Final Challenge April 29, 2011

Well, I made it through this year’s 46 Day Challenge.  There’s a reason it is called a challenge.  It’s a challenge to keep up with the exercise on a daily basis, even when you’re sick, busy, or out of town.  It’s a challenge to “make” time rather than “find” time.  You challenge yourself to new physical and mental limits.  Or you just challenge yourself to try something crazy, like a triathlon.

For the last weekend of the Challenge, I was out of town for the holiday.  While travel usually makes it difficult to exercise, I still found time to run on one day and because of where we went for vacation (more on that in an upcoming post, here’s a hint…the happiest place) there was a LOT of walking involved.  I mean a lot.  I almost regretted going for that run on Saturday morning.  I have some well-worn sneakers now!

Also, remember how I hooped the half marathon last year?  Well, I wasn’t able to participate in the training this year, but tomorrow is the half marathon.  I will be on bike support with the hoopers!  Getting in my biking training for the triathlon and supporting a great cause and group of women at the same time!

Here is my final progress.

3/29 Walk 2.6 miles
3/30 Run 5.5 miles
3/31 Walk 1 mile
4/1 Walk 1.7 miles
4/2 Walk 0.25 miles plus some light bike riding
4/3 Walk 0.25 miles plus some heavy house cleaning
4/4 Foam Roller 20 min
4/5 Walk 1 mile
4/6 Run 2.4 miles
4/7 Swim 300 meters, walk 1 mile
4/8 Bike 4.34 miles
4/9 Swim 300 meters
4/10 Bike 5.73 miles
4/11 Run 4.2 miles
4/12 Run 3 miles
4/13 Swim 300 meters
4/14 Bike 9.26 miles
4/15 Walk 1/2 mile
4/16 Swim 750 meters
4/17 Run 4 miles
4/18 Bike 8 miles + Run 2 miles (practicing the transition for the triathlon!)
4/19 Walk 1 mile
4/20 Walk 1 mile
4/21 Swim 400 meters
4/22 Walking minimum 2 miles
4/23 Run 2.4 miles, plus walking minimum 2 miles
4/24 Walking minimum 2 miles, hooping 10 minutes

So, how did you do?  What has been your biggest challenge?

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Almost there April 19, 2011

I’m in the final stretch of the 46 Day Challenge.  I have to say there were difficult moments this year.  I became insanely busy for a week or two at the beginning.  Then I came down with one of the worst colds I’ve had in a very long time for nearly a week.  But I persevered, even if it meant going for a quick 5-10 minute walk.  I’m also in the last couple weeks before my first triathlon.  I went for a practice run of 2/3 of the tri yesterday and it went better than I expected.  I’m really enjoying all the cross-training with the 2 extra sports and it’s helped keep up with the Challenge as well.  Just have less than a week left in the Challenge.  Here are the past 3 weeks for me:

3/29 Walk 2.6 miles
3/30 Run 5.5 miles
3/31 Walk 1 mile
4/1 Walk 1.7 miles
4/2 Walk 0.25 miles plus some light bike riding
4/3 Walk 0.25 miles plus some heavy house cleaning
4/4 Foam Roller 20 min.
4/5 Walk 1 mile
4/6 Run 2.4 miles
4/7 Swim 300 meters, walk 1 mile
4/8 Bike 4.34 miles
4/9 Swim 300 meters
4/10 Bike 5.73 miles
4/11 Run 4.2 miles
4/12 Run 3 miles
4/13 Swim 300 meters
4/14 Bike 9.26 miles
4/15 Walk 1/2 mile
4/16 Swim 750 meters
4/17 Run 4 miles
4/18 Bike 8 miles + Run 2 miles

Challenging myself March 29, 2011

Inspired by my own 46 Day Challenge, I’ve decided to finally mark something off of my bucket list.  For a couple years now, I have been enamored with the idea of completing a triathlon.  I know I have the running part down.  I’ve been riding a bike for a couple decades now.  And I’ve been swimming even longer.  I’ve toyed with the idea of training for and completing a RunBikeSwim*, but I usually fall back on the excuse of the time of training for 3 sports instead of 1, or the sheer cost of equipment once you start adding in the bike, etc.

Well, no more.  I have officially signed up for my first triathlon.  Granted, I chose a tri that I could feasibly complete today if I needed to, but we all have to start somewhere.  I can start small and if I like it, then I can invest more time and money into it.  I’m very excited about this particular triathlon too.  It’s small, manageable, and all women.  No need to compete with machismo or testosterone fueled sprints.  My new goals now are to get in a few swims before May, maybe get a newer bike that’s more suited for road races, and possibly get some tri gear (like those fancy padded pants).

Stay tuned for more bike rides and swimming to be added to my daily exercise.  Here’s the past week and a half.  How has your daily exercise been going?

3/17 Walk 1.5 miles
3/18 Run 4.25 miles
3/19 Bike 7.75 miles
3/20 Run 6 miles
3/21 Hula Hooping 25 minutes
3/22 Run 7.4 miles
3/23 Run 2.5 miles
3/24 Walk 1 mile
3/25 Run 2.5 miles
3/26 Bike 7 miles
3/27 Hula Hooping 20 minutes
3/28 Run 3 miles

* Why do they call it RunBikeSwim, when generally they are Swim-Bike-Run?  To me, it just seems to make more sense to run, then bike, then swim.  Especially when it’s so incredibly hot during triathlon season.  Plus you don’t get that weird bricking thing when going from bike to running.  Guess I need to research it more.

Challenge week 1 March 16, 2011

It’s the first week of the 46 Day Challenge, and that exactly what it’s been.  A Challenge.  See, this past week or so has been very busy for me.  At work, personal, business, social, everything.  So finding time to get in some exercise has been tough.

But that’s the thing about the 46 Day Challenge.  It’s not about finding time.  It’s about making time.

You don’t find time for important things in life, you make time for them.  So, it takes a little forethought about how your day is going to go.  You know you have something in the evening, then you make time in the morning or at lunch to go for a walk.  Your morning is jam packed with meetings, then reserve a little time after work to blow off steam before dinner.  You have no idea how your day is going to go, then you better get moving early in the day to avoid any surprise pit falls later in the day.

So here’s how I’ve been doing.  How about you?

3/9 – Walk 1/2 mile
3/10 – Walk 1/2 mile
3/11 – Run 2.5 miles
3/12 – Run 4 miles
3/13 – Ziplining 2 hours
3/14 – Run 2.1 miles
3/15 – Walk 2.5 miles
3/16 – Run 3 miles

46 Day Challenge 2011 March 10, 2011

Yes, that’s right.  My 46 Day Challenge is back!  If you’re either new to the blog or have just forgotten about it, check out last year’s 46 Day Challenge.  Between Fat Tuesday and Easter, I make it a challenge to myself to exercise at least a little bit every day.  For many people, this time of year might mean giving up something.  I’m not particularly religious, but find this a good timeframe to maybe add something extra to my life.  It’s also an excellent timeframe (a month and a half) in which to form a new, healthy habit.  Not to mention, this is also just after most of the New Year’s Resolutioners (also something I don’t participate in) have petered off in the gyms.  And it’s also just after the worst of winter’s blast that might keep you from going outdoors to exercise.

I was pleasantly surprised to see my friend at Cook, Pray, Love has also chosen this time of fasting to turn it around for good as well, and not just a “40 day diet” or a “New Years Resolution Take 2.”  So, she (along with a comment from Barbie) has reminded me that I should make this my 3rd annual (2nd annual on the blog) 46 Day Challenge.

And it couldn’t come at a better time.  This is an extremely busy week for me.  I have actually been exceptionally good about my running and workout routine throughout the entire winter.  I’m way ahead on my mileage so far this year than I have been in the past.  But life sometimes gets in the way, which is what this 46 Day Challenge is supposed to teach you; that no matter what you can always make time for at least one healthy habit and get your body moving.  So, whether it’s running 10 miles or walking a half mile or 90 minutes of Hot Yoga, or gentle stretching for 20 minutes during your favorite sitcom, it counts.  And you can do it too!  Are you going to join me?  I will document my progress here to keep myself honest.  And don’t worry if you didn’t start yesterday, the 46 Day Challenge can be done at any time you want to form a new healthy habit!

46 Day Challenge & Cheap Candy April 5, 2010

My 46 Day Challenge has ended.  And just in time for one of my favorite three times of year, Cheap Candy Day.  The day after Easter all of the good candy goes on sale and there aren’t any more good candy holidays until Halloween.

My 46 Day Challenge actually became a 47 Day Challenge on accident, because I had my regular hoop walk training on Sunday, so I did not get to rest, but I plan to rest a good bit today.  Then back at it tomorrow!! (after ingesting vast quantities of sugar from sale candy!)  Here is how the rest of my challenge shaped up:

3/18 – Walk 1 mile
3/19 – Run 3.1 miles
3/20 – Hoop walk 9 miles
3/21 – Hooping 35 min.
3/22 – Walk 1 mile
3/23 – Walk 3.75 miles
3/24 – Elliptical 10 min.
3/25 – Elliptical 10 min.
3/26 – Run 2.4 miles
3/27 – Walk/Hike 2 hours
3/28 – Hoop walk 10 miles!
3/29 – Run 2.1 miles
3/30 – Yoga 1 hour
3/31 – Run 2.1 miles
4/1 – Walk 2 miles
4/2 – Run 2 miles
4/3 – Hooping 10 min.
4/4 – Hoop walk 8 miles

How did you do?

46 Day Challenge – holiday update March 17, 2010

Hope you wore your GREEN today!  Get in that workout before you enjoy partying tonight!  Here’s my “keeping me honest update.”  And in the spirit of honesty, I’ve really had some difficulty getting in my daily exercise the past couple weeks due to illness and other major events that have come up, and I probably would have given up on the challenge if it weren’t that I had already committed to it in writing here.

2/28 – Hoop walk 7 miles
3/1 – Run 2.55 miles
3/2 – Yoga 1 hour
3/3 – Run 2 miles
3/4 – Walk 1 mile
3/5 – Hooping 20 min.
3/6 – Hooping workshop 1 hour
3/7 – Hoop walk 7 miles
3/8 – Run 2.5 miles
3/9 – Yoga 1 hour
3/10 – Elliptical 10 min.
3/11 – Run 2.4 miles
3/12 – Run 3 miles
3/13 – Elliptical 10 min.
3/14 – Hoop walk 8 miles
3/15 – Elliptical 10 min.
3/16 – Yoga 1 hour
3/17 – Run 2.4 miles

Only 17 more days left to the challenge!  How has your fitness routine been?

46 Day Challenge update February 27, 2010

To keep myself honest and to set an example to anyone else attempting the 46 day challenge, here is a summary of the past 11 days.  (35 more to go!)

2/17 – Run 2 miles
2/18 – Walk 1.5 miles
2/19 – Run 2.1 miles
2/20 – Hooping workshop for 1 hour + Walk 1.5 miles
2/21 – Hoop-walk 6 miles
2/22 – Walk 4.5 miles
2/23 – Run 2 miles
2/24 – Walk 1 mile
2/25 – Run 2 miles
2/26 – Run 1.7 miles
2/27 – Hooping workshop for 1 hour

As you can see I am not necessarily “burning it out” every single day, but getting some kind of exercise is the name of the game.

I use Daily Burn as a way to keep track of my workouts online.  I’ve been using it for over a year and like it for keeping track of all kinds of workouts, determining calories burned, and finding new workouts.  I like that it is online (and free) and I can post my workout at any time from anywhere without having to carry a journal with me or “remember” my workout until I can log it later.  There are several different types of programs out there if you search online.

46 Day Challenge February 18, 2010

This time of year, many people are giving up things that are valuable to them.  I do not follow the tradition of Lent, so I do not really give up anything for the same reason I do not really make resolutions.  Instead last year, I started a new tradition, the 46 Day Challenge, and I add something for 46 days instead of give it up.

Starting on the day after Fat Tuesday, I exercise every single day until Easter.  To answer several questions.

1. Yes, I had to count out how many days it is between Fat Tuesday and Easter.  Twice, just to be sure.

2.  Yes, we should all be getting some kind of exercise every day. But admit it, we don’t.  I don’t even do it when I’m in training.  I relish my “rest” days.

3.  No, you don’t have to run a marathon every day for 46 days.  I’m not Eddie Izzard.  A 1 mile walk is sufficient if that’s all you have time for.  But it is intended to get in some sort of intentional exercise every day, preferably with some intensity in addition to the intentional.

4. No, it’s actually NOT as easy as it sounds.  Life, weather, and our own mind gets in the way.  We all get busy or just want to be lazy (or *gasp* want to clean house) on a Sunday.  Does not matter, go for a walk.  This time of year is notorious for its bad weather.  It’s cold in February and no one wants to go outside.  It rains a lot in March and no one wants to go outside.  Time to start developing indoor routines.  And just our plain own stubbornness will get in the way…but I JUST DON’T WANT TO.  Tough, just do it, even for a few minutes.

This isn’t really about sacrificing anything.  It’s about getting back into a good fitness routine after the winter and the holidays, and making it a habit again.  The first couple weeks are hard and require some creativity, but after 46 days it’s easy to go for a quick jog or lift weights, or find a yoga class.  I will have some help this time, because we’re in training to Hoop the Half Marathon.  So I already need to be walking and cross-training and hooping.

Oh yeah, and I challenge any of my readers to take up their own 46 Day Challenge.  It’s not too late to start!