Running and laughing

My leg is still just on this side of sore but I really wanted to do something. I strapped on my iPod and headed out for a almost hour walk through the neighborhood late this morning. I just followed the same route but abbrievated from when I run. It was hot and sunny but I needed to get out there. Then I met some librarians for dinner in DC and walked about a mile to meet them and then a mile back to get my car. My leg is a little sore now but I'll pop some ibprofen and hope that sleep takes care of it.

'Night!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, well, it's after 10 pm on Sunday so I am not completely sure what I did last night.

*Short post.*

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I fell asleep watching TV in the family room. It was Friday night. No big whoop but a late post.

My leg - hamstrings, knee - is so close to killing me and it's been one of those no motivation, lazy Saturdays.  That meant no running today. :( I got a lot done: farmers' market - check, Trader Joe's - check, Target - check. Plus, though I was tempted I stayed on track with my spending diet. With my farmers' market peaches, I made that amazing rustic peach tart again. And with my abundance of eggs, I again made an amazing frittata. I'm off to take some vitamin I (ibprofen) and heat up the heat pack again. Maybe a little icy hot is in order too. Then, it's all about catching up with Royal Pains, Necessary Roughness and Rizzoli and Isles. Plus - I have my new reads Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster (author of My Fair Lazy) and The Girl Most Likely To... by Susan Donovan thanks to PaperBackSwap.com. Will be digging into those tomorrow.

Running and laughing

My hamstring is still super tight and sore so for today's jaunt to the gym, I worked it out on the (easier) elliptical for 25 minutes. Then since it was a strength/weight day I did this little set:

• Pull down 30 lbs 3 sets of 13
• Pull up 20 lbs 3 sets of 13
• Pull down with rope 20 lbs 3 sets of 13
• Overhead tricep 15 lbs 3 sets of 13 (on last set, 10 lbs)

I finished with some other weights, a plank for 60 secs., some Russian twists with a 6 lb. medicine ball and some stretching...gentle, treat my hammy right stretching.

I don't know why I'm rushing through this post. I didn't have a good plan for my workout so it was a little flighty. My plan is to come into the gym tomorrow for a run since I will melt if I run outside. Seriously, the heat index is above 105 today! Anyways, I still feel like I got a good workout and there's always tomorrow. :)

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I was at a loss. I'm not into a book right now since I'm waiting for my newest books to arrive thanks to PaperBackSwap. I decided against reading The Inner Circle until I can find a paperback copy of it. I paged through the latest Oprah magazine until I fell asleep.

The TV was on last night. Tuned into Fox 5 News to see the latest on this ridiculous debt debate on Capitol Hill. It is so frustrating and there's only so much debate and discussion I can take about it. I heard the latest buzz and that's all I needed.

Running and laughing

Back to the gym today! But, oy, what is up with my right hamstrings? And my right hip? Instead of running out 3 miles on the treadmill, I chose the elliptical (harder) and completed 4 miles under 33 minutes. Not too shabby!

I grabbed a foam roller afterward and tried to work the kinks out of my thigh plus I added in some gentle stretching. Are my hamstrings overworked? Is this related to my back-of-the-knee tightness? It happens every few weeks usually after I've included some squats like I did on Tuesday. I usually enjoy that muscle soreness that comes from working with weights and strength training but this is something different. It sucks to not be able to touch my toes because it's so painful.

Yes, it has crossed my mind to visit a doctor's office. I have a doc's appointment set up for the beginning of September but I'm not sure I can wait that long. Maybe I'll make a visit to the medical unit of my office and see if they can offer any advice in the meantime.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, since I haven't really started a new book, I pulled out a Real Simple and paged through it. What really knocked my socks off...I made it through an episode of Royal Pains and didn't fall asleep plus I was in bed not much after 9:30. And my lunch is ready and waiting for me this morning. Plus, I got my hair cut yesterday = no washing this morning. That means I can post now instead of trying to remember about it later and having to do it at work. Oh...it's really about the little things.

Thank God it's Thursday!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...well it was another night of watching TV in bed. I was so tired and dozed while watching something on HGTV. I turned the tube off and quickly fell into a deep sleep. That was until around 3:30 and had a hard time going back to sleep so the TV went back on. Eventually, I fell asleep until my alarm went off at 5:10...ugh.

Running and laughing

Unlike yesterday (not that yesterday's workout was bad) I completed what I set out to do with only a little wavering before I did it. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill at a 6.1 mile pace, 2% incline followed up with a cool down quarter-mile walk. Check that off the list.

Today was a strength day and this was my routine (2 sets of 12 reps, 1 set of 15 reps):

• Dumbell squats - 8 lbs.
• Romanian deadlifts - 8 lbs.
• Saddlebag busting leg lift - no weight (killer move!)
• Dumbell upright rows - 6 lbs.
• Bent over kickback - 6 lbs.
• Bicep curls - 6 lbs. first two sets, 8lbs. last set

I finished up with side planks on each side for 30 secs. Check strength and abs/core work off the list.

I killed this routine today! A good, solid workout feels awesome.

No gym for me tomorrow since I'm coming in early, leaving early and gettin' my hairs done all pretty. ;) I'll try to throw in some walking - a little goes a long way and it counts!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I read the prologue of Brad Meltzer's The Inner Circle. I picked it out at the library off the shelving cart. Nice score! But it's hardback and a sizable one so I don't think I'll be toting it with me on the Metro. That's a bit of a problem since a majority of my Metro trip is spent reading. I also borrowed one of Tori Spelling's latest and greatest tomes. For now, my Metro rides will be spent catching up on magazines.

I've sworn off spending for the next two months except for when I've already made plans. It feels good to take some of that pressure away. Let's see how that goes. So far, I'm keeping track of where my money goes which has already made me a lot more conscientious. However, if I can't find a book at the library, I might succumb to Target's literary offerings. Gotta have good beach reads (Sunset Beach is only 24 days away! But who's counting?). And my reading list is as long as my Metro ride so I've got to find a book.

Running and laughing

For Monday's workout, I hemmed and hawwed over what I should do. I got on the treadmill at the gym thinking I'd keep it easy and just run a straight 3 miles at an even pace. Instead, I ended up with this:

• 0 - 5 minutes Run @ 5.7 pace 1.5% incline
• 5 - 10 minutes Run @ 6.5 pace 1.5% incline
• 10 - 15 minutes Walk @ 3.6 pace 10% incline
• 15 - 20 minutes Run @ 6.5 pace 1.5% incline
• 20 - 25 minutes Walk @ 3.6 pace 10% incline
• 25 - 30 minutes Run @ 6.5 pace 1.5% incline
• 30 - 35 minutes Walk @ 3.7 pace 10% incline

I guess I needed variety today. I finished off by stretching for about 5 minutes and made it back to the office to chow down on my favorite spinach, dried cranberries, candied pecans and blue cheese salad. It's so good and never gets old! 

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I was in bed by 9, reading the latest Oprah magazine and dozing off by 9:30. I'm such a grandma. I felt great this morning for a Monday, and all. My lunch was packed and my gym clothes were organized. What do I do after I finish my cereal? I hopped back into bed until a little after 6. So, not only am I grandma, I'm a lazy one too. It was all good - got to work in plenty of time. I even got a parking space at my Metro station at 7:30. If you can get a parking space at that time, it must be summer! 

Off to visit the public library...on the search for the next summer read.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...well, last night was Saturday and now it's almost time for bed on Sunday night.

I can't remember what I did or didn't do instead of watching TV in bed. I may have watched a little TV or...maybe I didn't.

I just remembered I hadn't posted yet and didn't want to miss a day.

On another note, I finished Along for the Ride this morning and now I'm itching to start reading something else but I'm stuck on what to start next. In a few I'll be in bed with a few good magazines. Tomorrow night I think I'll head on down to the library for some literary inspiration.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, it was a Friday night and I fell asleep watching Rizzoli and Isles that was OnDemand. I can't get through a whole episode without conking out. Hmmm...what does it say about the show? It probably says more about how tired I feel on a Friday night. Eventually, I woke up on the couch (ugh) around 11 and made the move to my bed. The awesome, good news is that I slept in past 6! That's on a Saturday, people!!

I'm picking up my nephew at CVS this morning so that we can go to the pool with my one of my best and longest friend and her kids. At least that was the plan yesterday. Again, it's gonna be a hot one today. We're going to melt! Ahh, the kids won't care, right? Then I need to finish my cake balls to bring to a reception for our vicar's last Sunday at church. Those are dangerous little suckers of sugary, chocolately sinfulness. Perfect for a church reception! ;)

Running and laughing

It was a morning workout for me today. There's no good reason to be heading outside today even if it is to make a lunchtime trip to the gym. I debated all morning as to what I was going to do although whatever I decided I knew it would be on the treadmill. I ended up running for 20 minutes, finishing 2.1 miles and then walking for 5 minutes, between a 3.5 and 3.7 pace, at a 10% incline. I was so focused this morning and stoked that I kept pushing myself to keep running.

I finished up with a little stretching.

It's so exhausting to get to the gym in the morning before work. I tried to get out of the house by 6:30 but I was in my car by 6:45. I was on the treadmill at just about 7:50 so my time was limited since I need to be at my desk by 9. On those types of days, I just go for a quick, quality workout and like I said, push myself. A little is better than none!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I read Along for the Ride and paged through the newest Lutheran magazine (I can't help it. I love that monthly!). I had dozed on the sofa in the family room before heading to bed. By the time I got to bed I was wide awake so I swallowed a Tylenol PM, switched on the TV to sleep mode and soon was dreaming away.

Holy heat! The temperature is heading to over 100 today and it's feeling close to 120 thanks to the humidity. H to the cube (hazzzzy, hotttt and huuumid). That's why I'll be kickin' it A/C style and spending a little quality time inside although my little cheater heater under my office desk may come on briefly. Because while it's nice to have the A/C cranking I still would rather be cold and warming up than too hot with nothing to cool me down. The A/C is perfectly cool, no complaints here, but I'm happy to be keeping myself comfortable with a little added warmth.

Running and laughing

Today for my lunch time workout I completed 20 minutes and just about 3 miles on the (more challenging) elliptical, level 3 resistance. Then I completed this little circuit twice:

• 20 standing side crunches with 15 lb. weight  
• 12 bicep curls seated on ball with 6 lb. weight
• 20 crunches on the ball
• 12 front chest flies on the ball with 6 lb. weight
• 20 squats with 6 lb. medicine ball
• 20 Russian twists with 6 lb. medicine ball

I finished up with a little bit of stretching and rushed back to work.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I got home late and watched Fox 5 news in bed. I was all about winding down and reading just took too much effort.

In other news, dinner at Founding Farmer's was mixed but the company was excellent. We shared cornbread and honey butter (good!), deviled eggs (meh...they're just eggs), bacon lollies (pretty darn good!). For my entree, I ordered the farmer's salad which was perfect. I should have just stopped there but I ordered the flatbread with brie, apple and onion relish and what I got was not what I expected. Instead of something resembling a simplified, minimalist pizza, it was brie, apple and onion relish on slices of bread. I was disappointed but only because I had visions of melted brie goodness on a Mediterranean type bread. The brie/apple/onion relish topping was delicious especially the onion relish.

Besides the food, the service was fine but the noise level in the place was beyond crazy. It was so loud it distracted from everything else. The waitress had to lean into the table to tell us the specials. I left there feeling like I was just at a 9:30 club show with my ears throbbing.

Okay, well, maybe that's just a teency bit exaggerated but not really. It took a while for my ears to adjust.

Glad I got to go since it was a birthday celebration and I've wanted to try FF for a while.

Running and laughing

Today I kept it easier. Don't want to undo all the good from yesterday's sick day and wear myself down. I did 30 minutes and just over 4 miles on the (easier) elliptical and then did a plank for 2 minutes, followed by a lil' ab work (crunches), a lil' weight work (dumbells), work with the foam roller (my ITB bands were tight!) and some stretching. 

   

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I continued to read Along for the Ride. It helped that I felt much, MUCH better and that I was in bed at 10. I stayed home from work yesterday which set off my guilt alert. But it was so needed! Whatever this thing is - a summer cold, allergies, or the dreaded sinus infection - I'm convinced that rest and lots of fluids are vital. I'm feeling just about 100% today which is a major change from how I felt on Monday. 

Instead of trying to get things crossed of my to do list as was my sick-in-the-head plan, downtime is what I really needed. I read a lot, worked on knitting, cleaned up the kitchen just enough, and stepped out for a few minutes to get a sweet treat for after dinner (how I love SkinnyCow products!). I also started a search for a new primary care doctor. After 4 phone calls to offices not taking any new patients, I made a call this morning to my old doctor's office and got an appointment with a new doctor in that practice. Who knew that was going to be such a challenge? 

Looking forward to dinner with friends at Founding Farmers! What to eat? So many delicious decisions.

Running and laughing

Yesterday's workout:

I felt SO weak yesterday but I got to the gym and did a modified, lower intensity workout. I completed 27 minutes on the easier elliptical, starting at level 6 and then on and off at level 8, and then my weights looked like this:

• Seated leg curl machine 2 sets of 10 at 40 lbs.
• Seated leg extension machine 2 sets of 10 at 30 lbs.
• Standing overhead triceps pull on cable 3 sets of 12 at 15 lbs. 
• Bicep curls on cable cross machine 3 sets of 12 at 25 lbs.
• Pull downs on cable 3 sets of 15 at 25 lbs.
• Triceps push down on cable 3 sets of 15 at 30 lbs.

I finished off with a little bit of stretching against the wall instead of on the mat.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I was lights out, just about fast asleep by 9:30 last night. I had such overwhelming exhaustion along with a stuffy head and a runny nose. Today I'm staying home to rest up though I wrestle with the guilt that comes with taking a sick day (thanks for instilling that in me, Mom!). Plus, I have a to do list that I'd like to cross a few things off of. See, I can't even seem to have downtime when I'm at home. As I have come to be convinced, the best remedy to a cold or flu is lots o' rest and lots o' water.

Running and laughing

My workout yesterday:

Treadmill at Gold's Gym (my free trial period)

• 0 - 5 mins: 8% incline  3.7 mph
• 5 - 10        1% incline  6.5 mph
• 10 - 15      8% incline  3.7 mph
• 15 - 20      1% incline  6.5 mph
• 20 - 25      8% incline  3.8 mph
• 25 - 30      1% incline  6.5 mph
• 30 - 35      10 % incline  3.8 mph
• 35 - 40      1% incline  6.5 mph
• 40 - 45      6% incline  3.9 mph

I finished my workout with 2 sets of 20 girly push-up and 1 set of 20 backward push-ups plus a little stretching.

Gold's Gym was okay. I only want to use it on days when the weather's acting up like when it's hot and muggy (yesterday) or raining cats 'n dogs or freezing cold. I'm not sold on it yet so there may be more gym try outs soon.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...well, that's actually all I did. I crawled into bed at 10 and wound down by watching the news. I turned off the TV (no sleep mode!) and was dead to the world by 10:35.

My 20th post!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I read. No TV on in the background. Just me, my bed and Along for the Ride. Yeah, so I got through...maybe...5 pages and conked out but I was relaxed without distraction. I woke up this morning and read more without batting an eyelash.

Off to the gym (trying Gold's Gym for the first time), then family dinner to celebrate a birthday. Salivating over the buttermilk chocolate cake with chocolate buttermilk frosting that I made. Literally licked the frosting bowl clean! Holy moly that stuff is a drug. And that's why, among many other reasons, I'll be running at the gym.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I dozed on the couch and then dragged myself to bed. Such a tired girl for a Friday night. Thank God it's the weekend!

Off to make Grandma's donuts at my sister's. Great start to a Saturday!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...I turned off the TV while I was reading. Before that it was on mute. I guess it's all about baby steps...over and over again. I'm pscyhing myself up (not out!) to keep it off completely tonight. While the TV was on mute, and then off, I read Along for the Ride and I'm loving it. But, oh, to be a faster reader!

Ahh, Friday, my friend, I'm just glad you're here.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...I'll fess up, I watched TV in bed...again. Even set the TV to shut off in 30 minutes. I was fast asleep before that happened. You see, I got home late last night, close to 9. For this grandma, that's late indeed. I needed to wind down and there's just not enough time if I want to be in bed by 10. I'm not feeling so off today but I still feel a little congested in the chest and head. Anyways, while Fox 5 news was on, I did read a little of Along for the Ride and I paged through the new Good Housekeeping that showed up in my mailbox yesterday. Tonight - no TV!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...well...hmmm...it is 20 minutes of 5 the next afternoon. I'm kinda having an off day. I could be wrong but I think I read a few pages of Along for the Ride but it could have been a quick flip through a magazine too. Clearly, it wasn't that memorable or maybe this off today started last night. Or it could be both. Either way I'm not feeling too hot today.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I finished reading an interview with Michael J. Fox in Good Housekeeping. Last night was too late for me because I'm dragging this morning. That's what happens when my Mom and sister come to visit. It's hard to remove myself from the fun because F.O.M.O., The Fear of Missing Out, sets in. And by the way, Michael J. Fox is still a hottie!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I almost fell asleep watching TV in the family room. I struggled to keep my eyes open while watching Diane Sawyer interview Casey Dugard. I was so interested in it too but just had a lot of day. I moved from the family room to my bedroom and turned it on but fell asleep soon after. I took today off since Mom and my sister are here. I love Mondays when they are not spent at work! :)

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I read my new book by Sara Dessen (the title escapes me and I'm too lazy to go find the book) with the TV on in the background. Yesterday was a long day of grocery shopping at 4 different stores, cleaning the house, preparing food all in the name of getting ready for my sister's baby shower. I'm fine with the TV being on since it wasn't a schoolnight and all.

It was such a good day and we (meaning me, my Mom, my other sister and our family friend) capped it off with delicious make your own pizzas (Trader Joe's pizza dough is so GOOD!), a run to Dairy Queen for mini Blizzards and bowling with Wii. Talk about hittin' the pillow! My lights were out fast and as a bonus, I slept in past 6 this morning. I know! So apropos for the day of rest. What a great way to start this full of fun Sunday! 

Last night...

instead of watching TV, it was a Friday night and I got home late (well late for this early-evening-kind-of-girl) after watching a fantastic performance of Next to Normal at the Kennedy Center. I was pretty tired (as I am now, writing this pretty late on a Saturday night after having remembered that I forgot to write it this morning) so I popped on the TV as I pooped out in bed. I set it to the sleep mode on the Food Network and soundly fell asleep just to wake up at 5:30...on a Saturday morning. Early birds catch...well, this bird caught this morning by the horns and had the kitchen floor clean before 7 a.m. Productive start to a productive and very fully fun day!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I started a new book. Out of the three I widdled my choices down to, I chose the YA novel by Sara Dessen, Along for the Ride. I didn't read too much before I was nodding off but like always, I'm excited for a new read.

It's Friday! My Mom and sister are in town! Baby shower for other sister on Sunday! I took off Monday! And it all starts tonight with a visit to the Kennedy Center to see Next to Normal, seated in some *very* special seats. I love weekends!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I finished My Fair Lazy! Taadaa! I'm totally in the slow-reader catagory so when I finish a book there is such a sense of accomplishment. For sure, it was a fun book to read and perfect for the summer. Jen Lancaster is definitely in my favorite author column and Such a Pretty Fat and Pretty in Plaid are on my to read list (with about 100 other books, but they're at the top of the list). What to read next? My choices: a serious, non-fiction bestseller, or a short, inspirational memoir or a fun, chick-lit YA novel?

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I hopped in quickly at about 10 to see if I could finish My Fair Lazy but couldn't keep my eyes open.

Oh, and yeah, my TV was on and tuned into Fox 5 News at 10. I set the set (Does anyone call it a TV set anymore? It's just a TV, right?) to sleep mode for 30 minutes.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I was in bed reading My Fair Lazy but not for long before I crashed. Before digging it to it, I browsed through one of those free mags you can pick up at most healthy/natural food stores. I was in bed nice 'n early, not much after 9. Early to rise, early to bed?

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I read more of My Fair Lazy (on page, 316 of 366 - so close to finishing!) until my eyes went blurry. Plus, I stayed up past my usual bedtime to the late hour of 11 p.m. Whoah - that's right, 11 p.m.! Livin' on the edge am I! I can thank our founding fathers for that priviledge. Happy Independence Day! Happy 3-day weekend!

I celebrated my independence by starting the day at 5:45 this a.m. Yes, my weekday routine doesn't leave me when I have the chance to catch a couple more z's. I was up and working out a little after 6 and I followed-up that quick butt-kicker by making some amazing delicious Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes that I found on one of my favorite blogs, Julie's Peanut Butter Fingers. Hit the spot!  

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed, I fell asleep on the couch watching TV. I do not like doing it but it happens from time to time. I especially hate waking up in an awkward uncomfortable position on the couch, with fuzzy teeth (ewww) and bad bed head not to mention a crooked neck at midnight. Then I drag myself to wash my face and brush my teeth (because I like to not feel even worse in the morning). By the time I do my night routine, I'm more awake so I tried to wind down by reading more of My Fair Lazy which I am so close to finishing (so many books, so little time!). I thought about staying up to finish but by the time I got to where I was, it was almost 1 a.m. Staying up that late is unheard of for me! Of course, I woke up at about 6 this morning - wide awake. I see an afternoon nap in my future.

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...well, once again, the TV was on. It was Friday night and the whole reason for leaving it off was to improve my sleep on "school nights." Anyways, I read my new Health magazine and got a few pages read of My Fair Lazy. The TV was still on when I was ready to go to sleep and as usual I debated whether to leave it on, on the timer mode, and, as usual, I made the right decision. I turned it off and decided that if I couldn't sleep without it on, I could always turn it on again but I didn't. I fell asleep.


For a Saturday morning, I feel pretty groggy and a little muscle tightness (thanks to 25 push-ups and 40 weighted squats yesterday at the gym). But it's Saturday so...woohoo!

Last night...

instead of watching TV in bed...well, actually, there was a little TV watching. I fall into this trap a lot, usually after a long day (left the house at 7, got home around 8:30), I convince myself that I need to catch up on the news so I turn on Fox 5 at 10. I set the TV to turn off 30 minutes later. While the TV was on, I browsed through a new issue of Health and quickly found my eyelids closing. Thing is, when I leave the TV on somehow I always find myself groggy and foggy when I wake up the next morning. Hmmm? Isn't this why I decided to leave the TV off in the evenings?