Tag Archive | running

Cardio Conundrum

Some things are mostly good of late. Teaching has gone well despite my inability to turn the fans on high at times. And usually at least one person compliments the playlist.

Of course, this has also led me to becoming a bit of a subbing whore. I actually proudly wear this label given to me by a fellow SPIN instructor, though when some people say it to me, it can be annoying.

Anyway there is a point here, just bear with me. Recently, at a training session, my cardio routine had come up. Mainly because I had mentioned that assuming all goes according to plan (i.e, Bucktown Athletic Club is open) then I will have close to double-digit classes to teach at the end of February / beginning of March. I’m pretty excited about this but at the same time, slightly freaked out about. Continue reading →

Focusing and Goals

Jan8

January 2, 2014 I had my first training session of the year with my trainer and while we were discussing some of my grand scheme goals, the idea of what do I really want to accomplish came up during the session. Before the year started, I already had a running goal in mind. I also had some ideas of things I wanted to accomplish otherwise as well. But now, I need to figure those goals out concretely and figure out a plan of attack.

I suppose the number one goal is to get to the number I have been “dreaming” about on the scale. I’m much closer than I was at the start of last year. And while I should have met that number last year, I’m ok that it didn’t happen. It was aggressive to meet but now I think it can happen.

At my session, we were kind of brainstorming some things I should try to do this year. For instance, one of the things is to go shopping for clothing that is not workout related. I hate shopping and I really desperately need to buy some clothes that fit. Just about everything I own is way too big. However given my past shopping experiences I always dread it because while I may be smaller, things still never fit. So it is beyond frustrating to shop for something new. However, I should probably try to not look like a slob when I am not working out. Continue reading →

Appreciating the Treadmill

Dec10

what I occasionally feel like when running on the treadmill

No one likes the treadmill. It goes nowhere and there is no pretty scenery (unless you happen to have it positioned in view of beautiful eye candy.) And let’s be real: running on it feels like pure torture.

But on a day like today where the high in many places is barely five degrees, it can be useful. Especially when there are wind advisories and frostbite can occur within 30 minutes. Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of the treadmill. Give me the road ANY day. But slowly, I have come to appreciate what I like to call the gerbilmill.

Running on the gerbilmill is a bit of a way to get away from other runners. I’m not sure what it is about me, but when I am outside running, too many times I have other runners coming up and touching me. It’s just. . . weird when it happens. Usually it is a “good job” type of pat or something, but why someone feels compelled to touch a stranger is beyond me. It isn’t the type of touch to alert me that another person is running close by and needs to pass me. That I can deal with. It’s the “feel a need to reassure yourself so you reach out and touch a stranger” stuff that creeps me out. Suffice it to say, if you’re a stranger, it is best to not disturb other runners. Continue reading →

Game. On.

Dec6

Now that I have officially gotten back on the workout band wagon, I’ve been mixing it ever so slightly. I’m still taking my usual classes, but lately, I’ve been trying to get to more TRX classes. Aside from it being a different workout, I do have another reason for taking it, which I will explain another day.

Anyway, one of the first times I took this class, I was working so hard that I actually got to a puke-worthy status. Yes, puke-worthy. As in, as we were getting closer to being finished, I wanted to throw up. The instructor for the class is pretty tough. So tough that you don’t realize it until maybe afterward when you realize you’re sore from a workout that seemed easy but really wasn’t. Continue reading →

I Believe Her Now

Dec2

she believes in me, so now i will start to believe

Several months ago, I talked about how my trainer says I am an athlete and I did not think that was the case. At the time, I had only recently come to the realization that I am a runner. But an athlete? No way. I don’t think I look like one. At least not someone who I would consider as an athlete.

However, after these past few weeks, I believe her now. I officially had the realization Sunday after a tough spinning workout. That ride was probably the hardest I have ever done in my years of taking such classes. I managed to keep up in it and while leaving it all on the bike, feel like I could do more. Continue reading →

A Good Break

Nov30

This morning I ran four miles. I haven’t really run much since the marathon. In fact, before yesterday, I had probably run four times total and that was well over a month ago since the Chicago Marathon.

I thought the miles might have been awful, but they were really good. I was actually even faster than what I normally was running pre-break. This got me to thinking that perhaps I should take a break more often.

I do take rest days, but not actually a break and “walk away” from doing things I enjoy. I had also been on a bit of a lifting break since before the marathon. I wish my strength gains hadn’t disappeared, but I fear they did once I got back to regularly lifting. Or I should say while I still can mostly lift what I had been lifting, I actually get sore now. Continue reading →

Small Business Support

Nov28

Happy Thanksgiving / stuff your face as much as possible day! I hope you had a good one and don’t regret one bit you enjoyed today. I enjoyed some food (not nearly the typical amount) and sweated plenty at the gym before indulging. Because that is what I do.

Now, we come upon the holiday season in earnest. Already stores are opening up with amazing deals for people to enjoy. If you are partaking in these deals on Turkey Day, I hope you enjoy and that you end up getting things you want. Continue reading →

Random Thoughts: The Fall Edition

Nov7

Since I am trying to write a blog post each day this month, it seemed like a good time to do another one on the various random thoughts that go through my head. Nothing in particular other than just the randomness that occurs when I am working out, running, or getting annoyed at work because there are too many chatty men around causing me to be unable to think.

So without further ado, here are some random thoughts: Continue reading →

Halloween Bravery

Nov2

Apparently, this month is in addition to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), it is also National Blog Post Writing Month (NaBloPoMo). This is where you will write a blog post daily for the month of November.

I haven’t actually ever participated in NaNoWriMo, but I do have several books I’ve started on. I do need to get around to finishing them as they might be of interest to someone. In any event, I think I will try my hand at writing for 30 days straight here and my first thoughts are about Halloween. Yes I am off a day, but oh well, I can do 29 posts in November. Continue reading →

Six Months

Sep29

Six months. Six long months of drudgery and slogging. Six months of terrible morning runs was what I did before I finally figures out how to have a fantastic morning run. Or I should say fantastic morning run first thing in the morning.

If I had my way, I would probably do all of my running at night. I just like it better then. I am awake and energized and evening runs are relaxing. However, this year I actually trained for races and because of doing long runs on the weekends of more than six miles, this was going to necessitate getting up to run early. For a time, I was able to get away with doing evening runs and still feeling fresh enough to run on the weekend early in the morning.

However, as marathon training progressed with longer runs on Fridays as well as the usual long run on Saturday mornings, morning runs were being necessitated on Fridays. And earlier in the week as well since I had to get to work and work super long hours. So it was up early to get the miles in. And it was not the most fun thing to do. Continue reading →

In My Head

Thoughts and Observations on lots of stuff