Thursday Morning Inspiration

“The only thing I have to release to get what I want, is my story about why I can’t have it.” – Anonymous

I'm a two-time half marathoner!

As of this morning I am a two-time half marathoner! Whoo-hoo!

13.1 miles in 2 hr, 18 min, 49 sec. I’m pretty damn proud of myself.

There was a light drizzle at the beginning that stopped for most of the middle, then became a heavy drizzle for the last 3 miles or so. But the weather was cool and I’m proud of my time. Much better than the last half marathon I did in 2007. That one took about 4 hours.

Now I’m off for some stretching, a shower, some Aleve, and the rest of my day!

Wednesday Inspiration

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” – AC Green, retired NBA player

Nasty Habit to Break

I’ve read various places that your brain can only deal with so much self-control at one time. So it’s unwise to start a really rigorous eating plan at the same time as you’re committing to practice the guitar 30 minutes a day. It’s like you have a set amount of self-control at one time and trying to spread it out over too many new ventures at once will deplete your stores.

When I’ve been good at exercising, often I go to work thinking, “Well at least I exercised this morning. That’s a victory!” Which is good. But then I lose interest in racking up work victories. So I need to get over that habit. I know I’ve got enough self-control to have an exercise victory then carry that feeling over into a work victory.

So, I’m off to tackle my work to-do-list! Wish me luck!

Caught Up!

After a Herculean effort this morning, I did ARX, Legs & Back, Chest & Back, and Plyo! Holy crap! I feel alright now, but I’m pretty sure Aleve will be my best friend by lunchtime. Even though I’m 2 weeks behind, I’m caught up on Week 2, Day 2!

I’m also noticing my body is a little unbalanced. I already knew my left leg was weaker than my right. I had hip surgery in junior high after a growth spurt left me with a mildly dislocated hip. It’s never given me trouble, thankfully. But I can tell – especially with Legs & Back - this morning that my left leg ain’t up to my right leg’s par.

Chest & Back went well. I still feel like my back is stronger than my biceps and triceps. Hopefully once I get my arms built up, I’ll be closer to doing an unassisted pull-up. Through sheer grit, I was able to muscle up a few more pull-ups in C&B than I did 3 weeks ago. I can also feel a little weakness in my left shoulder/upper back area.

Plyo still scares the snot out of me, but even after 2 hard workouts right before, I wasn’t left gasping for breathe like I have been in the past.

You know what this means? I’M GETTING FITTER!

Ain't Skurred!

I just did Yoga X! It’s so crazy! I’m off by 2 weeks on my schedule, mostly because I didn’t want to do Yoga X. But even crazier – it’s not that daunting once I start. Plyo still holds that crown. It’s the commitment to 90 minutes of discomfort. And really, there’s at most 20 minutes where I’m really pouring sweat and wondering what the heck I’ve gotten myself into.

It’s all a mental game.

Decide-Commit-Succeed. I have to do those 3 steps and I’ll get fit. I’m also applying Decide-Commit-Succeed to the rest of my life. Breaking things down into a plan then work the plan come rain or come shine. Adjust the plan as needed, but always be working from at least an outline of a plan.

It’s still somewhat disheartening to see my cottage cheese thighs a-jiggling whenever I do a downward dog. The last few vinyashas in the first section still cause agony – right angle pose, half moon, standing splits, etc. My balance is wretched. Ugh! But I know it’ll get better. I’m still amazed that I probably sweat more in a warm-up for P90X than I did in some entire days when I was younger.

Exercise plan for rest of day:

I’m still 3 workouts behind for finishing Week 1. This evening will be Ab Ripper X, Legs & Back, and either Kenpo or a longer Turbo Jam, depending on mood. This will be a great day!

Monday inspiration

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult" - Seneca

Another run this morning

Got back into the 10K swing this morning. Once I decided to do it I almost said, "Heck! Let's make this Half Marathon Day!"

I was feeling pretty good all the way through, so I might have been able to. But I'm gonna do it tomorrow so I can mentally prepare. It's supposed to rain :( But hopefully it'll be clear in the morning.

Also, bathroom pitstops are an issue. Worst part of long runs I think.

Still behind the 8-ball

I'm unemployed with no dependents other than a dog.

It's not like I don't have a lot of time on my hands.

So, why am I still 2+ workouts behind? Urgh! Obviously it's not time, it's desire. And just getting off my keister. I can do it. I will do it.

This morning I ran 10K - a new personal best! Whoo-hoo! 59:01 with a 5:51 min/km pace! I also did Ab Ripper, then Turbo Jam Cardio Party 3 in lieu of Kenpo X.

So, I still have Yoga X and Legs & Back, then I'll be back on track. I'd also like to do X Stretch, but I'll sacrifice that if I truly run out of time.

Also, job interview tomorrow! Whoo-hoo! Wish me luck!

Monday inspiration

"The force of the waves is in their perseverance." - Gila Guri

"Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch"

Here's an interesting article by Michael Pollan from the Sunday New York Times Magazine.

It talks about how cooking in the US has slowly become a spectator sport. He traces the development over time of TV cooking shows from Julia Child (encouraging participation and bravery in the kitchen) to Iron Chef America (mostly spectacle, but encouraging bravery in consuming). Because it's Michael Pollan, he ties it up with some observations about how people's overall eating habits could be impacted for the better in the midst of all this.

And some Lisa P. family background:

Dad is a better cook than Mom, but mostly refuses to cook except for special occasions. Mom had a hot family dinner on the table every evening, but beyond a few go-to dishes, anything beyond food from a box or can is beyond Mom's abilities or desire. Pretty typical of dual-income suburban households, I think.

As my sisters and I got sick of the same repeated schlock, we learned to cook. We were the first generation to embrace written recipes. Previous folks in our family had all cooked and baked by "feel." But we picked up our skills mostly as we were on our way out of the house. So now, if there's a big family Thanksgiving or Christmas or Reunion dinner, the sisters and I are usually in charge. If we're not there, Dad takes over. As empty nesters with dual income, the vast majorities of their meals are convenience foods or meals eaten out. It's not worth the effort to heat up the oven for 2 people any more.

But it is true - cooking is mostly a spectator sport for folks. Lots of times when we cook, we're adding water and eggs to a cake mix or browning ground beef for Hamburger Helper. And that's all good, but honestly, it doesn't take that much longer to make a cake from scratch or to make beefy cheesy macaroni with the basic ingredients.

But it does take more preplanning, it does take a stocked pantry, and it takes knowledge. And getting all that stuff together does take more time. There's got to be a way to help balance things out for folks that doesn't suck up all their time and energy and resources.

Any ideas?