love and be loved

Hi everyone! Benn set me up with a running blog of my own so I hope to be checking in here sometimes.

My sister, Liana, wanted to workout tonight because she is starting to try to get in better shape, as she is moving to California in 2 months (without me!). I know she needs the motivation, so I thought we could use each other for support. We have an elliptical and treadmill set up right next to each other in my basement, so she jogged while I "ellipticized". I worked out for 30 minutes on the elliptical at 5-6/10 resistance. I stretched before and afterwards I like to take the time to do a lot of good stretching and some free weight lifting.

Today I met Benn on his break at work to chit chat and look at some cool travel books. Once he got out of work at 3pm, we headed up to Spa Park in Saratoga do try out some running with my recovering ankle.

We arrived in the parking lot and took a good 5 minutes of so changing into our layers of warm running clothes in our cramped cars. After that, we stretched and did a 2.32 mile loop in 26:07. It was extremely icy out and FREEZING.. I feel bad Benn has to put up with my doofyness as my shoe came untied, we had to trade gloves while running, and he had to give me his hat. We enjoyed watching all the xc skiiers and ice skaters. We passed 2 other runners and it was nice to see them braving the cold weather, too. We finished with some nice cool down stretches.

First day back at work at the Berkshire Center after the Holiday break. Booooo. Actually, it's not that bad - I'm excited to watch my students grow and progress through the semester. So, I got back tonight, stretched, and jumped on the elliptical. My injured ankle is a little swollen again, so I think I need to back off and ease back into running when it feels a bit better. I am going to elevate and ice it after I finish this entry.

I did 3 miles mostly at 6/10 resistance with a couple short (2-3 minute) intervals at 5/10 resistance to mix it up. Afterwards, I did my stretching routine and lifted free weights.

** I want to thank you all for welcoming me here with open arms. What I have learned from Benn and from your messages is that you are fun, friendly, and truly have each other's best interests at heart. Benn has been persuading me to join for quite a while, so I'm glad the time has come. Thanks all and thanks Benn! **

Stretched and went on the elliptical in my basement while my sister jogged on the treadmill. After 12 minutes at 5/10 resistance, we decided to swap machines. I ran at 6.0 speed with intervals at 5.8 for 20 minutes. Then I did a cool down at 4.0speed for a few minutes. Afterward, I did my stretching routine along with leg lifts and squats.

My sister and I took turns hauling in piles of wood for our woodstove for a good 10 minutes or so. After filling up the stove, I went back to free weight lifting and my fat cat, Ruby, came down to keep me company. Finished with arm stretches and tried to get the cat to walk on the treadmill.... it didn't work out so well. 

I did stretches in the basement and then went on the treadmill. I watched "Clean House" on tv and before I knew it I had run 4.1 miles! Then I did stretches, some free weights and leg lifts. 

Stretched. Benn and I decided to switch it up, so I ran on the treadmill while he tried out the elliptical. For some reason I sweat a lot more than I usually do during this workout. I think it probably has to do with me getting back to running after a long break and only using the elliptical. The woodstove in the basement + Benn's crazy body heat right next to me were probably a big factor, too! It was fun though and  afterward we did our usual stretching.

Had a conference call this morning at 10:00. When I was finished I heard the treadmill blasting away downstairs so I scurried into my workout clothes and jumped on the elliptical next to Benn. It sucks that my basement is so hot with the woodstove in the winter. OYE! It was a good workout though and we stretched and soaked off with paper towels afterward. I'm glad Benn is here. He is a good motivation to get my butt downstairs first thing in the morning instead of delaying a workout. It feels so much better to know I started my day off in a positive way and it sets me up nicely for the rest of the day. :)

Stretched. Ran on the treadmill at speed 6 for a 5K and did a short walk for a cool down. Did my stretching routine and leg lifts. Lifted free weights (only 5-lb.ers) and did some simple arm stretches. Then went upstairs to make breakfast and tea! :)

Stretched. Ran on the treadmill (stuck at 2% incline) for 3.5 miles. I began my run at 6mph and gradually increased until I got to 6.5mph. I ran the remaining 12 minutes at the 6.5mph. Afterward, I did the usual stretches, leg lifts, and (5lb) free-weight lifting. Right after that, my sister came home from her friend's house and we had to haul in tons of wood from outside for the woodstove. Nice workout!

Stretched and jumped on Benn's treadmill while he braved the outdoors. Ran a gradual 6.0 - 6.4 mph for 4 miles. I tried to put the treadmill on an incline, but when I tried it started making a funky noise... so I put it back down to 0%. Did a cooldown walk and gradually decreased speed from 4.0 - 3.8mph. Did good stretching afterward.

Lost my work schedule. Can't find it anywhere. I have no idea who I am teaching today or what I am going to teach them. Getting snowed in and definitely don't want to shovel. Got woken up by my cat at 6am this morning wanting to be fed. She is relentless. Got up and made breakfast for the two of us. Worked on some lawyer stuff and checked my email. Then went for a run.

Stretched and got on the treadmill at 6mph for 15 minutes. I began feeling queezy so I reduced speed to 5.8 and then to 5.4 and eventually 5.0mph. Then gradually worked my way back up to 6mph. Repeated these intervals a couple of times until I hit 3.2 miles. Felt throwy-upy so decided to call it a day. Took a few drinks of ice cold water from the faucet and felt a bit better. Stretched and lifted free weights while watching morning television.

I feel better now. :)

Asked my sister to be my workout buddy today. She agreed and we did a good mega workout! We did Power 90 (Cardio 1-2) which is an instructional exercise video that brings you through segments of lots of stretching, power yoga (Oye!), and bunch of cardio stuff like kickboxing, etc. We did 10 different-positioned crunches for a total of 140 or so. The video runs for 45 minutes and then we jumped on the exercis equiptment. My sister ran on the treadmill and I did the eliptical at level 5 resistance for 3.4 miles. At the end we were sweating bullets! We stretched again, got cleaned off, and I made smoothies. MMMMMmmmmmmm!

My sister and I had another workout "session" today. It's good that we are bonding now and she is really getting into physical exercise again. I think part of her motivation is from her moving to California in less than 2 months... but I like to think I had a little persuasive impact on her, too! hehe

We did Power 90 (Cardio 1-2) again today. Usually I would switch up the workout to do the Power 90 (Sculpt 1-2), but I missed it yesterday and didn't want to screw up my sister's schedule. Again, we did stretching, power yoga , cardio (kickboxing, etc). I did 10 different-positioned crunches for a total of about 137 I think. My muscles were burning! After the video, I ran on the treadmill while my sister went on the elliptical. I ran at 6mph for 1.25 miles and then worked gradually from 5.5 to 5mph and then back up until I finished 2.5 miles. Did a short 4mph cool down. Stretched.