 for delivering a convincing piece on the topic. Anyway, I still take the shoes off from time to time and love to get my lightweights on for speed stuff. BUT now I'm eyeballing the

VIBRAM FIVEFINGERS

any opinions?

You're all going to LOVE me!

(your visual)

Here is my new and improved

Chocolate Zucchini Muffin

recipe

I'd already new and improved it before, but I've been playing in the kitchen and I even surprised myself with how healthy I could push this recipe and still have it taste AMAZING! I almost think it's better than the original, and one thing is for sure, it's a whole lot better for you!

Almost every ingredient has a delightful purpose and the remaining few, well...it IS a muffin, and as I've said before, you can't bake a salad...but I tried!

Here goes...
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

2 c grated zucchini, with peel
¼ c canola oil
¼ c applesauce
1 Tbs soft butter (I'm wondering if you even need it at all???...I'll try next batch..I made another batch sans butter, turned out great so just skip it!)
6 heaping Tbs beet pureed*
1 egg
2 Tbs milled flaxseed + 3 Tbs water
3 Tbs Wheat Germ
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 c sugar
¼ c honey/agave
½ c sour milk (1 ½ tsp lemon juice to ½ c milk)
Blend until smooth
Add stirring:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
2/3 c cocoa
2 c whole wheat flour
½ c all purpose baking flour
Add ¾ c mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Pour into regular size muffin tin, sprayed with Bakers Joy (the spray with flour too). Bake at 325 for 18 - 20 mins or until firm to touch. According to my rough estimates, if you make a batch of 20-ish muffins, you'll get 113 calories/muffin and 2.5g fiber.

*Roast beets wrapped in foil at 350 for about an hour. Remove peel and cut into pieces. Puree in blender or food processor until smooth. Store in a zip lock bag and freeze for up to 2 months (divide into convenient amounts before freezing).

THESE muffins can also be stored in a air tight bag and frozen for a few months. They still taste DELISH!

Training Log

I finally ran my 5k! A nearby town has $1 races every 2nd and 4th Saturday. I wasn't expecting much...as in very many people, but there was a nice turnout of 100. It ran pretty smoothly and low key...just my style! I liked it a lot because there wasn't a huge crowd to maneuver around.

I ended up getting 3rd overall behind two men that I'm totally going to take next time. I ran my normal low 19 mins (19:10). I'm just dying to break into 18! I've done it quite a few times in practice, but never in an actual race. I think being more familiar with the course will help. I really didn't know where I was or where the finish was. I probably would have turned it on earlier had I known. One of the guys was just a few steps in front of me, but by the time I realized the race was almost over, I didn't have enough time to get him.

I also did THE UNTHINKABLE in this race...yes, I wore earphones. I've never done it before and felt so morally torn at the thought of racing to music. I figured why not give it a try on a $1 race? ...and my opinion? I'm not a fan. I didn't necessarily concentrate on the music, but it was enough of a distraction that not many of my own thoughts were coming through. Maybe I would have noticed that the end of the race was near had I not been groovin' with Linkin Park? It kind of gave me a headache. Will I try it again...probably. It was kind of nice not to hear my tired, hurting thoughts either. Although I have to say, I don't think I had many of those. I felt really good in the race and just fine when I finished. What does that mean? I CAN GO FASTER!!!!

It was really fun to get out and run a quick race!

How are you persevering with no preservatives?

Tonight, tomorrow, same thing...

Here's my bread recipes...

Honey Wheat Bread
(makes a TON...like two big loaf pans and some breadsticks)
5 c hot water
3 T yeast
1/2 c canola oil
2 Tbs lemon juice
4 Tbs milled flaxseed (in the baking aisle)
4 Tbs wheat germ (in the cereal aisle)
2/3 c honey
2 T salt
10 1/2 c wheat flour
1/2 c gluten flour (in a box in next to the flour)

put 1 c flour and the yeast into a BIG bowl. Add water, then oil, lemon juice, flaxseed, wheat germ, honey, salt & gluten flour. Mix well. Add the rest of the flour. Let set 5 mins. Divide in half and place in greased loaf pans (it's pretty "runny"-I try not to touch it, just dump it in the pan and smooth it out with a spoon). Rise till doubled. Bake at 350 for 30 mins.

YUM! When I first started making this I'd eat it for dessert with honey on top....it's that good!

and for those of you not down with wheat bread...this White bread recipe is amazing...

White Bread
Makes two big loaf pans

1/3 c sugar
2/3 c powdered milk
2 Tbs yeast
1/4 c butter
2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c hot water
6 c flour

Put 2 c flour in mixing bowl. Add the sugar, milk, yeast and butter. Add the hot water. Mix. Add the salt and mix. Add remaining 4 cups of flour. Still in the mixer, rise for 1/2 hour and then mix a few times. Cover and rise 1/2 hour again still in the mixer. Punch down and shape into loafs (it's pretty sticky, and I don't really touch it for the most part, just dump it in). Place in two greased loaf pans. Rise 1/2 hour. Bake at 350 for 20 mins.

This recipe takes much longer than the wheat bread, but is wicked good.


1/4

Challenge Clarifications

What does No Preservatives mean to you? There are many ways to preserve food, and most of them are actually fine and dandy. Salt, dehydration, canning, pickling, smoking... and since almost everything we eat, unless grown in our own backyard, includes preservatives, what in the ding dong are we going to eat? and why attempt a No Preservative Week? Mostly to steer clear of refined carbohydrates found in most packaged goods. Secondly, to try and get a little closer to how nature intended life to be. So, here's the goal in my head. No packaged snackies. No gummies, no crackers, no chips. I'm going to (as always) make my own bread, make some healthy snacks, and try to get as close as possible to the real thing. I've done this in the past was able to notice that even giving up Teddy Grahams has a big effect on my bod. Now that it's clear as mud, this week, like I said, is mostly up to you. Just try to find ways to go homemade and more natural.

whew.

i'll post my most excellent bread recipe tonight!

Lucky 13 Bars

Since next week is No Preservative Week (which I'm apparently doing BY MYSELF), here's a little recipe to help me along.

Lucky 13 Bars:
Mix 3 ½ c quick oats, 1 c whole wheat rice crisp cereal (Kashi), 1 c wheat flour, 2 Tbs. Wheat Germ, 2 Tbs. milled flaxseed, 1 tsp. baking soda. In a separate bowl mix: 2 tsp. vanilla, ¼ c soft butter, ¼ c canola oil, ¾ c honey, ¼ c almond butter. Add wet mixture to dry and blend. Add 2/3 c chopped dates, raisins, dried cherries or cranberries. Add 1 c semi sweet mini chocolate chips.

Press into a 9x11” greased pan. Cook at 350 for 15-18 mins. Remove from oven and press again. When cool cut into 16 even bars. Store in refrigerator.

YUMMY!...and look, no preservatives!...kind of

New Challenge

Starting Next Week (let's see if I can get my dates right) March 22-28 is NO PRESERVATIVES WEEK! Yippy!

No more Teddy Grahams, no more nutrigrain bars, no more Gold Fish Crackers.

On this week I try to limit packaged anything. So making your own bread and snacks helps out. I'll be posting a few good recipes that I like. There are a few packaged items that I actually like and CAN eat during this No Preservatives Week, so I'll let you know about those too.

Any ideas or comments you have...welcome.

Are you in??

Recap your week

How did the challenge go for everyone? Like I said before, I really enjoyed it. I only missed one night when I came home early from a night out to a screaming child. I'll make up for it! I'm going to continue on!


I'll let you all have a week "off," but I'm getting a Challenge ready for next week...so check back!

thinking like a loser

more inspiration from the house of losers.

Watching The Biggest Loser last night I was impressed with what O'Neal had to say. While working at the food bank he commented that he felt good giving back...that it was ironic how he'd eaten so much (more than his fair share) food, while others struggle just to get something on their plate. He also remarked that "what goes around, comes around." Why yes!

There are several ways this can relate, but let's stick to food. If we are always taking more than our fair share of food, it really does come back to bite the oversized butt....in the form of type II diabetes, heart attack, tiredness, low self-esteem...etc. I like this thought because it adds a different form of motivation for me. Not just the I want to look good or live long kind, but perhaps the even higher form of keeping things, the circle of life (if you will), in harmony.

LOVING the CHALLENGE! Helps keep me healthy at night. This may be a lifelong (or at least the next few weeks) thing.

Oh, also amazing how O'Neal used to be such a machine. He was a serious athlete and served in the military, green beret and all (I think). He really looked amazing...super in shape. AMAZING how it all went out the door and he weighs several 100 lbs! Just goes to slip on the slope.

START TONIGHT!

EVERYONE...get your pushups, lunges, and crunches in starting tonight! I've been working on it this past week and I have to say, it does feel good to end the day on a healthy note!

New Challenge

I was reading Shape Magazine a few days ago and I can't remember what celeb said it, but she does 75 pushups, 100 lunges, and 200 crunches every night before she goes to bed just to make sure she ends the day on a healthy note. Nice.

In high school my sisters and I followed a similar routine...a couple hundred crunches before bed. Now I think, "do I want to get all sweaty before hopping in-between the sheets?" Heck yeah! BAM! New challenge!

So, who is hopping in with me? You can set your own pushups, lunges, crunches goal...just let me know what you're in for.

I think I'm going to try to mimic Miss Celeb and go 75, 100, and 200. The pushups might be a bit pushy...for all of my "buff arms" I can be a wimp!

You have this week to sign up, don't be afraid to start now (I'd better work my way up to 75), and then we'll officially start next week, March 5th-11th.

Are you with me?

*****sorry, I looked at the wrong month...next week is the 8th-14th!!!! But if you already started....keep going!

Training Log

It's pouring down rain outside, so treadmill it is. I've been running the same 4 workouts for a couple of weeks now:

-hills
-10 mile pace work @ 7 min miles
-10k pace work @ 6 min miles
-long run of 60+ mins

Plus drills and weights

with the occasional

-8 x 200 meter run w/ 2 min rest


...and all on my stinking broken toe. getting tired of it slash ready to chop it off

TODAY I pulled out a new workout from RT, taped up my toe, and had a really great workout...that almost had me in tears the last three intervals:

-12 x 800 meters w/ 2 min rest jog @ 6 min mile pace. When I got to where I thought I had 4 intervals left, I felt like crying, but then I realized I only had 3 left and, relieved, BUSTED THEM OUT!


-you should try it. Make your 800 meters you 5k race pace and then jog your two minutes rest in between. It's a long workout, I ended up running about 9 miles, including my mile warm up (and I would have loved to cool down with a mile, but I had a kiddie in child care that was ready to go). After effect: FEELS GOOD!

a note on training

I just cover to very last page read my Running Times magazine. Sometimes the articles are a bit to namey/timey/statish for me, but usually I like to see what the great high school, colligate, professional, and masters runners are up to. This time I came away with a new take on my training. For about the past two years I've "been training for a 5k." Mysteriously, I've been side tracked by 1 marathon, 1 half marathon, a 10 miler, and a 10k. No 5k.

I've ran several time trials on the treadmill and can just feel my new 5k PR dying to get out. I find myself waiting for the perfect time to sign up for a race and really go for it. But as you can see, and as RT pointed out, the "perfect time" might never come...so why am I still on the treadmill? Not to mention, I have the wondrous Woodlands $1 5k race every 2nd and 4th Sat. practically sitting in my back yard! No promise that there will be good competition, but at least I'd be out racing. NOT TO MENTION, the really high expectations that I'd be placing on myself if I just trained and trained and then signed up for one "perfect time" race. If I can start racing a bit more frequently, I'd give myself a greater chance of reaching my goal.

What am I getting at? Feb. 27th, The Woodlands $1 5k race and me.

and that's our new challenge! Sign up for a race...are you in?

647

647. Yesterday on the treadmill I tried counting how many cars would go by between one yellow car to the next (not counting taxis or buses, yes, including trucks/vans).

Conclusions:

Not very many people drive yellow cars.

OR not very many people who drive yellow cars pass in front of the gym between 9am and 10:15am.

10 miles on a treadmill takes a lot more time when my shuffle is out of juice and I'm counting how many cars pass between one yellow car to the next.

Can you stand it any longer?

and the winner is...

DEANNA WALKER!

The points were so close I had to go back and make sure! I'm so proud of all of you for hanging in there through the holidays...especially without a lot of motivation on this challenge from me! Way to stick with it!!!

Deanna wins...

A FOOD SCALE and 2 weeks of menu planning!

Thank you for keeping track of you numbers and doing your best to be healthy for yourselves, your family and others around you even through the difficult holiday season.

Keep on it!

and the winner is...

I'll tell you tomorrow....who and what!