Caus is back with a brand new edition

So - it has been quite awhile since I updated, but that's ok. I started the blog as a tool to keep me accountable, and to be honest, the whole fitness/healthier eating habit routine has become such a huge part of my day to day life, the accountability issue has become almost irrelevant. I signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon, which is super exciting! I have a few friends who are running the full or half marathon, too, which will be a great motivator for doing group runs. We have set up a training team and the actual, scheduled training starts January 4. Woo! I have been running a lot since I last updated in early July. I have done five 5k races so far this summer, have a 10k on Sept 26, and a 5k each Saturday after that. I love running these races - they give you a pretty nice measuring stick to follow your progress, and there's usually a pretty sweet shirt involved with some other SWAG to boot.
All right, that's my quick update. I am going to try to do this a couple times a week, but will be updating daily once I start my marathon training - which will be 7 days a week with the cross-training (lifting, yoga, etc.). Still fitting into my clothes, and have been hearing about how much a difference people can see (in the year(s) since we lost saw each other).... pretty awesome!

Can't believe it's July!

This has been the busiest summer of my life... and I totally blame it on getting older. And for taking on so much extra - two softball teams? It's a lot... but, we only have softball weather for a short period of time in Pittsburgh, soooo... gotta make the most of it!
Two days ago I ran a little over 4 miles in the afternoon, and felt pretty awesome for it. This is a semi-big deal because a) I felt really good after the run and b) I plan on making this my new route. Why the big deal? Because it's an increase in my normal running distance, and the first step in growing my ability to run long distances... like a MARATHON! I am actually more excited about the prospect of finishing a marathon than I was for p90x. I think the reason for this is now that I have done P90X, and continue to keep with the diet aspect of the program and the lifting aspects when time allows, I have come to realize there isn't much I can't do if I put my mind to it. And finishing a marathon is an awesome goal - only 10% of 1% of the entire human population has finished a marathon - what an awesome group to be in!
I signed up for The Great Race 10k run in September yesterday which is pretty cool, because the next step after the 10k is the Marathon! Actually, it's probably the half marathon... but go big or go home, right?
I think my breathing and form has gotten a lot better with my running, which is what is going to play a big part in my ability to do 26.2 miles. But, it's all mental and I'm 100% that I will be able to do it. Once the weather changes and baseball season ends (see no more umpiring), I will be able to dedicate 3-4 days a week to running for probably 6 months leading up to the race. I plan on inserting P90X upper body and Ab workouts in there as well, so I can come out of winter ready to CRUSH ALL THINGS PHYSICAL!!!

And not be fat.

Crazy weekend!

So - for father'sd ay weekend I headed on North to Erie, PA - the Motherland, for a nice weekend at home with the family. There was a lot going on and the weather was awesome, which is always fun. One of the nice things about the trip home was I got to check out the new hot yoga studio that recently opened (www.yogaerie.com). I heard about it from the website of the yoga studio I use in Pittsburgh, and thought it would be a fun thing to check out during a trip home sometime. I had also been harping at my mother to try it out since I learned about it, and she did about two weeks prior to my coming to town. She loved it! So me and mum went to the 9 am yoga class and rocked out to 90 minutes of hot yoga! It was a good workout, and kind of cool to get into a new studio, see a different teacher's style and whatnot.
Sunday was my day of super activity! I ran a 5k in the am with my dad (yay Father's day!), and it was pretty awesome. I went in there with the goal of breaking 20 minutes, and did it in 19:45. I think that end sup being just over a 6 minute mile average - which is pretty fantastic! It was super tough, too, because the first stretch of the course was through sand, and the end was as well. Definitely made my legs feel tired pretty much right off the bat. I'll admit - I was pretty dead tired and had to really push it to finish. But I did! And I met my goal! So... I was pumped!
I went home and took a nap, and when I woke up, my buddy Tony asked me if I could play softball for his team. I cannot say no to softball, so I went and it turned out it was a doubleheader. It worked out that in 8 hours I ran a 5k and played 2 softball games... then had to drive back to Pittsburgh! I was exhausted, to say the least. I umpired Monday, had my game cancelled Tuesday and umpire again tonight - so I hope to get a good run in Thursday evening. I don't mind taking those days off, as I probably sweat off about 6 pounds working behind the plate when I umpire, and my ankles/shins were feeling a little sore after the 5k (I imagine because of the sand running).
Anywho - Next 5k is July 31 in Mount Washington. Should be fairly intense! Still crushing pull/push-ups on the reg and getting softball in twice a week. Daily long dog walks by 10-13 miles running each week... The fitness train keeps on going!

Modified P90X these days

Well, it has been significantly harder to get into a full out P90 regiment since recovering from my elbow injury, but I don't think it has been bad. A lot of what I have been doing is running about 3 to 4 miles, and then putting in about 20-25 minutes of push/pull-ups, resistance band work. This has been nice because it has allowed me to get ready for the upcoming 5k this weekend, and keep my focus on the new goal of distance running. Of course, I don't want to lose sight of P90, but with umpiring as much as I am, I just can't find the hour to do it after working and then being gone an extra 4 hours to get the baseball games in. Not upset, though. I would say that the best thing I got from P90 is the drive to keep working out, even if it isn't exactly the program. P90 MIGHT just have to be a fall/winter/spring workout - because with baseball as often as it is during the week, plus playing softball... no way it's going to happen.

On a bright note, I did a light 3.5 mile run yesterday in under 25 minutes... which is pretty awesome! I can feel my light pace picking up, and am going to start my runs being 4 mile minimum in the next week or so. The marathon won't have anything on me!

Almost back!

So - I am about 90% healed. I plan on beginning phase 3 of P90X a week from Sunday or Monday... Probably Monday so I can have Wednesdays free of yoga because I will be playing softball. In the meantime, I have been running a lot. I ran a 5K (3.2 miles) yesterday and the day before, and have been running a decent distance about 3-5 times a week since hurting my arm. I can do pull ups again, and push-ups a little bit. trying to get into it slowly so I don't relapse and kill my arm! The goal is to move ahead and kick some major butt over the last 4 weeks. Because of all the cardio, I am still feeling super lean, still fitting into all my smaller clothes, and feel great! I am beyond excited to get back into working out on a daily basis. Still committed to the marathon next year. I have a 5k in Erie on Father's day, and signed up for another one July 31st in Mount Washington - which means HILLS!

I am going to try to find a 10k to do before the summer is over - maybe make a weekend out of it if there's one in Cleveland or Buffalo, maybe even Philly? We'll see!

So, the running phase is still in effect, but so is the foot pain. This now leaves me with a bum left elbow/arm and an injured left foot - awesome! The foot was feeling a lot better by yesterday afternoon, and we got a break in the weather so I decided to do an easy 2 mile run... felt great until about 60% of the way into the run and then BAM!, foot starting hurting. All along the outside of my left foot. I am getting so frustrated with all of this I can't even describe it. I realize the elbow is going to take some time to heal, but I feel like getting the foot injury at the same time, effectively limiting any physical activity in which I can take part, is just a kick in the teeth. I went to Elite Runners & Walkers in Pittsburgh to get fitted for a really good pair of running shoes that will hopefully negate any future foot problems. The guy took one look at my old shoes are basically said that it was only a matter of time until something like this happened. These new ones feelt great; they're lighter and support my entire foot. I could tell instantly that these shoes were specifically for running, so here's hoping that this helps!

On a bright note, I sent in my sign up for the Father's Day 5k in Erie on the Presque Isle Penninsula. I REALLY want to be able to get some training in for this, because after how well I ran in Pittsburgh, I think I can come close to a 20:00 time since this course will be considerably less hilly... actually, I think it will be basically a flat run. I am umpiring all weekend, so I will give the foot another 3 days off. If I have time this weekend, which I should, I will at least be able to hop on the stationary bike.

Oh, and last day at the Cancer Institute! Very excited to start my new job on Monday. All I need now is to heal up get back on the fitness wagon.

Running.. a whole new set of issues to tackle..

Well, since my elbow is still in recovery, I have taken to running and did my first 5k yesterday. Learned quite a bit about it... still learning today. The race was in Schenley Park and was the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. It was definitely a test of my mental toughness, as I only really "trained" for a week to get ready for it. Also, it was substantially uphill for the majority of the race - it was brutal!
I had set a goal of finishing in under 25 minutes, and finished around the 22:30 mark! Awesome... I couldn't believe it. I was (and am still) totally stoked about this. I attribute a lot of this success to P90X. It definitely gave me a pretty high starting point to begin my training, which allowed me to run as well as I did.
I have regained basically all of the mobility in my left arm, but still can't quite put pressure on the arm - meaning no push/pull-ups, meaning still on the DL for starting Phase 3.
Further complicating things, my running shoes are pretty old and crappy, and I have a hurt left foot to show for it. Still, I regret nothing. A 22:30 is an awesome time for me, and with a concentrated effort, I think I could significantly improve that. Today is an off day, I umpire Tuesday, and then hopefully I will be able to run on Wednesday. Well, either run or go purchase a pair of high-quality running shoes. June 18th is a Father's day 5k/10k... still debating which one I want to do. Maybe another 5k, then do a 10k before the end of summer. I am not giving up on the Pittsburgh Marathon next year!