A week worth of weakness and no excuses

And I hadn't blogged. I really need to work on that. I am going to try to start today, I can't promise that you will always get these long posts, but something is better than nothing right? So, what happened in the past week. I ran 4.5 miles pain free on Saturday. I had yoga again on Sunday. Yesterday was my day off. I am realizing that I am cramming in a lot of things on my day off and I need to try to limit what I do. There really is only a little bit of time in 8 hours. Well, yesterday I had a Physical therapy appointment which to put it nicely was emotional for me. I am not used to being injured, but also not used to being told I was weak. It wasn't a jab at me personally, but at my physical fitness. Through therapy, the therapist has learned that my hips are really weak, and that is the reason why I am having the foot pain. My hip gets tired, and it transcends to my foot which gets tired and then my foot strike changes and alas, I get the foot pain. It just wasn't something I was expecting to hear, but, it isn't really a set back right?!? If I know what is weak, I know what I have to do to recover. By recovering, I will get stronger and then I can run a pain free half. Which, is important to me since I have 3 half marathons on my radar for this year. I believe without reservations, that I will be able to complete those half marathons, its just a matter of strengthening my hip and getting rid of the pain.
Anyway, I had some free time yesterday from when I was finished visiting with a friend to when I had to pick my daughter up from day care. I had run every excuse in my head, "not enough time," "she will be disappointed if I don't pick her up early," yadda yadda yadda. I was talking with a friend and her text one text hit me hard "no excuses."  So, I threw all those excuses out the window, I ran home, grabbed my swimming stuff and headed to the Y. I managed to get in a 1/2 mile in 20 minutes. With enough time to get the exercise in, and still get M from daycare. I felt so much better since I was able to get it in, and I know that I didn't feel like my day was a waste.  I have my friend to thank for telling me "no excuses" and that is my mantra.  It will be applied to more than just my fitness, it will be applied to where ever I can.  Hopefully that means more blogging, more photos of life as it happens, more enjoyment of everyday life.
But, I better get moving. I have to get ready for work and I want to do 10 burpess before I shower. I hope you have a great day! Remember, to live today to the fullest, and make "no excuses!" Sweatpink, sweat strong just remember to sweat!
 

It's the day after Monday....

I have been writing this blog post over and over in my head. I haven't been blogging because sometimes I have no idea if anyone reads this, or if anyone even cares what goes on in my little world. But, it is my outlet.   I have been having a hard time finding the time these days to blog is like finding a needle in the haystack. Something I need to try to change, hence the blog post this am. My daughter should sleep for about another half hour, my lunch is packed and I just finished breakfast. Now seems like the best time. So, I have been sick lately. I am not trying to admit that I am sick, but I haven't been feeling the healthiest. I wanted to swim this Monday, that is something I am doing for myself. I loved it last Monday, but, I wasn't feeling it this Monday. I wanted to sleep to hopefully feel better, and while it felt good to sleep in, I felt terrible because I missed swimming.  So, maybe I just need to suck it up. Maybe I should have just gone. But, I can't change it, so I just have to make sure that I am there next Monday. I know that it is only Tuesday, but I feel like the week should be over already. Friday I will be making a doctor's appointment if I am not feeling better. After that, I think I am going to go to the Y and see if I can swim, or run, depending on how I feel. My orthotics should be in soon, just in time for my half marathon training starts in 2 weeks. Can you believe it?!?! I cannot! I have been trying to eat healthier these days, especially since I am not as active as I used to be. I cannot do Insanity right now because of my foot, so hopefully with my orthotics, I will be able to go back to it. I will have to start over, but that is ok. I can use that on the days when I can't run or swim. In the meantime, I will try to keep my head up and keep on keeping on. I know that it is just a phase, (I hope) things will get better. I am sure this is just because of the weather. I will be back in full swing in no time.
Have a great Tuesday. Now that I got that off of my shoulders, I can have a better day too!

Something new

I keep saying that 2013 is going to be my best year yet. I hope I am not setting myself up for failure. Scratch that, I am not. While running 3 days a week is almost impossible with the hubs and I working opposite shifts, I think I have developed another plan that will work just as well. Starting next week, I will be getting up early  on Monday mornings and head to the local Y and swim (preferably a mile) but just get moving. Then, on my day off meet up with a friend (Hi, Bonnie) and head to Lehigh Parkway and run. Yesterday we ran 4 miles and maybe should have started a little earlier. That is my fault, but we made it work. Then I have my running with BCR on Saturdays. And, eventually I will get my bike back I can throw that in when Bonnie and I can't meet up. Starting this Sunday, I have my first of 8 weekly yoga sessions. I am so excited. I have to back off of Insanity right now, when my feet get tired, they cause me pain, and since I don't want to cause more injury to my foot while rehabbing, I am going to do whatever the therapist says.
So while ultimately I do want to get back to running 3 days a week, I am going to go at it slowly and optimistically. I believe that all of the things I have planned will help my running, and since 1/2 marathon training starts next month, I want to make sure I am moving on the right path. My training plans calls for cross training, I will already be doing that, and I in the process I am also starting my triathlon training. This going to be a busy summer/fall, and I cannot wait to see what comes of it!! Hang on, it's going to be a fun and exciting year!
Hope you have a great Thursday! After work today I will be doing my assigned at home stretches from therapy. Hope you move and shake your pirate booty!
Have a great day me mateys!

An unhealthy relationship

My name is Michele and I have err had an unhealthy relationship with ice cream. I am not sure if it was an addiction, no, it was. And admitting it is the beginning of the healing process. See, I relied on ice cream when I was sad, frustrated, scared even bored. I never went to it when I was happy or excited, it was for only when I was feeling bad about something.  It is about time that I stop this relationship before it gets any more addicting, or more detrimental. I made a promise to myself that this was going to be my year. My year for a better me. It has to start with what I bring into my body, working out will not erase all of the bad choices that I make. So, I am kissing my ice cream to the curb. I am now in the market for alternatives to ice cream, and by alternatives I don't necessarily mean food. Whether it is to turn to meditation, or yoga, a walk or something, I will find something else that will help break the ice cream addiction. I am not saying that I won't eat the ice cream at parties or other times like that, but I am not going to eat it when I am feeling blue. In this new adventure of healthier me, I continue to stay gluten free. I am disappointed that Ben and Jerry's has not developed a gluten free ice cream, but then again, for me that is a good thing. I will just need to look into other brands, choices, healthier decisions when I NEED sweets.  But, I feel this is going to be a huge learning curve for me. But, I am excited to see what coping mechanisms I come up with now that ice cream is out of the picture. If you have any suggestions as to what I can or should try as a pick me up.
I am going to keep this short, the ND-AL game is on. ND isn't playing pretty right now, but hopefully things will turn around.
Have a great night my mateys!

Sunny Days...

Sweeping the clouds away. Or dreariness, or sadness, or whatever sunlight clears for you. Today, was a beautiful crisp morning, and it was great for a run. Since I started therapy, I was told to not run further than I can without pain. That is fine with me, as long as I get to run. So, I set out to run only 3 miles, and knew I wouldn't be disappointed if that is all I ran. I also downloaded a new app for my iPhone, the Nike Run app.

 I planned on using it, and although it was only my second time using it, I have to say how awesome and excited I am to run with it. (As a side note, I really have no idea how to do things other than have it start and stop and play music, but that's all you need right?) Anyway, when I chose it to start the run today, it said that 3.5 miles was going to by my distance goal. Ok, fine. Let's do it. The day was too nice and I felt good running, so at 1.75 miles I kept going. I turned around at 2 although the Nike app did not know it. Anyway, I kept running, and when the app said I was close to the finish (remember it set itself at 3.5 miles) out of no where, Shalane Flanagan came on my phone and told me to keep going. Wow! Tell me that's not motivation. Anyway, I kept pushing along and finished the 4 miles absolutely pain free. I am excited.  When I finished the app, some guy came on and congratulated me for my fastest 5k run. Well fastest documented by the app. I am excited to see how it continues to motivate me and reset it's mileage each usage.  I enjoyed that I can connect it to facebook and receive encouragement during my runs. This will come in handy when I start doing my long runs as I train for my upcoming Half Marathon. I haven't tried it yet, but I am also wondering how many of my facebook friends will actually encourage me?!? I guess I won't know until I try it.
I also think its awesome that I can play music as I am utilizing the app. This allows me my tunes without obstruction the sounds around me. I think this will make my running safer, especially as I do my long runs and sometimes have to run on the streets. I don't usually listen to music on short runs, so as my runs get longer this will be a great tool. That and a completed playlist, which I am working on. Don't get me wrong, I will probably go back to using my Garmin in the winter months when I wear less layers, but in the meantime this is an awesome substitute. That, and since I am running the Nike Women's Half Marathon, I guess I should really know something about Nike running.
But, before my run even began, I wanted to capture this day in January. Here are some of the photos...

So, my matey's, I hope you have a great pirate afternoon. Enjoy your weekend, I think it will be a great one!

PV body...

Have you heard about the latest rage in fitness attire?!? I heard about this website called PV body and for $50/month and after answering a few questions, 2 new pieces of workout attire are shipped directly to you. How does it work, you ask... well according to their website...

I took the quiz and it resulted...

Well, my first outfit arrived today, and I cannot wait to wear it tomorrow to work out.  Trust me. I spend more than that sometimes on just a pair of pants, so to get a new top and bottom every month, to me it is worth it. Plus, it is name brand. Names like lululemon to name one. Plus, you can try it and cancel at any time. I will take a picture tomorrow, but I have a feeling, I am in love. I guess I can add that to my resolutions, work hard, but look good trying right?!?

Have a great night my pirate mateys! Here's hoping tomorrow brings you great pirate adventures!

Stepping up the game

Happy New Year! I hope 2013 started off well for you. For me, it's been kinda hectic, but sometimes I think that is the only way I know how to function. Anyway, just like I said on my other blog, one of my resolutions is to make more me time. In the me time, I have included blogging, so hopefully there will be some more of that.  Another one of my resolutions is to run more half marathons this year, but let's not jump to that one just yet.  The first thing that I knew I wanted to do was tackle Insanity. Yes, I am still doing it, and yes it is still hard. However, I realized quickly that my running shoes weren't going to cut it as cross trainers, and I began to do the workouts barefoot. (A bad idea with DJD and a neuroma) so I looked painstakingly hard, to find the perfect cross trainer. Thanks to a coupon I got from DSW for my birthday, I found these beauties...

All I know about these shoes are that they are New Balance Training, and the tops of the shoes have a lot of give, which is good for my fat feet. They are super comfy and they are so much better than doing Insanity bare foot. I am going to try them out without socks, and I will let you know what the verdict is.  I liked the sticker that was inside the box...

I really have no idea what this is referring too, but I felt like it spoke to me since I try to do most of my Insanity workouts as a wake up. It is also a wake up for me to finally get serious about this whole cross training business.

Also, here are my Insanity results. if anything, I learned how much stronger I am getting even with being inconsistent, but makes me want to see how consistency will pay off.

And finally, one last picture. It is way past my bed time, but I thought I would share this. It is fitness related (kinda). It made me chuckle and I hope it makes you as well.

Good night my pirate mateys! I hope you have had a fantastic week so far! Here's to more pirate adventures!