Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wednesday Workout Update

Breaking news! We interrupt this edition of Wednesday Workout Update with the news that Shelley ran IN THE DARK! Scary shadows and all! Proof of said run is below:
See? It's STILL dark!

Two miles at 5:45 am - and pretty quick miles at that - 11:28 and 11:21! This is what happens when you wake up at 4:00 am and can't go back to sleep...might as well try running before the crack of dawn!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled update...

Sunday: I went for an easy two mile run - the weather was actually pretty nice - only 78 degrees! Of course, this was at 6:30 am, but still - I'll take it. I know my mileage has dropped quite a bit lately, but I will be ramping it back up beginning on Saturday, which is when I will start my half marathon training. More on that later.

Monday: Ugh. Deck of cards workout in cardio...that lasted for 45 minutes. Deck of cards is where each suit is assigned an exercise, like hearts = burpees, spades = mountain climbers, clubs = push ups and diamonds = jump squats. So if you pull a 10 of hearts, you do 10 burpees. It's a fast moving, killer workout that seemed to go on forever. Eventually we talked Cameron (who was filling in for Brad and Linda - they were both busy getting their kids to class for the first day of school) into letting us move on to the machines. He gave me boxing gloves and had me practice my rhythm with my punches, since I had just informed him that I had no sense of rhythm. Guess he likes a challenge...it was fun and I like punching the bag, but fifteen minutes of that left my arms like limp noodles.

Tuesday: Life is getting back to normal - Jenny and I ran together once again!!! We are starting to kick up our half marathon training...November 20th will be here before we know it. We ran for two miles and then spent about a third of a mile doing sprints from light post to light post. Dang, those sprints really take it out of you! But it felt good to get out there...and beginning next week, we are going to run together twice a week. I'm excited to see our progression!

Wednesday: Filthy Fifty "lite" in the gym (Brad thinks it's a light workout when we don't have burpees, haha). Somehow the only time recorded was Jenny's from almost a year ago - don't know what happened to mine...probably it was so bad that Brad took pity on me and didn't write it down. So, Jenny improved her time by nearly 10 minutes - go Jenny! Ashley improved on Jenny's time by five or six minutes. Me? I improved on her time by a minute...lol. Then for our cardio (which believe me, I had already gotten my heart rate up during the gym time), Linda had us outside doing a circuit of box jumps (step ups for me, as it was the 18" box), jump rope (which I am happy to report that I did really well, finally!), tricep dips, push ups, kettlebell swings and tire flips. I will tell you that when I drove up and saw the tire and the box jump outside, I very nearly put my car in reverse and drove away! I just was not wanting to work that hard today. So you may understand what I'm about to write...

Galveston Seawall Half Marathon training update: Beginning next week, I'm going to change things up quite a bit with my exercise. I need to get serious about my half marathon training. I've joined a running club and I am really excited about that. We will meet on Saturday mornings for a long run, and have a schedule to follow for shorter runs during the week. This coming Saturday is our first meeting - apparently we will run three miles to determine our pace groups. I can't tell you how happy I am to have this opportunity to run with people - I always do better when I run with someone, proving that for me, running is as much of a mental process as it is physical.

And after a lot of thought, discussion, emails (several of you have given me your advice and I really appreciate it), I'm going to stop going to my workout group for a while. There are several reasons:
  1. I need to put my energy toward running right now;
  2. Working out as hard as we do leaves me with very little reserves left for doing anything else, such as running;
  3. Although I've loved my trainers, my group and how my body has changed, I'm a little burnt out. It's been nearly two years of really intense workouts and I'm ready for a break.
When I realized that I was dreading going more often than not, that's when I knew it was time to make a change. So, I'll taper off during the next week or so, and come up with some routine that I can do at home to hopefully keep my arms and upper body in shape. Not worried about my legs as I know the running will take care of that. Right now my plan is to go back in January. I'll miss my workout peeps and all the fun we have, and of course Brad and Linda, but I know I'll still see them at races this Fall and Linda and I can still meet up for frozen yogurt once she's done with Brad's 40-Day No Sugar Challenge (lol, we all know I could NOT do this one - no Red Mango for 40 days?!? Not possible.). So that's it - changes are a brewin' and I'm excited to see what this next phase of my journey (to fit!) will bring.

20 comments:

  1. I just learned what burpees are last week.

    And I totally understand your decision. Hey. You've completely transformed your life. You know what's best for you right now.

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  2. I'm anxious to hear how you like your running group. There are a couple of specialty running shops by me that offer classes. I see them every Saturday morning running the park. I looks like a lot of fun. You are going to have a blast!

    I was hoping your half would be at the same time as I'm in Galveston for business, but tis not to be. I'd have cheered like crazy! You are going to have so much fun.

    And, per usual, your workouts wear me flat out just reading about them. I think you are doing right by taking a break. If you are dreading them, then it's time to do something else that you enjoy a little more.

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  3. When I trained for my failed attempt to do the marathon with Charlie - it was with a running group and I agree - much easier walking/running with other people!

    I always felt so bad for Charlie since I lived in Chicago and he lived in Iowa and I would have to tell him to walk for 13 miles and he'd have to do it by himself :(

    I agree that doing the gym thing with the gang AND running training is too much - good decision!

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  4. Whoo-hoo! You ran in the dark! Around here I'd run into coyotes, foxes and the occasional mountain lion but glad for you! Sounds like you are so dedicated. Glad. Vee at http://veegettinghealthy.blogspot.com

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  5. Oh, Shelley! I can't wait to follow your progress on this new adventure. I think to celebrate you should go out for some Red Mango! Let me twist your arm. *twist twist* Have some for me too.

    I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I read the hour you went running. The chickens aren't even awake at that hour. Sweety, there are times when I am going to sleep at that hour. LOL But I'm super duper proud of you.

    I know you'll miss Brad and Linda and all the peeps (and the burpees??) but it's fun to change things up sometimes.

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  6. You know what is best for you. If you need some virtual workouts, just give me a holler! :D

    The running group sounds like fun.

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  7. I'm glad that is where your decision lined up...I was worried that with your half training, AND those intense training sessions, you were going to set yourself up horribly. On your cross-training days, focus on your upper body work and core work and you should be fine. :)

    Besides, some time off may re-invigorate you and you'll love it all once again!

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  8. Who do you think you are, Helen, with that early morning run???
    When is the half? You may have said, but I forget.
    I have a warm fuzzy feeling to be back at Blogger....silly me. Comfort levels are nice.

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  9. Hi Shelley! I just found your blog tonight and so glad I did. I'm in need of some inspiration, as I'm getting a bit discouraged after what seems like working my butt off for 3 months and nothing to show for it.
    I'm following your blog now and will be back to check on things very soon.
    I love your blog design, super cute and fun.

    Roxie
    www.cutebycomparison.blogspot.com

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  10. Whew. I think I'm almost as relieved as you are that you have made this decision. And it will be so fun for you to change up your routine and challenge your body in new ways. Who knows? You might even lose some more weight--do you want to lose more?? I would be very happy to be you right now.

    I'm going to Pinkberry on Monday. I think they are like the holy grail of frozen yogurt places!!!

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  11. one word: SMART.

    SMART SMART SMART.

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  12. Finally we are catching a break in the weather.
    'Bout time!
    By the way, you look great!

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  13. CRAP! I see my comment wasn't save. Crap need to think what crap I have written down here :)

    Yeah for running in the dark. It's kind of special don't you think? I did it morning and liked it, only have to find a route with more street lights.

    I think you made the right decision here. I also wondered how you were going to do both as the workouts are tough and you need to build up your mileage. I'm sure when you return in January it will be with new energy.

    Great that you joined a running group. We have them here to but you just have to jump in. They only train for 5 or 10 K's nothing above that so that's why I decided not to join.

    And last but not least this will be Wednesday's Running Workouts?

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  14. You are my hero and looking so cute at black o'clock! Now that I'm a 6am gym person I say good morning to the moon and try to pretend it's not weird to be up before the sun. Winter will probably bring some challenges to my morning attitude :)

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  15. That photo is not proof. It's only proof of you standing outside in the dark. In your workout clothes. Nice try. I'm not buying it.

    But I'll bet it's cooler.

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  16. UGH~! Blogger is getting on my last nerve. Oh well, the jist of it all was that you are awesome. Of course.

    I hope you love your running group. I love having walking buddies. Plus, I can't wait to see what the next phase will bring for you too.

    I'm with Miz, I think you're smart!

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  17. Good job on your running goals. I look forward to following your progress as you train for the 1/2. The deck of cards workout actually sounds pretty fun and interesting. Did I just say "fun"? I think you made the right decision to focus on your running for now.

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  18. I'll admit that I'm going to miss your posts about the sexy S & M sessions that were misleadingly called "workouts", but this was definitely the right decision. And training for a marathon...yeah, you gotta shake it up to train properly for that.

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  19. Excellent! Please do let the rest of us know how the running group goes. I'm curious. And good for you to mix things up :)

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  20. I think it's great that you're shaking up your workout routines and focusing on something that you really love right now. There is nothing saying that you can't go back to the group workouts if you find you miss them. Variety is what keeps us motivated!

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