Lent 2015 - working on transforming my world

I'm not sure where this will take me, but the journey always begins with a simple step - so here goes with some simple steps.....

I know I titled this Lent 2015 but these challenges are steps to a bigger change for me.  These may start with Lent and give me a time frame to track things, but this is bigger, much bigger than Lent for me.  Some challenges are more Lent specific than others.  All are steps in the right direction for me.

So here goes!

There are 6 and half weeks in Lent - 40 days if you don't count the Sundays.

1) Participate in 7 Lenten / Spiritual activities.
There are a ton of things that fit into this category - Stations of the Cross, walking a labyrinth, attending the Zion Passion Play, going to confession, etc
I think I can average one a week if I focus and make this a priority.

2) No purchasing of chips 

This is hard for me, and to be clear this is not no eating chips - it's no purchasing chips.  I can eat chips if it comes with a meal or at a party, etc -- but I can't buy them and bring them into my house.

3) Limited candy to the skittles on hand
I split the skittles into 7 containers and I can have one a week through Lent.  No purchasing of new candy - with the exception of some things for St Patrick's day.

4) 9 bags of frozen veggies 

This is a crazy non standard Lent challenge.  But like most Americans I don't eat enough vegetables. I first thought 2 bags per week but 12 bags in 6 weeks sound crazy, especially when it's just me eating them and a bag of peas can easily have 6 to 8 servings.   So I compromised and went with 1 1/2 bags per week - total of 9 over that Lent period.  Still a lot, but the point is to try to add them into more and more of my meals - replace snacks with veggies.  And to be clear, listing these as frozen veggies is just an easy way to count - but fresh veggies will count towards the total.

5) Be good to myself at least 7 times
Similar to the first challenge, I'll try to average one per week.   I tend to be too hard on myself and too cheap on spending on myself.   This is one of those longer term goals about needing to be good to myself and celebrate the small victories and celebrate the now (celebrate the season).  I need to make sure this is not only food treats and special meals, etc - just needs to be something I like to do or want to try.  

• There is at list one that is a food item I want to include - having a shamrock shake.  It's been years (maybe 10 years or more) since I had one.  I hear they are really different and very good.  Its time for me to try one and not worry about the calories - just to enjoy the very infrequent treat.  
• I also want to include a couple of movies - aiming to going to the theater 3 times.  That seams like too much and I'm not sure I can fit it 

5) Training

This is is the big one for changing my lifestyle into the type of person I want to be.  And is so very critical for the June hike with Luann.   I'm not sure how to start this.  I worry if I do too little I won't be prepared, and I worry if I try do too much I'll injury my knees and not be able to do anything.  So I'm taking a leap and committing to 4 times per week - that is 3 times with the Couch to 5K program and then 1 additional activity.  I think that is doable, if I keep focus on it.

So that's the plan - wish me good luck

I'll keep you posted on progress as time flies,

 

Kick starting (again)

well hello!  it's certainly been a while since I posted.

I've had a tough time getting myself motivated to make the right long term choices.  My exercise is sporadic, my eating has been less than great, and my overall attitude could use a little work.

There are a multitude or real and fake reasons on why that was happening.   I'm not sure I'm going to go into any details - that's in the past and let's let it go!

I have a friend that is a coach for Beach Bodies and she has regularly checked in with me to see if I want to join.   Overall I think its a good program but the key thing I don't like about it is the shake replacement meal.  The shake is on an auto-renewal on your credit card -- I HATE that; it often so hard to cancel those deals.  I'm still fighting that with the old Bally's gym that was taken over by Blasts.   Anyway, the other main issue - it this is really nothing new -- I know what to do, I know what to eat and what not to eat.... but I don't do it.   That is my real problem - I know it but I don't act on it.   Yes, her coaching and being in the group would help my progress.  But is it really worth the cost?   I don't know.   If it didn't have the shake part then I would sign up, if nothing more than to support a friend.   But the shake and its auto-renewal are making me lean towards 'no' once again.  

Instead I did day one of Julian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD today.  I figure I can do my own kick start on fitness.   I realized reading my friend's post on FB that she exercises almost every day to one of her Beach Body DVD programs.   I have enough exercise DVDs, and even some in VHS format,  that I don't really need a new one from Beach Bodies - and the other side of it is I am really so out of shape that I'm not sure I could even do a Beach Bodies program any justice.  Plus our library has 100s of exercise videos that I could borrow for free.  I have less than 20 days to Crazylegs (8K run) - I'm hoping the 'shredding' helps me get going again on the running.

I know I can do the distance.  That is not my issue at all - my main concern is reaching our goal of finishing it within 1 hour.   That's really only about a 12 minute mile - which I can do no problem when I run regularly.  But this last month has been so up and down for running that on those restart days my time can be at a 13+ minute pace.   That's the opposite of motivation and causes me to lose interest.   I hoping the shred helps keep my motivation high.

Yesterday I had a bad eating day - these have lately been hitting me in the post lunch time frame.  It's like my lunch never ends and I end up snacking from lunch till dinner time.  Sometimes I skip dinner because I'm full.  But it's not healthy and needs to be reigned in.  Yesterday I could actually feel my jeans getting tighter in the thighs.   It was the saddest of feelings.

And it may have been my rock bottom.  Today I feel like I need to do something, anything.   30 Day Shred is a good start.  Although it is demotivating to see how much I had to modify the exercises just to keep moving.   But Day One is always the hardest - I know it will get better.  

The nice thing is I already have several events that I hope will help motivate me - Crazylegs on April 26, BLS fun runs start (most Wednesdays starting April 23), Ice Age Half Marathon on May 10, HB Girls weekend in Milwaukee on May 16-18, and the June Arizona hiking trip.

I know this post is all over - but it shows my mindset - I'm all over and have a hard time completing and focusing on one thing at a time.

Wish me luck on this kick start.  I need to find my true north for fitness.

39 and Holding

I played with my Wii Fit today.  First time in a long time - probably over a year, but I didn't watch the number of days between last workout too closely - I can tell you the it was 300+ days.  The nice thing is I was 13 pounds down from the last time I played it, and my wii fit age is 39 - 9 years younger that I am.  For

being obese that fit age is somewhat surprising.  And it's one of my problems - I am fit. So that makes me think my extra pounds are not that big a deal.  And they really are - I have to get my head around that fact.  I think once I truly come to terms and accept that - then I'll be unstoppable at losing the weight.  But I do continue to struggle with accepting that because I know I am overweight at the same time I know I am more physically fit, stronger, and more capable that many of my thinner friends.

Going back a bit, one of my returning volunteers (at the marathon) had lost 30 pounds since last year's marathon.   She did it by following one of the PX90-Guy's program.  I think it may have been Beach Bodies but I'm not sure which of their programs she used.   She is now working for that company and leading on-line support groups.     She sent me a message offering to give me more details for her next session coming up on November 4th.

I thought about it for a good while, but it seams like its another case of me chasing the next thing.  I know what to do.  I already have enough equipment, DVDs and tapes.  My problem is not knowledge, or equipment, or even time.  My problem is staying committed and following through.

So today for the first time in a long time, I pulled out the wii and ran the wii island - twice! Set a new goal to get me back to 'onederland' in two months (in time for Christmas).  The goal sounds small - only losing a few pounds -- in reality, it's not only losing those 6 pounds but also keeping off any new weight which tends to creep up this time of year with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all having treats and over indulgences.

The current plan - do the wii 4 days a week.   I'll rotate between the wii Fit, wii Active, wii Sports, and My Coach.  If things are going well - ie, I'm using it regularly and seeing results, then I'll reward myself with a new game or two.  Not necessarily purchasing new games - instead I'll look to borrow from family or friends, at the library - although my local doesn't carry video games and the library system doesn't allow them to be reserved so I'll have visit one of the others (Muskego, Delafield, and Sussex-Lisbon seam to have the most), or I'll buy from a 2nd hand store (half price books, game stop, etc).

I have found that small changes and commitments lead to bigger changes - it's the spiral affect, do something good and it leads to more good choices.    Wish me luck in making this small change and having it lead to bigger things!

Running Update

The running update.....!!!!

In a nutshell, my goals and status update:

First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs
Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
--- I have attended 3 of the 4 fun runs - a pretty good percentage for me.  I'm conscientiously  trying to keep my schedule open to attend these but things do come up that are outside of my control.  And I have run most of these; some years I have walked more of the runs than I runs I run.  I have been starting early so that I can finish with the crowd instead of being a straggler.  Overall I'm happy with the results and progress that I have been seeing.  Tonight is the Holy Hill Fun Run which I have been looking forward to attending.

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race. 
 -- The Ice Age Half Marathon in May had mixed results for me, overall very good and it really does deserve its own post.  I finished 6 minutes faster than last year and that is with losing my keys and spending significant time and (at least mental) energy looking for them!
-- Time to start making some plans and select a long(er) distance run.  I'm not sure if I want to do another trail run (I know Laphem Peak has a couple longer events in September and October) or if I want to do a street run which would be faster.  

 Third running goal is to run with Zeus.
 -- Sad update - the vet found Zeus has a heart murmur which explains a lot of why he tires out so quickly, pants so hard after even a small exertion effort, and has the poor appetite.  No decision on what treatments, if any, are needed.   But it does make it very unlikely that he will ever be able to run with me or even hike with me - the sad thing is those are two of the key reasons I wanted to get a dog in the first place. 

April Update on Running Progress and Goals

In a nutshell, my goals and status update:

First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs
Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.
--- Ran the first BLS fun run of the year at just over a 13 minute pace.  Multiple sections of that run were actually under a 10 min pace (yea!), but the BLS Fun Run at Whitnall Park is filled with several long steep hills which I decided to walk so some of those sections were at a 20 min pace -- overall I'm pretty happy with the first BLS fun run result.  The concern is I have not run since that fun run - the weather got cold and rainy again which is not my favorite outdoor running conditions.  I have had two long (6 mile, 7 mile) hikes and several 30+ minute fitness walking sessions.  The hikes have been at Laphem Peak state park and have taken about 3 hours with travel time - I would do these more if I could find a way to fit this block of time in around my schedule, daylight, and the biggest impact - around Zeus's feeding and pooping schedule.  With his GI track issues this has been a big challenge.  Tonight is the next BLS fun run (last week was a BLS meeting so fun run).  It is at Greenfield Park so the route is flatter, which means much faster for me.  Last night was is cold and rainy - and I found out the 124th Street entrance no longer has access to the BLS reserved shelter, you have to enter off of Lincoln Avenue.  I entered on 124th street and then had to circle the park so I arrived just after the runners had taken off.  Knowing the rain was coming I decided not to follow after them but instead of head out the end of the run, circle the lake, and I was planning to head to the street entrance but the rain got harder and heavier so I returned after just one loop of the lake.  Short run of about 1 1/2 miles, and slower than I would have liked -- shows me I need to do my own training runs throughout the week!

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race.  I have the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, but my expectation is that I will hike that more than I will run it; although this year I would like to add some running to the course.
-- No update here.  The Ice Age Half is about 3 weeks out.  I won't make any plans until this is completed

Third running goal is to run with Zeus.  This will take time and practice to get us to a mutual pace - he is a sprinter and I can go longer (but slower) distances than he can sprint.  He also has to learn to run and not stop at every interesting leaf or mailbox!
-- No update here.  I'm convinced that Zeus' GI track issues seam to tire him out very quickly - I think he has something stuck in his stomach that is pushing on his lungs so that he can't get enough air and starts heavy panting with just a little bit of heavy exercise.  He can not go near as long or as hard as he used to. 

Hmmmm

Yesterday was the first fun run of the BLS season.  Overall I rate my personal status review as positive - for the most part I was able to run comfortably and finished under the 30 minute mark.   But I did skip the big, long hill at the start of the run -- I think their route is not well designed to a big hill just as the run starts and tire people out, and kill their pace times.   And for the other hills I did walk the uphills - which I'm fine with, especially at this early start to the season.  As always, I wish I was faster.

One area for improvement is my running clothing - I need to look into a running jacket that wicks the sweat but still helps to keep me warm on these early season (or late season) runs.  I expect most of these jackets will be more expensive than I want to pay - so I'll be keeping my eye out for coupon and discounts.  I also have high personal standards for jackets (and bags) features.  I want a jacket with multiple pockets with zippers and an inside security pocket.  I'd like it to have a hood that can be rolled up into the collar.  I want it to have some reflective piping or other night safety features. 

Running Challenge

I regularly use the Nick GPS+ app on my iphone to track my running.   Love the app.  It was something like $1.99 or $2.99 and well worth the price.

It has a feature called Challenge Me.  I tried it for the first time yesterday and had so-so results.  Part of the issue is me/my security (as forced by my company since the phone has my corporate emails on it) and part was the app.   The challenge I accepted was to run 30 seconds faster mile pace than my previous run.  The good great news is that I accomplished that! I ran 32 seconds faster per mile!  This really is great news because I tend not to push myself enough - and really with some valid justification because at this point I still need to develop the base of miles and increase my distance before I get too concerned with speeds plus I'm still having that Planter Faciitis issue with my right foot.   Going fast the first part but then being forced to walk the rest of the distance would be a failure to me.   So while I'm thrilled I accomplished this challenge, I can't afford to focus on this and make speed my goal... at least not yet, speed is a goal of the running season but I have to get to the point where its appropriate to focus on it.

The downside is the app responded as if I did not reach the goal.  The history clearly shows the distance, pace, total time, and calories burned for each run and you can see I am 32 seconds faster pace between Saturday's and Monday's run.  The app gives statuses as you run along, and a couple of the status messages indicated I had "doing great and only 4 more miles to go!".  4 more miles?  where did that come from? I was challenging myself against the pace of a 1 1/2 run and planning to do the same distance - something was off in that challenge.

And then I have the extra hassle that my phone has a 9 character password with both letters and numbers and it kicks into requiring it again for these runs.  Honestly trying to run and type in the password so you can access the app and finish really, really cuts into your speed and affects your overall pace.   So it's very possible that I not only met the goal but smashed it - but probably not because I had that same password issue with the previous run so Saturday's pace was already affected by that same delay.    The other impact was I had a really hard time getting started on Monday morning and the morning dog walk took extra long so I had to delay the run to later in the day.  I had then adjusted and planned for a noontime run but it was raining then.  So I finally made it out early evening.  You do what you have to do, but I know I run better in the morning!  Even though I do, I need to get used to the evening runs since all the BLS fun runs are at 6:30 pm.

I have 3 weeks remaining to get myself set for that first fun run.  I want to primarily focus on being able to cover the distance comfortably.  I often skip the first hill on that fun run so the distance is a little shorter for my route, and I don't have to be up to speed for the full distance for another five weeks -- plenty of time as long I stay dedicated to my training.

2012 Summer Running Season Goals

Had another successful run this morning.  Still short and many would not see the success I see, but like beauty, success is in the eye of the beholder.  I had three runs this week; just like I planned.  None of the runs were more than 1 1/2 miles and all of the outings were less than 30 minutes.  A lot would claim that was 'nothing' but to me each outing was longer and farther, and consistent pace even with basically doubling the mileage each run.  This is the first week back at it since about last Spring - yes there were a few running efforts last summer but they were few and far between. 

I'm not upset about this slow start because it has shown great progress and it is very similar to how I started out running.   Back when I lived on Lake Harriett in Minneapolis I started by running from my apartment to the Band Shell, then a few outings later made it a loop - running to the band shell and back. This continued for weeks as I increased the distance to my turn around point: the band shell, end of band shell's parking lot, first dock, second dock, rose garden, and finally the canoe rental storage  By the time my turn around point was the canoe rental storage it was more than half way so the combined there and back was more than all the way around the lake - but it took me weeks before I was ready to run that full lake circumference!  And the first time I ran all the way around the lake I felt like Rocky when he runs up the Philadelphia steps.

I'm pleased with my restart and its time to make some goals for the season.

First goal is to be ready for the BLS Fun Runs.....what does ready mean?  it means being able to run feeling comfortable and confident for the 3 miles.  Okay...so what does comfortable and confident mean?  it means feeling good with running/jogging the full distance without need any walking breaks (with exception for a couple of the hills), it also means being able to finish the distance in under 35 minutes  The BLS like to claim that there is more than enough to go around, but in reality there is not enough bottles of water or the special food (ie, ham roll run, etc) for all the slower runners.  The faster people take more than one so there is often not enough left to go around.  My goal is to be fast enough to make those BLS fun runs be my dinner.   My starting pace is slow enough to affect getting things at the fun runs, so my immediate goal is to shave 2 minutes off my starting pace in time for the April fun runs.  Overall summer pace goal is to be a 9+ minute miler by the last of the fun runs.

Second summer goal is compete a long distance race.  I have the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, but my expectation is that I will hike that more than I will run it; although this year I would like to add some running to the course.   I'm open to counting this as any run of at least a 10K.   There are a couple 10 miler races in Chicago that look interesting, and there is always the BLS Cudahy Classic 10 miler.  Or another half marathon could be a good fit in September or October.   I'd even consider a full marathon if the time limit was long enough to have me walk parts of it.   Ultimate running goals include a full marathon but I'm not sure this is the year for it because once again I'm starting my spring running over almost from scratch.  The full marathon may have to wait for a year that I'm RAW (Running All Winter).

Third running goal is to run with Zeus.  This will take time and practice to get us to a mutual pace - he is a sprinter and I can go longer (but slower) distances than he can sprint.  He also has to learn to run and not stop at every interesting leaf or mailbox!

Right now these are my personal plans for the running season.  Simple and doable, but still challenging.   I promise to give an update at the end of each month through October.  Let's see how I do.  Good luck to all your running goals for the season!

BLS Fun Runs 2012

Listing of the Badgerland Striders Fun Runs for 2012

All Fun Runs at 6:30 pm

April

11th - Dave's Fun Run - Whitnall Park #8

18th - No Fun Run - Club Meeting -  Abe Louis - Ran across America Unsupported (2960 miles)

25th - Italian Food Fun Run (Little Cesar's Pizza) - GreenfieldPark #3

May

2nd - Just Plain Fun Run - Whitnall Park #8

9th - Ham & Rolls Fun Run  - GreenfieldPark #3  

16th - No Fun Run - Club Meeting

23rd - The Dunne Fun Run - Washington County Holy Hill (Ice Age Trail Run), Chili and food

30th - Burger Build Up - Estabrook Park #3

June

6^th The President’s Run – Hart Park

13^th Jacobus Park Fun Run - Jacobus Park

20^th No Fun Run - Club Meeting

27^th No Fun Run – SuperRun

July

4^th  No Fun Run – Firecracker Four

11^th  Hot Dog Fun Run – GreenfieldPark #3

18^th  Junk Food Run – Veteran’s Park

25^th  Marcel’s Fun Run – Whitnall Park #8

August

1^st Just Plain Fun Run – Estabrook Park #3

8^th Corn Roast Fun Run – Minooka Park #4

15^th Just Plain Fun Run – Froemming Park #1

22^nd OU812 (Meatballs) – South Shore ParkPavilion

29^th Just Plain Fun Run - GreenfieldPark #3

September

5^th Falls Fun Run – Menomonee Park

12^th It’s Gonna Be Chili – Fox River Park Waukesha

19^th No Fun Run - Club Meeting

26^th Dave’s #2 Run – GreenfieldPark #3

October

3^rd Ron & Nancy’s Fun Run – Whitnall Park #8

Locations / Directions

Estabrook Park #3 http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Estabrook1.pdf

Fox River Park Waukesha

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39633

Froemming Park #1

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Froemming1.pdf

Greenfield Park #3 http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Greenfield.pdf

Hart Park

http://www.wauwatosa.net/facilities.aspx?search=1&CID=4&RID=4&Page=detail

Jacobus Park

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Jacobus.pdf

Menomonee Park

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39636

Minooka Park #4

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=39655

South Shore Park Pavilion

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/southshore.pdf

Veteran’s Park

http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Veterans1.pdf

Washington County Holy Hill - Take Hwy 45 to Holy Hill Rd exit (Hwy 167). Follow that for 7.5 miles. Turn left on Stationway Rd, 0.2 miles to start. Meet at the Lower level of the 1st station of the cross

Whitnall Park #8 http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyParks/maps/Whitnall1.pdf

List of Milwaukee Parks and links to maps

http://county.milwaukee.gov/AbTheParkSystemmap10627.htm

It's Baaaackkkk

Another Spring (OK, not really Spring officially yet but this winter has been so mild it feels like Spring is here), and another case of Plantar Fascitis With Knee Pain.   I found this video and wanted to keep it handy.  I've been doing the stretches my doctor gave me last time and for whatever reason they are not working quite as well as they did last time.  Last May they worked like a charm and the problem went away without ever getting really bad - maybe this time it has already progressed further and that's why they aren't able to help as much?  Not sure, but whatever it is I need to get it resolved quickly as I have the BLS Fun Runs starting up in less than a month, the Ice Age Half Marathon in May, and Zeus has reached the year mark so he is old enough to start jogging with me.   I need to get my right foot, knee, and leg back in rhythm.  Plus I just purchased my annual State Park pass and should get out there and hit the trail!




FYI - my first embedded video!!  I'm becoming quite the blogger  hahaha