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....

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!

Just Another Blog Entry

I had a doctor's appointment Friday morning, it was one I made a while back and it just sort of worked out that I was sick to boot. Anyways, after getting the once over from the fine doctor, she informed me that I have some mild bronchitis.... FANTASTIC. So, I am on some meds, I have a new inhaler, and she said I could get back to exercising the way I am used to in 3 days. I can handle that, for the most part. I did ask if I could at least go for a walk because I was starting to climb the walls and go a little stir crazy. She okayed that, so I was at least some what happy. After that, I went for a nice walk with K. I tried to jog a little but it wasn't working so well for me, turns out the doctor was probably on to something when she told me to talk it easy. Plus, K was there to keep me in line, and she did a few times when I tried jogging. Also, ended up having to reschedule the Zumba auditions because it was pretty apparent after our walk that I had no business trying to do this while I wasn't feeling 100%.

Friday afternoon, I get a call from my mom asking what our plans were for the weekend because she was coming to visit. It was a total surprise, and Bella was just beyond excited about having Grandma come for a visit. Then, Saturday night I find out that my dad was coming down on Sunday morning, he wanted time with Bella too. Bella is being spoiled rotten, and I am going to have to do some major damage control on the spoilage going on. They go back to Toronto on Tuesday, so that's going to be a difficult day for the pint sized dictator.

By the way, I signed up for a Thanskgiving 10k. Hope I feel 100% by then.

Sniffles

I've developed a lovely cold, and let me tell you this isn't fun at all. I am going with the "neck up" rule and I went did a walk on the treadmill because it was raining. I even managed to make it to Zumba but today was a struggle in class. I HATE being sick! The worst part is that Amy wants me to be logging at least 20 miles per week, which means I have to run tomorrow and I am being a whiney miserable b*tch. Right now I would rather live on my couch and drown myself in popcorn. UGH! It's time for some nyquil.

Let's Play Catch Up

Started Monday morning, with a 4 mile walk with K. We threw in a few little spurts of running in there, but I mostly walked. You know, I don't even feel bad about it, I think if I had actually tried to run, I wouldn't have made it. It was just nice to get outside and I had a nice chat with K. We made plans for our long run on Friday morning and we have big plans for 7 miles. Our motto is "We Got This" and we definitely "got this", we are going with a plan and we are sticking with it to make it to 7.

Monday evening, I went and shook it in Zumba. My friend Christina is now coming to Zumba on Monday nights and I love that we can share that because I do so love my Zumba, if you hadn't already guessed. She cracked me up with a comment about how she didn't know how anyone could get up there and teach that because I remember thinking the same thing when I first started. How things change...

Tuesday morning, I went to Centergy with Shannon, and it felt good to get to "contortion class". I still have trouble with some of the things we do in the class, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to do some of the things with more ease then ever before. Before I know it, I will be a centergy pro... ok, maybe not a pro but it will be nice when I don't have to modify as much as I do now. So, looking forward to that day.... After contortion, we went to Starbuck's because there is nothing better than post contortion oatmeal and coffee.

Wednesday, I got a call from my friend asking if I wanted to go to the gym with her. Of course, I agreed and told her that I had to get in some strength training. I let her know that she could train with me, since Amy's little one is sick and she couldn't meet me. So, I got to play trainer to my friend and I got quite a kick out of it. I took her through a pretty easy workout, where we focused on upper body stuff and core work. She complained the whole time calling everything we did stupid, it was pretty darn amusing, and it just made me bug her and push her harder. She even went on facebook to complain about it, which made it all the more amusing. I had to tell her remind her that if it were easy we'd all be toned and buff and instead of working out it would be called walk in the park. Anyways, I was able to get in a short run on the treadmill while my friend who'd I'd worked out with was complaining to a mutual friend of ours about how "mean" I was to her. She'll get over it! Back to the run, I ran slow and easy 30/30 intervals, I am trying to do the Galloway Run/Walk thing. I had a slow pace of 17:08/mile, I have no doubt that I will be able to improve on that greatly between now and February. I went back to the gym for a second round to get in some Zumba, just for sh*ts and giggles. Then, because I am glutton for punishment and maybe a little dumb, I went back for a third round and hit up Centergy.

Thursday was just chocked full of good gym times. I went to pilates and did some things that I know will  be feeling for a day or two. I finally got to train with Amy in the morning and we had a good little therapy session and a heck of a workout. Afterwards, I was able to get to the second part of Groove to get a little cardio in. But wait, there was more! I had to get back to the gym in the evening to go to Zumba because I needed some more cardio. Plus, I get to hang out with Sarah for a little while after class, so it's a win all around. Phew, I'm tired just typing all this out.

I got an email from the photographers that were at the race on Saturday with the link to pictures taken of me. I learned a valuable lesson by looking at those pics. I need to practice looking cooler when the cameras are around during a race. I was making a silly face in one, that one had been on purpose, but the rest, ugh... I need to work on the bad ass poses. I did fork over the cash and paid for the rights to one picture, because I needed to have a souvenir from the race. Also, I signed up for another race on November 14th. It's the New Balance Girls On The Run Atlanta 5k, I can't wait! Amy said she was going to run this one with me.

Here's the picture from the race. This was the least awful of the pics.

Next Stop... Crazy Town

I am one tired and sore girl tonight. Today was mega workout day and there will be more of these to come in the next few weeks because of this ILIATC business. I want to win darn it! I started with a run/walk session this morning, I got in 3.26 miles in 65 minutes. Super slow pace, but I got the workout and the miles in so I'm pretty jazzed about it. After that, I trained with Amy and got in another killer workout, and she just added to the soreness that I had left over from Saturday's workout. I went back to the gym this evening and got in another 1.25 miles in 24 minutes before Zumba. Again, like the pace earlier today it was slow, but I did the darn thing. Then I got in a round of Zumba, just for an added element of fun. I am just wiped after all that. Tomorrow, should be interesting. I am going to take it easier and just hit the pool with Amy for a session of aqua jogging. I am sure it will make for an interesting entry tomorrow. All this working out makes me think that I am going to be making a trip to Crazy Town.

Walk It Out

K and I walked it out yesterday, we walked it out for 4.4 miles. It was great, we had a good walk and a good chat, who needs a therapist?! Before the walk, I trained with Amy and it was a great workout, but I think that the Slam I drank before the workout didn't hurt either because I had a ton of energy. Actually, I was slightly spazzy but that's not out of character for me. Then in the evening I went to Groove, and took my beloved Spark before that class. Thank goodness for that because I am having some major diet coke withdrawals since I started ILIATC. Plus, it helped me get through the class because I wasn't really feeling like being at the gym last night.

This morning, I had my ILIATC weigh in and workout. The workout was awesome and tough and I loved it. Who would have thought I'd ever say that, but I did, I loved the whole thing. As for the weigh in, I didn't lose as much as I would have liked but that is my own doing, I did not work out enough this week to get the results I wanted. That being said, I still did lose weight and I am now down 145 pounds since I started going to the gym and changing my lifestyle back in January. WOOHOO!!! Now that I am 5 pounds away from the 150 tattoo goal, I have decided that getting a tattoo right now might not be the best idea I've ever had. I am going to be honest and tell you that I am chickening out just a little. That's right, I said it... I'm a chicken. When I set the goal for myself, it seemed so far away and now it's basically here and I am scared. It's a big decision and the other issue is my body is still changing and the tattoo might change with it. I might have to live with a dilapidated janky looking tattoo if I don't think it over. I think it's something I am going to have to revisit in a few months once I've made more progress. I am going to revisit and revise my short and long term goals this weekend. I will share them with all of you as soon.

Running with Munchkin

Yesterday morning, I took Bella with me on a run... at least I had every intention to run. We started with a warm up walk, and started running. It looked like it was going to go well, and we would be able to get at least 2 miles in, that is until she saw a squirrel. It turned into a walk rather quickly because it was hard to focus on running when there was critters, and interesting leaves and shiny things to distract her. She's 6, wasn't really all that surprising. It was ok because we had fun regardless, and I am going to try again tomorrow. She really wants to run the 5K in February at her school, so we are going to work on it so we can run it together. The runstar app said we walked 1.2 miles, I told her that next time we are going to go for the full 2 miles even if we just walk it.

Then in the evening I headed to Groove. My running buddy (who from now on will be referred to as K) and my friend A were teaching. K&A make an awesome teaching team, they just have a great rapport on stage and it puts the class in a positive place. It was great to dance it out, but man my arms and legs were sore during the class from the workout the day before.

Goin' Back To Cali...

Tomorrow morning, Bella and I are San Francisco bound. My cousin is getting married and we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to share in her special day. Bella is going to be one of the flower girls, and she could not be more excited. She's been practicing, walking around the apartment pretending to toss flower petals and practicing her "fancy walk".... heaven help us all. I am going to try and blog while I am there but I cannot make any promises.

This morning started with a training session with Amy. I probably shouldn't have mentioned that I was going to eat whatever I felt like eating because she kicked my butt with our workout. After that, I met a friend of mine and her sweet dog to go on a walk. I had to cut the walk short because my knees just weren't loving me back this morning. The good news is that we walked 5 miles, the bad news is that my knees were not happy with me. So, before I leave in the morning I am going to be making an appointment with my orthopedist to have them looked at. Please, try not to be too jealous, not everyone can have awesome knees like this guy. I went to Zumba this afternoon and I made sure to keep it low key to save the knees, but I couldn't go without my Wednesday class.

What A Day!

Today began with an attempt to run this morning with a friend. It quickly turned into a walk because my knees were so sore and I couldn't handle it today. The only bright spot was having such great company this morning. Afterwards, I went to the gym to train with Amy. She and I had one of our world famous "therapy sessions" and a good work out in the process to boot. This afternoon, I went to Zumba and tried out my new shoes, I loved them.

After the morning's workout sessions, I headed to buy some new shoes for Zumba. I couldn't be happier with the shoes, they were great during this afternoon's class. Sarah, thank you so much for your help! I went shopping for an outfit to wear to my cousin's wedding in San Francisco next week, and it was such a great experience. I'll explain, I went in thinking that I was going to need a certain size in the clothes, and after I went into the change room and started trying the stuff on, it turns out I was wrong. I had to ask for smaller sizes, what a great feeling! I've been smiling since then!

Getting Back Into The Groove

So, we are home from our vacation and I think that I will just spare you all the details of the trip unless you just beg to hear about it. It was a great trip, and I am so glad to be home. The only thing is that I need a vacation to recoup from the vacation, I am still exhausted. Now, I am trying to get back into the swing of things and back to my normal routine.

This morning I went walking with my friend. According to Runstar, we walked 3.7 miles with a pace of 20:43 minutes per mile. The important thing is that we got out there and did our thing. Then this evening I went back into the gym for the first time in a little over a week to hit Groove class. It felt great to be back at it.