Weekly Fitness Log - Week 11, 2009

Monday, March 16
Walk Missy - 1.5 Miles
Run in Neighborhood - Aprox 40 Min

Tuesday, March 17
Leg Series (a series of leg workouts I learned in college and have added onto through the years. It's pilates based and I love it. Note to self: do it more often)
Otherwise this was an "off day"

Wednesday, March 18
Elliptical: 30 Min Hill Climbs
Bike: 15 Min
Abs
Sauna: 10 min (did you know you can burn up to 300 calories in the sauna?! I read it on the internet so it must be true, right?!)

Thursday, March 19
Run: 1.25, .50 + Walking
Elliptical: 20 Minutes ass workout
Abs
Upper Body Weights

Friday, March 20
Off Day

Saturday, March 21
Run in neighborhood: 4 miles. (I'd say I probably walked 1 mile total of this, although I only walked for no longer than 45 seconds each time I walked) I heart Map My Run.com!

Sunday, March 22
Off Day

Overall Notes:
This was an alright week. The first two days of the week I was still getting back into the swing of things. The rest of the week I felt pretty good. Although I'm starting to have a little knee pain that I'm not sure about. I really think it's because I disparately need new shoes, but keep putting off getting them. The bottom of my current shoes are completely worn flat and I'm sure there's absolutely no cushion left. I'm SO bad about buying new running shoes. Maybe next week.

I mentioned in my last update that I was doing the Low Carb diet. Um, that didn't go so well. I love carbs. I was successful at REDUCING my carb intake, so I think I'll consider that a win. I lost a pound or so. I stocked up at the grocery store on good for you food and my pantry is close to being depeted of bad food (ignore those jelly beans, ok?). I'm trying my best.

Two Things

Two things that make me happy (and George, who's not pictured).

I'm in a funk. Just needed some cheering up. That's all.

Weekly Fitness Log - Week 10, 2009

Week 10! Wow, I never thought I'd keep this up for so long.

As predicted, I don't have much to report. I think I had a touch of Zach's sickness and then a touch of allergies. I felt heavy headed and tired and just plain gross all week long. I didn't work out until today. So, that means I took an entire week off. I honestly cannot remember the last time I didn't work out for a whole week. I mean, I even worked out on my honeymoon! This is bad. I did run with Missy a little bit on Wednesday, but I'm not counting that.

Today I ran outside in the neighborhood because it was so nice out. I would consider it a "walk/run". Running after a whole week off is really hard, especially since I still don't feel the greatest. It got better towards the end, so I don't think I lost too much ground.

Tomorrow I start my LOW carb diet again. I did this two years ago right around this time before my engagement pictures and a trip to Florida. It worked surprisingly well. This time of year is perfect for low carb (note how I keep saying LOW carb, no way I can go totally no carb) because I'm starting to be in the mood for lots of salads and lots of grilling out. Now that we actually have a grill it should work even better! Nothing tastes worse than a turkey burger on the George Foreman! Yick! So, wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.

I'll update my progress next week!

Missy's Frist Birthday!

Missy Moo turned 1 year old today. I can't believe we've had her for 9 months now. I feel like it was just yesterday that we went to go pick her up. It's a day I'm sure I'll never forget.

We sort of fell into getting Missy. I was browsing around on http://www.waysidewaifs.org one day at work and stumbled upon a litter of little Lab puppies. As per usual procedure, I found the cutest one and emailed it to Zach. Usually when I'd do this he'd reply with a short "yeah, yeah, that's nice." However, this time he was interested! A flurry of emails followed and a couple of phone calls later we decied to go check the puppies out that night. It was a Thursday and we were planning to leave for Sioux Falls the next day for Alicia's graduation and bridal shower.

We got to Wayside Waifs and headed back to the kennels. I volunteered at Wayside a couple times. I think it's the best shelter in the area. The animals are treated so well and loved on so much, but it still absolutely breaks my heart to see their little faces behind bars. To get to the puppies, you have to walk past all the big dogs (which are mostly labs). I was fighting back the tears already. We found the lab puppies and only two were there. We stuck our hands through the grate and ooohd and ahhd for a bit. While we were there a lady came over and started cuddling on one of the puppies. So, we asked her about them. Turned out that she was the foster mom! She said the puppies were born in foster care as the mom was found pregnant and abandoned. The two puppies we saw had a strange condition on their legs. One or both of their front legs were really swollen. The lady said the mom had the same condition as well as a few other puppies. They had run a battery of tests and never did figure out what it was. The mom's went away after birth. Some of the puppies had it, some didn't. We asked about the puppies and she said they were both adopted. My heart sank. Then she remembered that one was still filming a movie (I've told this part before so I wont' go into detail). She told us she didn't have the leg condition and was a bit smaller than the two we were seeing. She suggested we ask the front desk if "Misty" is still available.

We went up to the front desk and talked to a really nice lady. She told us that the actors and crew get first pick of the puppies, but so far nobody had chosen Misty. Our names would be first on the waiting list. We left feeling really excited but not optimistic. A few days later, while in South Dakota I got the call and Misty was ours! We got to spread the news to Zach's family first, which was neat because usually they hear everything over the phone. It was fun to tell exciting news in person. We started thinking of names and the only thing we could come up with was "Missy" (creative!!) but decided to wait until we met her for the official naming. We might change our minds after all!

So a few days later we went to go pick up our puppy. They ushered us into the adoption room. There was a little blackboard that said "I'm going home today!" and listed all the animals being adopted that day. Misty was first on the list! It suddenly became very real. We started filling out the paperwork. We were getting her microchipped and therefore we got a free name tag and the girl asked us what her name was. The moment of truth was here and we hadn't even met her!! "ummm... Missy I guess". A few minutes later another girl came through the door with a little yellow ball of fur. My excitement immediately turned to pure terror. I started internally freaking out and thinking "No! Oh my God! Take her back! I can't do it!!!! NOOOOO!!!!" Then she put her in my lap and Missy did exactly what she does best...Licked the crap out of my face. I remember saying "oohhh look at you little Missy!" and then immediately saying "Ohhhh look at that, I'd call you Missy anyway!"

We finished writing a bunch of checks and signing a bunch of forms. I'm sure they could have asked me for ten grand and I would have just smiled and said "Ok!" at this point. They took her away again to get her microchip put in and we waited in the hall. I choked up a bit when I saw an older lady leave with an older dog she had just adopted. It made my heart sing, she was so happy. Then they brought back out a much more mellow Missy. She apparently didn't appreciate the microchipping. I sat in the backseat while Zach drove. Missy fell asleep next to me with her head in my lap. I. Was. In. Love.

Best day ever.

GrandmaGrandpa came over not even an hour after we got home because they just had to meet their first grandpuppy right away! George didn't meet her until a few hours later. It's been chaos ever since. But, we love every second.

Tonight Zach and I celebrated at 54th Street and then came home, sang "Happy Birthday" and Missy got a big ol' rawhide and has been in heaven since.

Happy 1st Birthday My MeesMoo! I love you!!!



Here's a video of "The Crazy Banana"

Weekly Fitness Log - Week 9

Well, I got lazy last week and kind of forgot to write down my workouts...

I know I worked out 4 days last week. One of those days was the Drumm Run. The others probably consisted of a mix of cardio and weights... Ugh. Totally spaced things off last week.

Don't expect week 10 to be much better either. I haven't worked out since the run on Saturday. I'm going to *try* today, but Zach has been sick with a fever since Sunday and I'm starting to wonder if I have a touch of it. I just feel bleh. I'll take Missy on her walk tonight and see how I feel. I might be able to get a run in. We shall see.

I still full intend on doing the triathlon in August. I'm asking for a bike for my birthday! Now I just need to start swimming.......

Drumm Farm Trail Run 5K

This Saturday was my first run of the season. I kind of signed up for this race on a whim. Since it was held in Lee's Summit, I thought I might as well. Since it was just the 5K I signed up for, I thought it would be a good warm up for the Trolley Run 4 miler next month.

The race was billed as a "trail run". A friend of mine knew someone putting on the race and she said the trail was mostly gravel. Ok, I can handle that. My first 5K ever (Thanksgiving Turkey Trail Trot '06 in Parkville) was on gravel. It snowed last weekend so I knew there was a chance of some soft spots and mud, but I wore my "trail running" shoes (that are probably 5 years old) and thought I'd be good.

We got to Unity Villiage and unlike any other race I'd done, there wasn't a lot of clarity on what you were supposed to do. In my packet it said I had to check in in the Bookstore. I went in the bookstore and nobody was in there. Come to find out there was a secret door in the back and that's where I had to go. It also turns out that since I had already picked up my packet, I didn't need to register. Um, ok. I noticed that there weren't many people either. Smallest race ever. Apparently it was the 1st annual, so that explains it.

Before the race started they had some door prizes. I WON! I got a free pedicure! I never win anything! I was pretty excited. The race organizer guy kind of described the trail to me and once again said the course was mostly gravel. He also said that if you got hurt to tell the runner behind you to "send help" Um... This worried me a bit.

So we all line up and get ready to go. There was a sort-of countdown and an air horn then off we went. I knew I was in trouble right away. Our first leg of the race was straight across a field. Full of holes and deer poo and dips and hills. Oh crap! When we actually did come to a "trail" it was an un-even golf cart path. My ankle was screaming at me within the first 5 minutes. And I don't have bad ankles. The whole race was pure hell.

The expression on my face just about sums it up andthat kid totally smoked me.

I was getting really upset with myself, thinking I didn't train enough, that I'm far too out of shape. I was really pissed the whole race. There was this one girl that I kept pretty good pace with the whole time though. We would exchange "this totally sucks" looks every once in a while so I knew I wasn't alone. The fields are what killed me (and that was most of the race). There were just holes everywhere and it was totally uneven. I've never, ever run on that sort of terrain and was really, really frustrated. At one point a DEER CUT ME OFF! Not kidding, the thing ran straight out of nowhere directly in front of me. At least that made me laugh. I ended up walking a portion of the race because my legs were killing me. I was so mad at myself. BUT, I finished.

I just looked up my "official time" and um, I think there were some people not wearing their chips because it says I came in 4th place! HAHAHAHA! There's no way. I know for a fact that there were plenty of people in front of me. My official time says it's 33:08, which is a lot better than I thought I'd finish that's for sure.

I came across the finish line and Zach was there. I'm glad he came with me :) Knowing someone will be at the finish line makes things so much more worth it. I usually go to races by myself since they are so early in the morning and there's lots of standing around waiting, but he volunteered to come to this one. I was happy! Although, his photography skills leave a little to be desired.... That's me at the finish line, behind the tree. Haha!

I saw one of my former sorority sisters there and she said she had planned to do the 10K, but cut it short at the 5K mark because she was having such a hard time with the course too. So, that made me feel much better.

So overall...tough race. I'm glad I did it, but I'm not sure I'll go back next year. And besides, Unity Villiage is kinda strange.... Here's my official "Finish Line" picture. I look like a total idiot in all of my running pictures. I think I need to work on my form or something.... Yikes! I think I was trying to smile too... I can't believe I'm even posting this.....

Weekly Fitness Log - Week 8

Monday, February 23
Walk Missy: 1.5 miles
Off Day

Tuesday, February 24
Walk Missy: 1.5 Miles
Treadmill: Run 4.0 miles (took a couple "breaks" but only for a few seconds each time)
Abs

Wednesday, February 25
Run Outside: 4.0 Miles at the park (took a couple "breaks" but only for a few seconds each time)
Abs

Thursday, February 26
Off

Friday, February 27
Elliptical: 30 Min (rear end focused)
Weights: 15 Min
Abs

Saturday, February 28
Snow Day!

Sunday, February 29
Elliptical: 20 min
Weights: 15 min
Bike: 60 min spin class + 15 minute "warm up"

Overall Notes
Good week! I was very happy with my two 4 mile runs. As expected the first 2 were the hardest and going further than that comes a little easier. I also stepped on the scale this week and was pleased to see I lost just shy of 3 pounds. So far this week has been a struggle, but I'm running a 5K on Saturday so I've got to get ready for that. I won't be back on the scale for a few weeks though!