Days 198 & 199

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Yesterday I ended up getting in a quick one mile walk. Work sent out an email that one of the evening pharmacists called in sick. I volunteered to fill the shift, so I hurried and got ready.

Today's workout was 30 minutes on the elliptical. Last night's shift went until 12 midnight, so I got to bed late with the commute and all. After sleeping in and swim team practice, it was too hot to exercise outside. I also wanted to give my shins and calves a break, since they don't like me anymore. I did get a good stretching session in afterward, and I did some shin exercises. We'll see if that helps.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KPETSCH 6/14/2012 10:20PM

Great job, Chris. I'm sure it was hot sitting at swim team practices - the elliptical works well. Any big plans for day 200? Doesn't it seem like you just started the streak? Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSICMOMOF2 6/14/2012 8:54PM

Way to keep the streak going! You are doing awesome!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSOLF6 6/14/2012 8:05PM

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ELISADENK 6/14/2012 7:57PM

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SIBLEYHONEYBEE 6/14/2012 6:52PM

Great Job keeping your streak alive even with your extremely busy schedule! Tomorrow is day 200! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

Days 196 & 197-Swim Team Update

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Monday and Tuesday were painful days for my workouts. My shins and calves were acting up Monday, so I only jogged one mile and walked a half mile. Tuesday my calves were ok, but my shins were acting up, but I managed two miles jogging and half a mile walking. I believe I've isolated the problems:

1. I need to stretch more. I have to get in the habit of stretching both before and after, especially my calves.
2. I need to make sure I have the correct salt for my home made "gatorade." I like the Lite Salt. It has a lot of potassium in it and also has some calcium and magnesium. I supplement with potassium tablets also, but I get a lot more when I use the salt. (My adrenal fatigue/hypothyroidism makes my body waste sodium/potassium so my muscles will cramp up or get twitchy if I don't add these to my diet.)

Ironically, it looks rainy today, which forces my workout inside. I'm due for some weights. That's probably a good idea.

Swim team update: The kids did great at their first swim meet. Stevie (10) swam individual medley (1st place), team medley-breast (1st place), 25 M freestyle (1st place), 25 M breast stroke (1st place), team freestyle relay (1st place). Mary (12) swam team medley-butterfly, 50 M freestyle, 50 M breast stroke, team freestyle relay. Patrick (14) swam team medley-backstroke (15-18 age group), 50 M backstroke, 50 M freestyle, team freestyle relay (15-18 age group). Mikey (15) swam team medley-freestyle, 50 M freestyle, 50 M backstroke, 100 M freestyle, team freestyle relay. Mikey and Patrick were on the same relay teams since the coach had two extra 15-18 y/o boys and only two 13-14 y/o boys. She bumped Patrick and another boy up an age group, and in the freestyle relay they almost took second. I was a timer and it was fun seeing all the teenage boys cheer each other on. Much of the action was in my lane. So far, I've only gotten Stevie's ribbons. I'm proud of all my kids. They swam their hearts out!

Another swim team update: Bridget (6) has had trouble making it across the pool without touching the sides. Yesterday she was able to make it down and back with fins. She said to me after practice, "Mom, the reason I couldn't do it before was because I didn't BELIEVE in myself. I can do it now, without fins." I'm very proud of her and thankful to her siblings and her friends for coaching her while she was swimming. If she makes it across this week without fins, she can be in the next meet.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JAMARIEHICKEY 6/13/2012 9:50PM

Congrats to all your swimmers!! That's awesome! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUE42DOWN 6/13/2012 2:21PM

I've learned to really love stretching and making it the end-off to my workouts every time. The difference in the kind of sore and the success not being seriously injured makes it worth it, but just the feeling of being all limber and relaxed and "done" for the day is awesome. Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSOLF6 6/13/2012 1:20PM

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MUSICMOMOF2 6/13/2012 12:20PM

Go for the strength training! Woo hoo! Sounds like your kids are in a lot of events and that they did great! Have a great Wednesday! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIBLEYHONEYBEE 6/13/2012 11:19AM

Great job figuring out your problem AND how to fix it. I hope your legs feel a lot better over the next several days. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

THEEXERCISER 6/13/2012 10:40AM

Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 195-Music or No Music for your workouts?

Sunday, June 10, 2012

It is a beautiful, sunny morning here in western Iowa. It does feel like it's going to get hot later. I squeezed in a quick one mile walk before getting ready for church. My time was 18 minutes. I decided not to have my iPod with me. Sometimes it's just nice to walk in the quiet morning.

Do any of you ditch your music sometimes for your workouts?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MRFUZZ 6/11/2012 10:50PM

When I exercise indoors, I have to have my music...outside, I don't...I just enjoy being outside and aware of natures beauty, even if it's in my own neighborhood. Comment edited on: 6/11/2012 10:50:49 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

BRANDTSGIRL 6/11/2012 9:56AM

I'd agree with you it's quite warn in the state of IA. Hope you have a great Monday too:) Report Inappropriate Comment

LNSYLVSDOGS 6/10/2012 8:42PM

I don't own an iPod, but have thought about getting one. Not sure I would actually want one, tho. I walk with the dog and have been training her to walk nicely with me. I think the music would be distracting for me. Report Inappropriate Comment

SIBLEYHONEYBEE 6/10/2012 6:28PM

I do not listen to music while I exercise. I find that it helps me focus more on my body and form and muscle movement when I am not distracted with the song lyrics. I am much more aware of my surroundings when I am not listening to music as well. Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSICMOMOF2 6/10/2012 12:26PM

I have to have music! Of course, I always have music playing in the house. Have a great Sunday! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSOLF6 6/10/2012 11:53AM

I didn't want to walk this morning, but my dog had other ideas, so I walked my mile. It gave me the energy to do cardio on my Wii fit, too. Report Inappropriate Comment

HAZYSKIES 6/10/2012 10:45AM

I never listen to music when I exercise. I like to be be mindful of my body and the movements I am making. Music is too distracting. I enjoy exercising much more without the noise. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMFORSOPH 6/10/2012 9:53AM

Sometimes I find that if I don't have music, time goes by much slower and I get bored. For me, having the right playlist serves as a distraction, so I (almost) forget that I'm working out. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 194-Hiking with the family

Saturday, June 09, 2012

Hubby wanted this morning to be a celebration day for my birthday too. He and the kids made breakfast again. Then the kids and I played the Wii for a while. After that we went to Hitchcock Nature Center north of Crescent for our first family hike. We've never really gone hiking since we've always needed strollers. The twins are almost seven, so everyone held their own. We did a medium trail and hiked for 35 minutes. The views were spectacular! I can't believe we've lived in this area for twelve years and have never really explored Hitchcock. I highly recommend it!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KPETSCH 6/10/2012 3:21PM

Sounds like a blast, Chris. I'm sure you had a great time. Report Inappropriate Comment

ELISADENK 6/9/2012 10:56PM

How fun! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSICMOMOF2 6/9/2012 7:40PM

Sounds like a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

HSMOM2FOUR 6/9/2012 7:28PM

woo hoo!!! awesome job on being active and healthy as a family! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIBLEYHONEYBEE 6/9/2012 4:00PM

I'm glad you had a good celebration today. I love how active your family is. That is great! Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUE42DOWN 6/9/2012 2:25PM

Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun. Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 193-Happy Birthday to me!

Friday, June 08, 2012

My day started nice with breakfast in bed. It's my 44th birthday. Hubby and Patrick (14) brought me eggs and coffee at 7:40 this morning. I was kind of in and out of sleep anyway, but it was a little earlier than I had planned. Then I remembered that I have to be at work at noon. Getting up early really helped. I got my workout started at 9 am. I was able to do 2.5 miles total, 0.25 mile walk, 2 mile jog, 0.25 mile walk (with a short visit with a friend down the street who happened to be at her mailbox). My total time was 35 minutes, jogging miles: 13:12, 12:10. Those are two pretty fast miles for me. I really pushed on the second one. I figure if I'm doing the shorter distance, I should try to go faster.

The rest of my day will be at work. I'm kind of bummed. I hate spending my birthday at work. Hubby assures me we will celebrate next weekend. We kind of have to wait till then anyway. Our paychecks have ended up on the same cycle. I'm every other week, he's twice a month. I really hate the months where we are on the same cycle. It doesn't help either that we've had so much car trouble too.

On a happier note: I got my swim bottoms from Lands End yesterday. Good news: they are cute. Bad news: they don't fit, I have to try again. More good news: they were too big.


Yes, the jogging helps me make progress!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HSMOM2FOUR 6/9/2012 10:49AM

Happy birthday! I hope you had a fabulous day - even if it was lower key than you would've liked! Report Inappropriate Comment

KPETSCH 6/9/2012 12:01AM

Happy Birthday Chris! I ate a cupcake in your honor tonight and enjoyed it, too. See you Sunday at work. Great running times. Woohoo. Report Inappropriate Comment

KAYTIE22 6/8/2012 9:22PM

Have a great birthday weekend! Enjoy and have a great year! Report Inappropriate Comment

ELISADENK 6/8/2012 6:33PM

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MUSICMOMOF2 6/8/2012 5:04PM

Happy birthday Chris!! Sorry about having to work, but it sounds like your morning was pretty nice. Have a great weekend!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ALLISON145 6/8/2012 2:19PM

Happy Birthday!!! Bummer on work, but Yay for big pants! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIBLEYHONEYBEE 6/8/2012 11:56AM

Happy Birthday! I'm sorry you have to spend it at work. Maybe you can think of some inexpensive ways to celebrate like a family picnic or a family game. Of course, all I ever want to do for my birthday is the same as our wedding anniversary: get dolled up and have a night out with hubby. :) Maybe you could buy some special cuts of meat and watch a movie at home. We've done that before too! Whatever you do I know you will be surrounded by those who LOVE YOU and that's what really matters. :) ~Melissa Report Inappropriate Comment

THENEWMANDA 6/8/2012 11:54AM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Today is my mom's birthday too. Glad it's been special for you. Spending your bday at work is never fun though. Congrats on your time. I just can't wait til I can jog for a mile straight, I will be SO happy! Keep up the good work. Report Inappropriate Comment