tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33413139590620751082024-03-13T22:41:09.329-05:00All that Glitters is GoldenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1277125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-83441715381873002282016-06-06T11:20:00.000-05:002016-06-06T11:20:59.522-05:00Run Houston! Clear Lake 10K (Virtual)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Months ago I had signed up for the virtual race for the 3rd in a series of 5 races run by Run! Houston. I have grown to love these races as I've reduced my running and mileage. 10K's are easy enough to do with my current workouts which include HIIT, lifting, but w minimal distances, and more concentration on speed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I knew I wouldn't want to drive to Clear Lake and thankfully Run! Houston allows for virtual so you can continue the streak, and receive the extra swag at the end of the year for completing all 5 races. By the way they have a 5K option as well, and any combination of distances still qualifies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the weather the way it has been all week, flooding...etc., I asked if treadmill distance would be allowed. Little did I know that this is an option year round. The distances don't have to be done outside if you are virtual, again that can be attractive to those that don't like to run outside EVER. LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">For virtual runners, you must provide proof of the run. Typically I would have posted a pic of my Garmin, however since I had to run the distance inside, I have the picture of the treadmill screen. Additionally you cannot post to their FB page, or send via email, but must provide a link of either your app, or something to show the proof. Now I can just link this blog post :O)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">June Vidrine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Female/52</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Run! Houston 10K/Clear Lake</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-80880611914786583702016-05-31T12:59:00.001-05:002016-05-31T12:59:45.603-05:00Costa Rica 2016 - (Partial) Photo Dump<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, mi amour Costa Rica!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I finally did it. I finally checked off an item from my bucket list. 7 glorious days spent in a remote area within Costa Rica. For reference its in the Guanacaste region, on the Pacific side. While there are portions of this area known to be more of the tourist-y parts, I researched to find a remote place to lay my head each night, and travel to the places I wanted to visit, but not be inundated with tourists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">One of my goals for this trip was to immerse myself in the culture as best I could with the time I had. I managed that quite well, however I'll definitely be going back to explore a bit more of this region as it wasn't in my plans to be going, going, going the entire time. Staying where I did I did have to spend some time traveling via bus/shuttle but its Costa Rica so the views were well worth the time spent on the roads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Day 1 - Arrived mid-day and spent the afternoon settling in, unpacking, and finding the monkey trail to a local little place I had read about that was a must go to near where I was staying</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Day 2 - Spent the day exploring close by, scheduling my day trips, laying by the pool, sunset and the beach massage</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Day 3 - Long day. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arenal_Volcano">Travel to Arenal</a> where we stopped on the way in a couple of small towns for breaks, lunch, and views. Hiking through the rainforest near MonteVerde Cloud/Rain Forest, spectacular views of Arenal, suspension bridges, and then a relaxing late afternoon at Arenal Springs Spa/Resort, before having a lovely dinner and then the long trip back on some VERY dark and VERY windy, steep roads...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Day 4 - Day trip to go to a not so far away organic farm run by a family. Horseback ride up a side of a mountain then took 10 zip-lines down (platform to platform) high atop and sometimes THROUGH the trees (near another volcano: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinc%C3%B3n_de_la_Vieja_Volcano">Rincon de la Vieja</a>)...more hiking afterwards down to the volcano ash (which they mix with water) mud baths. Smelled HORRIBLE with the sulphur but oh so refreshing when rinsing off under a waterfall. Then spent some time in natural hot springs followed by a great lunch all grown (and raised) there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Day 5 - Grabbed myself a driver and headed to a <a href="http://mytanfeet.com/costa-rica-beach-information/the-ultimate-playas-del-coco-guide-by-mytanfeet-com/">nearby small town</a>. Needed more sunscreen (I went through it FAST down there and it was EXPENSIVE on site where I was staying so I needed a local pharmacia), and wanted to explore another area, have some lunch and mix with the locals, night out with some friends made</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Day 6 - Winded down with an easy day, spent mostly at the pool</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Day 7 - My last day..womp womp. got up and did my last run with the monkeys and wildlife (got up close and personal with a coatimundi!!) I had a late flight out of Liberia so I got to enjoy my morning and not be rushing around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Note: I ran every single morning I was there with the exception of Day 3. I had to be up extra early that day to go to Arenal, and knew I would be doing a lot of hiking and climbing so I wanted to just be fresh for the days activities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">While where I stayed was remote (not in a town, but rather close to a nearby small town), I was still able to find lots of trail and got in a 40min to 1 hour long run each morning. It obviously wasn't continuously running as I stopped along the way to check out things, mostly monkeys swinging from trees, or the locals bringing livestock in, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It was SO invigorating to explore via my feet and to have the physicality to be able to enjoy the views doing something I loved. No watch, no nothing. Just me, my feet and Costa Rica. While it was beyond hot and humid (you think Houston is bad? Ha!), it was so wonderful! I just love, love, loved my experience and know I need to go back because I need at least another week before I am done with Costa Rica!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">OK, so the pictures below I just drag and dropped from my Dropbox, so they aren't in any order etc. I will put captions on them. I had SO many pictures and some videos (mostly again of monkeys and wildlife seen along my runs each day). I did have the album marked as public on FB for a bit, but since then changed it back. If you're a real life friend and on my FB, then you've seen allllllllllllllllllll the photos and videos. :O)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first place I wanted to find near my home base: Monkey Bar and Restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View walking west along the beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance in to what is known as the monkey trail. At least one entrance that is; right across from the bar pictured above<br />
Its most cow and horse manure packed I found out later...Lots of livestock apparently also are brought through here, or rather roam through here</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset view from my balcony</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full day 1 spent relaxing and getting to know my surroundings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran every day but one while I was there; so exhilarating!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had a lovely massage here as the sun was setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud/Rain Forest hiking near MonteVerde</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arenal in the background; Me I'm standing on a suspension bridge so high up I wanted to scream</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJoJiGGNe5g/V02yRor30AI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/ea5t9Jj32Ro5DFRfPmF4QHKSR3n58RPUwCK4B/s1600/2016-05-04%2B13.12.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJoJiGGNe5g/V02yRor30AI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/ea5t9Jj32Ro5DFRfPmF4QHKSR3n58RPUwCK4B/s1600/2016-05-04%2B13.12.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbizjh8Y5DA/V02yOIsuVdI/AAAAAAAAE3I/HoWYsGGvEmceLWs-78geju4muMgSULdmwCK4B/s1600/2016-05-04%2B12.23.30.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbizjh8Y5DA/V02yOIsuVdI/AAAAAAAAE3I/HoWYsGGvEmceLWs-78geju4muMgSULdmwCK4B/s320/2016-05-04%2B12.23.30.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kPCn0j8ViI/V02yUos5inI/AAAAAAAAE3c/snjzEPPTADwjv_t9gLBzyP-VJjdlwLncQCK4B/s1600/2016-05-05%2B07.16.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2kPCn0j8ViI/V02yUos5inI/AAAAAAAAE3c/snjzEPPTADwjv_t9gLBzyP-VJjdlwLncQCK4B/s320/2016-05-05%2B07.16.22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little guys were EVERYWHERE near where I ran. If you ran at the right time morning or late afternoon you were just surrounded by them</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy I ran into on another road. No matter which side of the tree I went to he would turn the other way. He just didn't want anything to do with me OR my phone camera :O)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last morning run...the Pacific at the edge of that beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise the last morning run; headed back to mi casa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coatimundi!!! And yes I was really that close! He came out of nowhere scaring me at first! I was running LITERALLY through the jungle to get back on path after hanging out with the monkeys when he came scrambling down a tree straight for me</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chAW4nRvJlo/V02y69uj6nI/AAAAAAAAE4k/QjgIW001uIoUaHVtvJYTGh3oqaYjTPjEwCK4B/s1600/2016-05-07%2B08.32.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chAW4nRvJlo/V02y69uj6nI/AAAAAAAAE4k/QjgIW001uIoUaHVtvJYTGh3oqaYjTPjEwCK4B/s1600/2016-05-07%2B08.32.03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jwIQll1bUmQ/V02y1LOQMDI/AAAAAAAAE4U/gEWIEc0BitwLBTtl0isrGpThzEiah4lqQCK4B/s1600/2016-05-07%2B06.47.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jwIQll1bUmQ/V02y1LOQMDI/AAAAAAAAE4U/gEWIEc0BitwLBTtl0isrGpThzEiah4lqQCK4B/s320/2016-05-07%2B06.47.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a common site most mornings on my run. That and lots of cattle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbYoHJC6RLw/V02y4xlbz3I/AAAAAAAAE4c/nioGTt2SFNcpflh1-ohfW3omwFF1Xfe_QCK4B/s1600/2016-05-07%2B06.59.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbYoHJC6RLw/V02y4xlbz3I/AAAAAAAAE4c/nioGTt2SFNcpflh1-ohfW3omwFF1Xfe_QCK4B/s320/2016-05-07%2B06.59.32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indeed. Till we meet again Costa, until we meet again....</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I couldn't get the photos to insert above in any order that I liked so I am adding them here...These are from my side day trip to Coco, and a few from Rincon de la Vieja.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was SO COOL. Old fashioned way of extracting cane juice from cane stalks. Round and round he'd go and the juice would be squeezed out. SO GOOD. Especially as a sweetener in the magnificient coffee I had there too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headed down to the volcanic mud and natural springs and waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wash the mud off!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge back to civilization and a fantastic lunch!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have a whole other post to do about this trip; around being single and traveling alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It doesn't have to be scary. Or weird.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">No matter WHAT people might think. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-52907352988194861162016-05-12T14:08:00.002-05:002016-05-13T09:10:35.475-05:00Post Workout Options and Why Nuts are an Excellent Choice<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prior to starting IIFYM, I have had a few trainers along the way, all of who would tell me the importance of certain nutrients within a time frame of finishing a workout. However I never really believed it was a big deal. Of course I have changed my mind on that the past several months, and have reaped the benefits of actually listening, and DOING.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks/high-protein">Getting in protein right after working</a> out </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">looks to be a definite way develop an Arnold-worthy physique, but the form and variety may come down to personal preference. I have tried several different things, and honestly I tend to always come back to REAL food as my go to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whole-food sources can provide all of the building blocks necessary for a full recovery, but lugging a turkey sandwich to the gym in a lunchbox fun, or even practical. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZO5jonI4fU/VzTU-RTJpLI/AAAAAAAAE1M/j9NwjYaK9_8NiJm_1auhBu-sjwZAGZ5egCLcB/s1600/nuts_post_workout_snacks_2x_v04-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZO5jonI4fU/VzTU-RTJpLI/AAAAAAAAE1M/j9NwjYaK9_8NiJm_1auhBu-sjwZAGZ5egCLcB/s320/nuts_post_workout_snacks_2x_v04-1.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, some gym-goers might find it hard to force down food after exercise. Side note: I once saw a woman lifting (looking fit and fab by the way) eating McD's French fries WHILE working out at 24 Hour Fitness. This was before I knew about IIFYM and thought to myself "what an idiot". However also thinking man she's jacked, looks fab..(jealousy)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyway, the reason: During exercise, blood makes its way from the stomach to the working muscles, making it hard to digest whole foods right away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Post-workout nutrition is an intriguing topic and rightfully so. The basic idea is threefold:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The body deals with nutrients differently at different times, depending on activity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What you consume before, during, and especially after your workout is important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By consuming particular nutrients after your workouts (aka post-workout nutrition), you improve your body composition, performance, and overall recovery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Numerous studies have examined everything from the composition of the carbohydrate in post-workout drinks to exact amino acid combinations. Studies continue to reveal effective post-workout nutrition strategies for athletes and recreational exercisers of all types.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Generally, post-workout nutrition has three specific purposes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Replenish glycogen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease protein breakdown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Increase protein synthesis</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In other words, athletes/exercisers want to replenish their energy stores, increase muscle size and/or quality, and repair any damage caused by the workout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In doing so, they want to increase performance, improve their appearance, and enable their bodies to remain injury-free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proposed benefits of good post-workout nutrition include: improved recovery, less muscle soreness, improve immune function, improved bone mass and improved ability to utilize body fat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These benefits seem to work for everyone, regardless of gender or age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><strong><em>The WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some refer to this workout and post-workout phenomenon as “the window of opportunity”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During this window, your muscles are primed to accept nutrients that can stimulate muscle repair, muscle growth, and muscle strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This window opens immediately after your workout and starts to close pretty quickly. Research suggests that while protein synthesis persists for at least 48 hours after exercise, it’s most important to get postworkout nutrition immediately, and within 2 hours afterwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you feed your body properly while this window is open, you’ll get the benefits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you don’t provide adequate post exercise nutrition fast enough — even if you delay by only a couple of hours — you decrease muscle glycogen storage and protein synthesis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks/high-protein">As soon as you drop that last dumbbell, you should be consuming some postworkout nutrition</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Downing protein after a workout is often just part of the routine, and for good reason. Consuming protein has been shown to speed up recovery time and increase strength before the next gym session. The magic results from amino acids (tiny parts of proteins), which act as a building block for muscle. After pumping iron, eating (or drinking) foods high in protein supplies the body with amino acids to start repairing the damaged tissue (mainly muscles). Protein shakes offer one method of getting in some muscle-building nutrients after a workout. But are they really more effective than high-protein foods such as chicken or egg? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://nuts.com/healthy-snacks">After pressing, curling, sprinting, and crunching,</a> the next logical step for many is shaking.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Protein shakes, bars, and gels are marketed to be as essential as anything for an effective workout. But are these packaged and powdered foods really necessary for an effective recovery, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or do the whole-food alternatives have them beat? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Since I work out after work I typically will just have my dinner. If for some reason I am low on my protein grams for the day and dinner isn't going to cover those, I will have an extra protein source WHILE cooking that dinner. That is generally either <a href="https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks/high-protein">nuts,</a> egg whites or a protein shake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I no longer run for super long distances, 10K is the most you are going to see out of my any more; but I do lift heavy several days a week, run one long run (5 miles typically) on the weekend and do HIIT as well several times a week so I workout HARD for shorter periods of time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pitting powder against whole food, research indicates that the supplements may have a slight advantage. The quick source of amino acids increased the fractional synthesis rate of muscle (a fancy term for rate of muscle building) more than just a regular meal. In addition to adding size, it proves to be effective at increasing workout performance. One study using whey protein </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">found that supplementation did increase hypertrophy (read: muscle size) and strength in participants. A similar study showed that individuals chugging protein could jump higher following a training program than their shake-less counterparts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A good sports drink has 14-15 grams of carbohydrate in 8 ounces. It should also have about 110 milligrams of sodium and 30 milligrams of potassium in the same volume.<br />If you're exercising to lose weight, stick to water or a "lighter" version of sports drinks with fewer carbs and calories.<br />Look for energy bars that have about 5 grams of protein, with some carbohydrate and very little fat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I mention these only because I know a lot of folks swear by them. I gave up sports drinks before, during and after my long runs during training. Even foregoing the stuff at water stops during the longer distance races.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Water is best before and during, then get that chocolate milk in afterwards. Along with more water of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Before your stomach recoils, take a look at chocolate milk's ingredient list. For a high-endurance athlete, Stager's team sees it as a catch-all workout recovery drink. Compared to plain milk, water, or most sports drinks, it has double the carbohydrate and protein content, perfect for replenishing tired muscles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Remember that "energy" means calories, so watch out for high-calorie bars. They are helpful for athletes on the go, so if you can't eat before a long tennis match, an energy bar can help.<br />Choose protein powders made from whey protein or milk proteins. Use them within 30 minutes after exercising to provide needed amino acids to muscles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After you've replenished your muscle glycogen with a 4-to-1 ratio of carbs-to-protein, aim to eat 10 to 25 grams of plant-based protein in your post-workout meal from a variety of sources to get a full spectrum of amino acids. Beans, nuts, legumes and organic soy are all options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Nuts and dried fruit. </b>As you work out, your body starts to deplete the levels of glucose in your blood, and must turn to glycogen – carbohydrates stored in your liver and muscle tissue – to fuel your movement. A 4-to-1 carb-to-protein snack speeds the uptake of glycogen back into your muscles and initiates muscle building. Look for foods with the majority carbohydrates and a small amount of protein. I usually grab a handful of almonds and dried fruit, like raisins, to replenish muscle glycogen immediately post-workout. I then wait at least 20 minutes before consuming my high-protein meal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The final decision on which products you use is up to you. My purpose here was simply to describe why you might be hearing so much hype about chocolate milk. When I create nutrition plans for my clients, I will often choose to use whole foods such as chocolate milk instead of specially engineered sports products. The reason for this is two-fold:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For starters, I like to keep cost in mind because athletes tend to need more calories and more food than the standard person. More food means more money so any place you can cut costs without sacrificing nutrition is a good thing to focus on. Again nuts are economical!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Secondly, I feel that the further away we get from “real” foods, the more complicated our diets become. I don’t like when I see diets in which the majority of calories and nutrients come from powders and pills. No powder or pill can replicate the array of vitamins, nutrients, fiber and phytochemicals we get from eating a variety of whole foods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Simple is best and an optimal sports nutrition diet can be achieved without the use of supplements or specially engineered foods. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><a href="https://nuts.com/healthy-snacks/high-protein">Nuts are easy, portable and delicious!</a> On a side note I am in the midst of planning a 14 day trek across New Zealand in March 2017 and you can bet I will have PLENTY of nuts (and dried fruit/mix) portioned out in snack bags to stash in my backpack!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, the choice is yours. No matter what product you select just be sure that it is safe, well tolerated by your body, and is something that you enjoy.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-27963537233083243552016-04-27T11:40:00.000-05:002016-04-27T11:40:42.682-05:00Texas 10 Series - Sienna Plantation - Race Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFrRQqVLhsc/VyDq3OYgAjI/AAAAAAAAE0w/UoUmzvIL2R8svQHXIbbMHRMcLSvd4h11ACLcB/s1600/sienna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IFrRQqVLhsc/VyDq3OYgAjI/AAAAAAAAE0w/UoUmzvIL2R8svQHXIbbMHRMcLSvd4h11ACLcB/s320/sienna1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am here to tell you ladies...if you are struggling with weight gain, mid-section flab, and overall yucky body syndrome from pre/menopause/post, MACROS WILL HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR BODY!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That goes for everyone but for me its the ONLY thing that has worked on this old body of mine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you want to lose BODYFAT, BUILD MUSCLE, and don't want to worry about the scale OR what you can and cannot eat, hit me up!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-538517071345178352016-04-25T16:11:00.000-05:002016-04-25T16:23:25.667-05:00Texas 10 Series - Sienna<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love the Texas 10 Series. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">When I was starting to reduce my race distances, I quickly learned that the 10 miler is indeed one that I love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I didn't however, love the 10 miler in the warm up series here in the Houston area...I think it was (and might still be) the Space City something or other..Usually held a couple of weeks before the Houston Half at the end of October.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The distance though in general seems to be gaining popularity. As does the 10K but that's a different post altogether.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Probably next year I might do more of the 7 races in their calendar but I have done Katy (10) and now Sienna (5).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The reason I dropped to the 5 mile option is probably evident. My focus leading up to this race has been elsewhere as it pertains to running.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Which brings me to my next point, I LOVE that they have the 10 and 5 mile option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I hadn't done a 5 miler in probably 2011..something like that. Back when they had Park to Park which I loved but then they just stopped having it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I believe my PR is about 47min or something like that, I would have to go and look it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway I dropped to the 5 mile option a few weeks back. And now I wonder if the 5 miler is my new 10 miler as the 10K is my new half marathon?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">All I know is I am working on getting faster at the shorter distances (well working might be too strong of a word, but it is my intent to train better with my 400, 800 and 1000m workouts in the near future).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So going in to this race first off I was tired as hell. While I didn't do anything on Saturday, my workouts during the week are 6 days of hard shit man. And not having a workout on Saturday didn't mean I sat around and rested. I had a lot of things to do plus the week had just been super stressful with the flooding, and chaos etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Plus waking up at 4:30am is never fun for me. THEN the dang race was farther away than I had anticipated which pissed me off too :O)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Factor in I had NO idea of a strategy other than I wanted to get as close to top 3 as I possibly could in my AG. I figured I needed about 48 min to be a contender. And I was right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">HAD I made my goal I would have been 2nd or 3rd. Whereas I ended up 6th because I totally blew it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I totally fell apart late in mile 3 and by the time I could recover in the last 3/4 of mile 5 it was too late. My 6th place was 4 min slower than what I needed; telling me that nothing I did late even mattered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Even with the 7th place woman 2 full minutes behind me yeah, maybe at least what I did gave me at least that. Ugh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So I finished in 52:01. Shit even if I had hit 51:59 I would have felt better. I actually stopped about 600m from the Finish and selected my go to song. 4 people passed me in those seconds and when that song hit I literally took off faster than I knew I could run. Looking at my stats I can see that it was a 7:57 pace for the next 600m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Maybe those all-outs at 8 and 9mph OTF are working. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But I will say that my quads were SCREAMING. I just ran too hard too soon. I need to strategize better on the next 5 miler (October); then I will have one in Nov and one in Dec. I WILL get that AG at the distance! Even today my quads HURT like a muthafocker. Going down the stairs. What? Crazy. What that tells me is that I left it all out there. And that's a great feeling. I didn't know I would EVER be back to running decent for me times again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Honestly the 48 min was a stretch since my PR is at 47 but then I did a 10K at 9:44 pace just about a month ago. I don't know. As I said, just wasn't feeling the race. Plus it was HUMID as hell and warm and well acclimation to that hasn't been attained with it only being April.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Thanks flooding and water soaked ground!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">One thing I hope they change for next year is the course. It was in a fairly new part of Sienna Plantation and there were a lot of twists and turns through homes being constructed. Like they really had to WORK at getting a 5 mile loop to work (their races are always 2 loops). Anyway I would like to see them figure that out for next year. Just convoluted to me; all twisty turny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Once I get a race photo back I will post it. All I saw was the one photographer at the finish. Definitely not as well planned or thought out as their other races. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But this being a new course, I will cut them some slack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Now to be ready to do my next 10K the first week of June. That one will NOT be a PR kind of race that's for sure! #Summer</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Now I am off off off to Costa Rica for a glorious long overdue vacation!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-7390636674609769872016-03-24T08:13:00.001-05:002016-04-24T22:16:24.581-05:00Run Houston! Minute Maid 10K - 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">While I don't discount the effort, which after about a 5, maybe 6 year drought, I broke 1:00 at the 6.2 distance, I know that 'normally' this time would not be good enough for 3rd in my AG. There are a LOT of much faster women but since the Bayou City Classic was the same day, they were all at that grabbing those HARRA points.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Also the usual suspects of choice runners don't really show up for the Run Houston! series which is fine by me. Personally I love the series since I've reduced my running. You get 5 races a year, really nice medals, free photo download and shirts, a virtual option, and if you do the 5, you get a holder for the medals at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I did the Racepark one (but don't think I've blogged that yet..) on January 1st in the rain, wind and cold. This one was post rain but the wind???!!! At least it wasn't freezing (until afterwards of course). Plus its 2 loops per usual for Run! Houston, but this one was 4 times over the Elysian. I didn't realize this until the day before and thought "I thought they were gonna blow that bridge up due to wear and tear!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It wasn't so bad as OrangeTheory and my change in health over the past couple of months prepared me for the up and overs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I WISH I had downloaded at least one of my pics from the 1st race on Jan 1. But I didn't because they definitely showed the weight and fat gain. I might try and go back to find them because the difference even astonished me. Its weird that while I knew I had gained a lot and was generally out of shape due to excessive running and in the steady state cardio zone and not eating enough (yes NOT EATING ENOUGH)...the proof is in the pudding so they say...UPDATED...I went and found the Jan 1st race photo...see below for side by side comparison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I promise to go back and write the 6 or 7 drafts I have saved; my reminders of the topic are at least there. Its a start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Left = January 1, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Started OTF on January 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Right = March 19, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've actually only lost a pound or two, but obviously losing fat over muscle is a BIG deal...I am excited to see my official results for %'s etc which is on April 13th.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-77559725802366085792016-02-18T15:31:00.001-06:002016-02-19T09:34:24.466-06:00Downsizing and How Moving towards a Minimalistic Lifestyle has Saved Me AND Saved Me Money<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I don't believe I have written about my journey into the world of minimalism, but it is something that I have been adopting slowly but surely since probably before I moved to Nebraska. I know I said my next entry would be about OrangeTheory (fitness), but I had some thoughts in my head on this which seemed easier to write about. Really I think its because I follow a few minimalism blogs and I read an interesting one this morning.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Initially it began as early as 2003 when I sold my 2500 sq ft home and moved in to an apartment (which was the case up until 2012 when I had a house in Nebraska; smaller but a house nonetheless). When I was packing the house up initially it began in the kitchen. I had like 3 sets of dinnerware for one thing...which was just ridiculous. Anyway, that;s where it started. BTW I have one full set of dishes (4 of each size in the set), which NEVER get used. I have one set of pasta bowls and 2 small plates from Williams Sonoma that I use day in and day out. And I think I have 4 glasses that match. Otherwise I use 1 of 2 tumblers for my personal use.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Then of course a lot of things went into a storage unit because duh, large house, small apartment. Even after getting rid of a LOT. 3.5 years ago I guess it was, I stopped paying on the storage unit and all that was in there is gone to somebody somewhere who bid on it at an auction. I do wish I still had my 2 very expensive cowboy hats, but then again I never wear a cowboy hat anymore since I quite rodeo in 2005 so again...better use somewhere else I suppose. What was in there had been in there since TWO THOUSAND THREE...And I had never once gone in there to retrieve anything. So basically ten years. </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Then when I moved to Nebraska, yadda yadda yadda...more purging..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Now I will say even though I was slowly moving towards minimalism I was still purchasing clothing and shoes etc. Even when I wasn't even wearing what I had. A lot of that had to do with what no longer fit when I moved there...and then what began to no longer fit after being there a while...and then by the time I left. But once I was packing to move back to Texas, man oh man did I purge in that area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Or so I thought. Ha! Because now I have been home almost 2 years now and I have since donated like 3 medium size/kitchen bags full. Thankfully the last one took me a while to fill up but slowly I did right before the holidays. Sometime early Fall I started going through things in the closet where I had multiples of like 3 white tshirts, 2 black turtlenecks, 3 pairs of black slacks etc. I now I own ONE of each of those. See where I am going with this? I also didnt need 3 pairs of black boots. Or 2 pairs of brown ones..Now? Yep you guessed it. I had to make choices and while difficult in some ways, it was easier and it felt so so so great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">My place is not what anyone would call extreme minimalism but I definitely don't fill up every corner. I don't buy things unless I am replacing something else. I don't buy food or anything like that unless its going to be eaten within 2 weeks, preferably one week. My pantry by Friday looks bare because who needs cans and cans and boxes and boxes of things? Food is one of the things we waste and throw money away on every single day, week, year. Like billions and billions of dollars. Not this girl. I meal plan and whatever is on the menu, then I buy for. Sure I keep PB, cocoa powder, oats etc, the basic essentials I need to complete a meal, but thats it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Other examples would be I have one set of sheets and one set of towels (which means I have 4 large bath towels. 2 orange and 2 gray). I actually just replaced 2 because duh, after 2 years they needed to be. I actually kept the 2 for use when washing the car. Point is, one in, one out...but in this case it can be recycled for a couple more months for another use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">My latest project in the minimalism forage is that right before January 1, I went in to my closet and turned every single thing on a hanger in the opposite direction. On June 30th, whatever is still on a hanger in the opposite direction means that particular item was not worn for a period of 6 months. At that time all of those items will be boxed up at first and put on the top shelf of my closet. Then on December 31st that box will be brought down, unopened and put for donation. If any time during that 6 months I consciously desire/need (without opening it first) something from that box , then it can be kept out of the box and returned to a hanger to live happily ever after.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Additionally during this first 6 month period, I am on a spending freeze. Obviously I have a couple of bills and I need food, gas, a few of my luxury costs...but as far as clothes, shoes, etc., nothing. UNLESS something needs to be replaced because of damage/wear and tear or it stops working. I have almost completed 2 months! Its actually quite easy, but I had wittled down my spending slowly over the past few years, mostly out of necessity rather than choosing to do so, but that has put a LOT of cash in the bank. If I had to average it out, I was probably spending close to $200 a month up (generally on workout stuff!) until about November on some workout/running/work related clothing item.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After the 6 months and I deplete what I have even further, then and only then will I assess what needs to be purchased to round out what will end up being my 'clothing capsule'. On average people generally will only wear the same 20-25% clothing items over and over but yet still have 'nothing' to wear, and then spend money on something to wear, but then will go back to the same 20-25%...Which by the way, I recently decided to stop following clothing blogs like LuluAddict, LuluMum to name just two. I really should quit following Apartment Therapy as well, but their small space/design esthetic really appeals to me and can really be tied to minimalism in an off sort of way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">Minimalism has not only made me richer in my pocket but in my heart, my soul, and my mind. Its truly freeing when you don't have stress surrounding stuff in your house or in your life...Here is one tidbit: If you are buying more containers to store more stuff to 'get organized' then you have too much stuff. If you own something it should be USED. If you are not using it RIGHT NOW and you haven't lets say in months, then FOR GOODNESS SAKE GET RID OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">And lastly, I suppose this could count towards minimalism as well, at least thats how I feel after a week of not being on Facebook! I gave up Facebook for Lenten and wow. My quality of everyday life has improved a lot I would say. I no longer am on it first thing in the morning...instead I enjoy my coffee and my news phone/iPad free, I fix my breakfast and lunches not in a rush, I cook dinner not in a rush (I found myself rushing a lot because I would get caught up in catching up!)...I watched the Grammys without interruption or commentary from the masses, just to name a few. Masses is exaggerating since I even have minimized my friends list. It was tough the first day, but its now literally an afterthought that I have no idea whats going on! You know as far as Facebooks newsfeed of drivel. </span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://deepexistence.com/the-four-most-important-minimalism-tips-ive-learned/"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Anyway, here are 4 tips that I found to be important!</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Any questions regarding starting this process (its taken me a few years but I am ALMOST DONE!!!), working through it (and yes its work, and can be overwhelming especially when faced with parting with something that was your great-great-great-great aunts or something that cost a lot of money...) feel free to email me!</span></span>
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</span></span></span></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-76010712282902414212016-02-16T12:47:00.003-06:002016-02-16T12:47:47.179-06:00When The Running Bug Goes Away<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most recently <a href="http://bostondreampie.blogspot.com/2016/02/maturing-as-older-female-athlete-and.html">I wrote something</a> along the same lines as this next entry...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">There have always been times I suppose where one gets on a 'kick' and it may last a few months or a few years. I myself have been through it many, many times. My most recent example would be from about year 2001 to 2004 as it pertained to music and the road. I am not going to rehash any of that (it was another blog too; long retired) and clearly before I took up running.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then from about 2005 up through 2012 my life seemed to center around running. Even in the few years after, but as I previously mentioned, it started to wane. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">And as in other ventures, once I start leaving something behind, while others don't I wonder why. As in why do you still never sleep? Why do you still go out 5 nights a week? Why do you still drink alcohol? Why do you still do 3 half marathons in 4 weeks? Why? Why? Why? And then there are those that run like insane distances ALL. YEAR. LONG. Like it is consuming their life. WTF?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I don't know maybe I am just coming off of a long training cycle where I typically begin to loathe the training towards the end and then just kinda fall in love with minimal miles again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But I think it might be something more. Honestly I don't even know if I will sign up for the half again this year which I've already dropped to 1 half marathon a year, but will this be the year where I go without not only a marathon but a half marathon too?? I guess I will make that call in June when it opens up. Normally I would have signed up as soon as they open it up after the race for a certain number of folks, but eh, I was like, I'm just gonna take a nap..Then the next thing I knew it was Wednesday and the window was close for early registration. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I mean I still have 2 races I've done that I haven't even blogged about. Crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I guess my point is that I have realized that running long distances is not doing me any favors. It certainly doesn't detour weight gain, and in most cases it actually does the opposite right along with taking precious muscle along with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">What I will tell you that I personally have found out is that the key to having a healthy body is 80% food and 20% exercise. Eating enough. Not eating too much. Watch sugar and sodium intake. And GET YOUR PROTEIN in. Lord the protein! At least at this stage in my life. And probably in yours as well. <a href="http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2015/05/07/bjsports-2015-094911.full">Regular exercise WILL benefit your overall health but in the grand scheme of losing weight or fat? Nope.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am running about 12 miles a week right now. TWELVE. And I love it. And the bonus of being fitter than I have been in a very, very long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">AND half of those are done in HIIT (OrangeTheory; NEXT blog post I PROMISE!), with a run between 5-6 miles on either Saturday or Sunday. I do have a 10K coming up and I kinda need to be able to at least do that. :O)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Once I move in to March I will up the mileage on the weekend so I can finish a 10 miler I have in April (hindsight I wish I hadn't signed up for but whatev)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't know when this happened. I mean I still love running for the most part, just not for long distances. The need, or what I thought was the need, is just not there. I have found other ways to be healthy, and running all those damn miles (even though it was just half marathon training) as I said was hurting me more than it was helping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I wonder if I am just going through a phase? So weird if I am because I am finally upping my fitness, and I can run faster, but I don't want to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ironic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">ps Sorry for the rambling posts as of late. I promise I have 4 interesting posts to write; actually have them in draft so I don't forget. I just need to write them already!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-61724531039153144002016-02-08T13:45:00.001-06:002016-02-08T15:45:27.522-06:00IIFYM - If It Fits Your Macros aka Flexible Dieting - How This Might Be the Answer More Mature Women (and all women really) Have Been Searching For!<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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<strong></strong> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I have documented here off and on, and certainly on my Facebook to friends and family, for the past almost 4 years I have struggled with the change in body composition. I wish I could blame it all on the thyroid, but since I've proven that to be something you can overcome through diet and exercise (as I proved once I was diagnosed and put the work in to get better. The meds alone can't fix it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But then came a move to Nebraska and the later stages of pre-menopause and those coupled together were just a nightmare waiting to happen. I just didn't realize it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I wanted to document my journey through a few blog posts...if for no other reason than for older women to know they aren't alone in the struggle and how I am FINALLY figuring out what has worked for me. I am almost 3 weeks since my initial bod pod and a complete over-haul in the way I eat AND in the way I <em><strong>see</strong></em> <strong><em>and think</em></strong> about food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><em>Let me just list a few things I have tried over the past few years that DIDN'T work:</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Run more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Lift more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Lift less</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Eat less</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">A combo of any and all of those things in no particular order</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><em>Here is what happened with all that:</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I got hungry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I got slower</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I got fatter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I got depressed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Some time around Spring of last year I remember my niece, her girlfriend and I were going to do a 'biggest loser' thing and at the time on my digital scale at home I was weighing in at 127ish. So for the past year, I thought that is how much I still weighed. Clearly I was wrong as documented on my post with the bod pod. On someone as short as I am 5 lbs is a size up in pants and well overall just looking like a person in photos I didn't recognize, being as even THAT weight was 6 more than I weighed when I moved to Nebraska mid-2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Oy, oy, oy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I had some success late Spring and in to Summer with a boot camp(ish) kind of workout being offered at my 24 Hour Fitness...but it was expensive, and well it was 24 Hour Fitness and the fast paced/circuit type program just didn't really work in that environment. Having to compete in a HEAVILY crowded gym was just more frustrating than anything so I stopped after 12 weeks. I have since embarked on something else, which I will write about in a separate post but right now...I just want to talk about what I have done with food and how even though its only been 3 weeks it has <strong><em>changed my life</em></strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;"><strong><em>IIFYM - If It Fits Your Macros</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, what does this mean? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It means:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I run less</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am faster</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I eat more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I sleep better</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My clothes fit like they are supposed to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My aches and strains have disappeared</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am no longer depressed</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It also means I’m measuring and recording all my food in order to reach a particular number of macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates) each day. I’m using My Fitness Pal and a food scale to track everything and have found it’s pretty easy to take a few minutes to enter in my food. So far, I’m really enjoying the process and it feels good to take full responsibility for how I fuel my body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now, I’m aiming for a 40C/30F/30P macronutrient split and with some planning, I’m find it pretty easy to reach those numbers. For my needs, that works out to be 140 grams of carbohydrates, 47 grams of fat and 105 grams of protein on a training day. Those numbers vary slightly for a rest day. It took a few days to figure out how to budget those macros throughout the day but I’ve found by making my meals and snacks well-balanced, I end up with a good amount of each macro left by dinnertime and even leave some room for dessert! These numbers are tailored to me; my current situation, my goals...etc. Once I get to where I want BF wise etc., the numbers will be raised to be in maintenance mode.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before I get into what I learned these past couple of weeks, I want to be clear that this isn’t a diet and it’s not about being restrictive, in fact I’m eating even more than I was before I started. I will not be fulfilling my macros with fat-free, sugar-free and low-carb products, I will still be eating plant-based, whole foods, just in different proportions than I used to. I will not be eating junk food because “it fits my macros,” in fact, I really don’t plan to change much about how I eat at all but rather just be more conscious of how I feel, what works best for me and have the energy I need to reach my fitness and health goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m not trying to lose weight persay, my goals are improved athletic performance, improved recovery bust mostly a change in body composition. This is about seeing how good I can feel, how strong I can get, how much energy I can have and what I can accomplish if I really put my mind to it. This is not about being hungry, feeling restricted or being obsessive, it only takes a little bit of extra work to hit my numbers each day and I’m actually really enjoying it. It’s like a puzzle that you get to solve each day! There were a few nights where I didn’t feel like measuring out my dinner but I’ve found that adding my recipes to the app ahead of time makes it really easy to enter my food in just a few seconds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I won’t be doing this forever nor will I be doing it every single day over the next few months, I have some summer trips (Costa Rica In May!!!!) and vacations planned and at this point, I don’t feel the need to worry about it when I’m away from home. I’ll do my best to stick to a general guideline but I won’t be busting out my food scale at our family reunion or the music festivals I’m attending this summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, I was already eating very healthy before taking this on but I didn’t pay any attention to macros or really put much thought into how I was fuelling my body. On weekends, although still eating healthy for the most part, I was all over the map, eating way too little or way too much without any consistency to my diet. Some days I was eating a ton of carbs and fat and some days I wasn’t eating nearly as much as I thought. When you want to get the most out of every workout, that inconsistency can really hold you back. I have been tracking for almost a year off and on actually, and when I went back and looked...well guess what my diet was mostly carbs. I was NOWHERE NEAR eating as much as I should have been and certainly not the right macros!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, what about micronutrients? Well, of course, they are still important to me too! That’s why I’ll be continuing to eat a whole food diet. Vitamins, minerals, fibre and other parts of the food we eat are still an important factor in my overall health and I’ll always ensure I’m getting what I need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The biggest takeaway from my findings so far has been I need to eat more and in the form of proteins. Previously, since I didn’t pay any attention to my protein intake, there would have been days when I didn’t eat all that much. It was enough to be healthy, workout and feel OK but not enough to reach my current goals. Without a conscious effort to include, high-protein, plant-based foods in every meal and snack, I won’t be able to reach 107 grams a day. When I go in to maintenance I will have to even eat MORE food! Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">MyFitnessPal is great that as I log and track, based on the goal numbers loaded in, it automatically tracks my nutrients in both grams and in percentages in a pie chart so that I can easily see if I need more of any of them or a combo. An example is earlier planning out the rest of my day I was short on Carbs and Fats but didn't need any more protein planned. So guess what got added?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Ice cream and chocolate syrup!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Its quite amazing..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Yes it can be a bit daunting with the weighing and measuring but after about a week or so you get used to it and honestly it doesn't take that much time. Its just an excuse people will use because they aren't serious ... they want the easy answer... can't I just eat less? Nope. Maybe for a while but screw up your insides like I did after years and years of that...and well. You're going to have to fix it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I believe wholeheartedly that IIFYM, flexible eating and reverse dieting CAN fix a broken metabolism and assist with body composition as a woman ages and hormonal fluctuations become more and more common.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I have my 3rd weigh in on Wednesday so I will come back with that number but since my goal is BF loss and retaining muscle, my numbers in macros are to aid in that. Losing .5 lb a week is optimal. Losing weight too quickly will result in a higher BF percentage and a lower muscle mass percentage aka SKINNY FAT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am very much so anticipating my follow up bod pod sometime in April! In the 3 short weeks since I started, the change in body comp is definitely noticeable and really that's the most important thing to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">If you would like to know more about maybe what your percentages would be, please do not hesitate to email me. Or you can google IIFYM to do more research on their website; or any of the numerous folks out there who have excelled with this no nonsense approach to nutrition and being the best you at any age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway for anyone reading...stay tuned as I will documenting some of my trials and tribulations as I navigate the IIFYM world!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-5810622737633833132016-02-01T11:06:00.000-06:002016-02-01T11:44:16.199-06:00Maturing As An Older Female Athlete and How Its Impacted My Fitness Goals<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've often thought about writing on this topic, but didn't quite know the angle I wanted to take. Still don't but figured with some extra time on my hands to day, I'd start somewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Once I entered high school, I was active really on as a teenager wants to be: Cheerleading or Dance Team (for me).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then after graduation my fitness centered around being a gym rat mostly. I went through the mid-80s things of aerobics, complete with butt crack/thong one pieces and shiny tights with leg warmers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Ugh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then again in the 90s, more gym rat stuff, with Step classes in there when that took off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So basically what I am saying is that for the better part of my life I have been active and interested in fitness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">For the simple fact of how it made me look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then when I started running in the late 2000's <a href="http://bostondreampie.blogspot.com/2011/08/hypothyroidism-and-athlete-part-one.html">it was for other reasons.</a> And also, <a href="http://bostondreampie.blogspot.com/2011/09/hypothyroidism-and-athlete-personal.html">part 2</a>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway, when I first started running, it was for that reason as well...to help me get whatever was wrong with me under control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then after that first half marathon in 2006, and that first marathon in January 2007, it became about something more which I won't rehash now. But while it made me thinner, and more driven...and faster, it was all for unhealthy reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Mid 2012 after moving to Nebraska, running had to take a backseat, and then it became just unattractive to me due to my situation there etc. etc. However I was in the middle of full on pre-menopause..so coupled with everything else I was trying desperately to hang on to my former self I suppose. But I found myself right back (physically) where I started in 2004/5 to be honest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Out of shape (for me) and wondering what the heck was going on inside my body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I've struggled with finding the balance since moving back to Texas mid-2014. I've got my love of running back finally, but I have still been struggling with the pre-meno/menopause thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Somewhere along the way my mindset has shifted a bit though. Its nothing to me now to be 'faster' or to PR. I prefer shorter distances these days, with my new fav distance being the 10 miler.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My goal now is to keep my heart healthy, reduce my bodyfat % (again for health reasons, not vanity), and to keep my muscles strong and doing what they were meant to do: protect my insides and keep me moving right on in to old age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Now for the reason why this has been on my mind a lot lately. Facebook. Instagram. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Isn't that always the case these days?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I just keep my mouth shut though. All this emphasis on running more miles than everyone. Running faster than anyone. Running more races than everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Most I don't really pay that much attention to, but it does have its triggers. I've unfollowed a LOT of the Insta's because its just seem so time consuming and effort that I wonder what they are missing out on with all that running?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then there are the few that I know personally that have had health issues from the excessive amounts of stress they put their bodies through (adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues..etc), but yet are right back at it thinking they are immune to further damage. Or worse, that they are healed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway, I guess I just wish they'd cool their jets. The impact on them being younger has yet to surface, but I bet it will for most. Others it never will of course. But some are just either predisposed to the complications or will run themselves into the ground so much that its inevitable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I wonder: this is not your job. you are not going to win. no one else really cares. why are you doing this exactly?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">While I am still very much an athlete and work out my body 5-6 times a week, its not for hours at a time. My body is much better off with a healthy balance of rest, relaxation, fun, food, friends, and family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Of course I still want to look good, as in healthy, but I have a 50+ body of a woman who has come to the realization that what is on the outside is NOT a reflection whatsoever of what is going on in the inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My body, mind, and soul are all in alignment for the first time of my entire life. Changing my approach to <strong><em>how</em></strong> I exercise and <strong><em>how</em></strong> I eat has grown to be more mature as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">What an accomplishment. Go me! And go you!!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-20322440926725925632016-01-26T12:03:00.002-06:002016-02-01T11:45:27.273-06:00Bod Pod Experience<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKmaUTCwCGE/Vqem0MzF2vI/AAAAAAAAEzs/QYbYaTBYZUw/s1600/bodpod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jKmaUTCwCGE/Vqem0MzF2vI/AAAAAAAAEzs/QYbYaTBYZUw/s320/bodpod.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a stock photo, but looks the same; minus what appears to be steam </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where I work, there is a mobile <a href="http://www.nifs.org/fitness-center/fitness-assessments/bodpod">'bod pod'</a> facility (that link will tell you what the bod pod actually does) that comes here once a quarter. I have never actually participated in it, but since I recently joined our new gym here at work, and because one of my best friends here did it last quarter, he talked me in to it.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Honestly I was more hesitant about it, especially now given what I feel to be less than stellar body composition, due to the fact I was nervous what the dang thing was going to tell me.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Its very obvious to me the differences my body has gone through the past few years. This age thing has its drawbacks that is for certain.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">At one time I had looked in to these, but never could justify the expense (generally around $100). Since its through work we get a heck of a discount, so there I was signed up.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I signed up for a super early test because for 2 hours before you cannot eat or drink. I at least could have my coffee at home, and just have the 2 hours to wait before I could eat (normally at 7am). My appointment slot was for 8:10am</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I brought my unitard/onesie/tri-suit since you are asked to wear tight clothing that prevents air between the cloth and your skin. They also but a swim cap like thing on your head and push all your hair up underneath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">If you read the information in the link above, great! So after my time spent in the 'egg', I got dressed and the doctor went over my results.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Spoiler alert: It wasn't as bad as I thought, however, definitely room for improvement obviously. With my age, current 'woman' hormones issues, in addition to being on a synthetic hormone for the past 10 years because of a severely underactive thyroid...well I was wondering specifically it would tell me in regards to metabolism (RMR) and my TDEE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Since I deemed 2016 doing everything I could to be better, and methods of my own have clearly not been working, it was time for an expert. Or two. (the 2nd one is for another blog post)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">One thing that I really liked is at no point during or after did the doctor ever tell me my weight. And yes that's the first thing you do after changing your clothes. And you can't see the number anywhere either. This speaks to the fact that this is about health and not how much you weigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Sure if you can add then you can tell what you weigh after your get your documentation but even I had a bit of a time before I realized that. And just as documentation and disclosure, I weighed a full 5 lbs more than I have been telling myself for a year now. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">As I said above it was better news than I thought. While I did indeed weigh 5 lbs more than I thought (and had last weighed in at on my home scale which no longer has a battery thank God..), my lean mass to fat mass was still in the moderately lean category (22%-30%)! And because of my age and gender the %'s might be different for other age groups etc. Just a factoid for reference should you ever do one of these.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But while I was in the moderately lean category for my age and gender I was on the higher end of that than I would like. I had a conversation with the doctor about that and my reasonings for the dysmorphia I have (and always have had)...So he gave me a plan based on the numbers and together we came up with a goal for the next few months until my next bod pod. As an additional FYI, again for me, age etc...the doctor did tell me that 22% is NOT exactly something I should aspire for; and that it would be extremely difficult and just not advised. And why would I want to anyway right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So my numbers as of Wednesday, January 20th</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Age: 52</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Height: 5'2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Weight: 132</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">BF%: 27.6</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Lean Mass/Muscle%: 72.4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Fat Lbs: 36.4</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Muscle Lbs: 95.5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">RMR: 1185</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">TDEE: 2062</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So the goal is singular before the next bod pod (in April sometime) is to reduce BF% by at least 1% (shooting for an even 26%). I assume the weight will drop on its on as I don't expect to be gaining a ton of muscle in that short period of time. Once I have a new set of numbers we will move on to the next goal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am thrilled to know that regardless of how I feel I may 'look', I am very healthy...which I knew, but my brain still struggles to distinguish between perception and reality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I cannot recommend enough to have this done! It is so important for overall health and for muscle to be protecting your insides, and not fat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">If anyone is reading...I will be posting a couple of blog posts on the change in nutrition and exercise to achieve goals. Its only been 6 days but the change is already visible (even if only to me right now). Incredible!!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-91863922355107230502016-01-06T12:20:00.003-06:002016-02-01T11:45:43.540-06:00New Years Day 10K - Run Houston Series - Sam Houston Race Park - 1:05:01<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What is it with this race? LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It was cold. (low 40's)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">WINDY. (25mph)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Raining. (thankfully by race time it was just sprinkles here and there)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Same conditions last year except it was actually POURING in 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">This race is a great way to start the year off! Its easy access, plenty of parking, not a crazy crowded race, great medal, indoor waiting before race and also inside for post-race food and activity, just to name a few.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Its the first in a 5 race series new to the area last year and whereas I use to hate the 10K distance (they also have the 5K), I like it now. Mostly because I don't want to train for long distances anymore and well most 10K's now give out pretty sweet medals. Plus I like the idea of doing all 5 of these in a year for a bonus rack and medal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I didn't do all 5 last year because of location (lazy), but now the outfit has a Virtual run option but there are restrictions. You have to sign up for that OR switch at least 2 weeks prior to race day. Their website explains it all nicely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So I will do all 5 of them this year with the ability to do Virtual for 2 out of the 5. Right now I cannot remember the next one...think maybe its Minute Maid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway, when I signed up for this one I didn't look at my calendar for 1/2 training and well since the race fell on a Friday, my last long run for Houston was the very next day. Oops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So my thought was to go run it like in the 12:00 range and save my legs for the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Well I ended up running it a lot faster than that. 1:05:01. My watch for whatever reason showed 1:04:29 but still that's not a huge difference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I ran the 2nd loop almost 3 minutes faster and for half of each loop you were running directly in to the wind. Brutal. I liked the course though even the 2 loops because the way it was laid out it seemed to go pretty darn fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So I was pretty worried about the next days long run but it all ended up working out just fine. Shocked was I at that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But lets just say that I am so glad this training cycle is OVER and that I will be glad when the dang race (Aramco Houston) is over too :O)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-44822286395364259882016-01-06T12:03:00.004-06:002016-01-06T12:03:43.749-06:002016<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't do resolutions and haven't for many, many, many years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I do reflect on what didn't get accomplished in that year that I might have set a goal for, and what if anything I want to strive for in the coming year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I cannot recall if I ever wrote anything down here on this blog or any blog I have had (this is my 3rd), but last night I was thinking I probably should write my thoughts down somewhere. And since basically no one reads this anymore, I figured I could just do it here since I don't keep a journal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have a couple of books on my Kindle that I would like to get around to reading at some point. They've been there pretty much all of 2015 if I remember right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2016 was going to be the year I would drop some money on a townhome or condo, but I have since scrapped that idea recently. First off home prices are high right now due to low inventory. I don't know that that will change anytime soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Furthermore I decided to do some travel this year instead. A couple of places on my bucket list, and if I keep waiting around for one reason or another, it might not happen. So the first week of May I am off to Costa Rica!!! I am so darn excited! I have the paper filled out to renew my passport and I will book my flight with income tax refund. I have the accommodations booked though. Sun-Sat of pure bliss and adventure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The only other place I really want to go is New Zealand but that'll be done in a different year. Maybe next if the housing thing stays as is. I have a trip West with some girlfriends in September.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I also thought I would be paying off my debt this year, but well that got accomplished already, so...</span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am also striving towards some additional success at work so hoping that my love for this company continues to be as strong as it is today. I seriously love this company, the people I work with and my job. That's not to keep me complacent though. I have a lot to offer in my opinion so its in everyone's best interest :O)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As it pertains to health, I just want to keep being active and healthy. My goal this year believe it or not is to NOT train for a half marathon. I love running so that's not going to stop but I'd like to take the Fall off from the monotony of training. We will see if that changes come September based on other variables leading up to that point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Pretty sure my heart is set on 10 milers being my jam for a while. I have one in April and then I will do Katy again in October. I am thinking that might be the extent of my distance running.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I think that about sums up some of my thoughts around me personally through 2016. I will have to remember to check back here come December to see how I did ;o)</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-40630934523919975642015-12-22T09:36:00.003-06:002015-12-22T09:36:40.788-06:00Merry Christmas Time Is Here! And a 2015 Retrospective<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah the holidays are upon us and I am love, love, loving it! Even better because its been warm except for a few days at a time here or there. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE El Nino!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I know its not popular, but here's what I have to say about that: Its Texas and you choose to live here. If it bothers you that much, move. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">OK, what else? Well obviously I am not busy at work or I wouldn't be typing right now. People are either taking this week off or next week. Me? I am off as of Thursday and will be out until Jan 4th. So with so many out this week, its almost like having time off now as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I actually left at 3:30 yesterday to hit up the gym early. Got in an AWESOME workout, and still get home right as its not yet quite dark, but close. Thankful solstice has happened and now the days will be getting a bit longer even if its just a minute or two as the next few months fly by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am SO excited to spend extra time with T over the holidays. He is almost 2 now so he is much more aware of the difference between normal days and holi(days). At least I think so anyway. We had a photographer on Sunday at a park for family pictures and he is a hot mess! Oh how he makes my heart swell to like 10 million times bigger than it is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lets see what else? Running. Yep been back running with Kenyan Way for about 2 months now. I only go in on Saturdays for the long run support but its been great. It makes me run faster than I might otherwise and walk less too :O) When you have so many people, you just naturally want to at least keep up with SOME of them when you can you know? Totally worth getting up at 4:30am on a Saturday to make the drive in for a 6am start. It generally takes me about 35 min I guess, give or take. Again, totally worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Once Houston is over, I will take my break from KW and just run in Cinco. I signed up for a 10 miler (Texas 10 Series) late April so I am going to just chill with running anything over 5-6 miles for a month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Before Houston, I have a 10K and a quarter marathon (women's only race), so I am enjoying the shorter distance kind of races.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This year I'll be taking an extended time off just like I did last year from running (after the 10 miler in April) ANY long distances, focusing on speed, endurance, and strength. I'd like to go in to the late Summer, early Fall running a bit faster than I am today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With our new building at work we now have a top-notch gym available to us which I recently joined. I am still going to keep my membership at the 'other place' as its close to home for weekends and when I am off. Right now at least, the extra $43 a month isn't a hassle....which by the way guess what???????</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am debt freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! I paid off my consolidation loan a year early!!!!!!!!!!!!! Free and clear baby, free and clear. I know I wrote recently about financial well being and my goodness how freeing is this?! That's an <strong><em>extra $822 dollars A MONTH</em></strong> in my accounts. Y'all that's a lot of damn money and for 4 years I was paying that out, desperately waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. Bye bye student loans and mistakes of years of charging CRAP. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Of course I have upped my savings and hopefully a raise in February, and another 1% added to my 401k deduction...well I feel very, <strong><em>very</em></strong>, financially stable right now for sure. Both my checking and savings are nicely padded to say the least.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The decision in 2016 will be to either buy a townhome/condo, or to continue to rent. February my niece and I will be conversing about me possibly taking on her house and she is ready to be out of it. Its WAY too big for me, but I love it so much...We shall see what she decides to do as its really up to her at this point. When we talked about it a couple of months ago, she liked the idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Man its been a great year. First full year home again. New car. Paid off debt. Happy. Healthy. Family. Love. No loss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can only wish that in 2016, I have half of that kind of personal success. I sometimes worry about the shoe yet to drop, but that's not often. I am a pretty positive, grateful person the last couple of years for sure...so that outweighs the sometimes doubt of troubles that might come along. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Remember: <strong><em>The places where you have the biggest challenges, are the places where you have the most to give ----Tracy McMillian</em></strong></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-66589845020204805332015-12-01T08:52:00.001-06:002016-02-01T11:45:57.548-06:00Katy YMCA 2015 Turkey Dash (10K)<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Definitely NOT the race I had hoped for that's for sure. With it being 73 and 100% humidity (feels like of 81) and a strong wind to boot for about 1/2 the race I was just DONE. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once I knew what the weather was going to be like, I more or less loosened up my goal a bit, which was a 1:06 (10:39 pace). I did do it faster than last year, in better weather, but in much less running shape than I am now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I majorly struggled with even this result, but I didn't leave anything out there. It was just excruciatingly miserable, miserable weather. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I could feel how red my face was basically once I hit mile 3. My first mile was OK, at 10:30 but looking back I should have done an 11, but I still had high hopes and figured I see what happened after the first mile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Not the brightest idea considering I knew I was going to be overheating sooner rather than later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Had I taken a more cautious approach in the first couple of miles, I might have been able to shave off some time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOUYKev0riY/VlyXAVVRdkI/AAAAAAAAEzE/AEJaTVV82Nc/s1600/IMG_0225.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvwOttCwpHI/VlyW9pK0KEI/AAAAAAAAEy8/H1s8u-SVuJY/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvwOttCwpHI/VlyW9pK0KEI/AAAAAAAAEy8/H1s8u-SVuJY/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvwOttCwpHI/VlyW9pK0KEI/AAAAAAAAEy8/H1s8u-SVuJY/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOUYKev0riY/VlyXAVVRdkI/AAAAAAAAEzE/AEJaTVV82Nc/s1600/IMG_0225.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOUYKev0riY/VlyXAVVRdkI/AAAAAAAAEzE/AEJaTVV82Nc/s1600/IMG_0225.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do like this race for many reasons: Its local, its easy in and easy out, great booths of vendors, great medals, and its one big loop. The biggest bonus is that its roughly less than HALF of the nightmare of the Uptown Turkey Trot which is about 15,000 people. I think Katy says about 7,000, but I would say more like 5 based on the results the past 2 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They also have corrals (new this year) which I royally screwed up on when I signed up because I didn't notice it and just it Submit. This mistake put me in Corral A. Oops. Well I figured out afterwards what I had done once I picked up my bib etc., so I lined up at the front of the C corral like a good girl.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My next race if New Years Day and is another 10K. If the weather if optimal, I will be shooting for either that 1:06 or possibly even a 1:05:30. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">December is a high(er) mileage month for me going in to the taper early January for Houston, so we'll see how my legs feel that last week of the month. I have a long run the very next day so I will have to either sacrifice the race time or the ease of a long run on somewhat tired but not in pain legs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">We shall see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I've been ramping my monthly mileage up the past few months and December will be the highest. 75 in October, 80 in November and it will be 100 for this month. BTW I am using not only GarminConnect (since I got my new watch) but also Training Peaks. They have a great interface and I am able to disable the data. This alone makes me a bit more competitive (with myself) and its paying off. Plus I love that my new watch is Bluetooth and auto downloads the data into my phone and even the website with no effort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">OK that's it for now...Not sure anyone is even reading but again keeping track of information again is mainly for me these days.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-40281618591604200842015-11-09T10:18:00.000-06:002016-04-25T16:23:48.104-05:00Katy 10 - Texas 10 Series<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love, love, loved this race! If my schedule allowed and I had gotten in on the lower pricing for the Conroe and College Station races, I would so be doing those. Next year I can plan accordingly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">First off I love the 10 mile distance. Love. And this race had about 750 for the 10 mile distance...not sure on the 5 mile distance. I do know that based on the email we got for reasons behind the delay in results, apparently a lot of people changed their mind mid-race and finished 5 instead of 10, and to complicate it even more, ran to the 5 mile split timing mat and THEN decided to run to the finish. You should have just run to the finish you dorks. Now you ran 5 miles plus, and you got a wonky race time. Oy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway, I loved it. Will DEFINITELY do this series from this point forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1:53:03</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11:18 pace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">goal was 1:56</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">11:36 pace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">390 out of 750</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">16 out of 30 age</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Warm, muggy, drizzling rain. Windy from the north; not too much of a factor on this 2 loop course</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Given how warm it was, I was quite pleased with this outcome. Generally I would have probably caved but I felt ready to push it and not give in to my thought demons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I also thought I was going to hate the 2 loops thing, but surprisingly enough when I started that 2nd loop I was thankful for having done it once already and I knew where my water was, where the turns were and when there was a weird run one way for like 100m and then do a hairpin turn and go back to the original course (guess they had to get the 5 miles somehow!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am not able to get a screenshot from my GarminConnect account, but here are the general stats I look at; or rather <em>STARTING</em> to look at again...to once again move myself forward after losing a lot of fitness for various reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Avg HR 162</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Max 178</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For reference, I try and train in the low to upper 150's </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Avg Run Cadence: 164</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Max Run Cadence: 186</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stride Length .87 This lengthens as I go faster for example, in the final stretch it was .90 but in some of my slower miles, it was low .80s</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am also slowly starting to eliminate the walk 1 min of my 4/1's. I slow down during the walk interval, but not walking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On this date, the last half of the race I all but eliminated the walk breaks. There were a couple, but on the first half, I kept them intact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My running pace averages between 9 and 10:20, with my fastest on this date to be 8:38. What I need to do is slow down the running pace of those 4 min stretches, eliminate the walk break and I think my mile splits would be around 10:30 if I can just get the sweet spot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will be trying to do that at the upcoming Thanksgiving Day 10K.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">As mentioned I am working my way back to my best running self. I don't know what that looks like <strong><em>yet,</em></strong> but I know I lost it and even in the first 6-8 months of being back in Texas I couldn't seem to find it. Failed attempts at new running group(s) etc..and I just lost mojo. With all my new technology though and a like-minded competitive spirit partner/animal, I have found zest again in running. The data crunching has made a return and its awesome. My spirit partner/animal is helping me with that as well.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-39103804558090273412015-10-27T11:39:00.002-05:002016-02-01T11:46:20.557-06:00Save For A Rainy Day AND For the Winter of Your Lifetime - Having a Healthy Bank Account is Paramount to a Healthy Life!!!<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have had this post in mind for some time, and even had this draft saved with just the title so I would be reminded to get to it at some point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It (the topic), and blogging in general hasn't been a priority for reasons I have stated before, but this is one topic I think I need to cover. I certainly don't have the readers I use to on a regular basis, but I do get hits from certain topics being Google'd or Bing'ed, so maybe what I have to offer in the way of experience and advice might help even just one person, then that's OK by me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">What really brought this back to my attention is something that recently happened to a 'friend'. I put the word in quotations because I honestly don't know her in real life, but through a series of online sites that brought together like minded people who loved Texas music. After thinking about it further I figured out I had never even seen a photo of her. Weird. But I've 'known' her for years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Anyway, regardless of all that, she could be anyone that any of us knows on any given day. You always hear that the percentage of the population is one paycheck away from being homeless. And that you should have 6months to a year of emergency money, and while those are lofty goals they are achievable for some, easier for others and sadly, yes impossible for a lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Her husband passed away just a few months ago, and while I am not sure of their exact circumstances, its been obvious that he hasn't worked nor she in some time. I suspect since he was a vet, possibly disability etc. I don't know. But regardless of the circumstances, which are neither here nor there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">She has posted a few things on Facebook since about difficulty in receiving benefits, and having to file this or that which I understand to some degree (went through it w mom when dad died; and then with mom it was pretty easy).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So over the weekend she posted on FB something about her landlord being postal because she didn't have the rent and that she was guess going to have to move.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">This struck me as CRAZY. How is it that you are in your 50's (old enough to know better) and with an ailing husband for however how long that you didn't start to make sure you would be able to handle the finances at least for a month!?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">How do you not have ANY money? And that's just the rent. What about food, or utilities? Someone stepped up and started a money drive to get her the money she needed for rent, but I don't know...something about it didn't set right with me. I am just going to leave it at that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Now I have gone through a couple of hard times when losing a job, but even on those couple of occasions I STILL had a bit of a savings. I had to use a lot of it the first time around (2003) but I also took a few months off so I used more than I prob should have. I had just sold my house and had about $40K in the savings and checking. I underestimated how long until I found another job (was less pay) and overestimated how much money I could blow. Lesson learned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Even again when in 2008-2011 when $ was tight, way less money at job, I still was managing to save to 401K and a bit here and there for my savings. And cannot forget the amount of $$ I lost with the nose dive of the market. But its recouped itself since...which is why the market is generally safe. Over time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Since, at the time, I thought those times were SO tough I have become quite the saver since mid-2012. Yes it was easier while in NE, plus I consolidated all my debts and pay on that 2 times a month much less than I was having to before (but got overextended and I paid the price for that eventually), which also helps. Plus for the past 4 years I have paid cash for ever single thing I've bought. And just yesterday I finally paid OFF OFF OFF that consolidation loan and for the first time in my life since the age of 20 I am COMPLETELY DEBT FREE!! It took me 4 years, but it was supposed to be 5, but I paid it off early somehow; all the while still saving, saving, saving...and even managing to get a new (to me) car: Its a 2013...but way better than the 2003 that I had!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am getting off track here, but my point is that NOW while whatever age you are (and I started at 32 I guess; some years more than others on the amounts) so that you don't have to worry about such things. And if you aren't worrying, you should be. Living paycheck to paycheck is no fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am going to spout out numbers here, for reference sake, but everyone is different. You set your limits, rules and budget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">One example is that I NEVER let my checking account go under $3,500. If it goes below that or near it basically all spending halts. Or crawls for example if I need gas that's a no brainer. Food? I always have some food so I can go till payday if I have to :O)</span><span style="font-family: "verdana";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">When I moved to NE, I had $1000 in the checking and about $3000 in savings. No need to include 401K and my IRA's since I cant get to those anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">But now in checking I am generally sitting between $3700 and $5500 (AFTER bills are paid) and my savings is roughly $22K and I automatically send money to that savings acct each and every payday. Right now I am saving for a down payment on a townhome plus the padding for after I put the down payment in someone's pocket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I also go to the bank every payday, and withdraw a certain amount of money; some of which I put away in a hideaway in the house for Christmas and another of which goes into my purse for my 'allowance'. Money that I can spend and don't worry about tracking. Its like petty cash to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am scared SHITLESS of being that person who has to move or God forbid be forced into a shelter or the street because I lose a job and cant pay. I mean how sad is that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It has taken a lot of sacrifice (living in the tundra for 2 years) being away from family etc., but I achieved financial freedom again because of it. I didn't </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">splurge on things I didn't need (well ok I did, but only when it didn't interfere with my numbers!!) IF it was going to set me below my limits then it had to wait until the next payday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I make my own coffee at home, 75% of the time I bring my own lunch/snacks. Every little bit helps. And no I do not deprive myself of eating out, Sbux, buying clothes etc. I think if you know me well enough (or thru here) you would know that is not the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I just make sure IT FITS IN MY BUDGET. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why pay more when you can just wait? Instant gratification costs money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel somewhat confident that if something were to happen God forbid at least I would be OK for a few months you know? Also knowing that I have, at this particular point in time close to $80K (should be way more but ugh, my 30's!) with about 15 more years left to work I am going to be a lot better off than the majority of people I know who will unfortunately have to work a lot longer than I will. And probably budget a lot</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> differently as well even with SS. As it stands now, I will be COMPLETELY DEBT FREE in 2 years. I do plan on replacing my vehicle though (its 11 years old now), but intend on a used car/cash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel REALLY bad for this person I mentioned above. I really do. But I also don't understand how that happens? Especially at their age. It wasn't like they were in the 20's when doesn't everyone live paycheck to paycheck?? LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, just because you have kids, or a house or things of that nature, you can STILL save money. I did it. I had a house too once you know? You just have to remember that at some point, before you even know what hit you, you are going to be my age and these things will start to actually MATTER....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're employer doesn't offer 401K then start an IRA. I have 2 IRA'S and my 401K. I no longer am able to contribute to the IRA's for a couple of reasons due to my income and how much I already contribute to my 401K. But I have moved them in with my primary bank so that I can easily monitor all my money in one place instead of 3.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So as you can see I save a lot of money when and where I can. I also don't go without that's for sure, but I just prefer to splurge on the things that bring me the most pleasure: GOOD food choices at the grocer and when eating out as well, paying for high ticket items with cash and not worrying about how I would pay rent (most recently my big splurge was new mattress/boxspring). Clothes when I want, if I want.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I don't mean to make it seem like if you cant save a large amount that you shouldn't because everyone has to start SOMEWHERE...even if its just $10 a paycheck...sock it away...join your 401K for the min % allowed but if you can do the max that the employer will match (FREE money!)...BUDGET...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Go without ... maybe just cutting back from 5 Sbux a week to 4 or even 3...figure out the amount you saved and boom, move it to a savings account.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Put limits on your bank accounts! I just recently did this and it keeps me from overspending in a 24 hour period; I have to REALLY think about what I am spending from checking in that 24 hours or otherwise it will get rejected if I go over and I have it set pretty low to be honest. FOR a reason duh; whether its using a debit card or withdrawing from savings. Also it protects you if your card is stolen too...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">If you have no way to save ANY money each month then you are overextended. You have too much house. You spend too much here. Or there. Or somewhere. When figuring a budget you HAVE to calculate in SAVINGS. YOU. JUST. HAVE. TO.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The end.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-73597587341512657442015-10-20T14:45:00.002-05:002016-02-01T11:46:32.154-06:00Pre-Menopause or Menopause? How to Know The Difference AND the differences!<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every woman is different and that is pretty much the extent of any real information I gleaned from searching the internet. And I would say that out of the women I know IRL, that pretty much is a true statement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I can tell you personally what I have learned over the past 10 years though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">In 2004 when I first started gaining weight rapidly among other symptoms, my family doctor chalked it up to "well you <em><strong>ARE</strong></em> 40 now..." No. That is not what this is...this is not turning 40 and its not menopause. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Well I was right...it was hypothyroidism and has since been contained with daily medication of course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then over the next few years, I would have on and off again night sweats, but when I asked my doctors (endo, OBGYN) if it was onset of menopause, their reaction was 'could be'. I even got tested to see about my hormone levels and all was well. So we chalked that up to the Synthroid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I slowly lost the weight I had gained but was really never 'the same' in body comp. Around late 2009 and basically through early 2012 I got in the best shape of my life at the high end of my 40's! That came with lots of exercise and an eating regime of clean, clean, clean 95% of the time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So I guess even that late, I wasn't really feeling any real what I thought would be considered pre-menopausal except for like I said the ever so often night sweats and not being able to sleep sometimes through a night without a few wake ups. Annoying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The other thing that started around that time was that I quit taking BCP's. My periods regulated but nothing out the ordinary again for me to ever wonder...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then about mid-2012 I started having HORRRRRRRRRRRRRRIBLE pre-menstrual symptoms...massive bloat, HORRENDOUS cramps and heavy heavy flow generally all at once. Then it started to happen periodically throughout a cycle so you just never knew when you would feel a rush of 'something'. You basically didn't go anywhere without having a tampon handy. And that would be end of that. A huge rush of fluid and then nothing...Gosh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Additionally I had moved to Nebraska and that brought on extra weight due to the climate, and lack of things and people. I spend a lot of time cooped up because of the cold, snow, wind and ice. And since there was nothing to do there ...well lets just say my running and my body took a hit. A big hit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I thought once I got back to Texas (early 2014), I would be able to remedy quickly. So not the case. At 51 I was in the thick of pre-menopause. My mid-section is the receiver of the majority of the dreaded pre-menopause that is for certain. Unless I was willing to change my exercise and eating habits I was going to be stuck with what I considered someone elses body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I call it meno-pot. Its real and its horrible. Also its just not the mid-section but mostly. At least with me. And let me tell you something. There isn't a damn thing you can do about it. I would say if your genetic makeup (look at your mom, your aunts, your sisters) and/or if you are already thick through the middle, well you might as well do one or the other...get that shit under control NOW, or live with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I do wonder had I not gone to Nebraska and not gone through that transition mentally and physically but yet stayed as I was before I left would I have the challenges I do now, but I will never know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So yeah...back to what <strong><em>my</em></strong> pre-meno looked like....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So in 2013 I turned 50 and I was still having a period every 26-28 days. And sometimes spotting in between but the cramps etc every month right on target. I thought when the heck am I going to go through menopause???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So for 2 years I've been solidly in pre-menopause. I might have had fluctuations of it for several years according to doctors but yeah 50-52 was definitely it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I started using a tracker a few years back, and I guess over the past year I started noticing trends. Shorter cycles both being days of bleeding/gush/spots (actually lasting a day) and then the time between started getting shorter and shorter and I noticed my pre-menstrual symptoms basically stopped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then about 6 months ago...that was it. Right before I turned 52. In reality they say you have 'gone through menopause' once you have missed a year of periods. Well like I said its been about 6 months sooooooooooooo...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I also don't know if I have been lucky or if my lifestyle (food and exercise) has played a huge part in what has been a seemingly smooth transition. My mom has been gone for some time now and my sister didn't remember hers being bad, but honestly I am sleeping fine and outside of a handful of 'hot flashes' ... nothing. The hot flashes haven't lasted long when they did happen and I noticed a trend that seemed to cause them: I had had a beer or two</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">So alcohol <em>appeared</em> to be a trigger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Except for this past Saturday we were out and I had 3 beers, and yet no hot flashes. Yay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am definitely considering myself lucky because amongst my friends they are really struggling. Severe weight gain, hot flashes that seem horrible and insomnia, EXTREME mood swings.... However these same people are ones that weren't in great health to begin with...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My biggest advice to anyone ANYONE reading this is to get your health in order early 40's and don't quit!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">We have tested my metabolism earlier this year (calorie expenditure on a rest day) and it is SEVERELY lower thanks to aging. Even with my meds. So earlier this year, I had a trainer to get a reality check on what I was actually eating and exactly what I was expending. I can't recommend enough that you need strength and cardio!!!!!!!!!!!! And counting calories...ugh... I have had to track EVERYTHING in a handy dandy app. But what a pain!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">What an eye opener!!! Lord no wonder nothing was working! Now though while I still have a squishy mid-section it is reduced and I am still working on getting back to a new normal I guess. At least my inflammation, bloatedness...overall body comp is better and I can fit in clothes that I couldn't pre-2015. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I have even been back to running in a jog bra! Not only because I feel better in my skin, but coming to the realization that NO ONE CARES if I do! I see women out there so confident honestly not remotely looking like a Runners World cover, but yet embracing the sweltering temps in little clothing without a care in the world!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Another side perk of getting older: not giving a shit</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I want to say that if you are reading this and thinking you don't care about your size later in life, or that you have allllllllllllllllll this time to think about it...well you don't. It will be here before you know it and again the best advice I can give is to rein it in now. And honestly while vanity might not be a driving force, being HEALTHY should be. Being out of shape and non-active, eating like crap will age you faster than you can shake a stick out...and duh, don't you want to be healthy and independent?????????????</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Questions can be sent to my email address located in the right navigation bar.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-12647010920348137352015-10-16T12:07:00.000-05:002015-10-16T12:07:06.848-05:00Mic Check...Mic Check...Is This Thing Still On??? Are You Over 50, a Woman and No One to Listen to You About Struggles?<div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know its been a long time since I have written and truly I haven't missed it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But fitting the description in my title, and attempting to find real answers from real women, well, its been kind of impossible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surely there has to be women out there just like me? Struggling with the over 50 things...? Or the late 40's women out there..You might have questions or yikes even be experiencing pre-menopause signs. Believe me mine started earlier in my 40's especially due to combined thyroid issues. Oh the joy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I thought well no one is probably truly going to be reading this from my yonder days of blogging about running this and running that, but maybe, just maybe I can either help someone by giving them some advice even if its not asked directly but rather through a Google search.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am also thinking that if I can provide some real content here, I might be able to grow this thing again, just in a different direction. Initially I think my plan is just to write, mostly with abandon which means no real direction so to speak. That might organically happen at some point. I will try to come up with titles that would perhaps be something a woman might Google (i.e. things I type when Googling)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if my title led you here via search engine...welcome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am going to leave all the existing content for historical value if even just for myself. I am still extremely active, so I will of course still talk about that. I feel it is <em><strong>extremely</strong></em> important to maintaining sanity during a very trying time even if sometimes it feels like the<em><strong> laaaaaaaaaaaast</strong></em> thing you want to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I feel like I should wipe out some of the labels, but then what if someone coming here decides that a certain label/topic interests them? If I delete them, some content important to some might never be found..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also it seems like I started several blog posts way back when with ideas on some topics so that helps! Yay for thinking ahead even if it was a year ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If any other bloggers are reading here, any insight on how to grow the blog at a semi-aggressive rate would be welcomed!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-31531058899603463042014-11-25T13:50:00.001-06:002014-11-25T13:50:39.381-06:00Tis The Season!!<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you guys after the new year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll still be running (ugh; SO close to being DONE!) and LOTS of lifting..and spending time with friends and family. Not to mention shopping!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I won't be doing is blogging my workouts. I might drop in a time or two; I have 2 10K's between now and the new year, so I might race report with some photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or not!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-33698889146584189512014-11-24T09:00:00.002-06:002014-11-24T09:00:28.125-06:00Pre Thanksgiving Week<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Monday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3.1 mile run</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Tuesday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Off</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Wednesday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 mile run (treadmill)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Shoulders/Chest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">50 weighted squats</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">50 dead(sumo) lifts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">15min steam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Thursday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 miles (elliptical)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Back, biceps and triceps</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1 mile sprint (treadmill)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Friday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Off</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Saturday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">9.6 miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cinco Ranch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ran with 2 girls from the group, but I paced therefore they ran faster and less intervals than what they are use to. I warned them. :O) They only had 7 miles to do so mile 6 and 7 I pushed them to sub 10:30 miles. Which came back to bite me because I still had 2 miles to do and I was cussing on that last one. AND it ended up being over 9 miles. :O)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was pretty tired from the morning run AND having to do things to prep for Sunday family day AND it was pouring yukky rain so I bailed on an evening workout at the gym.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Sunday</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 mile run</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Zoo day and picnic in the park day with the family so I got in a LOT of active recovery today as well. We were there for close to 5 hours, obviously a LOT of walking and for me crawling through prairie dog tunnels with the little, so I was BEAT, BEAT, BEAT.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">No gym for me!!!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-56334578276811439262014-11-17T19:14:00.002-06:002014-11-17T19:14:34.485-06:00Another Week of Workouts<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is something you didn't know: I type out 90% of my workouts on Monday, and just fill in the blanks and/or edit along the way. This keeps me on track and I don't have to think about it daily as to what my workout is. And obviously sometimes it changes because I get a wild hair to do something different or I switch days around etc.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Monday</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 miles after work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Colder weather is coming this and today is the last warm day for a bit, so I wanted to get out and enjoy it but it was yucky and windy and I just was like eh, so the treadmill in the apartment complex gym it was. And can I just say how HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY I am that I am no longer living in Nebraska, where today the temps are at the negative 0 mark (with wind chill, but still, 12 deg reg temp? For the HIGH? Yup. I don't miss that place AT. ALL. I won't be stuck inside for 6 months!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Tuesday</i></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Off</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Wednesday</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 miles (treadmill)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Shoulders/Chest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min stairmill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I actually set the clock to get up half hour earlier to run before work. No thank you. #WarmBed</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Thursday</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Legs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Friday </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Off</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Saturday</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">6.5 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Solo run through Cinco Ranch. 45deg which was perfect actually. Hard to get out the door even at 7:30am but it was fine once I started. Long sleeve and shorts FTW!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Was going to go run at TH with work peeps but they were doing 9 and starting at 7:30 so starting after 8am for me was not an option. To finish at approx. the same time just put me too late of a start. I was ready to go so I just opted to stay close to the house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I certainly do like running at my own (faster) pace and taking breaks when I need it rather than being with the group I signed up for. I think I am either going to run on my own from here on out or with work peeps.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCchdzzDars/VGqdH0_hJdI/AAAAAAAAEws/QZ59dH2ucaU/s1600/20141115_084108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OCchdzzDars/VGqdH0_hJdI/AAAAAAAAEws/QZ59dH2ucaU/s1600/20141115_084108.jpg" height="320" width="181" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY3nlfD2Vnc/VGqdJrOgTfI/AAAAAAAAEw0/YpujX19cWtM/s1600/20141115_084137~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cY3nlfD2Vnc/VGqdJrOgTfI/AAAAAAAAEw0/YpujX19cWtM/s1600/20141115_084137~2.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whole Foods parking lot :O) Instagram photo which makes me 9 times out of 10 chop off my head :O)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Opted out of the gym in the early evening as I had been on and off the roads all day with errands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sunday</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Back, biceps, triceps</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">30min stairmill (this is the longest I have ever gone on this thing!!) Easy to do when football is on :O)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">15min steam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">15min sauna</span><br />
<br />
**************************<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Y'all while its now Monday and I am posting this I have to tell you...this morning, my arms? Wowza I could REALLY tell a difference even with no flexing! Diggin' it.</span><b><i></i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-46139789369753862352014-11-10T08:09:00.000-06:002014-11-10T08:09:07.257-06:00Time for Round 2!<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recovery week is over and while I still went at it hard, I plan to still ramp up (lift heavier) when and where I can leading into the next half marathon (1 down, 2 to go until my year, more like 11months OFF!!!!)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Monday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am switching my active recovery day this week to today instead of Tuesday. I am having some woman issues, and I just feel like today I need the day PLUS its supposed to be storming tomorrow late afternoon into Wednesday, and I want the nice outside time while I can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">30min walk around my neighborhood</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Tuesday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 mile run before work. The weather is supposed to turn nasty and as mentioned previously getting out and doing my run before work is definitely beneficial. I don't particularly like running on the treadmill so if I need to lift, and I don't run in the morning, my run gets done at the gym for convenience sake. It was warm and sticky muggy out, but I have now ventured out of the complex and have a nice 3 mile route I can run and still stay close to home without getting run over on the feeder road :O) Its not the most scenic but hey its dark still at 5:30 even with the time change and really I just need to get the time in. AND I am not running laps around my complex :O)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Back, biceps and triceps</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min steam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min sauna</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Wednesday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 mile run (treadmill; it was raining this morning) AND it was raining after work too. Blah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Shoulders only tonight. Just wasn't feeling much more than what I did; I felt like bagging the whole thing, but figured no matter what ANYTHING is better than NOTHING.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I didn't feel like getting back out in the weather so I just walked up to the apartment gym which was great in that it was deserted. </span></div>
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<strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Thursday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4 miles </span></div>
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<strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Friday</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rest</span></div>
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<strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>Saturday</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">8 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Actually probably closer to 9 since I ran 4 by myself in front of running 4 with one of the running group pods. Because I got done with my 4 early, and had to wait around, I did some running of laps around the shopping center, along with walking laps as well. I had my Garmin off during this time so I don't really know my exact mileage other than the 8 displayed at the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Instead of going to the gym in the evening as I have been doing, I spent 5 hours walking around the outlet mall with my sister and niece in law AND BABY TUCKER!!! It was my sisters birthday weekend, and when I was done with my run I had texts for a birthday shopping day so of course that won out! I felt like I had done a marathon by the time it was all over with!</span></div>
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<strong><em><br /></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sunday</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gym</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Did an all over body workout today: shoulders, back, biceps, triceps and legs. A few movements for each muscle group</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min stairmill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min steam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min sauna</span><strong><em></em></strong></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-45294607023650527092014-11-03T08:11:00.002-06:002014-11-03T08:11:27.671-06:00Recovery Week<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Monday</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1600m row</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Shoulders/Chest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Abs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">20min steam</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min sauna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Definitely a little ouchy today and tired. I never sleep well due to increased HR and soreness etc. So I was tired when I woke up. I gave my legs the day off for what should be obvious reasons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Tuesday</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 miles in the am <em><strong>before work</strong></em>. Nice and slow. Ran 2min, walk 1min.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><em>After work:</em></strong> 30min stroll before dinner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Wednesday</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2 miles in the am before work</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Legs (gym after work)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min stairmill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">After being so lazy last week for taper week, it felt GRRRRRRRRRRRREAT to get in there and work my legs. I probably overdid it on squats and deadlifts (added weight too), and will feel it tomorrow and Friday but I don't curr!!!! Deadlifts and squats are two of THE BEST overall body strength and body changing movements you can do. Time to ramp it up people!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Thursday</i></b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3 miles elliptical</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Back, biceps and triceps</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min steam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">10min sauna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Friday</i></b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rest</span></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><i>Saturday</i></b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">5 miles (4 miles on the schedule)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The group I paid for and run with in CR had a 'bye' this week since they are all either running out of town or doing the Katy 10/5 tomorrow. I thought about signing up for the 5 miler but they wanted $60!!!!! HELL NO. Late registration or not, that's ridiculous. So I jumped in with another pod and they are doing a few weeks of speed training for a faster 5K. This actually fit in perfectly. I ran 2 by myself and then did the 3 with the group. It was nice and chilly! Actually wore a long sleeve Lulu Swiftly with my shorts. JUST A BEAUTIFUL MORNING FOR A RUN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Gym (early evening): Shoulders/Chest</span></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sunday</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The morning was spent food prepping while watching the NYC Marathon. I was very excited to see that it was being shown on TV. My fav Meb just barely missed the podium and of course Kara, chokes again. I don't know why people make such a big deal about her. She has yet to have proven herself. She clearly just cannot hang with the elites; she bonks every single time.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I didn't go to the Texans game this week, so I watched the first half at home then headed to the gym.</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4 miles then,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Legs, legs, legs. I upped the weight again on my squats and deadlifts. Great workout!!! And of course I watched the 2nd half of the game. #wompwomp</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">New week! New opportunities for greatness!</span><strong><em></em></strong></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3341313959062075108.post-81737335782748417022014-10-31T08:19:00.000-05:002014-10-31T08:21:41.523-05:00July 4th Before ... October 26th After<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know the 2 photos are a bit different in how far away from the lens I appear to be (clearly the first one was zoomed in as I didn't run that close to the camera, OR I cropped the original making it seem closer), but I am pretty stoked at the differences I can see in just over 3 months time.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will be SO glad when I can stop all this running and focus 95% on lifting and 5% on running.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUx91X8ECEQ/VFLaLOa9x9I/AAAAAAAAEwA/Br_p0pj6xaY/s1600/houstonhalf2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUx91X8ECEQ/VFLaLOa9x9I/AAAAAAAAEwA/Br_p0pj6xaY/s1600/houstonhalf2014.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Run less, lift more. It works. It JUST works.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My plan after Houston and Katy is to do cardio a couple of times a week, maybe running, maybe not, and then on the weekend do a 3-5 mile run. This will keep me in 5K and 10K shape for any races I do decide to do in the Spring. Clearly they will NOT be for time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am STILL battling the midsection blues. It IS better, trimmer, slimmer a little bit...but unless I give up all things wonderful to eat for probably a month...ugh...I do plan to focus more on that though up until Thanksgiving :O) The 2 diff pairs of shorts here are a size smaller! I am back in my original lulu speed short size, but not to the point where the waist is baggy like they use to be, so wearing full length shirts is still necessary ;o)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ladies, trust me, TRUUUUUUUUUUUUST me once you start to near menopause this is TROUBLE! Unless you are just blessed with great genes and an even better metabolism!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This week has been fabulous at the gym! I am sore as hell but I expected that after going at everything so easy last week leading up to the half marathon. A little worried about my legs for tomorrows (short long run), but eh, it'll be fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">TTFN!!!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0