One foot in front of the other...

I usually run alone.

My next goal is the Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2014.

It's just this thing I do.  Many of you have seen Jen and I during the week, but the long runs are left to me and my racing mind.  Remember, I said racing mind...not racing legs.

During each of my long runs, it always occurs to me that I should write about what goes through my head. Typically, the first topic that enters my mind is, "Running Is Weird".  Not even joking. The power of the mind is incredible if you really think about it.  I don't have a fancy training program.  I run twice during the week, and each of those distances are 1/2 of what my weekend long run is.  I use the word weekend, very loosely since I've been having a difficult time getting my butt out of bed early enough to get it out of the way. Instead, I find myself running the "long one" on Mondays.  Like today...and 85 degrees...and 15 miles...seriously!

I feel exactly the same about my short runs that I feel about my long runs.  My brain knows the mileage of the day...and I just do it.  It's crazy if you think about it.

You just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I think about last week's events, this coming week's events, how hot it is, when I get to turn around and head back, work stuff, house stuff, what's for dinner (usually this one does not get figured out), when is my GU time, where is that water fountain, my knee hurts, I'm starting to chafe again, my music sucks, is that dog going to bite me, where is the shade, I'm 20% done, I've got a 5k to go, no way is that fast girl going as far as me...yada, yada, yada...

However today's run was much different.  My thoughts kept on returning to the same topic over, and over, and over again...

My thoughts were going out to the those suffering over this past weekend's events in my hometown.  Four young men were taken from this world in a tragic accident.  These boys lives were cut short.  I never met them.  Instead, the parents of these boys are the ones I know.  I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to experience such tragedy.  The only thing I could think of was to not let these families, friends, neighbors, the Western Dubuque community, "run alone".  Mourning together, grieving together, sharing memories together, and being together.  Know that people from all over the world are sending thoughts and prayers to all of you.

I also thought about the driver of the pick up truck.  He will, too, forever be affected by the events on Saturday afternoon.  Again, I can't even imagine.  He must never "run alone" either.  He needs others to be there for him too.

Lastly, my thoughts traveled to my friends and family back home who are experiencing watching their children mourn.  I know they will help the young ones through this difficult time, but it's not fair...nonetheless. The young ones will not "run alone".

Everyone must keep putting one foot in front of the other together.

As I met the halfway point of my run, I stopped to turn around and head home.  As I made the turn I'd been waiting for, a bird pooped on my head, and I couldn't help but laugh and wonder which of those kids did that to me.  Which one had that kind of humor that if they saw that happen to someone, they would bust out laughing.  From what I've read, it sounds like they'd all enjoy it.

Rest In Peace, Bryce, Sean, Mitchell, and Nick

The Bobcat Community has 4 angels up above looking down at all of you.

Spin It! Holy Calorie Burn, Batman!

Practicing what I preach doesn't always have to do with food.  In fact, I believe there's a lot that I preach that has nothing to do with food...unless you want those ABS!!  Yes, sorry, those are typically made in the kitchen.

Writing down and make smart food choices MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

A little humor..

However, I'm steering clear of food this time and talking about Spin classes.  When we first opened FITT-RX, Jen made a comment about wanting to have Spin bikes someday.  Little secret...someday to me was defined as..."it'd be nice, but I don't see that for a long, long time!"  I'll chalk it up to her for putting the bug in my ear, because I wasn't a huge spin fan.  I've taken classes...liked them a little...but NEVER loved them.

So last fall that definition of "someday" became a reality as we discussed building out the basement.  Spin classes would be PERFECT down there!  Our clients have asked about Spin, so it was kind of a no brainer. However, I admit I was not keen on actually teaching Spin.  It just didn't seem to be me.

The research began...where to start?  We looked into places in the city, and ended up at FlyWheel.  We entered the lobby, checked in, and the guy asked if we wanted to have our numbers posted on the TV screen for everyone to see.  It wasn't a requirement, but seeing that Jen and I are uber-competitive, why not? We put on our spin shoe rentals, and enter a dark room where the spin bikes are set up like stadium seating. 45 bikes await their victims.

We start the class.  The instructor is clearly enjoying his music while he runs him arms down his body like a dancer (on a bike, mind you).  The bikes have computers so we can see our RPM's and our levels. Throughout the class, he does his thing...great music, dance moves, and tells us what levels to be on and what RPM's we should be at.  10 minutes in, I am dying.  Jen is next to me rocking it like it's NBD.  The first of many results come in, and I'm barely on the damn board.  Jen is in like 5th place, peddling like it's a wonderful sunny day.  30 minutes go in, I'm spewing sweat and consistently 2-3 gears lower than what is asked and at least 20 RPM's lower then what he's recommended us to be at.  Oh, and Jen...well she's sweating profusely...but is now moving up spots!  By the end of class, and she can correct me if I'm wrong...but ended up in 2nd like a rock star.  I can't even remember if I got kicked off the board.  I leave thinking...spin is not that fun, but I'm up to teach beginner spin if needed!

Post class...Jen has a video of me walking up the parking garage, but we'll save that for a rainy day.

Next we hit Loyola Medical Center's health club in Maywood.  I have a friend who works there, so she set us up to take a class.  We enter a tiny room with 14 bikes.  When I say tiny, I mean it's little.  However, ventilation was good.  These bikes did not have computers, but they did have a knob to turn to increase resistance.  I enjoyed the instructor's random jokes, and her style of teaching.  Of course, we sweated profusely, but I didn't stress about a leader board or the fact that I was always behind what was asked of me.  Good class...I'm feeling better.  Maybe I'll kick it up to someday teaching an advanced beginner class.

The 3rd destination I hit was CorePower Yoga in Elmhurst.  I heard about these Ryder bikes, but really just wanted to see another teaching style and maybe, just maybe, learn to like spin more...maybe LOVE it?  So I go, and these bikes move and turn!  The turning recruits more core into the ride, and yes, I felt my core after class for a day.  The instructor, Jori, was great.  She played great music, explained what was coming, and encouraged us every step of the way.  Lucky for FITT-RX, she's teaching with us too!

So we now have been on 3 different types of bikes.  We have one more to check out...not a class, but was highly recommended.  The Life Fitness Lifecycles.  We instantly loved them...smooth, durable, rust-proof, and with computers!  Everyone will know their RPM's and gear while in our classes.  SOLD!

Now please understand, I am thrilled about this new adventure for our studio.  However, scared to death to teach it still.  We decide to get certified.  Off to the Empower conference we go to get Schwinn Bike Certified!!  5 of us go to the conference, and we go through the 9 hour training.  The instructors, Shannon Fable and Jeffery Scott, are fabulous.  They make the day go by quickly, and give us 2 amazing classes.  I'm feeling a bit better about teaching it.

We are certified instructors!

The following day I decide to take a class design workshop, plus take yet a 3rd class by Shannon Fable.  It ALL clicked.  I walked up to her after class, and told her how much better I felt about teaching, and that it's not "all about the instruction syncing with the music".  It's about the music syncing with with what's been already planned out!  Light bulbs, fireworks, you name it...I finally felt ready and confident.  I went from feeling super uneasy and not enjoying Spin, to actually feeling excited about teaching.  Thank Goodness!

So yes, FITT-RX has Spin classes.  Yes, we have some really amazing instructors.  And finally, we love our dungeon, industrial atmosphere down there.  

Based on my Spin journey, I want to share a few things I've learned...  If you haven't tried it, try it.  If you haven't felt like you enjoy it, keep going.  If your butt hurts from the saddle, it gets better.  Because, I'll promise you one thing...once you get going, I know you'll LOVE it.  Today, I burned the most calories to date...527...that's pretty good for 50 minutes:)

Now when do I get to teach?  Time will tell!

An eye opener for me...

Reflecting...
As I sit here, I am looking at what I've written below.  I gave into temptation, I rarely said no to lots of mindless eating, and I am truly floored.  My last journal entry was 18 days ago, and after reading what I just wrote, I am happy to say that the holidays may have gotten me then, but I'm taking charge and starting new.  I hopped back on the treadmill again, eating responsibly, and being more mindful.  A true eye opener...

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!  Keep exercising, eating mindfully, and enjoying life...
Jill

PS - Stop here if you don't want to read what I ate for 11 days...YOWZERS!

Friday, December 20th

Late Breakfast:  Kashi Go Lean Toasted Berry Crumble; frozen blueberries; almond milk; coffee and creamer

Lunch:  cheese and crackers; chocolate brownie; strawberry (interesting combo)

Snack:  I needed to make a second batch of meringue cookies and they totally flopped but still tasted amazing.  So I had probably 4.  Bad...

Before holiday party drink:  Dirty Martini with blue cheese olives

Party:  2 sausage balls that were amazing and I'm totally getting the recipe; 2 pieces of fudge; buffalo chicken dip with tortilla chips; taco dip with tortilla chips; 2 beers; 2 shots of Rum Chata

Saturday, December 21st

Breakfast:  Same 'ol same 'ol

Snack:  Cookie?  Why?  Mind you this is almost a month after writing this.  What the heck?

Lunch:  2 egg white and 1 egg scrambled eggs with cheese; 2 pieces of cinnamon raisin toast; cookie

Dinner:  We went to Salseria in Elmhurst and I had the chopped salad (so good); chips and salsa; and a Corona Light

Late night drink:  We came home from dinner, put the kids to bed, and watched a couple movies.  The first was The Conjuring and the second, The Internship.  So happy it was in that order and both really good. If you're up for a ghost story based on real life events...see The Conjuring.  I don't think I ever blinked!  Oh and I had a Raspberry Wheat Beer too.

Sunday, December 22nd

Workout:  I attended Vince's Circuit Interval class that morning and loved it.

Breakfast:  The same and a couple cups of coffee.

Lunch:  We went to Jersey Mike's and I had the mini turkey sandwich and salt 'n vinegar chips; tea.  I always order the mini.  It's plenty big.  If I order the regular size, normally I save half and eat it later.

Snack:  2 Cookies (ugh...)

Dinner:  Tilapia; brown rice; southwest salad in the bag from Jewel; corn; water

Dessert:  4 cookies - OMG...don't you ever think that the more you eat, the faster they'll be gone!!??  Why don't I toss them?

Late night drink:  Apple Ale

Monday, December 23rd

Breakfast:  The one I always eat...

Snack:  Mini Nut roll LunaBar

Lunch:  Leftover southwest salad from the night before; banana; 2 cookies (go away!!!)

Afternoon:  Coffee with creamer

Dinner:  Mamma Maria's is a great restaurant in Bensenville!  We had a friend come in from out of town and that's where he wanted to eat.  I had a bowl of soup, 4 squares of pepperoni pizza, 2 pieces of bread with olive oil and Parmesan, and tea.

Tuesday, December 24rd

Workout:  It's tradition for FITT-RX to hold a 12 Days of Christmas Workout.  I pick 12 exercises.  You will do 12 reps of the first, then 11 reps of the second.  Return to 12, do 11, then add in 10...you repeat this process until you hit the last day of Christmas.  I play holiday music and it's super fun.

Here's the workout to share with you:  Duration:  50 minutes
12 - reverse crunches
11 - prisoner squats
10 - grasshoppers (20 total)
9 - plank with tricep kickbacks (both sides)
8 - snatch jacks with a dumbbell
7 - walking plank (14 both arms)
6 - burpees
5 - single leg calf raises (both legs)
4 - tuck jumps
3 - 30 seconds of hip raises
2 - 1 minute side plank (both sides)
1 - 1 minute plank - alternate knee to same side elbow

Breakfast:  You already know, but if you've forgotten...Kashi Go Lean Toasted Berry Crumble; frozen blueberries; almond milk; coffee

Lunch:  Spinach salad with low calorie dressing; 2 pieces of cinnamon raisin toast

Snack:  Cookies...they should almost be gone by now.

Christmas Eve dinner with the kids and Wade - 2 crab legs; 3 oz. of steak; roasted broccoli; salad; and 2 beers.

Wednesday, December 25th  Merry Christmas!

Late Breakfast:  It's always been tradition that Wade enjoys cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.  It's usually been tradition that I forget that it's his tradition!  AHHHHH!!!!!  So here I go making homemade cinnamon rolls from frozen bread dough, and they tasted damn good!  I had 1 while the rest of the troops gobbled the rest up.  I, of course, had my usual...

Snack:  banana

Christmas dinner at Wade's aunt's house:  2 pieces of ham; jello mold; mashed potatoes; a piece of triple berry pie (yum!); plain M&M's; 2 beers; water

Late snack:  His aunt made amazing fudge and of course I had a couple small pieces.

Thursday, December 26th

Workout:  Taught boot camp this morning and participated.

Breakfast:  The usual...

Workout #2:  I participated in Carrie's TRX Boot Camp which was tough, a real sweat session...

Lunch:  We had leftover Italian bread, so I cut a couple small pieces and made a ham and cheese sandwich. Wade received blocks of cheese over the holidays, so I had a couple slices of Cheddar cheese, and the heel of the Italian bread.  I love the heels!!!

Snack:  Fudge and 2 cookies

Dinner:  Chicken breast; pasta; spinach salad; fudge

Friday, December 27th

Breakfast:  The usual...

Lunch:  Ham and cheese sandwich with an apple.

Dinner:  Turkey burger with pickles and ketchup; homemade potato chips; and an apple

Early into the evening we took the kids to Brookfield Zoo for their Zoo Lights Festival.  Our first time there and it was absolutely beautiful.  Better yet, the nocturnal animals we usually never see, or they are sleeping were active and alert which was cool.  I had a hot chocolate.

When we got home, I had a beer and some popcorn.

Saturday, December 28th

Breakfast:  Same as usual

Lunch:  I had a tiny ham and cheese melt.

Snack:  apple with PB2

Later snack:  Small bowl of my usual cereal with frozen blueberries.  This small bowl is probably the serving they count as 1 serving...my morning bowls are probably a serving and a half.

Dinner:  We out to dinner at Francesca's with some friends, and what's to come is nothing to be proud of. AHHHHH......  We started out with a few pieces of calamari, followed by seafood risotto (so good).  I thoroughly enjoyed 3 Blue Moons over the course of our time there.  We then headed out to Fitz's Spare keys, and this is where it all went downhill.  Tonight at Fitz's was Vince's birthday get together...so, so fun. While there, I had 2 Coor's lites, a lemon drop shot, and an IPA beer called Anti Hero.

Anti-Hero IPA - click to read and I blame this beer to my crazy hangover the next morning

Lastly, my girlfriend was craving chili cheese fries.  I so wish I would've taken a picture, but this plate was ginormous and we devoured them like savages...no forks...just fingers.  YUM...and probably made my next morning a little better.

Sunday, December 29th

Breakfast:  My usual...

Lunch:  Wade and I went to the Bears game today.  Lots of fun when the cold air healed my achy head from the night before.  The food is always great.  We tailgate with friends who have a theme every game that coincides with our opponent.  Today we played the Packers, so we had veal brats.  If you've never had one, you should...they are so good.  

So here's my food and drink for the tailgate...

Chips/Guacamole; 2 crackers with smoked salmon; 1/2 veal brat on a bun; brownie (nobody cut into the brownies and I was dying for one.  Chocolate is my enemy...so I cut in and enjoyed:)  As far as drinks, I drank a lot of water.  I was feeling much better so instead of beer, I was introduced to a new type of shot to try.  Take Fireball Whiskey and add a bit of Rum Chata.  So good!  They called them Cinnamon Toast Crunch shots...I had 2.  They also had Jello shots...the alcohol sunk to the bottom so I literally had the jello on top and kept the alcohol at the bottom.  During the game, I did have 1 beer.

Bears lost...season over...Can't wait for August!

Honestly, I didn't write down anything after that, but I'm guessing we did eat when we got home.

Monday, December 30th

Breakfast:  The usual...

Snack:  Cashew Cookie Lara Bar

Lunch:  2 egg white/1 egg omelet with spinach, ham, green pepper, onion, cheese and milk; 1 piece of cinnamon raisin toast.

Dinner:  turkey sausage; brown rice; southwest chopped salad; water

Dessert:  A small handful of Reese's pieces.  I gave the rest to the kids to polish them off.  Get them out of here!!!

Monday, December 31st

Breakfast:  Sometimes when I'm low on my cereal, I polish off what's left and I'll mix with another.  In this case it was Wheaties.

Lunch:  Subway Seafood 'n Crab Salad with a ton of veggies; seasonings; and a bit of oil and vinegar.

Snack:  Blueberry almond clusters from Costco

While getting ready for a New Year's Eve party we were heading to later, Jen texted me a picture of crab claws she was taking to a party.  I remembered loving them at our FITT-RX Holiday party, and had a strong feeling I didn't journal them.  Nope...I didn't...so I am now.

New Year's Eve Party

We always head to Naperville on New Year's Eve.  Our friends have an annual party and we turn it into a sleepover.  Our entire family comes (even the dog this time) and they are wonderful enough to put up with us for about 18 hours.  HA!

At the party, I ate:

chips/guacamole; chocolate sausage (different, yet tasty), crab dip with bread; crackers with cheese dip; 2 chocolate truffles; 2 small apple pastries (made by me, well actually a friend, because I forgot the brie); a small handfull of chocolate pretzels; 3 beers and 2 mixers.

AND I"M DONE...