December 30, 2009

I'm fortunate this week to have a friend visiting and we are "doing" the DC thing -- revisiting some of the monuments and trying to add new stuff in. Not sure what today will bring because of the weather but here is what we have accomplished:

• Monday: Slow start with a trip down to Union Station followed by an extended lunch at Clydes near the Verizon Center. By the time we got back to Union Station rush hour fares were in place so we quit early and headed home.


• Tuesday: Tysons Corner (a bit of shopping), then Arlington National Cemetery, Museum of American History and the National Christmas Tree with views of the White House


• Wednesday: Fly by of Supreme Court, Tour of Library of Congress, Tour of the National Capitol and the Botanical Gardens, and finally the Museum of Natural History.

December 29, 2009

As I left the healthclub this morning at 8AM I reflected on how this week is going to be so different from the next couple of weeks. All those folks who decide either to join the healthclub to start their New Year's off right, or to just start going versus throwing away $65 per month for a membership that is not used. Today I had no problem getting a treadmill with a view of the TVs, the path to the shower was open and the parking lot was not bad at all.

I managed to go 4.5 miles in just under an hour which is pretty terrible given where I've been. Interim milestone for January is to get back to 5 mlies an hour without dying :) adding in the burpees and somehow 13.1 will be accomplished in early March. New shoes worked out pretty well!

Had a great lunch yesterday down at Clydes in DC with two great friends, and today we are thinking of visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - but with the winds this am, not certain we'll get there. Saw Avatar last night in 3D and it was pretty darn good.

December 20, 2009

So this is what I woke up to this morning - about 3" on the driveway for one more cardio workout. My neighbor Marty was nice enough to clear the end of the driveway last night when he went out at 9PM for one more shovel (I gave up at 4PM). This is now clear and with the sun beating down today I hope to have a dry driveway later today. Like all the other crazies, I will most probably try to venture out - at least maybe for Sunday dinner at my sisters! Be Safe!

December 19, 2009

Instead of CRT this morning I had SRT (Snow Resistance Training)...woke up to the continuation of what should be a great deal of snow for Northern Virginia and tackled the driveway as you can see. Was thinking just to make room for one car, but then realized more of a workout if I just went all the way and did the whole driveway. I'm pretty certain its not my only time out shoveling today. Plan to walk to Wegmans for lunch today and see how many crazies are out driving. I only saw one car go by while I was outside working!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Four Miles and 10 Burpee's

Back to Indiana and stress level immediately goes up - I found a good excuse (not) to skip exercise on Wednesday but I got up this morning and ran 4 miles and found it a little bit easier which tells me I am getting my strength back from being a slacker.

So that said, after I finished the 4 miles, I did 10 Burpees and want to see if I can get up to 25 a day as this is an exercise that uses all of my muscles and I know I need to work on the core.

Thinking about trying to keep track of all the miles I run in 2010 as something fun to keep track of (and it will help me know when to replace my sneakers!

December 14, 2009

A trip to Zoolights at the National Zoo was lots of fun ~ talk afterwards at the Zoobar of making it an annual event. We got to see the panda cub (4 years old) due to go back to China this spring and lots of lights.

I also received notification this morning that I got in the lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler here in DC in April. Lets hope the CB come out on time and its a beautiful day.

December 13, 2009

Jingle All the Way 10K
Good thing on Friday I went over to Cleveland Park and picked up my # (3907) and red shirt in advance of this mornings 7:45AM Start. When I opened the door this morning at 5:00AM it was raining and close to freezing so I decided to opt "in" and run the 10K inside at Lifetime Fitness. It took two cycles on the treadmill (max minutes is 68), but I finished the 6.2 right at 75:00. While I won't have an official score, I got all the benefits without freezing cold rain and wet during the run. I'm hopeful that the rain will cease so that I can attend Zoo Lights at the National Park tonight without gettting soaked.

December 10, 2009

4.5 Miles in the Snow

Actually, 4.5 miles AND the snow! Good choices yesterday and up this morning and I worked out on the elliptical for 4 miles in 36 minutes (9:00). Shows how well I could run if the impact of my body on my feet was not an issue when I run. Its 23 degrees here in Columbus and I was already thinking of how I could run my 10K at Lifetime Fitness on Sunday if its too chilly outside. On my way back to the hotel last night I saw a couple out running in the cold, and they really didn't look like they were having any fun.

Back to Fairfax at the end of the day. Still trying to figure out how I could work in Chihully this afternoon.

December 9, 2009

When I was walking back to the hotel at 6:30 AM from the local health club I reflected on a couple things:

• I feel my best when I work out every morning, and start the day with some exercise for me. (Lately every other day has been acceptable.)
• My best results are when I am diligent about keeping track of my inputs (food) and outputs (exercise), and this blog and or fb is a good portal for this.
• I made it interval jogging for 4 miles this morning in 48:00, so if I have to I can walk the last 2 miles for the 10K on Sunday without getting kicked off the course! I am a bit nervous about the weather and won't go if the temps are in the teens/twentys.
• The Biggest Loser TV show is quite an inspiration as many of the contestants made unbelievable progress while at home for 6 months.
• I want to finish what I've started, and can do that with attitude and the support of family and friends.

December 6, 2009

Snow here in the Mid-Atlantic all day yesterday and with the brilliant sunshine and highs in the 30s today - I think we'll get to enjoy it for the rest of the day!

Yesterday Ginny was a monster at the CRT Class at Lifetime Fitness (a monster in a good way). We did team exercises with a band and Linda and I were working so hard, her's popped! My legs are screaming at me today and I always think due to running my legs are in good shape.

I've signed up for the "Jingle All the Way 10K" next Sunday and I surely hope its alot warmer and not snowy by the time next Sunday rolls around. Today kicks off the holiday season for me with a GGN Brunch at Mrs. K's Tollhouse...I can't wait!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Columbus, Ohio
Arrived after dark (with a pretty bumpy landing) into what seems to be a pretty city. There is a Chihully Exhibit here at the Art Museum and I just can't figure out how I can get to see it :(

5K this morning at a nearby healthclub in 37 minutes but it was a struggle. I have a good bit of work to do to get back in shape for the 1/2 in March -- but 3 full months to make it happen.

December 1, 2009

I got in about 10 miles of running on this glorious beach while enjoying time with Friends and Family on Siesta Key. The weather was chilly in the morning and cool in the day time. On the day I left it was projected to be high 70's with 80's the rest of the week. Perfect running weather most mornings (when i captured the shot above). Lots of great food and family, now back to focused work for 3 more weeks before the next holiday sneaks in.

November 24, 2009 (PM)

Lifetime Fitness 5k
Logged a 5K in 37 Minutes tonight with a 2:4 interval on the treadmill at Lifetime. Dare I say it felt good to get back in the gym and sweat it out? Needless to say my slacking certainly impacted my endurance. I'm confident of the 13 in 16 weeks, but this getting started stuff stinks. I'm looking forward to the 10K this weekend on Siesta Key Beach...I like that I'm starting this back up before facing the delicious turkey and stuffings sure to be present on Thursday night!

November 24, 2009

Its been almost a month since I posted here...and like all things I need to get back in the habit (they say after 5 weeks of a habit it becomes routine ~ I say after 1 week of not keeping up with the habit it is SO easy to stop).

Last night I "did it again" after getting a note from my Dad that the Sarasota Marathon has been shortened to a 1/2 marathon in 2010 -- So I went out to Active.com and dropped my $50 to register and pulled out my training calendar. How freaky is this that my training calendar is a 16 week calendar and when I worked my way back, I should start training today (Tuesday in week 1)? So the goal for today is 24 minutes which I will do compliments of a treadmill later this afternoon after appointments!

I'm also pretty excited that my first couple training runs will be on the beach in Siesta Key after I arrive on Thursday for a long weekend with the folks.

October 25, 2009

Marine Corp Marathon 10K

Technology almost bit me today - my alarm clock "fell behind" one hour automatically thinking this was the day that we change our clocks (its next weekend), so when I was casually getting ready this morning at 5:30 AM taking my own sweet time -- I had quite a shock when I put on my running watch and it said it was 6:30AM!! Needless to say, I turned into a machine and gathered all my stuff together and jumped in the car (without breakfast) to get to Vienna Metro in time to get to the start.
Luckily for me they opened another portion of the lot so I did get a parking space and was at the start by 7:40 (8:05 start) so it all worked. The kickoff was all Marine Corp and excellent. The race was a great course and I absolutely will sign up for next year and hope someone might come along with me. A killer hill at the end (I feel very sorry for the marathoners to have to experience that after 26 miles).
Not sure what my official time will be but its somewhere between 70 and 75 minutes. The highlight was at the end of the race being greeted by a Marine with a medal to acknowledge our accomplishment. How cool is that!

October 24, 2009

Expo Envy
Last night I went down to the DC Convention Center to pick up my number for the MCM10K...There were many races calling out to me ~ pretty much convinced I'm going to do another 1/2 marathon in the spring. Will have to sit down with all the stuff and figure it out. The Shamrock race in VA Beach in March sounds good and flat (but could be pretty chilly), the inaugural Dallas RNR 1/2 in May has some interest, and of course the MCM 1/2 in Fredricksburg in May would definitely be an option. I bought a magnet for the car that says "13.1 Been There, Run That" ... if I have it on the car I need to keep running.
I went to my favorite CRT class at at least one other person will be down on the mall tomorrow for the MCM Marathon (all 26 miles). One of the other women commented she saw me running at Fairfax Corner this week. (Small world).
Quick trip down to Deale this afternoon to have a cookout with some friends.

October 23, 2009

Penulitmate to the MCM 10K
Fairfax 5 Miler Training Run this morning at 56:00 on a beautiful fall morning ~ I waited till sunrise and it was much more pleasant than running in the dark -- I actually saw runners I could say hello to along the way. The Marine Corp Marathon is on Sunday morning and they are projecting 46 degrees at the start of the day wrapping up around 64 which will be great for those treking the whole 26.2. I'm just going to enjoy the fun and do the 10K which starts on the Mall (near where the Komen started) and finishes with the Marathon. I may take my camera and get some shots as this is as close as I've gotten to a marathon than when I did the RNR 1/2 in San Diego. Best of luck to all those out there who are first timers, either 10K or full marathon!

October 21, 2009

Fairfax 5 Miler 57:26
Looking back at notes last night, its been a month since I ran what was a standard route for me, so given last nights belly dancing experience, I went out at 6AM in a long sleeve fleece to get ready for the 10K on Saturday with the Marines. I need some serious work for the next three days to make it through the 10K in 70 or less -- it will be a stretch. I'm excited to run with the Marines as my first official race on the east coast was at Quantico and last year I missed the 1/2 Marathon in Fredricksburg.

October 20, 2009

Reunion and Belly Dancing

Last night I went to downtown DC to have dinner with a 20 Year Old Friend (she's been my friend for 20 years) that I hadn't seen in quite a while. All of us treasure and are fortunate enough to have friends that no matter how long its been in between when you saw them last, you "pick right back up" and resume your friendship. This was one of those nights and it was excellent. She was my gambling traveling companion until she upped and got married and had 2 beautiful children who are now 10 and 11 respectively. I also had to smile as she told me to mark 4/28/2012 on my calendar as its the Bar Mitzvah date for them...you know those NY synagogues fill up quickly!

And what does that have to do with belly dancing? Absolutely nothing...I went down to the club to try out a "Latin Fusion" class tonight to work off some of the food I enjoyed last night at dinner and there was a swap for a Latin belly dancing class. I just didn't have it in me to give it a try so I left the gym just as clean and dry as I went in. That was a first for me and a lesson that I should have just gotten up and gone to the 5:45 AM CRT class like I planned.

October 15, 2009

Cardio Resistance Training -- Step
Early workout this morning at 5:45AM at Lifetime Fitness..small group of 7 in our class and I returned the the old standby "step" for the cardio portion ~ but this crazy one, added weights all the time we were on the step which had my shoulders screaming a bit :) She also was a fanatic about crunches and planks, something I really need to work harder on. Its raining here in Northern Virginia today, but at least I started the day out doing something good for me. Have a great day everyone!

I got my MCM 10K Number yesterday so I need to get back out and pound the running pavement to make sure 6 miles won't kill me next Sunday :)