Sunday, November 11, 2012

Starting over. Again...

I am having to start over. It is a hard and humbling feeling for sure. Today I did 30 mins of Cathe's Afterburn dvd and it left me totally exhausted. This is going to be hard, very hard. I have lost so much physical fitness it is ridiculous. I know it sounds funny saying this as I just finished a marathon 2 weeks ago but in terms of my strength training and overall fitness levels, well, they are horrible! I feel so weighted down when doing jump squats and push ups and the burpees nearly killed me!

It reminds me of when I was so heavy back in Russia and I was just getting going losing my weight. It is a bizarre feeling. Despite everything, I am back to square one. Today's goal was to get in 30 mins of Cathe and I am very proud to say, I did it!! My husband reached his goal as well.  He did P90X Legs and Back. So proud of him. It was fun working out together too. Something I miss greatly.

So in the spirt of starting over, here is my plan for this next week.  I have to make this work....

Get in at least 30 mins EVERY DAY! Walk outside, walk on the treadmill, Cathe, Circuit training....something, anything just move for 30 mins a day, even if it is just pilates or yoga.

I am also going to start taking pics of my food again. It always helped motivate me so much. I do not know why I am in this slump but something has to change. It is crazy....

I have my marathon blog nearly ready. I have just been busy with some fun family activities and we have started decorating for Christmas!! I need to get a few marathon blogs up soon with pics, especially for those of you not on FB. I will aim to do it this week.

I am off to take my greens!


Thursday, November 08, 2012

Earth to Jen. You are in a challenge...

Ever since the marathon I feel as if I have hit a brick wall. My motivation to workout is a big ZERO!! People always email me how do I say motivated and I think I am going to have to go back and read my own emails to people in order to gain perspective and motivation this time around. I do not know if it is because I have trained so long and my body needs a break but I just feel BLAH! Now, do not get me wrong, I am as happy as can be. In fact, I am sleeping well and I feel better than when I was in training but my motivation to pick up the dumbbells currently sitting next to me....well, it is gone.

That is all for today. Just an update on how lazy I have been post marathon!! I am going to try and start over today and get in some much needed pushups....hope I do not fall on my face! :)

Just know if you are out there and you are struggling to find motivation to make it happen, remember it happens to all of us! Regardless where you are in your journey, there will be days when it seems impossible, but try and take it one day at a time. Set small goals and if you fail, just renew your mind to start over again, but never stop!

I need to read this over and over. I guess need to heed my own advice :)

Press on friends....


Friday, November 02, 2012

A new challenge is here!! It starts today....

I am in need of another challenge! I cannot run for another few weeks as you are supposed to rest one day for every mile you run after a marathon! So, that means 26 days of NO running!! I have realized I am addicted to running and fitness and when I do not workout, I feel crazy! No, not really but I feel the effects of not getting a workout in and so I need to set new goals and work on a challenge this month.

I am excited because in 26 days we leave for a short vacation to London and then to Bath to see the famous Christmas market held there each year. Knowing that soon, I will be in London, one of the best places to eat Indian food, which is a personal favorite of mine, I need to make sure and be extra strict this month with my diet!! My long runs are over so I need to back away from the carbs, up my protein and watch my calories. I cannot workout this month like other as I am recovering from the race so I MUST make sure  I do not eat like a race horse when I am not racing!! :) There will be a time for scones, tea and definitely some curry but not now.

My challenge is incredibility simple! I hope to reach my goals before we leave November 28th....

Nutrition goals....

1. Be sure and get in my Sunwarrior, VM Green and Earth daily!
2. LACV 128 oz daily -  1 lemon mixed with apple cider vinegar in a gallon of water.
3. Flax bread only in the mornings and only ONE piece per day.
4. Log calories on Spark and post on Blog/FB

Fitness goals....

1. Push ups - 1000 military push ups before 11/28
2. Squats - 4000 squats - sumo, jump squats, etc....before 11/28
3. Burpees - 1000 reps before 11/28
4. Pull ups - assisted or negative - 100 reps before 11/28

I have NOT been strength training the final weeks leading up to the marathon so the fitness goals are huge for me! I cannot tell you the last time I did a pull up....oh mercy!

So, in order to make these goals happen, I have to start somewhere. And that begins now. Here is my plan for the week......

Friday - Yoga, easy stretching along with some pushups
Saturday - walk on the treadmill, easy 30 mins along with ST circuit
Sunday - Yoga and PT exercises
Monday - ST circuit
Tuesday - Walking on the tread - 30 mins
Wednesday - ST circuit
Thursday - Walking on the tread - 30 mins
Friday - Yoga/Rest








My Marathon splits....

I am in the middle of writing a LONG blog about the marathon but I wanted to post my splits on here for those of you who are not on FB or the daily mile.

It was an amazing day for me!! I have so many photos to share and details of the race to post probably sometime this weekend or Monday.

From my Garmin....26.55 miles - 4:46.13...10:46 Avg Pace


Mile 1 - 10:20
Mile 2 - 10:11
Mile 3 - 10:30
Mile 4 - 10:04
Mile 5 - 10:16
Mile 6 - 10:30
Mile 7- 10:33
Mile 8-  9:49
Mile 9 - 10:05
Mile 10 - 10:25
Mile 11- 10:21
Mile 12 - 11:00
Mile 13 - 10:59

I reached the half way mark at 2:17 which was exactly my time in training to finish in 4:34....but after mile 13 it started to go downhill in terms of my speed. I began to see people on the sides of the road stretching their calves and many people walking who were so fit and should have been near the finish. I started to worry and I think it got to me.

Mile 14 - 10:52
Mile 15 - 10:39
Mile 16 - 11:15
Mile 17 - 10:44
Mile 18 - 10:49
Mile 19 - 11:26
Mile 20 - 11:38
Mile 21 - 11:47
Mile 22 - 10:52
Mile 23 - 11:15
Mile 24 - 11:50
Mile 25 - 11:37
Mile 26 - 11:04
The last .55 - 5:10

Looking back on these it is obvious when I really started walking and slowing down my running. I have to be honest, I am a bit sad seeing these. I wish they were faster like in my training. I trained to finish around 4:34 and while my goal was to always come in under 5 hours, a part of me was dreaming for a 4:30 - 4:45 finish....I was so close.