WWSG/HLSG - Week of 7/6

[Leslie Ferguson]

Greeting all - hope everyone had a good 4th of July weekend and that everyone is getting a plan to beat the heat and humidity.

Lots of stuff going on as we closed last week (almost sounds like Peyton Place). Jackie and the move are almost a done deal (and all the stress that goes along with it). And Jackie approaching the end of the lily pad event hopping through the summer.

Then there were the new bikes (and old ones that were great transportation through the DC rain).

Welcome back Kristal I hope that your second week (at least as a non-lurker) is a good one.

My plan - this week is going to be a grind. We busy in the budget drill for Fiscal Year 2006 and there could be lots of long days at work to get our input ready for presentation on the 11th. But my goal is to keep my workout routine in place as much as possible - run/elliptical Mon-Thu, Friday off, Saturday Long run.

Healthful living (1) Stress reduction breathe deep... and exhale. (2) Weight maintenance - still making progress in the right direction (up) ever so slightly.

Hope you all are well and making plans for the heat of the upcoming week. Peace and happy trails to all,
Les

[jazzyjas]

Well, I nsurvived the first day of summer school (as coordinator that entails lots of running around finding where people are supposed to be and placating parents). We are having cake (as a thank you from the principal in about 10 minutes) and then I am headed for the gym. Get in a good work out before I go home and try to figure out why my AC isn't coming on (this is the first I have tried to use it this season)

Plan for the week -- one three mile loop/day (although I missed yesterday and so will try to get an extra in some time this week)
Three trips to the gym for 20 minutes on the elliptical and weight lifting

I have started wednesday night rides -- we'll see who comes out -- this week it is a 15 mile ride to mt Vernon along the Potomac -- add another 3 to my house -- and I have to think where we should go for next week

Hope everyone had a great weekend

Jas

[kristalsnow7]

Hello all.

Thanks for the welcome back, Les. :) Good luck with all the work you have to do this week!

Jas, the Wednesday night rides sound lovely. If I lived in the area, I'd be inclined to join you. ;) Hope your ac gets working soon!

I went for a 2 mile run yesterday, but the 96% humidity made it pretty difficult. I'm glad I'm going to the gym for my workout tonight!

Here's my plan for the week.

Monday --body pump class, 1.25 hours
Tuesday --2 mile run
Wednesday --3 mile run
Thursday---off
Friday-Sunday I'll be visiting my parents out of town. They have a pool :D, so I'm hoping to get in lots of swimming, a little bit of tennis, and also some long bike rides and walks through the woods. Should be a welcome respite from urban life; I can't wait!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

[615bride]

I haven't posted on this thread in a few weeks but have been keeping up somewhat with the exercise and healthy living. I am still doing my three mile runs with no pain (after coming back from the injury). I have a 5K race this Sat evening called believe it or not, the Beat the Heat 5K. Marathon training starts next month so I'll be increasing my mileage starting next week. Good luck to everyone. Stay cool.

[Laura]

Hey guys, hope everyone had a nice 4th. Ours was nice, but too hot for me.

I ran a 12k race on Sunday and finished in 1:17:45. Not a blistering pace by any stretch of the imagination, but I ran the whole way and there were a fair amount of hills so I am generally pleased.

Monday: 2 hour nap :D
Tuesday: 6 mile run
Wednesday: Lower body weights
Thursday: 4.5 mile run
Friday: Upper body weights/3 mile run
Sat: rest
Sunday: 8 miles

I also need to work on getting some solid sleep (at least 7 hours compared to the 5-6 average that I get) and reducing some big stressors in my life right now.

[JackieO]

Originally posted by Laura
Hey guys, hope everyone had a nice 4th. Ours was nice, but too hot for me.

I ran a 12k race on Sunday and finished in 1:17:45. Not a blistering pace by any stretch of the imagination, but I ran the whole way and there were a fair amount of hills so I am generally pleased.


Ok, arithmetic was never my strong suit, but isn't a 12 k 7.2 miles??? :eek: In July? With hills? In altitude? You go, girl!

Les, thanks for the good wishes and perspective -- this will be over relatively soon, one way or the other. I cleared the HR screener "hurdle" today and will probably be scheduled for the official interview Thursday. The salary requirement has been put on the table, so the biggest issue is "out there." Once the uncertainty has been resolved, we can move on -- either status quo or change. Uncertainty is certainly the "unnerving" thing about this whole situation. And, of course, I go in for my annual ob-gyn exam Wednesday so I"m sure my bp will be off the charts and I'll have to go throught that entire checking/monitoring routine again. :rolleyes: :(

ok, pinch me, this is a healthy living thread. Ummmmm....fatigue has been a big factor for the entire family this last week. The heat and humidity have descended with a vengeance. Went to Summerfest and drank beer on Friday :o , went to the gym Saturday for upper body workout and 30-min. bike ride followed by a dip in the pool and a 2-hour nap on the couch! After church on Sunday, met the family back at the club for a 45 minute bike-ride to get to the last lilly pad, followed by a dip in the pool and some putzy work around the house. Skipped the workout today (hot and humid again....no energy, too much work and too much preoccupation with the HR interview). I am going to bed early tonight and I hope the forecasted cool front materializes. I can't take too much more of this (a move 150+ miles north will at least alleviate the heat, if not the humidity).

Sorry to be such a Johnny One-Note, but I'm afraid I'll be this way until the move issue gets resolved. Thanks, guys. I need you to keep me focused on the fact that exercise alleviates stress. I'll hit the gym tomorrow for a combo cardio/strength training session. Given dr's appointment, interview, and vacation day (spent scouting potential new locations) the rest of the week, I doubt I'll get much more in. Sure am glad I made the last "hop" to that lilly pad on Sunday!

[cinbis]

I just wrote a long message and it was deleted when I went to preview my response!

Now I'll have to summarize!

Laura-congratulations on your race! That's awesome!

Jackie-keep us posted on your move. Feel free to discuss it as much as you want...we're glad to listen!

I've been on track with my workouts and not out of control with eating, but I'm gaining weight. I can't figure this out and I'm getting very discouraged. I put my scale in the closet. Perhaps that will help! My scale also tells body fat and that has been consistant, actually on the low side. I know not I'm gaining pounds of muscle! I can't figure this out. Usually, when I gain weight, it is obvious why. Any advice?

Here's the plan:
Sunday: ran 3.5 miles, walked around 20 minutes
Monday: ran 3.8 (approx), walked 20 minutes, went to yoga tonight
Tuesday: pilates, walk pm
Wednesday: run 3.5, walk pm
Thursday: probably run
Friday: cycle
Saturday: not sure

Hope everyone is having a good week...stay cool...tomorrow is supposed it be very hot around here.
Cindi

[Leslie Ferguson]

Bride - Welcome back. I've already forgotten - which marathon are you training for? Kiowa? I'll be pulling for you as you start training for this one - slow and steady and you'll keep that ITB happy.

Jackie - Check in when you can, we understand. The stressors in your life are more important than this thread. Just know that we are here to vent at (and I believe this will be a stressful time for you). Congrats on making the last lily pad too! Good on you.

Laura - Great time and outstanding to have run the whole 12k. I know that your next race will be a breeze considering the temp, altitude, et al for this past race.

Cindi - I wouldn't sweat (no pun intended) the few pounds of weight. I know that I can put on weight over the summer just in fluid retention and intake. If your weight isn't skyrocketing and your BF is staying the same it's probably just an anomoly.

Today's workout was typical Monday - 60 minutes on the elliptical after work. Now I've really got to go - off to bed so I can be ready for work in the morning.

Be good to yourselves and beat the heat.
Les

[heide]

Hi all! Sounds like summer has really hit everyone in North America. Here in southern Africa, the weather is gorgeous and cool. Sun, temps in the mid-70s. I don't want to be inside at all. I spent an hour sitting in the garden this morning with a magazine and I'll have lunch at a beach cafe. I love this time of year.

Anyway, enough bragging about the weather. My exercise is going okay, although I'm really thrown off my tennis schedule because so many of my friends are out of town. There's about 9 people in town right now who I know play tennis, and I'm the 9th person out. The others are in foursomes and I'm not playing. Bleah. Oh well. I'm doing other things and I'm getting DH out on the courts occasionally. I kept to last week's plan, except we only played 9 holes of golf on the weekend, instead of 18. We just had too much other stuff going on. So, here's this week's plan:

Sunday: 9 holes of golf with DH
Monday: rest
Tuesday: tennis with DH
Wednesday: tennis lesson
Thursday: golf 9 holes
Friday: tennis with Nando, a ball boy at the club
Saturday: golf with DH

I found a great upper body strength workout in a golf for women magazine that I need to add to the mix this week too. It should help both my golf and my tennis, as well as give me a much needed strength workout.

Have a good week everyone and stay cool. I'll check back in later.

heide

[Laura]

Originally posted by Leslie Ferguson
Laura - Great time and outstanding to have run the whole 12k. I know that your next race will be a breeze considering the temp, altitude, et al for this past race.

Les

Well my next race is a "run for the cure" race so it won't be too bad but elevation will be a little higher as it is on the AF Academy grounds. It is the one after that which will be the killer. My training program calls for a 15 mile run 2 weeks before the 1/2. I just so happened to find a 15 mile race that weekend, but it is in Woodland Park which is west of Colorado Springs and at an elevation of 8000 feet. My running partner really wants to do it (1) so we don't have to find 15 miles of trails around here to run on our own, and (2) she thinks it will be great just to finish that race and then run the 1/2 at an elevation of 5200 feet. I agree with her in theory, I just know it will be one tough race.

When this is all done, I want to run a 1/2 in San Diego and try to go for a better time. Egads! I am starting to sound like a runner! :eek: :p :D

[cinbis]

Les-thanks for helping me ward off some of my weight related stress! I keep a food journal and looking back, I'm eating the same, if not less, than this time last year and working out about the same. Could it be age???!!!

Laura-you do sound like a real runner! I envy your stamina. I find 6 miles difficult....I can't imagine 15! I'll look for you in Boston next April! I'll be on the side lines!!

Heide-that weather sounds perfect! It is interesting that so many people leave the area under such conditions! Where are you from originally?

I went to Pilates this morning. Every time I go, I'm surprised how much of a workout it is. It is so different from anything else I do.

Last night at Yoga, we had a substitute instructor. I thought she looked familiar and then remembered she taught aerobics through out town years ago. I was reminding her how we would have to use the elementary school library for aerobics because we didn't have a regular place to workout! It was pretty funny, there is hardly any room in there!

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'll start with my tales of woe -- the budget battle went pretty much as I expected. My ~ 1 hour brief that was suppposed to be from 12:30 - 1:30 didn't start until about 3:45 and didn't finish until just after 5. Couldn't put up with another 8:30 dinner so I skipped workout and came home. I think that is probably the best thing all around but I missed the workout today. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Laura - All those miles at altitude. I agree with both you and your running partner - 15 miles (1) out of town and (2) at altitude will make the 1/2 seem all that easier. You go - and I'm envious of the chance to have such varied running trails within such a close distance from your house. BTW - you ARE a runner now. Way to go!!

Heide - Sounds like such grand weather. I kind of forgot where Angola was but finally dredged up in my memory where you are (west coast of S. Africa). I bet it's pretty warm in the summer and temperate most of the rest of the year there. Enjoy the "fall".

Cindi - I'm always looking out for the rest of the gang here. I know how I've struggled with weight (both directions) in the past and think I've finally developed a decent attitude about weight management. (Won't say this that loud either but...) it may be age (having just turned 40 about 6 months ago). Regardless don't beat yourself up about a couple pounds here or there - as long as you feel good and everything fits no sweat.

Thanks for checking in and 'til tomorrow.

Peace,
Les

[heide]

ooh I feel good. I just got home from my tennis lesson and my coach ran me all over the court. He said, "yeah, it's good. Today you moved!" I'm looking forward to playing with Nando on Friday. He's about 13 or 14 and is out to prove something. It'll be fun.

again, great weather today! Les, you're right. It gets hot in summer but it's really never hot hot. I don't think. Luanda has the best climate of anyplace I've ever lived.

Cindi, I'm originally from Montana. Then I lived in Washington DC for 6 years before I moved overseas in 1998.

Laura, I'm really impressed with all your running. I wish I was a runner. I've tried at different times in my life, but it hurts! Running on the tennis court or running on a soccer field is different for me because I'm running after something and I'm distracted from any pain. To just run, I pay attention to what my body is telling me and it's never happy running. Oh well.

Cindi, I love Pilates. I've only ever done it with a video. I think I'd really love a class. It is different from everything else. I have trouble with yoga because I'm very inflexible and too many poses actually hurt so I'm doing so many modifications it's almost not worth it. In a class, it's better, but a video is too hard for me. Pilates give me a strength workout as well as stretching and I feel good afterwards.

Well, it's another busy day here, so I'll check in with you all later.

h

[jazzyjas]

Well, I am more or less on track for the week lets see

Sunday: visit wineries and drink wine (Done, hmm probably doesn't count as exercise
Monday: 20 min elliptical, weights, 3 mile loop (Done)
Tuesday: 3 mile loop (Done -- bonus 30 minutes on the elliptical and I cut the grass)
Wednesday: 3 mile loop, weights 20 minute elliptical, 18 mile bike ride
Thursday: 3 mile loop
Friday: 20 minutes elliptical, 3 mile loop, weights
Saturday: 3 mile loop (thinking about a little kayaking)

looks like the routine of summer school is good for my workout plan -- easier to get to the gym when I am already out of the house and having the extra time in the afternoon (I am done by 1) helps make time for other activities

Cindi -- I still want to try Pilates

Les -- some days you just have to float with the current so you don't get caught up in the undertow.

Laura -- impressed by the running -- I have always made excuses about running and not being built for it (same reason I will never be a famous ballet dancer). I think the reality is that I am lazy.

Heidi -- i am a little jelous of the weather you have there. But I am not one to complain about the weather since I can't do anything about it.

Jackie -- just take a deep breath and this too will pass, just try and keep sane in the mean time

I am getting a little stressed because my sister asked me to host a BBQ for my niece's 2nd birthday this Sunday (since my dad started chemo and doesn't feel up to the 2 hour drive to her farm) I don't mind but I like to have a little more control or at least more information -- I don't know the guest list, who is coming, what the menu is -- what I need to contribute, what time it is or any other detail -- she tells me not to worry about it but then I have been moving all the furniture to clean up massive amounts of dog hair, trying to get the back yard in order and I still haven't gotten around to figuring out what is the deal with the AC (although I think I ruled out a blown fuse -- I really need to get a breaker box installed).

Ok (inhale, exhale) Happy anything can happen day!!

Jasmine

[cinbis]

Jasmine-I think the wine tasting counts as an upper body workout!!! The rest of your week will make up for that one day! Sounds like you have a good plan for working out.

Our AC wasn't working either. It was coming on but the air wasn't very cool and frost was building up on the unit outside. It turned out that the filters in the air cleaner were extremely dirty. I don't know if that has any bearing on why yours isn't working properly.

If you pulled off that end of the year party at school, I'm sure this party will be no problem!

I'm sore today from pilates! Today's workout was a few minutes of upper body and then cycle. I'm hoping to walk tonight....if it isn't raining.

Heide-Angola is a long way from Montana! Wow! I prefer Yogaflex classes....I'm not flexible either. My inflexibility doesn't seem as obvious in those classes!

Les-I'm sure this is an age/metabolism thing. Even though everyone tells me to put away my scale, I can't do it! I took it back out of the closet. I'm happy to say, that I've dropped 1.5 pounds. I'm just concerned that it will keep going up if I don't stay on top of it.

It is raining and I'm actually happy about that! I don't think it has rained in two weeks. Now I don't have to water my plants!

Hope you're all having a wonderful day!
Cindi

[Laura]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, I get discouraged with how slow I am sometimes, but then I also remind myself that in February, I couldn't even run two miles without stopping, so I have come a long way.

Krystal- Your upcoming weekend sounds great, enjoy the time to relax!

Cindi- I honestly do believe it is age. I am more active now than I have been in a long time, but it is a real battle to keep my weight down. It is now only that I am running around 20 miles a week that I am starting to see the weight come off (albeit at an amazingly slow rate). While I don't go for the low-carb diets, I am making a concerted effort to put only whole grains, and good complex carbohydrates in my body. I also am really going to increase the weight lifting. I have read more than one article that says once you hit 40, you need to be making sure your muscles are truly "fatigued" at the end of your set.

Jasmine, I am sure the party will go great. I know it is hard when you have so little control over what is going on, but I have no doubt it will all work out well. How is your dad handling the chemo treatments?

Heide- That sounds like a great tennis workout. I am not yet at the point where I enjoy all of my runs, but I do enjoy the feeling of having worked out hard. I am sure you will give Nando a run for his money. I did track work last night (instead of the 6 miles I was going to go :rolleyes: ), and I think I impressed my SO's daughter, who is a runner, when I did two of my 800's at 3:50 and 3:52.

Jackie~ I continue to keep you in my thoughts. I know the uncertainty in and of itself is so stressful. Once you have made a decision, you can start taking steps to put that decision into action, but in the waiting phase, we find ourselves going through a lot of "what ifs". Peaceful prayers continue to come your way.

Les, I think you did the right thing by not working out. You know better than anyone, that the one day break is not going to affect your training in anyway, and it gave you time to unwind and be with your LW. I hope work settles down for you soon.

Bride~ I am glad your injury is not bothering you. Good luck on your training. When is the marathon?

[Leslie Ferguson]

Looks like everyone is busy, busy. It looks like killing myself the past couple days has paid off and I'm actually going to get out of here at a reasonable hour. Missing yesterday will be made up for today and I'm going to have a good work out.

Jasmine - Winery tour = exercise? Sounds okay to me. glad to hear that summer school is cooperating with your workout schedule too.

Need to push on but thought I'd check in and see how everyone is doing. Hopefully after the workout and supper with LW.

Peace,
Les

[615bride]

well, I went 3.3 miles today at 9:30 and the heat nearly did me in. I feel so wimpy saying that but it was just not fun. I have decided to give up on the 5K for Saturday in order to start upping my mileage a little that day instead. The marathon is on Kiawah Island on December 13th. Are there marathoners on this thread (I know Les is out there...) What plan do you use? I'm doing the Hal Higdon novice with walk breaks a la Jeff Galloway. Good luck with everyone else's week of party planning, work, etc...

[jazzyjas]

Well, the schedule was tight today but I made it to the gym and decided to just do weights (I had done that extra elliptical yesterday and will likely go in tomorrow for 30 min bonus) to make it out of there in an hour. Ran a few more errands and at 5 o'clock the sky darkened and this monsoon wind came in with heavy rain. (They had given tornado warnings for surrounding areas). Slowly the calls started coming in about all the people who weren't going to ride. By 6 it was barely raining but I wasn't going to ride alone in the rain -- so I turned the compost pile -- heavy and dense with all the rain -- might go out there and do a little more yard work I have so much to get ready (or at least that I'd like to -- I'm not much of a gardener but I thought I should make an effort for the party). I bought big pots and will plant them with color and scatter around the border of the yard.

The chemo this time is a 48 hour drip and just started tuesday -- he says it makes him feel "punky" which is not good and sluggish I think from the context.

Bride -- glad to hear you are back on the horse and the maraathon training is progressing

les -- enjoy the workout and I hope this crazy weather isn't headed your way (haven't paid much attention to the weather patterns)

Jas

[JackieO]

Enter Pigpen: (that's me, the Snoopy comic strip character who is always surrounded by a cloud of euphemistic s**t)

I have my "formal" interview at 3:00 Thursday. I'm prepared, I'm confident, I'm even excited about the prospect of having a new job. But I'm feeling BI-POLAR about it -- I NEVER, EVER, thought I would be so reluctant to make a change in my life. Man, that stuff they say about parental guilt is ALL TRUE!!!! DS is being a real trooper about this, displaying surprising maturity, which can only mean good things. But I can tell he is depressed and he is withdrawing from his friends because of the uncertainty and because I want to keep this confidential, so he can't talk about it. Some amount of withdrawal is typical in summer just because of his schedule at the club, etc., but this is scaring me. In my heart of hearts, though, I know making the move will be the right decision if this is offered. I just need to keep taking deep breaths and tell myself that the chaos will be temporary, we'll settle in, we're a cohesive family and this will be a new adventure....

You guys are the greatest with your support. I haven't talked about this with anyone outside of my family since it's not a "for-sure" thing, so you are my release!! (well, I take that back. I work in a small consulting firm and my boss is aware that this move is afoot, and I think he is as conflicted as I am. He says he'd hate to see me leave and I think that's true, but there also would be an opportunity for him to refocus/refine his 10-year-old practice. I, of course, would help him with an exit strategy for me.) But I am at about the stage of paralysis -- I'm finding it hard to focus on anything else.

Working out is not a priority this week. Getting through the day, hour-by-hour, is. I know some working out would help, and I did go to the gym yesterday for 45+ minutes of cardio. I think once I put the interview behind me I can re-focus and re-group. Last night was kind of sleepless (too keyed up), so a good night's rest tonight will probably give me fresh perspective on the morrow.

Kudos to all of you who are working out in "nature" despite adverse conditions.

:)

[Leslie Ferguson]

I skipped the outdoors run/workout - probably a good thing because the squall/thunderstorm from h*11 hit just as I was leaving work. Had one bolt hit and the thunder came about 1 second later - too close for my taste. So not wanting to get fried I went for my trusty elliptical. Thank goodness for those machines. Of course that led to another fouled up evening and exceptionally late supper - when will this ever end? :rolleyes:

Jackie - My prayers continue to go out for you and DS (and the rest of your family). Let your workouts be the times that you decompress - but don't let them rule your life this week. Whatever feels right probably is. BTW - prayers for peace for DS are certainly in order (I know the stress of HS moves).

Jasmine - Thanks for the update on dad. Sorry to hear that the chemo still wipes him out but it sounds like he's still keeping his spirits up. Smart call about biking in the rain alone - and I bet that the weather may have bypassed you this time - it was coming from the west down here.

bride - Great job sticking with the run even in the heat & humidity. You'll get used to it in the long run (no pun intended). Just come back slowly. For my first marathon I ostensibly did Hal Higdon but ever since my programs have been devised by my coach so they are unique unto themselves. But I'd say that a modified HH is a goodplace to start for your first marathon.

Glad to hear that there are lots of good things going on for folks right now - look forward to getting out earlier tomorrow and still being good to myself.

Peace and sweet dreams to all,
Les

[JackieO]

...so now it is a matter of "hurry up and wait." :(

It all went really well and I think I would love the job. Great company, great benefits, lots of independence. Perfect for someone my age! :D I hate the thought of moving, but must remind myself that THAT unpleasantness is only temporary. Look forward, don't look back.

I hope to hear something early next week....keep your fingers crossed.

The interview began at 3 and I didn't leave until a little before 6. I drove right past my health club and didn't stop in on my way home! :o I'm drained and I was terribly hungry and had a slight headache. Tomorrow, I promise. Back to the club. Lifting weights, getting in some cardio.

Anybody else have weird weather today? It was COLD and HUMID here today -- I HATE that. In addition, our office complex lost power at 9:40 and didn't get restored until 12:30. I came home to work for a while (good thing I only live 5-6 miles away.)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by JackieO
...so now it is a matter of "hurry up and wait." :(

It all went really well and I think I would love the job. Great company, great benefits, lots of independence. Perfect for someone my age! :D I hate the thought of moving, but must remind myself that THAT unpleasantness is only temporary. Look forward, don't look back.

I hope to hear something early next week....keep your fingers crossed.

Fingers crossed - but I know you knocked them dead! :cool: BTW the job sounds great - and something right up your alley. Hopefully they know a great thing when they see her.

The interview began at 3 and I didn't leave until a little before 6. I drove right past my health club and didn't stop in on my way home! :o I'm drained and I was terribly hungry and had a slight headache. Tomorrow, I promise. Back to the club. Lifting weights, getting in some cardio.

You'll get an AMEN! here. What a sucky day - just when I thought it was almost over the fun just began (way too much to try and write here). Luckily I really only have one more day to work so - if it isn't right there isn't much more to do. Suffice to say that I missed the workout today (for a couple other reasons too). Think I may get a short one in tomorrow (hopefully) but we'll have to see.

Anybody else have weird weather today? It was COLD and HUMID here today -- I HATE that.

I wish our weather was weird - just hot and humid here (like always). Yes in the winter I hate cold and humid - cuts to the bone. :(

Looking forward to the weekend. Peace to all,
Les

[615bride]

JackieO - Good luck hearing about the job. Do you know when they might let you know?

Les - The weather here is the same. Lots of tornado warnings which terrify me. I'm from Long Island and have only been down here about 5 years so I'm still not used to that...

Couldn't get myself to Bikram yoga today. Thinking about being in that extreme heat and humidity for 90 minutes and then coming out to extreme heat and humidity was not pleasant. I will do some hip strenghtening and stretching and get ready for four miles tomorrow.

Happy Friday...

[Laura]

Well this week hasn't been at all what I had planned workout wise, but it has been fairly good. I ran intervals on the track on Tuesday. My running guide says that do to a 2:20 half-marathon, I only need to be doing the 800's in 5 minutes, but since these are intervals, I have been pushing myself and Tuesday I did two of the 5 in under 4 minutes so I was pretty pleased.

Wednesday I did a hard upper and lower body weights, which I am still feeling, and then I went for a quick 5 mile run this morning. We finished in 47 minutes which was good since legs really don't want to move right now.

Jackie, I am saying prayers for you and hope the answer comes quickly, the waiting is the agony. Do what you need to keep your stress levels down right now, if that is the gym great --- if it is just decompressing at home than do that.

Bride I keep thinking I want to try the Bikram yoga, but I think I want to wait until winter or at least fall right now! :D

Les, I hope you get in the workout.

I will be spending the weekend, again, at a swim meet. At least DD and DS will be swimming in the same session, but I heard through the grapevine that the meet director let in way too many kids as this is basically the last meet to try and get state and sectional times, so the session could go 8 hours!! I don't think either of my kids have a chance of qualifying for state at this point, so we may just bail early. I am not staying at a meet until 10 at night just to return the next day to do it all over again.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Laura - No real workout today - still working the finishing touches on the budget (justification) project. The bad thing is it really isn't due until Tuesday but I leave Monday about noon for a short (one-day) trip to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (about 5-6 hours from here) for a Tuesday meeting. So any work that I have to do on the project (BTW it is classified so I can't work on it at home) had to be done today so... spent until 5:15 at work and then had to go to a "mandatory fun" event from work (one of the "curses" of the Navy) at 6:30. For my sanity I did go for about an 18 minute (more or less) walk just to breath some fresh air. Somewhat recharging but not enough. There's always tomorrow... fun in the State Park (romp in the swamp - and it is raining right now!). Great job on the speed workouts to. SOunds like you're right on track. I nromally do my legs workout on Sunday (the day after the long run) so that my legs have a chance to recover before the next significant run (normally Tuesday).

Hope everyone has a great Saturday - especially Laura at the interminable swimming meet.

Happy trails,
Les

[cinbis]

Hey everyone-

I started to check in yesterday, but got interrupted. What a surprise!

Bride-how do you like Bikram yoga? It sounds like a great winter activity, but I could feel the discomfort while reading your reasons for not going on a hot day!

Les-I'm sure you're glad your week is over! I hope next week is less stressful. Your run today should revive you....hope you enjoyed it!!!

Jackie-keep us posted! How will this move effect your husband's job?
When I was walking the other night, I was thinking about your move and how you just completed all of the interior painting!!! That's always a factor for me. I think about all the work we've done on our house and wouldn't want to give it all up.

Yesterday, I used the arc trainer for 10 minutes before cycle (first time I've used it...I worked up a good sweat). And today, I’ve done nothing. Will probably go for a walk tonight.

Have a great weekend!
Cindi

[JackieO]

Originally posted by cinbis
Jackie-keep us posted! How will this move effect your husband's job?
When I was walking the other night, I was thinking about your move and how you just completed all of the interior painting!!! That's always a factor for me. I think about all the work we've done on our house and wouldn't want to give it all up.
Cindi
This job move would cut my husband's commute in HALF, which is why I even pursued it in the first place. I love my current job, but it's kind of like walking a tightrope with no safety net -- i.e., we are a small firm with no family "trust fund" behind us! I know I would love working for this new company and I would be an easy fit, and the more I explore the new community, the more I like it.

As for my house. Well. It's just a house. I've lived here 10 years and have always loved its "bones," but it's 75+ years old, has a crappy yard (DH and I both hate lawn work so we haven't done much of anything to it, except dress up the front with low-maintenance stuff so the neighbors don't complain), and all the associated plumbing/mechanical issues with a house of this vintage.

DH and I went to the club today after DS's baseball game this morning -- when we checked in with him after our workouts, he was on the internet looking at homes for sale in the new community! We've all pretty much mentally moved on, but we're waiting for the offer.

We rec'd a "tip sheet" from our realtor this week that suggested repainting "worn" areas in a neutral color -- HA! I'm at the point where I think I'll even let the realtor know that I'll leave behind my sunroom furniture, which is what really ties the house together with all the bold (some will call bizarre) colors I chose a few months ago. :(

On the other hand, we have a 10-year-old entertainment center that none of us ever really knew how to set up/operate. We're considering donating that to our church for a new youth room (and there's an incredibly electronically savvy guy on the church property committee who could probably piece it together in an hour). I am looking forward to the "newness" potential of this move. Yes, mentally, I have moved on.

So, as for working out, I dragged myself to the gym to do 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer last night after work, went to the gym and did my strength training workout this morning, followed by a 20-min. power walk on the treadmill (was going to run but realized my new cami top did not possess the support I needed to do that! :o ) and then spent a leisurely hour at the pool -- gently swimming laps (there were NO kids in the big part of the pool) and frolicing w/DH. I will certainly miss our club if/when we move -- but I checked out the rec dept. program from the new community. If I read the calendar right, they offer water aerobics 2x daily Mon-Thur from mid-June to mid-August and at two different municipal pools! Only a 45 minute class, but one is at noon and the other at 5. Can you beat that?

We are headed up there again tomorrow on a scouting mission combined with some new work for a client on Tuesday. Checking out the potential high schools on Monday. I'll stay in touch!

PS -- It was a gorgeous day here today -- about 75 degrees, sunny, dry. Perfect.

[JackieO]

Ok, I'm really just doing this to bump myself up for 1400 posts! But I did want to add that the two things I will miss most about my house are

1) My NEW kitchen appliances! I have all Whirlpool Gold appliances -- a microwave, gas range, quiet dishwasher and refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. The kitchen itself is very nice but small, but a buyer who is familiar with this market will know the value of this kitchen that was remodeled 1.5 years ago.

2) My location across the street from a county nature preserve. I love walking in the park in the spring and observing the rhthyms of the various flowers and plants. Since we have the (crappy) yard -- it's been great to have a park nearby for DS and his friends to throw a football, frisbee, etc.

So....more than you wanted to know, I'm sure. But just wanted to take advantage of the 1399 post on my earlier reply! :D

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by cinbis
Les-I'm sure you're glad your week is over! I hope next week is less stressful. Your run today should revive you....hope you enjoyed it!!!

Certainly loved the run but I'm not sure that my partner liked it as much as I did. One of the hazards of my not getting all my workouts in for the week means I have lots of energy (read SPEED) on Saturday's run. So we went a little fast for the first 5 miles (but he didn't slow down when I tried to slow us down so I'm going to tak all the blame). Turned it into about 13 1/4 again - the coach and I went out to "pick up" the last two walkers and make sure they got back to the start (he has some liability as the coach). Felt great and it was relatively cooler - just in the upper 70's at 7:15 but because of the swamp the humidity was about 90% - so I sweated like a banshee. Throw in the remnants of the rain from yesterday and it was a real soupy/swampy mess :D - mud to mid-thigh again. And life is good.

After that I was a good hubby and went to work at LW's store - they were having their annual (read only) 50% off sale. I would bet that the fabric store probably did sales equivalent to 2 months of normal sales today. I spent most of 6 hours moving bolts of fabric back to shelves to clear cutting tables - boy are my arms and shoulders tight. But I'll also say that better me than LW.

Yesterday, I used the arc trainer for 10 minutes before cycle (first time I've used it...I worked up a good sweat). And today, I’ve done nothing. Will probably go for a walk tonight.

Have a great weekend!
Cindi

Arc Trainer? Is that like an elliptical trainer? I haven't heard the term before but would guess that the two machines are one in the same.

Jackie - Congratulations on 1400 posts! Isn't that the typical thing - just get your house to really suit your tastes then - you go and move. Healthy attitude though - it is only a house. My prayers are with you and your family as you try to cement the move and uprooting your family. I know that you all will be fine.

Pushing to the sunset... happy trails,
Les