my last post here

I wanted to thank you all for following me during my adventures in finding my skinny self.  It's been an up and down year or so but probably nothing you haven't experienced for yourself over time.

I have decided to start a new blog and have posted my first blog there today.  Feel free to follow along in with my new frame of mind here at  the "now" mandyb.  Hope to see you there :)

Thanks for everything and I wish you good luck on your journey.

Sincerely,
MandyB

W5R2: HOT HOT HOT

WOW was it hot and humid out there tonight!  I was toying with the idea of hitting the hamster with the heat today but I saw enough people out there on my way home making the decision to hit the track easier. 

I lapped the track 7 times tonight giving me a perfect 4km route.  I walked a little bit tonight but not much really and when I was checking my heart rate it was the highest it has been in a while but I am guessing it was due to the running in the heat and humidity. 

I wore my older pair of lulu crops and had them folded up my thigh to help keep me cool.  I was seriously considering cutting them at the knee when I got home but I haven't pulled out the scissors just yet.

not much else going on tonight...

W5R1: Furthest LSD so far

I had set my alarm for 6 am as I wanted to get out there before it got too hot for my run this morning.  Well, even though it wasn't that late when I was getting ready for bed last night I set my alarm for 6pm instead. I ended up waking up naturally around 7, it could have been the result of a cat but I really don't remember.  I got up, made some breakfast and puttered in the kitchen for a bit.  I ended up heading out around 9am and made my way to the lift bridge. 

I figured based on where I start along the path if I went to the 5000m marker and turned back that would give me the 9km I was looking for today.  I was also hoping the lake would have provided a nice cool breeze to help keep me going. There first half went pretty well and I was keeping my heart rate above 160.  I think with the heat it's that much harder to push myself in keeping the hr in and around 170.  I continued on with the 10/1 strategy and was very happy to see my half way marker.  I turned around and started heading back and it was then I noticed the burn in my quads.  I guess it was a bit more uphill starting off the return and I was beginning to feel it.  I also think the running surface of the pavement compared to the track makes a big difference.

I took a few more walking breaks on my return trip where I would grab a sip of my ever warming Gatorade.  I was getting closer and closer and happier to see the distance markers declining.  I made it back to my starting point at the restroom by the bridge, chugged the last of the warm Gatorade and refilled from the fountain...that was one of the drinks of water I have had in a long time!

W4R5: That's what friends are for...

6:51 this morning my alarm started singing to me, it's set to 104.5 because it comes in clear.  The stations I really want, don't so it's that or 99.9 or 102.9 neither of which I can stand.  As usual when my alarm first goes off I rolled over and hit the snooze button.  9 minutes later the alarm was alive again filling my bedroom with music.  It was 7:00 on the dot and my phone started singing to me too.  It was my friend Ali!  We had briefly talked about going for a run this morning as I had initially planned to run, go to yoga then go to my massage appointment not wanting to work out afterwards.  Well, it was 7, the alarm was singing and Ali was in the driveway! 

I got up wiping the sleep from my eyes, got ready and off we went.  We went to the track as there wasn't much pre-planning involved and we lapped the track 7 times returning at 4 km completed.  I walked there and back as I have a 9km run tomorrow to start Week 5.

There was a slight breeze and it was quite comfortable in the shade, the little bit there at the track.  When we left the house it was still a little cool but the temperature quickly rose once we got into the sunshine.

We completed the run and I quickly realized I was trying to fit too much in to the precious morning hours.  We stretched, Ali left (props to her for going running on the first morning of her vacation!) and I made myself some tex-mex scrambled eggs, an english muffin and coffee.  What a perfect way to start the weekend. 

W4R4: NEW SHOES!!!

You may or may not know this but I have a small shoe problem...and by that I mean I LOVE shoes and yes that includes running shoes, actually it includes ALL shoes.  Some people may make fun of me for believing this, but I totally believe that I can run faster in new shoes and I bet secretly so do you. 

I went down to foot tools today because they are having a sidewalk sale ( in case you live in the area and need a new pair) even if you don't NEED a new pair you may want to go anyway.  I had found the adidas supernova model I had a few years ago online this week and was keeping my fingers crossed that they had a pair in stock (and on sale) and they did!  I picked up a couple new pairs of socks and a new hat as well since my old one was getting pretty nasty...the down side of a white hate is how much the sweat stains show. 

I laced up my shoes and Ali and I made our way over to the track.  It was really busy there tonight but the weather was great with a slight breeze and the temperature really dropped making it really comfortable. I couldn't believe the difference I felt in my knees with the new shoes on and wondered why I had waited so long to replace the old asics.   Once my feet hit the track surface I picked up my pace a little bit and off I went.  I really enjoyed the run tonight and am looking forward to the short run Saturday and the long run Sunday now.  Near the end of my last lap around the track I decided to go all out and just see how the new kicks felt and it was great! I was pounding down on my feet but it never hurt and I never felt a strain, what a difference new shoes made!

W4 R3: 3 runs in 4 days

Well, it seems I am sticking to my full training schedule this week.  I just finished my third run in the past four days.  I am debating if I really want to go to my running night tomorrow because I don't want to be the last person again. I know it's dumb and it really doesn't matter but I guess the thought of it just bothers me right now.  I am not looking for an excuse to not run, I just don't feel like I belong in that group of people.  That's enough pity party for one night...back to my run.

I took the same route as last night but some how on my programme it came up a bit short for distance (only by .09 of a km) but could running on the other side of the road make this much difference?  I found it a bit hard to get my heard rate in the higher 160's for some reason but I manage to keep it up and it definitely was spiking on the last leg as it's mostly up hill.

I still didn't take any pictures of the course tonight. I think I am just going to have to snap a bunch over the weekend and save them :)

I found a picture of the shoes I want to replace...I had these a pair ago and I LOVED them and hope to find a new pair this weekend.  These are the supernova glide.  

Alright...that's all I got...goodnight!

W4 R2: The full schedule

For the past three weeks I have been slacking a little and not running the full five days on my schedule.  I know I could do another form of exercise instead of the fifth day running but I haven't done that either.  This week I am committed to the full five days though. 


Ali joined me on my trek last night for company and realized how slow my slow pace is...see, I was serious...it's slow but that's okay cause I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  We did one of my three km loops down the road across the bike path and back up to the house.  I walked the last km or so back but I figured with doing the five days this week and this only being day two, that I would pace myself and save my legs.

I didn't stretch enough and today I am feeling it but as a friend told me...motion is lotion so look out legs I am going back out tonight!

W4 R1: didn't think I would finish

If you live in and around the GTA then you know how hot and humid it was yesterday (and today) which was perfect for the family pool party that we had.  Once a year (we are trying to make this an annual event) we gather in my parents backyard and have some fun in the sun.  We got there around 1pm and were back home around 7:30 after a day spent in the pool and catching up over some yummy food.

Thanks my DH influence we got home and got ready to go.   Since it was sticky and hot out I dug out my lulu shorts instead of the usual crops I run in hoping it would help keep my temperature down a bit.  This was a very bad idea after the first 10 laps...two words...heat rash.  I started whining and told DH I didn't know if I would finish but he just kinda ignore me and continued on his way and really I am glad he did because I just tried to ignore what felt like sandpaper on my thighs and just push through.  Near the end I found a little extra gas in the tank and did a few short speed bursts to get the last lap completed as fast as possible.  I felt like I really couldn't run any faster than I was going, but it was fun to just "open it up" and go.  I ended up walking back most of the way after we left the track, but that was fine considering I don't think I took the proper 10/1 walking breaks.

We decided we would just stick to the track and take it easy on our ankles and knees. Along with the distance there and back I completed 15 laps around the track for a total of 7.21 km.  And I thought 3km around the track was a bunch of scribbles...here is 15 what looks like.

And here is what my speed and altitude looked like.

I tend to have my blackberry tucked away in the arm strap so that's why I don't usually have pics from the trips, that and it's usually the last thing on my mind when I am huffing and puffing my way through the run but I will try to remember to snap some from time to time.

W3 R4: 3km...That's easy

Or so I thought last night when I checked my training schedule last night before I went to bed.  I set the alarm for 7 AM so I could get out there before the sun was too high in the sky.  My husbands alarm went of at 6 AM and I tossed and turned for a bit before drifting off to sleep again.  Before I knew it the alarm clock was alive with music and instinctively my hand slapped the snooze button.  I did this at least one or two more times before I dragged myself out of bed.  I made a light breakfast and did a little recipe hunting online before getting ready to head out the door.

I trotted down the driveway and made my way over to the track.  I decided last minute to go with the track rather than just the usual 3 km route down to the bike path.  I figured with the shoes I was wearing the track surface would offer more grace on my knees.

I entered the track and field area at the school and continued to lap the track five times.  This plus the distance there and back to my house is another perfect 3km route.  I found it really hard to run today and average heart rate proved it 161 and the max was 170 today.  I did manage to burn 320 calories so that was the upside, well that and I went out and ran.  At least I was consistent.  I guess I probably needed more sleep to recharge the batteries.  This week we were on a bit of an emotional roller coaster so I really shouldn't be too surprised I was dragging my feet the whole way.

In order to make my runs possible, there are a number of tools I use regularly that  I strap on, tie up and attach to myself in one way or another.  I also use my blackberry for both music and the runtastic software that keeps track of my distance, speed altitude etc.  Without these tools I would be in bad shape out there as the heart rate monitor keeps me focused on my pace based on my heart rate.  I have the Polar F6 which has been running well and really I don't know what I would have done without. 

W3R3: making the effort

I went for a run last night after work and the schedule had me down for another run today so I went out this morning.  It was already 21 by 7:30am.  I didn't have tons of time and I was pretty sore from the run last night so I did a shortened loop down to the bike path and back.  It was a bit of a hard run today I think just because I had run about 12 hours prior...I think I will need to make sure I have 24 hours in between runs next time.

I have tomorrow off and I will be back on the horse Saturday morning.  Here is where I went this morning along with the altitude and speed plotted below.

Week 3: so far so good

W2 R1: another long haul

Sunday brought along my second Long Slow Run.  I still find this hilarious as ALL my runs a slow.  Anyway, we headed out after 6pm in hopes the temperature would have been a bit cooler than compared to earlier in the day.  No such luck, it was still hitting around 30 I think by the time we left the house.

In preparation for this run I decide to revamp my music selection and created a new "running" play list.  It worked well and I had a variety of music that was different than my usual "workout" play list.

I wanted to plan the route so that I wasn't running uphill on the way back home, I don't like doing that especially in this heat.  We started out heading east along uppermiddle almost going to walkers line, turned back and did five laps around the track.  I couldn't believe the difference the surface type made after going that far.  The little trip back home from the track was brutal and I walked probably half way home from there.  I continued following the 10/1 method of running to walking ratio and it seems to be working well.


W3 R3: A community affair

We hummed and haaaed before deciding to go for a run tonight.  It's amazing how one tiny seed of doubt can go so quickly lol.  The decision was made and I got ready to go. 

There was tons of activity already going on at the track when we arrived.  There were boys having a soccer practice in the middle of the field, off to the side it looked like a boot camp was going on with girls doing "suicides" I hated those drills in gym class but actually grew to like them in booty camp (sick I know!)  There were a couple families there two, one training to teach the young girl how to ride a bike and I am not really sure what the other group was doing.  Then there were all the individual walkers and runners completing their laps. 

The schedule for tonight called for a 3km but since I didn't make it out last night (under the orders of my massage therapist ;o) What...I'm serious) and was supposed to do 4km we did 3.82 tonight.  My average heart rate was 166 and the max at 179.  I felt like I could run a little faster tonight too while staying within my HRZ.


I plan to do a quick 3k tomorrow morning before we have to head out for the day's events.  I guess I like to think that by saying it here for you to read that will make me accountable and I will actually have to do it then :)

W2 R4: mid day run

I slept in on yesterday but, I guess I needed the sleep.  I got up made some coffee and plotted out my course for the 3km run.  By the time we headed out it was mid day and the sun was high in the sky.  The temperature was pretty hot and it was quite humid out.  Not the best time to head out for a run, but I am just happy I went.

My average heart rate was 172 with the max at 182.  The route was exactly 3km according to Google Maps, I guess I didn't hit "start" properly on runtastic so I didn't get my pace info or the exact distance based on that program.  The time to complete was 26:35 so it looks like my speed is improving a bit already.  I was surprised at the time to complete actually considering the temperature and humidity.
I still need to plot out my course for today but I think I will wait and go in the evening when it's a bit cooler out (I hope).  The training schedule calls for 7km today.  While I want to stay in the shade for this, I am not too sure about where I can go for that, maybe I can do the back half of the lake front train in Hamilton.  We were fishing for a little while yesterday at a park on Northshore and it was gorgeous with the breeze off the lake which would help a lot in keeping my temp down. 

***

I am going to make my mango black bean salad for lunch this week and I think I will make it with some coconut quinoa.    For dinner tonight I am trying a new recipe for Grilled Ginger Peanut Pork Tenderloin.  It is similar to a dish we ate while on vacation in Europe. We went two days in a row because it was that good so I thought about recreating it.  I think I will make a broccoli coleslaw to serve with the pork, I just can't bring myself to prepare a hot side dish right now with it being summer time.

Time to plot my course for later today then head to fortinos and get on with the day.  I have to say having the long weekend has been excellent, wish every weekend in the summer was a long weekend!