12.03.2009



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The problem with treadmill running at the gym is that I have a lot less interesting stuff to report on. Today’s nuisance was a hefty twenty-something girl in a matching velour tracksuit talking on her cell phone while on the elliptical. If you can carry on a conversation, you’re not moving fast enough, sweetie. I switched over to my own music instead of the podcasts to fight off boredom. I kept the same intervals by watching the clock on the treadmill and even dialed it up to 6.5 mph in the last minute. The treadmill’s mileage count was 3.06, way off from my Nike+ chip’s count of 3.55. I’ll believe the chip, since it’s closest to my usual pace. Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:35 at the three-mile mark

The problem with treadmill running at the gym is that I have a lot less interesting stuff to report on. Today’s nuisance was a hefty twenty-something girl in a matching velour tracksuit talking on her cell phone while on the elliptical. If you can carry on a conversation, you’re not moving fast enough, sweetie.

I switched over to my own music instead of the podcasts to fight off boredom. I kept the same intervals by watching the clock on the treadmill and even dialed it up to 6.5 mph in the last minute. The treadmill’s mileage count was 3.06, way off from my Nike+ chip’s count of 3.55. I’ll believe the chip, since it’s closest to my usual pace.

Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:35 at the three-mile mark

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12.01.2009



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Well, I made it to the gym for the first time, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. It actually turned out to be quite amusing — three middle-aged women who had clearly never done a real workout in their life were bouncing from machine to machine every five minutes or so. One of them got on the Stairmaster and accidentally set it to full speed ahead, then started screaming to her friends for help because she couldn’t stay on it. I think one of the trio also managed to drop the weights on a strength machine, making a loud clang. The treadmill is boring, unfortunately. (But I did complete all of the intervals!) The TVs they have on each one won’t stay on unless I’ve got headphones plugged in, so I’m going to need to get myself another set of headphones to either use with my second iPod or with the TV. Because as much as I love the techno thing on these 5K to 8K podcasts, it’s not motivating enough. Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:35 at the three-mile mark

Well, I made it to the gym for the first time, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. It actually turned out to be quite amusing — three middle-aged women who had clearly never done a real workout in their life were bouncing from machine to machine every five minutes or so. One of them got on the Stairmaster and accidentally set it to full speed ahead, then started screaming to her friends for help because she couldn’t stay on it. I think one of the trio also managed to drop the weights on a strength machine, making a loud clang.

The treadmill is boring, unfortunately. (But I did complete all of the intervals!) The TVs they have on each one won’t stay on unless I’ve got headphones plugged in, so I’m going to need to get myself another set of headphones to either use with my second iPod or with the TV. Because as much as I love the techno thing on these 5K to 8K podcasts, it’s not motivating enough.

Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:35 at the three-mile mark

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11.26.2009



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portsmouth 5k turkey trot

There’s nothing like getting up at 6:45 am on Thanksgiving morning to run before stuffing your face — luckily, about 1,000 other people were right there with me. I ran the first-ever 5K Turkey Trot through the streets of downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.


Results
Chip Time: 36:07
Average Pace: 11:38 / mile
Overall Place: 724 of 872
Division Place: 63 of 74 in females 20-29

They used timing chips this race, but they didn’t have a starting mat, so my guess is my actual time is closer to 35:46. I noticed the people calling out the times at the mile markers were 21 seconds ahead of the time showing on my iPod, and I was at the back of the thousand-strong crowd when the gun went off.

It was a serene fall day by the Portsmouth waterfront, and it turned out to be 45 degrees, much warmer than I’d thought. I prepared for 35 with a hat and gloves and didn’t need any of that.


The race organizers held a costume contest before the gun went off, and there were some pretty ridiculous-looking people out there. In the picture below, you’ll note a bunch of appropriate Thanksgiving costumes — an Indian, pilgrim, a chef, turkeys — and a seriously misplaced Santa Claus. Freaking Christmas gets earlier every damn year.


If you ask me, my favorite was these hats:


I’m a bit conflicted about my time for this race. I ultimately ran faster than I have before, and that should be the most important thing, but I walked a lot more than I did in the previous race:


When I rounded the final corner, I really dialed up the speed:


My Dad took a bunch of rapid-fire pictures of me crossing the finish line, and this is the one where I least look like I’m dying while sprinting (hey, I didn’t expect to be smiling when I was pushing that hard!). It also happens to have my official finish time in it.


I got one hell of a shock when I downloaded my Nike+ run data, though — I didn’t know it was possible for me to move that fast!


I think this is probably the last road race I’ll be doing for a little bit, because there don’t seem to be a bunch available in NYC or NH at my current distance. Instead, I’ll be working up to a 10K distance and hopefully running one of those in a few months. As a final note, the very best part about all of these races is feeling accomplished and meeting up with my parents at the end. Thanks for the support, guys!

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11.24.2009



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Today was my final run before the 5K on Thanksgiving morning, and I did it on a treadmill at my parents’ condo complex gym. I’m still not quite used to the dizzy feeling I get when I step off, but I was able to keep up a good cadence and not trip over myself! The brief spike at the end is when I kicked it to 6.0 mph for the final minute. I’d been running at 4.5 to 4.9 mph the rest of the time. Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 11:20 at the three-mile mark

Today was my final run before the 5K on Thanksgiving morning, and I did it on a treadmill at my parents’ condo complex gym. I’m still not quite used to the dizzy feeling I get when I step off, but I was able to keep up a good cadence and not trip over myself! The brief spike at the end is when I kicked it to 6.0 mph for the final minute. I’d been running at 4.5 to 4.9 mph the rest of the time.

Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 11:20 at the three-mile mark

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11.22.2009



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My friend Meghan from college came into town to visit this weekend, and she’s pretty much the reason I got started running — she was the first “normal” person (not counting those I saw on The Biggest Loser) I knew who started running and stuck with it. I told myself if she could do it, so could I. We had a nice, conversational walk/run around my neighborhood. :)

My friend Meghan from college came into town to visit this weekend, and she’s pretty much the reason I got started running — she was the first “normal” person (not counting those I saw on The Biggest Loser) I knew who started running and stuck with it. I told myself if she could do it, so could I. We had a nice, conversational walk/run around my neighborhood. :)

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11.19.2009



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welcome to the dark side . . . we have treadmills!

I’ve always been of the opinion that gyms are pure evil. I joined one very briefly in high school (it’s what all the cool kids were doing) and ended up seeing no point to working out in a room full of sweaty, grunting people when I could be rollerblading outside in the Florida sunshine. I’m still an outdoors girl, but I’m starting to face running through a winter for the first time.

I began running in March of this year, so I started in some of the milder — but still cold — temperatures. I skipped a bunch of runs in July and August because I deemed it way too hot outside, and now I find myself lagging again because of the rain and dropping night time temperatures. There’s also the fact that by stopping so often at stoplights and avoiding urinating dirty old men (again, EW) that I’m not getting the full benefit of interval training.

So, to avoid falling prey to any more of my excuses, I’m joining a gym. My company offers full reimbursement if I go at least 100 times a year (and that’s nearly $1,000 back into my pocket at the end of the year — NYC gyms are damn expensive). I’m planning on joining New York Sports Clubs, which has a location in my Queens neighborhood, meaning (a) I don’t have to carry an extra bag full of clothes/shoes to work and (b) I don’t have to use their showers or generic shampoo; I can walk less than half a mile home and shower in the comfort of my own clean tub.

My company sponsors a marathon and half-marathon every April, and while that’s what I consider an extremely ambitious goal, I think I might just be able to pull it off with regular treadmill sessions. So I’m taking the plunge after I get back from Thanksgiving Break. Wish me luck!

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11.18.2009



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Strength training - Routine 3

6 x 10 reverse flys (3 sets each arm) - 5 lb.
3 x 20 dead lifts - 8 lb.
3 x 20 calf raises - one 8 lb. weight
3 x 10 lateral raises - 5 lb.
60 roundhouse kicks (30 each leg)
60 seconds plank position
4 x 10 lunges (2 sets each leg) - 8 lb.

I’ve bumped up plank position to 60 seconds from 30! :)

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11.17.2009



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There’s a very important reason I use the Runner Plus graphs on this blog instead of the Nike+ ones. Even though both sites draw from the same data (meaning they both know how many stoplights I got caught by), the Nike+ one still ends up looking like this: Yea, I’m not a fan of the rose-colored glasses either. The run went pretty well — it was a cool 50 degrees out and I didn’t even go through my entire water bottle. I think I may need to run the route in reverse because I can feel myself getting bored (and after bored comes sluggish) with this one. One interesting anecdote from today involves me believing I’m hearing running water by the sidewalk. I keep my iPod volume low enough where I can hear an approaching car or person just in case. I hear what I think is a trickle of water and wonder if a fire hydrant is leaking. Then I pass a person taking a leak. Yup, some disgusting old man was standing between two parked cars peeing onto the sidewalk. Blech. Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:08 at the one-mile mark

There’s a very important reason I use the Runner Plus graphs on this blog instead of the Nike+ ones. Even though both sites draw from the same data (meaning they both know how many stoplights I got caught by), the Nike+ one still ends up looking like this:


Yea, I’m not a fan of the rose-colored glasses either. The run went pretty well — it was a cool 50 degrees out and I didn’t even go through my entire water bottle. I think I may need to run the route in reverse because I can feel myself getting bored (and after bored comes sluggish) with this one.

One interesting anecdote from today involves me believing I’m hearing running water by the sidewalk. I keep my iPod volume low enough where I can hear an approaching car or person just in case. I hear what I think is a trickle of water and wonder if a fire hydrant is leaking. Then I pass a person taking a leak. Yup, some disgusting old man was standing between two parked cars peeing onto the sidewalk. Blech.

Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:08 at the one-mile mark
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11.16.2009



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Strength training - Routine 2

3 x 20 chest press - 5 lb.
3 x 20 bent over row - 5 lb.
3 x 20 shoulder press - 5 lb.
3 x 20 chest fly - 5 lb.
3 x 20 upright row - 5 lb.
2 x 25 side crunches (25 each side)
1 x 10 push-ups

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11.15.2009



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I think I’m going to institute a new “incentive” for me to complete the running workouts (I missed the fourth interval on this one, and walked an extra minute during intervals two and three). If I don’t complete the entire run, I have to do a strength training routine as well that day. I had a lot of things going against me today — it was a morning run (breakfast usually doesn’t sit as well as lunch or dinner); my nose and throat kept getting clogged up; the humidity was at 82%, and it was a hot 61-degree day; I haven’t run since Tuesday. I hate quitting, and I definitely need to work on ignoring that voice in my head that always gives me permission to quit. Because I’m heading out to see a movie with a friend now, I won’t be able to finish the strength training routine. Rest assured, it will be done tonight and this post will get an update later! (Edit, 9:32 p.m.: I am a lazy lump. But you already knew that! Weights are moved til tomorrow.) Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 11:16 at the one-mile mark

I think I’m going to institute a new “incentive” for me to complete the running workouts (I missed the fourth interval on this one, and walked an extra minute during intervals two and three). If I don’t complete the entire run, I have to do a strength training routine as well that day.

I had a lot of things going against me today — it was a morning run (breakfast usually doesn’t sit as well as lunch or dinner); my nose and throat kept getting clogged up; the humidity was at 82%, and it was a hot 61-degree day; I haven’t run since Tuesday. I hate quitting, and I definitely need to work on ignoring that voice in my head that always gives me permission to quit.

Because I’m heading out to see a movie with a friend now, I won’t be able to finish the strength training routine. Rest assured, it will be done tonight and this post will get an update later! (Edit, 9:32 p.m.: I am a lazy lump. But you already knew that! Weights are moved til tomorrow.)

Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 11:16 at the one-mile mark

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11.12.2009



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Bollywood Dance & Strength Training - Routine 1

I was always a little skeptical about workout DVDs, but the Bollywood Dance Workout with Hemalayaa is starting to make me come around. It’s been drizzling all day, and if you add in the 25+ mph wind gusts, that would make for a pretty nasty run. So I pushed it to tomorrow. And, looking at the 24-hour forecast, it doesn’t look like that run will happen tomorrow, either. Sigh.

Part of the reason I like this DVD so much is that the instructor repeatedly reminds you that it’s OK if you’re not getting the steps, it’s more important to have fun — a big plus, because I can’t follow choreography on the first try to save my life, and I’m sure I look like a fool hopping around my living room.

There’s about 45 minutes of cardio on the disc, including some brief ab exercises. I’d say it’s a good workout for someone who’s looking more for fun and less for intensity. Besides, who doesn’t love Bollywood?


Strength training - Routine 1
3 x 20 bicep curls - 5 lb.
3 x 20 tricep overheads - 5 lb.
2 x 20 squats w/weights - 8 lb.
6 x 20 hammer curls (3 sets each arm) - 5 lb.
6 x 10 tricep kickbacks (3 sets each arm) - 5 lb.
2 x 25 crunches
2 x 10 push-ups
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11.10.2009



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I made all four running intervals today (yes! I’m back!) and nearly got run over twice because no one seems to look behind them before backing up anymore. Add that to the long list of hazards of urban running, including stopping for every damn traffic light known to man. Today’s run was especially good in a head-clearing sort of way. I’ve been swamped with a ton of freelance work this past month, so it was nice to just get out there and think. I always say I’ll use my run to clear my head of my frustrations, but it doesn’t allow me an open mind the way rollerblading in high school did. No, I definitely do get to clear my head, but that’s only because I’m completely focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Lather, rinse, repeat. Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:04 at the one-mile mark

I made all four running intervals today (yes! I’m back!) and nearly got run over twice because no one seems to look behind them before backing up anymore. Add that to the long list of hazards of urban running, including stopping for every damn traffic light known to man.

Today’s run was especially good in a head-clearing sort of way. I’ve been swamped with a ton of freelance work this past month, so it was nice to just get out there and think. I always say I’ll use my run to clear my head of my frustrations, but it doesn’t allow me an open mind the way rollerblading in high school did. No, I definitely do get to clear my head, but that’s only because I’m completely focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Nike+ fastest pace per mile: 10:04 at the one-mile mark

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11.08.2009



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I woke up today feeling really congested and sick, so I knew any running (and the Bollywood workout DVD I’d planned to do) was out of the question. It was shaping up to be a nice, warm day though — 67 degrees as of when I just returned from my speed walk. Maybe it’s a bit sad that I can cover three miles running at a 12:30ish pace and three miles walking at a 13:50ish pace, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?

I woke up today feeling really congested and sick, so I knew any running (and the Bollywood workout DVD I’d planned to do) was out of the question. It was shaping up to be a nice, warm day though — 67 degrees as of when I just returned from my speed walk.

Maybe it’s a bit sad that I can cover three miles running at a 12:30ish pace and three miles walking at a 13:50ish pace, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?

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11.07.2009



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Today’s run was 12 kinds of miserable. I spent most of it trying to clear the snot out of my nose and the back of my throat so I could breathe (lovely image, I know). I think I’m getting sick — I spent the entire morning sneezing and woke up with a stiff neck, plus my legs felt like lead out there. I felt obligated to get out, though, because I hadn’t run since last Friday, eight days ago. I made the first interval, walked two minutes during the second and third intervals, and skipped the fourth interval entirely. I was not happy. I told myself if I didn’t make the run I’d have to do weights, so you’ll see those below as well. I skipped the lunges portion to save my knees, which were also complaining out there. Nike + fastest pace per mile: 11:24 at the one-mile mark Strength training - Routine 3 6 x 10 reverse flys (3 sets each arm) - 5 lb. 3 x 20 dead lifts - 8 lb. 3 x 20 calf raises - one 8 lb. weight 3 x 10 lateral raises - 5 lb. 60 roundhouse kicks (30 each leg) 30 seconds plank position

Today’s run was 12 kinds of miserable. I spent most of it trying to clear the snot out of my nose and the back of my throat so I could breathe (lovely image, I know). I think I’m getting sick — I spent the entire morning sneezing and woke up with a stiff neck, plus my legs felt like lead out there.

I felt obligated to get out, though, because I hadn’t run since last Friday, eight days ago. I made the first interval, walked two minutes during the second and third intervals, and skipped the fourth interval entirely. I was not happy. I told myself if I didn’t make the run I’d have to do weights, so you’ll see those below as well. I skipped the lunges portion to save my knees, which were also complaining out there.

Nike + fastest pace per mile: 11:24 at the one-mile mark


Strength training - Routine 3

6 x 10 reverse flys (3 sets each arm) - 5 lb.
3 x 20 dead lifts - 8 lb.
3 x 20 calf raises - one 8 lb. weight
3 x 10 lateral raises - 5 lb.
60 roundhouse kicks (30 each leg)
30 seconds plank position
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11.05.2009



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in which we honed our hip hop skills

(This is also posted on my main site, but it’s definitely exercise-related, so I think it belongs here too.)

My roommate found out that Dance New Amsterdam, a studio in Lower Manhattan, was doing a free day of classes on Saturday, October 24, so we decided to head down and take advantage of it. The beginner hip hop class we wanted was already full, so the girls at the sign-up table convinced us we’d be OK in the slow intermediate one that was still open.

We are in the back of this room below:


At least they had the sense to film the really good dancers in the front group instead of panning the room! You can see me for a split second at the very end of the video (in a dark green tank top):


Suprisingly, we both managed to keep up with the dance for the hour-and-a-half-long class — and I had a ton of fun (and felt it in my abs the next day). It kind of makes me want to sign up for a dance class sometime, even if I don’t quite fit in with the hip hop guys. :)

(video via Dance New Amsterdam)

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