My recovery run-down and what's next

So I've been recovering this week because my Runner's World app said that I had to until Saturday. Well, I call it "recovery;" the app calls it "cross-training."

Although I don't know why it didn't check off my cross-training for today.  The app must have figured out my little trick of selecting "Other" as a workout to get it to register as cross-training in the app and changed the rules on me behind my back.  The jerk.

But don't just take my jerky app's word for it that I did all sorts of cross training this week - also check out these stupid pictures:

ZOMG how did I get on my spin bike?!?

This was the last time I could lift my arm that far above my head
because BOOT CAMP

Just causally biking to nowhere.

I only have a few things to say about my cross-training this week:

• Hubbs is very tolerant of my picture-taking requests....and tolerant of the fact that he has to walk around me and my bike in front of the TV whilst getting ready in the morning.
• I haven't done that Cathe Boot Camp workout in around 2 months and my thighs are now sore to the touch.
• The animals have NO IDEA what to do after I move the bike into the living room, which generates reactions from slightly frightened indifference to "I better be ready to flee if that thing comes at me" from the cats.

Fascinated...but can't be bothered.

Ready to OMG FLEE FOR YOUR LIFE

So, after this week of pseudo-recovery and sore thighs, what's next? Well, I plan on using that Runner's World app to train for the Twin Cities Marathon in October.  Along the way, I plan on doing some duathlons because, as every marathoner knows, duathlons are a vital part of marathon training (not really).

The cool part of the Runner's World app is that you can designate which race is your goal race and then it will automagically give you little mini-tapers to all of your other races too.  Or, at least that's what the instructions say.  We'll see, won't we?  We will also see if I hit that projected finish time of 4:14, which would definitely be a PR for me on that course.  Here's some other things I'm going to do in addition to what's in the training plan:

On the weekends, do my runs early in the morning.  I tend to fart around on the weekends doing things like "cleaning" and "working" and that type of farting needs to stop.  

Hill repeats will be done - on the bike and whilst running.  That MuncieMan Half duathlon is on the same hilly course as my most recent duathlon - and the key to success is hill training.  Which is also known as "masochism."

Do all the workouts.  I did pretty well with this during my last training cycle; this is just a reminder.

Lose 10 more pounds.  Get lighter, get faster.  The most healthy reason to lose weight, right?  (no)

Remember where I've been - and remember that at 43 years old I'm doing OK health, fitness, and body size-wise.

28 vs. 43.  I think I'm doing fine.

And also remember that it's time for the dumb learnings now:

• I have high hopes for the Runner's World app.  High hopes that I also hope won't be crushed by a crappy marathon performance.
• I also have high hopes for losing those 10 pounds.
• I hope my thighs stop being sore soon and I can touch them without wincing.
• I hope everyone realizes now after looking at that wedding picture that hubbs hasn't always looked like Santa.
• "Fascinated but can't be bothered" is my new motto.

Tomorrow's workout: A workout DVD of some kind...I'm still up in the air as to which one.  The suspense is killing you, I can tell.

Basically just some random pictures with words around them so I can say I blogged tonight.

So I did Cathe's Boot Camp from her Strong & Sweaty series like a good little soldier this morning.  I even did another one of her mishmosh premixes; this morning I treated myself to a premix where I did the last three sets first.  This premix made me realize the following:

• It's a good idea to do that if you find yourself getting bored with a workout
• It's an even better idea if you get out all the weights you need to use before the workout because the cat is no help

Hyooman.  I not the boss of your workout.

• And the best idea is to make sure you're reading the equipment list for the correct workout so you don't end up doing box jumps on your step with three risers instead of the two the workout actually uses

What can I say; every experience is a learning experience for me.

Pondering my numerous learnings.

Unlike for this guy, who still hasn't learned that sleeping on a lump of a blanket isn't really that comfortable.

Zzzzzz  *snort*

And this guy needs to learn that there *is* such a thing as overestimating your current level of fitness.

Hyooman.  I got this.

Enough about me; let's talk about you and your learnings:

• This post is short because I have to get up and run a 10 mile tempo with large dog dragging me into ditches.
• It was interesting doing all of the exercises in my workout in a different order; I didn't think it would make much of a difference in the amount of boring, but it did.
• When the workout started with box jumps on my too-tall step, I was all "GEEZ I usually breeze through this what's WRONG WITH ME" and then I realized I had too many risers.  Because I'm a moron.
• How sexy is that head scarfy-thing in that first picture?  SUPER sexy, that's how much.

Tomorrow's workout: I already told you - a 10 mile tempo.  If I get out the door on time, that is.

Welcome to my mornings filled with coffee, animals, and boot camp.

On days where I do strength training, here's what my mornings are typically like:

• Alarm goes off at 3:45 AM.
• Small dog sits on my chest while female cat touches me in the face with her claws until I get up.

Hyooman. Wake up or it's the claws.

• I take the dogs out in the dark with a headlamp on, letting the large dog drag me across the yard while I yell at small dog to get back over here because he keeps running away in the dark
• I feed the dogs breakfast so they will be busy while I eat my breakfast.
• I make my breakfast (which is always oatmeal with a banana and some PB and cinnamon) and eat it.
• I enjoy my morning coffee, along with my morning large dog sprawled across my lap.

Clearly that coffee is making me all
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 4 AM.

• Convince the large dog to get off my lap so I can work out.
• Then convince the male cat, who jumped in my lap after large dog vacated the premises, to get off me so I can go work out.

Hyooman. I know large dog has been here.  Traitor.

• After the animals are done with me I set up for my workout (or go get in my running duds, if the workout happens to be a running workout).  This morning it was Cathe's Boot Camp workout from her Strong & Sweaty series.  
• Scream, "Will you two STOP playing in my workout area!!!?!?!?" at least 3 times as large and small dog roughhouse in my teeny tiny workout space.
• Fling sweat all over my living room, including the TV.
• Know that I don't have enough time to do abs but do an ab workout anyway.
• Put all my equipment away while fending off the male cat's attempts to get me to rub him.

• Scramble to get ready for work, for which I almost always have to dress up and wear make-up, which is SO UNFAIR

What have we learned, kids?

• I get up way too early.  
• But I also go to bed early.  That's kind of how this thing works.
• So many animals...so many ways to get in the way of my workout.
• Do you know what it's like to have a cat threading himself between your legs while you're trying to lift a heavy barbell above your head?  Well, I do.
• And for those of you that need a reminder, I don't workout in the evenings after work because after-work working out is a complete lie for me.

Tomorrow's workout: Going to get back into the long-ish runs and do between 8-10 miles before it actually becomes winter around here.

Day 4, Week 11: Things that shame...I mean, inspire you to get your workout done.

This morning my workout supervisor demanded I do some Cathe Strong and Sweaty Boot Camp.  Apparently I have displeased him in some way.

Puny hyooman.  Lift this many times repeatedly.

Actually, there's a lot to like about this workout.  This workout is a nice break from lifting heavy, since you only use 8, 10, 12, and 15 lb weights.  You also get to do box jumps and my beloved barbell during every round of exercises, so hey-what's not to love?

Oh right.  There's those pesky push-ups.  Well, no workout is perfect.  I still took it on and took it down this morning.

Don't be all jealous of my headband and sleeping dog.

Speaking of taking it on, sometimes you may need some motivation to get that workout done.  If you read this blog, you know I pretty much have to talk myself into any long run that I do, especially when the weather gets disgusting in any way.  If talking myself into it doesn't work, sometimes I turn to my favorite inspirational running quotes or memes to motivate (or shame, which happens most often) myself into doing my workout.  I thought I would share some of my favorites with everyone; you'll find them below in no particular order.

#1:

The "excuse" part is what gets me.  I'm a no-excuses kind of gal.  This gets me going.


#2: "If you fail to prepare you prepare to fail."

An oldie but a goodie.  It's my way of shaming myself.  For example:  "If you do not do this run you will not hit your goal time and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT because you missed this run."  What can I say, my inner voice is more "mother from hell" than "gentle social worker."

#3: "But what if you nail it?"

This isn't really one you see plastered over some picture of a sunset over a forest.  This is a question I ask myself when I'm a bundle of nerves before a race I'm actually racing for time and I've filled myself full of doubts in the minutes before the gun goes off.  For some reason asking that question puts me into "BRING IT ON LET'S DO IT OR DIE TRYING" mode.

#4: "It's supposed to be hard...it's the hard that makes it great."

This is one that I use before my hated mile repeat sessions or a tempo run that seems like it's a million miles long.  It's also one that reminds me that I'm not going to feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in mile 17 of a marathon.  It's going to suck.  And I have to push through the suck.

#5: "So it's cold/hot/rainy/snowy.  It won't be as bad as you think."

It's never as bad as I think it will be.  Except for that time I took off my sweaty glove in 18 mph winds in a polar vortex and almost lost my fingers.


And since the post is over, we go the learnings:

• If a workout has box jumps and barbells, I'm all over it.
• If a workout has push-ups, the whining will commence.  I won't give excuses, but boy will I whine.
• Everyone needs those little phrases to get them to get the workout done; you have to find the ones that work for you.  You regret 100% of the workouts you don't do.
• Polar vortices.  Please....no.

Tomorrow's workout: An easy 4 AM three miler.  Hopefully with large dog accompaniment, if weather allows.