Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Wednesday Workout Update

With all of my enthusiasm about running, I haven't written much about swimming lately.  I'm still swimming, usually M/W/F - and as I'm not following the USAFit 10K program exactly (they have you run 4 times a week and I'm leery of doing too much too soon), swimming works out great for my cross training.  And a bonus that I've noticed since increasing my running is that my quads feel a lot stronger when I swim - love that both types of exercise seem to compliment each other!

OK, now that I've gotten the obligatory swimming update out of the way (hey, it's not that I don't like it, but come on...running is where my head's at these days), let me tell you about my latest triumphs with running.

Triumph #1:  I'm running!  OK, you already knew that, but seriously, every time that I get out there and actually run, I'm still a bit shocked that it's actually happening.

Triumph #2:  My ankle is hurting less and less as I run.  Considering that it was so painful when I first started, in January, I had serious doubts that it would ever ease up.  But I actually finished a run last week and thought "hey, that didn't hurt!" - of course, it started bothering me a little later in the day, but this is progress, and I'll take it!

Triumph #3:  I've been doing intervals of walking for 1:30/running for 2:00 - on Saturday's 3.5 miler with the running club, Jeff and I were chugging along, and he suggested that when we hit the mile 3 marker, we run all the way in.  No walking intervals.  And we did!  I ran for a half mile without stopping!!!  I felt like Rocky.  Now THAT was a running high!

Triumph #4:  Now that we are back to being able to exercise together, Jeff and I have re-instituted our weekend breakfast tradition...after we finish our run on Saturday morning, we head over to Blue Baker for a nice hot cup of coffee and a delicious multi-grain bagel sandwich made with spinach, feta and egg.  Not only do we feel good about "earning" that meal, but we also feel that we accomplished something so early in the morning!
Yum, yum, YUM!

24 comments:

  1. YAY FOR TRIUMPHS!!!!!!!!

    Thats all I gots.
    Im off to work so I can snag me a triumph of my own in (checks watch) about an hour :)

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  2. All great triumphs, again I can't tell you how happy I am. I suggest you put Rocky's theme on your Ipod for the next time you run without intervals :) I always make a playlist if I do a race and this one is always on the end :)

    Oh my, oh my that bagel looks delicious. I love it that the 2 of you reinstalled this tradition. Where Lori has bagel Wednesday I hereby declare Saturday as Shelley's Bagel Saturday.

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    1. Hmmm, I have Rocky somewhere in a playlist...I'll have to put it on for my first run/run. Good idea, Fran!

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  3. Keep up the good work. You are doing amazingly well. Love reading about your triumphs!

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  4. Wow, great work, Shelley! I especially love your weekend breakfast ritual with your hubby. It is a wonderful thing for you to be able to share that time with him. I think working out with your life partner is the most romantic thing in the world!

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    1. Well, after 27 years, I wouldn't exactly call it romantic, but togetherness is a good thing...

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  5. I want a weekend breakfast ritual! I suppose to get one I have to get Mr. Helen to run with me first, huh?

    So happy for you and your RUNNING!

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  6. Our weekend ritual was walking to Starbucks and getting donuts...yours is much healthier! Love the feta.

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  7. I am so happy that your ankle is getting better - I have to admit, I didn't think I would like running but I actually look forward to it!

    Today? I left the house it was 55 degrees - by the time I drive home from work, snow flurries - I hate midwest winters!

    Love that the breakfast tradition is back!

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  8. That sandwich looks so good! I will have to add it to my menu because I love everything on it. I am not sure if i hurt my knee or it its just REALLY angry at me for adding 40 lbs to have to support, but I am also hopping it eases up with time. I am so proud of you for getting back out there. And isnt it funny how lifes challenges bring us excitements in other areas? You knee injury has made you soooo excited to be able to run again!! Whoohoo!!! Now, if I can just convinc my lungs not to be out of breath again we will be all good!

    Keep up the good work Shelley. You are doing so well!!

    Jennifer
    www.wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com

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  9. What a nice positive post! I'm glad you're taking it slow, and glad you are seeing steady improvements.

    Hmmm. You and Helen both feature EGG dishes on your posts. Now there's some food pictures that are NOT going to tempt me whatsoever!

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  10. YAY!!!!!! A half mile without walking is super duper great! You're back!

    Can't wait to see ya, lady! Been too long. Again! LOL

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  11. I am so pleased that you are running again. It's lovely to see you so happy about it :-)

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  12. Hooray for triumphs *and* bagel day!!

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  13. Congrats on all your hard work and progress! P.S. That breakfast sandwich looks to die for!!

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  14. Gosh, I don't know who is happier about you running again: you or us. :) I think it's a tie!

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  15. YAY!! It makes me SOO happy every time I read about your running progress!!

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  16. I'm a first-time commenter on your blog! It looks like you're having a lot of fun with your sports and knitting ;-) I'd be interested in your swimming routine: how many lengths do you do? Which stroke do you prefer? How long do you swim for each time? I've just got back into swimming post-baby and would love some inspiration. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks for the comment! I swim "Shelley style" - that is, I don't like to try and take breaths with my face in the water, so I do kickboard (with Zoomer swim fins), side stroke and back stroke (with hand paddles - I do a sculling technique that really works my arms). I do 100 lengths in total - usually around 40 kickboard, and 30 each of the other strokes. My thing on exercise is that I have to like it, or I won't do it. And I like this way of swimming...it's a bit unconventional, but it works for me. Hope this helps you! :)

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    2. This does really help, thank you! 100 lengths sounds like a fair deal to me, wow. I've also never even heard of Zoomer swim fins, so I have a lot to go on from your comment ;-) At the moment, I just swim non-stop for 30mins mixing up freestyle and breaststroke, with absolutely no idea how many lengths (I lose count after 4...;-). Ho hum, it can only get better, non?

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    3. I had a hard time keeping track of my lengths, too. Finally heard about a lap counter...I wrote about it here: http://www.myjourneytofit.com/2011/06/wednesday-workout-update-gear.html

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  17. Your breakfast is yummy. I'm so happy for you that you and your husband are able to share running again. Yeah!

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  18. Yay for the half mile, feels so good doesn't it? You are doing great with your running!

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