INSANITY - Day 47 & 48

Today was Max Interval Circuit and Core Cardio & Balance.

I'm so tired I can barely type. Even though I am grateful to be caught up, tonight was a testament to how it must be a priority to get these workouts done on the day intended. I can't keep do these double workouts...it's taking too much out of me. Doing them late at night must end, too! Even if it means getting up an hour early, these workouts must be done on their assigned days!

I started off strong with Max Interval Circuit, but had little to nothing to give by the time of Core Cardio & Balance. This cannot be allowed to happen again.

Distractions be damned!

Tomorrow: REST DAY

INSANITY - Day 45 & 46

Today was Max Cardio Conditioning, Cardio Abs and Cardio Recovery.

It's DONE and that's ALL THAT MATTERS!

Tomorrow: Max Interval Circuit

INSANITY - Day 44

Today is Max Interval Circuit and Max Interval Plyo.

I finished Max Interval Circuit this morning and will do Max Interval Plyo this evening. There will be no back-to-backs. It took a lot to get through this; I'm not in the right place physically or spiritually right now. It would be so nice to just stay in bed, but that is not an option. Must push forward.

UPDATE: Finished Max Interval Plyo.

Tomorrow:  Max Cardio Conditioning and Cardio Abs

INSANITY - Day 43

Today is Fit Test and Max Interval Circuit. Two big doses of hell and I'm starting them late again. Ugh...

UPDATE: Fit Test

Here's the breakdown:

53 switch kicks
32 power jacks
89 power knees
7 power jumps (UNBELIEVABLE!)
8 globe jumps
10 suicide jumps
2 push-up jacks (hurray!)
12 low-plank obliques

The increase wasn't nearly as dramatic as it has been in the past, in fact, I did one less power knee than last test. But at least it is done and I am still pushing forward. Didn't do Max Interval Circuit. Will do it tomorrow.


Tomorrow is Max Interval Plyo.

INSANITY - Day 42

Today was Core Cardio & Balance. Oh, how HAPPY I was to see a Month 1 workout! I waited really late again, which was stupid, but I finished a few seconds before midnight. What is so strange is that I've got two more weeks of the entire program, but I can't wait to start Round 2 of it! Tomorrow: Rest Day

"Just a 5K"

Since Warrior Dash is sold out, I was thinking about doing another 5K on Oct. 6. As I wondered if I should skip it since that would be my last week of Insanity Round 1, I absently thought, "It's just 5K...I can still do my Insanity workout." A 5K was something I wasn't sure I could do such a short time ago, and now it's "just a 5K".

INSANITY - Day 41

Today was Max Cardio Conditioning and Cardio Abs. I was dreading this combo all day, but it turned out pretty well. I shouldn't have waited as late as I did, but still, good workout! When I was done with Max Cardio Conditioning, for a brief second there was a moment of terror that this might be a new Cardio Abs specifically for Month 2. I cannot put into words how happy I was to see a workout from Month 1! It's done and I'm still on schedule, despite the late workout. And I just realized that tomorrow is Core Cardio & Balance from Recovery Week, which is SUCH a welcome! I might be able to actually run tomorrow! Wait...running is banned until I can get new insoles or (preferably) new kicks.

Tomorrow: Core Cardio & Balance (YAY!!!!)

INSANITY - Day 39 & 40

Today was Max Interval Plyo and Max Recovery. I'm just grateful I'm back on schedule!  

Tomorrow: Max Cardio Conditioning and Cardio Abs (yay...)

Fat America: A Short Thought

I saw another report on how obesity is hurting America. I think that race entry fees be considered as tax deductions.

Another Executive Decision

Doing Insanity workout tomorrow. Waited too late again. Can't keep doing these late-night workouts.

INSANITY program - Day 38

Today was Max Interval Circuit.

I did manage to do this earlier (not as early as I should have, but still better than midnight). As a result, I could commit more to the workout. At some points I was very surprised to see that I could attempt some of the exercises that I had thought would not be possible for me for weeks.

But I'm sore, tired and have a horrible case of the runchies. It started the day after the race and I have been just hungry all day no matter what I ate since.

Tomorrow: Max Interval Plyo

Fat American

Another study on how fat America is and how much fatter it's going to get just came out. I'm feeling sensitive and defensive because, well...I'm fat. I feel like the world is looking at me and blaming me and my fat cohorts for everything from the economy to global warming.

Even after my race--my first 10K--the guy who helped take my monstrously heavy bag to my car asked me if I was going to "start taking care of [myself] now." I ripped into him so hard he was babbling apologies. The problem with being at the beginning of your journey is that no one sees it except for you and the people that are always around you...and sometimes even that isn't enough (see "Have you lost weight yet?" post) because being healthy is wrapped up in size. And it can be exhausting.

It's even more exhausting when you know that despite your size, you are healthier than they are.

INSANITY program - Day 37

Today is Max Cardio Conditioning.

Haven't done it yet but will in a few minutes.

UPDATE: OK, a few minutes turned into a lot of minutes, but it's done. I can't keep doing these late workouts. I get nothing out of them because I'm too tired to commit.

Tomorrow (well, technically later today): Max Interval Circuit

10K

Yesterday I did the BGR/AARP Inaugural 10K. I can't believe I did it. I keep looking at that finisher medal and it doesn't look real.

It was a hilly course and I couldn't run the whole thing, but I ran what I could. What bothered me wasn't the distance, but those hills! I think if the course was flat, it was possible to do the whole thing as a slow run. That is enough for hope and joy! It seems like a race is the only crowd that doesn't make me panic. I don't know if it is because of all the positive energy around me, or because I'm too busy worrying about the race itself, but in that moment I felt part of something bigger and more special than myself, and that felt wonderful. Plus, I got to meet my BGR run group for the first time; we have all been encouraging each other on the Internet. There was an initial awkwardness, and then it seemed like every woman in that room were sisters.

Pre-Race: I didn't get any sleep the night before, of course, I never do. Always afraid that I'll oversleep and miss the race or just regular pre-race jitters. During the line up I was in this panic that I was lined up wrong.

Mile 1: Awesome! I had a stride and tried to keep it nice and easy to keep my energy up.

Mile 1:03 : First hill. Made executive decision to conserve energy and walk up hill and run down hill.

Mile 2: My watch is off by 0.8 miles, which is mildly irritating.

Mile 3 & 4: I'm kinda ticked by now. That chick said there were some hills, this is ALL hills!

Mile 5: I'm really ticked by now. Five miles of hills. Big effing hills. I'm glad I over-stuffed my shoes with insoles. I want to meet the person who designed this course so I can punch her in the face.

Mile 6: When I saw the mile marker, the first thing that popped into my head was "Where the **** is that finish line?!?" I'm thinking that maybe the last mile is at least a little flat so I can at least jog the last mile. No dice! Now I'm calling the person who designed the race everything but a child of God.

Last 0.2: I told myself that it's just 0.2 of a mile left. Just push through it. I did my Rocky arms while going through the finish line. I don't know if I was the last person or not, but by that time it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that finish line. I did a 10K!

I stayed behind for a short while to celebrate with the other runners, but I was tired and desperately wanted to go home, so I told one of the run group members to say goodbye for me and I got on the road. What a journey this has been! In January, I had zero races under my belt. February, did my first 5K. Then went on to do two more 5Ks, two mud runs and two fun runs, and now my 1st 10K! I can't believe it! Eight races in eight months!

All I can say is wow.

INSANITY program - Day 35 & 36

Wow I'm behind!

Those days were Max Interval Circuit and Max Interval Plyo.

I did do both in the same day. Don't recommend doing that again.

Today is Max Cardio Conditioning.

Yeah...no.

After wisdom got the better of me, I have decided not to attempt two workouts in the same day. I don't like pain, especially if it is stupidity-inspired pain.

INSANITY program - Day 34

Yesterday/Today was Max Recovery.

Even though I couldn't complete some of the exercises and it was much longer, I surprisingly liked this one better than Cardio Recovery. I wish I had completed it earlier, though. This probably is just wishful thinking, but I'm hoping I can do Friday and Saturday's workout today so that I can have Saturday as a rest day. With the race on Sunday, it would be good to have one full rest day.

Later today is Max Interval Circuit.

INSANITY program - Day 33

Today was Max Cardio & Conditioning.

Can we say awesome? This is my favorite workout from Month 2, and not just because it is the shortest. Even though I couldn't do everything in the workout, I felt I got more bang for my buck. My knee was feeling better so I could commit a bit more as well. I am still going to take it easy by not adding runs for a while, but it was a great relief to be able to do this workout. I am not looking forward to the combo workout in the coming days, but as of right now, this workout is awesome!

Tomorrow: Max Recovery

TDEE

I found out yesterday that a thing called "TDEE" existed and what it was. It's an unnecessary acronym for the caloric calculator I've been using. The actual term is Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) Calculator. I'm glad it exists, because it is beyond frustrating when the pro-diet industry slaps that standard 1200-1800 calories a day model on every woman despite size and activity level. It doesn't take a genius to know that if bigger cars use more gas, then people with different bodies must use varying amounts of calories. Even if I sat on my butt all day, I would use up more calories that the standard 1200-1800 calorie diet model.

I know I haven't been getting the calories I need lately, and I know that can cause more harm that good, but I didn't realize that I would need more than 3000! I'm thinking about getting back on Shaun T's plan for a while, or maybe morphing it with the recipes I like for a smooth transition back into regular cooking.

INSANITY Program - Day 32

Yesterday was Max Interval Plyo.

I thought I already posted this, but I guess I didn't. I tried to take it easy yesterday because of the twinge in my knee. I even did the workout in compression socks, thinking that would help. It didn't. In fact, I will never do an Insanity workout in compression socks again. My feet were swollen and hurting so much that I could barely walk by the time I got home that afternoon. But I am proud that I got up early enough to do it seeing that I had such a long day ahead of me. Still experiencing residual soreness. I hate that I couldn't apply myself to the workout the way I wanted to do. Also, now I know that eating breakfast before an Insanity workout is a necessity.

Executive decision time: no running (outside of the race) until I have adjusted to Month 2. Which stinks, but not as much as getting hurt would.

Today: Max Cardio Conditioning

INSANITY Program - Day 31, Fit Test #3

I start Month 2 today. Whereas Month 1 let a Fit Test be your workout, Month 2 isn't so generous. I'm going to take a breather between the two because the urge to throw up is strong.

Despite my overwhelming urge to pay homage to the porcelain thrown, this Fit Test was AMAZING! My goal--my hope--was to do one more of each, except for the Power Jumps and the Push-Up Jacks because I have not done one the entire time. But today, something told me to just try the Power Jumps. Just try to do one. I tried, and did FIVE. Yep, FIVE. Not as high as Shaun T's crew, but for me, that was a moon landing! I decided to attempt to do a Push-Up Jack. Technically I did three, but only counted it as one since I fell completely to the ground. I'm in awe. I never thought I would see my body do things like this. I have an unending sense of hope now for my health.

Here's the breakdown:

50 switch kicks
30 power jacks
90 power knees
5 power jumps (UNBELIEVABLE!)
8 globe jumps
10 suicide jumps
1 push-up jacks (hurray!)
10 low-plank obliques

UPDATE: As for the actual Month 2 Day 1 workout, today was Max Interval Circuit:

What can I say? This workout was about 20 minutes too long. Of course, I really can't complain because I half-@ssed it. This wasn't from laziness, but because I felt a twinge in my knee earlier today and panicked. I didn't apply myself out of fear. Which stinks, because I really, really wanted to apply myself, but I can't take the risk of an injury. I can't risk anything that could ruin running for me. The gameplan is to spend the next 24 hours in compression socks and hopefully I can come back tomorrow swinging.

At least my Fit Test went well.

Tomorrow: Max Interval Plyo

"Have you lost weight yet?"

I've posted a couple of workouts on Facebook and mentioned to people that I've taken up running. I'm wondering if I should stop doing that. My natural enthusiasm and excitement about finally digging my heels into the sport I love may need to be taken down a bit. Why? Because no one gets it. If I swallowed a jar of tapeworms and added the caveat that I'm doing it for weight loss, people would nod and just say "Oh." It would probably be followed with some unsolicited dieting advice.

But if you say you are running because you like running, and you are doing a tough exercise program because you want to be stronger to be a better runner, people think you've lost your mind. They can't seem to wrap their heads around it. I went to a luncheon and didn't eat anything. Why? Because I had already eaten before I found out about the luncheon, and frankly, I'm sick of stuffing my face for the sake of being polite. When I said I was on an eating plan for a workout program, the first question is "Have you lost weight yet?" When I told them it was so I could be a better runner, they became a table of deer and I was the headlights.

Someone asked me how was I doing at a reception. I mentioned that I was getting ready for my first 10K. The response was, "Oh, you're running...have you lost weight yet?" I'm starting to view that question to be up there with "Aren't you going to get married?" and "Don't you think you should have a child before you get too old?" I even had to snap at my niece because she decided to critique my grocery list, stating "You can't have that...you're on a diet." I replied, "I'm not on a diet, you are just projecting your own issues." She's 18 and she was asking for it.

I'm not in this for weight loss. Being a human bobble head is not the objective. I'm doing this because I want to be stronger, I want to be healthier, and dammit, I want to run farther and faster. My No. 1 priority is to become a better runner. I view weight loss as a side effect, nothing more. I'm not on an effing diet, I'm morphing my lifestyle. Girls go on diets, women push for healthier lifestyles and I'm a WOMAN, dammit!

I'm fat. I know that. No one needs to tell me that. But I'm checking calories because I want to maximize the fuel I put in my body so I can move faster and stronger. Do I want to get smaller? Of course? Why? Because I'll move faster and it's effing impossible to find run gear in my size.

But that's it. That is as far as the weight concerns go. You can go on a diet if you want, but don't expect me to come along for the ride. I've evolved beyond that.

Stats Check

My decision to document my journey has less to do with being weight-centric and more to do with the fact that I just want snapshots of the trip. The fact that I love to design charts is a factor as well.

Today's stats show me losing 4.8 lbs and 2.5 inches, with a full inch off the hips. I'm not listing the start-off stats until after Round 3 of Insanity, because that's just how I do things. At first I was a little disappointed, because I have been faithful to this program, but then I remembered that this is a representation of the flow of my body. I never lose weight in the beginning, and if I do, it's not a lot. It takes months for my body to catch up with the work and then the next thing I know, I'm wondering why my pants won't stay up.

But what really matters is what I've gained in ability, and what I've gained in mileage. I've accomplished things now that I didn't think I would be able to do for another year. I went from struggling to run 2 miles to sailing through 4 mile runs. I ran around The Bend. That is a lot to accomplish in a month!

Knowing when to chill

I waited too late to get out this morning. I've run in this temperature before, but today it just seemed to take a lot more out of me. Wanted to push for 6 mi, but at 1.5 mi, my Spidey Sense was telling me to sit this one out. Going to spend the rest of the day walking around in my compression socks. Can't take the chance of getting hurt before my next milestone race. I'm going to grant myself a time-out so I can come back swinging.

INSANITY Program - Day 30, End of Recovery Week

Today was also...guess? Core Cardio & Balance!

Not sure why I was so anxious to end this all tonight. Possibly because I am going to try to run tomorrow, but it became an imperative for me to complete tomorrow's workout today.

I must say I went out better than I came into this week! The traditional cascade of sweat happened, although not as bad as normal. I've been reluctant to stretch well this week, but tonight I would have stayed an hour in the hip flexor stretch if I could.

Tomorrow: run (?)

INSANITY Program - Day 29

Today was Core Cardio & Cardio Balance.

For the first time, I actually got to enjoy this workout! No late-night slugfests or that-run-just-took-my-mojo side effects. And you know what? I really like this workout! By far my fav out of the entire program! Not too fond of the shoulder-killer segment, but this is a pleasant workout. I am debating on doing the one for tomorrow today so that I can have a clear run day tomorrow.

Can't believe this week is almost over. I am scared as ten hells of next week.

Tomorrow: same thing

INSANITY Program - Day 28

Today was Core Cardio & Balance.

I didn't get it completed until late again. Too many distractions taking up so much time. I question if I should have done it right after my run, but I was really, really exhausted by that time.

Tomorrow (well, technically today): same thing

"The Bend"

A marvelous thing happened this morning: I conquered "The Bend."

The gameplan was to run 5 mi this morning on flatter terrain, but at the last minute I decided to attempt The Bend. The Bend is 3.4 mi long loop, but it's a series of rolling, long inclines and a few notorious hills that even at my thinnest I dreaded walking. The Bend is also home of my long-time nemesis, the Pole and its big brother, The Bigger Pole. I passed both of them and even passed their even bigger parents, Monster Pole #1 and Monster Pole #2. I don't know what is the worst part of it, the hills or those long, slow inclines that promise to flatten out but never really do. Sometimes I wonder if the person that invented Chinese Water torture saw this path in a dream and was inspired by it.

But today I RAN IT! True, sometimes I had gotten to the point where I was down to a snail's pace, but I RAN THE BEND! What was so doubly awesome was that as I was beating the last hill, I had a "movie moment". You know those moments when the sun is shining just right, the music on your iPod is at that one inspirational song and you hit your stride at the moment that song really starts cranking up? I hit the top of the hill while all this was going on, and if that wasn't awesome enough, U2's Beautiful Day started playing right as the route was ending...perfect movie moment.

I can't help but think about January, when I was scared I that I wouldn't be able to walk it! Today, I RAN IT! And not only that, but in 76% humidity and a heat index of almost 90 degrees (yeah...probably not doing that again, but I digress). Oh hell yeah...I EARNED this cup of chocolate milk!

And you know what's crazy? I can't wait to do it again.

INSANITY Program - Day 27

Today was Core Cardio & Balance.

The amount of half-@ssery I committed during this workout is downright shameful. I'm so exhausted. These late-night rendezvous with Shaun T cannot continue. I want my daytime workouts back.

Tomorrow: Core Cardio & Balance.

Election Side Effects

I hate election season. I pay attention to it out of a sense of duty and because I have a political blog, but the nonsense that comes with election season sticks in my craw. I had no intention of watching either convention, but did because I will have to write about it. I was supposed to participate in a televised panel, but life jumped in and I had to send a cancel to the invitation. I hate letting people down, but the situation was unavoidable.

But I digress.

I'm tired. Sleep would be so nice now, but it just seems like there is so much to do. And I'm doubly exhausted because I'm in the wrong part of the country during this time. Don't know if there really is a purgatory, but if there is, then being a Black Roman Catholic woman with an opinion not espoused of the Vatican in Tea Party country should count as time served.

At least I can distract myself with races until it's over.

INSANITY Program - Day 26

Today is Core Cardio & Balance.

I've waited until the absolute last minute to do this. Time just got away from me. I am starting this on Tuesday, but will finish on Wednesday because there is less than 23 minutes left in this day. Must not let this happen again, but at least it is being done.

UPDATE: Completed. I began half-@ssing it, and then I realized the only person I was hurting was myself. Hopefully, tomorrow will have fewer distractions from the schedule.

Tomorrow: Same thing.

INSANITY Program - Day 25

Today was Core Cardio & Balance...the entire week will be Core Cardio & Balance.

I liked it. Someone told me it was really hard, but it was essentially a long Stage-1 warm-up. Of course, I must consider the source. Said individual works out like nobody's business, so yeah, she would be tired. I appreciate that Shaun T respects the need to chill out between months. It's good to know how thought out this program is. I plan on taking it easy, but it would be nice to sneak in an extra run this week. It would be really, really, really wonderful to make goal mileage by Saturday!

Come on get higher, run a 4-miler

Signed up for my first 10K last week. It's next weekend. I told myself that when I could run 4 miles straight, I would feel more comfortable about this upcoming 10K. Guess what I did this morning? :)

With every mile, the Mercedes half-marathon in February seems like a less scary proposition.

Postponed Milestone

I think that any time you run that one extra mile, that is a milestone and should be celebrated. We really don't appreciate the work it takes to accomplish each mile, and every time that length is increased, an amazing thing has taken place.

Today I was supposed to attempt to run four miles for the first time. But the current temperature and humidity suggested that I should wait and try to go at an earlier time tomorrow. Or maybe I will just wait until it is cooler and try again this afternoon. I really wanted Sunday to be a day off so I am fresh for the next round of Insanity Monday morning.