This little lamb has lost her way....

Two weeks ago, I was on a exercise roll...  I was beginning to find balance in Crossfit, my Runs, and even found Yoga.  One day, my body said, 'please, can we have just one day off?'.  I agreed.  Oh boy, did it get me into trouble.  I have yet to return to my training with the same level of commitment that I left off at.  I'm forcing myself to go to do a half-hearted wod or yoga sessions, some days I've been doing both.  Unfortunately, I'm having difficulty with getting my runs done....

Summer is practically upon us and everyone else seems to be gearing up their 'practice' to the next level, but I'm feeling lost and unmotivated.  I want to cry for the lack of motivation!  Let's hope this shall pass and soon!

Training Hurdles - Hydration & Nutrition

Last week, I had two running things on the brain - toe socks and GU (provided by my cheerleader,GMT).  Both of which I had just learned about, but was only brave enough to try and fall in love with toe socks. 

This past weekend, several seasoned marathoners gathered at our box (gym) to talk/coach others on what to expect while training and during the HNL marathon.  During this chat session, they stressed the importance of drinking water at every water station (staying hydrated from the start!) and figuring out how to fuel yourself before and during the run.  Basic tip - "Avoid caffeine if it bothers your system.  If not, and if it works for you, do it."

Last week, I still had doubts on the GU and shot block options of mid-run nutrition.  Big D even suggested a sweet potato option, which I promptly made a few to test, but in my fine fashion, haven't yet tried it during a run.  Although it's been ages since I ate frosting straight from the bowl, I got over my dilemma and had some chocolate GU during my Sunday long run.  I waited until mile 6 of 7 to try it though for fear of having immediate intestional issues.  It was pretty good, albeit really, really sweet, so I had to chase it with water.  My tummy was a little upset right after consumption, but only for about the next 2 - 3 minutes, and it could possibly be from all the water I had been drinking during our run.  Next time, I'm gonna try a non-caffeinated mint chocolate GU and consume it earlier into my long run and see how that goes.

My mileage is slowly increasing without too much additional effort and I like it.  I'm still coming to grips with taking it easy with Crossfit though, as we've been doing more intense wods because we're following the spirit of the Crossfit Regionals that are going on around the world and upcoming Games where the World's Fittest is crowned in July.  Truly, exciting and inspiring stuff!  However, as the months go on, I'm certain I will improve the balance between my running/crossfit training schedule.  Just attacking one hurdle at a time, one at a time that's all, easy, right?

Toe socks are the winner!

Sundays are supposed to be rest days, but not in the marathon training world.  It's a work day...

As promised, I tried out my latest running tip - toe socks.  I put them on right before I left the house.  I kept thinking am I nuts for wearing these on a six miler?  Should I test them out on a short three miler instead, I tried to reason with myself.  Oh shoot, I decide to just wear them.   It's only six slow miles afterall.

The verdict? These socks are the bomb and I highly recommend them to everyone.  It sort of spreads your toes apart, and I think that actually helped me to avoid getting tired during the run.

The other promise - try the shot blocks or GU.  Since my last post, more friends gave me advice on flavors to try, but I still can't do it, maybe next week.

Sharing is caring!

Two tips:  Clif Shot Blocks and injinji toe socks.

I still can't bare the thought of 'eating' goo for sustenance during a long run, so Big D tipped me onto trying shot blocks which are chewable and organic to boot.  There are so many flavors, including margarita, however, I erred on the side of caution and bought berry flavors. 

And, the need to deal with the issue of big toe/long toe chafe and sock 'break-in' as part of my training, so Coach T suggested ininji toe socks. I semi-literally ran (I drove) to the Running Room to try these socks. It took a single minute to get over the strangeness of having each toe covered before my brain registered, 'oooh, this could work to eliminate chafe after glide wears off'.

I purchased both shot blocks and socks on the spot. Now, I'm gonna try both this Sunday as my mileage is supposed to increase by two or so more miles.

Lesson(s) learned:  Talking to others to share your pains and successes can reduce your learning curve.

Transitions can be difficult, but change is always good.

The end of the Spring semester can't come soon enough.  I'm transferring to another program at another school, so that I can finish sooner than later.  In any case, my educational path is following my fitness journey.  I'm still enjoying my Crossfit time, but I realize that must be serious and start to increase my run mileage regularly.

This past week, I actually logged over ten miles in three runs, not counting any runs during my xfit wods.  This is by far the most that I have ever run in any given month, ever!  When a friend posted on FB that she couldn't attend a special event because of her previously planned 'training' session, it hit me like a revelation on wednesday morning that 'there is absolutely no reason for me not to run today'.  Even though it was already past 8:30am and the sun was already out, I got my laziness out of bed.  Heat and I don't get along, unless of course, I am on the beach or at a resort drinking mai tais poolside.  I ended up logging a hearty 7.4 mile jog.  Another good thing garnered out of this miracle event was that I started logging my runs via www.mapmyrun.com.

Tracking run routes and times energizes me simply because it keeps me in tune with my efforts.  When the mapmyrun.com app gave me instant feedback of "Good Job" after logging my my weeks run workouts, it felt really good and motivating to keep up my runs.  Every bit helps!

Thanks, Big D, for nudging me today to update my blog.  Man, where does the time go?  And, quadruple thanks to Hot Momma class for kicking into high gear!  More on this later.....

Basic training: I can only imagine how hellacious it could be for the unfit.

So, here I am, a crossfitter for two years now and I can barely run continuously for four or five miles.  Yeah, I know I'll get there, but I feel as though I should already be there.  I'm such a lazy runner, but thank goodness for wonderful friends.  Friends, like Robin, Courtney, Tiff, and Gay, who encourage me to keep running or better yet, push me to keep going and ignore the 'lazy' thoughts in my head.  And, the other friends, like Deanna, Di, Monica, Jai, and so many others from HAF, who simply ask me how my marathon training is going.  All this pressure is working and I appreciate it!  Now, if I could only look forward to doing my weekly running homework.

Change is good

The 2012 Crossfit Open is officially done.  My worldwide standing for my age group is 577th place.  I was told by a very good friend to embrace my performance, so I will, perhaps with a henna tattoo.  Until the next Open, I will work on my goats, as they say, pullups being the first to be conquered.

The first Warrior Dash (3 miles of running and obstacles) came into town last week.  At the start of the race, the HAF group decided to do 30, 20, 10 squats at each of the mile markers.  This was a great event to transition from Crossfit Open to marathon training.

Now, I get serious and work on logging regular running miles.  My exercise journal is full of HAF wods, but now I need to transition that into at least 50% wods and 50% running days.  I think I forsee many double workout days as I cannot give up my Crossfit or my HAF family, but it is time to embrace change.  Say goodbye and good riddance to the belly!