Hi, I'm Dina and I'm Running

[Dina Monster]

Hello I'm Dina,

The real reason I'm starting this journal is because of all you Disney lovers. I wanna be with you. Okay seriously I intend to run the Disney Land 5K next September 2011. I want to run it because it will mark a whole year that I have began my running training. I just picked up running because my husband left for training for the Air Force and I was stuck back here. I am in the Air Force too so of course I'm in shape some what to begin with. I used to hate working out period until about 2 years ago. I had to work out but I just didn't like it, I only went through the motions of working out and not actually pushing myself. I had to get my gall bladder removed and it caused all kinds of problems I really had to change my diet and let me tell you even if I didn't look like I was chubby I was not fit. I decided when we moved to Arizona that a change needed to occur, but you know how that works out of sight out of mind deal. So I went back to my old ways. I didn't start worrying until I almost failed my physical fitness test. Then something struck me and I told myself I really need to get into shape! I don't want to end up with a whole dictionary full of health problems and I wanna be fit and happy and full of life.

So I began working out 5 days a week. I mean seriously that might not have been the best way to do it, but I cold turkey everything my method works for me. I went to this cross fitness class and I stopped drinking coffee and picked up tea. My diet still awful but at least I was working out or so I thought. One day I almost passed out because I wasn't drinking enough water and I didn't have breakfast. Skip forward to about Jan of this year we are two years now into my working out. I end up in a new shop everyone and their Grandma are fitness junkies. I began my journal down the path of eating healthy. Skip forward to September of this year. My husband has been approved to go to school for 5 months of training. I'm left thinking oh no what am I going to do with myself?!?! I decided I wanted to run a race! So, I signed up for a 5K no prior training mind you expect what was required of me and I just ran. I finished first in my age group but there wasn't really that many runners out there to begin with. But since that first race this past September I have been motivated to run.


I have ran about 5 races since. I just finished one early this evening, it was a fun race not timed or anything we got to run through a neighborhood that goes crazy with their Christmas lights.

So now on to the good stuff.

I'm Dina, 27 years old, currently I weight 98lbs. I use a slow cooker almost everyday for all my evening meals. Slow cooking can be healthy too! I eat six times a day. If you can afford to cough up $75 to $100 to talk to a Dietitian for just one hour, you will seriously make the best decision of your life when it comes to food. I'm so happy to have gone to one. She gave me a meal plan to stick to everyday which includes everything food group I need to eat from and how many calories a day I need for my body type and weight and activity level. I work out about 6 days a week, this includes Belly Dancing, Soccer, Running and Yoga. My work out usually look like this:

Monday = Run + Weight Lifting + Belly Dance Practice (20 minutes of drills)
Tuesday = Run + Turbo Kick Class + Belly Dance Practice (20 minutes of drills)
Wednesday = Free day
Thursday = Run + Extreme Circuit training (This includes weight lifting) + Belly Dance Practice (20 minutes of drills)
Friday = Run + Belly Dance Practice (20 minutes of drills)
Saturday = Race day sometimes + Soccer Practice
Sunday = Race day sometimes + Birkam Yoga + Belly Dance Class (1 hour lesson)


So, now I want to run the Disneyland 5K like I said before. I'm going to put down my workouts and the events leading up to that. Hopefully it will be a fun journey!

 

[Dina Monster]

Today was a good day actually, I told my SIL that I wanted to run the Disneyland 5K over Labor Day weekend. She was of course all over it, but then a friend FB messaged me and said she was very serious about wanting to run a 1/2 Marathon. So then the idea popped into my head. Why don't all three of us run the 1/2 at Disney? Both of them agreed and were more than excited about it. I'm siked because I was originally just going to do the 5K, but this is will be a big stepping stone for me and why not take it at the Happiest Place on Earth?

Today's Meal:

Breakfast:
2 Boiled Egg Whites
1 cup of Oatmeal with Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar
1 cup of non-fat yogurt with peaches

Snack:
1 Whole Banana

Lunch:
Chicken with rice and mixed veggies and 8 oz glass of milk.

Snack:
Apple

Post Workout meal:
Protein shake with Glutamine and Blueberries and Mango.

Dinner:
Beans, Tomatoes with herbs and rice with 8 oz glass of milk.
1/4 of a chocolate chip cookie

Snack:
1 Anjou Pear


For my workout I ran 20 minutes which be about a mile and a half ish at a slow pace. Then I weights for my shoulders and chest.

Forward Shoulder raises 2X15
Overhead Triceps 2X15
Bar dead lifts 2X15
Chest Fly 2X15
Push Ups 2X15
Side shoulder raises 2X15

Superset!

I also got a new pair of running shoes. I tried breaking them in today, it wasn't too bad.

 

[Dina Monster]

I had to take my shoes back that I just got, I know better than to get Nike's but I still got them anyway....they were not so good. I was beginning to get shin pain just running in them on day. I get shin splints really easy. I mean it's kind of stupid how quickly I can get them. I have to be careful cause my shoes have to be for my feet, I tend to wear really light running shoes. I like to keep it below 8 oz if I can. The Nike's were 10 oz and my shin let me know it was too heavy for me. I quickly returned them today and got some Acics. I've never owned a pair and they were the gel sole kind. So far I'm recovering for my shin splint episode so I ran minimally today on the squishy surface of the outdoor track. I am currently in love with running shoes and I am picking out new shoes as we speak for the future.

My husband is coming home in 7 days which means I will more than likely stop working out after next Friday for the whole time he is hear. It will be the holidays and I want to spend as much time as I can with him. We are headed to Tombstone and Sonoita for Wine Tasting and then I'm trying to get photos taken and then a massage he doesn't know about. It's going to be awesome!

Meal for today!

Breakfast:
2 boiled egg whites
1 cup of yogurt with blueberries
1 cup of oatmeal with apples and cinnimum
1 cup of coffer with cream and sugar

Snack:
1 cheese stick and apple slices

Lunch:
Herb Chicken breast with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies

Snack:
1 pear

Postwork out:
Low Fat Chocolate Milk

Dinner:
Herb Chicken leg with onion, carrots, potatoes, brown rice, garlic and 8 oz glass of milk.

Workout:
I walked for about 5 minutes, then I ran for 15 minutes and walked for another 5. Then I attended a 1 hour Turbo Kick class which is like Cardio Kickboxing except Turbo and crazy high intensity!

 

[Dina Monster]

Today was kind of a bad day for me. I ate a good breakfast but I only had one snack today and I ate awful for Lunch and Dinner. No excuses really I could say oh I had to sit at the Red Cross today and register blood donors for half my duty day. Which is true that's what happened but it's still not an excuse I should have eaten better. But I won't beat myself up over it too much.

I got to sit in the Bod Pod today which is a machine that measures your total body fat. I was thinking I was somewhere along the line 22% body fat. The machine was kind of confused with me so I had to sit in it a lot longer than anyone else. The tech said I was the smallest woman she's ever tested. I was like great now I'm sickly. Haha! Finally after the 4th reading it turns out I weight 100lbs and I have 18.3% body fat which puts me right in between the ultra lean category and the lean. She said I was pretty close to having the body fat of a athlete and since I eat so much that could contribute to why I have such a long body fat amount. I was happy about it, because trust me I was a little worried.

For today's work out Billy Blanks actually came to my base to give us a Tae-bo workout. I haven't done Tae-bo since last year but it was a lot of fun. He and Sheylly were super nice and took tons of pictures and videos! It was sooooo much fun and worth every minute in the cold Arizona Sun.

 

[Dina Monster]

So yesterday was a bad day for me as well. It was raining and I only got to eat a few meals. I ate break fast which consisted of two boiled eggs, oatmeal and apples. I didn't get to eat like I wanted to because I ended up being in meetings almost all day at work. So I didn't get my snacks in at all.

I was going to run until my shin splints decided to come back so I had to take it easy. I did a circuit training class which is always fun but it stinks that I couldn't run.

I Belly Danced after my work out and ate a salad with grilled chicken, feta cheese, cucumbers, ice burg lettuce, and tomatoes. Over all it was kind of a rough day.

Today was a rest day followed by good news that we are not moving! So I'm happy and sad about that all at the same time.

 

[natale1980]

Hi.

I really need to try belly dancing.
Tell me more!

-nat

 

[Dina Monster]

Hi.

I really need to try belly dancing.
Tell me more!

-nat

Natalie~~~ Shee I love to Belly Dance! It can be a real workout if I devote time and effort to it. You don't have to know how to dance to do belly dance that's what classes are for. I only have problems with performing but tons of people I know just do to practice because they love the movement. I would highly recommend it if you can find a class. I usually find my classes from either http://us.bellydanceclasses.net/ or http://www.shira.net/directory/directory-search.htm I'm sure either will have a teacher in your area. I hope you try out a class!

Today was soccer practice. Only to realize I'm doing something mildly geeky our first game. Haha I was going to play and then I remember I was already committed to going to an Anime Convention. It's okay I embrace my inner geek.

I didn't eat so hot today. I didn't get my full day worth of meals today.

Breakfast: Oatmeal and milk with apples and cinnamon.

Snack: Fat Free Yogurt with blueberries

Lunch: Apricot Chicken, with Asparagus and broccoli

Dinner: Ground Turkey Tacos, with Tomatoes, and lettuce.

 

[Dina Monster]

I tried out soccer on Saturday. It came down to it really wasn't for me, I guess I didn't mess well with the team and I thought it was going to be so much more different than it was. I don't care that I'm not a good player, it just simply came down to there was too many people on my team. I would have never played ultimately.

Yesterday I did a Belly Dance private lesson. It was a lot of fun and it is where I came to realize I'm more of a dancer than a sports player. I think I just love to dance. My teacher suggested taking a Ballet class as a supplement to increase better posture. So I think I'm going to do that next year.

My legs are healing I didn't have any problems today running a short distance. Just in case though I choose to take a spinning class. I love spinning it's great if you are recovering from shin splints and you can make it has hard or as easy as you want. It's your work out.

BREAKFAST:
2 Boiled eggs
1 Banana
Yogurt with peaches
Plain Oatmeal

SNACK:
One whole apple

Lunch:
Turkey burrito with, feta cheese, tomatoes and olives

DINNER:
Boiled Chicken with mixed peppers, green beans, onions and garlic and a whole wheat tortilla.

RECOVERY DRINK:
Chocolate milk

SNACK:
Pears with grapes

 

[rubato]

Dina, Great story on how you started running. I LOVE to run. It keeps me sane. I know you'll do great with a half marathon. Reading how gung ho you are, you'll give it everything. I have never run a 5k. I started with a half and finished 2nd in my age category with a 1:46. Now, I'm training for the Goofy challenge in 3 weeks. See, it's addictive.

I have tried belly dancing and it's just not for me. Instead, I do zumba. LOVE IT! I am a dancer first, runner 2nd. And, I love that you met Billy. How fun.

 

[natale1980]

I don't understand Soccer. I'm sure it's a great workout, but I don't think I would ever try to play. Too much running and kicking. I'm afraid I would fall allot.

Keep up the great work!!!

-nat

 

[Dina Monster]

So, I tried Soccer and found that it wasn't for me either. I wasn't having much fun and I couldn't remember the rules and no one bothered to stop for a few minutes to teach me. I told the team I was quiting on Monday. Anywya I had been thinking about doing Ballet to supplement my Belly Dancing. I haven't put on a pair of Ballet slippers in years. What set it in stone was the/phone call to the studio saying it was a begiers class and there would be no stress and no tights or leotards until I got better at it. So I am going to puchase a class for the new year and get some slippers. I think seeing the Moscow Russian Ballet last night might have pushed me too. Yesterday was a rest day.


Breakfast:
1 cup yourt with peaches
1 cup oatmeal with apples and spices
2 boiled egg whites

Snack:
Banana

Lunch:
1 cup of rice
1/2 chicken breast with teriyaki glaze
1 cup of broccoli

Snack:
Chocolate shake

Dinner:
Chicken with sweet potatoes green beans.

 

[Dina Monster]

Dina, Great story on how you started running. I LOVE to run. It keeps me sane. I know you'll do great with a half marathon. Reading how gung ho you are, you'll give it everything. I have never run a 5k. I started with a half and finished 2nd in my age category with a 1:46. Now, I'm training for the Goofy challenge in 3 weeks. See, it's addictive.

I have tried belly dancing and it's just not for me. Instead, I do zumba. LOVE IT! I am a dancer first, runner 2nd. And, I love that you met Billy. How fun.

Yes, I love running! I hope I can make 13 miles. I'm still recovering from my shin splints.

Nat I'm with you about soccer now!

 

[Dina Monster]

Yesterday, I did a hardcore class. It was basicly a weight training class to music, in a controled environment. So the instructor would lead all the exercises we did while we worked out with weights to music. It was a lot of fun! I think I will do that training when I can. I really like it.

Breakfast: Oatmeal with apples and spices
Yogurt
Banana

Snack:
Banana

Lunch:
Chicken with peppers and green beans.

Snack:
Apple

Dinner:

Chicken with rice and green beans and celery and peppers.

 

[Dina Monster]

I didn't do anything yesterday and now that the holidays are hear I will take the time off to enjoy time with my family. I will begin the new year with all kinds of fun workouts and Ballet!

Happy Holidays!

 

[natale1980]

Enjoy your week off!!!

 

[Dina Monster]

Enjoy your week off!!!

Thank Natale! I hope your Christmas was good! I have a two new training plans ready to be tested out for a 5K and then I have a 10K training plan and a 1/2 Marathon training plan. I can't wait to test them out!

I am going to Tombstone on Tuesday tomorrow is going to be a slow day. Might just go for a walk later in the day or be bad and go out!

 

[Dina Monster]

New Year's was great! We ate Azuki beans with Rice to welcome in the new year and I only had two glasses of wine. It was pretty great over all. I had to drop my husband back off at the Airport so now it's only a month and a half left before he comes home. I am gonna register for the 1/2 marathon soon. I'm scared if I don't register like before the 6th of Feb it will be sold out but I think I can wait a couple of weeks maybe?

 

[natale1980]

Now I'm confused.... you doing the 1/2 in Disney Land or Disney World. If in Disney World... are you doing the Princess or waiting until September to do the Food & Wine?

-nat

 

[Dina Monster]

Now I'm confused.... you doing the 1/2 in Disney Land or Disney World. If in Disney World... are you doing the Princess or waiting until September to do the Food & Wine?

-nat

Hey Nat it's the 1/2 at Disneyland in September. I won't be ready for the Princess and I'll be on vacation. Disneyland is only a 8 hour drive from me or a 2 hour plane ride so I choose Disneyland this year because it is closer and my SIL will be there to run it with me.

 

[Dina Monster]

I just ran a mile and half to start out today! I was really happy about it. It was pretty chilly outside but I managed it. I need to remember to buy a beanie and gloves or something to wear if I continue to run in the cold. I managed to make my mile and a half a 12:00 minute run which means I ran a 8:00 mile. W00t! I still have it! The last time I ran a mile and a half I did it in 11:55 so 5 seconds slower than before but I was combating the wind and sun. I think I did well overall. We'll see how I do tomorrow!

I love my new shoes by the way I got Nike 5.0 Air Free. They are just amazing! They are run flat shoes and almost made just for me, I supirnate to it's just prefect. I had cushion under the balls of my feet rather than my heels. I'm totally in love with these shoes and I didn't feel any pain what so ever this time. I think a good 1/4 mile brisk warm up and the shoes really did me good! I don't think I'll ever buy another pair of shoes for running ever again! I say that but then they'll stop making them and I'll have to find something new.

If you've never gotten your running pattern video taped by the pros at a running shop I'd highly recommend it! There is no breaking in of shoes, either they feel good or they don't!