C25K Week 2, Day 3

Well, somehow I got through that! It's pretty dang warm outside, considering how late in the year it is. I guess I'm also used to running in the morning. I am going to have to get used to running in the cold; highs this coming week are going to be in the 60s and lows in the upper 30s or so (hallelujah!) so I might get to enjoy my new tops. I don't have much in the way of warm bottoms, though, but I think keeping the core warm is more important. Organs and all.

I realized after the first run segment that I most definitely chose poorly when it came to my sports bra today. The girls weren't too happy with me.

I just realized I forgot to stretch! I should go do that. I'm still waiting to find out if I have a ticket to the OU game or not. If not, I have candy hand-outs to do and a Halloween party to go to. I'm in high demand ;)

Off to stretch/ice!

Well, that didn't happen

I took the dog out yesterday afternoon after I got home for my W2D3 run and after the first run segment, my body was screaming "NOOOOOOO!" at me so loudly, I ended up just walking the dog for half an hour. The vet also called me about Anchovy in the middle of that, so I would have had to have stopped, anyway.

I think that 13 hour day was more brutal than I thought. I have honor band auditions today (I hate if you have ONE kid auditioning, you still have to go judge!) until this afternoon but hopefully I'll be done in a timely enough manner that I can come home and run. It's not like judging is hard work. It is on the ears but that's it ;)

But, at least I got some sort of activity in yesterday. I also realized, right before dinner, that I had never had breakfast. I think that was part of the problem, too.

Yesterday morning was "parent breakfast" day. The parents bring us breakfast. There was a day when there would be tons to choose from; the economy has definitely hit our breakfasts. I had planned on eating, hoping there would be good yogurt, fruit, maybe some granola, or a potato thing...there was an egg thing (if you learn anything about me, then learn that I am very picky about eggs. Poached or scrambled only, and I really don't like how anyone else makes them besides me) that the smell of turned my stomach upon impact, English muffins but no jam, yogurt that was laced with aspartame (don't eat artificial sugar), fruit but the only thing that was left was cantaloupe (makes my throat itch and I don't really care for it), bagels (don't care for them at all), and some sort of mystery pastry. I reached for the mystery pastry and my god, the thing was heavy as lead. I took one bite and as the pastry reached my mouth, I think my pancreas started to quiver in fear of its upcoming task. That one bite let me know that I would have a migraine if I even attempted to eat just a quarter of that thing, so in the trash it went.

I had OJ.

Thursday, October 28

No workout for Thursday. It was Dinner and a Movie night at school! The kids had such a great time. One of the parents even made me take a phone picture with her for facebook.

I was dressed as Julia Child and I must say I did an awesome job. I had a blue button-down, black flared skirt, black pumps, black apron (folded the top down), fake pearls, and I folded a dishtowel into the apron. The best part was that I even made her gourmet school badge that she always wore and pinned that to my shirt. It was fabulous. I walked around saying "Bon Appetit!" for the entire evening. You should be proud; I avoided most desserts and just had a little brownie that was actually one of the ones I brought. I had one enchilada, some rice, and chips and salsa (it was all so good it was ridiculous). There were SO many desserts. I was worried we wouldn't have any!

So many students didn't get it. I was sad. *tear*

13 hour days usually mean I get a workout break. I was going to get up and run, but after that 13 hour day, and a disagreement with my husband, and the fact that it was 37 outside and the coldest I've run in was at least 10 degrees warmer than that, I just wasn't ready. I get done early today because I have to pick up Anchovy from the vet (teeth cleaning...he's going to HATE me after), so I will go for a run after I get home. I might take the dog with me. My legs should be pretty rested by that point, too.

So, that's the update. Weight's staying the same, which given what I've eaten this week (too much pasta) I'm not surprised. At least it isn't up. Anything is better than up. I did, however, get a compliment from a teacher. She said I looked thinner around my shoulders.

I'm not surprised. It's the first place to lean out on me. My freaking shoulders. But, I guess lean shoulders make for good pictures, at least from the bust up. Hahaha.

C25K Week 2, Day 2

I have got to make a deal with myself that I won't do anything lower-body focused on days before I run.

This morning was a glorified power walk. I just felt frustrated because I couldn't get my feet to pick up! I am noticing a difference in sleep habits. When I'm doing a good job working out, I don't have to go to bed quite so early, even if I'm getting up at 5:10. I was easily falling asleep around 9:15 or 9:30, within minutes of me turning off the tv or my head hitting the pillow. Now I wait. And wait...and wait to fall asleep. But I'm only getting about 7 hours a night. I don't feel overly tired, though I'm sure right now I could go back to sleep.

So yeah, I finished it. I'm not happy with myself or how I ran but I got through it. That's the important thing.

Tuesday, October 26

Nothing exciting or extraordinary today. Did a sort-of workout of the HHA Total Body dvd and started to have some pain on the inside arch of my foot. I'll work through a lot of pain, but I'm not screwing around with my feet anymore. Worked up a sweat, at least. Better than nothing.

The firewall was up at work today and I couldn't get anything done. All I wanted to do was to go to jwpepper and write down the arrangers of the holiday pieces I wanted to order through our local company and it was BLOCKED. "Music" was the reason. Of course it has music, people! They sell legitimate copies of music for high school performing ensembles!

Gah. Guess I'll be sending angry emails to the tech guys. Gah gah gah.

C25K Week 2, Day 1

Man, I had the worst Sunday-night-insomnia last night. I hate that. I looked at the clock at around 12:15 and thought, wow, 5 whole hours of sleep. Yaaaaaaay.

Despite that, I did get up and run. I'm having some issues with my calf around my ankle on my right leg, but otherwise I'm doing all right. The first 90-second run had me a bit breathless but I got a grip on that pretty quickly. I thought I added some distance as I went a different route today, but after using Google's pedometer, I was actually a little shorter. Weird. Oh well, things to work on later.

As it is, I'm now running late after playing with Google's pedometer, so I have to get ready for work. Why did Fall Break have to go by so fast?!?!?!?

It's over...

Fall Break is almost officially over. It went by far too fast. I'll just have to suck it up until Thanksgiving.

I love my job, but it is exhausting! People who gripe about kids or teachers being out of school too much should really try teaching. I know other jobs are exhausting, but nothing will wipe you more than working with students. Even college students. I remember once, my alma mater (my freshman year) decided there would be no fall break. Did the students revolt? No. We certainly complained but knew our complaints would fall on deaf ears. The collective faculty, as I understand it, made the administration realize that their decision was foolish, and fall break has been there ever since.

I haven't worked out yet today. If I do anything, it will be some Wii yoga. I haven't really tried it much and my body is pretty worn out! Otherwise, it will be a boring evening.

Speaking of boring...gotta go clean the kitchen and put a few things away. I need a cleaning fairy.

C25K Day 3

Finished my 3rd day! I was faster all around, was able to open up more with my running, and beat the app home by a minute and a half!

I even had to stop twice to work out a cramp in my right calf muscle. I learned that hydration is very important. I also know now why football players writhe around in so much pain from muscle cramps. I will make sure to not run after being dehydrated again. It made it a lot harder.

I came in and had to put a heating pad on that calf and my left shoulder, which is still nagging me a bit. I never got a chance to go in for a massage. My sister did a great job last week. I should just put her up here in my house so I can bug her whenever I want. Ah, that would be the life.

Nothing on the docket today. The workout was my main thing. I might convince H to go to a movie later. OU game tonight!

Contingency plans

Well, this morning I thought I was going to be able to go out and run...and then I checked the radar! That didn't happen.

I did get a lot of things cleaned around here, and I had lunch with H and his friend J at Iguana. So tasty. We had some good laughs. I stopped by Target on my way home and found some great cold-weather clothes, and a couple of Duo-Dry $6 t-shirts for running. Score!

Unfortunately, I've been feeling kind of pukey this afternoon, inexplicably, so I lifted but anything on the floor (chest presses, for example) left me feeling like I was going to barf. Perhaps I ate too much at lunch.

I pushed my C25K to tomorrow; sunny and pleasant, according to the forecast. It's already starting to clear. We needed the rain, though. Yesterday, the dirt kind of "poofed" around me when I watered my new pansies. I scratched my forehead and there was dirt under my nails. Ew. I figure H and I will get in the backyard and do some work, since it's a total disaster right now.

So, that's the update. I really like my clothes. But, I'm resting up for my run tomorrow (as if it's really hard or something ha) and hopefully a beat-down of Mizzou in the evening!

Fall break, took a break

I decided that in lieu of working out today (planned upper body heavy lifting) that I would move that to Saturday. Or tomorrow, if it is raining, which is likely, and move C25K to Saturday. Whatever works.

Listening to my body, I felt TIRED. Not unexpected after four hard days! I worked out Sunday, too, but I didn't put that in here anywhere, I don't think. So, I decided to just do the planned yard work I had written down, take Anchovy in to get his teeth inspected, bake a cake, and make a big ol' southern chicken fry dinner. I could go to sleep right now, yup.

I'm hoping to get to run tomorrow. Maybe even if it's raining, I'll still run. I don't really have the appropriate clothing for that, though...hmm. Shopping time?

C25K Day 2

Wow, I was SLOW this morning. I reached about the same halfway point, but somewhere between there and back, I slowed way down. I was 7 houses down when the timer ended, instead of 2 like Monday morning.

However, I think that slowing down on day 2 seems like what would happen, normally. Plus, my lower half is TIRED from yesterday's workout. I'm lifting heavy upper body tomorrow and giving it a break. Plus, I have lots of cleaning/housework/yardwork to do so that'll keep me pretty active.

I slept great last night. My sleep cycle was low and steady for most of the night...until the dog wanted us to get up at 4:30. We ignored her and she went back to sleep. I might take her with me on Friday if the weather's nice.

Tonight I'm going to a place for Ethiopian food. Wish me luck. I'm not quite sure what I'm in for!

Oh, parent teacher conference day has turned into "receipt yearbook sales, clean tables, listen to holiday music for band, and discover you might have a crazy student" day. Like how I just slipped that in there? I have a student whose current event for Journalism was laced with misogynistic comments about Sarah Palin. Not only did they ignore the assignment's parameters, their comments were completely offensive and bigoted. I was appalled, and so was the counselor and principal, both of whom have never seen this side of this particular student.

I decided it was time to educate them. After all, that's what I do. I don't even know where to begin digesting what's going on with this kid. So, for now, I'm ignoring it and am going to go look at cold-weather workout clothing.

Ta-ta.

Tuesday, October 19

It was a good day :)

We increased our yearbook sales from 46% of our goal to 58% of our goal today! The kids love coloring in the books on their wall goal chart. You know the ones where you fill in until you get to 100%. This one has books. We love the array of Sharpies you can get these days for this very purpose.

I got my workout in this evening as planned. HHA Hips, Buns and Thighs. Wow, painful. I crossed my legs today and felt how tight the inside of my legs are, where they meet the body. I didn't know my abs were sore until Shaun T. made me do something that involved them and I said, out loud, holy shit.

I forgot how much running engages your core. And when you have a core like mine that doesn't get engaged all that often, it doesn't take much!

But, despite the pain, I got through most of the workout fine. Tomorrow morning is another run/walk morning, Day 2 of C25K. I really think I'm going to sign up for the Turkey Trot. It's far enough away that I have time to get prepared enough, as long as I stick with this. And if I have to walk some of it, I walk some. I can't find the map of where in Edmond it takes place, so I don't know how hilly it is. Everything's pretty flat out here on my side of the city so I might have to plan for that.

I felt pretty rested today, just a little sore, and I felt like I had enough energy to get through my workout with more to spare. I was good yesterday until about 8:30 and then my eyelids started to droop. I was here alone, too, so it made it easier to just pack it in and crawl into bed. I hope to have more energy after awhile, and I can feel a difference every day that I do work out; I just have to get up so damn early that I crash early.

Basketball game days are going to kill me. Blah. At least there are only 4, all in November, to get through.

C25K Day 1

I arose at 5:15, managed to get out the door fairly quickly (after scrambling around trying to find all my workout clothes. Next time I will lay them out!) and enjoyed a fairly easy stroll/jog around the neighborhood under Orion's Belt. It was a breezy 55 and perfect.

I came inside and started to put my lunch together, thinking I had some meatloaf muffins in the freezer I could use and nope, none there. It would take too long to cook a piece of frozen chicken so I'm going to risk leftovers from Thursday night. Eeeeeeek. I have a three-day maximum usually on those things. I should have planned better!

Gearing myself up for what will surely be a long day, since it's a short week. I have three piano lessons after school. Hopefully my percussionists will be in line today instead of a nightmare like last week.

Enough about work, though; it's pretty much all I talk about these days...

How 'bout them Sooners?!?!?

Trying something new tomorrow

I've put together a calendar for the next month and a half, almost. I figure if my schedule is going to continue being as crazy as it is, then I'm just going to have to schedule my workouts.

If I have to schedule any more, I'll be scheduling my damned sex life. Gah. Does life ever slow down? Does work ever slow down? It just seems...busier...this year. I can't quite get a grip on it. I definitely can't get a grip on how fast it's all flying by!

My sister gave me a good shoulder massage today and helped work out some of the issues I've been having. I need to get some tennis balls so I can use those and the wall to work out my shoulder blade problem. Since fall break is coming up, I plan on scheduling a massage then, too, to fix this problem.

My foot hasn't been bothering me the last two days, which has been nice. I feel like I can actually work out, and the mornings are nice and cool, though dark...but, I'm going to take advantage of them. The time will change soon, anyway. I can always borrow H's reflective vest and I plan on staying in the neighborhood for awhile.

I have a lot planned in my head for fall break, mostly cleaning and yardwork that I just haven't felt like dealing with. I come home and I just crash. My days have been mentally exhausting.

I'm going to have to cut out the wine again. I noticed a couple of little welts that will become psoriasis if I don't cut it out. Damn. It's a trade, though. Itch or sobriety. What a crappy decision ;)

I'll reveal more of the calendar later. It's getting late (for me...when you wake up at 5:15, 9pm is bedtime!) and I have a family guy iPhone game to conquer.

Sweet, I actually got up and did it

I tried not to push too hard, since I still have the nagging pull in my back, and HHA really uses your back muscles to work the core, but I got through it! I wore my heavy-duty sneakers to work yesterday so my foot isn't bothering me too much this morning.

Not really much else to say. Yesterday wasn't the best of my work days; band was a little discouraging. It's strange to see friends just let each other drown in their music without helping. A percussionist is having a hard time catching up after leaving the program for a year (he was never really taught to read...oy) and one friend did jump up, but he couldn't figure it out, either. And it's simple "boom-chick" march kind of stuff. I'm going to have to figure out some way to help him because he's drowning and we have a concert in less than a month!

All right, I've got to keep this short--workouts always eat up my morning time ;)

If anyone's been wondering where I've been...

I've been injured. Freaking plantar fasciitis and last Saturday I woke up to extreme neck/back/shoulder pain. I have no idea what I did there, but I still can't look down without it "pulling."

So, not much exercise has been going on. I'm frustrated because I can't even lift. All of the strength gains I had are going to just go away. I had just gotten to the point I could stand to work out in the mornings.

I did manage to find some shoes that help my foot. I got up this morning to try and it was just excruciating. And there's nothing except months of stretches that I can do about it.

So, I haven't been blogging because talking about being frustrated with my lame-ass body doesn't further anything. Posting how horrible I've been eating doesn't help me. I'm not exactly feeling inspired.

I do, at least, have a reasonably healthy menu this week. My weight's been creeping up on me and again, I'm frustrated with it. So, I guess I'm just going to have to cut waaaaaay back on the calories until I can work out again.

I plan to go get a massage soon; financially, I can't justify it, but I'm going to have to, so I can function again.

So, that's the update. Creeping closer to 30 and my goals just keep slipping out of my fingers. I can at least say I'm still under 190.

Sigh.