Fitness Post!

Meghan&Rich

It's so slow, where is everyone?!?

How is everyone doing? 

I was at the beach last week so I didn't do all of my scheduled work outs, but I did fit in two 4.5 mile runs on the boardwalk.  It was hot and humid, so I was super slow.  I was supposed to do a long run on Sunday, but both the boys and I came home from the beach with colds, so I skipped it in favor of rest (being depressed about being home from the beach didn't help my motivation either).  I ran 4.5 yesterday, and was pretty sluggish.  I'm getting nervous because I have just over 5 weeks until my race, so I can't hit a slump now!  I'm hoping my cold goes away and I get my mojo back this week.

How was the Steelers 5k?  Erin - How was Harrisburg?

egpitt22

welcome back, Meghan!!

I ran the Steelers 5K...."ran" would be a generous term to use though. I started fighting a terrible cold or sinus problem, not sure what it was, about mid-week that was the worst by Friday night.  I felt awful, body aches, runny nose, cough, the works.  UGH!  I even contacted someone from the race to see if I could transfer my bib to Brian at the last minute in the event that I couldn't do it the next day.  But saturday morning rolled around, and I really wanted to do it....and thought maybe I would feel better once I got up & got moving.  Yeah, that didn't happen!  I finished it, but had to stop and walk 3 times...ran it with my friend, we did it in just over 35 minutes but it was 35 minutes of torture, LOL!! 

the redeeming part of the day was the adorable 40 yard dash they did at heinz field for the kids after.....in case anyone isn't on facebook, I will AW my adorable kid here, who made it onto the steelers site (pictures 23 & 24 if this doesn't link directly):

http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/photo-gallery/2013-Steelers-5k---08-31/d16e8510-0619-4e7c-bd49-c23560e5b22e#b4e39421-656d-43de-ad48-56c7c40f52ff

anyway, so I took last week off because my cold was still lingering and frankly, I felt defeated by the whole running thing.  but I'm probably doing the Tanger 5K at the beginning of October with my SIL, so I need to get back on track!!

Meghan&Rich

I just love those pictures, Emmy!  Liam looks like he is having such a fun time.

I am also feeling defeated - I think it is a combination of my cold and post-summer/vacation blues.  I'm hoping that being on a different Fall routine and the cooler temps will help me have some better runs and some more motivation.

egpitt22

Meghan-same here.  the warmer temps weren't helping me even prior to feeling sick for that race.  I'm really hoping I can get back into it once it's more pleasant to be out there.  I will never, ever get used to or enjoy sweating, I'm just not one of those people. 

Luckystar2

I've been so-so. I have been getting maybe 2 runs in.

How is everyone doing with darkness issues?? I was running during the week after dd goes to bed but its so hard to find motivation to go when it's dark. Once it's cold I know I'm going to hate it. I did go walking running some last winter because of the dog but the only time I liked it was when Christmas lights were up. But after the summer it's hard to go back to cold and darkness.

Been trying to make it to Zumba 3 times a week. I may just up the other indoor activities but I hate to lose any of the running endurance I've gained this summer!!

I just started getting sick so don't know about this week. I did make it to Zumba last night even though I really didn't want to. But doubt I will run today.

Oh and I'm starting to do some weights stuff. Dh has a bow flex so I'm giving it a try.

I

waltsgirl102503

I have finally started back in to a routine.  YAY!  I went to zumba twice last week.  And I'm going to Body Blast tonight.  And my plan is to do Pilates on Thursday and zumba on Saturday morning.  I rejoined my old gym.  (That reopened under new ownership).  So that is motivation to get my money's worth!

lishie

I did a day of running, a day of zumba, and two days at the gym last week. I did a 5K on Saturday, but it was full of big hills, so I was slower than I wanted to be.

If standing and dancing at a concert for 5 hours also counts as exercise, I did that as well, and after a walk on Sunday I thought I was going to die I was so sore.

I took off today, and I'll be back running in teh park after work tomorrow. I want to be ready for the Great Race 5k in a few weeks.

leiann2003

I ran once last week (3.5) and then not again until today (4). I am running the Great Race at the end of the month, so I really need to get back on track!

egpitt22

Luckystar2 said:

I've been so-so. I have been getting maybe 2 runs in. How is everyone doing with darkness issues?? I was running during the week after dd goes to bed but its so hard to find motivation to go when it's dark. Once it's cold I know I'm going to hate it. I did go walking running some last winter because of the dog but the only time I liked it was when Christmas lights were up. But after the summer it's hard to go back to cold and darkness. Been trying to make it to Zumba 3 times a week. I may just up the other indoor activities but I hate to lose any of the running endurance I've gained this summer!! I just started getting sick so don't know about this week. I did make it to Zumba last night even though I really didn't want to. But doubt I will run today. Oh and I'm starting to do some weights stuff. Dh has a bow flex so I'm giving it a try. I

I was just thinking about the darkness issue; my neighborhood has no streetlights, so I wouldn't feel comfortable going out when it was even remotely dark.  Once the weather cools off, I may give running on my lunch break a try.  My coworker does it a few days a week and has tried to get me to go with her, but I never run in the middle of the day with the heat anyway, especially if I have to come back to work!  (I swear, my face looks like a tomato for at least an hour after I'm done!)  But maybe I'll give that a try.

gwennythepooh

Emmy-I work out on my lunch hour and LOVE it! I never thought I would like it, but it's a nice stress buster in the middle of the day and I'm not using any time at home to try and squeeze in a work out.

I'm out for working out this week:( I jacked up my back Monday, so I'm hobbling around like an old lady. Oddly enough, I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym!

AmandaJLewis

I joined the gym, and so I added some lifting to my "routine"... the quotes are necessary because my running habit has been derailed. Which is awesome two weeks before my next 5k.  hahaha. I tried to run 3 miles Sunday and it was the worst run ever. It was so humid, and the top of my bum/bottom of my back hurt every step I tried to run. So after 1.5 miles, I walked back to the car feeling lame. Tonight I plan on doing a couple miles on the elliptical at the gym and my lifting circuit. Hopefully my next outdoor run is better!  Perhaps I will take EJ with me, she is scheduled to do the Jr Great Race the week prior! Excited to run that with her!

AmandaJLewis

I just went back to read the other responses. Honestly, I love running in the cold.  I have running tights, and usually just need a long sleeve shirt with another jacket over it and start out sometimes with a hat/gloves but get too hot for them most days.  I typically run at my lunch in the winter on my work from home days but could totally do it in the office too. Sweating isn't the same when it is 30-50 degrees.  Just dress like it is about 20 degrees warmer and you should be comfortable once you get moving. It takes a little while to adjust to breathing in the cold air, but it gets easier (much like breathing in the humidity of the summer)

Meghan&Rich

I also love running in the cold and during my lunch hour.  It's nice to not get up at the crack of dawn or have to worry about squeezing it in the evening.  I also found that if my choice is to keep working or go exercise, I will exercise and there is less of a temptation to skip.  I sweat a ton when I run or do zumba, so I'll bring things like a washcloth, deodorant, body spray, hair dryer, and toothbrush to do a quick 'make over' so that I don't feel so gross afterwards.  (My gym also has showers, which I haven't taken advantage of yet.)

Luckystar2

A lot of people work out at lunch here and I've thought about it. But I feel like I wouldn't have enough time to run and get ready again! Plus part of the reason I run is for the dog so that defeats the purpose! Wish I worked at home!

lishie

AmandaJLewis said:

I Perhaps I will take EJ with me, she is scheduled to do the Jr Great Race the week prior! Excited to run that with her!

Jackson and I are also doing the Junior Great race. I'm so excited about it, though he's done no training for it whatsoever, besides running around the playground with his friends like a crazy man

AmandaJLewis

lishie said:

AmandaJLewis said:

I Perhaps I will take EJ with me, she is scheduled to do the Jr Great Race the week prior! Excited to run that with her!

Jackson and I are also doing the Junior Great race. I'm so excited about it, though he's done no training for it whatsoever, besides running around the playground with his friends like a crazy man

cool! We will look out for you! I wouldn't say EJ has trained at all. Just that one time she ran 2 miles with me. I had to try to pace her so she didn't burn out, but for the race I am just going to let her set the pace. Figure I could keep up with her for a mile! hahaha

sundaygirl

the Harrisburg half...well, I finished.  Slower than the Pittsburgh half.  Tendonitis derailed my training in the last five weeks before the race which plain sucked.  My legs were not ready to go more than 9 miles and my race fell apart somewhere before mile 10.  But on the upside, although I am still sore all over several days later, the tendonitis does not seem worse.  I'm looking forward to the cool weather in a few days and getting back to my routine.  Even considering the new Pgh 10 miler in November.

sarahandtim

I kept up with my cousin and her husband at the Steelers 5k for a while and then it just went to crap. At one point I was all 'go on without me! This is my bib number - have them find me if I don't make it!' Lol! I thought I might just be a pile of out of shape Sarah on the north shore somewhere. they did end up waiting for me at the end and we crossed at about 40 minutes. It was hard not to feel a bit defeated about the time, but I try to remind myself I don't train for these things and at least I did it.

Logan rocked the 40 yard dash though. He held my hand until the end - it was like he wanted to cross on his own. Honestly, it was totally worth the money to see him run.

I went to Pilates this morning, so I guess that's something!