Week 40: Day 7

cardio:

• "stadium run" (@ 8am); time = 3:13
• track run = 3 miles; time = 31:39, pace @ 10:33
• mile 1 = 10:20
• mile 2 = 21:00
• mile 3 = 31:39

Total Weekly Mileage: 12.42
Total Monthly Mileage: 49.36
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 242.31

Out of pure laziness, I almost didn't want to run this morning. When you're feeling lazy, that's the best time to exercise. I told myself that if I did a short run, I gave myself to go back to sleep as a reward for running/trying. I debated between a 2.5 mile run (road/trail) or a 3 mile run (high school track).  I went with the 3 mile run on the track because I would be doing a 1/2 mile warm up and cool down (each) and I always do the "stadium run" everytime I run the track. The "stadium run" consists of running up and down the aisle. Up and down one aisle was one time, up and down second aisle was two times, etc and there were six aisles, so....I don't know the exact distance for doing this, but I'm guessing it's about 1/4 mile to do all six aisles. I struggled with the warm up to the track. Partially because of the weather (windy and too warm for my liking) and partially beause I really wasn't in the mood to exercise/run. Once I got there and did the stadium run, I felt normal to run the track.

I hadn't done track runs in over a year and I don't do track runs very often when I do mainly because you're essentially running in place/circles and I find that boring as well as making so many left turns wasn't really good for your running muscles. Technically people should be running in both directions for every so laps to avoid running injuries and muscle imbalance, but I don't like having to stop/slow down just to turn around and run in the other direction.

Now that I did my run, I can go back to sleep...although I don't feel like going back to sleep now!

Week 40: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

I did go to second class and helped some students with their katas, but I did a lot of nothing while standing around.

Week 40: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:35am) = 4.64 miles, time = 48:02, pace @ 10:21

Felt nice on the run this morning.

I was going to yoga this morning, but I won't be going afterall. Had a bike accident about 1/4 mile from my house and I'm now scrapped up. This is the first bike accident I've ever had and I think my ego may be more bruised than my body.

Week 39: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:30am) = 4.5 miles, time = 48:27, pace @ 10:46

Total Weekly Mileage: 12.16
Total Monthly Mileage: 37.22
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 230.17

It was overcast and very, very lightly misting this morning, though I'm glad that it didn't rain! I suppose a mid 50s temperature and overcast-y like weather is better than mid-50s temperature and sunny weather. It feels cooler (not cold enough for me though) and the air is cleaner like that anyway.

Week 39: Day 6

cardio:

• karate (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

I felt so lazy today and I almost didn't want to go to karate, but I went anyway. We didn't have enough people for a second class, so we didn't have one.

Week 39: Day 5

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 7am) = 3.24 miles, time = 34:32, pace @ 10:40/mile
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I originally had planned a challenging hill run for this morning, but I didn't feel like doing it, so I opted for a run with easier hills because I still felt like running.

The last few yoga classes that I went to (all were with the same teacher) had been kinda boring. Today in yoga was more fun, but I suppose it was because we did a many headstands which is something that I enjoy doing in class or to show off to other people.

Week 39: Day 4

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7:15am) = 4.42 miles, time = 44:18, pace @ 10:01/mile

Didn't feel like going to the gym after my run. Feeling a bit unmotivated, but my soreness didn't help either. I don't know where I got this burst of energy and the weather/tempurature wasn't painfully cold as I would've like, but it was nice to run faster than before. I've missed having this as my normal average pace and it would be nice if it was like this everytime I go out for a run.

Week 39: Day 3

strength training:

• lower body + abs/lower back (@ 8am)
• squats on smith machine = 2 sets x 15 reps x 50lbs
• deadlifts with barbell (no weights) = 2 sets x 15 reps
• hip aDductors (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 175lbs
• hip aBductors (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 175lbs
• calf extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 120lbs
• back extensions = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one 10lb weight plate)
• side bends = 2 sets x 15 reps x 10lbs (one 10lb weight plate)
• prone leg curls (weight machine) = 2 sets x 12 reps x 55lbs
• leg extensions (weight machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 55lbs
• cable twist (cable machine) = 2 sets x 15 reps x 15lbs
• leg lifts on stability ball = 2 sets x 10 reps

cardio:

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

I finally did some weight/strength training after a long hiatus of laziness. My abs are sore now and I'm sure it's from the leg lifts on the stability ball. I didn't ride my bike to the gym like I normally would have because of the chances of rain and I don't like riding in the rain. It's already dangerous to ride when it's dry, sunny and clear!

Week 29: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@12 pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@7pm) = 1 hour

Wanted to get a work out done really early this morning, but I got sick from running in the rain yesterday. I was so sleepy, but felt ok enough for yoga. Didn't ride the bike to yoga because it was cold and windy.

Week 38: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 7am) = 4.33 miles, time = 45: 15, pace @ 10:27

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.85
Total Monthly Mileage: 25.06
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 228.01

Started the run with very light drizzle/mist. With 1.7 miles left to go in the run, it started to rain, drizzle heavier. It was enough concern that I put my ipod and earphones away in my hip bag because I didn't want either to die trying to finish the rest of my run. I didn't have a choice to finish the last 1.7 miles of the run and being sopping wet by the end. I think I would have enjoyed running in the rain more if it was below 45 degrees and painfully cold. Believe me, I really do enjoy/love running in painfully cold and below 45 degrees temperatures!

Week 38: Day 6

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate/advanced) class = 1pm to 2pm
• bike ride for errands (@ 4:45pm) = 3 miles

Somewhat cloudy, but still nice for a bike ride. Eventually I will ride to karate training. I need to have a conversation with myself about that challenging hill at the half way point between home and karate. The hill is pretty challenging in both directions and I think it may take me an hour and half to ride 6.5 miles (or 13 miles roundtrip) because of that hill. I think the best way to "conquer" it is by trying, though I'm not brave enough to try or I'm just being lazy. Someday.

Week 38: Day 5

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:20am) = 4.2 miles, time 45:11, pace @ 10:45
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I debated whether I wanted to run or not, but I feel better now. I now feel like doing something productive outside all day long because the weather is nice.

Week 38: Day 4

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 7am) = 1.1 mile, time = 13:05, pace @ 11:54
• warm up/cooldown = 1.11 mile (each)

I've decided that I don't want to do turbo kickboxing anymore because I'm bored of it. Instead of TBK, I've changed my running schedule a bit and will be running on Thursdays. I'm somewhat bored of running, but I actually enjoy it more than TBK class though.

Week 38: Day 3

cardio:

• karate = 1 hour

I need to stop procrastinating if I want to do some kind work out in the morning. Procrastination is very evil. I did wake up and got dressed. Decided to cuddle with my dog instead even though that could have waited until after.

Week 38: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to pilates = 4.2 miles round trip

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

It was somewhat windy this morning, but it wasn't that bad while riding to and from the gym. The sun was out and it wasn't blowing like crazy, so I enjoyed the ride.

Week 38: Day 1

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

It had been windy all day. I don't mind cold temperatures, but I don't like wind. Wind is just harder to work/deal with. I hope it's just windy today and the rest of the week is fine. We're also having "June Gloom" in May. I'm not sure what to think of it. A cloudy sky makes me lazier, yet it seems to make the air cleaner and better for running.

Week 37: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 8am) = 3.61 miles, time = 38:15, pace @ 10:36

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.53
Total Monthly Mileage: 14.21
Total Shoe Mileage: 217.16

It wasn't cool enough, but it was overcast this morning. It also started sprinkling/drizzling during the second half of my run and it seemed constant. It wasn't enough to cause any concerns/malfunctions on my ipod or earphones, but I loved it. For the first time in a very long time, I actually enjoyed a constant flow of drizzle/sprinkle. I didn't run as fast as I wanted, but it made up for the fact that it wasn't as cold as I wanted.

Week 37: Day 6

cardio:

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

Did our usual stuff in karate training.

Week 37: Day 5

cardio:

• road/trail run (@ 6:10am) = 3.75 miles, time = 40:29, pace @ 10:48
• bike ride to/from yoga = 4.21 miles roundtrip

strength training:

• yoga (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I almost didn't want to run this morning because it was overcast/cloudy. Cloudy sky makes me lazy and unmotivated, but I got my run in anyway. It was cold enough, though at least, the air quality was much better and I shouldn't complain about that.

The sun came out just as I got ready to ride out to the gym for yoga. It was actually quite nice for a short ride.

Week 37: Day 3

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6am) = 1.15 miles, time = 13:41, pace @ 11:45
• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 7pm to 8pm
• second (intermediate) class = 8pm to 9pm

During the last hill run (last Wednesday), my lungs and throat felt like they were burning while breathing. This morning, my throat and lungs felt like they were burning, but not as bad as last time. I'm hoping/guessing that it's because of the somewhat smoggy air quality and slightly warm temperature that were bothering me...even at 6am. I like Spring weather for regular outdoor stuff...just not for running.

Week 37: Day 2

cardio:

• bike ride to/from pilates class = 4.2 miles

strength training:

• pilates (@ 9:30am) = 1 hour

I have been going to yoga class for almost two years. I have been going to pilates class for about seven months. Both classes involve stretching, balancing, muscular strength and muscular endurance, and therefore, they seem to go hand in hand somehow. I never noticed anything different when I was just doing yoga. I feel more flexible because of pilates, although I don't feel like I'm getting any better with the actual moves during class....even after seven months. But I suppose this is what happens when I don't do pilates everyday on my own time.

Week 37: Day 1

strength training:

• yoga (@ 12pm) = 1 hour

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I wasn't going to work out this morning/afternoon. I didn't want to do yoga or anything else, but made myself go. I felt better.

Week 36: Day 7

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6:35am) = 3.68 miles, time = 39:02, pace @ 10:36

Total Weekly Mileage: 10.38
Total April Mileage: 30.61
Total May Mileage: 3.68
Total Shoe/Yearly Mileage: 206.63

I'm just going to enjoy the cool weather/temperatures in the mornings when I run. Although I'd like knowing how fast/slow I do my runs, it doesn't make sense to try harder for a faster pace.