June 24, 2011 – Keeping at it!
Target Practice
Since class ended, I’ve continued to track my nutrition on Loseit.com and I’ve continued exercising. I was trying to ride my bike at least every other day, but since the last time I rode, which was Wednesday, my knees have been bothering me. So I’m giving it a rest until tomorrow, and I see the doc again next Thursday when he will read the Dexascan and hopefully put me on a bone building program. Today I found a cardio/yoga workout on Comcast which was really good – it was for 20 minutes and I’ve got to tell you, I was sweating! The unfortunate thing is that the last time it will be aired is 6/27, but I’m hoping they replace it with a similar program, because my knees already feel better – there is just something about yoga that benefits my knees!
Regarding our target practice, my husband Dan and I try to have practice at least once a week – his family owns a large area of property on which Dan’s grandfather operated a sand plant many years ago which is adjacent to our property. So we set up a target range and I am pleased to report that when we have contests, I win as often as Dan does!
GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, 6/15/11
My son DJ graduated high school June 14th (in the rain)!
Yesterday was our last day of class and we gave our presentations, all of which were well done and interesting. At the end of the class when I was completing Professor Rapatski’s evaluation, I got teary eyed and choked up because she has been so very awesome to me. When my knees prevented me from running just after the first week, I was hoping she wouldn’t cut me from the class because I was unable to run (and also because I suck at math!!). Amazingly (at least to me), she was extremely supportive and encouraging and allowed me to bike instead. Thanks so very much, Professor, for making this class such an awesome one and for your unending and contagious optimism! Thanks as well to all of my classmates who were also understanding and supportive – you are all incredible people who ran remarkably well!!! All the best to all of you – have a GREAT summer and who knows, perhaps we will run together again some day!
5K Monday – 6/13/11
Wow – what an exciting day for everyone! So very glad that my classmates did so well today. I’ve got to tell you though, I was really sweating it when I stopped to fix the arrow sign that had fallen and couldn’t get it in the ground – I looked over my shoulder and couldn’t believe my eyes!! Joe and Marcus (?) were right around the corner! I remember saying out loud, “Oh, shit!” I hopped back on my bike and started pedaling with all my might, but they stayed right behind me. I thought, “Are you kidding me?” I’m on a bike and these guys are going to overcome me? How embarrassing would THAT be!! I was really huffing it and made it back without them passing me – whew!! Actually, I didn’t do the grass because I wanted to be there to cheer them on once they hit the track – and besides, I was whooped! lol You all did such an amazing job and each one of you should be very proud!! Once I am healed (in about another 5 weeks or so) I plan on beginning a training schedule that will allow me to “gradually” increase my distance and speed so that I can run the Stockton 5K race in October – anyone want to join me? 
We missed you, Alex! Hope you are feeling better real soon…
Sunday, 6/12/11 (Weekend Ride)
I was going to do my bike ride yesterday around 5pm before I showered to go to another birthday celebration (yes, June is a killer month for birthdays), but it started to rain so I saved it for today. Although it was spitting lightly, I decided to go anyway. I rode 3 miles in 11 minutes, which is really great for me! Of course, I was on a paved road the entire time, unlike the 3.1 mile course at Stockton, which I rode on Friday. Cycling on the grass really killed my time, especially the thick section and then when I rode up the only hill on the course I fell off my bike!! I still can’t believe that happened, but I jumped up and kept going – I really pushed myself and did the ride in 13:43 (I’m hoping to stay in front of Alex and Joe tomorrow!!).
Professor, Ariel and Brad ran the 3.1 course on Friday while Joe and Alex timed them and took photos. The three runners did a GREAT job and it was fun to cheer them on!
See you all tomorrow for the 5K!!
GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday & Thursday, 6/8 & 6/9/11
Wednesday for class I rode the stationary bike 3.1 miles in 16:39 minutes – Alex can still beat me while running! lol I’ve got to work on improving my time for Monday’s race! We also did the running warm ups with Alex leading us and then Sam led us in soccer – it was fun, but I definitely overdid it with my knee which was quite sore afterwards. I guess the doc was right – stay off the darn thing! Then Ariel and our Professor showed us some karate moves, etc. I knew a little about them because my son, DJ, took karate lessons for years and would come home and show us his routines and moves – Ariel, your routine was awesome!! I remember DJ showing me the elbow move because he was concerned for my safety since I worked in Atlantic City. He told me that the elbow is the strongest part of the body and should be used to fend off (and hopefully injure) any attacker!
On Thursday everyone (but me) ran the timed mile – I am so excited for everyone as each one beat their original time, many by quite a bit! It was great to cheer everyone on and there were a few really exciting moments, like when Joe passed Alex and then Alex passed Joe at the last second. Then there was Kim and our Professor passing each other throughout the race – great job done by all, especially those who were hurting to begin with. Congrats, everyone!! We then walked (I biked) the 3.1 mile course for our upcoming race. It sure was hot out there this morning!
Good luck to Ariel and Brad who will run the 5K tomorrow morning – I’m hoping to be there to cheer them both on!!
Wednesday, 6/8/11 – Cardio Workouts
Playing sports is a good way to work out your heart – in the past, I’ve played volleyball, baseball, basketball and badminton. In addition, I’ve always loved to dance and let me tell you, I’ve experienced some great cardio workouts while having an awesome time with friends! Aerobics is another cardio workout I enjoy because the sessions are usually done to music and the time goes by quickly – my sister-in-law and I used to belong to a gym where aerobic classes were offered and we held each other accountable in attending both the classes and the weight training/treadmill sessions. Neither one of us belong to a gym now but since being in this class, I once again realize how very important cardio workouts are for my overall health. Since I can’t run now for a few months, I’ve taken up biking and let me tell you, it can be quite a cardio workout if you push yourself, which I’ve been really trying to do – not only have I gotten my heart rate up, but my thigh muscles feel like they are huge! In addition, since I now know that I have access to different fitness programs at “On Demand” through Comcast, I can do my Yoga stretches, aerobic workouts, dance and whatever else I find out there that I like!
Bad News Monday, 6/6/11
Well, I just got home from the doctor who gave me bad news; I have a stress fracture of the left knee and he suspects the same injury, only not as bad, for the right knee. I only had an x-ray and MRI of my left knee done since that was the one hurting so bad. UGH!!! I am sooooooooo upset! The doc said no running whatsoever and only minimal walking – I told him I walked 1.5 miles today and he wasn’t happy. He said to stick to the bike and swimming for now. After about 3-4 months the doc stated I could start running again, but not every day; I must very gradually increase the distance and number of days I run, supplementing with core exercising, cycling and walking. I think I am going to go out for a bike ride now to try to work off my anger/stress/sadness and then I might just get drunk… 
Sunday, 6/5/11
Since I was only able to bike for a few minutes yesterday, I woke up early today, ate breakfast and cycled around Port for awhile. It felt good to breathe hard for a change – I’m guessing I went about 8 miles and by the time I arrived back home I was sweaty and breathless – my knee hurt just a little. I also did some gardening and mowed the lawn so I’m thinking I’m good on the exercise end of things.
However, I’m not so good on the eating end of things – I gained 3 pounds in the past few days – I knew I didn’t want to step on that scale! So I’m taking it easy today on food, although a friend of ours caught some tuna yesterday and is bringing it over to cook on the grill – yum…not to mention lots of protein!
GO PHILLIIES!!! Current score is 4-2 Phils
My Husband’s Birthday Weekend
Birthday Dinner at Oyster Creek
Although I’ve really been trying to add more protein in my daily diet, I sure did blow the calories out of the water so far these past two days. I did have blackened salmon for dinner with salad, rice and string beans but then had some carrot cake for dessert and after that cake and ice cream with the family! Then yesterday we had a birthday BBQ with filet, burgers and dogs on the grill and I made my favorite dip for my chips with brownies for dessert – ugh! Today we are going to my sister’s for another BBQ to celebrate the June birthdays where there be more bad diet choices. Not only has my diet been suffering, but I haven’t had much time to work out or ride my bike, although I must say I haven’t sat down much these past few days. I’m hoping to get a bike ride in before we leave here today – if not, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I’m afraid to step on the scale…
Thursday, 6/2/11
I really enjoyed our Yoga time yesterday in class. The instructor did a great job of stretching us out and believe it or not, afterwards my knee actually felt better for the first time in ten days! Some of the stretches did hurt the knee a little, but I guess that was just what it needed. I do remember some of the stances/stretches and will perform them on my own to help strengthen my knee. The end of the class was awesome when we just laid there relaxing. I’ve never been to a Yoga class before but I liked it so much that I may look into signing up for a class somewhere close to home. Thanks Professor, for setting that up for us!
Regarding my mental thoughts when I run, I usually try to concentrate on my breathing and once that seems to be under control my mind begins to drift to things that I need to get done – don’t forget you have to do this and don’t forget to call so and so and the list goes on. Usually by the end of the run I find myself praying – thanking God for helping me through it and then praying for the needs of loved ones and such. So not only do I get a physical workout but a spiritual one, too!
GO TEAM!!!
