According to the weather peeps, today was supposed to be in the 50s, but rainy, so I planned to do my weekly run tomorrow or Wednesday when it was supposed to be sunny, though chillier (between the upper 30s and lower 40s). It certainly did pour this morning, and it was a bit chilly, in the 30s, but fortunately by noon, the rain seemed to leave the skies and the temps started to rise.
So I set out to run around 2 p.m., going my usual route, when the temps were in the upper 40s. As sunny is it was, one could have thought it was 60. In fact with the sun feeling so warm, I decided to skip the sweatshirt/hoodie and wear just a long-sleeved t-shirt with workout pants. Wise choice. I was chilly for only about 30 seconds once or twice the entire run.
As for pain, I felt little, so yeah. I did notice my right knee hurt about halfway into my first mile, but not again after that. The roads were wet, but fortunately, I never slipped.
All in all, it was a good run. Even though the wind on the way down was a bit strong, the sun more than made up for it and left me feeling pretty good.
Mile one:10:12
Mile two: 8:46
Considering the wind, I think I did pretty well time-wise.
Until next time.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Zumba take three!
I just want to go on record saying that I made it through my third Zumba class this past Thursday (two weeks in a row). I am starting to pick up on more of the steps, actually anticipating some of them. And I think my hips actually moved the way they were supposed to on more than one occasion.
I am going to try to stick with Zumba weekly or at least three times per month. I need the diversity, and it does not hurt that according to our instructor, you can burn around 800 calories.
I am going to try to stick with Zumba weekly or at least three times per month. I need the diversity, and it does not hurt that according to our instructor, you can burn around 800 calories.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Zumba take two!
After swimming last Wednesday and with Thursday being cold, I decided that I should try Zumba again.
This time went better than my first time a few weeks ago. I was able to keep up with the moves more so than last time. I was even able to anticipate some upcoming steps. For the most part, however, my hips still do not move the way they probably should for Zumba, but that is true for probably more than half of the people there, so I don't feel so bad.
The instructor has added some squats to the routine. Because of swimming and running, my thighs and butt are fairly strong, so I had no trouble with those. In fact, I said to a couple of the ladies that I would rather do squats for an entire song than some of the crazy hip moves!
Since the temps are supposed to get cold again (50 now, but into the 30s tomorrow), I am planning to try Zumba again this coming Thursday. Hopefully, eventually, I will get it going on!
This time went better than my first time a few weeks ago. I was able to keep up with the moves more so than last time. I was even able to anticipate some upcoming steps. For the most part, however, my hips still do not move the way they probably should for Zumba, but that is true for probably more than half of the people there, so I don't feel so bad.
The instructor has added some squats to the routine. Because of swimming and running, my thighs and butt are fairly strong, so I had no trouble with those. In fact, I said to a couple of the ladies that I would rather do squats for an entire song than some of the crazy hip moves!
Since the temps are supposed to get cold again (50 now, but into the 30s tomorrow), I am planning to try Zumba again this coming Thursday. Hopefully, eventually, I will get it going on!
A lot of swimming and some boredom
Since I last blogged, I have gone swimming three times. I swam 25 consecutive laps on Wednesday, about 30 laps on Sunday, and then yesterday, I swam about 15 laps and threw in some jogging for good measure. For some reason, my laps were sluggish yesterday. Whereas on Sunday, I did my 30 laps in about 35 minutes, yesterday it took me well over 20 minutes to get in 15 laps. I was okay going slowly, since my speed was pretty good the day before. But I was not sure what was causing me to languish, if you will.
Nonetheless, with this crazy weather, I am glad I have the indoor pool option. Right now it is about 50 degrees, but it has been raining all morning, so running is out. That means no exercise for me today; I definitely do not feel like getting in the pool three days in a row. Tomorrow, probably.
Nonetheless, with this crazy weather, I am glad I have the indoor pool option. Right now it is about 50 degrees, but it has been raining all morning, so running is out. That means no exercise for me today; I definitely do not feel like getting in the pool three days in a row. Tomorrow, probably.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
That first mile keeps getting longer!
Wanting to take advantage of the decent (mid 40s) temps again, I decided another run was in order. Today's jaunt was a bit chillier than Friday's; I was only slightly warm as I ran up the hill, but never enough that it warranted removing the same hoodie I wore on Friday. In fact, I almost wished I had gloves on as I was running up the hill, but after about a half mile, I got over that.
My left foot hurt less than it did on Friday; really, it was hardly noticeable, so that was good. But I did not push myself, mostly because I had eaten a pretty big lunch about an hour prior to the run. But a bigger reason for my running without worrying about time was that I don't want to get my heart rate up too high. When I ran up the steps after my two miles on Friday, I checked my pulse, and it was over 180, which is too high for my age, unfortunately. So I just can't see myself giving it my all as I run up the final hill at the end of my first mile.
Mile one: 10:42
Mile two: 8:52
So even slower first mile than on Friday, but what can you do? Over the next few months, I will have to decide if I can accept that mile one may never get below 10 minutes again. For now, in January, at the age of 40, I am okay with it. After all, I am still running!
My left foot hurt less than it did on Friday; really, it was hardly noticeable, so that was good. But I did not push myself, mostly because I had eaten a pretty big lunch about an hour prior to the run. But a bigger reason for my running without worrying about time was that I don't want to get my heart rate up too high. When I ran up the steps after my two miles on Friday, I checked my pulse, and it was over 180, which is too high for my age, unfortunately. So I just can't see myself giving it my all as I run up the final hill at the end of my first mile.
Mile one: 10:42
Mile two: 8:52
So even slower first mile than on Friday, but what can you do? Over the next few months, I will have to decide if I can accept that mile one may never get below 10 minutes again. For now, in January, at the age of 40, I am okay with it. After all, I am still running!
A great day at the pool
Before I blog about today's run, I wanted to document my morning at the pool yesterday.
Much like I did a few weeks ago, I swam 20 laps, jogged for 20 minutes, swam 20 more laps, and jogged for 20 more minutes.
I was not feeling it at first, but I pushed myself a little because I know I need to get in better shape and burn off those holiday pounds. I was pretty pleased with my timing of the 20 laps; it took me about 27 minutes for the first 20 laps and about 25 for the second 20 laps. I kept my pool jogging pretty moderate, save for trying to run as best as I could the last few minutes.
My feet did not cramp up as they have been doing lately, so it was a good workout. Probably won't work that hard at the pool the rest of the week!
Much like I did a few weeks ago, I swam 20 laps, jogged for 20 minutes, swam 20 more laps, and jogged for 20 more minutes.
I was not feeling it at first, but I pushed myself a little because I know I need to get in better shape and burn off those holiday pounds. I was pretty pleased with my timing of the 20 laps; it took me about 27 minutes for the first 20 laps and about 25 for the second 20 laps. I kept my pool jogging pretty moderate, save for trying to run as best as I could the last few minutes.
My feet did not cramp up as they have been doing lately, so it was a good workout. Probably won't work that hard at the pool the rest of the week!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Wardrobe malfunctions
The American Dialect Society defines a wardrobe malfunction as "an unanticipated exposure of bodily parts." My wardrobe malfunction today was fortunately nothing like that, but just a few annoyances while running.
Yes, I am happy to say that I did manage to run today, in sunny, 55-degree weather, a rare treat in January. I opted for a long-sleeved t-shirt and thin hoodie, but was already too hot in the hoodie just a few tenths of a mile into it. Even before I became uncomfortable, my keys fell out of my hoodie pocket, which necessitated my stopping, turning around, picking up said keys, and starting again. I also was contending with my mp3 player, something I rarely use/wear, mostly in the interest of safety (i.e., the fear of not being to hear a car). Today, however, for some reason I could not keep the clip on my hoodie, so I ended up holding it, which was annoying.
When I reached the top of the hill/first mile, I hurriedly took off the hoodie and tied it around my waist, promptly ripping out my earphones from my mp3 player. I also managed to lose my headband in my hoodie for a couple of seconds. For the record, I stopped timing myself during this minor ordeal.
Fortunately, the run back went more smoothly, although I did manage to once again rip out the headphones once I finished the run and started going up and down the gym steps about a half dozen times.
All told, the run was a bit difficult, which is not surprising considering I last ran outside over a month ago. My feet, mostly my left one, hurt a bit during the first mile, but I hardly noticed it/them after that. And my timing was not great. But I completely the two miles, ran up and down the steps about five or six times, as noted above, and even managed to swim eight laps in the pool an hour later. Therefore, I call today a success. Not bad for a 40-year-old gal!
Mile one: 10:30
Mile two: 8:54
Yes, I am happy to say that I did manage to run today, in sunny, 55-degree weather, a rare treat in January. I opted for a long-sleeved t-shirt and thin hoodie, but was already too hot in the hoodie just a few tenths of a mile into it. Even before I became uncomfortable, my keys fell out of my hoodie pocket, which necessitated my stopping, turning around, picking up said keys, and starting again. I also was contending with my mp3 player, something I rarely use/wear, mostly in the interest of safety (i.e., the fear of not being to hear a car). Today, however, for some reason I could not keep the clip on my hoodie, so I ended up holding it, which was annoying.
When I reached the top of the hill/first mile, I hurriedly took off the hoodie and tied it around my waist, promptly ripping out my earphones from my mp3 player. I also managed to lose my headband in my hoodie for a couple of seconds. For the record, I stopped timing myself during this minor ordeal.
Fortunately, the run back went more smoothly, although I did manage to once again rip out the headphones once I finished the run and started going up and down the gym steps about a half dozen times.
All told, the run was a bit difficult, which is not surprising considering I last ran outside over a month ago. My feet, mostly my left one, hurt a bit during the first mile, but I hardly noticed it/them after that. And my timing was not great. But I completely the two miles, ran up and down the steps about five or six times, as noted above, and even managed to swim eight laps in the pool an hour later. Therefore, I call today a success. Not bad for a 40-year-old gal!
Mile one: 10:30
Mile two: 8:54
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Resistance is futile!
I was not my usual exercising self over the past few weeks. I think I swam only three times between the days leading up to Christmas through New Year's Eve. As for running, I had not run at all for almost three weeks, back when I fought with the treadmill. And my last run outside was over a month ago, way back when I was still in my 30s!
But yesterday, not really feeling like swimming lap after lap as I had done on Saturday and Monday, I decided to jog in the pool instead. To save my knees some, I would jog up a lane and then over, and then I would jog backwards three lanes from where I started. When I am in 3', I can actually pump my arms and get some speed going. But when I get into 4' and beyond (I usually turn just before I get to 5'), it feels as if I am going through molasses, not that I have had first-hand experience.
For the last few minutes of my 30 minute "jog," I tried to run as fast as I could, perpendicular to the lanes, while in 3'. I never feel as if I get a great workout when I jog in the pool, mostly, I presume, because I am not doing it that fast. So hopefully with the speed at the end, I challenged myself enough. And I did manage to swim five laps after that, just because it would seem almost pathetic not to get in some laps.
It has been cold the past few days and crazy snowy on Tuesday, so running has been out this week. But maybe, just maybe, I can bring myself to run a couple miles on Friday, when it is supposed to hit the upper 40s. I won't have much of an excuse then.
But yesterday, not really feeling like swimming lap after lap as I had done on Saturday and Monday, I decided to jog in the pool instead. To save my knees some, I would jog up a lane and then over, and then I would jog backwards three lanes from where I started. When I am in 3', I can actually pump my arms and get some speed going. But when I get into 4' and beyond (I usually turn just before I get to 5'), it feels as if I am going through molasses, not that I have had first-hand experience.
For the last few minutes of my 30 minute "jog," I tried to run as fast as I could, perpendicular to the lanes, while in 3'. I never feel as if I get a great workout when I jog in the pool, mostly, I presume, because I am not doing it that fast. So hopefully with the speed at the end, I challenged myself enough. And I did manage to swim five laps after that, just because it would seem almost pathetic not to get in some laps.
It has been cold the past few days and crazy snowy on Tuesday, so running has been out this week. But maybe, just maybe, I can bring myself to run a couple miles on Friday, when it is supposed to hit the upper 40s. I won't have much of an excuse then.
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