I spent my birthday determined to have my cheat day be that day. I was going to eat everything I could that was sinful and off limits.... only it didn't quite turn out that way because our trip to The Melting Pot where this was all set to take place wasn't all that I thought it was going to be.
Have you been to The Melting Pot? If not, save your money. It's a little bit of food for a lot of bit of money. I was hopeful that when I was told that they give you all kinds of good treats to dip into chocolate it meant that they give you more than a thumbnail size of brownie or a tinie-tiny wedge of cheese cake. I was expecting a huge spread of brownies, rice krispie treats, fruit, marshmallows. But instead it was just this little plate. I pushed the plate toward the Marble's and let them have their way with it. They were in heaven. They loved every minute of it and regardless of how much of the goodies I got to eat, seeing their faces glow as they dipped and devoured made for an awesome birthday!
And that means Saturday is cheat day!!!! Hooray!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
4 Miles in 44 minutes and 51 seconds
I'm beginning to think that if I can run four miles in less than 45 minutes that I should be able to do a 10k in less than an hour. It's just a mental thing that I need to get my head in to focus on staying on a treadmill that long and running in place. I am looking forward to the weather cooling off so I can run outside and determine which I prefer better.
Today's goal of 4 miles in 44 minutes and 51 seconds made me ecstatic. I almost wanted to high-five the guy on the treadmill next to me when I finished it. But, he was walking on a serious incline and I didn't want to hit his hand and have him fall backwards.
TGIM has been accompanying me to the gym and we have a little joke when we walk out all sweaty that we look like we ate watermelons and all the juice dripped down the front of us. TGIM can pull this off because he is always covered in sweat from his neckline of the shirt right down to near his belly button. As for myself, however, the sweat starts right under my boobs and goes down to my belly button. So, it looks more like my boobs were chomping on a watermelon.
I hope I can keep up this pace and train hard. I look forward to what my next workout will bring me!
Today's goal of 4 miles in 44 minutes and 51 seconds made me ecstatic. I almost wanted to high-five the guy on the treadmill next to me when I finished it. But, he was walking on a serious incline and I didn't want to hit his hand and have him fall backwards.
TGIM has been accompanying me to the gym and we have a little joke when we walk out all sweaty that we look like we ate watermelons and all the juice dripped down the front of us. TGIM can pull this off because he is always covered in sweat from his neckline of the shirt right down to near his belly button. As for myself, however, the sweat starts right under my boobs and goes down to my belly button. So, it looks more like my boobs were chomping on a watermelon.
I hope I can keep up this pace and train hard. I look forward to what my next workout will bring me!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Arc Trainer Review
I said yesterday I was going to push myself hard today but once I got to the gym and found my favorite treadmill my legs just didn't want to carry me the three miles that my head wanted to go. So, I ran a good, strong mile. Then I hopped on the stairmaster and walked up many flights of stairs for ten minutes, then I made my way over to the Arc Trainer where I did another ten minutes. When I was done with that, my wrists were sweating, I was sweating underneath my boobs and I felt my stomach rumbling which is always a clear indication that it's time to get the heck out of the gym.
The Arc Trainer is a new machine that I decided to try after a conversation with Raphie about it. It's kind of like an elliptical but I found that I used more of my thigh muscles on this machine. I have a strong lower body so I was able to go relatively fast even when the resistance was at it highest. I wasn't too sure how to gauge whether I did a good job or not on this machine since it was my first time on it, but I assume since I felt a burn in my thighs that I was working the muscles and using the machine as it was intended.
What I didn't like about the Arc Trainer was the weird motion I felt my legs were going. I felt like my legs were shooting forward and that at any moment Tony Little was going to bust through the door and tell me that the Arc Trainer was just a high tech version of his Gazelle. It was a strange kind of back-and-forth, up-and-down, around-in-a-circle kind of movement that kept making me wonder if I was even doing it right. And, I am not a big fan of having my arms moving back and forth as fast as my legs move and on this machine I felt like I needed to hold on so I couldn't let go of the handles. This wasn't my favorite type of way to work out and I most likely will shy away from this machine in other circuit training that I do, but it was fun to give it a shot.
Finally, if anyone is keeping track, I am still feeling much the same way I have felt in the last few days where I feel like I am walking around in a haze. I am spending way too much time being sad at the fact that I don't have Autumn and Raphie here in Florida on a daily basis. And, Wednesday is my birthday and I don't even really care. Hoping for a good day tomorrow where I feel strong and determined and have a good time on my run.
The Arc Trainer is a new machine that I decided to try after a conversation with Raphie about it. It's kind of like an elliptical but I found that I used more of my thigh muscles on this machine. I have a strong lower body so I was able to go relatively fast even when the resistance was at it highest. I wasn't too sure how to gauge whether I did a good job or not on this machine since it was my first time on it, but I assume since I felt a burn in my thighs that I was working the muscles and using the machine as it was intended.
What I didn't like about the Arc Trainer was the weird motion I felt my legs were going. I felt like my legs were shooting forward and that at any moment Tony Little was going to bust through the door and tell me that the Arc Trainer was just a high tech version of his Gazelle. It was a strange kind of back-and-forth, up-and-down, around-in-a-circle kind of movement that kept making me wonder if I was even doing it right. And, I am not a big fan of having my arms moving back and forth as fast as my legs move and on this machine I felt like I needed to hold on so I couldn't let go of the handles. This wasn't my favorite type of way to work out and I most likely will shy away from this machine in other circuit training that I do, but it was fun to give it a shot.
Finally, if anyone is keeping track, I am still feeling much the same way I have felt in the last few days where I feel like I am walking around in a haze. I am spending way too much time being sad at the fact that I don't have Autumn and Raphie here in Florida on a daily basis. And, Wednesday is my birthday and I don't even really care. Hoping for a good day tomorrow where I feel strong and determined and have a good time on my run.
Another Friend Post
I run my best when I am annoyed and frustrated. I push myself harder when I feel like I have something that is weighing on my mind. I feel better after I run knowing that I accomplished the task and knowing that I did what I set out to do.
These last couple months have brought about many days of annoyance and frustration. Days when I questioned my abilities to be who I am, do what I am doing and not feel guilt or regret for choices I have made. There have been days when I turn to friends or TGIM for support and encouragement and days when those people have turned to me.
Living away from my supportive counterparts and only having TGIM here to lean on can become tiresome and I am sure it leaves him reeling sometimes. I yearn for the company of my girl friends who call and say, "Hey let's do lunch!" and on a whim we are chatting it up over vegetarian cuisine. Those days have long since passed and instead I find that I have dove into this running thing head first to take my mind off the fact that I feel just as alone and friendless here in Florida as the day I crossed over the state line to make this my home.
The difference is today I can walk into a public place and perhaps see a familiar face. I can smile and say hi and then that meeting is complete. The people I do have down here that I call my "friends" are incredible, wonderful people. But, if my Brooks Adrenlines would carry me, I'd run my ass back to Michigan in heartbeat and into the warm embrace of those stellar companions I left behind and so desperately miss.
Today's plan is to push myself again to try to get under 11 minutes running....Fingers crossed I will get there.
These last couple months have brought about many days of annoyance and frustration. Days when I questioned my abilities to be who I am, do what I am doing and not feel guilt or regret for choices I have made. There have been days when I turn to friends or TGIM for support and encouragement and days when those people have turned to me.
Living away from my supportive counterparts and only having TGIM here to lean on can become tiresome and I am sure it leaves him reeling sometimes. I yearn for the company of my girl friends who call and say, "Hey let's do lunch!" and on a whim we are chatting it up over vegetarian cuisine. Those days have long since passed and instead I find that I have dove into this running thing head first to take my mind off the fact that I feel just as alone and friendless here in Florida as the day I crossed over the state line to make this my home.
The difference is today I can walk into a public place and perhaps see a familiar face. I can smile and say hi and then that meeting is complete. The people I do have down here that I call my "friends" are incredible, wonderful people. But, if my Brooks Adrenlines would carry me, I'd run my ass back to Michigan in heartbeat and into the warm embrace of those stellar companions I left behind and so desperately miss.
Today's plan is to push myself again to try to get under 11 minutes running....Fingers crossed I will get there.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Phew. I'm Back.
I've been out running this whole time. I ran all the way up to Michigan and visited with my girl friends because I have been in dire need of some female chit chat and friendly human contact and then hoofed it back to Florida just in time to write this post. You believe me, right?
Well, just believe the part that I am in dire need of my girl friends right now.
In 1992, I received a letter in the mail from a girl named Autumn. She was a fan of The Cure who had such a sharp sense of humor I knew that we had to be friends. This was back when pen paling was the best way to communicate with people.... you actually had to sit down and write a letter, put a stamp on it and mail it. Then I had to wait for Autumn to write me back. None of this emailing back and forth all day, every day kinda thing that we do now. My Marbles would be horrified to know that I actually had to wait days to get a response from Autumn.
But, here we are almost 20 years later and have built a friendship that has been unfazed by a five year separation because of my move to Florida. We have remained the closest of close friends and it's that type of friendship I miss so much when I am reeling from some event here in Florida.
A few years after
I met Autumn, my friend Raphie came into the picture. She, too, has been someone whose presence I miss on days when I need a laugh or some really good inyourface advice.
I talk to these two women everysingleday. Whether via email, text or facebook, we all know what the other has going on and many days I wish I could just run up to Michigan, have a quick lunch with them at Noodles & Co and then head home.
Living down in Florida has changed my life completely. Everything about my life is happier, healthier, consistent, normal...except my friends. You never realize how much you miss someone on a day-to-day basis until they're not there. Having that face-to-face contact with someone who knows your entire history is so refreshing. Being around Autumn and Raphie, I am exactly who I am. I feel like they actually help complete me as a person. They make me laugh harder than anyone I have ever met. The three of us have so many stories that we could spend weeks rehashing all the things we have gone through together.
Autumn has been on vacation for a week now in an area that doesn't get good reception and I haven't talked to her every day like I normally do. Those brief conversations we have had this week have been like a whirlwind of words coming like lightning out of our mouths. I don't even know if either of us really hear what the other is saying because the chatter has been so quick. I think she might have said she is having a good time and Evan ate sand. But, the last part could have been "there is a van stuck in sand" or "Is there a Taco Bell near Elkland?" But, regardless she needs to get her ass home because not talking to her on a regular basis has been bullshit. And, Raphie better not ever consider going on vacation the same time Autumn does EVER!
The point of this post? I've had some major issues going on recently that I could really use the humor and compassion of my two girl friends. I need to say something in all seriousness and get a witty response that makes what I just said totally meaningless. And then I need to be able to look at their faces as we all laugh about it together. Then at the end of our discussion, I need hugs. Good hugs! Two-arms wrapping around each other, squeezing tightly and hanging on for a little longer than necessary because we can....and if we cry a little bit during those hugs that's ok too. I need to be able to talk to them and not have to preface anything I say with a back story because they already know the back story. They lived it with me. They saw it...clear as day... sometimes in 3-D like with a shoe flying at their head!!!
I am hoping next week when my routine gets back to normal and Autumn is home that things will feel better. My inbox will be full of emails between Autumn and Raphie that I have been cc'd on but never answered because they had the conversations early in the mornings while they're at work and I'm sleeping. Then I'll get the on-the-way-home-from-work phone call from Autumn when I'm on my way TO work to ask me if I saw the emails she sent and then give me shit for not responding. It's the little things, People. The little things I miss so much.
Well, just believe the part that I am in dire need of my girl friends right now.
In 1992, I received a letter in the mail from a girl named Autumn. She was a fan of The Cure who had such a sharp sense of humor I knew that we had to be friends. This was back when pen paling was the best way to communicate with people.... you actually had to sit down and write a letter, put a stamp on it and mail it. Then I had to wait for Autumn to write me back. None of this emailing back and forth all day, every day kinda thing that we do now. My Marbles would be horrified to know that I actually had to wait days to get a response from Autumn.
But, here we are almost 20 years later and have built a friendship that has been unfazed by a five year separation because of my move to Florida. We have remained the closest of close friends and it's that type of friendship I miss so much when I am reeling from some event here in Florida.
A few years after
I met Autumn, my friend Raphie came into the picture. She, too, has been someone whose presence I miss on days when I need a laugh or some really good inyourface advice.
I talk to these two women everysingleday. Whether via email, text or facebook, we all know what the other has going on and many days I wish I could just run up to Michigan, have a quick lunch with them at Noodles & Co and then head home.
Living down in Florida has changed my life completely. Everything about my life is happier, healthier, consistent, normal...except my friends. You never realize how much you miss someone on a day-to-day basis until they're not there. Having that face-to-face contact with someone who knows your entire history is so refreshing. Being around Autumn and Raphie, I am exactly who I am. I feel like they actually help complete me as a person. They make me laugh harder than anyone I have ever met. The three of us have so many stories that we could spend weeks rehashing all the things we have gone through together.
Autumn has been on vacation for a week now in an area that doesn't get good reception and I haven't talked to her every day like I normally do. Those brief conversations we have had this week have been like a whirlwind of words coming like lightning out of our mouths. I don't even know if either of us really hear what the other is saying because the chatter has been so quick. I think she might have said she is having a good time and Evan ate sand. But, the last part could have been "there is a van stuck in sand" or "Is there a Taco Bell near Elkland?" But, regardless she needs to get her ass home because not talking to her on a regular basis has been bullshit. And, Raphie better not ever consider going on vacation the same time Autumn does EVER!
The point of this post? I've had some major issues going on recently that I could really use the humor and compassion of my two girl friends. I need to say something in all seriousness and get a witty response that makes what I just said totally meaningless. And then I need to be able to look at their faces as we all laugh about it together. Then at the end of our discussion, I need hugs. Good hugs! Two-arms wrapping around each other, squeezing tightly and hanging on for a little longer than necessary because we can....and if we cry a little bit during those hugs that's ok too. I need to be able to talk to them and not have to preface anything I say with a back story because they already know the back story. They lived it with me. They saw it...clear as day... sometimes in 3-D like with a shoe flying at their head!!!
I am hoping next week when my routine gets back to normal and Autumn is home that things will feel better. My inbox will be full of emails between Autumn and Raphie that I have been cc'd on but never answered because they had the conversations early in the mornings while they're at work and I'm sleeping. Then I'll get the on-the-way-home-from-work phone call from Autumn when I'm on my way TO work to ask me if I saw the emails she sent and then give me shit for not responding. It's the little things, People. The little things I miss so much.
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