Walkabout Niagara Falls

The past few days in Niagara have been great! I've run and walked everywhere, but what makes this so special?? It's special because it's the first vacation I've had with my little man (son) in ages and we have spent so much needed time together to get reacquainted since my return from Afghanistan! He is definitely the light f my life.

I wasn't prepared for the emotions I've felt hanging out with my kiddo. I have had the best time and it is a strong reminder of how special this little life is that I brought into this world.

Aleric at Skylon Tower Revolving Restaurant! The food was amazing!

I'm like a kid in a candy store here!

We really have been having a good time and have done so much walking I hope I burned off some of the food I ate here! 

Soon we run again!

Just Across the Boarder - Canadian run

So, in my attempt to keep this going now and then, I decided to discuss my runs in other countries!...even if that means it's just across the US Border!

Today brings us to Ontario Canada and the Niagara Falls area. 

I only ran 3.2 miles but hey, it's an undiscovered path for me! Tomorrow I plan to run at least double the distance since I've seen most of the area and the map I have gives me distances!

So, here are a few pictures of the falls as I ran!

Let me know what you think because I plan to have more running photography as I travel!

Charity Miles! Wounded Warrior Foundation and Team Red White and Blue

So despite having serious allergies right now I decided last night that I would at least get out and move my arse! It was painful. I took my medicine...big mistake, don't do that before a run...and I stepped out the door. 2 miles later and I had to stop. My tummy was yelling at me in every body language possible.

But...that is not my point. A long time ago I downloaded an app called charity miles but never used it. I realized I needed to run for something other than to just run for myself. So, I, being military have chosen two charities to run for and I will alternate between them until I decide to run for another one. 

First, the Wounded Warrior Foundation and then Team Red White and Blue. Both build on my pride as an officer in the Army and make me feel like I'm giving back for people who can't. Being in the military I've sacrificed a lot and I have lost a lot as well. I may not have lost a physical limb or body part but I've lost something. I've lost the ability to connect with people like I used to and I've lost the happiness I once knew. Now, this is a way for me to get it back and I just hope that I will stick with this.

So, help me out! Motivate me with your words of encouragement and hope because believe it or not...as strong as we are as humans...we all need words of encouragement!

Get out and run!

Still at it here in the Stan...Afghanistan that is! (A BLOG I DIDN'T POST) :(

Well, I am getting closer to getting out of the "Stan" and on to a new adventure but until I do get out of here, I'm fighting to stay motivated.

I've realized that the one thing that keeps me going is having a goal to achieve. So, I've set my mind to it this time and I've downloaded a training plan for 18 weeks.

I went on Runner's World and took a screen shot of the Intermediate Marathon Training Plan and this week I must run a total of 26 miles. I've run 14 so far with 12 more to go only, I'll add in an extra few miles because I am coaching one of our Soldiers for her PT test run. It helps me out just as much as it helps her out.

I have been running but not like I would prefer to run so now, I've made it my personal goal to get through the next 18 weeks without missing too much training. I am deployed so of course there will be days I'll have to rearrange my calendar but I'll get there one way or another.

I think I need to figure out a better diet plan though. One that gives my muscles more energy to move. I feel like my legs burn out faster than my heart does, they don't hurt but they are just "tired". Like they forgot to get out of bed in the morning and I left them behind. So, I think my diet needs more of something and I can't figure out what that something is. I eat a well balenced meal, or at lease I think I do so I am not sure what I am lacking. I have been taking vitamines but I'm sure I could be more disciplined in doing that as well.

….I didn't post this like I intended to after I wrote it. I decided to go ahead and post it anyway and there are so many things I need to catch up on since being deployed and making it home. It's a good thing I'm finally starting to get back at it.!

Keep on running and keep on keepin' on!

Disoriented at best

Two plus months and counting since I've been back from Afghanistan and all I can say is I am so disoriented. 

So, this particular blog isn't about running…it's about trying to find out what I need to do to be myself again.

First and foremost is my son. He is the most important person in my life and the one thing I am most proud of. He completes me and makes me happier than anyone can at this point in my life. I don't want to lose him in my own self despair. I am trying to figure out how to get him back emotionally, not to look at me as if I am not involved. I feel like I haven't been involved in anything lately and that I've sort of detracted from those around me and unfortunately he has been a victim of this. I can't express how much I love him and need him, as he is a reminder to me of how precious life is. I want to strengthen our relationship that has been so weakened because of my inability to communicate. Now, I have readjusted my focus to be more involved with him no matter how hard it is for me to express myself I will do my best to be a good mother for him because he deserves one of his parents to be that rock he can lean on. I fully intend to be that one in his life.

Secondly…fitness…my primary source of decompression has even fallen to the wayside. "What the hell is up?" I continue to ask myself.

Not sure if it has to do with the emotions of redeploying and having to figure out real life again or if it is just me hitting some sort of emotional mid-life crisis where I can't even determine which way is north. 

Well, I'm doing everything possible to get myself right, in my mind and in my heart. I have to figure out again what was really important to me. Mostly, I need my son to know me again, and I need to know him, but I also need to be healthy so that he has someone to look up to and to lean on. I know that one thing that makes me whole and feel that sense of happiness inside is to run and work out. How many times do I need to start over?!? It's getting quite ridiculous that I keep trying to stay on track yet life has had a habit of derailing me. It's all good because what knocks me down only makes me get back up and come back stronger.

Until I hit the road running tomorrow morning, enjoy your day and…as I always like to say…

Keep on running and keep on keepin' on!

Calculations

Most know my days begin rather early...sometimes about 5am and run until about 10pm. I keep rather long hours but it's all how you maximise your time right?

Last night I decided to hit the treadmill for an hour at 9pm. As I was deciding what kind of run I wanted to do I looked at the options and several questions came to mind.  I set the machine on "fat burner" entered in all my information and upped the heart rate max to 185.

I'm not even sure I should have done that but it seemed like ages before I reached my max and as I was waiting to see the magic numbers on the heart rate monitor the treadmill steadily increased to an incline of 13.9, 14.1, 14.5...I thought I was going to fall off!

which leads me to the question, although I was able to run at that incline it was hard to reach the 185. How do I calculate what my max heart rate should be with vigerous exercise?

What is the importance of BMI and VO2 Max? I just don't get all the calculations. For some reason, they don't make sense to me.

I'm going to hit the gym today but for the life of me, I have no idea what workout to do. I know I want to get the wiggle out of my arms, abs, and legs so I think I may do some HIIT training for about 30 minutes. I'm just not sure exactly what I want to do.

Any ideas? Any suggestions, recommendations or advice?

Keep on keepin' on!

Continuance...Bagram Battle!

I've been tracking everything I eat since this past Friday. The goal is to go until this coming Friday and see how much junk food I have eaten. This is also an attempt at limiting the junk food I consume. So, has it helped? I think so.

I have to admit today was one of those days. I ate a pack of Girl Scout cookies...the Trefoils! Those are so delicious, one is not enough! But, those were the only junk I had eaten until I had a bite sized banana flavored laffy taffy. Mmmmm!

So, tonight I will hit the treadmill and run 5 miles to combat the evil calories I just sent to the bottom of my tummy. I can surely create my calorie deficit in 5 miles. Good thing I walked quickly to the dental clinic and back today or I would be waaayyy over my calorie budget.

Tonight, I run. Tomorrow I do total body. I'm looking forward to it.