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!