First 2 A Day

Saturday June 26th: Got up and was running by 9:30am to try and beat the heat...failed. I decided I was gonna try another 3 mile run, and to help me not bail out early I went towards my 3 mile loop I know. (Really it is an out and back, but I don't seem to cheat). I apparently decided to forget that the way back feels pretty hilly and I struggle. I had a lot of walk breaks.

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
3.20	42:28	13:16	142	320

Sunday June 27th: Matt and I headed out (walked) to the pool and found it was closed, so we walked further to another pool. At least this further pool was better. Better = bigger, deeper, diving board, slide. I am a bad swimmer. I understand it could be frustrating for others, but at least I am getting in there.

Monday June 28th: Spent the day shopping! Yay for great deals on cute outfits with great friends!

Tuesday June 29th: I realize I am a crazy person. I went out for a morning run. It was a little cooler, but it was still very humid. That being said, it was a good run. (Or as the program says, a Jog). I ran on some new trails and for once did not do a out and back, and did not get lost! I should remember this route because overall it was down hill! I was also able to run 3 miles and only have to walk once. I didn't have to walk until 2.3 miles! So close to my 12 min/mile goal!

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
3.00	36:20	12:07	167	336

After doing some errands I thought it would be fun to spend some time in the sun and pool. So I lathered up with sunscreen and walked down to the pool. Always, Always, Always ride your bike to the pool, 2 out of 3 times the pool has been closed! Last time we sucked it up and walked further, today I just couldn't bring myself to do it, so I turned around and walked home. Total = 1 mile.

Since I was still motivated to exercise I hopped on the road bike and decided to see how far west I could get in 1 hour. The answer, 13 miles which is out to Belmont Ridge Rd, Ashburn VA. At that point, I turned around and rode back.

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
26	1:58:02	4:30	151	1300

Now spending the rest of the evening relaxing.

Nice 7-11 Employee

Tuesday, June 22nd was unbearable with the heat and humidity to exercise outside. As much as it might be beneficial, it is not worth paying for a gym membership when I will be away most of July and August. So, I waited for it to cool down a bit inside and I let Jillian Michaels kick my butt. I was able to do most of the Total Body 1 workout. My success rate dropped drastically when I switched to the lower body. The front leg sweep kicks were rough. I spent about 1/2 hour working with her, and I am sure that in real life she would have been screaming at me to stop wimping out.

I then tried the dvd that came with my exercise ball (which is my chair in the loft) and I think I burned more calories laughing than from attempting any of the exercises. A Large ball works great as a chair, but it is too big (plus our ceilings are a little low) for any effective exercises.

Wednesday, June 23rd was equally hot, so after a fun Science end of year bbq I headed down to the pool. I am not a great, or even good, swimmer so I decided to practice putting my head in the water without having to plug my nose. I am able to swim 1/2 the distance of the pool but I struggle at being able to turn my head, breath, and then put it back in. I spent about 30 minutes in the water and I was surprised at how sore my legs were.

Thursday, June 24th. Miserable heat and humidity lead to not exercising and crabby mood. But, it is now a new day and everything is good.

Friday, June 25th is the first full day of Summer Vacation! I enjoyed sleeping in and then got up for a morning run before the sun came out. I decided that since it was cooler I would attempt going a little further.

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
3.02	38:19	12:41	124	328

I decided I wouldn't worry about my pace and instead just focus on continuing to run. I had to walk a couple times but at least I got another mile in my shoes. I am also thankful to 7-11 employees who let me use the employee only bathroom. This sure made the last mile bearable. :)

Here's to a great week of exercising, a fun trip down to Richmond tonight for a concert, and getting closer to my perfect teeth.

Joint Run

I took the initiative and called Melissa to see if she wanted to join me on a hot run.

Well, truthfully when Victoria, Blue and I went for a walk I was surprised at how comfortable it was outside. So at that point I decided I would go for a run. Then I decided to call for some company. And as we got going I realized how hot it really was...88 degrees.

We went for a 2 mile run, ran the first 1.86 miles and then walked the end. We went at a slower pace than I normally convince myself to go, but it was what I needed today.

I need to figure out what to do with my hair when I run. I don't like how it bounces when it is in a bun, but I also don't like the feel of it on my back and shoulders when it is in a ponytail...

4,000 calories burned

in 1 week on 2 bicycles!


June 19th
On Saturday morning Matt, Steve, and I headed out to Difficult Run with our mountain bikes. We attempted to beat the heat, but it was still 88 degrees during our 11 mile ride. This was the most strenuous I have attempted. I learned I ride a mountain bike the same way Tennis players hit the ball...by grunting before a difficult part. I learned I still get nervous with speed going down hills. It is scarier if I have to stop at the top of a hill and then go, instead of just continuing. Some of the uphills were difficult due to the lack of speed. But by the end of the 11'ish miles I did not rely on my break as much.

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
11.19	1:57:43	10:31	146	1,273

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June 20th
Matt decided he was going to run this morning before it got too hot, and since I was awake I decided I should also go. That being said, it was still about 90 degrees! The first mile was decent. I ran along the mulch trail. There was a Fathers Day 5k race going along on the paved trails near me. I had a difficult time breathing during part of it, but my legs felt great (probably due to the bike riding). My neck/shoulder was a little stiff by the end (this is also probably due to non-fitted bikes). I ran the first mile straight and then had to alternate running and walking.

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
2.02	26:09	12:58	158	220

Matt had a great suggestion of doing a marathon training program for the first 8 weeks and then work on my speed. Here's to staying focused...

Jill of all Sports

"Is there anything I don't do?" I have now been getting on the bike (mountain and road) more and finding it an enjoyable and strenuous.

Today was Graduation for the 2010 class of Oakton High School. It was quite rewarding watching my senior walk across the stage. Due to graduation we had most of the day off so I took the opportunity (No more excuses) to get in a bit of exercise.

I hopped on the road bike and headed over (3.7 miles) to hang out with Felice & Phin for a few hours. After that I hopped back on the trusty red and rode another 13.82 miles. By the time I headed back out on the W&OD there were a few more people out, but all in all it was not too busy. Today's achievement:

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
17.52	1:32:13	5:16	152	1,717

So far this week I have travel the distance of a marathon in 2 hours and 31 minutes...now if I could only run that fast... Hard to believe it is possible for some people!

I need to get a run in tomorrow and maybe one day this weekend get in a swim. I can only get better if I try/practice.

Ok, the loft is roasting, we really need to get the air conditioner put in. Off to listen to people playing music in the house, cuddle up with my Kindle and enjoy. Goodnight World.

Wheels Rolling

I tried, and wimped out, to run yesterday but the heat and humidity was unbearable. FAIL.

Today I grabbed the mountain bike and hit the trails. The spirts of rain prevented me from taking the road bike out. I went:

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
8.64	1:00:00	6:52	139	1,010

I cannot make excuses anymore...swimsuit season and OutterBanks is approaching fast...


After the ride I tried out the new Wii game I got: Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010. My legs are definitely sore. Good purchase so far.

Bed, goodnight.

Starting to look all Steffi Graf

Matt and I took one evening and headed down to our local tennis courts. It was the first time in awhile for either one of us to handle a racket and yet we had some great volleys. We spent about 1/2 hour under the lights with all of the bugs. Matt had a great serve where he aced me. I was playing so well he asked if I had been practicing. :)

Turning Flab into Fab

Thursday: May 27th
Decided I should go out for a run. It was rough...

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
1.60	19:44	12:22	167	177

Friday: May 28th
I was hyper (without sugar) and decided that I wanted to go on a Mountain Bike ride. So I bounded over to Victoria and pestered her until she agreed (for her health benefits) that she wanted to go on a mountain bike ride with me. So Matt helped me get her bike ready and then my bike ready. I even learned how to put a new tube in my tire. We went on the wood chip trails behind the house. I managed to make it the entire way without falling while Victoria took a fun tumble into the mud. All in all we both seemed to be smiling at the end.

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
1.60	18:42	11:48	128	176

Monday: May 31st
Victoria and I took advantage of the Memorial Holiday and the warm weather and went out Kayaking in the morning. We went to Lake Audubon in Reston where we paddled around for about 1 hour. It was enjoyable and I got to see some of the cool houses on the lake.

Tuesday: June 1st
Hot, humid, and sore leads to no running and instead yoga. I pulled out my yoga/pilates dvd and did that for an hour. Some was easy and some of it was difficult. eh


Sunday: June 6th
I got the ball rolling and got Matt and Melissa to join me on a road bike ride in the morning. I am currently borrowing Zoya's old road bike to see if I like it (and want to spend that much $$ on a bike).

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
22.0	2:10:00	5:26	153	2,105

The things that I learned: it is better not to put all of your weight on your wrists, and I need padded shorts...


Monday: June 7th
The weather was perfect, 74 degrees, low humidity, and a little bit of a breeze. At the start of the run I could feel some tension in my neck/shoulders probably due to the bike ride yesterday. My running goal I have been working towards is: 2 miles non-stop at a 12:00 min/mile. As of yet, I have not achieved it. That was until today! And to make it even better, I was able to keep my average heart rate where it is supposed to be!!

distance	time	Pace	HR Avg.	Calories
2.01	23:08	11:32	173	236

Yay for a great run. Now I just have to keep it going and soon I can set a new goal.