Today's workout assignment from my training plan was cross training or running 2 miles.
Fortunately, it's nearly impossible to mess that assignment up on Wednesday, as we usually play an hour of soccer at work and my karate class is an hour in the evenings. I also have my private lesson.
Today at soccer I didn't hurt anything that hasn't already been hurt! My ankle keeps giving on me. I'm not liking that at all, so I have to sort out something to do with it. I also scored a goal and did a fair bit of running. Soccer is so much sprinting but you need a crazy amount of endurance to keep up the sprinting.
I really like to play soccer. My skill level isn't very high, and mostly I can just place a pass and I try to direct defense. To me, it's not the level of skill that's important. Winning is fun, and I agree wholeheartedly with winning and being competitive. In the end, if you're not having fun doing whatever you do, you need to switch it up. Having fun means you really put effort into what you're doing. Otherwise, your effort won't be as intense and you'll treat it as a chore. No one likes chores!
I like to play basketball and throw around a football, too. I'm not good at either one, particularly, but I usually have fun. Even if I'm not sprinting crosscourt or defending aggressively, I'm still not sitting still, staring at the TV.
In fitness, sometimes you have to do the things you hate to improve the things you love. I'm not a great weight trainer. My gym is pretty full of muscle monsters that throw heavy things around. I can never get into a squat rack. Plus there's still this vibe in the gym that girls only lift 10 or 15 lbs. That's me, on every upper body exercise known to man except shoulder press! Legs, however, a different story. But to get my upper body to the next level of strength, I know I'm going to have to incorporate some weight training. Until then, bodyweight! I like running, sports, martial arts, and yoga so much better than staring at the weights, thinking... Crap, what was that again?
So, when you're training, remember to have fun. Do what you need to do to improve, but always, always, have fun!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Importance of Water (& Today's Workout)
Today I was supposed to run 3 miles. I ran only two, and at about a ten minute pace. I felt rather sluggish and hot.
I think I ran badly. Tomorrow is another day, however, and two miles is still better than no miles.
I did make a note of one thing: I haven't been drinking my usual gallon or more of H20 every day. When my work schedule changed, I stopped drinking as much water. In fact, I drank almost none, because I was rather thrown off and forgot to filter my water and bring it in to work.
The situation brings me to the importance of water. To me, I performed badly for two reasons: I haven't been running for a while and I have decreased my water consumption. So my training had fallen off in the past few weeks, which is really disappointing. And I was dehydrated. Optimum hydration, to me, is all I can drink. With the food I have available to me, there's almost no risk of low electrolyte... basically water poisoning. In other words, I have a lot of sodium in my diet from the chow hall's version of food.
Today I've managed almost a gallon of water, and I have one being filtered now. I want to get both my jugs filled tonight so that I have a gallon for work and another gallon to work on for the rest of the day.
You can search the science behind it, but water makes us, as humans, feel better. Our blood is better, our whole body is better when we drink plenty of water. Our muscles can work harder and recover faster if we drink water through the day. Plus, it's easier to sweat a lot when there's a lot of water to sweat out!
For the rest of this week, my goal is to drink only water and milk. I like a little variety, and milk has good protein. I'll skip the chocolate milk, though; the added sugar is so terrible. Milk has enough as it is! :)
I think I ran badly. Tomorrow is another day, however, and two miles is still better than no miles.
I did make a note of one thing: I haven't been drinking my usual gallon or more of H20 every day. When my work schedule changed, I stopped drinking as much water. In fact, I drank almost none, because I was rather thrown off and forgot to filter my water and bring it in to work.
The situation brings me to the importance of water. To me, I performed badly for two reasons: I haven't been running for a while and I have decreased my water consumption. So my training had fallen off in the past few weeks, which is really disappointing. And I was dehydrated. Optimum hydration, to me, is all I can drink. With the food I have available to me, there's almost no risk of low electrolyte... basically water poisoning. In other words, I have a lot of sodium in my diet from the chow hall's version of food.
Today I've managed almost a gallon of water, and I have one being filtered now. I want to get both my jugs filled tonight so that I have a gallon for work and another gallon to work on for the rest of the day.
You can search the science behind it, but water makes us, as humans, feel better. Our blood is better, our whole body is better when we drink plenty of water. Our muscles can work harder and recover faster if we drink water through the day. Plus, it's easier to sweat a lot when there's a lot of water to sweat out!
For the rest of this week, my goal is to drink only water and milk. I like a little variety, and milk has good protein. I'll skip the chocolate milk, though; the added sugar is so terrible. Milk has enough as it is! :)
Level 50
I've been reading Nerd Fitness, a blog about fitness. Duh. Anyway, it's a no-nonsense, simple place where everyone is encouraged to be their own ultimate badass. He promotes a lot of the stuff I'm coming to believe is the most effective. I'm a fitness baby. I might be in first grade or second grade for fitness knowledge. But this guy, Steve, he isn't a professional fitness guy. He's a normal guy, telling us what he has found to work, and making a huge impression on the world with his blog.
A post I recently read has inspired this "Level 50" post: in other words, what is the ultimate you can be. (You, of course, being me.)
My Level 50
*Paid off all debt, including all credit cards and car loan.
*Grandmaster (that's a black belt tenth degree) in Shaolin Kempo Karate in the Z Ultimate Self Defense school.
*Competed in hunter/jumper equitation.
*Ridden at least 150 miles at a stretch for charity.
*Met famous people.
*Wrote my own book.
*Have a family of my own that I cook for and take world-wandering.
*Have the freedom to travel the world.
Today I'm trying to derive a way to get my beach bag, body board (I got a body board!!!), sundries, and me to the beach on my bicycle. So far, I am not having much luck.
I might edit Level 50 as I go along. After all, I'm going to pound out Levels 1-5 this week. Look for that to come!
I've picked a class as well. Actually, two, because I love my martial arts, and I also have this thing for being able to be strong and last. So, according to Steve's post, I will be a Monk/Ranger.
Cause I'm, you know, a badass, or something...
A post I recently read has inspired this "Level 50" post: in other words, what is the ultimate you can be. (You, of course, being me.)
My Level 50
*Paid off all debt, including all credit cards and car loan.
*Grandmaster (that's a black belt tenth degree) in Shaolin Kempo Karate in the Z Ultimate Self Defense school.
*Competed in hunter/jumper equitation.
*Ridden at least 150 miles at a stretch for charity.
*Met famous people.
*Wrote my own book.
*Have a family of my own that I cook for and take world-wandering.
*Have the freedom to travel the world.
Today I'm trying to derive a way to get my beach bag, body board (I got a body board!!!), sundries, and me to the beach on my bicycle. So far, I am not having much luck.
I might edit Level 50 as I go along. After all, I'm going to pound out Levels 1-5 this week. Look for that to come!
I've picked a class as well. Actually, two, because I love my martial arts, and I also have this thing for being able to be strong and last. So, according to Steve's post, I will be a Monk/Ranger.
Cause I'm, you know, a badass, or something...
Monday, May 28, 2012
Today's Workout
Today's workout turned out to be a 7 mile, 42 minute bike ride on my trusty, lightly used but bought brand-new Cannondale Comfort. Despite the giant, very padded seat, my hindparts were a mite sore at the last hill (which was the second half of the ride).
I used my bike a lot in college, but after graduating the poor thing sort of gathered dust until I had it shipped out to Cali when I didn't have a car. Then it got ridden, but not as much as it should have, and this winter it gathered dust. So, with the price of gas, and how bad on-base driving is for my JW, I think I'll start riding some more. 7 miles felt pretty good, actually!
I used my bike a lot in college, but after graduating the poor thing sort of gathered dust until I had it shipped out to Cali when I didn't have a car. Then it got ridden, but not as much as it should have, and this winter it gathered dust. So, with the price of gas, and how bad on-base driving is for my JW, I think I'll start riding some more. 7 miles felt pretty good, actually!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Foodage
Foodage. Fuel. Eating. Nomnoms. Chow.
However I call it, it still means stuffing my face with food. That is my biggest struggle with my weight issues.
(A little background on me: I've always been on the chubby side. I weighed a humiliating 150 lbs in third grade. Other kids weighed like, 90. I've always been able to move, run, do my work. But then I joined the Marines, and they had a whole different idea for what my body should be. Ever since MCT, I've struggled with maintaining weight standards. Now, I'm looking at me in the mirror, and I have three days a week available to go to the beach a week. And I want to look like my former sergeant, who is actually pretty hot. So, aside from boot camp, where all I did was run to death and back, I struggle with what I eat to maintain a good weight.)
I've done a little research into diet and nutrition, and basically, no one agrees on anything. I tried the Atkins/low-carb direction, and it proved to be almost impossible to work with in my present situation. I'm a chow hall Marine, which means that three of the four large-pan options on the main line are nothing but refined carbs. Usually, the vegetables are peas, carrots, and corn. The first two are okay by me, but corn is a grain and a starch. I love me some good sweet corn, too!
So I went back to "normal" eating, which is for me a lot of sugar, chow hall food, pizza, eating out. I gained fifteen pounds, and I almost put myself in the hospital to pass the last weigh-in. That drew a line for me. I've decided that I don't want to have to cut weight again to pass the scale.
My friend Erica introduced me to the Paleo diet, which I was hesitant to try. I don't know yet how well it will work if I'm bound by the chow hall. In theory, those on shift work get comrats, which is Marine-speak for food money. Welcome to bureaucracy- they haven't come through yet. But I'm going to give it a shot. I've heard excellent reviews from people I know that eat Paleo, or mostly Paleo. I really like beans. Lima beans. We love each other. Beans are not good according to Paleo. So I'm going to shift into Paleo gear. It may take some time, and I'm sensing that the chocolate mousse cake will call to me.
First gear is some more research. I'm going to get a copy of the Paleo book that's floating around. Somehow, anyway. I'm going to go with what I do know: the best food is what you make yourself, from the ground. If it's in a box, it's probably not good.
Second gear is applying a few new changes in a reasonable amount of time. I'm going to worry about the rest of the speeds when I get to them.
Here's to eating, and trying to eat right!
However I call it, it still means stuffing my face with food. That is my biggest struggle with my weight issues.
(A little background on me: I've always been on the chubby side. I weighed a humiliating 150 lbs in third grade. Other kids weighed like, 90. I've always been able to move, run, do my work. But then I joined the Marines, and they had a whole different idea for what my body should be. Ever since MCT, I've struggled with maintaining weight standards. Now, I'm looking at me in the mirror, and I have three days a week available to go to the beach a week. And I want to look like my former sergeant, who is actually pretty hot. So, aside from boot camp, where all I did was run to death and back, I struggle with what I eat to maintain a good weight.)
I've done a little research into diet and nutrition, and basically, no one agrees on anything. I tried the Atkins/low-carb direction, and it proved to be almost impossible to work with in my present situation. I'm a chow hall Marine, which means that three of the four large-pan options on the main line are nothing but refined carbs. Usually, the vegetables are peas, carrots, and corn. The first two are okay by me, but corn is a grain and a starch. I love me some good sweet corn, too!
So I went back to "normal" eating, which is for me a lot of sugar, chow hall food, pizza, eating out. I gained fifteen pounds, and I almost put myself in the hospital to pass the last weigh-in. That drew a line for me. I've decided that I don't want to have to cut weight again to pass the scale.
My friend Erica introduced me to the Paleo diet, which I was hesitant to try. I don't know yet how well it will work if I'm bound by the chow hall. In theory, those on shift work get comrats, which is Marine-speak for food money. Welcome to bureaucracy- they haven't come through yet. But I'm going to give it a shot. I've heard excellent reviews from people I know that eat Paleo, or mostly Paleo. I really like beans. Lima beans. We love each other. Beans are not good according to Paleo. So I'm going to shift into Paleo gear. It may take some time, and I'm sensing that the chocolate mousse cake will call to me.
First gear is some more research. I'm going to get a copy of the Paleo book that's floating around. Somehow, anyway. I'm going to go with what I do know: the best food is what you make yourself, from the ground. If it's in a box, it's probably not good.
Second gear is applying a few new changes in a reasonable amount of time. I'm going to worry about the rest of the speeds when I get to them.
Here's to eating, and trying to eat right!
13.1 miles?
Tomorrow I am starting my half-marathon training plan. Tomorrow's plan is stretch & strengthen, which I am going to take to mean I'm going to do a bodyweight circuit and spend some dedicated time on my flexibility.
Week 1 Training
Monday: Stretch & Strengthen
Tuesday: Run 3 miles.
Wednesday: Run 2 miles or cross train.
Thursday: run 3 miles, strength train.
Friday: Rest.
Saturday: 30 min. cross train
Sunday: Long Run.
I work on morning shift. I was very against the recent switch from normal daytime hours to early shift, but I am finding more positive things about it as I go on. One thing is that not only am I given time during work to get food and to exercise, I also have the afternoons free to train! Most of my friends will also be at work, so I will have one less distraction.
The half that I'm training for is run every fall aboard Camp Pendleton, California. It's called the Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. This year, it's running September 8. I have just enough time to complete this novice training plan, starting tomorrow. I'm going to register ahead of time! I know, you laugh, but my first race ever was the Devil Dog Dualthlon & 5k. I just ran the 5k, since I am not in bike shape. I registered on the morning of the race, because you can. It was a blast! I won my division, which wasn't hard- I was the only one registered in my class, which was Military-Athena.
I have two goals for the Heartbreak Ridge Half. One is to complete the race. The other is to not qualify as an Athena. Athena class is for females that are over 160 lbs. Now, I will make an exception for this goal. If my bodyfat is at an appropriate level, I'll settle for being at 160 or a couple more. By an appropriate level, I mean I'm able to tape in at a weigh-in.
I'm nervous. I can easily complete 3 miles in a respectable time, 26 min, and last year I was running at 23:30ish. So I know I can complete a little less than 1/4 of the race. In fact, I know I can run 13.1 miles. I will hurt and I will want to walk, but I'm a Marine, and that means I do what I decide to do. What I'm most doubting in myself is my dedication to the training plan. I kind of ad-libbed my 5k plans. I need to find a partner for at least a couple of my workouts for accountability.
P.S. If you're interested in running any races on Camp Pendleton, and you should be if you're in the area, here's the website with all the info you will need: http://www.camppendletonraces.com
Week 1 Training
Monday: Stretch & Strengthen
Tuesday: Run 3 miles.
Wednesday: Run 2 miles or cross train.
Thursday: run 3 miles, strength train.
Friday: Rest.
Saturday: 30 min. cross train
Sunday: Long Run.
I work on morning shift. I was very against the recent switch from normal daytime hours to early shift, but I am finding more positive things about it as I go on. One thing is that not only am I given time during work to get food and to exercise, I also have the afternoons free to train! Most of my friends will also be at work, so I will have one less distraction.
The half that I'm training for is run every fall aboard Camp Pendleton, California. It's called the Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. This year, it's running September 8. I have just enough time to complete this novice training plan, starting tomorrow. I'm going to register ahead of time! I know, you laugh, but my first race ever was the Devil Dog Dualthlon & 5k. I just ran the 5k, since I am not in bike shape. I registered on the morning of the race, because you can. It was a blast! I won my division, which wasn't hard- I was the only one registered in my class, which was Military-Athena.
I have two goals for the Heartbreak Ridge Half. One is to complete the race. The other is to not qualify as an Athena. Athena class is for females that are over 160 lbs. Now, I will make an exception for this goal. If my bodyfat is at an appropriate level, I'll settle for being at 160 or a couple more. By an appropriate level, I mean I'm able to tape in at a weigh-in.
I'm nervous. I can easily complete 3 miles in a respectable time, 26 min, and last year I was running at 23:30ish. So I know I can complete a little less than 1/4 of the race. In fact, I know I can run 13.1 miles. I will hurt and I will want to walk, but I'm a Marine, and that means I do what I decide to do. What I'm most doubting in myself is my dedication to the training plan. I kind of ad-libbed my 5k plans. I need to find a partner for at least a couple of my workouts for accountability.
P.S. If you're interested in running any races on Camp Pendleton, and you should be if you're in the area, here's the website with all the info you will need: http://www.camppendletonraces.com
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