Bring on the challenge!

Vacation is over :(   And, not just the holiday break, but the break from running/exercise.  It was not my original intention to take this break, but, tis the season for sickness.  Had a bad cold right after Thanksgiving, and just when it was getting better and I started running again, the flu made an appearance at our house.  It went through everyone but my husband.  So, after you take ANOTHER week to recuperate from that sickness, then it's almost Christmas, you don't want to get up early because you don't have to, and then there is just too much to do, so before you know it, you haven't run/exercised for 2 1/2 weeks!!!!!  AAAHHHH!!!  Not cool.  So, I hope my body appreciates the rest it's had, because we have a marathon to run in about 16 weeks!

So, since it's been 2 1/2 weeks (I still can't believe I let it go that long!) I've decided to take this week to do some easy runs to get back into the groove.  I did 3 miles on the treadmill this morning at a 6.0.  Then, I did another 30 minutes of strength training, i.e. pushups, situps, let lifts, etc.  And, I still have a sore muscle in my leg.  After all that rest.  Guess it's just gonna take some extra good stretching to get it better.  Plus, I think it's almost time for a new pair of shoes.  Thinking of maybe getting 2 pairs this time.  Wonder if the running store would give me a deal??? 

The rest of the week I'm thinking the workouts will be about the same, then hoping for a 10 miler on Saturday.  (Will my body kill me for that after this long break??)  Next week I will start up on the sprints and tempo runs again.  Here we go!!!! :) 

So, the week started out great.  It went downhill from there.  By Wednesday, I had developed ANOTHER cold.  Seriously.  That's 3 illnesses since Thanksgiving.  What is up??  I am a person who rarely gets sick.  I think I've filled my quota for the next 5 years!  

So, needless to say, I went to bed VERY early on Wednesday night, hoping to feel better the next morning so I could exercise, which didn't happen.  So, I took Thursday off, hoping to feel better, which I did start to, and then this morning, which is normally my day off, I rested, too.  The good news is, I am feeling better.  The bad news is, it is so FREAKING cold outside and the air quality is so bad, that I'm reconsidering my long run in the morning. Not sure if it would be the smartest thing to do.  I really am dying to get outside and do a long run, so  I'm hoping that next week not only will the health be better, but the air, also.  I would still like to exercise in the morning, but that leaves the trusty treadmill :)  Oh, joy!  So, if I'm feeling okay tomorrow (which, I should be good enough to run for at LEAST 3 miles), I will jump on the treadmill and see how far I go.  One  more week till I get outside, I guess. . .only 15 weeks till the marathon. . .hoping I haven't lost too much with all this time off.  It's so much easier to train for a marathon that's in the fall. . . 

Well, I did my 6 miles on the treadmill this morning.  How I wished I could have been outside instead.  However, my husband came back from his 6 miles outside and almost regretted it.  He said the air was disgusting and he felt like he was coated in it (ew!)  

Just did it slow, again at a 6.0.  Had a crappy night sleeping with this stupid cough, but at least it didn't seem to affect my running this morning.  Hoping to start hitting it harder next week and getting back up to where I was a few weeks ago.   

Did my sprint workout on the treadmill this morning.  However, I've gotten a little "soft" over the holidays, so I had to change it up slightly.  I couldn't do 15 minutes straight of 9.0/6.0 so I put an 8.0/6.0 in the middle.  Then, at the end, I just finished with the 8.0/6.0.  I was pretty beat by the end.  Like I said, "soft".  It sucks.  Hopefully, it will come back quickly.

Did 3 miles on  the treadmill at  6.0 this morning (while the husband did his run in 9 degree weather. .  BRRRRRR!!!!!)  Decided to go light this  morning as I wanted to try out my new Jillian Michaels dvd - 30 day burn.  And, boy, I'm still feeling it (I'm typing this in the evening hours).  What a great workout, though.  I love circuit training!  I'm hoping to add that to my workouts every other day.  Anyway, back to faster running tomorrow morning, haven't quite figured out what yet, but it will be faster :)

Did some tempo runs today.  Started out with 5 minutes at a 6.0, 5 minutes at 6.5, then 5 minutes at 7.0.  Then, repeated.  Kind of liked this workout.  Definitely made being on the treadmill seem like it went by faster :)  If I'm back on it again this weekend, I might try it for an hour next time.  Then, did some strength training after.  Felt good to do the 7.0.  Maybe this means I haven't lost it too much? ;)

Was planning on running a little faster this morning, but got to bed later than I planned.  That, and it being Thursday (4th day in a row), I was pretty tired this morning and 6 a.m. comes just too early in January :)  But, I did 3 miles on the treadmill at a 6.0, then I jumped right into my Jillian Michaels DVD for another 20 + minutes.  Love Jillian!  She kicks my butt and I feel great!  Tomorrow is a rest day, then long run on Saturday.  

I guess I think I'm superwoman or something.  

And, a woos. . .did my long run on the treadmill again, like last week.  The thought of bundling up and running in 30 degree weather (at least it warmed up to that much!) and snow just wasn't appealing to me this morning, so I decided to do the treadmill again.  But, I had a plan to make it better this time. . .why not do that tempo workout I did earlier this week, only go longer???  What a great idea!!  It was 5 minutes each of 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0, then repeated.  If you are switching it up every 5 minutes, the treadmill won't seem so boring, right?  Actually, that part is true.  About halfway through the workout this morning, I decided 1 hour wasn't long enough so I was going to go an extra 15 minutes, why not??  At my 4th 7.0 (just before 1 hour) I was feeling pretty tired.  Should I stop?  NO!  You are committed!  Only 15 more minutes, it won't kill you!  By the last 7.0, I wasn't sure I was gonna make it.  Every minute was a pep talk to myself. . .only 5 more minutes, you can do anything for 5 minutes, only 4 more minutes, etc etc.  Needless to say, I finished.  And, it felt good to accomplish that.  Maybe I'm not so bad off as I thought I was.  

So, back to the superwoman thing. . .remember that Jillian Michaels DVD I've been doing this week?  I thought it would be a great idea to do that this morning, too.  So, after 8 miles of running, I did 20 minutes of circuit training (strenth, cardio, and abs), Jillian Michaels style.   Halfway through, I wondered what in the heck I was thinking.  Funny thing was, I did the workout with 5 kids this morning :)  My 4 boys and 1 of my nieces.  Which also made it a little crowded to workout. . . but it was fun to watch, too.  A 4 year old doing jumping jacks. . . :)

Anyway, don't think I'll be combining those 2 workouts again :) 

Did my sprint workout on the treadmill this morning.  Almost like last week, although I was able to add a few more 9.0/6.0 sprints into the mix instead of scaling back like last week :)  Finished up with some strength training.  

Did 3 miles at a 6.0 on the treadmill this morning.  Finished it up with 30 minutes of Jillian's 30 Day Burn.  Tired this morning, hoping to get to bed a little earlier tonight :)  

Did my tempo run on the treadmill this morning.  Thought I'd only do 30 minutes, but decided halfway through I need to start adding mileage (why do these things always come to me halfway through my workout??)  So, I did 5 minutes each of 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 3 times, then finished off the last 45 seconds to a minute (so I could get the full 5 miles) at an 8.0.  I didn't sleep well last night so I was kinda tired again this morning, but it felt good.  Tomorrow is easy day again, and Jillian :)  

Easy 3 today.  Did Jillian's workout after.  Hubby joined me for that, kinda fun.  He tried it out yesterday and loved the workouts.  Good times :)

Ran 8 miles outside this morning with the hubby.  I think this is the first time I've been outside in about 6 weeks.  It felt good to get off the treadmill!! :)  It decided to rain/snow a skiff last night so there were patches of slippery spots along the route, but for the most part, the roads were good.  Sidewalks were a little more sketchy, but at 6 a.m. you don't have to worry about cars as much :)  So, did the run in about 1:17, so a little slow.  None of our miles were below 9's, which is a little discouraging, but at the same time I have to remind myself that winter running isn't the fastest running - i.e. avoiding slippery spots, dark, wearing layers of clothing, etc.  So, overall, happy with the run this morning.

Did my sprint workout on the treadmill this morning.  I'm back to the regular workout I was doing a couple of months ago - YEAH!!  Glad I don't feel like such a woos anymore ;)  

Did 3 miles at a 6.0 on the treadmill this morning.  Finished it up with Jillian's 30 Day Shred.  Going to the doctor later to see if I have a sinus infection.  Seriously - these colds are getting ridiculous!!  4 since Thanksgiving!  And, my sinuses are killing me (especially jumping around or putting our head down while exercising) so I'm giving in and going to see Tom.  Hopefully, he can fix me up good :)

Did my tempo workout on the treadmill this morning.  Same as last week.  Found out yesterday I do have a sinus infection.  Got me some drugs and hopefully it will kick this stuff out for good.  So tired of being constantly sick and drained lately.  Not something I am used to.  Talked to Dr. Tom about the Salt Lake marathon.  He will be running it, too.  Although I have a goal for this year and it would be nice if I could reach it in April, I haven't been thinking it was going to happen.  He even told me it may be difficult for this race.  He says it is one of his least favorites.  So, now I'm wondering what kind of a time I actually can achieve on this race?  Especially as training for it during the winter months is not the easiest.  I would hope I could get somewhat close to my last time, but we'll see.

Took the morning off.  Not part of the original plan for the week, but too much going on today.  Had to get ready this morning to go help at the school and didn't get to bed as early as I'd hoped, so didn't want to get up any earlier.  May or may not run tomorrow.   We'll see.  Long run on Saturday.

Well, so much for a long run this weekend.  Friday night my husband informed me that the air quality was RED outside, so I opted to sleep in a bit and do the treadmill.  I know, I ran in that crap in December, but I don't think it was a great idea.  Especially now, I'm trying to get over a sinus infection and didn't think that was conducive to doing so.  So, of course, I got all excited about sleeping in, but there is also a downside to that.  When you sleep in, you run later in the morning, and your body is hungry.  No, I don't like to eat before I run.  It was only 8-ish when I did get on the treadmill, but I was already feeling the effects of hunger.  So, this made me more tired than if I had opted to get up early and run.  It's a double-edged sword.  Also, by running later, I feel like I lose so many hours in my day to get things done.  So, I opted for a shorter run, too.  What a woos I'm turning into.  I've really got to get my head back on and get training better.

It's the last day of January!!!!  Wahoo!!!  I hate January!  Can't wait for the warmer weather to come back!

Did my sprint workout on the treadmill this morning.  Kinda dragging.  Did not sleep well last night, and woke up groggy this morning.  Guess that's what happens when you try to take a nap after church on Sunday.  Someday I'll learn.