Paleo

So I wrote a blog post about Paleo, and then life got in the way and I completely forgot to post it.  Oops?  My boyfriend had a business trip in the beginning of February (1^st-16^th) so while he was away I decided to try Paleo.  I had been thinking about trying it for months and my gym was doing a challenge later in the month, so I figured why not!  I stocked up the kitchen with Almond flour, Coconut flour, Coconut Oil, Almond butter, and a ton of veggies, fruits, and meat.  Little did I know how expensive it was going to be!  But I committed to giving it a shot and I wasn't turning back for that reason.  I started on a Saturday, and he first work week was tough, I craved carbs.  And I crashed on Thursday, I took a nap after work which I never do.  But after that I had never felt better.  I had more energy and I only needed one cup of coffee a day (with almond milk which was an adjustment).  I saw my body changing, too, with muscle definition.  I fit into jeans that I hadn't worn in two years, and on top of that those jeans only fit for about a month when I went workout crazy after a break up.  So that was a major mood boost!  People were noticing a change, too, because I had a couple co-workers and family members tell me I looked thinner!  I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, though, something I was not used to, hours upon hours on Sundays to prepare food for the week.

 I was worried about my workouts while on Paleo, though.  I had read some blogs saying they just didn't get the same workout without the carbs, and on top of crossfit I’m trying for two half marathons!  The first run I did with my new diet was six miles, and I tried a banana and a sweet potato beforehand (when usually I have a banana and a bagel).  My run was fantastic!  I went out with a friend, one where we have the same pace.  I ended up breaking away and just ran.  I know crossfit has helped my running, but this was just amazing!  I ended up with a 10:54 pace.  I know that doesn't seem fast, but that’s a huge deal for me!  My last year’s training runs were around 11:30-12:30 minutes per mile, so this is a big improvement.  And my WODs weren't suffering either, I saw some PRs and still amaze myself by getting through some of them.

Since my boyfriend’s been home, just two weeks now, the diet’s been more off than on.  I will never say it’s his fault, because he usually tries to tell me what I want to eat isn't Paleo and tries to stop me.  But it’s harder having someone else around.  When he was gone I only had to worry about me, but now on the weekends I need to find something that’s good for us both, which is not much, or cook two meals.  So we've ended up eating out more (our banks/credit cards aren't happy) and half the time I do really well – burger but I don’t eat the bun, but then the fries stare at me so I have to eat some!  I’m not a huge drinker, but I drink socially, which obviously happens more around him, as well.  Do I feel different now?  I would say yes, because somedays I just want to reach for a second cup of coffee.  I don’t know if it’s because I’m cold (I hate all the snow we've been getting in Jersey) or I legitimately need it.  So I’ve been grabbing tea in the afternoon which helps.  I feel like my body isn't what it was two weeks ago.  I know I have a body image issue regardless, but I don’t see the same muscle definition that I did while I was pretty strict on Paleo.  So I've made a plan, a compromise.  During the week I eat strict Paleo (except if I need alcohol – just being honest) and that includes date night with the boyfriend.  And each weekend day, Saturday and Sunday, I get one cheat meal.  Let's see how this plan goes...

Shoe Update

So the second pair finally arrived today!  The color is better in person than online.  But once I put them on, the arch of my foot hurt.  It almost felt like it was a little too far back for my foot.  I'm wondering if that goes along with the "barefoot" style, or if they're just not for me.  I wore one of each shoe around for about an hour.  I couldn't even tell I had the Pace Glove's on!  So once I found that those were comfortable I wore both Bare Access Arc 2 for another hour.  I could tell the one I had on for two hours started to feel more comfortable, but at times it still didn't feel right.  I think it has too much arch support for me, but after reading reviews, others seem to really like that about the shoe!  I didn't notice that much more cushioning, but then again I wasn't doing much in them.  The Pace Gloves may be a tad too big, so when I go to return the other pair I'll try on a 1/2 size smaller just in case.  I'm excited to have new shoes for crossfit.  I keep going on my toes for some of the weightlifting, so maybe this will help me out!

I skipped tonight because I technically worked out twice last night (I stayed for the beginners and ended up doing their WOD with my friend),  My arms are a little sore and today had push ups and pull ups, no thank you!  I went for a short two mile run.  I have off tomorrow (and Monday, yay!!) so my plan is to go at 7:30 or 9:00 in the morning.  Then it's off to the Poconos for the weekend.  Two days of snowboarding will be a nice change in workout.

Shoes

Yesterday I had a girls day, with my friend that just started crossfit.  We were on a hunt for workout gear, and I, specifically, wanted new shoes.  I've been wearing my old running shoes from my first two half marathons because I don't want to wear out my new ones before my two upcoming races.  Those shoes are so worn and there is no traction that I'm starting to feel it.  My boyfriend bought Merrell's to use for crossfit earlier this year so I thought I'd give them a shot.  We went to REI, I had never been there but I think it's one of my new favorite stores!  They had two Merrell shoes on sale so I tried on both.  I can't remember the one I tried, but I ended up with the Pace Glove 2.  I'm so indecisive, though, and I'm second guessing my decision.  So I spent the night looking up reviews and other Merrell shoes.  This morning I found another shoes on the REI outlet sight, this was the Bare Access Arc 2, which is actually the shoe my boyfriend has.  They said this one has slightly more cushioning which would make it an easier transition to the barefoot idea.  And it also has the zero heel to toe drop.  The one I purchased has a zero heel to mid foot drop, so I want to see if there's a real difference.  

Once the new ones come in I plan to wear both around and compare them!

Merrell Bare Access Arc 2

Merrell Pace Glove 2

Crossfit and Christmas

December flew by!  I can't believe Christmas is over and New Year's is in a couple days.  I've been so busy that I haven't had time to update, sorry.  But I'm happy to report that I've been at Crossfit for two weeks now.  After the first class, my boyfriend got me a two week gift card for beginner classes that they were giving out to members.  He also got one for his mom!  I didn't go until the next Thursday, because that worked for his mom.  But it also worked out for me because I caught the nastiest stomach bug Tuesday night into Wednesday.  It was going around my job and I could barely eat until Saturday, so needless to say the workout was that much tougher without substantial food in my belly.  In the beginner class we didn't do the same workout as the regular class.  We did a little strength and then we rowed 500 meters, and in the rest of the 10 minute workout we did 10 KB swings and 10 box jumps.  His mom was a trooper.  I went the Monday the 23rd and I got to experience the "12 days of Christmas" workout.  The teacher only gave up 15 minutes to do as much as we could instead of finishing the whole thing.  I got up to the 10th day, but didn't finish it.  That was a brutal workout, but I felt so good afterwards!  Christmas messed up my schedule a little so I ended up going Friday night.  Starting with Clean and Jerks (I'm slowly working on the names!) followed by AMRAP in 10 minutes of 5 push presses, 10 body rows, and 20 sit ups.  It's crazy that a workout is only 10-15 minutes yet I'm so exhausted after completing it.  Tomorrow may be my last beginner class.  I'm debating on if I want to do the 2x a week or 3x a week membership.  I have to remember that I need to train in between all of this so that's why I'm debating.

For Christmas I got a couple running things!  Pro Compression socks, an iFitness hydration belt, a foot massager, and a running vest.  Yesterday my friend and I went for my first run since December 2nd, ouch!  We did a nice slow 3 mile run and ended with a pace just under 12 minute miles.  I need to get back into my routine, end of November I was doing 2-4 miles with a 9:30 pace!!  I'm either doing a 12 week or 10 week training plan, so those would start either second or last week in January.

Crossfit... Attempt #2

So today I ventured to my boyfriend's box.  It's a 25-30 minute drive, which was why I was wary to try them first.   I had scheduled to go the same time he usually attends.  Unfortunately, he got stuck at work and couldn't make it.  I knew his friend was teaching the class so I felt more at ease than I had going to the other gym last week.  As soon as I walked in I felt more comfortable than I had previously.  The gym was much larger and seemed more put together.  The warm up was done as a group, instead of solo, major plus in my book.  People were so much more friendly and willing to help and encourage each other.  Although I'm sure it helped that I knew the coach, I believe he would have taken the time to help anyone new.  They already took down the workout so I'm not sure what everything we did was called.  But we did 30 squats with the barbell, 30 toes to bar, 20 lifting the bar, 20 toes to bar, 10 squats with the barbell, and 10 toes to bar.  I wish I had the proper terminology, but I'm sure that'll come in time.  We did a stretch at the end which was nice.  I know I'm still going to be super sore for two days like last time, but hopefully it'll help a little.  There's a box a little closer, but I'm not sure I even want to go through that awkward first workout when I liked this place so much.  Now I have to suck it up and pull out the credit card and go!

Cross Fit

So I just got home from my first Cross Fit experience.  There aren't many boxes in the area, so I found the closet one and e-mailed the owner.  My boyfriend's cousin started there in the summer, but she goes to the morning classes.  She seems to like it so I had high hopes.  The class started at 5:30, but I showed up around 5:15 because I had no freaking idea what I was getting myself into.  I filled out a form and signed a waiver.  The owner was very nice and welcoming.  He had me do a different warm up than everyone else.  I almost did a pull up!! (I've never done one before in my life.)  He had two workouts planned, I don't know how it's supposed to work so I went with it.  First we did three sets of 30-second handstand holds, 60-second forward leaning rest, 90-second side plank (each side) but they turned into 45 second during the second set.  Then for time we did four rounds of 10 dead lifts (@60%) but I just used a kettle bell and I don't know how heavy it was, 5 barbell roll outs but I had an ab roller, and 400 meter run.  Ouch.  That is all I have to say.  The first part wasn't too bad except I'm horrible at side planks.  And the second set of workout was more difficult than I had pictured, probably because I'm used to just running but now I was using muscles that I haven't used in a long time.  The I didn't come in last, so that was nice.  A couple of the people were nice, but others I didn't get a good vibe from.  Being a smaller gym, they had to know I was new.  Maybe I was expecting too much, but I've heard so many great things about cross fit people being welcoming and encouraging that only two out of 12-15 people even speaking to me wasn't what I had pictured.
I think I'm going to check out my boyfriend's box next week.  It's farther and more expensive, but he rants and raves about it so we'll see how I like it.

I just needed to share my post workout victory

I didn't run this weekend.  Saturday I went Bridesmaid dress shopping and didn't have enough time and when I woke up Sunday it felt like nine degrees outside so I stayed cuddled in bed.  So my last run before today was Thursday, not too bad.  But today is my first below freezing run of the year, so needless to say I was a little worried.  I had purchased new leggings that I've been waiting to try for two weeks!  They're fleece lined and by far my new favorite.  I had set out to complete two or three miles, but shortly after beginning my run I changed my mind to four.  First mile was a 10:17 pace, not too bad but I figured I would burn out like I always do.  My huge problem is starting too fast and then fading very, very quickly.  But I was wrong.  mile two came with a 10:05 pace.  What was going on?  During mile three I had felt my speed slow.  My Garmin beeped and told me my third mile was done in 9:53!!  I have never had a mile be under 10 minutes that wasn't a first mile.  I thought I gave up at 3.22 miles and once more during the fourth mile.  I literally stopped and turned off my watch, but in a couple seconds told myself that I could not quit.  I felt like I was barely moving towards the end of my run, and that last .2 miles was a big struggle.  I felt like I wasn't moving but I also knew I was pushing myself to be done, it was a weird feeling.  The final mile was done in 9:22!  Two weeks ago I struggled to complete four miles in 45 minutes.  Today I did it in 39 minutes and 40 seconds!  I don't know what happened and I'm not sure that'll ever happen again.

Gipis Update

After a week of using Gipis and pondering over what I thought of the plan it created for me, I decided that it's not for me.  I want to keep the app and update it with the runs I do.  My friend, who is running the half with me, is using it and I found that seeing her workouts are motivation for when I don't want to get out there and run.  For now I'm going to get out there whatever days I feel like it.  I'm aiming for at least four days a week.  I know with the cold and possible snow approaching in the upcoming months that may not always happen, but I won't beat myself up if I miss a couple workouts.  My training long runs will start ten weeks before the half, which is the last weekend in January.

The Philly Marathon was this weekend.  Getting the tweets about it made me excited that I'm getting back out there.  I've always had the dream of running a full... one day.  I don't know how I would do, but I could always try just once, right?  Maybe that'll be the Philly in a year or two.

Training Plan

So for my last two races, I made my own plan.  I found the one that fit me the best and made it fit my life.  I settled for a 10-week plan that I found on Pinterest.  I skipped most of my weekday runs and focused on the long runs.  I thought that was what mattered.  I'm also a firm believer in using intervals.  It took a while but I found what worked for me, 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking, this allowed me to run the best.

This time around I'm taking a whole new approach.  One night sitting on my couch I decided to look up fitness apps.  I stumbled across one called Gipis and I downloaded it.  I went through the prompts and it asked what my last timed run was and what my new goal is.  It made a detailed plan from that day until the day of my half marathon.  You get to choose the four days you want to run every week. I got to select Easier, Recommended, or Harder.  By accident I chose harder but decided to stick with it (you can change it).  According to the app my new half marathon finish time will be 2 hours 11 minutes... that's 17 minutes faster than my last half.  I thought why not give it a shot.  The first month is running... slow, 13:30 minute per mile pace.  I physically can't seem to fun that slow, I tried.  I'm also supposed to be running the whole time allotted which is new for me.

First week down. 35 minutes, 45 minutes, and two 15 minute runs.  Ran straight through every run, which is something I have not done in a while, since I'm such an interval girl.  The runs were nice, too!  I can't get the app to work when I actually run, that's my goal this upcoming week.  I just manually input all my information from my Garmin.  I rely on that watch, but when the runs start to vary in speed at different intervals I would like the app to tell me what to do.  This plan is a trial and error.  I'll have no problem returning to my old plan when there are ten weeks left until race day if I don't like how Gipis is going.