Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message Bible)

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Day 72

So...Wednesday's are typically my stay-at-home, keep-on-my-jammies, clean-the-house day. Before P90X, they were also my rest day or my day off from the gym. I miss those days sometimes. It became evident tonight (as it has so many other Wednesday nights) that it just isn't going to work out for us to do the work out, eat dinner, shower and get to church on time. Even if it is possible...it is VERY chaotic and there tends to be a lot of screaming and yelling and crying involved. The past few Wednesday's I've been SOOO determined to make it work that I have had dinner ready by 3 pm, the table set, our clothes for church layed out, the work out DVD in the player ready to go....everything that could be done was done. I would pick the kids up from school and immediately feed them a snack and get Brooklyn started on her homework. Technically, (on paper--like the way I have it scheduled out in my mind) it can actually work out--But--what that doesn't take into account is when someone falls down and gets hurt and needs cuddled by mommy but mommy doens't have 30 seconds to spare for something like that. Or if someone's homework is especially hard and they can't figure out how to do it--mommy doesn't have the time (or the patience) to explain it.
This realization came tonight when I was probably smoking from the ears because the kids KEPT needing me for something and I was TRYING to finish up all my preparations. I had it all worked out in my mind to the SECOND and there wasn't a moment to spare. I knew the ONLY way we would make it to church on time was if I could make everything go exactly as according to schedule. That is when I realized "This is just NOT worth it. Something's gotta give."
Anyway, today I did do a Zumba video earlier in the day (with weights) and then tonight we did Shoulder's & Arms and Ab Ripper.
I'm not exactly sure what next Wednesday and the weeks after that hold...but I know we can't pack all that stuff into the 2 hour time slot between when Matt gets home and when we leave for church anymore.

SHOES
I am needing to get a new pair of tennis shoes and I have NO IDEA what to get. I'm wondering if any of you have any suggestions...?? I want something that will work for all the different kinds of working out I do (Kick boxing, running, zumba, step, interval, weights). I know that's asking a lot....but I guess mostly what I want is good support through the middle of my foot. I want to be held securely...but not so restricting and tight that the shoe leaves indentions all over my foot. The shoes that I have right now are AWESOME, but they are going on a year old and I can tell that I have totally blown out the support in them. They are Asics gel Duomax (Gel-Kayano 14). They were featured in one of my fitness magazines as being the perfect work out shoe the month that I bought them. They were the most expensive shoes I've ever owned at $134.99!! (but I didn't pay that much because I had a gift card and they were on sale). Anyway, I'm not particular about the brand or the cost that much...but it has to be supportive and at least halfway cute. I know, I know....cute is the last thing I should be worried about......but hey...I AM a girl...and I like to look good EVEN when I'm working out! :o)
So please.....send me your suggestions!

On the subject of RUNNING:
Thanks to all of you who left me a comment about what to look at. I think tomorrow when I run, I will try the treadmills that are facing the mirrors. I think looking at myself, while somewhat vain, will definitly inspire me to keep going and push harder. (which is also why I am considering doing a whole wall in my upstairs in full length mirrors and making that my work out room!) I like to be able to see myself and check my form. Speaking of form, a couple of you mentioned you like to run looking at the mirror so you can check your form. I didn't know there was a right "form" for running....??? If there is, please let me in. Sometimes I feel like my stride is very "off" and uncomfortable. I even overheard an old guy at the gym once telling his friend "boy, that girl sure has a different looking stride". It wounded my pride. I thought, "WHAT does THAT mean?" So again...any suggestions you have are appreciated!!

2 comments:

Kate said...

A note of form . . . shoulders should be back, pulled down from your ears, chest out, abs pulled in, arms bent at 90 degrees at your sides and they swing front to back, not criss-cross in front of your body (that only wastes energy). This is what's recommended, but of course, everyone has their own natural form. One of the famous marathon runners from England is always hunched w/ her head bobbing back and forth; it's almost painful to watcher her run long distances, but she's won quite a few Olympic medals! So long as you're not hunched over and your head is held high so you keep the breathing passage wide open, you're good. Some do closed fists; others let their hands hang down so as not to expend too much energy - that's really more for the Ultra Marathon and veteran runners though. Just focus on good posture for now :)

As for shoes - I don't buy cross-trainers, only runners. But I L.O.V.E. my Saucony Pro-Grid Guides. It'll be time for me to get a new pair soon. They have excellent arch support for my average-to-high arches, and most importantly, they really hug my ankle. Don't forget good socks too! They're just as important so that they don't slip, get holes in them, and you end up w/ a bad case of runners toe (black nails from rubbing against the top of your shoe/toe box - solved by keeping toenails nice and short and protecting them with thick socks. I recommend Euro socks for running.

OK - that was probably way more info than you wanted . . . but I love to talk running!

Good luck!

KC said...

Ditto to everything Kate said! (well, done there Kate! you covered all the details perfectly).

Speaking of Running shoes, again DITTO to Kate! (that all I buy too, and I also LOVE the Saucony Pro-Grid..I have these right now in a light blue/white/silver...LOVE Them!). Anyway, I was at Academy yesterday to buy the boys some baseball pants/socks, and I saw that they had running shoes on sale. So I went over to just "look"...however, my Saucony Running Shoes are a few years old and are losing their cushion/support and when I run lately my left knee aches a little, so I figured I better get a new pair, before i end up injuring my knee). Wouldn't you know it! They have the Sauconys on Sale!!!! I got me a new pair of Saucony Grid Fusion 2, in Pink/Grey/Silver. LOVE THEM!!!! They are super cute, and extremely comfortable! (And only $49!) Woo-Hoo!!!! (On a side note, I also buy my running shoes about 1/2 a size bigger than my regular shoes. This gives me extra room in the toe, so my toes don't hit the end of my shoes when I run...and during long runs, my shoes don't start feeling tight and uncomfortable.)