Tara's Dreamer Tales

I'm on my way...that's right! I'm on my way to become my own "dreamgirl." I am the constant perfectionist and I am ready to dedicate my life to a health lifestyle. I'm pretty good with working out, but my eating habits are not as good. So in accordance with my pursuit of perfection I will begin a high protein and semi low carb diet. I do not want to eliminate carbs because well (1) I love them; (2) I feel like I need them for running; and (3) Did I mention I love them? :)

Anyways, tonight I'm going to go to the gym with Nick and knock three miles out on the treadmill and do some lifting/stretching. Then I'm going to get me some protein powder.

I cannot seem to get enough protein in my regular diet without adding a protein supplement.

Also, I'm going to start using Sparkpeople on a regular basis to monitor my calorie intake. I think this is the only way for me to get out of this weight loss slump. I just cannot seem to get under my current weight. Its like I'm stuck there and can't get under it. Even when I workout, I still stay there. All last week my weight stood steady at this damn number. I REALLY WANT TO DROP 6 pounds by April 5th. This is a really reasonable goal and I need to just "get 'er done" already.

I'm hoping to increase my lean muscle mass and simultaneously drop excess fat pounds. Hopefully the protein will help. I am going to accomplish this goal for once and for all. I hope that along the way I get my eating habits under control.

One more goal = to have at least 8 glasses of water a day. This is something I currently struggle with...so here's to becoming a dreamgirl.

Posted by Tara at 4:59 PM | Permalink | Leave me some Love

I'm a bit less crabby today...not because it warmed up outside...because it actually got colder. I think it has something to do with the fact that it is FRIDAY. Whooohoooo!! Anyways, I did my 3 miles last night along with some lifting and stretching. So mission accomplished.

I'm preparing my schedule for my official Shamrock Shuffle training. Since I am an OCD chick...I like to live by a schedule. So I think I'm going to do Hal Higdon's Intermediate Schedule for an 8K. Which basically means I need HELP figuring out exactly how to do Tempo Runs and Speed Work from you experts out there.

I did a brief calculation of my training zones from McMillans website based on my half marathon time of 2:06 and came up with the following:

Long Runs: 10:39-11:39 pace per mile
Tempo Runs: 9:13-9:37 pace per mile
Tempo Intervals: 9:06-9:25 pace per mile

Two things about this. First of all...I always trained harder and faster than that pace during marathon training for my long runs, which is why I may have injured myself. Also, I have noticed that during my brief running career of about a year now...I NEVER really change my running pace. When I run on the treadmill I typically hit 6.0 and cruise at 10 minute miles. This is the same whether I'm doing a 3 miler or a 7 miler.

I think I need to learn that I need to train at different paces for the long runs. Can any of you help me out and provide some guidance on how to run speed workouts. Hal's Intermediate program calls for alternating tempo and speed workouts. I think I've got the tempo down...but I have issues with the speed training. It says to run a certain number of 400 m at 5K pace. How long should I walk/job in between each of these intervals?

Also...should I really be "busting balls" on the tempo intervals? Is it like an all out sprint? Because I can tell you that at 9 min/mile I'm not really sprinting.

Any and all help and guidance is appreciated!!! I'm just a tad clueless here and really want to improve my running capabilities this year!! Thanks so much guys!

Posted by Tara at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Leave me some Love

So I'm really irritated right now. I think it has something to do with the fact that I am literally frozen sitting at my desk right now. I really think my office is maybe, just maybe a whopping 60 degrees. This calls for a space heater. I'm not sure why, but our offices are just freezing. I think it is because we are a really old building with bad windows. I literally feel a breeze blowing across my neck right now. NOT HAPPY.

Which leads me to my next point...I HATE WINTER! HATE, HATE, HATE it. Now that I ranted about Winter, I will give an update on my injury screening.

The PT confirmed that I do have ITB issues. She gave me some stretching and strengthening exercises and told me to keep up with foam rolling. So, I am going to do just that. I think the arch pain may have been a fluke or may have been due to the fact that I wore some 4 inch heels all day...since that run, I haven't felt the issue again.

I think a major part of my problem is due to my laziness with stretching. I know how important stretching is, but I admit that I do a cursory stretching routine. I know this is terrible. So I've vowed to work on it. I plan on doing 15 minutes of stretching and foam rolling after every run. I will even time myself.

So onto this week's progress. I'm NOT happy about that either. Monday was my designated "rest day." After the PT appointment Tuesday after work, I decided that I did not want to go to the gym...so no running happened. Yesterday I did go to the gym...did 3 miles, stretched, and did some abs exercises. Tonight I really need to workout for a while...I'm going to do my run and then lift, and stretch.

I'm feeling extremely OCD about my weight and exercise routine again...which is a bad place for me to be. I just am going to try my best to keep focused on my healthy eating and workouts. I just really needed to vent...sorry for ranting nonstop.

Hopefully once I get to the gym I'll be feeling much better....until then I feel like I'm going to be a freezing grumpy icicle. :(

Posted by Tara at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Leave me some Love

Ok, to ensure that I am not going to exacerbate an injury I signed up for a free injury screening with Athletico...it is a "freebee" for being a member of Lifetime Fitness. I am going tonight at 6 pm. I hope that it goes well and that I can just briefly discuss my pain issues and get some advice on how to treat them and make them go away!!

Thanks to everyone who provided all the helpful suggestions too! After tonight, I think I'll be better able to plan on the Shamrock Shuffle training program I want to use. I am thinking of using Hal Higdon's Intermediate program.

Here is a recap of last week's workouts:

January 8th-14th
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 3 miles
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: 3 miles
Saturday: 4 miles
Sunday: 3 miles recovery (walk/run), 15 minutes elliptical, 10 minutes on stairs
TOTAL= 19 miles

I plan on following the same schedule this week. I'll report back tomorrow about the results of my Athletico visit.

Posted by Tara at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Leave me some Love

Ok, so I'm not really one to complain...but since I feel like I want to stay perfectly injury free this running season I think I could use some input from all you running veterans out there (or anyone who has any input at all).

Last night I set out to do my four miler on the treadmill. About 5 mintues into my run, I started feeling this nagging pinching/burning feeling in the bottom of my left foot. After 10 minutes, this feeling turned into more of a stabbing pain. I kept on going though hoping that it would just go away on its own. After 15 minutes of this issue, I paused the good ole treadmill and untied my shoe. I found that massaging the arch of my foot was very sensitive but it felt a bit better. It felt like a knot in my foot. I re-laced, a bit tighter than normal and resumed running. The pain didn't stop and so I decided to call it quits at 3 miles. I did some stretching and it just became a dull pain when walking.

My questions for all of you about this issue are as follows:

1. What is this nagging pain?
2. Why is it only bothering me in my left foot?
3. Is there anything I should be doing to stretch the foot?
4. Can this be in any way related to the ITB issue I have with my left leg?

Ok, moving on....about the ITB. It hasn't caused any major issues in my new training regime...but I am feeling a bit tender sore on the outside of my left knee today. I'm thinking Mrs. ITB is rearing her ugly head again. I read about foam rolling, but have no idea how to do this. Anyone have any good insights about this issue. I think a bunch of you have this issue.

Ryan, Whitney, OOSG? Please help me before this gets worse. I have no time or money to see a PT right now and I could use some guidance about how to prevent a full on ITB attack.

I'm getting ready to head out of work and head to the gym. On tap is another 3 miler. We'll see if the foot and knee hold up. I'm telling myself now, if I feel any bit of flare up, I'm heading straight to the stair climber for some good old fashioned cardio cross training. Thanks for any help in advance!!!

OK, now onto the goal for April 1st. Nick and I are going for a four night spa resort trip to the JW Marriot in Summerlin, Nevada over Easter. My goal is to look as good, IF NOT BETTER, in a bikini than I did on my honeymoon. That means I need to loose about 7 pounds and gain some serious muscle. I can do it. If you read this far...I guess you can see my desired OUTCOME.

Ok no, seriously...that is more a dream. Here is the REAL DEAL. I'm going to bust my ass the next few months. I know I'll get there...here's to hoping!

Posted by Tara at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Leave me some Love

Yes, I realize it has been way too long...I'm not even going to begin trying to make excuses for my piss poor blogging. But, I have good news. I have been running now steadily since December 29th. I got a three day jump start on my New Year's resolution to get back into running. I did miss it alot.

So here is my brief running update.

12/29: 3 miles
12/30: 3 miles
12/31: 4 miles
1/1: Rest
1/2: 3 miles
1/3: 3 miles
1/4: missed
1/5: 3 miles
1/6: 3 miles
1/7: 4 miles
1/8: Rest
1/9: 3 miles
1/10: 3 miles

I do believe that this counts for sure as "on a roll!" :) I am very excited to be back into things. I am for sure taking it slow though. I do not run any faster than a 10 min mile pace. I've just been cruising along on the treadmill for the past two weeks and I must admit I am damn proud to be "back in the game" so to speak.

So, I think this weekend I am going to register for the Shamrock Shuffle. Who else is running it? Hubby can't do it with me because he is on call, so unless I convince my sister to run it...this girl will be running solo.

Happy New Year everyone!! I'm going to start catching up with all of your blogs now too. :)

Total weekly mileage thus far (starting from Sunday): 10 miles

Goal for rest of week
Thursday: 4 miles and situps
Friday: 3 miles and lift
Saturday: 3 miles plus extra half hour of cardio

Posted by Tara at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Leave me some Love

Well last night I surprised myself at the gym. I knew I wanted/needed to do some serious cardio to feel better mentally...so I jumped on the treadmill and set it for 60 minutes. I started with a nice, easy job to make sure that my neck didn't object and the good news is that it didn't at all.

I ended up running (with a few walk breaks) for 45 minutes.

45 minute run/walk
4.3 miles
500 calories

So yeah...I'm pretty pumped about it. My speeds ranged from a nice easy 5.5 jog to a more brisk pace of 6.5. All in all I am not as out of shape as I thought I would be. Today I'm not really feeling that sore either. SO YIPPIE!! Here's to my running comeback!!

Tonight my goal is to run 3 miles and lift weights. Until then...

Posted by Tara at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Leave me some Love