Defy your limitations

The month is almost over, and I'm finally starting to feel fit and in shape again! Whew! It been awhile since Ive felt like this.  The fall brought with it, as per usual, colder weather.  Once that cold weather comes, my motivation leaves.  I become content sitting at home bundled up under blankets and being a lazy bookworm.  This gym membership is the best thing Ive done for myself this year.  Ive also started to become really engrossed in researching "fitness Modeling" and "body building" which is helping me with my body image issues.  With working out as much as i am (about 2-3 hours a day) I'm starting to become more comfortable having a meal afterwards, knowing that i am fueling my body and helping it to stay strong and continue to get fit. My newest obsession is the Harvest Vegetable Salad from Comet Cafe, conveniently on my walk home from the gym and only 1/2 a block from my apartment. It normally comes with tofu (which i love!) but I'm embracing the Paleo diet, so i substitute a plain grilled chicken breast instead and no dressing (it comes with a delicious ginger dressing, but ginger is also now "off limits")  Ive had it 4 times this week and will most likely have it for dinner tonight as well. 

I took a day off from the gym yesterday.  I was feeling very exhausted, and Ive realized, its okay to not be at the gym everyday. I do have a bunch of runs to blog.  I've run a total of 36miles this month (so far).  Its not as high of a mileage as i would like.  Id like to work myself up to the point where i am running an average of 40 miles per week.  Ive been lifting everyday and working on getting more toned and muscular.  I can feel my body getting stronger and have even received some compliments on the muscle i have built up.  My pace has started to get faster as well.  Ive only been running about 3.1 miles a day.  I'm trying to work on my 5k pace first.  I want to run an 18min 5k this summer so i need to get my pace to a steady 6'15" if I'm to be in that 18min range.  The faster the better :)

Runs: (all on treadmill, no incline):

Jan 11: Miles: 3.03 Time: 22:10 Avg Pace: 7'18"  M1: 7'08" M2: 7'57" M3: 7'14"

Jan 12: Miles: 3.07 Time: 22:47 Avg Pace: 7'25"  M1: 7'17" M2: 7'21" M3: 7'33"

Jan 13: Miles: 3.07 Time: 22:23 Avg Pace: 7'17"  M1: 7'48" M2: 7'03" M3: 6'58"

Jan 14: Miles: 3.04 Time: 21:12 Avg Pace: 6'57"  M1: 7'03" M2: 6'57" M3: 6'50"

Jan 15:  I did not run, instead i did an hour on the elliptical to give my knees a break from the persistent pounding of the treadmill

Jan 16: Miles: 3.06 Time: 21:29 Avg Pace: 7'00"  M1: 7'02" M2: 7'00" M3: 7'00"

Jan 17: Miles: 4.04 Time: 28:24 Avg Pace: 7'01"  M1: 7'02" M2: 7'02" M3: 6'59" M4: 7'00"

Jan 18: Miles: 305  Time: 21:26 Avg Pace: 7'00"  M1: 7'01" M2: 7'02" M3: 7'01"

Jan 19: Miles: 3.06 Time: 21:17 Avg Pace: 6'57"  M1: 7'10" M2: 6'52" M3: 6'49"

Jan 20: I took this as a recovery day and stayed home. 

Jan 21: Miles: 3.50 Time: 24:50 Avg Pace: 7'04"  M1: 7'14" M2: 6'59" M3: 7'02"

Jan 22 & 23: Instead of running, i did an hour on the stairmaster each day :)

Jan 24: I started with 30 minutes on the stairmaster, then moved to the treadmill, and then followed with weights, this was a leg day.  My first mile of running was a lot slower then the last two as i was having technical difficulties with my music and i refuse to run with out sound
    Miles: 3.12  Time: 21:35 Avg Pace: 6'55"   M1: 7'24" M2: 6'51" M3: 6'32"

After i complete each run, i stay on the treadmill and cool down with a 1mile walk.  I always follow my cardio sessions with weights and other strengthening exercises.  My next run, my goal is to maintain a 6'50" pace if not lower. Here's to hoping I can make it happen :)

Until next time...