Yes, it's me. Back again :-)
It seems The Problem Child quite enjoyed yesterday's session with Satan as there have been no complaints out of it. Still, I didn't want to push my luck so I went for a walk this morning (rather than a run). 42mins on a relatively flat course with a couple of small rises. Although the humidity is terribly high in Sydney at the moment, it was a beautiful calm morning for a stroll. Combined with tapas and sangria tonight, it's a good day :-)
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
A date with Satan...
2 posts in 2 days - can you believe it? Nah, me neither ;-)
After putting one of my suit skirts on today, I've decided that it's time I pulled my finger out and get back on track. My exercise schedule and my food track has been off the rails since I abandoned my plan to run the CC Half back in November. Since then I've put on - wait for it - 4.5kgs! *she blushes with shame. Mind you, I was probably at my miniest at that point in time but still, it's time to tame my life of excess somewhat. So the goal right now is to lose 2.5kgs and get back to 58kgs.
Food intake today has been great - however tapas and sangria tomorrow night for a belated birthday dinner will be but a small speed hump on the road to a leaner, stronger and more athletic Jen_runs !
Activity: weights session with Satan
Time: 5.30pm
Duration: 30mins
I left the office at 5.15pm in order to get to the gym to see Satan. Unfortunately I had to go back :-)
I felt really tired in the office today. The lack of natural light in my office certainly didn't help. I didn't feel like going to the gym tonight but - of course - in the end I was glad that I did. A predominately lower body session with Satan tonight which included:
* squats with barbell;
* supine ball lowering something-or-other (laying on my back lowering and raising the swiss ball between my ankles - bloody hard work);
* a new ab/core/oblique exercise from Satan's bag of tricks involving a swiss ball;
* side leg raises for glute medius and adductors; and
* something else I can't remember now,
repeated twice. A tough session but I felt energised on leaving the gym !
Giving tonight's focus on my lower body, I skipped the 15mins on the elliptical machine tonight and will walk tomorrow morning (rather than run) in order to avoid upsetting The Problem Child. Looks like my next run/walk will be on Thursday morning - fingers crossed !
I've just watched Australian Story tonight which was on the Australian's womens road cycling team. What an remarkable & inspiring group of women
After putting one of my suit skirts on today, I've decided that it's time I pulled my finger out and get back on track. My exercise schedule and my food track has been off the rails since I abandoned my plan to run the CC Half back in November. Since then I've put on - wait for it - 4.5kgs! *she blushes with shame. Mind you, I was probably at my miniest at that point in time but still, it's time to tame my life of excess somewhat. So the goal right now is to lose 2.5kgs and get back to 58kgs.
Food intake today has been great - however tapas and sangria tomorrow night for a belated birthday dinner will be but a small speed hump on the road to a leaner, stronger and more athletic Jen_runs !
Activity: weights session with Satan
Time: 5.30pm
Duration: 30mins
I left the office at 5.15pm in order to get to the gym to see Satan. Unfortunately I had to go back :-)
I felt really tired in the office today. The lack of natural light in my office certainly didn't help. I didn't feel like going to the gym tonight but - of course - in the end I was glad that I did. A predominately lower body session with Satan tonight which included:
* squats with barbell;
* supine ball lowering something-or-other (laying on my back lowering and raising the swiss ball between my ankles - bloody hard work);
* a new ab/core/oblique exercise from Satan's bag of tricks involving a swiss ball;
* side leg raises for glute medius and adductors; and
* something else I can't remember now,
repeated twice. A tough session but I felt energised on leaving the gym !
Giving tonight's focus on my lower body, I skipped the 15mins on the elliptical machine tonight and will walk tomorrow morning (rather than run) in order to avoid upsetting The Problem Child. Looks like my next run/walk will be on Thursday morning - fingers crossed !
I've just watched Australian Story tonight which was on the Australian's womens road cycling team. What an remarkable & inspiring group of women
Sunday, February 19, 2006
An affair to remember...
Forgive me bloggers for I have sinned. It has been 10 days since my last post. Sorry guys - between working longer hours, not being able to access the internet for 'personal use' at work and trying to plan a wedding - not to mention having my engagement party and my 31st birthday! - it's been a very busy week. I haven't had a chance to read all your blogs, let alone blog about the v. little exercise that I've been doing...
So what's been going on - well very little exercise for one thing....a couple of 30mins walks before work a couple of days this week, one session with Satan on Monday and I walked a lap of the Bay (7kms) with some girlfriends followed by breakfast yesterday morning which was a lovely way to start the weekend. My knee (now known as "The Problem Child") has been good. It was a bit grumpy last week but this week it's been good so it's back to the oval for me probably on Tuesday morning. I do however need to buy some new running shoes - must try to escape from the office during lunch one day this week.That's about all the exercise I've done - I've been disgusting lazy. Oh well. I don't feel guilty. I just don't feel like it right now. However I'd better pull my finger out otherwise I'm not going to fit into my wedding dress !
Last Saturday (11 Feb) was fantastic. I spent the day at a seminar on meso-american archaeology (archaeology & history are one - another - of my passions) followed by my engagement party. We had the most amazing night. I got to the hotel/pub where we were having it at about 5pm. My parents, brother, 2 sets of aunts and uncles and a couple of cousins were all staying at the hotel so I met them in the bar for an early drink and chat. I rarely see these relatives as they live in distant corners of the State so it was wonderful to catch up with them before the party started. It was then back to my parent's room to get ready and then down to party. I had the most amazing night - the food was delicious, the weather was perfect and the company wonderful. During the course of the night, I also took the opportunity of having my 4 best friends in the same room at the same time to ask them to be my bridesmaids - fortunately they said yes! We left the hotel at about 3.30am and I finally crawled into bed exhausted at about 4.15am. Thanks to Go Girl for the photo:
L-R: Go Girl, Jen_runs & The Owl
What else - it was my 31st birthday on Tuesday (Valentines Day). I had a lovely day - well, except from the fact that I had to work. My girlfriend (and bridesmaid) had made my birthday cake on Monday night (cup cakes) and brought it into work for me on Tuesday. Actually I ate a lot on Tuesday - yum cha for lunch, cup cakes for my birthday cake and a lovely dinner with Mr Jen_runs. It's lucky that calories consumed on your birthday don't count isn't it?
Wedding plans are well underway. Only 9 months to go yesterday! At the moment we are trying to find a caterer, decorator and florist. Oh yes, must organise the honeymoon too ;-) At least I've got the groom, my dress and we've booked the venue. I'm sure that everything else will fall into place !
It's about time that I set out my plans for the week. I've been a bit off the rails since I last did it - here goes:
Monday: a weights with Satan + 15mins on the elliptical machine
Tuesday: walk/run
Wednesday: a weights session with Satan
Thursday: walk/run (or maybe a swim depending on how The Problem Child responds to Tuesday's session).
I'm not setting out Friday - Sunday's program. I'm off to the South Coast of NSW for an archaeology-related thing (told you it was a passion) so I'm not sure what I will accomplish but I'll try !
That's about all my news. I'm off to lay on the couch, read my book and relax before another busy week !
PS Happy birthday also to my blog which had it's 1st birthday during the week !
So what's been going on - well very little exercise for one thing....a couple of 30mins walks before work a couple of days this week, one session with Satan on Monday and I walked a lap of the Bay (7kms) with some girlfriends followed by breakfast yesterday morning which was a lovely way to start the weekend. My knee (now known as "The Problem Child") has been good. It was a bit grumpy last week but this week it's been good so it's back to the oval for me probably on Tuesday morning. I do however need to buy some new running shoes - must try to escape from the office during lunch one day this week.That's about all the exercise I've done - I've been disgusting lazy. Oh well. I don't feel guilty. I just don't feel like it right now. However I'd better pull my finger out otherwise I'm not going to fit into my wedding dress !
Last Saturday (11 Feb) was fantastic. I spent the day at a seminar on meso-american archaeology (archaeology & history are one - another - of my passions) followed by my engagement party. We had the most amazing night. I got to the hotel/pub where we were having it at about 5pm. My parents, brother, 2 sets of aunts and uncles and a couple of cousins were all staying at the hotel so I met them in the bar for an early drink and chat. I rarely see these relatives as they live in distant corners of the State so it was wonderful to catch up with them before the party started. It was then back to my parent's room to get ready and then down to party. I had the most amazing night - the food was delicious, the weather was perfect and the company wonderful. During the course of the night, I also took the opportunity of having my 4 best friends in the same room at the same time to ask them to be my bridesmaids - fortunately they said yes! We left the hotel at about 3.30am and I finally crawled into bed exhausted at about 4.15am. Thanks to Go Girl for the photo:
L-R: Go Girl, Jen_runs & The Owl
What else - it was my 31st birthday on Tuesday (Valentines Day). I had a lovely day - well, except from the fact that I had to work. My girlfriend (and bridesmaid) had made my birthday cake on Monday night (cup cakes) and brought it into work for me on Tuesday. Actually I ate a lot on Tuesday - yum cha for lunch, cup cakes for my birthday cake and a lovely dinner with Mr Jen_runs. It's lucky that calories consumed on your birthday don't count isn't it?
Wedding plans are well underway. Only 9 months to go yesterday! At the moment we are trying to find a caterer, decorator and florist. Oh yes, must organise the honeymoon too ;-) At least I've got the groom, my dress and we've booked the venue. I'm sure that everything else will fall into place !
It's about time that I set out my plans for the week. I've been a bit off the rails since I last did it - here goes:
Monday: a weights with Satan + 15mins on the elliptical machine
Tuesday: walk/run
Wednesday: a weights session with Satan
Thursday: walk/run (or maybe a swim depending on how The Problem Child responds to Tuesday's session).
I'm not setting out Friday - Sunday's program. I'm off to the South Coast of NSW for an archaeology-related thing (told you it was a passion) so I'm not sure what I will accomplish but I'll try !
That's about all my news. I'm off to lay on the couch, read my book and relax before another busy week !
PS Happy birthday also to my blog which had it's 1st birthday during the week !
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
An update....
How time flies....
The cocktails were fantastic Susan. And yes, Tesso, I did have a couple of Toblerones. Yum!!
My apologies to everyone - between working long hours, doing some exercise, planning an engagement party (which is this Saturday night) and a wedding and being unable to read CR or catch up on blogs at work any more, I've hardly read any blogs lately so I have no idea how everyone is going, nor have I have left many - if any - comments lately...Sorry guys. I'm with you in spirit :-(
Monday 6 February - pulling the pin....
On Sunday I spent most of the day on my feet at a bridal expo (OMG, scary stuff) and then at the NSW Art Gallery where I saw the Pissarro exhibition in what probably was not the most appropriate footwear. Combined with Saturday's lap of the Bay, it was probably my own fault that I had to pull the pin early during my run on Monday morning...
Activity: running
Time: 5.45am
Duration: planned - 20mins; actual 13.34mins
My knee felt tighter than usual during the run so I pulled the pin at the 13mins mark rather than pushing through to the 20mins. One positive to come out of it was that I felt fitter than my previous sessions - which is hard to believe given that I ran a total of less than 40mins last week!
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 7pm
Duration: 30mins
A largely upper body circuit tonight consisting of:
* single arm lat pulldowns;
* oblique move using a swiss ball;
* prone hold (elbows & toes) 2mins;
* dumbell bent-over reserve flyes;
* seated military press,
repeated twice.
A session that I really didn't feel like doing after a crazy day at work but - as always - I felt more centred afterwards...
My knee has been a bit tight over the last few days showing that my decision to pull the pin on Monday's session was the right one to make. However my recovery has not been helped by having to run for the bus last night (Tuesday). It was 10.30pm so I wasn't about to walk and miss the bus.... At least I was in flat shoes I suppose - and I must confess that it was wonderful to run at speed again, albeit for 30sec or so.... I'll continue to stretch and ice over the next few days and then look at doing another session on Sunday...
Wednesday 8 February - a return to Satan...
Back to see Satan tonight after another crazy day at work...
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 6.30pm
Duration: 30 mins
Another tough session - aren't they all ;-)
A combined circuit today consisting of:
* squats with barbell (don't worry the barbell was really light);
* nasty ab exercise - lowering swiss ball held between my ankles to the ground with straight legs;
* side leg lifts for glute medius and adductors;
* push-ups on toes;
* oblique exercise,
repeated twice followed by 15mins of stretching.
I've just realised that I haven't swum in a week or two now. Can't say I've missed it - but I might just go for a swim again over the next few days...
The cocktails were fantastic Susan. And yes, Tesso, I did have a couple of Toblerones. Yum!!
My apologies to everyone - between working long hours, doing some exercise, planning an engagement party (which is this Saturday night) and a wedding and being unable to read CR or catch up on blogs at work any more, I've hardly read any blogs lately so I have no idea how everyone is going, nor have I have left many - if any - comments lately...Sorry guys. I'm with you in spirit :-(
Monday 6 February - pulling the pin....
On Sunday I spent most of the day on my feet at a bridal expo (OMG, scary stuff) and then at the NSW Art Gallery where I saw the Pissarro exhibition in what probably was not the most appropriate footwear. Combined with Saturday's lap of the Bay, it was probably my own fault that I had to pull the pin early during my run on Monday morning...
Activity: running
Time: 5.45am
Duration: planned - 20mins; actual 13.34mins
My knee felt tighter than usual during the run so I pulled the pin at the 13mins mark rather than pushing through to the 20mins. One positive to come out of it was that I felt fitter than my previous sessions - which is hard to believe given that I ran a total of less than 40mins last week!
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 7pm
Duration: 30mins
A largely upper body circuit tonight consisting of:
* single arm lat pulldowns;
* oblique move using a swiss ball;
* prone hold (elbows & toes) 2mins;
* dumbell bent-over reserve flyes;
* seated military press,
repeated twice.
A session that I really didn't feel like doing after a crazy day at work but - as always - I felt more centred afterwards...
My knee has been a bit tight over the last few days showing that my decision to pull the pin on Monday's session was the right one to make. However my recovery has not been helped by having to run for the bus last night (Tuesday). It was 10.30pm so I wasn't about to walk and miss the bus.... At least I was in flat shoes I suppose - and I must confess that it was wonderful to run at speed again, albeit for 30sec or so.... I'll continue to stretch and ice over the next few days and then look at doing another session on Sunday...
Wednesday 8 February - a return to Satan...
Back to see Satan tonight after another crazy day at work...
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 6.30pm
Duration: 30 mins
Another tough session - aren't they all ;-)
A combined circuit today consisting of:
* squats with barbell (don't worry the barbell was really light);
* nasty ab exercise - lowering swiss ball held between my ankles to the ground with straight legs;
* side leg lifts for glute medius and adductors;
* push-ups on toes;
* oblique exercise,
repeated twice followed by 15mins of stretching.
I've just realised that I haven't swum in a week or two now. Can't say I've missed it - but I might just go for a swim again over the next few days...
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Cocktails to come....
My knee pulled up really well after Wednesday's run. Thursday was a rest day and I had planned to go for a swim on Friday morning but after a couple of late nights and an intense week at work, I decided to catch up on a bit of sleep instead - it was only 45mins but much needed !
This morning (Saturday) I walked a lap of the Bay (7kms) with a couple of girlfriends. It was a leisurely stroll around the Bay while we caught up on goss and was followed by breakfast at a cafe in Rozelle - a lovely way to start the weekend.
After a quick dash home to pick up some 'stuff', I headed into the city for a session with Satan...
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 12.30pm
Duration: 30mins
I have to say that when I first got to the gym, I was feeling pretty flat - no doubt the lack of sleep and the craziness of the last week is catching (or has caught) up on me. But 30mins later, I was just about bouncing off the ceiling. Satan had a lower body & abs circuit ready for me today:
* squats with barbell (don't worry the barbell was really light);
* nasty ab exercise - lowering swiss ball held between my ankles to the ground with straight legs;
* adductors stuff;
* prone hold with straight arms;
* oblique exercise,
repeated twice.
I felt really good during the session. Absolutely no complaints from my knee during the session - even during the squats - woohoo :-) Don't worry, we (Satan and I) are being very careful. I'm touching wood while I say this - and I know there may be the odd setback- but I really think my ITB has or is turning a corner. More stretching and torture with the rolling pin when I got home just to be sure.
I had planned to go for a run this afternoon but Satan's lower body session put an end to that. I'm off to a girlfriend's 30th birthday tonight and knowing her, there will be cocktails tonight - which is going to make tomorrow morning's 6.30am alarm rather tough !
This morning (Saturday) I walked a lap of the Bay (7kms) with a couple of girlfriends. It was a leisurely stroll around the Bay while we caught up on goss and was followed by breakfast at a cafe in Rozelle - a lovely way to start the weekend.
After a quick dash home to pick up some 'stuff', I headed into the city for a session with Satan...
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 12.30pm
Duration: 30mins
I have to say that when I first got to the gym, I was feeling pretty flat - no doubt the lack of sleep and the craziness of the last week is catching (or has caught) up on me. But 30mins later, I was just about bouncing off the ceiling. Satan had a lower body & abs circuit ready for me today:
* squats with barbell (don't worry the barbell was really light);
* nasty ab exercise - lowering swiss ball held between my ankles to the ground with straight legs;
* adductors stuff;
* prone hold with straight arms;
* oblique exercise,
repeated twice.
I felt really good during the session. Absolutely no complaints from my knee during the session - even during the squats - woohoo :-) Don't worry, we (Satan and I) are being very careful. I'm touching wood while I say this - and I know there may be the odd setback- but I really think my ITB has or is turning a corner. More stretching and torture with the rolling pin when I got home just to be sure.
I had planned to go for a run this afternoon but Satan's lower body session put an end to that. I'm off to a girlfriend's 30th birthday tonight and knowing her, there will be cocktails tonight - which is going to make tomorrow morning's 6.30am alarm rather tough !
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Yes, finally a RUN....
Activity: run
Time: 6am
Duration: 18mins
After an incident with the alarm clock (I turned it off rather than hitting snooze), I actually made it out of the house early enough to go for a RUN this morning - a real run - no stopping & no walking - for a grand total of 18mins, LOL. It was more like a Cliff Young shuffle rather than 'run' but I didn't stop :-) Woohoo. 15mins walk to warm-up and cool-down as well (of course!) for a total session of 48mins.
My knee/hip felt pretty good during the session. A little generalised tightness on the side of my knee but nothing like the sharp and 'specific' ITB pain I was experiencing :-) Did 15mins of stretching once I got home and iced it before I headed off to work. It's been good during the course of today - no complaints. Happy days :-)
After work tonight I headed to the gym to see Satan. I usually see Satan at lunch on Mondays and Wednesday. Unfortunately my new office is too far from the gym to be able to go during my lunchbreaks AND Satan has no real vacancies in her schedule so I'll taking other client's spots at the moment while they are away on holidays. Hopefully a regular spot will become free for me very soon....Anyhoo...
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 6.30pm
Duration: 30mins
A really tough upper body & abs circuit today - particularly given that my abs were still recovering from Monday's session - however I felt much more energetic than I did on Monday:
* single arm cable lat pulldowns
* prone holds (elbows & toes) for 2 mins
* nasty oblique exercise with a swiss ball
* bent over reverse flyes
* shoulder press standing on disks,
repeated twice.
A great day :-)
Time: 6am
Duration: 18mins
After an incident with the alarm clock (I turned it off rather than hitting snooze), I actually made it out of the house early enough to go for a RUN this morning - a real run - no stopping & no walking - for a grand total of 18mins, LOL. It was more like a Cliff Young shuffle rather than 'run' but I didn't stop :-) Woohoo. 15mins walk to warm-up and cool-down as well (of course!) for a total session of 48mins.
My knee/hip felt pretty good during the session. A little generalised tightness on the side of my knee but nothing like the sharp and 'specific' ITB pain I was experiencing :-) Did 15mins of stretching once I got home and iced it before I headed off to work. It's been good during the course of today - no complaints. Happy days :-)
After work tonight I headed to the gym to see Satan. I usually see Satan at lunch on Mondays and Wednesday. Unfortunately my new office is too far from the gym to be able to go during my lunchbreaks AND Satan has no real vacancies in her schedule so I'll taking other client's spots at the moment while they are away on holidays. Hopefully a regular spot will become free for me very soon....Anyhoo...
Activity: weights with Satan
Time: 6.30pm
Duration: 30mins
A really tough upper body & abs circuit today - particularly given that my abs were still recovering from Monday's session - however I felt much more energetic than I did on Monday:
* single arm cable lat pulldowns
* prone holds (elbows & toes) for 2 mins
* nasty oblique exercise with a swiss ball
* bent over reverse flyes
* shoulder press standing on disks,
repeated twice.
A great day :-)
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