The Running Hiatus

Even as I am typing it, it seems ridiculous to be "impressed" that I haven't run all week. Even with minor injuries, I still have always sneaked in a few short runs. You know, just in case I "forget" how to run. So the 5 solid days of not running are probably a record for me.

Instead:

• Monday - Monday Night Chaos. This class never disappoints. It is a mix of circuit training, crossfit, strength and cardio. I spend the next few days wondering how I've never worked out certain muscle groups. Every week is different. I go almost every single week, and it is a always a challenge.
• Tuesday - Nada. Epsom salt bath.
• Wednesday - Yoga.
• Thursday - Epsom salt bath and back to turbo kickboxing at the gym. Hrm. Things have changed since I went last. Apparently there is a new instructor, which doesn't really matter other than she wasn't the greatest at shouting instructions so I was LOST. I haven't been to class in 7 or 8 months and it was AWKWARD. I was dazed and confused.
• Friday (today) - NADA. I plan on having pizza for dinner and a couple of beers with my older sister.

There were some questions/comments on my whiny blog post about hating running right now:

• Back in February I finally went to the doctor to address my fatigue, lack of energy, general soreness, etc. I had blood work done (thyroid, iron, electrolyte and other stuff) and EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. So, apparently, there is absolutely no medical reason for this? Which is VERY frustrating.
• Am I actually injured? Dunno. My knee has been achy since the trail race I did last week. Not the IT band, but sorta under my knee cap. That's new. Also, my ankle has been tender on/off for a long time. Calf cramping still a HUGE issue. So pretty much the same things that have been plaguing me for years.
• I have the P90X DVDs. I had done them a few years ago (not sure if I had any success or not). I am hesitant to start doing this again because it is pretty time consuming and it has to be done at home. I've lost so much motivation that the thought of getting out from under my heated blanket to exercise is... well, probably not going to happen. But, that IS an option.
• I'm pretty limited to the classes I can take at the gym, and I had forgotten about the kickboxing. Pretty fun cardio, if I can at all remember the sequences of the moves so I don't look like a weirdo. 
• When do I plan on running again? Well, I am running double half marathons for my birthday this weekend!!! I know, seems risky since I hate running right now, but I am determined to make the best of it. I most likely will take all of next week off from running as well. Not sure if the physical rest will improve anything, but the mental break seems to be helping?

May Rewind

Miles Run - 118 (This is surprising since there were 17 days this month I didn't run at all)
Races Run - 3 (1 half marathon, 1 full marathon, 1 50k ultra marathon)
PR's Set - 1 (Since it was my first ultra... instant PR!)
Minutes of Plank - 40+ (I lost count a few days when I was on 33BA, but I have upped the daily amount to 2 minutes per plank. I think I probably did 50 minutes total)

This was a challenging month for me. I was out of town about 3 weeks of the month, yet I still managed a decent amount of miles. I ran my first ultra marathon, ran the Great Wall marathon in China, and the first half marathon I've run since mid April.

The only real plans that I have for June is to stay injury free (my foot hasn't been bothering me for a while now, KNOCK ON WOOD). I have three half marathons on schedule, and another full marathon at the end of the month. I need to re-analyze my racing style as I've been struggling lately with major burn out. Ideally I'd like to get more P90X in, and since I'm home most of the month, that should be something I can manage. I'm feeling a bit weak since I haven't been able to get to a BodyPump class.

What's on YOUR agenda for June?

March's Madness

Miles Run - 119.46 (Actually more than I thought I did)
Races Run - 4 (all half marathons)
PR's Set - 0 (but I finished NYC faster than Hugh Jackman :D )
Minutes of Planks - 27

I don't know WHAT happened this month. I started P90X and I felt like it was doing me a TON of good. I mean, I was sore in all the right ways, I felt like I was getting stronger. But then I was SICK most of the month. I had some pretty heinous neck pains, a nasty cold, and suffering from fatigue.

The dilemma here. On one hand I think P90X is great, but I feel I still have to get my runs in on TOP of the program (as well as my races). I think I might be exercising too much and it's taking a toll on me.

I'm not sure if that's why my racing has gotten SO much slower too. I'm consistently getting slower... and slower... and slower...

Overall, this was a pretty BLAH month. April isn't starting out any better. Hoping it ends better.

Changing it up

After a crazy insane double half marathon weekend, I felt a bit broken by the time I got back home.

P90X
Not feeling up to running just yet, and I was PSYCHED to have a transition week in P90X. First day back... YOGA!! Felt sooo good to stretch out. Then I got to try a workout I haven't done yet, the "Core Synergistics" - that one was pretty tough but I liked it. And then today was the Kenpo X. Sorta like boxing. Only very little direction/demonstration and fast moving so I'm all over the place. Never realized how off balance and CLUMSY I was... hehehe. But nice to have a break.

Gym
I did a little math and discovered that in just under 8 weeks I'll be doing the Great Wall of China Marathon. I emphasize marathon because when we signed up early last summer we were planning on just doing the half. After all this time and how much we have already accomplished... why settle for the half? We are going all the way to China, we might as well go ALL THE WAY. So. The Stairmaster training commences. In 30 minutes I accomplished 130 floors climbed. And felt like I was having a minor heart attack while doing it. At least China is more scenic than the boring gym :D

Here is a YouTube video about the race:

Race Pics
I finally have some that aren't too ridiculous. So here they are... I'm digging my new race hat and after all these races I of course still LOVE my knee socks and skirts.

NYC Half Marathon

National Half Marathon

Another double header scheduled this weekend! My calf and foot are feeling much better after icing and sticking. I'll run a few miles today, but that's the only run I have scheduled for the week.

Three Things Thursday

1. Finally finally FINALLY seem to be getting over my nasty cold. A week and a half? Really? Blech.

2. Only got in 2 days of P90X this week. I blame that partially on being sick and partially on not having a whole lot of time.

3. Last weekend I was totally caught off guard by such cold temperatures in NYC. This weekend I have another double scheduled. DC is supposed to be cold, and it is supposed to be snowy with a high of 40 degrees on Sunday. I planned ahead this time. I got some cheapo sweaters and blankets from the dollar bin at Target so I can toss them at the start line. I also have some of those stretchy gloves. I refuse to freeze again.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

Foto Friday

I doubt this is all P90X... but I'm sure it is helping. Two weeks on the program.

Photo #1

Photo #2

I'm NOT sucking in, and the jeans ARE buttoned. :D

Also, I am the same weight I have been for months, still hovering between 114 & 115. So no weight loss, just toning.

I haven't ever been one to keep track of "inches" and "measurements"though.

Gotta say... I feel great though!

Happy Friday!!

The Good and The Better (Twofer Tuesday)

1. Luckily what has worked for me in the past worked for me again. I managed to get in to see the doctor Friday afternoon. Briefly explained the problem, I suggested we start with the same prescription I've had in the past (muscle relaxers). It took about 48 hours, but I'm back to normal (after sleeping literally 80% of the weekend).

2. P90X is continuing to kick my butt. I cannot believe that a home DVD is actually THIS good. As I have already said, I'm not doing it to lose weight (I've been at my same weight for years), I'm just trying to get a little more toned, and a little stronger. I have to say that I think it's working... I absolutely am NEVER sore after lifting weights on my own. Almost every morning I've woke up thinking... "Wow. I hurt." I like that.

Think I should add that I'm still continuing my normal gym/exercise routine, and that I'm attempting to just ADD P90X into the mix. I'm not sure if that is good or bad... I'm only on week 2 of the P90X program.

Happy Tuesday!

P90X (or how I discovered I'm ridiculously out of shape)

So I just started week 2 of the P90X program. And I am SHOCKED at how hard this is. I have always considered myself to be decently strong and in pretty good shape. Then I tried this nonsense. There have been a few days I could barely get out of bed. A day where coughing made my abs ache.

This means it must be good. The workouts are varied enough that I don't think that I will get bored of it. Last night I did the Kenpo X video, and A joined me for the first 20 minutes or so:

I'm really looking forward to the day when I can:

• Actually do a real overhand chin up. I haven't been able to do that since I was in 6th grade.
• Complete all reps in the Ab Ripper X DVD
• Do all the push ups. All.Of.Them.

Anyone else do this program? Do you like it? How long before it doesn't feel like you are a Biggest Loser contestant doing your first "Last Chance Workout?"

Been a lazy blogger...

I used to blog almost every day. Now I'm barely getting in two a week. And even that is because one is usually a race recap.

I don't think it is just writer's block. I think I'm just getting tired of blogging? Or I'm uninterested in what I'm blogging about? I don't know. It's been this way for a while.

Anyway.

Nothing much to report here. Running this week went pretty good AFTER the race. I did two 8+ mile runs (Monday and Wednesday) and a fast (for me) 30 minute run at 9 min mile pace yesterday.

I've also added P90X to my training. Man. That stuff is intense! It's super hard! The first time I did the Ab Ripper X DVD my abs were aching for days. I've only done about a week of it, but I think it is a good mix of cross training to add to my pretty boring training schedule.

However.

I seem to have pulled a muscle in my neck/back. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon. This type of thing used to happen every 6 months to a year, although my doctor would claim they were mini "episodes" of my MS. I don't agree. I checked my last prescription, I haven't been in since October, 2008. Anyway, we'll see what they say.