Blood pressure update & virtual 5k advice

So easy to use!

One of the commitments I made to my new primary care doctor last week was to buy a blood pressure cuff so I could monitor my blood pressure to make sure things were still going well without the medicine.  I headed to Costco one night last week, looked at my options and was surprised that there were actually two choices there.  I decided that the more expensive one has got to be better and went for that.  I had actually heard of this brand too so that made a difference.  Talk about easy!  It can be battery operated or plugged into the wall.  So far, I've just used it while plugged in.  The nice part is that it is able to store the results for 2 people so maybe I can slap it on Biv every now & again and check his.  He doesn't have issues - I am just nosy!

The readings have been really good.  I have been checking at different times of day too just to see what I get.  I felt "funny" after the MIT happy hour Thursday night so I took my BP expecting it to be high and it was actually my pulse that was high!  The BP was fine.  My pulse runs 50 now and I was about 64 so that could be why I felt funny.  Either way, I am definitely doing very well.  I thought just stopping cold turkey on the meds would not be good but I am doing okay so far!  Today was officially day 7 since the last pill.

I was also impressed how fast my results came back from the doctor on my cholesterol screens too.  My numbers are still as good as they were at the check last June and now I can wait a year to be checked again!  My good cholesterol improved and my bad went down!  Woohoo!

This should be the last post about my general health for a while!  I feel great and if there is anything to share, I will (as you can tell)!

I have an idea for a Virtual 5K this summer and I want to get feedback from blogland about how to do these.  Have you had luck with it?  What resources did you use to promote it and get some prizes?  My motivation for the 5K is near & dear to my heart but it is not my story.  I've got to get sister approval before I can do anything with it.  I'd love to get blogger feedback & tips!!  Please leave me notes in the comments.  If I ran one, would you be interested in participating??

Just not feeling it

Do you ever have those mornings where you get up, suit up for your workout and then spend the next 20 minutes trying to convince yourself to go?

No?  Yes?

I did today for the first time in a very long time.  Not sure what was going on with me but I got up, put on the clothes I had laid out with every intention of going my 4 miles and then sitting down to work.  Took the dogs out and spent the entire time talking to myself saying "it's just 4 miles." &  "You do this all the time."  But my mind could not be convinced.  So I listened and laid back down on the couch.  The beauty of working from home is being able to get a few extra zzzzz's when you want need it.

Maybe this was my body's way of rebelling against what I did to it earlier this week?  Work has been particularly crappy so I turned to exercise to get the stress out.  Started out the week with a spin class Sunday night at PAI then progressed into a 5 workout session in a 2 day period.  One hour of TRX followed by 3 miles walking at less then 12 minute pace Monday night.  Followed by a 5:30AM core & good form workout with MIT Tuesday morning.  I thought I had 5 miles on my schedule for Tuesday but it turns out I just had 4.  Oops.  I could have skipped the 2 miles I did when I got back from the MIT workout and just gone with the 3.5 I ended up doing for the Mardi Gras meet-up at Fleet Feet Tuesday. Needless to say, two strength training sessions in a row and I could hardly move.  Biv highly suggested I not do anything on Wednesday and take a full rest day.  For once, I listened.  I was scheduled for Spin/TRX Thursday morning and for the second week in a row, I missed it.  I woke up in time to go but the parts that would be sitting on the bike were sore enough that I decided to sleep another hour.  I felt much better and headed out for my 4 mile make up from Wednesday.

After not executing this morning, I went to yoga tonight for some stretching & I was glad I did.  I could still feel the damage I had done earlier this week.  Thankfully I have my monthly massage next Thursday so I should be feeling much better after it.

I'd have to say again: "Do as I say - not as I do."  I think I mentally tried to make up for not being able to get core workouts in last week while I traveled for work and really over did it.  I'd say never again but I have a feeling I will post about this again someday.  Isn't it crazy how our mind forgets?

Have you ever overdone it?

Do you enjoy rest days?  Isn't it amazing how much extra time you have?

Let's get physical!

As I have posted before, I have been planning to see a new primary care doctor.  Today was the day!  A lot of my friends see a doctor that is associated with MIT and thankfully he can also be a primary care doctor.  I decided to go to him for my annual physical this year.  I am glad I did.  For the first time in a long time, I had a doctor who wanted to hear my concerns, listen to them and give me advice.  I have been concerned that I was taking blood pressure medicine and I didn't need it.  He explained that the medication I was on is one that he normally recommends as the third medication when the first two don't work.  My readings have been really good (if you want to get off a medicine, come prepared with numbers) and he was saying that as you lose weight, your blood pressure just naturally drops.  Since I admitted that I tend to be really good about the medicine Monday - Friday and fail on the weekends, we agreed to see how things go all the time without the medicine.  I have to head to the store and pick up a real good blood pressure cuff but for now, I am off.  Since I had the one incident where I didn't feel well after not taking the medicine for a few days, I need to have a cuff on hand to monitor it.

I also asked about nutrition - especially considering I am planning to train for and complete my first full marathon in October.  He recommended I work with a sports nutritionist and even called me an endurance athlete.  Why does that always sound like music to my ears?  I am really excited to get an appointment scheduled with her and learn more about nutrition.  I'll definitely post more about it!

We went ahead and did a cholesterol screen and a few other tests.  What I liked about this new doctor?  Let's say this first:  he spent the time to talk to me instead of just sitting there, reading my chart, making a few notes and then the rest of the time buried in his computer filling out forms he had to complete.  He wanted to talk to me and not my paperwork.  He is accessible too - in fact said it was okay to email him and ask questions!  I thought of a few more I didn't cover relating to my racewalking.  We did discuss whether or not I could use a VO2 Max test and he was honest that he would only recommend it if I decided to take up running instead of walking.  I need to do more research on HR when you are walking.  The doctor was saying people who walk barely get out of zones 1 or 2 while they are walking.  I haven't been doing a good job of monitoring my heart rate while training because my Garmin was always giving me bad readings.  He suggested adjusting it, getting a new battery & trying again.  

I am so glad I finally listened to my friends and tried out this new doctor!  If you have been thinking about it, you should definitely look into it too.  It will be worth your time!

Where the heck have I been?

It's been a while since I've blogged and I'd like to say its because I've been super busy doing some awesome fitness things, but its not.  Work is getting in the way!  I have still been able to get my training mileage in but last week was a total fail on the core fitness workouts!  Actually planning to stay home all week this week so I can get them in, get some good productive work done & regain some sanity!!

You must go see them!

A kiss cake, Whoopie Pie & sugar cookies

We "celebrated" Valentine's a few days early by heading out to dinner at Trattoria Roma and going to the Palace Theater here in Columbus to see the Blue Man Group.  They were awesome - as expected - and we enjoyed every minute!  I had been to see them in Vegas at the Venetian and I had forgotten why the front row or floor seats are the best!  It is very much an audience participation show and those seats have the best time!  When I go again, we'll spend the extra money & be down there!  I wasn't sure if Biv would enjoy it as much as I did but he did - he even was up to "dance" (as much as he does) in the ending part.  Some annoyances were the picture taking!  They announced no pictures but people around us were still using their cameras anyway and their flashes!  I definitely was ready to hit someone.  The woman right next to Biv kept taking pictures with her cell phone.  Last time I checked, those pictures are not the best when you upload them to the computer!  We also enjoyed some treats from my favorite local baker, Sassafras Bakery for Valentine's Day too.  If you live local and love desserts like me, you must check out her treats!!!  Her cut-out cookies are as good as I remember my grandma's to be and I love them!

Before all the Valentine's Day shenanigans, I dedicated my Saturday morning MIT workout to Sherry Arnold, the runner who was kidnapped & murdered in Montana in January.  For the latest on her very sad story, you can read here.  I have felt a connection to this story since the day it broke in January.  Not only do I follow a blogger who happened to know Sherry, but it was a story that hits close to home.  How many of us go out for our regular workouts and not tell someone where we are?  Too many of us.  Now I make sure Biv at least has an idea of the path I take when I leave the house to walk.  I also will tell him "this week we're at Ohio Health Westerville" or "we'll be at Olentangy Trail from TWHS."  It's better if he has somewhat of an idea.  Thankfully I do carry my cell phone with me so Google Latitude would report where I am to at least his mom.  There were a few of us at MIT that morning dedicating our mileage to Sherry so I snapped a picture with Mandy before we headed out for what was to be my worst mileage all season.  Just think -5 with windchill and 7 miles.  'Nuff said.  

Across A1A Hwy

Sunday brought a business trip to Orlando where I landed in 35ish degree weather.  I spent Sunday night with my cousins at their rental in Flagler Beach where I enjoyed an ocean side 4 miler in about 40 degree weather.  It was an awesome change from -5 on Saturday!  It was a great 4 miles and I felt like I could have gone for miles!  Headed into Orlando for the conference I was attending and enjoyed 2 more early morning workouts.  The only drawback was all the concrete!  I finally understand why I always saw runners on the paved roads in my neighborhood instead of the sidewalks.  I'd like to start a movement to make all neighborhoods pave their sidewalks.  Who's with me?

Let's hope this week gives me some more time to post and more time to exercise!  I'm not liking walking only!!  :)

If you travel for business, how do you get your core workouts in?

What did you do for Valentine's Day?

Slow cooking

I usually don't post recipes on my blog but I just had to share this one!  This is the second time I've made it and it is super easy & really tasty!

I found it on allrecipes.com when I was looking for something quick, easy & healthy for my crockpot.  I'll add a disclaimer here - I am a lazy cook so even though it calls for a real lime & fresh cilantro, I do neither.  Lime juice works fine and I always skip the cilantro.

Yummy!

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
1 (16 oz) jar of salsa
1 (1.25 oz) package dry seasoning mix
1 lime juiced (too lazy to do this - I just use lime juice)
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken

Place the salsa, taco mix, lime juice & cilantro in the slow cooker and stir to combine.  Through in the chicken & stir to coat them.  I have been cooking it on low for 5-6 hours each time.  It says you can cook it on high for 4 hours but high with my crockpot = burn.  Once cooked, shred chicken with 2 forks and serve!

The nice part about the crockpot is it can cook from frozen too so if you've forgotten to get the chicken out and still have time until dinner, you can throw it in & cook it!  I totally did this today around 12 on my lunch break and it was ready by 6:30 for sure!  I just use what ever salsa I have on hand & I really really dig the Trader Joe's taco seasoning packet so I used that.  If you've never tried it, head to your closest TJ's and get one ten!  They are amazing!

Super easy and healthy!  I get frustrated with recipes that don't give you the exact serving that equals the calories listed, but this one says it makes 6 servings for 272 calories each.  It always seems like a bit more than that when I make it but who am I?  Serve up with your favorite garden salad or veggie and it's a yummy, easy meal that you have leftovers for other meals as well!

I'll pray for you

I am pretty sure this is what she meant.

And in the spirit of things being weird lately, I met 2 friends for lunch at Panera Friday.  I got there early since I was going to work a bit before they came.  As I was sitting there saving a table for us, a woman just sat down where my notebooks were.  I let her know that I was saving it for my friends who were coming and next thing I know she said "Well, I will pray for you until they come."  When they did arrive, she didn't leave - we did.  Apparently she was mouthing something (that I could not hear) and moving was totally necessary.  Yes, I bring out the crazy in everyone.

Me & Mandy

Thanks to the loveliness of my week in Atlanta, I have felt like a cold was coming on for a day or so.  Friday night I went to bed feeling okay but was up almost every hour trying to breathe.  By the time morning came, when I was awake again at 5AM, I decided it was not wise to try to go to MIT and walk 6 miles with our walkers.  Texted my co-coaches and tried to sleep again.  It was difficult.  I finally sucked it up and we went out to do our shopping which has not been done in ages.  Whoa can that get pricey!  Happily I got a text from one of my new besties that she also was not going to MIT and did I want to get together on Sunday to walk!  Uh yeah, sign me up!  She had 9 on her schedule and I had 3 so we did 8.  That math works, right?  We could not have asked for a better weather day!  Mother nature is just messing with us this year!  I wore capris and because the calendar said February I swore I needed a pullover on too!  Outside in February without a beanie?  I'll take it!  The weather was AH-MA-ZING!

Since I already had spinning scheduled today at PAI, I asked Twitter if I should switch from spinning to a TRX class and my awesome spin instructor tweeted me into coming.  So glad I did as I created my own duathalon.  8 miles on the trail to an hour long kick butt spin class.  Maybe I am more ready for a du or tri then I thought!  I'll admit my legs and I are pretty tired right now & struggling to keep the football game in sight, but it is an awesome tired!  Oh and the little bit of cold I was feeling slipped away!  Yea!

Oh, and ever since I saw this clip on YouTube of Elmo, I can't get it out of my head.  You're welcome.

How was your weekend? 


Are you experiencing strange winter weather where you live too?

And the last week of January goes out stinky

Yup, this picture just about sums up the Sunday morning yoga class I attended with Biv.  We're in downward facing dog but the one legged version when she fell out of the pose and farted.  The way she fell basically ended up landing her behind right next to my head.  I'll admit, I didn't smell anything but I still definitely HEARD it.  Minutes later in a few other poses, she kept tooting away.  I should have known it was bound to be a toxic smelling week.

How are they breathing?

Headed to Atlanta for work and they had us packed in like sardines for the Monday morning opening session to training.  The smell of Drakkar made it seem like a bad 1990s movie.  I'll admit there is probably a bottle of Drakkar in our house but Biv hasn't worn it in years. These men had to have bathed in it.  Yeah, thanks but I don't need to choke this morning.  I won't even talk about the food provided for breakfast (bad fruit & pastries) or the lack of dinner provided during training.

Wednesday morning I got up at 5AM to hit the gym.  With 1,500 of your closest co-workers in the same hotel, you had to hit the gym early to get a 'mill.  Tuesday was a nightmare - no 'mills, ellipticals or bikes available so I did core work and went to the jogging track for 16 laps (1.5 miles).  Anyway, I pounded out 3 miles on the 'mill before the line started forming.  Since I had 6 on my schedule, I packed it in when someone else tooted in the gym & headed up to the jogging track and ran 33 laps around it.  Yes, I ran while I was in Atlanta instead of walking and here is why - the jogging track was 10.5 laps for 1 mile.  Tried to walk it Tuesday but it was terribly mind numbing so I decided to run.  My mind went completely blank (for the first time in ages) and I ran around with the number of the lap I was on in my head.  By the 33rd lap I was doing a rap.  It was entertaining.  I took breaks for water since I didn't feel like carrying my bottle.  Thankfully I had the track alone & no one bothered me.  To continue with the theme, I almost died had an accident during the last lap & was thankful for the restroom right outside the door to the track.  Did I just write that in public?

When I got home Wednesday night, our poor little brown boy was making some nausea inducing smells and I took him out.  He has got to have the most sensitive belly I have ever met on a pup!  Biv gave him a steak bone & we're pretty sure that's what did him in.  I fed him Thursday morning but he was kind enough to write me a note and leave it in his bowl:

Excellent penmenship for a 3 yr old dog, right?

Thankfully he is much better today but man oh man was this a smelly week!!

How was your week?


Have you ever used a jogging track to get miles in when traveling?