Although it is awfully difficult to get out the door when there are heat advisories out, I usually know that I won't regret at least getting a few miles in. This week the heat is just miserable. Jackie and I ran Saturday morning. We didn't run as far as we would have liked, but it was so humid that breathing was work. We ran 4.2 miles, and walked a mile. We are on our feet for over 5 miles, which was good enough for us.
Sunday evening, Gary and I had friends over for seafood. He was thrilled to be able to cook some new recipes (which were really quite impressive), and to have people here who would appreciate his efforts. The girls and I are extremely picky, and rarely try new foods. As we always do when having guests, we made too much. I can never make just one dessert; there has to be a choice. We also wanted to have a nice selection of sides, so we had plenty of food to last a couple of days. And we have been overeating. A lot. I needed to get out and exercise!
I had science training in Evansville Monday and Tuesday. Because I slept very little Sunday night, I was exhausted by the time I got home Monday. I knew that I should get out and do something, but instead I only ventured away from the couch when I needed more cake, or had to go to the bathroom. I felt like a stuffed toad.
After training on Tuesday, I was determined to exercise. It was so hot, and I had just about talked myself into just running a couple miles on the treadmill, and doing TurboJam. I hate the treadmill. Gary had to go into town to run some errands, so I decided to just ride in with him, and try to run at the track. That way I could keep a large bottle of water there, and I didn't have to worry about getting back to the track should the heat overtake my body. Since my only objective was exercise and burning off some of the cake I had consumed, I alternated between running and walking so that my body could 'cool' off ocassionally. I ran a mile, walked a lap, ran a mile, walked two laps, ran another mile. It really worked out well. I was hot and sweaty, but I wasn't miserable. I really felt great when Gary came to pick me up.
Once home, I knew that I also needed some strength and ab work. Gary bought me a kettle ball over the weekend. In my quest to get Michelle Obama arms, I thought that this apparatus might be helpful. It is a 12-pound kettle, which I thought was good for me. Addison let me know that it was really light. Not for me. I am pretty weak, and 12 pounds is just fine. So I did some exercises with that, and then did my trusty weighted hoola hoop to work on abs. I like using the hoola hoop because I can watch TV while swiveling, so I don't get bored.
My friends Kassi, Tracey, and I went to a Zumba class last week, and we plan to go back. It is really a fun way to burn some calories. What I really enjoy is that it doesn't matter if I don't know what I am doing; everyone is so worried about learning the moves that no one really even looks around. Though I love running, it is also nice to have an alternative. This morning the Today Show had a piece on Zumba Gold, which is for people over 50. There were seniors in their 80s and 90s doing Zumba! It was great. They looked like they were having so much fun, kind of reliving their younger years when they danced the weekends away. I want to be 90 and doing Zumba - well, not right now, but eventually!
My goal for the remainder of the summer is to just stay in shape. I don't intend to improve my speed or endurance; it is just too hot for that. As of today, I don't plan to run any races, including Schweizer Fest. I could change my mind, but it just isn't much fun when the heat is so unbearable. I am glad that I have some options for exercise. I can attempt the great outdoors if I feel so inclined, or I can do Zumba, use our equipment, or use my TurboJam, Yoga, or Brazil Butt Lift DVD. Yup, you read that last one right. I bought that a year ago, but haven't really done it (obviously); I found it to be a little too hard. I haven't given it away yet because I would still like to be able to do at least part of the workouts. Those darned infomercials!
Stay cool, Friends! In no time we will be complaining because it is so cold!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Why Does Summer Speed By?
As I have stated before, I love summer vacation. I feel like I am a better wife and mother because I actually have time to keep the house clean (within reason), the laundry caught up, and I cook more often. I really kind of like to cook, but just don't have enough time when we are working and busy in the evenings.
Yesterday I made lasagna, salad, garlic bread (okay, I put the frozen slices in the oven), and I made a homemade lemon 7-up cake. All three girls were here, so our family ate together at the table, tv off. Now you moms know, this scenario has the potential for disaster. The kids sometimes argue, or they don't like the meal and complain - after I have spent hours preparing it. Someone might make a huge mess. The dogs can get annoying as they bounce around the table willing one of us to drop a morsel. Last night, it was actually enjoyable. Everyone got along, even while carrying on a conversation. They all liked the food (since it was a new lasagna recipe, I really wasn't certain that it would be palatable). It was the way that family meals should be. Success.
This summer I feel like I have been somewhat of a hermit. We went to Virginia Beach for a week, and I spent several days last week at a reading conference in Indianapolis, but other than those trips, I have spent a lot of time at home, which happens to be my favorite place to be. I am working on some writing projects, which was one of my summer goals, and I have completed my deep cleaning projects. I had planned to paint our upstairs living room, but haven't gotten the motivation to start that project. I keep trying to convince myself to just jump in; I can have it finished in two days, but I hate the preparation for painting.
I have continued to run, although not as much as I should. I ran in Indy last week. My conference happened to be right across the street from where my niece Erin was working, so we met up one day and ran along the canal. It was a beautiful run, but the heat and humidity were absolutely miserable. I whined a lot. I was happy to get some exercise after sitting in class all day, but I was drenched in smelly sweat about a mile into our run. I was so thirsty that had I seen a half empty bottle of water along the route, I would have taken my chances and downed it.
My daughter goes to college in Indy, so the three girls and I stayed at her apartment (this also had the potential for disaster). The girls hung out at the pool during the day, and we spent our evenings together. One night, Bethany, Addison, and I did some workouts that Bethany can get through her cable network. We did belly dancing! I must admit, my body just doesn't move like that! My hips don't swivel. The woman who was teaching just looked sexy as she 'burned calories'. I looked like a soon-to-be-grandma attempting to belly dance. Not sexy at all. It was well worth the laughs with my girls!
Once I returned from Indy, I was determined to get back into a running routine. I awoke early Saturday morning to meet Kass and Jackie for a run. I have to share what happened before I ever got out the door. Addison and my niece Emily were asleep on the couch, and my nephew Evan was sitting there watching TV. As I was quietly grabbing my keys, I saw a dark shadow on the kitchen floor. I flipped on the light, and it was a huge, disgusting spider! HUGE! As is always my first instinct, I grabbed the first spray bottle I could find. It was Windex with vinegar - spider killer, for sure! This gets worse. As soon as I sprayed Giganto, she (yes, I know it was a she...read on) took off, and a thousand little baby spiders began to fall off her back and onto my kitchen floor! I was in pure panic mode. I kept spraying, just hoping to slow Giganto down. She worked her way into a corner, and then began to stumble. I ran to the garage for bug spray, and found only a can of OFF. Hey, I was desperate, and did not want those babies taking up residence in my kitchen cabinets. I continued to spray until I was confident that they were dead. My husband was none too happy when I awoke him with my story of the gargantuan spider and her 100,000 offspring. I insisted that he clean them up - I was not touching them. Besides, I was going to be late for my run (I was getting the heck out of there!).
We three girls ran about 4 1/2 miles that morning. I skipped Sunday. Guess what we did! We lounged on the couch all day! We watched A Time to Kill (great flick), and six, yes six, episodes of Criminal Minds. It was a great day. Monday, it was time to get another run in. It was also nearly 100 degrees. Kass, Jennifer, and I decided to brave the outdoor oven, and try to get a few miles in. We waited until 7:30 when the sun was finished beating down. We ended up running three miles, which was plenty considering there were heat advisories. Today the temperatures are more tolerable. Kass, Jackie, and I are going to run five or six miles this evening. It wasn't long ago that I was tired of cold weather and having to bundle up for runs; now I long for those temps. I have pretty much decided that I am just going to try to maintain fitness this summer, and not run races. It is just too hot. I ran a 5K a couple of weeks ago, and it was no fun at all. It was so hot that I continued to sweat when I got out of the shower. I prefer to run races in the fall. I still plan to run the Monumental Half Marathon in November, so fall Saturdays will be spent getting in long runs.
So, what to do on this July day? Whatever I want! It is summer vacation, and it isn't going to last much longer! Now get out and do something fun - you will never get this moment back!
Yesterday I made lasagna, salad, garlic bread (okay, I put the frozen slices in the oven), and I made a homemade lemon 7-up cake. All three girls were here, so our family ate together at the table, tv off. Now you moms know, this scenario has the potential for disaster. The kids sometimes argue, or they don't like the meal and complain - after I have spent hours preparing it. Someone might make a huge mess. The dogs can get annoying as they bounce around the table willing one of us to drop a morsel. Last night, it was actually enjoyable. Everyone got along, even while carrying on a conversation. They all liked the food (since it was a new lasagna recipe, I really wasn't certain that it would be palatable). It was the way that family meals should be. Success.
This summer I feel like I have been somewhat of a hermit. We went to Virginia Beach for a week, and I spent several days last week at a reading conference in Indianapolis, but other than those trips, I have spent a lot of time at home, which happens to be my favorite place to be. I am working on some writing projects, which was one of my summer goals, and I have completed my deep cleaning projects. I had planned to paint our upstairs living room, but haven't gotten the motivation to start that project. I keep trying to convince myself to just jump in; I can have it finished in two days, but I hate the preparation for painting.
I have continued to run, although not as much as I should. I ran in Indy last week. My conference happened to be right across the street from where my niece Erin was working, so we met up one day and ran along the canal. It was a beautiful run, but the heat and humidity were absolutely miserable. I whined a lot. I was happy to get some exercise after sitting in class all day, but I was drenched in smelly sweat about a mile into our run. I was so thirsty that had I seen a half empty bottle of water along the route, I would have taken my chances and downed it.
My daughter goes to college in Indy, so the three girls and I stayed at her apartment (this also had the potential for disaster). The girls hung out at the pool during the day, and we spent our evenings together. One night, Bethany, Addison, and I did some workouts that Bethany can get through her cable network. We did belly dancing! I must admit, my body just doesn't move like that! My hips don't swivel. The woman who was teaching just looked sexy as she 'burned calories'. I looked like a soon-to-be-grandma attempting to belly dance. Not sexy at all. It was well worth the laughs with my girls!
Once I returned from Indy, I was determined to get back into a running routine. I awoke early Saturday morning to meet Kass and Jackie for a run. I have to share what happened before I ever got out the door. Addison and my niece Emily were asleep on the couch, and my nephew Evan was sitting there watching TV. As I was quietly grabbing my keys, I saw a dark shadow on the kitchen floor. I flipped on the light, and it was a huge, disgusting spider! HUGE! As is always my first instinct, I grabbed the first spray bottle I could find. It was Windex with vinegar - spider killer, for sure! This gets worse. As soon as I sprayed Giganto, she (yes, I know it was a she...read on) took off, and a thousand little baby spiders began to fall off her back and onto my kitchen floor! I was in pure panic mode. I kept spraying, just hoping to slow Giganto down. She worked her way into a corner, and then began to stumble. I ran to the garage for bug spray, and found only a can of OFF. Hey, I was desperate, and did not want those babies taking up residence in my kitchen cabinets. I continued to spray until I was confident that they were dead. My husband was none too happy when I awoke him with my story of the gargantuan spider and her 100,000 offspring. I insisted that he clean them up - I was not touching them. Besides, I was going to be late for my run (I was getting the heck out of there!).
We three girls ran about 4 1/2 miles that morning. I skipped Sunday. Guess what we did! We lounged on the couch all day! We watched A Time to Kill (great flick), and six, yes six, episodes of Criminal Minds. It was a great day. Monday, it was time to get another run in. It was also nearly 100 degrees. Kass, Jennifer, and I decided to brave the outdoor oven, and try to get a few miles in. We waited until 7:30 when the sun was finished beating down. We ended up running three miles, which was plenty considering there were heat advisories. Today the temperatures are more tolerable. Kass, Jackie, and I are going to run five or six miles this evening. It wasn't long ago that I was tired of cold weather and having to bundle up for runs; now I long for those temps. I have pretty much decided that I am just going to try to maintain fitness this summer, and not run races. It is just too hot. I ran a 5K a couple of weeks ago, and it was no fun at all. It was so hot that I continued to sweat when I got out of the shower. I prefer to run races in the fall. I still plan to run the Monumental Half Marathon in November, so fall Saturdays will be spent getting in long runs.
So, what to do on this July day? Whatever I want! It is summer vacation, and it isn't going to last much longer! Now get out and do something fun - you will never get this moment back!
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