Run Ford Run...

My blog title is inspired by my recently renamed running playlist. :)  Today was a long run day for me....  I guess before I go any further I've decided to train for a half marathon in April....I have two spots to choose from - one is in a town closer to me and the other is in OKC and is wrapped up on the love of the OKC memorial and honoring those who were lost that day (as well as their families)...normally this would be a no brainer and I would choose OKC.  This will be my first half marathon and I'm thinking about favorable conditions for me to actually complete it....I hear the wind can be a killer and the weather can be tricky....so I'm trying to make up my mind before the entry fee gets any more expensive...I'm already going to have to pay $85 at this point...so hopefully I'll make my mind up soon!

So back to today's run (not really, but almost)  -for the last couple of weeks I've been running about 4-5 mornings and was working my way back into running by doing intervals....35 minutes at a pretty fast pace, but I was definitely run/walking and not run/jogging.  So today I decide to program in 65 minutes on the treadmill and run for as long as I could...I had 4 stops (one included my 3 minute cool down at the end) and I ran 50 minutes out the the 65 and walked the other 15 (again, at different points)...I ran at 4.4/4.5 and walked at 3.7/3.8 and logged in a little over 4.5 miles (4.76)....my mile/min pace varied from 13.3 -15.4 - the walking in between killed me, but I am still pretty happy because I ran a long time between walking.  So I'm pretty happy with myself for now...hopefully I can step it up a bit next week. :)

Meals today have been a little small -
slim fast shake for breakfast
small baked potato w/low fat s.cream and low fat cheese for lunch
a mini cinnamon bagel with tsp of peanut butter
A TON of water and
4 lemon drops - which I learned contains 70 calories!  I love candy so I still have to sneak a little in here and there. 

I'm not sure what's for dinner - the hubster and the kiddos when squirrel Hunter  and I am supposed to be working on a paper....so I don't plan on cooking much.  Think I might let the hubster figure it out tonight. 


 I'm off to get back to work. 

Great Friday

I had a great day yesterday....I mean a GREAT day!  Had some great news for a big event that I am planning for next month, Jaylin had great feedback on her science project, I had a great workout with the hubster and Jaylin had a great softball practice! I also had great conversation with great friends....I am so blessed!!!   Yesterday was just a great day!

Now to the boring stuff :)
Yesterday's workout was Cardio - so I hit the elliptical for 35 minutes
My meals yesterday were pretty boring -
Cinnamon bagel for breakfast (dry)
Subway for lunch
Bean Burrito for dinner

Today (Saturday) was a lazy day of sorts.  I spent most of the day being lazy.  Once the hubster made it home it was time to hit the door and go to the gym.

Today's workout was Chest & Triceps and I am pretty happy about how most of it went.  I moved up in weight in all of my chest exercises...whoo hoo!  It went a little something like this:

Bench Press (75lbs) - 3 sets of 10
Vertical Chest Press (70lbs, 80lbs) - 3 sets of 10 (1 set at 70lbs and 2 sets at 80lbs)
Incline Press (50lbs - 2 25lb dumbbells) - 3 sets of 10
Decline Press (90lbs - 2 45lb plates/one on each side) - 3 sets of 10
Pec fly (45lbs) - 3 sets of 10

Skull crushers (20lbs) - 3 sets of 10
Cable extensions (70lbs) - 3 sets of 10
Triceps Dips - (my body weight) - 3 sets of 10
Lying extensions - (15lbs) - 3 sets of 10

Boxing (about 20 minutes)
Jumping Jacks
Jump Rope

Meals:
Skipped breakfast - boooo I know, but I was so lazy.
Lunch - grilled chicken, red & green bell peppers, onions, jalapenos and a baked sweet potato
Dinner - Pizza casserole (small portion for me)

Did a little "homework"...lol and now watching a late night movie with the family - hoping that we can sleep past 6 am!

I'm off to bed. :)  I have a long run scheduled for tomorrow, need to rest up! :)

Earthquakes and cake!

Jaylin had a science project due this morning....she decided to do hers over earthquakes and wanted to do something different.  So we decided to make an earthquake cake that the class could eat after her presentation (she has been instructed not to bring any back home).  So the project went something like this:

It was a fun little project and she had a blast making the cake.  The challenge for her was not eating it....lol! 

Cranky Pants...again

I'm not the kind of person that gets cranky often...I get annoyed, not cranky.  Yesterday was a CRANKY day.  I'm not sure what the problem was because I wasn't immediately cranky.  My day started at 4:50AM - I was up and out the door for a date with my treadmill.  Had a decent 35 minutes (I'm still doing some walking -  but am working my way to running all intervals) and then was home in time to shower and just rest for a few minutes before the hustle and bustle of the getting the kids ready for school.  I was in the office by 7:35, had a great day - and an afternoon with students and parents (fafsa) and then I went home.

So I rushed back to town from my fafsa workshop - made it in my door at 4:59 (I dropped stuff off at my office and left at 4:54) and the hubster and the kids were just sitting around - which irritated me.  Then J decided that she didn't want to go to the gym because she is too old for their childcare group ("mom there are babies in there") and then she and H started to fight over a dsi game.  The hubster was just hanging out being his normal chill self - which irritates me a little more.  We finally left for the gym around 5:30 and I am so irritated that I could just bite someone....seriously bite someone!  Our gym is super crowded these days and I'm ready for people to forget about their resolutions so I don't have to wait all day to workout.  Yesterday was Back and Biceps and I had a decent workout  1hour and 45 minutes later we were leaving the gym and hurrying home to figure out dinner.  I decided that the hubster could figure something out so I showered and went to bed. 

Hoping that my crankiness would be gone in the morning....

so far I think it is....so we shall see!

B.O. and Boogers

oh and girls.  B.O., Boogers, and Girls.  That should have been my title.

I believe that we are on the puberty fast track at my house....yes we are.   J.  has been wearing deodorant for about 6 months now....usually the teen spirit brand (I guess it appeals to her).  Yesterday when I picked her up from school I decided that we are going to bring out the big guns.....Degree, secret....anything super strong.  My daughter was stinky!  I told her in a way that made her laugh instead of hurting her feelings....but man oh man...she was a stinky girl yesterday.  Maybe it will keep the boys away?  Is that bad?  LOL.

Then this morning after dropping J off and on the way to H's school he decided to enlighten me on a classmates classroom behavior.

H:  Mom, there is a boy in my class that picks his boogers and eats them.
Me:  Well that's not good. 
H:  Yeah it spreads germs.
Me:  Well, he is eating his own boogers so he's eating his germs.  Now if you were to eat one of his boogers that would be spreading germs.
H:  Mom!  That would be GROSS!
Me:  Yes, son it would....please don't eat anyone else's boogers.
H:  I don't eat ANY boogers!!!
Me:  Ok. Good.
H: (after a few minute pause) Girls don't pick their boogers (in a wistful tone).
Me:  Everyone "picks" their nose - most of us with a kleenex though.
H:  No mom!  Not girls.
Me: (In my head) He's got a lot to learn about girls! 

Back at it! :)

Today will be my first day back in the gym since Thursday!  It's chest and triceps today so I'm pretty excited!  Hope the back stays strong!

Blah

I am dragging today....I think I need a little excitement in my life! I need a girls night out....for real!

Guess I'll get back to gender identity in Asian American and African American women....I'm bored and thinking that I'm not so sure if this is really what I want to do at this point in my life. Then I think about how this is a life long goal...

Only 5 more pages to write....I'm back at it.

Whyyyyy

I don't normally avoid stating the obvious, but I today I am having a hard time.  My SIL is hinting at asking me to babysit tonight.  It's going a little like this:

Text Conversation

SIL: Whatcha doing
Me:  Running Errands
after nothing for about 5 minutes
Me: What are you doing? (why didn't I just leave it alone?)....hmmmm?  Whhhhyyyyy?????
SIL:  Not much was thing about going out for a little while tonight

35 minutes later and I still haven't responded....Lord help me!  I don't want to hurt her feelings, because I really want to say:  Are your kids lice free?  That is all that I want to know....not sure if she'll tell the truth, so I'm thinking silence just may be the answer. 

I did think about responding with:  I wish I could go out, but I'm just not feeling up to it....my back is still out of whack...so I may just head to bed early.

The hubster says that I should say:  My back hurts and I'm not babysitting until she gets rid of the lice.
That just sound so mean....I really don't want to go through it again with Jaylin....it cost us almost $300 to get rid of it the first time.  I'm just now comfortable with not washing her bedding every night and we haven't seen a sign of lice in a month. 

I'm usually so much better about this....today I  just feel like staying silent.  I guess I could offer to run over and check on the kids, but I'm sure I'd still have to address lice. 

The smart side just says call her up and say I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but I don't want to put Jaylin through that again and offer up a few numbers for babysitters....yes, I guess that is what I'll do.

Just the thought of lice makes me itch and shudder!

Recovery

I'm beat....I feel as if I've been tied into a  knot and rung out.  I am sore, sore, sore!  Yesterday I was up at 5:00 am and running on the treadmill by 5:20.  I did 30 minutes of intervals....and my legs were like jello with big blocks of cement (that was cracking) for knees.  I am officially old I think.  My poor knees can't take much more!  I'll be better once I drop a couple of lbs....I am definitely running heavy....literally.  

I had a chocolate slim fast for breakfast and by the time lunch rolled around I thought that I was going to starve to death and of course the hubster wanted to go to Salitas (a great Mexican restaurant).  I had to control my urge to order cheese enchiladas and gorge myself on chips and salsa....instead I had grilled chicken and rice with a large glass of water.  I was proud of myself!

I met with a student in the afternoon and tutored her on the Scarlet Letter (helped her write an essay on symbolism) and then headed for the gym.  It was technically cardio day and since I'd ran in the morning I did a mix of elliptical and walking until Rick was finished with his 20 minute run and then we boxed for a bit and did 10 minute abs.  We were both sore and a little cranky and decided that we needed a day off so no workout today.  Whohoo!

Dinner last night was thrown together....the kids wanted to order a pizza, but Rick didn't want to torture me so we grabbed the makings from the grocery store and did our own light version of pizza bites.  Biscuits, turkey pepperoni, low fat mozzarella cheese, onion, bell pepper and jalapenos.  It was an easy recipe - stuff all of the ingredients between two biscuits, roll into a ball and place in a greased muffin tin and bake for 18 minutes.  I served it with marinara and ranch (for the kids).  I didn't really enjoy it so after eating a half of one opted for a bowl of chocolate special K. 

This morning I woke up feeling super old in the knees and decided to sleep in and really take an entire day off from working out.  I still got up and ready for work only to discover that I have a sick child. I ended up taking Hunter to school early, ran by my office and picked up a little work and now am home hanging out.  It should be an interesting day!

So I'm off to be super mommy! :)

Running, running, running....

I was too tired to post last night.  I was super pooped....I was up and out the door at 5:15 headed for the gym.  I ran/walked 20 minutes on the treadmill - which is a big deal for me....Brina and treadmills don't mix.  I prefer to run outside for a number of reasons:
1. I'm not running in place and get to see things (which makes me feel like runs are shorter).
2. The treadmill is a killer on the knees and shins (mine anyway)
3. The sound of me running is not as loud as on the treadmill (lol). 

So you would think that I would just run outside and be happy....well, I can't right now.  I ran outside the other night and had my first asthma attack in almost 6 years....it was to cold.  My lungs said absolutely not!  So for the sake of lung & life I'm running on the treadmill until warmer mornings.

Back to yesterday's workouts - so 20 minutes on the treadmill at a sucky pace and 10 minutes on the elliptical at a a super pace and then home for 20 minutes of Pilate's (buns & thighs and stretching) and I was ready to start my day!

I had a great day at work...accomplishing all sorts of things and then it was back to the gym for my weight training.  Yesterday's workout was chest and triceps.  It was a pretty good workout but I was so tired that we didn't do our boxing or abs. 

Chest & Triceps
Chest Press with 25lb dumbbells for 1 set and 30lb dumbbells for 2 sets - 3 sets of 10
Incline Press 3 sets of 10 @ 55lbs
Decline Press 3 sets of 10 @ 70lbs (35lb plates on each side)
Pec Fly 3 sets of 10 @ 45lbs (worked one side at a time)

Triceps
Skull crushers 20lbs
kickbacks 15lbs
cable extension 3 sets of 10 @ 70lbs
Tricep extension 3 sets of 10 @ 60lbs

After the gym I went home and defrosted my stuffed pepper soup, showered and went to bed - I was asleep by 9:45 (my goal is to be in bed by 9:00).  Oh I forgot to mention all of my meals - breakfast (slim fast), lunch - turkey flat bread sandwich from subway & water, snack - banana, preworkout drink, and then the pepper soup.

This morning I did 24 minutes of interval running on the treadmill....I was pretty proud of myself.  I worked pretty hard and am on my way to getting back into running shape.  In a couple of weeks I should be were I want to be as far as progress. 

I've got a few things to get done today before heading to the gym - work & tutor a student and then it is back to the gym where we are doing cardio, abs, and a little pre boxing boxing....lol! 

Blessings.

Happy MLK Jr. Day! 

I'm so interested in how people celebrate the day...or even take a moment to recognize what a tribute to the human race that MLK was.  I was happy to see so many of my friends making comments on facebook or twitter - but experienced wonder when realizing that so many people did not.  For some people that think that the day is for minorities....how to change that thought?  Hopefully as time passes the thoughts will change. 

I had a pretty great couple of days with the hubster...just so blessed to have that man in my life - even if he does sometimes add stress to it....lol.  He's been great at the gym....such a huge source of support and encouragement....even if he adds weight when I'm not looking. 

Today's workout was Back & Biceps

Back
Plate loaded pull downs 4 sets of 10 - 2 sets at 45lbs and 2 sets at 70lbs
Compound Row 3 sets of 10 @ 110lbs
Super pullover (machine) 3 sets of 10 - 2 sets at 80lbs and 1 set at 90lbs
Bent over Rows 3 sets of 10 - 1 set at 50lbs and 2 sets at 40lbs

Biceps
Seated curls (dumbbell) 3 sets of 10 - 2 sets with 25lb dumbbells and 1 set with 20lb dumbbells
Standing curls with barbells 3 sets of 10 at 30lbs
Cable curls 3 sets of 10 - 1 set at 40lbs & 2 sets @ 50lbs


Boxing/Sparring
30 minutes with 4 sets of 4 count to 20 jumping jacks in between each session with 60 seconds of jumping rope in between

I planned on working in abs and a 10 minute cool down on the treadmill, but one of my students was there and asked me to tutor her in English so we were talking about that until time for me to head home and cook dinner.  All in a really good workout!

As far as eating we are still doing well :)  go us!
Breakfast - 1/2 whole wheat bagel with peanut butter
Lunch - bean wrap with no cheese
Snack - homemade trail mix (chex mix cereal, dried cranberries, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate chips (just a few), and pretzel sticks)
Dinner - Tuna Lettuce wraps - tuna, bell pepper, onion, pickle relish (just a little) and fat free mayo (1 tablespoon for 3 cans of tuna). 
Dessert - 1/2 cinnamon graham cracker with peanut butter and apple slices

Now I'm off to bed, up at 5:15 to get my run in - I have a date with the treadmill. :)

Cheat Day - whoo hoo!

Sundays have been designated for my cheat day....just one item of food (not the whole day).  Today in honor of football and playoff I indulged in 4 spicy chicken wings!  Yes 4!!!  I did try to make them somewhat healthier than usual.  I used 2% milk for my wet, and a spicy wing mix instead of flouring them myself.  I did still fry them, but in less canola oil.  I had 4 small wings, super large salad (lettuce, spinach, onion, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato,and fat free ranch) and a super large glass of water.  So go me!   :) 

Sundays are supposed to be our day off from working out, but the hubster worked late Friday night and we missed our workout so we worked out today.  I'm glad we did since I was super bad and fried my wings.  Today's workout was Legs, shoulders and a little cardio (since we worked legs).

10 minute warm up on the treadmill

Legs
Squats 3 sets of 10 @ 70lbs
Leg Press 3 sets of 10 1x@180lbs 2x@160
Leg extensions 3 sets of 10 @ 100lbs
Seated leg curls 3 sets of 15 @ 80lbs

Shoulders (let me just say that my shoulders are my weakest area and I can't do big weight at all)
Should press with dumbbells 3 sets of 10 @ 15lbs
Upright Rows 3 sets of 10 at 20lbs
Leaning raises 2 sets of 8 at 8lbs (these are killer)
Rear deltoids  3 sets of 10 at 30lbs

12 minute treadmill work
2 minutes walking and 10 minutes running


It was a great workout...hopefully it made up for my wings ;)  Until tomorrow!

Busy, busy, busy...

I've been super busy lately...from planning work events, visiting students and parents, keeping up with Jaylin's softball schedule (Wednesdays and Fridays for now) and staying on track with working out - I. AM. EXHAUSTED.

I didn't get to workout yesterday - Rick had to transport a prisoner to OKC and didn't get home until 6:30 and then it was off to Jaylin's practice at 7:15...we made up for it today though.  Our workout for today focused on chest, triceps, boxing, jumping rope and abs.  We were serious!

Super Workout
Chest Press - 25lb dumbbells 3 sets of 10
Incline Press - 50lbs 3 sets of 10
Decline Press - 70lbs 3 sets of 10
Pec Fly - 45lbs 3 sets of 10

Triceps
Skull Crushers - 20lbs 3 sets of 10
Lying Extensions - 15lb dumbbells x2  3 sets of 10
Cable Extensions - 70lbs 3 sets of 10
Triceps Extensions - 60lbs 3 sets of 10

Boxing Workout
30 minutes of throwing punches and jumping rope

Abs
300 reps of different ab movements

I've also been disciplined when it comes to eating - whoo hoo - this is truly the hardest challenge for me.  It's been more than 2 weeks since my last Dr. Pepper - I've been sticking to water and tea (rarely). 

Breakfast most days consists of : 2 egg whites, spinach, whole wheat English muffin and bell pepper
Lunch - sandwich :  turkey, spinach, onion, bell pepper, banana peppers & jalapenos
Dinner - Large salad (spinach, lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber and bell pepper) and 1 grilled pork chop 1/2 container of yoplait lemon burst yogurt

And a TON of water...everyday!

If I can keep this up I will reach my goal by March!

Excited

Love, love, love when things go my way.  :)

Planning a big event and two of my keynote speakers are locked in - SUPER GREAT!!!!

Working out is back on track....still feeling super sore but now am curling (bicep move) 25lbs, chest presses with 30 lbs, and learning boxing moves really fast! WHOOO HOOOO

Minor setback - Ran with the hubster last night (shouldn't have tried to match his pace or stride) ended up having my first asthma attack in 6 years....had to walk most of it and send Rick ahead.  I'll keep working on that....running in super cold wind is not good for my old lungs.

Eating habits - I'm kicking but and taking names :)  Down 3 lbs and still eating great food!  Skinnytaste.com is my new best friend! :) 

I'm off to head to the house....taking off early today!

Tatum...yum.

I <3 Channing Tatum.  I don't know why....I always have....
ok so now you know a little secret:  I have a celebrity crush on CT oh and JT's abs...lol!  Have you seen Friends with Benefits?  Watch it....just for JT's abs.  Ok I'm done. 

Don't  judge me.  LOLOLOLOL!

Rocky 2?

Rick has introduced me to the world of boxing....we did a chest workout and the started my lesson in boxing....we are going to add a 30-45 minute session to the end of every workout! I am so excited!!! The hardest part was holding on to the mitts when Ferd was throughing his punches! It was a great cardio workout for sure!

So call me Rocky 2!

We've been doing really well as far as our meals:
Breakfast - 2 scrambled egg whites with bell pepper on half of a whole grain english muffin. With pineapple limeade & water to drink.

Lunch- (late) a small black bean burrito with a glass of tea & a glass of water.

Dinner - fish tacos, spicy slaw & brown rice w/a glass of tea

I have a morning run (5:30) and then an afternoon workout of legs, shoulders & boxing!

Fun times!

Ouch....

The punisher and I started back on our workout regimen on Monday.....I am so sore!!!  We decided to take today off since we hit it hard Monday and yesterday.  So our weekly workout will look a little something like this:

Monday's Workout - Chest, back, bicep & triceps
Tuesday's Workout - Legs, Abs & cardio
Wednesday's Workout - off (this will not be a normal occurance, we usually only take one day off a week)
Thursday's Workout - Chest, back, bicep/triceps & shoulders / short run
Friday's Workout - Legs & Cardio (long run)
Saturday's Workout - Abs & cardio
Sunday's Workout - Off

I'm also going to start working out with Jaylin in the mornings....she wants to get up at 5:45 (instead of her normal 6:35) and do a little cardio and she is willing to go back to 8:30 bedtime to do it (which I think is pretty cool). 

In addition to being super serious about working out again, we went hardcore on our diet - I haven't had a Dr. Pepper in 2 days (there is still one can in my fridge at home....I'm thinking I can treat myself to one in a couple of weeks and then be done)...I'm also drinking a ton of water (oh how I miss my Dr. Pepper).  So far we've had salmon, salads and fresh sandwiches....oh and I did make stuffed jalapenos....but I made them with fat free cream cheese and only wrapped them in half slices of bacon instead of a whole slice.  I only ate 1 1/2 peppers.....so not the best side dish, but we were in the mood for them.  I also had a turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and onion (no dressing). 

The hard part is going to be the sweet stuff....I found a cute recipe for a little something that I'm making for gifts and it is going to be so hard not to have one....I may have to add an extra 20 minutes of cardio if I eat one....hmmmm we'll see how this works out.

So the Ford family is back to being super serious about our fitness....now if we could get our life schedule to cooperate with our plans we will be in good shape!