VOLLEY??

It's been a great day for workouts. Did my 5k, hour of yoga and just got back from the park from over an hour of volleyball volleing with my cousin. We are going to eat a little chicken and then go back out.

Now that a cool front came in the temps dropped and it's been a nice 80 degrees. Lovely compared to the high 90s we've had for some time.

Anyhow, I was reading my runner's magazine today (last months) and something occurred to me. It's about running a half and how to prepare for beginners and how advanced runners can improve their time. The article featured Biggest Loser contestant Bernie Salazar. He was the contestant from Chicago. Anyhow, he talked about after losing 130 lbs and won the $100,000 prize for the stay home contestants that he decided to run a marathon and in his first finished 2:01. By his second half he finished 1:46. It made me think. This won't be my first half. If at the end of my 15k (9.3 miles) I was still okay. I felt that I could run another 4 miles.

So, why can't I run a half in three weeks? Exactly, no reason. It's my first. And then there will be a second and god willing a third.

So thus the training really begins. Well, i'm off for the night. My cousin is patiently waiting for me to finish this blog so that we can go back out and volley some more.

Until tomorrow...Tootles

TIRED!!

Okay, so this weekend was a bust. I was feeling bloated and sluggish and I had to work all day and evening Saturday and Sunday. UGH!! Today...I confirmed my suspicions of why I was so sluggish and feeling that my body was out of whack. Uncle Red arrived today. Which to me is still a positive. Do your business and go so I can get my training on bub.

So today, in spite of my monthly visitor I made it to the gym. Ran my 5k before my LOVELY yoga class. Which Rochelle totally kicked my ass. Oh can I say ASS on a blog? That's a good question...can I curse on a blog? hmmm gotta do some research on that one.

Anyway, Yoga totally kicked my ass today. As if my 6 4-minute intervals on the treadmill didn't do it's job enough. Which, let me talk about these 4-minute intervals. So I kind of programmed my music to help me get through them and it was pretty good. I realized I need to switch out some of my running songs to my non-running songs. They just don't inspire me anymore.

But, I think I'm going to push for a two run day. So, I did a solid 35 minutes on treadmill and tonight I will probably do over an hour. We'll see. I have a running partner and the commitment was made. We just need to make sure we follow through.

Okay...that all for now. Tootles...

RAIN STORMS & SUNSETS

So tonight there was a thunderstorm in the middle of my HIPHOP class tonight. We were bringing the thunder as well. It was a hot class tonight. After class when I was walking to my car the skies were clearing and the sunset lit the clouds beautiful hues of orange and fuchsia.

I wish I had my camera to take a picture at that moment. But one day i will capture it and share with everyone.

Anyhow, class tonight was great but i'm starting to feel some soreness in my right knee and my still in the back of my right ankle. I'm hoping to be up again at 5:15 for my morning run. I hope i'm able to make it through the run. We are going to try the intrevals again. But i'm coming up with a system. Will let you know how it works out.

Until tomorrow...Tootles

GOOD MORNING!!!

I just returned from a quick run/walk outside. Now that we are rolling into September there are cooler temps and breezes which make for great early morning runs.

I was up by 4:55 this morning and was out the door by 5:15. We tried a 4 minute run and 1 minute walk intervals and it was okay...but geez is there an exercise watch that you can set a vibrating timer on? Or what I was doing was when we started a 4 minute run I started a new song. And when the song was over it was four minutes. I guess that may be the way I would think about timing those. For those of you that don't run with an Ipod more power to you but for us weaklings I will enjoy my music.

Something is going on with my right heel. On Tuesday after my 5 mile run when i took off my shoes and walked around the house I couldn't put any pressure on my heel. It hurt like a sprain or something. And today while walking back to the house I started to feel a little strain above my heel up my calf. I need to figure it out. But it doesn't feel too great.

Anyhow, enough of my whining. I'm now training for a half in a couple of weeks. I know I can do it and i'm happy about it.

Having my yougart with granola and a cup of coffee. Off to the showers and work. Have a great Thursday.

Tootles...

THEME SONG!

Don't knock it. I distinctly remember an episode of Ally McBeal. Who remembers that show? Anyhow there was an episode or two that was all about selecting a theme song. This is when John, the nerdy weird partner revealed that his theme song was a Barry White classic. Classic indeed.

Anyhow, my new theme song for at least a month or so is Work by Ciara. Now the video is a little raunchy but I can't help it. When I listen to the song and i'm running or even just walking it effects my behavior. I act as if i'm walking in a club or at a party or on a runway. It's fun and it puts me in an amazing mood.

SO my recommendation to help jump start your rutt of a workout routine is to find a theme song to listen to in the car on the way to work. To listen to on your way to the gym. Even take a 5 minute break in your work day to listen to your ipod. Keep it handy...it can turn a crazy disruptive day into a great afternoon.

Tonight I made it to my beloved HipHop class. If I didn't have my HIPHOP crew on Wed and Thurs my workouts would be BORING! Now I need to find a striptease class. ;)

Until tomorrow....TOOTLES

STRUGGLING!

Okay...so i meant to get on this weekend and report my activity since I didn't work.

Saturday we had a Garage Sale YEAH!! I got rid of alot of those clothes that don't fit anymore. YEAH!! I had a lot of clothes. Now, i'm struggling to replace my wardrobe. I kind of miss my suit jackets. But early spring I bought a new suit jacket at Nordtsrom and it fit tight in the upper arms but now it fits great. LOVE IT! No other real activities that day. But hung out with the boys and took them to the movies to see Shorts. It was funny.

Sunday was a great day! Woke up early went to CHURCH. Prayed for everyone and myself. Then it was off to VOLLEYBALL. We lost but oh did it feel good to be out on the court. I just wish I had knee pads so that I could actually slide for the ball. My knee pads are in storage in DC. Some people though need to listen and pick up their game. I'm no expert but I do know volleyball strategy. Then it was SOFTBALL time. We WON!! I did okay. Got a good hit and advanced to third then came in for a run. We beat a church team that was a bit rude. What's with these christian holier than thou folks. I mean seriously...it's not very christian like to pick up second base and through it accross the field. What jackasses!! Serves em right to get beat. Then we had some coronas and it was time for the hot tub. It felt great.

Monday was a bust. Went to work early got off early to take the boys to karate class. Sweet it was. No other activity.

Tuesday - TODAY woke up early and hit the road. Just finished running 5 miles and i struggled. At one point my body just took over and stopped while my mind was still envisioning me running all the way home. Talk about body over mind. I just stopped and it took me 20 second to realize that I was walking. Has that ever happend to you? Well it was a first time for me and it was weird.

Well, today I am going to clean and wash clothes. UGH I work the rest of the week through the weekend. But i'm going to have to make adjustments to my Sunday schedules. I just love having my Sundays for summer sports.

I work tomorrow OPEN to 6 pm. We'll see if i'm able to wake up by 6 am to run outside then when i get off of work book it to my dance class. LOVE THE HIPHOP CLASS!

Tootles for now...

DECISIONS

I wish life decisions could be as easy as deciding to go to my favorite dance class ever. It's been a while since i've been able to attend the BEST HipHop dance class at 24 hour fitness. I had a great time in class tonight. I was so energized and pumped! Running is great exercise but sometimes you have to mix up your routine and keep up that level of interest.

Anyhow...I'm faced with a dilemma. One of the things I haven't really talked about is my old career. The line of work I used to be in before working at a photography studio. I used to work in politics. And after the big election in November 2008 I decided to run away. Escape and lose weight. Since i'be lost over 66 lbs since then and run out of my savings...i'm beginning to wonder if my break is over. It's time to get back to work.

Well, my friend has been calling me and trying to get me to take a year and four month project. They are going to pay for my housing and a decent contract per month. I'm too tired to thing tonight. I need to sleep on it.

Should I move or stay at the photography studio. Decisions...Decisions...

Until tomorrow...Tootles

KEEPING UP!!

So I hit the gym today. I didn't make it up early enough the other morning to go for my morning run. I have other things on my mind right now. Like how can I make more money and stay in Fort Worth.

ANYWAY...I kept up with my running. I ran a 5k today at the gym under 33 minutes. I even did a 2 minute interval at the end of each mile. I was proud of myself for running my last 2 minutes at 7.0. I didn't think I was going to make it. I had to hold on the the treadmill to catch my breath and then my song came on and I was set for the last minute. I ran hard...looked straight and just kept my eyes straight ahead.

Do you ever get that way when you are running? Your not really looking at someone or something when you are running. You are just looking straight. You don't pay attention to who's walking in front of you and when someone gets on the treadmill next to you. Unless it's a guy and of course you have to check him out to see if he's cute. Not that it matters...but it's just instinct.

Anyhow, it felt great to be on the treadmill again. BUT I need to update my playlists. UGH!! Don't laugh but I added a song last month that I love!!! Cruel Summer by Bananarama. I couldn't help it. I found it and added it. Plus this summer has been cruel. I'm running in the heat and I have a new job that I LOVE but it doesn't pay well.

All is good...i'm off tomorrow and I need to get an oil change and now my car is saying my coolant is low. This is when having a man comes in handy. He could just deal with the car issues and the grass and the trash and whatever other things that men should take care of.

Tomorrow, I will be back at the gym. Good times are here again.

Tootles...

COUPLES...

So today's notes is not going to be about running...but I have to say something about couples. So i'm working at a photography studio. Yes, the kind you see at any american mall. Anyhow, I like the job but the interesting thing is how you become part of peoples lives. How you get a glimpse of a family or a couple's lives. I'm starting my fourth week and let's just say it's an interesting job.

Back to my story. About 90% of our clientele are families. Or couples starting a family. We specialize in Maternity, newborn and family sessions. But tonight we had a couple in their early 30s. She wanted to give him something for his birthday. They came out with some great portraits and they even purchased an enlargement. Which, now i'm thinking are they even engaged? I mean really...if I was just dating a guy and maybe we were together for a year but no plans for marriage...would you have portraits done?

At what point is it okay to say "I DO" to portraits but not to vows? Just a thought.

While i'm talking about my job, I have to say how tired I am all the time and how I haven't been able to run as much the last couple of weeks. Well, that has got to change. Tomorrow I am waking up at 6 am so that I can run for an hour. Then it's off to work at 8am.

I am setting my alarm. HOPEFULLY I WAKE UP!!!

TOOTLES...Until Tomorrow!

SUMMER SPORTS!!!

Let me just say how much I miss summer sports. Today, I spent money on a new softball glove. (Since my other one is still in storage in DC). I also bought a bat and a ball.

My exercise for the day was to take those items to the batting cages. After 9 rounds of 20 pitches...I am pooped. But I did good...I want to keep playing...but come on can we get some single guys on these teams.

Last Sunday, we had our first softball practice and I realized how I had missed organized sports like that. After softball practice we went to play beach volleyball and I LOVED it. I haven't lost my moves from 10 years ago. That was a really good thing. I fit right in on the team.

Okay...so that was my workout for the day. My food was mix and match...but still decent.

Until tomorrow....Tootles

RELAPSE!!

So, it's been 15 days since my first post. I already suck at this blog thing. I've been a bit distracted. So I started I new job July 11th at a photography studio. I also started hanging out with a new friend. And well that tends to cut into my spare time. Needless to say I only ran a total of 10 miles during the past 15 days. UGH!!!

On Friday I finished a book. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It was a great book about finding wisdom in world and realizing what is really important in life. What we choose to put emphasis on and so on.

Yesterday, after work, I ran to hang out with my nephews at soccer practice and then booked it to Half Price Books where I found additional books of Coelho. I am now going to read The Pilgrimage, Veronika Decides to Die and By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept. Reading his books is like experienceing a journey. Wisdom, Faith, Humility, Courage, Temptation, Hope, Redemption, Forgiveness, Obsession and Love. I've decided in my journey through his books Love will be the last. I started with Wisdom and now on to Humility. I will keep you posted on how they turn out. But if you want to join me in this journey don't be afraid to.

So, I do have some more explaining to do about what I have been doing the last 15 days. On Sunday, I joined a softball and volleyball team. We practiced for a total of 4 hours. It's been a long time since I played either sport but let me just say DAMN i'm athletic. But now for the past 48 hours i'm a little sore. Especially in my hamstrings and inside hip flexors.

I work today at 1:00 pm and it was absolutely ridiculous that I didn't workout this morning. I'm here at home dealing with my computer and preparing my meals for the day since I will be closing the store tonight. Maybe, I'll muster up enough energy to hit the gym at 10pm.

Also, I must confess...I haven't been eating right the last 15 days. Don't get me wrong I'm not completely off the wagon but my foot has hit the ground many days recently. Again, another reason why i started this blog. I need to hold myself accountable to myself and others.

Okay...it's Wednesday, August 5th. A new day!