Carmen Electra and 3 inch heels

Not surprisingly, those two things are related. On our rest day, which is Monday, Marc and I decided to do a workout tape here at home. Carmen Electra has her Striptease workouts, which are actually pretty fun, and although most are dancing, one of them is this nice "Fit to Strip" video which has some good Core exercises. Well, Marc and I did the exercises, but on Tuesday I felt like heck when I got up. My inner thigh was really tight and I had a sore spot on my back (I've done the tape before and did not get these results) So whatever. I got dressed in my pretty sweater and khakis and put on my nice new boots from DSW. They have a 3 inch heel, which makes me really tall, but I like them and they are nice. Well they hurt all day. Usually not so badly, but my foot was moving around in them and I built up some nice little blisters in the center of my feet. So badly that I took the shoes off to walk to the car in 30 degree weather. So I get home and change into my workout close. I'm not feeling so hot because of my feet, but we have a 3 mile run ahead of. We get to the drill hall, we start running and 10 seconds in I want to die. My feet were on FIRE. My back was killing me, my inner thigh throbbing! I tried to keep running and I ran/walked for 25 minutes, but I thought I was going to die. All of a sudden I felt the urge to vomit and had to hobble-run to the restroom where I lost my cookies (I don't eat cookies but I was trying to be classy). It was awful. I was then in horrible heartburn like pain as I went back to Marc who had successfully completed his distance. I made it like 1.8 miles and couldn't do it anymore, so we packed up and went home. Today I woke up and my legs are super tight and my bum bum is really sore and my back feels worse. Several people made "too much sex" comments at work because of my highly awkward gait, but don't worry, not an issue! I'm sitting here taking a break from packing for our trips home these next 11 days and my thighs are killing me from my short jaunts up and down the stairs. That damn Carmen Electra and those damned boots!

I am not sure how Marc and I are going to workout for the holiday. Most of the places are going have treadmills, but we are also not looking to be too anti social. We're going to cold weather places (Indiana and Michigan) so it will probably be too cold there to run, though we may be able to run outside in North Carolina. We're bringing workout clothes but we make no promises. I'll tell you what I'm not doing; that stupid Fit to Strip video, though I highly recommend it, it just rubbed me the wrong way this time.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Sunday Training

Well thank goodness we ran our longer run yesterday because we had a very late party last night. We had a great time with our friends and we partied until about 2 am, which is not like us at all! It was fun and I think most of our guests had a great time too, and for those who didn't, well too bad for them because everyone else did (some people were being snotty because apparently our party wasn't run the way they would have preferred!)

Marc and I ran a short two mile run this morning (ok, it was like 11:30 because we were tired.) Marc ran 8 minute miles, and I ran at 6.0 for most of it and then kicked it up to 7 for the last 1/4 mile. I think I am really improving as of late with all this practice and although I'm not "confident" by any means, I do have a little bit of hope.

I decided to post my training log here. I'm going to make a link on the side too. I think the training log really helps me, I like seeing my accomplishments and I'd like to keep it updated for the year next year and see my mileage. That would be pretty interesting.

We also played racquetball and I think that I should get a most improved player award. I held my own and actually burned some big time calories while playing because I was in the winning spirit. Yes, I lost, but the spirit was strong!!

A 4 Mile Run, A 4 Mile Run

After typing that I realized that it was actually a 3 mile tour for Gilligan's Island, but if anyone dares to judge me then I will shun you from my inner circle :-)

Marc and I ran the 4 miles required for our training today. Marc ran it straight through, I had a little trouble, but stopped in 30 second spurts for a total of 2 minutes, so it wasn't really that bad for me either. I just get so overheated when I run and I think that the drill hall really likes to keep it warm enough for the workers there, not taking into consideration that others are sweating A LOT. Well, at least I am.

I also discovered that I really need to find some new running shorts and perhaps new running undies (and a bra for that matter). Not that anyone really cares, but after sweating for so long I just become a "swampy" mess and its really quite uncomfortable. I feel like I need a diaper change after mile 3. I also came home and stripped down from my shower and realized that I had two nice little abrasions where my underwire from my sports bra was rubbing. Here, 8 hours later it still hurts, so I need to get a new sports bra as well. I'm not sure if anyone has any suggestions on a sports bra or workout shorts/undies. I have the nice shorts that have the little "built in" dri-weave briefs, but I'm pretty sure I need something on under that. I don't want to run commando. As for the bra, I guess Oprah had some bra on there for big breasted women, so I need to do a search for that. Currently I wear the underwire and a compression and I don't know what's going to hold me in. Ok, enough icky stuff.

Tonight Marc and I are hosting a Christmas party. It should be really nice. We've got all sorts of yummy snacks lined up and others are going to bring snacks to share. Our kitties are mad because they have to stay in my office, otherwise they eat all the food and stare at all the guests who are allergic to cats (as if they know somehow). We do a white elephant gift exchange too and Marc and I bought silly gifts. We gave a pillow that was given to us last year (sort of the joke gift from three years ago) and a funny Peter Griffin dressed in drag toy. The other gift was the Holiday Pack from Jones Soda that has icky flavors like "turkey and gravy", "brussel sprouts" and some other sick stuff. Hopefully that will go over well.

Well, off to party like a rock star. (Yeah, like a 60 year old "light rock" star)

Tight Bod

Marc and I are sticking to our workout plan and I feel like I might die. My poor leg muscles are so tight that I have trouble walking at work. On our rest day Friday I'm going to make an effort to do a yoga workout or something because my body is just too tight. I stretch before my runs, but this isn't cutting it as of late. I need something more!!


Today is a 3 mile run and tomorrow is our rest day. I'm going to see a friend of mine from my old job and visit with her new kitty. I'm super excited because everyone likes a kitty. I love my cats but sometimes I wish they were a little tinier and more playful, but they are the best companions ever.

Saturday is just a 30 minute cross train (I think-I have to check) but Sunday is the 4 mile run, which scares me to death, though I keep proving to myself that I am capable of more than I think, so it should be semi-successful. If I can't run it all, so be it, I'll walk until I feel ready to run and keep going. I'm pretty sure that is how the actual half-marathon will go, so I'm not going to be disappointed.

I'm really looking forward to the holiday. I look forward to seeing our family and I look forward to sharing gifts with those that I love. I really hope that Marc likes his gifts, I did go a little overboard compared to my plan, but I love him and he deserves it (and I could afford it). I'm not sure how the workouts will go over the holidays, but I guess a week off won't kill us. Its much too cold in Michigan to run outside, at least for our poor Maryland bodies, so it will probably just be some stretching and stuff. Maybe I'll bring a workout dvd or something!

Tight Bod

Marc and I are sticking to our workout plan and I feel like I might die. My poor leg muscles are so tight that I have trouble walking at work. On our rest day Friday I'm going to make an effort to do a yoga workout or something because my body is just too tight. I stretch before my runs, but this isn't cutting it as of late. I need something more!!


Today is a 3 mile run and tomorrow is our rest day. I'm going to see a friend of mine from my old job and visit with her new kitty. I'm super excited because everyone likes a kitty. I love my cats but sometimes I wish they were a little tinier and more playful, but they are the best companions ever.

Saturday is just a 30 minute cross train (I think-I have to check) but Sunday is the 4 mile run, which scares me to death, though I keep proving to myself that I am capable of more than I think, so it should be semi-successful. If I can't run it all, so be it, I'll walk until I feel ready to run and keep going. I'm pretty sure that is how the actual half-marathon will go, so I'm not going to be disappointed.

I'm really looking forward to the holiday. I look forward to seeing our family and I look forward to sharing gifts with those that I love. I really hope that Marc likes his gifts, I did go a little overboard compared to my plan, but I love him and he deserves it (and I could afford it). I'm not sure how the workouts will go over the holidays, but I guess a week off won't kill us. Its much too cold in Michigan to run outside, at least for our poor Maryland bodies, so it will probably just be some stretching and stuff. Maybe I'll bring a workout dvd or something!

A Much Better Day

Today has a lot of signs of "good day" in it, so I'm feeling confident. I was able to get all the extra work done yesterday when I took my "mental health day" and now I feel reenergized and prepared for the holiday season. I even made some sweet potato bread and I'm going to bring it to work tomorrow for little gifts for the people that sit near me. Maybe. They are kind of buttholes so who knows if I will give them anything.

Work is going ok today. I've taken on a huge task today to update a database and I have to keep calling a bunch of weirdos. Its very upsetting and annoying but I'm really making waves with it today.

Today is a three mile run according to our running plan. That shouldn't be so bad, knock on wood.

Shitty Day

Well that's what it is...a shitty shitty day. Yesterday I had everything in the world, today I feel like I have nothing and all because I am a freaking spazz. I won't go into anymore detail, but let's just say I managed to ruin my life in 5 minutes of idiocy...standard operating procedures for Miss Kate R. Reed, so I don't see why even I am surprised.

As for running. On Friday I ran three miles without stopping and it felt pretty good. I'm such a sad sack of crap that I can't run more than that, but oh well, that's what I did and I was proud of myself, especially since I had set a lower goal. My legs have really been aching daily now, and I wanted to take the day off, but Marc talked me into running. And I was successful so I felt good about it. On Saturday we took our second pilgrimage to Williamsburg with our friends Robyn and Andrew. We wanted to see it decorated for Christmas. Despite the rumors that it is nice when it is decorated for Christmas-it is pretty tame. There were some beautiful wreathes with fruit on them, but other than that, I wasn't too impressed. Apparently in Colonial times we didn't go hog wild with decorating on Christmas-and that's their loss!
On Sunday, despite the fact that I wanted to take a break, Marc talked me into running again. I did 3 miles again, and felt horrible, but it was worth it. Without Marc I would just sit on the couch getting fat (something I should get used to since he hates me now) but he talks me into my fitness.
Today really is a rest day, in fact, its so restful that I am taking a "mental health day from work". My work isn't very stressful right now, but I don't want to sit at my desk sobbing like a baby all day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and maybe, just maybe, Marc will trust me again and we can get married. Fat chance.

Friday Friday

Of course I kept up with my lame theme...did anyone expect otherwise?

Ugh, I'm getting a little stressed out about our relay run. We realized that we have 13 weeks to train a 12 week program, great right? Nope, because one of those weeks is Christmas. We're just going to try our best. I know that I will have to walk during the run, I just know myself and my body. It stresses me out because I don't want to let Marc down. He runs so much better than I do, and it makes me feel bad because I am the weakest link on our team. Oh well, all I can do is try, and to push myself I took the longer distance, so its going to be quite a feat.

I ran again on Wednesday night and it was ok. It was pretty warm in the drill hall and my body was just tired. Did some weight machines as well and my legs just feel tight. I think I might take today off from running and do my yoga dvd or my Carmen Electra Fit to Strip dvd...which is actually a surprisingly good workout. My muscles have just been so tight and running has been hard. I ran yesterday too, which went ok. I had to stop twice, once to pee and once because my legs hurt. I think I need a break from the running because I should be able to get through a 25 minute run without much trouble. I won't be running tomorrow for sure since we are going to Williamsburg again with some friends (free tickets from our first trip there) so we'll get some walking done there. Sunday I'm going to push myself and make an effort to go as far as I can without dying, and I'd like that to be 3.5 miles. That would make me happy.

I just feel like training for this half marathon is a set up for failure...I'm trying to remember that we wanted to do it for practice, but I always set such high expectations for myself!

Wednesday Wednesday

Ah, I thought I'd go with a theme for the week.

So Monday, I lazied out of my run. I was dressed for the run and everything but when Marc finished on the treadmill (We didn't go to the drill hall b/c the weather was kind of nasty) I got on, ran for about 3 minutes and realized that I really didn't want to run, so I stopped. I hate running when I'm not in the mood for it ( I mean really not in the mood for it) because I don't want to make it a chore, I want it to be something I find enjoyable and relaxing.

Yesterday we went to the drill hall and ran on the treadmills. I had an awful run. It was so much warmer in there than it has been in ages and I thought I would die. I only made it for like 20 minutes, which sucked for me. I really had to use the restroom and had cramps, so I figured I would let myself off easy and not feel too guilty. Marc and I both felt really drained and just went home and ate ourselves out of house and home. We've both been really hungry lately, I mean, hunger pangs and all, and can't seem to satisify it. Wonder if that's a weather thing or what.

We signed up yesterday for the Lower Cheasapeake Marathon on March 12, 2006. We're both pretty terrified about it. We are going to do it as a relay, where the first person runs 14 miles and the second person runs 11.2 miles. Its really strange that they don't split it up into two half marathons, but I can't make them change it. Our team name is PC Load Letter (from Office Space) and we figured we'd make shirts with that on the front and "What the %#* does that mean?" on the back. Stupid humor I know, but still. Now the training must begin and we are scared!!! Again, not looking for any special time, just need the experience, and the price was only $50 for both of us to run, which is better than most 5ks!

We intend on running tonight. I have a work office party this afternoon (yeah for time off work) and then I'm going to come home and wait for Marc so we can go to the drill hall. We need to start following our plan and we're using Hal Higdon's Running Plan. Hopefully we can do this!

Monday Monday

I am going to be much better about updating. I didn't realize that people still cared, made me feel good!

I had a good weekend. I was social and met some new people (which I hate doing) on Friday, and I also finished almost all of my Christmas shopping (just need to get my stepsister a gift and its all planned out).

As for running. Marc tried to get me to run on Saturday morning. I said I'd rather run in the evening and he patiently waited until about 5 o'clock for me. We drove to the drill hall to find out that although it closes at 6, they had closed up shop early. So we drove home and Marc graciously let me run first downstairs (he was being super nice on Saturday despite my bitchiness). I had a great run. I didn't get very fatigued, but I did get a little overheated, despite the 30 degree air I had blowing in the basement windows. I felt pretty good and ran about 3 miles, which is about my best at this point. I know I suck, but I just keep trying and I know it will be better with time! I do have faith in my self.

Sunday we woke up and ate breakfast and then went to the drill hall at about 11. I was pooped from the run the night before, and still sore from the machines I did on Thursday. My hips have really been hurting. I had a sucky run, chock full of side stitches and heavy breathing. I ran about 2.5 miles, but it wasn't pretty. I think that I am not a good morning runner. My body isn't all stretched out yet and my mind is still a little tired. I also think that since it had only been 15 hours since my last run and I was really sore from my weight lifting that I didn't perform my best. Every 24 hours is way better for me!

I'm going to run tonight despite my nasty cramps. Sometimes they go away with exercise, sometimes they are worse. We'll see tonight!

I'm also getting pretty excited about Christmas. Our tree is all decorated, the presents are pretty much filling the entire living room (not for us, for our 20 family members we have to purchase for, 4 of which are mine!) so the house is pretty messy. I used to hate the holidays but now I love them. Its great having Marc to share them with!

Kick it Up a Notch...BAM!

I need to really kick it up a notch. I just finished my two classes for grad school and got A's in both so I'm pretty stoked. Now I have some free time until the 2nd week of January and I'm going to use that free time to run like hell. I ran last night and it was ok. I was getting into a rhythm but was having some side pain so I was dissastisfied. Had to cut the run a little short b/c I got some hardcore stomach issues that continued well into the night. Guess that Sam Adams Winter Brew kicked my ass, I had 1/4 of a cup of it and then had my standard Coors light, but woo, something got to me!

Marc and I are trying to think of a name for our running team. Any suggestions? We're huge fans of Family Guy and South Park and I feel that we might use some of those jokes in there!

Going to run again tonight for sure, not so sure about tomorrow as I have some shopping plans during the day and a bonfire at night.