Thursday, August 26, 2010

5K update and Mockingjay

I drove my regular walking route (regular referring to the direction I usually take and not to frequency) and discovered it is 2 miles, not just 1 as I thought. So I'm not so good with estimating distances. The 5K this Saturday would be about 3.1 miles. That would be a little bit of a stretch, but not so much it would kill me.

Unfortunately, my husband's aunt died and the funeral is this Saturday in Utah. The same day as the 5K. Because of other factors, like work schedules, we are still deciding whether to go to the funeral, which means my participation in the 5K is in limbo. We'll see what happens.

But I have a new motivation for walking. I bought the e-book of Mockingjay, which I have been dying to read. So I made this contract with myself that I can read 1 chapter for each mile I walk. This evening I did my 2-mile route. Then later I needed to make a quick trip to the store and decided to walk there with a couple extra blocks thrown in to make it a full mile. So I got to read three chapters tonight. And Chapter 3 is one of those mini cliffhangers and I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED! So it is likely I will drag myself out of bed a little earlier in the morning to get in some walking/reading.

And it occurs to me, I walked 3 miles today. That is nearly the equivalent of a 5K. I had some Writing Excuses podcasts on my MP3, which made it nearly painless. Well, other than the sweaty and sore part. But it made it not boring. Seriously, with the right motivation, I could walk a 5K every day. Maybe I don't need to pay an entrance fee and get the shirt. I'd rather use the entrance fee to buy another book or two. And I have plenty of shirts. In smaller sizes. That I would like to wear again.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Can she do it?

Ok, I go back to work today. Granted it is just for today and I don't go back for the school year until next week. Yikes! Where did the summer go?

When I made it my goal at the beginning of summer to defeat the hike that I thought would be the death of me, I was really scared that I would give up, roll over and play dead until time to actually die. I am impressed with myself that I have been consistent and that the hike is now enjoyable and I look forward to it. And more than that, I now only stop once for about 90 seconds and then I am off and can do the hike in 8-10 minutes as opposed to the 45 it took me the first time.

Now the scary part is when I can no longer go in the mornings. Like today. I would be almost at the top of the hike right now, but I would not have time to get home and showered and changed in time to be at work at 7:30 and when school starts I have to be there at 7:15. So, no more morning hiking. Except on Saturday. I am going to try to go in the afternoon/evenings from now on, but am not sure how that is going to actually work if it is 90-100* because I can't be out in the heat.  So we will see how it goes.

This morning I did 2 yoga cds and my 10 minute dance it off video and feel pretty good about that and if it is too hot, I will run on the treadmill when I get home. I am determined to lose the rest of this weight, but more than that, I have enjoyed feeling better this summer and I will be healthy and will not let work get in my way.

ETA

After work I checked my mail, fixed a yummy ceasar salad pizza, (I'll post the recipe sometime. It was seriously yummy) filled my camel back bladder with water and the pack part with my lip gloss, camera, wallet, phone and keys, changed my clothes, put my Sketchers Shape ups on, grabbed the kiddos and headed out. We did the hike that we normally would have done this morning. But can we say everyone in the city was doing the hike for FHE tonight?  I think I like mornings better- it is cooler and quieter and less crowded.  But I did it. So that makes a small workout in the morning and a hike in the evening and I feel great.

I am amazed that all day I was wanting the clock to move faster so I could come home and go hiking. Really? Two months ago I would have called you crazy if you had suggested that I would crave hiking. I have never liked it very much, but now my body wants to move, move, move! This is very exciting to me. But we will have to see what my body says come winter and snow and cold and no way I am climbing that mountian.  Will I want to get on the treadmill or do an exercise cd? We'll see.

Now, I am off for a long soak in the tub with a good book.
Night all!