Deep in the Polar Vortex of my Soul

Ha, ha!  Boring update gets crappy title!

So, how has winter been going?  Um, it's been cold.  But, that's not really news, is it?  I've been doing a running streak, which I personally defined as doing at least one mile faster than 12:00 pace every day.  Today was day 79!  Used to be running two days in a row would "kill" my knees.  Oh, they still complain with loud, crunchy noises from time to time.  But they haven't given out on me yet.

I'm also finally into a weight routine that I am happy with.  I found the idea for this routine where you lift three days a week.  On the light day you do three sets of fifteen (3x15), heavy day you do 3x5, and medium day you do 3x8.  The heavy day I do squat, bench press, pull up, and dead lift.  The light and medium days both consist of squats, a "push" exercise, a "pull" exercise, and a couple of accessory lifts for the legs and core.  I decided to follow this routine for eight weeks total.  By then I will probably be ready to start race training, and I'll likely drop lifting to two days a week.  In a separate post I will outline my complete routine, so I will have it handy if I want to go back to it next winter.

I don't have any races marked on the calendar as of yet.  We had a lot of fun two years ago at the Norway Spring Classic.  But, it is the weekend after Easter this year, so Chuck will not likely be home.  My options might be somewhat limited all year, depending on his weekends home and whether I want to spend that time racing.  I've been saying that I plan to run a marathon this year, but it isn't as firm as a "plan" yet.  More like a "maybe".  The Marquette Marathon is at the end of August (I think).  I'm either talking myself into it, or out of it.  Could go either way.

For the first time in forever, I am happy with my weight.  That scares me, though, because my inner fatty demands to be fed.  First, I'll stop being careful with how I eat most days.  I need the energy; I'm training!  The scale will creep up, but I'll tell myself I'm "building muscle".  My pants will get a little snugger, until I justify buying a larger size because they are a different brand.  Then I'll get pregnant, LOL!  I don't really think any of that will happen this time, but it would be foolish not to occasionally remind myself of where I came from and how I got there in the first place.

New Year's Eve

This year has certainly had its ups and downs.  And that's totally a good thing.

My running has been up.  I logged 485 miles this year, not including the three I plan to do today.  My only mile-free month was the one in which John was born.

My weight has been down.  I'm at about 165, which is 30 pounds less than I weighed when I first was pregnant with John.  My heaviest not-pregnant weight was 220 (that was "before Mary", heaviest ever was 251 before she was born) so I've lost a total of about 55 pounds.


It hasn't cured my high blood pressure or eliminated my mood swings, but at least I look pretty damn good.  And we all know that's the whole point, anyway.

Not all Resolutions are made to be broken.  Cheers, bottom's up, and here's to 2014!

Today's Workout- Compound Lifts Routine, beginner

Group One: 3 sets, 8 reps, 60-second rest
  Bent-over Row (55lb)
  Barbell Squat (55lb)
  Bench Press  (55lb)

Group Two: 3 sets, 8 reps, 60-second rest
  Dead Lift  (55lb)
  Shoulder Press (55lb, then 40lb)
  Step Up (holding two 20lb dumbbells)

Group Three:  2 sets
  Pilates Roll Ups- 15 reps
  Russian Twist- 25 reps, modified with one foot on floor
  Plank- 1 minute

I'm going to be feeling this tomorrow!

Logging and Blogging

Baby John is six weeks old tomorrow, and it is time for me to get back to a fitness routine.  I took my measurements, and they are basically the same as they were last time.  I've gained some tummy, of course, but I expected I would.

I also did something very silly; I put on a swimsuit (a bikini, even!) and took some pictures.  They aren't too bad, I guess.  I should say, it is a decent starting point- kind of a weird combination of fit and flab.  It will be exciting to take pictures again in a couple of months and see the difference.

I am easing back into a running routine and doing alternative cardio and/or strength training the other days, six days a week.  I am logging food at My Fitness Pal but not really restricting calories yet.  I'm experimenting with Intermittent Fasting.  I will write more about that in another post, but right now I will say that it fits very easily with my natural hunger cues.  I like knowing that skipping breakfast and eating a bigger dinner is a legitimate option.

I am also keeping a journal the old fashioned way- in a spiral notebook.  I guess I'm just old and stodgy enough that I like writing with pen and paper.

Nothing more than feelings

I'm getting ready for my daily exercise.

Motivation is lacking today.  Why am I doing this?  I put on my normal gear- bike shorts, high impact sport bra, old tank top, running shoes.  Opposing voices are simultaneously clamoring inside my head.  "Just do it.  Give it your best.  What's the point?  Just take it easy.  You will feel so much better if you run.  You will feel so much better if you sit in bed with a book and a snack."  I compromised with myself and did 3 miles on the treadmill, some jogging, mostly brisk walking.

One week into my 3rd trimester and I have gained about 13 pounds so far.  After I had Lucy I was down to "starting weight" very quickly.  Here's a journal entry from a week after she was born:

Pre-Lucy weight was 205. My heaviest pregnancy weight was 224. I was 222 three days before the birth. At six days PP I weigh 210. Haven't tried on any real pants yet, but I did go ahead and pack away all the maternity clothes.

This time around my pre-baby weight was 185; still heavy, but closer.  So close to my goal of "normal" weight for my height.  That's why I'm doing this, today anyway.  There are other reasons, but that's what got me on the treadmill this time.  I have to keep remembering the bigger picture.

Some days I just don't get in the groove, but that's OK.  I have a personal belief that feelings can be controlled; even when they can't be eliminated, my emotions do not have to rule my world.  I didn't feel like doing anything today, but I did it anyway.  I am in charge.

Today's Workout 3-10

Entering my 27th week of pregnancy with a full body strength training session.  Allow me a moment to bask in my own awesomeness....

Thank you.

This is the routine I followed.  Some exercises I performed to near failure, others I took a more moderate approach.  I started by warming up on the treadmill, brisk walk at 2% to 5% incline for 1/2 mile.  Then:

Push Ups (modified)
"Bird Dog"
Bicep Curls (standard)
Triceps Kickbacks
Hammer Curls
Chair Dips (I hate these!!!)
Alternating Cross-Body Curls
Overhead Triceps Extensions
Standing Side Crunch (holding onto the door frame helped isolate core)
Standing Crossover Crunch
One-Armed Row
Chest Flies
Pull-over
Chest Press
Reverse Fly
Squats (standard and then wider stance)
Shoulder Press (Military Press)
Jump Squats
Lateral Raise (to front and side)
Forward Lunge
Upright Row
Plie Squat
Split Lunge

Cool down, stretch, and that's it!  The strength training aspect took me about 45 minutes moving quickly from one exercise to the next.  I did take a short (30-45 second) break after some of the more "energetic" moves, like those damn jump squats!

My New Mantra

"Bid me run,

and I will strive

with things impossible..."

Shakespeare, Julius Caesar