Grade: B- (good effort, low energy/time constraints)
I went to the Presidio to run on the path I ran the 5k on in November. I had a nice run, but it only lasted about 30 minutes because I made a wrong turn early on that cut out a sizable portion of the path. By the time I got to the end, it was too long to repeat the whole thing (I needed to get home to accomplish other chores).
But -- loved the trail. Planning to try this again soon. I've always wanted to do trail running -- there are tons of races in my area to train for, of all sorts of lengths. And, even better, there are tons and tons of excellent trails to run on.
February 9, 2009
February 6, 2009
Calorie Counting
I caught a sideways view of my behind earlier today (i.e., I wasn't standing at my thinnest angle, the one I usually use in front of a mirror), and it was a frightening sight -- frightening enough to make me do a little experiment for counting my calories over the past week.
I've been tracking my eating every other day or so during the past few weeks, so that made this a bit easier (and more honest). Thanks to the tons of online calorie data resources, I think I've been able to come up with a reasonable estimation of what I'm consuming. The results? Shocking, but in a good way that should help me cut back a bit: I'm consuming between 300 and 400 extra calories each day. Good grief! That's insane! What have I been doing?
So, off to fewer snacks and smaller portions today, in an effort to conserve a couple hundred calories for an after-work drink. (It is Friday, after all.)
I've been tracking my eating every other day or so during the past few weeks, so that made this a bit easier (and more honest). Thanks to the tons of online calorie data resources, I think I've been able to come up with a reasonable estimation of what I'm consuming. The results? Shocking, but in a good way that should help me cut back a bit: I'm consuming between 300 and 400 extra calories each day. Good grief! That's insane! What have I been doing?
So, off to fewer snacks and smaller portions today, in an effort to conserve a couple hundred calories for an after-work drink. (It is Friday, after all.)
Workout #15
I overslept again yesterday, this time somewhat knowingly. I didn't get up until 6 a.m., but I decided to go for a run anyway and take a later-than-ideal shuttle to work so I wouldn't get off schedule. (We had planned to go to a movie last night, and I knew I wouldn't wake up in time to run today).
The run, then, was short -- around 25 minutes -- but still got my day off to a good start. Running on the hills in my 'hood is fabulous -- definitely not dull in its challenges.
The run, then, was short -- around 25 minutes -- but still got my day off to a good start. Running on the hills in my 'hood is fabulous -- definitely not dull in its challenges.
February 3, 2009
Workout #14: The First a.m. Workout At Home
I did it! I had a few hiccups along the way, but I did it: I worked out at home today, before work, before the sun came up. Woohoo!
The stumbles: I snoozed until 5:20 a.m. and then stood in the living room, gazing out the windows, debating if I should be running outside before 6 a.m. So I didn't start running until just about 5:45, which meant I had to cut the run short (at 29 minutes) and only had time to do arm weights (I opted to run longer and skip lunges, since I'm finding cardio's most important for me in losing weight). But I can do this: If I can just get out the door by 5:15 a.m. most days, I think I'll be able to do a run, weights and lunges. Testing that on Thursday.
In this inaugural workout at home, I did discover a few benefits to forgoing the gym for a more home-grown effort:
-- No chance I'll forget my concealer, pomade, belt or, God forbid, bra. (It's happened before.)
-- My apartment's water & shower products are much nicer to my skin.
-- I get to eat fresh, cold Fage for breakfast after working out. (The yogurt at my office just isn't good. It's one of the few foods we do poorly.)
-- The hills around my home provide for an awesome urban workout space -- more challenging than the flat-to-rolling trails I've been running at work.
-- No lugging my gym bag around. (Particularly important when I want to meet anyone for a drink after work.)
I just updated my workout calendar item to show that I'll be working out from 5 to 7 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. That should keep me honest and make it seem like a normal and expected affair each Tuesday and Thursday.
Woohoo!
The stumbles: I snoozed until 5:20 a.m. and then stood in the living room, gazing out the windows, debating if I should be running outside before 6 a.m. So I didn't start running until just about 5:45, which meant I had to cut the run short (at 29 minutes) and only had time to do arm weights (I opted to run longer and skip lunges, since I'm finding cardio's most important for me in losing weight). But I can do this: If I can just get out the door by 5:15 a.m. most days, I think I'll be able to do a run, weights and lunges. Testing that on Thursday.
In this inaugural workout at home, I did discover a few benefits to forgoing the gym for a more home-grown effort:
-- No chance I'll forget my concealer, pomade, belt or, God forbid, bra. (It's happened before.)
-- My apartment's water & shower products are much nicer to my skin.
-- I get to eat fresh, cold Fage for breakfast after working out. (The yogurt at my office just isn't good. It's one of the few foods we do poorly.)
-- The hills around my home provide for an awesome urban workout space -- more challenging than the flat-to-rolling trails I've been running at work.
-- No lugging my gym bag around. (Particularly important when I want to meet anyone for a drink after work.)
I just updated my workout calendar item to show that I'll be working out from 5 to 7 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. That should keep me honest and make it seem like a normal and expected affair each Tuesday and Thursday.
Woohoo!
February 2, 2009
Workout #13
We hiked in Muir Woods on Saturday for about two hours, on a Dipsea-joining loop of about 4 miles. I'd never been on Dipsea, so it was a nice change of pace from the somewhat-touristy main trail.
(In researching this post, I also found out why the mysterious Ocean View Trail, which I hiked last year with my bud Judy, offers no ocean views.)
This hike is steep on one end and more gently graded on the other; we chose to climb up the steep side and down the gentle side. This means we got a good 30 minutes of cardio, but after that it was a leisurely stroll, so I'm not sure it counts as much of a workout. I'm counting it anyway.
(In researching this post, I also found out why the mysterious Ocean View Trail, which I hiked last year with my bud Judy, offers no ocean views.)
This hike is steep on one end and more gently graded on the other; we chose to climb up the steep side and down the gentle side. This means we got a good 30 minutes of cardio, but after that it was a leisurely stroll, so I'm not sure it counts as much of a workout. I'm counting it anyway.
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