Spring In2 Action – week 4 of Buff Brazen Bunnies

This past week wasn’t horrible, but it sure wasn’t what I wanted it to be.  And if I’m being honest, that’s just me being Debbie Downer.  But it wasn’t horrible, but my long run for the week was torture.  So let me break down my goals and see how I did overall.

1. Running 3-4 days per week: Well, I got in three.  Thursday I did a push pace run.  Essentially a short run really fast.  I did 2 miles in 16ish minutes (Daily Mile rounded it up 17 minutes). I felt good and strong, which I like.  A lot.  So when Saturday rolled around I figured I had some good fast workouts under my belt for the week, and that my 10-miler was going to be a good run.  I was hopeful that it was going to be awesome because I had really pushed myself the previous Saturday on my 9-mile run on the treadmill.  This 10 mile run was anything but good.  I struggled with every step.  It was windy, but not as bad as I was expecting.  But my legs felt like tree trunks and I kept trying to take light, gentle steps, but instead every step felt like a big clunk.  It was horrible.  I walked a lot.  I barely made that 10 miles in under 2 hours…which, to be honest, is my goal for 13.1 in May.  I *might* be revising that goal.  I skipped my speed work on Monday because of an appointment that messed with my whole schedule.  But I think my knees needed a rest after after all the clunking that happened on Saturday.  I did end up getting a 6-miler in on Tuesday on the treadmill at my goal pace, but I stopped every 1.5 miles because it felt so hard.  I’m wondering if I’m pushing too hard on my speed and tempo runs that I’m wearing myself out.  It’s been something I’ve been pondering.
2. Nike Training Club - I got guilted into doing this once – because I saw that Ashley had done it.  I was going to do it again on Monday evening just to say “I DID IT TWICE”, and then I sat down on the couch with T after getting done with work relatively early and promptly fell asleep.  But at least I got it done once.
3. 100 pushup challenge – Whoa-boy.  This is tough.  I’ve been doing really well…until Monday.  My last set was supposed to be 33, and I had total body fail.  I could.not.do.one.more.  I will be starting week 5 today, and I’m scared.  I did max out on my exhaustion test last night with 36.  It was hard, yo. I have weak wrists due to some carpal tunnel issues I have, and between the pushups and the extra hours I’ve been working, they ache almost as much as my pecs after doing the pushups.  But I do notice a difference.
4. Water – This hasn’t been horrible but it hasn’t been great either.  I’ve been getting in probably 40 ounces a day.  Which I should be striving for more given the fact that I’m drinking at least 2 cups of coffee every day.  I did make a point to drink 24 ounces of Nuun Friday night before bed because I had 2 glasses of wine with a friend that evening and knew I needed the hydration for my run on Saturday.  I also drank another 24 ounces before I left on my run and went through 20 ounces on my run.

Overall it looks to be a pretty good week.  I persevered on my runs. I drank a decent amount of water, I actually got a NTC workout done, and I’m staying on top of my pushups.  Now if only I get rid my brain of how horrible the last two runs were I’ll be just fine.

But at least I’ve got Bari along for the ride with me.  She’s kicking ass with her pushups and is gearing up for her first 25K run.  Smooches, girl! Love you!

 

Spring in2 Action – Week 3 of Buff Brazen Bunnies

Week three! Half way there! Wow. That means in three more weeks I’m supposed to be able to do lots more pushups than I can right now.  That’s kind of scary.  Let’s see how I’ve done on my goals for this week, shall we?

1.  Running 3-4 days a week – Success.  I ran Thursday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday.  I wussed out on my long run and did 9 miles on the treadmill.  It was a good 9 miles, and it probably wouldn’t have been great if I ran outside.  It had snowed and it was windy.  Not an ideal way to get my head in the game.  I’m really trying to push myself on the treadmill so when I go outside I can hopefully come close to my inside pace.  I did mess with my incline on this run.  I alternated between 1.5 and 2.5 of an incline starting at mile 3 and changed every mile.  I *really* want my under 2:00 time on May 1st.  But I know that I have trouble really pushing myself to go faster when I run outside.  I have to just feel good about the run.

2. Nike Training Club – Fail.  I even told Ashley that I would do it on Sunday, and then I totally forgot.

3. 100 pushup challenge - Good on this one.  Though these pushups? They are hard! Today was week 4 day 1.  I don’t really feel like I’m getting stronger, but I must be because even though I’m having total #bodyfail in my last set, I’m able to get them done.

4. Water intake – Better than last week, but that’s only because I feel like I’m on the verge of getting sick, but T tells me that it’s just allergies.  So I’ve been drinking like a mad woman.

This next week looks to be more status quo.  I *really* want to get one NTC in this week.  Hopefully I can convince myself to get that 15 minutes in.  Also? I may be going on my 10-mile run Saturday with a new running friend.  She’s run most of the races I have and is planning on doing the half in Reno in May, but she hasn’t run in over a month.  Not sure she’ll make the whole 10 miles with me, but it pains me to see someone who hasn’t trained (even if they know better) try and accomplish a long run.  I want to feel good after those runs not be in pain.

Anyway.  My fellow Bunny, Bari, did pretty well this past week too.

 

Spring In2 Action – Buff Brazen Bunnies – Week 2

Well this past week has been tough.  There was some major emotional/family drama going on in my house – that which I’m not delving into here, but know that it altered the adults-only plans for the weekend and had me in tears on many occasions.  So with that said, here’s my adherence to my goals for the challenge.

1. Running – 3-4 days a week – I ran Thursday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday – Sunday I ran my 9 miles outside.  I almost flaked on it too.  I was tired from the time change and I didn’t want to.  And it was super windy.  And halfway through the toes in my left foot cramped up when I stopped at a red light.  Cramped up to the point I had to take my shoe off and rub them.  It was very bizarre because when I was running they were find; it was only when I stopped.  So I’m upping my intake of bananas and electrolytes.  I also cut my 6-miler short by a mile yesterday because I mentally did not have it in me to continue.  But I’m okay with that.

2. Nike Training Club - Okay. I did better this week.  I got one ab workout done and then I cursed myself for not doing it more because my abs? They hurt.

3. 100 Pushup Challenge - Yep.  Done and done.  Though on Monday my last set was of 20.  I made it to 15 and had peck failure. So I had to stop for 10 seconds and then do the last 5.  Yeowch.

4.  Increase Water Intake – Well.  Mmm. I can’t honestly say I got in consistent water this week.  Although I should have drank more; crying is not only exhausting it’s dehydrating.  I’m going to try and get back on the horse with my water this week.

So overall I hit my goals.  I “substituted” NTC for less water.  It all evens out, right?  And I have some fun news about the Tough Mudder event I talked about last week, go read over here all about it!!

I think, Bari did pretty good on her goals too – though we both had a few moments of needing the other to be a drill sergeant.  But that’s why we’re a team.  To kick each other’s ass when needed.

 

Spring in2 Action – Week 1 of the Buff Brazen Bunnies

 

One week down, five to go.  So how have you been doing with your goals for this challenge.  Me? Pretty good.  Let’s review.

1.  Running 3-4 days a week  – I ran Thursday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

2. Nike Training Club – nope.  Not once.  Thought about doing the abs workout after my run yesterday and I ran out of time.  Could I have squeezed it in somewhere? Yes.  Did I? No. 

3. 100 pushup challenge – Success.  I will be doing my pushups on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Those aren’t typically run days for me and it’s easy to squeeze in the few minutes in between questions from the kids.

4. Increase water intake – Yes. I’ve definitely been drinking more.  On non-run days I’m taking in about 40 ounces of water.  On run days it’s 60-70.  Not high volume but enough to keep me peeing.

All things considering I’m doing fine.  I also have been swimming on Friday mornings when my oldest is taking private lessons.  I’m only in the water for 30 minutes, but that’s long enough for me.  I have an aversion to my face being in the water.  I never learned to breath properly and the whole exhaling in water, turn head and then inhale has always left me choking on water.  But you know what? Last Friday I did 100 m of freestyle with my face in the water.  There is no doubt that I drank some water, but I did it.  First time ever.  I’m going to try it again this Friday.  But don’t call me a swimmer yet.  I’d still rather be backstroking it. 

I know I didn’t make any commitments to avoiding foods or making better food choices, but I have to come clean that I ate a box of Thin Mints.  By myself.  In less than 24 hours.  They were good.  And now they are all gone and I can’t do it anymore. 

This next week should be a good one, but I am traveling this weekend to see Beki and her Knight.  T and I are going barrel tasting with them this weekend.  And I’m really excited!  Not sure what the food situation will be like, but the plan is to get my 9-mile long run in Sunday morning before headed back to reality.  Is it weird that 9 miles outside sorta freaks me out?  It shouldn’t. 

Oh! I almost forgot.  T emailed me yesterday morning and asked if I’d be interested in doing the Tough Mudder this September.  I’ve looked at the tentative course map and of all the things that frightens me is the last part.  Sprinting through a field of live wires and getting shocked? After running and climbing and traversing and swimming 10 miles? That? Does not sound like fun.  But I think we are going to do it with some friends.  So, in addition to hopefully running in three half marathons, I might be adding this 2 weeks after my second 13.1  and 3 weeks before my third 13.1.  I may have lost my marbles.

 

Spring Into Action – Buff Brazen Bunnies

I’m not normally a bouncy person, so this “spring” business?  Interesting.  Especially first thing in the morning, but I’m excited about the new challenge and my teammate, Bari.  Spring into Action is going to last 6 weeks.  In those six weeks I will be within a couple of weeks of my next half marathon and be a pushup queen.  Because that’s the fitness challenge.  To participate in the 100 pushup challenge.  I did this last year but lost momentum in the last week or so.  I think I got up to 80 pushups and gave up because I just did 80 pushups from my toes! And that’s awesome in and of itself.  This time I’m going to do whatever it takes to hit that magical 100 number.

So my goals for this challenge are basically to stay on track with my half training.  But here they are spelled out:

1.  I will be running 3-4 days a week for my half training.

2.  I’d like to add 2 days of Nike Training Club strength training to my routine.  But I’m having trouble committing to doing anything longer than 15 minutes.  So I’m going to focus on the mixing up the “Get Focused” workouts.

3.  100 pushup challenge.  My initial test was 20, from my toes.

4.  More water. I’m not sure I want to aim for a certain amount, but I need to get more water in me.

So that’s it.  Oh, wait.  I also have to make sure I kick Bari’s skinny ass whenever life gets crazy and she wants to take a raincheck.