Shake Something

I had a Terrible morning!  It was hard to get out of bed, and once I finally did, I was running late. I mixed up a protein shake, and put it in the freezer.   If I don’t blend it in the smoothie maker (I love that thing b/c it doesn’t leave ice chunks like a regular blender); then I usually put it in the freezer when I get up so that it’s nice and slushy when it’s time to leave for work.   My pants were a little wrinkled, so I ran the iron over them.  I took my shower.  Then I had to layer up with tights, socks, and t-shirt under my dress shirt.  I was in such a hurry, that on my way out I snatched open the freezer door to get my shake.  It went EVERYWHERE!  It was almost as if somebody inside the fridge threw it at me.  It was all over the freezer, all over the fridge door, dripping down the magnets, sprayed across the entire kitchen floor, all the way over to the sink.  My shirt and pants were soaked.  It was even on my boots!  How in the world could 10 ounces of slushy shake go so far? I was so upset, but even madder at myself for pulling open the door so fast.  I had to find another outfit, and clean up the kitchen, and I was already late.  I tried to calm myself down on the drive to work.  When I walked into work 20 minutes late, the partner, my boss, was right there.  Uggh this day wasn’t getting any better.  I gave a forced friendly smile, when on the inside, I was really panicking.  It’s definitely not a good look for the new kid on the block to be 20 minutes late.  Then later I hit my foot one of the other attorney’s desk; man that hurt.  I said this day has to get better, I kept telling myself positive things.  I turned in an assignment 2 days early to the partner, so hopefully, that gave me some cool points with him.  Anyway, after my pretty crappy day, I knew I still had to go running.  Something about the “sag wagon” that picks you up if you don’t finish the half-marathon makes me nervous.  I went to the gym and hit the track.  I put on Day 2 of my week 2 podcast.  All was good until this guy and this lady came up the track smelling like fish and cheap cologne.  It was awful.  I kept thinking my bum knee is hurting; my stupid foot that I bumped on the desk is hurting, and now I have to inhale their funk????  I couldn’t win for losing today.  But, despite it all, I ran all of the 90 second intervals and made it home before the 4-8 inches of snow began to fall. 

New Week 5 Podcast

Hey everybody!  I made it back to the recording studio.  The old Week 5 podcast’s Day 1 intervals were 2 minutes too long, which, in new runner time can be an eternity. Sorry about that.   The new one is perfect.  Each days runs are the appropriate length if you are following the cool running Couch to 5K new runner plan.  I wanted to mention that the cool running program is free.  I noticed some ads on their website that might lead you to believe that it costs, but it’s free to take a look at and even print the running plan.  I hope you enjoy the new Week 5.  Somebody emailed me today, and told me they thought the music in week 5 was a little too racy.  I like all the songs, but you can check out the play list before you download it.  Please note that I did edit any profanity from the music.  I hope you enjoy it and Happy Running.

2009 Reflections 2010 Resolutions

2009 Reflections  This post might be kind of long, because I’ve got lots of good stuff to say.  Way back at the beginning of 2009, I set this crazy goal to become a real runner and run a real race.  I started training in February, with the Couch to 5K program.  I needed some accountability, so I created my alter ego, Carli Fierce and sent weekly emails to family and friends that eventfully turned into this Running Into Shape blog that today reached 30,000 visits.  I overcame my fears, and In April, I ran my 1^st 5K race.  I met my goals of finishing in under an hour, and not being last! I loved the Couch to 5 K program so much that I went to the studio and recorded a podcast to fit my musical taste.    I signed up for another 5K, the Race for the Cure with a crowd of 66,000 supporters and got a lot more from it than just a good workout.  Then I ran the All Star 5 K in July, picked up a little speed and achieved more personal goals.  This year I became more physically active than I have ever been in my life.  For the first time I worked out consistently on average 3 times and week, and on some days, I even worked out twice!   Even though I’m still on my journey to a healthy weight, this year I lost a ton of inches and even dress sizes.  2009 also brought some really unexpected challenges my way.  I was laid off from my job of 3 years during one of the worst economic downfalls in history.   Jobs were so scarce.   I eventually got so tired of just sitting at home that I got really sad and had to pull myself out it. Why me I asked? Am I being punished?  Then I began to realize that God allowed me to go through that situation, so I that I would wake up and remember to put my faith in him and not in my employer.  And you know what? I was out of a job for 2 and half months, and I am proud to say, I did not have to borrow a dime from anyone.  Every time I would do the math for monthly bills, it always came up negative, but somehow month after month everything got paid.   It was during this time emotional time that I decided to become a group fitness instructor to help others on their journey to fitness.  I aced my CPR certification test that’s needed as a prerequisite to become a group instructor.  I started going to church regularly, and I even taught a 4 week aerobics and nutrition class at church.   Despite the recession, I got a new job and then and even better new new job with benefits.    2010 Resolutions In 2010, I have bigger and better goals to be achieved.  I have a wild and crazy dream of finishing a half marathon race.  That’s more than 13 Miles.   I’m also going to create the Fat to Fit to Fierce fitness DVD.  I’m going to study hard and pass my group fitness instructor certification test later this month.  I’ve already volunteered to teach the aerobics class at church again, but this time it will be for 5 weeks.  I also hope to branch out and teach a class at the gym.  I did the Fat part of my slogan, right now I’m Fit, but in 2010 I hope to make to the Fierce!  I can’t wait to shop in the regular section of the department store, and to not be confined to a small corner or a just a single store. I have pictures of all of these goals posted on my refrigerator, so that I have a daily visual reminder.  I’ve already kicked off the New Year the right way.  Despite the fact that I celebrated the New Year until the break of dawn (literally), I got up and cooked a fantastic healthy breakfast and went to the gym.  It was freezing outside, but that was no excuse.  When I got there I ran into my Dad and my Uncle.  I guess they’re trying to get it right for the New Year too.   I decided to run with my Week 2 podcast, because I haven’t run in forever, and you lose that agility quick! Let me tell you, Week 2 kicked my BUTT!  I completed all the runs, but it was no joke.  I was breathing so hard I had that yucky taste in the back of my throat like my lungs were coming up.  I mean it was tough.  Despite all of that, it still felt sooo good.  Running feels good because all of those endorphins are released.  If you’re not a runner, you gotta try it, it’s so invigorating.  After I ran, I took a 5 minute break, caught my breath, drank some water and then got on the elliptical machine.  I worked out for 15 GOOD minutes.  By the time I left the gym my shirt was soaked with sweat.  I felt good that I started out the New Year with a bang.  As my Pastor says, in 2010, we’re gonna win!    I hope you have a great and prosperous New Year!

What Did Carli Eat Today?

B- Egg White omelet with spinach & Cheese, Whole Grain Eng Muffing w/ Jelly

L- Turkey Roast I made w/ veggies and brown rice

D- Leftover lunch

S- Wheat Thins

S- DANG IT! Peach cobbler, I had to make some for 3 different people and ended up eating some myself. Oh well.  I can’t UN-eat so I just write it down and move on.