I can do it!

I decided to attend the resort Zumba class this morning.  It was...different.  Zumba, Dominican style!  Anyway, I did an hour of it, then decided to hit the treadmill for a short run.  I started at 6.0 MPH and gradually increased to 7.5 MPH.  I ended up doing 2.2 miles in 20:04.

We were going to get up early and run around the resort this morning, but when we woke up, it was raining like crazy outside.  So we opened up our sliding glass doors, went back to bed and slept to the sound of the pouring rain!  Tropical life is good.  We spent the majority of the day on a snorkle cruise around the reefs off of Punta Cana.  We had a little bit of rain, but the sun was shining high when it came time to snorkle.  This evening, although I REALLY didn't want to, we decided to go to the gym.  I committed to running two miles, just to say I did something.  My shins are still bothering me, and I was so tired from the day in the sun, that I would have gladly skipped my workout in favor of a nap.  But....I started on the treadmill at 6.0 MPH, ran 5 minutes, then walked for a minute.  After that, I alternately ran for four minutes and walked for one.  Each interval after that, I changeded my speed.  I did 6.5, 7.0, then decreased back to 6.0, and increased from there.  6.5, 7.0, 7.5, and 8.0...then my last two intervals I did at 6.5 and 7.0.  I ended up doing 5.06 in 50 minutes, so I felt pretty good about the workout.  When I get home, I'm really going to have to work my legs over to get those muscles to relax.  I'm looking forward to running on the road again, in NON-humid conditions!

This morning I went to the Dominican version of Zumba class again.  I tried to keep my legs and feet going and put a little more bounce in my step, so I think I got a little better work out than last time.  The Dominicans seem to be very laid back, so often when the teacher would change songs, class would stop altogether for a few minutes while he fiddled with his Ipod.  So I just jumped around a lot.  I had a good time.

After class, I hopped on the treadmill for another HIIT workout.  I started level 5 at 6.0 MPH, took a one minute walk break in the middle to drink some water, and topped it off at 9.0 MPH.  It's funny, because I did the same workout as last time, using the same levels, but with one minute LESS of walking, but I logged an extra (almost) quarter of a mile!  Go figure.  I finished 2.43 miles in 21 minutes.  Yay, me.  :D

I had food poisoning and was SICK and awake all night. Then I was sick and laid in bed as long as I could, until it was time to pack and head for the airport. Then I was sick all afternoon and evening on the plane, but was finally able to stomach some food by nightfall. Needless to say, no running or exercise of any other sort took place. :(

After driving home and arriving at 3:00 AM this morning, I slept in until ten. I needed it after not sleeping at all the night before!  My stomach still felt a little quesy today, but I was able to eat, so I tried to fuel up for an afternoon workout.  This evening, I went to the gym to do what was supposed to be a HIIT on the treadmill, but my body is still tired from the sickies, so I took some extra walk breaks.  I ended up doing 3:11 miles in intervals, finishing in 28:07.  After that, I immediately went over to the Zumba class and did an hour of fun dancing.  So I got in a decent workout, considering the circumstances.  :D

I did a two-mile run this morning as a warm-up to my workout, but then I was so tired that the two-mile run ended up BEING my workout!!!  I honestly have no idea how I'm going to manage doing 16 miles tomorrow.  My right leg feels totally locked up.  I could barely run this morning.  It took me 22:57 just to do the 2.05 mile loop.  Ouch!!!  :(

Ben and I drove up to Diamond Valley this morning to start our run.  I was pretty worried after yesterday, especially since I woke up feeling a lot of tightness in my right calf, and was practically limping when I started running.  We started on a really steep downhill grade, and I came very close to calling it quits...I was at that point when you think, "Am I being stupid here?  Maybe I should just NOT run today!"  But I ran anyway, and after the first 4-5 miles, it seemed to work itself out.  My feet were hurting by the last couple of miles, but I finished them anyway.  I finished the 16.6 miles in 2:34:22, with the first 12 miles at 1:50:53, and 13.4 miles right at 2 hours, then I slowed up a bit for the last 3 miles.  When I arrived back at home I rolled out my soleus muscles right away, and that took the pain out of my arches. 

Ben wanted to ride his bike up the canyon to pick up his car, but we were both hungry, so I decided to join him on the bike so we could stop to get some food.  Bad idea.  My legs were already tired, and I was starving to boot, so I could hardly pedal up the hill.  It was 7 miles to Albertos, and it took me almost 32 minutes to get there.  But the breakfast burrito I ate made the trip worth it.  It only took 24 minutes to do the same 7 miles back home.  :D

This afternoon, we stopped at Costco for some pizza, and ran into some friends of mine.  Ben had never met these people, but I knew Mike was an avid cycler, so we started talking about biking, and he and Ben hit it off.  The next thing I knew, Mike was inviting Ben to ride up Snow Canyon with him and his son this evening!  Of course Ben said yes, and, like a sucker, I agreed to come along.  I felt somewhat silly after the first few miles of hill climbing, as I fell way behind everyone else.  My legs were just DONE.  I ended up doing another 24.5 miles, most of it uphill, before it got too dark and I got too tired...and I finally called my son to come pick me up. 

I am SOOO glad tomorrow's Sunday!!!!  :D