Flying Farmers

Yesterday, I get a text from my friend Danielle that says: "Do you run? Alex is trying to get a relay team together for fargo marathon." I'd never considered a relay for a marathon before, but that seems like a way more likely accomplishment in my life than running a full marathon by myself. So I ask her when it is. ...it's May 18th, less than 4 weeks away.

I was finally persuaded into signing up with the relay after being assured it was just for fun, and it would be fine if I ended up walking most of it.

This morning I woke up to a flood a texts deliberating over what our relay team name should be. It was finally decided: Flying Farmers. I won't even get into why that name does or does not fit.

I decided it would be a good idea to see where I'm at, running wise. It's been almost a full year since I've consciously exercised!

This morning, I ran 3.1 miles in 38 minutes...then walked the 2 miles more home, since I was a bit optimistic when I plotted out the route I was to take. Our puppy Byron came with me. It was his first time on a run - ever. And I was surprised. He never lagged behind! New running partner?

Each person in the relay is responsible for 6-8 miles, which means, I'm just barely half-way to the minimum distance right now.

To avoid injuring myself, I've developed a training schedule. The objective is to gain miles, not speed. If you do both at the same time as a runner, it is a recipe for injury!!!

• 04/24 - Run (nonstop, easy pace for as far as possible)
• 04/25 - Stretch yoga (to relieve those sore muscles!)
• 04/26 - REST DAY
• 04/27 - Run/Walk 1:2 (alternate 1-min. run with 2-min. walk for as far as possible or up to 8 miles, whichever is less)
• 04/28 - 30 min. Bike or Aerobic Dance
• 04/29 - Run
• 04/30 - Stretch yoga
• 05/01 - REST DAY
• 05/02 - Run/Walk 1:1
• 05/03 - 30 min. Bike or Aerobic Dance
• 05/04 - RUN OR DYE 5K FUN RUN
• 05/05 - 30 min. Bike or Aerobic Dance
• 05/06 - Run
• 05/07 - Stretch yoga
• 05/08 - REST DAY
• 05/09 - Run/Walk 2:1
• 05/10 - 30 min. Aerobic Dance or Swim
• 05/11 - Run
• 05/12 - Stretch yoga
• 05/13 - REST DAY
• 05/14 - Run/Walk 3:1
• 05/15 - 30 min. Swim
• 05/16 - Run/Walk 4:1
• 05/17 - Stretch yoga
• 05/18 - MARATHON RELAY RACE DAY!!!

Last Stop?

This morning, I went for a walk with Luke and Baxter outside! Beautiful morning for it. We did a 3-mile circuit in 55 minutes. At right is a picture of the train that went by during our walk. It was only 4 cars long.

Later in the afternoon, I did disc 2 of Power 90 for strength training.

Tomorrow is weigh in! We will all see if I made my goal of weighing 118 pounds. If that is the case, then I have some diet planning to do in order to transition to maintenance rather than weight loss. After 6 weeks of being on this weight loss diet and exercise plan, that will be a new challenge!

Above and Beyond

What a hot day in Halstad! 95 degrees!

I went on a walk with Baxter this morning for 75 minutes (to resolve the 15 minute deficit from Tuesday).  Rather than do the regular 3-mile circuit, I decided to cut across town, then weave a bit along the main streets back to the edge of town with a hut dike that Baxter and I walked along. During my walk, I came across two very active older women who were going for a stroll. Way to go them!

After my walk, I did disc 2 of Power 90 strength training. Unbeknownst to me, the strength training routine on disc 2 is 40 minutes long (compared to the 30-minute routine on disc 1). So, I actually did an extra 10 minutes of exercise today (above what is scheduled and from Tuesday's deficit)! And what a workout. Much of it was the same as disc 1, but with less time to complete the repetitions, and an added section that requires you to do as many pushups and squats as possible. Whew!

Bright, Sunshiny Day

Another Power 90 day today. Then went on a 3-mile walk with Baxter. Boy it was hot today! And sunny! I got a tan while on this walk! Whoot whoot!

Bounce Back

After a hard sleep, I woke up and was ready to really exercise! My mother and I did Power 90 strength training. Later, in the early evening, we went on a walk. Because she biked earlier in the afternoon, she only joined me for 30 minutes of my 60-minute walk. So, Baxter joined me for the second half of my walk.

During my mom's bike ride, my brother ran alongside her, as he came up today for Mother's Day weekend.

All in all, we all did a great job today!

Accounting for Flux

This morning, I went to the hotel my parents are staying at, as they are in the St. Paul area for a few days. I did this to exercise with my exercise partner, my mother, but also to use my scale that my mother had along with her, so that I could weigh in this morning. I think it's really important to use the same scale every time in order to be consistent, as some scales may vary a bit. I weighed in at 121.7 pounds! I lost 1.5 pounds this past week. So, I lost about the same amount as I did a week ago. Overall, I have lost 10.3 pounds since April 8th, when my mother and I started working out.

My initial goal was to lose 10 pounds. So, I have achieved my goal! But to account for slight fluctuations later (after I change my dieting and workout habits from this weight loss routine), I aim to lose another 3.7 pounds, so that I weigh 118 pounds before going off this program.

So, back to my exercising today: My mom and I used the fitness room in the hotel (and we were the only ones in there!) to do our Power 90 strength training routine.

After returning home, I took a 60-minute walk with Baxter along the old 3-mile circuit I ran with him last summer and fall. Everyone thinks Baxter is just soo cute with his little walk/run back pack on!

Feeling good!

Morning Motivation

Well, this morning, I got up and did exactly what I set my mind to last night. I popped the Power 90 Sculpt DVD in my computer, folded up my bed, and did 30 minutes of strength training in my basement apartment.

But even before that, I weighed in for the week: 123.2 pounds. Which means I lost 1.4 pounds in the past week for a total of 8.8 pounds. It's obvious that the weight I'm losing from one week to the next is half as much as was lost the week before. This is because I am getting closer to my goal weight. This just means I will have to amp up my exercise and work harder!

After strength training with Tony Horton, I had to work for 2 hours, but then went on a 45 minute walk with Baxter around Halstad. It was a gorgeous day. In the 45 minutes of our walk, we walked 2.5 miles. I got an amazing burn in my calves!

Crunch!...those Abs, Butt, and Thighs!

I weighed in this morning at 124.6 pounds! In the past week, I have lost 2.3 pounds, which means I have lost a total of 7.4 pounds since starting this exercise and diet program.

What a gorgeous morning! No way was I going to miss out on a walk outside with Baxter today. We walked our 3-mile circuit, and I stopped to snap a picture (at left), which is in about the same spot that the picture in the "Nor Rain...Nor Gloom" post was taken. Huge difference, right?!

As you will notice, I am on the left side of the road, where walkers are supposed to walk. Luke and I got into a small dispute about this on Sunday, but he's half Australian, so it's understandable why he'd be confused ;)

Later in the day, after my mother returned home, we did a 55-minute pilates routine that I cut and pasted together for her to take on her trip to Texas. It's a combination of all 4 routines from "Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates" with Ellen Barrett, and the mat work from my "Pilates for Dummies" DVD. My mom really likes the Crunch DVD, so much so, she was resistant to continue on with the "Pilates for Dummies" DVD. She had apparently been resisting the "Pilates for Dummies" DVD throughout her entire Texas trip; she assumed the duration was as long as the "Crunch" portion (40-45 minutes), but in fact, it's only about another 10 minutes. Next time, we will have to start with the "Pilates for Dummies" DVD and end with the "Crunch" DVD.

New Exercise Partner

Now I have some new shoes, and a new exercise partner (at least for the weekend): Luke! We started the morning with the Power 90 "Sculpt" strength training routine, and then went on a 3-mile walk with Baxter. It was a great morning for a walk!

Later in the afternoon, Luke and I even did some cultivating to prepare for corn planting. At left is a picture of Luke in the corner of the field we cultivated.

Resistant to Resistance (Bands)

Well today, we walked our same 3-mile circuit from yesterday. It was a much nicer day, in fact, I dressed far too warm for it. At least I sweat a lot! After the 60-minute walk, we then did the 30-minute Power 90 Sculpt DVD. I felt much more accomplished at the end of the DVD today because I went into Fargo yesterday and bought some free weights at a used exercise equipment store. Two days ago, I had to use resistance bands during the Power 90 exercise DVD, and even though Tony Horton says the resistance bands are still a good tool (although very different from the free weights), I think I get a better workout from the free weights.

At left are pictures we took today for reference. Although it's already Day 4, I'm counting on there being a notable difference in the coming months to these photos.

"Nor Rain...Nor Gloom"

It was a dreary day for a walk; it even sprinkled for the last 20 minutes of the walk, but we saw it through anyway! As you can see, Baxter even came along. The entire walk lasted 60 minutes and we walked for a total of about 3 miles. Later in the day, I completed a 30-minute elliptical "weight loss" program.

Sunny Morning Jog

Well, for those who do not know, my father became strangely ill about 2 weeks ago. I coincidentally quit my job just before he became sick, so I am available to help my mother with his recovery now that he's been released from the hospital.

This is a huge change in routine, and I am hoping that it will also mean a change in my exercise routine, which has been non-existent for the past few months.

This morning, I went on a short jog: 1.6 miles across town and back (the town my parents live in is less than 1 mile wide). Baxter came with me! And I didn't even bother to time myself. This is a good-faith effort for exercise, and I don't want to overwhelm myself.

It was a beautiful morning. And the edge of town is a picturesque rural landscape (I was going to say skyline, but that doesn't really qualify outside of the big city!).

Beautiful Day for a Run

Well, today was a beautiful day, and work was chaotic. So on my (very delayed) lunch break, Baxter and I did the 3-mile circuit. I didn't take a watch this time so that I wouldn't be competitive with the clock. My feet did much better today on the pain/injury scale.

I feel great!

Getting Back on the Horse

I can't believe it's been over 3 months since I regularly exercised. I was getting so stressed out with my thesis writing and other responsibilities. Usually, exercising helps reduce my stress, but my perfectionism and dedication draws can sometimes create more stress. When I realized that my dedication to exercising began to cross the line of reducing stress to increasing stress, I stopped.

Now, my thesis is done! And the holiday is over, which means that I am feeling really out of shape! My New Year's resolution?: Whatever habits I attempt to make this year, I am conscious and careful not to become obsessive about them. What this means for exercising is that if I'm limited on time, or really do not feel like exercising on a given day, or injured(!), then I don't exercise. That second qualification is difficult, because what non-athlete ever gets up in the morning and says, "Gee whiz, I can't wait to exercise this morning!"

This morning, I started out the New Year with my 3-mile circuit run in St. Paul. Baxter came with me, and although it's been over 3 months since I've run with him, he remembered the route exactly, and really had a great time (after getting the hang of running in his little snow slippers). On New Year's Eve, I'll remind/inform you that it began to rain, and as the countdown drew closer, it began to snow, meaning that roads would be covered in frozen rain. So although it was icy during my run, I saw this as a good thing. I was forced to run at a slower pace, or run on snow-covered grass rather than running paths and roads. Knowing myself, I could have easily pushed myself too far on the run if it weren't for this icy physical limitation.

It was freezing too! So, the next time I run, I think it will be on a treadmill!


Pain Tracker:

• The bottoms of my feet hurt during and after the run. My old friend, plantar fasciitis. I need to take it easy, and try running more on the balls of my feet.
  
  
  

Better than Coffee

I drove the 4 hours back to Minneapolis/St Paul last night. And I knew the only thing that would really help perk me up and get me ready to finish off the week of work was to get myself out of bed and run. So Baxter and I ran our 3-mile loop this morning.

It was humid, but a cool humid. And either I was going slower than usual, or the slightly cooler weather helped Baxter keep with my pace. I stopped timing myself when I run with Baxter since he sometimes slows me down, or he stops during the run to do his business, which also affects the overall time.

Since I've been good lately at running every other day, I would really like to run a bit longer on Sunday, like 5 miles or so. There just isn't time to do that during the week before work...I've had a hard enough time getting myself out of bed for the regular 3 miles...

Group Fun Run

Jesse, Chris, and Baxter

First group fun run was a success! Four people and two dogs attended for the 3 to 4 mile loop around the Stone Arch Bridge and Boone Island Park area. The people were Jesse, Chris, Kari, myself. The dogs were Winnie and Baxter.

Kari and I walked with the dogs, while Jesse and Chris got a good sweat in with a run.

Kari and Winnie

Afterwards, we all went to Wilde Roast for brunch to replace all those calories we burned off!

I don't know about Jesse, Chris, and Kari, but it was certainly fun for me to get out and exercise with other people. The three of you are welcome to post comments on what you liked best and how having even more people next time would make things even better!!!

I will keep Facebook followers posted about future events. I know Saturday mornings don't work well for some, and I will definitely change things up in the future to accomodate various schedules. Hope you can make it out next time!

At Wilde Roast

Stress Free

As always, it was hard waking up this morning to go running, but I managed to do it.

Baxter made some friends on the run...the guard for a parking lot sees us jog by each time we go, and he finally asked today if he could pet Baxter. Baxter wanted to climb right into his guard station with him and hang out. I wish I had brought my phone to take a picture.

Near the beginning of the run, once I crossed the street to the river walk, I decided to take a left instead of a right, because Baxter had done his business, and I knew there wasn't a garbage can for at least 3/4 of a mile to the right. About a 1/4 to the left, however, I came upon a little parking lot for the riverside area and some garbage cans. Maybe the next time I organize a fun run, I will have it here, since there is a parking lot...

This past week has been so stressful with work and not having enough time to work on my thesis. I've been doing a lot of sleeping, which is one way my body deals with stress. But today I have felt so energized and generally pleasant! Even the new employee I've been training in noticed a difference...

I will make a much bigger effort to get my morning exercise in!

Under Construction

Well, Baxter and I did another mid-day run today. It was 80 degrees, but there was enough of a breeze to relief us. But because of the heat, Baxter could hardly run a mile and a half, so I had to pretty much jog in place for the second half of the run. I cannot wait until fall! I did feel unusually refreshed during the end of the run, so perhaps I should thank Baxter for that.

Down by the river today, there was some kind of construction being done along the bank, but on the water side. It looked like they were ripping out tar or something. Not the most pleasant smell.

I am organizing a group fun run in NE Minneapolis for Saturday morning. Check out Facebook for the details!

Afternoon Jog

So, Luke was serious about going for a run. After going to the farmer's market, he realized it is actually really nice out: mid 60s. Luke, Baxter, and I went on a 2-mile jog.

To cross the street to the river walk, because of the one way streets and divided highway intersection, pedestrians are meant to walk about a block east to a pedestrian crossing in order to go back west...so, essentially 2 blocks out of the way. As I turn to jog towards the crossing, Luke looks both ways and bolts across the intersection. His timing was perfect, and it was too late for me to follow, so I pick up my pace with Baxter to run to the cross walk. Because I had to wait for traffic, by the time I got to the river walk, Luke was already about 3 blocks away.

Baxter and I eventually caught up to him at a faster pace than I intended to go today because I ate half of a bagel sandwich right before we headed out. I wanted to puke. But Luke seemed happy that I was huffing and puffing as much as he was. :)

Playlist

This week has been insane! I've basically been working from 7:00am to 6:00pm each day. I had a board meeting one evening, a birthday party another, and then I worked on my master's thesis two of the evenings. I've been exhausted.

This morning was my first relaxed morning of the week, and my first opportunity to go out and do what I enjoy...run! Baxter came with me, and I didn't even remember to put on my stop watch because I just wanted to get out and do it, rather than be concerned with timing myself.

It was much cooler today than it has been recently, so that made the run more pleasant, and helped Baxter stay cool enough to continue jogging with me.

There were a ton of people out this morning, covered in sweat. Most of them were wearing ribbons around their necks, so I figured there must have been a race this morning. In fact, it was the Minnesota Half Marathon in Saint Paul. During our usual loop, Baxter and I ran by the remnant of the start line and check in. I really want to run a race at some point. Maybe next spring.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me for the playlist that I listen to while I'm on my runs; so, here it is:

• Can't Buy Me Love, The Beatles
• Cramp Your Style, Breakestra
• Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
• Darts of Pleasure, Franz Ferdinand
• Drumming Song, Florence + the Machine
• Gone Daddy Gone, Gnarls Barkley
• Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani
• I Feel It All, Feist
• Kiss With a Fist, Florence + the Machine
• Last Nite, The Strokes
• Lisztomania, Phoenix
• Paper Planes, M.I.A.
• Stickshifts and Safetybelts, CAKE
• Stronger, Kanye West
• The Denial Twist, The White Stripes
• Viva La Vida, Coldplay
• Youthless, Beck
• Bright Lights Bigger City, Cee Lo Green
• F**k You, Cee Lo Green
• Love Gun, Cee Lo Green
• Satisfied, Cee Lo Green
• It's OK, Cee Lo Green
• What Park of Forever, Cee Lo Green
• Thriller, Michael Jackson

This is a lot of music, but I have, on occasion, needed all of it for a run. Granted, it's been awhile. Right now, Stronger by Kanye West is strategically placed close to the end of my longer runs right now. There is something about that song that helps me finish "strong" and gives me better running posture.