Early Riser

I’m happy to say that I feel so much better this evening.  And it’s all because I changed the way that I started my day.

 

This morning at 5:10 the alarm went off.

And by 5:45 I was on the treadmill and running.

At some point in between I ate 1/2 a banana.

 

I completed 4 miles on the treadmill in about 40 minutes. I don’t about you guys, but I find the treadmill to be so hard! I parked myself on the machine closest to the window so that at least I could look outside and pretend I was out there.

 

After coming home I ate the other half of the banana atop a sandwich thin with peanut flour paste.

 

As hard as it is to get out of bed so early, I’m glad I did it. I had more energy throughout the day and it felt great knowing that I didn’t have to go to the gym after work. The evening is all mine, for whatever I need to do.

 

I am naturally more of an early riser than a night owl, so I think this is the best for me.

 

Are you an early bird or a night owl? Or a little of both?

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Shovel Pump

I was bummed to find out this morning that we didn’t have a school closing our delay despite the rapidly accumulating snow outside my window.

 

I was even more bummed as I white-knuckled it all the way there. I don’t think I took a breath until I pulled into the unplowed parking lot. I couldn’t believe how bad the roads were. But, I made it.

 

Fortunately, around 10am the school decided they would send the kids home early.

 

My original workout plan for today was to run 5 miles outside, but it doesn’t look like that is happening.

So I’m about to take on a different workout. Can you guess what it is?

I think they should create a new class at the gym. An outdoor one where we shovel the gym parking lot. It could be called Shovel Pump. Seriously, this is such a workout!

 

If the snow continues to be stopped for a while I miiiiight go to the gym for a little workout too.

 

But then again I might just opt for hot cocoa on the couch. Tough choice.

 

Do you have snow where you are?

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LOVE-ly

Good evening peeps! (do people still say "peeps"?)

It was another good day at school. I’m slowly but surely I’m getting the lay of the land.

 

Today the kids had a fun time trying to understand how I could look so young and be married. I swear. LOVE THEM.

(gratuitous wedding photo)

 

After school I went to try a class at my gym’s other location. It was 40 minutes of treadmill trekking (high incline running and then high speed sprints mixed with some other plyo stuff) and then 15 minutes of circuits (planks, squats, etc)

 

The instructor is a maniac, but it was GREAT and one of the hardest workouts I’ve had in a long time.  He told me after class that I was a great runner. LOVE HIM.

When I got home I made a quick but hearty dinner.

I marinated some bone-in pork chops in dijon mustard, honey, a splash of cider vinegar, salt, pepper and a bit of garlic powder. Then I broiled them for about 8-10 min on each side.

 

I served these with some quick mashed potatoes (cut them small and it goes quickly), I smashed them with a little bit of margarine and a few tablespoons of light sour cream.

Roasted broccoli that was leftover completed the plate. LOVED THIS MEAL.

 

And the icing on the cake?

Flowers from the husband. LOVE THEM!! LOVE HIM!

What did you LOVE about today?

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Making Time Work for You

I think the key to good time management is finding windows of time you might otherwise ignore and then making them work for you.

Today when I was in the car for 5 hours on my way to Pittsburgh, I decided to seize the opportunity to do some planning and scheduling.

First, I decided to re-arrange my workout schedule. My original 15 mile race plan was okay, but I based it too much on someone else’s schedule and not enough on my own.

Training plans are great, but I think they only work if you customize them for you and you also remain flexible.

I brought with me in the car my planner, my gym’s schedules, and a notebook.

After looking at everything, I came up with this new plan. Basically I’ll be running 3x a week, 1 speed workout and 1 long run.

Monday- Morning workout/3-4 mile speed run on treadmill or home workout

Tuesday- Evening class @ gym (a few good ones in this time slot)

Wednesday- 5 mile run (preferably outside)

Thursday- Evening Spin

Friday- Morning workout, cross train and weights

Saturday- Long Run or yoga class

Sunday- Long run (if not done Sat) or REST

Again this is just a shell and some ideas for me to use as a guide. I’m not going to consider any day a failure if I don’t stick to this. I just like having a framework because it helps me stay focused.

I also did some more list-making in the car:

• Recipes to make (I also brought some magazines to check out some recipe ideas)

• Grocery List

• Songs to download (need suggestions!)
• Things to do
• Things I want to buy (wish-list)

I felt better just writing all of the stuff out.

I know my schedule is about to change starting next week, but I feel great knowing that I have a plan!

During the ride I also munched on some Multigrain Cheerios, an apple, and some string cheese. Great car snacks!

Going to hit the sack soon, it’s been a long day!

What are your tips for time management?

What songs should I download?

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Success!

Thanks for all the well wishes guys! I can happily say that I passed the test!

 

I actually did more than just pass..I killed it! I needed a 168 to pass and I scored a 191.

 

Now I just have one more of these tests to complete, and that one is on Saturday. Saturday’s test is a written exam, so I won’t know my score right away, but hopefully I will pass. It’s just SO much material, I think my brain is going numb.

 

Fortunately, lunch was a no-brainer today.

Another NRRW and a few remaining parsnip fries. I ate most of them cold. Does anyone else do that? I love cold roasted veggies! Now I’m snacking on some strawberries. Delish!

 

This afternoon I’m taking off of studying. I need a mental break. I might write over some note cards, but nothing too crazy.

 

I’m going to the gym in a little bit, I figured it is a safe place to test out what I can do with my tailbone. If it hurts, I can leave and I don’t have run back to where I parked. There will also be no ice to slip on.

 

I really do want to run outside, but I think I might wait until next week when I start my training.

 

I realized the other day that I have not run 1 single mile in 2011!! BOO! I need to change that soon. Does the treadmill count?

 

Have you been running outside recently?
What are your tips for being careful in winter terrain?

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Normalcy

Ahh..the sweet sweet feeling of a normal day.

 

It was great to be back home when I woke up this morning. I got an early start and headed to the gym for Bootcamp.

 

Unfortunately, the instructor was sick so she cancelled class. Both Joe and I have colds too and I’m hoping that they stay dormant and just go away soon.

 

I ended up doing 45 min on the elliptical and some weights. Yep, I did weights on my own!

 

I did 2 sets of 12 of some full body stuff

Assisted Pullups

Incline Bench Pushups

Tricep Rope Pulls

Walking Lunges

Deadlifts

Situps

 

After the gym I did some cleaning and laundry and then headed to Trader Joe’s and TJ Maxx.

 

I hit the goldmine at TJMaxx! I’ll give you recap tomorrow when the lighting in my house is better for pictures.

 

In order to keep my budget in tact, I decided to return two things I got at H&M the other day.

 

GOING BACK!

YEP, YOU TOO!

As much as I like both things I don’t need them and I have other things that I can use instead of them.

 

Lunch was a delicious combo of things I bought at Trader Joe’s. It felt so great to get some fresh food (that I cooked) in my body.

 

Roasted eggplant, bulgur mixed with TJ’s Tabouleh, and baked tofu.

Dinner was Stuffed Chicken with Ricotta.

Now I’m about to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a few frozen Andes mints.

These are my new favorite treat!

 

 

 

 

Are you a routine freak like me or can you go with the flow for a long time?

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The Home Stretch

I’d estimate that I’m about 65% of the way done with my last project for school.

 

For those of you who care, I’m writing a six week 4th grade science curriculum  on weather.

 

It’s tedious, but I’m getting there.

 

This is my "office" and I’ll be here a lot today.

And although I’ll be busy today, I still plan to get in a workout. I’m actually headed to a bootcamp class at the gym at 9:15.

 

Last night’s gym workout was great too. I started with a toning class (weights, body bar, stability ball stuff) class and then I finished with a spinning class.

 

SPINNING IS HARD. I really enjoyed it though. It really works my whole body even though its on the bike. I feel soreness everywhere today. Not pain though. Just the good stuff that reminds you that you worked hard.

 

Here is the breakfast I already consumed (notice the empty plate above)

The usual sandwich thin with peanut flour spread and raspberry jam.

 

Alright, gotta get back to work.

Challenge Participants (and anyone else who would like to share of course): What are you doing for exercise today?

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I belong to a gym?

We finally made it home!

 

A big shout out to COFFEE

and SNACKS!

(turkey wrap, pistachios and a honeycrisp)

 

The trees that we saw on the ride through the mountains were just SO beautiful. I kept trying to take pictures out the window, but they really didn’t come out that well.

 

After sitting in the car all day, I really felt the need to do something to shake out my body. Since I don’t have school tonight (fall break), I decided to blow the dust off the class schedule for my gym and see what was up for tonight.

My favorite instructor (who I’ve bailed on lately in order to run outside) was teaching a 30 min abs class followed by spin. I’m in!

1 hour and 30 minutes later, I’m now dissolved into the couch.

Dinner was a hodge podge of what was in the house

 

Arugula salad with butternut squash, apple, goat cheese, olive oil and balsamic (good, but better with pear instead of apple)

Cinnamon Raisin bagel thin with cream cheese and Trader Joe’s pumpkin butter

(heaaven!)

Now I have to figure out what the heck to take with me tomorrow for my 6 hour class observation. Last time I was there, the stuff I packed barely kept me full for 1/2 of the time.

 

I really don’t want to get up…

 

What do you guys bring to eat during the workday?

What foods do you find to be the most filling (and transportable)?

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