February 1st marked the beginning of my participation in the 10,000 push up challenge. It's 100 push ups over 100 days. It can be broken up any way we want. All at once, or spread out through out the day. I am really hoping at the end of this I can do a real push up. That's right, I am still doing girly push ups on my knees.
One of my friends is a professional trainer. She invited me to the contest. I have already been trying to work on my push ups because after nine months of crossfit you'd think I could do a real push up, but it is just not happening. Plus if we do push ups in our daily work out, I can count them in my total for the day :) .
I'm already looking forward for the 100 days to be over and we're only three days in. Friday was the first day. My arms felt like they were going to fall off after doing 100 push ups and the snatch set we did in crossfit. Saturday, my arms were still tired from Friday. Today my arms were still tired from Saturday. I know I can make it though. This first couple weeks will be the toughest (I keep telling myself). Luckily my husband is doing it with me too, which always helps. I do get annoyed when he does extra, he wrote a little plus 30 on the check off sheet we have on the first day. Way to be an overachiever.
My strategy changes by what's going on during the day. If I work I break them up through out the day. Ten here, ten there. I don't want to have to bust out 100 push ups before bed. On my days off I have been cramming them in all at once. Mostly due to time constraints. My daughter doesn't help. She tries to climb underneath us as we are doing them, forcing us to hold a plank in the middle of a set. She's probably doing this on purpose knowing both my husband and I need to work on our ab strength.
So far so good. Only 97 more days to go.
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Race Report: Kirkland 5k
My journey to this race was a some what interesting one. I knew I wanted to do a half marathon this year, but I did not want to pay the really high fee to run in Seattle RNR. I decided to sign up for the Kirkland half marathon instead. It was much easier to get to and I could do the 5k instead, if finding time to train was too difficult. I signed up back in December thinking May sounded so far away and a training for a half could be feasible. Well February quickly came around and my regular running schedule was no where close where it needed to be to train for a half, much less one as difficult as Kirkland. The 5k it is.
As it was, the 5k was even difficult to do. For medical reasons I had to take almost 3 weeks off from running. I was nervous to do such a hilly run. When I woke up this morning I really wanted to stay in bed. I contemplated for a second about skipping it, but I had a friend meeting me at the finish. I also had to go for a run anyway, so I might as well run a race. Of course Hailey chose to sleep in until seven, making me miss out on an opportunity to sleep in.
Once I had my coffee my outlook changed, but I was still dreading running up Market Street, which is at least a half mile up hill. Before I knew it I was kissing my husband and kiddo good bye to walk down to the starting line.
Lining up in the race corral I got really excited. It was a beautiful day in Seattle and about 62 degrees at the start of the race. I got a little emotional thinking about how it was Mother's Day and what a cool tradition it would be to run the race every year, thinking one day Hailey might join me. I honestly had to keep my eyes from tearing up.
The race started on time and the first part of the course lead along one of my usual three mile routes, from the Juanita Bay Park to the bridge and up Market Street. I usually do not go all the way up Market though. It was a killer. Many people stopped to walk at that point (I would say this is not very fast race, anyone really serious runs the half. I lined up in the front of the 8 to 10 minute mile group and did not have a lot of people passing me). I slowed down to my distance running pace. I stopped to walk for about 20 yards, but other than that I ran the whole way up. The nice part of making it up, the rest of the run is down hill most of the way back
I really think this is one of the hilliest 5ks around. Maybe only a mile of it is flat and the course really zig zags through the neighborhoods (and a lot of really nice houses). I had a beautiful view of Lake Washington for part of it. It would be so nice to wake up to that every morning.
By the time I hit mile two I was getting pretty tired. We hit the straight away I run on all the time. I struggled to keep motivation to run quickly. Then a mom passed me with a double stroller and an infant who could not be any more than three months old. I felt like a slacker. After I made the turn for the last .4 miles to the finish I was able to kick it up a notch and at the end I sprinted to beat out a guy running just in front of me. I finished with a time of 31:59 and a pace of 10:18 a mile. I'll take it for such a hilly run and that beats out my Valentine's Day Dash bathroom stop time, which was my goal.
All and all, for a challenging course I recommend this race, probably not for a first 5k, unless walking is an option. For the half finishers, flowers can be ordered to give the finishing moms as they cross the line. Medals are awarded to all the finishers of the half too. Now how sweet is that.
As it was, the 5k was even difficult to do. For medical reasons I had to take almost 3 weeks off from running. I was nervous to do such a hilly run. When I woke up this morning I really wanted to stay in bed. I contemplated for a second about skipping it, but I had a friend meeting me at the finish. I also had to go for a run anyway, so I might as well run a race. Of course Hailey chose to sleep in until seven, making me miss out on an opportunity to sleep in.
Once I had my coffee my outlook changed, but I was still dreading running up Market Street, which is at least a half mile up hill. Before I knew it I was kissing my husband and kiddo good bye to walk down to the starting line.
Lining up in the race corral I got really excited. It was a beautiful day in Seattle and about 62 degrees at the start of the race. I got a little emotional thinking about how it was Mother's Day and what a cool tradition it would be to run the race every year, thinking one day Hailey might join me. I honestly had to keep my eyes from tearing up.
The race started on time and the first part of the course lead along one of my usual three mile routes, from the Juanita Bay Park to the bridge and up Market Street. I usually do not go all the way up Market though. It was a killer. Many people stopped to walk at that point (I would say this is not very fast race, anyone really serious runs the half. I lined up in the front of the 8 to 10 minute mile group and did not have a lot of people passing me). I slowed down to my distance running pace. I stopped to walk for about 20 yards, but other than that I ran the whole way up. The nice part of making it up, the rest of the run is down hill most of the way back
I really think this is one of the hilliest 5ks around. Maybe only a mile of it is flat and the course really zig zags through the neighborhoods (and a lot of really nice houses). I had a beautiful view of Lake Washington for part of it. It would be so nice to wake up to that every morning.
By the time I hit mile two I was getting pretty tired. We hit the straight away I run on all the time. I struggled to keep motivation to run quickly. Then a mom passed me with a double stroller and an infant who could not be any more than three months old. I felt like a slacker. After I made the turn for the last .4 miles to the finish I was able to kick it up a notch and at the end I sprinted to beat out a guy running just in front of me. I finished with a time of 31:59 and a pace of 10:18 a mile. I'll take it for such a hilly run and that beats out my Valentine's Day Dash bathroom stop time, which was my goal.
All and all, for a challenging course I recommend this race, probably not for a first 5k, unless walking is an option. For the half finishers, flowers can be ordered to give the finishing moms as they cross the line. Medals are awarded to all the finishers of the half too. Now how sweet is that.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Race Season Fail
That's me. Of the eight to ten races I planned to do this year, so far I am doing two (hoping for four to five, but we'll see how it goes). One of those races is a half marathon I signed up for thinking I would have time train for and I was really wrong. Instead I am doing the 5k. Although, half the reason I signed up for it was because I knew if I didn't have time to train I could at least do the 5k instead and not feel like I was wasting a bunch of money. :)
Only until this past three weeks have I really had the energy to start upping my mileage. I just did five miles this past week end and it felt great. I didn't feel guilty for doing it and I still had plenty of energy when I got back home. I'm just slowly adding distance each week and not really worrying about getting faster. I'm sticking with my three mile runs during the week and counting my runs with the jogging stroller as speed training. I am also counting upping my speed on the treadmill that last half mile because I REALLY want to get off the dang thing as speed training too :) ... Any ways, I'll worry about upping those week day runs when I actually start training for a distance race or when I want to have a cheese burger and milk shake.
I'm starting to feel like a runner again and its nice to have that confidence back. It isn't how many races I do, but how I feel that counts.
Only until this past three weeks have I really had the energy to start upping my mileage. I just did five miles this past week end and it felt great. I didn't feel guilty for doing it and I still had plenty of energy when I got back home. I'm just slowly adding distance each week and not really worrying about getting faster. I'm sticking with my three mile runs during the week and counting my runs with the jogging stroller as speed training. I am also counting upping my speed on the treadmill that last half mile because I REALLY want to get off the dang thing as speed training too :) ... Any ways, I'll worry about upping those week day runs when I actually start training for a distance race or when I want to have a cheese burger and milk shake.
I'm starting to feel like a runner again and its nice to have that confidence back. It isn't how many races I do, but how I feel that counts.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Goal Update
Sorry I haven't posted very much. In truth I have lacked the motivation to post since I have not been doing anything new.
Since I have transitioned back to work I have been successful in working out in the morning. I have been getting up at 5:45 and going to the gym to run three miles on the dreadmill. I do that two to three days a week. I get up and do 30DS one day a week here at home. Then I have been usually doing one or two runs on the week end outside. All in all, almost every week I work out five days a week.
My pace is around a ten minute mile. It's a little slower when I run outside because we have a lot of hills around here. It is a minute thirty slower when I run with the jogging stroller. I finally made it to four miles this week! I have been feeling guilty leaving Hailey for anything longer than 30 minutes. I try to go out when she goes down for a nap and that way I know I won't miss much. It also helps I am not her only food source anymore.
I am six days into level three on 30DS. I am looking forward to having it complete. My 30DS has turned into a five month shred, but I am curious to post a before and after picture for you guys to see how far my body has come from four weeks post baby. I wouldn't contribute 30DS to the results, but to overall exercise.
Looks like it might be May before I have my next race. For now my goal is to work on getting up my mileage. I am not following a training plan right now just slowly working up increasing my mileage every weeked.
Since I have transitioned back to work I have been successful in working out in the morning. I have been getting up at 5:45 and going to the gym to run three miles on the dreadmill. I do that two to three days a week. I get up and do 30DS one day a week here at home. Then I have been usually doing one or two runs on the week end outside. All in all, almost every week I work out five days a week.
My pace is around a ten minute mile. It's a little slower when I run outside because we have a lot of hills around here. It is a minute thirty slower when I run with the jogging stroller. I finally made it to four miles this week! I have been feeling guilty leaving Hailey for anything longer than 30 minutes. I try to go out when she goes down for a nap and that way I know I won't miss much. It also helps I am not her only food source anymore.
I am six days into level three on 30DS. I am looking forward to having it complete. My 30DS has turned into a five month shred, but I am curious to post a before and after picture for you guys to see how far my body has come from four weeks post baby. I wouldn't contribute 30DS to the results, but to overall exercise.
Looks like it might be May before I have my next race. For now my goal is to work on getting up my mileage. I am not following a training plan right now just slowly working up increasing my mileage every weeked.
Monday, January 2, 2012
2011 Year in Review, Resolutions for 2012
I looked back in my blog to see my goals from 2011. Here they are:
1) Run 1,000 miles
This one is a fail, my garmin only logged 581 miles. I probably have 650 miles adding in the treadmill runs I did last winter. Considering I quit running in June, I will count this one as a success because I would have smashed that goal had I not been pregnant.
2) Run my first 5k (it is so weird to think I have never raced one) AND my first sub nine minute pace at it.
This I did do! I actually ran two 5ks in 2011, Seattle's Valentine's Day Dash and the Seahawks 5k. I didn't achieve a sub nine minute pace. Thanks to Hailey being on board there was an unfortunate incident in the tunnel of love that cost me the extra four seconds I needed to make that goal.
3) Run my first full marathon (shooting for Portland in October)
Didn't happen. I was busy waddling down the Sammamish River trail during the Portland Marathon
4) Just be happy and stay healthy with what ever I accomplish
How can this not be true when I popped out a beautiful little baby? :) That I would say is an accomplishment.
I do not really do resolutions, so we'll call these goals for 2012:
1) Run a half marathon - I don't think a full is going to be achievable until Hailey is a little older. I'll settle for a half this year.
2) Run 1200 miles - That is a 100 miles a month, so about 25 miles a week. Right now I am doing about nine, so I am not on pace. I still think I can do it though. Those peak training weeks can make up for it.
3) Lose the baby weight - Currently that is another 9 pounds. I have a weigh in on Friday. I don't think I have made any progress since my last one. If anything I am just gaining back the muscle I lost.
2012 is going to be an awesome year. Good luck to everyone out there.
1) Run 1,000 miles
This one is a fail, my garmin only logged 581 miles. I probably have 650 miles adding in the treadmill runs I did last winter. Considering I quit running in June, I will count this one as a success because I would have smashed that goal had I not been pregnant.
2) Run my first 5k (it is so weird to think I have never raced one) AND my first sub nine minute pace at it.
This I did do! I actually ran two 5ks in 2011, Seattle's Valentine's Day Dash and the Seahawks 5k. I didn't achieve a sub nine minute pace. Thanks to Hailey being on board there was an unfortunate incident in the tunnel of love that cost me the extra four seconds I needed to make that goal.
3) Run my first full marathon (shooting for Portland in October)
Didn't happen. I was busy waddling down the Sammamish River trail during the Portland Marathon
4) Just be happy and stay healthy with what ever I accomplish
How can this not be true when I popped out a beautiful little baby? :) That I would say is an accomplishment.
I do not really do resolutions, so we'll call these goals for 2012:
1) Run a half marathon - I don't think a full is going to be achievable until Hailey is a little older. I'll settle for a half this year.
2) Run 1200 miles - That is a 100 miles a month, so about 25 miles a week. Right now I am doing about nine, so I am not on pace. I still think I can do it though. Those peak training weeks can make up for it.
3) Lose the baby weight - Currently that is another 9 pounds. I have a weigh in on Friday. I don't think I have made any progress since my last one. If anything I am just gaining back the muscle I lost.
2012 is going to be an awesome year. Good luck to everyone out there.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Looking back on 2010 and goals for 2011
Last year was the year I took my fitness to a whole different level. Here is what I accomplished in 2010:
1) Ran eight races, one 4 mile, two 8ks, one 10k, two 12ks, and two Half Marathons
2) My fasted recorded mile is 7:15
3) My 8 to 10k pace is between 9:15 and 9:30
4) Half Marathon pace is still hovering around 10 minute miles
5) I ran a total of 785 miles.
I would say my two best races this year were the Torchlight 8k and RNR Seattle Half Marathon. These are the races I felt the best. I am most proud of my time for Torchlight, with a 9:08 pace for five miles. RNR was my first Half Marathon and definitely got me addicted. I wish I would have pushed harder out of the gate, but I think I felt so good at the finish because I started slow.
These are my goals right now for 2011:
1) Run 1,000 miles
2) Run my first 5k (it is so weird to think I have never raced one) AND my first sub nine minute pace at it.
3) Run my first full marathon (shooting for Portland in October)
4) Just be happy and stay healthy with what ever I accomplish
H is also talking about doing a triathlon in Eastern Washington. I will probably join him if he puts it together. Running is my weakest skill, so I think I will be a natural at it. We will see. Here is to a new year full of running and new friends!
1) Ran eight races, one 4 mile, two 8ks, one 10k, two 12ks, and two Half Marathons
2) My fasted recorded mile is 7:15
3) My 8 to 10k pace is between 9:15 and 9:30
4) Half Marathon pace is still hovering around 10 minute miles
5) I ran a total of 785 miles.
I would say my two best races this year were the Torchlight 8k and RNR Seattle Half Marathon. These are the races I felt the best. I am most proud of my time for Torchlight, with a 9:08 pace for five miles. RNR was my first Half Marathon and definitely got me addicted. I wish I would have pushed harder out of the gate, but I think I felt so good at the finish because I started slow.
These are my goals right now for 2011:
1) Run 1,000 miles
2) Run my first 5k (it is so weird to think I have never raced one) AND my first sub nine minute pace at it.
3) Run my first full marathon (shooting for Portland in October)
4) Just be happy and stay healthy with what ever I accomplish
H is also talking about doing a triathlon in Eastern Washington. I will probably join him if he puts it together. Running is my weakest skill, so I think I will be a natural at it. We will see. Here is to a new year full of running and new friends!
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