Dusty Dashboard

I would be lying if I said I've been meaning to write and just couldn't get to it. Fact is, I haven't felt like writing at all lately.

Thanksgiving was this week, but we did turkey dinner just today. I used to plan for Thanksgiving with an anticipation that was one part excitement, two parts dread. It was different this year. All the hoopla of cooking a complete "from-scratch" turkey dinner just isn't all that different from every day cooking. I did more planning, but the preparation, execution, and clean up was almost like every day.

Think about that. Nine people- three meals almost always eaten at home by all of us. Not counting seconds, that's 27 plates per day! There were nine hundred twenty-five MILLION people who went hungry last year. We eat like kings by global standards, and I quite often complain about it. I should be thankful, and today I am.

I tried to run today on the treadmill. Our treadmill is awesome, but it just can't beat the great outdoors! We may be getting a bit of snow overnight tonight, but I'm going to go out for a run tomorrow. A real run. Another blessing!

A Circuit Workout

This is the Circuit workout I performed today, along with weights used and reps completed:

Warm Up, five minutes
Standard Squat/Curl combo: 10lbs, 30 reps
One-arm Wall Push-Up: 15 reps each side
"Plyo" Wall Push-Up: 30 reps
Wall Squat: 1 min.
Side Lunge with Lateral Raise: 5lbs, 30 reps total (15 each side)
Row/Deadlift combo: 20lbs, 30 reps
Static Plank: 1 min.
Plie Squats with X-Press: 10lbs, 30 reps
Chair Dips: 3 sets of 10 reps
Chest Press in Bridge: 20lbs, 20 reps
Lying Down Triceps Extension in Bridge: 10lbs, 20 reps
Pilates Hundred
Oblique Crunch: 20 reps each side
Concentration Curl: 13lb, 8 reps with strip set of 10lb, 12 reps

I'll be turning 35 in a week. The scale has been going the wrong way the last few weeks, so my present to myself will be getting back into maintenance mode. My goal is to lose two pounds this week. Shouldn't be too difficult. *grin*

Flaming Foxy Lady

I haven't been on the computer much lately. No reason, really- that's just the way it goes, even for this social networking addict. Actually, we are now using a new operating system, which means I need to re-do my browser (Firefox). I hate changing things up on the computer. My tech-savvy Hubby does all the updating; I think if it were up to me, I'd still be using Windows 95.

I got out today for an easy run. I ran intervals yesterday on the treadmill, so I wanted to keep it low-key today. It was really a beautiful day; a little on the cool side, but that's perfect for running anyway. We are really fortunate to be having such nice weather this late in the fall. We haven't even had any snow yet!

Today is the Feast of All Saints, and I wonder if there is a patron saint for runners. I'm sure there is, I just need to look it up. I'm not sure running is all that important for my sanctity, but it sure helps my sanity. I only wish I could handle doing it every day. Maybe that will come with time.

Fit for Real Life

Yesterday we made firewood. The wood was already cut into rounds; it needed to be split, carried to the woodshed, and stacked. We heat with wood only, and winter is closing in, so this isn't a job that can be taken lightly. When you live in the North Woods, having enough firewood is quite literally necessary for survival.

I went for a run, threw meat in the oven for lunch, assigned jobs to the kids, and got to work. Three hours later, another full cord of wood (more or less) was sitting neatly in the shed, ready to keep us cozy this winter. It's a tough job; lots of lifting, throwing, shoving, carrying, and walking. The boys helped a lot, but this time, I chose to do a lot of the work myself.

What's the point of weight lifting if I can't (or won't) lift firewood? If I can do an hour of cardio, but can't tolerate a few hours' labor around the house or yard, can I really say I'm fit? If all my physical activity for the day takes place in the context of a structured workout, then something is out of balance.

Part of this attitude comes from the fact that, for me, working out is "fun" and scrubbing the bathroom or cleaning the yard is decidedly "not fun". All the time, I'm telling the kids that life is not all about having fun. There are some things you do just because you have to do them, and you might as well make the best of it. I suppose it is time for me to start actually listening to all this fantastic advice I'm constantly doling out.

For now, my workout plan is something like this: run every other day (alternating fast, easy, and long runs); cross-train with weights or yoga on non-run days; and something active (house or yard work, trips to town, whatever) every day.

Just real quick...

* This fall was nice, but it is over. The pretty leaves are gone. The weather has been cold and wet. And the snowbirds are back, darn them. "Snowbird" is a local term for these little gray birds (maybe Juncos?) that flock around the roads this time of year- they migrate south just ahead of the snows, and usually arrive about two weeks before the first flurries.

* I'm having a hard time deciding what to do now that there are no races to look forward to and, therefore, no training schedule to follow. I'm still doing something every day, but I feel like there is no focus, other than just doing what I enjoy when I can get to it. Maybe that's not so bad.

* My "middle child" turned 12 last week. In one more year, I'll have three teenagers. I sure do love you, Pumpkin... always have and always will. Also, yesterday was the anniversary of Robert's discharge from the hospital. He wasn't even five pounds yet!

* I am really fascinated by CrossFit, although I haven't tried any of the WODs yet. These folks are freaky-fit!

* Finally, a quote I came across and want to remember: "If it is important to you, you will make time; if not, you will make excuses."

The Plan, Revised

Monday: go to town, go to work, skip working out and throw private pity party instead (done)
Tuesday: go out of town, skip working out, eat 1800 calories in cheesecake (done)
Wednesday: run to VFW and back (2.2 miles, done)
Thursday: maybe cross training in the a.m.; maybe yoga in the p.m.
Friday: maybe easy 3-mile run; weekly weigh in
Saturday: we'll have to see what happens
Sunday: maybe long run

Lazy ass, just hanging out.

It has been very challenging to make time for working out lately. There's what I want to do, what I need to do, what I think others expect me to do, and what I tell myself I should do; all these "To Do's" have been competing for my time and pulling me in different directions. It's like being drawn and quartered only less blood and more Mom Guilt. Why do I insist on feeling inadequate because I can only do one thing at a time, and sometimes I'm going to choose to spend my time "selfishly" working out. It's not silly or a waste: it's cheaper than therapy and healthier than drinking. I have to get through the day somehow!

But, still, rather than thinking of my weekly plan as a "Do or Die" list, I need to approach it as a possibility. If I accomplish my goal, that's great! If I don't, I can just try to figure out what didn't work and why, and how to make it work better next time.

The Plan

It is Sunday again already. Wonder of wonders, the weather is still really nice for October. The Aspens are yellow, and most of the other trees are already bare, but the temps are still above normal for this time of year. I just love it!

Here's my workout plan for the week:
Sunday (today): active recovery with easy yoga (done!)
Monday: long run (6 miles)
Tuesday: cross training
Wednesday: easy run (4 miles)
Thursday: cross training in the a.m. and yoga in the p.m.
Friday: quick run (2 miles)
Saturday: rest day

That's the plan, anyway. We'll see how that works out in real life.