New Shoes Make Me Happy

Got some new two new pairs of shoes today at Big Peach Running Co. today, but these are by far the coolest of the two. I'm in love.....

To Post Or Not To Post

We actually did this in class in Bosu class, and I didn't fall on my face.

Let me start by telling you about Bosu class Sunday afternoon. I decided that I would go in prepared for anything and with a better attitude than I had on Tuesday, so automatically doing better than last class. I reminded myself that this class is good for me, for the running and for helping me reach my goals for the year. We got started and I had to remind myself that I was not supposed to be able to do it all, and that it's supposed to be challenging. It was challenging and I think that I will get a lot out of it. Also, love that I have Karen there with me, she keeps me accountable.

Monday, was dancey kind of day. I trained with Amy, but the rest of the day was spent rehearsing my new stuff for my Zumba class on Friday. The gym that I work at requires that I have an entire new class on Friday because they are launching new stuff in the other group fitness classes. I'm not too worried about it but it just adds to the things I have to do. Here's the super awesome part of Monday, Karen had gotten a call from the Grand Poobah of Group Groove, and she asked K to teach with her. The lady that called Karen is the person who trains Groove instructors worldwide, she is Groove royalty. Anyways, Karen and I drove up to the gym where she was going to teach. The whole way up there, I had a bad case of jiggy leg. I get jiggy leg when I'm nervous... I was nervous for her, and she was cool as could be about it. I'll cut to the chase and tell you that she KILLED IT! She did so well, and it was so cool to get to see her teach with this lady and I also loved having the opportunity to take a class from this lady.

On Tuesday, we had Bosu class again but before class I banged out a mile and got another mile after the class. The class was awesome, and I am feeling more comfortable with it all around. Then that afternoon, I went to support one of the other Zumba instructors from my gym as she launched her new stuff. It was fun and she invited me to teach a track, and can I just reiterate that I LOVE teaching. It was all just so much fun.

Yesterday, I ran with Karen, and we got in 6 miles. I got to the lake and we decided that it was entirely too windy, so we headed to the gym to hit the treadmill. After two miles on the treadmill, Karen suggested we run another mile outside. We got out on the paths outside of the gym, and at half a mile where we were going to turn around, we decided to make it an even mile out and a mile back. Loved the change of scenery and loved running outside, I really dislike the treadmill. We got back to the gym and our cars and decided that we might as well get another 2 in because our original plan was to go for 6. So, back to the treadmill we went and we got it done. I am not a fan of the treadmill, it makes me hurt in places that running outside does not.

Today, I am taking an official rest day. Yup, an honest to goodness REST day. Icing the knees, rolling out all the aches and tightness in my legs. I'll have to tack on another day for the 100 Day Challenge, but I am completely ok with that. Does practicing my Zumba stuff on the couch count as movement?

In other news, I finally got in touch with a therapist. I had mentioned before that it was time for professional help but I hadn't done anything about it, but it's time. I need a third unbiased party to help me work through some of the issues that have surfaced because of the weight loss and the changes in my life. Trying to get a handle on my trips to Crazy Town.

I Haven't Fallen Off The Face Of The Planet

I haven't fallen off the face of the planet... I promise. I have been living under a rock for the last little while. I will have a proper post later today and I promise to be more timely with my updates. I have coffee and a run scheduled... gotta get to it. I'll leave you with the song I am currently using as my warm up in my Zumba class.

ATC Peachtree City 5K Race Report

Alright, I originally posted a little vlog entry but it was all out of whack once I posted it. This morning's race really wasn't anything crazy. I wasn't looking for a PR or anything, Karen and I just treated it like a training run   on a modified version of our route. There wasn't anything spectacular about this morning, we just had a great time, which was perfect. I wish there was more to report, but there really wasn't much to today's race other than the fact that we just had a fantastic time running. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Here's the Garmin info from today's race.

Certain Things Make My Brain and Body Hurt

Tuesday morning was a big day for me. Bella was back in school, Bosu pilates class started that morning, and I was positively giddy. I decided that the best thing to do was to go to Centergy and get my contortion on before pilates, I am not sure I knew what to do with the return of my regular schedule. In Centergy, I was having a hard time with a few things which happens, not a big deal, it takes some people years to do some of this stuff. At least, that's the line I'm feeding myself to keep from feeling defeated. Anyways, after that class, I went to Starbucks to get a coffee, read and kill a little time before Bosu class.  I know that Starbucks can get loud, but there were three people there on phone calls who were having a screaming competition with each other. I was tempted to get on the phone and start screaming at someone about the screamers. Can you tell what kind of mood I was in at Starbucks? This sort of gives you an idea of the attitude I had going on when I got to class. I left the screamers to their business, and headed to the gym, my second home. Bosu class is a small group class, and on Tuesdays the only two in the class are Karen and I... a recipe for a good time for us, and a possible headache for Amy (my trainer) who teaches the class. Due to the fact that it's just Karen and I there on Tuesdays, the class is modified with exercises that are good for runners... SCORE. There were somethings we were doing that I couldn't do and it really got me down. I talked to Amy about it later that day and she brought up a good point, that it was supposed to be challenging and I wasn't supposed to be able to do it all. Next Bosu class is on Sunday afternoon, it'll be interesting for sure. Then, to add to Tuesday's peachiness, I started reading race reports from last year's princess, and then about some medical issues that I am dealing with and I managed to freak myself out and not get much sleep. Lovely! 

I wish I looked that graceful trying to do that, I looked more like a beached whale.

We did this, but again, I didn't look that graceful. 

Wednesday, I ran/walked with Shannon. We got 3.44 miles in and it was just fun to hang out and be outside. The best part was the time hanging out at Starbucks after the fact, had a great time, I was sad to leave for training but I needed to get a good workout in. Plus, I needed to get my therapy session in with Amy, because we multitask like that. That afternoon, I went to Zumba and had an absolutely fabulous time, as if anything less than that is even an option. Also, I got a little something in the mail... my running skirt from www.runningskirts.com. I just bought one that was on sale because I wanted to try it out to see if I even liked it for running before dropping the big bucks on the black one I'd like. I'll post my review once I've worn it for a run.

So, I am not sure about the look,
but I think that the black one will look better.
(The shirt doesn't go with the outfit, I know)

Thursday started with pilates class and some tears. Seriously feeling extra emotional, and like a general hot mess. I was laying on the mat in class with the gigantic workout ball between my feet and a puddle of tears forming on my mat. Wish I could say that the tears were logical, but I can't. Once again, I took a little trip to everyone's fave vacation destination... CRAZY TOWN. Geez, who does that?!  I managed to pull myself together, finish the class and then head to another gym to workout with a friend of mine. I had to laugh at myself after the class because it was just ridiculous, I was ridiculous. 

Friday started a million times better because I was headed to out to teach my Zumba class that morning. I was hoping for a good class, and ended up having an INCREDIBLE class. There were new people, the energy was awesome and it was just so much FUN. I really love what I do, I may never get rich taking pictures and teaching Zumba but I am so lucky to do what I love. I wish I could describe what it feels like to get that high from teaching a class. I think that the best way to explain it to the runners out there is that it's like that buzzy fun feeling you get after and during an awesome run. Blame the high from the day, or my general insanity but Friday evening Karen and I decided to run the Atlanta Track Club's Peachtree City 5K instead of our scheduled training run. We figured out that the race would cut through some of our planned route, so why not join the fun instead of trying to run around them. I'll post a race report in a little while....

If You Like Piña Coladas...

... and getting caught in the rain.... (can't get this darn cheesy song out of my head)



Alright, the song comes to mind because we got caught in the rain during our long run this afternoon. Everyone knows that inclement weather always makes one think of cheesy music... duh! Due to the fact that the kiddos were out of school today, we had to get creative in terms of babysitting and the time we headed out for our run. Karen's daughter (aka babysitter extraordinaire) came to the rescue and stayed with Bella so we could head out on our 10 mile trek. Karen and I had a plan for this run, our route was planned, we planned to run 4:1 intervals and we had a fuel plan in place. The only thing that could have used better planning was our hydration plan, but we managed to make it work, but we will definitely have a better plan in place for our next long run. We were even ready for the rain that had been forecasted, and you know my thoughts on running in the rain.... BAD A**. As you might have guess, we did get caught in the rain, but it really wasn't that bad at all. Anyways, we were just chugging along nicely, but we were slower than we had hoped. We chatted about everything, we were having fun and waiting for that euphoric moment like we had on our 9 miler. Then this weird thing happened... that super high and giddy moment we felt last time never came. I wasn't trying to high five strangers or anything like that. It really kind of bummed us both out, and then by mile 8, I was just ready for it all to be over. Somewhere between 8 and 9, my calf started cramping, it was very frustrating and it just felt amplified because I wasn't feeling that awesome high that I feel when we go long. We got it done, but it wasn't that same feeling. Even after we got home, it was just so anti-climatic. So, we came to the consensus that 11 will bring that feeling back, and we were just having an off day. Shaking off the disappointment and trying to focus on the general bad assery that comes with knowing that we finished 10 miles!

Now, it's time to get to bed because I have Bosu class in the morning. Karen and I signed up for a bosu belly blast class that Amy is having at the gym. Should be interesting...

Finally Climbed Out From The Icy Mess

This is so true. Found this here.

We finally climbed out of the icy mess we had going on in the Atlanta area. Thank goodness, because I love my family very much but I was getting ready to sell my husband and Bella to the gypsies. We are just people who need our schedules and our space, without it we all officially took a trip to Crazy Town. I've said this before but this Canadian has gone soft after living in the south for nearly seven years, I freaked out just a little being stuck. I'll give you a run down of the week...

Tuesday


We were starting to get just a little stir crazy and saw that the roads were passable during day light hours, so we headed out. We were able to go out for lunch and then I decided that I would run out afterwards to get in a few miles with Karen at the gym. I assumed the gym would be empty because of the weather and because when I passed it a few hours earlier there were only a few cars in the lot. Well, you know what they say about assuming... because the lot was packed and it was a huge ordeal to get a treadmill let alone two treadmills together so Karen and I could run together. Somehow we managed to get treadmills together and got in 3 miles.

Wednesday


I trained with Amy, and Karen joined us for the session. Thank heavens for Karen's daughter who kept Bella and Amy's daughter because the gym's childcare was closed. Did I mention that at this point this was Bella's third day home from school, and we were starting to butt heads just a little. The rest of the day was just a blur.

Thursday

I was certain that the kids would be able to go back to school on Thursday, but no such luck. I woke up and checked to see if the gypsies were outside, ready to buy my little pumpkin but I guess the roads were just too icy for them. So, I had to get her and I to the gym (thank goodness that childcare was open), and I went to Groove. After that once again, Karen's daughter came to the rescue and kept Bella for a little while so that Karen and I could get a few miles in on the track. Even though the company was wonderful, the track is dreadfully boring, almost as bad as the treadmill. We stuck to the track because we knew that there wasn't any ice on the track as opposed to the golf cart paths which were still sketchy. You know what helps you get over boring workout on the track? Karen, our girls and myself going to the new TCBY! It's self serve and I had to fight the urge to drown my yogurt in chocolate, chocolate bar bits.

Friday


Guess who had another day away from school?! Yup, my dear Bella. Now, this wouldn't even be an issue at this point if it wasn't for the fact that she did not want to go to work with me in the morning. She got over it, and was pleasantly surprised to see other big kids at the gym's childcare. Anyways, I got to the group fitness room and was praying that someone would show up, I was pleasantly surprised to have the biggest class I've ever had. WOOHOO!!! We got our Zumba on and I may have frightened an older lady who was trying Zumba for the first time, but I had told her before the class started that there are no rules and that she could just march in place or do her own thing if she got lost. These things are bound to happen but because I'm new to teaching this is new to me. After class, Karen, Bella and I met up to get our nails done. While we were there, Karen brought up the idea of getting a few miles in the afternoon and I was in. I invited Shannon and Sarah, and Sarah took me up on the offer. We headed out for our little run. Alright, physically I had a hard time with it, and then mentally, I was a mess. During the run, I felt something in my sock but ignored it, when I got home there was blood on two toes but I couldn't pin point where it came from. Mystery blood equals bad ass in my book... so we'll go with that. We got 4.65 miles in and even though I was whiney and not into it I am glad we got it done. After that, Karen, her daughter, Shannon, Sarah, Patrick, Bella and I went out for a little Mexican food and finalized our travel plans for the half. The hotel is booked, and this is getting very very real.

Saturday & Sunday


Not much accomplished other than a few miles walked on the treadmill on Saturday and Groove on Sunday.

Have managed to keep on track with the 100 day challenge. Now, getting ready to head out for a long run with Karen. Wish us luck!