I ran, he ate the chocolate

I love this first resolution from unofficial Goldman Sachs guide to New Years Resolutions but I’m not about to follow it.

1. Take a vow of silence. Join CrossFit. Do P90X. Detox in January. Become a vegan. Sell your TV.  Train for a marathon. Start the Paleo diet. Go for any or all of these, but please shut the f–k up about it.

“No one would run a marathon if they had to sign a confidentiality agreement first.”

It may be true that if I were sworn to silence before running a marathon I might not bother running it at all.  At the same time, I actually do do these things for myself.  I like to get faster and stronger and fitter and healthier and all those other cliches.  These are
very real results.  I’m mostly pleased when I look in the mirror and I’ve got another race time from this morning to prove that I’m getting faster.  I was only a few seconds away from a new 5K PR, and would have nailed it if I hadn’t arrived at the last minute and started at the back of the pack.  The only real goal of the morning was to be finished in time to do a baby pass-off before my husband began his 15K.  Go Honey!  The other goal of the morning was to come home and eat fresh, warm cinnamon rolls…  I indulged in two since I gave my chocolate to the kid.

why we need workout buddies

I’m feeling that full-body soreness which occurs after several great workouts.  Now that’s what I call a good week.  It’s the simple things in life…  

I lived with one of my sisters for several years in Cleveland and New York City before moving to San Francisco on my own.  One of the things I miss most is no longer having an insta- workout buddy.  We did everything together, from early morning swims to killer anaerobic fitness classes, which left us temporarily incapacitated.  These days, despite the miles between us, we still manage a fair amount of running and racing together, but I’m always thrilled to find new partners in crime.

Most frequently I do a swim trade with a friend who also has a toddler.  Although we’re not in the pool together since one of us has to watch the kids, it’s still a set time to get to there.  (And anybody who has ever tried to leave the house with toddler in tow knows that giving oneself a goal time of arrival is quite important.)  I’m weirdly self-motivated in the ways of workout, but the swim trade means free childcare and encourages a more organized use of time.  This morning when I started swimming my arms were instantly tired so I kept returning my focus to technique and survived a quick half mile.

the workout: 900 yds: 100 free, 100 alt back, breast, back, breast, 100 free,  3X, RI:30, each final freestyle quicker than the previous so the final is full out sprint

I suspect my arms are tired from yesterday’s run.  A friend drove me home from work, mentioning how he’d planned to run after rehearsal but had just polished off a huge piece of pecan pie a la mode.  I’d briefly entertained the idea of running with Baby A to complete a few errands.  Half hour later we three were running from the dry cleaner to the bow rehair guy and then into the park.  We hit the trails, my bow securely in it’s case attached to the stroller underside.  Baby A bounced around humming as he zoned out.  We stopped for RO to do some pull-ups then it was my turn.  I managed only one alone then four more assisted.  Need to work on that.  We came out near the track and started back up the dirt.  Pushing 60 lbs of combined kid and stroller up the trail was no easy task but my competitive side took over and I wasn’t about to be shown up by RO.  As we both gasped for breath, we confirmed that neither of us would be running at top speed up a hill if the other wasn’t doing the same.  And that right there is why I love running with a friend!  Our run concluded at the playground, where I stretched and Baby A did his laps between steps and slides. 

the workout:  4.47 miles, mostly dirt, 10:41 min/mi ave including walk breaks, 428 kCal, 5 pull-ups 

getting those abs

While practicing violin is certainly not going to get me abs like this, I appreciate that I might be burning some calories while learning notes.  Gotta love multi-tasking.

I just finished washing dishes, which is apparently an activity that utilizes abdominal muscles.  Who knew?  I am aware of every little muscle in my body today after my introduction to Pop Physique yesterday.  I may not end up with those abs from playing violin, but this class is sure to give results.  The abdominal exercises were the only sequence that I successfully completed without resting (several times) in the middle and not surprisingly, my abs are the sorest part of me. Pop Physique is another barre-based class but the website looks more like an American Apparel underwear add.  The website also specifies “Even though our promotional images feature super hot shorts and tiny leotards that zip…we recommend long slim exercise pants that cover your knees and fitted tanks or t-shirts.”

Before the holidays I was on a roll  getting back into cycling shape.  Then I stopped riding my bike and stopped attending spin classes.  Back to square one.  I’ve got a babysitter booked for upcoming Wednesday rides but today I did a spin at the gym.  A quick web search found a couple 30 minute classes from my favorite YouTube fitness channel, eFit30.  The highlight of today’s workout was during my first climb when the instructor told me in her charming Australian accent “your butt should flirt with the nose of the seat”.  I wonder if that was scripted or if she threw it in because she was bored?