Category Archives: Janathon

Random Thoughts for the Last Day of the Janathon and a New Challenge

Posted on by Run DMT
4

PhotobucketLast week, I moaned and complained about my forced soft food diet.  I mostly complained about all the boring foods I’ve been eating and not losing weight.  Well surprise, surprise!  I lost 3.5 pounds.  Who would have guessed?!

For the last day of the Janathon, I had to get blood work for my annual physical, which meant I would have to refrain from exercise beforehand or in other words, running before the blood draw.

This morning when I woke up, my jaw hurt, so I was kind of glad that I couldn’t run.  However, it also meant that I couldn’t take any ibuprofen to relieve the pain, because I also had to refrain from eating or drinking anything before the blood draw.

I had mentioned to my friend, Kelly that I wouldn’t be able to run before the blood work and I asked if I could tag along to her Zumba class. She’s always raving about her Zumba class and how much fun it is, so I thought I would give it try.

Besides, I couldn’t let the last day of Janathon slip by without doing something.  Stupid jaw and blood draw.

Although I kept tripping over myself with every salsa and samba move, the class was a lot of fun and I loved the music.  Between the pelvic thrusts and the hip gyrating, Zumba gave me an opportunity to work some a different muscle group and incorporate some core training, too

But I felt like I needed more core work, so I did 50 push-ups and 100 crunches when I got home.

Speaking of core training, my running tweeps from Twitter and I are starting an ab challenge tomorrow, Wednesday February 1 called #lovemyabs.  The goal is to do 100 ab exercise every day in February while increasing each week by 20. Trust me.  It’s totally doable!

If you’re game, stop by tomorrow for the details and the official linky party kick-off.  In the meantime, commit to the challenge by adding the #lovemyabs button to your blog and link back to Run DMT.

Don’t you just love the bloggy button I made for the abs challenge?  Isn’t it so cute?

 *Proudly submitted to Stacy Uncorked, because when I blog about my training, it’s usually pretty random.*

Stacy

Janathon 2012 – Day 30

Posted on by Run DMT
1

PhotobucketThis morning I woke up and I felt nothing.  I had no jaw pain.  So I jumped out of bed, threw on some running clothes and ran out the door.  It was a chilly, crisp Florida morning, but I felt warm all over because I WAS RUNNING!

And it felt so good.

I only did three miles and took it easy.  I worried about injuring myself if I pushed too hard after 3 weeks of forced rest.  Then, about halfway into the run, I felt my jaw throbbing.  It didn’t hurt too badly, just more annoying than anything else.

It wasn’t a great run.  It wasn’t a bad run.  For me it was just right, because I got out there again.

3.1 Miles

Time 31:19

Ave Pace 10:06

Max Pace 7:06

Only one day left of the Janathon!  I need to make tomorrow a good one!

Janathon 2012 – Day 26

Posted on by Run DMT
Reply

PhotobucketSo if you’ve been reading my blog throughout the Janathon, then hopefully you’ve not given up on me yet and my ridiculous wisdom extraction in the middle of the Janathon and stinky hole stories, then you know my Janathon experience hasn’t been very Janathonish.  These stupid steenky holes of mine have made it really difficult to do anything thanks to all the pain I’ve been feeling.

This morning was no different than any other morning over the past three weeks.  I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and my jaw was throbbing.  So, I popped 800mg of ibuprofen.  Fabulous.

It was another slow start morning waiting for the pain to subside, but today was slightly different.   A couple hours later, I felt good.  Really good, even after yapping on the phone with my SIL for an hour.  So, I tested the pain boundaries with some light housework and still no pain.

I decided to test the boundaries a bit more with a walk to park with Little Lion Man.  I even wore my Garmin to pace myself from walking too fast (or even running) or walking too slow.

The mile walk to the park felt great.  Just the exercise and sun I needed to feel good about me again.  Little Lion Man loved the change in routine after being cooped up in the house for nearly 3 weeks and slept for 2 hours afterwards, which was an added bonus.  I really needed that too.

So there it is.  I did something today.  Finally.

2 Mile Walk

Time 34:14

Ave Pace 17:48

Max 12:26

Janathon 2012 – Day 11

Posted on by Run DMT
1

PhotobucketLast night was not a good night.  Typically, I fall asleep around 9-ish because I wake-up so early (around 5:00).  But last night I couldn’t sleep and I was awake until 10:30.  I don’t know if I was nervous about my dental surgery on Thursday or if I was nervous about this bible study group I started attending on Wednesday mornings.  Whatever the reason, I couldn’t fall asleep and when I finally did, I woke up at 2:00.  I fell back to sleep but only for an hour and a half and then I laid there staring at the ceiling for another hour.

This weekend would be a step back week and I wasn’t sure if I would be up for a 6 mile run after surgery.  So, I ran the miles today.  I strapped on my Garmin and hit play on my MP3 player, but my player was dead.  Oh good Lord!  Six miles with no music?  Oh well.  It has to be done.

I opened the door to begin my music free stride.  Oh good Lord!  It’s raining!  And it’s windy!  Oh well.  It has to be done.

But man, that wind was tough!  My legs were not happy and told me every step of the way.  I tortured them yesterday for speed work and now my legs underwent some unplanned resistance training.

After 3.1 miles, I hit a lap so I could judge my 5K pace.

3.1 miles

32:35

Ave Pace 10:31

Max Pace 8:19

So, it wasn’t as good as Monday’s 3.1 mile, but then there was some serious wind today!  And Oh Law, my legs were hurting!

About 4 miles into the run, I experienced a cramp in my side, which was so ironic since @LocalAdventures referenced me and my hydration techniques on his Janathon report yesterday.  In the comments section, I stated how hydration is such a difficult balance for me.  If I drink too little water, I cramp.  If I drink too much water, I cramp and then I need to pee.  So which was it today? 

I only drank about 10 oz of water and I peed twice before my run, but I must have been soaking up every drop of rain water to feel a cramp and a need to urinate.

And that wind! UGH!  At four miles, I was so done and my legs forced me complain out loud in the dark.  I’m sure if I had music, I would just sing away the pain to distract myself.  Instead, I cried out, “Oh Law.  My leggggs huuurrt!”  Plus, having no music caused me to startle and panic over every little rustle I heard.  What was that? A rat? A lizard? A rabbit crazed lepus?

But, when I hit the 6 mile mark, it felt good great but oh Law, my legs hurt!

6.20 miles

Time 1:08:24

Ave Pace 11:02

Max Pace 9:08

Janathon 2012 – Day 7

Posted on by Run DMT
1

I made it to 9 miles.  I was a little worried about my heel, but it didn’t give me trouble until about mile 8.  Before my run, I walked about 0.5 mile and stretched.  I also stretched through the run so I guess all that helped.  Although hours later now, my heel is giving me some trouble, so it’s time for the frozen water bottle trick.

Speaking of water bottles, I left my water bottle at the 1 mile mark, so there weren’t many water breaks during this run.  I actually ran about 7 miles without water, which I think is pretty amazing.  Granted not the smartest move, because I usually get pretty thirsty throughout the course, however, I was surprised at how far I could go with a water break.

9 miles

Time 1:41:40

Ave Pace 11:18

Max Pace 8:51

Just to do something different, I decided to run the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K this year instead of the half.  Out of curiosity, I looked up my stats from the Minnie Marathon 15K to compare my past time today’s run.

 Minnie Marathon Chip Time  1:28:12

Yep, I got my work cut-out for me this year.

Janathon 2012 – Day 6

Posted on by Run DMT
1

PhotobucketThe meteorologist lied was mistaken.  He said the overnight lows would be in the 50s. Well, the overnight low in these parts was in the 40s or maybe even lower.  I can’t honestly say that I know for sure, because I didn’t check the forecast until after my run.

But I can say with confidence that when I stepped out the door this morning for my 4 mile run at 6 a.m., it felt much colder than 50 degrees and the fog didn’t help at all.  Sure enough, when I checked after my run, weather.com stated the temperature to be 41 degrees at 7 a.m.

But it’s no big deal, because I will willingly run in temps above 40 degrees and my 4 mile run proved to be a happy, somewhat chilly little run.  I’ll take a 40 degrees run outside in the fog over a treadmill any day.

4 miles

Time 42:22

Ave Pace 10:36

Max Pace 8:14

To keep with my Intermediate/advanced half marathon training, I plan to run 8-9 miles tomorrow morning.

Janathon 2012 – Day 2, 3, 4, and 5

Posted on by Run DMT
Reply

PhotobucketHere we are 5 days into the Janathon and I’ve already failed. Yay me.  I ran 3.1 miles on Day 2 and logged it on Running Free, but I didn’t blog about it.  So I’ll share my stats three days later.

3.1 miles

Time 32:12

Ave Pace 10:23

Max Pace 8:37

My family and I went to Universal Studios that day and there was just no time for blogging between rides.  Do I get extra points for walking around an amusement park?  So, less than a week into Janathon and I’ve already lost.

This is where you tell me that no one is a loser if the Janathon encourages you to move.  Um yeah….about that….

 On Day 3, a cold front rolled through, so I did 31 minutes of Wii Fit plus 140 crunches and 30 pushups (which took about ten minutes).  I don’t run outside in temps below 40.  I know. I know. No excuses, but I’m a fair weather runner. Listen, last fall I got over my rain issues, so give me time.  I may come around the cold too.

But I have to tell you. I’m not crazy about this Wii Fit thing.  I can see how it helps with conditioning, but I didn’t feel like I really worked-out.  My girls love it, though.  So, if it gets my family moving then that’s a good thing, right?

Um yeah….about my whole family moving…

On Day 4, my SIL and niece came over and did some Wii Fit exercises with my girls.  Notice I said “my girls”, because I nodded off on the couch waiting for my turn.  Yep, that’s right. I got nothing for Day 4.  Not even 1 sit-up or pushup or a 1mile walk.  Nothing.  I’m a Janathon joke and Wii Fit failure now too.  I know.   I suck.

But never fear! I redeemed myself today on Day 5 with a 3.1 mile run! Well, I sort of redeemed myself because I did 3.1 miles on the treadmill at my friend’s gym (@fmc3) and it took me freaking 47:18! Are you f*cking kidding me?  WTF is that?!

It was so pathetic that my Garmin didn’t even register the run.  I think about halfway into it, my Garmin said I went 19 feet at a pace of 47:00 minutes.  How sad is that?!  I embarrassed my Garmin.  And you should have seen how hard I sweated!  But at least my sweat drops didn’t become icicles hanging off my nose running outside in that frigid 28 degrees air.

After my pathetic run, I decided to take advantage of the machines in the gym.  I busted 4 sets of leg extensions, leg curls and lateral pulls.  That felt good.  Lord knows, I need the strength training.

I also added some sit-ups and pushups into Day 5’s work-out with 180 crunches/pilates and 30 pushups.

Janathon 2012 – Day 1

Posted on by Run DMT
4

PhotobucketI don’t know why I thought I could actually start the Janathon running on Day 1, the very day after New Year’s Eve.  How did I ever think I would be in any condition to run after a late night of binge drinking with my friends?

Not a very realistic goal and definitely not my brightest moments.

So here I am Day 1 of the Janathon with nothing but a few pushups and sit-ups to show for myself.  But it’s something, right?   And that’s the whole point of the Janathon.  Do something every day and blog about it.

Well, here’s my something.

100 sit-ups

30 pushups

There you have it, folks.  My very sad start to the Janathon and here I am embarrassing myself blogging about it.

Hopefully, in 30 days, I will be a little bit stronger so that I can do a few more than I started.  If anything, I’d like to be a bit stronger and a tad bit faster than I started and core training can only help.

Random Thoughts about Celery, New Shoes and Strange Sounds

Posted on by Run DMT
8

First off, I need to brag.  I lost 10.5 pounds since joining the Janathon and Shrinking Jeans: The Power of One!  WOOHOO!  I dropped a whole dress size and that feels GREAT!

 

But the good news of losing weight was overshadowed by the bad news I received at my physical last week.  I learned my cholesterol was high (225) and my liver enzymes were elevated.  Jokingly, my doctor asked if I enjoyed the holidays.  Um…yeah…Based on those lab results, I think I enjoyed them a little too much. I tried to dig myself out of my unhealthy hole by explaining that I already had begun to change my eating habits.  “That’s good”, she said, “Because it could have been worse.”  *Insert game show loser sound effect* Wa wa waaaaaaa.

 

In a couple of months, I’ll redo my blood work to check my cholesterol and liver enzymes.  Of course, in the meantime, I’ll have to continue with the low fat, small portions and no alcoholic beverages.  But now, I have to omit cheese out of my menu.  Good Lord!  That may be the death of me!  I’d rather eat cheese than eat dessert.  And just how am I supposed to get through the Super Bowl not eating cheese or fatty foods?  Oh the humanity! I’ll have some wings with blue cheese and celery.  Hold the wings and blue cheese. Blah.

 

Unfortunately, I was unable to combat my cholesterol with running when hubbie got sick and I couldn’t leave the baby under his care while I snuck off to run.  Thankfully, last Tuesday I got 4 miles in before my 9 miles on Saturday.  And despite needing new shoes, Tiffany and I did really well.  Better than last week, that’s for sure!  So I guess the forced rest paid off!

 

9 miles

Time 1:58

Ave Pace 13:10

Max Pace 8:50

Calories Burned 892 (LOVE THAT!)

 

After our stellar Saturday run, I rewarded myself with a pair of new running shoes and they are so SWEET! John at Suncoast Running really knew his stuff and matched me with a pair of
Brooks Trance 10.  They’ve got this mac daddy gel cushioning system in the heel and a really wide toe.  Plus, the shoes are stretchy on the
side so I don’t get that weird pain on the side of my foot.  My new shoes ROCK!

 

Another rest day on Sunday and then on Monday, I met my friends, Jackie and Chrissy, at Suncoast Running for the Mom’s Mid-Morning Run.   Holy Hades, it was hot and pushing a cranky baby in a stroller while trying to chat run didn’t help, but at least the company made it bearable.

 

3.1 Miles

Time 36:23

Ave Pace 11:45

Max 8:40

 

This morning, like many other dark mornings, I ran my miles with pepper spray in one hand and a flashlight in the other hand.  However, this morning, when I felt someone sneaking up from behind, I readied myself to spray the lurker.  Once I realized the lurker was another runner, I lowered my aim and giggled.

 

“You startled me and you almost got sprayed” and then I made some weird guttural juvenile scream that sounded similar to Pee Wee Herman.  I’m sure the male runner wished he had his own pepper spray after hearing that strange sound I made in the dark.

 

5 Miles

Time 57:41

Ave 11:32

Max 7:43

 

If it wasn’t for my ridiculous Pee Wee Herman spasm, it would have been a really nice 5 mile run this morning.  The weather was perfect, cool with no wind.  I hope the weather is like this for the Gasparilla Half Marathon at the end of the month.

 

***Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.***

randomtuesday

Even More Random Thoughts about Running and Weight Loss

Posted on by Run DMT
3

Alternative Title – Janathon Days 22, 24 and 25

 

Well, Tiffany and I made it through 8 miles.  It wasn’t the best run, but we did it.  At least, I got to catch up with Tiffany for an uninterrupted 2 hours and burned 746 calories in the process.

 

Day 22

8 Miles

Time 1:57:12

Ave Pace 14:39

Max Pace 9:12

 

Sunday I rested and then on Monday I missed my 5:00 a.m. “Me Time”, so I decided to load up Liam and the stroller for a Mom’s Mid-Morning Run at Suncoast Running.  Tracey (the owner), Amy (a new running friend) and I ran 3 miles with a screaming baby in tow, but at least I got my miles in that day.  He eventually fell asleep.

 

Day 24

3.1 Miles

Time 36:43

Ave Pace 11:51

Max Pace 9:21

 

This morning I found the energy for 4 miles at 5:00 a.m. and I’m so glad I did because the forecast called for severe thunderstorms for most of the day.  But I think I had a little too much energy this morning, because my knee has been bothering me all day.  Since I volunteered to chaperone my daughter’s field trip, I had planned Wednesday to be a rest day.  Now, I’m glad I did so I could give my knee a rest.  I hope it’s nothing too serious and that I just need new shoes.

 

Day 25

4 Miles

Time 46:32

Ave Pace 11:39

Max Pace 9:31

 

On my day of rest on Sunday, I decided to bite the bullet and register for the Gasparilla Half Marathon.  So, naturally my knee would start bothering me afterwards!  UGH!

 

As for my weight loss, I did really well this week despite eating out twice. My sister and I enjoyed lunch at Moon Under Water and I ate the tuna sashimi, seaweed salad and a side of edamame.  YUM!   As much as I could have killed for a glass of wine, I only drank water.

 

Then, after the Gasparilla Parade (Pics will be posted tomorrow for Not-So-Wordless Wednesday, so stay tuned!), my family and I ate at Bella’s Italian Cafe.  DOUBLE YUM!  Again, no wine and I only ate a small piece of bread, a small portion of Ceasar salad and I only ate half of my Lasagna Con Pollo.  Funny thing, after weeks of portion control, I could only eat half of my dinner and I couldn’t even stomach the thought of dessert.  I was FULL and that rarely ever happens!

 

Truthfully, I think another dry week caused me to get the DTs and that is what helped me lose another 4 pounds for a grand total of …WAIT FOR IT…10 POUNDS!

 

You would think weighing less would be less of a burden to my knees.  Not so much.

 

***Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Tuesday Thoughts, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.***

randomtuesday