Why you can’t treat your body like a punching bag and expect to perform….

Before you even begin reading this entry you gotta click on this link and get in the relaxy headspace I’m in right now! Ah, rain! So relaxing! I’m actually a big fan of white noise. It’s rough being home sometimes – so quiet compared to Philadelphia and here (drunk undergrads hooting and hollering, bliss!). Nowadays it’s hard for me to sleep without some background. Sometimes I turn on a fan or something for the sole purpose of creating a loud, obnoxious, droning noises.

Anyway, I put my body through hell this week and paid for it at the gym today. I got 4-5  hours of sleep Monday – Thursday nights, ate out a lot while working late hours in the hospital complex, and last night drank the pain away a bit. How I expected to being able to crush my work out today, I have no idea!

But…I did expect to (dumb K….)! I bolted up the stairs two at a time, walked the steeper uphill route to the gym, took a hit off the inhaler 15 minutes before, and ran strong and confident for a good 8 minutes. I was even wearing new workout shorts I got today on a Target adventure (I haven’t bought shorts since like 8th grade for majorettes (Re: Baton twirling)). But, at minute 10, I tried to drink some water while running, messed up the breathing rhythm, then I got a cramp, so I tried to catch my breath for a minute and start again…Then after 5 more minutes of running the cramp recruited some of it’s pain homies and I had to stop and walk. I messed around with incline on the treadmill for the first time, and walked uphill for like 7 minutes, then called it a day.

I was actually like, “haha, uphill walking, I feel nothing. This is dumb.” But when I stepped off the treadmill I was like: “HELLO, quads!” I won’t diss it again, guys.

So true confession….I’ve never ran outside. Once I get to 30 minute running intervals I plan to start running outside (because, Sunshine is awesome!), but, I’m not that excited about the idea. I feel judged! Well, to get my feet warm to the idea I ran the 0.8 miles back home. It was kind of tough to be honest. I guess part of it is not knowing my speed, dealing with wind, and like, terrain. I felt more winded than I do on the ‘mill’.

So, in the end, my workout was a hangover-esque fail, but I challenged myself. At the end of the day, I think that’s what matters the most. I might do some floor exercises tonight if I get too bored. It’s great having time again! I definitely HAVE to be kind on the eating front this week though. Once you get on a roll, breaking it is a GI nightmare, and really hurt my ability to be my best at the gym today.

Week 5 = Crushed, Veggie Fail, and Results!

It’s been a sort of big last couple of days! I got in the last 2 runs of week 5 in my pseudo couch to 5K plan:

Wednesday:
Walk 10 minutes.
Run 15 minutes.
Walk 5 minutes.
Stretch

Friday:
Walk 6 minutes.
Run 18 minutes.
Walk 6 minutes.
Stretch.

Yesterday’s run really about demolished me though. It was a warm sunshiney day, which was awesome, but the gym was pretty toasty inside as well. I def got overheated those last four minutes and pushed myself a little too hard to get it done. When I knocked the speed on the treadmill back to a walk my whole leg (and face!) felt like fire. My legs were even red when I was stretching out. Not sure how great that is for me in the whole spectrum of health, but it feels great to push through a challenge and get it done. On the other hand, def almost passed out right when I stepped off the treadmill. To put things in perspective, my blood pressure runs on the low side, so passing out is pretty easy. I’m more aware of it now than I used to be, so I just gotta make sure I fuel myself properly and drink LOTS of fluids when I work out. Since I’m getting back in the cardiovascular shape I was a few years ago, I’m probably going to have to watch out more again.

Last night I experimented in the kitchen, and tried out a new vegetarian recipe! I adapted it from this one on epicurious: Coconut Curried Tofu with jasmine rice. Epicurious is a great site to search for ingredients that go well together and get inspired. I knew I wanted some kind of curry-licious Thai inspired tofu stir fry and this really fit the bill. It was pretty tasty, but, I definitely need to jazz it up and make it more spicy. It was a bit more bland than I like it, but I realize most people are not as crazy about the spice as I am. The coconut, basil, and peanuts were delish on the rice though! The tofu was kind of just there for protein. Tofu isn’t something I ever seek out, but I’m cool with it being there and appreciate the nutrients.

Last night was almost a veggie fail! I didn't know they sold veggies that were pre-seasoned. I was shocked to find brown goo all over my greens when I opened the bag on the right. Luckily I had backup veggies! I didn't want that salty goo fest anywhere near me....

And finally, I’m excited to report I’m starting to see and feel results! So, while on one hand I’m against numbers ruling your life, I also feel that weighing myself regularly is good motivation to make better decisions. I’m not the kind of person who lets a fluctuating weight label me into a depressed funk, nor do I let it lead to disordered eating. It’s great to see a quantitative change reflecting your hard work though (I am an engineer!). I lost nie 2 pounds this week, which is pretty in line with what you should aim for for healthy, sustainable change.

Realized this morning, my face looks like it did 2 years ago. So, I took a 'myspace' pic out of giddiness.

More than that, I am full of energy and vigor! And my face  has thinned out and looks more clear and bright. I don’t know. Good things are happening though : ).

I’m a Total Girl When It Comes to Musicals….

Who wouldn’t have a surrrious case of the Mondays the day after seeing Wicked?!

It was a great show! And I now have a new quote that makes me weep like the little hopeless romantic girl I am:

Elphaba, we’re going to be together always. You can see houses flying through the sky, can’t you see that?

SIIIIIIIGH!

Yeah, I got maybe five hours of sleep and then had to be in da lab at 8 to run over presentation stuff before giving it at 9. I felt like it was the worst talk I’ve ever given, even though I only really had like a minute of air time. I’m definitely the type who needs to practice and pretty much memorize what I’m going to say to be able to talk in public. This winging it thing definitely doesn’t work for me : /

Oh well, I just got a run in and have left all that emotional baggage on my second favorite treadmill at the AFC gym. I’m ready to conquer my tomorrow!

It was raining on the way to the gym, which made me feel extra hard core when I was en route. And feeling hard core definitely does positive things for your workout, unless you forget to take a hit off your inhaler before you head out. Yeah, I forgot in all the excitement of getting the hell out of my apartment. I could tell my chest was tight and I felt a little more beat up at the end of it than usual, but I got it done! I definitely think it’s something I can wean off of, which is kind of exciting.

In the spirit of the rain, I wore some ‘pants’ that really showed off my ankles. That’s the one thing you can’t get as a tall female: long sweats or loungewear. There are like a couple places that have jeans long enough, but no one bothers to make work out clothes for the long legged. Oh well. At least I have freaky skinny ankles to show off!

Anyway, here’s today’s run:

Walk 5 minutes.
Run 12 minutes.
Walk 3 minutes.
Run 5 minutes.
Walk 5 minutes.

I gotter done! Now, there are officially no more reasonable things to procrastinate doing homework with (my least favorite part of the day fo sho).

Peace,

Karen

WVU FINAL FOUR! WOO!

Wow! I just looked at my happy little New Moon calendar where I put little stickies on days that I get a good workout in, and realized I reached my goal and got out there 5 times this week despite midweek physiology homework suckiness! The whole work / student balance is pretty challenging. On Monday I figured out a sad realization: I got home from lab at 6, made dinner, digested for a little bit, went for a run, showered, all that good stuff. Once I was done with all that it was after 11 PM, which is basically sleep time, and left me no homework time that night. Figuring out the best way to fit in everything is definitely not a trivial problem.

The Workouts:

Friday I left work right at 5 to do a spin class with a couple fellow BME grad students. Sadly, we weren’t there early enough to get a bike, so we did some interesting stuff of our own: Three 10 minute cycling intervals with random strength exercises in between. I was reminded at how I have no upper body strength while attempting to do push ups. We also did some ab stuff, butt kicks, and my favorite, swimming! Imagine three girls in a row on a mat kicking their arms and legs, all in the name of strengthening some abs. I’m sure we looked ridic, but it was all in the name of fitness! I hope I do more workouts with friends. It’s sure a better use of social time than stuffing my face.

Yesterday, I started out week 5 in my couch to 5K! I successfuly completed the goal, even though, it was kind of a spoiler alert since I already did a 10 minute interval on Thursday and knew it wouldn’t be a problem.

Walk 5 minutes.
Run 10 minutes.
Walk 5 minutes.
Run 5 minutes.
Walk 5 minutes.
Stretch.

I was going to lengthen the last running interval, but this crazy dude at the gym was doing weird exercises and basically doing side kicks right beside me to the point where his shoe was like 4 inches from my face. It wasn’t exactly my dream workout. At another point he was doing a squat, beating his thighs with his fists as hard as he could and grunting. He got a major check.

Yesterday after the awesome WVU win, my friend and I decided to lose our karaoke-inity together! I was majorly nervous. And sadly, I totally picked the wrong song. Wild Wings Cafe was not ready for Heart I’m afraid. It was slower and higher than the version I usually jam to, so it ended up being kind of awkward. But…I’m proud of myself for facing a fear and making an ass out of myself!

I'm so red, and awkward, haha. But, it was a good song at least! Alone by Heart. Just not good with me behind the mic.

Today, it’s off to Richmond to see Wicked! DEFYING GRAVITY!!!!

Peace Out Week 4!

Hey all! I’m officially done with week 4 of my pseudo couch to 5K! Today’s plan was:

Walk 5 (so luxurious!)

Run 8 (say what now?!)

Walk 3 (ahhhhh)

Run 8 (again!?)

Walk 6

So, considering how much I struggled with those 5 minute intervals for so long, I came into this run with pretty low expectations. But, surprisingly I dominated this run. The first interval was more or less a breeze. Then, you got three whole minutes of rest which felt like an eternity after the one minute rests last time. Run 8 again? How about 10. Yeah, I went there. I decided to just keep running until I thought I was adequately tired. Jillian would have been proud.

My muse. I love her and no BULL people in general.

I didn’t feel as dead after, either. Maybe it was the fact that I was wearing shorts? Or maybe I’m less congested? Or maybe I’m just twice as awesome as I was on Tuesday. However you slice it, I’m happy to be in the shape I’m at today. I was feeling so good, I even did some ab exercises after my stretch.

As you probably noticed, this was my first workout in a couple days.Yeah. The last 2 nights I’ve been burried under papers and working on a Matlab (Re: nerdy programming language engineers like to use) codes for a class I’m in. He likes making these ridic long homework assignments that ruin my chances of getting anything done in lab for the week. Or like, doing life stuff like workout, sleeping, eating…ya know, that optional stuff :P.

Today our whole class was frazzled. I was having mild hallucinations this morning until I got Starbucks after class. I remember at one point drawing an alien on my paper and bursting into laughter. Oh grad school.

Peace,

Karen

Run bitch, Run

Greetings post the best weekend I’ve had in a long time! I had a lot of fun, ignored work, met new people, drank more than I should have (though, I am prepared with a myriad of good excuses and other people to blame), ate good food, soaked in the sunshine and 70 degree weather, and even got a workout or two in. I feel like everything came together in such a way, that Saturday afternoon while doing work at a coffee shop I was just like ‘Damn, Charlottesville is pretty good. I’m glad I’m here!” Man, if you’ve been following my story you know how long the journey to me saying that has been. I really do believe what one of my roommates said yesterday, that so much of happiness is just your circumstances. I went from a Philly hater to a lover during my four years in undergrad. It definitely wasn’t the city that changed, I just made my circumstances better by slowly meeting awesome people and ya know, adjusting. Anywho.

So I’ve had 3 Couch to 5K-esque runs since my last entry. The first two were pretty pathetic. Long story still kind of long- I was still congested, and increased…ummm….viscosity and asthma do not mix my brothers. The goal was the same:

Walk 4, 4 intervals of Run 5 Walk 1, Walk 2

Day one I managed to get the first 2 running intervals, then hacked through a Run 4, walk 1, Run 3, walk 1, Run 2, Walk 1, DIE.

Sunday, I also got the first 2 intervals and pretty much did the same pattern of slowly running less and feeling like death. I think I even scared some chick in the restroom after. I was totally out of it. I think the beer and cream cheese bagel that weekend were partially to blame for that ick.

But, today, TODAY, TOOOODAY! I friggin dominated all 4 of those running intervals. There was a moment minute 4 in the 3rd interval where I almost gave up but then this song came on:

And I started changing the words in my head, to just run bitch, just run bitch , and made it to the end. Then, in an exercise in positivity, I chanted ‘you can do anything; during the last interval. I felt a little better about that. But the last minute did get a little dicey and I was definitely saying “Gahhhh you can do fucking anything gahhhhh COUGH COUGH COUGH.”

But, I did it! Five minute intervals are now sort of my bitch. At the very least, we are able to get down when we need to.

Cluster(@#%#)’s and Game Over

Should this be my official couch to 5K graphic?!

Yesterday I got back to my running program. I was a little weary to actually go out, because my nose was still pretty stuffed up from the cold. But, by some awesome happenstance, as soon as I started running everything cleared out nicely and I had a good run. Sorry for the potentially graphic mental image…

According to my training program, I’m somewhere in the catacombs of Week 4. The plan for yesterday was:

Walk 4 Minutes, 4 intervals of Run 5 minutes Walk 1 minute, Walk 2 Minutes, and STRETCH!

But, in my program I’ve really enjoyed being flexible within the cage of a tentative plan. OK, that sentence makes no sense, I just used a lot of fun words. What I mean is, it’s nice to have a plan. It makes me get moving a lot more and train myself harder than I ever did when I let myself run on ‘standby.’ But it’s also good to be flexible within that plan. So while the plan makes me go for more and go out more, I adjust depending on how my body is acting that day. Yesterday, the cold was aggravating the asthma a bit, so I ended up doing this:

Walk 4 minutes, Run 5, Walk 1, Run 5, Walk 1, Run 3, Walk 3, Run 4, Walk 1, Run 4, Walk 3, annnnnd STRETCH!

So, while I had to catch my breath good in the middle, I made up for it by running a little more in the end. Honestly, During that last run when I was trying to make the total run time equal to my plan my favorite song to run to came on and it pushed me further.

That was until the treadmill decided to GAME OVER on me at the 30 minute mark. It was a fail, because I didn’t get to look at my end distance stats.

I had to be on one of those GAME OVER treadmills right in front of the basketball players because for some reason the gym was PACKED even at 9 PM last night. People must have been unhappy with how they looked in their suits during spring break last week or something. Hopefully these people give up on their goals soon (even though that sounds very selfish….I like MY treadmill ok?).

But wow, Running, you just earned yourself a new fan club member. When I got off the treadmill my quads had this lovely burning feeling. Working towards running goals really expands the possibilities of what I think I can accomplish in this world. It feels so good to achieve fitness goals I never thought I would. After like 6 weeks, I was able to more or less get over the flat foot/pronating issues that always stopped me before. And now I’m slowly kicking passed the asthma barriers.

I’m heading toward that 5K slowly but surely, folks.

Couch to 5K – Week 4

So, after splurging on my shoes for pronating, I figured it was time to start running for real. The knee and foot pain were my main excuses for never running before. I usually got my cardio from kickboxing fitness tapes or occasionally the elliptical machine at the gym. After trying to run for the past couple of months, I can genuinely say that running is 8 times as challenging as the elliptical ever was for me. I can see why Jillian doesn’t let the Biggest Loser contestants use them.

Right now, I am more or less following a running for beginners program I found here at women’s health online. It’s a program made for people like me who haven’t ran since they were forced to years ago in middle school gym. What I love about it is how bizarrely easy it starts out. I think on day one you only actually run for 2 or 3 minutes and it slowly builds from there. It’s great, because even if it is easy at first, it establishes habits. You get into a routine or going to the gym, and the slow build doesn’t scare you away. Of course, by week 4, if you are like me, you are panting like a maniac at the end of it. But, by now I’m invested in my goal, and can not wait for the day I am able to run that 5K in 30 minutes.

Today, when I read what I had to run (walk 4 min, 4 – 5 min run 1 min walk intervals, walk 2 min), I didn’t think I’d be able to run a 5 minute interval once, not to mention 4 times! I mean, just the day before I was struggling to get through the 3 minute intervals. To get through, I chose my music well, and sung along to it in my head instead of thinking about being tired or looking at the time. Surprisingly, I did it! And after that first interval the next three came a little easier because I knew that I had it in me. When I got off the treadmill today my quads were burning, but I felt so accomplished. Every day is a NPR (new personal record) and it’s a definite high.

Honestly, with every day of this program I gain more confidence in what I can accomplish. I’m a lot stronger than I think I am. And I’m so proud of myself for pushing after my knee injury in January and my exercise induces asthma issues now. I just know it will all be worth it when I cross the ‘finish line’ : )

Today, I feel like a real runner!