Slave to the Sneakers...

Acupuncture and cupping

Today I had my first acupuncture appointment with my sister in law. I have never been needled before so it was such a different experience.  I have been getting ASTYM for my upper back.  I had some scar tissues built up from riding horses and from bad posture. 

She took my pulse in a few different places and deciphered that there was not harmony throughout my body. She said that my digestion was stronger than my heart or lungs. I don’t know exactly what modalities she used but it was very new and interesting for me.  There was only one spot that hurt and that was my lower to mid back on the left.  She said that I was extremely tight and it was nothing to worry about.  The pain would only be temporary.  

Her goal is to try a few different modalities on me within the next few months.  She wants to use me as a little bit of an experiment.  I am okay with that if she thinks that she can make me feel awesome. Also, she said that she knows some ways to “sorta stop aging.” Hey, if she can have me live this 26 year old’s body several years/decades from now… I’m DOWN!

Elimination or Paleo?

Many of my friends are going on a strict elimination diet, but I think it is a little extreme. I am considering going Paleo instead.

Foods not allowed to eat on Elimination Diet:

• Dairy, gluten, soy, peanut butter, sugar, honey, maple syrup, sweeteners, coffee, alcohol, all fruit (except limes, lemons, green apples and berries, pork, farmed fish, non cage-free eggs/chickens, all beef, white potatoes, corn, nitrates, MSC and Vinegar.

Foods not allowed to eat on Paleo Diet:

• Dairy, gluten, whole grains, Cereal grains, farmed fish, non cage-free eggs/chickens, non-grass fed beef, Legumes (including peanuts), Refined sugar, Potatoes, Processed foods, Salt, Refined vegetable oils

I suppose there isn’t much of a difference in the long run but I am still going to eat all the different kinds of fruit that I want. I am also not going to cut out all beef and pork. I will eat grass fed/cage free animals. I will eliminate processed foods and alcohol. I will not be getting the supplemental products of the Elimination Diet.

Week ahead

12/31 Monday - 1 hour cross training

• 10 min bike,
• 2x 15 Burners
• 2x 15 blasters,
• 2x 20 Squats, 
• 2x 12 pushups
• 10 min Bike
• lunge matrix
• 10 min suspension rope core
• stretch and foam roll

1/1 Tuesday - 30 min tempo run (a comfortably difficult run; 90% max HR)

1/2 Wednesday - 1 hour cross training

• 10 minutes bike
• 3x 15 assisted dips
• 3x 10 assisted pull ups
• 3x 20 bicep curls while standing on bosu
• 3x 15 fly on ball
• 3 x 10 T, W, Y on ball
• 10 min bike
• Core: Bird dog, one leg plank, star plank, SL Bridge, Iso. Curl up
• Stretch and foam roll

1/3 Thursday - 4 miles

1/4 Friday - Rest

1/5 Saturday - 5 miles

1/6 Sunday - 3 miles

Looking forward.

Today’s run wasn’t too bad but I know mentally I’m weak. I ran a fairly hilly 4.41 mile run in 45 minutes.  I walked a few times. It is discouraging to see that my average pace was 10:12.

My motivation is strong after that run. I need to get back to my goal pace of 8 min miles for a half marathon pace.  I know this will be a challenge, however I know I can do it if I put in the miles and time.

Physical Therapy!

I am so glad that I got into see Dr. Laura at Sports Reaction Center twice this week.  She truly has magical hands.  My back seems so much looser.  She has been doing ASTYM and I am a huge believer!!!!! She has loosened my upper back so much.  It has increased my mobility during swimming and helped me open up my stride because I’m not wasting energy guarding my shoulder muscles.  Also, since she is a runner, I get great running advice. Special Bonus! :)

(Source: srcpt.com)

Boooo……Off Day.

Good thing today was a rest day. I was not feeling like going to the gym today.  In early November, I went to the doctor to see why  I was feeling so fatigued and unmotivated to get out of bed to start the day, even though I was getting around 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.  And, I know I am not depressed. So what was wrong with me???  I found out that I am lacking Iron in my blood.  This can cause fatigue. About a week ago, I started taking Iron, vitamin D, vitamin C, and fish oil.  Overall, I feel a lot more energetic.  I am still quite fatigued. 

Today, I woke up feeling down about my fitness.  I feel soft. So very soft. I know that I have relaxed a bit on my training so now is the time to kick my butt into action.  Time to get me going so that I don’t go lazy bones all through the holiday season.  I need to keep motivated about my goals.

Yay! Training buddies!!!

I am so excited! My best friend, Foghorn Doozer, will be running the Portland Marathon with my father and me in October 2013!!! http://run-doozer-run.tumblr.com/

Follow our training plan and keep us motivated.  Join in the training if you dare! :)

http://alysmobilefitness.com/Alys_Mobile_Fitness/Adventures.html

Training for my first full marathon

I’m starting this blog a week later than my dad. (http://camasrunner.blogspot.com) We are going to be running the Portland Marathon together.  I am very excited for this adventure.  A few years ago, we ran a half marathon together.  We both didn’t do too well on our training plans and boy were we sore after.  Plus, our goals were not met. 

This time around, we have a solid training plan, blogs, and more dedication.  There is no way we can run a full marathon without the dedication.  We are both getting back into running after some break.  I feel sluggish, lazy and soft… Boo for softness..

This blog is to help me and my father stay on track. Please feel free to follow and call me out on sticking to the plan. Check out my training plan at http://alysmobilefitness.com/Alys_Mobile_Fitness/Adventures.html.