None Shall Pass

This morning was a lovely morning for a long run.  It was 50 degrees, there was a slight breeze, and I intended to run 8 miles.  I live 1.5 miles from a small state park.  I usually run down to the park and around it and it's running trail for my runs.  The area is well lit (when I run in the dark), and generally safe.  Today my plan was to run down to the park, around the 1 mile loop, then out the back of the park to go around the outside of it, and then back around it again.  Doing that twice, plus coming home would be 8 miles.  I ran around the loop, which was very pretty this morning.  The sun peaked out just in time to make parts of the lake look golden, and the geese managed a mass landing in the lake just at the right time, so that portion of the run felt a bit poetic.  I ran around the back portion of the park to head out the back entrance when I saw a few dogs.  Strays are not unusual in this area.  Generally, they are not a problem, unless in a large pack.  There are also a few dogs that live in houses behind the park, and those dogs sometime run loose.  Today, one of those dogs decided to park itself in the center of the back entrance and would not let me pass.  I wasn't concerned when I first saw it, but then I noticed it was staring at me, no tail wagging.  I decided to stop running and just walk past it, but then as I got closer it got up and started howling at me.  I would not let me through.  I turned around slowly and walked away.  I turned and saw that the dog had sat back down and was staring at me as I went.  I decided not to try again, and I changed my route.  I ran around the lake a few times, and then headed home.

It was still a nice run, but I was annoyed at that stupid dog.  I was also annoyed that I live in an area that has so many stray and loose dogs.  There are times I hate living where I do.  There are some great things about living in this small town, but for me, the negatives tend to out way the positives.  But, now for a few of the positives from my run.  I past 5 older gentlemen as I ran.  I know each one, not by name, but I've been seeing them at the park for years.  One, (whose name I do know), asked me where my running partner was this morning.  Everyone there knows who I am and who I'm married to (it's that small of a town). There really aren't any safety issues.  I see these men, as well as some women (who weren't out this morning), every time I run.  They each wave hello and ask how I'm doing.  It is nice to know there are friendly faces looking out for me and who know my routine.

Which brings me to my devotional verse this morning:

"For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" Gen 41:52

We have lived here for 12 years.  Mostly I have a bad attitude about it.  This place is far from my family, from anyone I care about.  The church we currently attend is really not my style (I"ll put it that way, I don't want to say anything negative or get into any theological issues).  Every Sunday, I find myself forcing myself to go for the sake of my kids.  Everything my kids do or want to do is an hour a way.  We spend a lot of time driving just to do the basics.  We homeschool, which has been good, but I don't have a choice.  The local schools are not an option, so even if I think a certain child would do better at a decent school, that isn't going to happen.  There are times I feel trapped here.  But we are here.  My husband loves his job.  It's a good job and he thrives here.  The kids are generally happy.  Yes, they would love some things to be closer, but overall they are happy.  I have a nice home, 5 great kids, a loving husband, but most days I seem to focus on what feels like an affliction.  But God has made me fruitful here.  I need to focus on that.

I Did It!!!

I got myself upside down (with help), and stayed in handstand against the wall.  I've been working on that and this week I was able to walk my legs up one wall and toss them across to the other.  It may be a bit of cheating; I still can't kick all the way up to the wall, but I don't care.  :)  I got myself upside down and could hold it.  I didn't even feel shaky.  I believe all of my push-ups and pull-ups are starting to pay off.

Right now, I working on doing 50 push-ups and 50 pull-ups (using a green band for assist) 3x's a week.  The goal is on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.  Wednesday I plan on adding in a bit of extra core work after my run.

Running felt more difficult this week.  It may have been because of the extra arm/shoulder work.  My shoulders felt tired when I ran on Thursday.  They've never felt like that before.  Who knew tired shoulders could affect your run?

It's been a busy week.  I spent a lot of time driving my kids places, and getting ready for my middle son's birthday.  He turned 12.  I think he had a pretty good birthday week.  He got to visit with a friend who had moved out of country, and for his birthday he got an iPod touch (which he has wanted forever) and a Rip Stick skateboard.  He's a happy 12 year old boy.

Also this week, we got something fun.  My husband won a gift certificate and we used it towards the purchase of a trampoline!  We have 4 kids still at home who are very excited about the trampoline.  It got put together today, and they've had a lot of fun jumping. I think it's a great way to get the kids outside and away from the computer.

A Pretty Good Week

I was back into my kettlebell practice.  It was a strong week.  I had great kettlebell workouts and good runs.  I even got to run outside.  The weather has been so nasty, that it was great to get out and enjoy the temporary warm up that we are having.  I've also been getting yoga in everyday.  Sometimes is just a little Yin, other days some flow.  Today I had a wonderful 90 minute Hatha practice.  It felt great; like I was at a yoga retreat day.

I've been pushing hard all week, and today I can feel it.  My legs are sore. I believe that would be from the sumo squats I did on Friday.  Friday's routine, from BreakingMuscles kettlebell cycle 2 plan, was a good workout.  I always start with a 10 minute run, then it was on to 3 rounds of 8 sumo squats (using my 16kg + 12kg bells), then 3 windmills, followed by 8 front squats (I used the 12kg).  Took a short break then did 3 rounds of 10 heavy swings (used 20kg), 7 presses (used my new 20lb bell), and planks.  Finished with 3 round of 3 half get-ups, and 5 pull-ups.  The routine is not quite what was on the website.  I changed to heavy swings, instead of doing 20, I did 10.  I also added the pull-ups, and changed the presses to 7.  I can't do 5 presses with good form using my 12kg bell, but I could do 7 with the 20lb.  I decided to go for it. :)  I've also added push-ups, but not during the workout, just throughout my day.  I can't do a regular push-up; I've always do them on my knees.  But I've read that it's better to go up higher and keep a solid plank in your body.  So I'm using my bathtub.  My goal; on Tuesday's, Thursday, and Sunday, is to do 5 push-ups every time I go to the bathroom.  This way I have plenty of rest, my form is always good, and I can get lots in without taking up much time.  My goal is 50 push-ups a day.

I also had great runs this week, especially Thursday.  Thursday was a 5 mile, this is why I love running, run.  I got outside, enjoyed running around the lake,  kept a steady pace, and had the best runner's high when I was done.  A good enough runner's high to deal my kids who did not want to do their school work (but Mom, we have to watch the Olympics!!).  Nothing gives me that feeling like running.  Yoga leaves me feeling peaceful, kettlebells leave me feeling strong, and like I've worked hard (so satisfied), but running gives me that high that can chase any blue feeling or any frustration away.  That's why I'll never stop running in order to just do kettlebell or yoga.  I feel so good when I run, that I don't want to give that up.

I've been trying, extra hard, to eat better this week.  I'm trying to watch my calories and make sure I'm getting enough protein.  I need to find ways of getting more protein, but less calories. :) Today, is my birthday (Happy Birthday to me!), and my husband is making me a very unhealthy chocolate ganache cake. :D  I plan on enjoying it.  I kept my calories down all day, so it shouldn't hurt me too much. But that's ok.  I probably will not have wine with dinner though.  I need to cut calories where I can.

It's not that I need to lose much weight, I did put on a few pounds this winter, but mostly I want to tighten up.  To do that, I need to cut down the sugar.  I also want the most energy I can get for my workouts, and my body needs the ability to recover.  Sugar does not do that, nor does lots of English Muffins.  I need of protein, dark green veggies, and good quality carbs (like steel-cut oats, which makes a great breakfast after a run).  Anyway, I'm trying to eat better, but plan to blow it a bit tonight, but for a good cause.

Good Yoga Week

So I didn't touch my bells this week.  I do miss them, but I enjoyed the extra time spent practicing yoga.  Today was also the last day of the 40 days of practicing the same kriya.  It was a good experience.  I enjoyed the extra me time each afternoon, and the movement gave me extra energy for my day.  I don't know if it helped with my mental balance, but it was good.  What I learned was that I need some time for breath work and meditation each day, and a small amount of movement each afternoon would also be good.

I ordered a new bell last week.  When I first started kettlebell I just used a 15lb bell I got from Target.  When I knew I enjoyed kettlebell I invested in better bells. I own two 12 kg bells, a 16kg, and a 20kg.  The only issue is, that when I do a lot of presses, the 12 kg becomes too heavy, but the 15lb feels way too light.  So I ordered an inexpensive 20lb bell from Amazon.  It's a Cap bell, and they aren't bad.  I had ordered on for my daughter when she said she wanted to give kettlebell a try.  It will be a good bell to do higher reps of presses, as well as high reps of TGUs.  The bell should arrive tomorrow.

I decided I'm going to stick with Breaking Muscle's plan.  The 2x's a week is nice, plus I like some of the variety in the workouts.  Lauren Brooks plan is very good, but just a few exercises.  Right now I feel like I need to be doing a bit more.  But I may change my mind after I finish the 2nd cycle.

I also decided that I need to pay closer attention to my diet.  I've been eating too much junk and drinking way too much coffee.  I've been reading up on the ideas of Ayurveda, and I want to incorporate some of those ideas into my life.  Most are simple.  I probably won't give up coffee, but I am adding lemon to my water.  I plan on getting some fresh ginger to eat/drink before meals, and I am making a few other small changes.

I'm realizing that I need to be more mindful in everything I do, whether it's my eating or exercise.  I also need to practice being in the moment in everything.

Completed Cycle 1!

I finished my 12 week cycle for kettlebell from BreakingMuscle.com.  I enjoyed the program, and the 2x's a week was just was I was looking for.  I also ran 20 miles last week.  I did 2 days of 5 miles and then a 10 mile run on Sunday. The run felt great.  I watched the Olympics Women's Speed Skating while I ran on my treadmill, which was a really enjoyable way to spend 2 hrs.

This week I'm taking off from kettlebell.  My plan is to do yoga instead.  Next week it will be back to kettlebell. Now I'm trying to decide if I should move on to cycle 2 for kettlebell or if I should try Lauren Brooks' Week to Strong Woman workout.  I don't want to give up running.  I just enjoy it.  I feel so good when I run, and my body seems happier when I run.  So the question is, can I do a more intense strength program and still run?  I'm leaning towards trying.  I can cut the running a bit, but maybe still run 2 miles a day, 6 days a week. On kettlebell days I would just run 2 miles first.  Lauren's programs keep the time commitment short.  The routines in the program would only take about 20 minutes not counting warm up or cool down.  If I ran as a warm up for 20 minutes (or 22), then did 20 minutes of kettlebell, it would still be less overall time then my 5 mile runs.  The squats are the concern, but I can not push the weight, even though I don't think I'm anywhere close to squatting too heavy for runner.

I'm always torn between strength and running.  I enjoy them both.  I want to get stronger, but I want to run.  But as I'm watching the Olympics I'm thinking that I can push myself a bit more in both running and strength and it would be ok.  :)

In the Swing of Things

Well, I'll start with this week's disappointment.  I couldn't do the 5 minute plank.  I could not get past 3 minutes.  Part of me is sad.  I worked hard at this.  But I did think, from the beginning, that the progress to the 5 minute plank was a little to fast for this over 40 mom of 5.  But I did make it to 3 minutes.  At the beginning of the month, 1 minute was a challenge, now I can do 3.  Progress is progress.

This month, Athleta is having a squat challenge.  I don't want to do that one.  I think I could make the goal of 250 body weight squats (that only go half way down), the issue is that the routine laid out does not work with my workout routine.  It would be too much.  Planks everyday were one thing, but the squats would interfere with my running and my weighted squats.  So I'm done with their challenges for now.

I am still doing the 40 day Kundalini kriya challenge, which is the same kriya for 40 days.  Right now I've finished 24 days, so over half way.  I can't say that I've felt like it's made a huge shift in my mental and emotional balance, but I'm hopeful that it's helping out.  I've enjoyed doing it, even if I am getting a bit bored of doing the same one everyday.  I do like my new 30 minutes for me in the afternoon (that's in addition to my regular hour workout time), so I will keep up something when this is done.

Next week I'll be on the final week of Breaking Muscle's Cycle 1 for kettlebell.  It's been good.  I am starting to wish that I owned a 20lb bell.  I have a 15lb and then a 26lb (as well as 35 and 44lb).  The 26lb bell is still rough for presses, but the 15 feels like air.  I need something in between.  Right now I just switch off for my presses, so when it says 5 per side, I do 1 on the right, then left, then go back for number 2 on the right and so on.  It works, and I can do all 5 each side with good form.  But sometimes I wonder if I would make better progress with a 20lb bell.  I hate to spend money on something lighter, but in another few weeks, if I still feel like I"m not making progress I may order a bell.  I am enjoying kettlebell a lot.  Only doing it 2x's a week and continuing to run is working for me. When I was doing the BeSlam program (which I loved), I had to really cut back on my running and in the end I was burning out with kettlebell.  I enjoy running too much to give it up.

Which brings me to my rant of the week.  Everywhere I look these days, whether it's FB, blogs or Twitter, I see people putting down cardio or endurance exercise.  If you don't like cardio, don't do it.  If you hate running, stop.  If all you enjoy is weights, then enjoy them, but you don't have to disparage running just because you don't like it or because you think you won't be able to make great strength gains if you run (maybe you won't).  But maybe, regular, over 40 moms, are not worried about huge strength gains.  Maybe I want to be in better shape, a little stronger, have a little more endurance, and have some time for me each day.

Yes, it would be nice to look like this, but I'm not that young any more. :)

I love to run.  I feel free and strong.  I love kettlebell.  Swinging and snatching that bell make me feel powerful.  It's ok that I like both.  I strength train 2x's a week, plus add push-ups and pull-ups after one of my runs.  I run 3x's a week.  I have one full day for yoga (plus I squeeze that in whenever I can.  Right now everyday).  Right now, I'm happy with my mix.  I may change it up one day, but for now I'm good. 

Pushing Hard

I've been consistent with my workouts, and I've been pushing myself hard.  The result of that is this morning when I got up I felt shot and dreaded the idea of running.  I decided to not run this morning.  We went to church, I came home and had lunch, then I took a nap.  I felt much better after my nap, so then I went for a run.  It was smart to wait. I had wanted to go 6 miles, but told myself I could bail at 5 if I felt rough, but I made 7!  It was beautiful out, so sunny.  The lake had a bit of ice on it and there were still patches of snow on the ground, so it looked pretty, but the temperature was 50, so it was warm.  I had a great run, then came home and did 5 x 5 pull-ups with 1 minute planks in-between.  I'm still trying for the 5 minute plank.  The challenge was for 5 minutes, my personal goal was 3.  I made over 3 minutes this week, so now I would like to make it to 4 minutes.  Who knows, maybe I'll make it to 5 minutes.

I also did a bit of shopping today.  I had a coupon for Sierra Trading Post for 40% off.  My daughter needed new ski pants, so I ordered those, but I also ordered myself summer sandals.  In the summer I  mostly wear Chacos when I go out, and Birkenstocks around the house.  My Birks are 8 years old and my Chacos are 5.  Both are very worn on the bottom, so they needed to either be repaired or replaced.

I love blue!

     

These will be on my feet most of the summer.  I especially love to put on my Birks after I've been running.  They feel so good.

Tomorrow is a rest day, and I will need it.  I will do some light yoga, including the kriya I've been doing, just to stretch out before my long day (Monday's are spent out of town, not getting home to very late).