The one thing that interferes with my running:

SLEEP!  (Or, my lack of it, which then leads to various reasons why I miss morning runs.)  I was supposed to get in a long run with my girlfriends this morning, but I fell asleep on the couch before the plans were finalized.  Talk about annoying!  I probably should have picked up the phone instead of waiting for emails to go back and forth.  Oh well.  Sleeping until 7am and going down for the night by 9pm was so luxurious and so necessary, apparently.  

The exercise routine went well this week.  I did not swim, as I had planned, but I did use the eliptical machine for 30 minutes in addition to running in the morning.  So, I finally made it back to the gym this week.  I'm trying so hard to get over there, so that I justify the monthly fee to my husband (and, more importantly, myself!).  Three times in one week and two days of running is very good, considering that I haven't been to the gym since MARCH.  

This week is full of after school meetings, I have three.  (That's A LOT!)  So, I will be lucky to get to the gym twice.  I still have my eye on the classes, but it's not going to happen this week.  And, since I missed the long run this morning, I'm shooting for tomorrow.  This morning light is just splendid, and I can't wait to get out on the streets on a quiet, sleepy Sunday morning.  If I get in an hour and a half, I'll be incredibly happy.  It's been a wonderful week of running and exercising, I just need a goal to work towards now...  

A Sore Belly!

Yowsers!  My belly's sore!  I've done virtually NO abdominal exercises all winter long. I should have, but at the end of the day I have no desire to lay down and do sit ups.  So, this week I've really made an effort to get back into the routine of sit ups/ ab roller/ bicycle kicks every night.  I have a silly little routine that I do, but I think it will eventually pay off.  (I hope so, anyway...)  If you don't have an ab roller, you should look into purchasing one!  I've had mine since college (senior year) and I absolutely LOVE that thing!  It works your arms and your abs.  I can tell a difference after using that thing for a week.  (Seriously!)

 I didn't make it to the exercise class this morning.  We haven't slept through the night in over a week now, and I just really have a hard time waking at two with Nicholas and then knowing that I have to be up by four.  (It's all a mind game.)  However, I did go to the gym twice this week in the afternoon and managed to get in an elliptical workout and weights. The elliptical is a HARD workout for me and it's definitely not as much fun as running outside!  It's good to work different muscles, though, right?  (I hope...)

So, tomorrow's plan includes a run and swimming in the afternoon.  Swimming is going to be tough, too.  I haven't been in the pool since MARCH.  It feels good to be back in the swing of things, and getting back to a normal workout routine.  I can't wait for a long run this weekend, too!

Cross Training while Marathon Training...

Today I went to the gym! For the first time in over a month!  Acck.  Not something I'm proud of, by the way....

Just last evening, Josh and I had a conversation about the ole' gym membership.  I feel like I should go ahead and cancel it because I don't think I'm going often enough to justify the cost.  He disagrees.  (How I love him...) We've had a few blips here and there over the past six weeks, so it has been difficult to get to the gym for one reason or another.  I truly don't want to give up the membership because I love the wellness center.  It's so nice and clean- the steam room is reason alone not to drop the membership.  And, I'm always in the best mood when I leave that place.  The people there are great, particularly the receptionist.  It would be hard to part with that membership, but if it doesn't make sense financially, then I will.

The marathon program calls for two days of cross training a week.  One workout is just a half an hour and the other is about forty minutes.  Both are completely do-able.  I'm just trying to figure out a schedule so that the cross training interferes as little as possible with Josh and the kiddos.  It's going to be a challenge, but I think I've got things figured out for the moment.  In addition to the cardio workouts, I would like to add a little weight training.  (Which, was going well until I messed up my back!)

So, as it stands Week 2 of marathon training is going great.  I'm really excited about having a goal and focusing on something positive.  I have to admit that I'm praying that the training continues to go well and that I remain injury free.  : )

For the first time ever...

I'm joining a gym today.  Uggh.  I've always taken pride in my "free" sport, and enjoying the great outdoors.  It's only for a little while, I keep telling myself.  It turns out that I have a Calcaneal Heel Spur, which hurts like a son-of-a-gun! It's almost been a week since I have run, and it looks like I will have another week to go.  The PA gave me these fancy little heel cups to ease the pain and tension in my heel. They are heavenly little things.  The downside is that I am wearing sneakers all the time.  The pain is definitely less, though, and that's more important than anything right now.  

So, tomorrow cross training starts!  I picked up a pair of goggles yesterday and I'm going to pull out my lap swimming suit tonight.  I sure hope I don't regret spending the money on this gym.  If anything, I think I'll get up and go just because of having to pay monthly.  Time will tell...