Took the day off work today after realizing I had miscalculated my vacation days, since we are no longer allowed to carry them over to the next year I had 2.5 days to burn off, so made it a 4.5 days weekend

Woke up normal time but read and lounge in bed till about 9am dosing off and on, I really haven't been getting decent sleep due to all the menopausal temperature issues, being too hot or cold tend to wake me off.

Today is interval day, so pulled out Chalean Extreme Burn Intervals, kind of rolled my eyes when I saw that this was 46mins, I think this may be the longest workout in the whole series. This workout is a combination of cardio and strength, strength was being used as recovery, so low weights high reps.

I have to say despite being 46 mins time went by fast and there was a lot of huffing and puffing, the sumo burpees where the last straw, too awhile for my heart rate to come back down on that one that I actually had to pause the strength portion. Great workout.

Spent the rest of the day looking for turquoise 20 gauge beading wire and running errands, my baby is home for Christmas break, always great to have him home and his older brother will meet up with us next week.

Still struggling with getting to sleep on time, being menopausal sucks big time, when I finally fall asleep go to the very covers off, shivering, covers on, fetal position, ahh oh well

In order to keep Fall/Winter training interesting, I decided am going to use the Runervals for the Speed and Tempo workouts, I also think they will be more challenging/Fun (in a sadistic way of course) than me trying to do 12x400m

This is what am thinking

Speed:
1.0 - Easy Intervals (Never quite understand what is easy about it, just as nasty as the rest)
3.0 - Cheetah Fast (I think the name says it all)
6.0 - Timesaver 1 (3-30mins Threshold workouts )
7.0 - Timesaver II (2 - 30mins Speed Workout)

Tempo/Hill:
2.0 - Treadmill Tempo (This one is just pure torture)
4.0 - Up, Up & Up (You know what this means, Hill Repeats)
5.0 - 10k Strength Builder (Mile Repeats)

So for today's workout, after doing ChaLean Push #1 ( am having to lower my weight due to my right forearm failing) instead of the 12x400 Hansons program called for did Runerval 7.0 workout C same as last week instead. My form wasn't great last week, so instead of using the Half Marathon pace, I decided to use marathon pace. This workout is 6x2.5 mins with 30secs recovery, after the initial 1 min at 6.4mph, then I jump to the HM pace with 30 secs to go, jump to 10K and the last 15 secs at 5k pace. This felt much better and I was able to have a much better quality workout, this seriously kick my butt.







Heading to Orlando next week and noticed a Half Marathon close by, it's tempting but not sure about and I also hate the idea of $85 for a HM when someone paid $45, still mulling it over.

Christmas 2006 in Orlando

Wrapping up 2014, Surging to 2015

This has been a challenging year, starting with the death of my mother on New Years Day, that pretty much stop me in my tracks since it was so sudden and unexpected. I fought hard to overcome the depression that was slowly engulfing me and pulled my self back together after the funeral.

Not many races in 2014 since my fitness was basically none existence, so I spent most of the year trying to get back to where I was in 2013, racing highlight was running the Chicago Marathon and I have to say I was very happy with my pacing and finish time, this really gave me a boast knowing that I was coming back.

Running with Patty and Shelby has been a blessing since it has kept me consistence, and more outdoor.

Main goal for 2015 is to stay healthy while challenging myself and getting outside my comfort zone by trying new things. Races planned so far

Little Rock Marathon
Paris Marathon
Cincinnati Flying Pig 4 ways (5k 10k and Marathon)
Detroit Marathon

I will like to add in some shorter races so as to coming to use them to build speed and also to keep going towards that goal of a 25mins 5k.

Strength workout is important to me so planning on using Cathe and Kelly Coffer Meyer for that and to keep up with the yoga.

Weight is still an issue, still about 10# above my racing weight so that is something that needs to be worked on also.

Cycle more and get back in the pool conquer the deep end.

I know 2015 is going to be a great year :)

Picture below are from Christmas in New Orleans, had a great time