Day 90 of 100.....

The end is in sight!!!

It seems after the marathon, that my goals are coming together.

I stepped on the scale early this morning and I lost another .8#.... previously, this might have been a yawn or a frustration. Now it is a demonstration of the pecking away at the goal I want to achieve.

Tomorrow, I reach Day 40 of the Paleo.... and Day 70 of my Birth Year..... and my college kids challenge are half-way through their 100 days.

On Wednesday, I achieved something that hasn't been possible for a while. I ran hard, I swam recovery and then I taught a pretty intense Spinning class. (Granted Thursday, I predominantly rested). And Thursday, I felt fine.

Running is getting easier again. I am carrying myself better. I am moving more fluidly. And I am enjoying the run more.

So, I am looking forward to the next 10 days. These past 90 have set foundations for goals to keep pressing forward, as I take chunks away to achieve all my goals.

All Three Sports.....

And yesterday.......

I managed to train in all three sports. WOW.

I woke to an awesome run.... HILL SPRINTS! Love them....

Decided to return to my swimming protocols..... and I completed an easy 600 yards.

And then..... taught a 45 minute SPINNING class....

And yesterday..... after my evening shower, I crashed. I was beat.

(I felt really good though, when I woke this morning!!! No post-training fatigue or soreness!)

Hills.....

ARE SPEED WORK IN DISGUISE!

And so, once a week.... I am off to the hill, i like to call Thor! (Sometimes, it is better to name your nemesis. You feel better when you tackle it!)

The run is about 4 km to arrive to the base of the hill....

and today's objective was 4 x 30 sec sprints at 1 mile tempo with 2 minute recovery.

Success! Today I was on point! I was in a rhythm. Just putting the feet down, one in front of the other, push and go, push and go.... and it felt easy.

And then I arrived at the hill.

Sprints, while a challenge were a success!!! and then the run back down the hill!!!

I am observing how easy the runs are beginning to feel again. My pace is quickening effortlessly, and I am just enjoying the run!!! Training can be most excellent and FUN!

I guess that is why I do it.

Keeping Focus.

I think there is something to be said about training without watches, timers, pacers at times.....

This morning, I was out for a run... I felt great. A nice comfortable steady pace. Everything was in check......

Until I looked at my pacing apparatus.... my mind said, what?!? you are running too fast! slow down or stop... we might move in overload.... and then i became distracted.

I should have just run.

And not worried about the gadgets or toys or phone.....

I should have just run.

An Oreo

I had a craving for an OREO cookie the other day. Sad to say that one must buy a whole bag of oreos in order to have just one.

And so, i succumbed to my desire for the cookie... and the first one tasted good. The second and third not so much.... and I tossed the bag.

What did I learn? A single oreo might be ok to have if I want it... but don't push the issue. Just have one.

And what is the point of your training?

'I don't think they give any awards for workouts. To the best of my knowledge, there are no gold medals for 'Most Mileage.' -- Craig Virgin, three time Olympian.

I love this quote.... as I attended a workshop yesterday, I had to laugh. Some trainers have people convinced that just working out is the way to be.... and some people I talk to are just so excited about being able to complete two workouts in the week.... b/c they don't have the time (time-- that's a completely different post... managing time and priorities.... seriously, when you say you don't have time, I ask who is managing whom... you time, or time you).... And those who just train and never step into competition.

I love to train. If I didn't, I wouldn't do it..... year round.

But there has to be a point to my training. There has to be a milestone to cross. In fitness centers throughout the country, mindless fitness can be observed.... day in and day out... people just doing. WHY? What is it that is expected? What is it that needs to be accomplished?

And that is where racing comes in..... We race to measure fitness. We race to test ourselves. We race to determine the efficacy of our training. We race because it is fun.

Some people use other competitions to measure these components.

But the point is..... there is no gold medal for most mileage. Get out there and measure your fitness.

70 Days Until Christmas.....

Only 70 days?!?! and for some of you I am witnessing some panic......

or

ONLY 70 DAYS!!!!!!! and there is a grandness of excitement!

One of my friends posted this on her facebook status. Only 70 days until Christmas.

And I thought of the goals I have set before me for the next 70 days. I am continuing my personal challenges until Christmas. I am moving before Christmas. I am seeking to drop 26# (just stepped on the scale and I am down 2.4#)! As well as continuing my running, hopping, skipping, jumping and all the other stuff I do.....

And it really made me think if my friend can lost 25# in 100 days, what can I continue to do to restructure my life in the next 70 days!!!! It isn't that I have failed in the previous 85 (as I am in the last 15 days of the original 100 day challenge)... or in the additional 45 days from the intermingling of the challenge with my students. It means, I have 70 days until Christmas.... 70 days for me to really focus and achieve my goals.

What can you do in the next 70 days?