Fitness Opportunity / Time for a Change...

Friday, March 11, 2011

It's a two-fer! WooHoo!

Fitness Opportunity...
Today is my Friday off, so we took advantage of that fact, by going to the gym and doing our first ActivTrax workout to get started. I got curious how far the gym is from our home, so I used SP's Map Route app to see what I could see. As it turns out, the gym is 1.5 miles away, and the route is simple, easy, and low-traffic! Awesome! We can walk to the gym and get in a quick'n'easy cardio warm-up before we even step foot in the place!

That's exactly what we did. It was mostly sunny, and not too cool/breezy, so the walk was really nice. We got to the gym and printed out our workouts. Bill's was supposed to be 19 minutes and mine was 13 minutes. We worked with each other, going back and forth between our 'tasks' and learning as we went. Pretty much each exercise that involved a machine was for a weight that seemed too light, so the next session should increase at least a little bit. I got in plenty of various crunches, which is good because I DO need to work on my core more than anything.

I'm hoping that by committing and putting more effort into ST and weights that it will help where I've been lacking and help with releasing more pounds. I've seen 224 and 225 this week, so I'm hoping I can hang in and not blow it tonight before my weigh-in tomorrow. I'm looking forward to our next gym session, which should be Monday. Unless we opt to go back tomorrow after my Galloway group run. We'll see.

Speaking of which.. I signed up for the half-marathon training group. Even if I don't manage to do a half marathon, I think the training will be exactly what I'm looking for. We meet at Foot Traffic downtown tomorrow for an easy 2.75 mi run along the waterfront. Yay! I'm still iffy about only running 30 minutes vs. running distance, twice a week, but I'm still going to keep at it, at least for now.


This evening, I'm going for a haircut! I purchased a Groupon for half-off services at Sparkle Beauty Bar on Fremont. I've been thinking about finding a new stylist/salon for a while now. I really like my lady, but she usually didn't know how to fix my hair to look good after a haircut, etc., so I'm trying something new.

My plan is to go from this:

Me, at work, just yesterday!

To something like this!

That's me from June 2008.

I don't know, I like my longer hair. It's actually been longer in the past, but with summer coming, I'm thinking it would make sense to have something a little easier to style and handle. I'd love to have hair that I could simply wash, tousle with a dab of product, and let it airdry but I'm not that fortunate. I have just enough curl/frizz to my hair that if I don't do a little something with it, it just goes every-which-way.

And yes! The pic from yesterday is a great example of what Ms Clairol Dark Auburn color can do for a grayhead. Heh. I like it, but sometimes I wish I hadn't colored it, and/or didn't need to keep it up. I can't give up and bear the shameful stripe of gray that would quickly show up at my roots, so I either embrace color for many years to come, or go for stripping the color out comletely and seeing how I like that. Hmmm.... Not this time, though. I'll stick with Auburn for a while.

I'll take a pic or two when I'm back and all styled up to let you see how it turns out!

C~

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Chatty Cathy...

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

I know, I know - it's either feast or famine wiht me - lots of blogs, or none for weeks LOL Bear with me.

I work in IT - computers, software, hardware, technology. I read an article this morning at Tech Republic that states some of the best leaders are introverts.

I'm an introvert.
"They think first, talk later (In other words, they think before they speak.)
They focus on depth. They are drawn to meaningful conversations, not superficial chitchat, and they know how to ask great questions and really listen to the answers.
They exude calm. In times of crisis, they project a reassuring, calm confidence
[!!! OhYea!]They prefer writing to talking. This comfort with the written word often helps them better articulate their positions and document their actions.
They embrace solitude. The need to get away from people and recharge actually fuels their thinking, creativity and decision-making and, when the pressure is on, helps them be responsive, not reactive."
Source -
tinyurl.com/4ad3ezm

I think I for too long have confused and confounded being an introvert and being shy. They are not necessarily interchangeable.

My 10 lbs - 10 weeks team has a challenge this week of connecting with people - make a date with friends, interact with others socially, etc. A month ago, a year ago, I'd have balked or made some lame excuse not to try. Now, I find I'm seeking out opportunities. The running group - I know four people's names so far, and I've chatted a bit with other folks - normally not like me at all. The gym, and Zumba - you couldn't have PAID me to go do something like that by myself.

I'll continue to be an introvert - I do need my centered quiet time to recharge and regroup. I'm going to have to give up the 'shy' bit though. Shy should be replaced 'lacking self-confidence'. Shy should no longer be used as an excuse. Shy is simply going right out the window.

Maybe it's because I'm older. Maybe it's because I've released nearly 60 lbs now. Maybe it's because I can't be bothered to give a flying fig what someone thinks of me now. Maybe it's because I'm finally getting out of my own way and finding a spot in the world to stand firmly and say

"This is me - take me or leave me, your choice. I am awesome, and I am not going anywhere!"


You all have helped me make this stand and find my voice - not just here with words, but out amongst people and places in the real world. I am grateful!

C~

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Not bad for a Monday...

Monday, March 07, 2011

This, I like!


That's pretty darned good!

I got home a little while ago from my first Zumba class at the gym. I went by myself, knowing no one. I wondered, on the drive to the gym, who had taken over my body and what had happened to the old/real me! LOL I guess I'm the new improved me.

I'll take it!

Tomorrow, I run. Wednesday, we do our ActiveTrax eval, then Zumba. Then Thursday I run, and Friday is a free-for-all. I'm off that day, so I think for sure we'll hit the gym and see what other mischief we can get into LOL

It wasn't a spectacular Monday, but it WAS a good day. I like good days. I'll take more of them, please and thank you!


C~

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Looking forward...

Saturday, March 05, 2011

I firmly believe we must look back, not to dwell on the past, but to learn from it, so we can move forward. So, here's my look back, so I can look forward again.

Last week I did crap-all for fitness and ate far beyond a reasonable range. I ran on Wednesday, then again today. That's it. I ended up at the mid-to-upper range of my calories, which would have been fine, had I been actually burning any calories, but I wasn't. Even with reasonable differentials, I still gained a bit over 1 pound.

There. It's said and done, and I'm moving on.

I have my menu planned out for the coming week, as well as the corresponding grocery list. I did not do this last week. I did it the week prior, and had great success. I'm learning.

I had the Galloway group run today. We did an easy 2.5 along the Springwater Corridor, which was nice - I'd never been before. I ran with different people this time and found myself in the middle pack, which was pretty awesome. Kathy was the sweeper, bringing the last runners along, so we had a silly high-five at the turn-around as we passed. Super sweet lady.

We're doing one more 'free' run, next weekend, along the Riverwalk. I'm still super stoked about this group and will for-sure be signing up. It's a training group for half/marathon, but of course you don't HAVE to run a half/marathon. The seed has been planted though. The Portland Marathon is in October, but the half is already full. The Seattle Rock'n'Roll half/marathon is in November, so that might be something to work toward.

I was content to work on running 10Ks this year, with the first coming up the first weekend of April. We'll be in Texas at that time, though, so I'll be transferring my registration to daughter Courtney, and we'll do the same with Bill's 5K registration, transferring it to her S.O. Steve.

Anyway, back to the group. Aaron (the leader) did a question/answer period after the run. Someone asked about the weekly training schedule. He said basically Tuedays and Thursdays, run for 30 minutes, and Saturdays we'd do the long runs. That was surprising to me, and made me a little fidgety. I'm used to working up toward increasing my distance, when I'm actually running! and lately I'd been doing 4, 4.5, and 5 miles. 30 minutes would only be 2 miles or thereabouts. I suppose it would be good to focus on drills for speed, etc. instead of just plodding along to make mileage.

Any runners out there, who run with groups/training plans - what are your weekly running schedules like?

Another thing Aaron offered was that Jeff Galloway would be in town the first weekend of April, and the group will be running with him on April 3. Again, I'll be out of town that weekend, so I'll miss it. In a way, that's good, because I won't have to choose between running my first 10K and running with Jeff Galloway LOL

We're leaving for Texas on March 25. I'll have to do my final weigh-in for my Spring 10 week challenge a day early. I'm close to making my 10 lb release goal - well, I was closer until I gained this week, but I know I can def do it by the end.

The week and a half in Texas will be challenging. We'll be staying at Katie's house (SIL) the first week in Houston. Then we're going to Dallas for 3 days for time with my sister and her family. I haven't seen them for 5 years, so it'll be nice to see them again. They're moving at that time, so we'll be in a hotel for the few nights we're there. Portion control MUST be the name of the game, and making the healthiest choices I can. I'll also have to figure a way to get my running in, and some kind of other fitness. I can't let being away from home totally derail me.

I'll likely turn off email from Spark during this time. We'll take the laptop, and I'll have my Crackberry, but I don't begin to imagine I'll be able to keep up at that time. I have three weeks, though, for a good strong finish to my challenge and making headway before I go.

I think that's everything. All week long I'd have a thought, think about jotting it down, but then get distracted before I could.

Here's to getting back on track and kicking big bootay this week!
RAWWR!

C~

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Conquering Fears...

Saturday, February 26, 2011

When I first started my Spark journey, my intro on my Spark Page stated that I wasn't usually one to share much about myself. Considering we've discussed my backfield being in motion (or not, as the case may be!) I'd say I've gotten beyond that.

I like to say that I'm shy by nature. I'm also lacking in self-confidence. I'm uncomfortable in new situations. I'm awkward when meeting new people. I get tongue tied and blather on inanely. I built a wall around myself with my fat and kept the word away. Without being conscious of it, I had built a safe cocoon.

Now, it feels like a straight jacket, and I want out.

I overcame a fear this morning, and it resulted in something that still has me jazzed.

I blogged not long ago about being lonely and wondering if I'd ever find someone to run with. Karen42Boys pointed out, astutely, that if I really want someone to run with, I'm going to have to go out and find them.

What? You mean a running partner isn't going to come to my house and stand next to me, running in place, in my basement, while I'm on the treadmill? Pfft, what's the point then??

Not long after reading Karen's brilliant comment (why hadn't that occurred to me before, I can't say) I read in a newsletter that the Galloway training group would be having three free runs, the first being this Saturday at the Foot Traffic Race Event Expo.

What? A running group comprised of people who use the run/walk/run method in races, from 5Ks to Marathons? Dude, I'm SO totally there!

Only, it was 18 degrees this morning, and not likely to warm up above 35 before 9:30 a.m. I've never run in that kind of cold. 32-35 has been the coldest so far. I have layers. I have the right clothing. I have the right shoes.

I also have fears of putting myself out there in a brand new situation with people I don't know. What if no one talks to me? What if I get left behind? What if I'm too slow? What if they tell me I can't go back? What if they tell me I should stick to walking? What if, what if, WHAT IF????

What if I don't go? I'll regret it.
What if I don't go, and don't find out when the next free runs are? I'll regret it.
What if I don't go, stick to running by myself, and lose my Spark, my need to conquer the fat and fear and doubt? I'll regret it.

I do NOT regret it. I went.

I went, and there were a TON of people in the little store, in the tent outside, milling in and out, dressed in running gear, street clothes, all manner of people. Some people were just getting back from a run. No one noticed me, which was a good thing. There was no pointing and snickering behind hands (as if, I really need to get a grip, don't I?) One gentleman, manning a table in the outside tent, spoke and smiled, asking how I was holding up in the cold. A simple kindness that meant a lot.

So I milled around inside, eavesdropping (I can't speak to someone I don't know first, let's not push the boundaries of sanity here!) and heard people talking about run/walk/run, and stalked them after that, until they moved outside.

I followed the group, and there were about 20 people or so. They explained the route, the interval of 1 min run/1 min walk, and we set off. I put myself at the back of the pack, as per usual, and ran behind a pair of young ladies. The gap between us and the main group grew, until I was dogging the girls' heels a bit too much and managed to weave my way past. I was on my own then, between the main pack and the slow pack. There was a coach at the front of the run, and another coach at the back of the run, so no one would get left behind.

I set my timer, and ran my intervals, and noticed a lady in the back of the front pack drop back behind and slow down. I caught up with her, and we started talking and walking and running together.

It was Katherine, THE Kathy from the Hood to Coast movie. Dude, I got to run/walk/run with her! Seriously, this amazing woman who has run marathons and Hood to Coast and died at Myst and was revived and survived and kept on going after her recovery - this is the woman I met and talked with and laughed with and RAN with.

The route was 2.2 miles. I mapped it on my Fitness tracker. Today is supposed to be my 5 mile run day. I would not trade a solitary continuous 5 mile run for that amazing 2.2 mile group run and another 2.8 mile run later today. Not for anything.

The next Galloway run is next Saturday, meeting up at OMSI. I think it'll be warmer then LOL I hope. Doesn't matter though. Nothing short of a medical emergency will keep me away. I'm there. I'm SO there it's ridiculous.

What was I so scared of? Right now, I couldn't tell you. I've found my running family - yes, Kathy and I were the last runners to make it back to Foot Traffic. That's ok - we agreed we'll run together next week, and I can't wait.

C~

***Edited to add***
For those of you not familiar with Hood to Coast and my love-bordering-on-obsession with the event and movie, here's a link to the movie's trailer.
www.hoodtocoastmovie.com/

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