Sunday Inspiration - 4/6/08

It's Sunday and as usual, I have been busier than I probably should be. (Something about this being a day of rest...)

Yesterday I ran the route for the AIDS Run/Walk. I wanted to try it to see if I would survive well enough next week to make an appearance an hour later at Hy-Vee Hall. I did. In fact, I ran it in 34 minutes flat! The 34 is impressive for three reasons: 1. Last fall on an almost completely flat course I ran 36:19; 2. I have run 5Ks on the treadmill recently at 34:40 and 34:20, and I only threw in a few inclines; 3. The time is astounding because there were hills! Not little inclines on the treadmill, honest to God Iowa mountains!

Now, before anyone calls me on that, of course I am exaggerating on the 'mountains'. But damn, there was one hill I didn't even attempt to run, I simply walked it. Overall, it was an amazing challenge. I am glad I did it. And barring rain or snow, I'll do it again next weekend.

The other thing about Sunday around here is inspiration...

I went looking for inspiration and I have found it for you. Her name is Jessica and she has lost 140 pounds over the past 6 years. She has done it the right way - eating right and exercising. She is as adamant against 'magic pills' and surgery as I am. She agrees that it is a lifestyle change that makes for permanent weight loss and nothing else.

Here you can check out Jessica's Blog.

On Tuesday I will show you my version of computer generated 'before' and 'after' pics inspired by the ones on her page. While I do not believe I am done with my body yet, the pics really woke me up AND made me happy with where I am.

Yours in health, Kate

Sometimes "oops" just isn't enough

This picture is to represent what stupid looks like. See it's me and today I am feeling uber-stupid.

They came to me at work last week and said, "Hey, can you help us out and do a remote at the Boomer Expo on April 12th?" I said, "Sure." I knew the date sounded familiar, but I let it go.

Then it hit me - that's the day of the AIDS Run/Walk! O.k., I think. I don't have to be at the remote until 10:45. The race begins at 9, I can be done, showered and at Hy-Vee Hall by 10:45.

Then yesterday I was editing my interview with Rhea from the AIDS Project of Central Iowa and I hear her say, "...and the race begins at 10 a.m.". Uh, what? Rewind. "...at 10 a.m." Crap, that's what I thought I heard.

Nope, definitely can't run 3.1 miles, shower and be at Hy-Vee Hall by 10:45 a.m. Double crap!

So, I have concocted a plan and cleared it with Rhea. I am running the race at 9 a.m. She says the route markers will be up, but no barricades and my timing chip won't work. I let her know I would run on the sidewalks if necessary and I am not worried about professional timing. I'll just use my handy-dandy Timex. The timing is for me, not to compete, because believe me - I am no competition for anyone, especially on hills.

She said that would be fine, thank God. I have been training, though not on hills as much as I should, so I really want to do this. Plus, I have a couple of people that are doing it because of me, so I don't want to let them down. Now, I have to tell them my 'plan'. (And they don't even know there's a problem. Hi, Annette. {sheepish grin})

Of course the moral of the story is... look at your damn schedule, so you don't have to look stupid - see picture above if you have questions.

By the way, if you want to be a last minute entrant in the AIDS Run/Walk follow that link.

Yours in unbridled insanity, um, er, health, Kate

P.S. - That picture is from my brother Gordon's b-day party, so the man arm you see is him, not some hot romantic interest. (Double damn.)

How to Accidentally Run a 5K

It was my second day back at Fitness World West. I warmed up with 10 minutes on the bike, did some abs, pull-ups, weights and inner/outer thighs. Time for the treadmill, I figure I will hit it for 20 minutes to complete my 30 minutes of cardio and head back to the weights.

I get on the brand spanking new treadmill at the far end. I used it yesterday and I like it - it feel a lot like running on the ground AND there's plenty of room to swing your arms. I tend to really pump when I am running and was always hitting myself on rails, now I am cool. (Of course, it also has an LCD TV like every other piece of cardio equipment at FWW, so if you want to catch up on CNN or SoapNet, you are set.)

Anyway, I notice it has many fancy setting including one marked 5K. I think, 'interesting, I am training for a 5K'. I decide to push the button to see what paces it puts me through and figure I will bow out at my planned 20 minutes.

-A two minute warm-up and it pushes me up to 6 miles-an-hour. O.k., I can do this, I have been working my way up to this speed all winter during what little time I spent running.
-Five minutes go by, not bad, I'm pretty good at this speed.
-Another 5 and it's time for a one minute walk to regulate my breathing.
-Back up and going and 6 more go by. I realize if I stop at 20 I will only have run for 17 minutes, so I have to go to 23. All right, 23 it is.
-I hit the 20 and have to slow down for a minute. Whoops, just added another minute I need to run. On to 24.
-24 ticks onto the timer, well, I might as well make it even at 25.
-25, hey, I've made it well over two miles already. A 5K is only 3.1, what the hell, let's push through.

So, I did. Two more 45 second bouts of walking and I finish the run in 34:42. That is a 1 minute, 37 second improvement over my race time in October. I have just proven two things - I can still run 3.1 miles and I can do it in less time.

The thing yet to be proven? Can I do it on the rolling terrain South of Grand? That remains to be seen.

Yours in fitness, Kate

The Next Challenge

I teased on Sunday that I have picked my next 'thing'. That goal I believe everyone should put out there to improve their fitness.

It's the AIDS Walk/Run 2008 to benefit the AIDS Project of Central Iowa. It is happening April 12th at 10 a.m. and it starts at Des Moines University. I will be running the 5K on the "hilly" course.

That last part is the most important one. Hills, running and me. Frankly that threesome has never been my friend, so that will be challenge #1. Challenge #2 is shaving time of my personal best. O.k., I have only run one race, but hey that was my best! (Here's a link to remind you.)

I ran it in 36:19. So, my goal is to beat my time by 1 minute. That may not sound like a lot, but when you haven't been running much, it feels like a lot. That's taking about 20 seconds off each mile.

So, I have already started running again. The stairs will become a once in a while thing until I get closer to the 801 next year. One of my favorite things about this race is that, once again, it is for a great cause. Who doesn't feel great doing good things for others while doing good for yourself?

Yours in fitness, Kate