So I was thinking about Judo, and it brought up some of my favorite memories from being a Taekwondo instructor, and I thought I'd share.
At my old do-jang, we had both Taekwondo and Hapkido (Korean grappling). And for some reason unknown to me, their was a "friendly" rivalry between the Hapkido instructors and the Taekwondo instructors. I attribute it mostly to the old grappling vs. striking rivalry, but it went deeper than that. Pranks were pulled, insults called out across the do-jang, and classes interrupted purposefully just to annoy one another. One of the the Hapkido instructors absolutely favorite things to do was to interrupt the Taekwondo class going on right before Hapkido started, and throw whichever TKD instructor happened to be on duty around in front of all of the students. Then they'd give a short little speech about how much cooler Hapkido was, and leave to their side of the mat.
Well, yesterday as I was being thrown across the room, the instructor expressed his surprise that I'd picked up the falls so quickly; because most beginners can do it on the floor, but not after being thrown. He said it'd take like 1-2 years before it was instinct, but I was doing extremely well! And I was all like, thanks! And then was like....actually, I did spend 2 years getting thrown on my @$$. Before I even allowed the Hapkido instructors to touch me, I made darn sure I knew how to take a fall. After all, their object was humiliation, not actual hurt.
Not that this makes me a Judo prodigy or anything, I just thought it was funny that getting thrown around all those years is actually helping me out now.
Now, some of you may ask, did they Taekwondo instructors ever retaliate in turn? Go over to their classes and beat them up? Well, no. Not really.
There's a big difference between getting thrown on the ground a few times, and taking a flying fist or foot to the face. TKD is not just going to leave you sore in the morning, it will leave you bruised and broken.
HOWEVER, we did take great pleasure in very rarely dressing up one of the Hapkido instructors up in full pads and using them our kicking pad for a few minutes. I think I yelled out "Where's you flippy magic now?????" right before delivering a spinning hook kick (it was pulled) to the head.
I miss those guys.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo, part 2 plus Judo!
So today was my second day of Muay Thai and my first day of Judo.
If I were to sum up both in one sentence, you'd get...
1) Muay Thai hurts. Period.
2) Judo is fun. Ridiculously so, even.
Muay Thai is the single most painful martial art I have ever tried, and I spent two hours getting thrown on the ground today (Judo). I'm sure any MTer out there who stumbles across this blog will feel very validated in the fact that it is painful and difficult.
From the warm-up were we had to do push-up hops across the mat, to 100 kicks with my SHIN on the heavy bag, to clashing SHINS during drills, I am beaten and bruised.
I loved it! Muay Thai is great. It doesn't fit the usual mold of the martial arts I've tried, it really is like boxing. We spent the whole time conditioning and honing skills. I'm slowly adjusting to the major differences from taekwondo to Muay Thai, and picking up a few new tricks along the way. The major differences so far revolve around the kick. In Muay Thai, you kick with the shin vs. taekwondo where you kick with your foot. This also causes a different in the blocking style. The theory behind the shin kick is that as one of the strongest bones in your body and being kicked with it is akin to being kicked by a baseball bat. I definitely want to avoid taking a real hit for a while. Of course, its never fun to take a taekwondo kick either.
I guess its mostly a power vs. speed issue between the two. Taekwondo kicks are fast. Lightning fast. Studies have shown that taekwondo athletes have the fastest reflexes, and that's because they need to. Everything about the technique is designed to be fast. Muay Thai is vicious. It's powerful. Very powerful. But slower. Not slow. Slower. It is The technique feels a little crude, but that might just be because I'm used to elegance. Taekwondo has some of the most beautiful kicking in the world. Muay Thai some of the most painful.
The only problem I have with MT kicks are I feel they're telegraphed. I can see them coming a mile away. It'll be an interesting problem to fix. Also, they hurt. I wasn't kidding. Kicking with your shin just flat out hurts until you deaden your nerves in your shin. That's a level of hardcore I'm not used to. Sure, I'm used to punishing my body by pushing it to move at painful levels of flexibility, and I have over-calcification in my hands from punching since I was a tyke, but deadening nerves? Hmm. However, as I've heard multiple times, it may hurt your shins a little to kick, but imagine how much it hurts the person getting kicked.
Now, judo.
I spent the majority of class getting thrown on the ground. Apparently I'm really good at falling on my butt. This is a good thing in Judo! No, seriously, I picked up the falls in a New York minute, thanks to a few Hapkido lessons I took back in the day. I was doing jumping roll falls in a matter of minutes, and they are so fun! I really enjoyed having a reason to throw myself around on the ground.
I also learned a few new throwing tricks. Judo was actually closer to taekwondo in feel than Muay Thai. MT class is like a really hard sparring class. Judo had uniforms and structure and bowing. The technique and style is completely different from taekwondo, so there will be no comparisons, but it felt like home.
I'm excited to get good at this sport. The fighting looks exciting. There's a real elegance to the throws too, but after watching a few Olympic level bouts, it looks like any pretty throws are very very very hard won.
Overall, I'm a happy camper. I've decided to focus on competing purely at the collegiate level in taekwondo for now, and compete in beginner Judo as well. I'm just enjoying martial arts again, which is great. Taekwondo is my one true love, but it comes with a lot of baggage. I'm just not as good as I used to be, and it makes practicing frustrating. But practicing new martial arts has a total freedom to it. There's no expectations for me, and I'm free to fail (even though I'm pretty good!). Then, with greater clarity, I can return to taekwondo on my off days and feel good about it, even if I can't get that 540 spin kick down.
If I were to sum up both in one sentence, you'd get...
1) Muay Thai hurts. Period.
2) Judo is fun. Ridiculously so, even.
Muay Thai is the single most painful martial art I have ever tried, and I spent two hours getting thrown on the ground today (Judo). I'm sure any MTer out there who stumbles across this blog will feel very validated in the fact that it is painful and difficult.
From the warm-up were we had to do push-up hops across the mat, to 100 kicks with my SHIN on the heavy bag, to clashing SHINS during drills, I am beaten and bruised.
I loved it! Muay Thai is great. It doesn't fit the usual mold of the martial arts I've tried, it really is like boxing. We spent the whole time conditioning and honing skills. I'm slowly adjusting to the major differences from taekwondo to Muay Thai, and picking up a few new tricks along the way. The major differences so far revolve around the kick. In Muay Thai, you kick with the shin vs. taekwondo where you kick with your foot. This also causes a different in the blocking style. The theory behind the shin kick is that as one of the strongest bones in your body and being kicked with it is akin to being kicked by a baseball bat. I definitely want to avoid taking a real hit for a while. Of course, its never fun to take a taekwondo kick either.
I guess its mostly a power vs. speed issue between the two. Taekwondo kicks are fast. Lightning fast. Studies have shown that taekwondo athletes have the fastest reflexes, and that's because they need to. Everything about the technique is designed to be fast. Muay Thai is vicious. It's powerful. Very powerful. But slower. Not slow. Slower. It is The technique feels a little crude, but that might just be because I'm used to elegance. Taekwondo has some of the most beautiful kicking in the world. Muay Thai some of the most painful.
The only problem I have with MT kicks are I feel they're telegraphed. I can see them coming a mile away. It'll be an interesting problem to fix. Also, they hurt. I wasn't kidding. Kicking with your shin just flat out hurts until you deaden your nerves in your shin. That's a level of hardcore I'm not used to. Sure, I'm used to punishing my body by pushing it to move at painful levels of flexibility, and I have over-calcification in my hands from punching since I was a tyke, but deadening nerves? Hmm. However, as I've heard multiple times, it may hurt your shins a little to kick, but imagine how much it hurts the person getting kicked.
Now, judo.
I spent the majority of class getting thrown on the ground. Apparently I'm really good at falling on my butt. This is a good thing in Judo! No, seriously, I picked up the falls in a New York minute, thanks to a few Hapkido lessons I took back in the day. I was doing jumping roll falls in a matter of minutes, and they are so fun! I really enjoyed having a reason to throw myself around on the ground.
I also learned a few new throwing tricks. Judo was actually closer to taekwondo in feel than Muay Thai. MT class is like a really hard sparring class. Judo had uniforms and structure and bowing. The technique and style is completely different from taekwondo, so there will be no comparisons, but it felt like home.
I'm excited to get good at this sport. The fighting looks exciting. There's a real elegance to the throws too, but after watching a few Olympic level bouts, it looks like any pretty throws are very very very hard won.
Overall, I'm a happy camper. I've decided to focus on competing purely at the collegiate level in taekwondo for now, and compete in beginner Judo as well. I'm just enjoying martial arts again, which is great. Taekwondo is my one true love, but it comes with a lot of baggage. I'm just not as good as I used to be, and it makes practicing frustrating. But practicing new martial arts has a total freedom to it. There's no expectations for me, and I'm free to fail (even though I'm pretty good!). Then, with greater clarity, I can return to taekwondo on my off days and feel good about it, even if I can't get that 540 spin kick down.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo, part 1
So I'm going to start up a little continuing series of Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo on this blog, because I honestly could not find a single unbiased comparison of the two.
If I had, I'd slap a link to it so quickly it'd make your head spin, and have done with it. Alas, people are rude.
Aside from my hesitation at MMA due to the UFC and all their madness (not to take away from the fighters, they are legitimately talented), I have always resented MT fighters boasting about how much more "real" MT was than TKD. It just gets under my skin in a way no other insult about my martial art ever has. There is no single martial art, not a single one, that isn't "real". There may be instructors, or heck, even whole fleets of schools, where the discipline and technique is lacking, but that doesn't reflect the entire art. Screw you if you think differently, I don't care about your opinion anyways.
That being said, the egos always intrigued me. What were they doing in those schools that made members who'd been training for six months want to go around bragging that they could take down someone who'd been training in taekwondo for years? Were they really that good, and I just didn't want to admit it? I was intrigued, and more than a little anxious to get my hands on some of this Muay Thai magic if it was as good as its very vocal practitioners proclaimed.
I walked into the school nervous. I wasn't sure if I was going to be participating in the upcoming MT class (my goal), or told to sit in a corner and watch. If it had been the latter, I can assure you this post would have a different tone. I abhor waiting around watching martial arts. Makes me want to kick someone.
Luckily for me, after a few quick questions and a waiver, I was being set up in a separate room with the head instructor for a quick intro. I dodged the "have you done martial arts before" question pretty easily by quickly saying I had no experience in Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Judo (haven't decided which of the two I'll be taking). To be honest, I hate that question. I understand its necessary and all, but I didn't want to be treated differently from any other beginner. I wanted the basics. And did I ever get them.
He started off by teaching me the mechanics of punching, which was intriguing, In my head I was silently running a tab of the differences, and it was good for me. I immediately picked up the three he wanted to teach me, jab, cross, hook. The footwork was a bit trickier. There's a lot of weight shifting in Muay Thai that isn't present in taekwondo. The hip movement is also different, and I haven't decided how I feel on it yet. Nevertheless, it was thrilling to finally be learning something new in martial arts instead of perfecting upon years of technique. After a few minutes of solitary teaching, a few more new students joined us. He told me to practice, and set about teaching them. I slowly went over the routine again and waited patiently. After a few minutes, he returned and told me to show him again. I quickly did so, and was sent off with praise to the real class.
From there I was partnered off with two other girls to perform drills. I immediately hit a wall with them. Both were sweet, about 6 inches shorter and much smaller than me, both obviously not martial artists. That's fine, they were at the same class I was at, training. But our motivations were different. I was there to even out already extensive training and gain new perspective on old moves. They were there to learn basics and burn some calories. Both noble intentions, but I don't do well around true beginners unless I'm teaching them. There was just two much of a power and size difference for me to feel comfortable training around them. So I bid them adieu and took up a place at one of the heavy bags.
Feeling at home, I began practicing my punches again. The (very cute) assistant instructor came up to me and told me I was doing really well, but one of my foot placements was wrong. Confused, I asked him which was I was flubbing, as I'd been pretty sure I'd gotten them down with the main instructor. He told me I was moving my back leg in as I hook punched. Frowning, I told him the main instructor had told me to. In a more-than-condescending tone, he told that I must have "misunderstood" him. I told him fine, but doing it that way hurt my rotator cuff. He told me to do what felt comfortable. For now, I'm moving my foot back in. I'll ask the main instructor about it tomorrow.
After that he told us to add a kick drill to the mix. Finally! Just because I'd decided not to say directly that I was pretty darn practiced didn't mean I was going to hold back. Snapping out a clean roundhouse with a very resounding thud, I was reminded that I pull my best moves around others. I guess, in a way, I'm a bit of showboat. Honestly, I know I am. I like to be the best in the room at any time, and it drives me to train harder. I don't really question it, whatever motivates me, motivates me.
After that, however, my dear friend Andrew, the assistant instructor, came over and eyed me warily. I eyed him warily back. After a stalemate staring contest, he opened his mouth.
"You did taekwondo, didn't you?" ....Aw, crap.
".....A bit." A slight nod and he motioned for me to move away from the bag.
"Your kicks are...very good. But in Muay Thai we kick with our toes flexed, striking with the inside of our shin." Nodding and absorbing, I quickly spun off a kick in imitation of what he had shown me. He gave me a slightly warmer grin and told me I'd gotten it. Too focused to pay attention to the cute boy next to me, I launched back into my attacks on the poor bag that hadn't done a thing to me, and waited for him to move to the opposite side the expansive room before quitting to address my issue with the kicking style.
Muay Thai kicks hurt. Not the receiver even, the kicker. My shins were bright red, and are still aching hours later. I was practically whimpering, but there were a butt load of guys there. Even if I was in some serious pain, I wasn't going to be the wimpy girl in the corner whining about shin pain.
Then I realized that every single guy in the joint was wearing shin guards. The wimps! The jerks! All I'd heard about Muay Thai was how strong their limbs were from kicking trees bare shinned, and the lame-o's couldn't be bothered to kick a pad unguarded. Not to mention every single practitioner was wearing boxing gloves, which is just stupid. Who wears boxing gloves in a real fight? Where's that "practicality" now, ya bunch of softies?!
...I get a little rude when I do martial arts.
Undeterred, and spurred on by the fact that I'm man enough to kick with my shins unguarded, thank you very much, I returned to the assigned drill despite the discomfort. The head instructor came up to me a few minutes later, while I was punching and seemed really pleased with me. Apparently, I'm a fast learner. Which is exactly what my tai chi and and kung fu instructor said of me, so apparently taekwondo is good for something (another...HA!).
Asking if I had any questions, I immediately asked to see a kick. He told me to focus on punches. I frowned at him. He sighed and demonstrated the same basic roundhouse variance cutey/annoying Andrew had shown me. I copied the motion again and waited for approval. He gave it, seeming surprised, and then, before I could think, my mouth betrayed me.
"It hurts. A lot." Laughing, he told me to slow it down a bit to adjust. Since "slowing down" isn't part of my vocabulary when it comes to kicking, I resigned to the pain, and pushed on. Before I knew it, class was over. I hadn't really broken a sweat, but if given another hour, I'd be taxed.
Packing up, Andrew asked me, pointing to my shirt, when I graduated from UT. I told him I was still in school. He told me he'd just graduated. Crap. I couldn't hate on another Longhorn. The jerk.
I can't wait to do it all again.
I realize there wasn't much of a comparison yet, but I promise I'll get plenty technical later. For now, I'm just going to enjoy it.
If I had, I'd slap a link to it so quickly it'd make your head spin, and have done with it. Alas, people are rude.
Aside from my hesitation at MMA due to the UFC and all their madness (not to take away from the fighters, they are legitimately talented), I have always resented MT fighters boasting about how much more "real" MT was than TKD. It just gets under my skin in a way no other insult about my martial art ever has. There is no single martial art, not a single one, that isn't "real". There may be instructors, or heck, even whole fleets of schools, where the discipline and technique is lacking, but that doesn't reflect the entire art. Screw you if you think differently, I don't care about your opinion anyways.
That being said, the egos always intrigued me. What were they doing in those schools that made members who'd been training for six months want to go around bragging that they could take down someone who'd been training in taekwondo for years? Were they really that good, and I just didn't want to admit it? I was intrigued, and more than a little anxious to get my hands on some of this Muay Thai magic if it was as good as its very vocal practitioners proclaimed.
I walked into the school nervous. I wasn't sure if I was going to be participating in the upcoming MT class (my goal), or told to sit in a corner and watch. If it had been the latter, I can assure you this post would have a different tone. I abhor waiting around watching martial arts. Makes me want to kick someone.
Luckily for me, after a few quick questions and a waiver, I was being set up in a separate room with the head instructor for a quick intro. I dodged the "have you done martial arts before" question pretty easily by quickly saying I had no experience in Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Judo (haven't decided which of the two I'll be taking). To be honest, I hate that question. I understand its necessary and all, but I didn't want to be treated differently from any other beginner. I wanted the basics. And did I ever get them.
He started off by teaching me the mechanics of punching, which was intriguing, In my head I was silently running a tab of the differences, and it was good for me. I immediately picked up the three he wanted to teach me, jab, cross, hook. The footwork was a bit trickier. There's a lot of weight shifting in Muay Thai that isn't present in taekwondo. The hip movement is also different, and I haven't decided how I feel on it yet. Nevertheless, it was thrilling to finally be learning something new in martial arts instead of perfecting upon years of technique. After a few minutes of solitary teaching, a few more new students joined us. He told me to practice, and set about teaching them. I slowly went over the routine again and waited patiently. After a few minutes, he returned and told me to show him again. I quickly did so, and was sent off with praise to the real class.
From there I was partnered off with two other girls to perform drills. I immediately hit a wall with them. Both were sweet, about 6 inches shorter and much smaller than me, both obviously not martial artists. That's fine, they were at the same class I was at, training. But our motivations were different. I was there to even out already extensive training and gain new perspective on old moves. They were there to learn basics and burn some calories. Both noble intentions, but I don't do well around true beginners unless I'm teaching them. There was just two much of a power and size difference for me to feel comfortable training around them. So I bid them adieu and took up a place at one of the heavy bags.
Feeling at home, I began practicing my punches again. The (very cute) assistant instructor came up to me and told me I was doing really well, but one of my foot placements was wrong. Confused, I asked him which was I was flubbing, as I'd been pretty sure I'd gotten them down with the main instructor. He told me I was moving my back leg in as I hook punched. Frowning, I told him the main instructor had told me to. In a more-than-condescending tone, he told that I must have "misunderstood" him. I told him fine, but doing it that way hurt my rotator cuff. He told me to do what felt comfortable. For now, I'm moving my foot back in. I'll ask the main instructor about it tomorrow.
After that he told us to add a kick drill to the mix. Finally! Just because I'd decided not to say directly that I was pretty darn practiced didn't mean I was going to hold back. Snapping out a clean roundhouse with a very resounding thud, I was reminded that I pull my best moves around others. I guess, in a way, I'm a bit of showboat. Honestly, I know I am. I like to be the best in the room at any time, and it drives me to train harder. I don't really question it, whatever motivates me, motivates me.
After that, however, my dear friend Andrew, the assistant instructor, came over and eyed me warily. I eyed him warily back. After a stalemate staring contest, he opened his mouth.
"You did taekwondo, didn't you?" ....Aw, crap.
".....A bit." A slight nod and he motioned for me to move away from the bag.
"Your kicks are...very good. But in Muay Thai we kick with our toes flexed, striking with the inside of our shin." Nodding and absorbing, I quickly spun off a kick in imitation of what he had shown me. He gave me a slightly warmer grin and told me I'd gotten it. Too focused to pay attention to the cute boy next to me, I launched back into my attacks on the poor bag that hadn't done a thing to me, and waited for him to move to the opposite side the expansive room before quitting to address my issue with the kicking style.
Muay Thai kicks hurt. Not the receiver even, the kicker. My shins were bright red, and are still aching hours later. I was practically whimpering, but there were a butt load of guys there. Even if I was in some serious pain, I wasn't going to be the wimpy girl in the corner whining about shin pain.
Then I realized that every single guy in the joint was wearing shin guards. The wimps! The jerks! All I'd heard about Muay Thai was how strong their limbs were from kicking trees bare shinned, and the lame-o's couldn't be bothered to kick a pad unguarded. Not to mention every single practitioner was wearing boxing gloves, which is just stupid. Who wears boxing gloves in a real fight? Where's that "practicality" now, ya bunch of softies?!
...I get a little rude when I do martial arts.
Undeterred, and spurred on by the fact that I'm man enough to kick with my shins unguarded, thank you very much, I returned to the assigned drill despite the discomfort. The head instructor came up to me a few minutes later, while I was punching and seemed really pleased with me. Apparently, I'm a fast learner. Which is exactly what my tai chi and and kung fu instructor said of me, so apparently taekwondo is good for something (another...HA!).
Asking if I had any questions, I immediately asked to see a kick. He told me to focus on punches. I frowned at him. He sighed and demonstrated the same basic roundhouse variance cutey/annoying Andrew had shown me. I copied the motion again and waited for approval. He gave it, seeming surprised, and then, before I could think, my mouth betrayed me.
"It hurts. A lot." Laughing, he told me to slow it down a bit to adjust. Since "slowing down" isn't part of my vocabulary when it comes to kicking, I resigned to the pain, and pushed on. Before I knew it, class was over. I hadn't really broken a sweat, but if given another hour, I'd be taxed.
Packing up, Andrew asked me, pointing to my shirt, when I graduated from UT. I told him I was still in school. He told me he'd just graduated. Crap. I couldn't hate on another Longhorn. The jerk.
I can't wait to do it all again.
I realize there wasn't much of a comparison yet, but I promise I'll get plenty technical later. For now, I'm just going to enjoy it.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Backish?
So, I'm really going to try and update this thing more. I recently got a new job that's been pretty demanding of my time, and has me on a crazy schedule. I'm not going to mention exactly who they are (legal issues?), so let's just called them "Large Sports Company". So LSC has me working only around 25 hours a week, but those hours have ranged from 8 in the morning to working overnights from 9pm to 5am. Needless to say, both my sleep schedule and myself have been completely thrown off. Working out was of little concern compared to getting adequate shut eye in-between shifts and renovating my parent's kitchen (they waved a fat check in my face, I had to! I'm poor!). Not to say I'd given up, but my gym wasn't open later than 11pm, which is when I usually get off, and I usually work through my prime running hours of 6-8pm. Plus, I suffered a pretty emotional blow from when I came back home and saw my grandmaster, the man who saw me through my blackbelt years, had retired. I didn't know what to do, I had to give up on my other coach because there's about an hours distance between LSC and his school (my house is 30 mins away from both). So to say I was pretty distraught is an understatement.
But that's all gone now! I'm slowly adjusting to work, and am done with everything but painting for my parents kitchen. Plus, tonight I found a new school. No, it's not taekwondo. I think it's high time I resign myself to training myself for a while. But it is martial arts.
For a while I've played around with the idea of MMA. It's an...interesting phenomenon. I love boxing, I grew up watching it and MMA kind of gave off the boxing vibe to me at first, before it turned into a real version of Pro-Wrestling. The egos, the badmouthing opponents, the babes in short, tight shirts? None of it really screamed martial arts to me, and I was turned off even though the concept of a blended style all-out fight intrigued me. But ever since I read that (personal hero) Ronda Rousey had decided to delve into MMA, I've been determined to re-evaluate it and maybe give it a shot. Then, by luck, a great new MMA place led by a respectable instructor pops up right next to my house! So tonight, I checked it out.
I'll be there at 11am tomorrow to hand over my firsts month's check and get some training in.
Then I'm going on a long Week 4 run, before finally getting around to week 5.
But that's all gone now! I'm slowly adjusting to work, and am done with everything but painting for my parents kitchen. Plus, tonight I found a new school. No, it's not taekwondo. I think it's high time I resign myself to training myself for a while. But it is martial arts.
For a while I've played around with the idea of MMA. It's an...interesting phenomenon. I love boxing, I grew up watching it and MMA kind of gave off the boxing vibe to me at first, before it turned into a real version of Pro-Wrestling. The egos, the badmouthing opponents, the babes in short, tight shirts? None of it really screamed martial arts to me, and I was turned off even though the concept of a blended style all-out fight intrigued me. But ever since I read that (personal hero) Ronda Rousey had decided to delve into MMA, I've been determined to re-evaluate it and maybe give it a shot. Then, by luck, a great new MMA place led by a respectable instructor pops up right next to my house! So tonight, I checked it out.
I'll be there at 11am tomorrow to hand over my firsts month's check and get some training in.
Then I'm going on a long Week 4 run, before finally getting around to week 5.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Week 4 Day 1, C25K
So, I've been lacking a little motivation to blog lately, but I've more than made up for that in workouts. I've been running stairs, sprinting, lifting weights, erging...everything but C25K, it seemed. I don't know why, but I've just been avoiding long distance running. And avoiding this blog because I felt guilty about not talking about C25K.
But today I really needed a long run. So I turned my iPod on, jammed out, and just ran for days. I even considered doing the workout a second time, I felt that good at the end of it. Part of what made it so easy was that I think all my sprint work and stair running has really improved my breathing. Also, I'm really stiff and sore these days. My knees creak, my left hamstring is pulled, and I'm just overall beat down. So I ran W4D1 a little slower than usual, maybe averaging 5.5mph at best. I'm over running fast, and back to running for time instead of distance. I think this is a good move for me, because C25k is no longer my main workout, but one of many. If I'm working out somewhere around 4 hours a day, a 30 minute run shouldn't be my main focus. Plus, C25K really felt like a treat to me today. Other workouts for me are all anaerobic, because taekwondo is anaerobic. C25K really loosened me up and got rid of all that pesky lactic acid I've had floating around. So I'm going to finish the program (I really really want to graduate!), and move onto Gateway to 10K, but its going to be sloooooowwww. Oh well, I can sprint like a mother. Ciao!
But today I really needed a long run. So I turned my iPod on, jammed out, and just ran for days. I even considered doing the workout a second time, I felt that good at the end of it. Part of what made it so easy was that I think all my sprint work and stair running has really improved my breathing. Also, I'm really stiff and sore these days. My knees creak, my left hamstring is pulled, and I'm just overall beat down. So I ran W4D1 a little slower than usual, maybe averaging 5.5mph at best. I'm over running fast, and back to running for time instead of distance. I think this is a good move for me, because C25k is no longer my main workout, but one of many. If I'm working out somewhere around 4 hours a day, a 30 minute run shouldn't be my main focus. Plus, C25K really felt like a treat to me today. Other workouts for me are all anaerobic, because taekwondo is anaerobic. C25K really loosened me up and got rid of all that pesky lactic acid I've had floating around. So I'm going to finish the program (I really really want to graduate!), and move onto Gateway to 10K, but its going to be sloooooowwww. Oh well, I can sprint like a mother. Ciao!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sports Bras and Stadium Stairs
So, I was whining to my mom about how crappy my sports bras were Monday after hip hop (and lots of bouncing), and realized something shocking. I hadn't replaced my sports bras since my senior year of high school. That is horrible. After pondering that, I realized it was because my entire freshman year I did yoga and pilates. Not easy stuff by any means, but hardly high impact.
So I immediately went off to Academy where I scored the deal of a lifetime! I got a sweet new Nike Pro sports bra for $15 (usually $30), and OMG it made all the difference in my run tonight. I felt really free to focus on running instead of "the bounce", and it was awesome. I will never ever again neglect the importance of a proper sports bra. This I vow!
Along with my amazing new sports bra, I just felt really on tonight. I ran stadium stairs and then did a couple of 400's with some fast sprinted 100's. Then I hit the gym and did the elliptical/kick work out. Lots of fun! Going to do some more running tomorrow, I was going to run all of day 3 today, butttttt it got super dark super fast and I was alone...on a track...in the middle of nowhere...
Ciao!
So I immediately went off to Academy where I scored the deal of a lifetime! I got a sweet new Nike Pro sports bra for $15 (usually $30), and OMG it made all the difference in my run tonight. I felt really free to focus on running instead of "the bounce", and it was awesome. I will never ever again neglect the importance of a proper sports bra. This I vow!
Along with my amazing new sports bra, I just felt really on tonight. I ran stadium stairs and then did a couple of 400's with some fast sprinted 100's. Then I hit the gym and did the elliptical/kick work out. Lots of fun! Going to do some more running tomorrow, I was going to run all of day 3 today, butttttt it got super dark super fast and I was alone...on a track...in the middle of nowhere...
Ciao!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Training and Trials
Whoo! Well, I've started working out again, and its so hard...
Monday I had a long hip hop class that was crazy hard! I don't remember hip hop being that hard! I'm not sure I ever mentioned this, but I love dance classes. The rhythm really helps my more creative martial arts forms (especially the musical ones!) and it gets me so warm for my real work outs! So I took a class, then decided to just stretch my kicks and maybe do some light tumbling. Oh was it ever a failed attempt....
My right leg is almost perfect. I still have a great hook kick which is key, and I can still kick about 9 inches over my head when warm, so I was happy about that. Realistically, that's about as much as I could hope for for being out of the game this long. But my left leg...First of all, it's never been my strong leg. Second, that's the leg I have sciatica on, and it shows. I can't get my full range, it just hurts too much. What's so frustrating is that mentally I know its just a nerve, and even though it hurts it's not actually hindering my ability to do anything. But then it hurts and I forget all of that and just wimp out. Le sigh. But I have an appointment with an orthopedic soon, so hopefully he can handle it. I'm just so sick of spine doctors, I could scream. One says, work out, it'll be fine. Another says, just rest, it'll be fine. Well folks, I've done both and nothing has worked. I've been living in pain for a year, and I'm sick of it. I'm really not one to whine, but that's ridiculous. Just imagine having a pulled hamstring. Now have that pain go from your low back to your calf. Then picture living with that for a year. That's what I've gone through, and I'm done. Either someone gives me cortisone, some decent physical therapy, or I'm going to a surgeon. He can cut my piriformis in half and have done with it. He can even do both sides while he's at it! I don't care. Usually I balk at the idea of surgery, and it took like 3 months before I'd have shoulder surgery after I tore all the ligaments in my shoulder, but this I'm down for. I just have to weigh the odds. I only have maybe 10-12 good competition years left, and a ton of catching up to do that's probably going to take me 2 years. After that, I'll have another 4 before I'm really up to peak condition. And by then I'll be 26! Looking at getting married and having kids and graduate school! I do not have time to waste on a long-term condition!
On the bright side, I'm going running tomorrow! I would have gone tonight, but my brother needed math tutoring and since I conquered me some calculus (rocked the final!) I was up for the task and then some. Patiently explaining super easy problems made me wonder if that's how my tutors felt when they were explaining maximizing area problems to me though....Eep!
Overall, I'm keeping the faith alive. This orthopedic will work! Or I'm screwed, whichever! All I'm going to focus on is re-rocking week 3 part tres, and eating right. Speaking of, expect a food post soon! I've got some yummy healthy meals to share!
Monday I had a long hip hop class that was crazy hard! I don't remember hip hop being that hard! I'm not sure I ever mentioned this, but I love dance classes. The rhythm really helps my more creative martial arts forms (especially the musical ones!) and it gets me so warm for my real work outs! So I took a class, then decided to just stretch my kicks and maybe do some light tumbling. Oh was it ever a failed attempt....
My right leg is almost perfect. I still have a great hook kick which is key, and I can still kick about 9 inches over my head when warm, so I was happy about that. Realistically, that's about as much as I could hope for for being out of the game this long. But my left leg...First of all, it's never been my strong leg. Second, that's the leg I have sciatica on, and it shows. I can't get my full range, it just hurts too much. What's so frustrating is that mentally I know its just a nerve, and even though it hurts it's not actually hindering my ability to do anything. But then it hurts and I forget all of that and just wimp out. Le sigh. But I have an appointment with an orthopedic soon, so hopefully he can handle it. I'm just so sick of spine doctors, I could scream. One says, work out, it'll be fine. Another says, just rest, it'll be fine. Well folks, I've done both and nothing has worked. I've been living in pain for a year, and I'm sick of it. I'm really not one to whine, but that's ridiculous. Just imagine having a pulled hamstring. Now have that pain go from your low back to your calf. Then picture living with that for a year. That's what I've gone through, and I'm done. Either someone gives me cortisone, some decent physical therapy, or I'm going to a surgeon. He can cut my piriformis in half and have done with it. He can even do both sides while he's at it! I don't care. Usually I balk at the idea of surgery, and it took like 3 months before I'd have shoulder surgery after I tore all the ligaments in my shoulder, but this I'm down for. I just have to weigh the odds. I only have maybe 10-12 good competition years left, and a ton of catching up to do that's probably going to take me 2 years. After that, I'll have another 4 before I'm really up to peak condition. And by then I'll be 26! Looking at getting married and having kids and graduate school! I do not have time to waste on a long-term condition!
On the bright side, I'm going running tomorrow! I would have gone tonight, but my brother needed math tutoring and since I conquered me some calculus (rocked the final!) I was up for the task and then some. Patiently explaining super easy problems made me wonder if that's how my tutors felt when they were explaining maximizing area problems to me though....Eep!
Overall, I'm keeping the faith alive. This orthopedic will work! Or I'm screwed, whichever! All I'm going to focus on is re-rocking week 3 part tres, and eating right. Speaking of, expect a food post soon! I've got some yummy healthy meals to share!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
GUESS WHO'S BACK?!
OMG, it feels like a different lifetime since I last updated this blog. It hasn't really been all that long, but oh how they days have been long. I've been busy cramming my head so full of junk (yah Accounting, I'm talking to you), that I really haven't worked out at all. This is terrible because I actually depend on my workouts for stress relief, but the gym's been closed and I really haven't had the time or inclination to run. I've literally been in a study coma for the past 2 weeks, and it paid off. I'm not sure how I've done officially yet, but no exam beat me up and took my lunch money so I'm calling it a successful finals season.
In completely unrelated news, I was talking to my best friend MJ via email this past Monday, when she asked me if I was going to try and compete in the NASKA competitions this time around. I was honestly blown away by that question. I hadn't even remotely considered NASKA.
Let me explain. NASKA is a governing organization for a series of tournaments. It's basis is karate, but it's open to all martial arts- primarily for striking ones (kung-fu, taekwondo, tang soo do, etc). It's known for being the main arena for "extreme martial arts", marital arts combined with gymnastics, tricking, and dance. When I was around 13, I thought it was the coolest thing and begged my parents to let me try and take gymnastics to compete in NASKA. They told me no, and I gave it up when I went through my "traditional is the best" phase in high school. Apparently MJ listens to me when I bore her with my taekwondo talk, and she wondered if that's what I wanted to try and compete. I said no, I want to do USAT. I still want to do USAT. USAT is the way to being a state, national, world, Olympic, etc champion and while I may never reach the upper echelons, it's a good way to get my name out in the taekwondo community. But...NASKA is fun. NASKA is a great way to get people interested in martial arts because it "looks cool" and I've always wanted a reason to learn to do a lay out. Anyway, I'm still not sure if I'll compete in NASKA. But now I'm thinking about it. I'll definitely focus first on just getting back into competition shape because right now even my signature spinning hook kick is a hot mess. I only have splits on my left leg. Work needs to be done, and badly. But maybe, just maybe a year and a half from now or so, I'll go for NASKA.
In completely unrelated news, I was talking to my best friend MJ via email this past Monday, when she asked me if I was going to try and compete in the NASKA competitions this time around. I was honestly blown away by that question. I hadn't even remotely considered NASKA.
Let me explain. NASKA is a governing organization for a series of tournaments. It's basis is karate, but it's open to all martial arts- primarily for striking ones (kung-fu, taekwondo, tang soo do, etc). It's known for being the main arena for "extreme martial arts", marital arts combined with gymnastics, tricking, and dance. When I was around 13, I thought it was the coolest thing and begged my parents to let me try and take gymnastics to compete in NASKA. They told me no, and I gave it up when I went through my "traditional is the best" phase in high school. Apparently MJ listens to me when I bore her with my taekwondo talk, and she wondered if that's what I wanted to try and compete. I said no, I want to do USAT. I still want to do USAT. USAT is the way to being a state, national, world, Olympic, etc champion and while I may never reach the upper echelons, it's a good way to get my name out in the taekwondo community. But...NASKA is fun. NASKA is a great way to get people interested in martial arts because it "looks cool" and I've always wanted a reason to learn to do a lay out. Anyway, I'm still not sure if I'll compete in NASKA. But now I'm thinking about it. I'll definitely focus first on just getting back into competition shape because right now even my signature spinning hook kick is a hot mess. I only have splits on my left leg. Work needs to be done, and badly. But maybe, just maybe a year and a half from now or so, I'll go for NASKA.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Quick Update...
Hey y'all,
I know, I know. I never update.
Finals season has hit, and I'm in the midst of a 3 week manic run for summer. Once I finish, I swear I'll get back to updating. For now, it's all I can do to study my butt off and try and get through. Two tests this week, 2 last week, 4 next week. The university just had to schedule all of my finals for 4 days straight, all one day after the other. After that, it'll be summer, and my only obligation will be to c25k, the gym, and taekwondo. And...job hunting. But that's another story.
For now, Accounting owns my soul, and Calculus is making a bid too.
Good news though, I have my official schedule for next fall, and I can FINALLY join the university's taekwondo team. For the past 3 semesters, I've had a discussion group or class at the time of practice (7pm), so I've been ineligible. I'm really excited, they did so well at nationals this year, and next year it'll kick even more butt!
Next update in...2 weeks. Wish me luck!
I know, I know. I never update.
Finals season has hit, and I'm in the midst of a 3 week manic run for summer. Once I finish, I swear I'll get back to updating. For now, it's all I can do to study my butt off and try and get through. Two tests this week, 2 last week, 4 next week. The university just had to schedule all of my finals for 4 days straight, all one day after the other. After that, it'll be summer, and my only obligation will be to c25k, the gym, and taekwondo. And...job hunting. But that's another story.
For now, Accounting owns my soul, and Calculus is making a bid too.
Good news though, I have my official schedule for next fall, and I can FINALLY join the university's taekwondo team. For the past 3 semesters, I've had a discussion group or class at the time of practice (7pm), so I've been ineligible. I'm really excited, they did so well at nationals this year, and next year it'll kick even more butt!
Next update in...2 weeks. Wish me luck!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
W3D2 part deux
So today went exactly as planned, which is amazing!
After Mass I headed over to my university's gym, and hit the elliptical for 35 minutes, and the cycling machine for 32. I burned somewhere near 500 calories, just under as I recall. Then I went to the track and did my version of W3D2, which was a 200, an 800, a 200, and a 400. That 800 was random, I was like, eh, why not go for 600? Before I knew it, I had run a half a mile, and could have gone for longer. But alas, I needed to wrap my run up. Why? Well for one, I'd already burned a whopping 240 calories and...
Because I had to go see Kick Ass!
Seriously, best movie I've seen in a long long time. It just jumped right up on my favorites list. The plot is a little winding, but the characters are adorable, especially Hit Girl. LOVE her. It takes its 'R' rating seriously though, this movie is not for kids. Or really anyone under the age of 17. Seriously folks.
On the bright side, this is the first time I haven't been carded going into an R rated movie. I still have to card for freaking NyQuil.
Maybe because its a college theater? Nah....
Well, that's all I got. Ciao!
After Mass I headed over to my university's gym, and hit the elliptical for 35 minutes, and the cycling machine for 32. I burned somewhere near 500 calories, just under as I recall. Then I went to the track and did my version of W3D2, which was a 200, an 800, a 200, and a 400. That 800 was random, I was like, eh, why not go for 600? Before I knew it, I had run a half a mile, and could have gone for longer. But alas, I needed to wrap my run up. Why? Well for one, I'd already burned a whopping 240 calories and...
Because I had to go see Kick Ass!
Seriously, best movie I've seen in a long long time. It just jumped right up on my favorites list. The plot is a little winding, but the characters are adorable, especially Hit Girl. LOVE her. It takes its 'R' rating seriously though, this movie is not for kids. Or really anyone under the age of 17. Seriously folks.
On the bright side, this is the first time I haven't been carded going into an R rated movie. I still have to card for freaking NyQuil.
Maybe because its a college theater? Nah....
Well, that's all I got. Ciao!
Goals- A closer look.
Wooo, it's been a while yes?
I have all sorts of excuses for my lack of posts/working-out, but mostly can be summed up like this:
Wednesday- Obligatory day off to play with my roomie who's been sick for the past week, so I haven't seen her at all. Since she is one of my closest friends (closest friend in the country, actually), this was tragic and we spent the day frolicking. I had every intention of returning to working out Thursday.
Thursday- Caught cold from roomie. Decided it best to lay low. Temperature was running like a wild mustang from a branding iron.
Friday- Still sick, sciatica flared up horribly because of lack of exercise. Very cranky Emmz was the result.
Saturday- Got my butt up and elliptical-ed, but the university gym was shut down, so I had to use a dorm gym. Suck suck suck suck-tastic equipment. Not going to be making that a habit. Only made it through 30 minutes before I quit, I just could not stand that machine. It misread my HR, didn't seem to be able to do different levels of difficulty at all, and it just didn't feel like working out. Hated it.
Sunday- Woke up early, got breakfast. Am going to take on W3D2 part deux today, along with some major cardio + 100/200. I've decided that because my sciatica flares up after I run, I need to do my runs on S/T/Th- This schedule offers me the next day off from walking, since I don't have class MWF.
Now, goals. Some are the same, some have changed.
1) To make it through c25k even if it kills me...or some innocent pedestrian I motor down.
2) To make it through 100 push-ups/200 squats
3) To make it through my ab routine (posted later)
4) To workout a minimum of 5 hours a week, cardio counted only.
5) To have memorized through Taeguk 4 by the end of the month.
6) To ace my econ final (not related, just very important to me at the moment).
These are all obtainable, and I'm sticking to it. The 5 hours a week is what I'm mostly concerned with. During the summer I'll be getting in some major 20+ hour weeks, and I need need need to prepare my body for that.
Also started a food journal so when I meet up with my nutritionist, she won't say, meet with me again after you've created a food journal! I'm not sure if its the accountability of having to write down what goes in my mouth, or the fact that I cannot eat fast food without hurting anymore, but my diet is surprisingly good. Anyone else journal food to make sure they're eating right? Calories aren't so much a concern for me so much as "Is half this plate veggies? Is that really only 3 oz of meat?" etc. I heard a piece of golden wisdom the other day in "What does this do for my body? Why am I eating this? What does it do for me nutritionally?" I thought it was a genius thing to ask before putting something in your mouth. Really made me think about the Coke in my hand (always regular- never diet, give it up for the no aspartame!)
Well, I'm off to Mass, then the gym. Hope you all have great Sundays, runs, and workouts!
I have all sorts of excuses for my lack of posts/working-out, but mostly can be summed up like this:
Wednesday- Obligatory day off to play with my roomie who's been sick for the past week, so I haven't seen her at all. Since she is one of my closest friends (closest friend in the country, actually), this was tragic and we spent the day frolicking. I had every intention of returning to working out Thursday.
Thursday- Caught cold from roomie. Decided it best to lay low. Temperature was running like a wild mustang from a branding iron.
Friday- Still sick, sciatica flared up horribly because of lack of exercise. Very cranky Emmz was the result.
Saturday- Got my butt up and elliptical-ed, but the university gym was shut down, so I had to use a dorm gym. Suck suck suck suck-tastic equipment. Not going to be making that a habit. Only made it through 30 minutes before I quit, I just could not stand that machine. It misread my HR, didn't seem to be able to do different levels of difficulty at all, and it just didn't feel like working out. Hated it.
Sunday- Woke up early, got breakfast. Am going to take on W3D2 part deux today, along with some major cardio + 100/200. I've decided that because my sciatica flares up after I run, I need to do my runs on S/T/Th- This schedule offers me the next day off from walking, since I don't have class MWF.
Now, goals. Some are the same, some have changed.
1) To make it through c25k even if it kills me...or some innocent pedestrian I motor down.
2) To make it through 100 push-ups/200 squats
3) To make it through my ab routine (posted later)
4) To workout a minimum of 5 hours a week, cardio counted only.
5) To have memorized through Taeguk 4 by the end of the month.
6) To ace my econ final (not related, just very important to me at the moment).
These are all obtainable, and I'm sticking to it. The 5 hours a week is what I'm mostly concerned with. During the summer I'll be getting in some major 20+ hour weeks, and I need need need to prepare my body for that.
Also started a food journal so when I meet up with my nutritionist, she won't say, meet with me again after you've created a food journal! I'm not sure if its the accountability of having to write down what goes in my mouth, or the fact that I cannot eat fast food without hurting anymore, but my diet is surprisingly good. Anyone else journal food to make sure they're eating right? Calories aren't so much a concern for me so much as "Is half this plate veggies? Is that really only 3 oz of meat?" etc. I heard a piece of golden wisdom the other day in "What does this do for my body? Why am I eating this? What does it do for me nutritionally?" I thought it was a genius thing to ask before putting something in your mouth. Really made me think about the Coke in my hand (always regular- never diet, give it up for the no aspartame!)
Well, I'm off to Mass, then the gym. Hope you all have great Sundays, runs, and workouts!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Cardio-fest has begun.
So, I lied. I didn't start my push-ups, etc, today cause I am tired as all gettup. I hit the gym kind of late because I had to, had to, watch the premiere of Glee. Literally, on this campus, if you didn't see it you will have nothing to talk about for the next week. Except maybe Lost, but who watches that nonsense? So, I finally made my way to the gym at 10:30. Luckily, our campus gym is accommodating to time crunched students, so its open till 1 am.
I wanted to try out a new cardio machine today, so I finally made my way round to the elliptical. Holy Burned Calories Batman! In 35 short minutes, I had burned...wait for it...323 calories. CRAP! And it was fun! Like, literally, there I was bouncing up and down on it jamming out to David Bowie and Snoop Dogg. Don't know WHY I haven't tried it before, it was a blast, and is now officially part of my cardio-fest. The best part was how not tired I was on it though. I expected that machine to kick my butt since the only people I ever see on it are tiny tiny little cheerleaders and pom members. Nope. I not only owned it, I even had to raise the intensity several times I owned it so hard. Then I hit the cycling machine, and while I didn't go as far as I normally do, I still burned a more than respectable 247 calories in 42 minutes. That puts me at 570 for the day, which I'll take. By the way, owning the elliptical does not mean it was easy. It means I fought it till the bitter end over how many calories I was going to burn and was sweating bullets at 5 minutes into the workout. Love love love.
Afterwards, some good ol' fashioned stretching was in order. And guess who came to play? Yup, my left split is back! I greeted it with open arms and told it to bring its lazy twin brother right split next time. I'm really excited by my split, it means I'm starting to have the flexibility to train seriously soon. Usually, I rush my splits and wind up with horrible pulled muscles, but this whole taking it slow and steady thing is paying off. The flexibility was always there, I just needed warm enough muscles and some time.
Honestly, my cardio-fest non-running days are starting to seem harder than my running days, so running might be sharing the limelight with 100/200. Maybe. Hard to say, all I know is tomorrow I'z is gonna run, run some more, and then freaking elliptical man!
Ciao babes, hope y'alls workout are awesome!
I wanted to try out a new cardio machine today, so I finally made my way round to the elliptical. Holy Burned Calories Batman! In 35 short minutes, I had burned...wait for it...323 calories. CRAP! And it was fun! Like, literally, there I was bouncing up and down on it jamming out to David Bowie and Snoop Dogg. Don't know WHY I haven't tried it before, it was a blast, and is now officially part of my cardio-fest. The best part was how not tired I was on it though. I expected that machine to kick my butt since the only people I ever see on it are tiny tiny little cheerleaders and pom members. Nope. I not only owned it, I even had to raise the intensity several times I owned it so hard. Then I hit the cycling machine, and while I didn't go as far as I normally do, I still burned a more than respectable 247 calories in 42 minutes. That puts me at 570 for the day, which I'll take. By the way, owning the elliptical does not mean it was easy. It means I fought it till the bitter end over how many calories I was going to burn and was sweating bullets at 5 minutes into the workout. Love love love.
Afterwards, some good ol' fashioned stretching was in order. And guess who came to play? Yup, my left split is back! I greeted it with open arms and told it to bring its lazy twin brother right split next time. I'm really excited by my split, it means I'm starting to have the flexibility to train seriously soon. Usually, I rush my splits and wind up with horrible pulled muscles, but this whole taking it slow and steady thing is paying off. The flexibility was always there, I just needed warm enough muscles and some time.
Honestly, my cardio-fest non-running days are starting to seem harder than my running days, so running might be sharing the limelight with 100/200. Maybe. Hard to say, all I know is tomorrow I'z is gonna run, run some more, and then freaking elliptical man!
Ciao babes, hope y'alls workout are awesome!
Monday, April 12, 2010
W3D1, part 2- The Return of Emmz
So today I hit the asphalt again in hopes of a rise to glory, and I kind of achieved it.
I made a big decision regarding my c25k journey this week, it kind of felt like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books- Distance or Time? If distance, turn to the track. If time, run willy nilly over campus. Well folks, I chose distance!
Like this.
I have a paranoia of timed runs. Back in the cross country days, a light workout was a 30 minute jog. It's what we did before race day. And somewhere in my head, timed runs are just light runs. I push myself harder on the track when I can see exactly how far I have to go. It's just a mental thing. So, I was paranoid that I wasn't running as fast as I should when it was just "run for 3 minutes" and I was right. I go faster on the track. I averaged a respectable 6.7 mph on my runs, and actually walked the walks since this was a recovery run from not running for a week and a half. I'll gradually add back in my jogging at 4.5 over this next week, and see how I feel about week 4. Right now, I'm feeling really good. Plus, on the track, you get to pass people. It's fun. And brings out the absolute worse in my competitive nature, since I focus only on passing the people in front of me, instead of "running my run". But still, I had a blast.
I'm also feeling a little muscle fatigue, since during this week and a half I didn't exactly sit around eating chocolate, as much fun as that sounds. Nope, I've been doing at least 40 minutes of intense cardio a day at my university's gym, usually more. After my run, I popped in there for a quick 35 minute bike ride, and burned somewhere around 500 calories today. Man, that's awesome.
Now, I'm sitting back, eating grapes. and going to do calculus. All in all, a good workout day. Tomorrow, I restart my 200/100/200 program!
I made a big decision regarding my c25k journey this week, it kind of felt like one of those Choose Your Own Adventure books- Distance or Time? If distance, turn to the track. If time, run willy nilly over campus. Well folks, I chose distance!
Like this.
I have a paranoia of timed runs. Back in the cross country days, a light workout was a 30 minute jog. It's what we did before race day. And somewhere in my head, timed runs are just light runs. I push myself harder on the track when I can see exactly how far I have to go. It's just a mental thing. So, I was paranoid that I wasn't running as fast as I should when it was just "run for 3 minutes" and I was right. I go faster on the track. I averaged a respectable 6.7 mph on my runs, and actually walked the walks since this was a recovery run from not running for a week and a half. I'll gradually add back in my jogging at 4.5 over this next week, and see how I feel about week 4. Right now, I'm feeling really good. Plus, on the track, you get to pass people. It's fun. And brings out the absolute worse in my competitive nature, since I focus only on passing the people in front of me, instead of "running my run". But still, I had a blast.
I'm also feeling a little muscle fatigue, since during this week and a half I didn't exactly sit around eating chocolate, as much fun as that sounds. Nope, I've been doing at least 40 minutes of intense cardio a day at my university's gym, usually more. After my run, I popped in there for a quick 35 minute bike ride, and burned somewhere around 500 calories today. Man, that's awesome.
Now, I'm sitting back, eating grapes. and going to do calculus. All in all, a good workout day. Tomorrow, I restart my 200/100/200 program!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Conversations with a madwoman (me)
Well folks, today started off as a big day of suck. I woke up late, my project group in economics are a bunch of freshman that don't understand the word deadline, and my roommate is sick so she's at her parents house for the week, leaving me lonely and starting to feel cranky.
So I needed a really good run.
Well, that didn't happen. I'm discovering that with respiratory infections, the cough stays a long time. So I hit the streets jogging lighlty at a good 4.5 mph and immediately turned into a coughing spazz. Tried to gear it up to run and could only reach about 6mph comfortably, which just blows. Then my knee started to shake and I realized I'd left my brace at home. Then my back decided to remind me that it has issues too! Overall, I got to about a mile and a half and just stopped. Couldn't make myself go any further. Wondered about going to the martial arts room to fart around on their heavy bag, but knew I wouldn't get a good work out just going someplace unstructured. Decision time. Noticing I'm close to the gym, I figure that's as good as anywhere else, and head in. Make my way to the cycle machine, sit down, and hit the fat burner workout and just go for 40 minutes. Sweating like crazy by the end. Forgot how much I liked cycling, some of the toughest workouts I ever had were cycling classes at the Y.
Ultimately, as I was walking home, I still felt down. I'd had a surprisingly great workout, but it wasn't what I wanted. I was whining in my head to myself the whole way home, and began questioning the reality of my situation. It's been a month since I stepped up the cardio and I've only lost 2lbs. I try to eat under 1550 calories a day, but its hard to control your exact diet when your source of food is a cafeteria. I know I'm smaller, I'm down a size in Nike shorts! But the scales at competition don't care about your pant size, and I'm too short to compete in the weight class I'm in at the moment. It was just really frustrating, and I was being pretty hard on myself.
But as I was thinking, one of my favorite sayings came to me. No one has the right to beat you. Often said by one of my favorite fighters Ronda Rousey, it's something I liked to say to myself before fights. But thinking about it this time, I realized no one has the right to be me, including myself. I have no right to be down on myself when I had a good workout. I'm not in fighting shape, I know this. So why should I beat myself up over it? Like everything worth having, this is going to take work. Since this is more worth having than anything else except my degree, it's going to take more work than I've ever put into anything. I need to get over myself, and realize that the reason I'm not in fighting form is because I took two years off serious training. I can't expect to be amazing just because I've decided to do this again. It's going to take time, and I need to accept that and chill.
Now, I'm feeling really good. I burned some crazy calories. I'm gonna hit the cycle machine again tomorrow. Then, I'm going to have the run of my life on Friday. And I'm not going to let my stupid back, knee, or inner voice stop me. I'm not going to let myself beat me.
So I needed a really good run.
Well, that didn't happen. I'm discovering that with respiratory infections, the cough stays a long time. So I hit the streets jogging lighlty at a good 4.5 mph and immediately turned into a coughing spazz. Tried to gear it up to run and could only reach about 6mph comfortably, which just blows. Then my knee started to shake and I realized I'd left my brace at home. Then my back decided to remind me that it has issues too! Overall, I got to about a mile and a half and just stopped. Couldn't make myself go any further. Wondered about going to the martial arts room to fart around on their heavy bag, but knew I wouldn't get a good work out just going someplace unstructured. Decision time. Noticing I'm close to the gym, I figure that's as good as anywhere else, and head in. Make my way to the cycle machine, sit down, and hit the fat burner workout and just go for 40 minutes. Sweating like crazy by the end. Forgot how much I liked cycling, some of the toughest workouts I ever had were cycling classes at the Y.
Ultimately, as I was walking home, I still felt down. I'd had a surprisingly great workout, but it wasn't what I wanted. I was whining in my head to myself the whole way home, and began questioning the reality of my situation. It's been a month since I stepped up the cardio and I've only lost 2lbs. I try to eat under 1550 calories a day, but its hard to control your exact diet when your source of food is a cafeteria. I know I'm smaller, I'm down a size in Nike shorts! But the scales at competition don't care about your pant size, and I'm too short to compete in the weight class I'm in at the moment. It was just really frustrating, and I was being pretty hard on myself.
But as I was thinking, one of my favorite sayings came to me. No one has the right to beat you. Often said by one of my favorite fighters Ronda Rousey, it's something I liked to say to myself before fights. But thinking about it this time, I realized no one has the right to be me, including myself. I have no right to be down on myself when I had a good workout. I'm not in fighting shape, I know this. So why should I beat myself up over it? Like everything worth having, this is going to take work. Since this is more worth having than anything else except my degree, it's going to take more work than I've ever put into anything. I need to get over myself, and realize that the reason I'm not in fighting form is because I took two years off serious training. I can't expect to be amazing just because I've decided to do this again. It's going to take time, and I need to accept that and chill.
Now, I'm feeling really good. I burned some crazy calories. I'm gonna hit the cycle machine again tomorrow. Then, I'm going to have the run of my life on Friday. And I'm not going to let my stupid back, knee, or inner voice stop me. I'm not going to let myself beat me.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Importance of Socks
So, I just came back from kicking some calculus butt, and swung by the track on my way home. Not to run, but to calibrate my Nike+. I knew I needed to calibrate it like, today, because I'm a horrible procrastinator when it comes to things like that, and if I waited too long I would never do it and it would sit on my wrist a really cool watch for eternity. So I manned up and headed down to the track where there were a plethora of hard body types. Ran a lap at my usual pace, passed 4 of 'em. Hahahaaha. Victoryyyyyyy.
But anyways, apparently I fail because it didn't record the 1/4 mile at all. Frustrated I tried again and *cough* actually read the directions this time. Walked the 1/4 mile to get the best reading, and turned it off. It read .28 of a mile at the end of the lap, but that's an easy fix.
Early prediction here guys, I think I'm going to love this thing. As I was flipping through the different settings, it just got coolers and cooler. First of all, the pace reading isn't in mph, it shows your actual mile speed. So if I want to be running constantly at say, 8:15 mile pace, it shows that and I don't have to do math in my head. Awesome. Also, shows how long I've been running. Like, there's a watch mode, and then it goes, you've been running for 3 minutes and 23 seconds...cool! That's perfect for intervals, and once again, I don't have to keep track of times in my head. Also, calories burned? So cool!
So yah....The thing is cool.
Onto the title story, socks. So yesterday during my epic shopping adventure, my mom and I were in Target picking up water, Gatorade, etc. After we've finished up in the toilet paper section, I begin running up and down the cleaning aisle hunting for Febreeze Sport. It's supposed to eliminate the odor of sweat. After not being able to find it, I expressed my intense disappointment to my mother, and the following conversation happened:
Mom- "Why do you want it anyway? Just wash your clothes."
Emmz- "1) It costs $2 to do laundry. I don't think so. 2) I don't need it for my clothes, I need it for my stinky running shoes."
Mom- "Why are your shoes so stinky?"
Emmz- "Because I don't wear socks, duh."
Awkward pause.
Mom- "So...wear socks."
Emmz- "Don't own any."
Mom- "You don't own any socks?!"
Emmz-"Nope.
"Mom- "So you're going to have my buy $5 Febreeze instead of buying socks?"
Emmz- "Ah, see, YOU buying $5 Febreeze is different from me buying socks. Socks are clothes, and since I buy my own clothes, they didn't make the budget this quarter."
Mom-"For crying out loud child, I will buy you socks!"
But anyways, apparently I fail because it didn't record the 1/4 mile at all. Frustrated I tried again and *cough* actually read the directions this time. Walked the 1/4 mile to get the best reading, and turned it off. It read .28 of a mile at the end of the lap, but that's an easy fix.
Early prediction here guys, I think I'm going to love this thing. As I was flipping through the different settings, it just got coolers and cooler. First of all, the pace reading isn't in mph, it shows your actual mile speed. So if I want to be running constantly at say, 8:15 mile pace, it shows that and I don't have to do math in my head. Awesome. Also, shows how long I've been running. Like, there's a watch mode, and then it goes, you've been running for 3 minutes and 23 seconds...cool! That's perfect for intervals, and once again, I don't have to keep track of times in my head. Also, calories burned? So cool!
So yah....The thing is cool.
Onto the title story, socks. So yesterday during my epic shopping adventure, my mom and I were in Target picking up water, Gatorade, etc. After we've finished up in the toilet paper section, I begin running up and down the cleaning aisle hunting for Febreeze Sport. It's supposed to eliminate the odor of sweat. After not being able to find it, I expressed my intense disappointment to my mother, and the following conversation happened:
Mom- "Why do you want it anyway? Just wash your clothes."
Emmz- "1) It costs $2 to do laundry. I don't think so. 2) I don't need it for my clothes, I need it for my stinky running shoes."
Mom- "Why are your shoes so stinky?"
Emmz- "Because I don't wear socks, duh."
Awkward pause.
Mom- "So...wear socks."
Emmz- "Don't own any."
Mom- "You don't own any socks?!"
Emmz-"Nope.
"Mom- "So you're going to have my buy $5 Febreeze instead of buying socks?"
Emmz- "Ah, see, YOU buying $5 Febreeze is different from me buying socks. Socks are clothes, and since I buy my own clothes, they didn't make the budget this quarter."
Mom-"For crying out loud child, I will buy you socks!"
Emmz's Reaction:
Master has given Emmz a sock!
Master has given Emmz a sock!
Why Taekwondo?
So, I was doing some research last night on the interwebs, putting together my competition schedule beginning late December/early January next year when I hope to be ready to return to competition. I'm nervous as all gettup about it, but it makes me want to push harder already.
Meanwhile, the incredibly hilarious B.Jones, who now has a permanent place of honor on this blog, left a great comment mentioning how my posts make him think about putting his kids in martial arts. This got me to thinking about all of the parents I've met while teaching, and several of the questions I receive once someone finds out what my job is. Since I've always wanted a platform to talk about teaching taekwondo on, and now I have one, let's get going!
Question #1- Is it dangerous?
Well, yes and no. Life's dangerous. Sports are dangerous. I can't guarantee that your child won't be hurt doing taekwondo, that's impossible. What I can tell you is my experience. Personally, the only injuries I've ever received doing TKD are a sprained ankle and knee, separated by around 3 years. Yes, you get bruised a bit once you start to spar (practice fight), but Olympic standards dictate that head, chest, arms, hands, shins and feet be covered in padding. Honestly, there are more injuries in cheerleading than TKD. As an instructor, I have never had a student injured seriously during a class.
Question #2-How long will it take to get a blackbelt? Once I have a blackbelt, am I a master?
The first question depends entirely on your system. I've trained under two separate international bodies- International TKD Federation, and World TKD Federation (ITF, WTF). Under both systems the average seemed to run between 2-2.5 years to get a blackbelt. However, I encourage students not to countdown the time until blackbelt. A blackbelt is an amazing achievement, but it is really only the true beginning of a journey in taekwondo. Receiving your first dan means you have mastered all basic techniques. Once you've "crossed over to the other side" you begin to train to teach and share your knowledge, along with beginning to have mastery over other elements like weapons. 7 years after getting my first blackbelt, 13 years after starting training, and I'm still training basic elements like round house kick, because they can always be better.
Question #3- What will my child get out of taekwondo?
There are five tenets to taekwondo- courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. The sport is built around teaching these and impressing these values into their students. Courtesy is impressed by how we must treat our instructors, fellow students, and training hall during class. Bowing, saying thank you, yes ma'am/no ma'am; all of these things are taught in taekwondo. Integrity is taught through pushing students to be honest at home and at school, as well as in TKD class. If a student fails to show integrity in one of these areas, consequences are given (push-ups, missing out on board breaking) in class. Because students want to participate in these activities, many parents see better behavior in their children. Perseverance is one of my favorite tenets, and I think TKD got it right. TKD is one of the only sports where there is a definitive reward system. You are encouraged to persevere through difficult training in order to receive a new belt. It promotes the concept that with hard work, comes great reward. Self-control- It takes impeccable self-control to learn martial arts and not use them. In class, students must exercise self-control to behave properly, but it is outside class where this really comes into effect. In every single school I have trained in, if a student is caught using their martial arts to instigate fights, that student's career could very well be through. TKD is all about knowing how to fight, and knowing that it is a last resort. And finally, indomitable spirit. This comes more from seeing yourself grow as a martial artist more than anything else. By practicing TKD, students come to realize the importance of never backing down on a goal or dream, and this refusal to be beat is what makes champions of all students.
Question #4- Sure, this is great for boys. But what about my daughter?
...Are you really asking a female TKD instructor this?
But seriously, TKD is hands down my favorite martial art for girls, and I'll tell you why. Martial arts is male-dominated, it's true. In many arts, you will not find a single female practitioner. I know this from experience; my brother is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu student, and while I've always been interested in taking it, even as a blackbelt in another martial art I'm uncomfortable taking it up because it is all men. The instructor himself told me he did not have a single female student. But walk into any TKD studio and you will not only find several female students, odds are there will be at least one female instructor. This is mostly because the sport is the largest martial art in the USA, but also because females can truly excel at TKD. Flexibility, agility, grace- all these things are natural to many female athletes, and they shine in TKD. Now, I'm not saying another martial art couldn't be great for females, Ronda Rousey has shown judo can be amazing for girls, I'm just saying odds are your daughter will find better role models, friends, and excellence in TKD. Plus, girls kick guy butt all the time in TKD. Just sayin'.
Question #5- My kids do TKD....can I?
YES! I had a 73 year old man who came with his grandfather and they both got blackbelts together. TKD is for all ages, and instructors are sympathetic if you can't quite bend like an 8 year old. This doesn't mean anyone will go easy on you, it's a workout! But it's amazing fun, and I love seeing parents and children get new belts together. You can't do soccer team with your kid, but you can do TKD. Plus, most families that do it together tend to stick it out, because once the kids lose interest after a year, the parents are totally hooked, keep coming, and eventually the kids find their way back.
Finally, let me just say that TKD is the most rewarding thing I've ever done with my life. One of the main motivating reasons behind me getting back into competitions is so that I will have better credentials to start an experiential psychotherapy program based on the tenets of TKD for children with both learning deficiencies and negative behavior patterns that I hope to practice out of my own do-jang, and eventually introduce into a public school system.
Unfortunately, this requires grad school, so I'm off to study. Calculus, you're about to be schooled!
Meanwhile, the incredibly hilarious B.Jones, who now has a permanent place of honor on this blog, left a great comment mentioning how my posts make him think about putting his kids in martial arts. This got me to thinking about all of the parents I've met while teaching, and several of the questions I receive once someone finds out what my job is. Since I've always wanted a platform to talk about teaching taekwondo on, and now I have one, let's get going!
Question #1- Is it dangerous?
Well, yes and no. Life's dangerous. Sports are dangerous. I can't guarantee that your child won't be hurt doing taekwondo, that's impossible. What I can tell you is my experience. Personally, the only injuries I've ever received doing TKD are a sprained ankle and knee, separated by around 3 years. Yes, you get bruised a bit once you start to spar (practice fight), but Olympic standards dictate that head, chest, arms, hands, shins and feet be covered in padding. Honestly, there are more injuries in cheerleading than TKD. As an instructor, I have never had a student injured seriously during a class.
Question #2-How long will it take to get a blackbelt? Once I have a blackbelt, am I a master?
The first question depends entirely on your system. I've trained under two separate international bodies- International TKD Federation, and World TKD Federation (ITF, WTF). Under both systems the average seemed to run between 2-2.5 years to get a blackbelt. However, I encourage students not to countdown the time until blackbelt. A blackbelt is an amazing achievement, but it is really only the true beginning of a journey in taekwondo. Receiving your first dan means you have mastered all basic techniques. Once you've "crossed over to the other side" you begin to train to teach and share your knowledge, along with beginning to have mastery over other elements like weapons. 7 years after getting my first blackbelt, 13 years after starting training, and I'm still training basic elements like round house kick, because they can always be better.
Question #3- What will my child get out of taekwondo?
There are five tenets to taekwondo- courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. The sport is built around teaching these and impressing these values into their students. Courtesy is impressed by how we must treat our instructors, fellow students, and training hall during class. Bowing, saying thank you, yes ma'am/no ma'am; all of these things are taught in taekwondo. Integrity is taught through pushing students to be honest at home and at school, as well as in TKD class. If a student fails to show integrity in one of these areas, consequences are given (push-ups, missing out on board breaking) in class. Because students want to participate in these activities, many parents see better behavior in their children. Perseverance is one of my favorite tenets, and I think TKD got it right. TKD is one of the only sports where there is a definitive reward system. You are encouraged to persevere through difficult training in order to receive a new belt. It promotes the concept that with hard work, comes great reward. Self-control- It takes impeccable self-control to learn martial arts and not use them. In class, students must exercise self-control to behave properly, but it is outside class where this really comes into effect. In every single school I have trained in, if a student is caught using their martial arts to instigate fights, that student's career could very well be through. TKD is all about knowing how to fight, and knowing that it is a last resort. And finally, indomitable spirit. This comes more from seeing yourself grow as a martial artist more than anything else. By practicing TKD, students come to realize the importance of never backing down on a goal or dream, and this refusal to be beat is what makes champions of all students.
Question #4- Sure, this is great for boys. But what about my daughter?
...Are you really asking a female TKD instructor this?
But seriously, TKD is hands down my favorite martial art for girls, and I'll tell you why. Martial arts is male-dominated, it's true. In many arts, you will not find a single female practitioner. I know this from experience; my brother is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu student, and while I've always been interested in taking it, even as a blackbelt in another martial art I'm uncomfortable taking it up because it is all men. The instructor himself told me he did not have a single female student. But walk into any TKD studio and you will not only find several female students, odds are there will be at least one female instructor. This is mostly because the sport is the largest martial art in the USA, but also because females can truly excel at TKD. Flexibility, agility, grace- all these things are natural to many female athletes, and they shine in TKD. Now, I'm not saying another martial art couldn't be great for females, Ronda Rousey has shown judo can be amazing for girls, I'm just saying odds are your daughter will find better role models, friends, and excellence in TKD. Plus, girls kick guy butt all the time in TKD. Just sayin'.
Question #5- My kids do TKD....can I?
YES! I had a 73 year old man who came with his grandfather and they both got blackbelts together. TKD is for all ages, and instructors are sympathetic if you can't quite bend like an 8 year old. This doesn't mean anyone will go easy on you, it's a workout! But it's amazing fun, and I love seeing parents and children get new belts together. You can't do soccer team with your kid, but you can do TKD. Plus, most families that do it together tend to stick it out, because once the kids lose interest after a year, the parents are totally hooked, keep coming, and eventually the kids find their way back.
Finally, let me just say that TKD is the most rewarding thing I've ever done with my life. One of the main motivating reasons behind me getting back into competitions is so that I will have better credentials to start an experiential psychotherapy program based on the tenets of TKD for children with both learning deficiencies and negative behavior patterns that I hope to practice out of my own do-jang, and eventually introduce into a public school system.
Unfortunately, this requires grad school, so I'm off to study. Calculus, you're about to be schooled!
Monday, April 5, 2010
With great gear comes great responsibility...
So, today my mom and I set sail on a 3 hour drive to drop me back off in Austin. And since I'm a retail merchandising (cough shopping cough) major, and she's the mother of a retail merchandising major, we had to stop in the outlet malls along our way there.
Why is this relevant?
Cause I got mad fitness equipment man!
Then I went on an epic quest to find the perfect running shirt. Why epic? Let's take it back a bit, and you'll see.
I live in Texas. Texas is HOT. Now, my part of Texas, the Austin variety, was pretty cool this winter. We actually had snow! I'd never seen snow before!
Miracle.
So I got to run in my favorite outfit ever for the first couple of weeks of C25K. That would be Nike running shorts, sports bra (NOT NIKE!!!!), and Nike running jacket I scored for $20 a year ago at the Nike outlet. It's comfy, cozy, and jackets give lots of support to girls. However, during my last run I realized this outfit was no longer practical. Its getting too hot to run in long sleeves, and I can't run late at night when it is cool enough, its too dangerous downtown. So I go to look for some running shirts. I prefer my running shirts to be loose fitting and long. Not too picky of criteria, yes? Apparently not. Neither Reebox, Adidas, or New Balance had anything that wasn't skin tight or racer back. I don't run for practice in racer backs on principle, in the Texas sun you get burned like crazy and I have tendency to forget sunscreen. I finally caved and went into Under Armor which I cheat on Nike with, but its kind of a pricey. Scored the perfect shirt for $20. Not too bad. Not as good as B.Jones, but we can't all be Goodwill gurus.
But the biggest, best part of this new equipment spree was what my dad surprised me with when I got home from Austin this weekend.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is a NEW HEAVY BAG.
I wish I had a picture of the old one.
It was red, leather softened with age, and literally had duck tape wrapped around the middle to keep it together from 2 separate times where it was split it half by back kicks, first time by my 9 blackbelt holding godfather, and the 2nd time by me. I loved that ol' bag, and I'm glad it was passed on to a young martial artist in the neighborhood. But as sad as I was initially to see my bad was gone...um, hello? That new bag is amazing!
All in all, excited to use my new gear as soon as possible!
Why is this relevant?
Cause I got mad fitness equipment man!
We first stopped off in the Nike outlet store, because I'd been convinced to try out the Nike+ Sportband. I'm really excited to run with it, hopefully going to bust it out Wednesday. Meanwhile, it's going to get charged and sit all spiffy on my wrist tomorrow. Cause it's a watch too!
Watch.
Watch.Second, I grabbed a sweet jump rope also from Nike. It's an adjustable speed rope, and I'll write more about it later. Let's just say, it's part 3 of my plan.
Not a watch.
Not a watch. Then I went on an epic quest to find the perfect running shirt. Why epic? Let's take it back a bit, and you'll see.
I live in Texas. Texas is HOT. Now, my part of Texas, the Austin variety, was pretty cool this winter. We actually had snow! I'd never seen snow before!
Miracle.So I got to run in my favorite outfit ever for the first couple of weeks of C25K. That would be Nike running shorts, sports bra (NOT NIKE!!!!), and Nike running jacket I scored for $20 a year ago at the Nike outlet. It's comfy, cozy, and jackets give lots of support to girls. However, during my last run I realized this outfit was no longer practical. Its getting too hot to run in long sleeves, and I can't run late at night when it is cool enough, its too dangerous downtown. So I go to look for some running shirts. I prefer my running shirts to be loose fitting and long. Not too picky of criteria, yes? Apparently not. Neither Reebox, Adidas, or New Balance had anything that wasn't skin tight or racer back. I don't run for practice in racer backs on principle, in the Texas sun you get burned like crazy and I have tendency to forget sunscreen. I finally caved and went into Under Armor which I cheat on Nike with, but its kind of a pricey. Scored the perfect shirt for $20. Not too bad. Not as good as B.Jones, but we can't all be Goodwill gurus.
But the biggest, best part of this new equipment spree was what my dad surprised me with when I got home from Austin this weekend.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is a NEW HEAVY BAG.I wish I had a picture of the old one.
It was red, leather softened with age, and literally had duck tape wrapped around the middle to keep it together from 2 separate times where it was split it half by back kicks, first time by my 9 blackbelt holding godfather, and the 2nd time by me. I loved that ol' bag, and I'm glad it was passed on to a young martial artist in the neighborhood. But as sad as I was initially to see my bad was gone...um, hello? That new bag is amazing!
All in all, excited to use my new gear as soon as possible!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Blood Pressure Machines hate me
So today I took a quick journey to the doctors to be told in a total of maybe 3 minutes that I had an upper respiratory infection, and given a prescription. Awesome, so I'll be running by tomorrow right?...Right?
Whatever.
Since I have no new news on exercise, thought I'd take a day to deal with a personal gripe. Blood pressure machines hate me.
Every single time I go to the doctors, I'm saddled up with a blood pressure machine which spits out some (varying) ridiculously high or low number. Since I'm young and look like exactly what I am, a former athlete gone slightly to seed, I often get super confused looks.
"Do you have a history of high/low blood pressure?"
"No."
"Did you drink a lot of caffeine....?"
"No."
"...I'm going to take it manually."
"You do that."
Manually, I'm golden. I'm so golden, I get the same reading every time (114/79). I'm told I have a great heart beat, and they can't figure out why the machine hates me. I'm not worried about having high/low blood pressure, especially since this is the 5th time this has happened, and every time they take it manually I'm fine. This worries me because I don't want to go on some bogus high blood pressure medication and wind up passing out in the middle of a run. This worries me because I hope its not happening to other people who might not be so quick to challenge it.
This also worries me because it makes me question all sorts of heart monitoring equipment. What if I buy a Garmin and the heart rate monitor hates me too?
Maybe its just me.
But if any of you other runners out there ever get a bogus reading off a machine with a vendetta, challenge it. Take the extra 3 minutes to get it checked manually. Fight the power!
Whatever.
Since I have no new news on exercise, thought I'd take a day to deal with a personal gripe. Blood pressure machines hate me.
Every single time I go to the doctors, I'm saddled up with a blood pressure machine which spits out some (varying) ridiculously high or low number. Since I'm young and look like exactly what I am, a former athlete gone slightly to seed, I often get super confused looks.
"Do you have a history of high/low blood pressure?"
"No."
"Did you drink a lot of caffeine....?"
"No."
"...I'm going to take it manually."
"You do that."
Manually, I'm golden. I'm so golden, I get the same reading every time (114/79). I'm told I have a great heart beat, and they can't figure out why the machine hates me. I'm not worried about having high/low blood pressure, especially since this is the 5th time this has happened, and every time they take it manually I'm fine. This worries me because I don't want to go on some bogus high blood pressure medication and wind up passing out in the middle of a run. This worries me because I hope its not happening to other people who might not be so quick to challenge it.
This also worries me because it makes me question all sorts of heart monitoring equipment. What if I buy a Garmin and the heart rate monitor hates me too?
Maybe its just me.
But if any of you other runners out there ever get a bogus reading off a machine with a vendetta, challenge it. Take the extra 3 minutes to get it checked manually. Fight the power!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Emmz vs. Emmz's Body, Round 2, Down for the count
When I last wrote, I was optimistic. I had a fever, but I wasn't feeling too crazy bad. 3 hours later, I could barely move and had never felt such a fever in my adult life. Whipped out my emergency thermometer, thinking it had to be over 100.
103.2
Ouch.
I immediately called my mommy despite it being 2 am, who called our doctor, who told me to take aspirin, use tepid wash cloths, and lay around in my skivvies.
2.5 hours later, I'm down to 99. 0, thank God, and feeling much better.
Don't think I'll be up to running tomorrow, and no reason I should be. Definitely going to lay low this entire weekend. Also thinking I'm going to repeat week 3. I want to get my speed up, and this whole illness thing just going to knock me back. But I'm in no hurry, my original end date was somewhere around May 9th, and I'm not making it back to Cypress (hometown) for summer until May 21st, which is when I really wanted to be done by. In happier news, parents will be here to pick me up in the morning for Easter, and I can't wait to be home.
A little annoyed that just as I'm getting into the swing of things that something like this happened, but you gotta roll with the punches.
103.2
Ouch.
I immediately called my mommy despite it being 2 am, who called our doctor, who told me to take aspirin, use tepid wash cloths, and lay around in my skivvies.
2.5 hours later, I'm down to 99. 0, thank God, and feeling much better.
Don't think I'll be up to running tomorrow, and no reason I should be. Definitely going to lay low this entire weekend. Also thinking I'm going to repeat week 3. I want to get my speed up, and this whole illness thing just going to knock me back. But I'm in no hurry, my original end date was somewhere around May 9th, and I'm not making it back to Cypress (hometown) for summer until May 21st, which is when I really wanted to be done by. In happier news, parents will be here to pick me up in the morning for Easter, and I can't wait to be home.
A little annoyed that just as I'm getting into the swing of things that something like this happened, but you gotta roll with the punches.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Emmz vs. Emmz's Body, round 1
So in addition to being a running goddess (or something close to that), I am a student. Students have tests. Students don't always study for these tests in time because 3 of their 4 classes decided to have tests/papers due in the same week. So, I pulled an all nighter. Yah, yah, its bad for you! You'll never retain the same amount of information if you studied properly! I get it. I'm usually responsible and don't pull them, I just had absolutely no choice.
The result? An aced exam and broken down body. I started getting coughing fits somewhere around 2am, and its just turned into a pretty bad cold. I'm feverish, broken down coughing, want my mommy, and have only been able to keep down around 300 calories. While I usually feel pretty bad after all-nighters, its never this bad. Think I'm going to blame this on not wiping down my exercise equipment at the gym before using it. I tried to, but they were all out sanitation wipes. Note to self- bring my own! Since our gym is used by around....30,000 students? I'd say thats a smart idea. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep the exercise to a bare minimum and just do my 100/200/200 and maybe some super light yoga. This isn't because I'm a masochist who wants to push myself when I'm down, I need to stretch my muscles or event if I'm physically able to run tomorrow, my legs will hate me.
Excited to go home tomorrow and hopefully get a run in over the weekend. Fingers crossed!
The result? An aced exam and broken down body. I started getting coughing fits somewhere around 2am, and its just turned into a pretty bad cold. I'm feverish, broken down coughing, want my mommy, and have only been able to keep down around 300 calories. While I usually feel pretty bad after all-nighters, its never this bad. Think I'm going to blame this on not wiping down my exercise equipment at the gym before using it. I tried to, but they were all out sanitation wipes. Note to self- bring my own! Since our gym is used by around....30,000 students? I'd say thats a smart idea. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep the exercise to a bare minimum and just do my 100/200/200 and maybe some super light yoga. This isn't because I'm a masochist who wants to push myself when I'm down, I need to stretch my muscles or event if I'm physically able to run tomorrow, my legs will hate me.
Excited to go home tomorrow and hopefully get a run in over the weekend. Fingers crossed!
Sweet Dreams
So, last night I had a dream about running.
I don't remember the specifics, all I know is that it was actually about running and not just me running away from something, or towards something (like ice cream..hmmm, ice cream).
This made me stop and give pause though, because, well...dreams are highly personal things. Who is this running to jump all up into them and interrupt me from doing something better like kissing Alan Rickman or eating ice cream (man, I want ice cream).
It took me a whole semester to dream about college instead of high school. Yup, I was sleeping soundly in my dorm, dreaming that I was going to miss a paper date or something to that effect in my old senior English class.
So, how on Earth after only almost-4-weeks did running manage to pop up into my sub-conscious?
Maybe because, thanks to the amazing inspiration stories over at c25k.com, its become my new favorite thing. I remember reading a post on the forums over there about when you know you're a runner. And I thought to myself, I never want to be a runner, I want to be someone who runs to train for taekwondo. But after reading about so many people who want only to run, and how much happiness it brings them it's completely changed my perspective on running. I want to be a runner.
An old taekwondo coach of mine once told me, if you have time to be something else, you're not trying hard enough. He was referring to my propensity to skip practice to go to rowing camps at the time, but over the years it has stuck with me and it was with that attitude that I began c25k. I was using the program to build up my cardio and lose weight with the sole purpose of being able to get back into the do-jang. Now, I'm running to run. And after I get back into the do-jang, I'm going to run. And once my career is over, and I'm old and pooping out babies, I'm going to run. And as I'm running, I'm going to remind myself, gosh darnit, I like this. Because I can be a runner and a taekwondoist. They're not competing with each other. And yah, I'm going to use running to train for tkd. But I'm also going to use tkd to train to run.
I am so excited to be a runner.
I don't remember the specifics, all I know is that it was actually about running and not just me running away from something, or towards something (like ice cream..hmmm, ice cream).
This made me stop and give pause though, because, well...dreams are highly personal things. Who is this running to jump all up into them and interrupt me from doing something better like kissing Alan Rickman or eating ice cream (man, I want ice cream).
It took me a whole semester to dream about college instead of high school. Yup, I was sleeping soundly in my dorm, dreaming that I was going to miss a paper date or something to that effect in my old senior English class.
So, how on Earth after only almost-4-weeks did running manage to pop up into my sub-conscious?
Maybe because, thanks to the amazing inspiration stories over at c25k.com, its become my new favorite thing. I remember reading a post on the forums over there about when you know you're a runner. And I thought to myself, I never want to be a runner, I want to be someone who runs to train for taekwondo. But after reading about so many people who want only to run, and how much happiness it brings them it's completely changed my perspective on running. I want to be a runner.
An old taekwondo coach of mine once told me, if you have time to be something else, you're not trying hard enough. He was referring to my propensity to skip practice to go to rowing camps at the time, but over the years it has stuck with me and it was with that attitude that I began c25k. I was using the program to build up my cardio and lose weight with the sole purpose of being able to get back into the do-jang. Now, I'm running to run. And after I get back into the do-jang, I'm going to run. And once my career is over, and I'm old and pooping out babies, I'm going to run. And as I'm running, I'm going to remind myself, gosh darnit, I like this. Because I can be a runner and a taekwondoist. They're not competing with each other. And yah, I'm going to use running to train for tkd. But I'm also going to use tkd to train to run.
I am so excited to be a runner.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
W3D2
Today was a bit of a weird run. At first, I wasn't even sure that I was going to make my run, but I like blogging. To blog, I must work out. Ohhh, I think this thing is working.
Once I hit the pavement, I knew I wasn't stopping. My legs stretched out nice and wide and away I went across campus. Strangely, even once I hit my nemesis, 3 minute jog after 3 minute run, my breathing was fine. My legs, however, cried mutiny. They worked out yesterday, and boy were they not happy. I think my pace must have been slower than usual, just because my legs were dying and my breathing wasn't, but I don't really care anymore. I'm running longer than ever, at a good pace, and seeing results. As those crazy wise sensei's over at the c25k forums have been chanting "speed will come". Plus, I totes passed a girl way skinnier than me. ;).
This run did confirm my need for a watch though. I like knowing how long I have left, it makes me work harder, and podcasts just leave me guessing at how much longer I have. I want the play-by-play man!
Well, now that that's over, I'm off to enjoy some apple jacks! Hope everyone has good runs!
Once I hit the pavement, I knew I wasn't stopping. My legs stretched out nice and wide and away I went across campus. Strangely, even once I hit my nemesis, 3 minute jog after 3 minute run, my breathing was fine. My legs, however, cried mutiny. They worked out yesterday, and boy were they not happy. I think my pace must have been slower than usual, just because my legs were dying and my breathing wasn't, but I don't really care anymore. I'm running longer than ever, at a good pace, and seeing results. As those crazy wise sensei's over at the c25k forums have been chanting "speed will come". Plus, I totes passed a girl way skinnier than me. ;).
This run did confirm my need for a watch though. I like knowing how long I have left, it makes me work harder, and podcasts just leave me guessing at how much longer I have. I want the play-by-play man!
Well, now that that's over, I'm off to enjoy some apple jacks! Hope everyone has good runs!
Inspiration
So, this post is going to be one of those posts-which-is-the-reason-why-Emmz-goes-by-nickname-only-online-and-doesn't-post-an-identifying-picture post. That, and I'm keeping the whole return to competitive tkd hush hush from people I know IRL until I can back up the talk with some solid tournament performances/getting back into my weight category. You people on the internet? You get me, you struggle with me! You find 1 minute runs hard too!
But yes, back to me embarrassing myself online.
I really want to know what other people do to get pumped. For what? Anything. Running, specifically, but if you have some awesome pre-board meeting ritual, share that too. Me? I listen to the same two songs, over and over and over again. At least 5 times each. I wish I was kidding. The sad thing is, I don't even own the two songs (yet...). I listen to them on youtube, until hopefully this weekend where the Easter bunny will give me some iTunes gift cards and running socks in my basket. If not, then the bunny is going to be given a strict talk about listening to me when I drop my signature subtlety like "Hey Mom, this weekend's Easter. By the way, iTunes are awesome, don't you think they're awesome? You know what's really awesome about iTunes? They sell giftcards! Yah, right there, in the store, like where you're going to buy my Easter presents....Mom?" But I digress.
The songs that have me tapping my toes, fingers, keyboard, wall, etc. are:
And...
Yah, yah. Not exactly the classics. But they're amazing work out jams.
Now, if listening to a total of two songs on repeat at least 30 times (more like 50) for the past 3 weeks weren't enough to convince you of my nerd-ocity, I introduce you to Emmz's guaranteed inspiration part two:
I never did gymnastics competitively, never even tried it except for a few misguided months at age 5 which resulted in a broken arm and an introduction to the much safer martial art of taekwondo. But it awes me. Probably due to the fact that I've never tried it. I've ran, thrown dicuses (discii?), rowed, played every sport they offer at the YMCA, took and aced a fencing class, tap danced, ice-skated, kayaked, etc. Basically, I've tried a lot of sports. And I could physically do them all well, albeit no where even near Olympic level. But that? That what she's doing right there on that beam? I could never, ever, ever do that. Gymnastics is one of those sports that is just non-recreational. No one's like, well, guess I'll just hit the ol' balance beam for a quick sweat session! It's total commitment. It's a lifestyle. It's a sport so hard, careers end mid-teens. And that just blows my mind. So, if I'm ever feeling whiney about a run (so, like every run), I watch that. And think, man, if she can go out there and do that, the least I can do is go run. Boom. Guaranteed inspiration.
So what's yours?
But yes, back to me embarrassing myself online.
I really want to know what other people do to get pumped. For what? Anything. Running, specifically, but if you have some awesome pre-board meeting ritual, share that too. Me? I listen to the same two songs, over and over and over again. At least 5 times each. I wish I was kidding. The sad thing is, I don't even own the two songs (yet...). I listen to them on youtube, until hopefully this weekend where the Easter bunny will give me some iTunes gift cards and running socks in my basket. If not, then the bunny is going to be given a strict talk about listening to me when I drop my signature subtlety like "Hey Mom, this weekend's Easter. By the way, iTunes are awesome, don't you think they're awesome? You know what's really awesome about iTunes? They sell giftcards! Yah, right there, in the store, like where you're going to buy my Easter presents....Mom?" But I digress.
The songs that have me tapping my toes, fingers, keyboard, wall, etc. are:
And...
Yah, yah. Not exactly the classics. But they're amazing work out jams.
Now, if listening to a total of two songs on repeat at least 30 times (more like 50) for the past 3 weeks weren't enough to convince you of my nerd-ocity, I introduce you to Emmz's guaranteed inspiration part two:
I never did gymnastics competitively, never even tried it except for a few misguided months at age 5 which resulted in a broken arm and an introduction to the much safer martial art of taekwondo. But it awes me. Probably due to the fact that I've never tried it. I've ran, thrown dicuses (discii?), rowed, played every sport they offer at the YMCA, took and aced a fencing class, tap danced, ice-skated, kayaked, etc. Basically, I've tried a lot of sports. And I could physically do them all well, albeit no where even near Olympic level. But that? That what she's doing right there on that beam? I could never, ever, ever do that. Gymnastics is one of those sports that is just non-recreational. No one's like, well, guess I'll just hit the ol' balance beam for a quick sweat session! It's total commitment. It's a lifestyle. It's a sport so hard, careers end mid-teens. And that just blows my mind. So, if I'm ever feeling whiney about a run (so, like every run), I watch that. And think, man, if she can go out there and do that, the least I can do is go run. Boom. Guaranteed inspiration.
So what's yours?
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Blistered, but not broken!
So after hunting around for a good secondary cardio workout, I decided today to return to my good friend the erg (indoor rowing machine). I've spent quite some time bonding with that piece of equipment over the last 4 years, and today was a bittersweet reunion. Bitter because that workout kicked my butt. Sweet because that workout kicked my butt.
I couldn't decide on a workout to do, so I mixed it up with 10 minutes of 1 minute hard (under 2 minute split time), 1 minute rest(whatever I could manage). Then I did a solid 20 minutes at my 5K pace, which was pretty darn good cardio. The erg is actually a great workout for taekwondoists. I found this out when I didn't totally suck returning to tkd after my first rowing season in HS, but in a weird way it makes sense. The erg works all muscles in the body, but focuses on the legs, like tkd. It's a mixture of anaerobic and aerobic, like tkd. It often deals with short sprints of all out effort...like tkd. And while the effin' thing gave me blisters since my formerly calloused hands have gone all soft and manicured, I definitely think I'll be adding it back in on my off-running days. Its the only workout I've found that burns more calories than running, and it has a strength training element built in since every stroke is essentially a dead lift on crack. Not sure if I'll do it every off-day, I'm contemplating bike machines too, but its definitely going to get a whirl at least once a week.
Speaking of strength training, I also started my 100/200/200 program today. Ouch. I'm already feeling it in my abs, which might be from the erging too, but it definitely did not help to drop and do like 5033454 crunches. Push-ups wasn't as bad as I thought, but I need to work on form a LOT. Overall, I'm feeling that nice tightness in my legs and back that says, hey, you worked out. I love that feeling.
Who knows, 6 weeks from now I might actually start feeling like an athlete again. For now, I'm beginning to feel like a return to glory might just, maybe be possible. But until I find out, I'm just going to enjoy the ride.
W3D2 tomorrow. So pumped.
I couldn't decide on a workout to do, so I mixed it up with 10 minutes of 1 minute hard (under 2 minute split time), 1 minute rest(whatever I could manage). Then I did a solid 20 minutes at my 5K pace, which was pretty darn good cardio. The erg is actually a great workout for taekwondoists. I found this out when I didn't totally suck returning to tkd after my first rowing season in HS, but in a weird way it makes sense. The erg works all muscles in the body, but focuses on the legs, like tkd. It's a mixture of anaerobic and aerobic, like tkd. It often deals with short sprints of all out effort...like tkd. And while the effin' thing gave me blisters since my formerly calloused hands have gone all soft and manicured, I definitely think I'll be adding it back in on my off-running days. Its the only workout I've found that burns more calories than running, and it has a strength training element built in since every stroke is essentially a dead lift on crack. Not sure if I'll do it every off-day, I'm contemplating bike machines too, but its definitely going to get a whirl at least once a week.
Speaking of strength training, I also started my 100/200/200 program today. Ouch. I'm already feeling it in my abs, which might be from the erging too, but it definitely did not help to drop and do like 5033454 crunches. Push-ups wasn't as bad as I thought, but I need to work on form a LOT. Overall, I'm feeling that nice tightness in my legs and back that says, hey, you worked out. I love that feeling.
Who knows, 6 weeks from now I might actually start feeling like an athlete again. For now, I'm beginning to feel like a return to glory might just, maybe be possible. But until I find out, I'm just going to enjoy the ride.
W3D2 tomorrow. So pumped.
Monday, March 29, 2010
More controversial than healthcare...
So, in my research into how people
a) make it through c25k
and
b) manage to get all runner-tastic in the process
I came across several bloggers who went into the treadmill vs. open road debate. Figured since I'm doing this blarg thing, I might as well chime in.
I hate treadmills.
No, not strong enough?
I wouldn't run on a treadmill if David Bowie's career depended on it. And I love me some David Bowie.
Let me take you back a few years.
In preparation for 7th grade cross country, a friend and I had a sleepover 2 days before school. We decided to get on my dad's treadmill to train since we'd been up late eating gushers and giggling over Clay, the jr. high hottie. So I get on, and everything's going so well, I neglect to put on that safety strap/emergency stop thing. You can see where this is going? So, my friend says that I'll never make track (note, we were training for cross country) if I can't go 15 mph. That would be the top setting on my dad's treadmill. Failing to recognize that that meant a 4 minute mile, I go, "Sure, crank it up." Well, all's fine and dandy for about 30 seconds. Then shit hits the fan. Treadmills are slow. Treadmills don't adjust quickly to a new pace. If you can't keep up with your treadmill, and you're a dumb 12 year old who didn't use the safety strap, you're screwed. Not only did I literally get slammed into the opposite wall after tripping at 15 mph, but that wall was literally right next to the treadmill so my whole right side got whammed by the treadmill as it continued to run while my friend freaked out and tried to figure out how to turn the damn thing off. The result? Imagine a scraped knee from your ankle to your training bra. Yah, not fun. And just in times for try-outs.
Now, while that story was completely my fault for being an arrogant 12 year old, it illustrates what I hate most about every treadmill I've ever tried:
They're slow to change. When I run, I go from around 6-7.5mph running to 4.5 jog flat. Try doing that in less than 5 seconds on a treadmill.
Also, I always feel like I'm working so much harder on a treadmill, and going way slower. Maybe it's a mental thing, but it's how I feel.
Plus, even if I make it to ten million miles on a treadmill, no way can I do it outside. It's like indoor rowing, sure I can hit a 1:37 split inside, but in a real boat? Naw.
Note, I'm not putting down treadmill users. If that's what works, do it. I wish I could stand to use one, so I wouldn't have to schedule my runs so diligently, and instead just grab an empty machine in the gym. But I can't.
I hate them.
a) make it through c25k
and
b) manage to get all runner-tastic in the process
I came across several bloggers who went into the treadmill vs. open road debate. Figured since I'm doing this blarg thing, I might as well chime in.
I hate treadmills.
No, not strong enough?
I wouldn't run on a treadmill if David Bowie's career depended on it. And I love me some David Bowie.
Let me take you back a few years.
In preparation for 7th grade cross country, a friend and I had a sleepover 2 days before school. We decided to get on my dad's treadmill to train since we'd been up late eating gushers and giggling over Clay, the jr. high hottie. So I get on, and everything's going so well, I neglect to put on that safety strap/emergency stop thing. You can see where this is going? So, my friend says that I'll never make track (note, we were training for cross country) if I can't go 15 mph. That would be the top setting on my dad's treadmill. Failing to recognize that that meant a 4 minute mile, I go, "Sure, crank it up." Well, all's fine and dandy for about 30 seconds. Then shit hits the fan. Treadmills are slow. Treadmills don't adjust quickly to a new pace. If you can't keep up with your treadmill, and you're a dumb 12 year old who didn't use the safety strap, you're screwed. Not only did I literally get slammed into the opposite wall after tripping at 15 mph, but that wall was literally right next to the treadmill so my whole right side got whammed by the treadmill as it continued to run while my friend freaked out and tried to figure out how to turn the damn thing off. The result? Imagine a scraped knee from your ankle to your training bra. Yah, not fun. And just in times for try-outs.
Now, while that story was completely my fault for being an arrogant 12 year old, it illustrates what I hate most about every treadmill I've ever tried:
They're slow to change. When I run, I go from around 6-7.5mph running to 4.5 jog flat. Try doing that in less than 5 seconds on a treadmill.
Also, I always feel like I'm working so much harder on a treadmill, and going way slower. Maybe it's a mental thing, but it's how I feel.
Plus, even if I make it to ten million miles on a treadmill, no way can I do it outside. It's like indoor rowing, sure I can hit a 1:37 split inside, but in a real boat? Naw.
Note, I'm not putting down treadmill users. If that's what works, do it. I wish I could stand to use one, so I wouldn't have to schedule my runs so diligently, and instead just grab an empty machine in the gym. But I can't.
I hate them.
The Knee goes....Crack!
So, since I'm on a weird schedule due to a few 3 day breaks from running, I've decided to lengthen this week to 4 runs, W3D1 was on Saturday, W3D1.5 today, W3D2 Wednesday, and round it out with W3D3 on Friday. This should hopefully get me on a nice 3 day MWF schedule for next week.
I'd already made this decision once I hit the pavement, and boy did my body know it. It decided to totally wimp out somewhere after my first 3 minute run and went, nope! We don't want to jog the next 3 minutes. Our knee hurts. It's hot. Oh look! A duck! And so, I managed a moderately respectable repeat of W3D1, which was Jog warm up, run 90, jog 90, run 3, walk 3, run 90, walk 90, run 3. Walkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. I threw some 100m stride exercises in there at the end just because I felt a little guilty for not pushing myself through that 3 min jog.
On the subject of my title, this night was a bit of a repeat of W2D2, where my knee went, hey remember me? You sprained me as a child and I've been giving you lip for it ever since? Take this sucker!!!!! And proceeded to whine the whole way uphills. Unfortunately, Austin is very hilly. Time to find some new downhill routes. ;).
After talking to my dear ol' mom today, she made an interesting suggestion for my runs. I'd been whining about not having any rewards for my efforts (aside from, ya know, being able to run) and how it would be nice to have some treat to look forward to at the end of the week. Note, this was mostly just hinting at her to buy me some new running socks, or that chi running book I keep reading about, but she ignored my subtlety. Instead, she suggested I take my last run and go do it on a really nice track. I mostly run on campus since that's where I live and all, but in Austin we have a gorgeous lake about 3 miles away from campus that's bus accessible called Ladybird Lake. I love that lake. As I'm a kayaker and rower, albeit not competitively anymore, I've spent a lot of time on that lake. And the trail around it is pretty amazing. Nice soft crunchy gravel, water stations every mile or so, and a killer view. Since I live the life of Reilly and have no class/responsibilities on Friday, I think that's what I'll do. Gotta say, I'm pretty excited for it.
Tomorrow, the adventure continues with my first day of my 100/200/200 program. I'm super excited. Like, bizarrely excited. It's not normal to be this enthusiastic over push-ups. But I really just can't wait till 6 weeks from now when I say...You know, I can do 100 push-ups. Yah, I'm just that awesome.
Future me has it SO good.
Well, my stomach is demanding reparations for its efforts, so I'm off it hit Subway!
I'd already made this decision once I hit the pavement, and boy did my body know it. It decided to totally wimp out somewhere after my first 3 minute run and went, nope! We don't want to jog the next 3 minutes. Our knee hurts. It's hot. Oh look! A duck! And so, I managed a moderately respectable repeat of W3D1, which was Jog warm up, run 90, jog 90, run 3, walk 3, run 90, walk 90, run 3. Walkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. I threw some 100m stride exercises in there at the end just because I felt a little guilty for not pushing myself through that 3 min jog.
On the subject of my title, this night was a bit of a repeat of W2D2, where my knee went, hey remember me? You sprained me as a child and I've been giving you lip for it ever since? Take this sucker!!!!! And proceeded to whine the whole way uphills. Unfortunately, Austin is very hilly. Time to find some new downhill routes. ;).
After talking to my dear ol' mom today, she made an interesting suggestion for my runs. I'd been whining about not having any rewards for my efforts (aside from, ya know, being able to run) and how it would be nice to have some treat to look forward to at the end of the week. Note, this was mostly just hinting at her to buy me some new running socks, or that chi running book I keep reading about, but she ignored my subtlety. Instead, she suggested I take my last run and go do it on a really nice track. I mostly run on campus since that's where I live and all, but in Austin we have a gorgeous lake about 3 miles away from campus that's bus accessible called Ladybird Lake. I love that lake. As I'm a kayaker and rower, albeit not competitively anymore, I've spent a lot of time on that lake. And the trail around it is pretty amazing. Nice soft crunchy gravel, water stations every mile or so, and a killer view. Since I live the life of Reilly and have no class/responsibilities on Friday, I think that's what I'll do. Gotta say, I'm pretty excited for it.
Tomorrow, the adventure continues with my first day of my 100/200/200 program. I'm super excited. Like, bizarrely excited. It's not normal to be this enthusiastic over push-ups. But I really just can't wait till 6 weeks from now when I say...You know, I can do 100 push-ups. Yah, I'm just that awesome.
Future me has it SO good.
Well, my stomach is demanding reparations for its efforts, so I'm off it hit Subway!
Some time tested running wisdom...
That I am learning is completely bogus.
Since I ran as competitively as someone as slow as me could in HS, I thought I had the skinny on the right way to attack long distance running. Head up. Shoulders back. Loose arms. And after checking all that, it seems to still be true.
The big debate is on stride. How long? Heel striker? Toe striker? Knee raised? Knee bent/straight/loop-de-looped? I'm confused people.
I was taught straight up run with as long of stride as you can, lift your knees, strike with your heel, dig in, and let that propel into your next stride. Now I'm reading that over reaching your stride leads to leg pain, heel striking leads to (gasp!) leg pain, and lifting your knees too much can lead to...leg pain.
Which might be why I'm feeling some leg pain.
Help?
Since I ran as competitively as someone as slow as me could in HS, I thought I had the skinny on the right way to attack long distance running. Head up. Shoulders back. Loose arms. And after checking all that, it seems to still be true.
The big debate is on stride. How long? Heel striker? Toe striker? Knee raised? Knee bent/straight/loop-de-looped? I'm confused people.
I was taught straight up run with as long of stride as you can, lift your knees, strike with your heel, dig in, and let that propel into your next stride. Now I'm reading that over reaching your stride leads to leg pain, heel striking leads to (gasp!) leg pain, and lifting your knees too much can lead to...leg pain.
Which might be why I'm feeling some leg pain.
Help?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Plan Part Deaux
Part 2-
So in my goal to find where my fit went, I've come to the realization (3 weeks into c25k) that strength training is just as important cardio. This came after reading a long article about how muscle burns more than fat just laying around. Think about it. In building muscle, you burn calories, and in turn get muscle, which burns more calories. Good deal right?
Since I'm a huge fan of plans (let's face it, the only way I get anything done is by having a plan), I found these great sites that detail 6 weeks plans that get anybody to doing
1) 100 push-ups - http://www.hundredpushups.com/index.html
2) 200 sit-ups - http://www.twohundredsitups.com/index.html
3)200 squats - http://www.twohundredsquats.com/index.html
in just 6 weeks. Wow! That means I'll be finishing up these programs as I finish up c25k. So, theoretically (finals, injury and life hopefully not getting in the way too much), in 6 weeks I will be a running, pushing, sitting up squatting machine. Day-um. Why didn't I do this before?! (because it's not easy that's why...)
To do these programs you take an initial test to find out which track you should follow (Easy, Medium, Hard). For push-ups, I managed to squeak out a hugely disappointing 5 good form push-ups. I can drop and do 20 crappy ones, but really digging deep and keeping good form is HARD. Sit-ups was easier, since if I really try I can do 200 at any given moment (rowing gives great ab strength). But afterward, I'm spent. Can't move my abs for days. I'm hoping this program will get me doing 200 as a part of a workout, not an all out. I gave 30 for that test since I felt it was better to do what I felt I could do without intense ab pain that would make me sore. For squats, I also gave 30 with the same, do it till it starts to hurt philosophy. So that puts me at Easy for Push-ups and Hard for abs and squats week 1. Not bad. I'm really excited for this. Especially the push-ups. I've never been good at them. Ever. The idea of me possibly being able to drop and give 100? Amazing.
Now if only I could find a program to get my splits back. Any ideas?
So in my goal to find where my fit went, I've come to the realization (3 weeks into c25k) that strength training is just as important cardio. This came after reading a long article about how muscle burns more than fat just laying around. Think about it. In building muscle, you burn calories, and in turn get muscle, which burns more calories. Good deal right?
Since I'm a huge fan of plans (let's face it, the only way I get anything done is by having a plan), I found these great sites that detail 6 weeks plans that get anybody to doing
1) 100 push-ups - http://www.hundredpushups.com/index.html
2) 200 sit-ups - http://www.twohundredsitups.com/index.html
3)200 squats - http://www.twohundredsquats.com/index.html
in just 6 weeks. Wow! That means I'll be finishing up these programs as I finish up c25k. So, theoretically (finals, injury and life hopefully not getting in the way too much), in 6 weeks I will be a running, pushing, sitting up squatting machine. Day-um. Why didn't I do this before?! (because it's not easy that's why...)
To do these programs you take an initial test to find out which track you should follow (Easy, Medium, Hard). For push-ups, I managed to squeak out a hugely disappointing 5 good form push-ups. I can drop and do 20 crappy ones, but really digging deep and keeping good form is HARD. Sit-ups was easier, since if I really try I can do 200 at any given moment (rowing gives great ab strength). But afterward, I'm spent. Can't move my abs for days. I'm hoping this program will get me doing 200 as a part of a workout, not an all out. I gave 30 for that test since I felt it was better to do what I felt I could do without intense ab pain that would make me sore. For squats, I also gave 30 with the same, do it till it starts to hurt philosophy. So that puts me at Easy for Push-ups and Hard for abs and squats week 1. Not bad. I'm really excited for this. Especially the push-ups. I've never been good at them. Ever. The idea of me possibly being able to drop and give 100? Amazing.
Now if only I could find a program to get my splits back. Any ideas?
The Plan
So to get my butt moving, I've started on the following plan:
1) C25K from www.coolrunning.com, or www.c25k.com
This plan is great! Even while doing cross country, I was never a great runner. I ran because I liked the workout and it drops pounds like nobody's business. There's also just a great meditative aspect about running. Something about hitting the pavement and just feeling the earth fly by and losing myself in the run. That said, since I'm on the fast track to getting my athlete back, I've modified my C25k to a harder cardio level. The original plan calls for 3 workouts a week, leaving a day in-between and 2 days between each week. The system builds you up to 30 minutes of running by the end of 9 weeks, or 5k, depending on if you follow the time or distance model. An example of the program is week 1:
Walk 5 min. warm-up
Run 1 minute, walk 90 seconds for 8 intervals
Walk 5 min. cool-down
I've changed it so I:
Day 1- Jog 5 min warm-up
4 intervals of 1 min run, jog 90 seconds
4 intervals of 1 min run, walk 90 seconds
Walk 5 min cool down
Day 2- Jog 5 min warm-up
6 intervals of 1 min run, jog 90 seconds
2 intervals 1 min run, walk 90 seconds
Walk 5 min cool down
Day 3- Jog 5 min warm-up
8 intervals of 1 min run, jog 90 seconds
Walk 5 min cool down
Voila! Within week 1, you are moving at a pace above 4.0mph for 30 so minutes. Nice! Finishing Week 1 on this plan kind of made my life. It was nice to remind myself what my body can do when I push it and don't take no for an answer. Note: To do this plan, I'd recommend knowing your running body. If you've never run seriously before, it might be hard to distinguish between jogging speeds and long distance running speeds, and you might over exert and injure yourself. A jog is something anyone can do, at any age. It is just above walking, and walking can even be faster than jogging, the difference is in the cardio workout you will receive. I always remind myself that it is my rest period, and therefore my prerogative to go as slow of a jog as I need.
I'm currently on W3D2 of the program (to be run on Monday!), and I'll post on how it goes! But I'm already seeing progress, those 5 minute warm-up jogs are nothing now, my first one was hell. And huffing up those longgggggg hills on campus? Gone.
1) C25K from www.coolrunning.com, or www.c25k.com
This plan is great! Even while doing cross country, I was never a great runner. I ran because I liked the workout and it drops pounds like nobody's business. There's also just a great meditative aspect about running. Something about hitting the pavement and just feeling the earth fly by and losing myself in the run. That said, since I'm on the fast track to getting my athlete back, I've modified my C25k to a harder cardio level. The original plan calls for 3 workouts a week, leaving a day in-between and 2 days between each week. The system builds you up to 30 minutes of running by the end of 9 weeks, or 5k, depending on if you follow the time or distance model. An example of the program is week 1:
Walk 5 min. warm-up
Run 1 minute, walk 90 seconds for 8 intervals
Walk 5 min. cool-down
I've changed it so I:
Day 1- Jog 5 min warm-up
4 intervals of 1 min run, jog 90 seconds
4 intervals of 1 min run, walk 90 seconds
Walk 5 min cool down
Day 2- Jog 5 min warm-up
6 intervals of 1 min run, jog 90 seconds
2 intervals 1 min run, walk 90 seconds
Walk 5 min cool down
Day 3- Jog 5 min warm-up
8 intervals of 1 min run, jog 90 seconds
Walk 5 min cool down
Voila! Within week 1, you are moving at a pace above 4.0mph for 30 so minutes. Nice! Finishing Week 1 on this plan kind of made my life. It was nice to remind myself what my body can do when I push it and don't take no for an answer. Note: To do this plan, I'd recommend knowing your running body. If you've never run seriously before, it might be hard to distinguish between jogging speeds and long distance running speeds, and you might over exert and injure yourself. A jog is something anyone can do, at any age. It is just above walking, and walking can even be faster than jogging, the difference is in the cardio workout you will receive. I always remind myself that it is my rest period, and therefore my prerogative to go as slow of a jog as I need.
I'm currently on W3D2 of the program (to be run on Monday!), and I'll post on how it goes! But I'm already seeing progress, those 5 minute warm-up jogs are nothing now, my first one was hell. And huffing up those longgggggg hills on campus? Gone.
The Sitch
So I feel I should give some sort of introduction here.
Hi, my name is Emmz. I'm a college sophomore.
I'm a former athlete (cross country, track, rowing, kayaking, taekwondo). I stopped because of graduating high school, and some severe spine problems (sciatica + spinal degeneration)
I'm sick of not living up to what I know I can do, sick of being out of shape, and sick of being overweight.
So, to end this, I'm re-focusing on my goal of being a competitive taekwondoist and finding my athletic groove back.
Next post, the plan to do this!
Hi, my name is Emmz. I'm a college sophomore.
I'm a former athlete (cross country, track, rowing, kayaking, taekwondo). I stopped because of graduating high school, and some severe spine problems (sciatica + spinal degeneration)
I'm sick of not living up to what I know I can do, sick of being out of shape, and sick of being overweight.
So, to end this, I'm re-focusing on my goal of being a competitive taekwondoist and finding my athletic groove back.
Next post, the plan to do this!
The Beginning of the End
The end of what?
Being un-fit that's what.
It starts here with a blog, and some accountability. Now, to find my programs, map it out, and DO it.
Wish me luck.
Being un-fit that's what.
It starts here with a blog, and some accountability. Now, to find my programs, map it out, and DO it.
Wish me luck.
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