Kicking *kitten* In Our Twenties - April Challenge!!

OK I really only have 10 mins before dinner... A few quick comments though! I'll update on my life later - Today's been a rollercoaster :ohwell:

Shannon - I feel ya with the friends situation! In my case, Tyler is BEST friends with all his cousins. They are one big giant happy family. It's almost "too good to be true" IMO. Part of me wonders how much of it is forced. I've only seen snippets of it, here and there, but they hang out a fair bit when Tyler goes home to visit and have regularly scheduled "cousins get-togethers". I feel really selfish thinking this but I just don't want his family as my "social circle". I want us to make friends that are OUR friends, and that are OUR choosing. Not his. And not his relatives. There's just so much hang-up there... And, TBH, as nice and friendly as they are, they just aren't really the type of people I'd ever choose to be friends with. We all get along GREAT, but we don't have a whole lot in common. And obviously I feel the need to censor myself somewhat around them. It's not even intention, but just a function of not wanting to look like an *kitten* around his family.

I guess my situation is a bit different. My parents and I are VERY close. We live together and spend nearly every day together. My brother and I had a very turbulent adolescence together and it's just easier for us to live separate lives. We both recognize that and have accommodated it. I feel no sense of loss in that regard, whatsoever. I guess I just really crave close family-like relationships with people that I feel can understand me and relate to me, with people who share common interests, or who at least FEIGN an effort and interest in my life. With family, apart from my parents, I don't feel any of those things.

CAIT! Holy moley you're AMAZING :drinker: :bigsmile: :drinker:

Gonks pretty much laid it out. Awesome advice as always from the Gonks school of *kitten*-kicking. My runs (when I'm training) are usually one of the following variety...

Pace run (Sat)- the day before a long run, I run easy about 3miles. I run it at my long-run pace (which is about 10:30) - so it's just to warm up the legs and get them all prepped for my long run. This is usually the day after my Rest Day (Fri)
Long run (Sun) - Exactly that - my longest run. I try to increase my distance by 10% or so every week, and every 3-4 weeks taper a bit and either have a shorter race weekend (rest Fri, race Sat, rest Sun) or just cut my long run to about 60%. I run a 9:1 run/walk interval to keep my pace up and try to make each mile faster than the last so I start slowwww. Much, much slower than I feel is necessary. It really seems silly at the time but seriously helps.
Intervals - WU for 3-5 mins walking, then run anywhere from 5-12 400m speed intervals with either 400m of jogging/walking or 90secs of walking in between, depending on how much time I want to spend on my feet. This is easiest of all on a TM and Ive never tried it outside. I find I really can't focus on my time and distance much while I'm outdoors so I just stick with the TM. Each week I would add one extra interval. So I'd start with 5 or 6 intervals (2 @ 6.0mph, 2 @ 6.5mph, and 2 @ 6.7mph) and then add increase the number of intervals each week. Once a week is MORE than enough.
Tempo - My tempos are different from Gonks... I set a time between 20 and 45 mins (for 1/2 marathon training) for my tempo and divide it up into smaller increments. I warm up walk/jog for 5 mins and then start out my tempo portion. If I'm tempo running for 20 mins I'll start at 5.5mph and each 2.5mins I'll increase my speed by a few notches.... Would look something like:

5mins WU
2.5mins @ 5.5mph
2.5mins @ 5.6mph
2.5mins @ 5.7mph
2.5mins @ 5.8mph
2.5mins @ 6.0mph
2.5mins @ 6.2mph
1min @ 6.3mph
1min @ 6.4mph
1min @ 6.5mph
1min @ 6.6 mph
1min @ 7.0mph
5mins CD

By the last minute I am usually DYING but I know that I can always, always, always run "one more minute"... So the increments help. And being able to constantly fool around with the speeds keeps my mind from wandering too much to thinking about how f*cking exhausted I am. This is truly the most difficult run I do, but it's also the more satisfying. Strongly recommend trying out something similar if you have a TM handy.

Oh and lastly - Fun run - Once or twice a month run somewhere new, at whatever pace is comfy, with someone you love spending time with and just enjoy the run. It's a nice break from training and helps to remind you to pleasure out of each and every run because those runs are helping to build up your endurance and get your body to a place where it's capable of doing so much more than you ever thought possible.

Hope this helps! Be back later, folks!

Morning folks - Happy Wednesday! :drinker:

Megan - Let me get this straight... Spin, then bootcamp, then a run? All in a row? :noway: Just make sure you aren't over training or pushing yourself too hard. I know how easy it is to get caught up in "fitness fever", especially when you're seeing awesome results, but there is definitely legitimate concern when it comes to over-training with regard to a) injury and b) exhaustion/burn out. Although it may seem totally sustainable now and you probably feel on top of the world - like you can conquer anything - it will likely catch up to you in time and will be very discouraging. You'll also notice a slow-down with weight-loss as your body adjusts to the punishment. An insane workout regiment works in the short term to shed weight quickly but your body eventually adjusts to just about anything and over time you'll stop seeing those same results, but will definitely start feeling worn out. Just make sure you're switching it up - some days hard, other days easy, rest days here and there. You'll get the best results and your body will thank you. /Unsolicited advice form a concerned fellow-workout-queen.

Kan - Welcome back! Stick it out til Friday and see where the # on the scale falls. Don't be too concerned with a loss this week. Focus on next week now that you're home and you have total control over your diet and exercise. Most of all, work on staying positive and in a good head space both for your recovery and your health + fitness goals. Good luck!

Tara - Sounds like you had a great week. Can't wait to see your results! Good luck this afternoon, chica! :drinker:

Aly - Thanks for the support I am definitely taking her advice/concern in a measured way. I'm working on finding balance and being less obsessive, but I am also not going to just throw caution to the wind and start gaining like made. Instead, I'm just going to try to find peace with food and exercise for the time being and work at getting back to that place where cooking, health and exercise got me allll fired up! Will work out the kinks later. As for the Half Ironman - all your training will be a great distraction from pre-wedding planning and stress and will get you into fab shape for the big day, anyway! So IMO it's a great thing you signed up. Checked out your vacay photos on your blog as well and you are looking sun-kissed and beautious! Loved them :bigsmile:

Beth - Yea, it wasn't the most inspired/comforting response/advice from my GP... :ohwell: But I know enough about health and fitness, and my own body, now that I can work it out on my own! She didn't set any kind of follow-up appt to discuss my weight so obviously she wasn't too concerned. I'm going to wait to get my test results back and then see where we go from there. Glad to hear things are back to golden with your boy and that you are taking like one day at a time. It's so good to hear how well you're doing coping with all the undue stress that life has been throwing your way. Seems like you have a really great perspective on it. Keep it up! :happy:

AFM - Gym today. Cardio, legs and shoulders, I think. We'll see what happens. I'm going in without a set plan. Just going to figure it out. Did my second spin class ever yesterday and it went well - I definitely think it could be something that Tyler and I could do together, since he's a BIG cycling fan and I know he'd enjoy the challenge. We'll see if I can convince him :huh:

Found a recipe last night for super easy WW Bread which I'm going to make Vegan, as well, I think. I've never made a proper loaf of bread before in a loaf pan, etc. and I am quite nervous. There's no yeast and no rise on it, just a quick bread, but it's supposedly decent for snacking and sammiches. Not sure what to think. Kitchen experiment for sure. I'll pass on the recipe if it's any good!

Heading to Ty's tonight for Survivor and packing *groan*... I cannot wait to have this done and over with. Just MOVE already! He's dragging it out like crazy. Boy's been packing for 2 weeks and still has like nothing done. He needs a woman to show him how it's done. Just throw it all into boxes and get it moved, already :grumble: What a mess!

Lastly, I got a call yesterday from the LCBO (the Liquor Control Board) about a job. It's not the best job - pay is ****ty and it's just a summer contract - but at least it's something. Interview is on the 28th, and the job starts the first week of May (so right after my current job ends). The bad news is that I'd have to cancel my trip to Ottawa, and possibly my camping trips this summer :ohwell: And who knows about the Warrior Dash... I need to figure it out, but ultimately it could be very very disappointing if I take the job and can't get that weekend off. Lots to consider. Seems like nothing is easy these day, but oh well! The workout should clear my head and at least relieve some stress for the day.

Have a great day, everyone. Rock it out, work hard and kick some *kitten*! 10 days left!
Meag