I had a rather busy weekend, so I think we will wrap it all up in one post. Friday I did some more yoga. I did free form again, but focused on stretching and lengthening poses instead of the strengthening poses I did earlier in the week. Saturday I went for an early morning run. It was chilly, but refreshing. Shortly after my run my family showed up.
This weekend was the roofing weekend! Well, half the roof anyway.
My brother brought his two boys up and helped strip one side of the roof. I was amazed at how much they got done so quickly. I didn't have to go up on the roof to help, but I don't think I sat down very much that day. I cleaned, cooked and walked the fence line so Charby could get out of the barnyard. Had to run and get some supplies as well.
My husband's family showed up with the metal roofing shortly after lunch. It was wonderful to see them, but definitely added to the chaos. We unpacked the trailer while they ran off to see other local family members.Amazing how small my entire roof looked packaged up.
I did get to spend the day with my mom, who also came up with them, and watch my younger nephew sit in a recliner and play Mine Craft all day. His focus was astounding.
Sunday started the cycle all over again. Up at 6:30, made pancakes and got to work. Again with the running to town for supplies. Since the boys didn't need me immediately after I returned, I went out to do some work in the barn. This included a lovely irrigation ditch, since last spring all the snow and ice that built up along the side of the barn melted and caused a river in the barn for several weeks. Directly across Charby's stall, no matter how I tried to block it. So this year I am being preemptive.
I have to say, wet clay mud is not fun to work with, it wouldn't come off the shovel, or me! And let's not talk about the tree roots in my way.
After changing into some clothes that did not have mud all over them, I spent the rest of the day helping with the roof. We were so close to done when the light went on us. Probably 5 more pieces across the end and we would be done. So that will be next Saturday afternoon. I didn't get a chance to run, but I think with the digging, and the lifting and the up/down the ladder a dozen times or more, I got plenty of exercise in for the day. By 6:30 we were sitting cross-eyed in front of the tv.
Monday I got up and ran in the chilly weather again. Forgot the the thick socks this time, but after half a mile, everything warms up and the vented toes are a good thing!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
11/06
Today's Plan: run
I went back to my regular running sneakers and my legs felt much better the rest of the day after my run. Definitely needed the thick socks. It is getting chilly out there in the mornings. But no ice this morning.
I went back on the whey protein in my yogurt this week, only this time I started with a third of a serving. No bad reactions this time around. My real question is, how will I know if it's helping?
I started taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin early in the summer to help with any problems I might have with my knees or ankles. In August I finished the first bottle (I'd gotten a 2pack) and stopped taking it. In September I noticed that my knees in fact did feel worse and were more likely to hurt in between runs. Since I have started taking the glucosamine again my knees are definitely better. I also take magnesium, which is good for bone and muscle health. I don't see the benefits as clearly, but it can't hurt!
There are so many suggested supplements out there, I really feel overwhelmed. If I can't see a noticeable effect, I don't want to take it. I try to eat enough natural and unprocessed food so that I can get a lot of the nutrients I need without supplements. (ignore the gum drops I was eating while starting this post) It doesn't always work. But it's the thought that counts, right?
I went back to my regular running sneakers and my legs felt much better the rest of the day after my run. Definitely needed the thick socks. It is getting chilly out there in the mornings. But no ice this morning.
I went back on the whey protein in my yogurt this week, only this time I started with a third of a serving. No bad reactions this time around. My real question is, how will I know if it's helping?
I started taking Glucosamine/Chondroitin early in the summer to help with any problems I might have with my knees or ankles. In August I finished the first bottle (I'd gotten a 2pack) and stopped taking it. In September I noticed that my knees in fact did feel worse and were more likely to hurt in between runs. Since I have started taking the glucosamine again my knees are definitely better. I also take magnesium, which is good for bone and muscle health. I don't see the benefits as clearly, but it can't hurt!
There are so many suggested supplements out there, I really feel overwhelmed. If I can't see a noticeable effect, I don't want to take it. I try to eat enough natural and unprocessed food so that I can get a lot of the nutrients I need without supplements. (ignore the gum drops I was eating while starting this post) It doesn't always work. But it's the thought that counts, right?
Thursday, November 6, 2014
11/05
Today's Plan: yoga
Like a normal morning, events took longer than expected this morning and I decided to do yoga instead of running. Now, keep in mind that running two miles is less than 22 minutes. I did yoga for 26 minutes before I realized I should really get ready for work. I was only 3 minutes late! That was the amount of time it took to feed Charby on the way out the driveway.
For some reason, running away from the house makes me nervous if I don't have a lot of time. I feel as if something were to happen, I would never get back in time. When I do yoga in the living room, I can quit at any point if I start to run late.
I enjoyed my yoga quite a bit today. I did what I call "free yoga" where I pull moves from my DVDs and put them in whatever order I feel like. I have been resisting the idea of yoga recently, I just haven't wanted to do get down on the floor and do it. As a yoga lover, it was rather odd. I think I have just been feeling stale about the routines I do. This morning, however, I got that well twisted feeling after I was done. Makes me look forward to doing it again.
I have the same problem with other types of exercise too. Just doing the same thing over and over can become old quickly. Running the same paths, doing the same DVDs, performing the same weight moves, using the same elliptical, can all be extremely boring. Whenever I don't want to do a particular exercise, I know I need to do something different. Not necessarily a different exercise, just find a different way to do it so I can enjoy it again.
Like a normal morning, events took longer than expected this morning and I decided to do yoga instead of running. Now, keep in mind that running two miles is less than 22 minutes. I did yoga for 26 minutes before I realized I should really get ready for work. I was only 3 minutes late! That was the amount of time it took to feed Charby on the way out the driveway.
For some reason, running away from the house makes me nervous if I don't have a lot of time. I feel as if something were to happen, I would never get back in time. When I do yoga in the living room, I can quit at any point if I start to run late.
I enjoyed my yoga quite a bit today. I did what I call "free yoga" where I pull moves from my DVDs and put them in whatever order I feel like. I have been resisting the idea of yoga recently, I just haven't wanted to do get down on the floor and do it. As a yoga lover, it was rather odd. I think I have just been feeling stale about the routines I do. This morning, however, I got that well twisted feeling after I was done. Makes me look forward to doing it again.
I have the same problem with other types of exercise too. Just doing the same thing over and over can become old quickly. Running the same paths, doing the same DVDs, performing the same weight moves, using the same elliptical, can all be extremely boring. Whenever I don't want to do a particular exercise, I know I need to do something different. Not necessarily a different exercise, just find a different way to do it so I can enjoy it again.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
11/04
Today's Plan: run & weights
We all know that I have been clamoring for Daylight Savings. And I was greatly disappointed in Mother Nature on Sunday as she dropped quite a bit of wet, heavy snow on us. This morning I got up, the sky was lightening, and I went running.
My sneakers are made for summer, with vents over the toes. I have a rather big collection of shoes and amid the selection was a pair of LL Bean slip-ons with a solid, grippy sole. I thought I would try those so if I hit any patches of snow or water I wouldn't come home with wet feet. The sole looked like it would be good for cushioning impact and keeping me from landing on my butt.
I only went for a short run. I decided that if the shoes were going to be an issue, it would be better to not get too far out. They felt fine while running. I have noticed some soreness on the insides of my calves, stretching up from the ankles. My knee was also unhappy this morning. I think I will go back to my normal shoes with thick socks. And I will jump over the puddles.
We all know that I have been clamoring for Daylight Savings. And I was greatly disappointed in Mother Nature on Sunday as she dropped quite a bit of wet, heavy snow on us. This morning I got up, the sky was lightening, and I went running.
My sneakers are made for summer, with vents over the toes. I have a rather big collection of shoes and amid the selection was a pair of LL Bean slip-ons with a solid, grippy sole. I thought I would try those so if I hit any patches of snow or water I wouldn't come home with wet feet. The sole looked like it would be good for cushioning impact and keeping me from landing on my butt.
I only went for a short run. I decided that if the shoes were going to be an issue, it would be better to not get too far out. They felt fine while running. I have noticed some soreness on the insides of my calves, stretching up from the ankles. My knee was also unhappy this morning. I think I will go back to my normal shoes with thick socks. And I will jump over the puddles.
That would be ice on the bog!
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Learning the Curve
My mother is fearless. When we had a rabid raccoon in the barn, she caught up two bricks and headed off after it. This is where I like to say that I am the one who grabbed it by the tail and threw it when it went after the dog--all the while screaming like a girl for my mom. My dad pointed out to her that smashing bricks into an animal carrying a blood borne disease wasn't perhaps the best idea. We did find another way to deal with the raccoon and had the Wardens take it for testing.
When we ride the horses on our road, Mom is fine heading down the center of the road. I take a bit more after my dad. He was a worrier. He comes by it naturally from a family of worries, so I don't let it worry me that I also inherited the gene.
I am more of a defensive rider. I prefer to ride on the edge so that if a car comes I don't have to worry getting out of the way in a hurry. Cars have a tendency to fly down the road, especially around the corners. A horse is much harder to maneuver than a dog when when faced with an idiot in a vehicle. I do like to plan ahead for any complications in most situations. Although most situations never require my well thought out plans, I feel better for having them.
My mother doesn't worry about getting out of the way, she'll do it when it's an issue. Of course, her horse was twice the size of mine--a draft Thoroughbred cross. Cars would think twice before getting that as a hood ornament. And this is the woman who once slid across a New Jersey highway on a horse: horse shoes and pavement don't always get along. After that, our little roads couldn't possibly bother her.
My horse has never wanted to walk on the edge. I used to think she was just being contrary. She can be like that. Then I started running.
And I learned about crowning the road. For anyone like me who never gave any thought to this, they engineer the roads so that water runs from the high point (the yellow line) to the low point (the ditches). Obviously this makes it safer during storms for drivers.
It also makes it hard to run (or walk with four legs) on an even surface. Running on the edge can be like running with one leg an inch shorter than the other. Hard to get a good stride going and painful when done.
I have figured out over time where the flattest place to run is on my local roads. It sometimes involves crossing the road several times during the miles. And I let Charby walk where she will now. I feel much more sympathetic towards her.
When we ride the horses on our road, Mom is fine heading down the center of the road. I take a bit more after my dad. He was a worrier. He comes by it naturally from a family of worries, so I don't let it worry me that I also inherited the gene.
I am more of a defensive rider. I prefer to ride on the edge so that if a car comes I don't have to worry getting out of the way in a hurry. Cars have a tendency to fly down the road, especially around the corners. A horse is much harder to maneuver than a dog when when faced with an idiot in a vehicle. I do like to plan ahead for any complications in most situations. Although most situations never require my well thought out plans, I feel better for having them.
My mother doesn't worry about getting out of the way, she'll do it when it's an issue. Of course, her horse was twice the size of mine--a draft Thoroughbred cross. Cars would think twice before getting that as a hood ornament. And this is the woman who once slid across a New Jersey highway on a horse: horse shoes and pavement don't always get along. After that, our little roads couldn't possibly bother her.
My horse has never wanted to walk on the edge. I used to think she was just being contrary. She can be like that. Then I started running.
And I learned about crowning the road. For anyone like me who never gave any thought to this, they engineer the roads so that water runs from the high point (the yellow line) to the low point (the ditches). Obviously this makes it safer during storms for drivers.
It also makes it hard to run (or walk with four legs) on an even surface. Running on the edge can be like running with one leg an inch shorter than the other. Hard to get a good stride going and painful when done.
I have figured out over time where the flattest place to run is on my local roads. It sometimes involves crossing the road several times during the miles. And I let Charby walk where she will now. I feel much more sympathetic towards her.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
11/1 &11/2
11/1 Plans: weights and yoga
11/2 Plans: run
I didn't have anything terribly exciting to say about yesterday's exercises so I thought I would just do a combination blog today. Yesterday's plan went, well, to plan. I went to work in the morning and got home around oneish. I thought I might even get a run in instead of yoga, but then the rain drops started hitting the windshield. Oh well, I went home and did the weights and some yoga aimed at my abs.
This morning I planned a run. I set my clock back before I even went to bed. Even though my husband said it was bad luck, I sniffed at him and didn't worry. Maybe I should have. This morning the sky brightened an hour early. Yay! But, knowing how excited I was to be able to run early in the mornings again, Mother Nature handed me (and my neighbors) another gift:
It snowed all day. In fact, it is still snowing. It's a lovely wet snow, weighing down the fence lines and making us clean off the dish several times in order to watch the football game.
So I did what any normal person stuck inside unexpectedly would do: I rearranged the living room and helped my husband build a chimney. (That is normal, right?)The living room was much easier than the chimney. My husband actually mentioned an idea to change our living room last week, which was astonishing as I am the reorganizer and he usually just groans. I let his idea percolate and since I had time today, and I was vacuuming and moving everything anyway......
We are still working on the chimney, but we got a good start today. Nothing more fun than cutting holes in the floor and ceilings. Until you realize that the chimney is going to hit a roof truss. *sigh*
11/2 Plans: run
I didn't have anything terribly exciting to say about yesterday's exercises so I thought I would just do a combination blog today. Yesterday's plan went, well, to plan. I went to work in the morning and got home around oneish. I thought I might even get a run in instead of yoga, but then the rain drops started hitting the windshield. Oh well, I went home and did the weights and some yoga aimed at my abs.
This morning I planned a run. I set my clock back before I even went to bed. Even though my husband said it was bad luck, I sniffed at him and didn't worry. Maybe I should have. This morning the sky brightened an hour early. Yay! But, knowing how excited I was to be able to run early in the mornings again, Mother Nature handed me (and my neighbors) another gift:
So I did what any normal person stuck inside unexpectedly would do: I rearranged the living room and helped my husband build a chimney. (That is normal, right?)The living room was much easier than the chimney. My husband actually mentioned an idea to change our living room last week, which was astonishing as I am the reorganizer and he usually just groans. I let his idea percolate and since I had time today, and I was vacuuming and moving everything anyway......
We are still working on the chimney, but we got a good start today. Nothing more fun than cutting holes in the floor and ceilings. Until you realize that the chimney is going to hit a roof truss. *sigh*
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Lying to Run
Everyone lies. From the harmless "gee, your hair looks great" to the more severe "I don't know what happened to the copier, but let me call the repair guy". Hopefully that is about the worst people I know do. I try not to do anything more serious than that myself. I mean, unless I am forgetting to tell the husband something.
Except when I run. Turns out, I can be downright deceitful with myself.
I promise if I can get to a certain point, I can go back. Then I get there, and since I made it that far, I pick another point--if I can only make up the hill, then I can be done. And then again. Somehow I can lie myself right through the whole run. One would think I would stop falling for that.
I also lie about my pace. When I feel like I am going as fast as I can and I want to slow down, I promise myself when I really can't go that fast anymore, I can reduce my pace. Some days I am amazed how far I can go before I have to go slower. Some days it only takes the next hill.
I did a poll among my friends to see who else uses the carrot trick. I found some other tricks that work well too. A good one is to use a running buddy. One friend runs with her 12 year old, so she has to keep going--no one wants to admit to their child they can't keep up . "If she goes with me I can push myself".
This worked out great for both of them. Her daughter is having a terrific cross country season this year. And my friend did the Beach Raid in September.
Another friend uses constant dialog in her head the whole time. She also uses an audio Couch to 5K program, which prompts her when to run and when to walk. She says it helps to have someone in her ear telling her what to do.
I know a lot of people use music to keep the run moving. In my life, music is background noise. I always have it on. I love music, especially anything with a beat. But I have a tendency to get lost in my thoughts and I miss parts of the songs. That happens when I run as well. (Frequently I am thinking about my next blog) So while I do love to run with music it is not a driving force for me to run faster or longer. I think it just sheer determination some days that keeps me going. Other days, it is just the sheer joy of being outside, surrounded by nature and feeling of my muscles smoothly working together.
How do you get yourself going? More importantly, how do you keep yourself going while out there?
Except when I run. Turns out, I can be downright deceitful with myself.
I promise if I can get to a certain point, I can go back. Then I get there, and since I made it that far, I pick another point--if I can only make up the hill, then I can be done. And then again. Somehow I can lie myself right through the whole run. One would think I would stop falling for that.
I also lie about my pace. When I feel like I am going as fast as I can and I want to slow down, I promise myself when I really can't go that fast anymore, I can reduce my pace. Some days I am amazed how far I can go before I have to go slower. Some days it only takes the next hill.
I did a poll among my friends to see who else uses the carrot trick. I found some other tricks that work well too. A good one is to use a running buddy. One friend runs with her 12 year old, so she has to keep going--no one wants to admit to their child they can't keep up . "If she goes with me I can push myself".
This worked out great for both of them. Her daughter is having a terrific cross country season this year. And my friend did the Beach Raid in September.
Another friend uses constant dialog in her head the whole time. She also uses an audio Couch to 5K program, which prompts her when to run and when to walk. She says it helps to have someone in her ear telling her what to do.
I know a lot of people use music to keep the run moving. In my life, music is background noise. I always have it on. I love music, especially anything with a beat. But I have a tendency to get lost in my thoughts and I miss parts of the songs. That happens when I run as well. (Frequently I am thinking about my next blog) So while I do love to run with music it is not a driving force for me to run faster or longer. I think it just sheer determination some days that keeps me going. Other days, it is just the sheer joy of being outside, surrounded by nature and feeling of my muscles smoothly working together.
How do you get yourself going? More importantly, how do you keep yourself going while out there?
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