Well I officially quit yesterday.  This training sucks.  Eric and I went for a run and he blasted past me and was finished 10 minutes ahead of me and he ran further than me. I was angry the entire run.  I was mad that my volleyball team had to forfeit our games because everybody was sick, injured or out of town, (which was the only reason I was out running in the first place). I was mad because I was slower than normal, I was mad because I was in pain and I said many profane words along the way.  Thankfully I was at the wildlife preserve so nobody could hear me…well maybe the few duck hunters out there shooting at me probably did but that is ok because they scared the crap out of me every time they shot at the stupid birds. You would think that hearing guns going off we have kicked my butt into gear but it didn't. Instead, I screamed from the top of my lungs "I QUIT!" Now I don’t think I was smiling when I said it and I know for a fact there was no rainbow over my head or a smiling star (I thought this was cute). 

I was just really upset.  My time was so slow and I was furious. Eric tried to be nice and walk…yes walk…water to me but I was so upset I said "NO! I’m no done yet!"  He really takes abuse from me whenever we go running "together." We never really do it together...either I'm mad at him for blasting past me and leaving me or I'm mad at him for running with me because I know my pace is too slow for him...he really can't win.   I’m so much happy when I’m alone.  When he comes along for a run, all my ugliness comes out. I’m so angry at his ability to go out and run 3.5 miles in less time than it take me to run 3 miles. I'm angry that he can do this even though he hasn't run since the triathlon which was over 6 weeks ago.  I have been “training” for 6 weeks and I still SUCK! It frustrates me. 

But I’m better now.  I came home and after another meltdown, I registered us for a 5K on Thanksgiving Day in Omaha and a 5K on New Year's Day in Minneapolis.  Now that I’ve invested into these two races, I can’t quit.  So let’s just say I temporarily quit.  And I quit in the middle of a run and continued running so is that really quitting?!  If I was a true quitter, I would have turned around and walked back. And actually after I said those words (around mile 2), I ran better and I felt better at the end of mile 3 and actually wanted to keep running.  See here are my splits...SLOOWWWW.

I ended up in bed at 8:30 last night.  Having all these meltdowns and being angry is tiring!

Well this week could have been another boring week but I have had a lot to celebrate to make it not so boring. If you forget about the team in purple (Vikings), all my teams won this week. 

Let’s start with Eric’s niece, Abbie.  Her soccer team (Mankato West) made it to Minnesota State Soccer Tournament.  We went to their game Thursday after work (yes I skipped band!). Eric and DJ had prepared me for the game saying they aren’t the greatest and LaCrescent was a good team…blah, blah, blah.  So sadly, I wasn’t very optimistic going into the game.  First thing first, Abbie started which is a shock…well this year it is because she is on a different team this year.  She was all conference and all city last year but moving schools and a new coach hindered her playing time.  90 freezing minutes later, Mankato West won 5-2.  Say what?  Yep!  They won and now they are going to the Metrodome! Whoop! Here is a pic:

This morning I was happy to see my hometown team football team won their first round playoff game.  The team isn’t the best but the beat the No. 1 seed CFC.  Very shocking and exciting. I hope they do well the rest of the way.  I have a vested interested because my cousin is the head coach…go John!

And then today the Gophers shocked the world and beat Nebraska.  Eric isn’t too happy about that…I’m still in awe that the Gophers managed to beat them.  When it comes to Big 10 play the Gophers are a laughing stock.  Now they have beat Northwestern and Nebraska…are they turning things around? I hope so!

So what else is new this week? Well on Wednesday, my official weigh in day, I lost almost 2 pounds since my last weigh in…very excited. I was down another pound since then but after all the crap I ate today I’m sure I’ll gain that back. :(

Training Update:

This week is a rest week which means I do less miles.  I’m not really sure if I’m at the level where I deserve a rest week but I took full advantage!

Sunday was a run day.  I mentioned this before…hills in Arcadia…almost killed me. I did 3 miles. It was cold and frosty.  Monday was an off day. Not that I wanted to but I wasn’t feel well.  Tuesday was a doubleheader in volleyball and we only had 4 players.  So I got a good workout.  Now we only have single games so I can’t count on that being my workout.  I really don’t burn that many calories playing. I probably lost a pound of skin on floor from my elbow.  People ask why I don’t wear knee pads. I always reply, why do I need them, I always land on my elbow.  Wednesday was supposed to be a swim day but I worked really late. However, I managed to do 30 minutes on the elliptical.  The old me would have said, Eric take me to the closest fast food restaurant and let’s veg on the couch and watch TV.  But the new me dragged Eric to the community center for a workout! As I mentioned above, I took Thursday off for the game.  Last night I did a short swim.

Today I broke another running record.  I went 6.5 miles and I ran most of the first 4 miles.  The last two were not as good.  I was fighting a strong cold wind.  I was colder on the last mile than I was the first mile.  My splits are below. Like I’ve said before I’m very SSSSLLLLLLOOOOOWWWW!  But I’ve been reading some other blogs of slow fat runners (their words, not mine!) like me and they post their splits with pride. So I will too. By the way, I’m faster than most of those other people so that made me feel a little better. I find it interesting that my last mile was faster than my 5th mile. I must have done a lot of walking in mile 5! I must have run the 1st mile too fast since I slowed way down. I'm a little disappointed in that.

Mileage:

Week 6:  Swim = .50 miles;  Bike = 0 miles;  Run/Elliptical = 11.75 miles;   Total =  12.25 miles

I found this today and thought how true! Hopefully I can do this when I'm old.

What can I say, letting out frustration on Monday helped me I think.  I also got scolded by my friends.  So lesson of the week, even though I ran over 11 miles last weekend…I may not necessary see the results for a few days.  It is true. I just have to remember that.

So what did we do this week?  Well on Sunday morning I ran 3 miles (after doing the 10K on Saturday). Sunday afternoon we babysat Evelyn for a few hours while Greg and Celeste went to the play Wicked.  We took Evelyn to Edinbourgh Park, an indoor playground. It was cool. Afterwards when they came home we went out for dinner.  I was so stuffed I dragged Eric out on a 2 mile walk. 

The rest of the week was pretty boring. Monday I biked 4 miles on a stationary bike…I know shocking! I got sick of riding it after 10 minutes and moved to the elliptical.  I’m a little annoyed…there are 5 TVs in the workout room and to hear the sound you have to tune your radio to a certain frequency.  Well my radio player only works for one TV and it is set to Spanish!  You know how hard it is to listen to Two and a Half Men in Spanish.  ARGH! 

Tuesday was a volleyball doubleheader again. This time we had 5 players!  Woo Hoo! We won some games too. We have a new player that joined us this week.  It worked out great and she is planning on joining team.  Yippy!

Wednesday morning is my “official” weigh in day and I was down 11.8 pounds…I’m rounding that up to 12 pounds. YAY ME!  One problem with being so big is that 12 pounds doesn’t really feel any different.  Think about this. I lost 80 pounds in 2008.  The smallest size I wore was 18.  Well I was bad and went off the no fat diet (that I was only on because of gallbladder problems) and gained 40 pounds back after surgery.  I know, shame on me.  Anyways…40 pounds later and I’m only one size larger…20.  So for me, I had to lose 40 pounds to get down one size…it sucks.  After work I dragged Eric to swimming. I did 3/4 mile again.  I had to make it worthwhile since the pool was closed Friday.

Thursday is my off day…but I still have band practice so it really isn’t an off night.  We had elections for officers and section leaders and I am Low Brass section leader again.  Don’t get too excited… low brass people don’t want the extra responsibility so I basically have to do it.

Like I said early, the pool was closed Friday. :(  I had planned a bike ride to DQ for dinner and then biking home but it was too cold and rainy.  I didn’t make Eric suffer too much for his dinner…I just made him go workout at the community center. I biked on the stationary bike…AGAIN!  I did about 7.75 miles in 35 minutes. After we went up to Eden Prairie to some shopping and dinner.

Saturday has turned into my long run day. Swirl woke me up a little before 8 and pulled my butt out of bed and went for a run. It was 36 degrees and sprinkling.  The old me would have been forget this, I’m going to get donuts.  But nope, I went out in the cold and wet morning and ran 5.5 miles.  My time was 30 seconds faster than last week’s pace. Also, I ran the entire mile 3.  Mile 1 and 2 I did the run/walk shuffle but mile 3 was all running.  For mile 4 and 5, I went back to the run/walk shuffle. But I did mostly running so that is progress. 

After the run, Eric and I went to Wisconsin for the weekend. We meet Mike and mom at the bar for some pizza.  I did some things around the house for mom and we went to LaCrosse to do some shopping.  We finally got to Ed Sullivan’s for dinner.  It has been years since I last ate there. It was delicious. 

Today I went for another 3 mile run…man there are hills in Arcadia…I’m not used to hills.  It was a tough run and it was colder than yesterday’s run…it was so cold our car had frost on it and I could see my breath…but I did it. On the way home we went through Owatonna (because it is so on our way?!) to be with Abbie for the closing ceremony of her TEC Retreat…we were her pseudo parents as DJ had to work.  It was…interesting…Hugging and swaying…I’m not much of a hugger or swayer…or singing those Pop Christian songs…give me Amazing Grace or How Great Thou Art PLEASE!

Here is training update:
Something really shocking is going on here. So far in the month of October I have run/walk shuffled almost 28 miles and it is only the 20th.  I have a chance to make this month the most miles run. I’m only 7 miles away.  August 2012 I did 35.66.  But that was a lot of short 2 mile runs/walks for the “Get Fit Challenge” at work. (But in September 2012 I only did 6 miles)

Mileage:

Week 5  Swim = .75 miles   Bike = 11.75 miles  Run/Elliptical = 12.5 miles   Total =  25 miles

I just need to keep reminding myself of this and all will be well.

I’m very frustrated.  I’m so mad I actually kicked the scale this morning.  And I don’t mean a little kick…I literally kicked it into the wall. I think Eric is a little afraid of me now.  Eric has threatened to take my scale away (if it still works after I kicked). Why was I so mad?  Well, let me tell you.  After running the 6 miles on Saturday, I followed that up with 3 miles of running Sunday morning and over a 2 mile walk Sunday night.  Last night I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the stationery bike.  Not only did I do all that exercise and burn all those calories, I have pretty much limited my diet to around 1500 calories.  This morning when I weighed myself I gained weight.  WTF!  I admit it, I do what everybody says don’t do, I weigh myself every day.  I have to, if I don’t I lose all accountability and eat all I want and that isn’t good either.  I need to know every day and it isn’t just every day, it is multiple times a day.  I guess I’m obsessive compulsive.  I have an illness.  But really if Eric took my scale away, I think that would be more devastating to me then gaining weight after pounding all those miles this weekend.  So I’m very frustrated.  Ring, Ring, Ring…Hello Metabolism…where the hell are you?

Sunday I went for a run in the rain.  It was cold rain.  But I did it. I didn’t quit which is the most amazing thing.

I finally jumped on my bike again this week. I did almost 7.5 miles on Monday.  It really isn’t that far but I was on my Townie and as I’ve mentioned many times before it is a major workout.

Tuesday was the first day of volleyball.  YAY! We had a doubleheader and only had 4 players.  Major Workout!!! Our season has started off on the wrong foot.  Angie is out for a while because of medical reasons and Jules started Grad school…in Arizona!  Fortunately, Jules played so we had 4. We have to have at least 4 players to not forfeit.  I’m trying to recruit more players…it is not going well. :(

Wednesday was another camel day at work. It was great. We sold almost $300 worth of snacks in an hour.  I guess when the VP is dressed as a camel and is selling snacks you pretty much have to buy from him.  High pressure sales!  I’m relieved that the Giving Campaign is now over.  Work is getting busy and I can’t be distracted the rest of the month.  I’m getting so old…I was so sore after volleyball on Tuesday. My arms, shoulders, back, chest and neck were all sore.  After work I went for a 1600 yard swim which isn’t quite a mile.  Eric lubed me up with Icy Hot after my swim.  It was awful but I think it helped.

Thursday after work we had dinner at my friend Jenny’s house.  Eric was watching her kids while we were at band practice.  I’ve mention the kids before.  They love Eric.  He only had to watch them for like 30 minutes but the kids wouldn’t let me leave so he stayed until we were done with band. 

Friday was pretty boring. I went swimming again. This time I went 3/4 mile and was way faster than normal so I was happy. I even did some flips at the wall.  Eric doesn’t even do those and he was on the swim team. I need to practice those (i.e. blow out the nose during the flip is a key thing to remember). LOL!

Today I did something I’ve never done before in my life…and something I never thought I would EVER do.  I ran a 10K…6.25 miles!  The longest I had run/walk/shuffled before was 5.2 and that was last weekend.  And not only did I go a mile further, my average pace per mile was a minute faster.  WOW!  I ran a lot of it.  It started off cold and I was freezing.  But I’m so glad I didn’t dress warm as I was burning up by the end.  I spent a lot of the 6 miles in the woods so I was shocked when I came out and it was so windy.  When I started the wind was calm.  I’m still very slow. My 5K pace was 45 minutes. The last 5K I ran in 38 minutes so I really need to get faster but I ran a 10K!!!  I’m still in shocked. And I’m still able to walk 12 hours later so my body hasn’t complete shutdown. I’m so happy with my run. 

After the run we went out for lunch and did a little shopping for flannel sheets. It is that time of year. I had an eye exam this afternoon (my eyes are still dilated) and bought some new glasses. I can’t wait to get them! After that we went grocery shopping…I’m sure I freaked everybody out who saw my eyes. I tried to avoid eye contact as much as possible. And of course my eye sight was blurry which made looking at the fine print on coupons almost impossible.  Quite the comedy.

Good news!  I’ve lost almost 10 pounds since I started triathlon training about 4 weeks ago.  So that is awesome!  I still have a long way to go.

Mileage:                                                                                     

Week 1  Swim = .9 mile      Bike = 22.3 miles   Run/Elliptical = 1 miles        Total= 24.2 miles

Week 2  Swim =  1.5 miles  Bike = 7.5 miles     Run/Elliptical = 6.9 miles     Total = 15.9 miles

Week 3  Swim = .8 miles     Bike = 0 miles        Run/Elliptical = 14.3 miles   Total = 15.1 miles

Week 4  Swim = 1.7 miles   Bike = 7.5 miles     Run/Elliptical = 8.8 miles     Total =  18 miles

I’ve made it 4 weeks!  Maybe blogging about the training is making me more accountable?  I was worried about Thanksgiving vacation because I tend to stop working out after vacations but Juliette, Eric and I are signing up for the Feast and Feathers 5K Trail Run on Thanksgiving morning in Omaha.  Yes!  I’m really doing it for the long-sleeved t-shirt. 

Triathlon Training Update:

Week 3 is done and I'm still going strong…but not biking. It is kind of unbelievable! But the weather has been nice so that has helped. We will see how I do when it turns cold and snowy and all my activities have to pretty much be indoors. Argh!  I have done quite a bit of running/walking.  I really need to build that up. It is the one area I will struggle with so I’m paying close attention to that.  With biking I’m not so concerned, give me a couple weeks and I’ll be fine.  Look, I did the biking at the last tri and I hadn’t been on my bike in over 6 weeks and I did fine. So I’m not worried about biking. I’m not really sure how much biking I do the rest of this year.  I hate stationery bikes so I highly doubt I’ll be using one this winter.  I’ll probably do the Elliptical on those days. It is a similar motion…right?  I sure hope my cocky attitude towards the bike won’t get the better of me next year.  I really hope not.

This past week was a bit spotty.  Last Sunday morning I did 4.3 miles of Run/Walk/Shuffle and it felt great! I actually enjoyed it! I saw the Renaissance Festival guys on bikes so it was entertaining too. I ran Monday too, but only a short 2.25 miles. My legs were tired but I did it.

I was planning on riding bike on Tuesday but my volleyball friends wanted to meet for dinner.  By the time I got home, it was too dark and I don’t like biking in the dark, especially on my Townie which doesn’t have lights.  So I went to the Community Center and did the Elliptical machine for about 2.5 miles. The Elliptical is strange because I always go way further and faster than I think I’m going.  I don’t think it really matches up to a real run at all.  The one nice thing about the Community Center is TVs. I got to watch the Pirates game.  I’m routing for them in the playoffs. They are like the Twins, small market team with no love.

Wednesday was another swim night.  I went 1400 yards…not bad.  I felt great.  I’m so ready for the swim portion. I’m not sure how I’d do in an open water swim…that will have to wait until next summer. I’m looking at doing the Spamtown Triathlon in Austin, MN next July. The swim portion is in the YMCA pool…which is great!  But eventually I need to hit the open water.

I took Thursday off like normal. I don’t have time to do work out with Band rehearsal. I also took of Friday. I had some last minute shopping to do before my family came up Saturday.  So I missed a lap swim. Shame on me!

Saturday morning I went for the longest run/walk/shuffle of my life 5.2 miles. I felt great. The temperature was cool but the humidity was high as it rained all night and rain even sprinkled on me during the beginning of the run…but I stuck it out and kept going.  By the time I came out of the woods, the sun was shining and it turned into a very nice day for the most part.  It was prefect weather for the corn maze. 

So that is my weekly report. Bored yet?  I think I am. By the way, I did almost 12 miles of running this week.  Crazy for me!

Mileage:                                                                                     

Week 1  Swim = 1600 yards  Bike = 22.3 miles  Run/Walk/Shuffle = 1 miles       Elliptical = 0 miles

Week 2  Swim = 2400 yards  Bike = 7.5 miles    Run/Walk/Shuffle = 6.9 miles    Elliptical = 0 miles

Week 3  Swim = 1400 yards  Bike = 0 miles       Run/Walk/Shuffle = 11.8 miles  Elliptical = 2.5 miles

Total      Swim = 5400 yards  Bike = 29.8 miles   Run/Walk/Shuffle = 19.7 miles Elliptical = 2.5 miles

Well this weekend was the annual Corn Maze weekend.  Every year for as far as I can remember my family has come up for the Sever’s Corn Maze.  It is tradition.  So this year Mom, Mike, Nancy, Danielle, Brady, Eric and I went through the maze (well not mom), we saw a skunk, a possum, a woodchuck, a fox and Jared Allen in the animal show.  Seriously…we saw Jared Allen!  We fed goats in the petting zoo area and jumped around in shelled corn. Again I have corn all over the house.

Jared Allen!

 After the corn maze Mike, Mom, Nancy, Eric and I went to Eden Prairie for lunch and Costco. Bradley went to Maplewood to buy a car and Danielle stayed home to study. Long story but the car doesn’t run but Bradley will fix it. After Costco, we picked up Danielle and went down to Jim’s Apple Orchard for candy, fudge, and apples.  Eric bought me this:

It is cool. 

Last night for dinner, we meet Greg, Celeste, and Evelyn at RubyTuesdays.  The meal was delicious.  I ate so much crap last night I gained a pound…and that was even with a 5 mile run/walk/shuffle yesterday morning.  Yep…I did over 5 miles…5.2 miles to be exact. It felt great but that didn’t help me keep the pounds off.  Darn.

Today Mike and Bradley went to Maplewood with a trailer to pick up the car Bradley bought and drove it down to Mankato.  The rest of us went shopping/hair cut in Eden Prairie.  Of course we played plenty of cards!

Now they have all left.

Well first things first, the Twins season is over.  Another 96 loss season.  I can’t believe I’m still a season ticket holder…but maybe they will be better next year!  And we have the All Star game next year…the only reason I’m holding on to my season tickets.  I want in!

We went to Saturday’s Twins game which was the second to last game.  We got a lousy calendar with some players I don’t even know. :( They lost of course and I don’t even remember the score.  It really doesn’t matter anyways. I got my last tastes of Twins (Hot) Dog and the mini donuts.  The mini donuts made me sick…I suppose I’ve been eating healthier and my body was going what the heck are you doing to me?  I felt the same way when I ate McDonald’s this week.  Ugh.

Sunday we lounged around at home and did some shopping.  Every time we crossed Hwy. 169 there was a backup. I hate the Renaissance Festival! Thankfully it was the last day so my trips to the Apple Orchard/Mankato will be less cumbersome and I don’t have to deal with the traffic.  Speaking of Rein. Fest, while I was run-walk-shuffling Sunday morning by the river, I ran into some people decked out in Rein. Fest gear including swords on their bikes. Quite impressive since it was about 10 miles from where I saw them. I wish more people would bike there! 

Monday was the start of the 2013 Giving Campaign at work.  It is a two week event.  There are games (i.e. putting contest), bake sales, fundraiser drives, jeans days, etc.  It is a fun time at work.  I’m one of the Care Captains for my department…so I’m in charge.  Last week we had a meeting with Big VP and the VPs who report to him to solicit donations to fund our prizes.  It was a Wednesday and the Big VP kept on asking me Kim, What day is it?  “Hump Day.”  I’m not sure how the conversation went. I guess I told him he could dress up as a camel and walk around selling snacks.  Well I didn’t think anything of it...until he sent me an email on Friday and asked for an update on the Camel costume.  Well Monday morning I went into his office and told him I could get a camel costume by Wednesday if he was seriously going to wear it. So I got on phone with DJ, who works part time at a costume company, and asked her to order the camel costume. I meet her half way on Monday night to pick it up.  Well he put it on today and we walked around with a cart and sold snacks to people. We made a really good profit. It was awesome. Here he is, my Big VP as a Camel! 

In case you think it is a Lion (as some have said)...here is his back side (putting during out Putting Contest)

He thought he had rented it but when he found out he actually bought he was really happy because he has a Halloween party later this month and now he has a costume.  Thanks DJ for your help!! :)

Triathlon Training Update:
Ok now the update on my triathlon training.  Yep I’m still calling it that.

Since my last update I’ve done more swimming and some running-shuffle-walk.  Not sure what to call it…my pace is faster than my normal walk but slower than some people walk.  Not really running even though I’m going through the motions of running.  I’ll stick with a shuffle. 

Biking is really my challenge.  So I was going to go biking this week but I just haven’t...what can I say, I’m bad.  Maybe when I get my road bike back I’ll be better.  But soon the nights will be getting darker and snow will be flying which means I pretty much have to do a stationary bike and I HATE stationary bikes.

Ok this Wednesday reporting is too hard. I’m switching to Sunday-Saturday.  So I’m going to change my stats a bit. So Week 1 was Sept. 15 – Sept. 21 and Week 2 was Sept. 22 – Sept. 28. I also added a Total line…not sure if I should keep it. Does it really add value?  Probably not.

Mileage:
Week 1:  Swim = 1600 yards; Bike = 22.3 miles; Run/Walk/Shuffle = 1 mile

Week 2:  Swim = 2400 yards; Bike = 7.5 miles; Run/Walk/Shuffle = 6.85 miles

Total:      Swim = 4000 yards; Bike = 29.8 miles; Run/Walk/Shuffle = 7.85 miles