Did I REALLY just run that far?

The plan for this morning was eight miles. Two Soldiers from the intelligence section of the battalion mapped out a course that was four miles there, and four miles back. We met 30 minutes prior to our normal formation time and were stretched out and running at about 6:10am.

We started off with six Soldiers, but two ended up not completing the course due to injuries/illness. We were left with myself, SFC, M, and H, the aspiring NCO from my previous posting. H was the only male to complete the run from our group this morning. GIRL POWER!

H was the fastest, followed by M. SFC and me were pretty much even until the end, then SFC ended up passing me.  I am determined to catch up and keep up with M, but she's so young and tall! When SFC and I reached the turn around point, M was there alone. She told us H just kept going. Being the team players that we are, we continued on as well. We finally saw him coming back toward us, and asked "where's Butner road, anyway?" My response, "about 3/4 a mile back, where the sign says Butner!"

We turned around and made our way back to the unit. It's funny, the things that go through your mind when you are running alone, without music. I can't remember most of the thoughts that crossed my mind, other than those related to the run. Thoughts such as, "ok, I'm passing the division water tower, next checkpoint, the water tower by the motor pool, then motor pool, then Zabitosky Street, then Reilly, then home." Every other thought I had was supposed to serve as a distraction from the pain and fatigue I began to experience. Amazingly enough, I wasn't suffering a significant amount of either. I wasn't comfortable by any means, but a work out isn't a work out if you are. I also maintained that runner's high throughout the run, despite reaching some points (mostly hills) where I almost stopped to walk. NOT doing so is something I'm extremely proud of, because just last month, six miles felt like certain death.

On the way back, someone yelled "what you doing all the way out here?" It was "Ed" the NCO in charge of M and H. I replied "ten miler training, get on my level Sergeant!" I found it amusing that he didn't know his Soldiers were "all the way out here" as well.

When I finished (last lol), I wasn't nearly as winded as I assumed I would be. I guess conditioning really does work. My next step is to increase my speed. I know the speed will come with the continuous running, but I want to get faster... well... faster. 

Also, today starts my experiment with supplements. My SAFE experiment that is. I bought a tub of Jillian Michaels' protein whey powder and used it as coffee creamer, and had some blackberries along with it. I must say, I did feel full afterward, which is of extreme importance to me. My previous postings talk in detail about what happens if I end up getting too hungry lol. I will never use supplements to replace meals though, just to add to them. The rest of the day went well as far as diet and nutrition went. FINALLY, I'm catching on lol.

In others news, I'm taking a public speaking class this semester. Be on the lookout for my manuscripts, if I feel they are worth posting. At first I was mad when the unit deployed and left some new dude in charge of my section instead of me, but I turned that into a positive. Now I'll have time to take my classes and do my correspondences courses and other activities that will hopefully lead me to a promotion. Running the section requires  a LOT of time. Time I could be using to better myself, so, wish me luck!

When in Charge... Take Charge

This week has been outstanding as far as training goes. No B.S. meetings to interfere with training, and no officers to do the same. No offense to any officers that read this. It's just that PT is for NCOs!!! Thank you for understanding :).

I have mangaged to stick to my two-a-days every day so far. Lord willing I can keep on. I haven't lost any weight, but I have lost two inches from my waist. This is what I consider WINNING.

Nutrition continues to be a struggle. I am doing awesome today though. Proper planning helps. Instead of coming to the office without eating breakfast, I went to the commissary and picked up my breakfast and lunch. Despite not coming in as early as usual, I have been super productive. I assume this is because I'm not going into anemic psychotic dangerous physco starvation mode.


Gym training yesterday was legs, today was arms. For unit PT we did sprint intervals yesterday, and muscle resistance today. I let an aspiring NCO conduct PT, so he could practice. He was slightly lost and kept asking me if we could do this or do that. I told him "I put your in charge. When in Charge, take Charge." He definately listened. We ended up deviating from our usual strength training to do relays. Not just any relays, but relays that involved tire flips, sand bag sprints and buddy carries. We are going to feel it in the morning! Next time we'll incorporate beating the tires with sledge hammers. Nothing burns calories like getting out your anger and agression.

We ended up getting extremely dirty, thanks to the ground being wet. Usually the ground being wet doesn't matter much, as Fort Bragg is covered in sand, but we seem to have found the only patch of actual mud within a fifty mile radius of the post. We did sit ups on said patch of mud. Another NCO in my unit filmed us. I hope I can get the footage.

Tomorrow won't be a two a day for me, unless I can get out of work early, as the ten mile team is going to meet at 6am, in order to run an undetermined distance. I decided against measuring the distance on the chosen route so as to avoid psyching myself out before the run. When complete, I'll drive the same route and use my odometer to measure the distance. I do know though, that it's the fartherest distance we've done up to this point. It should be interesting to do this run after the work out we did today. But if we can do it when we are sore and tired, it'll be easy to do the ten miler when we're experiencing zero pain and are well rested.

As I get closer to race day, I feel less and less nervous. I trust my training and my abilities. June 3rd will determine if that trust is well placed or not...

Another Fun Run. Hold the fun.

I like to deliver the bad news first, so that when I deliver the good news, my story will end on a high note. Let's get the bad news out of the way. Today is Monday, I was late, I was in trouble for someone else not being at formation (someone who outranks me), and I didn't get to do the PT I had planned on doing. The good news is,  I DID get to do my strength training prior to unit PT and I worked the hell out of my shoulders and chest. Any time I get to bring a muscle group to muscle failure, I consider it a good session. Additionally, I'm ready to increase the amount of weight I'm lifting. Progress is always good news.

So, I guess I should get used to the fact that Mondays will be reserved for Battery runs. Once again, my grandoise visions of a long distance run were shattered when the First Sergeant said "PT Instructor, POST." This command clearly wasn't aligned with my intent. The command I NEEDED was "Platoon Sergeants, take charge."  As the psuedo-platoon sergeant (the real seems to be perpetually "tasked out"), I would have had the freedom to run the Soldiers to the far ends of the Earth. Or at least the far end of Ardennes. From our unit, the end of Ardennes is exactly 3 miles, making a run there and back a solid 6. (I'm sure my Bragg audience knows what I'm talking about!) But, always the Soldier, I went along with First Sergeant's plans. (AS though I had another choice?) We ran a very slow, very short distance.

Although I could definately have gone further and faster, I was pleased at the fact that I wasn't sucking wind as soon as we hit a slight incline, which is what normally happens to me. Granted, the Battery usually breaks into an unreasonably paced sprint as soon as they hit a hill, and they didn't this time, but I'll take what I can get!

It may have helped that I was the pace setter, for a while at least. I could easily have called cadence on this one, but I opted out, because I was afraid that if I did start singing, the pace would pick up. My fears turned out to be unfounded, so, I'll be singing my heart out next time.

I know that it's wrong to take comfort in the struggles of others, but I must say I was extremely pleased that I didn't fall out of the formation, despite the fact that about six others did. I am by NO means speaking ill of the ones who fell out. I have been there before and know their frustrations. However, it was nice to not be there today.

What helped me to get from a hyperventilating, hysterical, delirious sub-human to a steady paced, even breathing, solid runner was nothing more than hard work, and determination. Please forgive me for the cliche, but some things become cliche simply because they are true, and this is one of them. I hope that others who may be struggling with their run, or any other physical challenge for that matter are willing and able to put in the work to achieve their goals.

Ten Miler Training... Slow is Smooth-Smooth is fast... for real this time

One of the ways I gage my progress and performance when I'm running is to try and keep someone who runs faster than me in my line of vision, then catch up to that person and eventually, pass that person up. Lately, I have been stalking following one of my ten miler team members, "M" always with the goal of passing her in mind. I FINALLY accomplised this yesterday. Granted, I was behind her for the better part of the run, but I passed her, AND "SFC" toward the end. SFC is even faster than M.

I should mention that we ran about a mile, on an unpaved trail, until we reached a nice, steep hill. Here, we did sprints, lunges, squats and backward runs up and down this hell hill. We took the short cut back to the unit when we finised. This goes to show that strength training compliments your run performance. I do a lot of lower body exercise, to ensure my legs are strong enough to keep running. The exercises tired their leg out, but not mine. Finally, slow really IS smooth, and smooth really IS fast. The more I run, the more I enjoy it. This is awesome, since running is one of the best ways for me to shape up.

My weight training is getting more intense.  can do more reps. Soon I'll be ready to increase what I'm lifting. I noticed that my back isn't a strong as is looks, and my abs don't look as strong as they are. I need to remedy this, so next week I'll be doing two back workouts each week and more cardio to trim some inches from my abs. In addition, I need to increase my arm workouts. I'm absolutely terrified of getting that under arm flab like Christina Applegate's character on The Sweetest Thing. There are no signs of it yet, and I want to keep it that way.

Several people have mentioned that I've lost weight. Surprisingly, I haven't. I still weigh... we'll just say I weigh the same. The difference is, the weight is muscle now. I love the changes I'm starting to see.

Despite the positive changes, proper nutrition continues to be the bane of my existence. I am improving my habits in this department, but I still struggle. I know exactly what I NEED to do. I just wish I wanted to do what I needed. If I start to eat more, smaller meals I think I can at least partially correct the problem. If I go too long between meals I turn into a savage. I get moody and cranky and I can focus only on finding food. When I do find substinence, it's usually not a low calorie option. I become quite primitive! Problem is, I get distracted by work, the internet, an animated conversation... etc. Next on my list is to figure out how to limit these distractions....

I am continuing to abstain from alcohol, and even considering not picking it back up. In light of my love for food, I figure quitting drinking will allow me to replace those calories with more food. But some food tastes SOOOOO good with beer or wine, and temptation is everywhere! I'm not making the decision to quit just yet! No one likes a quitter anyway!

Introduction to Insanity-I'm a Believer

Yesterday one of my fellow Noncomissioned Officers invited my platoon to do PT with his platoon. He said he was doing Insanity. He didn't have the video, but he had adapted the exercises from the videos for unit physical training.

I have never seen Insanity, but if it reflects the training we did yesterday, I am a believer!! Let me tell you, I have big, muscular legs. It takes a lot of effort for my legs to hurt after a lower body work out. I almost ALWAYS have to incorporate weights if I want to feel a burn in my lower half. Today, I am SORE. I'm not complaining, by any means. In fact, I'm pleasantly suprised, and excited, as I fully intend to own these DVDs. The NCO that conducted the training informed me that the DVDs are even harder. One of the (very physically fit) officers I work with said he has never completed an Insanity session without taking a break. I say, BRING IT!

On the downside of that, my eating yesterday was less than stellar. One of my coworkers went to Popeyes. The person that took her order gave her more than she ordered, for the same price. As a result, she was giving away the extra. I WANTED to decline the officer, but can ANYONE say no to free, greasy, deep fried exstacy? I know I can't! Moving right along though, I am making up for it today, so far.

I haven't been running lately, aside from Monday. I HAVE been doing some serious strength training though. I was finally able to do my "two-a-days" today. My back and ab work outs were quite intense. I have discovered during this whole ten miler training process that I LOVE intense work outs. I have always done them, but lately the more I do them, the more I want to push myself. I am happy as hell to feel this way.

I have given much thought to my fitness goals after I complete the ten miler. I have decided on three long term goals for the time being. These goals include, being able to do pull ups (I can bench press my weight, but I can't do a pull up. If killing Bin Laden relied on my abilities to do pull ups he'd still be in his Pakistani mansion), being able to do push ups non stop for a minute straight, (since that is soon going to be the new Army standard) and a 14 minute two mile run.

For as long as I've been in the Army, I've never put much thought into my training. I did what I needed to do to maintain my weight, or lose, if necessary, but I was never very deliberate about the whole process. The ten miler training has inspired me to approach fitness differently, to have a plan for my routines, and to refine my diet (this is so far my biggest hurdle).

I would like to hear from my readers, what are your goals? What are your plans to meet these goals?

Life got in the Way Today

Plans for today were: supersets for my legs, followed by routine unit PT (running). Unfortunately this is not how things turned out. I'm not suprised, but frustrated nonetheless.  On my way in, my counterpart texted me, asking me to fill in for him at a meeting. He was running late. The meeting was, of course, at 6am, when I'm normally in the gym. But I was prepared. I would leave the office early and go to the gym in the evening. So I thought. Instead I attended mandatory meeting at 5pm, effectively destroying my plans.

 Had I known, I would have worked out harder during unit PT, which was cut short, due to an unfortuntate announcement that had to be made to the battalion. Out of respect for the people involved, I will not elaborate further on the announcement we heard.

After the meeting, I had to pick up my son. Anyone with children in daycare understands that, I'm sure.

So, now I'm at home dwelling on how annoyed I am that my daily routine was interrupted. I will give myself credit though, on the diet and nutrition side. I wasn't perfect, but I didn't break down and order pizza or pick up KFC either. Baby steps. I have considered easing myself into a clean diet, but that doesn't seem likely. I enjoy flavor. I just can't sacrafice it.

It dawned on me today that one of my earlier postings about working out being addictive is proving accurate today. I'm almost positive that if someone were to drop by my house for a visit, I'd be displaying behaviors similar to those of a junkie needing a fix. I feel like I'm twitching, and I can't stop thinking about going to the gym. BUT, I feel that this is a healthy obsession. I would rather have this vice than say, smoking or alcohol. No offense to those who indulge in either of these (I definately enjoy drinking), but science proves that my fixation on exercise is good. My obession will actually help me live LONGER. I tend to be slighly obsessive compulsive in some regards, and this is one of them. I'm very "Type A." in this matter. If only my diet matched lol.

As I wind down this evening, and get my gym bag packed for tomorrw, some of the annoyance is wearing off. I am hopeful and confident for tomorrow's work out (which will be combined with today's, time permitting).

Ten Miler Training...Or Lack Thereof

Once again, my plans to run all over Fort Bragg were foiled by the First Sergeant's plans for a"fun run." I think the word "fun" needs to be more closely examined. On a postive note, the pace wasn't insane and impossible to maintain, like it has been in the past. I even felt as though I could call cadence... almost...I wish we had gone further though. Maybe I'm gradually becoming addicted to a "runner's high." Perhaps that term isn't just urban legend, as I had previously believed.

Gym time was outstanding. I began a routine presented in the May issue of Oxygen magazine. The Hourglass Work Out, or something to that effect. I was pleased when I was nearing muscle failure during the second set of reps. It takes alot to get to that point, and I hate leaving the gym not feeling fatigued. This sounds likes I love to torture myself. I don't. Pain is how I gauge the intensity of my work outs. I'm sure anyone with extensive experience in sports medicine would disagree with me and give me a speech about recovery, etc. BUT, the pain barometer method has always worked well for me, and until I find myself severely injured and staring into the eyes of doctor who probably "told me so," I'll continue. Tomorrow I get to superset a bunch of leg exercises, then plyometrics Wednesday. I don't remember the rest, and I'm too tired lazy to get the magazine out of my truck. If you're intrigued, and would like to see more, purchase the magazine.

Let's move on. Diet. Nutrition. I NEED to work on completely revise and start over on those areas. My journey to balance the enjoyment of food and the necessity of it just may begin sooner that I want. Seriously, why can't I say no to cookies? One of the captains in my unit brought in a plate of decadent, delightful, awe-inspiring chocolate chip cookies today. Instead of eating one or two and sharing the rest, I think I shared one or two and ate the rest. He said he put almond extract in them. I think almond extract is code for crack! Why else would I want them so badly? (Please take the crack comment with a grain of salt and don't call a substance abuse counseler on me. It's just  figure of speech lol) Speaking of cookies, check this woman out... http://sweetsugarbelle.blogspot.com/. If I worked anywhere near her, I'd really be screwed! But I'd be on a perpetual sugar high and just may not care lol.

Maybe if I hadn't skipped breakfast I'd have handled the cookies better. I just might experiment with the supplement concept, but only for when I'm in a hurry and can't cook something. Many of my diet pittfalls result from limited times and options. I guess the smart thing would be to plan ahead. Enter supplements... stay tuned.