Weighing In

“In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.”

 - Erma Bombeck

The Enemy.

Hello Dear Readers-

Yes, I did it.  I stepped on the scale Friday.  I shouldn't have done it.  I am the heaviest I have ever been.  You know what?  I don't care any more.  

I eat healthfully.  I track every morsel of food that goes into my pie-hole.  I eat a mostly vegetarian diet.  I drink two glasses of wine every night and I am not going to stop because I enjoy it.  

I exercise every day.  Here is last week's routine:

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: Speed work 8x400s with a mile warm up and a mile cool-down

Wednesday: Training to Tri- swim and bike

Thursday: Run 4 miles, Sufferfest Climb

Friday: Swim 1800 yds., yoga

Saturday: Run 10 miles

Sunday: Swim 2100 yds., yoga

I started training from the Kentucky Derby Marathon last week. 

April 27th- my 13th Marathon!  

I finally came to the realization that I would rather be healthy and be able to complete marathons and triathlons, than to worry about a stupid number on a scale.  I am TRUSTING my body to tell me what fuel is going to power me.  By the way, BBQ doesn't work well with speed work.  I learned that lesson last Tuesday.  

Life is too short.  Enjoy moving your body, exercising your mind, fueling your body and playing with friends. 

Changing subjects...

I finished by 40-day headstand challenge.  I am enjoying it so much that I have decided to extend it to a 100 days. 

One of the many photos with Bakon.  More Bakon headstand photos to come- promise!

For me the headstand is meditation.  It gives me time to quiet my mind and focus on my breath.  I must stay present otherwise I will fall over!  My goal for the 100-day challenge is to do a headstand in the middle of the room.  I have to tell you that I have never been one to practice yoga at home, only in a class.  This experience has really helped me discover a self practice with yoga.  

Until next week...do something you enjoy.  You deserve it.

New Year, New Plan, New Routine, Same Sturdy Girl

"When the determination to do well is felt as stress rather than enthusiam, trust yourself more and push yourself less." - Unknown

Happy New Year to All!

Now that the holidays are over, it is time to get back into a routine.  If you recall, my 2013 intention is to TRUST myself.  To that end, I have planned some interesting goals for 2013.

Yes, yes, I do have the usual race calendar goal.  Here is the list of confirmed races for this year:

April 27th:  Kentucky Derby Marathon
May 4th: Indianapolis Mini Marathon
June 23rd: Pleasant Prairie Triathlon (Olympic Distance)
July 21st: Door County 1/2 Ironman
September 23rd:  Canada Army Run (1/2 Marathon)
October 19th: Des Plaines River Trail Races (Marathon)

I would also like to get in a century ride sometime in the fall.  We shall see how things shape up.

So, how does all of this add up in helping me to learn to TRUST myself.  I have changed up my workout routine and have added things that scare me, namely interval training and training by myself.  I love working out with a group, but I need to save some coin.  The training I am doing by myself is on the trainer for cycling.  I have found some cycle training videos to ride called the Sufferfest.  So far so good in keeping my promise to myself to get on the bike and ride after work. They have a 9-day tour of Sufferlandia starting on January 26th.  Each day you complete one of their videos that has been predetermined.  I am going to give the tour a go.

"I Will Beat My Ass Today To Kick Yours Tomorrow" is their tag line.  I'm sold!

I am also on day 38 of my 40-day headstand challenge. I have really surprised myself.  I haven't missed a day.  After the challenge, I am going to keep practicing my headstands every day.  The headstand challenge started as popping up for 3 minutes against a wall.  I am now doing my headstand not as close to the wall (I still need the wall to get up), but I can hold my headstand for 5 minutes all by myself.  After my 5-minute supported headstand, I am practicing my tripod headstand in the middle of the room.  I am not there quite yet, but I can get up into a tuck position.  I am also practicing crow pose.    I am learning to love crow pose after 9 years of practicing yoga...yes, it has taken quite some time to embrace crow pose!

Headstand with Bakon

So now you know the race schedule and my scary, challenging training goals to help with my 2013 intention of TRUST.  What does the workout schedule look like for the first half of 2013?  Here it is:

Monday: Yoga

Tuesday: AM Speed work, PM Sufferfest

Wednesday: Training to Tri

Thursday: AM Run, PM Sufferfest

Friday: Swim, yoga

Saturday: Long run 

Sunday: Swim, yoga

Once the weather gets nicer, the Friday swim will be replaced with an outside cycle and a Sunday cycle will be added.  I am also planning on riding my bike to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays as weather permits.

I wish you luck in achieving your 2013 intention and goals!