Week 2 Push Ups

I'm on week two of the 100 Push Ups challenge and it's going well. I haven't missed any days, which is what I mean by going well. It's hard. I'm doing the intermediate work out from the book. The book is very different from the online version of the intermediate work out. For example, the online work out has 10 more push ups in the set than the book version for week 2, day 3. I'd been going between the two but I think I should stick with one. 10 push ups difference is quite a lot. I could barely make it through the final number of push ups on Monday and that's because I was using the online version of the work out.

I've also been fairly consistent with my treadmill training. I did two runs last week which I was happy with. I missed my run today but will try to get it in tomorrow. I ran on Sunday to make up for missing Tuesday last week. I'm not sure it will be enough to make me fast but twice a week will get me to the starting line.

November 22nd is the Thanksgiving 5K. Plenty of time to be ready to toe the start line. :-)

My sister and I are putting a dollar into a jar for every time we complete a work out. We're going to go to brunch and buy mimosas with our collection to reward ourselves. :-)

Ndank, ndank

I completed this week's treadmill test. Thursday I did 30 minutes walking and about 1.5 miles according to my treadmill. Friday I did 24 minutes walking and followed that up with tabata squats. I'm sore from the squats. Which made me realize the walking wasn't really much exercise but more about the habit of moving again and having my legs carry me.

Tonight I did my push ups test. I'm starting the 100 Push Ups challenge with a goal to be much stronger, 100 push ups, by Christmas. We'll see. It looks very tough. I'll be happy with 50 consecutive. I'd be extremely happy with 50 consecutive. :-) My initial test yielded 10 regular push ups on my toes. When I logged in to the push ups logger, I found my previous entries from a long time ago. I deleted them so I can't remember the year now. That initial test yielded 18 and I was disappointed with that effort.

In addition to the push up training I'll also begin my running. I'm also back to work next week. That's a lot going on. Maybe push ups in the mornings (MWF) and running over lunch.

Treadmill - day 3

Three in a row! 30 minutes of treadmill walking. I'm planning to walk all week. Next week, I'll do one of the programmed workouts which has some running. Next week will be the true test since I'll be starting back to work. I'll have to get up early. And Monday I'll be away from home for a workshop in Laramie. I'm also planning to start the 100 Push Ups program next week. My goal is 100 consecutive push ups by Christmas.

I also went to the mall yesterday, just to get out of the house for a bit. While there I found this:

2013 will be my 3rd one of these calendars.

That made me happy. :-)

Treadmill - 2nd day

An easy 30 minutes on the treadmill again today. I also got a flu shot today (for the first time ever.) Taking care of me today. Finished a grande soy pumpkin spice chai as well. It was tasty. :-)

Treadmill

Did 30 minutes on the treadmill. Just walking. Trying to ease back into things. My race goal is a Turkey Day 5K close to home. If only I could figure out the registration I'd be all signed up by now.

Winter Running

It snowed this morning. :-)

My mom has made her plans for returning home after rehab. I suppose that means I can start thinking about my plans for returning to running. :-)

My mom has PT 3 times a week. Next week's schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. While she is working out with her PT, I should be working out on the treadmill. 30 minutes, three times a week, sounds like a good plan to ease back in.

A Turkey trot 5K sounds like a nice reintroduction to racing. And, there just happens to be one very near my house. The 2012 Turkey Chase at 9am on Thanksgiving morning. Oh yeah. I need to get registered and get moving.

There is a nearby winter running series that looks good too. Three races, three distances (5K, 10K, Half) or you can do three 5Ks. Here is the series:

December 8th - Superior Stocking Run 5K
January 27th - Yeti Chase 5K/10K
February 10th - Ralston Creek Half Marathon & 5K

I've run the Yeti Chase and really liked it. I missed the Ralston half last year because I was training for the New Orleans Rock and Roll Half. If you register for all three before November 1st you get a running series pint glass. I sort of collect pint glasses. :-) I need more running ones.

R&R New Orleans Half, Boulder Spring series 10K, R&R Las Vegas Half

Life and the pursuit of running

Ok. I just need to admit it. Life is in the way of my running right now. And, that's ok. Deep breath. I'll get back to it when I get back to it. Right now my priorities need to be elsewhere. I'm taking care of my mom while she rehabs after her knee replacement. You may recall we went through this at the beginning of the year. I suppose it's fitting for me to end the year the same way. Hmm. Putting it that way gives me some comfort and peace of mind actually. I like symmetry. It makes me happy.

My mom had knee replacement surgery on her left knee on January 16th. She had the right knee done September 18th. She stayed with my husband and I for her rehab. She lives in Atlanta but my sister and I live here. So, since my job allows me to take extended family medical leave, and I have a single level house with a guest room and guest bath, we thought it best for her to come to Denver for her surgery. It's worked out very well. Her rehab has been great. Having a dedicated support system in place does wonders for her spirit and recovery. This time around she even has a great-granddaughter to play with.

For the first knee surgery, we were all well prepared considering we didn't know what to expect. It was challenging but we had our game faces on and took everything in stride. For some reason, this time around we are all a bit more impatient. I think we know what to expect, having been through it once before, so are anticipating the end sooner. That's not a wholly bad thing but it makes everyone a bit anxious. I also have a lot more going on right now which causes added stress.

So, I think it's time to let go of what little control I think I have over everything and just relax and be in the moment. Enjoy my mother's time visiting and enjoy the grand babies when they visit. The running will be there when I have time to get back to it.

It's all good.

And another thought that gets me through the running down time... I've done most of my races and have been most successful in the winter. Yeah. I'm not done yet.

 

Y-M-C-A!

I renewed my YMCA membership today. And I picked up an October class schedule.