A Good Run

I forgot to mention that I got a haircut last week.  It was getting long and sort of sad looking so I had her go a little shorter than usual.  I am happy with it.  Sort of sporty looking.  I don't think the picture really shows the haircut very much but you get the idea.  My face still has that wide chubby look to it, I remember when I lost weight pre-kids it went away but I don't remember what weight that was.  I guess I'll just have to see when it happens this time. 

Anyway, Miguel was back in the family game early on Sunday so I was able to get to the gym.  The weather was nice so I hit the road for an outdoor run.  I had my heart rate monitor on but not the gps one so I couldn't see my pace at any given time.  I think this was a good thing, sometimes it's good for me to run by feel and not pay too much attention to the numbers.  I still glance at my heart rate now and then, which has a similar effect ("oh, too fast, slow down...too slow, speed up") but it's less complicated than the pace thing.  I probably do best when I don't look at any of these gadgets until the last mile. 

Anyway, I was running along and feeling pretty good, though breathing hard, when I realized I couldn't really "feel" my legs.  What I mean is, they weren't holding me back in any way.  The only thing challenging me was being able to keep up cardio-wise, if that makes sense.  My legs felt like I could run forever, which was a nice feeling, and one I haven't had in a while.  When all was said and done I ran 3 miles in 33 minutes.  An 11:00 mm (minute mile) pace is awesome!  The fastest I've ever done this run was a 10:46mm back in early January.   I need to beat that time.  I know I can do it, I just have to wait for the stars to align and then give-it-a-go. 

After the run I had legs/shoulders/core work to do.  I did my squats and then one of my new exercises for my shoulders with the medicine ball. I use the 10 pound ball and raise it overhead 10x and then reach out in front 10x and hold it for 10 seconds out in front at the end.  I did three sets.  Whew!  Killer.  I did a bunch of shoulder stuff yesterday actually, the lying shoulder thing and lateral raises.  I had plenty of time so I just kept tacking things on for fun.  Lunges, leg extensions, supine hip extensions on the Swiss ball - it was all there.  And I did the plank with one leg in the air again.  I'm enjoying pushing myself.  I want to get to the point where I can do more body weight resistance stuff but I need my body to get a little lighter first.  For example, I really hope I can do pullups one day.  But pulling up a 170+ pound body ain't gonna happen so that's for down the road, if ever.

I'll spare you all the food details from this weekend, including an encounter with a box of See's Candy from last night.  Suffice it to say the weekend is over and I will be tightening up the belt this week to try and compensate.   Happy Monday!!