30 Day Shred

There's been no running since the last time I posted. I had two weeks of continuous work travel in May and, ever since I restarted running in March, the inner (medial?) area below my right knee has not been happy. I was hoping it was just adjusting to being active again, but it would appear it's an actual issue.

Sick of feeling like a (now unemployed) bump on a log with a bum knee, I decided to do the 30 Day Shred DVD in the hopes that it will build up my leg muscles and improve my knee situation. I tried it once last year and ended up a mass of sore muscles for days afterward. To avoid incapacitating myself again, I did two pre-days where I half-assed the program in order to ease myself into the soreness. That was last Monday and Tuesday. I officially began the 30 days on Wednesday and, as of today, have completed Day 6 of Level 1.

I'll track my progress here, in this one post, for the duration of the program. I weighed and measured myself before I started (no, I'm not posting those numbers) and will let you know at the end if there is any improvement. Since I'm still eating like an indiscriminate garbage disposal, I'm not expecting any significant weight loss.

Pre-Day 1: Level 1. Ran in place instead of doing the bouncing cardio (jumping jacks, etc) and only did a few reps of each of the exercises without any hand weights.

Pre-Day 2: Level 1. Ditto above. Only have light soreness in my booty and hamstrings after yesterday's squat-fest.

Day 1: Level 1. Did modified push-ups and only used 1-lb hand weights because I have the pathetic arm strength of a T-Rex. Light soreness in lower body.

Day 2: Level 1. Dithered for over an hour before I finally got to it. Still used the 1-lb weights. About 30 seconds into the warm-up, there was a rumble down under signalling the imminent arrival of the poo poo train into Sphincter Station. I paused the DVD, did my business and was right back at it.

Day 3: Level 1. Muted the DVD and played my ipod because I was so sick of hearing the same words and corny music. Used 5-lbs weights for one of the exercises. Light soreness in abs and legs.

Day 4: Level 1. Didn't Shred until the afternoon. Was only motivated to do so by a well-timed email from my best friend. Used 5-lb weights for half of the exercises. Continued to mute the DVD. Light soreness in abs and legs. Also walked 1.7 miles.

Day 5: Level 1. Used 5-lb weights for all but one set of one exercise. Booyah. Light soreness.

Day 6: Level 1. PMSing for Britain. Didn't complete all reps for some of the exercises (I HATE PUSH-UPS) and used 1-lb weights for two sets. Yelled at Jillian to f*ck off even though she was already muted. Completed workout anyway. Light soreness all over. Walked 2.7 miles to stretch out muscles and alleviate hormonal rage.

Day 7: Level 1. Used 5-lb weights for entire workout. No soreness. No rage. Also walked 1.8 miles.

Spring training

If you don't get this joke, you're too young. Move along, whippersnappers.

April wasn't too shabby for running. Well, for me, that is. I ran nine times for a total of 23 miles, which is nearly half my total mileage for the whole of 2012. (Can you tell how much 2012 sucked for me?) I stubbled a bit at the end of the month (weekly mileages were 8, 8, 5, and 2), but with my job coming to an end soon, running cannot be a top priority at the moment.

I've scrapped doing a 10k training program for now. Three-milers take a good deal of effort from me at the moment and my pace and tomato-red post-run face show it. My goal right now is not to train for a race, but to get my fitness back. And I want to do it without courting injury. I've felt twinges here and there in my knee, shins and the soles of my feet throughout the month. Most of it is likely the result of knocking off the rust, but I don't want to push too far too soon and cock it all up. I want to build the habit of running again, make it strong, get fitter and then maybe I'll concern myself with pace and distance goals.

May will see lots of work travel for me. Getting in some running may be difficult, especially for the first trip where I'm trying to only bring a carry-on bag. We'll see how it goes. For now, the English weather is actually quite pleasant (...and now I've probably jinxed it) so I want to take advantage of it as much as possible by getting in short runs whenever I can.

That's it for me. Hope you all are doing well and that spring is actually springing wherever you live.

Later gators.

Slow and steady

I copped out on Sunday and ran only two miles instead of the planned three. It was the last day of the fun fair in the park and I woke up too late to miss the crowds. My hate of people overcame my dedication to running and I cut my run short.

However, I made up that mile today, running three miles instead of the planned two. This is the first week of my self-devised 10k training program. I wore my watch for the first time in nearly two years for today's run. I only slightly winced at the total time. Considering how long it's been since I last ran regularly and the extra chunkage I have attached to my good self, the time wasn't as bad as I expected. But just barely. If I keep on keeping on with running and not eating too much crap, it can only get better from here. Woo!

Friday when I was doing my post run stretches, I thought I'd try doing a plank. Back when I was super fit (for me), I could hold a plank easily for 1.5 minutes. Fast forward to last Friday--I wimped out at 30 seconds and it was a fight to get there as it was. Oy. I tried again on Sunday. Another 30 seconds. I figure I'll keep doing them every other day in the hopes of improvement.

And lastly, for my fellow Game of Thrones fans, here's a gift for you:

Later gators.

Back on the wagon

This is so true in my family. Except for this girl, who has been kicking ass and taking names. I've completed all my planned runs for the last two weeks and this week I've already done one of my three 3-mile runs. Yes, I'm finally back to running 3-milers again. It feels good.

As long as things continue to go smoothly (*knock on wood* < --not a euphemism), I'll be starting a 10K training program next week. I'm still debating whether or not to time my runs. I haven't worn a watch on a run since May 2011. I know I'm extra slow now which will not do my ego too much good to see at first, but part of me wants to have numbers so I can see my improvement as I build mileage. I have a feeling I'll cave and wear the watch. I'm a glutton for punishment...and number crunching.

This should be the title of the next book in the series.

On the Game of Thrones front--the first episode was good, but too short. With the crazy large cast, not everyone showed up in the episode. I've heard that this season will cover about half of Book 3. The question is, which of the numerous important events will end the season? It's obviously going to be one of the weddings, but which one?

All right, that's enough nerd talk. Hope you're all doing well.

Later gators.

What's in a name

I ran another 1.5 miles yesterday morning in the dismal English drizzle. All was fine though I'm dealing with a slightly achy knee on the non-surgery leg. I've been icing it on and off and that seems to be helping. I don't really think the achiness is running related. More like I've been sitting awkwardly again and ticked it off. I'll try to sit more like an adult in future.

So in life stuff, my work contract ends at the end of May. I'm waiting to hear back about a fellowship application and possible teaching opportunities for the next academic year, but otherwise I'm gonna be on the dole as of Memorial Day. As such, I've been considering opening an Etsy shop. I've been encouraged by friends and family to open a shop to sell my creations of and patterns for felt dolls, brooches, ornaments and the like. Most of the stuff I make has a historical, literary or mythological theme, but I also make stuff related to the UK and travel in general.

Anyway, to make a long story short (TOO LATE!), I need help in devising a shop name. I was thinking of going with the name Squirrel Bait (completely unrelated to what I make, but it was one of my nicknames when I was younger....thanks, ma), but that's been taken. A friend suggested the name should be a pun. For example, there's a bookstore in my native New Hampshire that has a cafe called Aesop's Tables. I love that. Again, anything related to history, mythology, classic literature (if I see 50 Shades of anything, we can no longer be friends) or travel that is amusing but not vulgar would be greatly appreciated. You're all pretty clever (though slightly twisted), so I'm sure one of you (that would be you, Mike) will come up with the perfect name.

Hope you all have a great weekend. And for you Game of Thrones fans, here are two teaser trailers for the new season which starts on March 31.

I can't wait to see how they deal with all the crazy stuff that happens in Book 3.

Later gators.

The die is cast

My final doctor's appointment was on Monday. The doctor is really pleased with how well my leg has healed considering, as he put it, "I had to put a lot of holes in your leg." The back of my calf still has some 'settling' to do and the faint residual bruising on my leg could take up to a year to fade. But I don't give a rat's ass because now I can jump back onto the fitness bandwagon in earnest.

I ran 1.5 miles again on Tuesday. My plan for the next two and a half weeks is to build up to running 3 miles at a time again after which I'll begin a 10K program. I'm really looking forward to getting fit again. The mini runs I've done lately have been slow and easy, but my face looks like a tomato by the end of them. Can we say out of shape much? Eh, gotta start somewhere. Might as well be at the bottom.

And so it begins again. I've got the official go ahead. I've got a plan. I've got the motivation. Now let's do this.

And so it begins

It's been a month since the leg surgery and all seems to be well. I went for my first run yesterday -- a short 1.5 miles. Considering I haven't run regularly since last July, it went really well. This morning I even did some light yoga. I'm feeling better already. My last appointment with the doctor is in a week and a half. After that, I'll consider devising a proper running plan.

And there's big news in the X family --- Momma X retired at the end of February. On the same day as Pope Benny actually. Coincidence?!....Yes, because we're not Catholic. After 25+ years working at the same crappy place, she's finally free. If there's anyone still reading this blog and you can be arsed, do wish her well in the comments.