by Heidi on March 15, 2010
This week I’ve actually got a lot on my plate – but I’m committing to keeping up with my yoga, and to eating in every night this week.
Meals:
Monday - Cheese and veggie quesadillas with black beans on the side
Tuesday – Tofu and Broccoli Stirfry
Wednesday - Curried Chicken with veggies
Thursday - Tortellini pasta with broccoli and artichokes
Friday – Vegetable pizza
For lunches, I’m going to be bringing my lunch to work the next couple of days, and drinking more water, since I find that even though I’m not drinking diet coke (I gave it up for Lent and haven’t really missed it!) I’m drinking more juice but not nearly enough water. I need to work on that.
I’ve commited myself to 30 days of yoga between this past Friday and my birthday on April 12 – I’m 4 for 4 which is awesome, I’ve been using Yogadownload.com so far but I do intend on finding a couple yoga studios to try out once I start my new job – and that does not include dragging my pal to a Bikram class sometime this month which I am very excited about.
In other news, expect a race report on the NYRR 8000m race later this evening. A brief summary? Cold. Wet. Rainy.
And of course, despite today’s lack of breakfast, I still find it to be the most important meal of the day so I’ll make sure I still have time to fit that in and get my 8 hours of sleep that I’ve been really good about getting through my unemployment.
What are you eating this week?
by Heidi on February 23, 2010
{alternatively titled: why I have a love/hate relationship with my trainer}
So this afternoon, I had a tough workout with my trainer. There are three things I know about my trainer:
1. His girlfriend is finishing up her masters in education
2. He’s ridiculously good looking (see #1. also, I’m married) but it definitely helps in the self-ass-kicking department
3. see #2. He kicks my ass hard once/week.
Today, I ran with pupski 1 mile down to hubs’ office
Excuse the blurriness. She’s not the best running partner, I hate when people stop right in front of me.
Anyhow, 1.0 mile, about 12 minutes ish? We walked, ran, but when we ran puppy had me in a near sprint. She runs way too fast for me.
So then, i ran up to the gym 1.1 miles. 15 minutes. Mostly walking, I sense my sneaks are starting to give me shin splints, Need to ice and get my new sneaks this weekend.
Gym workout was:
2 sets of 3 jog/sprint (1/2 length of gym)
2 sets of 20 jumping jacks
2 sets of 10 jumping squats
2 sets of 15 ball thrusting squats
2 sets of 10 burpies (hate!!!)
2 sets of 15 dips
2 sets of 12 dumbell pushouts (7.5 lbs)
2 sets 12 curl/press (7.5 lbs)
2 sets of 12 cable rows (40 lbs)
2 sets of 20 vertical press (20 lbs)
2 sets of 25 crunches
2 sets of 10 knee raises (devil machine!)
2 sets of 20 machine crunches (50 lbs!!!)
2 sets of 20 seated knee raises.
Trainer can go play in traffic. Legs. Ow.
Walked home after that, pup didn’t do too well at hubs’ office so he brought her home. Walk home = .68 miles up hill. Ran about half of it. But MAN!
So this afternoon, i was mostly following up on some stuff, getting things done, and then I remembered I wanted to make a green monster! I’ve seen the Green Monster alllll over the fitness/health blogosphere, so I’ve been curious to try it.
My green monster:
1 T Flax Seed
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 banana
1 1/2 handfuls of spinach
4 ice cubs
~1 c. skim milk
It is…simply put…amazing. I will be making these more often.
Also weighed in today – 146.75
which is down ~1 lb from the beginning of the month. Not too bad. But seriously, need to get better at eating, and sticking with training schedule.
by Heidi on February 23, 2010
I’ve been on a mission, it’s been slow going, but it’s a mission no less. One of my new years resolutions was to lose about 20 lbs. Granted, I know I won’t lose much weight in marathon training time (like, now) but I’m more working on getting in good shape. After all, I just bought a smokin’ dress for my pals wedding in May (and another in June. And another in September. And another in October) so I need to ensure I look damn fine in it.
But anyhoozle, I’ve been trying to eat better. I’ve been reading lots of running, fitness, and health blogs, made a spreadsheet of my training (but have been awful at sticking to it), additionally, I’ve been making menus for the week and hubs and I have done decently with sticking to them!
See my menu? It’s pretty bad ass. Excuse the crappy picture. iPhone FAIL.
Monday – Steamed Pork Dumplings
Tuesday – Soy Glazed Salmon, with rice pilaf and asparagus
Wednesday – I have junior league, hubs is on his own (i’ll likely eat before i go)
Thursday – Hubs has a work event, so I’m giving my shot at Tofu Fried Rice
Friday - Caprese/Margherita Pizza with homemade dough
Saturday we’ll be up at his parents and Sunday we usually fly by the seat of our pants.
The food journal.
I’ve been trying to keep track of my vegetables/fruit, proteins, carbs and fats. I’ve been cutting back on fats (yay!), and upping my proteins (yay!). Next will be cutting back on carbs, but for the most part the carbs I do eat are whole wheat (except the French Toast Bagel I had for breakfast this AM, not good. But my father-in-law – who is awesome btw – always gets one for Hubs and I when we go up to visit since he knows we like them).
My food journal is definitely helpful, as far as keeping track of what i eat, when i eat it (occasionally i write the times down)
{Xposted at Life in Pink}
by Heidi on February 22, 2010
Saturday I completed my first of 9 races in the NYRR 9+1 program. Lucky me, this race counted for two and it was for an excellent cause.
Timeline:
5:30a – wake up. Shower quick. (i have to shower even before races. It wakes me up)
6:40a – walk out of house. Drive to train station.
7:03a – local train to Grand Central
8:15a – Subway uptown
8:30a – arrive at race area.
8:45a – long line to pee (EFF!)
9:00a – at starting line.
9:05a – starting gun goes off
9:15a(ish) – Pass over start line – yay! Running!
10:00a (ish) – Finish race
The course itself was much more difficult than I anticipated. Those hilly workouts here in stamford will definitely help me when it comes to the shorter races I’ll be running this year. The weather was perfect, at one point I was so warm I rolled up my sleeves! It was about 40 degrees but the last mile and a half or so we were running into the wind so it got a little chillier. But still, the weather was nice and not frigid which is good enough for me for a February race!
I did not like the walkers, the NYRR coral system seemed messed up. I have no idea how it had me running a 7:17 mile – i don’t think i’ve ever run a 7:17 mile, not even in my XC running heyday (best is about 8:00ish). I went over to the 11:00/mile and it seemed that a lot of people were either misplaced or just kind of ended up there out of sheer bad luck. Somehow, once the race got going, I found myself passing a lot of walkers. I love picking people off when I’m running and saying to myself “I’m going to pass you” and then just going for it. My stride felt really good, I didn’t slow down on the uphills too much and I only briefly paused to walk through the water stops (which were INCREDIBLY difficult to get to being they were only on one side).
I was pretty excited to notice I was running about 10:00ish/mile – mile 2 was about 9:45ish which is AWESOME and gives me high hopes for my training this time around. My marathon pace has been on the upper side of 12:00/miles – I’m hoping to get that down to 10:30-11:00/mile pace this time, though I would love to be sub 10:00/miles. If I keep up my training, I have confidence that I can get there.
Race Results:
overall: 6486/9250
gender: 3086/5212
pace per mile: 10:17/mile
finish time: 41:11
According to my trust imapmyrun app on the iphone which is taking the place of my garmin which i should finally be getting this weekend – i started it when I started moving so it’s not going to be the same as my tag time-
45:41 total time
10:44/mile
4.25 miles run
umm….gps fail? All in all, a great run, a great race – looking forward to the 8k in March!
Today: I’ve got a 3 miler planned which I may take pup with me on since it’s supposed to rain later and I may get stuck in it if I wait for hubs to come home from work. Also, I will TRY to get up pictures from this race sooner rather than later – not sure where we put the camera when we got back from the city, and not sure where the uploading cord thingy is but as soon as i find both I assure you I’ll post the pics that Hubs took!
by Heidi on February 17, 2010
A while ago, I was sent a fabulous case of Pom Wonderful – and while I’ve tried it, it took me a while to get used to it.
For all of y’all celebrating Heart Healthy month – check out these facts (from the Pom website)
A 2005 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed improved blood flow to the heart in patients drinking 8oz daily of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice for 3 months.
Researchers studied a total of 45 patients with coronary heart disease who had reduced blood flow to the heart.
Patients drinking POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice experienced a 17% improvement in blood flow, compared to an 18% worsening in patients drinking
a placebo.
I could jump on this train. I gave the juice a try on it’s own – it was WAYYY to tart for my liking. I’m picky about my juices though and generally steer towards orange or tropical flavored juices.
However, in addition to the heart healthiness of Pom Wonderful, they are the only brand to guarantee 100% juice with no added sugars, preservatives, colors or other filler juices. Pom Juice also has more antioxidants than red wine, grape juice, blueberry juice, cranberry juice, green tea, vitamin C and Vitamin E.
So while I was initially turned off from Pom Juice, I tried it again. Hubs is huge into juice, so he mixed himself a V8 Blast, Cranberry and Pom drink…and not gonna lie? It was pretty tasty. I’m pretty sold on it.
Then I tried this – thought I saw it on a blog somewhere, but I didn’t save it, nor did I get the exact recipe.
Ginger Ale Pom Mocktini
4 oz Ginger Ale
3 oz Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
1 oz Lime juice
Mix. Stir Well. Enjoy.
Also, make sure beverages are chilled. Or use ice. Duh.
Be sure to check out the recipes page on the Pom Wonderful website to see other fabulous recipes you can make with pomegranates and Pom Wonderful Juice.
Have you tried Pom Wonderful? Thoughts?
{Disclaimer: Pom Wonderful did send me a free case of their fabulous juice, however, I was not compensated in any way for this review. These thoughts are my own and have not been influenced in any way.}
by Heidi on February 15, 2010
I’ve decided, I don’t really like running in Stamford.
This is problematic for me, mostly because, I hate the treadmill. Seriously, loathe my weekly speed workouts. LOATHE THEM!
But I’ve done two outdoor runs in Stamford since we moved here, and I’ve gotta say, they’ve both kicked my butt pretty hard. So I guess, we’ll call it love/hate.
You see, I’m from Vermont. We call Connecticut full of “flatlanders” because it’s not nearly as mountainous as Vermont, and honestly, THANK JEBUS FOR THAT.
So tonight, I had a 3 miler on the agenda. I had hoped to get out before it started snowing, but unfortunately, it was just starting as I headed down the hill.
My route – 3.64 miles.
Stats: 3.64 miles 42:50: 11:45/mile
Not too shabby. A bit hillier than expected – the hill that starts at Mile 3 is a douzy. It’s the end of every run – when I run from the gym and when I’m coming home. It sucks. A lot. There was a gradual incline at .5 miles-1.0 miles, and at 1.5 then right after mile 2 coming around that residential loop. My legs are feelin’ it. I’ll have to have my trainer go easy on the legs tomorrow, I always get a bit excited to see what he has in store for me. Though those damned dips for your triceps kill me every.time.
Am excited to be running under 12 minute miles, the hills killed my pace, but I am confident that I can run closer to a 10:00-11:00/mile especially on my shorter races coming up. Speaking of races! I registered for the NYC Race for Haiti, the NYC 8000m run (3.14.10), and of course I’m registered for the NYC Women’s Half in April. Meaning, had I run that damned 5 miler that I was too sick to run in 20 degree weather, I would be totally up to run a race every month this year. I think I can still get away with it, if I double up. 12 races this year? Bring it on!
by Heidi on February 15, 2010
Glamour – the fabulous magazine that it is – recently featured a number of women and their reason’s for working out. My favorite?
“[I work even harder just] knowing that I’m going to see an ex. Even if I broke it off, I still want to make his mouth water, just a little. I know it’s childish, but hey, if it gets me to the gym, who cares?” —Ophira, 36, New York City
I also liked this one….
“I keep an online running log, and seeing my miles add up is a great motivator!” —Megan, 24, New York City
My reasons?
- For myself. To feel good. To de-stress. To clear my mind. This is the real reason…but….
- When you see a frenemy of yours who used to be much..ah-hem…larger than you now running 2-3 minutes faster than you, and looking good when it used to be you who looked good? That’s enough to kick your ass into gear.
- I think about the day when I might run into The Ex again. I’m happier now, married but I’ll be damned if I don’t look damn fine when that day comes.
- It gives me something to write about – something I enjoy doing, and enjoy writing about! It took me a while to find my niche but I’m using this to propel me into the health/fitness blogger sphere. (is it working yet?)
- 10 years. 20 lbs. Need I say more?? Un. Accept. Able.
On that note, I’ve got a 3 miler on tap for tonight. Will update later on route/stats! Need to get dinner started so I can run out the door as soon as Hubs gets home!
Why do you run??
by Heidi on February 14, 2010
So tonight I tried the Fitnessista’s RAD workout. Let me tell you…it kicked my ass. Twelve times over actually. Here’s the workout -
1. Warm up 4.0 speed @ 2.0 incline
2. 6.0 speed @ 2.0 incline
3. 5.5 speed @ 4.0 incline
4. 4.0 speed @ 8.0 incline
5. 6.0 speed @ 2.0 incline – during the chorus of the song sprint (b/t 7.0-8.0, I did 7.2)
6. 6.0 speed @ 2.0 incline. Increase incline 2% during each chorus
7. 5.8 speed @ 2.0 incline
8. 4.0 speed @ 4.0 incline – increase the incline 2% during each chorus
9. 5.8 speed @ 2.0 incline
10. 5.8 speed @ 2.0 incline each minute up the incline by 2%
11. 6.0 speed @ 2.0 incline – sprint during each chorus (b/t 7.0-8.0, again, I did 7.2)
12. 4.0 speed keep 2.0 incline. After 2 minutes take speed to 3.0 gradually.
All I have to say is owies.
Totals:
warm up (run to gym): .59 miles @ 11:48/mi (7:27)
Workout: 3.67 miles 35:52 minutes 11:32/mi average pace
run home: .63 miles @ 13:16/miles (8:44)
Total run: 4.89 miles @ ~11:40/mi average pace (56:44)
it should be noted that my run home has two pretty nasty hills (thus the 1:30ish minute/mile difference) however, I am proud to say that after about a month or so of training/running, I FINALLY ran the .2 miles ALL THE WAY UP the road to our apartment. HUZZAH!
All i have to say is OW…
And damn it feels good to be a gangsta.
This week…
Monday: 3 mile run
Tuesday: Strength/XT (trainer appointment)
Wednesday: 4×800 @ 9:22/mile
Thursday: Strength/XT
Friday: rest/yoga
Saturday: Run for Haiti 4 mile Race!
Sunday: rest
Am officially 16 weeks out from Marathon #4! Let the Training REALLY begin! Woo!!!
by Heidi on January 29, 2010
I fell off the wagon for about two weeks. It started with the end of last week – I started to get a bad cold that left me out of commission and because it was like 20 degrees and I had a sinus headache the size of Texas (and one blocked nostril) I bailed on the five mile race. I would have likely ended up with bronchitis and well…no one wants that.
So I’ve still been working with my trainer (yay!) but I haven’t been running.
Thankfully, I’m not yet within the 16-12 week mark for my 1/2 and full marathons (that are about a month apart in april/may) so I’m not REALLY missing out on any training. I’d rather take a week off now than when my mileage starts really increasing.
So tonight, I went for a speed workout – I’m still working up those yasso 800’s – tonight I did 3×800 (800m warm up, 3×800 @ 9:22/mi pace w/ 800m rest periods @ 11:30/mi with 800m cd) – with some circuit training afterwards.
My run went like:
warm up (run to gym): .64 mi 7:48 12:08/mi
800 @ 9:22/mi (4:44)
rest 800m @ 12:00/mi (6:01)
800 @ 9:22/mi (4:44)
rest 800m @ 11:31/mi (5:37)
800 @ 8:44/mi (4:22)
cool down (run home) .68 mi 8:31 12:09/mi
total: 3.82 miles 43:20 avg pace: 11:33/mi
Not too shabby.
Circuit training included:
2 sets of 15 seated rows 45lbs
2 sets of 15 seated dips
2 sets of 15 high row 30 lbs
2 sets 15 squat/curl/press 15lbs (2 7.5lb dumbbells)
2 sets of 15 upright row (2 7.5 dumbbells)
2 sets of 15 back dumbbell row (2 7.5 dumbbells)
2 20 second planks
2 sets of 15 pushups
2 sets of 20 crunches
Yowza! I fell off the wagon because of my cold but i am thrilled to be back on it. I likely won’t get a long run in this weekend depending on what time we get back sunday (junior league service tomorrow AM, house hunting, party up in Boston for a pal of mine, then a Pampered Chef Party sunday afternoon before we come back to Stamford. Unfortunately for me, our gym closes at like 7 on the weekend so depending on if I can get my headband/gloves this weekend, I’ll probably not get a run in. However, I may be able to get in EA Active (which seriously? kicks my ass everytime. Jumping Squats and Jumping Lunges? I lose EVERY TIME. OH EM GEE!)
This weekend I am pretty excited though, I get to get new sneaks! The treadmill running has been killing my shins which I know means I need some new sneaks – each time I buy them I go get my feet checked out (because I can never remember exactly what type of feet I have, though I’m pretty sure I need stability shoes) and I’ll buy them online in the next day or so from Runningwarehouse.com (which is where I got my last shoes at a great price – if you don’t use them for running gear, you should!)
So this weekend I’ll revise my training plan a little bit, and next week? Back on the wagon I go!
by Heidi on January 20, 2010
My first race of the spring is this weekend on Sunday – a five miler, nothing hard, I’ve been maintaining 5 milers as my long run while I get into training. After this weekend, I’ll slowly start increasing my mileage since I have a ridiculous number of weeks before Vermont City.
This week though, my trainer kicked my ass with a relatively tough circuit workout – I can feel myself getting stronger, I’ve been working with him for about a month now so that’s exciting. This brings me to…The Fitnessista’s Winter Shape Up 2010. Are you in?
I’m going to keep track of everything up here, mostly I’m going to stick to her tips, since I’ve been doing strength training/XT 2x/week and running 3 days. I give myself two days of rest (as opposed to her 1 day of recommended rest) but still find myself getting a decent amount of working out in there.
So, yesterday, my workout:
{sets of each at 20 reps}
Knee Raises
Jumping squats
jumping jacks
pushups
crunches
plank (2 @ 20 seconds)
dips
seated knee raises
low row (45 lbs)
high row (25 lbs)
then, he worked my core with the crunch machine (2 sets: 1 @50lbs; 1 @40lbs) and 2 sets of 20 standing crunches.
Yowsa!
Unfortunately my eating has been awful being that we’ve been in Vermont, travelling and I haven’t had a chance to go grocery shopping. The other night we ordered chinese after getting back to Stamford – new favorite dish (which is horrible but oh so good) General Tsao’s Tofu. Mmm. We went out to lunch yesterday and and I had a slice of caprese pizza – mozzarella, tomato, basil and red peppers. Mmmmmm.
Today:
Breakfast:
cinnamon swirl oatmeal w/1 t of brown sugar
1 glass of OJ
snack:
banana protein smoothie
lunch:
leftover pizza (after my workout yesterday I had eyes bigger than my stomach and ordered two slices but only ate one. I didn’t have time to eat lunch before a job interview so I was STARVING)
snack:
fruit of some sort?
dinner:
whole grain shells, cheese (low fat cheddar) with steamed broccoli
spinach and tomato salad
Am sooo excited.
I need to go grocery shopping – we’re low on fruits and veggies which I’ve been trying to keep stocked, and since we were traveling end of last week, I’m trying to get caught up.
Finally, last week’s weigh in had me at 147. That’s down 3 lbs for those of you counting. Gah, I always feared the day when I’d be 150. I’ve gotta get this all in check. Also! Last week I tried on a pair of pants that hadn’t fit me in months – they were a little tight but I could get them on and zipped/buttoned without worrying about dying. A small step for mankind (well. Me.) amidst the battle against the bulge. Go me?
