Quick update…

Hey there blogworld.  I just wanted to come and give a quick update on my life, as everything else seems to be getting in the way of blog-writing.

Some quick updates on my life:

- I am starting week 8 of P90X on Wednesday.  That means that today was Day 48.  I am seeing results as far as my strength and flexibility goes.  I still can’t do a pull up…they are killer.  Any advice?

- Call me crazy, but I just signed up for the Philly Marathon in November.  I remember saying that I would never do another one, but now I really miss the training.  Yes, I said it.. I miss running.  Who am I?!

- I’m debating going to a nutritionist for this marathon.  After looking back at the marathon, the hardest thing for me was figuring out how to fuel, so I figure if I’m proactive, I won’t have to think about it, and that will make the marathon a tad bit easier.  Anyone here go to a nutritionist?

- I’m finally starting to teach Bokwa next week… wohoo!!

** I am going to make a real effort to start blogging more, even if it’s just a few times a week.  I miss all of you!!! **

Ciao for now!

P90X

I FINALLY have something new to blog about!!  I have entered a completely new fitness regime: P90X!  I won’t lie to you- I was a complete naysayer of the program, as it’s super expensive for the DVD’s compared to all of the other DVD programs.  However, I’ve done a ton of different DVD’s, Spartacus, and circuit training routines, and eventually I get sick of them all.  I’m not saying that this won’t happen with P90X, but because there are 12 DVD’s, I don’t think I will be as bored with the repetition.

DAY 1

I did the Chest and Back workout along with Ab Ripper X.  I’ve done Ab Ripper X before so I knew what to expect, but the “Chest and Back” was all new to me.  Basically it includes every pull up, chin up, and push up you can think of.  Basically, it’s pure torture for those of us who cannot do a single pull up.  I modified them with a stool, but I felt like a complete idiot.  I’m sore today though, so I’m thinking it still worked!

DAY 2

Today I did the “Plyometrics” workout.  According to Tony Horton, this is the hardest of the workouts, but I felt pretty good.  I have a pretty high endurance level, and with all the running and Zumba, jumping around seems to be my thing.  The only thing that was difficult is that I live in an apartment, so I was trying really hard not to jump around too much.  I know that’s the point of plyometrics though, so  I made sure to land on my toes first.  You’re supposed to do that when jump training though, so I guess it kind of made me work a little harder on the landing.

So far, I’m really liking the P90X workout.  I know I’m only on Day 2, but seeing other people’s progress makes me motivated to get through the full 90 days.  My goal is to lean out, however, I would love to lose a few pounds and inches too.

Anybody out there do P90X?  What is your opinion?? 

Well hello there…

I know it’s quite sad that I haven’t posted since September.  I guess I was in a blog rut, and as many times as I tried to come back, I got distracted and walked away.  There were many posts that I began writing, but honestly, I just didn’t feel like writing.  However, I miss blogging, so I’m back!  Since it’s been so long, I’ll give you a quick re-cap on three big things that have happened since my last post.

1) I moved out of my parents house into an apartment!  I don’t have any pictures to show you, but I like in a great little community with a gorgeous gym.  There is a running/bike path that goes for well over 10 miles surrounding the whole area.  It makes working out outside such a pleasure!

2) I ran the PHILADELPHIA MARATHON!!!!!!!  After the marathon, I said that I would never run another one.  It was really really hard!  However, now that it’s been a few months, I think I take that back.  I like the distance of the half better, but the marathon was a huge accomplishment for me.  It was a ton of fun, and I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to.  

 

3) I got certified to teach BOKWA!

 

 For those of you who have never heard of Bokwa, here is a great video.  Basically, Bokwa is a new dance fitness craze that combines light boxing with Kwaito style dancing.  It is a phenomenal workout, and SO much fun!  Presently, it is sweeping through the UK, and hopefully it will soon grow through the US.  I am obsessed with it, and I can’t wait to start teaching.  There aren’t many classes in the United States yet, but if you live in California or the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area, you should be able to find one.

 I’m sorry that I’ve been a slacker.  I hope that you all forgive me!!!  I have been keeping up on your lives, even if I haven’t been commenting.. I have been reading!  Happy 2012!  I hope that I can keep up with writing.  It’s been WAY too long!

Rock and Roll Philadelphia 2011

It’s almost been a week since the Philly Rock and Roll Half Marathon.

It was truly AMAZING!

The day started off with my alarm blaring at 4:45am.  I met Kace at 6:00 and we were on our way.  This was her first half, and I am SO proud of her for completing it!

While looking around for my friend Vee, we spotted another friend, Lauren:

This was her first half marathon too.  Not that I ever want to feel the pain that I felt after my first half, but I wish that every half I had that same excitement as I did with the first.  That anticipation of what’s going to happen next is always exciting to me (I guess I’ll have that at the marathon though- ahh!)

The race began at 8:00am and we were still looking for Vee around 7:55.  Finally, we found her and Kace split off and went to our separate corrals.  Vee was in corral 6 and I got myself changed to her corral so that we could start together.  By the time we got up there, the corral was completely full and there was a line outside.  Luckily, people let us join in as the corrals moved up.

I was going to give you a play-by-play of the miles, but they really all seem to run together. Some memorable moments:

Mile .65 ~ Jarryd and my parents were walking up to get ready to stand at mile 5 and saw me running.  Jarryd came running towards the crowd so I could see that they were there.  It was a definite boost!

Mile 5 ~ I saw the family and Jarryd again, but I was so into the run that I almost missed them!

Miles 6 & 7 ~ I spent a lot of the time looking for K.C.’s family, but never found them.

Mile 9 ~ I stopped for a potty break (I didn’t want a repeat of the half where my bladder hurt afterwards for a whole day)

Mile 12 ~ Started grinning from ear to ear knowing that I hadn’t hit a wall

Mile 12.75 ~ I saw people that I knew on the sidelines and started screaming for them.

Mile 13 ~ Saw my family and Jarryd, who shot an awesome pic of how I was feeling…

Finish line:  I had my hands in the air screaming!!  I’m pretty sure the guy next to me (3 feet in front of me) was trying to figure out what was in my gu that wasn’t in his.  Little did he know, I don’t take Gu’s on half marathons.  So there..

Normally, after a half, I am physically and mentally exhausted.  I went into the half not knowing what to expect.  I told myself that I would walk if I had to.  I told myself that this was really becoming a “training run” for the full.  I told myself that I had to stay positive, and that I could do this.  I know that this wasn’t my first race, but I hadn’t done more than 10 miles in a training run and my shorter runs were scarce throughout the training period.

I don’t know if it was the mental thing, but I really rocked this race.  I felt comfortable the entire time.  I never felt like I needed a water stop, but I stopped at them all like I promised I would.  My official race time was 2:17ish, but I stopped for about 2 minutes for a potty break.  I honestly could have cared less what my time was though. I just wanted to stay at a steady pace and finish feeling like I could go at least 5 more miles if I had to.  I think I could’ve gone 5 more, but 13 more would have been really rough.  That’s what training is for though.. right?

It was a great race, and it really made me remember what I love about running.  Stay tuned for marathon training.  Hopefully it’ll go well!

Question of the day: Will you stop for a bathroom break during a race.  I fought with myself for a good 5 miles before I gave in, but I hate having to stop.  

This past week’s workouts: Sunday:  1/2 marathon, Monday: rest, Tuesday: 3 mile run, Wednesday: 7 mile run, taught Zumba, abs, Thursday: 4 mile run, Friday: rest, Saturday: Zumba, abs… 10 mile run planned for tomorrow.

All my bags are packed…

Today is the big day… the Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon!  I’m excited and nervous at the same time.  Actually, I’m really not that nervous which kind of makes me feel nervous if you know what I mean.  It’s presently 51 degrees out, and by the time I’m done the race, it shouldn’t be more than 62 degrees.  This makes me happy and sad at the same time.  I am happy because I run much better when it’s not hot out.  If you remember my re-cap of last year (which I’m sure you don’t), it was about 90 degrees when I finished the race.  I looked like this..

ING Half Marathon: September, 2010

Actually, that picture really doesn’t do justice as to how sweaty I actually was.  It was HOT!!!  Today, I am planning on freezing for the first few miles, which makes me a little bit nervous.  I’ve been training in shorts and a tank, and I have been sweating my butt off within mile one.  I was planning on wearing shorts and a tank for this run.  Instead, I put together capris and a short sleeved shirt that I haven’t worn since last running season.  I’m really hoping that I don’t regret it, and part of me wants to bring another outfit in case I change my mind in the car.  Not to mention, the outfit I’m wearing is much tighter than any of my other running clothes, and I don’t love short sleeves (or capris).  I am still going back and forth as to what to do and I have to leave in a half an hour.  Anyway.. it’s race day!!!  YEAH!!  Come back for the re-cap sometime later- and KC, I promise I will recap faster than usual just for you!!

Marathon???

My half marathon is this weekend.  I was seriously scared about this, as out of my five ten milers, the first three weren’t exactly stellar.  Yes, that’s right, apparently I thought it was necessary to do five ten mile runs.  The first three weren’t horrible, but they weren’t as easy as I had remembered 10 mile runs.  That could have something to do with the heat, as the last two weeks I have felt like a rock-star, and  I feel super prepared now.  I don’t think that this weekend’s half will be as fast as those in the past, but I feel ready, and that’s what’s important.. right??

Anyway, I got home from my 5 mile recovery run today (did 10 miles yesterday) and I felt awesome.  I felt so awesome that I figured that I would sign up for the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November, but it’s SOLD OUT!??!?  Seriously?!?!  I’m so sad.

So, I went over and clicked on the “Marathon” link to find that it isn’t sold out.  I got this idea in my head that I should sign up for the marathon, and now I’m obsessing over the thought.  I’m already halfway through training, so why not?  Can I run a marathon?  How hard is the training?  Will I have time to train and teach Zumba?  Is a marathon that much harder than a half marathon?  Ah, the thoughts are endless.. what to do…

What do you guys think???

10 Things Thursday

1) One of my best friends is a newlywed!  Her wedding was this past weekend, and it was BEAUTIFUL.  I was a bridesmaid, and was truly honored.  I know a lot of people complain about being a bridesmaid, but it was really a pleasure to be Stacey’s bridesmaid.  She is truly beautiful inside and out.

2) Umm.. the half marathon that I’m running is next Sunday… really?  I’m a little nervous, but I have been succeeding a little more in both short and long runs.  Last Friday, I did a very successful 10 miler.  It felt glorious.

3) I was supposed to run this morning, but it was pouring when I got up at 4:45 (not that I run outside in the morning, but I didn’t even want to get into the car.. it was that bad), so instead I did “Yoga Meltdown.”  I forgot how good of a workout that is!  My arms are actually sore.

4)  If my abs don’t look like Jillian Michaels (or the girls in her videos), then how come they “feel the burn” and I don’t?  This is referring to the “No More Trouble Zones” video that I did last night.  Anyone else feel that way?

5) I cooked dinner Tuesday, Wedensday, and tonight.. win!

6) The rain here is out of control.  The creeks and rivers are all flooding.  Today, it took me 50 minutes to get to work, and it usually doesn’t take me more than 15.

7) The Phillies swept the Braves this past week.  Go Phillies!

8 ) I have about 10 returns to make, and not enough time to do them.  Anyone else ever have this problem?  How did I have time to shop, but not enough time to return??

9) Did I talk about this rain yet?  Are we in Seattle or something?

10) I am queen of reading a book because it came out in movies, and I don’t like to see movies if I haven’t read the book.  This means that I need to read the “Hunger Games” ASAP!  Anyone read it yet?  I have read “The Help” for this reason, and haven’t had time to see the movie yet.  I need to plan that in my near future.

An un-planned 11.. I tried to put pictures in this post, but WordPress won’t let me.  I don’t know what’s up with that.

This weeks workouts (more as a log- not because you care):

Friday- 10 mile run; Saturday- Spartacus; Sunday- rest; Monday- Spartacus; Tuesday- 4 mile run, taught Aqua Zumba; Wednesday- No More Trouble Zones, Zumba; Today- Yoga Meltdown, taught Zumba, and taught Aqua Zumba