Shamrock Run 2011

In 52 days the 33rd Edition of the Shamrock Run in Portland will commence. I have every intention of doing the 5k with my friends Krystle, Ashley, and maybe Robin. This year I won't be trying for a PR, as I know I'm not ready to push myself to that level. But I think entering into this race will be enough to get me pumped up and ready for June's Drop Top 10k! I'm putting in treadmill time everyday to prepare myself for this race. This year it will be about fun and enjoying the energy around me! If you are looking for a race to do, whether it's your first or for a challenge, consider this race. They have a 5k, 8k, and a 15k...

Photo shared from the Portland Shamrock Run website.

music makes all the difference

Wherever I may be working out, whether at a gym or outdoors, I must have music. I'm always amazed when I see someone running down a road with no iPod, it seems so foreign and wrong to me. But we all have our music, for me the techno and bass beat of a good song keeps me going but for the next person the sound of the rain hitting the pavement or the chirps of the birds is song enough for them. How do you like to workout? With or without music?

For Christmas I got a new iPod, so I updated my workout tunes with some new tunes. Some fast heart pumping beats, and some mellow deep breathing tunes. Yesterday I made a discovery of my new powersong as I was on the treadmill. Just as I was running one of my intervals I began to loose steam and was ready to give up when a song came on. You know what I am talking about! That song that just sings to you the way no other song sings. I find that whenever I feel weak, or like giving up I tune into that song and it gives me the necessary drive to keep going!! I love music.

My powersong: Diddy Dirty Money's "Coming Home"...

a whirlwind of change

Ever have a moment of clarity? A moment when everything before you suddenly just made a lot of sense? I had one of those moments, a much more powerful experience than I have ever experienced. I know this blog is usually more focused on my health & fitness, but I believe every aspect of your being is always intertwined with everything the makes you who you are, and all the outer aspects of your life. I'm not perfect, nor do I aspire to be. I'm flawed in many ways, but everyday I work at being the best person that I can be. Be proud of who I am. Where I came from. And where I am going. Here I stand, 32 years old, and though I'm on a path to improved health and an overall lifestyle change, I already feel strong. I'm strong because I tell myself that I am. I'm strong because I have a support system that believes in me. I'm strong because I am loved for who I am in every way that I am.

I. Am. Strong.

I've struggled for many years with my weight. Tried many different things. Had much help from many different people, but never succeeded. Not because they failed, but because I wasn't ready. I can't tell you that this time will be different, my words will just be that- words. So instead I will show you. This time it feels right. I feel ready. I've got plenty of support, still, and many avenues of inspiration and motivation. So my plan?

It's said that it takes 28 days to form a habit. So I'm making ME a habit. A habit to love myself, respect myself, take care of myself... to keep getting stronger. My trainer, Jennifer, has me keeping a food journal on-line. I started this when I started my personal training with her. Two months later, I'm just NOW getting the hang of it. I never realized how much I love my carbs. And what a challenge it is to teach yourself to cut back on the very things that you love. I grew up where rice was an almost every dinner ritual, now for the last 2 or 3 weeks I've substituted my rice for salads or more veggies. I don't really crave the rice anymore. So, to keep on the right path, to succeed, I'm going to form a new habit. A eating healthier habit. An exercising regular habit. For the next 28 days, I'm making ME a priority. No longer will I put myself aside for convenience, for laziness, for excuses. I'm now on Day 3 on my new path and I feel great! 

I'm only 25 days away from feeling stronger...

time to step up my game

Today I finished week 3 of my first month with my trainer, Jennifer!! It's been a challenging 3 weeks, between trying to get back into a normal workout routine (and I have yet to get that down), the holidays, attempting to keep a food journal (it's been more challenging than I thought), and mental games... oh the mental games! My sessions with Jennifer have been awesome, she's kept every session challenging by keeping it different each time. I love the use of the TRX straps, brings a whole new element to the workout and forces me to use more of my core. I still need to get better at doing cardio on my own, this has been a struggle for me and I think I will just need to start going to the gym on my lunch break, because coming home never helps me. A couple of co-workers have brought up the idea of attending a Zumba class during our lunch break a couple of times a week, I would absolutely be down for that... but let's see if this really happens. But on a brighter note, I have gotten several compliments from friends that they notice some physical changes on me. The only place I'm really seeing change is in my arms at the moment, they are toning up nicely. But soon enough, I think I will start seeing more changes, just gotta get this food thing down! LOL.

In today's workout, Jennifer set up this obstacle course for me...

So the challenge went like this. I start off in a plank position with my hands in the square, remaining in plank I had to move down the line. Then I had to jump on the step 10x. Then using the TRX strap I had to do 10 squats (brutal). Then finish off with pushing the Bosu ball across the room then run back to the wall. I had to do this 3x, Jennifer recorded every turn and I had to keep trying to beat my previous record. I didn't think I could do that, if anything I believed I'd get slower. But I surprised myself and beat each previous try... 1:11, 1:03, and 0:47. I loved every minute of this obstacle and wanted to do more!! So we did another obstacle, I did not do as well but it definitely was a challenge. :)

The best news I have to report though... I am running again! YAY!!! Little by little Jennifer has had me running a bit on the TM. Last Tuesday I showed up for my session early and jumped on the TM to warm up while she finished up with another client. I did a 10 min warm up incline walk, then did 2 min interval run/walk for about 10 min and it felt wonderful!! Today she had run for about 5 min on the TM, and then half way through the work out had me go outside and run a bit. No issues with my ankle whatsoever! I think I am back!! This only means one thing... Shamrock Run, here I come!

Oh, but now to get my carb/fat/protein ratio down...

my first official session

I had my first official session with my trainer, Jennifer, at  Tri-D Fitness. It has been 3 days, and I'm still pretty sore but I feel great. What I like about this session, and what makes it different from any other personal training session I have ever had, is variety. I'm not just thrown on some cardio machine, and then given some free weights and told to do so many times so many reps. I activated muscles I hadn't felt for some time! I'm seeing Jennifer 2x a week for an hour, the rest of the days I am responsible for getting cardio in. On top of my working out, she has me keeping a food journal onFitDay. It's kind of a pain in the ass to get started but once you get going, it isn't too bad. I was under the impression that I was eating fairly healthy, this because I don't eat fast foods, I don't drink soda, and I cut back on the sweets I eat. But after inputting what I have eaten the past 3 days, it has become apparent that I am struggling with my carb/protein ratio. Too much carbs and not enough protein. So now it's time that I do some adjusting! I went out and bought a food scale...

I've already used it today to portion out my meats (4 oz) to freeze, and I will be using it to weigh out each portion of my meals. I know the weighing will be a pain in the ass at first as well, but just as the food journal, it will get easier and hopefully soon I won't be needing it as much. Next session is tomorrow, and the focus this time will be lower body. I am so ready for it, bring it on...