*Grumble, grumble* STEP-MILL *Grumble, grumble*

Boo. (<--gratuitous halloween reference).

Today was 30 minutes in zone 2, followed by 15 minutes on the step-mill at level 4. For those who do not know, a step-mill is a stairmaster. A machine where you continually walk UPSTAIRS but never get anywhere. A machine created and developed by, or at the very least utilized by, the devil himself (or herself). I don't know why anyone would like the step-mill. I mean, you know what I love? Escalators. You know what I love more than escalators? Elevators. For serious. So when I began training with Zak the Trainer I told him about my hatred of the step-mill and suggested it be used as a punishment for me if I do not stick to my food and exercise plan. So, when Zak asked me if I would do the step-mill, I reminded him of this. He asked if I could handle it for 15 minutes. Apparently, I cannot say no to Zak the Trainer so I said yes. Sigh. It wasn't *that* bad. But when I see him next, I will tell him it was... :)

My Stats:

Treadmill:
Calories Burned: 308 (Treadmill)/281 (HR Monitor)
Total Miles: 1.85
Total Time: 35:00

Step-Mill:
Total Miles: 0.89
Calories Burned: 135 (Step-mill)/448 (HR Monitor-in total, including above)
Floors Climbed: 43

Total time of workout: 51:37
Ending Heart Rate: 128

Yes, 43 flights of stairs AND I should really add on the TWO flights I climb to get to the exercise floor. Yes, that's correct--Lifetime put the exercise floor UPSTAIRS. There's an elevator, but I am fairly certain that if ZTT ever found out that I stepped foot in it he would make me PAY. So I don't...EVER. Wow...this post was a bit whiny...

Next workout: Monday. Zone 3 & 4 cardio.

I'm Late! I'm Late! For a Very Important Blog Post...

I don't think I have ever been this far behind! My internet was down Thursday night and I was in crazy-favor-making mode for the Baby Shower tomorrow last night, so I have not blogged about either day!!!

Thursday: I participated in a 5K! Per ZTT's advice, I ran 4 minutes, walked 2 minutes (recall at the 10K I ran 4, walked 3). The course was a bit hilly but not too bad overall. I finished in 38:14 which makes a 12:20 minute mile. I'll take it!!! :)

Friday: I lifted and did cardio. The lifting:

Squat Press: 110 pounds, 15 reps
SB Chest Press: 12.5 pounds, 12 reps
SB Leg Curls: 15 reps
Lat Pulldown: 60 pounds, 12 reps
Back Hyperextension: 15 reps (only 2 sets)
Assisted Chinups: 140 pounds assistance, 12 reps
Assisted Dips: 130 pounds assistance, 12 reps
Chest Fly, 55 pounds, 12 reps
FM Shoulder Press: 20 pounds, 12 reps
Bosu Crunches: 15 reps (only 2 sets)

For the cardio it was 5 minute warmup, 30 minutes of zone 3 at an incline of 6.0, 5 minutes cool down. I had to run in the beginning to get my heart rate up, which kind of stunk at an inlcine of 6.0, but once it was up I walked a brisk pace for the rest of it. :)

My Stats:

Calories Burned: 368 (Treadmill)/678 (HR Monitor in total)
Total Miles: 2.19
Total Time: 40:00 (including cool down)/1:22:34 (in total)
Ending Heart Rate: 121

Workouts for the rest of the week:

Today: 45 min cardio (30 minutes on treadmill, maintain zone 2; 15 minutes on stepmill, level 4)
Monday: 42 minutes cardio (4 minutes zone 3, 2 minutes zone4, repeat 7 times)

Got My Prize Today!

I went to the gym for my Wednesday workout: 5 minute warm up, {4 min zone 2, 4 min zone 3, 1 min zone 4} (repeat 5 times), 5 minute cool down.

Zak the Trainer swung by my treadmill to give me my prize!!! Recall the prize is because I did such an awesome job at the 10K. I had the choice of a free session with Zak or a free fit test. I don't really want to take fit tests ever because it has been my understanding from others who have done it that it makes your workouts harder. :) So I opted for a free session with Zak. We were supposed to have our next meeting on the 10th, but now we are meeting on the 3rd too! YIPPEE!!!

My Stats from the cardio today:

Calories Burned: 552 (Treadmill)/540 (HR Monitor)
Total Miles: 3.54
Total Time: 55:00 (including cool down)
Ending Heart Rate: 130

I'm still waiting for my workout plan for the week...ZTT says he will email it to me... Tomorrow I am run/walking a 5K at 8:15am, then my next gym day is Friday!

What I Eat

Some people have requested the details of my food plan. I want to caveat this to say that Zak the Trainer developed this FOR ME based upon my resting metabolic rate and foods I like/want to eat. It is roughly a 1800 calorie a day diet.

Breakfast: special k with skim milk, grapes
Snack #1: fiber one bar, yogurt, apple
Lunch: tuna sandwich, almonds, pear
Snack #2: cottage cheese, strawberries
Dinner: 6 oz of either steak, chicken or pork, green beans or carrots, 1/2 cup cooked whole grain pasta

Some notes:

+ All of the fruit can be interchanged or whatever. I eat the strawberries latest in the day because berries have complex carbohydrates which are good pre-workout.
+ The yogurt I eat is Dannon Light n Fit. I find it to be tasty. Also, I get the 6 pack which are smaller than the singles.
+ The tuna sandwich can also be two starches and 4-5 oz of protein (e.g. chicken breast and a dinner roll)
+ The cottage cheese could be greek yogurt, but I have never tried it and frankly, it frightens me...unsure why.
+ Again the vegetables for dinner can be interchanged with whatever.
+ The whole grain pasta can be substituted with a small baked potato or sweet potato, or a 1/2 cup of brown rice.

I also drink about 10-14 glasses of water per day (that's 5-7 bottles).

Hope this helps to answer any questions you may have had!

Don't Be Tardy for the Party (Just for you, Lynn and Amanda)

Wow. There are so many amazing things to post here. I think I will just list them.

1) Went shopping today. Did not step foot in the plus sized dept. Bought size 14 jeans in the regular women's section. That is THREE sizes down! Also got a shirt and some more workout clothes!
2) Weighed in. I lost EIGHT pounds in ONE week! And Zak the Trainer says it is completely healthy, so no I-am-worried-about-your-pace comments. I am still on track for an average of two pounds per week and Zak says this is safe.
3) These 8 pounds brought me over the 50 pound mark! I am officially at 53 pounds!!! As Andrea keeps telling me, we have to have a 50 party. I think we shall. No idea when or where or how. But stay tuned (and don't be tardy).
4) These 8 pounds also pushed me past one of my MAJOR goals!

Zak was speechless when I weighed in. It was followed by a hug (more of an attack--I asked if I could hug him first, not sure if I waited for an answer) and a high-five (the first of many throughout the night) and lots of jumping and yelling and shoving Zak in excitement (poor guy...I cannot contain it sometimes). One of the other trainers pointed out that half the gym was looking at us. I apologized, but Zak told me not to worry about it--I was excited, as I should be!!! I said "I am AMAZING!" many times during our session, and there were many, many high-fives. I cannot stop smiling. I am SO happy!!!

As for the workout:

Squat Press: 110 pounds, 15 reps
SB Chest Press: 12.5 pounds, 12 reps
SB Leg Curls: 15 reps
Lat Pulldown: 60 pounds, 12 reps
Back Hyperextension: 15 reps (only 2 sets)
Assisted Chinups: 140 pounds assistance, 12 reps
Assisted Dips: 130 pounds assistance, 12 reps
Chest Fly, 55 pounds, 12 reps
FM Shoulder Press: 20 pounds, 12 reps
Bosu Crunches: 15 reps (only 2 sets)

There was supposed to be the Techno Upper Back, which I hate, and ZTT knows it, but he took it off as a treat for doing so awesome!!! And, some of you (like me) are no doubt wondering about my prize for doing the 10K so well. He won't have it until tomorrow and will not tell me what it is!!! Also, he is emailing me my workouts for the next two weeks tonight, so until then all I know is I am doing "cardio" tomorrow. :)

Since I hit the 50 mark, I decided to do a side by side comparison. The photo on the left is from June 3, when I had lost 18 pounds already. The photo on the right is from Sunday when I was 50+ down:

The Next Day...

...

:)! So I was not all that sore after the MCM 10K! I wore shoes with a slight heel and that probably wasn't the best idea since my legs were a touch sore, but really not too much more than usual. :)

Then I went to work out today.

The assignment was cardio: 5 min warm-up, 25 min zone 2, 25 min zone 3, 5 min cool down. I did the entire zone 2 period at an incline of 6.0 and a speed of 3.2. My heart rate would NOT go higher than zone 2, despite my best efforts. When the time came to switch to zone 3 I had two options: higher incline or faster speed. I really hate inclines. So I dropped it down to an incline of 0.0 and began running. Perhaps not the best choice as my legs indicated, but whatever. I ran for 15 minutes with absolutely zero stamina issues, then walked at 6.0 for the last 10 minutes. Since my heart rate was already up, it stayed in zone 3. Now I hurt. :) But in a great way! ;) Here's to hoping tomorrow with ZTT isn't too painful...

My Stats:

Calories Burned: 579 (Treadmill)/544 (HR Monitor)
Total Miles: 3.41
Total Time: 60:00 (including cool down)/1:04:43 (in total)
Ending Heart Rate: 132

Next workout tomorrow! And weigh-in! And I have a feeling it is going to be a good one...

MCM 10K!

Today was the Marine Corp Marathon & 10K!!! It. Was. Awesome!!! The day began at 3:30 am when I was WIDE AWAKE. Jet lag? Sheer excitement? Who knows...but I laid awake in bed for the next 2 hours-ish, when Amanda woke up! And I whisper-yelled: HAPPY MARATHON DAY!!! And the day began...

As Leah told me: I may not be fast and I may not be good. But I am cute!


(::sigh:: I know the picture is sideways...It isn't working right and I don't have the energy to deal with it...)

We made it to the start line early, which was nice...and cold...and we got to our corrals (I went to the far back...). At which point I hooked up with Lynn, my pre-race support!!!



She wished me luck and gave me an awesome pep talk and then let me 'get in the zone' and the gun went off!!!

After a 5 minute warm up walk, I stuck to Zak the Trainer's plan of 4 minute run/3 minute walk intervals. I was able to do it the entire way with a mini-sprint at the end! :)

My official chip time was 1:22:25! My official goal was under two hours. My secret goal was under 1 1/2 hours. I. Am. Awesome!!!

Then, I met up with my post-race support team!





Yes, ZTT! He came (late--due to his underestimating the metro crowds he claims, not me and my finish time...) to congratulate me at the finish! He says he is very impressed (as well he should be...) with my finish time! (So am I!) Also he said I get a prize on Tuesday (CANNOT WAIT!) AND he told me that I didn't have to lift tonight!!!! It's like a million prizes!!!

Once we cooled down, got out bags from the UPS bag check and said bye to some friends, we went over to cheer on the AMAZING marathoners--Amanda, Andrea and Mary-Theresa! They looked great (at about mile 18)! We then metro-ed to the finish line. It was packed. Sooooooo packed. We met our finishers as they came out and then could not get out of Rosslyn for like 2 or 3 hours!!! The metro was packed, the shuttles were packed, the taxi stand had a long line that moved soooo slow. We called a cab. They lied to us and never showed up...sigh. We ate dinner and FINALLY got back to the hotel (thanks to our hero, Ms. E!).

Amber and I got back to my house by 6:30 pm and promptly showered and got into PJs! And yes, I am still wearing my finisher medal--because of all days, TODAY is the day I can wear it without being (too) weird!!!

Friday Workout? Check.

I lifted and did cardio today like I said I would.

The strength circuit:

FM Squats, 100 pounds
SB Chest Press, 12.5 pound free weights
SB Leg Curls, 12 each set
Planks, 2 @ 45 seconds each
Assisted Chin Ups, 145 pound assistance
Assisted Dips, 140 pound assistance
Chest Fly, 50 pounds
FM Shoulder Press, 20 pounds
Bosu Crunches, 2 sets of 15 each

This workout is the hardest one I have done as of yet. I think this is a good thing. I have moved from the machines some to free weight type stuff and it must be working a whole lot of new muscles cause I feel it. But it is a good thing!!! (At least that is what I tell myself... ::grin::). Also, Zak totally forgot to put the techno upper back on my workout sheet (which I hate!) so I don't have to do it!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Suckaaa, ZTT!!!

The cardio was 30 minutes in zones 2 & 3. My stats:

Calories Burned: 257 (Treadmill)/561 (HR Monitor - includes strength and cardio)
Total Miles: 1.61
Total Time: 30:00 (including cool down)/1:04:43 (in total)
Ending Heart Rate: 123

Next workout is the MCM 10K!!!!!! I am so excited I could spit. But I won't. :) The shirts came in and they are awesome! And, awesome news!!! The shirt I ordered for myself is WAAAAAY too big, and the shirt I ordered for ZTT totally fits me!!!! So, I took his. :) He can swim in the shirt... And I will look fierce. ;)

Perfect Weather, Perfect Outdoor Run...

Today was the outdoor run! It was great! I feel so good now about Sunday's 10K. I have a plan and I feel like it is achievable... Yessssss.

When I showed up at the gym today I got super apprehensive. I really don't want to get winded and tired and slow walk the end. It is a big fear of mine. But Zak the Trainer is AWESOME. And he set me up with 4 minute run, 3 minute walk intervals. And he timed it the whole time so all I had to do was run, walk and chit chat (which I do so well). It was good. I feel like I can definitely do the 10K at that pace. I mapped out the route on mapmyrun and I think I got it...~4.5 miles:

It was just supposed to be the Columbia Gateway Loop...but we missed a turn... :) We went from about 7:10pm until 8:15ish...so 1 hr 5 minutes? For a pace of about 4.15 mph. Not bad. I'll take it. :) (Disclaimer-the times are complete guesses...but I think in the ballpark).

Workout plan for the week:

Friday: Lifting and 30 minutes cardio (zones 2 & 3)
Sunday: 10K!!! And lifting.
Monday (optional, pending brother visit): Cardio--25 minutes zone 2, then 25 minutes zone 3.

Also, I have food plans for Saturday night and Sunday morning before the 10K. Basically, an extra serving of carbs on Saturday and cottage cheese and fruit and oatmeal before the race!

YAY!!!

"I Didn't Like That."

Well, ZTT decided that easing back into a workout routine is for sissies--and kicked my butt--even though I LOST a pound on vacation. Yes, that's correct! I am down another pound!!! For a total of 45!

So, I do not have a hard copy of the workout from tonight, Zak the Trainer is giving it to me tomorrow (when we go for an outdoor prep run for the 10K together!!!). The workout moved away from machines and more toward the mat, but there were still some machine work. I'll do my best to describe it since my memory is suffering from the affects of jet lag...

FM Squats, 100 pounds. Same weight as before but I squat lower and it is *rough*. According to ZTT, it works more of my legs. Awesome. *sarcasm* When I finished my three sets there, I told Zak that I didn't like that. He didn't care.
Chest Press on an Exercise Ball, 12.5 pound free weights. I lack balance and grace in this.
Hamstrings on Mat and Exercise Ball. I lay down on the mat and roll the ball with my legs...It's hard to explain... Again, lack of grace...
Planks. Zak the Trainer decided not to tell me how long I was going to hold them until I was done. :). Two planks, one 45 seconds, the other 55 seconds.
Pull Ups on the machine, so not real pullups.
Triceps Dips on the same machine.
FM Shoulder Press, 20 pounds.
Abdominal Crunches on the Bosu Ball, 2 sets of 15 each.
Techno Upper Back, 40 pounds.

The workout plan for the week will be solidified tomorrow, but tentatively:

Wednesday, Outdoor Run with ZTT!
Friday, Strength Circuit (and probably some cardio)
Sunday, MCM 10K! (and maybe lifting in the evening)
Monday, either day off and dinner with my brother who will be in town or cardio.
Tuesday, ZTT.

Ciao Bella!

Brief Italy update.

I exercised 6 nights (photo documented below)--but the vacation itself was one big bundle of exercise!!! And the food was great! ... I'll leave it at that... ;)

Meet with ZTT today at 6pm to get back on track (and assess the damage on the scale...yikes!).

Pushups in Florence:
Body Weight Squats in Venice:

Toe Touches in Venice:

Mountain Climbers in Monterosso al Mare:

Planks in Monterosso al Mare:

Alternating Lunges in Rome:

Gelato in St. Mark's Square (Venice):

One of the Many Reasons I Love My Gym

Today I did my Thursday Workout, a.k.a. Strength + 30 minutes of Cardio (zone 2 & 3, inclines from 6.0-8.0, speed steady at 3.2mph), a.k.a. last time I go to the gym until October 20th!

As some of you may recall, when I did the Compound Row on Tuesday, the little pin thing was broken and I had to do 80 pounds instead of 75 (Tangent: If, like me, you want to know how I was able to get the pin to do one weight and not another...the compound row has TWO pins, one does things like 35, 50, 65 and 80 pounds, the other only does 5 and 10--it's a way to add partial weights in between. The pin for the additional weights was broken, so instead of 65 + 10=75, I did 80.). The pin was actually stick partially inside the 10 slot, so I called over one of the trainers and she used her big muscles to remove it, but it was bent and thus unusable. No joke, I go to lift today and there was a new pin. Some of you may be thinking: "Not that impressive, Erin. Gyms are supposed to do that." Yes, yes they are, but they don't always do it in a timely fashion...and I appreciate you, Lifetime Fitness in Columbia. ::wink::

Ok, so my strength circuit:

Cardio warm-up, 5 minutes
FM Squats, 100 lbs
FM Chest Press, 25 lbs
Seated Leg Curls, 75 lbs
Compound Row, 75 lbs
Chest Fly, 50 lbs
Bar Tricep Pushdown, 25 lbs
Bar Bicep Curls, 20 lbs
Shoulder Press, 20 lbs

Then I went to the treadmill for 30 minutes (plus cool down). Per Zak the Trainer, I varied the inclines from 6.0 to 8.0 and kept a steady pace of 3.2 mph.

My Stats:

Calories Burned: 331 (Treadmill)/531 (HR Monitor - includes strength and cardio)
Total Miles: 1.79
Total Time: 35:00 (including cool down)/1:07:35 (in total)
Ending Heart Rate: 126

Now...I come to the sad part of my post...Goodbye, friends! Goodbye, blog readers! Or, more accurately: Arrivederci! I will be back late on the 19th and meet with ZTT on the 20th. So expect a post sometime that evening. I will do my hotel workout. I will make wise(ish) food choices. I will spend ridiculous amounts of euros. And I will love every second of it!

Mi manchi già!

Double Shot of Deliciousness...

Apparently in my early-morning-physical-exhaustion mental state during the bike ride that never ended, I completely forgot that somewhere between miles 6 and 10ish I decided that when I lose all of my weight I will be a "Double Shot of Deliciousness", because I will be hot and fit in addition to the amazing personality that I have... This has nothing to do with this post, but felt that my groupies followers adoring fans blog readers may want to know.

So, what did I do today? Ah yes, Wednesday workout? Check. Like I said I would... I did the assignment which was:

Wednesday: 60 minutes of cardio; intervals: 5 minutes in zone 2, 5 minutes in zone 3, repeat 5 times. Zone 3 intervals should be jogging.

I didn't like the concept of it too much. I didn't like it when I started. But once I got into my groove it was good. I also think that it was good for me mentally for the upcoming 10K. I am actually quite scared about it...Unsure why. I mean, I know I can walk it. But I have this feeling like it is going to be horrible!!! Today's intervals showed me that run/walking is very much such within my current fitness reach. YAY! I ran at 4.5 mph for 5 intervals of 5 minutes each, so 25 minutes in total. The zone 2 intervals were at an incline of 2.0 and between 3 and 3.2 mph.

My Stats:

Calories Burned: 597 (Treadmill)/567 (HR Monitor)
Total Miles: 3.66
Total Time: 60:00 (including cool down)
Ending Heart Rate: 126

Next workout tomorrow! Strength circuit and 30 minutes of cardio; incline of 6.0-8.0, zones 2 & 3, maintain a speed of 3 or 3.2mph the entire time.

44 Pounds Down Photos!

For documentation purposes...and showing off one of my new (smaller!) gym outfits!

Front View:



Side View:

Guidelines for Italy

So I met briefly with Zak the Trainer today. He regrettably had to cancel our session, but still met with me for about 15 minutes to discuss my workouts for the week and the Italy plan. I am sorry he had to cancel (I really do look forward to it all week), but feel like I am the big winner because I now get an additional session (Oct 27) to make up for today!!! Score!

So, I will begin with this week's assignments:

Wednesday: 60 minutes of cardio; intervals: 5 minutes in zone 2, 5 minutes in zone 3, repeat 5 times. Zone 3 intervals should be jogging.
Thursday: Strength Circuit, 30 minutes of cardio; incline of 6.0-8.0, zones 2 & 3, maintain a speed of 3 or 3.2mph the entire time.

The Strength Circuit (which I did today and will repeat Thursday):

FM Squats, 100 lbs
FM Chest Press, 25 lbs
Seated Leg Curls, 75 lbs
Compound Row, 75 lbs (but I had to do 80 today because the stick thing for the weights was broken...)
Chest Fly, 50 lbs
Bar Tricep Pushdown, 25 lbs
Bar Bicep Curls, 20 lbs
Shoulder Press, 20 lbs

Now for the exercise plan in Italy. These should be done at least 4 days, if I do all 8 I "get a prize". Of COURSE I am going to do it everyday. I LOVE prizes!!! Here is the "Hotel Workout Routine":

Modified Pushups - 3 x 10-15 reps
Body Weights Squats - 3 x 15-20 reps
Toe Touches - 3 x 10-15 reps
Mountain Climbers - 3 x 10-15 reps (each leg)
Planks - 3 x 30-40 seconds
Alternating Lunges - 3 x 10-15 reps (each leg)

Wow, Zak! So thorough...but he was not done. The workout paper has a note on the bottom corner: Flip For Food. ::deep breath:: Writing covers the entire back of the page. ::sigh::

Executive Summary of the Food Plan:

Breakfast: good protein source, healthy carbs, minimal fats. Avoid carb dense foods and high sugar as best as possible.
Lunch: good protein source, fruits/veggies, healthy carbs, some fat. Let this be your biggest meal so you have time to burn off what you ate during the day and be conservative with the bread.
Dinner: good protein source, veggies, portion carbs, limit fats. Try to go more protein and veggie happy here and limit carbs and fats as best you can.
Snacks: nuts (almonds best), fruit, yogurt (if you can), bars (if you can). Try your best to get the snacks in during your trip, you can go as basic as fruit or nuts to keep up your metabolism.
Notes: I know the bread will be amazing but try to exercise portion control. Remember wine and liquor count so try not to drink too much (especially late at night). Pasta, it's Italy so I know it is going to happen but remember..portion control and avoid heavy sauces.

Yes, Zak, I will try my "best". :) And I can definitely handle the alcohol thing--won't be drinking much at all, if any. The pasta... ... ... ...we'll see.

Also, I weighed in with Zak. I lost one pound for a total of 44!!!! Woo hoo! Not what I wanted, but as Amanda kept saying: It's like week 2 of the Biggest Loser...it's always a small loss!!! That's what Jillian would tell you. Also, Zak the Trainer sneak attack yelled at me. He asked me in such a pleasant tone of voice what my middle name was. Then he pulled out the full-name-scold for being upset about it--something he does surprisingly well. :)

Monday Workout? Check.

I went to the gym for my Monday workout (as promised). My gym friend Heather came with me and we rocked the 60 minutes together! Heather had not been to the gym since July! My invitation has brought her back!! I am so glad to have helped her! this must be how Andrea feels every time she extorts someone (::wink, wink::)!

My Stats:

Calories Burned: 503 (Treadmill)/534 (HR Monitor)
Total Miles: 2.97
Total Time: 60:00 (including cool down)
Ending Heart Rate: 121

Also...I have some WONDERFUL news!!! At the suggestions of my many friends who also ::heart:: Zak the Trainer, I asked if he would come support me at the MCM 10K. The conversation went something like this:

Me: So, are you going to come cheer me on at the Marine Corp Marathon?
ZTT: Where is it?
Me: D.C.
ZTT: Sure. I'll be there.
Me: WHAT?!?! REALLY?!?!
ZTT: Yeah, tell me when it is and I'll come.
Me: SERIOUSLY?!!?
ZTT: Yes...
Me (with arms raised high in the air): Zak! You just made my day! My heart is so happy!!!!
ZTT: ...

Next workout is tomorrow with ZTT!

Andrea, Amanda and MT are my Heroes!

Hello friends! I. Worked. It. Today. (<--understatement!). But allow me to begin with yesterday. (Yes, friends, you have a lot of reading ahead of you...) Yesterday was Hershey Park day!!!! I went with a group of 19--to include 7 children!!! It was super fun as expected. So fun even I almost forgot to add that it took us close to three hours to get there due to the amazing amounts of traffic and accident and that Sam peed in a bottle in the car (yup...that happened)!!! Yes, our minivan was rear-ended!!! Luckily, the damage appears to be quite minimal and the I'm-Sorry-Here's-My-Insurance part didn't take long at all. Here's to hoping Chris and Shannon's minivan gets fixed with little hassle to them! Also, I checked the internet on the drive up and realized that HP does not allow outside food or drink!!!! Oh noes!!! So, I altered up my meal order and such to eat the refrigerator-able stuffs first and the bigger (in volume) things as well, so I could stuff the rest in my purse--success!!! I found it surprisingly difficult to resist the food at the park. I wanted pizza and chicken fingers and hamburgers and kettle corn and ice cream and, and, and anything else I saw. But I did it! I only ate the food I brought! I stuck to the plan!!!! Success!!! I am proud of me. Very proud of me. Also, Nate brought Jasper (adorableness!) and when we met up with them, Jasper had picked me a flower...

At this point, I will transition to 4:40am this morning when I woke up to my iPhone alarm. Awesome. It was an amazing 4 hours of sleep. :) I rode a bicycle alongside Andrea, Mary-Theresa and Amanda as they ran 20 miles!!! They were amazing. I am beyond impressed by the amazingness of these women. Absolutely phenomenal. We chatted and exercised and I got an amazingly long view of the three of their backsides. They have impressive calves...I'm just saying. Now onto me. :) I am *SO* happy with the bike ride. Let me count the ways:

1. I did it.
2. I rode the entire 20 miles. Yes, I stopped from time to time, but I never walked the bike anywhere. I composed myself and pressed on.
3. I did it!
4. I burned 1708 calories over 20 miles in 3 hours, 50 minutes and 30 seconds!
5. Did I mention that I did it? ;)

Me on the bike:


(L to R): Amanda, Me, Julie, Mary-Theresa, and Andrea in the front. She has a gift for large group self-photo taking...clearly...:


Fast forward (through a drive home and an excellent nap and shower) to 2pm, when I went to the gym to do my strength circuit. At this point, I think I am crazy. I am really not certain if/how I am going to be able to do this. But...I have to try. So, I went in with the attitude of:

It's 3 sets of 12 reps on each machine. When it is done, it is done. I can do that little bit. Then I can do the next little bit.

And I did it! I did:

NO WARM-UP (completely forgot!!! Oopsies.)
FM Squats, 100 lbs
FM Chest Press, 25 lbs
Seated Leg Curls, 75 lbs
Compound Row, 75 lbs
Shoulder Press, 20 lbs
Bar Bicep Curls, 20 lbs
Bar Tricep Pushdowns, 25 lbs
Planks, 35 seconds each
Chest Fly, 50lbs
Techno Upper Back, 40 lbs

I really had to push through it. For the first time, I feel like my workout was something I had to physically push through. I didn't have that in TEAM. I definitely had to dot he mental push through several times, but never physical. I love this! (Not so much to do it daily...but it is a good feeling). I am not sure if Zak the Trainer intentionally had me lift after an insane cardio morning or if he didn't think it through (::wink::), but I will chalk this one up to his mad personal training skillz (<-- yes, with a "z"). I feel like ZTT is an aggressive trainer, and I really like that. I like feeling like I am going as far as I can. And I, of course, love the feeling of finishing what seems to be very difficult. I feel amazing right now! In pain...to be certain...but amazing!!!

So, thanks to Andrea, Amanda, Mary-Theresa and Julie!!! And also a shout-out to Filly who cheered me on before I went to lift! You guys got me through today!!!!!

Next workout, tomorrow (yowsas!). 60 minutes of cardio in zone 2 at an incline of 5.0. I will be working out with a gym friend, so that should be fun!

Guess Who's Not Working Out Again Til Sunday???

THIS GIRL!!! :)

Check the Thursday workout off my list...cause it's done! I did the strength circuit and 35-45 minutes of cardio in zone 2 & 3 as instructed by Zak the Trainer.

The circuit (complete with the final two weights--chest flys went up from 45 pounds):

5 minute cardio warm-up
FM Squats, 100 lbs
FM Chest Press, 25 lbs
Seated Leg Curls, 75 lbs
Compound Row, 75 lbs
Shoulder Press, 20 lbs
Bar Bicep Curls, 20 lbs
Bar Tricep Pushdowns, 25 lbs
Planks, 35 seconds each
Chest Fly, 50lbs
Techno Upper Back, 40 lbs

Then I did cardio in zones 2 & 3 for 40 minutes. I ran some and walked some. I pulled the stupid emergency stop in the middle (UGH) so I have no good stats from the treadmill...

My (Limited) Stats:

Calories Burned: 706 (HR Monitor - for strength and cardio)
Total Time: 40:00 (including cool down)/ 1:24:28 in total
Ending Heart Rate: 130

Next workout is Sunday. I will be riding a bicycle alongside my marathon-training friends (and some other friends as well) for 20 miles. At a 12-minute mile, this should last 3 hours and 20 minutes. Then, in the afternoon I will go do my strength circuit.

Know what I am doing tomorrow and Saturday??? NOT EXERCISING!!!! Well, Saturday I am going to Hershey Park with some friends that I go with every year and there should be some decent walking happening. I am packing food for the day--yes, I *am* that dedicated...