race plans

Everyone is on top of their game and writing out their race plans for the year ahead. I have been far too lazy and have not sat down to really look at it, but it is on my list of things to do. I finally got around to research vacation plans for us and that took all my planning brain cells I had. 

I did my spin class with my new bike shoes and it rocked !! It was super easy to get the correct clip in and clip out. I think I was clipping ON and stepping as opposed to clipping IN, which made the difference. I felt at one with that spin bike and really enjoyed it. 

Today I ran 3 miles on treadmill, have not run in a while. It was hard and I was at 10 min miles the entire time. Usually I try to do negative splits but not today, today it was about finishing my 30 minutes. I used the mantra I think I can, I know I can.

Tomorrow is swim with ironlady. I am hoping that we have a few less people since it is NYE and I might get a bit more one and one as well as not slowing the fasties down. One of my daughter's appts has changed from wed. am to sat. which means I have another AM open for working out that I did not have prior to this, so I really need to sit down and look at my days and try to stick with getting in at least 2 swims, 2 spins, 2 runs and a strength class - ideally this is what I would like to do and have a day off, which means i have to double up 0n a day.  

What do you do  ?  Do you always run on mondays, spin/bike on tuesd etc OR do you change it up and just plan the week before ??? 

Clip on pedals

So I got clip on pedals and bike shoes today. Hubby held the bike while I tried to clip in. I brought him down on top of me. Not a good start folks.

I am bringing them to spin class and hopefully that will help me get a feel for these things. Get yourself off the rode NOW if you are training near me b/c I am a mess. 

I need to think of my previous mantra, I think i can, i think i can and not, holy shit i will never be able to do this and i am going to fall and break something. 

These are the shoes....Specialized motodiva. 

Seriously, what is the secret, how will I learn to use these and be 150% comfortable with clipping in and out for a tri ??

Swimming

Today, even though I have a major head cold I went to the gym to swim. The reason I went even with cold was b/c I found out about a class that a trainer has (it is on the down low), she is a 3 time ironman and I have never done any instructional swimming. It was great. Great to get feedback on my stroke, great to learn what drills I should be doing and it was great b/c my arms are killing me. She also took my email and plans on sending me workouts for other days. Swimming is my weakest event. I need to improve and that is one of my goals. I love making a step towards that goal. My other goal is to move to clip on pedals for the bike, which is scary b/c I have no coordination WITH the cages - let alone clip ons. 

The swim workout was a 200 warm up (of course I went as fast as I could b/c I had to keep up with rest of ladies), drills of catch ups, 3 x 400's with first 5o a drill, then 5 x 100's building speed, then 2 x 50 sprints (where you were put against someone your pace) and an easy 50 warm down. I survived but felt like I was awful in form, she spoke with me saying that I needed to get the form and then I will be more efficient, enabling me to go longer and faster. I love having a coach, I always push harder and learn something. I am debating the running coach route as well. I also believe this summer I will do sprint tri's only and then next summer attempt my first olympic tri. then in the way future a half ironman is on my bucket list. 

Merry Christmas !!!

I think I can, I think I can

Normally when I am exercising I am very obsessed with looking the clock, if it is a class I am always looking at the time. If I am running, I am always checking how much time has elapsed. Many times as the time ticks away and I get tired my mind starts the old game of quitter. My head says, damn I am tired, I can not wait for this to end, this sucks, ughhh please end, I can't do this anymore....how much more time, i just want to stop, when will it end. You get my drift.

Lately I have actually tried to have a different attitude. Instead of giving in to being tired and thinking I can't do it, I have decided to say, I will do this, I can do this, push harder, not much longer, you can do it, don't give up, kick ass...I think I can , I think I can. It works. It empowers me. 

Crappy day but controlled eating choices

Today was bad. We have some issues with my older daughter and quite frankly getting her dressed and playing in the snow is closest thing to torture that I have come to. It was a day full of up and downs and I felt like I did not get a break. I did however make some better food choices. Instead of escaping to mcdonalds drive thru for some burgers and fries, i stayed home and made a turkey sandwich, instead of ordering pizza for dinner, I had the turkey chili I had made and froze a while back. 

I had my normal oatmeal with some fruit for bfast, YES I had some of hubbie's most delish swedish pancakes but no syrup. 

I could tell I was so upset and just looking for the easy fix. I did have some cookies tonight but that would have happened no matter what so the thing I am most proud of is that I didn't break down and rush to get that easy bad food. 

I did not work out and I am itching to, the priority tomorrow is the gym. 

There were some great parts of the day the girls seeing Santa ANd sledding for a few runs before the next fit. 

How hard on myself should I be ?

So I am really trying to change my eating habits to better ones. Each day is a struggle. Each moment when I realize I could still get McDonald's breakfast b/c it is before 10.30 is a struggle. When I wait on the checkout line and stare at the reese's or twix, it is a struggle. I am not over weight, I would love to lose 10 pounds but my life does not depend on it. When I have a bad day or a bad moment I wonder why I don't have the discipline ? But should I really berate myself and feel guilty or should I move on and realize that life is full of work in process projects. I am trying to eat better but that doesn't mean I won't have a bad day right ? 

What are your thoughts on eating healthy ? 

back in action

Today the troops were back in action. We dropped off the little one at school, she seems fully recovered and talked the ENTIRE day. I headed to the gym with my older one in tow, she hems and haws about going to the sitting room and then when I pick her up she begs to stay longer ??? 

Just pour the guilt on please.

I was able to make a class that is cardio mixed with weights. Love it, the instructor is a ironWOman and she is hard core. Felt good, a bit lightheaded at times but was fine. I am usually a bit sore the day after this class so we shall see what happens when I wake. 

Nutrition wise, so so, I did incorporate fruit into my oatmeal, I have a hard time getting my fruit in. I started making smoothies and home and my girls go NUTZ for them. They love them, and I love that they are eating something so healthy. I on the other hand like them but really prefer when someone at a health food store makes them for me ? Go figure.  I over came a strong desire to have a bacon sandwich and ate a Larabar. My sweet tonight was my homemade pumpkin bread, yummy, probably ate too big of a piece but....

Tomorrow I don't have time for gym, but maybe I will try to run on the treadmill at home at some time ?? Making turkey chili so I have to make sure to get that in the crock pot early. 

Still have something looming over my head and I hate that feeling....need to deal with it.

still off track....

Yesterday, my little one seemed 100% better but I still did not take her out. I was pretty tired as well since I have been up most nights with her. You kind of forget about the fact that one needs sleep. Yesterday at about 2ish, instead of going food shopping I crashed. I crashed hard and just fell asleep. I believe that it was due to a combination of the little sleep and the crap day of eating. Finally I got up and regained some control, made a pizza for dinner, cleaned the kitchen, hubby did some outside christmas lights. 

I decided to let the girls lay with me for bedtime and I wound up falling asleep with them. So at 11 I woke up and thought, wow I must be one tired mommy. I took my contacts out and went back to sleep.  Only to be woken at 4am by my little one crying for a good hour or 2 till we got up for the day. She was complaining about her nose (must give her her meds right now). So we are all off track again. No gym. I am tired. I need to go food shopping. Need to figure out what teachers we are seeing for the last time this week to make sure I give gift. 

Here is to hoping we all get back at it tomorrow.

off track

This weekend I am off. Youngest is sick, fever, sinus infection. I took my oldest to my niece's bday party and hubby stayed home with the poor little sicky. He was left w no car b/c our other car battery died. The morning was a rush of doc, trying to get car fixed, etc. Which meant that I didn't exercise and I ate horrible. HORRIBLE. 

Today we are settling in, but I did not do the 7am run with friends b/c i felt I was away from my sick baby all day yesterday I didn't want her to wake and not have me. reasonable right ?

Today I need to go food shopping so we can all eat healthy again. 

My little sick one is on the mend and raring to get back to her normal activities.

Treadmill running & GRUMPY

So yesterday I actually have a full hour and a half without kids. HOLY COW that is a long time for me. I am able to run outside if I choose. But I am wimped out, too windy, even though I just bought some roadrunner tights and a manzella hat with a ponytail hole. I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill. I normally run 3 miles and sometimes increase the speed for 2 minutes then go back to a base speed. Or I just try to run a mile and one speed and increase when I feel good.

Yesterday I ran my first mile at 6.0 (10 min miles), then at mile 2 I increased the speed to 6.2 (9.41 min miles), and my last mile I put it to 6.4 (9.23 min miles). It felt good to push harder after each mile.  I need more training plans for the treadmill. 

GRUMPY, I am not sure why but I am in a major GRUMP mood. Even though it is Friday. I think it is b/c I have to finish some work for the NP I work with and it is stressing me out. It makes me wonder how I got through with school and having projects and papers to do, and NOW I know why I was so stressed out when I had my career. My personality is that I want to do the BEST job and I want to finish it right away and it weighs on me when I am not working on it. I have alloted sunday evening to work on this stuff but it is clearly on my mind. Part of me is upset that I let myself get this concerned about something that I do as a volunteer and should not cause strife in my life and another part of me realizes it is me who needs to learn to balance it and realize that I can do things and it doesn't have to be RIGHT now. 

Caving into a carb craving

Most of my life I have eaten a bagel every AM. Back in my high school/college/post college late nights I would end any late night with a toasted lender's bagel with butter. YUM. It would be just enough to fill my stomach that felt hungry. After kids and my metabolism was NOT the same and I started learning about how to eat better. Now that I am exercising and training for sprint tris I also need to make sure I fuel my body correctly.

I have oatmeal every AM and I love it. However there are those days where I just want a big old buttered bagel. Oh how I love it. Today was one of those days, due to the rain I did not want to get out of the car(if so I would have went to Manhattan bagel since they are the closest to a NYC bagel here in jersey), I had to settle on dunkin donuts drive thru. I order a whole wheat bagel, came home and toasted it(darkly is my preference) slavered some butter on it and ate it up. YUM. I caved. Oh well. 

What do you cave into every once in a while ? 

Running date

I set my alarm for 6am, which would give me time to snooze, wake up, have breakfast, get ready and stretch and still be at the meeting place at 7am for my running date. 

When I hit snooze, I really wound up turning my alarm OFF. Therefore I finally awoke and looked at my clock and it was 6:50am. Holy shit. Brush teeth, dress, GOOOOOO.

I was there at 7.07, she was waiting and off we went. It was mother effing cold but I did ok. Wore my new shoes and felt good. Need pants to run in, I ran in some pants that are stretchy and more for yoga or something. Used my ski hat which was fine BUT I probably looked very silly. Had my nike gloves that I already had bought and they are awesome, they become more like a snot rag b/c I wipe my nose so much on them. 

We ran 5 miles, but it went by so fast b/c we talked AND it was mostly new to me, trails right near me that I did not know about. Loved it. Plus she is serious about her training and has lots of great tips and advice for me. She even brought an extra shell vest to keep me warm. 

So running date a success. Hope to have more. We both admitted that we would NOT have ran if we were not meeting each other, such a great way to get yourself to really DO IT. We went slow but she seemed ok with it. 

Thanks for all the cold weather dressing tips. I think I have to get a pair of warm running pants, a hat and some sort of shell....luckily christmas is right here. 

I am sure I will crash tonight !!

Cold weather running

Sunday AM I have a date to run with a friend. She is faster than me, so I am nervous about keeping up. I don't like to run in the cold and it supposed to be in the 30's, so I am nervous about what to wear and how cold I will be. I hate to talk while I run, I feel like I can't do it and I am out of breath and can't focus, so I am nervous about talking while running. 

So why did I make this date ?? Because I know that I will get up and meet her to run, if I was not going to meet her and run on my own I would hit the snooze button and not do it. Because she is faster than me and I want to get faster and challenge myself. Because even though I say that I don't like to talk and run, running with someone will make it go by faster, I will learn something about this person and could learn about running/training. Because I want to know what type of clothing I do need to wear for outside cold running and what better way to find out then to go do it and see how current items work. 

I don't want to wear my new Brooks Trances b/c I don't want to get them dirty. 

What is your favorite cold weather running clothing item ? 

Muddy run

Yesterday morning I had an hour and a half without kids, one at school, and one at an art class. I was so excited to run outside. We have a nice park near our house that has a mile figure eight to run. I got out there and was pumped to run. It was quite muddy in certain areas and I got myself quite dirty but I was so happy to be running outside !!!

Had my garmin off course, which I love love love. I thought I was going faster than I was, but my final time and mileage was 2.75 miles in 27.34 minutes. 10.02 pace. I was surprised I thought I would have gone faster, but I guess having not run in the past 3 weeks takes a toll. I might run with another woman on Sunday morning, she is hardcore and much faster. I get a bit nervous about that, do I really want to run with someone who I have to struggle to keep up with and then add talking into it ? Yet, I think it challenges me and pushes me ??? 

Do you run solo or with folks ???

Runervals

I really want these runervals. I want my gym to offer a class like this OR at least have some sort of podcast that you can listen to while on the treadmill. Basically I want someone to scream at me while I am on the treadmill telling me to go faster........

Exercise while sick ?

I have a bad head cold, and so does my little one. The main reason I did not go to the gym this AM is due to her being sick, as I would infect the entire sitting room and not be a very popular Mom with the other Moms. However, if she was ok, I would have probably still gone and worked out. I am sick, but I don't have a fever and I would just go lite, but I still have the desire to work out.

I of course could do the research but I would love to hear from you guys out there, do you exercise while sick ? what are your limits ?

Bondi Bands review

I had seen these headbands at the Danskin Tri Expo, I was quite curious but did not purchase one. After contacting the wonderful company Bondi Bands, they sent me 2 to try out. One was a dressy one with polka dots and the other said, Run like a Mother (which I loved). I tested them both out. My review, I loved the work out one, I was able to wear it while running and it did not slip, and I even forgot I had it on after my workout and would be picking my girl up from school and other Moms were smiling at me. They liked the saying !!!

I was not crazy about the dressy one simply b/c it tended to slip on me when my hair was down. I loved the look, it just didn't fit me right while wearing my hair down. 

My recommendations are for working out GET THESE now, for dressy wear- I would try it out b/c I think it looks so pretty and simple. 

Thanks again Bondi Bands for letting me review your product.  

They have hats and stuff for kids and dudes, check them out.

running, boiled eggs and smoothies

interesting title huh ?

Running. I finally ran after about 3 weeks off due to shin splints. It felt awesome, I did 3 miles on the treadmill and was loving it. YES, loving a treadmill b/c that is how much I missed running. So next up will be that I start to run more often AND I am going to try and do some sort of speed work once a week. I also know a woman who is a serious runner (sub 7 miles in her races and always places) and she said she would start working with me. Oh and I am going to get a new pair of sneakers since I have had my current pair longer than 8 months and did train for a sprint tri in them, as well as doing 3 sprint tris in them and wearing them pretty much everyday for regular wear. I will be getting the same pair, the Brooks Trance b/c that is what works for me. 

Boiled eggs. For some reason I was dying for a boiled egg the other day. I guess it is due to the fact that I am trying to eat better and instead of snacking on crap I thought hum, a boiled egg tastes good and is not junk. I have realized that this is a perfect protein snack and am incorporating it into my food so that maybe I won't be as hungry by end of night when I have my junk/sweets. 

Smoothies. I love smoothies. But I love when a store makes them for me, hands it over in a nice plastic cup and the lid and a big straw. YUM. I bought a blender. I have all that is needed to make the same exact thing they make in the store and charge me 3.50 + for. I finally made one today and it was not perfect BUT it is workable. But the best part about it, my kids sucked them down. 

Happy Turkey Day, we head out tomorrow for a long road trip. I am going to try my hardest to pack some healthy snacks for the long ass car ride. 

Enjoy !!!

Healthy fast food

I am feeling better today, no vertigo, thank god. I am not 100%, still dragging and a bit nauseous but overall better. No workout today as too many appts for kids on Wed. 

Since my stomach was still not 100% today I didn't have my normal raw veggie salad for lunch. I had oatmeal in the am, then I boiled 2 eggs for an morning snack. I am not sure why but I was craving boiled eggs. For lunch I went to Panera and had their napa valley chicken salad sandwich, it is tasty and not too big (although the price is..) My problem is, we eat lunch out a whole bunch. I want a healthy option. I don't go to subway but i would if they got a drive thru. I just tried quiznos the other day for the first time and I feel that is an option that I could go to.  I really wish that there were more easy, healthy options for a quick lunch out. I know I should just make some easy healthy options at home, but I will be honest btw the pick up and drop offs - lunch is such a rushed time if I have to make it and then sit down and eat it, then clean up.....

any ideas ???

Vertigo and my lifestyle change

This am I woke up with vertigo. If you have never had this - it sucks big time. Luckily after laying back down while girls at breakfast I rested and felt much better. I was determined to go to the gym and take a strenght class. I did make it and was glad I went. But the rest of the day I have been dragging BIG time and wondering what caused the vertigo. I always try to figure out if it is something I ate, allergies, ear fluid - WHAT ??

If I have it tomorrow I will head to the doc. 

The old me would have dropped off my younger one at school and went home and back to bed. I would have taken every easy way out of doing anything. The new me WANTED to go to the gym, needed to go and made the choice to go and at least TRY, if I didn't feel well I could always just walk on the treadmill OR go home. I am proud of myself for this change that has occurred. It took time but it happened. 

monday PUSH

Great weekend, we had a wedding in nyc, we had fun, but I drank and ate as if I was 20 again, and I ain't. My body is begging to go to the gym and I will be dragging it there today. Previously after a weekend like this I believe I would have felt my body needed rest and not to PUSH it. Now that I have made exercise a lifestyle I realize my body needs to get back to the gym and that is a good thing. 

The unpacking and laundry can wait. 

One of the friends at the wedding went vegetarian, my husband talked to him for a bit about it and sure enough hubby is lecturing me about it and he did a big whole foods run last night. I believe in moderation so the though of vegetarian to me is wrong. I believe meat is needed - just moderation. Should be interesting how this pans out.

Eating healthy

So I am on a journey to figure out how to eat better. I am a fast food junkie and believe that nothing is wrong with it. I also loves sweets and have no control. However, I am realizing that my 41 year old body is not metabolizing these bad food choices anymore and I need to change my habits. I am working with a nutritionist and trying to make a lifestyle change. For the most part I have been doing well with getting the good stuff in, more veggies and fruits, and taking some of the bad stuff away, however last night I broke down and got myself some mcdees (god i love them), all i got was a plain hamburger and small fries. 

They tasted GREAT. I did not feel sick after, I did feel a bit incomplete like I needed more food, but for the most part there was no feeling that made me feel like I should stay away (which I was hoping for). However, this am I am a raving cranky bitch. Granted today was a NO exercise day, but I wonder could bad food REALLY affect your mood ? 

When I was young I drank soda. I finally realized soda made me fell full and the enjoyment was not worth it. I quit soda.

I use to order the Grand French Toast at this wonderful bfast place, it was pure heaven, however I would feel like crap an hour after and be starving after a huge plate of french toast. Again I made the connection and the enjoyment was not worth it.

The big question I have for myself is will this happen with fast food or not for me.

Larabar on Biggest Loser

Last night I watched Biggest Loser and saw my favorite bar being pimped out, larabar, I was quite proud and happy for them !!! However, I actually found another bar choice....very similar to the larabar called Pure bar.  YUMMY. I am so happy to have found 2 wonderful healthy bars !!!

Body Pump

Took a body pump class today. I really enjoy it and the instructor the one thing I wish I knew more about OR had time to discuss with teacher is how much weight to use for myself. I always wonder if I am going to light or too heavy, yes I try to see how I feel during the repetitions but still I feel like it would be nice to more about what you should be using based on your weight, your goals and your outside training. For example, if you are doing the class once a week and it is really your only weight training OR is this just one day of 3 that you do weight training, what if you don't want your legs to get to big ? What if you want to focus on your arms for swimming. 

You see my point ? 

If you can't join them, help them

Today instead of running in a 5 mile race I volunteered and helped out. It was a bit chaotic as this was the first time they were putting this race together so I noticed a few bumps but overall it rocked. I was basically keeping people on the right side of the cones on the out and back and keeping the public out of the course way. It was fun to cheer the ladies on, and many of them would shout thanks for volunteering - how awesome is that. 

I saw a bunch of friendly faces and I really hope I made a small difference in at least one ladies run and gave her some encouragement. 

So next time you are feeling bummed b/c you can't run due to an injury - go volunteer and cheer the runners on !!!

Sleep

It is 9.26am and due to schedules I did not attend the gym today. My 5 year old has dance class at 10.30 and the class i would like to take is at 10:15. My main problem is that I don't believe I get enough sleep, and I am not an early bird. I stay up late, probably going to bed around midnight most nights. Luckily there is no 8am school in this house yet. Many times I just come down with my 3 year old and turn the tv on while I continue rest on the couch (ok SLEEP). It is like snoozing your alarm clock. But I hate it, I hate that I am not up and at em as soon as I am out of bed. Somedays I am ok, and rest for a little bit, then up and at em, but some days like today I have a hard time getting off the couch. I hate it. 

Do you get enough sleep ? Are you an early bird ? What are your tricks for getting up in the AM and getting that motivated feeling ???

shin splints

So I went to the PT today and got some ice and stim. I was told that running the 5 mile race on Saturday was not recommended, so I won't. 

I want to research shin splints, active.com just had an article about them.

Swiming

Tonight I got a sitter and went to the gym to take part in the masters swim class. A very young lady was in charge and she simply stood there and flirted with the lifeguard on duty. She writes the workout on the board and you do it. I did learn some drills and how to use some hand flippers which they call push. 

I am glad I went I swam for an hour, but I pictured a bit more of a coaching aspect. 

I just want to make sure my stroke is the most efficient it can be. Swim coaches out there...help 

Lara Bars and Smoothies

I do not like any of the healthy bars out there, they all taste like Styrofoam to me (have I eaten Styrofoam - NO but i am guessing how gross it would be). The only bars I like and they taste excellent and are super healthy are Larabars. I tried a think thin bar today and it was gross, sorry think thin but i just couldn't do it. Larabars are the only one for me. If you guys have other bars you like - please share.

Smoothies. Yum. Love em. Finally bought a new blender and want to make my own BUT I keep going and buying one, b/c I am fearful of making one and it not coming out as yummy. Any sure fire ways to make my smoothie just as good as the health food store's ???

Outside exercise

I did spin class this AM, but in the afternoon it was nice enough to be outside and I wanted the girls to run around with some fresh air. So I had the great idea of raking some leaves up, perfect idea, I was getting a chore done, exercising and hanging outside with my girls.

Check out how many calories some outside chores will burn.

Just a mom triing to be fit

I am just a mom trying to be fit and healthy. join me in my quest