Gettin Shredded

For the last three days (okay two, the first day was a little rough), I owned level two. Yes the plank work is still hard, but today and yesterday I was able to do both plank jacks and squat jumps! The chair squat and shoulder raises are getting easier too.

Both Kimmie and I have noticed that our endurance has definitely improved. Instead of feeling like we're absolutely about to die in the middle of circuit 3, we're happily sipping our water at the end of the cool down. Does it still make us sweat and work hard? Of course! But we still do it.

Haven't really noticed much of a change in the body build, except my thighs are epic. And my calves, I could look at my calves all day. I just wish my shoulders and arms would get the memo.

Longest Run Yet

11 Miles. Holy cow.

I geared up by walking around a bit first, then hit my 5.5 loop - but this time I'd be doing it twice. The first loop around was stellar! It felt almost comfortable, except my hip gave me a little trouble towards the end. I was absolutely burning up in my full coverage of running gear, so I made a quick hydration and wardrobe change stop at home.

Seven minutes later I was back out the door. About a mile in to it, I discovered the major difference between running tights and running shorts (besides length, duh): Running shorts = Chaffing. Holy cow! My thighs were on fire! I clearly didn't think my wardrobe change all the way through. I took the second loop slowly, walking when I needed to, and really tried to listen to my body. Apparently 6 miles is about all my hip wants to do. The last 2 miles were a struggle, but I made it!

11 miles in 2hrs 19mins. (That's with the 7 minute wardrobe change subtracted).

Shredded XVIIII

I think I just did Shred 19...I'm getting confuddled. This is the problem when you randomly take a day off. Or was it two?

Either way, I did level two again. The plank work is still kicking my ass, but I was able to do two full walking push ups! Holler at your freakin mom!

I feel like level two is making me stronger and fitter even if I do the modified versions of the movements. Because there really is no rest! You're either in plank doing a jumping jake, or just in plank. You're either in a half squat, or full squat. I used to think that I couldn't sweat, until I handed my body over to Jillian. She can make me sweat (some).

Only 10 more shreds to go!

Noodle Arms

Shred:

This morning I felt a bit groggy. I wanted to sleep in about another twenty minutes, but made myself get up. I wasn't tired persay, just...groggy.

I popped in the shred dvd and hit level two. You don't get abs like that for free, right? The only thing that totally kills me in level two is all the plank work. I just can't seem to hold myself up for very long! The pendulum lunges are also tricky, mostly due to my poor balance (which I don't remember having!).

I sweated through it, and was thankful for the cool down. I like level two I've decided. It makes me feel pretty hard core.

Run:

Yesterday I may have mentioned my hip flexor being sore; if not, then yesterday my hip flexor was really sore. Today...it was even more sore. After the shred it seemed okay, a little loosened up, no major pain. So I went out for my 4 miles with a hill, and thought all would be well.

To begin with, my feet were killing me (okay, not really, they were just very sore and tired) about a mile in. I took it easy on the hill, walked the last 15 feet or so, walked some of the downhill. After that, things felt fine, so I busted it out. I wasn't sprinting, but I had a strong steady pace. About a mile from home, my hip was not having it anymore. I couldn't lift it enough to keep the steady pace, so I slowed down...which hurt more. I had to walk it out, there was nothing else I could do.

Frustrated and hurting, I walked about a third of a mile. When things felt better, I hit my pace again. I was able to hold it for about another third of a mile before my hip told me to stop. I pretty much hobbled home.

I did some stretches when I got home, took a cool shower, and now I have a heat pack on it. I'm VERY thankful for my rest day tomorrow.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Shred XVII (I think):

I took it light today. I woke up a wee bit sore from busting out a run and level two yesterday, so I just did level one. Still made me sweat a little. I didn't half ass it like I could have, which made me feel good. But I didn't bust through it like I busted through level two yesterday. I think I didn't give myself enough time to wake up before I went for it.

And on another note, I must say that shredding before running is getting pretty awesome. It wakes my muscles up enough to not dread doing anything over three miles.

Run it Run it:

Today's run was six miles. Phew. I mapped out 6.03, and added a walk in before I started. I was beginning to wonder how much my walking start effected my calculated milage time, so I took care of it!

The first mile seemed a little rough, knees feeling the impact A LOT. But something hit me when I passed the 1.5 mile mark, and I just started flying through Independence. Well, I probably wasn't actually going that much faster than I usually do, but it certainly felt like it. There's a dangerous stretch on Hoffman road that has no sidewalk and very little shoulder, so I was forced to walk a good .5 miles. I felt like I needed it for a bit, but then I just got antsy to keep running.

The home stretch of 2 miles was epic. I busted through campus like "I do this everyday," (oh wait, I do). It felt really great. I even did a short pickup on my street! My hip flexors are a bit stiff, and my feet are feeling it, but all in all, it was a great run. GRRREAT!

Total distance: 6.03 miles Total time: 1:13 :D

In Running News...

Friday I just couldn't muster the motivation again. And I went to work frustrated. But Syd assured me, it's nothing to get upset over, you can't lose fitness in three days.

So on Saturday I ran. I did my 3.5 mile loop with 5 pick ups. It felt pretty good. Actually it felt really good. I didn't stop to walk at all! And by my third pick up, I was flying. I don't know what my time was, but it doesn't really matter.

This weekend was also our annual SunRiver vacation of awesomeness. Which means cold weather and high altitudes.

On Sunday, Barb and I hit the bike paths. I did my best to map out five and a half miles - thinking I could split my long run just once more. We set out, and about a half mile in to it, I was pretty sure I was going to die. My lungs felt small and the air felt thin. I did my best to keep a decent pace, but I kept losing steam. Barb jogged ahead at times, and sometimes literally jogged circles around me. I was totally okay with that because I figured if I did collapse, at least she'd be there to break my fall. :)

For the last...mile and a half, two miles, I finally found a good rhythm. I let Barb hit it with her own pace. It's not fair of me to ask her to subdue her workout in order to keep me company. Plus it's less awkward to be wheezing and panting by yourself. Just focusing on my breathing was the only thing I could do to stay upright. When I got back to the cabin, I double checked the map. The virtually perfect 5.5 miles I had planned had somehow gotten a bit flubarred, and we probably ended up doing about 6.5 or 7. I justified not running in the afternoon by dragging my butt up the sledding about 10 times.

Since Sunday didn't go well, I was apprehensive to run Monday and Tuesday. And apprehension turned to avoidance. I did however take an hour bike ride on Monday, and about an hour and a half bike ride on Tuesday. I feel...somewhat justified.

Today, I was eager to see what the valley air felt like in comparison. I decided to hit up good old Stapleton Hill, the steep side. Running along 99 was not pleasant, and my knees started to feel over worked. I took it down a notch before hitting the hill head on. I made it about fifteen feet (maybe less) from the top before needing to stop and dry heave. I told myself to walk it off, and my body listened. I was able to bust out the last two and a half miles with no walking breaks (however I did have one stop and readjust my ear bud break) and a great pace. I only listened to songs that made me want to move, and it worked. My total time today was 53 minutes, for 4.46 miles. Phew.

In Shredding News...

I'm losing track of my shred numbers. Friday was...I think Shred XII. Friday was okay, don't really remember it, I just remember doing it. Saturday (Shred XIII) we left for our awesome weekend in SunRiver, and Kimmie and I shredded in high altitude. Made me a little light headed, but we did it!

Sunday...we went sledding. And drank a lot of beer. And rested in the hot tub. We did not shred. And I was dissapointed in myself. But Monday we shredded (Shred XIV)! Level one did not feel like it was going to get any easier. We busted it out as best we could, and then sat on the couch recouping.

Tuesday we headed back to the valley, and put off shredding till late at night. To make up for being lazy on Sunday, we turned up the heat to level 2. Holy cow it was tough! We had been consuming fat kid snacks up until about 15 minutes before we shredded, which made me feel like I was going to vomit halfway through circut one. Afterwards, we bitched about how hard it was as we watched The Bachelor.

This morning, I woke up fourteen minutes before my alarm. Bright eyed and bushy tailed. I was ready for action! I think the neurobiological effects of Jillian kicking my ass the night before set in. I decided to brave level 2 once more.

And let me tell you, nothing is more motivating during those pesky pendulum lunges than doing them in skimpy running shorts. When Jillian says the more you show, the more you know, she isn't kidding. My quads look like they did back when I played rugby. When they flex, they're rock solid and you can see the shape of the four little muscles busting out. The only problem with having rock star legs motivating you during a work out, is that staring down at your thighs tends to throw off your balance.

It has come to my attention that a work out just isn't worth it if you don't feel like you've gotten the crap beaten out of you by the end. I'm sticking with level 2.

Off Week?

I'm just NOT feeling it. I can't seem to talk myself out of bed in the morning in enough time to get it all done.

Yesterday I shredded, and delightfully took a day off of running. The shred was okay, not great. I kind of half-assed it, because I wasn't feeling it.

Today my alarm beeped at 8:15. Just enough time to get up, hydrate, shred, hydrate, run, shower, fuel, and head to work. But I pulled the covers over my head and shut the alarm off. I hid in bed until 10! I told myself I would be even more grumpy if I didn't shred, so I made time for that.

But it took a lot of effort to get up. In order to justify my not running on a 4mile hill day, I busted through that shred like no body's business. It actually felt pretty good. I was out of breath most of the time, which is a good thing. Those pesky side lunges with shoulder raises are getting easier, and by taking the static lunges at a slightly slower pace, I'm able to get a better range of motion.

I felt pretty awesome afterwards. And that's what's so difficult! I can't seem to convince myself that it's all going to feel awesome so I should just get up and do it.

Maybe I'm having an off week. I feel off of my routine, which freaks me out a little. I know, ya'll probably don't realize how much more at ease I am with a routine. But now you do.

I'm hoping to be back on track by tomorrow.

Holy Rusted Joints Batman!

On Monday, I did nothing. I sat on the couch and watched tv as an opportunity to get 10 miles in passed me by. I then spent the evening celebrating my friend's birthday, and not shredding. Monday...I don't want that to happen again.

So, as I explained my struggle to Fitness Guru Syd, she suggested I split my 10 miles - 5 in the morning, 5 in the afternoon. Done.

Yesterday I got up, suited up, and headed out for five miles. It went pretty well, even though the weather SUCKED. No rain, slight wind, but absolutely no sun. It was very blah. But I felt pretty good about my pace and endurance, which is what really matters. When I got back, according to my clock it took me 1h 15min! I was outraged! But decided not to let it ruin my day.

I went to a First Aid training, had lunch with the roomie, then met up with Syd for the other 5 miles.

Surprisingly enough, these five went a lot better. It was A LOT sunnier, we hit a couple of trails (which feel awesome on my knees), and kept a really good pace. It was very nice.

Got home...and shredded. Technically, Shred IX. I struggled with the jumping because my legs were so tired from their runs. And the shoulder work was as hard as ever! My joints felt like an old lady's. And this morning hasn't been pleasant either. I think the reason Jillian wants you to do 30 straight days is to not let your body realize how beat up it's getting. Beat up and buff.

Weekend Recap

(I have decided that not having a computer of my own is bad for my blogging)

Saturday:

No running, just shredding.

It was pretty much the same as Friday's shred - easier than day one, but still not easy. The work outs do seem to be going faster though. AND it's a lot more fun to do it with the roomie. We're both noticing that our least favorite strength trainings are the static lunges with bicep curls and the side lunges with shoulder raise; even though the roomie's shoulder raises kick my shoulder raises ass.

I can't seem to stand straight during a static lunge! I fall over all the time! It's like my feet are saying "This is odd, I'm not going to put up with it." It's very frustrating. Part of me wants to move on to level two so I don't have to do them anymore.

Sunday:

Happy Superbowl!!

Note to self: Three beers and 30,000 calories later makes shredding anyone's least favorite activity.

But we did it anyway.

The jumping jacks and jump rope made me want to vomit. Abs took all the concentration I could muster to keep breathing. And the static lunges still sucked.

But we did it anyway. And one bad shred is better than no shred at all, right?

Feeeeeeel the Burn

Shred VI:

Okay so my endurance is getting a little better. I did the push ups at about half the speed as the dvd, which is about twice as fast as I was doing before. And my shoulders started to feel the burn during the chest flies (I don't know if they're supposed to, but they did), which I think means I'm getting stronger.

I took it a little on the lighter side today when it came to cardio. Only because I also ran 5 miles. I'm sure pretty soon my body's going to catch on to what I'm doing and just go with it, but right now it's not a happy camper. It's not an angry rebelling camper either, which is good.

Run:

So five miles...phew. At about 2 miles, I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I really felt like I was huffing and puffing. BUT, it was SUPER nice out this morning, which made it so much more enjoyable. And the last couple of miles went really well. There is definitely a point during my runs (usually after the first 1.5 miles) where my body says "Okay, this isn't so bad, let's keep going."

And it always makes me smile when I calculate my time. 1h 10m for 5.59 miles, which means my speed was 4.8 mph, and my average mile is 12:30

:D

Shredded V and Ran IV

Shred V:

The only thing I noticed is that I'm not quite as tired as I was on day one. After the work out, I was a bit fatigued, but not to the point of wanting to lay in corpse pose for the rest of the day.

Also, I'm getting better at the side lunge with shoulder raise. They still really hurt (okay, that's an exaggeration, they're just tough), but I don't feel like I need to rest after only three. I've definitely pin-pointed that my weakest part of my upper body is my shoulders. Hence why push ups are also hard. Really really hard.

Oh and I discovered that I was kind of doing the bicycle crunches wrong! They're a lot harder the real way...ouchies. But, it's all about form right Jillian? So that's what I focus on.

Run!

I was hesitant to run today. I knew I had to, I just wasn't sure I'd be up to the whole 4 miles. I decided to try something new, and walk to 99, run down to Stapleton, tackle the steep side of the hill, and run back through my neighborhood. It was definitely a challenge, but a good one. I made it roughly to the top of the steep side before walking down the other side. I took a short walking break along 99 because my knees began to hurt, and I didn't want to ruin any chance of running again. I took it easy on the way home, briefly walked (and I mean for about 15 feet) once, and pounded it out on the way home.

It felt really good. I think my body prefers running to shredding; which I never thought I'd say. And THAT feels even better.

Shredded III & IV

We'll start with Shred III:

Just as tiring as the day before. I didn't ditch the weights at all, and I felt like I really got in to the squats with shoulder presses. I still totally failblogged on the push ups, but I'm just going to have to keep trying. The side lunges with shoulder raises are STILL kicking my ass. My arms get so tired!

On the bright side, I realized I was doing the oblique crunches wrong, and corrected my form. Now I can feel my power mansion (a term Kimmie and I coined while doing pilates several years ago) fully engaged and working hard. I like that feeling.

Shred IV:

This is the day I'm not supposed to wake up in excruciating pain according to my sister. Well, it's not excruciating, but I'm still really really stiff. I did the shred by myself in the morning this time (one of the downfalls of having a funky schedule compared to your roommate), and I must say, I definitely like doing it in the morning better. I'm not as tired afterwards - this could be the morning, or the fact that my body is getting used to the fact that I'm just going to kick the crap out of it for the next 26 days.

I admit, I do the girly push ups, and I don't do very many. But today, I was able to pace myself during the first set and really focus on getting the full range of motion. I realized it's not about how many you can do, it's how well they're done. If you can do 800 girly push ups with a very small range of motion, you're not going to be as strong as someone who can do 15 girly push ups in the full range of motion. The muscles engage at different times and for different lengths. So, keep it simple stupid, do what you can. The second set of push ups didn't go as well, but hey, it's only day 4.

Today was a non-run day, which I think helped with the shred motivation. I'm forcing my body to work out for much longer than I have in the past, and I think it's beginning to resent me. But I have faith that within the next few days, all balance will be restored, and I'll be ready to tear it up.

Run it Run it

Three miles after eight miles may seem easy. Oh contrare mon frere! Three miles after eight miles and two days of shredding is in fact NOT easy. It's not hard, but not easy.

I wouldn't call it a lame run, it just wasn't spectacular. I took a quick walking break, just one, so that felt pretty good. And I did feel pretty bad ass running in the rain.

On to more important things!
Slight change of plans....
The run I was planning on doing is 7.5 hours away. Yeah, not going to happen. I can't afford to take two days off of work.

SO I have narrowed it down to three choices:

1. Run the Shamrock Run in Portland the following Sunday (March 14th). One upside to this is that it'll be the first accomplishment post my 25th birthday. The downside to this is that it's only 15K, which is a mere 5K short of a half marathon.
2. Run the 2nd Annual Lincoln City half marathon. This is an actual half marathon in length, and can be celebrated by fun at the beach. However, the course is rolling hills with a fairly steep decline in the beginning, thus a steep incline to the finish.
3. Make my own course, run it, and recruit one of my friends to time me. This may also be followed by a celebratory get together at my house.

Vote away my faithful readers!

Shredded II

What do you think is the last thing someone wants to do after they run 8 miles?

Think hard...

Yeah, Shred. Correct!

But I did it anyway. If I'm going to be a task master, I can't crap out myself. I didn't ditch the weights at all this time, which made me feel accomplished, and I was SUPER tired afterwards. But I didn't wake up sore. I'm achy, not sore. My knees feel tired, and my shoulders don't want to lift anything that weighs more than my hand, but my muscles don't feel tight.

My fear is that I'm not getting a full range of motion during the routine. So tonight, I'm spreading out! I'm going to knock those static lunges with bicept curls out of the park, kick those...I can't remember what they're called but you dip to the side and raise your arms...anyway, I'm going to kick their ass, and bicycle crunches will quiver in fear when they hear I'm coming for them.

A wee bit of a push, and I think I'll be satisfaction garunteed.

8 Mile

I did it. Barely. But I did it.

I went out for eight miles. Took me 2 hours and 2 minutes. Definitely had to walk some, because it turns out when you don't drive the roads you map out to run, you wind up running in to a three mile stretch of hills. I guess I would call them rolling hills, but they were hills nonetheless.

And I did it. Despite angry mist rain, venturing out in unknown territory, and no clue how it was going to go. I did it.

Here's a map of my loop:



It says 9.16 miles, but I include my half mile warm up in all my loops. So the actual "run" portion was 8.6, and I ended up making myself walk the last .2 miles home. I had it in my head that my stretch from where Parker Rd meets 99 to Madrona, was only 2 miles. Yeah, it's definitely closer to three. So my home stretch-no walk part of the run ended up being about 3.6 miles instead of 2. Holy cow, my legs can tell the difference! Good thing I didn't let them do the talking.

Shredded

SO my January project was to start training for a half marathon AND start keeping up with a fabulous blog. Done and Done.

Some of you may be wondering "Well, now that you've started training, aren't you suppose to continue?" Never fear my faithful readers, I will continue to both train and blog about my half marathon feat.

But for right now, I'm introducing my February project: The Shred.
Yup, I have handed my semi-jiggly, looking-to-get-lean, fixin-to-get-fit body over to Jillian Michaels over the next 30 days.

I started yesterday, seeing as how February only has 28 days, I've dipped in to the sandwiching months.
My roommate and I popped in the DVD, apprehensive but feeling up to the challenge. And what a challenge it was! I have never moved to quickly from one work out to the next. I did well during the cardio, cardio and I are friends. But strength training? Ooooh child! I was unaware of just how weak my upper body actually is. I had to ditch the weights during the second set of leg squats and shoulder presses. It was rough, but not rough enough to make me want to quit!

I woke up this morning with my tushie feeling sore, my hip flexors a little tight, and my shoulders feeling like I've taken a beating. Of course, the only thing I did this morning was go from my bed to my couch. I am interested to see what muscles I didn't know I had will be screaming during my run.

(Side not about my run: I was supposed to do 8 miles yesterday, but got busy/anxiously avoided. I will do it today. I will.)