Can't Breathe

Story time.

So, here's the thing. I love my gym. LOVE. We belong to our local YMCA, and it's exactly what I pictured a YMCA would be in my head. And I mean that in the good and bad way. It's small and everyone knows everyone. It has a real community feel and I LOVE that. The childcare workers know and love B and that is so, so important. It's also the crappiest, smallest gym I've ever belonged to. And, again, I love my gym. It's just your quintessential YMCA-- it's dated and the options are limited. There are FOUR treadmills. Total. Maybe 6 ellipticals. No indoor pool. No track.

Why does any of this matter? I've been gym-ing 5ish days a week pretty consistently. Walking on an incline on the treadmill, ellipticalling, and rowing.

However.

Lately, if I go at 9am there's a man there. Ok, there are several men there. However, there is ONE man there that I just can't even handle. He smells and I mean REAKS of smoke. He pours sweat and the more he sweats the more it smells. I have literally had to move machines because it's literally hard to breathe next to him. It just smells so bad.

I try HARD to support all gym go-ers. GO YOU! YOU'RE WORKING OUT! THAT'S AWESOME!! GO YOU!! But, guys. I just can't. And lately, because the gym is small, I can't even move machines because it's too crowded and there are no other options.

So, lately I've been working out in a cloud of smoke and trying my very hardest not to breathe while working out. So, that's been fun.

In other news, B's got allergies or a little cold. Poor Peanut Butter. But, don't worry... that doesn't stop her from demolishing some ice cream. Girl is completely obsessed.

Life Lately

Life is crazy right now. Crazy and stressful. I hope to be back a bit more soon, but right now, things are just all over the place.

Still gyming, though have fallen off the running wagon.

B's still as cute as ever and has recently completely fallen in love with Snapchat (I'm still undecided).

Seriously-- want to entertain a kid, turn on the Snapchat face filter thing. Girl is obsessed.

I'm currently re-watching Gilmore Girls. Yes, again. And, no you can never watch this show too many times.

Anyway- life is life. Things are busy (are they ever not?). More later. Sometime. Eventually.

 

I Run Because I Can

I was at the gym the other day and had just stepped on the indoor track and started to run. I was already feeling BLAH and 3 steps in was telling myself in my head to just quit and do something else-- something easier. I went through every excuse in the book-- I'm too tired, my legs are heavy, I'm out of shape, I won't be fast anyway, what's the point... on and on and on.

Then, I look up and see a guy with a learning and physical disability walking in front of me. Well, working on walking. He must have been in some sort of PT program or something because he was working with another person and I overheard the therapist just telling him over and over not to give up and keep working on it. 

Obviously I don't know this man. I don't know what sort of disability he has or his story. I don't know his history. Shit, I don't even know his name. I've never met him. I don't KNOW him. Not even a little. But, I felt so incredibly connected to him in this moment.

I could see the man struggle with each step. I could see that just WALKING was a struggle and such an accomplishment for him. I could see that it hurt and was painful and awkward and that it was SO HARD for him just to take a couple steps. And, I could see that he was NOT going to give up. He kept walking. Small, uneasy steps. With a grimace and moan with each step. But, he didn't give up. He kept going. And I could see he was SO PROUD of himself. Even while in pain, I could see how hard he was working and that he knew he was working hard and that he was accomplishing something.

And here I was. Bitching in my head about how I HAD to run and how it sucked and how I sucked and how hard it was. Here was this amazing man working with everything he had just to take a single step, right in front of me. I was so in my head about how my legs were heavy and how out of shape I was and how slow I was that I've been forgetting just how amazing running is.

He inspired me. I don't know him and he might tell me to shut the F up and not to use him as inspiration, but I am. He reminded me to just stop and run. I stopped bitching. I stopped complaining. I just ran. He reminded me that I run because I can. There are SO many people who would do ANYTHING to run and here I was bitching about it. Stupid me. I run because I can. I GET to run. My legs have carried me through SO much and I give them such shit. This man reminded me to stop and just run. He reminded me that I run because I CAN.

(source)

 

 



And he reminded me to be proud of that. 1 mile or 11 miles. 9 minute mile or 14 minute mile. Just shut up and be proud of what I accomplished.

 

So, I ran. I ran because I can. I ran for him. I ran for me. I ran. 7 miles. Slow, imperfect miles. But, I ran and I thought of this man I will never know. And I loved every second. 

 

(source)

 

 

Is it cheesy? Yep. Will I remember it every time I go to run? Nope. Will it make me start running 30 mile weeks? Not even a little. Does any of that make it any less true or any less profound? Not even a little.

 



Weekly Workout Recap: 11/9-11/15

Weekly Workout Recap: 11/9-11/15

 

Sunday, 11/9: None

Monday, 11/10: 45 minute Step and Sculpt class & 1.5 TM miles (13:18)

Tuesday, 11/11: 45 minute Spin class & 3 indoor track miles (~29 minutes)

Wednesday, 11/12: 30 minutes elliptical & 15 minutes indoor rower
Thursday, 11/13: Strength Training class (50 minutes) & 2 TM miles

Friday, 11/14: None

Saturday, 11/15: None


Look at me. Going to the gym. Running! Classes! FUN!

Gym Lately

We have a dangerous situation going on over here, guys.

See- I've been going to the gym. Like, almost every week day. PS- Isn't it crazy how weekend used to be my big guaranteed workout time and now its weekdays? Life, man. Life. Annnnyway-- I've been going to the gym. And, I sorta like LOVE it.

We knew this would happen. Or at least I knew this would happen and I think if you asked the Hubs he'd say he knew it was gonna happen too.

Every morning while drinking my coffee while Bailey plays with whatever toy is THE toy of the moment,

or ALL the toys

I check out that days group class schedule. 

 

 

Why yes, I did print the group class schedule and then highlight the ones that would work with Bailey's nap schedule. I mean, obviously.

 

So far, I've tried a handful of classes:

-Spinning:

Duh-- and, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed at least in the one I've gone to... music is too soft and the instructor is BORING. I'm gonna try a different session.

 

-Weight Training: Love it. Great sweat session and good to do some strength. I'll admit I've been neglecting Jillian since joining the gym and this makes me feel a little less guilty.

 

-Step and Sculpt: Oh, I had high hopes for this one. And, I'll say it was both good-- actually left me pretty sore the next day (though I imagine that was due to using too heavy of weights than the actual class, but still)-- and very, very bad-- I was the only person under 60 in the room and it was a special one night only karaoke sing along class. Seriously. That happened. Of course that would happen. 

 

I'm hoping to try a Pilates Matwork class and maybe a Boot Camp class too.

 

 

Besides classes, I've also been treadmilling it up a lot. And, the elliptical has seen a little action too. Yep. Still as boring as ever.

 

I've hit the indoor track once so far and will definitely be back on that.

 

 



Oh! And a new love-- the rower. Ok, maybe LOVE isn't the right word. That thing is HARD! And kinda boring. But, it's infinitely more interesting than the elliptical and gives my legs a workout in a different kinda way and an arm workout, all with some quality panting-cardio. Love.

 

So, yes. I have been gym-ing. A lot. And I couldn't be happier. Oh, except with Bailey cries when I drop her off. BREAKS MY HEART. But, that's part of why I'm going. I realllllly want her to be OK with being with other people. Some days, she's 100% fine when I drop her. Others, screaming crying. Ugh. Either way, they tell me she's 100% fine within 2 minutes of me leaving. Rascal. Good thing she's so stinkin' cute.

 

But, anyway-- this is a danger situation. The while loving it thing. See, this gym membership is only TEMPORARY. Maybe. :)

 

 

Weekly Workout Recap: 11/2-11/8

Weekly Workout Recap: 11/2-11/8

 

Sunday, 11/2: None

Monday, 11/3: 3 TM miles (28:26)

Tuesday, 11/4: JMR30S, 50-minute Spinning Class, 2 TM miles (17:34)

Wednesday, 11/5: JM30S
Thursday, 11/6: 60 minutes elliptical

Friday, 11/7: 10 minutes elliptical, 2.5 miles TM (23:26)

Saturday, 11/8: None

Gym Membership!!

Guess who has run TWO DAYS in a row????

(And, pretty decently-OK runs at that! The 3-mile one I ran a 10:15 first mile, so I really picked it up miles 2 and 3. Plus, I ran that WITHOUT music because I forgot headphones. Clearly I'm outta practice. The 2-mile run I started slow, too, and just kept picking it up. It was just after a spinning class and my legs were jello. It was HARD and I was PANTING. But, I looooved it. Plus, I was rocking out o the new Taylor Swift. Pretty sure I was dancing and smiling the entire time while running. No shame.)

Waaaaaittt--- that looks an awful lot like a treadmill???? IT IS!!!!!!!!

Who would have ever thought I'd be so excited to GET to run on a treadmill!?!?! But, I am!!!! SO excited!!! TWO RUNS in TWO DAYS??? WAHOO!!! Of course, now my right quad is pretty pissed at me, but it's nothing a little lot of stretching and foam rolling won't fix.

 

So, hooooow am I treadmill running?? No, we didn't win the lottery and buy a treadmill. I did, however, get a gym membership!!! WAHOO!!!

 

OK, don't get too excited. It's a temporary one. My town is running a special to help people keep fit over the holidays and is offering a membership to EIGHT (!!) different local gyms from 11/2-12/31 for $25!! WHAAAT?!?! That's hella cheap. Well, obviously it didn't really matter at first because I have Bailey and can't really run on the treadmill with her just chilling next to me. (Side note: If you knew Bailey you'd know she doesn't just chill--- ever. LOL) Buuuut, one of the gyms -- the YMCA-- includes 2 hours of FREE childcare (while you're at the gym-- you don't even have to be working out-- you could be showering or just chilling in the lobby reading)!!!!!!!!!!! WHAAAAAAT?!?!? Sign. Me. Up. Seriously. I was probably the first person to buy their pass.

 

So, I bought it (DUH!) and we've already gone twice. Bailey's done really well in the childcare.

A completely unrelated pic of Bailey because I'm obsessed with my kid and can't do a post without a picture of her. Duh.

 

 

 

She LOVES to play with other babies and while I obviously LOVE to workout and go to group classes (I've already done a spinning class!!), another BIG reason I jumped at this was to give B some time AWAY from me. Maybe that sounds dumb, but she and I spend pretty much every single moment she's awake together. I think it's really important for HER to learn and figure things out and just be without me attached to her hip. Or ya know-- without her attached to my hip, I suppose.

 

Anyway- I'm in love. The gym is awesome. Big! Clean! Did I mention the FREE childcare??? Love. It's crowded. I've already bumped into 5 different people I know in a cumulative 2.5 hours I've spent there. But, I don't mind a crowd. If anything, more people give me more energy and push me harder. So, I'm REALLY digging it. Unfortunately, a regular membership to the gym is pretty pricey, so I don't think we'll be able to continue it after the end of December... but, we'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed at least a few more months will be my Christmas present (wink, wink, Hubs)! :)

 

Get ready for some more workout related posts coming your way soon. :) :) :)

Favorite "Home" Workouts

Since having Bailey, my life has changed pretty darn dramatically. Someone else's needs are  without a doubt more important than mine. Long gone are the days of anything more than 6-hours of consecutive sleep. I don't even remember what sleeping past 6:30am feels like, let alone staying up past 10pm. The TV is rarely on these days and my Pandora station is Einstein Kids instead of Eminem (ok, it was never Eminem, but I thought you'd make fun of me if I said Britney Spears or Taylor Swift). Our living room looks like a toy store and I spend more time nursing in a day than I do on almost anything else. 

And, I wouldn't have it any other way. My life is 1000000% better today than it was pre-Bailey. I wouldn't trade it for a single thing. 

Buuuut, that doesn't mean it isn't different. And different isn't always easy. 

One big way my life has changed is my workouts. I simply cannot leave for a 3+ hour run right now. Baby's gotta eat and I'm her 24/7 cafeteria. Even though I pump and the hubs could give her a bottle, by 3 hours, I'd be so engorged and uncomfortable I could barely walk, let alone run. I also no longer work, which means no guaranteed lunch hour workouts. Runches, I miss you. And, since we've moved, we don't belong to a gym which means the elliptical is nothing but a distant memory. 

But, that doesn't mean I can't workout. It's just had to change. 1 small change among many lately. So, my workouts now look different. They look a lot more similar to what they did when I was on maternity leave, though I think the intensity is greater now and there are a LOOOOOT more walks. I love home workout DVDs. I also HATE home workout DVDs. They can be SOOOO hit or miss. And, I've tried about a million. Please tell me I'm not the only person who has bought a workout DVD because it looks good only to find that it was the worst $10 you ever spent because you can't watch the stupid DVD without wanting to punch the annoying lady in the face. Yeaaaaaah. Anyway-- to save you the trouble of trying to sift through the gazillion options to find a good one (& because this girl suggested I cover this topic), I thought I'd tell you my 4 favorite home workouts...

Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred
Pros:
-GOOD, solid workout. This shit will make you sore. Or at least, it makes me sore. This workout is no joke.
-It's only 20 minutes. Quick and hardcore.
-Varied level of difficulty so good for a beginner or someone more experienced
-All the equipment you need is hand weights

Cons:
-Leaves you sore! LOL. I just mean, it's difficult to do numerous days in a row because you will get sore.
-Can get repetitive after you've done it a gazillion times (though, at least there are 3 different levels, which mixes it up a lot better).
-Lots of jumping, which in a second floor apartment is kinda tough.
-You need a decent amount. Not a ton, but more than some of the others.


8-Minute Abs and 8-Minute Arms
Pros:
-Quick! Who doesn't have 8 minutes? Or 16 if you do both? And it's really hard to talk yourself out of a workout when it's only 16 minutes. You've got 16 minutes. I promise.
-Easy moves & beginner (& advanced level) friendly. It's not "hard" per say. It's effective, but isn't going to make you not be able to move the next day.
-Hello. The classic 80s workout attire. Love, love, love. If nothing else, it's entertaining.
-Almost no space needed.
-No equipment except hand weights needed.

Cons:
-Not the most intense workout.
-Repetitive after you've done is 987482 times. I can quote the entire thing like it's Wedding Crashers.
-LAME music.


Nike Training Club

Pros:
-Easy to access, as it's right on my phone.
-Easy to vary (if you know what you're doing) to customize for you.
-Some of them (like the legs) don't need any equipment.
-They have videos to show you the moves if you don't know how to do one.
-You get to listen to your own music!

Cons:
-Some of the moves require a lot of space, which my apartment doesn't really provide. Plus, it's a TON of jumping and living on the 2nd floor, I don't really like to do all that much (you're welcome, downstairs neighbor).


Walks

Pros:
-Relaxing! And fresh air! And sun! Who doesn't love a walk?!? -Easy to do anywhere there's a sidewalk and don't need any equipment.


Cons:
-When it's just Bailey and I and we're out for a solid 1.5 hours, it can get a bit boring. I admit it.

Weekly Workout Recap: 5/4-5/10

Weekly Workout Recap: 5/4-5/10

Sunday, 5/4: 3.25 mile run
Monday, 5/5: Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred, Level 1 & 2 mile walk
Tuesday, 5/6: 8-Minue Abs and 8-Minute Arms & 4 mile walk
Wednesday, 5/7: None
Thursday, 5/8: Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred, Level 1 & 4.5 mile walk
Friday, 5/9: None
Saturday, 5/10: 3 mile run


Now that I'm back to being a (temporary) Stay-at-Home-Mom (SAHM), my workouts look much, much different than while I was working out of the house. For a while, I was getting pretty solid mid-day runs in during my lunch hour and then there was a solid 3-week stretch (ya know, while I was single mom-ing it) of no workouts at all. Now, I feel like I'm falling somewhere in the middle. Going to the gym is not an option at all right now, as there's no time and we don't even have a membership. I'm back to working out more days than not, which is great. I'm not running as much as I'd like because it's just not really feasible right now, but hopefully after I get the all-clear from B's doctor I can start running with her in the jogging stroller we just bought for $60 off craigslist! Either way, I'm glad to be sweating a little more these days and am LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOVING me and Bailey's walks together. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Return to Speedwork

Today, Yasso 800's returned to my life.

1 mile warm up on indoor track.

800 on treadmill in 4:30.

1/2 mile recovery on indoor track.

800 on treadmill in 4:20.

1/2 mile recovery on indoor track.

800 on treadmill in 4:10.

1/2 mile recovery on indoor track.

800 on treadmill in 3:59.

1/2 mile recovery on indoor track.

5 miles. Hurt so good. And so bad. Wowza. Getting back in "shape" (if you could call what I was before "in shape") blows. A lot.

I admit it: I kinda hate being so much slower than I was before. I've never, ever been FAST and I never will be. I'm OK with that. I'm not Boston material. That's OK. But, I could hold a upper 8:something pace decently easy before I got pregnant. Now... a 9:00 mile is like a SPRINT. I was PANTING embarrassingly loud during those 800's. Like, REALLY, REALLY loud. If I was running next to someone breathing as heavy as I was I would have been worried about them. I hated being passed on the track by people (even if I was running slow on purpose for recovery). I felt judged by people. In my head, they're thinking "Oh my goodness! What is that girl doing? Why bother running if you're running that slow. I mean. It's not even running. It's hardly even jogging. And, LISTEN to how out of breath she is! Is she even OK? Should we call someone?" Of course, I KNOW (somewhere in my head) this is crazy talk and no one even notices me, just like I don't notice anyone else's workout. Still. I hate that a workout that used to be FUN and, while hard, not OMG-I'M-DYING hard.

But.

But, I didn't give up. I didn't stop. I pushed. HARD. I pushed out of my comfort zone. I pushed harder than I thought I could go.

And for that, I'm proud and enjoying a nice runner's high.

And, M&M's.

I'm enjoying a runner's high and M&M's. That's about right.

To quit or not to quit???

Guys. I need help. Maybe by the end of this someone can just tell me what to do? That'll be great. Thanks.

So, I can't make decisions. Like, about anything right now. The Hubs pretty much always picks where we go for dinner when we go out, what movies to see at the theater or from RedBox (though usually, I go through and say- Ok, I'd see one of these 4 and he picks from there). The other night I could not decide what I wanted for dinner and ended up having mac and cheese and min-chicken wontons just because I couldn't decide between the two. Yes, I am weird. Lately, I've had a hard time even deciding what to wear in the mornings. Don't even get me started on Baby T's name. Woah. I can't even think about that decision without getting heart palpitations. Seriously.

Ok, so you get it. I suck at making decisions lately.

Well, I have a decision to make. You knew that was coming, right?

I currently belong to two gyms. Yes, I know that's more than a little ridiculous. Yes, it drives the Hubs a lil' crazy.

Gym 1 is the gym at work. I work at a university, which obviously has a gym for the students. Well, they let us old folk (aka: staff and faculty) use it too. It's not HUGE, but has the basics-- ellipticals weights, treadmills, etc. It costs $10/month for me to use it. AKA = CHEAP.

Gym 1's Cardio area... see-- lots's of treadmills and there's a bunch of elliptical's you can't see behind the TM's

Gym 2 is a private gym. It's a pretty good facility with lots of cardio machines, great group classes (though all my favorite teachers have recently quit). It's PRICEY, at about $45/month.

Gym 2's group exercise room, all set up for Signature Strength

I never thought about giving up Gym 2, because I LOVE group classes and Gym 1's group classes were an additional $2/class. Way back when, I was going to 4 classes a week MINIMUM. That's an extra $8/week, which would have added an extra $32/month. For that, I could go to gym 2, which had a higher quality of group classes anyway. Easy decision.

Well, of COURSE gym 1 would throw a curve ball at me, in email form...

An unlimited pass changes a LOT. Especially when just $60/year! That would make Gym 1 just $15/month, while Gym 2 is still $45/month. That's $360/year difference. That's SIGNIFICANT in my book.

So, what to do??? Do I quit gym 2 and get the pass for gym 1??? I'm TORN.

Here's some pro's/con's (because that's how I roll):

Pro's on Gym 1:
-it has an indoor track, which is WAAAAY better than a treadmill. Gym 2 doesn't have an indoor track. 

-it has WiFi, so I can watch Netflix Instant on my iPad. Gym 2 has personal TV's at each cardio machine, but I can only connect to their shotty WiFi at ONE treadmill. And, their TV's kinda suck, only 1/2 work and they only get like 3 stations.
-it's at work, so it's SO easy to get a quick workout in at lunch. Plus, I don't have to travel to/from, as I'm already there.
-CHEAP!!! WAY cheaper than gym 2.
-Gym1 now offers group classes M-Th at 5:30pm, so I could go straight from work. They have a nice mix of classes too.
-It's a little closer to home than gym 2, so I'd save on gas on days I do specially drive just to go to the gym!

Con's of Gym 1:
-their hours aren't great (M-Fri: 6:30am to 8pm-ish, Sat: 9am to 1pm-ish, Sun: ?? Over the summer it's CLOSED). Like I said, it's a small school, so the hours reflect their need, which is different than a lot of school gyms. There'd be no more morning workouts, which would be WAY different, even though lately I'm not getting too many morning workouts in anyway.
-no "community" feel. Gym 1 has a GREAT group of people who go pretty much every morning. They're like my gym family. I'd REALLY miss them.
-quality of group classes not as high as gym 2. I went to a few group classes at gym 1 before joining gym 2, and I never got as good of a workout from gym 1's classes. Now, right now (all preggo and all) that'd be OK.
-it's at work, so sometimes I see students when changing and that can get awkward (just being honest)

Another factor to consider... I can't suspend my Gym 2 membership when I have Baby T. While I hope to workout up to birth basically, if I can't and/or after delivery when I'm on doctor's orders to not workout for several weeks, I can't get a temp leave pass and not pay. I can at Gym 1, as it's a by-month membership (though the $60 yearly pass will still be active and I can't get a prorated rate or anything on that).

And another... Gym 1 doesn't offer childcare options at all. Gym 2 does... but, at an ADDITIONAL fee and with REALLY crummy hours that I likely wouldn't be able to utilize anyway. So, post-baby I was planning on dropping Gym 2 anyway and likely getting a YMCA membership, which is about the same money, but has child care included.

So, someone tell me what to do, ok?? Right now, I'm leaning pretty heavily toward dropping gym 2. Right now, I'm averaging getting to gym 2 about 3 times/week. I get to gym 1 about 5 times/week, but could easily increase that to 6 if I went on the weekend instead of going to gym 2. It just seems like the most logical thing to do... but, I can't decide!!!!! I have no idea what's stopping me from just doing it. Oh. Yeah I do. I SUCK AT MAKING DECISIONS.

So... who's gonna tell me what to do??? You?? :)

Walk and Run

Last night after work Sadie and I went out for a walk. It was simply too beautiful outside to not go for a walk.

Seriously-- 75* and sunny with a light breeze... come on, now. Not going for a walk would've been a crime.

Anyway-- on said walk, Sadie was quite the little drama queen. Girl pooped FOUR times. We only did 3 miles. WTF, Sadie?!? That OVER 1 bathroom break per mile. I can't even tell you how many times she peed. Too many to count. Girl loves marking her territory.

(Bet you didn't know you were going to get to read about dog poop today, did you?? LUCKY DUCK!!)

Anyway- while we're talking about weird shit Sadie does (haha... get it... shit... haha), she is SO good with other dogs when we take her to a dog park, but she gets SO growly at other dogs when we're on walks. She'll bark and growl at almost every dog we pass. EMBARRASSING! She sounds like a mean dog and she's not!!! I promise!!! She's so sweet and loving! I think it's something about being on her leash and not being able to get to the other dog and sniff them. Told you, she does some weird shit.

(Yes, the Hubs and I are those people that spend this long talking about our dog. We're those people.)

At the end of our walk, Sadie and I went up this gigantic hill I very intentionally skip on every one of my long runs and, til yesterday, every one of our walks.

Ok, it may not look like much-- but trust me, it's brutal. Turns out walking up it, not as hard as running up it. Maybe I should stop skipping it on walks. Does walking up a hill give you the same leg muscle workout as running up a hill????

In non-dog walking and hill news, guess who hasn't gotten up to workout in the morning the past 2 mornings? THIS KID. I did get up Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday were busts. Wah, wah. Just wasn't happening. However, I did give myself enough time both mornings to do 8-Minute Arms.

I also did it Monday after work. That's right-- I'm 3 for 3 already this week! +1 for me!!

So, while I didn't get up and go to the gym in the morning, I did go to the gym at lunch today and manage to get 5 miles in, even though it was crazy hot inside. I love this nicer weather, but the gym is gonna need to turn the AC on like NOW. It's way too warm outside to have nothing on. Makes treadmill sessions feel like sauna sessions. Not fun. I legit had sweat dripping off my face and legs and arms. My co-workers were THRILLED when I got back. :)

Weather's GORGEOUS again, so can't wait to get home tonight and take Sadie for another walk. Hopefully this time her bowel movements are a bit less movin'. (Yes, I went there.)

Snow and a Funk

I mean... how is it still snowing?!?! Seriously. It's APRIL.

 

 

Whatever. I know this happens every year, but I am OVER it. Come on, Mother Nature! Work with me!!

 

Anyway, while I would LOVE to blame Mother Nature on my kinda MEH attitude about the gym this week... I can't. It's 100% me. I just feel MEH. I can't blame weather or over training or being busy... though I have been busy and the weather has been a bitch. Really, I just haven't been FEELING it this week. Hopefully just a phase? I'm gonna try to kick myself in the booty and get over to the gym for a good ol' fashion runch today. We'll see how that goes.

 

(source)

 

 

So true. It always seems like SUCH a bigger deal before you actually start doing it than it does when you're actually doing it.

 

I've been trying to figure out where this funk is coming from and I'm kinda at a loss. Maybe it was just time for a funk. Who knows.

 

So, I'm telling myself to suck it up a little and get out there. I'm not gonna tell myself it has to be fast. Not even gonna tell myself it has to be X number of miles. I'm just gonna go. Hopefully I'll last 10 minutes. Then, maybe 20. 30. 40. 50. We'll see.

 

First, I just have to GO. Like, now. Annnny second now I'll get up and head over to the gym.  

(source)

 

Ok, ok. I hear you. I'm going.

Dog Poop and Cereal

It's Spring Break on the college campus I work for this week. Which doesn't really mean much of anything to me, as I don't get the week off or anything. The week before a break sucks because all the students are like "So, what are YOU doing for XX Break??" and I have to be all like "Errr... I mean, I work. I don't get the week off like you do. Now excuse me while I stab my eyes out with this plastic spoon (That I was using to eat DCPBD straight out of the jar from. Don't judge.)." It's fun.

Anyway, because it's Spring Break, it's kinda an odd week around these parts. Campus looks and feels an awful lot like this all day this week...

 

EMPTY. Like, deadzone empty.

 

So, then WHY does the gym on campus look like this each time I've gone this week??

 

That's more people than are usually there when school's in session! WTF?!?! There was only ONE treadmill open yesterday. ONE. And, it wasn't MY treadmill (don't pretend like you don't have a personal favorite treadmill too). BLEAH.

 

Luckily, it cleared out a bit and I was about to do a random indoor track/TM workout. I like bouncing back and forth from the track to the mill for a few reasons...

 

1. BOREDOM. It really helps the workout fly by when you're only focusing on small time segments and not "OMG I HAVE 6 MORE MILES, KILL ME NOW".

(source)

Me too.

 

 

 

2. It makes it MUCH easier to keep track of distance. 1/2 mile on TM, 4 laps on track. That's 1 mile done. Easy peasy. Now, REPEAT. Anything to take the thinking out of running I'm all for.

 (source)

 

 

3. I know the indoor track isn't the same as running outside and it's still 100% flat, but I feel like it's a smidge better than the treadmill. So, it's nice to get a little of both.

(source)

Haha. Clearly not related at all, but SO TRUE. 

 

 

So, anyway-- I dig the treadmill/track bounce back. So yesterday I did 3 miles on the track, 1.5 miles on the TM fast, .5 miles on the track recovery, 1 mile on the TM fast, .5 miles on the track recovery. Time flew by. I was GOING to do 10 minutes on the stair stepper beast that keeps kicking my ass, but there's only ONE in the whole gym and someone was on it. Rude.

 

The rest of the day was spent catching up on work. After I got home I took Sadie for a 2.5 mile walk, in the middle of which she decided it'd be fun to roll around in DOG SHIT. Not even her dog shit. Some other random dogs shit. It got ALL OVER her. Dumb dog. Love her, but damn! So, after we got home we had to do an emergency bath. Poor Sadie is petrified of baths. She stands perfectly, 100% still the whole time and just looks like she's being tortured. Poor girl. Breaks my heart every time, but it was unavoidable yesterday. The shit had to go.

 

By the time the walk and the emergency bath was over I was in NO mood to do anything remotely fancy for dinner, especially since the Hubs was working late so it was just me. Like, even microwaving something seemed too complicated. Enter-- cereal to the rescue.

 

Peanut Butter Puffins. Done and done.