Chubbette

Long Run

I changed my long run days to Tuesdays as I will be going riding/cycling on Saturdays and I know that my legs cannot handle a long run and a long day riding on the same day.

Stats: 12 miles

Time: 124minutes

Fluids: 30oz (Refilled at the Milville Park)

Weather: Sunny but not too hot--around 60 degrees. Wore SPF80 on my face and arms...safe is the word.

Ran alone with my iPod to keep me company. I love this town! It is perfect for outdoor activities. The mountains, the quiet neighborhoods...just divine for the run.

I felt really great all during the run, I was going a good pace, my legs didn't cramp. My shins didn't hurt and when they did all I had to do was change the way I was stepping and the bothersome ache went away.

Change to implement: If I am going to wear a tank must put vaseline under my arms! I got chaffed due to my chubbette arms! Dude, no fun!

Monday WorkOuts & Cycling Sneaks

Stats:

Swam: 50 minutes

Spin: 45 minutes

Came home right after spinning. Sam had to go down to SLC to talk to a guy about a loom mold.

The swim coach from the local high school was there and he gave us a few pointers.

• Wear the hand paddles and then swim 4 lengths breathing every 3rd stroke.
• Swim 4 lengths breathing every 5th stroke
• Swim 4 lengths breathing every 7th stroke

Repeat the above for a couple of weeks and then increase each by two lengths. I am going to try it out and hopefully my swimming will get better.

Afternoon cycling sneak: Nisha, Laurie and I went on a little ride yesterday afternoon. 10miles out and about. It felt good to be on the bike again.

Saturday Roadies

When the sun shines and the kids are out on a sleep-over, what do we do? We take out the bicycles! Saturday morning met us with a beautiful sunny day, a little chilly but not so chilly to deter us from climbing on our bikes and going out for a little ride. A group of eight roadies got together in our cul de sac ready for a morning of adventure. Checking tires, pumping some air into the tubes, checking shoes and filling up water bottles is part of the routine. It is a moment that I really enjoy as we are all together and the excitement of the upcoming ride just passes like electricity from one to another until it converges and it explodes as we roll out for the day's ride. 

25 miles out and about, despite the nice bright sun, the day was still a bit chilly, especially for our hands and ears. Hubby and I had our "winter" cycling gloves on but we were still freezing! At one point, it got so bad that Momber and I drafted off each other so that we could keep each other warm by finding the "sweet spot" which is usually a little warmer. It worked like a charm! A few minutes behind there drafting off and getting warmer was enough to keep us happy. Heck, we were on our bikes we were definitely happy. All eight of us were stoked just to be out there cycling away...even if we were little icicles!

Our little ride took us out on a route out to Mendon, which happens to be also the very first route that I went on last year on my very first ride ever. The specific route has a little hill entering the Mendon town and I remember last year I had such a hard time climbing it. I remember clearly, how Jo and Dom made it to the top with hardly any effort and I kept swerving from side to side trying to make it up...huffing and puffing, I finally made it up. However, this year it was a lot different, first of all, the hill is not really a hill, it is more like a little bump on the road, and if you just pedal and stop swerving from side to side it is actually pretty easy to go up it. A year sure makes a huge difference!  Also where before I was about 10-15 minutes behind everyone, this time, I was right behind...and by golly at times I wasn't the last one! I have improved...I am so happy!

Hubby pointed out that I actually keep a really good cadence, my problem stems from not knowing how to  shift and also the fact that my seat was too low, he raised it already and hopefully this will make a difference on the next ride. At times, we were right next to each other and I kept pedaling and pedaling but not moving while he only pedal a couple of times and moved quite farther than I did--not fair!! I must learn how to shift! It is a bit difficult for me due to the triple composition of my bike (Specialized Ruby Comp) and the fact that I have zero knowledge of how a bike works. But, I'll learn as I go on...so much too learn, so little time!

In the afternoon, when the kids came home from their sleep-over at uncles, we planted the garden and then I went out for a little 6 mile run and had yummy Chinese food for dinner..that's what I call a perfect Saturday at the Phelps' corner.

Stats:

Distance: 25 miles

Fluids: About 24oz

Average speed: 14

My toe bled again!!!

But I don't know where it is coming from? I took off my sock after my running today but I couldn't find the source of the "blood leakage". I step and I don't feel pain, I looked at my toes closely and my foot but I don't see anything that will be causing my foot to bleed. I do have a toe-nail that has the nail higher than the others as if it was coming off, so I am assuming it is coming from there. It doesn't hurt though. Weeeeird!

Today, I went out for a 3-mile run but I was feeling so great and not tired at all that I continued and finally turned back and finished by running 5-miles. My body has gotten used to the running and I am actually loving the feeling of being outside...all on my own, just running. I love it! I love the feeling that running gives me, the sense of accomplishment when I come into my house and I realize that I have actually run 5 miles--without stopping! I guess the long runs on Saturdays make my shorter 5 milers seem like nothing. My legs feel refresh and I feel quite content. I wish I had known years ago the great feeling that running gives me.

2 years ago, or even a year ago I would have never considered running as an exercise option. I have always been such a huge couch potato. I was skinny when I got married but I never exercise, I was just skinny, then I had kids and my waistline grew, so did my b00bs, and my thighs stayed pretty much the same--small. I have skinny legs and a big chunky torso, and skinny arms...but I have come to embrace my apple shape. As it turns out, the chunky middle provides me with loads of energy during my runs and my skinny arms and legs do all the work. Perfect combo!

I don't consider myself a runner yet but I can see myself getting there. I believe to be a runner or a cyclist or a swimmer  (or any other sport) you have to be doing it for a few years. As of right now, I am pretty much brand new to it all. I have swam for awhile and I love it....actually it is my top choice of exercise but I still don't consider myself a swimmer, however, the day I learned to do flip turns pushed me more into the "I am a swimmer" mentality. I believe that once I run a full marathon I will consider myself in the ranks of "I am a runner". In the meantime, I'll enjoy the journey of getting there. It is all about the process.

Stats:

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 49 minutes

Fluid Intake: 10oz

Effort: easy

I loved my run today. It felt great and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Monday Dragg

I had to literally drag myself out bed this morning. I was still so tired despite going to bed at 10pm last night. My legs are still sore from Saturday's run...I was very impressed about my performance on Saturday but my legs just haven recuperated. As I got out of bed at 4:30, I lazily went to the bathroom to put my bathing suit on and I kept contemplating going back to bed. As I brushed my teeth I kept making excuses to myself and trying to talk myself out of going to the gym. As I drank my Carnation breakfast, I kept thinking how comfy the bed was and how warm I would be if I laid down next to Sam. I went up to give Sam a kiss goodbye and with it a goodbye to the bed.

As I pulled into the Sports Academy parking lot, I just didn't feel like swimming...and that's a big deal for me. I went upstairs and saved my bike and then headed to the pool. At the pool, I opted for an easy way out: used a pull buoy for most of the swimming time which is okay as it helps me tilt my hips the correct way.

Spinning class was a killer...my right calf was too tight from the running but after spinning for 45 minutes, my calf felt a lot better...still is tight but not as tight as it was when I started.

The toning class was fun but I had to leave after 30minutes as I needed to head home and get Wonderboy ready for school. I was actually okay with heading home early, give my legs a little rest. I was able to get a little bit of upper body workout.

Stats:

Swim: 35 minutes. Freestyle/Crawl with flip turns

Spin: 50 minutes. Speed Intervals.

Toning: 30 minutes.

Long run: it kicked my butt!

Planned: 10 miles

Accomplished: 10.7 miles

The day was warm but windy, really windy. Mo came along, she is a great runner, 8minute miles are regulars for her so coming with me was an "easy day" for her. I was so glad for her company, I didn't want to go 10 miles on my own. Her being there kept me going when I thought I couldn't go anymore. At mile 6, I wanted to quit...it was uphill and the wind was coming against me...it was tough, I cursed every single step up that hill. The last 4 miles though were easier on us, the wind was pushing us along and it was either downhill or flat...great, great, great! About 1/2 mile before getting home, I felt tired and beat up, Mo had to cheer me on. We came into our cul de sac 1:41 minutes after we started.

Stats:

Distance: 10.7

Time: 101 minutes 12 sec

Fluids: About 18oz

Effort: gave it all I had and more

I feel beat up right now...really beat up. Overheated and my inner shins hurt. Also, when I took off my shoe my right foot was bleeding, apparently the sock rubbed one of my toes and it bled quite a bit. I didn't feel it though while I was running...I remember feeling something wet but I thought it felt cool, lol.

Next week, Mo has to run 14 miles, I told her to run 2 and then pass by to pick me up and I'll run my 12 with her.

Friday Workout

What a day! I woke up early due to going to bed early for a change...I was in bed at 10pm! I rarely, if ever go to bed early, unless I am sick in which case I most likely end up falling asleep on the couch and hubby carries me up to bed. Yup, he still does that after 7 years of marriage and inspite of my 20+ pounds that I have put on since we got hitched.

Anyways, I woke up early and felt refreshed. I have wanted to have oatmeal before heading to the gym and the extra 5 minutes allowed me to do just that! As the water boiled, I was able to read some emails and catch up on some news (I have been glued to the news, trying to learn what the Texas court will decide about the children). As the oatmeal "cooked" I put on my bathing suit and kissed hubby good morning and nugged him to get up and work on the looms. Little N was sleeping next to him...that little girl still comes to our bed every night! She just loves to cuddle next to us.

My oatmeal was extra nutritious this morning, after reading an article on Runners World, I decided to give my oatmeal an "umph" by adding some yogurt and strawberries. I enjoyed the yogurt in it, but the strawberries were a bit tart and I didn't enjoy them as much--I will stick to strawberries for my smoothie only.

Workout stats:

Swim: 50 minutes in freestyle/crawl w/ flip turns

Spin: 50 minutes. Climbing day with intervals.

Ab workout: 10 minutes--my abs are still sore from Wednesday's workout

I didn't stay for the toning class today as tomorrow I have a long run and I need an "easy" day before my 10 miler tomorrow.

Note about swimming: Today, I tried a pair  of hand paddles that one of the other swimmer's brought with her. The one lap I did with them was superb! Although it felt that I was swimming with 10 pound weights on each hand, I cruised on the lap after. I can see a huge benefit on having a pair of hand paddles--trim the fat around my arms for sure.

Speaking of fat, as you know, I haven't been able to lose weight despite all my exercise, but I have lost inches all around which definitely shows the great progress I have made. Well, today I jumped on the scale just for kicks and guess what...for the first time in the past 4 years, I am under 130!!! I weighed in at 129. I have finally lost some weight but I feel confident that the weight has been all fat as I have kept my calorie intake high (as much as I eat, I am sure it is high!). I refuse to go on a diet...heck, the whole reason why I exercise is just so that I can eat as many tacos as I want!

Hope your workouts are going okay too.

Keeping track of it all

I started keeping track of my workouts through SparkPeople.com. My goal is to exercise at least 60 minutes a day or burn at least 500 calories daily (except on Sundays) with a total burn out of 3,000 calories a week. Tracking my calories through SparkPeople has allowed me to see how great I am doing with my workouts, for example, this week, I have already burned through 2,800 and I still have tomorrow and Saturday workouts. It is exciting to see the reports.

Although SparkPeople.com has tons more to offer than just tracking my workouts, I have so far enjoyed what I have seen. In the future, I could probably take advantage of the meal plans and the forums, but for now, the fitness tracking rocks!

Short run: 5 miles

Stats

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 48:49 (So far, my fastest time yet)

Fluid intake: 10 oz

The day was gorgeous, about 50 degrees, no wind and sunny skies. I wore my thermal pants and about 1 mile into the run I knew that I should have worn shorts. The first 2.5 miles I was running right on a 10 minute pace...even a few seconds behind, coming back though I decided it to give it a little extra and my effort paid off when I came into the cul de sac about 1.30 minutes before my pace time.

Workout day

It was a hard work out day. I decided to stay for the toning class after my spinning class. Wednesday's Tori teaches and she has a superb class--it kicks butt! My abs are going to be sore for sure. Nish joined me today during my workout. It was fun having her there, she is so fun to be around, full of positive energy.

Stats:

Swim: 40 minutes. Freestyle w/ flip turns

Spin: 50 minutes: lots of jumps

Toning class: 60 minutes