Monday Musings

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Coco

A few weeks ago they were sampling Chobani® Champions at my grocery store. I tried all of the flavors, and while I thought I’d be putting Vanilla Chocolate Chunk in my grocery cart, I really liked Orange Vanilla best.  This weekend I found Chobani® Champions and fresh blackberries on sale at Target, and decided that they would make a wonderful breakfast combination.

Yum!

Have you tried Chobani® Champions? Which flavor do you like best?

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This weekend we had dinner with some friends-of-friends whom we used to see frequently, until our kids’ activities took over our “free” time. When I was chatting in the kitchen with the woman (who’s always been slender), she said

You look great! You used to have a weight problem, didn’t you?

I mumbled something about eating better and taking up running and changed the topic as quickly as possible.  

How do you respond to uncomfortable questions about your weight?

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About an hour before we were heading out for dinner, my husband (who has Type 2 diabetes) got a package of cookies out of the pantry and started munching. I wanted to ask him why he was doing that when (i) he knew it was horrible for his blood sugar and (ii) he knew that he would be indulging at dinner, but I bit my tongue and went back to folding laundry. I know I would be pissed if he interrogated me about my eating, but it is hard to watch someone do something that you know they will regret later.

Do you ever question another adult’s food choices?

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~Easter Greetings~

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Coco

Allelujiah!

I hope your Easter is filled with family fun

complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny!

(Yes, I love black licorice jelly beans!)

Happy Easter!

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Training Log: GW Parkway Classic (Week 1)

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Coco

The next race on my calendar is the GW Parkway Classic on April 22.

(My 2011 GW Parkway Classic finish line cheer!)

This is my favorite race for so many reasons, but the course has some rolling hills that won’t let you get away with slacking off on your conditioning.

This week I tried to strike a balance between recovering from the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler and getting ready for those hills.

Monday (Mix & Match Recovery Workout)
Elliptical: 15 min forward/reverse interval program
Weights: 15 min mostly upper body weights
Yoga: 25 min Rodney Yee “Forward Bends” program

Tuesday (Treadmill Recovery Run)
Manual program: 15 min walking/running warm-up, 30 min at 6.3 mph, 5 min cool-down

Wednesday (Full Weights Routine)
Walking: 1 mile morning dog walk
Weights: 5o min full body routine
Walking: 1 mile evening dog walk

Thursday (Neighborhood Hills)
Walking: 1 mile morning dog walk
Running: 4.25 miles, 41 minutes (avg pace = 9:40 min/mile)
Walking: 1 mile afternoon dog walk
Yoga: Rodney Yee “Twists” program
I’m not sure if the hills were too much, or if I did something else to my back but it feels like it is wound up tight on the left side. The Rodney Yee “Twists” program felt good, but didn’t quite do the trick.

Friday (Modified Weights Routine)
Elliptical: 15 min random program
Weights: 45 min modified full body routine
My back could not do deadlifts, but I managed some toe touches instead to loosen things up. I went back to regular squats instead of my single-leg squats to give my sore butt a break! At my chiropractor appointment I took advantage of the hydromassage bed and asked her to do some massage work. The only place she found tender spots was in my glutes, so I guess I will lay off my single-leg squats for a little while longer. My back still bothered me throughout the day, until I finally took some Alleve last night. That seemed to do the trick-phew!

Saturday (Long Run on WO & D)
I met my friend for a run near her house, where we could face some hill but not too many. It was a crisp morning (upper 30s/low 40s), but I was fine with a long-sleeve top and running tights.
Total Distance: 8.14 miles
Total Time: 1:14
Avg. Pace: 9.07 min/mile
Splits: 9:50, 9:08, 8:50, 9:17, 9:33 8:48, 8:53, 8:36
Boy, these splits are all over the place! Some of the differences correlate with long uphill or downhill stretches, but others just reflect us trying to find our groove.

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With One Arm Tied Behind Her Back!

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Coco

While I was basking in the glow of my Cherry Blossom 10 Miler PR, I learned that there was one other woman at work who ran the race. This surprised me, because she recently was in a bicycling accident and is recovering from a broken shoulder and other serious injuries. She told me that in the days leading up to the race she was getting really disappointed at the thought of missing it because she had been seeded–she is the type of runner that actually wins races–and she finally decided to just “jog” the course.

Map of course showing selected leaders

Being the curious person that I am, I dashed back to my desk to look up her finish time. I was not surprised to learn that her “jog” was faster than my PR, and had to laugh when I realized that she had beaten me with one arm tied behind her back immobilized in a shoulder brace!

Her accomplishment did not burst the bubble of my PR, but is a good reminder of why you have to run your own race.

Do you compare yourself to other runners?

Have you ever been mad because someone beat you?

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday (The Cherry Blossom 10 Miler Edition)

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Coco

I was in such a good mood after I crossed the finish line at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler that I decided to pose for a finisher picture.
I’m glad I did, because none of the race pictures turned out–I usually was in the middle of the road and at least partially blocked by someone closer to the photographer.
At least I have this sweaty smile to help me remember my PR!

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