Rocky Mountain Jaunt

Hello! Glad you are all getting back in the blogging saddle. Keep up the good fitness work...and blogging action.

Tonight Matt & I ran for an hour around our neighborhood. I also got some new running shoes because my last pair disappeared in the move from Seattle. I hope to solve the mystery of the missing Brooks one day...

I am thinking of signing up for a half marathon in April. It seems that I still run a lot slower mile here than an sea level, even after living in Colorado x 4 months. Maybe I should find a sea level race. Matt is running a Denver marathon in May so the April 1/2 will be a good test for him. That last Columbus 1/2 marathon we did, sisters, hurt! It would be nice to have a goal for my training.

We are going to Aspen tomorrow to watch the X games. Cousin Leslie is in town for those so we'll meet up tomorrow and then stay in the cabin she rented. We are planning to ski Sunday. I'm off Monday to hang out with Leslie. Then back to prison on Tuesday. :)

Have a great weekend, fitness gurus!

DOUBLED-UP ON FRIDAY

Willie Boy is back. I called this doubled-up because I doubled my exercises (resistance training) from 5 to 10 this morning. Would you believe I started my program at 10 minutes to 7 and was finished by 10 minutes after 8? It consisted of 6 minutes of warm-up, 10 stretching exercises, and 10 (not the usual 5) exercises. I figured I had been lax this week and I wasn't going to overtax any muscle groups. Now I could do all 10 every other day--or get some new ones. As I'm looking out my window from the computer I can see a fresh two inches of snow on the trees, bushes and yard. The roads are clear however. I haven't heard from David lately but I heard Washington got pounded with snow yesterday as did New York (19 inches). Well I still have 1 and one-half hours before I have to go to work. Over the last two days I picked up 7 new disability reports to write. Hope you all have a great weekend and I'll get those promised emails out to you.

For you Glee Fans..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsxJcqzvJTA

You can't touch this!

Hard Work Pays Off!

Dad! So happy to see you didnt disappear from the world.. like Kayte, I was starting to worry. First you call all of us out for not writing then you go MIA! Well, welcome back! I hope you workout real hard to the OSU/Purdont game... we crusssshed them. It happened so fast! Man, its good to be a buckeye.

Anyways, a little update. I did a weigh in with my trainer last night and I have lost 6 lbs!!!!!!! and My bmi went from 23.8% to 21%! She was so proud of me (as was I of myself!) Usually when I start these heathly kicks, they dont last too long, or I fall off the wagon as we are calling it. But I really feel different about this time. I am recording everything that I eat in loseit.com and its really helping me make smarter decisions and portion better. If I want to eat 5 or 6 times a day.. I just portion out my calories. And Loseit.com is great because it allows you to set goals and it gives you a time frame that you will see results by if you stay within your caloric budget. That and its really a great designed website, I want to write the creator and rave to them.

Another update, my trainer got promoted, so I am with a new guy now. She put me with what she calls the best and I will start with him in 2 weeks. Yay! I hear he likes boxing....(thank goodness my boxing class at OSU will come in handy.. more than I can say about statistics)

Almost the weekend! Hope everyone is happy 'n doing great :)

WILLIE BOY'S BLOG

I got home late this afternoon after traveling to Kettering, then getting a haircut. Low and behold three different exercise blogs to read and one prison blog. I think I've heard it said by more than one daughter that they hoped I haven't fallen off of exercising. Well, a little bit. I've been doing my aerobics bike but not combining with the exercises quite as often. But your blogs have been inspirational and I'm going to get back on track. I'll be forwarding some emails to each of you in the next 12 hours. I didn't watch the State of the Union while exercising, but I do plan to watch and exercise to my recording of the Buckeyes smashing victory over Purdue, perhaps tonight. Love you all.

Jog n Blog

Hello!
Just finished a little treadmilling to the State of the Union, although wasn't Idol supposed to be on tonight? I was looking forward to it all day...

Didn't do much exercise last weekend in Seattle...unless singing karaoke counts :) Had a great time visiting my residency pals and catching up. It was even sunny one day! Unheard of for January!

Your turkey burgers sound good, Chel! I need to cook more in Denver. Still working on finding healthy options to eat in a hotel room. At work I just want to snack snack snack!

Cousin Leslie is coming in town this weekend to go to the Aspen X-games. Matt and I are going to join her and then ski Sunday in Vail or Beavercreek. I've gotten to ski 5 days so far...need to push for 10 to get my moneys worth on the ski pass!

I'm enjoying the daylight sticking around longer at night. Aren't you?

January aint got no one down, and february aint about to either!

Hello my oh so healthy family!

It was strange taking the weekend off of going to the gym, but then I figured I skiied all day Saturday (which HAS to be some time of workout, even though I felt like I sat on a ski lift most of the day), and Sunday I was just too busy with work, having dinner with Kayte, and Church at night. I think I feel a little better about the days that I can't go because I am eating very healthy and most importantly in porportion! I dont really have the urge to take seconds anymore, or graze throughout the day. Maybe my stomach is shrinking to the size it should be (because it was definitly stretched out during christmas!) I think because I am eating right, I don't feel bad when I have a cookie or a couple hersheys kisses every now and then :) Dark chocolate is my weakness..

One of my favorite things to eat is to get ground lean turkey and mixed it with basil, oregano, red and black pepper and cumin (my new favorite spice) and then make 6 or so small gourmet turkey burgers. These little suckers on those new deli slim buns, and broccoli are a great light dinner after a workout . Plus I kinda feel like a mini chef mixing all my spices and grilling burgs. Cooking Channel here I come..watch out Rachel Ray

Anyways.. I've lost 4 lbs as of 4 days ago! yay!! I can already tell a difference in my body and its a rewarding feeling because I am really pushing myself when I workout. Its hard because, well.. hard things are HARD! But then I just think about how great I'll feel after I shower and slip into my great robe I use everyday (Thanks Dad!!!) If you're going to do anything, do it well.

Keep doing great things Denver, Athens and Loveland. Haven't heard from you in awhile Pops, how the progress coming???

Love,
Columbus

Run, run as fast as you can! You CAN catch me, I'm NOT the gingerbread man!

I ran tonight kinda fast!  In the past I've been hesitant to run fast on treadmills because I'm afraid I'll fall (trip!) and I hate sounding like a thundering elephant as my feet hit the tread.  But knowing Jules is cranking up her speed over 7 mph to Glee makes me think I can handle it too.

I got up to 6.8 for 5 minutes or so before going back down to a more comfortable 5.3 or something.  Ran to Pandora's C & C Music Factory station.  Somehow Lady Gaga as invaded that station with "Poker Face."  Ran for 30 minutes.  I'm kinda "slow" but steady....yes, like a turtle when it comes to running.

I've eaten like 6 Luna bars this past week and am looking for Luna bar coupons!  Let me know if you find any!  :)

Tonight also did tricks with the giant plastic ball.  I love that thing.

Hello?

Um, Hello? Is anyone out there? January isn't even over yet, so I hope you haven't slacked on your fitness goals.

Don't let the chilly weather get you down!!

Back on track

This evening I drove on over to the community center to run.  Yes, run!  My body had experienced a horrible lack of that lately.  That and too much food!

Guess what sisters!  You inspired me to try intervals!  I'm a totally slow runner--enjoying the constant 4.3 speed tonight--but add some inclines & a little screen with a preview of "what's coming" and it gets a little exciting.  I choose the "hill" mode...maybe next time I'll try "random."  Didn't have any music or American Idol to run to...just eye candy (i.e. sweaty people and tv screens w/ closed captioning...actually the food network was on! weird!)  I need to find my headphones! Oh where, oh where can they be??!

So, yes, ran for 1/2 hr and did some abs with the help of a very large plastic ball. 

I ate mostly well today.  I HAVE DISCOVERED LUNA BARS!!! YUM!  Instant yum.  They're kinda sweet so I imagine they're not for eating "just cause."  But my body turns into a digesting machine when I run...stay posted for more info...and so a Luna bar pre or post workout is a good fit for me.  Haven't tried any protein drinks yet but if I find the right online coupon, I might splurge and "replace a meal" as C suggests. 

Adios muchachos!

No business like snow business

Ahoy from snowy Pueblo! We got a late afternoon blast that coated the prison walkway, making for a slippery walk out.

I was able to hit the treadmill two of my 3 nights here in Pueblo - par for the course. Now that idol is back on, time flies on the treadmill! Love it!

I've also been trying to eat healthier despite having no kitchen (just a microwave and mini-fridge). The spinach, feta cheese, and sundried tomatoes with a spritz of low cal dressing. I still have a weak spot for hummus and pita chips.

BTW, where are you bloggers? I'm getting ragged on for not publishing enough prison blogs, but I think you all are on blogging vacation! I'll be in Seattle this weekend visiting my old peeps. Catch u next week!

Day Off

Hello Thistle Bloggers! Sounds like you are all doing lots of good work. I am taking today off from the La Quinta gym. I am hitting the sack early tonight...hopefully. I am bad about getting enough rest in Pueblo. Gotta sleep enough for good health, right?

Over the weekend, Matt and I went on a nice 45 minute run around some of the Denver Parks on Friday night before we went to a Guster concert (they're a band I liked in college who are still making good music and touring). Then Saturday I made use of my gym membership and did the elliptical while watching football. After that, I pumped some iron for my arms, chest, and back. Sunday was another ski day----nice snow in the Montezuma Bowl at Arapahoe Basin.

Matt starts his Colfax marathon training today. I may lose my running buddy to some long jaunts, or he'll have to drop me off after 3-5 miles...

I'm planning for some treadmill nights at La Quinta on Tuesday and Wednesday. Exercising 2/3 nights down in Pueblo seems to be all I can muster. Oh well.

Goodnight!

Still on track

Hello all! Sorry I have't posted recently, been pretty busy this weekend. But I have been working out everyday! (yay) Well except Sunday, because that day was pretty packed and I slept most of the day. Anyways, workouts are going great. I am really focusing on keeping things fresh and interesting - meaning switching up what I do. I always do cardio for an hour whether it be elliptical, running, biking or a mix of the 3. After that I spend usually a half hour doing weight training/stretching/abs. I had my first personal training appointment last Thursday, and was HARD! We did circuit training, meaning I'd do like 8 different things for a minute or so then switch to the next and repeat the whole series. I really enjoy circuit training because you target all kinds of different muscles while basically remaining out of breath the whole time. It was a tough workout but just taught me other type of exercises I could be doing when I am on my own.

Otherwise, It was a pretty good weekend. I went to the OSU vs. Penn State mens basketball game which was a real nail biter, it came down to seconds. But don't worry we are still number 1 in the nation.. hollller.

Glad you all are staying on track! Kayte dont worry, sometimes we all just need a little pizza and cheesecake. :) Tomorrow is a new day.

Good luck this week people, stay motivated!!! I am weighing myself in on the 21st to see what i've lost in 2 weeks!!! eeeeek

Oh dear!

Dad, you are so right!  Where the heck are we??!

This past weekend starting Friday threw me way off b/c I wasn't at home... now cheesecake, a whole pizza and a lot of extra calories, and no workouts, ugghh... tomorrow perhaps I'll celebrate King's legacy with a challenging work-out/start-fresh day.

Hopefully, tomorrow night I'll have good news to share.  :-o!

WHAT'S UP? NO NEW BLOGS?

I can't believe I posted the last fitness blog 4 days ago. Where are all you people? Probably very busy working in prisons, job interviewing, or mixing in with marketing people. I had a busy Friday and Saturday seeing patients which was good for a change. I just finished a 30 minute custom designed aerobics bike ride. Each time I consume more calories than the previous time--this time 203. I rolled the bike out in front of the TV and pedalled to the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears and watched Chicago build up a 14 point lead under frigid, snowy conditions. I heard Seattle spent $4,000 on cold weather gear just for this game for their players. I followed my bike workout with stretching and strength training. The last time I was in Costco I acquired two books--one on stretching (Stretching Anatomy-by Nelson and Kokkonen) and weight training (The men's Health Big Book of Exercises). Keep your blogs comin'. I miss 'em. Thistlewf

TUESDAY A SNOW DAY

Tuesday was a snow day. I was actually sitting on my exercise bike at 7:00 AM when my office manager Mike called to say the weather was going to be so bad that the office was closed. So I stayed home and watched it snow all day. That does not mean I did not do my exercise, but I did postpone it until later in the day. When I did, I rode the bike for a full 30 minutes (and burned 176 calories) and did about 1 1/2 hours of assorted exercises and stretching. I need to spend some time today figuring out how to program my bike to custom design a program. After I get 4 new tires for my car installed at noon today, I think I'm going to Walmart and look at some new pieces of exercise gear (thera-bands, leg weights) and buy a few groceries.

Riding the Yoga Wave

Somewhere there are people getting tons of exercise and making money by shoveling snow.  I am not one of them.  Today it snowed like crazy in Ohio!  Cats & dogs, I'd say!  At present, I can hear the wind whistling through gaps in the windows.  Thankfully, my home is cozy. 

No way was I going out if I didn't have to today.  So, no gym BUT my exercise ball is now inflated (a feat in itself!) and I love love love it!  It's like playing while you're using it & between laughing, losing my balance & crashing to the floor, I did some ab crunching.  :)  My abs are currently pathetic.  Not for long thanks for this new toy.  Thank you Chelly!!

Next came yoga with a surfing chick named Shiva Rea & the dvd "Surf Yoga Soul."  My goodness, that woman is chiseled in muscle and somehow managed 12 rounds of 12 push-ups and other yoga tricks.   I kept up, but I'm not able to even do like 10 decent push-ups in a row.  But...times they are a changing!

I'm eating carrot sticks & broccoli tonight as a snack.  Usually it would be a nice bowl of rice chex with almond milk.... maybe I should make the change permanent.  :)  Less sugar, more vitamins. 

Goodnight people!  Rest up! Tomorrow's another day of living (in) the present! 

GO TO THE WEBSITE

www.loseit.com

Its awesome..and you can keep track of your progress (food and exercise) acurately. Im obsessed :)

Interval Action

Based on Matt and Chelsea's recommendations, I took my treadmill work out up a notch and did some intervals. I alternated speeds 6, 7, and 8 for 2.5 mins each, over 30 mins. It was much hard than my usual 30 at speed 6.5-7.1. It also helped the time go by. I recommend mixing it up.

Tomorrow I will take advantage of the La Quinta nautilus machine and pump some iron. I love to exercise to Glee.

Go Oregon Ducks!!! Down with the SEC!

Off to eat veggies...Gotta get my 4.5 cups per day. I am into carrots and snap peas. Especially with hummus. Mmmmmm....

Here's a calculator to figure out how many servings of fruits/veggies you should be eating:
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/

i do not want to work out

so right about now.. i really DO NOT want to work out. I am sitting by my heater, am still a little sniffly, and would just like to have tea go to bed early. So i logged on, and read you peoples blogs again....so now I am putting on my gym shorts. thanks fam :)

instead, I am going to work out come home drink some chocolatey protein, shower and return to my space heater.

Delicious recipe I developed in my lab (kitchen) that is PERFECT for post workouts..

1 cup milk

2 scoops chocolate powder

2 spooonfuls of yogurt

1-2 tsp flax seed

blend in blender.... until frothy... i blend for 4-5 minutes usually.

mmmm mmmmm good

BLOG MID EXERCISE

I am doing something I won't do again--it is not even 7 AM and I have stopped mid-exercise session to send this blog about how nice my recumbent exercise bike is. I assembled it yesterday and tried it out this morning for the first time. I pedelled (sic) ?piddled for 25 minutes and my heart rate peaked at 90 (beta blocker effect) after starting at 70. I only consumed 120. What did Chelly say 3500 cal per lb? Yikes. I'm going back to my stretches and strength training momentarily because this session won't be over until 8:30 AM. The bike is completely quiet and even though I haven't learned all the programs I started out at level 4 with no hills. I want to get more creative and I believe next time I will have music--maybe get out Kayte created I Pod schuffle. I haven't even used that for 3 years. By the way it's been almost 3 years now that I've been back to Cincinnati. I enjoy everyone blogs--they are more frequent than Julie's prison blogs. Keep contributing one and all. If I knew how to change my name for this blog I would become Thistlewf.

And it begins...

Ok Blog followers... I have no idea why my last blog post didn't show up! Ugh, it was so witty and descriptive- BOO! Oh well i'll have to give you the cliffs notes version. So for those of you who don't know (Dad), with part of my new salary raise, I got a personal training membership through my gym in Columbus for 6 months. I'll meet with my super trainer once a week for a hard as nails workout. My trainer's name is Jenna and she is, pardon my language, a bad ass. She ran track for Ohio State and has been training athletes since she was in High School. The first session, she took my BMI (which was higher than it was before I came home for Christmas, naturally), and measurements of my arms, thighs and stomach. After 4 weeks, I get re-assessed/measured/judged.

I am really excited to start this 6 month journey, I just want to finally be in the physical shape that I've always wanted to be in. Jenna asked me what I wanted to change about my body, so we made some goals and are tailoring my workouts to yield those results... and HOPEFULLY I will start seeing results. We also planned a a nutrition plan which limits my caloric intake to 1500, (but i eat more like 1300 i think..) so I have a tiny cute yellow notepad that I am constantly scribbling my menu into. ****The thing I realized is that, although I eat really healthy for the most part, I eat too much of it. Recording what I eat and the calories really lets me see what I am putting into my body. Its kinda like a game... how much delicious food can I eat for the least amount of calories. Cottage cheese, protein shakes, celery and grilled chicken have become my best friends.

Sorry this this blog is so long and boring...but now the boring stuff is all out there and I can start complaining and talking about daily work outs like the rest of you fools. I will be sure to pass on all the tips I get from Jenna so we all can benefit from my work bonus :)

The past 3 days of working out have been great.. i've really pushed myself for at least an hour everyday. I don't sweat very easily so I make sure I am sweating before I leave the gym.

Love you all...so happy Kayte started this blog. its like our own little motivation station. Healthy thistles and moochies 2k11. holler.

Things i've learned so far;

-if you can, replace one meal with a protein shake (but be weary of the ones with excess fat grams and sugar

- you have to expend more calories than you intake

-1 lb of fat = 3500 calories.

-2 lbs of fat a week is a good number, more than that and you are kidding yourself..

- instead of having 3 meals a day.. you should eat 5-6 times a day.. 'mini meals'.. but definitly have to watch calories with this..

-PUSH YOURSELF! You should be tired after working out!

-interval training/resistance makes your heart work harder = burning more fat

ok..thanks for reading my short novella. The next ones will be shorter, funnier and better :)

Peace Love and Turtledoves,

Chelly

Or go or not to go...

Can you all help me out with something?

I am uber bored right now.  Do I
a) take a nap
b) go to the gym
c) paint the picture I've been working on forever
d) craft
e) look into nightly activities in Athens
f) other (please be specific)

I wish I had friends in Athens.  Every things better with friends.  Okay, okay, I guess I have friends, but not like back in college.  I'm in a college town and I'm 27 and I just feel alone.
__________________
Post note 1/9/10
Thank you family for your encouragement.  I'll keep trying!  Job interview (sorta!) on Monday!

Work it out

Hello! This week in the Centennial state, I have worked out 3 times and skied once. I didn't make it to the gym Tuesday due to the OSU game. Matt & I met up in Colorado Springs at BW3 instead. He brought me an OSU jersey to wear, and he wore his Jim Tressel vest. Apparently, the Colorado Springs buckeye fans used to congregate there en masse, but there were still a few scarlet and gray clad fans cheering with us. It was a real nailbiter, but I am very happy we took the SEC down!

Wednesday I was just lazy. However, with Kayte's encouragement, I stopped by the gym on the way back from Pueblo yesterday and did the elliptical. Thanks, Kayte!

Today, Matt & skied at Breckenridge. We just got back from a nice, but chilly, night run. I also have some vegetarian chili cooking in the crock pot. Hopefully it will warm us up! Maybe we can trade healthy recipes on here too???

Keep up the good work, Thistles!

LOOK AT DECEMBER 28 BLOG

I found it--I posted today's blog as a comment on the blog from December 28.
Also I realized who Chelly was. I thought perhaps it was Kayte's roommate but then I realized it was Chelsea. Never heard you called chelly before only Chels. Dad

NEW BLOG BURRIED

I just wrote a beautiful blog summing up this week. I was a little puzzled that I wasn't asked to give it a title. Anyway when I posted it it turned out I was just posting a comment on a previous blog. I have to go back and try to remember the date that I posted that comment (blog). Well I posted it today but I mean what the date of that bog was. Oh you know what I mean. I don't even know if it was 2010 or 2011. I am totally bummed out. :( Later today I may look it up and tell you where to look for it. Blogging is more complicated than emailing. DADDY THISTLETHWAITE

Valuable liquid life.

Hi!  A quick post to let you know I haven't fallen off the fitness wagon!  ;)  Those fitness wagons are hard to catch so good thing.  This week I ran on the 1st and 3rd, took the 4th off, and then yesterday threw me off a little because I randomly decided to give blood (No I did not sell it!  The plasma place has left town...I think.)  I'd never thought about blood as valuable, like, my blood having value to someone else; like for example I'd never thought about preemie babies needing it..one of the groups mentioned on the Red Cross booklet they have you read pre-donation.  Yesterday my mind realized that "YES, what is circulating in me is VERY valuable!  Blood, how I've taken you for granted all these years!"

Good news to self: no more failing the iron test!  I always do!  But my Blood Type Diet says "Say YES to red meat!"  Yes, please!  Love beef from local, well-tended cows.

So..mooooving on.  I scarfed down the sloppy joe the blood people offered me (probably not from a happy cow)  :(  and my body felt a little less full.  It was!  (I wonder how much that blood weighed!  Docs, do you know the answer?)  Drank fluids, ate spinach, drank fluids, ate calzone, fluids...  But afternoon exercise was replaced with a recovery nap.  Then at 10 pm it was time to do Yoga!  At 11 pm I had a dance party by myself and C & C Music Factory, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson... then shower and bed. A good day.

Today was the first Zumba class at the Athens Community Center for the New Year, but the class was full!  Totally disappointed I was.  I have a punch card to the ACC and so I did go running for 35 minutes.  Not too fast, just steady.  Like a turtle.  I am a turtle.

Exercise update

For those of you who follow this blog, fear not that my lack of posting anything yesterday meant that I neglected to exercise. Au contraire I faithfully exercised Tuesday morning as I did on Monday. I might add that I felt good all day again. But due to the fact that I worked until 7, and that both the Ohio State football and basketball buckeyes were playing last night, I had NO TIME to post a blog. If you don't already know, OSU was successful in both athletic contests. Now as for today--I saw 5 patients this morning and I have not yet had a chance to put the muscles through their workout. But TRUST ME, I shall not rest tonight until that has been accomplished. :) Tomorrow will also be an afternoon exercise session due to more disability patients in the morning.

Mile High Workout

Hello Family Fitness Achievers!

I am carrying the fitness torch in Denver and Pueblo. I joined a gym a month ago and am trying to get my moneys worth. Yesterday, Matt showed me some upper arm weights and I am feeling the burn today! My goals are to get toned and get in decent running shape so I can run another 1/2 marathon sometime. I probably won't ever run a whole marathon, like the Flying Piglet superstar!

I also took advantage of the La Quinta treadmill tonight and enjoyed running to one of my fave HGTV shows, Property Virgins. I usually can't seem to exercise all 3 days that I'm in Pueblo, so hopefully I can break that trend this week. 3 for 3!!

Fave running song? Wolf like Me by TV on the Radio!

MONDAY, MONDAY

I can't remember when the last time I exercised starting at 7 am on a Monday morning. But sure enough I was working out until just after 8:30 doing aerobics, stretching, and different weight training from the day before. I felt better all day knowing I had my exercise done by the time I arrived at work. When I went to get in my frigid car I found a monster large box (very heavy) containing my semi-recumbent Schwinn 240 exercise bike was in the driveway. Not sure if it was delivered today or Sunday. It's a heavy sucker and I dragged it into the garage. So now after I get it assembled I will use that for my aerobics.

day ONE!

Move it nice & sweet & sassy!

Click here if your NY Resolution is to "Move It!"


Need workout sheets to record your "MOVES?"  Click here!

Fitness Program Initiated !

Thanks to the Flying Piglet I am now able to post my first blog. The efforts today were centered around some stretching and upper body lifting. No aerobics today. I learned I need to get a better assortment of stretches and I need to record the number of reps and sets I do because when I went to write them down after I forgot. I did remember the weights used with the strength training exercises. Yes Flying Piglet I did work up a sweat (not with stretching though). Mostly I'm happy I just got started. I can't be accused of over doing it. Looking forward to tomorrow at 7 AM to 9 AM when I have reserved for exercise before going to the office an hour later than usual (10 AM). This will be my pattern on all Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

Go! (It's raining...Go running anyway!)

It's New Year's day & Ohio skies drained themselves with a constant sprinkling of the earth below.  For the most part, it was a good day to be inside!  Somewhere around 2:00 pm I saw the rain had let up and so I suited up in my running gear--yoga pants, tank, running shoes, & side pack (it is NOT a fanny pack!  ;) ).  I went outside & thought, "Hmm..a little cold..if I get wet, I'll be SO cold."  Went back inside, put on lavender rain coat & away I jogged listening to Pandora's "21 Minute Workout" station.

Everything was going just fine until I reached the Habitat House to begin stretching.  It was sprinkling more than just a bit at this point and so I went inside the house to do most of my stretching.  (I always stretch bc my muscles complain if I don't!)  At this point, I'm looking like a drowning rat, but no matter...I've got resolutions!!

I run, run, run...a little disappointed with my choice of music.  (There's gotta be a better workout mix on Pandora!) I go about a mile in 10 minutes and in that time, the rain is coming down harder and the wind is picking up.  No matter, I've got "Rhythm is a Dancer" playing in my ears, right?  So I can do the full three miles?  I think not.

Arriving at the Richland bridge, I see that I'm kinda stuck.  I had been running with the wind but now, by turning around, I'll be running into it.  Yikes!  And as I mentioned, it's rainy!  I secure the lavender rain jacket hood as best I can & decide to run along Shafer St. to hopefully avoid some of the colder winds.

It was a rough day for running outdoors, but it made the chicken, pita chips & hot shower I enjoyed after so much tastier.  I love food and warmth.  :)

Today's totals....2 miles of running...1/2 mile of walking....brrrrrr!!