Updates on all things interesting (and a few things not):
On Thursday I hit the gym again for more running. I REALLY didn't want to, but I know I have to get back on the running horse. I realized that when I up the speed a little, I actually relax into my stride and feel like a running machine. And I looked pretty cool too. The gym is all about looking cool :) I've also been experimenting with the Nike Plus running app to keep track of things. It's ok, but the distances are consistently off by .2 mile. If anyone has experience with this, please let me know.
Friday night- DRINKS! 'Nuff said.
Now to check in with our little plants. Josh and I planted last weekend. By Wednesday, we had sprouts. Now they're big enough to photograph:
These are spinach and lettuce.
Here is sugar snap peas and our mini roses. Everything looks super happy. Now they just need to grow so I can EAT THEM!!!
Saturday was all about advanced. I took another stab at the advanced class. This time the teacher was not there, so it was lead by the other students. It was pretty fun. Last time I think I tried to do too much too fast and my hips really hurt. Today they feel pretty good.
Now I have to go get ready. It's a lovely day and I want to get outside and do SOMETHING.
Well, thanks to the wonderful community at Bikram Yoga Harlem and all you donation class yogis, Team Happy Hippo has officially raised $1,025 to help fight cancer, bringing our grand total to $1051.20! With 6 months to go before the race, we're already over half way there. That makes the hippo very happy!
It even makes the hippo wear a cowboy hat! You could make the hippo even happier by making a small donation here. :)
In other news, I cannot lift my arms. I was bragging about how I could still move after my personal training session, well the non-movement was just delayed. Every time I try and lift my arms higher than my chest, like when I sip my tea (which I do all day long), I have to move in super slow motion. At least I'm going to be super buff!
My pre training training continues. Last night I went back to the gym for another date with the treadmill. This time I ran for a little more than 15 minutes. I’m just trying to build myself a base right now and I gotta say that 15 minutes felt like FOREVER, and I couldn’t catch my breath. That was a tough 15 minutes. Hoping it starts to get easier soon.
I also had another date with the personal trainer. This time was a little better. We didn’t do so many damn squats so I can actually move my legs today. We actually did more upper body work, which was a little bit embarrassing. My lack of arm strength is just silly. Laughable really. We were doing pushups with my arms more in, to isolate the triceps. I could get down low, but when it came to actual pushing up, I would sort of just collapse onto my face. I’ve known for a while that I have a total lack of upper body strength and I always tell myself I should do more pushups. Sometimes I go on a pushup kick, where I’ll do them daily for about a week, but I usually get discouraged and stop trying. If I don’t attempt pushups, I can’t tell how much I suck at them, right? I know. That’s not an actual solution, but it’s worked for a while.
On another note, anyone catch the Mad Men premiere? I’m so glad it’s back! Sunday nights haven’t been the same.
Friday was an interesting day. My stomach was very angry at me all day and I didn’t have much of an appetite. So what do I do about that? I go to the gym! I figured either one of two things would happen: 1. I would double over in pain and curse myself for attempting something so stupid. 2. I would feel better and pay myself on the back for such a brilliant idea. Sometimes when I feel icky, getting my blood flowing actually helps, plus I didn’t want to delay the running again. It was starting to sound like I was making excuses. So off to the gym I went.
In the end, it turned out to be a brilliant idea. I did a short run (10 minutes walking and 10 minutes running) to ease myself back into it. My legs were still a bit sore from the workout with the trainer, but I felt strong. After that, I did 10 minutes of arms, then stretching. One thing I’ve noticed from all my time away from running, I’m extra stretchy now. I did my usual post-run stretches and had to push myself more to feel the stretch. Hopefully that will help during my training.
What did I do post-run? Eat of course. Now after a day of feeling totally sick to my stomach, I’m sure going to a tapas bar isn’t exactly the best idea, but I can’t say no to tapas. I’m SO GLAD I went. This place was amazing. We went to Boqueria in Flat Iron and for large parties, they have a tasting menu that’s $40 per person (plus tax, tip and beverages). You don’t have to order anything. You tell them if you have any dietary restrictions then they bring you plate after plate of delicious tasty bites. I liked eating just what I was served. No agonizing over what to choose and no regret if someone else’s food looks better. It was actually a lot of food for the money too. If anyone wants to gather a large party and go back, you can count me in. It was wonderful.
Saturday was spent at Home Depot. I think you can tell you’re an adult when you suddenly love looking at bath fixtures and lighting. Since it’s officially Spring, Josh and I are ready to get our farmer on. We bought lettuce, spinach, and pea seeds, plus we have a little rose bush too. They’re all very happy in our window. Last year I started these too late, so hopefully things will work out this year.
Sunday was Spring cleaning, ie reorganizing the pantry while watching the Muppets. The Muppets make any task more exciting. Then I went to the last Sunday donation class for Team Happy Hippo. It was another great class. I'm feeling so strong and ready to take on this marathon training...I think.
Phew. That was a busy weekend.
The running got postponed for two reasons.
1. I didn't go to work yesterday. I felt kinda yucky, but not really sick. I just didn't want to get dressed and go to work, so I stayed home. And since the gym is right next to work, it didn't make much sense to go all the way there.
2. I still couldn't move my legs. I appreciate that the trainer gave me a good workout, but I might mention to him that I'd like to be able to walk the next day. Maybe we can modify something next time.
Today I'm feeling almost normal, so even though it's a Friday night and I should be raging at a bar, I'm going to the gym. And I'm going to run. I'm such a good Lisa. Then I'm going to the bar :)
In other news, I went to the dentist today and no cavities! Plus, this was the first dentist I've been to in a long time that didn't come off as a total (pardon my French) douchebag. She actually explained to me what she was doing and why she recommended certain things. So that's a plus.
One last note, this Sunday is the last Sunday for donation classes at Bikram Yoga Harlem to help support Team Happy Hippo and our fundraising efforts. If you haven't tried it yet, you should! I promise you won't die. You might even enjoy it :)
Ok. This just got real. Yesterday was my first session with a personal trainer. And guess what? I ran! Ok. I only ran for 5 minutes as a warm up, and I was planning on running more after my workout with the trainer, but my legs were DEAD. Yes, we worked HARD. We did hip flexors, lunges, lots of squats. Too many squats. Then abs. Too much abs. Stairs are not my friend today.
One of things I really liked was pretty much everything we did was without weights, meaning I could do the workouts at home. Not sure that I WOULD, but I could if I wanted to. The trainer also gave me one of the best compliments I've ever had. He said that even though there were times that it was hard and I had to take a breather, I always jumped back in. I was not a quitter. It's nice that someone else noticed.
The one thing I didn't like had nothing to do with the trainer. It was the dreaded gym manager. He was trying to sell me a membership and more sessions, and being a little pushy about it. Hey, dude. Let me try it out more than once before I decide, will ya? Anyhoo, I'm going back to the gym on Thursday, and I'm planning on running for more than 5 minutes.
Last I left you, I said I was on my way to pilates for the upper body. No, I didn't die, I just got really busy. Ok, so I almost died. I have no upper body strength. My arms are strong enough, but my shoulders are very weak. I guess that explains a lot. Good to know at least.
Next week is going to be a BIG WEEK. Next week, I'm hitting the gym, and I'm going to actually start running again. I'm a little scared. I've enjoyed all the stretching and doing nice things for my body. Now I have to get back into the running routine. I'm headed there on Tuesday, so I'll let you know how it goes.
Last but not least, for those of you around this weekend, don't forget about donation yoga classes Sunday at 4:30 at Bikram Yoga Harlem. Proceeds go towards our fundraising effort to help the American Cancer Society! It's a great change to sweat out all that green beer!
