Classes?

Do any of you take classes at the gym? I never thought Id be a class taker, but a few months ago, my runner friend, Cait talked me in to doing my first. It was a TAC (total athletic conditioning) class. And boy was it HARD!
It was the instructors last day so she really pushed us. It was basically Tabata. Which is  20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated continuously for 4 minutes (8 cycles).
Power squats were the very first exercise. I have never been so sore in my entire life! I literally had to reteach myself how to walk! I tried running 3 days after the TAC class, and I couldn't even get my legs to go the way they were supposed to!
But it was totally worth it and I LOVED the feeling of that soreness!

So ever since that first TAC class, I've been hooked. TAC is every Monday and then we take Cycle Circuit. Which is basically spinning. Getting off of the bike, doing Polymetrics on the floor and then hopping back on the bike. And on Friday, we use the gym. We do 30 minutes of cardio,(which is almost always running) and then strength training.

But now, our TAC instructor has an all Tabata class on Fridays! To say I'm excited and a bit nervous is an understatement. I'm so excited to have such an intense work out. But a bit nervous of not being able to walk 3-5 days afterwards! Haha..

Do any of you take classes? Would you rather take a class or just use the gym?

I'm here!!

Update:

So my foot is probably still in it's healing process. I say that because I know that it hasn't completely healed. I still run on it and I still exercise and when I do, it hurts. (which makes me think I reinjure it)But not enough to make me go back to the doctor. I'm so afraid that they'll stick me in another cast and all of the hard work and training I've been doing will be ruined. Yes, I know, it's stupid and I'll just end up injuring myself more. But, I'm selfish, and I don't care. :)

Hubby and I did the Warrior Dash in Virgina in October. I HATED it! Well, I hated it while I was running it, but afterwards, it was all totally worth it. In fact, it was so much fun that we've signed up for two more! I have one in August and another in September.

So I did the Warrior Dash in October and a Breast Cancer 5k the same month and a Turkey Trot in November. As of December, I've been taking classes 2-3 days a week at the gym and toning up. The closest thing to a race that I've done in December was my 5.7 miles I ran on Friday and a pace of 10 minutes a mile. I know, I know.. that's slow.. but I don't care. I enjoy my run way more at a slower pace.

Speaking of that run. It was one of the best runs I've had since I stopped running in my Vibrams. I haven't felt that much in tune with my body and my breathing in a long time. It's so nice to just go out there with no plan. Just go out there and run. Run until you feel like stopping. No watch, no music.. just you and the road. Those are the best kind.

As for whats next, I REALLY want to add a half marathon to my list of races. I've been saying this since 2009 and every year something prevents me from doing one. 2011 was supposed to be that year. 7 miles was the farthest I had ever ran in my life. I ran the 10k and the next step was the half.. and then I broke my foot. So hopefully, 2012 will be the year I can cross, "Run a half marathon" off of my to do list..

Like I've mentioned above. I have two Warrior Dashes with a possible 3rd in the works lined up so far. I'm  hoping to be able to add a few 5k's, 8k's and 10k's in the mix as well. But also, I'd really like to focus on cross training and building up different muscles while training for these runs..

That's that.

Out of commission

So as most of you may know, I am out of commission. I haven't ran since my 8k on June 11th. I fractured my foot and have been in an air cast for the past 9 weeks.

August 31st, I go back in to see if it's healed. If it isn't, they're going to do a CT Scan to find out exactly why it's still broken and not healing. The fracture is just down from my second toe on the top of my foot. At the last appointment, my doctor said that it is healing.. so this is a good sign.

I think I fractured it by trying to run too fast in my Vibrams. I started running with my neighbor, Cait and shes faster than me. She wanted to do a 9 minute mile. (Which I could do in regular sneakers) So to practice for the 8k (Race the Waves) that we signed up for, we ran a 9 minute mile. I just think I over did it with that run because after that, I couldn't run for 3 days. The 8k was that Saturday and I was determined to run it. Well, I did and, like I said before, haven't ran since.

Not being able to run is KILLING me. I feel like running is a huge part of me. I can feel it in my bones. I ache for it when I see someone run by. I get jealous of other runners. It's awful.

But I did sign Aaron and I up for the Warrior Dash. It's October 1st and it's in Virginia. Here is the site: Warrior Dash My Mom and Dad just did it in New York and had the time of their lives. My Mother even got 1st place for her age group!  So I'm praying to be healed by then. Hopefully I wont need physical therapy..

As for now, I'm stuck in this baby:

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have of myself in the  thing. That's my cousin, Erin on the right. .

I'll update after the 31st! Wish me luck! :)

Race the Waves 8k

This morning I did my first 8k. I guess it's kind of a step backwards from a 10k, but now I have one of each under my belt.

This race took place in Emerald Isle, Nc. I got up at 6:15, ate a bagel put on my flip flops and was out the door. Packet pick up was from 6:45-7:30 and the race started at 8:00.  I was really rushing to get there because I didn't realize that it was almost 40 minutes away. Whoops. So I get there, put my Vibrams on, go get my packet, and put on my bib. I met up with my friend, Cait and her Husband, Kyle. We stood around for what seemed like forever in the blistering sun. It was only 75 degrees, but the humidity was 85%. FUN!

The race started and I made sure I was the last to cross over the start line. I hate getting tangled up in all of that adrenaline when the gun goes off, so I normally hang back to ensure I can stay at a good pace.

This race was an out and back, (which I HATE) The first 2 miles were HOT. I'm not going to lie. I sweat like a mo fo! There was absolutely no wind or breeze.. just your breath and the humidity. The way back was so much better. I caught the breeze off the ocean and it felt so good. This route was actually hillier than my normal running route! Which really surprises me considering it's right by the ocean. But I welcomed a little challenge. I mean, these hills are nothing like what I used to do in Virginia and nothing like I've done in NY, but I've become so used to running on flat, that these "hills" were a nice little change.

Anyway, I finished in 50 minutes and some change. Which is okay with me. Thats a 10 minute a mile pace and thats what I normally do. Eventually Id like to step up my pace, but I'm not going to worry about. As long as I run the whole thing, no walking, and I finish, I'm happy. I have never walked a single race I've been in and I wont start now just because I decide to pick up my pace and tire myself out. Ya know?

I'm still looking to find the official time, but so far, nothings up. Oh, and I finished 3rd for my age group! Got a nice little medal and even stood on a podium! Lol..

Next up is the Firecracker 4 in Saratoga, Ny on July 4th! That is, unless I find something else down here and my foot heals before then! :)

8k and a bit of an update.

I just recently signed up for an 8k. It's this weekend in Emerald Isle, NC. So I think an 8k is 4.97 miles. So, we'll just say 5. I've been running 5 the past few days. I've actually picked up a running partner. She's my neighbor from down the street. She actually ran the Run for the Warriors that I did in May except she ran the 5k and I ran the 10k. She's good.

She ran her first 5 miles with me the other night. She's got a faster pace which makes me work more. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I like being in the 10 minute pace, but the competitive part of me wants to keep up. Which has now resulted in a minor injury to my left foot. It's a bit swollen. But nothing a little ice and Toger Balm can't fix.

So after this 8 k, I have a 4 miler lined up back in New York. It's on the 4th of July. I'm trying to get my dad to run it with me. We'll see.

Now I just have to find something for August.

I ran my first 10k!

 On Saturday, I did the Run for the Warriors 10k  here in Jacksonville, nc.

Right up until I crossed the start line, I was a nervous mess. But I tried really hard to keep thinking like it was a normal run and I did great. I paced myself at a 10 minute a mile pace. I was pretty much right on the whole time. It was an easy run for me. (I can't believe that I'm saying that!) My breathing was perfect, nothing ached, no cramps. Well, at the 5 mile mark, I thought my toes were probably blistering.. and they were.. but that's nothing too bad. At no point was I thinking, "Gosh, I need to stop." I just kept trucking along.

The route was great. It was through a residential area and people were outside their homes watching. A lot of people had Patriotic music blaring and sprinklers on full blast so you could run though them. It was so nice to see such a great community of support. And what better cause than Wounded Worriers?

My official time was- 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 26 seconds. I was pretty darn happy with that. And very proud of myself.  As you'll see in the pictures, I hauled ass about the last half mile, finishing strong.

I think I'll be signing up for a few more 10k's this year before I try and tackle a half.

Best ever!

The other day, I ran 7.3 miles with my Vibrams! Yep, 7.3! I am obviously pretty darn proud of myself considering I started out only thinking Id do 3. After the 3.2 mile mark, I felt I should at least do 4. After that, I just kind of kept running. My breathing has been so perfect lately, that no amount of pain in my shins or feet can even stop me. When I'm finished running, I have blisters and can barely walk. (Tiger Balm works wonders for those sore muscles guys!) But since my breathing is so great, I just feel that as long as my legs keep working, I'll keep running. Kind of a mind over matter thing I guess.

Here is my route:

Hmm, wonder if that re sizes when you click on it? Probably not. It took me forever just to try and  figure out how to do the darn print screen thing. I'm too lazy to try and re size it now.

Anyway, It's been two days since my run. My Mother in law moved into her own house so it's been kind of difficult to get out there and run. And you all know how I feel about the treadmill. So I'm hoping to be able to go tomorrow night. I'll make myself do a lesser amount of mileage so I don't end up hurting myself. Then I'll probably only have about 2-3 more runs before the race. I also want to go down to the actual race route and run that once, too.. so we'll see..

I'm progressing in huge strides. I really don't think I could get this kind of run with my Asics. I truly believe that my Vibrams are what's making me progress so well.

If you haven't gotten a pair yet, what are you waiting for?!