half a promise

So I did 3 sun salutes and a couple of down dogs, ran up the hill behind my house and, as always, I'm running late.. no pun intended...
it's so dark out until it's too late.. I've already wasted the morning. not wasted, but not exercising.
so, here I go rushing around to get out the door for a very busy day. But, I'm not giving up. I'm eating oatmeal for breakfast and my salad for lunch is ready. I think I'm supposed to babysit after work so need to get my work done at work.
running late. or late running.

six days a week? are you crazy?

Exercising every day seems nearly impossible. I wonder if the guys who wrote the book and said to exercise 6 days a week exaggerated knowing that nobody can really do that. Well, I can't seem to. Full time job with babysitting and other extracurricular activities and now the holidays upon us, I did manage to eat breakfast, hang my laundry out and, uh, get ready to go to work. How pathetic.
Tomorrow, I promise!!!!

Out of the coma

Three days of babysitting and exercise consisted of chasing after the three year old...
Food has been of the pie variety...
And the exercise of the day stemmed from me putting away the giant laundry pile and I came across some shoes-heels but not un-wearable, so I am seeing if (weather permitting) I want to consider wearing them to my job office xmas party or wear them ever or never, so I am pretending to be my fair lady or something with heels.
that's about it. it's work work work plus the 3 year old and today taking my art show down from the Beulah Inn, then off to Westcliffe for a photo of some art guild folks getting ready for this week's art reception at the gallery for the paper this week.
On the run - so to speak.

Dear diet, I'm sorry...

       It's Thanksgiving, and I'm knee deep in croissants. Last night I made the pumpkin pie. The aroma lingered. Now it's butter croissants that I started last night. did the butter rolling layers thing, woke up energized to get after my pastry dough. I love cooking.
        I have run everyday, one with situps and arm weights and stretches, yesterday just a run made special because my 11 year old grandson came with me... trotted along like he lived on a cloud...
..........Until about half way up "THE HILL" when he stopped for a stooped over breather. later on, complained of stiff legs. ha. not just younger next year, but as tough as a child. maybe next I'll try racing the 3 year old in order to feel superior and like I'm at least making some progress on this whole ordeal.
        My weight has not only not budged but is still trying to go the wrong direction - through no attempts of my own to keep it under control.
        And so, my message for today is to let go of the attempts to control anything whatsoever, but to stay on my path of well being... and this is today's lesson for my life in general. Do what's good for me. let go of everything else. but not the pie. hang on to the pie. (Don't worry, you'll see it in 3 days on my hips).

on running

     I just want to say a few words on running versus walking. They use different muscles. I don't know why but I feel the running in my butt, and when I walk, I feel it in my calves. Somehow, the act of picking one foot up before the other one lands or keeping one foot on the ground puts that action into different muscles. This is a good thing.
     I also love that it doesn't matter how hard I try, (or don't try), if I get my heart rate up, I sweat, and toxins come out. The hot bath afterward is glorious. I love "washing away" all that bad stuff. It might be nice to wash away a few pound, but one thing at a time I guess.

remission

Well, hi there. It has been three days, I think, and it's not like I haven't done ANYTHING, but I haven't run or done a situp or a downward facing dog.
It all started with babysitting which involved sitting down for 2 seconds only to pop up again for a child's need. Walk halfway across the room only to be called back to get something for a kid. A straw for the juice. No, a red one, not a green one. Shoes on. Shoes off. Outside to play. Back in again. All of this entailing absolutley no aerobics.
I spent the night with the little dumplings and slept but not that great and went off to work the next morning with no exercise and, voila', no exercise the next day either. Miss a day, miss a month. That's how it goes.
So today is Sunday. My only task is to make waffles (yeah, that's really on the diet program). Jog up the hill I must. It's only a little windy. I will slug through it. We don't have the wind they have down in town. Some people were without power for a week. Lost roofs, trees toppled. The west side by the mountains is a disaster area.
And!!! I got new running shoes. Nikes. The fit me well. The arch is in just the right place. I've seen other great running shoes but don't get out to a store to try them on, so, Nikes come to my door via UPS. My old shoes were cracked and the stuffing was coming out. My new ones aren't quite as sturdy and have mesh that breathes a little too much for cold weather, but I'll suck it up. Wear warm socks.
Off I go.

ow, ow, ow, ow

A short run and yoga today. Low motivation took me half way up the hill only to grab a roll of baling wire and affix some loose boards on our snow fence.
I stopped in at my daughter's house yesterday - she has a TV, and Rachel Ray had a trainer on her show that said to "mix it up" in order to get all your muscles.
So today I did yoga tape #2. Ouch. hold that plank position to build some heat. yeah. and kill my shoulders. then do the "Cobra pose." then don't quite do "Upward facing dog." then collapse on the floor.
Tomorrow's gotta be better. When do I feel younger?

on and on I go

I ran anyway, no matter what I felt like. Did the mile. My husband said he watched me "dog trot" up the hill, and while he whizzes past me on a mountain hike, said he could never do that. great. "What's it done for your weight honey?" he asked. "Nothing," I said. Well, it's only been a week.
Came home and did situps and stretches and arm weights.
I'm so glad. oops, is that sarcasm?

...and then the bottom fell out

Soooo, I've been on this great exercise regimen for 1 whole week now and the last few days have been a struggle... I have been very tired but pushing myself to go to work and go to events and get up and exercise..
But I did NOT exercise Saturday morning.. woke up late, dashed out the door to work. After work picked up my grandson Arlo to take him to a bluegrass concert to see Sons and Brothers and The Haunted Windchimes. Arlo has recently taken up banjo. He's 11. I wanted to nurture that, so I took him backstage, met a couple band members. He was cool.
Sunday morning was no better. I did yoga. 20 minutes of the standing poses. Then, I pretty much went back to bed for the day.
This morning was not much of an improvement. I'm tired and feeling stressed. I woke up late, did not exercise. went to a meeting. went to work for a short while, told my boss I was sick and came home. I am making French onion soup. and I'm going to bed.
And that's all she wrote.

I SO did not want to do this this morning

     I could have lain in bed all morning. It felt so delicious. The sunrise was pink and lavendar on the snow capped mountains. My tea was extra especially delicious. My husband was nice. But, this is day 6 of "exercise 6 days a week."
     My hips are a little out of wack from yesterday's digging - well, they were. After running, its just my one knee that gets a little out of joint. And after two days of so-called "cross-training" I needed to do the BIG run - which I will have to recalibrate. After I went up the different route that one snowy day, I liked it better because there aren't any cars at all.
     So, off, out of the driveway, I felt the burn in the back of my legs like always. Just wanted to share that. And I had to walk a few strides up the killer hill.
     Something I have been noticing is how deceptive hills are. Sometimes it looks like a hill is steep but it's all relative to the slope in front or behind it, and I am happily, with great nostalgia, remembering something a friend said many years ago.
     We lived in Beulah and made the 20 or 30 mile commute to Pueblo regularly. We also did our fair share of hallucinogens. Mushrooms were the preferred escape. One day, old friend Chas said as we drove, "Wow, it's like we're going downhill..." which of course we were, but then of course there was the upslope after the down slope and lord knows where his focus was, and we laughed uncontrollably for a long long time over that. Well, I think about that while running because I can't really tell always what level I'm on if it weren't for my breathing (or lack of). Sometimes, I'm seemingly going uphill at a gallop but of course, not really. It's just my perception. But I think of Chas with great fondness as I pay attention to my breathing and my stride on the ups and the downs.
And, so, I have exercised 6 days in a row for at least 1 hour each day. hurray for me. and by the way, I still weigh 145, but they said next year, not next week.

mixing it up

Just a quickie here, been trying all afternoon to report in. I woke up exhausted this morning. often do on my day off. well, never made it out the door to run but instead, I dug up a bunch of lilac bushes (5) and put them in under my compost pile at my house. They had just been planted a couple months ago so were really easy to loosen up and put in pots. A bear had knocked over our compost barrel a while back when somebody (me) didn't turn the switch back on the electric fence and the big guy crawled in underneath and knocked it over. so, I dug a trench and put the stinky garbage in it and covered it with leaves, so it was all nice and loose and easy to dig. That was today's workout.
I'm making gnocchis (sp?) for dinner but think I'll trudge on up to the mailbox to get the mail. A good day for working out - this is day 5 of the supposed ongoing six days a week for the rest of my life. well, sigh, seems to be going o.k. so far. not weighing myself today.

cross training

     This morning I took it upon myself to mix things up. I ran, in hiking boots, up the hill and back (one mile) and then did yoga. You see, I've been doing one or the other, but lately, it isn't cutting it. With what I'm reading in "Younger Next Year" that's kind of a no-brainer with age... you have to do more to combat the battle of the bulge and battle of the blah.
     I ate all kinds of food yesterday.. after my completely practical big lunch of salmon and salad and quinoa, some women prepared a feast for a meeting I had for work. Lasagna, macaroni and cheese (who are these women who don't have to watch their pastas?) and cookies galore - which I ate. two.
     The authors in the book use one of my favorite terms - "drapery" legs. If that doesn't get you going, I don't know what will. Well, that and the thought of less wobble in the triceps... and I also really like the way these guys keep saying "younger next year, not next week!"

The Universe Provides

     Snowing and blowing and nippy this morning. My book says to exercise every day but only really really hard so many days and then less hard so many days - or something. (people hear what they want to) So, I didn't quite go all the way around and walked mostly cuz I was wearing my hiking boots and snowpants and kept the dog on the leash on the busy  dirt road that at least two cars or trucks go by while we're out and the dog doesn't understand "get out of the road" yet. But she knew she was on the leash for a reason and came cowering when I called to put her back on as we approached the county road again.
         It still took me an hour to get around with my trudging pace. However, when I found myself taking slow baby steps, I caught myself and lengthened my stride. good for me.
         About half way around I tied my scarf around my head and hat... funny how fashion just goes right out the window when you're uncomfortable. My nose runs and I huff and puff. Not a glamourous picture.
        Speaking of uncomfortable, apparently it was the valerian making my hip fall asleep at night. Says right there on the back of the bottle not to take it if you have low blood pressure... and that's me.. miss no circulation. So, I haven't taken any and the problem seems to have subsided. Motherwort and scullcap tincture, hops and mint tea along with this rigorous exercise and I slept o.k. anyway.
      I'm quite proud of myself for getting out there three days in a row. And only the rest of my life to go. What inspiration!

run walk jog

   I did it again, but want to clarify that I use the term "run" loosely. It's just easier to say. however, no way do I run unless I'm on the flat or downhill. and even though I went the other direction, the hill going the other way is just as challenging and I had to walk up it. I will also have to put the dog on the leash for a day so she understands "get out of the road" when a vehicle goes by and she's 1/2 mile away.
Let me say that today was harder than yesterday. About halfway through, I could have just sat down. If somebody I knew drove by, I would have accepted a ride.
    The fastest mile was run in 3+ minutes - say just under 4. My fastest mile (on the flats, in my 40s) was about 8 minutes.
   My new 2.7 miles takes me one hour. To put that in perspective (for myself) a hike up to one of the easiest lakes, Sand Creek, takes me about 2 1/2 hours. It's around 4 miles. Up. So, I guess I'm not doing too bad. My husband (age 63) and younger hiking friend made it up in an hour and 45 minutes once - but they were excited to go fishing. whatever. I'm excited to get back home for a hot epsom salt bath.
   The book says to just jump in and do the hard workout - no building up. while I hate that idea, that's what got me going on this longer running route. and now, today, while I can barely move, I am remembering a construction job I had when I was around 30. There was no warm up period. I didn't work on my upper body strength one day and lower the next. I didn't rest. I went to work sore and worked hard to make (really good) money. I was also the token female on the job and wanted to show I could do it. At first, I could not even lift a box of corner bead and after a month or two, hefted it up onto my shoulder and carried it up 5 flights of stairs.
   So, I can do this. I just have to keep doing it. When I started running, I went 1 block. Look at me now!
   By the way, I didn't have a cookie or anything yesterday. Yeah, sure, I weigh the same, but, let's just see what happens in a year.

More about running and beyond

I forgot to mention, I live at 9,200 feet. Just a slight incline can take the wind out of me if I'm not into my routine. There is always that first push of breathlessness and then it's o.k.
Big adventure today! I ran more than one mile.
You know, I'm reading, "Younger Next Year," and either the book or the guy who told me about the book said (that the book said) "You have to push yourself to go beyond the norm..." No matter how hard I think my 1 mile run is, that's all I do. And where has that gotten me? 
So, today, I decided to go further. I must say, after the fact, I drove the route and it was 2.7 miles more. so, I ran almost three miles today. (That's how far the detective chicks in the murder mystery books go)... And didn't die. Oh, I walked up one hill. Maybe tomorrow I'll go the other way so that hill is first rather than last.
Anyway,I figured, I've been running a mile (hit or miss) for about 18 years. I started running when I turned 40, and I'll be 58 in 2 months. Wow, how time flies. (or not)
I have run in the city and the country, high elevation and sea level. doesn't matter. always hard.
And I guess, I thought that getting older meant slowing down, but that is certainly not the case in the rest of my life (work, grandkids, art, music, projects, volunteer work) so why should exercise change? And the premise behind pushing myself further is that (according to the book) it sends the message to my body NOT to stop making new cells and NOT to pad on extra fat and NOT TO SLOW DOWN!
On my way up the driveway today, I didn't think I could go because: It was cold and I didn't wear longjohns under my sweats; I forgot a scarf and when I zip my jacket up all the way the zipper pokes my chin; I forgot to drink water (I could - uh - wither). Well, I go through this litany of excuses most every day. maybe, eventually, I'll change that mindset to all the reasons I CAN go UP and OUT of the driveway. With Joy.(like the Peaceful Warrior guy who ran with "Joy."
I must say, I was pretty wooped when I got back and did not even think about my chakras on the way down the hill. Maybe I didn't need to. maybe they were doing just fine all on their own. I did remember to look out at the mountains now and then and ENJOY THE VIEW. When I get to the top of my hill (the killer one) I see a panorama of Pike's Peak,the gray shades of the bluffs surrounding Canon City, the whole Sangre de Cristo range and the Wet Mountains behind my house. When not enjoying the view, I scan the roadway for sharp objects bad for tires.
The dog thought the run was pretty fun too, although a bit confused. She thinks any run is fun. and was only a bad dog once and stood in the middle of the road for one car (people gave me dirty looks) I said "bad dog" and she stayed where she was for the next vehicle, that didn't end up coming our way. Good dog.
Today, instead of feeling like I'm not getting anywhere and never will, I feel like maybe I could climb up to Conundrum Hot Springs.
By the way, the guy who told me to push myself had just climbed a 14er on his 67th birthday. so, here's to always looking UP.

Running

I thought I would talk about my run. I start out DOWN my driveway, which is a bit shorter than 1/4 mile. Then, it goes UP, gently, but always, always, I don't think I can even make it out of my driveway, much less all the way to the mailbox, up the killer hill. but, I trudge on and about half way up to where I start back downhill, I am always by then, lost in thought. after a short downhill, I start up gently, then steeper. I want to stop about halfway. I don't. I tell myself I'll feel bad if I don't just slug it out and go the whole way. There's a sign on the hill that says "slow" which always makes me laugh. I get past that, and after that, I only have to make it past a tree and the steep grade levels out. It's still up all the way to the top, which is about 1/2 mile. All this way, I am surrounded by mountains. It's not like I'm running in the city or a swamp or a garbage dump. It's a dirt road. Sometimes a car goes by - a neighbor on their way to work. My view is outstanding. The way back is mostly downhill. It's amazing, people will visit from, say, the Midwest and we'll go for a walk. let's say we start out downhill. and then we say, " well, don't forget, the way back will be uphill." OH. They are always surprised. Well, my way back is downhill mostly. that's where I just automatically start thinking about my chakras. I usually get through 2 or 3 and then lose my train of thought. but that's o.k. It's a routine. I catch it again up the little hill. then get finished on the way back up the driveway. Into the house, and depending on circumstances, on to situps or bath and dressed for work.
The weather here is frightful and this afternoon I am ready for a book in bed.

perseverance

So, I got my book "Younger Next Year for Women." The main theme is exercise. Do NOT worry about losing weight. oh, well, don't eat crap is theme number 2. I'm really liking it, at least I'm finding it easy to read. I kind of skipped the first part that said exercise with your husband who is currently not speaking to me because he did dishes the other day and they were stinky and messy (well, that's a different blog - the one where he says he'll do dishes, so I don't, so a week later when he does them...)
I don't particularly like the time change, but I am looking forward to it being lighter out in the mornings. I did get to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine the other day. I did make about half a snowman.. the snow had melted so there wasn't that much and it didn't pack very easily.. but we're supposed to get another storm tomorrow, so I wanted to at least pile up some of what was there to add to it.. Can't say I even broke a bead (of sweat) as I sat in the snow and enjoyed the warmth and all the beauty around me.
So Exercise it is!!! (oh, they say exercise SIX days a week!!! six. yes, six) off I go. my new, not really new, goal, is to look back in a year, see where I started and see where I am.

The Try

I have a close friend with a video company. He made a film called "The Try." (see http://www.haveypro.com/) It is mainly about cowboys and how hard they work at life and rodeo. makes me look like one big wimp. so, here I am, once again frustrated and getting back with the program.
This after I came home from work and had a bowl of cheezits and peanuts for dinner, followed by a small portion of leftover chicken and dumplings and leftover chocolate bavarian cream while reading in bed. I could market the rich dessert in the gourmet world.
I did have a light breakfast of energy bar and yogurt, then a lovely salad for lunch.
There was no weigh in this morning after pretending to stretch and exercise but we had a nice snowstorm and I went straight from jammies to flannel lined jeans and boots. I did trudge up and sweep off the solar panels for about 3 minutes worth of aerobics. sort of pathetic. however, if I get off work in time, I will make up for it by making a snowman at the end of the driveway. The neighborhood counts on me for visual entertainment. Last winter's drought and my illness saw only 1 snowman.  so far, this winter is off to a good start. at least for the weather. as far as me losing weight - that remains to be seen. what's my deadline? summer hiking? I'll TRY.

complacency

This is the big battle! What do I care what I weigh? So what that I feel better a few pounds lighter. So what that the new pants my huband picked up for me at the hardware store don't fit. Wondering where my motivation is - ha! It's in my butt! my heavy lard ass that does not want to go out and exersice.
But I did exercise. A neighbor came over, so I did not do my situps or weights but at least I went up the hill. I walked, didn't run. But that was o.k. Three steps out the door get my heart rate going. oh, and I weigh 146. still. maybe tomorrow I'll weigh less. After all, I did have chicken and dumplings and mashed potatoes and gravy. It was sooo good. but I had carrots and brussel sprouts and salad first so I didn't eat so much of the rest. I think it worked.
I think part of my problem is depression. huh. ya think that might have something to do with my motivation? well, let's work on that shall we?