We’re ready to start counting… 14 weeks!!!

(G) This week was a recovery week which always sounds slightly easier than it is. But it is a break from serious miles and I am always ready for that when a recovery week rolls around.

As I mentioned late last week I let life take charge and became a little too much of a “Yes” woman. That, as it does for most of us, leads to not getting the things you want done. My torture report is a reflection of that to be sure.

All week I struggled to get my miles, my strength training, and well everything else for that matter into my schedule.

By Thursday, I was pretty tapped for energy and otherwise so I opted to take the day off and not run. I did get back to it Friday and finished strong on Saturday and Sunday. Luckily, this week was a lower mileage one so it was a little less daunting. (The scene is not nearly so perky this upcoming week.Think 20 miles on Saturday!!!)

But that’s next week’s torture report.

The #$%^ Plank Challenge Continues
Honestly, there are times when I could kick myself and this plank challenge is one of them to be sure. It’s been quite challenging and even though I feel stronger it’s still so HARD. You’d think after almost a whole month it would start to feel a teeny, tiny bit easier. BUT NO, each and every one is as hard as the last. The only saving grace is that this week, I hid in the bedroom with the door closed while planking so I didn’t have a cat on my back.

It’s official
While we’ve been talking about the Outrun 24, training for it and gearing up for it, we weren’t officially committed until this past week. Shakira sent shock waves through the iMessage letting me know there were only 54 spaces left!!! I jumped from my meditation cushion (it’s true) to go sign up. I couldn’t find my om if I didn’t have my race bib secured. Then Lowi anteed up on Saturday. So we are at the current moment a trifecta of runners and the illustrious Johnny Armani has committed to being our Crew Chief Extraordinaire again this year. You’d think he’d had a enough after last year.

Inspiration for our upcoming adventure comes from none other than Bruce Lee. For those of you who don’t recall, Johnny Armani sent us off to battle and victory of 50 miles with this:

Bruce Lee, Patron Saint of Self Defense, Pray for Us, Amen!

See it live at the link here. (You can skip to 5:13 for the speech only):

2,015 miles!

So far I am sitting at 110 miles. Not bad for January.

(L) 14 weeks sounds slightly better than 96 days!  G is notifying us daily of the number of days we have left to train.  No pressure.

I got a frantic text from G on Thursday that there were only 50-something spots left in the Outrun and that I had better sign up quickly.  I waited until Saturday and now it’s official. I am registered for the O24 again and I am a little conflicted.  I know it’s a great course, it’s fun, I will be reunited with some of my favorite people, but then there is that whole training thing.

2015? I have had a slow start to my training and I am only at 69 miles for the month.  I am traveling this week and hope to still log some mileage.  I would like to have something to show for my week in Nashville other than bling and biscuits!

I realize now that the plank challenge was more than my body was ready for.  On paper, the plank challenge looked…doable.  In reality, my core needs a little more strengthening before spending minutes each day in a plank position.  I have given it my all, but my low back is none too pleased with me.  I think the fact that it is trying to keep my abdomen from actually hitting the floor has proven too great a task.  I am looking forward to a different challenge next month.  G has promised something slightly more appeasing for February.  I am not sure she is trustworthy.

The Sugar Detox has gone pretty well.  I am drinking lots of water and I am officially 10 days in.  I already know that by next week I will be on the other side of the detox, but I am going to do my best while traveling. I will save that for next week.

I am excited to report that I have officially added yoga to my training and not a day too soon. Last week I got Yogini, my yoga mat and clothes all laid out the night before so I could do yoga at 5:30am.  Well, as per the norm in my house I couldn’t get the DVD player to work after getting up early.  So, I logged into youtube and stumbled upon Yoga with Adriene.  I love it.  I am currently doing 30 days of Yoga with Adriene and I am 5 days in.  I am finding it very relaxing, meditative and beneficial to my physical and mental well-being. I plan on taking my laptop and yoga mat to Nashville so I can do yoga in the hotel everyday. I will let you know next week how things go.

Sunshine & Sarcasm,

Lowi & G 

The Torture Report began in January 2014 as a weekly update of our journey to completing a 50-mile race. Since then it’s continued on to become a chronicle of how we try mightily to find fitness, health and sometimes the finish line. We aren’t always successful but we keep showing up and telling you all about it on Tuesdays.