Weekly workout update

Carlsbad Flower Fields

 

More fun updates!

Tue, April 24^th – I bought a Groupon last fall for a local boot camp.  20 classes to use in 8weeks!  I went to my first class and it was great.  Very hard, but I liked it and my arms were killing me!  Looking forward to more classes!

I was able to take Molly for a 2mile walk in the morning and did my AABS – 150 sit-ups and 32 push-ups.

Wed, April 25^th – 3.1 mile run in the morning, 2.0mile walk with Molly in the afternoon, and AABS – 150 sit-ups and 32 push-ups.

During our walk, someone put out a plant with a “free” sign on it.  It was a large terra cotta pot, that in my mind was worth carrying home (~5blocks) with Molly and her poop bag.  Needless to say, it wasn’t the best idea I have had and my arms were screaming by the end, but I am able to laugh about it and joke to G what a silly wife he has! 

Running Splits –

Mile 1 – 9:20

Mile 2 – 9:21

Mile 3 – 8:59

0.1miles @9:15

Total time = 28:37

My legs and body were tired and heavy.  Definitely feeling the effects of boot camp.

Thurs, April 26^th – 2.0mile walk with Molly in the morning, 1hr long boot camp, and AABS – 150 sit-ups and 32 push-ups.  I can feel the burn!

Fri, April 27^th – Off/rest day.  Very much needed!

Sat, April 28^th – 3.1mile run, 1.78mile cool-down walk with Molly and G, and of course my AABS – 160 sit-ups and 34 push-ups.

Running Splits –

Mile 1 – 8:37

Mile 2 – 8:38

Mile 3 – 8:44

0.1miles @8:39

Total time = 26:53

I must have needed rest day Friday!

Sun, April 29^th – Sleep-in morning, a longer walk with Molly and G – 2.71miles (it was starting to get too hot for Molly, so the walk was shorter than planned), and AABS – 160 sit-ups and 34 push-ups.

Mon, April 30^th – Easy run morning.  I always feel so tired on Monday mornings, like I didn’t nap enough during the weekend.  This feeling makes any kind of motivation very hard.

On the plus side my cortisone shot is on Friday!!  Very excited to see what happens to the pain in my foot.  I have been icing it daily for a few hours total and have noticed a little difference.  The large callus is starting to break apart, which is a good sign that I am not putting more pressure on the nerve. 

Today is the last day of AABS – 160 sit-ups and 34 push-ups.  I will continue with some variation for May and maybe even post a calendar!

Running Splits –

Mile 1 – 8:55

Mile 2 – 8:53

Mile 3 – 8:48

0.1miles @8:55

Total time = 27:32

What workout have you been up to??

Enjoy!

ELH

The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

My spring book review isn't due for another month, but I had to share this book with you.  I just finished it this past weekend and loved every minute of it!  I haven't read a book in a while that I didn't want to put down and read it slowly to take in all the magical descriptions.  I kept thinking, this would make an amazing movie....they are in the process of developing the screen play!  Awesome!!

The book is set in 1880 - the beginning of 1900's in a magical, fantastical circus that is only open at night.  The characters come to life in the circus and make fall in love with them even more.

This is a must read book!!  

I was telling a co-worker about it and she ask me to make a list of my top 10 books.  I'll have to think about that, but I know The Night Circus and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield are 1 and 2! 

Go read these books!

What books would make your Top 10?

Enjoy!

ELH

Workout update

More workout updates….

Sun, April 15^th – Easy day - Morning walk with Molly – 3.11miles and AABS – 120 sit-ups and 26 push-ups.

Mon, April 16^th – Easy 3.1mile run in 27:45.  I felt good and my foot didn’t hurt too much.

Splits –

Mile 1 – 8:56

Mile 2 – 8:56

Mile 3 – 8:57

0.1miles @8:47

Talk about consistent!

Cool-down with AABS – 120 sit-ups and 26 push-ups.

Tues, April 17^th – Feeling tired, so I slept in and took Molly for a 2.0mile walk and AABS – 130 sit-ups and 28 push-ups.

Wed, April 18^th – Nike Training Club! (because it was raining and I don’t like running in the rain.)

Get Strong – Advanced – Endurance Master – 45min

2min light jog

1min back pedal

1min straight leg kicks

2min recover

3 x{30sec sumo squat with press

30sec side lunge

30sec wood chops

30sec mountain climbers

1min plank

1min deadlift

1min recover}

3x{30sec burpee to shoulder press

30sec squat arm curls

1min alternating forward lunge to shoulder press

30sec tuck jumps

30sec split jumps – just lunges

1min plank row – just plank

1min recover}

1min side plank

1min Russian twists

1min toe touches

1min lower back stretch

2min standing hamstring stretch

2min pretzel stretch

And AABS – 130 sit-ups and 28 push-ups.

It was nice in the afternoon, so I took Molly for a 2.0mile walk after work.

Thurs, April 19^th – Lazy, lazy morning.  Lacking in motivation to run on my hurt foot, so I slept in and did AABS in the evening – 130 sit-ups and 28 push-ups.

Fri, April 20^th – Nike Training Club!

Get Strong – Advanced – Challenger – 45min

2min light jog

1min high knee runs

1min plank

1min full extensions

30sec mountain climbers

1min V-ups

1min side plank crunches

1min 90-degree abs

4x{1min wood chops

1min frogger to shoulder press

1min plank

1min squat rotation

1min alternating step back lunge row

1min plank

1min deadlift with alternating rows

1min side plank reverse fly}

1min 90-degress abs

30sec V-ups

1min pretzel stretch

2min pigeon stretch

And some AABS – 140 sit-ups and 30 push-ups!  Really starting to like doing push-ups on a daily basis.

Sat, April 21^st – Run Day!  No excuses.  The plan in my head was 6miles.  I ended up doing a pretty pathetic 10k and my foot was killing me.  Felt it all weekend!  My cortisone shot appointment is May 4^th!!  G offered to take me to the appointment.  I really can’t wait!

Splits –

Mile 1 – 9:00

Mile 2 – 9:02

0.3miles @8:57

1:10min walk break – picking a hilly neighborhood probably wasn’t the best idea!

0.26miles @8:49

1:11min walk break – really not a good idea!

0.86miles @9:20

1:38min walk break – voice in my head saying “head home!”  But I am stubborn (sometimes!)

1mile @9:25

0.37miles @9:12

1mile @9:34

0.2miles @8:54

Did you get all that?

Total – 6.2miles in 59:18 with an average pace of 9:34. 

Definitely not my best run….I think I am going to stick to ~3miles.  Since my next race isn’t until July, there isn’t any point in killing my foot!

Sun, April 22^nd – Nice long walk with Molly in the morning – 3.59miles, followed by AABS – 140 sit-ups and 30 push-ups.

Mon, April 23^rd – Nike Training Club!  I was going to run, but my foot has been killing me all weekend.

Get Focused – Butt Buster – 15min

3x {1min hip lifts

1min cross back lunge

30sec split jumps – just did lunges

1min side lunge with rotation

1min modified side plank leg lift

30sec recover}

Get Focused – Ab Burner – 15min

3x {1min toe touches

1min Russian twists

30sec plank

1min modified side plank

1min crazy Ivans

30sec recovery}

AABS – 140 sit-ups and 30 push-ups and a 2.0mile walk with Molly when I got home!  

I start a new bootcamp on Tuesday.  It should be fun!

What have you been up to??

Enjoy!

ELH

Flowers

I thought I would share some pretty flowers from March at our house....and some pics of Molly!

So excited I am outside with her!

Front of the house with our kitchen window box.

Back of the house!

And I'll end with the back of our new fence.....
Molly has made not 1 but 2 new holes under the fence! This is my handy work that is keeping her inside, for now! We do have a plan that involves railroad-ties and rebar.... pics coming once we get it installed!

Enjoy!
ELH

Happy Birthday....

to my nephew and and FIL!

Hope you both have wonderful days!

Love ya
ELH

Skinny Girl

Tomorrow is my nephew's birthday party. A bunch of 4 year olds doing an art project at a local art studio with cake, pizza, and presents is sure to wear a mama out!

So I bought my SIL a bottle of Skinny Girl Margaritas!

Rewind a few weeks to Easter weekend.... it was late Sunday afternoon and most of the guests had left our in-laws house. We were sitting on a swing watching the kids play in the warm tub (hot tub with temp turned down) and G brought me and his mom adult beverages. My SIL turns to us and asks for her own adult beverage!

Now I have seen her drink an adult beverage and talk about enjoying Baileys shakes, but I don't think I have ever heard her ask for a drink! G heard it too and we both looked at each other and smiled and I said, "bring this girl a drink STAT!" She wanted a margarita, so that is what she got.

I think she will want one (maybe 2) after the party,once her boys are tucked in for the night. So I will help a mama out!

Cheers!
ELH

Pi mile 5k

Sat, April 14^th

Pi mile 5k!

25:29.35! On the second mile, I thought I could break 25min. I am sort of stuck there. I guess I have a goal to work on while training for the ½ marathons in October.

Splits –

Mile 1 – 8:03 (went out too fast)

Mile 2 – 8:28 (slowing down to pace myself a little – probably too much)

Mile 3 – 8:05 (thought there was a chance to break 25min)

0.12miles @ 7:24

I actually felt pretty good. Surprising since I have only had 3 times in the last week!

I was 8th in my age-group division out of 122 and 38th woman out of 497. Pretty good! Breaking 25min would have put me 5th.... talk about motivation for next year!

My next scheduled race is July 4^th. I might need to find a 5k to do before then… I am also am only going to do 2 runs a week – tempo run during the week and a longer run Saturday morning. The rest of the time will be filled with NTC workouts, pilates videos, and free outdoor yoga.

I also have a bootcamp groupon, just need to know when the next cycle of classes start!

What have you been up to?

-ELH

Happy Birthday....

to one of my BEST FRIENDS!!

We meet our freshman year of high school and I love her to pieces!
I hope you have an amazing birthday!

Carlsbad All Day 25k

Carlsbad All Day 25k!

One of my besties moved to La Jolla in 2010 and she did this race last year. You run 5 x 5k in one morning! Yes, just a little crazy!

“Experience the excitement of five start lines and five finish lines in one day! All Day 25K participants compete in all five open races at Carlsbad 5000, which include: Masters Men, Masters Women, Men 30-39, Women 30-39 and Men and Women 29 & Under. You can register with the goal to finish or to see how fast you can run five 5Ks in one day! The All Day 25K is a great way to get your long run in if you are training for a spring or an early summer marathon!”

My besty said it was fun and she wanted to do it again….hint, hint, hint! I thought it sounded like fun and I love Southern Cali!

The first race started at 7am, 2^nd at 8am, 3^rd at 8:42, 4^th at 9:23, and the 5^th and last race at 11:30am.

I cruised through the first three races and then pushed myself on the 4^th race (my age group). I really wanted to get into the top 250 and get a medal. The 5^th race was the worst. Since the break was so long, I ate and drank a lot to recover, probably too much. My whole body hurt. It was interesting to notice all the other 25kers on the last race – we all looked like we were in pain!

My besty ran in our age group and then ran/walked with me in the last race. It was wonderful having her there taking pics and crewing for me. It definitely made the morning fun!

I did get 2 shirts and 2 medals! One medal for getting in the top 250 and one for finishing the 25k. One shirt of for the 5k and a long sleeve dry-fit shirt for the 25k. I have a nice race shirt collection going on!

Results –

256 runners did the 25k and the placements are in relation to everyone who did the 25k.

Masters Men 40+ – 27:00 (8:42 pace), 180^th overall, 47^th in my sex and division.

Splits – 8:29, 8:48, 8:39, 0.14miles @ 7:31 – 26:58

Masters Women 40+ – 26:35 (8:34 pace), 161^st overall, 56^th in my sex and 30^th in my division.

Splits – 8:34, 8:29, 8:28, 0.14miles @ 7:42 – 26:33

Men 30-39 – 26:21 (8:29 pace), 141^st overall, 35^th in my sex and division.

Splits – 8:26, 8:30, 8:20, 0.13miles @ 7:56 – 26:18

Women 30-39 – 25:14 (8:08 pace), 77^th overall, 23^rd in my sex and 4^th in my division – This was my division and I ended up finishing 62th/275, 259^th/1460 overall, and 174^th/1124 in my gender.

Splits – 7:50, 8:18, 8:05, 0.15miles @ 6:34 – 25:12

29 & Under – 30:18 (9:46 pace), 191^st overall, 62^nd in my sex and 50^th in my division.

Splits – 9:10, 10:56, 9:11, 0.13miles @ 7:37 - 30:17

Total time – 2:15:26 (8:44pace), 139^th overall and 38^th in my sex and division.

I had a great time and if my besty wants to do it again next year, I am game!

What fun races have you been up to??

Enjoy!

ELH

Over due workout summary

Sun, April 1^st – All Day 25K! Update coming soon.

Mon, April 2^nd – Off/rest day, since I ran 15.5miles the day before. I was able to get in a 2hr nap in the afternoon. Bliss!

Tues, April 3^rd – Another off/rest day. I stayed in Southern California a few extra days to hang out with my family. We did go on a whale watching tour and saw 3 grey whales. It was fun, but I forget to put my hat on and my scalp got fried! Towards the end of the week, it started to peel and I look like I have a major dandruff problem.

I am starting another round of my own MABS. I guess it should be called AABS. 90 sit-ups and 20 push-ups on my knees.

Wed, April 4^th – Travel home day. I did walk around my Aunt’s neighborhood with her and did AABS = 90sit-ups and 20 push-ups.

Thurs, April 5^th – Run day! Easy run in our neighborhood. AABS = 90sit-ups and 20 push-ups.

Fri, April 6^th – And I am sick again… Probably didn’t ever really get over the first cold and then with the running and traveling, the germs came back! It does seem to just be mucus in my sinuses and some coughing. No problems with my ears! I was able to motivate myself to do AABS = 100sit-ups and 22 push-ups.

Sat, April 7^th – Took Nyquil D the night before and slept for 10hrs! I guess I needed it:) Still feeling very congested, so I didn’t do anything that even looked like a workout. On the plus side, my appetite has pretty much gone away, so I don’t feel too guilty for not working out.

Sun, April 8^th – Happy Easter! We got up early and walked to a nearby church for sunrise services. Does walking ~1/2 mile count as a workout?? I do my AABS later that night after eating some doritios for dinner! 100sit-ups and 22 push-ups.

Mon, April 9^th – Alarm was set to get up early and take Molly for a walk, but still feeling pretty congested and run down, so I went back to sleep for another hr. We did take her for a walk that evening while dinner was in the oven – 1.7miles and I did AABS = 100sit-ups and 22 push-ups.

Tues, April 10^th – I was able to get my lazy, sick butt out of bed and do some Nike Training Club – 1^st one in April!

Better Butt – 15min

3 x {1min single leg clock squats

1min alternating step back lunges

1min split jumps

1min pulse jumps

1min wide leg deadlifts without weights}

Arm Definer – 15min

3 x {1min single leg arm curls

1min push-ups on knees

1min modified tricep push-ups

30sec sumo squats with press

1min plank

30sec recover}

and AABS = 110sit-ups and 24 push-ups.

Wed, April 11^th – Evening easy run with a guy from work – 4.33miles in 41:38 and yes my foot hurt!

Splits –

Mile 1 – 9:26

Mile 2 – 9:53

Mile 3 – 9:38

Mile 4 – 9:12

0.33miles @ 8:12 – pushed it up the final hill to our office.

And AABS when I got home! - 110sit-ups and 24 push-ups.

Thurs, April 12^th – Morning run with another guy from work – 3.24miles in 30:13.

Splits –

Mile 1 – 9:22

Mile 2 – 9:29

Mile 3 – 9:18

0.24miles @ 8:25

My legs felt pretty good! I did AABS later that night -110sit-ups and 24 push-ups.

Fri, April 13^th – off/rest day, but still did AABS - 120sit-ups and 26 push-ups.

What workout have you been up to?

-ELH

GLEE - Full Performance of "Somebody That I Used To Know" airing TUE 4/10

Love this Glee cover!!
-ELH

Sick girl

Since my marathon, I have been a mess. One hot mess!

Sick with a cold 3 times - yes I am sick again. Never really got over the thing in March (did feel good during my week in Southern California) and got sick again, probably due to flying and not really sleeping. Needless to say, I have been on a little workout hiatus for April....

Back to the sick thing - 1st there was the back thing, which is doing great. I love PT and it is definitely helping. I am going once a week and my PT said to finish out the month and I should be good! Yeah!

2nd - probably was 1st but I ignored it, is pain in my left foot. It started bothering me after long runs and felt like stabbing pain when I took my first steps in the morning. The pain is on the ball of my foot and hurts my 3 middle toes. I have a nice yellow-ish looking callus there! I really noticed that something was wrong after mile 16 during the marathon in October. I iced it and forgot about it, since my back pain decided it was more important!

Fast forward to February and trying to run longer runs and the pain is back. Oh the pain is back!
I knew the Dr was going to tell me not to run and to be honest, with visiting the Dr for the cold-thing and PT once a week, I wasn't in the mood for another Drs. visit and I had a spring 1/2 marathon and 25k. I was doing those races regardless.

Last week I called my Dr. and was referred to a podiatrist. Saw him this morning and I have Morton's Neuroma. Basically, it is a nerve disorder that causes pain and the loss of feeling between the toes. Lovely!

Treatment includes (max) 3 rounds of cortisone injections to reduce the inflammation of the nerve, putting a metatarsal pad in my shoe to relieve some of the pressure, and surgery to remove the inflamed nerve.
I am scheduled for a cortisone shot at the beginning of next month - hopefully it will help and surgery won't be necessary.
The Dr. did say that I can run until it hurts, which for me is usually less than 5miles. I like that plan!

I am running a 5k this Saturday and then I don't have anything until July 4th - 10k. After that, 2 half-marathons in October. I really want to run hard at those races and get back to my 8:15/mile pace. Hopefully, I can stay healthy!

Fun times!
ELH

Winter book reviews

Winter book reading in the H house = Jan 1 - March 31st.

It looks like this “season” of book reading was full of easy, beach reads! I guess that happens when your hubby is out of town 90% of the time!

The Marriage Plot – Jeffery Eugenides – I loved Middlesex (great book, check it out if you haven’t read it), so I was looking forward to this newest book by Eugenides. The story is boring and predictable and the main character keeps making the wrong choices - annoying. Skip it!

Distant Shores – Kristin Hannah – I got this book from my mom and I am sure she just picked if off of Amazon’s recommendation list. It was good, fast read. Great for the beach. The main character’s have been married for years and the wife has sacrificed her happiness for her husband's career. The book talks about how the wife feels, what needs to change, how the husband feels, and his lack of noticing her sacrifices.

The Castaways – Elin Hildenbrand – Another great beach read. Set in Nantucket, it explores the dynamics of 3 married couples and their relationship with each other. I really like this author, if you are looking for an easy beach read.

Mini Shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella – Oh Becky, what have you gotten yourself into now?! This is the latest installment of the Shopaholic series, and you know me, once I have started a series I am in it for the long haul. The book is a train wreck of poor decisions, so if you haven’t read any in the series, just skip it. If you have kept up with the books, then this is pretty good, frustrating at times, and fun at others, so go ahead and enjoy it!

Twenties Girl – Sophie Kinsella – I do like this author for easy reading and there usually isn’t a wait for the kindle version of her books at my library! This is a new character, still set in London, who has some funny adventures when her great aunt ghost’s visits her to settle some unfinished business. It was light and charming, so I would recommend reading it.

Roses – Leile Meacham – If you loved Gone With the Wind and The Thorn Birds, then you will love this book. It is set in the cotton fields of Texas and has multiple layers of family devotion, love, and business that effect generations. I highly recommend that you read this book!!

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party (#12) – Alexander McCall Smith – 12^th in the series…..like the Shopaholic review, it is good if you are into the series, otherwise skip it.

The Charming Quirks of Others: SPC #7 – Alexander McCall Smith – see above!

Against Medical Advice – James Patterson – One of my goals for 2012 was to finally get my lazy butt to the library (there is one a few blocks from our house and the parking lot is always full) and get a library card! It was easy! Except for the part where the e-books would not download to my kindle. I have a Gen 2, so you have to connect the kindle up to the computer and drag the book to special kindle folder. Thanks internet for the info! Anyway….. this was one of the James Patterson books on my reading list and since it is a few years old there was no waiting list! It is about a child’s struggle with Tourettes. It was ok. Skip it unless you really want to learn more about Tourettes!

Beach House – James Patterson – an older book of his and I don’t know how I have missed it. It had a John Grisham lawyer feel to it and I enjoyed it. Recommended!

Private – James Patterson – did I mention how much I love the library?!? This is the start of a new character series featuring Jack Morgan and his investigation business. Typical page turning mystery book! Recommended!

Sing Me Home – Jodi Picoult – One of her latest books. I am not sure why I keep reading her…. This was a strange book about infertility, marriage, religion, sexual preference, and then returns to infertility. If you like Picoult books, then read it. It is a good story. If you haven’t read her books, then skip it and go read My Sister’s Keeper.

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 1 – Michael Scott – I’ll admit that I didn’t know who Nicholas Flamel was until the Harry Potter books came out. This is book 1 of 6 with a similar target audience as Harry Potter. I like books about magic and set in modern day. I am on the 3^rd book now and enjoying the series. So if you miss Harry Potter, can’t wait for the next book in the All Souls Trilogy, and sped through the Hunger Games, you will enjoy this series! Highly recommend!!

The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Book 2 – Michael Scott – see above!

Glass Castle – Jeannette Walls – Strange, Strange, Strange... 1^st – I love a memoir. David Sedaris’ books are some of my favorite. I was hoping this book would follow in the humor of the silly things we did as kids and stuff your parents did…. not so much. 2^nd – this was recommended to me by my FIL, who got it from my MIL, who got it from her nephew – a famous actor. Famous actor nephew (we went to his wedding in 2010 and were a little star struck – I meet Andy Samberg – love!) had a dad who had a second family on the side. So needless to say, he didn’t have the best relationship with his dad growing up and today they don’t speak. As I was reading the book, I kept thinking about why did my FIL give this book to me, why did famous actor nephew give it to them in the first place? The book is a very sad story about her childhood with parents that were vagabonds and don’t really care about the safety and well-being of their 4 children. It was easy to read, but the topic was difficult and full of heart break. I would recommend skipping this book, unless you really want to be depressed.

What have you been reading? Any recommendations?
Enjoy!
ELH

Poisson d'Avril

Happy April Fool's day!pic is from etsy

March mileage -
Running = 48.37miles
Walking = 17.24miles

Yearly totals -
Running = 163.98
Walking = 57.37

March wasn't a great month for me. The Calgary-plague pretty much put me out for 2 weeks and it was hard getting back at it. I don't know what April will bring, but I hope I am healthy!

Enjoy!
ELH