The big thaw

So, Toronto had a (relative) heat wave today. The temperature was above freezing for the first time in 31 days. And I took full advantage of it. I ditched work an hour early (though not really since I worked through my guild-mandated lunch hour) and decided to forgo stale gym air and machines for some crisp air and slushy sidewalks. I mistakenly brought my iPod with me, as the earphones just didn't want to stay in my ears so I ended up carrying it in one hand for about 98 percent of the run. Still, it was liberating to be outside again... almost enough to recant my previous post about staying indoors and being happy about that. Maybe an amended statement is in order -- I don't mind running outside if there's snow on the ground, falling lightly even, but I abhor the gusting wind and freezing temps. That's when I retreat to the confines of the gym. Like all last week (Thurs: 5K, Fri: 4.5K. Nothing on the weekend)
All told, I was out for about 1hour and 30 minutes today, covering 10.4K (6.4mi) -- the longest distance I've completed since Jan. 2 -- and included a quick stop at the jeweler (how much is a wedding band anyway?) and then a hello to CMan.
I didn't stretch out enough, I'm sure of it. My knees are already twinging a little.

Hearts aflutter

My heart is all giddy today.

And not because it's Valentine's Day. As far as CMan and I were concerned, it was just Wednesday. Though he bought me flowers anyway. The jerk. (lol)

Anyways. Not that this foot of snow that fell overnight was interfering with my running -- oh no, I've pretty much given up on the idea of outdoor running for the rest of winter that includes frosty wind and slippery sidewalks and a face mask. I admire everyone who has the courage, resolve, and mojo to do this. I don't have what it takes to be out there. Mostly it's that I don't have good winter running gear. Or any winter running gear, let alone any of good quality. And I don't see myself investing in any either. I'm content -- perhaps resigned? -- to do this indoors on the mill, in a comfortable climate with a single layer of clothing, TV and/or unfrozen iPod available to distract, and no icy tears on my face. I accept this.

And so after warming up with some cardiovascular work of clearing the driveway -- I was kind of sad about having to do this because the untouched snow was just too beautiful -- I was at the gym by 6:30AM for core strengthening class and a 30-min jog on the treadmill, which covered 4K. My abs were sore from Monday's workout, like I thought they would be, though that didn't stop me on Tuesday when I slotted in some weight training. The aches from exhaustion are worth it. (Plus I finally booked that massage I wanted 3 weeks ago so I can undo all this achiness tomorrow)

I tell ya, I am back to routine now. And making exercise a priority again. Not only because it's doctor's orders for this Type2 diabetic where high blood glucose levels can lead to heart disease, among other complications. But let's be honest. The thought of being the center of attention in a wedding dress is actually starting to affect me too. In related news, I think CMan and I found our wedding venue today. Hearts aflutter, indeed.

Hiatus over

So I've taken half a month off. That might explain why it was such a struggle to even maintain a 5mph clip today on the treadmill. I've been unmotivated to exercise in any form (the 10min walk to the subway on my work is really as good as it's been, sad as that is). Well, unmotivated isn't really the right word -- it's more like I just let it slip to the wayside and didn't make it a priority. I've been working slightly longer hours recently but I didn't adjust my bedtime, and so I've been too tired to contemplate running, lifting weights, trying to keep my balance on a ball.
I almost restarted the exercise routine last Friday when my cousin met me at my gym to try the BOSU class I keep raving about. Except it was cancelled at the last minute. We could've done 30 minutes on the treadmill. We didn't. In fact, we basically just turned around and left.
Life goes on. But enough with the excuses. I got through 5K today -- 80 percent of it sucked, and when I hit the last kilometer I finally felt like I was getting into a familiar groove. But I didn't want to push too hard on the first day, though I went to hardcore abs class. Something is going to hurt tomorrow. But I'm back and it's good to be here.

Family affair

I have signed on the dotted line. As has my sister, my brother-in-law, and my cousin. We're among the other 1,643 other souls who have already registered for the Sporting Life 10K in May. It'll be my first race of the season, unless I change my mind and sign up for the Spring Run-Off. It's unlikely I'm going into the 10K with a race mentality since this is my gift to my sister, and therefore I will see her to the finish line. Just ninety-five training days to go. We haven't run together since that first day a couple of weeks ago. But she's joined a gym and so she's on her own until the weather agrees with us.

I also signed up for the Scotiabank half on Sept. 30 because it was packaged with the 10K (save $15!). No I did not sign my sister up for that -- though the look of fear on her face would be kind of funny in a superpricelessMasterCardkindofway). I peeked at the confirmation list -- apparently 54 other souls have signed up for the same race package as I. I ran this race last year as a dress rehearsal to the Chicago marathon. The half mary could very well end up being the dress rehearsal for the MCM in Washington (I have made the declaration that I will run this. But who knows, things may change. At this time last year I was already committed to Chicago, there was no turning back. But this year, I have to leave the door slightly ajar for an escape route ...).

Overenthusiasm leads to rest

Abs, inner thighs, calves are hurting. Even my collarbone, it seems. I feel misaligned. I don't think it's the running itself, but probably exhaustion from combining that with overenthusiasm the last two days in the weight training/core strengthening department. Maybe it was too soon after the Tuesday night class to go into the Wednesday morning class -- not enough rest. And isn't REST my favorite word as far as exercise is concerned? Anyway, I did my pre-work workout yesterday, taking in a core strengthing class and then running a hard 2 mi. I was going to head in again this morning (I am really trying hard to stick to plan) but I was supercranky about these aches when my eyes slowly unglued from slumber. Yes, time to schedule a massage too. Thank you health plan.

Planning of a different sort

I don't think my Afterwork RunClub partner is quitting on me, but we skipped our run together for a second consecutive week today. This is also the second week in a row where I've lugged to work my entire closet of workout clothing -- because I'm still not sure what to wear to run on these frosty days -- thinking we'd go. (Hey, she's the one going on a resort vacation in a couple of weeks. I don't need to be 'bathing suit-ready'). But I'm proud to say the big difference this week from last is that I actually went for a run despite the cancellation. I didn't brave the below-0C temperature and chose to use the treadmill instead, right after that Tuesday strength and toning class I so love but now have to miss because of RunClub. I was seriously overdressed for both occassions. While I had a couple of choices of top layers with varying sleeve lengths for layering, I only had one pair of pants, and they were lined wind pants. Not the greatest choice for a 5-mi effort on the treadmill -- and I wasn't lucky enough to get a mill by a fan tonight. But I got a lot of thinking done, particularly about this wedding that isn't planning itself for myself despite shutting my eyes real tight and wishing it so. This is happening in, oh, about five months. Little girls dream about their wedding days for years, fantasizing about every little detail from dress to venue to flowers to giant diamond rings and the honeymoon. I haven't put a lot of thought into this Big Day. In fact, I'm sure I've spent more time thinking about this year's race calendar than about my wedding day. Strange, but true. That's not to say that I don't care, but CMan and I are of simple tastes, so as long as we both say 'I do' on the appointed time and day, then that's good enough for us. Of course, maybe eloping is the way for us to go. But, in case that option doesn't come into play, I today arranged for an officiant for the afternoon of June 9. One task down. About a million to go.

Recapulet: I put in a second decent morning workout last Thursday, as was my latest pledge, with a 3-mi treadmill run, followed by some weight training. Then followed up that effort on Friday with a quick 2-mi run ahead of the sweat-inducing BOSU class. There was no running on the weekend, even though I asked my sister twice. She assures me she is still committed to the race. I know she is, and I will sign up this week to ensure that I am as well.

Time management

Get ready to roll your eyes. I have new plan -- to go to the gym early in the morning, probably twice a week. This is really a time management thing. First, I can catch a ride downtown with CMan when he has his absurdly early morning shift at least twice a week, and get in a good hour of running and/or weight training before my own shift starts. Second, that leaves me lots of time later in the day to play The Game (CMan and I play together, or try to). And since I'm just under two months away from starting "serious" training for a half-mary (though still not firmly committed to going to Ottawa -- I have not signed on the dotted line yet), I figure I don't have to be so vigilant about running right now. Yes I am so rationalizing everything again.

That said, I got off to a good start this morning. I ran 4.25 miles while watching the morning news.