Week 36: Day 6

cardio:

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

We have a karate tournament tomorrow in Glendora, but I won't be going to it. Most of the students won't be going either. We did some sparring (not usually) in class, but mostly the usual stuff.

Week 36: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@7am) = 3.25 miles, time = 33:44, pace @ 10:23
• bike ride to/from yoga class = 4.2 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@9:30am) = 1 hour

I'm finally starting to good running in low 60s temperatured weather. I've never figured out why my mind has decided that anything below 45 was great. I still do enjoy running in extreme cold, but I live in SoCal where it's 60-something degrees during the non-summer months.

Week 36: Day 4

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 9am) = 1 hour

I don't enjoy TKB anymore. Maybe I'm just bored with it even though lately, I have been pretty sporadic about going to class.

Week 36: Day 3

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:50am) = 1.13 miles, time = 13:41, pace @ 12:07
• warm up/cooldown = 1.11 miles (each way)
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I used to enjoy running in temperatures of low 60s. I don't know why I have such a struggle with it now and am running slower in that kind of weather. It feels nice, so I don't know what has changed me.

Week 36: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I was so sleepy today. I didn't feel like doing anything but karate today.

Week 35: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run = 2.11 miles, time = 22:36, pace @ 10:43

Weekly Total Mileage: 5.50
Monthly Total Mileage: 24.11
Shoe/Yearly Total Mileage: 196.25

Sometimes I don't mind an overcast/cloudy weather in the morning for a run. Sometimes, I do. When I do, it's hard for me to get a work out in because all I want to do is go back to sleep.

It was a bit misty this morning. It was nice, but at the same time, I wanted to go back to sleep. It was nice to get a run in the morning though and I think I will go back to sleep! I was going to do a longer run, but I only had enough motivation for a two mile run instead.

Week 35: Day 6

cardio:

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

We did some stuff in class that we hadn't done in awhile. Felt nice to get a "refresher" course.

Week 35: Day 4

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 8am) = 1 hour

I was going to take the bike out to the gym, but the weather didn't look nice enough. It sucks because the clouds looked dark and gloomy, and now it's kinda sunny! I don't know why we're having "June Gloom" in April!

The TKB teacher wanted to start class 30 minutes earlier this morning because he was having a baby shower, and provided some drinks and food for us to have after the class. I didn't feel like I worked out harder than usual, but my both of my calf muscles feel sore!

Week 35: Day 3

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Karate was all the exercise that I felt like doing today. No running, gym, whatever.

Week 35: Day 2

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 7am) = 1.15 miles, time = 13:22, pace @ 11:37
• warm up/cooldown = 1.12 miles (each)
• bike ride to/from pilates class = 4.2 miles

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I really felt like running this morning. I also think that my endurance and pace is getting better for challenging hill runs, but I don't know.

Week 35: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Didn't feel like doing my normal weight training work out this morning. Didn't ride the bike to yoga this morning. All because it was cloudy, gloomy and a bit drizzle-ly. While I feel ok running in light drizzle and mist, I haven't mustered up enough courage to ride in the same kind of weather because I think a motorist will still find a way to run me over. If it's still misty and drizzle-ly tomorrow morning, I think I'll go running in it. Temperatures below 45 and sunny is THE perfect running weather. Cloudy, misty/drizzle-ly is the next perfect running weather.

Week 34: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 3.68 miles, time = 40:20, pace @ 10:58

I think I need to start doing warmups for every single run, no matter what kind it is. During the first mile of my run this morning, I felt blah and slow. After that one mile, I actually felt better about running and didn't feel slow although it might not have mattered with my pace/speed. I usually only did warm ups for easy track runs and challenging hill runs, but I should do warm ups for all of my runs anyway.

Week 34: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm
• bike ride to do errands (@ 4pm) = 3 miles

So hot today. It's hard to do much with this heat that we're having.

Week 34: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:15am) = 2.75 miles, time = 27:20, pace @ 9:56
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

Somehow I don't believe that I'm really running at ten minutes a mile. I felt so slow this morning. I don't know if it was just in my head that I was slow or if I was really running faster than normal.

Week 34: Day 3

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 12pm) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I was going to run and do strength training this morning. And I wanted to recharge my ipod for a few minutes before I headed out for a run so that my ipod wouldn't die in the middle of my run (it was low, but it probably would have been ok for the whole run), but I accidentally deleted my whole playlist and there were over 200 songs on it! By the time I had my playlist back on my ipod, I lost motivation to get my morning work out done.

Week 35: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym = 4.2 miles

strength training:

• upper body strength training
• push ups (hands on bosu ball, feet on dynadisc) = 2 sets x 10 reps
• bicep curls = 2 sets x 15 reps x 15 lbs (two 15lb dumbells)
• wrist curls = 2 sets x 15 reps x 17.5lbs (one dumbell)
• alternating front/side arm raises = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
• tricep kickbacks = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one dumbell)
• chair dips = 2 sets x 15 reps
• shoulder presses = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (two 10lb dumbells)
• reverse curls (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 45lbs
• chest presses (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 65lbs
• lat pulldowns (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 85lbs
• seated rows (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 130lbs
• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

My abs are sore from yesterday. I didn't think that they would be because I thought I wasn't trying hard enough or wasn't doing something right. My shoulders are sore now from this morning work out.

Week 35: Day 1

strength training:

• lower body + lower back + abs
• stairmasters = 10 minutes
• one leg squats = 2 sets x 15 reps x 40lbs (two 20lb dumbells)
• kneeling leg lifts = 2 sets x 15 reps
• ball pass (hands to feet) = 2 sets x 15 reps
• wall sits = 2 sets x 1 min holds
• leg lifts on bosu ball = 2 sets x 15 reps
• cable twists (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 15lbs
• calf extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 120lbs
• hip aBductions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 150lbs
• hip aDdcutions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 150lbs
• back extensions = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lb (one weight plate)
• side bends = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one weight plate)
• leg presses (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 335lbs
• prone leg curls (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 50lbs
• leg extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 55lbs

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym = 4.2 miles roudntrip
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginner) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

I need to stop being lazy about the strength training with free weights and weight machines. I stopped before because I got bored/unmotivation. I need to get back into it because I think it's going to help me shape up better as I bike more regularly.

Week 34: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:50am) = 3.2 miles, time = 35.27, pace @ 11:05

Weekly Total Mileage: 9.7
Monthly Total Mileage: 12.38
Shoe Total Mileage: 172.14

I don't know what the problem is. I'm not sure if the weather is the issue or if I'm truly low on motivation because my run was unusually slower this morning. I definitely felt sluggish and slow. Perhaps it's colder at 6:30am and I should start running at that time. I don't know if that will help, but there is only one way to find out on the next run.

Week 34: Day 6

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginner) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm

Eventually, I will be riding the bike to karate training on Saturdays. I want to ride to karate training, I really do! Right now, I just have a slight problem with the distance (6.5 miles one way; 13 miles roundtrip) and a bigger problem with the challenging hill on the way to class/home.

Week 34: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7am) = 3.25; time =33:29, pace @ 10:18
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.2 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I almost didn't want to run this morning because I didn't sleep that well last night and I was tired. I decided that I would feel better for running. I was right because I don't feel tired right now and I'm ready to take care of business today!

Since I felt ok riding the bike on Wednesday after running, I thought that it was ok to ride again to yoga after my run this morning...and Wednesday's run was much more challenging than today's run.

Week 34: Day 4

cardio:

• turbo kickboxing (@ 8:30am) = 1 hour

I debated going to TKB this morning because I had things to do and I wasn't sure if I had enough time between class, showering, walking my dog before heading out to Temple City. Luckily, I did, but I didn't have the time to ride the bike before/after the class.

Week 34: Day 3

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:50am) = 1.13 miles
• warm up/cooldown = 1.12 (each way)
• bike ride to do errands (@ 10am) = 3 miles
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

Between riding the bike and easy runs, that all seems to help with my endurance to run continuously on challenging hills. Or is just all in my head? I don't know. My pace isn't as good as it used to be on such challenging hills, but normally when I stop running on challenging hills and then start again after many weeks, my endurance isn't good at all. Thank you, cycling!

Week 34: Day 2

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym/pilates = 4.2 miles (round trip)
• bike ride to do errands (@ 12:20pm) = 4.2 miles

One of my new year's resolution was to ride a bike to the gym at least once a week. Maybe more depending on what time I went to the gym and if the weather is decent enough. I have to admit that I haven't been very consistent riding the bike to the gym every week. I've decided to ride the bike when I do errands that are within city limits. Why not? It's much cheaper than paying for gas (or the bus), I'm one less person polluting the air (though I'm helping the planet in a very minute way), and it's good exercise! Plus, we're having good weather so it's nice for a bike ride.

Week 34: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• bike ride to/from gym/yoga = 4.2 miles (round trip)
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I finally figured out how to shift gears on the bike. My quads don't hurt anymore when I ride uphill, although it doesn't seem or feel like I'm riding faster going up a hill.

Week 33: Day 7

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 8am) = 2.68 miles, time = 28:45, pace @ 10:44

Total Weekly Mileage: 6.38
March Total Mileage: 26.46
April Total Mileage: 2.68
Total Shoe Mileage: 162.44

The first time in awhile, I went out for a run at 8am. I usually preferred running at soon as sunrise, but I was determined to fix my watch this morning so I could time my run. I got a new battery on Friday, but the person at the store who replaced the battery for me, accidentally pressed one of the buttons (the start buttons) which got stuck and didn't work when he was putting the back onto the watch. The battery on my watch recently died...in fact, it died as soon as I finished my last run. The time was faded and barely readable towards the end my run. I was glad that the battery held out long enough for me to finish my run before it completely died. I also think that having my watch with me and timing my runs is a mental/psychological thing...for me, anyways. I enjoy timing my runs no matter how good or bad it is, but without my stopwatch, I get very bored and unmotivated. Although I think I would have survived running without a watch just for one time.

This morning was the first time I went running without music. I was so determined to fix my watch and unsticking the start button that I forgot about my ipod/music until I was about one mile into my run. It would have been nice to run with music, but I didn't die of extreme boredom and lack of motivation like I thought. The last time I ran without music, I was so bored. So I know very well that music and stopwatch are both a very psychological/mental thing for me and I can do without them if I tell myself that it's ok.

Week 33: Day 6

cardio:

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

We did our usual stuff in class. Went over and practiced some katas.