Running in the Dark

I know, I know... I shouldn't run in the dark. (But you also shouldn't run on a stomach full of Swedish Fish and that didn't stop me either.) But last night I got home from work and put my running clothes on and sat down for a second and the sun went down way faster than I expected. And it wasn't totally dark when I headed out. And running in the dark was kinda awesome! I ran by one house that totally smelled like pot; I'm not even kidding! But according to The Economist, 5% of the adult population of the world takes illegal drugs (same percentage as a decade ago btw), and I ran by way more than 20 houses, so really I should have expected to smell more weed, right?

It's True

Running outside IS better. I tried the 4 min run / 1 min walk tactic and went 2.25 miles! (I did do a little bit more extra walking towards the end.) And it felt good! On Monday I ran 1 mile on the treadmill and thought I was going to die and hated life at the same time. So I know 2.25 miles may not sound that exciting to you half marathoners and marathoners, but that is a pretty big deal for me. It helped that the weather was pretty much as awesome as it gets - 80, sunny, and a light breeze. Yay for living in the South! Too bad the average temp doesn't get that high in STL until late May...

Swimming

Gosh. I just read Em's blog and it made me realize that I really miss swimming! Maybe I'll swim tomorrow after work. :)

Off the Wagon

So I fell off three wagons... the blogging wagon, the push-up wagon, and the sit-up wagon. I fully intend to get back on all of them now! I got new running shoes yesterday and a Runner's World at the store last week, so today after work I'm going to the gym and:

-Trying out my new shoes
-Trying out my new patella bands
-Getting back on the push-up schedule
-Getting back on the sit-up schedule
-Doing Runner's World recommended exercises to make your running form better and prevent injuries

I am determined to make myself like running. I've been trying for about 3 years with no luck so far. But you know what they say. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again!

Goal: 100 Push Ups and 200 Sit Ups

In Bethany's blog about Morning Inspiration, she referenced the 100 push ups program and the 200 sit ups program. I had never heard of either, but they piqued my interest. I checked them out and decided to do them. Today was Day 1, Week 1. I pretty much can't do a push up to save my life, so I'm starting at the lowest level and doing girl push ups. Maybe once I get up to 100 girl push ups, I'll start the program over and do full-blown push ups. So this morning I did 13 push ups, divided into 5 sets. Ha! I started on the 3rd track for sit ups so this morning I did 67 sit ups, divided into 5 sets. I also did a 10 minute buns and thighs video that was free on the hotel movie system thingy. Tonight Rachel and Danielle and I are hitting up spin class. I hope I can keep up working out like this!

Early Morning #5

Success!!!! I made it to the Spin Class. :)

Early Morning #4

Made it to the gym again this morning! Gosh, it's like I don't even know me anymore! Went to the boot camp / boxing / whatever it is class again this morning. It didn't kick my ass as much as last time... we didn't really do any push ups which was good since I am still sore from Tuesday. But it was still a great work out and really fun (besides dragging myself out of bed in the morning). I made a deal with a friend to meet there so I had to, and with the classes there is actually a time you have to be there - I think this all helps in actually getting me out of bed. I'm still planning attempt #3 at spin class tomorrow. The guy that works at the front desk told me I should get there a half hour early to guarantee getting a bike. Well, that's not going to happen, so if he's right then tomorrow will be failed attempt #3. I think I'll try to get there like 10-15 minutes early. If that's not early enough then forget it. If I make it tomorrow morning, that will be day #5! I'm also planning to go to the gym Saturday morning, though not nearly as early - so that would be 6 days of working out in a row, and I really can't remember the last time I would have done that.

Early Morning #3

So this morning, I set off to the gym for the 6am Spin Class, even prepared with the knowledge of where to find said Spin Class. So I got there. And it was full. Failed attempt #2 at making it to a Spin Class this week - though both times I was actually at the gym at the right time. But I had my own private spin class with my own private instructor (me) and got caught up a bit (though I'm still behind) in reading The Economist. So not all was lost. Also this morning, I went to Starbucks, the gas station, the bank, and got breakfast tacos. Besides dragging myself out of bed on cold mornings, I'm starting to like this getting up early thing. Maybe. Don't hold me to it. Maybe I'll try a third attempt at Spin Class on Friday morning.

Early Morning #2

Yesterday I agreed to meet a friend at a Boot Camp class this morning at the gym. It started at 5:45 am. This morning at 5 when my alarm went off, I wondered what the heck I was thinking when I agreed to that. But I dragged myself out of bed and made it on time! And then the class kicked my butt! Quite literally. I think my butt is already starting to get sore. I had to come into the office today, so I packed a bag and planned to get all ready at the gym and just head in from there. One problem - forgot a towel! So I had to go home and get ready, and I still managed to leave my house at 7:50! I think that's pretty darn impressive. Tomorrow I'll be trying out spin class and this time, I will actually find the spin class.