Jenny On the Spot

8 weeks to My first event of the season. 8 weeks… I am having trouble following any particular “plan” because the schedule of My life won’t allow me to make it fit, and my left knee isn’t cooperating either.

Now, I am a “plan” kinda gal, so I do have a “plan” it’s just kinda in my head, and it changes from day to day. I have to be creative and flexible. My plan includes this: when doing any cardio (run/cycle/elliptical), I am learning to focus on keeping a pace I can maintain for 2 hours - even if I’m not running/cycling/ellipting for 2 hours. I was making efforts to increase speed, but I am noticing it is creating issues for my knee. I am coming to the conclusion that being able to finish many events in the future means not finishing them lickety-split.

I need to keep my priorities in order. Knees first. Even if my knee(s) were not an issue, it is doubtful (x2!) that I’d ever be able to compete on an elite level… so why pretend and risk My joint-life? I need to find contentment in the accomplishment of a good finish… even if it means I am always a “back-of-the-packer”. What is a “good finish”? Not dying at the end - that is a “good finish”.

Monday: Nuttin’. I taught at my daughter’s preschool all morning… The kids were AWESOME, but that is hard work. Mrs. Cindy - you are a saint, and I sprinkle you with glitter, caffeine, frankincense and myrrh. Then I took My girls to lunch ’cause there was no way I was gonna MAKE lunch after playing preschool teacher all a.m.! And then I took a nap.

An evening workout was scratched… cuzathat my friend Casey was in town and I helped her pack 3 boxes, helped her get rid of some champagne in the form of a mimosa, and then we headed out for a burger and a drink with another friend of hers. We giggled and blasted disco as we packed and quenched our thirst. Bedtime: 11:30…

Tuesday: Poor planning on my part had me up at 4:30. Yes, a.m. I know. I am crazy. I have accepted it. I have a standing Tuesday morning 4 mile run with a new friend. I could have cancelled, but I forgot to, and then I kinda didn’t want to because I really enjoy the time with another adult. It’s early, but it’s quiet - very little traffic, we carry our handy-dandy flashlights… oh and the birds… we can hear them starting their day. It really is a lovely time.

What was the super-crazy part, was the part where I told my friend Katie I could meet her for swimming after the run. So after the run, I spent some time doing leg weights, then I headed to the pool. I swam about 3/4 mile, and it was a super-easy workout. But, Yes. Yes, Yes. I was very tired on Tuesday. Veeeeeeery tired. Stats: I burned about 600 calories. Oooh - in terms of calorie replacement - that’s, like 2 mochas!

Wednesday: I did an evening workout this day. I was kid-blasted, so I was at the gym longer than usual… working out my frustrations. I ended up going an hour and 45 minutes. I did arm weights, cycled and walked on the treadmill… and burned 508 calories.

Thursday: For 1 hour & 15 minutes I did leg weights and worked out on the elliptical (less impact on my knees). 450 calories burned.

Friday: Arm weights and treadmill. A super-duper-easy run. My pace was well over a minute slower per mile than what I usually do. I came in under 3 miles in over 30 minutes. Again - it’s about finishing, not winning… Calories: 440

Saturday: Our 6 miler. It was a sunny morning. We met at 6:30. The weather was perfect. It was slightly chilly, but we warmed up in the first 5 minutes. We ran along the bay and saw seals kickin’ it on one of the floating docks. I just love that route. It took us an hour and 3 minutes to go the 6 miles, burn 505 calories, and we spent all but one of those 63 minutes “in zone”.

Today, Sunday… I am so “off”. Plus I danced like a fool last night, for like, 3 hours. Not to mention a short trip to the casino on Friday night to catch a set from a band I enjoy. But I only boogied for 6 or 7 songs. I had to get my rest for the Saturday run!