I Can Do Hard Things

I had to get "high" somehow today even though my drug of choice wasn't an option.  I headed to the gym after hubby got home.  It was a perfect break from all the summer madness.

5 miles on the stair mill - 37:02 minutes.  That :02 bugs!  I felt amazing.  My legs has a lot less cobwebs in them than Saturday.  Both my feet/ankles felt a bit funny, but I think that is from taking time off and being on a stair mill versus the road.  But I was a sweaty betty!

30 minutes of core work

-sit ups, swimmer, planks

-one arm on weights push ups (I really stink at those!!!!!!), skull crushers

-wall sits/curtsey lunges/squats

stretch foam roll

So  my son went to basketball camp at the high school.  He is extremely tall and semi-athletic.  Though he was the youngest in the camp, he was put with the "middle" boys.  They were being a "big boys" and playing a bit more aggressive than he is used too.  He proclaimed he was never going back.  He's good, but just needs to be pushed a bit/challenged.  So we had to build up his little confidence tonight.  I just hopes he goes in the morning!  Love those parenting moments!!!

I went to the gym after hubby got home.  I have GOT to get back into the habit of getting up early.  But it is so nice to have a quick break from all the littles.  Soon enough, I'll be pounding the pavement.  

9 miles on the stair mill 76:23. 1100 calories burned.  I brought my book and read, so it did make the time go by a little faster.  But it was still a long time to be on that dumb machine.

2 miles at 5% incline.  After the first mile, I walked for a few minutes to give my arch a rest.  Then ran until I reached 2 miles.  That incline stuff is hard!!!!  I felt like I was a'huffin and a'puffin!!  My arch was very tight when I first started and I thought, "I will only go .25 miles".  But then it started to loosen up.  I tried moving my toes in different spots to see if the landing would help.  I wore my Kinvaras and they felt great.  HOORAY!!!!!  

Got home, drank some yummy smoothie and worked out with my trainer.  I think I deserve some ice cream  and a little Downton Abbey!

I got up early this morning as we have stuff to do tonight.  It had only been 12 hours since I'd been at the gym and I was tired.

I needed 6 miles today.  I did 3.5 miles on the stair climber and did a slower pace than the past few days.  

Then I hopped onto the TM and wanted at least 2.5 miles, but ended up at 3 miles.  I did do some incline, but that is HARD!  I steady decreased it throughout the run.  I stopped at 3 miles because there was some tightness around my left ankle.  I'm sure it is from the lack of running, but I wanted to be safe.

Left arch felt good.  I could feel it when I started, but it would loosen up. 

I only had time for a little stretching.  Off to keep kids busy all day!

30 minutes with trainer this morning.  The way she had me do lunges made me realize I really have no idea what I am doing.  Ouch

5 miles - SLOW - Manilla Elementary, up farm up hill

I decided to try my foot out on the road today.  I was really bored on the TM (I still can't believe I did 18 miles on it not that long ago...ughhhhh).

It definitely pulled and ached as I ran (not like the onset of the injury).  It got better as it warmed up and I tried to push off on my big toes.  But it still did ache.  Now (a few hours after running) it feels fine.  Ankle muscles/tendon were a big sore too.  Good grief...when you go down, everything starts hurting!

Overall, there is definite improvement.  I pulled out of Ragnar so I don't feel the pressure to run 21 miles in 2 days (thanks SIL for taking my place!!!!). 

I'm not as depressed about the whole injury situation like I usually am.  I'm making quicker improvement than I had thought.  I am still getting a good cardio on the stairmill.  I am really liking working out with my trainer and can feel a definite strength coming on.  I've been working on her assignments even when we don't meet. AND I'm realizing there needs to be balance.  I was so caught up in marathon stuff, I needed a break and didn't know it.  So all in all....life is good!

We are taking our kids on a little overnight trip to say goodbye to Tim's grandma.  She's really old and has lived a good long life.  They are most excited about the zip line at her old farm house and I'm excited about the new fabric store I get to stop at on the way up. 

We spent the night up in Logan.  After my children got up at 6:15am (WHO GETS UP AT 6:15am on vacation?????), I headed to the fitness room for a few miles.  I knew I needed to be quick, so I could help everyone get breakfast and ready to swim.  

4 quick miles on the TM.  Again, it took awhile for my foot to get warmed up.  I was constantly trying to make sure I was pushing off on my big toe.  I think I will be able to start back "full time" with training.  I'm going to take it slow, but think I can add on more mileage than 10%/week.  I'll go by feel and pain level.

Spent the day riding 4-wheeler, riding zip lines, shooting bb guns, watching dairy cows being milked and eating WAY to much junk.  Super fun, but I'm tired!