I Just Wanted To Be Athletic - And Now, I Am! (comments welcome)

[postesf]

HI Corinna!!! Sounds like you had a really great race! Congrats on the minus minute finish compared to last year! That's awesome!!!

Stacie

 

[MomofCKJ]

Great race report! You go girl! And those shirts those folks in front of you had one, what a great sentiment!

I had to come find you, I miss your witty banter on my pre trippie!

Hope all is well and glad you are enjoying your summer!

Allyson

 

[deekaypee]

Corrina: Hope your summer is treating you well!

 

[corinnak]

Now is the time on Sprockets when Corinna gets really distracted by the whole summer thing. Good heavens, I am exhausting myself. And the kids. The dog is spending a good chunk of time in day care so he's tired as well.

The bad news: I have put back some more of the weight that I lost.

The good news: I haven't completely neglected the running.

Last weekend I ran another 5K - I was not going for a miraculous stellar time, but was hoping to be around 34. And by the time I turned off my garmin after the finish line, it sayd 34:06, so I was right where I wanted to be. I was running 11's. Which is a push past "happy pace" at this point, but maintainable over a distance. At least it was that day. I tried to run again on Monday, but my legs were not recovered from Saturday - fatigue.

That 5K was the Bear River Crawl, which I had intended to do last year but couldn't because DH got stuck in Detroit the night before. It was a nice run. Lots of it on a dirt service road through very pretty woods along the Bear River. I didn't crawl at all, but there was one steep hill that I walked up and actually slowed down for on the way back and down. It was steep and dirt.

Everyone stuck around for the end of the race, I think, because they had prizes. And not awarded based on merit, though there were some of those as well. No, these were like door prizes, and they had LOTS of them. I would have liked the backpack, but ended up getting a gift certificate for a deli sandwich and beverage. So that's not so bad. The refreshments included water, gatorade, bananas and ginormous doughnuts. I don't know about anyone else, but after a 5K in which I've pushed myself (and I seem to more than I intend to), I would NEVER feel like a doughnut. Maybe it was for the 1 mile walkers. They were not a huge hit. My usual rule is to eat whatever the post-race food is, but in this case....no.

I guess that's mostly it for the moment. Sorry to be so distractable and thanks, you guys, for tracking me down! Allysson, I'll try to catch up on your pre-trippie very soon!

 

[postesf]

Hey Corinna! Glad to hear all is well. Great job on your race there! I did one recently, but was not as successful as you. I'm glad you hit your goal! I would not want donuts either! Give me the oranges! I swear, the best oranges I've ever tasted have been after a race!

Keep it up girl!!!
Stacie

 

[deekaypee]

Excellent job and good news on your 5K. It shows just what a strong and consistent runner you are. I'm sorry about your weight--I don't suppose it's comforting to know you're not alone in that struggle. I've put on 1/2 of what I'd lost post-January, and in about 6 weeks. It takes such a short period of time to undo all the good I've done, KWIM?

But on to happier news. The Bear River Crawl sounds like it has a real participant-friendly post-race celebration with lots of goodies. Glad to hear you scored something useful. But donuts? Ick. I'm with you on the post-race refreshments, and I know I don't push myself as hard as you do.

Hope your summer is going well--it's probably flying by--and you're looking at a more relaxing fall schedule.

 

[corinnak]

Wow - it's been SO long! I'm home again, at least for a bit, so thing may normalize a bit again around here. I have been running albeit sporadically and not at all...what do you call it when you're focused and training and following a plan? Whatever that is, I have not been it lately. But I went out today and did my regular 5 mile loop today and even managed to run up a lot of most of the hills - how's THAT for a wishy-washy accomplishment? Well, I'm going to take it, 'cause the fact is, I did a lot better than I expected.

And here's what I've learned this summer. Even when I neglect regular "training," I still have a base there - a certain level of aerobic fitness that isn't going away because I put some poundage back on or neglected to run much at all last week. And that's comforting. But not so comforting that I believe in being complacent. I have generally and genuinely enjoyed my runs this summer, and the walks as well. And the time I went to the ladies tennis drill. And sucked, but had a good time anyhow, for the most part. My DH said he was interested in practicing some tennis with me at some point - he said he wasn't concerned about hitting the ball, but the running around the court worried him. I have the exact opposite problem!

We also just got a Wii Fit - thanks to Austin who was going to Target first thing on a day they were expecting a shipment. And it's really cool, I must say. I am not convinced that it is actually a...hardcore fitness tool. So far, it seems like some of the balance stuff is challenging, but the strength training stuff - I feel no burn, I have no muscle soreness. LOVE the Yoga feature pretty well, though. It's so much swifter than the gol-durned Yoga for Dummies Beginner DVD, which seems to be aimed at senior citizens and includes a LOT of reassuring, calm talking and not as much, you know, concentrated yoga. I'm in a hurry, here, Sarah! Or whatever her name is.

Anyhow, it's cool cause it will track your fitness stuff - I think there's something for the DS that will do that now as well. But what I really, seriously, TRULY need to track is the food. I can fitness all you want, but I can out-eat any amount of fitness as well. Sorry to hear you are struggling the same struggle, Debra - it really doesn't take long to put it back on. And it's so much work to take it off. I think I need to get back to strength training. The WiiFit says that I can do awesome lunges - and the Warrior Pose, I get almost full points for. Do you think it could be because it is exactly the same as "Bow and Arrow Stance" in Kung Fu, which I've only practiced about 10,000 times?

 

[postesf]

HI Corinna! Busy huh? Us too! Glad to hear you are maintaining a certain level of fitness. I'm always so afraid that if I go a week w/ no workouts, I'll be back at square one. So...lately I've been at square one a lot!

I hear really good things about the Wii Fit. None of friends have one, but maybe they will eventually invest in one so we don't have too! lol!

Keep going girl!

Stacie

 

[corinnak]

Well, Stacie, from your journal, it sounds like you're still hanging in there. I am as well - I took the dog for a walk yesterday - he was too tired for a run as he'd been in day care quite a bit this week. Nice walk, though. And then a run today. The poor boy balked halfway through. Just wouldn't go any farther. DH came and picked him up. I ended up with a very warm, fairly slow 5K by the time I was done, though.

I'm still checking out the 1/2 marathon programs. The Marathoning for Mortals one makes me nervous because, well, the longest LR is 10 miles and I feel like I'd be more comfortable on race day if I can get a little closer to the 13 mile mark before the race. At least 11 or 12. Some of them go that high so I don't think it's necessarily an unreasonable thing to want in a training plan. I am currently looking at the cool running 1/2 marathon training program.

It would be good if I'd get back on the program with food as well. I kind of shudder to think of doing the half (or halves) with as much extra as I've got now.

 

[corinnak]

I ran on Sunday and again today - not exactly a full running load, but it's been warm and I don't know what else. But if I don't get out by 10am, I've basically lost my chance, as it get so warm in the late morning, early afternoon and stays warm into the evenings here.

On Sunday, the dog got tired, hot and balky about halfway through the 3 miles and I had to have DH come and pick him up! Today, I had to keep it short because I had a dentist appointment at 10am. So I got 2 miles in anyhow, which is better than giving up and doing nothing, right? I'm proud that I did what I could and didn't say "Well, I'll do it tomorrow."

It was a nice little run today as well. Nothing super speedy or super interesting. There was a nice little breeze. I just ran at that happy pace. Down a little hill,Up a hill, down a bigger hill, turn around, go back up the bigger hill and back down another hill and then up that last little hill. Sounds like a hill workout except that that is just regular around here! I have to do a hill every time I go to leave the neighborhood.

Still haven't really settled on a training plan yet. They all either look too hard with too many days, too many miles, or too easy with not enough on the long run. Not sure quite what I should do.

We went to see the science museum's traveling exhibit on Star Wars the other night. WOW, that was a fantastic exhibit. We got to see Luke's actual landspeeder and the Yoda puppet and one of the R2D2 and the C3P0 costumes, well, lots and lots of costumes, and light sabers and blasters.... And the little models they used in filming the older movies. There were lots of little documentaries to watch as well. And hands on science activities as well - the kids did some of them, but mostly we were too engrossed in all of the STUFF. They said most people spend about 1 1/2 hours, but we spent about 2 1/2 and could have spent even longer, had it not been bedtime for the little guys.

And back to the "fitness" part of this journal. I really am back to keeping track of the food again. Yesterday, day 1. Today, day 2. One day at a time, right? It's the hardest part for me, seemingly. I'm back to within 11 pounds of where I started in 2006, which is just kind of startling. I really need to stay focused on eating like a sane person. And so does DH. He hates keeping track of this stuff more than I do. He does Sparkpeople. I do Weight Watchers. I know for a fact that even when training for a long run, I could easily eat more than I run if I'm not paying attention. So here we go again. Round 6.

 

[corinnak]

Oh yeah - and in other news. I've been invited to "Assistant Stage Manage" for a production of Cabaret next winter - I knew I was going to be asked, but they didn't know when the performances would be. I'm glad it doesn't conflict with the WDW half, as there had been talk of January performances. But now, it seem it will be performances in February and March. And, you guessed it - a direct conflict with the Princess Half Marathon. Which I have a DVC room booked for but had not actually registered for yet. Don't know why - I just kept not registering, figuring I'd do it later.

So the choice is between running the princess 1/2, mere months after the WDW 1/2 or running the backstage of Cabaret. And ultimately, my feeling is that I will get more out of being in the show. I may make new friends. I love the work of keeping the backstage running smoothly. And the director last year basically came to me and me personally to work on it - it's nice to be invited. The only thing is, I had borrowed some points to reserve concierge for that trip, and we have AP's this year which expire the beginning of May, so we kind of need to use those points. Turns out the kids' spring break is actually later in March this year, and NOT Easter week, and the 7 month window opens this month, SO, I think we are just going to make it a spring break trip rather than a missing-school-long-weekend. Does it seem like this is just working out too slick? It does to me. And I feel a little badly about skipping the first Princess Run, BUT, there's part of me that says there is a reason that I haven't registered or bought plane tickets.

My dream race has always, ALWAYS been the 2009 Half Marathon, and no matter what gets thrown at me, I am making my way to that one. It is turning out to be very much NOT the plan I was anticipating, but it is going to be good. The Princess half has not been the race I was holding in my heart. It would be fun, I know, but the back to back training was concerning me a little too. So, hopefully a little bit of re-booking and things will all fall into place all lovely.

 

[kimwim8]

Hey C!

You're really an inspiration to me. You are doing GREAT with your running, while maintaining a very busy life. AND you've committed to eating well too. It's very hard to do...and I'm proud of you!

I think you're making the right choice with the play. I agree that back to back 1/2's like that would be very taxing on you and your body. And the reason things are falling in to place so easily is because they were meant to be.

 

[postesf]

Hey Corinna! I am doing the MfM plan. I added two extra weeks though so now it's a 16 week plan. My plan is to start the week of 9/22. I'm doing the Run/Walk plan. I'll be glad to send you my spread sheet if you like. I believe I still have your e-mail. I added in a 12 mile LR. Looks like this...

LR MILES
3
4
5
5
6
7
4
8
6
10
8
12
8
5
HALF!!!

The weekly runs are timed by minutes only...not miles. Mileage is saved for the LR on the weekend.

I think your plan to forgo the Princess half and all look good. It does look like it working out so nicely though doesn't it. Hopefully it will stay that way!

Let me know if you want the spreadsheet!

Stacie

 

[corinnak]

Hey Kim! That's all so sweet of you to say. I don't feel very inspirational at the moment, I must admit. It's embarrassing to keep going backwards and then start in again. The food is really hard and I am re-re-re-committing. But if that's what it takes, that's what I'll do. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that half-marathons that close together would be too much for me. I wish they were still doing the Minnie weekend in May. Or something in May. That timing seemed to be easier to swing, somehow.

Stacie! Thanks for sharing your plan. It looks like the most appropriate of the ones I've been looking at, actually. And I felt like I was behind, but it seems like I can continue on with the "pre-training" a while longer, eh? Maybe I'll compare yours with the run schedule (I'm thinking they are really similar in the MfM book) - it would be fun to do the same schedule with a buddy, don't you think? Sometimes I think that the camaraderie is the thing that got me through C25K. Or, well, MOST of C25K...

Now, the question regarding the March trip is: Will the DVC rooms work out the way we are hoping. I am thinking we are going to maybe do a studio for part and a 1 BR for part. And the kids would like to try the BCV's. I would love it if we could switch room sizes within one resort, but we are also considering a night at a value to make those borrowed points go a little farther. Time alone will tell.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Just a quick drive by as I am frantically trying to help my 6y old finish his summer reading sheet, nothing like waiting till the last minute! Anyway, I'm using the Marathoning for Mortals R/W half plan too. And I am planning to start it a little early and tack a few weeks on at the beginning. I'm nervously excited about the whole thing!

WTG on the stage manager gig! That is exciting! I think you are making the right choice too. It sounds like a great opportunity and the Princess will be there in 2010.

My DS would love that Star Wars exhibit! I wonder if it is travelling our way at all. Hmmmmm? Will have to investigate!

Allyson

 

[corinnak]

Ah, but in 2010, I am tentatively considering the FULL WDW Marathon. Did I just really say that? So I'm thinking the Princess 1/2, unless they move it, would once again be outside the realm of advisability. And right in the middle of the usual "Musical" time, as well. Maybe 2011 will be the year of the Princesses. And maybe they'll add Ariel to the list of "Favorite Princesses" to choose from by then!

Sounds like all the "cool kids" are doing a variant of MfM! Maybe I should too... Maybe we should form a club! With a secret handshake. And a code of honor! OK. I'm getting carried away. Maybe we could have a thread on the WISH events board, though?

Allyson, The Star Wars exhibit is very cool - your closest museum is Boston? LOVE that science museum. I still remember going to the Egypt traveling exhibit there. And on the 5th grade field trip, I got a pencil with a miniature rock collection inside. And again...getting off track. It looks like this exhibit started in Boston, and MN is the last stop before it goes overseas! Maybe it will circulate here again after that - it's hard to know with these traveling exhibits. Sometimes they do come back again. Hopefully it will - it was one of the best things I've seen at the Science Museum. And I could not find my camera.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-09-13-star-wars-exhibit_N.htm

FYI, it cost an extra $3 apiece to go into the cockpit of the millenium falcon. BUT the visit included a short film and a neato metal pin.

 

[corinnak]

Talking to myself. Don't mind me.

This morning, we were out of Bagels. Not that I eat them. Often. But the kids do, and we were out. So I was up early (had to call member services and rebook that March trip, you know) and decided, inspired by Stacie, that I should bike to the bagel place. It's only about a 2 mile round trip, after all. So I pumped up the tires and then....could not find my helmet. Ugh. Hate when that happens. Anyhow, I did eventually find it and off I went. Man, those hills are tougher on a bike than they are when I jog 'em! I know I will be feeling this tomorrow. Got the bagels, though, put them in the backpack and biked on home again. It took about 25-30 minutes. And part of me wonders if I would have been faster jogging it! It doesn't seem right!

Anyhow, I got back and got my reservation for March, no problem. Well, except we are wanting to split the stay between a studio and 1 BR, so I need to call back and change that, but never mind. We have the Beach Club in March - very cool.

And then I went to the Children's Museum with DS's camp group. It all went pretty well, but it's tiring. Our museum has four floors, with exhibits on floors 2 and 4. So the first thing we did was climb up all these stairs with a whole passel of preschool campers. Probably equivalent to climbing up the Bluff stairs this summer, I guess. I was 100% fine at the top of the stairs, but a couple of the other adults were definitely feeling the climb. I was going to say that that kind of thing reminds me that it's all worth it, but really, at this point, I don't question the worthiness of getting out there and running/biking/climbing or whatever. It's just nice to get a little bonus like not being winded at the top of 6 flights of stairs!

And in food news, I am on day 3 of re-journaling. It's a drag, but it helps. I know it helps. It's always just a matter of overcoming inertia. Oh, and telling myself "Nope. You don't get to have that today." or "Sorry, Charlie - you don't get to eat as much as you WANT of that today." That's the hardest thing. Like catching a runaway train.

 

[kimwim8]

You're not by yourself...I'm here! (well, at least for tonight ) I swear, lady...you just amaze me. I would have been huffing and puffing at the top of 6 stories. I would have jumped in my car instead of riding my bike to get bagels. This is why you're an inspiration...you make me THINK!!

Keep it up, girl!

 

[corinnak]

Thanks for the nice note, Kim!

I had been planning on taking Skippy out for a walk this morning, but I actually thought it was going to be too hot for him. So what did I decide to do? I went out for a jog. Yeah - too hot to walk the dog, I'd better RUN instead. Well the first 15 minutes were OK - there was a headwind which made things harder but kept me cool, but then I turned a corner and it started to get a bit hot and exhausting. I walked a fair portion of the way back. It's always a toss-up in my brain. Am I being lazy or sane? Today, I tend to think that I was walking more out of sanity than laziness. I also definitely concluded today that it's much more cooling to run into a wind than to run with your back to the wind. Of course, I guess I knew that from the winter. It's so much colder with the wind in your face than at your back. Why? I don't know, but it is.

I went out to lunch with a couple of friends from Godspell today. It was very nice. I had a portobella sandwich and salad. Asked them to leave the chips or fries off entirely, which is a minor victory! I hate putting stuff like that into the WW tracker, as it is so much guesswork, but I did so anyhow. What is this, day 4? I'm hanging in there in the food department. I really do wish it were as easy to take it off as it is to put it on, though.

 

[corinnak]

Sometimes I don't know why I whine so much about the food journaling. The first few days are absolutely always the worst, and then it gets to be just kind of regular. Except if I get lazy and slack off. Which is still better than the kind of no-holds-barred eating that puts stuff back on so quickly. It's tough to reinstate a little restraint, but after a few days, it does start to feel OK again. Good even. I'm already down a couple of pounds and don't feel so grossly full and round. Even though I know, realistically, there's not that much difference yet.

Ran a 5 this morning. The weather is SO much nicer today, it was a lot more pleasant than Friday's run. Which was just brutal. I still didn't run the whole entire thing, but more today. I did the 5 in just over an hour, which is what I had been doing last year. Even so, I got passed by a very fast, muscular woman about halfway through the run. WOW, she was faster than me. I can't decide if it is inspiring or discouraging to be passed like that. I guess it's maybe both, which makes it neutral? And then I have to remember that there are lots of people who are smaller than I am who couldn't keep up with me for a mile. Where I am is OK.

I am thinking of maybe doing the Jesse James Days 5K on September 7. I haven't been really 5K training, though I could definitely race the distance a bit. It's Austin's event - he won his age group last year, which I thought was pretty cool. I am usually happy if I'm not the LAST in my age group. Early on a Sunday morning, 45 minutes away - it definitely has its downside, but the good thing is that Austin vouches for the course and says they have unremarkable snacks at the end - which beats the last local race I ran, where the course was BAD and they didn't even pour the water at the end of the race. It's not a very expensive race at $15, so I am thinking I may well register. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to mess with starting training for the half and "racing" a 5K seems to leave me kind of drained...Hmmm.