Well well well, look who it is... ME!
Been a long time, I think almost two years actually, since I've written here.
Today's won't be long, just a note mostly to myself.
Tomorrow 2/22/2016 is the kickoff to me being healthy again.
I've had a rough couple months personally and fell very off track. But some of the challenges that I faced recently were health-related with someone very close to me; and that should've been my wake up call!
Instead, I got busy with taking care of said-person, my company merged with another company, I went on a cruise, I had family in town... and I stopped making time for myself & used excuses for why my diet was so terrible.
But no more!
I have a pool party meeting in Miami for work on April (yes... really). So I figure that's as good a goal as any (of course aside from regaining my health) to get started with now.
I have so many supporters, as the gym I belong to is paid for by my work so a ton of my co-workers go so I know I can tag along with them whenever I need that extra push... and it'll be fun to see my 5:30am crew at the gym again.
I'm also planning to start running again... might even look for a 5k in March or April to sign up for for extra commitment.
I even ran 2 miles today!
Go me!
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Sunday, August 10, 2014
100 Days of Sweat: Day 49
Me again, back with another update on my 100 Days of Sweat Challenge.
I've used 2 of my 5 allotted rest days. BUT I'm almost halfway so I feel pretty good about it.
Day 29: Slash
Day 30: Slash
Day 31: Slash
Day 32: Slash
Day 33: Jiu Jitsu
Day 34: Walked 4 miles (Travel Day to Denver. Explored the city after arriving.)
Day 35: 1.17 mile run, 11:16 (On the track at the hotel roof.)
Day 36: Walked 2 miles (Denver: walking to & from the office.)
Day 37: Walked 2 miles (Denver: walking to & from the office.)
Day 38: REST (1 of 5.)
Day 39: Slash
Day 40: Jiu Jitsu
Day 41: Pilates
Day 42: Yoga through the Roku
Day 43: Slash
Day 44: Slash
Day 45: Abs workout at home
Day 46: Slash
Day 47: Slash
Day 48: REST (2 of 5.)
Day 49: Run 2 miles, 23:40 (hot, humid, muggy and I wasn't properly hydrated.)
I've used 2 of my 5 allotted rest days. BUT I'm almost halfway so I feel pretty good about it.
Day 29: Slash
Day 30: Slash
Day 31: Slash
Day 32: Slash
Day 33: Jiu Jitsu
Day 34: Walked 4 miles (Travel Day to Denver. Explored the city after arriving.)
Day 35: 1.17 mile run, 11:16 (On the track at the hotel roof.)
Day 36: Walked 2 miles (Denver: walking to & from the office.)
Day 37: Walked 2 miles (Denver: walking to & from the office.)
Day 38: REST (1 of 5.)
Day 39: Slash
Day 40: Jiu Jitsu
Day 41: Pilates
Day 42: Yoga through the Roku
Day 43: Slash
Day 44: Slash
Day 45: Abs workout at home
Day 46: Slash
Day 47: Slash
Day 48: REST (2 of 5.)
Day 49: Run 2 miles, 23:40 (hot, humid, muggy and I wasn't properly hydrated.)
Sunday, July 20, 2014
100 Days of Sweat: Day 28
Wooooo! I'm more than a quarter of the way through my 100 days. Is it bad that this is easier than my #100happydays pic-a-day challenge?!
Day 21: Walked ~4 miles (travel day)
Day 22: 1.72 mile run, 18:04
Day 23: 1.25 mile run, 13:07 (travel day)
Day 24: Slash
Day 25: Slash
Day 26: Jiu Jitsu
Day 27: Pilates
Day 28: 1.53 mile run, 16:12
My flight left early on Sunday so I didn't have time to do anything before my arrival in Baltimore. I landed & went to the hotel but my room wasn't ready. So I changed into shorts & flip flops (perhaps a mistake.) and stored my luggage at the hotel.
I walked down to the Inner Harbor from my Harbor East hotel location. Such a gorgeous walk along the water. I found a place with crab cakes (naturally) and enjoyed some lunch while making plans for the World Cup game.
Next, I walked to Fells Point from the Harbor to meet up with an old former co-worker from Zimmerman. I got to Fells quite a while before she was ready to arrive so I walked around some more. I love this area. Cobblestone streets, shops, restaurants and festivals throughout AND right on the water.
I met up with my friend & one of her co-workers at Koopers. I had already eaten but looked like they serve a delicious brunch! (plus it was packed; always a good sign.)
I had forgotten the World Cup final game started at 3, not 4. So I had to rush out of there, head back to the hotel with hopes that I could shower because it was HOT walking all over town all afternoon. Unfortunately my room wasn't ready yet. So instead I hopped in a cab to go to Midtown BBQ in Mt Vernon in Baltimore to meet up with another fellow Agora employee who I've traveled with in Nicaragua & the most recent conference in Vegas.
I showed up & met some other fellow Agora employees. The bar was really into the game which always makes watching it more fun. After the game, the group of us wandered to Brewer's Art Bar because I had never been & was told I needed to experience it. Since everything in Baltimore is in old buildings, it was in the basement of a brownstone... really neat.
After I caught a cab back to Harbor East & met up with the co-workers from my Florida office who I was staying at the hotel with and we hung out at the bar across the street from our hotel for a while.
The next morning I was awake at 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I watched TV, started some work around 4;30 waiting for the sun to come up, then I hit the pavement & ran along the Harbor. Always one of my favorite runs. The next morning was another early one, even though we were up late with co-workers just talking & hanging out. Always nice to see people that you communicate with daily but are 1000 miles away.
The 2nd morning I ran the other way towards Fells Point though & did a quick loop.
I am proud of myself for managing to keep up with my quest even during my business trip. I'm off to Denver on Saturday. That's a tougher flight so we'll see how I hold up!
And just for fun, here are some pics of our offices in Baltimore, just because I think they're so unique & beautiful. They're also in old brownstones.
Day 21: Walked ~4 miles (travel day)
Day 22: 1.72 mile run, 18:04
Day 23: 1.25 mile run, 13:07 (travel day)
Day 24: Slash
Day 25: Slash
Day 26: Jiu Jitsu
Day 27: Pilates
Day 28: 1.53 mile run, 16:12
My flight left early on Sunday so I didn't have time to do anything before my arrival in Baltimore. I landed & went to the hotel but my room wasn't ready. So I changed into shorts & flip flops (perhaps a mistake.) and stored my luggage at the hotel.
 |
| View of the Harbor from the Visitors Center |
Next, I walked to Fells Point from the Harbor to meet up with an old former co-worker from Zimmerman. I got to Fells quite a while before she was ready to arrive so I walked around some more. I love this area. Cobblestone streets, shops, restaurants and festivals throughout AND right on the water.
 |
| Fells Point |
I had forgotten the World Cup final game started at 3, not 4. So I had to rush out of there, head back to the hotel with hopes that I could shower because it was HOT walking all over town all afternoon. Unfortunately my room wasn't ready yet. So instead I hopped in a cab to go to Midtown BBQ in Mt Vernon in Baltimore to meet up with another fellow Agora employee who I've traveled with in Nicaragua & the most recent conference in Vegas.
I showed up & met some other fellow Agora employees. The bar was really into the game which always makes watching it more fun. After the game, the group of us wandered to Brewer's Art Bar because I had never been & was told I needed to experience it. Since everything in Baltimore is in old buildings, it was in the basement of a brownstone... really neat.
After I caught a cab back to Harbor East & met up with the co-workers from my Florida office who I was staying at the hotel with and we hung out at the bar across the street from our hotel for a while.
The next morning I was awake at 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I watched TV, started some work around 4;30 waiting for the sun to come up, then I hit the pavement & ran along the Harbor. Always one of my favorite runs. The next morning was another early one, even though we were up late with co-workers just talking & hanging out. Always nice to see people that you communicate with daily but are 1000 miles away.
The 2nd morning I ran the other way towards Fells Point though & did a quick loop.
I am proud of myself for managing to keep up with my quest even during my business trip. I'm off to Denver on Saturday. That's a tougher flight so we'll see how I hold up!
And just for fun, here are some pics of our offices in Baltimore, just because I think they're so unique & beautiful. They're also in old brownstones.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
100 Days of Sweat: Day 20
I'm already 1/5 of the way through this Challenge! But tomorrow is trip 1 of 3 that falls within these 100 days. And the hotel doesn't have a gym in the building, you have to use the gym down the street. AND it's looking like rain so my original plan to just wander around & explore the city and log some miles may not be able to work.
Here's what I've done since I last left off.
Day 15: Slash
Day 16: Slash
Day 17: Jiu Jitsu
Day 18: Slash
Day 19: Slash & Jiu Jitsu
Day 20: Pilates
Feeling great after pilates this morning. Now it's off to meet a sorority sister who's in town for coffee, then Brunch with the girls.
Until next time... wish me luck!
(and I'm sorry for the lack of pictures. Allison suggested adding to the challenge & take a pic each day again. But I don't bring my phone into Slash or to Jiu Jitsu so it's been impossible. But I know , I know... what's a blog without pictures?! BORING.)
Here's what I've done since I last left off.
Day 15: Slash
Day 16: Slash
Day 17: Jiu Jitsu
Day 18: Slash
Day 19: Slash & Jiu Jitsu
Day 20: Pilates
Feeling great after pilates this morning. Now it's off to meet a sorority sister who's in town for coffee, then Brunch with the girls.
Until next time... wish me luck!
(and I'm sorry for the lack of pictures. Allison suggested adding to the challenge & take a pic each day again. But I don't bring my phone into Slash or to Jiu Jitsu so it's been impossible. But I know , I know... what's a blog without pictures?! BORING.)
Sunday, July 6, 2014
100 Days of Sweat
I'm trying to start a "100 Days of Sweat" challenge. Not publicly (besides this post that I think 2 people will read. :) announcing it but at least keeping track here of what my workouts are, in addition to my normal workout calendar I keep printed out at home.
I think I will allow myself somewhere between 5-10 "days off" during this challenge. That seems fair.
Here's my progress so far.
Day 1 (June 23) - Slash
Day 2 (June 24) - Slash
Day 3 (June 25) - Slash and Jiu Jitsu
Day 4 (June 26) - Slash
Day 5 (June 27) - Jiu Jitsu
Day 6 (June 28) - Pilates
Day 7 (June 29) - 2.5 mile run (27:55)
Day 8 (June 30) - Slash
Day 9 (July 1) - Slash
Day 10 (July 2) - Slash and Jiu Jitsu
Day 11 (July 3) - Slash
Day 12 (July 4) - 2.95 mile run (33:35)
Day 13 (July 5) - Pilates
Day 14 (July 6) - 2.0 mile run (21:17)
Slash will certainly be most of my workouts. And I'm okay with that! Here's to hoping I see some results too.
I'm traveling to Baltimore next week and Denver later this month... those ones will be tricky!
I think I will allow myself somewhere between 5-10 "days off" during this challenge. That seems fair.
Here's my progress so far.
Day 1 (June 23) - Slash
Day 2 (June 24) - Slash
Day 3 (June 25) - Slash and Jiu Jitsu
Day 4 (June 26) - Slash
Day 5 (June 27) - Jiu Jitsu
Day 6 (June 28) - Pilates
Day 7 (June 29) - 2.5 mile run (27:55)
Day 8 (June 30) - Slash
Day 9 (July 1) - Slash
Day 10 (July 2) - Slash and Jiu Jitsu
Day 11 (July 3) - Slash
Day 12 (July 4) - 2.95 mile run (33:35)
Day 13 (July 5) - Pilates
Day 14 (July 6) - 2.0 mile run (21:17)
Slash will certainly be most of my workouts. And I'm okay with that! Here's to hoping I see some results too.
I'm traveling to Baltimore next week and Denver later this month... those ones will be tricky!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Honda Classic 5K - January 18, 2014
Whew I can't believe that I haven't posted anything on the blog since my last race. I certainly was on a high from it for a while!
I initially wasn't going to run it... It was further away than I'd normally like and more expensive than most. But my friends convinced me and I figured it was a good thing to experience; being able to run through a National PGA Golf Course.
We got there ridiculously early which I like. My friend Mel's work was one of the sponsors so a bunch of her co-workers were there too and I was able to meet some of them. Made for a very social morning.
We lined up at the start, and I was thankful that there was a starting line that would officially start our chip when we crossed the Start rather than when the gun goes off.
Kim and I start off together through the initial part of the race which wound through the parking lot then we kind of got separated. Once the race took its turn to start onto the Golf Course, it was a whole new ball game.
My usual training runs have NO hills, however... as you know... golf courses have all kinds of little ups and downs. This was certainly reflected on the Golf Cart path that we were running on.
This was also my 1st race running with my Garmin. I was always very surprised when looking down at my watch and saw I was flying at about a 9:20-ish pace. That's way faster than I usually go but I was feeling so good.
The scenery was definitely helpful... And when we passed the putting green, everyone stopped & cheered for us which was really fun and motivating. I'm sure the 60-something-degree morning played a HUGE part into my success too.
I kept passing people and knew I was going to finish strong. There were 2 pretty steep hills (Kim had told me about 1 on our way to the race but they added another this year... RIGHT before the finish line. That's just mean!).
As I came down the last hill, I could see the finish line & the clock and knew I was going to be able to get my sub-30 time once again (finally.) I checked my Garmin and verified that indeed I had done it.
I waited at the finish line to cheer in Kim & Melissa... then we all went over to the breakfast. Just for fun, on our way to the table with our food, I swung by the print outs of everyone's time & where they placed.
I couldn't believe it! I was listed as finishing 2nd in my age group, my first time ever placing in a race!
For a race that I didn't even want to ... It certainly turned out great! I will definitely be running this one again next year, if for the course alone. (And I gotta admit... now I may even watch the Honda Classic Golf Tournament now that I've been ON that Green... and I hate watching golf - except for Rory of course.)
Results:
Time: 29:08 (a whole 3 minutes faster than my 5K in Dec)
9:24/mile pace
2 out of 10 in my age group
Overall: 191 out of 363
I initially wasn't going to run it... It was further away than I'd normally like and more expensive than most. But my friends convinced me and I figured it was a good thing to experience; being able to run through a National PGA Golf Course.
 |
| Can you ask for a more beautiful course?! |
We got there ridiculously early which I like. My friend Mel's work was one of the sponsors so a bunch of her co-workers were there too and I was able to meet some of them. Made for a very social morning.
We lined up at the start, and I was thankful that there was a starting line that would officially start our chip when we crossed the Start rather than when the gun goes off.
Kim and I start off together through the initial part of the race which wound through the parking lot then we kind of got separated. Once the race took its turn to start onto the Golf Course, it was a whole new ball game.
My usual training runs have NO hills, however... as you know... golf courses have all kinds of little ups and downs. This was certainly reflected on the Golf Cart path that we were running on.
This was also my 1st race running with my Garmin. I was always very surprised when looking down at my watch and saw I was flying at about a 9:20-ish pace. That's way faster than I usually go but I was feeling so good.
The scenery was definitely helpful... And when we passed the putting green, everyone stopped & cheered for us which was really fun and motivating. I'm sure the 60-something-degree morning played a HUGE part into my success too.
I kept passing people and knew I was going to finish strong. There were 2 pretty steep hills (Kim had told me about 1 on our way to the race but they added another this year... RIGHT before the finish line. That's just mean!).
As I came down the last hill, I could see the finish line & the clock and knew I was going to be able to get my sub-30 time once again (finally.) I checked my Garmin and verified that indeed I had done it.
I waited at the finish line to cheer in Kim & Melissa... then we all went over to the breakfast. Just for fun, on our way to the table with our food, I swung by the print outs of everyone's time & where they placed.
I couldn't believe it! I was listed as finishing 2nd in my age group, my first time ever placing in a race!
 |
| Posing with my Finishers Medal & my 2nd Place medal. :) |
For a race that I didn't even want to ... It certainly turned out great! I will definitely be running this one again next year, if for the course alone. (And I gotta admit... now I may even watch the Honda Classic Golf Tournament now that I've been ON that Green... and I hate watching golf - except for Rory of course.)
 |
| The 3 of us, post-race |
Results:
Time: 29:08 (a whole 3 minutes faster than my 5K in Dec)
9:24/mile pace
2 out of 10 in my age group
Overall: 191 out of 363
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Quick Recap: 2013
I had been working to get this posted yesterday but figured... why rush it? January 1 can still be a time to reflect on the past year, and THEN resume looking forward and setting (or adjusting) my goals for the new year.
I went into 2013 wanting to run more 5K's than ever before. Initially I wanted to try to do one a month, but that just isn't feasible in the South Florida heat. Even the races I chose to do not in the dead of summer proved to be very warm.
Though I can't exactly say that I started off too strong with my goal because somehow I wound up not even being able to fit in a race in January!
Then I took off on February.
February:
5 Guys Burger & Fries 5K
32:16
10:25/mile pace
4th out of 11 in my age group
128th out of 234 overall
This was the first race I've ever ran completely alone. No fellow runners and I didn't even have anyone at the finish line waiting for me. I was disappointed that I came in 4th; I could've placed! (Still waiting for that day to come.) But was proud of myself for getting out there & conquering it alone.
March:
Fast & Furriest 5K
29:00
9:29/mile pace
8th out of 15 in my age group
83rd out of 180 overall
This was a fun race; I got to travel over to the west coast of Florida to visit Ali & Matt, friends from Stetson University. We ALL managed to PR in the race which was pretty sweet. I still am confused how I managed to pull out a 29:00 and obliterate any time I've ever ran a 5K in.
April:
Heroes in Recovery 6K
36:22
9:47/mile pace
8th out of 38 in my age group
119th out of 470 overall
I was excited for this race since it was a strange distance. I didn't eat so very well the night before (excuses, excuses...) and when initially crossing that finish line I was hoping to see a better time. But after calculating it out and seeing my pace was still under 10 minutes/mile, I really wasn't upset with this time. I had my dad & Dan waiting for me at the finish line, too! It was a nice course through a park about 20-25 minutes south of the house. Ran by some lakes, horses grazing, an old rail road track... I'd love to run through there again!
May:
Eric Patrie Firefighter 5K
30:28
9:50/mile pace
20th out of 52 in my age group
172nd out of 408 overall
This was a fun race and on a course I know pretty well: A1A. Out & back, flat. Kim ran it, too! It was HOT. Dan had to pour water on me upon completion of this race. Once again, that sub-30 has alluded me but I kept my pace below 10 minutes. (Really didn't realize how many races I did do that in till writing this post!)
June:
Tutu 2 Miler
Not timed
This was just a fun race that Dan, Melissa, Kim and I all ran together. It was a couple of "firsts". It was Dan's first race (though it wasn't timed with chips, I still consider it a race.), and it was also my first evening race. And let me tell you; I won't be signing up for any more evening races any time soon.
I'm sure this being at the end of June didn't help anything, but it was ridiculously hot! It was fun just to be silly, wearing our tutu's and running with friends though.
September:
Jeff Annas Firefighter 5K
30:00
9:40/mile pace
29th out of 88 in my age group
519th out of 1128 overall
Yes, heartbreaking to see the sub-30 time once again THAT close. But I was actually surprised I was even this fast. Again, I didn't eat very smart the night before and it was a warm morning out. Though I really can't say much because some of the firefighters ran in their full fire-proof gear (and still beat me!) I really have to respect them. I think this was the biggest race I've ever participated in which made it really fun. It was a great atmosphere and a mostly shaded course anyway.
October:
AVDA Race for the Cure 5K
30:08
9:43/mile pace
7th out of 27 in my age group
168th out of 445 overall
My first ever 5K (back in 2009) was the AVDA race so I was kind of excited to run this race again. I finished in 32:26 back in 2009 so yay me for beating that! This is the same course as the Firefighter one in May: along A1A. Some of the trainers from Slash Fitness also came to this race so it was really fun to see other familiar faces along the course as well as at the finish line (plus my dad there cheering me on.)
Also since stopping domestic abuse is my sorority's philanthropy, the local alumni chapter had a group together so I met up with a couple of them to say hi & meet some sisters prior to the race. However, I ran on my own for the actual race portion.
December:
It's a Wonderful Run 5K
32:10
10:23/mile pace
7th out of 9 in my age group
142nd out of 274 overall
This was a last minute decision and I'm really not sure what's to explain why the drastic change in my time. It was stupid humid out (of course a cold front came through that evening.) I really enjoyed the race route though. Took some back sidewalks so you're away from the road a bit. My friend Jon won the entire thing with a time of 15:37 and broke the record for the course.
All in all, this year I was pretty physically fit. I keep a calendar each month and mark down my workouts each day and put X's through the days I skip. I HATE seeing the X's and I've found this method really helps motivate me to continue working out. I've been loyal to Slash Fitness and couldn't imagine NOT going there now. It has improved my endurance and certainly my strength (mentally and physically).
Here's to an even stronger 2014!
5 Guys Burger & Fries 5K
32:16
10:25/mile pace
4th out of 11 in my age group
128th out of 234 overall
This was the first race I've ever ran completely alone. No fellow runners and I didn't even have anyone at the finish line waiting for me. I was disappointed that I came in 4th; I could've placed! (Still waiting for that day to come.) But was proud of myself for getting out there & conquering it alone.
March:
Fast & Furriest 5K
29:00
9:29/mile pace
8th out of 15 in my age group
83rd out of 180 overall
 |
| Ali and I being strong! |
April:
Heroes in Recovery 6K
36:22
9:47/mile pace
8th out of 38 in my age group
119th out of 470 overall
I was excited for this race since it was a strange distance. I didn't eat so very well the night before (excuses, excuses...) and when initially crossing that finish line I was hoping to see a better time. But after calculating it out and seeing my pace was still under 10 minutes/mile, I really wasn't upset with this time. I had my dad & Dan waiting for me at the finish line, too! It was a nice course through a park about 20-25 minutes south of the house. Ran by some lakes, horses grazing, an old rail road track... I'd love to run through there again!
May:
Eric Patrie Firefighter 5K
30:28
9:50/mile pace
20th out of 52 in my age group
172nd out of 408 overall
 |
| Hi! |
 |
| Kim and me |
June:
Tutu 2 Miler
Not timed
This was just a fun race that Dan, Melissa, Kim and I all ran together. It was a couple of "firsts". It was Dan's first race (though it wasn't timed with chips, I still consider it a race.), and it was also my first evening race. And let me tell you; I won't be signing up for any more evening races any time soon.
I'm sure this being at the end of June didn't help anything, but it was ridiculously hot! It was fun just to be silly, wearing our tutu's and running with friends though.
September:
Jeff Annas Firefighter 5K
30:00
9:40/mile pace
29th out of 88 in my age group
519th out of 1128 overall
Yes, heartbreaking to see the sub-30 time once again THAT close. But I was actually surprised I was even this fast. Again, I didn't eat very smart the night before and it was a warm morning out. Though I really can't say much because some of the firefighters ran in their full fire-proof gear (and still beat me!) I really have to respect them. I think this was the biggest race I've ever participated in which made it really fun. It was a great atmosphere and a mostly shaded course anyway.
 |
| Finding my own little spot in the crowd! |
 |
| Cooling off in the ice chair after the race |
October:
AVDA Race for the Cure 5K
30:08
9:43/mile pace
7th out of 27 in my age group
168th out of 445 overall
My first ever 5K (back in 2009) was the AVDA race so I was kind of excited to run this race again. I finished in 32:26 back in 2009 so yay me for beating that! This is the same course as the Firefighter one in May: along A1A. Some of the trainers from Slash Fitness also came to this race so it was really fun to see other familiar faces along the course as well as at the finish line (plus my dad there cheering me on.)
Also since stopping domestic abuse is my sorority's philanthropy, the local alumni chapter had a group together so I met up with a couple of them to say hi & meet some sisters prior to the race. However, I ran on my own for the actual race portion.
 |
| Passing through! |
It's a Wonderful Run 5K
32:10
10:23/mile pace
7th out of 9 in my age group
142nd out of 274 overall
This was a last minute decision and I'm really not sure what's to explain why the drastic change in my time. It was stupid humid out (of course a cold front came through that evening.) I really enjoyed the race route though. Took some back sidewalks so you're away from the road a bit. My friend Jon won the entire thing with a time of 15:37 and broke the record for the course.
All in all, this year I was pretty physically fit. I keep a calendar each month and mark down my workouts each day and put X's through the days I skip. I HATE seeing the X's and I've found this method really helps motivate me to continue working out. I've been loyal to Slash Fitness and couldn't imagine NOT going there now. It has improved my endurance and certainly my strength (mentally and physically).
Here's to an even stronger 2014!
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