Gettin' By

Five {Random} Things

1.  I have spent my life spelling out my first name, Elisabeth (it's an S, not a Z) and the last 13 years spelling out Dickinson (it's two Is, no Es). Which is why I've given Riely the same gift (curse?) and christened her with a uniquely-spelled family name rather than the more common Riley.  If nothing else, she'll be forever diligent on the correct spelling of other people's names.

2. It is possible I might have an obsession with what I call June Cleaver dresses, as evidenced by my recent ModCloth wish list containing all these cute frocks:

            

 

3.  I had gone all summer running no farther than 6 miles and being perfectly content. Then I went on 10-miler this weekend with some friends and realized that I did indeed miss that post-long-run-euphoria that often lasts the remainder of the day and gives you an excellent excuse for consuming large plates of nachos.  Damn this addictive sport. (Today, I'm shopping for new running shoes.)

4.  My kiddos are not the only ones going to back to school this fall.  I'm going to be teaching at Ella Publishing's Boot Camp (Sept. 19-24)  and the Spawn of True Scrap (October 20-22).  I'll be the nervous one, sending up silent wishes that you don't pelt me with spitballs and put tacks on my chair. I'll be bribing you with giveaways in the near future. :)

5.  In case you need some convincing to get the September JBS Mercantile kit, take a look at these yummies:

The exclusive stamp this month (the oval frame) is fabulous and so is the acrylic mask. Plus, you'll get an exclusive edition of The Gazette newsletter, filled with inspiration and ideas for using your kit.  Kits will go on sale September 1, or you can sign up for a membership subscription to guarantee fabulous scrap goodies in your mailbox every month!

Happy Tuesday!

Ripped in 30: A Review.

It's been a week since I finished the 30-day torture known as Ripped in 30 by infamous trainer Jillian Michaels. And while I'll offer an extended review below, for those that want the Cliff Notes version, I can sum up the DVD in just a few two-word phrases:  It sucked and it works.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know from my various posts on running that I am truly a weenie-girl at heart.  My inner athlete is about as tough as Pee Wee Herman. I whine at most types of physical exertion, complain when exercise makes my muscles sore, and have been known to burst into tears during particuIarly difficult runs - yes, I'm THAT tough! So it should come as no surprise that Jillian kicked my ass. And I complained (loudly). And yelled obscenities at the tv. And scared small animals and children with my extreme lack of coordination.  But just like with running, I stuck it out. Maybe because I saw results. Or maybe because Jillian made me want to be tougher.  Or maybe, I just decided to kick that damn wussie-girl attitude to the curb for 30 days (cue Eye of the Tiger here).

What I Did.  With swimsuit season on the horizon, I was looking for a workout to give me the tone and definition that running hadn't - most notably in the ab and arm area - and this DVD definitely delivered. Because I didn't want to lose my running conditioning, for five days a week, I continued to run 3-5 miles each day, and did the Ripped Workout post-run.  One day a week, I just did Ripped, and one day a week, I just ran, doing a longer run (8-13 miles) on that day. So, yes, I was working out seven days a week.  Which is probably not recommended, nor is it realistic that I'll continue at that intensity.  But I had a bikini body in my sights, and I was one focused girl.

What I Got.  At the end of 30 days, I had lost 8 pounds.  I also dropped 1" from my waist, 1" from my hips, 1/2" from each thigh, and gained a 1/4" on each bicep. But what was more impressive was the fact that even after just two weeks, I didn't need the scale or measuring tape to tell me it was working - I could see and feel the results happening to my body. Well, hello ab muscles!

What I Liked.  Obviously, the results were the biggest payoff with this workout regimen, but there were other positives:

• The compact 25-minute time frame. It didn't take a lot of effort to fit that into my schedule and when you're used to runs that can last several hours, 25 minutes seems pretty do-able.


• The included meal plan. This 30-day plan includes simple, easy-to-prepare meals, with most of the ingredients available at a regular grocery store. Prior to Ripped, I was eating less food, yet more calories (can you say carb-addict?). On Jillian's plan, I incorporated more protein into my meals and actually ate a real breakfast - not just my usual cappuccino. I was never hungry or felt deprived, though the first week I would have traded my arm for a Cadbury Creme Egg (which would have made the push-ups even more difficult.) On the weekends, I skipped one of the 200-calorie snacks and had an evening glass of wine instead. After all, I couldn't reasonably be expected to give up both sugar AND wine, right?!


• The variety of exercises.  None of the moves in the four weeks of workouts are repeated, and I offer up my undying thanks to Jillian for not making me do reptile push-ups more than once. Having a new workout each week keeps things fresh. She also combines exercises that work several muscle groups at once (lunges with arm raises, squats with bicep curls) so the workouts are efficient and effective.


• The simplicity of the equipment.  I only needed one set of weights (I used 3-pound handweights) for all four workouts. I'd also recommend keeping a towel handy, because you will sweat like a racehorse (or is it pee like a racehorse? sweat like a pig? sweat like a sweathog going to the races?)


• The price.  As much as I'd like to spend hundreds of dollars on a personal trainer who will yell at me and make me work as hard as Jillian, I'm not willing to cut into my wine budget for that expenditure. A girl's gotta have her priorities.  For $9.49, I can have almost the same experience, and still enjoy my favorite sauvignon blanc.

What I Hated.  Um, besides the slightly sadistic reptile push ups and pendulum lunges??  Well I knew going in that Jillian wouldn't make it easy.  But beyond some of the killer moves that made me feel uncoordinated and clumsy, here's what I didn't like:

• The high-impact nature of some of the cardio moves.  I don't have knee or ankle issues, but by the end of week 2, I was feeling some pain in those joints from all the bouncing and jumping. She does offer some lower-impact modifiers, which I opted to do, but I would caution anyone with pre-existing joint problems to be careful.


• The boring background music.  Granted, you pretty much only hear Jillian barking orders at you, which is simultaneously intimidating and inspiring, but when she's quiet enough to allow the music to be heard, it resembles what can only be described as Fitness Muzak - annoyingly bland and decidedly vanilla. Once you learn the moves, I'd suggest piping in your own soundtrack while you do the workout.

So if you're looking for a good way to tone up, slim down, and need a totally valid excuse for screaming expletives at a fitness icon, I'd highly recommend Ripped in 30.  While the month-long experiment has not completely crushed my inner Pee Wee, it has given him some killer biceps:

If you have specific questions about the DVD that I didn't answer here, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll do my best to answer based on my experience.  And enjoy your Tuesday, my friends!

 

 

Marathon Monday.

These days I'm looking for the inspiration to get back into a regular running routine.  Motivation to lace up the shoes and head out the door.  And it's not always easy to pull that from within. Truth be told, my inner-weenie tends to have a louder voice than my inner-athlete, so I have to rely on other forms of persuasion to get my workouts accomplished.

So today I thought I'd share some of my favorite running quotes, in the form of a mini album that originally appeared in Simple Scrapbooks' Mini Albums in an Evening.  A quick flip through some of these words usually reminds me of the strength I gain from this sport and encourages me to get out there and, quite simply, just do it!

{click on photo to enlarge}

So what's your favorite way to get motivated? Do you have a go-to source that never fails to get your butt moving? I'd love to hear your ways of getting (and staying) active!

Happy Monday!

Marathon Monday.

In honor of today's running of the Boston Marathon, I thought I'd revisit Marathon Monday today.  My friend Alison will be amongst those running masses today and I'm hoping she has a great race with the wind at her back.  Go Alison, go!

Yesterday I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon in Ft. Collins with a group of running friends from our old neighborhood.  It's a fun race that ends at New Belgium Brewery, with live bands and um, FREE beer, which almost makes the 9% grade monster hills worth it.  According to my Garmin, I finished the race about 30 seconds faster than last year, with a time of 1:55:13.  That's a new half record for me, and while it's always nice to see your times improve, I've decided that number is not really important.  And here's why.

Over the last month, my training had stalled.  Actually, it would be more accurate to just say I STALLED.  After three months of weekly speedwork, tempo runs, and longs runs (all designed to help me run my goal race-pace) my desire to run starting waning.  And then, it just crashed.  I began to dread every workout. It wasn't just getting out the door that was hard - it was the entire workout - before, during, and after. Thinking about workouts made me aggitated and irritable. Doing the workouts made me even more bitchy because the joy I used to find in a good run just seemed to be missing. I found myself skipping runs, making excuses, being "too busy" to fit it in.  Every day I faced with the question: Do I really want to be a runner? And every day, I struggled to answer.

(Quite honestly, I almost had myself convinced that Overweight Couch Potato With No Athletic Aspirations could look good as the title on my business cards. In the appropriate font, naturally.)

So what had changed?  I had completed two marathon training schedules the previous year, and while there were ups and downs, the slumps were never bad enough to make me contemplate giving up the sport entirely.  Yes, I had increased the training intensity in an effort to improve my times, but isn't that what any competitive athlete does? Isn't the desire to improve and excel the driving force behind any sport? Shouldn't I, as an upstanding member of the running community want to run faster, faster, faster?!

And after much soul-searching and chocolate comsumption I found my answer.  And that answer, for this runner girl, is a resounding NO.

I realized that my recent running goals were all focused on finish times.  I publicly stated that I wanted to run a half marathon in under 1:50 and a full marathon in under 3:50.  And I implemented a plan to make that happen.  My runs were no longer a "mental check-out." No cranking up the ipod and tuning out the world and just hitting the pavement. These workouts had a purpose - to make me faster and stronger.  They required constant clock-checking and an equally constant racing mind (was I on pace? did I need to speed up? slow up? stride out?)  And just like that, the main reason that I run - to get out of my head - was gone. And it's those mental health runs that keep me coming back to this sport.  Those glorious miles where you're just sorting it all out in your head to the rhythm of your pounding feet.  The runs where you finish and everything just seems better, clearer, and more defined. And you're ready for whatever life is gonna throw at you.

So what's my plan now?  To rediscover the joy. For the time being, I've thrown out the running schedule with all its complex intervals, times, and paces.  I've decided to make the act of running more important than the finish time.  And I'm getting back to the basics: me, my shoes, and the road. Because somewhere out there is the reason I run.  I've just gotta chase it down.

Happy Running!

 

Marathon Monday: Let's Talk About Discipline.

The most common reaction people have to my running is: Running takes such discipline - how do you make yourself run all those miles?  And sometimes when I hear my name mentioned in the same sentence as the word discipline, a ripple of insecurity runs through me. Yes, I have logged some miles in the past 12 years, but I've never quite shaken the feeling that I'm just a poser - a closet couch potato masquarading as a runner.  There are times when I feel like I'm just a few skipped workouts or unhealthy meals away from losing all credibility as a runner...times when that inner couch potato's voice is yelling louder than the inner athlete, convincing me that time with the television and some chocolate would be SO much more fun than a 10-mile run.

Last week was one of those times.

Monday morning rolled around and a 7-mile run was on the agenda.  After I got the kids to school, I came home to grab a quick bite and noticed the carrot muffins in the pantry. Gotta eat something before I go run, right? So I gobbled it down, changed into my running clothes, and did a quick check of emails.  By the time I started lacing up my shoes, I realized: That carrot muffin was awfully sweet and heavy. Not the best option for a pre-run meal. Ugh - who am I kidding? That was not a muffin at all...it was a big slab of sugary, fatty carrot cake disquised as breakfast.  The schmear of cream cheese frosting should have tipped me off. How can I expect my body to perform if I feed it this crap? I cannot possibly run with this in my system.  Maybe I should wait and run after it's digested.  Or just skip running today. I am a bit sore, after all.  I could use a day off. To rest. And recooperate. And repair. And eat another muffin!

Sigh.

Tuesday I woke up so infuriated with myself for skipping a run that I imposed a punishment run: 10 miles for you! I don't care what your schedule says! You must run to make up for your lazy ways!  And no muffins for breakfast, either - just get out there and run! So I headed out the door before I could come up with an excuse. The wind was howling, I'd forgotten my gloves, and my stomach was growling. The first mile sucked. Hard. So did the second. Ouch. Usually by the third mile, things are warm and improving.  But not today.  At 3.5 miles, I caved, holding back tears, and realizing this whole run was going to suck. And I was too much of a weenie to finish it.  So I headed home. And ate a muffin.

Wednesday I was ready to get back in the saddle. And then a flurry of frantic client emails and phone calls distracted me, I got busy, and my run got postponed until later.  And later came and went, I was still busy, and the run never happened.  Oh for the love of pete.  What kind of runner am I, anyway?

Then it hit me -  I am a human runner. The kind that makes mistakes and can't always be perfectly motivated.  The kind of runner that sometimes screws up, rebels against the schedule, and throws in the towel for the day.  It doesn't make mean I'm a poser, it simply means I'm human.  And you know what?  Running doesn't care how many days I take off - it's the most loyal of loves.  It will always be there, waiting days, weeks, even years for you for to return. But running is also fickle - the longer you neglect her, the bigger bitch she'll be when you do come crawling back.

I'm proud to say I did turn the week around and eventually got my speedwork and a long run completed. Of course, neither were very stellar because the days off made it hard to get back into the routine.  But I felt better just getting them done. And that's my reality: There are days when it feels good to skip the workout and be lazy, but it will always feel better to complete the run.  It's always going to be a struggle to get past the roadblocks life puts in the way: I don't have time...I didn't eat the right breakfast...the weather sucks...I'm just too tired...but it's getting past those excuses that makes the final result all the more rewarding.

It's called discipline, folks.  And if you can pull it off on a regular basis, you totally deserve a muffin.

Happy Running!

Monday:  Cross-train (weights)
Tuesday: Speed (10 x 400s)
Wednesday: 10 miles (slow & easy)
Thursday: Cross-train (Yoga)
Friday: Progressive Hills (6 miles)
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Long Run (20 miles)

 

 

Five on Friday.

A list of things that are making me particularly happy this week:

1.  New running shoes. I didn't think Newton could make a shoe I loved more than my pink Universal Racers, but these new Terra Momentus are quickly winning me over.  Being a trail shoe, they are bit more hefty than the racers, but so far I'm loving the additional support and cushioning.  The only drawback is the gorgeous color combo makes me want to slow down and show them off...if my feet are a blur, you can't truly appreciate the artistry of the shoe. (That's what I keep telling my coach, anyway!)

2.  Green Tea Facial Scrub. I'm not sure what kind of cruel joke Mother Nature thinks she's playing by simultaneously giving me wrinkles AND pimples, but I'm not amused. So I'm fighting back with this scrub from St. Ives.  I've been using it about twice a week and love the results! It's not overly drying and the scrub leaves my skin really smooth. And at about $4, (I got mine at Walgreen's) it's a total bargain!

3.  Black Oak dress.  I'm such a sucker for LBDs, and this simple black frock from Shabby Apple needs to come live in my closet! The petals across the bodice are perfectly feminine and I love how it looks paired with brown cowboy boots. Throw a cardigan on and it's perfect for early fall, or pair it with strappy sandals for spring. LOVE.

4.  Chocolate. These amazing Donckle's Belgium Truffles arrived at our house in a Christmas basket, and I've been hoarding them ever since I got my first taste. Meaning they are hidden in the depths of our pantry, near the petrified rice cakes from 2002.  These small cocoa-dusted bites are the perfect accompaniment to a nice glass of red wine. They are, however, just a tiny bit addictive, but I figure they are better than Prozac, no?

5.  Puffies.  These new felt accents from KI Memories are just too stinkin' cute. Maybe it's because I was a child of the 70s, when puffy epoxy stickers, jeans with roller skates embroidered on the back pocket, and bad perms were all the rage, but this collection just makes my inner child happy. Now I just have to wrestle them away from Riely long enough to use them on a scrapbook page!

 

Have you all have a fabulous Friday!

 

Marathon Monday {On Tuesday.}

I'm not sure what happened to Monday, but somehow in the rush of packing lunches, gettings the littles to school, finishing up some assignments, and a virtual avalanche of laundry, the day slipped by and I never blogged.  Ah, well.

Despite the fact that this is my first Marathon Monday post of the year, I have, indeed, been doing some running. After my marathon, I spent the last few months of 2010 running with no set schedule, doing what I want, when I wanted, at the speed I wanted.  And the result was...well, let's just say I started 2011 a bit out of shape. Though I guess blob is a shape; it's just not a very cute one.

To kick things into gear (translation: get my butt off the couch) I decided to set some goals for myself in 2011.  The first is to run a new PR in the half marathon - I'm shooting for a 1:50 - and the second is to run another full marathon in a time that will qualify me for Boston, which is a sub-3:50.  To help me work toward those goals, I joined a local running club.  After a few workouts, I can definitively say that I am probably the slowest member (and most definitely the loudest whiner) in the group.  But both the coaches and other runners are inspiring me to go farther, longer and faster than I would on my own.

My coach assigned me an 8-week schedule that's tailored to my specific goals. (After which, we'll re-evaluate and create another 8-week schedule.) Twice a week, the club meets for speed/hill workouts, but with my crazy schedule right now, I'm doing most of the workouts on my own. (Hoping to join the group more in the upcoming month.) I've also been incorporating some weight training + yoga into my schedule, and I'm already seeing the benefits of cross-training. The weights are helping me feel stronger during speed workouts (though I do have to fight the urge to flex my new biceps in any reflective surface I pass) and the yoga is stretching and lengthening the muscles I tend to abuse in runs.

I've also started using my Garmin's heartrate monitor on runs to really get a more accurate snapshot of how my body is reacting.  Seeing my HR skyrocket on speed runs makes me thankful for the slower runs where it's pumping along at a comfortable 70%.  I'm learning a lot about endurance, form, and speed.  I'm totally stepping outside my comfort zone where running exists as a non-competitive-get-me-out-of-the-house-and restore-my-sanity form of exercise. I'm still getting the mental health benefits, but I'm starting to allow myself to think that maybe (just maybe?) I can be good at this. I don't have grand illusions that I'll ever be an elite athlete, but I feel like I am making strides to be the best athlete I can be. And isn't that what it's all about?

I'll leave you with a peek at my workouts for the week.  I'd love to hear how your fitness goals are going for 2011 and what you're doing to stay motivated and on-track.  If there's one thing I've learned from group training, it's that the comraderie and support you get from others can push you along farther than a solo effort. And on that note, I'm off to hit the treadmill.  Happy running!

 

MONDAY:  Cross-Train (weights)
TUESDAY:  Speed (10 x 400) - Goal Pace of 1:36
WEDNESDAY: 6-7 miles
THURSDAY:  Yoga
FRIDAY:  Cross-train or Off
SATURDAY: Long, Slow Run 17 miles @9:45mm
SUNDAY: Off

Five on Friday.

Here's five things I'm up to today:

1.  Looking forward to the NCMC Foundation Gala this weekend, which will serve as a long overdue date night for Mike and I, and at which I'll get to wear one of my favorite full-length dresses* that makes me feel hopelessly pretty and elegant.  That is, of course, until I trip on the hem, spill my drink, and crash into the table holding the 10-foot ice sculpture of a swan.  Which, if you know me at all, is quite likely to happen in the first ten minutes of the evening.

2. Decidedly NOT looking forward to the 16-mile run I have to log this morning. Would really and truly rather plant my butt on the couch with a cappucino this morning rather than lace up the Asics.  But will totally use the completed run as a solid reason for napping on that couch this afternoon.

3.  Getting geared up for Valentines' Day! Proud of myself for thinking ahead and compiling all the supplies for H's class cards (will post these in the near future!) Plus, the Jenni Bowlin February kit definitely has me in the mood for love.  Here's some sneaks:

4.  Contemplating how to get a stinky 100-pound dog into the bathtub for a much-needed shampoo (and truth be told, a deep moisture conditioning treatment. Because my poor Shinerbock has dry winter skin. And doesn't everyone deep-condition their dogs once a winter?!?)  Already plotting the arsenal of candles and plug-in scents to deal with the resulting eau de wet dog.

5.  Doing just a wee bit of self-indulgent pouting and sulking because I'm missing out on CHA in Los Angeles this weekend.  Hoping to get glimpses of new stuff via email and text from my carefully planted spies on the show floor.  (Summer and Linda, I'm talking to YOU!!)

Enjoy your weekend lovelies!

*While this isn't my actual dress (I got mine from a Neiman's outlet about 10 years ago) I was completely surprised when I Googled velvet dress by Laundry looking for photo and this listing popped up.  Gotta love eBay! (And if you're in the market for a formal dress, this one fits amazingly and is so, so comfortable!)

Five on Friday.

A random mix of thoughts in my brain today:

1.  Spent about an hour yesterday playing Hayden's newest Wii game, Pac-Man Party with him.  It's not quite the thrilling Atari Pac-Man experience I remember from my youth, but at least I didn't get the cramped-post-game-claw-hand from maniacally clenching the joystick to gobble those pellets. Carpal tunnel? What's that?

2.  Contemplating what I will run today, given that my running schedule indicates today's run is my choice of 4 to 7 easy miles.  The problem with giving me the option of my choice is that my choice is usually curling up on the sofa with a cappucinno and watching What Not To Wear.

3. Have decided that Panera's Valentine Shortbread cookies are pretty much heaven - if heaven were made of flour, sugar, and butter.  Lots of butter. The consumption of which means I should probably opt for the 7 miles listed above.

4.  Now that I have some of the newest Jenni Bowlin releases in my hot little hands, I am highly anticipating creating with the Be Our Guest papers, specifically the Game Night pattern and Die Cut Clock.  I love the color combos in this line, and (just to note!) they coordinate gorgeously with the Chewing Gum, Soap Powder, and Cough Syrup ink pads!

5.  Looking forward to a Sunday afternoon visit to Barnes & noble so Hayden can spend his birthday gift certificates.  Something about strolling through a bookstore, hot coffee in hand, is simultaneously calming, relaxing, and rejuvenating. And it's always a great creative boost - which I need, since my February JBS Mercantile kit arrived yesterday and it's begging me to come play!

Enjoy your Friday and weekend!

Five on Friday.

Five unrelated and random things I feel the need to share:

1.  Loving the Organix Coconut Milk line of hair products.  So far, I've bought the shampoo, conditioner, mousse, serum, and instant repair and they are all wonderful.  I adore the lovely, light smell and it makes my rather fine hair silky, smooth, and voluminous. And if I learned anything during my college years in Texas, it's that big hair is better.

 

2. Made a rather happy discovery in the check-out line at Target when I saw these York Peppermint Pretzel Sandwiches from Snyder's. A dark-chocolate covered pretzel and peppermint patty sandwich? Yes, please! The combination of sweet and salty, chocolate and mint is worth every calorie (and I think they are a seasonal item, so grab some while you can!). 

 

3.  A story in yesterday's Denver Post revealed that the marathon I ran back in October was measured incorrectly and participants ran an extra 764 feet (or .14 miles).  Not a huge deal, you say?  To which I reply, LIKE HELL IT AIN'T!  I signed up for 26.2 and not an inch more.  And in order to properly brag about my new ultra-marathoner status, I designed my own bumper sticker and had them printed at CafePress:

4.  Picked up a super cheap pair of silver aviator shades (because the delicate nature of these glasses + my general all-around clumsiness don't mix, and I'd cry if I sat on a pair of $179 Ray Bans) as well as a simple black boyfriend blazer at American Eagle last weekend.  These should serve to either make me look hip & on-trend, or like the 1986 version of Kelly McGillis in Top Gun.

 

 

5.  Excited about working on this year's advent calendar from Elle's Studio (and having Riely home today to help me!) We plan to hang the 25 tags on a mini Christmas tree and each will contain a holiday activity, small treat, or festive reading.

 

And that's I've got for today!  Happy Friday!