To Bonk or To Bounce Back?

I was ready.

I was even excited!

A 12 mile run was about to be dust, a memory of the past, checked off my list. Complete!!!!

So Here Was the Plan:

Matt & I were going to head out to the Rail Trail and bang out 12 easy miles…bam!  Been there, done that!  It didn’t matter that the temperatures had been below freezing the past few days and there had been light snow.  We would be fine.  We.Are.Runners!

So Here Is What Happened:

When we arrived at the trail there was one car, just one, parked at the mile marker.  Hummm…that seemed a bit peculiar. Sometimes we need to squeeze our Jeep into the last tiny, tiny space that is left for all the eager runners ready to pound the pavement. Not today. No, not today.

Gray sky overhead, light wind, and temperatures in the upper 20s, but workable for die-hard runners like us.  And off we went, for a 1/2 of a mile.  Then it was hello puddles, hello slush, and hello ICE! And more ICE, and more ICE!!!  Turn around we did, and by the time we got back to the car we had just one measly mile complete.

~sigh~

Eleven more miles to go, so why not just run through the neighboring neighborhoods: up and down fractured sidewalks, intersections & stop signs, and cramped streets with cars parked cars on each side.  Yep, we ran through decrepit neighborhoods with trash flying here and debris laying there to neighborhoods with stately homes and well-manicured properties.  We added a few miles here and a few miles there.  I pretty much felt like a mouse running in a labyrinth wondering, “When will I ever finish this run?!?!?!?”

~insert inappropriate language here~

So when did we finish that 12 mile run?  After I bonked, and bonked, and bonked again, but we finished!

And, here is the text I sent my BRF (best-running friend) as I sat in the car ready to cry!

I bonked!

Yes, I grappled with that run for the rest of the day. The funny thing is that Matt said he kind of enjoyed the change of scenery and the run. Gotta love him, he’s a great hubby to put up with my drama.

~to bonk or to bounce~

Despite that one and only ghastly run, I had so many fitness/exercise highlights. Here’s a recap:

• I had an awesome BODYPUMP strength training class on Thursday.  The class was packed with 26 enthusiastic bodypumpers + 1 virtuoso instructor ready to get their fitness on.

BODYPUMP Strength Training Class

• I actually worked on rewarding my body by attending a BODYFLOW class.  This class is a Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates workout that builds flexibility and strength and leaves you feeling centered and calm.

After the BODYFLOW Class

• I sat down on Sunday to review my stats and finish my fitness journal entries for the week and found out I met *all* my fitness goals for the week and I added in one extra that I did not have scheduled.

My Fitness Journal

My Weekly Journal Stats

For the week, I exercised 7 times, ran 24.35 miles, worked out for 6 hours & 46 minutes, and burned 2,685 calories.  If that’s not a reason to bounce back, I don’t know what is.  That 12 mile run, it’s a moment of the past.

So, to bonk or to bounce back?

I choose to bounce back and I hope that when you are faced with the decision to bonk or to bounce back you choose to bounce back, for life is too short to focus on bonking! 🙂

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Runner In Recovery

You know the familiar and overused cliche:

“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!”

Well, I’ve been making a lot of lemonade lately!

This post is long overdue, and that’s mostly because I really am in denial about my inability to run.  You see since May 10th I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis.  Unfortunately, the bad days have certainly outnumbered the good days, but the fantastic news is that my foot has gotten better, although it is not healed!   Disappointingly,  the few times I have attempted to run my foot has rebelled in a MAJOR way and I have suffered significant set backs. 😦

Pinterest Inspired, of course!

So what have I been doing to try to stay on top of my game?  First off, I have reluctantly turned into a swimmer.  Check out my *beautiful* swim gear!

Speedo!

Our school district has a spectacular pool available to the community members, so Matt and I usually head on over in the evenings.  I swim for a 1/2 hour and complete around fifty laps.  Mind you, I consider a lap from one end of the pool to the bulk head.  What I like about swimming is that when I am in the pool my foot is completely pain free and I feel great after the swim.

Ahhh…. here I am in the pool swimming my favorite stroke, the breast stroke.

Swim, Swim, Swim!

I have also taken up riding my mountain bike.  I am able to ride around the various neighborhoods in my area and I have even taken the bike on the local rail trail (where I ran the Bob Potts marathon in the spring of 2012).  I usually ride around ten miles and I absolutely love riding on the rail trail!

Ready to Ride

Since I have taken up biking and swimming Matt thinks I am secretly training for a triathlon!  Ha! Ha!  But, no thank you!  The thought of riding a road bike scares the livin’ daylights out of me!

Last but not least, I have been trying to keep up with my strength training.  I am doing BODYPUMP two to three times a week.  While BODYPUMP does cause pain in my foot during the exercises, my foot usually does not rebel after the workout.  With this being the case, I’ll continue to push myself with my strength training.

Kia Kaha – Be Strong!

Well, I have these beautiful new Brooks Ravenna sneakers patiently waiting for me to take them for a real run.

My New Brooks!
Love Them!

So in the meantime I know I need to be:

Pinterest Again!
Thanks, Alicia

Because I know that:

What do you do when life hands you lemons?

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What a Weekend!

Hello there readers!  It has been quite awhile, I know, since I have had any serious updates.  Let’s just say, this weekend was a running, reading, and rockin’ mom kind of weekend.

Starting with Friday and a running update…the Runner’s Rut struck once again, however I told myself to get over it, and I reluctantly ran 5 miles.  But, wow, did I overcome my rut when I saw my stats.  You see, I have a secret goal in mind for my upcoming 1/2 marathon (which is April 28th btw) and I was beginning to doubt myself.  After Friday, I felt like I might be back on track.  Here are my stats:

Back on Track?

Now let’s talk about Saturday!  I have been attending BODYPUMP classes at Gold’s for about a year and a half,  but this  Saturday’s class was *out-stand-ing*!  I went with Holly and her friend Kim to a super, sizzling, and spectacular BODYPUMP class.  Another colleague that I work with actually teaches the class and invited us to the new release of BODYPUMP 85, hosted by an official Les Mills trainer nonetheless!  The class was energizing and buzzing with excitement.  Yeppers, we left there feeling unstoppable.

BODYPUMP 85 at Gold’s

After BODYPUMP Matt & I rushed off to see our daughter run at a Track & Field Invitational.  She set the track on fire for her two events and we couldn’t be more proud of her and her teammates!

Fab 4 plus 1!

And finally Sunday arrived!  This was Matt’s day…drum roll please!  He participated in his 2nd triathlon with Holly’s hubby.  For the triathlon he swam 300 meters, biked 16 miles, and ran 3.1 miles in 1 hour and 33 minutes.  Way to go…a personal best for him!

Sprint Triathlon

Last but not least, after the triathlon, Holly and I banged out an 11 mile run. Running buddies are the best! A great run it was.  Here is how it unfolded:

11 Mile Training Run

So now I am ready to kick back and relax with my book: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult.  It’s a good one, but I will probably crash and burn before I even finish two “kindle pages”, which is less than one book page.  Oy vey!

P.S.

The Boston Marathon begins on Monday and I can’t wait to follow my friend over at BRB! Susan, I will be cheering for you! 🙂

P.S.

I updated my Exercise Log…check it out!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend!

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Workout Wednesday {1/30/13}

Whoo hoo!!!! There are just *FOUR* more days until I officially begin my training for the Nike Woman’s Half Marathon in Washington, DC.  I am actually looking forward to the training because it will get me back into a more formal exercise routine.  Currently, I am focusing on strength training, but I hope to be able to continue with the strength training as I complete my weekly runs. A balancing act it will be, but I’m up for the challenge!

For strength training I am attending Les Mills classes: BODYPUMP and CXWORX.  If I am not at the gym, you can find me in my basement hating and loving my kettlebell workout.

Kettlebell Workout

I started with the 5 lb. weight and the 20 minute workout and I am proud to say that I have graduated to the 10 lb. weight and the 45 minute workout.  We also have a 15 lb. kettlebell in our basement, but it will be awhile before I can swing that bad boy around without killing myself! Pink Runner has been begging me to try her Pop Pilates DVD but I haven’t gotten up the courage to give it a whirl…just yet anyway!

In between my strength training and the depressing winter weather, I have slipped in a few runs.  My last run was on Sunday when I completed just over 5 miles.

5.16 Miles

I have a race on Saturday, so I hope I can get out there at least two more times.  I know that if I don’t, Saturday’s race will definitely KICK. MY. BUTT!

Happy Running!

Happing Racing!

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