Week 33: Day 3

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:30am) = 3.7 miles, time = 39:12; pace @ 10:36
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

We had a second class for karate, but I didn't feel like sticking around. There were only three people. I don't know what the point is for having a second class if it's going to be very small.

Week 34: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

No second class on Mondays. We've decided that because there isn't enough people in attendance, it isn't worth having a second class.

I had to wash my gym shoes because I used them for the hike yesterday and they got pretty muddy. Since I didn't like the idea of putting my shoes in the dryer, they were still pretty wet and not ready for a regular use.

Week 33: Day 7

cardio:

• road run (@ 7:35am) = 3.25 miles, time =33:56; pace @ 10:26
• hiking (@ 11am) = 4 miles

Feels nice to run again after a week off due to rain/weather issues.

Went hiking with the L.A. Hiking meetup group after running this morning. Yes, I'm very ambitious, but not ambitious enough to do dual hikes with the group. The second hike (3 to 4 miles roundtrip) was in a different area, somewhat close to the first one. I can hike 7 to 8 miles in one trip and be fine, but I'm less motivated and not ambitious enough if I have to hike 7 to 8 miles in two trips because if I have to get in the car to drive somewhere, I'm more motivated to drive home than to a second hike.

Week 33: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

Wrestled/grappled for the first time in awhile in the second class. Unless this is something you practice regularly, you don't realize how uncreative you are until you get back into it.

Week 33: Day 5

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I'm getting tired of all the rain that we're having. I hate running in the treadmill (so boring) and I don't like to run in the rain in case someone can't stop and possibly running me over.

Week 33: Day 4

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Haven't been to TKB class in a few weeks. Did some new moves/things in class...some were cool and some not so cool. The not so cool ones, I will probably never get used to doing no matter how many times I do it in class. Blocking and punching with the same hand was what we did and that is something that I'll never get over or feel comfortable/natural doing. We never block and punch with the same hand in regular/traditional martial arts and with 16 years of martial arts, those old habits will die hard.

Week 33: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I didn't do any work out this morning and I should have. I was lazy and I feel guilty for it. Nothing I can do about it now.

We only did one karate class because we didn't have enough people show up for the second class.

Week 33: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginner) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Soon, I'll get back to my normal strength training work out. Right now, I'm just bored/unmotivated with it and only feel like running and doing classes.

Week 32: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:20am) = 3.25 miles, time = 36:08, pace @ 11:07

Total Weekly Mileage: 9.86
Total Monthly/March Mileage: 19.51
Total Shoe Mileage: 133.30

I was motivated enough to run this morning even though there was a very good chance of heavy rainfall. It did drizzle lightly and I was okay with that, but I think I would've preferred extreme cold...so cold that it hurt.

Week 32: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:30am) = 3.66 miles, time = 38:14, pace @ 10:23

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I almost didn't want to run this morning (I got distracted by going online), but I made myself get out for a run. So glad that I did because I feel so much better now.

Week 32: Day 3

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:30am) = 2.95 miles, time = 29:38, pace @ 10:03
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginner) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Between running, walking my dog, taking a shower and a photo session this morning, I didn't have time to hit the gym for some strength training. I don't run in the dark and with the time change this past weekend, it's dark before 7am..Even if I headed out for a run atexactly 7am, I probably wouldn't have the time for strength training anyway.

Week 32: Day 2

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Didn't feel like doing upper body strength before pilates. I waited too long to take my dog out for a walk that I didn't have enough time to set up my bike and ride to the gym. I was going to do yoga tonight at a gym that was (technically still is since I didn't visit it yet) new to me until I checked the class schedule. I was hoping that I would be going to yoga for a teacher I was used to, but she wasn't scheduled to be there. She is scheduled to do yoga next Tuesday, so I'll try again then. In the meantime, I'll go to her yoga class on Friday morning at the gym I frequent.

Week 32: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Hmm, the muscle between my shoulder blades is somewhat sore from kayaking yesterday. It's not so bad that it's uncomfortable when I do stuff, but I can feel it. I'm not sure if I want to do any upper body strength tomorrow. I'll sleep on it and we'll see in the morning.

Week 31: Day 7

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 7:20am) = 3.2 miles, time = 34:09
• kayaking (@ 10:30am) = over one hour

Total Weekly Mileage: 3.2
Total March/Monthly Mileage: 9.65
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 123.44

I went kayaking one time before and that was last year. It was with a kayaking meetup group and I went with them again this morning. I struggled a bit the first time that I kayaked because I didn't know how to "row" properly even though the person who hosted the group/owner of the kayaking rental place, explained the basics to everyone. Anyway, I think I did a better job at kayaking and rowing this morning, even though it still took a lot of upper body strength to propel yourself forward in a kayak on water. I didn't feel tired from running, so I was ok for kayaking and I indeed got a full body work out today!

Week 31: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

It was a slow day in class today. I wonder why that was. We usually got around 20 or so people in the first class, but only 12 showed up. Having 20 people makes the class seem so busy and crowded. I still got a good work out, so it was ok.

Week 31: Day 5

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I had planned on running this morning. I got distracted and side tracked with some photos that I took yesterday afternoon, even though the photos could have waited until after I got done with working out. I still got a good work out and sweated in yoga. Does that still count?

Week 31: Day 4

This morning when I woke up, I was debating if I felt like going to the gym and work out. I wanted to skip it and sleep in, but I decided that I would go for turbo kickboxing at least because I knew that there would be a fill in today and it was a fill-in teacher that I actually liked. I checked the schedule on the website this morning, so I knew who would be filling in. I showed up with several other people and we waited around. Class was suppose to start at 8:30am, but never a teacher showed up by 8:45am, so everyone left. So yeah...I should have stayed in bed.

Week 31: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I didn't get my work out done this morning. I forgot where I placed my cell phone and by the time I found it, I didn't have the motivation to get out. I was going to run, but I'd like to have my phone on me in case of an emergency (i.e. a motorist ran me over).

Week 31: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym in morning = 2 miles

strength training:

• upper body strength (@ 8am)
  • push ups on bosu ball (on hands) and dynadisc (on feet) = 2 sets x 10 reps
  • alternative front and side raises = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
  • bicep curls on bosu ball = 2 sets x 15 reps x 17.5lbs (two 17.5lb dumbells)
  • wrist curls = 2 sets x 15 reps x 17.5lbs (one dumbell)
  • tricp kickbacks = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
  • shoulder presses = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
  • bent over rows = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one dumbell)
  • rear deltoids = 1 set x 12 reps x 10lbs (one dumbell)
  • rear deltoids = 1 set x 12 reps x 10lbs (one dumbell)
  • chest presses (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 75lbs
  • seated rows (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 130lbs
  • reverse curls (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 45lbs
  • lat pulldowns (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 90lbs
• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I didn't go to sleep early at a more normal hour last night, but I actually finally had the motivation to do work outs other than classes at the gym. I also haven't been riding the bike in a few weeks (out of laziness), so it was nice to start it again.

I thought about going to yoga class tonight at the gym which would start at 8:30pm. Well, I just changed my mind because I didn't feel like changing back into my work out clothes. I think I got enough work out for the day, right?

Week 31: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Still not motivated enough to do weight training at the gym. But then again, it doesn't help that I stay up late to listen to the radio at night and I feel tired in the morning. I need to force myself to go to bed at a reasonable time.

I did go to second karate class, but I did a lot of standing around and watching.

Week 30: Day 7

cardio:

• trail run (@ 7am) = 3.2 miles, time = 35:08, pace @ 10:59

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:15am)  = 45 minutes

Total Weekly Mileage: 6.45
Total Monthly/March Mileage: 6.45
Total Shoe Mileage: 120.24

It feels like I'm losing motivation and like it's crashing. I don't feel like running anymore, but I think the weather/temperature has something to do with it. I used to be love 50-something and low 60-something degrees temperature and ran just fine in that kind of temperature. Why am I having a hard time finding the motivation to run in that kind of temperature? I don't understand! I live in Southern California where it's sunny and a nice 60-something degrees weather during the daytime in the winter! It's rare that we get really cold morning temperatures because well, this is Southern California. I used to be a big wimp when morning temperatures got below 50 degrees. Now I love it and want to run when it's uncomfortably and painfully below 45 degrees (in shorts and a technical short sleeve shirt)! Why, why can't I enjoy a comfortable 50-something degrees weather anymore?? Maybe I should fine a running buddy?

After I did my run (ok, not immediately after), I did my own pilates. Not in a class, not with other people. Alone, on my own. I did moves that I remembered and liked from the pilates class I go to every Tuesday morning. I need to start doing pilates more regularly, whether I do it alone or in a class or with other people. I'm not going to improve or get over the burning/painful sensation by doing pilates once a week. If I can improve in pilates, I hope that this can help me become better at running and karate. I cheated a little bit. On the standing exercises, I used a wall to help with balance. My core still got a work out because I had to make sure my back was straight and not leaning to one side. In class, I made frequent "rest stops" when the burning got unbearable and uncomfortable. Frequent stops doesn't help you improve or get over the burning sensation. This morning, I made myself take less frequent rest stops and it burned/hurt more! I need a lot of work if I want to improve and get over the burn.

Week 30: Day 6

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 9am) = 1 hour
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

I went to a turbo kickboxing class for a fitness meetup group this morning. The desciption in the meetup group didn't mention what kind of specific work out we would do, so I thought that we would be doing something else. The person who schedule the fitness class, didn't instruct anything nor was she a certified instructor for anything, so we had to follow an instructor on the DVD (which belonged to the person who scheduled the class). The TV was fairly big, but it wasn't big enough for us to follow the instructor. Now fitness DVDs would be great for one or two people, but it's a little harder for a group of ten people to follow along. I did get sweaty, but I didn't feel challenged enough...I was more confused than challenged. I get a real work out in karate training and we have a lot of rest breaks. I was only able to sweat it out a little because I knew the basics. I suppose if I want a real work out doing Turbo Kickboxing, I would just have to go to the local gym that I frequent since they do offer Turbo Kickboxing on Saturday mornings. But at least it was a good "warm up" for karate training.

Week 30: Day 5

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I totally sweat purged during yoga this morning and I somehow steamed up the outside of my water bottle that sitting next to my mat. Awesome. Technically, I shouldn't have gone to yoga because 11am would officially mark the 24 hours after donating blood, but I made sure that I had lots of water and ate something before yoga. I felt totally fine. I don't think I would be able to handle a run before yoga because that seemed like too much exercise for someone who just donated blood yesterday and I don't want to pass out in the middle of yoga.

Week 30: Day 4

Today, I decided to donate blood, so I didn't put in a work out this morning and I can't put in a work out for 24 hours. It's probably not a good idea to run tomorrow morning, but I hope to feel ok for yoga class even though yoga isn't technically a full 24 hours.

Week 30: Day 3

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 7:15am) = 1.13 miles, time = 13:49, pace @ 12:14
• warm up/cooldown = 1.12 miles each way
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I like running in temperatures between 35 to 45 degrees. It wasn't that cold this morning, but it wouldn't have helped either way for the run anyway. I hadn't ran on challenging hills in a few weeks, and while I was able to run continuously, I still lost a bit of endurance and ran slower than I'd like. I wanted to run on challenging hills to rebuild my endurance and speed/pace even though I'm not training for any races right now and I want to keep up with my endurance/pace to where I like them to be.

Week 30: Day 2

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I'm still sore from Sunday's seven mile hike. Obviously that hike was some major work out for me if I'm still sore! My calf muscles, quads, shins and hip abductors are all sore right now. Doing pilates, with soreness in those muscle groups, was difficult.