After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working. -Kenneth Grahame

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 525:

Now that the Holiday Craziness has hit a bit of a lull (after the crazy 12" snowstorm we're now cleaning up from!), I feel compelled to tell you all about the awesomeness that was my Christmas Day.

While in Christmas' past, this would involve me sleeping in until Whenever, putzing around the house in my PJ's while my mother made a big dinner and eating myself silly on carb-laden holiday treats... I'm happy to say that this Christmas (Aja 2.0!) was a little different.

Thanks to the creative ingenuity of my fabulous Spartan buddy, Stacey, I was up *before* 8am and preparing to head out in 16 degree weather for a "Festive Run" on Christmas morning. We were instructed to dress festively and prepare for an easy 5K.

Race Bibs!

Upon our arrival, Stacey passed out our race bibs. Yes. Race bibs (there's rumor that next year might have finisher medals!)! We were all rocking a festive array of clothing - Santa hats, candy cane striped socks, red and green running attire, infamous "ugly" sweaters... you name it. Stacey, our fearless organizer, was even toting a handful of jingle bells for merry-making along the way.

Festive Run Style!

Our festive crew geared up and pinned on our bibs and headed out behind our leader to greet this holiday in sweaty style. Being a Spartan and always ready to throw in a curve ball, Stacey headed us up the infamous Hill, to start. We started plowing up it and my out-of-condition (sigh) legs were a little cranky, but they were not what forced us to slow to a walk; there was actually a bit of ice that made running uphill near impossible. Not to be deterred, we trudged up the hill and resumed our run into town.

Stacey, leading the Merriment!

Turning onto the main street, we set about running a long run throw the downtown of the booming metropolis of Barre, VT. The snow was coming down heavy, in big scenic flakes, and it was everyone's picturesque dream of a White Christmas.

We were forced to go a little slow and shorten our stride a bit to accommodate for the occasionally slippery terrain - you'd know when one of the ladies had found a slightly slippery patch by the "eee!!!" followed by a giggle and continued footfalls.

Running through the main part of downtown (down one side of main street and up the other!) was the most entertaining. Drivers headed to their holiday destinations beeped and waved and smiled at The Crazies that were out taking on a Festive Run. However, if there's one thing I've learned in this Spartan Shape-Up journey, is you really just can't care what other people think... otherwise, when would you run around carrying a tire, or dropping to do burpees?

Overall though, we seemed to bring a smile to everyone's face, as Stacey would grin ear to ear and enthusiastically shake her bells and wave at the cars, while the rest of our group would laugh, smile and try not to fall on our butts.

I'm happy to say that, despite my body reminding me VERY enthusiastically that we haven't been running enough, a grand time was had by all (and hopefully, this is just the first of our festive runs!). We all made it back to our start warm and toasty and unscathed, and ready and energized to tackle the rest of our holiday plans.

It has been interesting to reflect on how things have changed, since committing to a healthier lifestyle. While I will admit there have been slip ups and backslides (I can't even TALK about ridiculous amount of cookies that have been eaten the last few days - the rest just hit the trashcan!), I recognize that I have made the change to mostly healthier decisions. While it would've been easier to stay in bed and laze around in my PJ's, I willingly suited up and went out for a merry run in the sub-20 degree weather. It can be done folks, sometimes it just takes a little longer to get your head in the right place.

Now, since I've run for every holiday so far... I wonder, what is my New Year's Day plan? HMMMmmmmm......

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing. —Thomas Jefferson

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 490-497:

Ah, Holiday Time, BlogLand... Traditionally, this is a time for stuffing my face full of carb-tastic awesomeness, lounging on the couch, drinking spirits and generally lazing about in a haze of "Holiday".

Not so this year. (Aja 2.0, remember?)

Tuesday, I had a surprise come in the mail: "Biggest Loser: The Workout, Weight Loss Yoga." ... yes, there was a yoga DVD in my mailbox, and yes, I did actually order it (and a second one, actually!). Here's the thing, I've had a few injuries here and there over the course of the last couple of years that the treatment was "more stretching". I have an ankle that I need to work on mobility, to ensure it's continued health. How do you do that? "More stretching". I always feel tight in my legs, which causes more problems down the line... the solution... you guessed it. MORE STRETCHING. My GT has told me this, my PT has told me this, my Dad is a huge fan of yoga, many of my Spartans recommend it... basically, it was time to stop ignoring the voice inside my head that knows better, but was avoiding yoga because it is hard, and I'm not good at it.

After much research, I settled on this DVD (and also one by Jillian Michaels), because 1) it was short, with a workout in the 30-35 minute range, 2) it was made for beginner, not-bendy people and 3) it was not shot on some beach, with a bunch of beautiful people in bikini's Ohm'ing into the sunset. I hate that. This DVD is actually REAL people, in a studio, struggling just like I struggle.... and the best part - Bob provides modifications for all the moves. My biggest problem with traditional yoga DVD's is that I legitimately just can't do the moves. I don't bend like that (yet) and I can't physically do it. But then, they don't seem to provide you any options, or progression on how to get there. Bob, in this DVD shows you how to scale any move. It reminded me of CrossFit - allowing you to be successful and complete each move, in a progression toward greater things in the future. Also, this DVD included several workouts - geared towards a progression every couple of weeks, to keep you challenged, as you got better at it.

I begrudgingly put it in and got ready to roll my eyes and whine about having to do yoga. However, we had a nice stretching warm up and I was feeling pretty good. Bob isn't obnoxious to listen to, and the music in the background was unobtrusive. So far, so good. On to the main part of the "workout". So, this part was an easy 20-25 minutes long, but had my warmed up and stretching in ways that I typically would not. Or not for the length of time that I should. Downward dog, Triangle, Warrior. I was warm, getting a little sweaty, but it was gentle enough that I didn't not have sweat dripping down my face. Honestly, before I knew it (I hadn't gotten to whiny!), we were done and on to the cool down. I had done all the moves (some with more success than others...), and - wonder of wonders!!! - my legs felt great. They were loose, stretched out and not stiff.

Well. Hell. Everyone was right.

When I texted the GT to inform him of this he simply replied with a picture that said:
"If at first you don't succeed, try doing what your trainer told you to do the first time." and a note, "How was yoga?"

.... touche, GT, touche.

So, BlogLand, it would seem that I do not *hate* yoga... I just hate feeling unsuccessful at things. SO, many the lesson is I hated P90X yoga, because it was an hour and a half long, I was sweating like a crazy, and I couldn't do half of the moves. This Biggest Loser Weight Loss yoga allowed me the benefits I was looking for - gentle stretching, mobility, flexibility - in a nice, half hour ish workout that I can fit into my schedule several times a week, and *gasp* actually intend to. I feel some success coming on!
-----------------

Then, thanks to a little holiday scheduling, I managed to make a Wednesday night CrossFit class, with my favorite CF trainer, Shannon. Shannon, like my GT, just doesn't let me get away with half-assing it. He calls me out when the weight looks too light, or it appears that I am not nearly dying.

Stacey and I rolled into CF feeling pretty good and cheerful about the impending holiday... only to find one heck of a WOD. It sounds really simple in a way - Dumbbell snatches.  We did some skill work, and then on to the WOD...

5 rounds of:

• 10 pull ups
• 5 DB snatches (left hand)
• 5 DB snatches (right hand)
• 15 box jumps

Well, you know my thoughts on pull ups. I was using a huge band and struggle after the first 7-8, resigning myself to sets of 2-3 after that. By the last round, I was down to sets of... one. Yes. One. BUT, the key, BlogLand, is just to keep going. Even if it's slowly. 

I did the DB snatches *almost* at the prescribed weight. Prescribed was 35#, but I was pushing a 30# and made it through the WOD. My left arm in particular thought this was cruel and unusual punishment, but EFF you, Left Arm. 

The hardest part, actually, was the box jumps. Jumping is still a little weird on my post-shin-splint leg, so I'm more tenative. And box jumps are really just kind of a cardiovascular killer. Thankfully, as my jump was waning in the last couple of rounds, Shannon came around and threw some words of motivation at me, challenging me to push a little harder. WOD done. Pre-Turkey Day calorie burn, complete. 

--------------------------

As Thanksgiving dawned, unlike any other before, I was dragging myself out of bed early and pulling on Spandex. Yep. I've become a Turkey Trotter. I signed myself up for a little local "Wobble Gobble 5K" just to get some mileage and to give myself some incentive to MOVE on the holiday, not just stuff my face with mashed potatoes.

It was cold, but Stacey and I were suited up in our Under Armor and ready to go. We're Vermonters, cold means nothing (other than layersssss!) to us. 

With almost no warning ("Ready?" *GUN*), we were buzzing off the first leg of the course. Immediately, I knew I was in terrible trouble. My legs were.... tired. Probably an intense session at CrossFit, the night before, including lots of box jumps and snatches (which use your legs to lift!), were not my best plan. But still, I thought to myself, it's JUST a 5K. No problem. 

I pushed. My legs felt like nothing. Literally. They had no gas. No go. No oomph. Suddenly, there was a little hill. 

BlogLand, I tried. So hard. 

I had to walk. It felt horrible, like admitting defeat. I haven't WALKED in a 5K race in a year. It killed me. But my body had nothing. With some encouragement from Stacey (who somehow managed to still be shuffling along!), I got trotting again. I thought I would die. I just.... couldn't. I admit, for a split second, I pondered if this is the race I would have to quit. That's how bad it was. 

BUT ( I can't stress the importance of running buddies and training buddies enough!), Stacey was right with me, not letting me quit. As I trotted at the top of the hill, with a pained expression and empty legs, I recall admitting outloud, "Stacey, I need help. Motivation. I've got nothing."

What followed was nothing short of miraculous. She told me exactly why I wasn't quitting. As we trotted down a long downhill, she reminded me where I had started, how far I had come, why I do these things, and EXACTLY how we were going to finish (whether I liked it or not). We'd done harder things, and I wasn't going to be defeated by a 5K turkey trot. 

I wanted to die, or cut my legs off, but we pressed on, leap frogging past Red Tights Girl and her Dad, who were running together. Red Tights Girl (RTG) appeared to be about 15-16 and suffering like me. Her dad was sticking with her, but she was having a hard time, taking short walk breaks too. Nonetheless, after we passed the indication that we only had like a 1/4 mile left, she picked up the pace, determined to finish strong. 

Thank god I'm competitive. I summoned some sort of phantom energy and managed to get by her (my legs are longer!). However, when we could SEE the finish line, a ways down the sidewalk, RTG made a sprint for it. It would be a long sprint, but I couldn't let her beat me after all this. 

I pulled a sprint out of somewhere. I have never felt more like throwing up in all my life. I passed her, as she dropped to a walk, but I had to settle back to a slow trot, trying not to regurgitate my banana all over the enthusiastic spectators. I trotted through the finish, as Stacey whizzed in front of me - a sprint to the finish, like ever good race should end!

I have never been so happy to get to stop. Seriously. A local 5K, with an easy course, nearly was the death of me. Thank god for Stacey's motivation and RTG for me to chase. I tracked her down at the end of the race and thanked her for a great race, and that I had chased her/been motivated by her chasing me, the whole time. 

My time was an even 33 minutes... definitely not a PR, but still squeaking in under an 11 minute mile. It was no amazing feat, but for the day after a CF wod, on dead legs, I'll take it. What I'll also take away from this is the accomplishment that I was UP, sweaty and moving (with a calorie deficit!), all before 10am on Thanksgiving. 

I was (am.) Thankful that my life has changed so dramatically for the better. 

--------------------------

You would think I'd earned a little rest... and I sorta did...I ate and made merry, then slept late on Friday... but then it was off again, with the CG to a rock climbing competition in NH. We were bring some demo shoes for the climbers, and spectating... and as an added perk, we get to do some climbing. This particular gym in Manchester - Vertical Dreams - is a cool atmosphere. It's a laid back, community oriented sort of place. The competition announcements were made by a heavily pierced and tattooed guy sitting on a tall railing, while everyone sat around on couches. 'nough said. 

Since my series of recent injuries, I haven't been doing much climbing. At all. It hurt. Now that I'm recovered, I'm hoping to get back at it, to continue to help me build up my upper body (and I'm really enjoying the challenge of it!). Clipping in and getting back on the wall these first few times back were real ugly. I felt like I'd never climbed before, everything felt 4x as hard, and I felt uncoordinated. But, again, a speed bump in the road, and I'm back to training now. 

The highlight of the visit though was the converted elevator shaft, which made a 4 story - 75 FOOT - vertical climb. I won't lie, BlogLand, this was a bit intimidating. There was an "easy" route for me to try... but it was long and strictly vertical. I started up, got stumped a few places and had to rest, but over all, I had a good time. The CG egged me on from the bottom, projecting directions up the shaft, whenever I started to freeze up and get "stuck". But, thanks to a few previous climbs and some raging sore arms from the CrossFit workout a couple days prior, right around the 60ft mark, my arms were done and I had to quit. Still, 60 ft!!! How cool is that?! I know it's nothing like climbing outside or anything, but it was awesome to try a different wall and see what a significant height would feel like. It's a little nerve wrecking when you look down..... but maybe that should serve as a lesson - don't look back at the past... keep your eyes forward and up on where you're going!

----------------------

Saturday found me a complete rest day. I mean complete rest. Sleeping in. Didn't do much more than cook some tasty healthy food and wander around in my jammies. I'm pretty sure I showered, so Ha! There's some motivation for you. 

--------------------

The soreness in my arms had been building the last few days, and on Sunday, it really reached the height of unpleasant. My biceps and forearms were so tight that I just wanted to cut my arm off at the shoulder. I couldn't straighten my right arm - my bicep when hanging "relaxed" still kept my arm engaged and at an angle. When I reached for something, I had to make ouchy faces and whine, quite a lot. 

This indicated to me it was time for a lot of water, a ridiculous amount of Tiger Balm..... and more yoga. 

With The Soprano's on in the background, I cleared a spot and settled in for an easy 35 minutes of yoga with Bob. Again, I will say, it got me warmed up, stretched out and feeling 100% better, by the time I was done. It was an excellent active recovery to get my body moving, but nothing too taxing. 

I went to bed hydrated and stretched out and not quite ready to get back to work on Monday (oh, Holiday Weekends, why are you so short?). 

--------------------

And finally, the holiday weekend had drawn to a close... and Monday found me running around like a crazy person trying to do all the errands and such that I hadn't done for the last 3-4 days. 

My Workout consisted of carrying laundry bags and walking back and forth in the office. But hey, sometimes, life happens. 

--------------------

Thankfully, I crawled out of bed for Tuesday morning CrossFit today. SO. DAMN. EARLY. 

It's getting more challenging, as the winter gets darker and colder... but this winter, I've built in an accountability system - Stacey. Stacey (who's quite a bit better at getting up early than I) was at my house at 6:03 am, waiting for me to jump in her (semi-warm) car and be carried off to CrossFit. It's pretty hard to argue with that. All I had to do was get some sneakers on and fall into the car. 

Today's WOD looked like this:

We did some time doing skill work on Double Unders. I tied my previous PR of ...... ONE.... double under. Yes, Blogland, ONE. But, again, I suppose that one is better than none. I just can't seem to find the rhythm to get in that allows you to get past that first glorious one. And, the concussion of my over-exuberant not-light thumping on the floor (I can't think of jumping lightly and turning quickly, at that hour of the day), started to make my leg feel a little funny. I eased up on that and decided I better save that learning curve for another day. 

Moving on, the main part of our Wod was:

- 20 Chest to bar pull ups (with a big black band, for me!) as a buy in, then:

As many rounds as possible in 7 minutes, increasing reps:

- 1 dead lift

- 1 hang clean

- 1 Overhead press

(second round is 2, 2, 2, third round is 3, 3, 3... etc.)

Wielding a 65# bar, I managed a respectable 6 complete rounds, completing the 7 dead lifts. I was finding the limiting factor to be my arms first (unhappy that we started with pull ups!), and then my ability to continually hang clean that weight. Blargh. But, the fact that I can do it at all, with a decent weight, made me happy. 

After those 7 minutes, we did a minute of Burpees Over Bar. Here's how it goes: face your bar, do a burpee, jump over bar, turn and face bar, do burpee. Repeat.  I managed a decent 13 complete burpees with a bar jump. Not too bad. 

Here's the kicker... you know how CrossFit cools down, Green Mountain Style? Yeah, we play crab walk soccer. Ever seen 6 adults trying to crab walk (crab run?) around the gym, kicking multiple balls into goals? Yeah. It's a pretty awesome way to start your morning. 

... and all before 7:15 am!

----------------------------

So, I'm successfully still "on track" after holiday schedule interruptions, and I feel like I did a pretty good job of taking a different approach to an big Eating Holiday this year. My, how things have changed?

I guess when it comes down to it, it's all about making a decision to be different and keeping those goals just on your horizon - far enough away that you need to keep working to chase them, but close enough that they constantly remind you of their presence. 

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” ― Seth Grahame-Smith, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 459:

You may have noticed, Blogland, how quiet I've been over here... Here's the thing: SHIN SPLINT. Holy Pain in the Leg, Batman. Long story short, I wore a crappy pair of old sneakers one day and BAM. Set of an inflammation that every runner dreads - shin splints. I'm pretty sure there was/is a tiny gnome stabbing a knife into my shin every time I try to flex my foot, run, squat or otherwise engage the front of my leg (you'd be suprised at how often you do this). Admittedly, I had quite an internal temper-tantrum about being "benched" again and not able to run for (possibly) WEEKS. Thanks to this injury, I've had to back out of the half marathon I was schedule to run in a week or so, and I'm just crossing my fingers that I'm going to be okay to run by the time the Fenway Spartan comes up. Ugh. BUT, I'm following doctor's orders and treatments and I've got my head back in line so I'll be doing what I CAN do, not focusing on all the things I can't.

SO, per the Doc's clearance and the fact that the pain in my leg had receded, I decided to try a local Zombie 5K with my long-time (and upcoming Spartan!) friend, Tim in honor of his birthday. Because really, who doesn't want to get chases by Zombies on their birthday?

My inital impression of this run was that it was definitely the first-time attempt at organizing and event like this. Having experienced many of the more established organizations that put on mud runs and races, the Zombie Run group has a little ways left to go; BUT, as I said, I hear it was their first year, so I'm happy to cut them some slack on the little things (like getting your t-shirt prior the the race, not having a bag check, and having to go find the waiver table, when you are automatically directed to registration FIRST, but can't register without a waiver....).

We were funneled into our 11:30 wave and provided our belts and flags. Our flags were our "lives" and the goal was not to lose them to the Zombie hordes (seems easy enough, right?). Our group was given a briefing at this time at the rules (No. Please do not punch the Zombie if he pops out and scares you...) and then corralled to await our start time.

When it was time to go, we were walked as a group by all the Spectators, which felt a little bit like Gladiators parading to the arena. We were here to do battle with Zombies, who knows if we'd come out alive. Releasing us to the race, we ran through some empty pathways on the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds (which, Zombie Run made a good point, is a little creepy when it's not filled with people and rides, etc.).

Before we saw any Zombies, we did see a crab-apple tree, that many people were picking up apples from. You see, we were told that an Apple was the "secret botanical" that could bring us across the finish line "Alive" even if we had lost all our flags. However, I'm pretty sure that this incidental crab-apple tree was not exactly what the organizers had intended (we later learned that there was actual big pretty apples to be had later on...). I did grab my crab apple and off Tim and I went, with our tiny apple safety nets tucked away in our spandex - just in case.

At this point, I have to admit, I was feeling the fact that I hadn't been able to run for 2 weeks prior to this. I had gotten over this god awful respiratory cold and what not, and I still wasn't feeling 100% on the running, but I was keeping up with the masses and all seemed to be well.

Our course took us on a cool detour through a big empty building, where the Zombie make up was being applied. Incidentally, Zombie Run, you get a HUGE A+, gold star on the presentation of the Zombies. Nightmare VT (who did the make up), did an exceptional job, in my opinion.

Warm up over... it was down to business, all of a sudden. We were funneled through a flat field, littered with zombies and big barrels to further obstruct our path. Further, the only way out was through a reallllllllyyyy small opening, gaurded by not one, but TWO zombies.

It is worth noting, as we dived into the fray, that there are actually two kinds of Zombies to be encountered.... slow zombies, who are basically stationary, or slow shuffling, reaching obstacles and Fast Zombies (think Zombie Land!), who are running you down.

Losing my first flag in the bottleneck gate, I encountered my first Fast Moving Zombie (FMZ), who seemed to come out of no where and set his undead gaze on me, only. And FMZ lived up to his name and was a SPEEDY mo' fo. We Zigged, we Zagged and I ran my little tail off, trying to not only out run and out maneuver him, but to avoid the Slow Moving Zombies (SMZ) that swayed and reached like seaweed in an ocean current.

Finally out running FMZ, suddenly thankful for all that Sprint work that the GT had assigned me, I walked in the empty grassy area and attempted to catch my breath. It seems that I had VASTLY underestimated the psychological response to being concertedly chased. Not only do you run faster than you thought, motivated by crazy adrenaline and a desire to save yourself, but you go completely tunnel vision on moving forward and getting away. I may have forgotten about my team-mate, Tim, in the craziness and spun around to make sure he'd come out the other side. Tim jogged over, smiling and energized and hopped up on adrenaline and on we trotted.

Right about here... maybe 1/2 mile into the roughly 5K race, the pain in my leg started to make itself known as a bit of a dull ache. Nothing I couldn't power through. Slow jog and on the lookout for the undead, we pressed on.

While this wasn't billed as an "obstacle" race per se, we did encounter a couple along our way. There was a series of three hay bale pyramids to get up and over, each time a little higher and with many zombies waiting to snatch your precious flags on the other side. Thankfully the majority of them were SMZ. I made it out of these alive (thanks to my Spartan perspective on attacking obstacles)... but lost my second flag to a FMZ masquerading as a SMZ until my unsuspecting self passed a little to close. It was interesting, the hay bales were not a hard obstacle, but the anticipation of the Zombie chase on either side of them definitely provided an additional level of heart-pumping action to keep them interesting.

Here's the point that I had a few complaints with Zombie Run... this first stage of the race was pretty good: more challenging than I'd expected and packed together at good distances (close enough to stay engaged, but far enough apart to be able to catch your breath). Once we got by that initial segment, though, things got a little thin. We had some long stretches (flat, thankfully), where there was nothing - no obstacle, no zombie - that were then followed by areas that funneled you into a TON of zombies that were impossible to get out of alive. Much to our dismay, Tim and I were out of flags by about the halfway point of the race.

At this point, I was frustrated at my body. The leg was really painful and I was speed-walking with a pronounced limp. After what - a mile and a half?! ARGH. We hit a out and back on a paved road, where we were promised water at the end of it. As I attempted to trot along it, I brought up short in my tracks, as the hard surface really exaggerated the shooting pain in my leg. No jogging. Just walking. Noted, Body. I would like to note, this was a decent distance out and back on this paved road that literally had zero point (no obstacles, no zombies), other than to add distance to the race. Where this was an untimed race, I'm not sure what the point of this was, Zombie Run? (again, you're forgiven, as this is your first organized race. A minor infraction.)

Power-Limping (I'll be damned if I would have a DNF on a tiny, flat 3K course!) on, we got to a cool point in the race - a station where you could earn a life back! All you had to do was take that paintball gun there and nail one of those zombies taunting you over there. With my three shots I racked up three epic misses, but Tim (an experienced paintballer) tagged one of those zombies right in the forehead, to win himself another flag.

As we went on, now with renewed purpose (the zombies TRY to get you if you have a flag... without a flag, you're not of much interest to them...), we hatched a game plan. I would run interference and we would do whatever possible to keep Tim "alive" with his flag. I ran at zombies, ducking and weaving and using my body as a block, trying to give Tim (who proved to be speedy and nimble!) any possible opening to get out of the groups unscathed. Having said that, it became clear to me that in these Zombie races, the bigger your team, the better. With me as the only blocker, it was near impossible to be everywhere that was needed to protect the flag-carrier. Next year, we need to roll into this race with an entourage at least 4-5 deep.

Meeting with some success, we were funneled into a corral, where we met the only other actual "obstacles" of the day: a large circle of downed farm gates, in various configurations, that required you to low-crawl through the mud to get through them. Here's my critique... I wasn't sure of the point. Basically, you came off the path, crawled (or rolled! Thank you Spartan Race for teaching me that!) under at least 15 of these things in a big circle, then went on your merry way. Without any officials to moderate this, we saw many racers just skip the extra effort and continue on the path. Not one to skip an obstacle, Tim and I did every single one and braved the Zombie again to push back out onto the course.

With our one precious flag still remaining, we hit the biggest challenge of the day: the Barn. Picture this: a U-shaped barn that you had to go through, infested with SMZ that wanted your flag. Bad. Here's where the big-team would've come in handy. Tim and I turned into our Ninja Alter-Ego's, and ducked and weaved and spun, but their numbers were just too many. In a valiant display of effort, we were ultimately thwarted - the LAST (!!!) Zombie managed to snag Tim's flag on the way out.

As we Limp-walk/trotted the rest of the uneventful course, we were comforted by the fact that we did still at least have our secret saviors: apples tucked away in our spandex! We'd be bringing ourselves home muddy and limping, but ALIVE!

Finish line in sight, I rallied and we ran over a tiny little Fire Jump, where I chose the Spartan Route - jumping over and landing square into the puddle on the side. SADLY, it appears the camera man was not there to capture that moment, as I'm thinking it would've made a cool picture. (As a side note - again, a product of it being their inaugural year - there definitely weren't enough photographers. The pictures that were taken seem to be very limited, compounded by a very expensive price tag. Eh.... C- on this part, Zombie Run.)

As we finished and pulled out our apples triumphantly, we were greeted with water and a pretty cool finish medal. To me, as a complete bling-'ho, I LOVE it when I get another medal to add to my collection. A muddy number and a T-shirt are nice... but a medal, that's some hardware (even if it's not of the highest quality). A+ in this area, Zombie Run... many other races of this level would've just stuck to the T-shirts. Good choice.

Tackling the last obstacle of every mud run, Tim and I laughed and joked while enduring the cold hose-off (which feels much colder at the end of October! Whoa!).

At the end of the day, there were WAY worse ways to spend a Saturday morning than having a fun little challenge with your BFF and earning a t-shirt and some race bling.

My official review of the race? Well, I'm going to give them another chance, and probably try it again next year, but there are definitely some areas that need improvement. Long stretches with nothing to do are not all that fun, when you're running a "Zombie Run". Conversely, having the Zombies grouped SO heavily at other areas that there is no WAY you can come out alive, also not so fun. Next year, I think spreading them out a little, and having more random areas for them to surprise attack, etc. might be a better strategy. Also, having a few more areas where you could earn/win back a flag would be cool, as the race turns into just a plain 5K pretty quickly when the Zombies are no longer interested in a runner without a flag! The pricing was a little steep for this years product.... but there was major potential here - a great location, AWESOME zombies, they got the t-shirts and medals right - so I think a similar price next year, with some adjustments to the strategy, would be reasonable for this kind of event. I think maybe I'd give this Zombie Run an overall grade of like a B-.

Personally, I had a pretty damn good time and am glad I checked it out. Ultimately, I must admit, I'm glad it turned out a bit easier than expected, as my leg was NOT at ALL happy with my efforts and I was in a whole lot of pain by the time we got in the car to head out.

But Zombies beware... Tim and I took notes this year, and will be tackling the next one with a strategy!

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 413:

Oh Blogland! I'm BACK. I finally feel BACK. After hitting up CrossFit last week, I was blessed with some multi-day stiff/sore/muscle fatigue, which served as a real re-motivator. I forgot how good it felt to really get down to business. I've been getting in my scheduled runs, following the plan, eating pretty well and am gearing up for my big races of the year.

Speaking of races, this weekend I did something I would've never thought of a year ago. I popped out of bed early on a Saturday morning - voluntarily - to go out and run a local 5K race. Just for fun. No stress. I mean, really, it was called the Flying Pig 5K (in honor of a local bank mascot)... how could you be stressed about that? But the funny thing was, a 5K race has become such a non-issue. I don't prep special for them (5K is a short run for me these days), I'm not stressed that morning, and I have a really good idea what to expect from my body during them. What a complete 180 degree turn around from when I ran my first 5K just about a year ago.

The morning was sunny, I had some of my favorite race buddies warming up with me and toeing the starting line, and the course promised to be flat and fast. I was hoping that this would be the time that I hit my sub 30 minute 5K race time. I was slightly concerned about how my still-healing ankle would react to the all-road race, but I'm feeling good, running regularly and was here to throw it all out there. I mean, really, what else would I be doing on a Saturday morning? SLEEPING?! Sorry people, I had a finish line to chase.

It was really interesting, this was the first road race that I'd actually had time to have an adequate warm-up for. We had time to run a mile and get our legs going, do some stretching, and feel good when the starting mark went off. If ever I was going to run a great race, this had to be it. I was a little disappointed when I realized that this was not a chip-timed race. You see, a gun timed race means everyone gets the same starting time.... whether you start in the front of the pack and actually cross the starting line at that time, or if you're in the back of the pack starting 30 seconds later. I won't lie, I was running this one for time, so I muscled my way up toward the front.... right behind the boys high school cross country team. I may be running for time, but I knew I wouldn't be running the single digit mile times that those young 'uns would be hitting (... not THIS year, anyway... ;-) ).

The race began and I felt strong as our starting stretch lead us up the only real hill of the whole course. I powered up this with Spartan legs, at a regular rhythm, passing a lot of people. Never underestimate the power of practicing hills. Interestingly, I ran along sign my doctor (?!) for a few minutes... Who happens to be 60+ and does Triathlons with her husband. She was geared out in Gaspari Nutrition Spandex, looking really professional.... and then proceeded to steadily pass the masses on that hill. I HOPE I am that awesome at that point in my life. Talk about Chicking!

After that hill, my race buddies and I had drifted to our natural paces to run our own race. If you only ever learn one thing from my ramblings, BlogLand, it is to run your own race. You have to run to your plan, capabilities and capacity - not to try and keep up with the horde, or that damn blond girl slightly in front of you that you just can't seem to pass....

I was trucking along at a good pace, keeping (faster!) April in my eye sight. I was using her as a visual gauge of my speed, as I know she would finish in 29 minutes or so... therefore, all I needed to do was not lose her, come in slightly slower and I'd be right on target. About a third of the way through the race, we turned to the mental challenge of this tiny race: The out and back. A vast majority of this race was this out and back stretch on a road, in the full sun, at about 1130am.

I hate, hate, hate the heat BlogLand. I wanted to walk. Sweat was pouring off of me, my muscles were feeling "tired". I say "tired", because I know that they're not tired 1.5 miles in... they're just wanting me to think they are, so we could stop running in the heat. I ran on. I won't lie, as much as I was running my own race and taking my own advice, there was a lady in a flying pig hat just in front of me that I was determined not to let beat me. Thank god for her, as I'm pretty sure that competitive motivation was all that kept me moving through that sunny stretch of death.

I admit, here, BlogLand... I know where I made a mistake. As I hit the water station, just before the last mile, I dropped out of my run to grab a water, sip it and throw it on myself. While I kept walking at a good clip, this effects your time and was, in reality, unnecessary for a 5K. Nonetheless, it was how I was going to keep my sanity.

I reminded myself that I was almost at the end, rallied my thoughts toward my single-focus of a time goal and tried to get my feet turning over faster. Rounding the last stretch, I saw the crowd of people eagerly awaiting "their" runner, clapping and yelling general  encouragement in the meantime, and I put on the best effort I could for them. This resulted in a neck and neck finish line Chicking, where I busted past this guy at the last minute.... eliciting a sarcastic chuckle and mumble from the dude I passed. He was apparently not impressed. However, WTF? We're running for time, and neither one of us was in contention for top three placing... soo...? What's the big deal. Geesh.

Hitting the finish line, running for all my over heated body was worth, my eyes reflexively darted for the clock... 31 and change. DAMN. My goal had been clear. I wanted to do a 30 minute, or just under, 5K.... today was not the day.

As I came out of the shoot and cracked my water bottle, I let myself have that moment of disappointment. I didn't hit my goal. I came SO CLOSE. I let myself have that moment of replaying the things I could've done better, where I might improve, and what I was going to do next time.

And then, with a conscious effort, I closed that door. Why? Because, BlogLand, there is no reason to let that negativity stay. Yes, I was unhappy with not meeting my goal - that's what keeps driving me to the next one and to be better for the next finish line - but it's not the be all and end all.

The thought I decided to latch on to was that almost one year earlier, I had set my baseline for 5K races at a time of just barely under 35 minutes, after running only a short 100 days in my whole life. Today, I had cruised through a 5K race, a fun, non-stressful Saturday morning activity for me now, on a still-healing ankle, in a time close to 4 minutes faster...... and could've kept running a much longer distance!

uhm. WIN.

I WIN.

THAT is the thought process I intend to let seep into my brain. The one that reminds me that I'm not there YET, but I'm a hell of a lot farther than I was, and every day I get a little bit closer. There are an infinite number of finish lines I will still cross, and PR's to set and beat, but I am proud of myself for having the courage to get up and get to the start line.

After this little weekend mental victory, I did my training runs this week - managed a solid 4.5 mile run without any pain in the ankle. This is a great sign, because this weekend is a monster...

Tomorrow, right after work, I leave for NJ to tackle the Spartan Tri-State Super.... coming in at right around 10 miles of hilly terrain, rumored to include a 25 foot cliff jump, obstacles we've never seen before and a whole lot of mud.

There will be many of my favorite Spartans out on the course with me on Saturday, which I'm really excited about (find me! Pictures!). I'm a little nervous, as this is looking like this is going to be one grueling course.... but I'm not afraid. I'm pretty prepared physically (there's always room for improvement...), I've got a great hydration/fuel plan, intending to KT Tape my ankle just for safety, and what else is there? I'll have an awesome buddy running right by my side (Hey Stace!) and between the two of us, this course doesn't stand a chance.

Bring on the cliff!!!!

Not failure, but low aim, is crime. - James Russell Lowell

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 332 & 333:

I've missed you, BlogLand! It's been almost a week!! What have I been up to? Well.... not a lot. Frustratingly so. Whatever leg muscle (I still can't establish if it's my calf or my hamstring) that I made angry last weekend, that is causing this pulling sensation in the back of my knee just will not chill out. Sprints on Tuesday night, even with a really long warm up, were a decided No-Go. I've been taking frequent/long walks to stretch it out, foam rolling, stretching, hydrating, Ibuprofen, ice... the whole works. It gets a little better... but I'm still not back 100%. W.T.F.

So, because I've been so frustrated, I won't lie, my thought processes have been a bit unpleasant. Usually, I would blog them out for you all to follow along with (and know that you're not the only one who gets ugly when the going gets tough!), but my head was getting so frazzled with it that I just didn't want to blog. Blogging makes me think about my experiences, which is generally good, but I didn't think spending the last 7 days blogging endlessly about how I still wasn't able to run/train back to 100% was going to be a good mental exercise.

Basically, I have some imminent goals for myself, like by my 30th birthday (19 days), get under 200#... which will be approximately 7-8 more pounds of weight loss. And I've been really struggling with losing the weight. Thus, not being able to WOD like I would usually had me in a panic. I freaked out about probably not meeting that goal... which then had me freak out about the fact that I probably wouldn't be doing my One Pullup on my birthday like I'd hoped, and then I started questioning every goal I had - completing the Beast, doing these half marathons.... maybe I was aiming too lofty... yadda yadda yadda.

Thankfully, during one of these freak outs one morning on my way to work, while my knee stiffened and ached in the car, I had texted my GT (who is the patient sounding board for many of these kinds of freak outs...), and lost my mind a little bit, as per usual. Worrying about not making my goals, not losing weight and getting stuck in this stagnant "place I was in."
His response: "This place you're in?? You just ran and Super and a Sprint in the same weekend!"

Ah. Hmm. Reality Check received.

Sometimes, BlogLand, I (like many of you, I'm sure), get so focused on the ONE TREE in front of me. The all consuming one tree (immediate goal, upcoming race, etc.), that I completely forget the forest of accomplishments and victories. I did just finish a Super and a Sprint in one weekend. That's 14+ miles of running, mud and obstacles. TWO medals. And I felt okay, minus a tight muscle. Well. Go figure. haha

So, in the meantime, the GT gave me a task. MORE WATER. My official goal was 100 oz/day. I won't lie, I Googled this amount to verify (I'm sorry. You're always right, GT. I don't know why I continue to question!), because it seemed like SO much water. But, even Google agreed. A person of my height and weight and activity level should be at 90-100 oz of water a day. 3 liters. 3 big Nalgene bottles. Ohhhhh my. And here I was thinking I was "hydrated" and drinking a lot of water.

Nonetheless, I've been doing it. I bought a bigger water bottle for work, and have told my self that I will drink two of them during the work day. Little, achievable goals.

However, I HAVE had some positive things happen in the last few days, despite the leg-stupid.

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 332:
The Chicken Farmer 5K!

So, one of my most favorite Spartan Chicks, Peyton (who can't love the person who gave you your first tire?) had invited me to come do this small, local 5K that a friend of hers was running.
It has a really entertaining legend around the name, and seemed like it would be a low-key good time. (Weird. When did running a 5K on a Saturday morning become a low key good time?)

My leg felt okay. A little stiff getting up in the morning, but it seemed to warm up during walks or exercise, so I was determined to give this 5K a go. I couldn't be benched forever, I'd just work through it slowly, if I needed to. Peyton and I lined up at the very "official" starting line (the race official pointing his toe at a spot on the road. lol), and waited for the gun to go off. We were in the first 2 rows of people, as we wanted the most accurate time (it was being timed from gun time, not a super-accurate chip time).

In previous races, I spend some time trying to keep up with Peyton, then struggling to at least keep her in my sights... then losing her completely. Damn fast bitch, that one. (hehe) This race, however, I was able to mark my progress a bit. I was right with Peyton for the first part of the race, and at mile 1 she informed me we were running an 8:30 mile. HOLY crapola, BlogLand. I feared that I was going to burn out at that pace, but I was still feeling okay, despite the blazing sun... so... I kept pushing. Don't. Lose. Peyton, I kept telling myself.

Then, we entered the portion of the race that it billed as "gentle rolling hills." BIG. LIE. What that means is yeah, you'll have a downhill, right after you blow out your legs running up the steep side of it. Alright, slight exaggeration, but these hills were nothing to be sneezed at, and they were the WHOLE course. Up, down. Up. Down. I was suddenly very grateful I run around in Vermont. I found myself passing a lot of people, and maintaining my time, on the hills. It's all about just keeping a steady rhythm. Left-right, left-right until you're at the top... at which point you remind yourself that your lungs will not explode, they just feel like they're going to, and your legs will not fall off, you just want them to. Keep running.

I was still with Peyton! (alright, slightly behind her... but only by a few feet!) Although, I was starting to feel the heat, after the first big  hill. This was a straight on-pavement road race, and there was not a cloud in the sky. I admit, I did have to take a couple of walk breaks - just for short intervals, just to catch my breath and regroup (the heat is challenging for me). But I wasn't giving up. This might be my shot at my sub-30 minute 5K. And I was right on Peyton's tail. I was ON TRACK.

I wanted to die on the last hill. It was hot. As I ran up the incline, I could feel my knee thing pulling uncomfortably. Sweat was running into my eye. Embrace the Suck, I told myself. This is where the victory would be decided. Up the hill I went, determined face on. Cresting the hill, I heard people shouting that we were almost to the end, so I poured out whatever energy I could find in my legs, and set my sight on catching Peyton - who had gained a bit of a lead, at this point.

I roared around the corner with the clock and glancing up I saw 31 min and change. In disbelief, I looked back at it. HOW could that BE? I was cruising this whole race!! I could feel it!!!

Well, long story short, several GPS trackers confirmed that our course was over a standard 5K length. By 2-3 tenths of a mile. Since I came in only one person behind Peyton, we're using her GPS as OUR official marker - which indicated that this would've been the first 5K that I've done in LESS than 30 minutes, with average mile times of well under 10 minute miles.

.... but there is No Official Record. *sigh*

But I know. I did it. I did something that I never thought I'd be able to do. I am not a runner. .... but I guess, since I run several times a week, own shoes designed for running that cost more than $30, and can actually run several miles (WITH HILLS!!) at less than 10 minute miles... perhaps I better start changing that thought process. I am not a born runner.... but maybe I've made myself one.

Incidentally. I have to comment. The Chicken Farmer 5K had the best mascot I've ever seen. The guy that was the giant chicken was having so effing much fun that it was impossible to not have a good time. He was high-fiving, smiling, pep-talking... the whole works - despite it probably being 50 million degrees in that suit. He even jumped in the lake at the end, with a trail of children behind him. Well done, Giant Chicken Guy.
Oo! And some pictures!

Peyton, Giant Chicken, Me!

The Giant Chicken Swims!

The t-shirts are the brightest things
I've ever seen. Seriously,
the picture doesn't do it justice.
I swear, it glows.

This may be my favorite picture of the summer, thus far. Post-race, my feet were hot and my knee was feeling angry, so I decided to wade into the beachy area with some of the kids. (and no, I didn't think twice about going in up past my pants. Thanks, Spartan Race! I have complete disregard for what I'm wearing now. LOL.) So, I'm icing my legs, and Sara decides that I should strike a pose. Joking around (sporting my Spartan Tee!), I strike this one, looking appropriately post-race badass, as anyone can be when they're standing in a like. Then along came the duck. Who really wanted to be in the picture. It made me laugh.... a lot. I'm not sure if the duck ADDs to the feeling of badassery, or detracts. I almost look like I'm standing there completely miffed that the duck is in my lake. LOL.

Anyway, Good Times were had by all, and you can bet your chicken feathers I'll be back next year. :-)

Today was Spartan Shape-Up, Day 333:

My knee was back to being weird again, so I took a swim early this afternoon for about 30-40 minutes to try and stretch it all out and make it feel better. It definitely helped, at least temporarily.

Stacey and I decided that since it was a lovely sunny Sunday, we should also go tackle a local park of ours that's full of beautiful trails and supposedly a "fitness trail" with stations to complete.

The stations left a lot to be desired, as did my complete lack of sense of direction while trying to follow the crudely-drawn maps... However, we had a fabulous time running all around trying to locate all the stations, and decipher what we were supposed to do. Nothing really fabulous, but I did discover that there IS a set of adult-sized monkey bars to practice on!! Woot! I got across them twice today, without falling... of course, theses are dry and not muddy, like they always are at the races. But I figure, if I can practice on them, I'll only get better! Before the season is out, I'm determined to conquer them at a race. AROO.
Also, the trail did have a set of parallel bars that was an interesting challenge. I was able to walk myself on my t-rex arms ALMOST halfway across them. I couldn't quite make my halfway goal and my arms were all done.... but, I see some practice in my future... HMm.

All in all, an hour or so running around in the woods, on a low-key Sunday, you can't go wrong. I think for future expeditions, I'll skip trying to follow the fitness trail and just run around the trails... but Monkey Bars, watch out. I'm coming back for you.

With that, I leave you all, it is well past my bedtime, and CrossFit always seems to come OH so early.............

Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. -William A. Ward

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 302:

After a much needed (and well-earned!) rest day, yesterday, today was a RACE DAY!

The Vermont Corporate Cup Challenge and State Agency Race (5K) is a statewide race put on by the Governor's Association for physical fitness. From what I gather, pretty much anyone can do it, but it is geared toward businesses and state agencies to form teams and encourage their employees to get moving. It's a pretty big event, in that it pretty much closes Montpelier (our state capitol) for several hours. It's such a "thing" that our work actually adjusted our work schedules for anyone that wanted to participate, to allow for us to make it there on time (which was still an adventure when traffic is backed up to the highway exit... but...).

I was really looking forward to this, not just because I'd know tons of people there, but because it would be my first 5K road race of the season. My last one was in December (remember the Santa Run?!) and a WHOLE LOT of my strengths, skills, etc. have changed since then. I was thinking that this would be an excellent sort of start to the season marker.

After braving the massing throngs, scoring my free t-shirt (seriously, this collection may start to get ridiculous...) and finding my co-workers, my brain started to settle in to Pre-Race Routine. For me, as a focusing tool, I mull over my goal for the day. It used to just be "run the whole race without walking"... now it was, "run the whole 5K in under 30 minutes." WOW, how things change. I also take this time to think about some recent races I've done, what I've learned and where I can improve. In this case, I know that I need to focus on running MY race, and not keeping up with the mass of people. That is how you burn yourself out. I learned this the hard way at the Tortoise and Hare 10K. Yikes. I also did remember my Spartan race and the most valuable lesson there: I can. I was a little unsure if under 30 would be a reasonable goal, but the GT seemed to think it was good, I thought I could work it out... and hell, I can if I think I can.

Per the GT's suggestion, I moved up toward the front of the horde at the starting line. I wanted to work for time, and didn't want to have to fight and elbow my way through the first mile, losing precious seconds. ... But... up towards the front is where the serious fast people go. People that run all the time. OH WAIT. It even says it on my bib, "Runner":

I guess I can't argue with that.

I paced a bit and shook out my arms to relax... the only downfall was that due to all the traffic, etc. I didn't have time to jog a bit of a warm up, before we had to get to the starting line. The next race, I'm going to make sure I try this, and see if that helps improve my time. I really think it will. There's no sense in spending your first 1/2 mile or so of a short race like this, "warming up."

The gun went off and the initial crush of enthusiasm pressed in around me. There were a lot of spandex-clad crazies all trying to get moving at once. I took a couple deep breaths, reminded myself to keep it in check and started running my race. The first half mile was pretty uneventful, as I spent it trying to steady out my stride, get into some even breathing and - most importantly - check out the outfits around me. Seriously, BlogLand, you have no idea how much neon was out there. The 80's called and wanted their glow-in-the-dark materials back.

Over a bridge and around a corner, the throng pressed ever onward... and I felt pretty good. I watched the leaders (seriously, there were people that finished in 18 minutes. WHAT?) pull away, tall people bound like gazelles next to this burly t-rex, and the crowd begin to stretch out a little bit more.

At this point, I did have a little chuckle. Two guys running behind me, one apparently not so much into running the 5K, but sucked into it by his friend. He went on to whine about getting bored with road running and saying something like, "...well, if we could just add in some mud or barbed wire or something..." I AGREE!!! I thought to him, in my head. Shortly thereafter, those Tough Mudders (sporting every piece of identifying gear possible) passed me, and all I could think was, "hmm... I wonder if they've tried a Spartan Race, yet?"

Just before mile marker 1, as always, my body is finishing up sorting itself out, but I'm never entirely convinced this is a great idea. As you are well aware, I do not "love" to run... thus, at this point in every run, I'm questioning whether I still need to keep running, why my body is protesting this (because it usually is, in some form), and why I subject myself to this... particularly when I could just stop, walk a block and hit up the coffee place.

Right then, like some fabulous messenger, sent by the Cosmos to keep me going, was Roy! I turn my head to see my (uber tall and easy to spot!) friend, yelling my name and encouragements AND..... (wait for it....).... Holding a sign! I'm pretty sure it had my name on it. Even if it didn't, that's what my mind decided at the time, so I'm running with it (no pun intended). I had no idea he would be there, and all I could do was smile and push on. You can't  do the Disgruntled Mile 1 stuff, if you'd just received a cheering section! This was a pretty big deal, to me. When someone you don't see regularly takes time out of their life, unprompted, to support you in your pursuits (particularly when so many others have not), you have nothing but gratitude (Thank you, so much, Roy.).

As a big cluster, we went up the first little incline, and hit some more flat, and around again. At Mile Marker 1, there was a guy calling out times. I heard 8 minutes and change... At this point, I smiled and was happy inside (Ooo!! 8 minute mile!!).... and then I had a little bit of a reality check. I had to slow my roll a little bit. If I had run a sub-9 minute mile out of the gate, chances are I was going to fizzle later on. I brought my pace down.

Right about this point, we started seeing the runners (who's way was cleared by Screaming Bike Guy) at the front of the pack come back at us. They were moving like nothing I'd ever seen before. I'm pretty sure none of them could've maintained that speed over 10K, but it was a beautifully impressive thing to watch. I gained some inspiration here, and tried to use it to fuel my own left-right-left march on.

The Hill Section kind of sucked, although it was nothing too major. Just a few relatively short, annoying climbs. I did find that this is where my training shows. Where people that are "ahead" of me start  up these hills then have to walk, I can maintain the steady up the hill, and recover on the fly at the top of it. No need to stop, walk and die, anymore.

As mile 2 wrapped up, I wasn't feeling awesome. I knew I had burned too much gas out of the gate. This was not as effortless (ha!) as it usually was. Nonetheless, as I hit the 2 mile mark, the official called out a time of 19:35.... Which means I was running right on target to get that sub-30 min goal. KEEP pushing, I reminded myself.

Shortly thereafter, I ran in to Roy again, who decided to play photographer. LOL:

One of these things is not like the others...

This may be my favorite race picture EVER. Everyone all serious... me popping up and slightly ridiculous in the middle. Story of my life. hehe

Camera! (dude. check the guns. lol)

The last mile was bad. Or at least not good. I was feeling tired, thinking I should've eaten dinner before this ( the race started at 6pm), and was really starting to fade. But left-right-left it was, and I was going to get the job done.

Back over the bridge and I knew we were almost done. Right after that hill. I leaned into it and kept my steady pace pumping up this hill. There was a guy behind me that was wheezing and breathing in such a way that I thought he was about to die...and trust me, I am familiar with "I want to die!" breathing. He was... not doing well.

As I reached the top of the hill, I heard irish jigs on strings. Yep, because this is Vermont and VT can be more than a little awesome, there was a string quartet sitting at the top of the last corner/hill, playing some tunes. Loved this.

Even with the fiddle music in my ear, I was really feeling done after that hill. I had started to really slow, I felt it. I knew I was thinking about walking. Thankfully, the Cosmos gave me a push. There was a runner who'd already finished (!!!??!??!) sitting in a lawn chair at the side of the road. As I glanced at him, he caught my eye and said, "Keep going. Dig deep and pick up the pace! You have it in you, you're almost there!" I knew he was right, as I could see the finish line crowd... but Lawn-Chair Runner Guy, you have NO idea what you did for me (if you're ever out there reading, Thank you!). I channeled a burst of speed that saw me around the corner and down the big hill. The announcer was sporadic names/numbers as you finished... I was in the home stretch. I thundered down the hill and rounded the bend.

Finish line, about 300 yards away. Time to leave it on the table. With the encouragement from the crowd, I hit the gas pedal on a great sprint ( Yay regular Sprint WODs!). Roy (who apparently was everywhere!) managed to capture the finish line focus:

I glanced at the clock, and barreled through the chute. Ahhh.... Stopping is always nice, after a race like this.

While clutching a water bottle and a half a bagel like my life depended on it (I am pretty sure it did, at this point), I ran into a coworker, who had just finished in something like 23 minutes. WTF? That's crazy time. That is all I can say about that.

As for me, 5K, 31:13 seconds, average pace: 10:03 min/miles. My initial reaction was not one of happiness. I was going for UNDER a 30 minute race. Goal not achieved. Inner competitive perfectionist, pissed off. I ran through the couldda wouldda shouldda's.

While recapping the race, in this tone, via text with the GT, I got the reality check that my brain needed to recalibrate: "Stop and rethink what you just did."

I ran a 10K race, I said. In my head, no big deal. Right, BlogLand, "No big deal."... yeah, would Aja of a year ago have said that? No... not at all. I'm not sure Aja of a year ago would've even gotten to the starting line.

When I did stop to rethink it, I also noted I ran almost exactly 10 minute miles. There was a time (actually, I noted it in December at the Santa Run) that I was praying to stay under 11 minute miles. Just finish in under 34 minutes. I guess things have improved. My best 5K race time to date was 32:23 and that was a nice, flat race with my GT at my side coaching me through it. This race, I managed 31.13 pretty easily and probably could've gone faster. Hell, I'll say that's an improvement.

Me, who less than a year ago could not run 20 seconds (literally), just ran 3.1 miles in 31.13 minutes - a very respectable 10 min/mile pace. I needed to STFU and claim my Victory.

So I did. With a couple of my training buddies, and a big 'ol Margarita:

While I will admit, I am slightly disappointed that I did not hit the goal that I wanted, I also have to continually remind myself where I have come from. These things are NOT going to happen overnight, no matter how much I want them to. The more I am able to do, though, the higher my expectations for myself. So, I will just keep pushing until I reach them. There WILL be a sub 30 minute 5K race this year. I promise.

In the meantime, I'm relishing the small victories. I didn't walk. My pace was steady. I ran 10 minute miles. I was consistent on the hills. I ran fast enough to be able to cross the finish line, then turn back to it to cheer on my Up-the-Hill running buddy, as well as my co-worker team mates - all of whom have been training like animals to hit their own personal goals. I'm happy to say I fought the good fight at this race, beside all these ladies, and new personal bests were established all around, and everyone wore satisfied smiles of accomplishment as we headed home. I'm SO proud of all my ladies!

Lesson of the Day: Sometimes it is easy to get down on yourself for the things you did not or could not do. But no excuses. There is more training and there is next time. You will get there. Instead, take a time out to readjust your brain and check out what you DID accomplish, however small.

So, with a new 5K PR under my belt, I'm headed to bed, BlogLand.  My knees are tired and a little sore. Due to an old injury and bunch of compressed cartilage, my knees are not so excited to see straight road races (particularly with down hills...). However, nothing a little Ibuprofen and a good night's sleep won't fix.

An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises - Mae West

Spartan Shape Up, Day 281 & 282:

So, I have to apologize, BlogLand. I've been combining updates like crazy lately, but I'm just TIRED. I work kind of a weird schedule and by the time all is said and done for the day, well, I choose between Blogging and Sleep. Given my inability to sleep like a regular human, any time my body decides sleep would be a good plan, I just GO WITH IT.

However, I think it's okay, the last couple of WODs were not anything too blazingly exciting:

Day 281:
So, I played with my schedule this week because my body just NEEDED a rest day a little sooner than usual (it was an action packed weekend!), and today ended up being a day for a home-wod. All things considered, with the equipment, etc. that I have now, "Home-WOD" doesn't really limit me anymore. However, my brain was tired, I couldn't think of what I should do, even though I knew it needed to be some sort of strength based wod... so, I did what any reasonable person would do; I consulted the all-knowing fount of knowledge, My GT.

Sometimes, though, consulting the GT is a little bit like passing up the money and taking door number 2. If you just "took the money" and did the straight forward home WOD that you thought of, you'd know exactly what you were getting into, and your potential suffering level. If you take door number 2 from the GT, you'll for sure get SOMEthing.... but you may not enjoy it.
Today... Door number 2.

His decree was that I should do a Power Hour: Push Ups.  Now, for the unfamiliar, a "power hour" wod means that you do something (assigned number of reps, for example) every minute, on the minute, effectively completing 60 rounds of something. He decided that for me, today, it should be Push Ups.

#*$&$"Y^%@@&*$!!!!

Sorry. My T-Rex arms had a little bit of a temper tantrum when they read that message. When I asked how many per minute (I assumed maybe like... 2... given the fact this is not my strong suit...), he answered: 4. FOUR!?.... I may die. He did give me the caveat that IF I absolutely needed to, I could cut that down as I go, but I better get to at LEAST 200 push ups in the hour (if I completed as instructed, I would get to 240.).

Okay. Challenge accepted. How hard could it be, if I'm only doing 4 at a time? (SOMEday, I swear, I will learn.)

First, I had to prep. I plugged in my phone (timer) and set it up on the floor. Got a glass of water. A pen and paper (have to make notes about progress)..... AND... get something good on TV. By some weird rationale, I decided the Boondock Saints would be appropriate viewing material for this. I figured it was a cult movie that I've seen lots of times, so I wouldn't need to "pay attention", it had an appropriate amount of humor and violence to set the mood and the soundtrack (lots of dropkick murphy's!) would be great push up music.

Here was the only dilemma. I was pretty sure I'd have to do this whole WOD on my knees. I can't do a on-toes "real" push up, really, yet, can I? I figured I better try first.

ELEVEN!!!! ELEVEN, BlogLand. I can do ELEVEN "real" push ups now. Granted, I failed completely after 11, but I got through 11! I used this as my first "minute" and decided to see what I could do from there.

Feeling good from my little victory, I did my first 12 rounds as real (on-toes) push ups. Apparently, I can in fact, do 4 at a time. YAY!!!!!! This is a big victory. Perhaps I better start pushing this a bit more in my WODs. To be honest, I've just been assuming that I still can't do it. Note. to. self.... DON'T ASSUME.

After round/minute 12, I couldn't handle the real push ups anymore and dropped to my knees for the remainder of the hour. I was feeling pretty good about this.... right up until about minute 46 or 47. Then my arms started to get tired, and I started to feel the push ups become way more effort.

Then, crisis struck.

So, minute 48, I'm on my knees busting out my 4 push ups. When you're doing push ups on your knees, your feet are up behind you. While I was struggling with the push ups, I must've started tensing my feet or something and BOOOM!!! triggered a huge seize in my calf. I instantly went into screaming fetal position, while breathing like a woman in labor and trying to force myself to move my leg to work it out, and feeling like it would be better just to cut my leg off.

I massaged it. I whimpered. I cursed. I massaged more. It eased up "enough". I needed to just finish out a few more rounds, then I could foam roll and such to my heart's content. I pushed onward, to the soothing sounds of guns and swearing emanating from the TV.

Minute 60. I survived!!! Although I did this WOD with pants on, my knees got pretty ripped up. I didn't notice it as I was going along, but apparently I rubbed off the first layer of skin on my knees. This is clearly further motivation to continue to chase down the ability to do more real push ups. No rug burns. haha

I went to bed last night expecting to wake up feeling run over by a truck.... but this morning... nothing. My upper body felt fine... Whaaaaaat?! My t-rex arms had no objections this morning?! In the sage words of the GT:
"It's a good thing. Don't question it. We don't judge workouts on soreness."
Touche, GT. Still... it was weird. 240 pushups, and my upper body was FINE today. Weiiiirddd..... Is this what more "in shape" people feel like?!?

Moving on....

Day 282:

Today was 5K training day with a couple of my co-workers. Everyone's working so hard to be ready for our upcoming Corporate Cup 5k in a little less than a month.

Our little trio (and the adorable wee munchkin stroller ride-along!) headed out today, *despite* the crazy weather. Last week, I was in a tank top and sweaty... today, there was a freezing wind and snow in the air. WTF?!

We were all sort of in our head-space today, which is one of the things I have found beneficial about running. It really helps clear the head. You just get into this rhythm and your brain thinks a little more clearly. Plus the happy-endorphins put a better light on most situations. We ran.

Momma decided to push her own munchkin today, so I was freed up to just run. So... I did. I just ran at what was comfortable... which I found was a lot faster than I have been used to running. After the first Ugly Mile of warm up (which is tricking when you're only doing 5K), my legs felt good, my breathing was on target, so I just let loose a little bit. I didn't push my pace, per se, but I just ran a little more to my capabilities. I just let me legs do what they could do.

Finally, as I saw the marker indicating my last mile, my body was feeling all warmed up and ready to go (despite the icy wind!), and since everyone was running at their own pace and space today, I decided it was time to push it and see what my legs could do.

I didn't go all out. I would say I went at about 85% ish for the last mile. I still could've gone faster, but I was pushing the "comfortable" line, into real work. This speed was much faster than I ever thought I could be. And I could maintain it.

I surprised myself a little bit. I can not WAIT to see how I do on my next 5K, between all the sprinting and running and training I've been doing. I should blow all my previous PR's out of the water. Today, I am pretty positive I would've come in under a half and hour. Woot!!! (and no... I didn't officially time it. We had distance markers, and I find that I do better on these regular 5K's if I just relax and run them. )

Upon finishing this run and feeling really awesome about the strides (get it?! hehe) I've made with my running, I text the GT my excitement over this victory. I credited Sprint WOD of Death (Schadenfreude Tuesdays!) with assisting to build this new found speed. He agreed, then added:
"You'll love the day I program 400's into your training."

...... I wanted to die thinking about that (currently, I do 200m repeats).

......... but oddly..... wondered when (with anticipation), I'd get to start tackling that next ungodly challenge....

"I’m not where I want to be, but I’m not where I was." - William Coleman

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 252:

What a day, BlogLand. I'm struggling today with a flare-up of FCS (fat chick syndrome), but trying to remain positive. I've noticed I struggle the most with bouts of FCS when Life-In-General gets a little out of control. My home/personal life has had me stressed out like crazy, I'm not entirely happy with my performance in my training, and as one thing leads to another... BOOM. Insert tiny spark for raging instance of FCS.

Spring Fling 10K, March 24, 2012

Here's what happened today. The 10K race I ran this weekend just released the pictures. I was SO hoping to have a bad ass picture to go with the feeling of badassery that I felt after completing that race in the time I did. This is the picture I got.

Now, when I look at this rationally, I see that I am laughing at the photographer, still running, and looking strong - all in the last .25 miles of my FIRST 10K (6.2 mi) race. THAT is something I should absolutely be proud of. Not to mention, if I was still pretty, after 6 miles of running, clearly I wasn't doing it right.

Having said that, as I'm sure many of you can relate, here is what I saw first: OMG, do you SEE that flab roll around the middle!!??!?  Look at the size of my CALVES?! (and back to) OMFG... is that REALLY what I'm sporting around the middle?!?! Wait, I only have one chin now, RIGHT?!... etc. etc.. etc...

I don't think you ever really get over FCS. You just learn to handle it differently. Today, I didn't do such a good job. Too much stress background noise in my life, and I let the FCS really take hold and blur a picture I should really be proud of. For comparison, let's take a look at the picture from my first 5K (10/29/11):

Kingdom Challenge 5K, October 29, 2011

There's a lot less (like at least 20-25#)  of me in my new picture (even if it was not captured at our most flattering moment). Not to mention, I am now happy to say that I have some seriously solid Quads and Hamstrings, that have made my thighs a thing to be reckoned with (squats, I own you!).  AND, not the least of my accomplishments, the first picture (you know, the one I was freaking out about), is at the end of a 10K RUN - of which I ran the whole thing. The below picture is almost to the end of a 5K run, where I had to stop and walk multiples times. The accomplishment is in the journey, BlogLand. Not in what is still to be done. There is ALWAYS work to be done, things to improve, and ways to change. The question is not what those are, but are you willing to keep working toward them. I'm still working. Proud of that. End of Story.

AND, with that, I will segue to today's WOD. I hate it, BlogLand, because it is SO hard for me right now. Hard, though, is exactly what I needed after today; when you are working to capacity, it is near impossible to continue to focus on other things or let your brain wander, because your body needs all of your brain power to get you through the task at hand. Enter Sprint WOD:

Again, a simple task: Sprint 200m, walk 200m. Repeat x4.

I did a bit of a 1/2 mile warm up jog, got my blood flowing, and my running buddy and I headed over to the track. It was great having her there, 1) for the moral support and 2) it is always nice to have company and inspiration. It worked out well, though - she'd jog on ahead and act as my "carrot" to chase. I'd sprint, catch her, pass her, and cross my finish line. It gave me a little bit more of a tangible goal.

Much like last time, my first sprint went the best (even slightly faster than last time, I think!), then they went downhill quickly from there. I struggle HARD with the second 100 meters of each sprint. But I guess that's why I'm doing this - to push my body a little bit further than it wants to go, and develop myself in a new way.
My sprint times went as follows:
Lap 1: 39.5 sec
Lap 2: 43.1
Lap 3: 45.1
Lap 4: 51.2
.... It definitely got a little ugly at the end. I just felt like I was out of gas and I was feeling nauseous. Hello, Lactic Acid Threshold.

While I'm not thrilled with those times, I'm satisfied with the fact that I did the wod even though I hate this one, it was effing cold out, and I really really really would've rather done anything else. But I did it.
My buddy and I followed it up with a nice (slooow! my legs were toast!) 1 mile cool down jog, just to keep the blood flowing.

Now, I'm sitting here blogging, after forcing myself to stay on my legs and make myself some dinner. My legs just feel exhausted. I find it totally amazing how a WOD totaling less than 5 minutes of "work" time can ruin my legs so much. Amazing. I must read up more on the concept behind sprinting. My inner science nerd needs to rationalize why I want to die right now (and at the end of every sprint!).

I am pretty sure my left quad is quivering a bit. LOL. I'm hoping to wake up in the morning feeling relatively unscathed, since I did wear my bionic pants and calf sleeves, with the thought that I could forestall some of the soreness I'm dreading in the next few days. This remains to be seen. I'm thinking there may still be a foam roller, Tiger Balm and or an Ice Bath in my future (or all of the above)....

And with that... I bid you a Goo.... ZZZZZZzzzzZZZZzzz......

"Keep steadily before you the fact that all true success depends at last upon yourself." Theodore T. Hunger

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 240:

It was an excellent day today, BlogLand.
First, as the warm weather rolls around and Spring Fever rolls through the cube-farm I work in, people are anxious to get OUT of there. Conveniently, we have a good dirt-road walking loop that is just shy of a mile, conveniently located next to our office... What does this mean? Walks on our 15 minute breaks and lunches!

This is a fabulous thing, people, except that I became the notorious "fast-walker" with a reputation to live up to. Meaning I am busting ass, with 1-3 other ladies in tow, 3 times a day. This is a good thing, though, as getting out of the office is good for my sanity, and walking a real brisk mile (I even convinced my boss to sprint 1/4 of it today, with me, to catch up to another group of walkers!) is good for my waistline. hehe... plus, I must admit, with the other runs and stuff I do, it's really nice to get out and stretch my legs; sitting in an office chair for 8 hours really causes them to stiffen up. Ouch. I still haven't found a great way around that. (Suggestions, anyone?)

AND, the announcement just came out that our office will be participating in the Corporate Cup which is a locally famous 5K run or walk, done in teams of 3. Shortly after that announcement came out, I had like 5 emails, recruiting me for various teams. That was the weirdest feeling in the world. My brain was like, "No, wait, we're the fat kid that's supposed to get picked last...."... and I had to remind myself, NO... we WERE the fat kid. Now we're that determined, healthy, strong chick, who's going to kill that flat 5K. That is a really weird internal adjustment to have to learn to make. It's a great joy to have to make it... but it is challenging, nonetheless. FCS kicks in pretty badly, in those situations.

After freaking out at my poor GT last night, I'm feeling much better. I'm a real driven achiever and perfectionist, BlogLand. I'm also terrified of jumping into race season. That combination is leading into some real craziness, due to the fact that I have no idea what I'm getting into with all this stuff I'm signing up for and I don't know how to gauge my abilities or new body, or anything like that. Thus, instead, I tweak out about being prepared, looking like an idiot, not being successful, failing at all my goals (etc.etc.etc.) and my GT stands there while the metaphorical storm rages around him. Then, his usual, calm self takes a deep breath, gives me some sort of raised eyebrow, knowing look (even though you're not here, I can see you in my head doing it, and I know how ridiculous I'm being, in retrospect), and then he gives me a plan, with which to constructively move forward.

I work well with with a distinct plan. It's hard to get stressed and nervous when you have a clear plan in front of you; steps to success, to take one at a time. I find that when I am overwhelmed, if I don't look at the big picture (OMGALLTHESERACESOMG), and I can just stop and focus on the next step in front of me, I can regroup my Craziness into manageable focus.
SO, my Mind-Losing session earned me a new run program for the next little bit, including one long run day (7ish miles), and one day of Sprinting. Ew. EW. I can see that's not going to be an awesome good time, but I can see the value in it. SO. Sprints it is!

That said, tonight's WOD was a combination of things... I had a lovely evening run, in the unseasonably amazing evening weather, with my Up-the-Hill buddy. I ended around 3.5 miles. Nothing fast, but felt good to get the mileage on, and snuck in a couple of sizeable hills.

Then, I returned home, in an excellent mood and still feeling energized, I thought I'd take on the GT's challenge for my new toy: My 35# (1 pood) Kettle bell:
100 swings (to eye level) for time. 

It didn't seem THAT heavy when I started.

I ripped through the first 50. Then I *had* to stop. I was puffing, for sure. Wow. Who knew.
25 more.
Want to die. huff. puff. quad shake.
Bust through the last 25.

Put KB down.
Hands to knees. Huff. Puff. Want to die.
Transition to Starfish Pose on Floor.
Commence Dying.

Lesson learned: Never under-estimate your iron balls. BAHAHA.

With that, I leave you for Sleep Land. :-)