The Countdown Begins

So my Sister-In-Law did it. She convinced me to run a marathon. GASP! I've had my reasons for putting it off. And despite the fact that the requirements I've given myself haven't all been met, I'm going to go for it anyway. This is going to be my "MARATHON Year!" Stonewall and I are going to run one together before he leaves too. It will help him be tip top shape before heading in to Basic.

SO... I am starting Jeff Galloway's Marathon Training Schedule TODAY!! On the rest days I will be doing a variety of strength training workouts... pulling from P90X, Wii Fit, Jillian Michaels workout DVD's and the like. I like to mix things up, keep my body {and mind} guessing!

I have already identified my BIGGEST HURDLE: the darn treadmill! I hate the thing. I hate that I'm not outside. I hate that the speed isn't the same as running outside. I hate that time & distance seem to EEK by. I hate how it's so noisy {I don't like to listen to ANYTHING while I run, well except for my feet hitting the street & other outdoor noises!}. UGH! There is more BUT I have GOT to change my attitude.

I picked myself up a couple books on tape: Hitler Youth {I am a WWII geek} and my M-I-L brought over The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Nieme. I am REALLY hoping that they keep me occupied enough that I forget I'm on the treadmill or at least make it bearable.

Got any pointers for my first marathon?

Bringin It.. sorta

Yesterday was a great workout day for me. I went for an awesome 4 mile run; despite my obvious need to get new shoes {my shins, knees and now my ankles are telling me so}. Then when I got home my husband and I did day one of P90X. WOW! I was so beat, I fell asleep while reading {Dr. Laura's "In Praise of Stay At Home Moms"}. I feel great today though; sore but great.

So where does the "sorta" come in to play? Well we can't find our P90X dvds!! We moved and we haven't seen them in all our unpacking. I am so ticked! I finally get amped about strength training {something I don't love} and we can't find the program?!! GRR!! So today I'm going to dig some more and hopefully I find the thing!!! We know the strength programs well enough but not the yoga, plyo or kenpo! MUST... FIND... P90X!!!

What a Workout!

Last night I went on a little 3.5 mile run. I ran the 3.5 miles in 33 minutes and had a .5 mile warm up and cool down on top of that. It felt GREAT! I had a bit of a stressful day and it was FABULOUS to hit the pavement and get some endorphins flowing! I especially love running past the canal and hearing the water, past crops and the wonderful smells, and of course past the fields of cows and how they turn their heads and look at me... some even say hello. I DON'T love the dogs that want to come remind me that I'm breaching their turf. I really should get some bear spray to show them a thing or two.

I've got my first 5K race EVER on the 13th; I ran distance in high school but I haven't raced since then! I am hoping to go run the course a couple times before; it's all up hill for the first half!! I think it would do me a lot of good to try it on for size!!! My whole family is running too; it's going to be quite the day!

Today I woke up and did the chest & back P90X workout with my husband. I am sure feeling it!!! I even took it easy {I have a lovely cut on my hand that is trying to heal and is still stinkin sore, darn box cutter!}!!

I ALSO mowed the lawn today. No I do NOT have a riding lawn mower {ok, yes I do but it's in the shop getting fixed} and No I do NOT have a self propelled mower. It took me 2 hours which means I burned an AWESOME 580 calories!! How SWEET is that?! Pretty sweet if you ask me!

Lots of Randomness

I have DETERMINED to have a good workout week and thus far I'm doin GOOD! Monday I did the P90X Chest & Back workout and my family went swimming so I was sure to do a few laps {I ♥ laps}. Tuesday I did my Turbo Jam {rather than the P90X Plyometrics}, 15 minutes abs {done every Tues & Thurs when we do our Turbo Jam workout} and the P90X Ab Ripper. Today I will be doing the P90X Shoulders & Arms. A few thoughts I've had lately:

* Park your car farther from the store or work and WALK

* Do some crunches, leg lifts, plank, wall sit {or SOMETHING else} while watching TV.

* Don't drink so much stinkin SODA! And while I'm at it; lay off the ALCOHOL! {those two deserve a post}

* With Spring comin soon {not for me, we're still getting SNOW} work in your yard, push mow your lawn, plant a vegetable garden...

* Get a friend to workout with; help each other stick to your GOALS

* Set realistic goals. Set SMALL goals and LONG TERM goals. Celebrate when you achieve them!

* PLAY! Get on a TEAM {basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer... ANYTHING} or just play with your KIDS!

* Get a group of friends together and TAKE A HIKE! Find new trails in your area. EXPLORE & ENJOY the great outdoors!

* Try something NEW this summer: rock climbing, waterskiing, kayaking, dance...

The point is to live a healthier more active lifestyle! And have fun too! What works for you? Let me know & maybe it will help the rest of us!!

Bring It!

Today was day 1 of 90!! A KILLER Chest & Back workout! 6 different kinds of push-ups and 6 different kinds of pull-ups. WOAH! I am feelin it! I am doing girlie push-ups and using the band of least resistance but I'm THERE! I am doing SOMETHING! I'm doing my BEST! {AND I've got a nasty cold!}

A few things that I LOVE about P90X:
* Using the RIGHT weight for the RIGHT job is really stressed... let go of your EGO!!! It's okay that I use the smallest band, it's right for me right now. If it's not hard enough, get a bigger band or heavier weight. Same is true if it's too much.
* GOOD FORM! Even though I'm doing girlie pushups and have to use a chair to help with my pull ups... it's ENCOURAGED!! Because it helps me have the correct form and as I get stronger I do the more difficult exercises.
* OPTIONS! I can use bands or weights. Different variants to make exercises more difficult {or for the moment... easier}

There were a few of these push-ups that I just thought: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!! Oh man. Honestly, there was one kind that I could only do 2 of! I'll get there.

I've heard of a few programs {P90X is one of them} that have you take a "Goodbye picture". So I had my husband take some. I didn't look at them {something I have to do, I'm trying to stay positive and that wouldn't help}. I did see all my measurements though. We will take pictures and measurements again at 30, 60 & 90 days! Wish me luck!!

P90X

My husband started the P90X program a few days ago. I'm excited for him.


I am debating doing it myself. It's definitely a killer workout and one doesn't start a program like this unless they are ready to "Bring It!". Maybe my reluctance stems from being sick and I definitely DON'T think I could BRING IT right now! I need to though. I'm still doing the turbo-jam-kick-in-the-pants workouts on Tuesdays & Thursdays. But I have found myself slacking on the other days! Working out with my husband would be fun & it would be great to help motivate each other.

So what do you think?