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.

Hard Work, haard work...

As I sit and think about my leg workout the other day I hear the old cadence "Hard Work!" in my head. Why is that you ask? Well, first off, every time I stand up, sit down, walk up or down stairs...it hurts! So, in an effort to keep going, I think to myself that all the hard work will pay off soon.

So, today I took my fitness goal one step further. I have done measurements so I can try and track my progress in decreasing my body fat %. My goal is to drop about 10 pounds in body fat.

For those of you who are thinking, "You are skinny now, why do you want to lose weight?" I may be skinny but I'm sure you've also heard the phrase "skinny fat". It's when you are skinny but have a high percentage of body fat.

I am skinny, yes. I have a high percentage of body fat that I want to turn to lean muscle.

Many are asking, how can you have body fat, you are a runner. I may run but running doesn't build muscle per se, it helps increase your cardiovascular endurance. Yes, it helps a little with muscle but doesn't get the results you might look for when it comes to being lean.

I've recently re-introduced myself to cross training to build lean muscle so that when I look in the mirror, I will like what I see.

So, this evening, I will use the elliptical machine and do a quick total body work out incorporating core training to strengthen my back and abs.

Enjoy your day and keep on, keepin' on!

Keeping it up in Bagram

Yep, it's been a while but I've not stopped working out or running although the limited time has made its interruptions weekly not allowing me the opportunity to get out and run!

But, if you check out Bagram Running Club on Facebook, you'll see there are plenty of opportunities to get out and have fun on a run.

I've finally adjusted to the altitude for the most part but I'll say, at almost 5,000 feet above sea level it takes a bit of time.

So, becuase I love to run that's about all I've been doing when I do exercise so today, I decided to change it up a little. I've really got to get some strenght training and HIIT in. I'm losing weight but I'm not losing the fat like I should. Now, that's not saying I'm fat but in Body Fat to Muscle weight ratio...I'm over the body fat percentage big time and physically it shows!

Today, I did four rounds of TRX push-ups, Triceps and lateral abs while adding the battling ropes, in air squats and lunges. Tomorrow, Monday, I get back on track with my routine.

With the constant sonic boom of the jets at night I find it increasingly harder to sleep so it's thrown off my workouts and running. I've switched to working out in the afternoons and sleeping to 0615 to be in the office by 0630. I've made this little promise to myself to get up early and run. Hopefully I can hang with it.

I'm doing everything I can to stay in shape here in Bagram especially with my work schedule...

Hoping to see the rest of this fat melt off to become more tone!

 

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Afghanistan Adjustment

Adjusting the the "Stan" has been a bit easier than I anticipated. I was told how hard it would be to get my sleep cycle strait and how running would make my lungs feel like they were going to explode! Well, my sleep cycle is ok but running makes my lungs feel just like I was told. This has become a challenge because not long ago I was running 6-8 miles no problem! Now, I'm starting over and that's ok. This is my project for myself in the "Stan". I will get into shape.

So, I've been here a week and a half, closing in on my two week mark and feeling good. I have to say though, it's been a rough road with fatigue and lack of physical energy. I have all the mental energy one needs in an environment like this but it's making my body do some work that has been hard.

I spent a while being nauseated and having indigestion because the change in my diet and the quality of the food here. I don't even crave meat anymore but I eat it because I need the protein. Bread and carbs, for me, a thing of the past right now. I'll eat carbs but I get them from fruit and potatoes. I've resorted to eating a lot of eggs, strawberries, melons and oatmeal for breakfast and for lunch if I don't workout I eat cucumbers, celery, tomatoes and more fruits. If I workout then I have a ViSalus shake or some tuna and rice and peanut butter with an apple or bannana. For dinner, more of the same for lunch.

It's weird how the things I craved before coming here, I no longer have a desire to eat. I MUST admit however, I have had cake, cupcakes and cookies... C'mon, don't judge! I love pastries and chocolate...that's my cryptonite!

Included with my change in diet, I've successfully worked out every day but two days. I have to admit the workouts have been small. I've managed to do some sort of cardio and strengthening exercise and I'll tell ya, I can certainly feel it!

I've done so many varied exercises here that each day is unique and challenging. This type of exercising keeps me interested. Sitting in a gym lifting weights certainly doesn't motivate me and I get very bored. It's sort of like running on a treadmill. It drives me crazy to have to workout like that.

I have done kettle bell workouts, crossfit workouts and TRX workouts since I've been here. mixing it up keeps me going and keeps my muscles guessing.

So, if anyone out there has any ideas on how to keep my workouts unique and challenging let me know! I'd love to spice up my workouts. Keep in mind, I'm still out of shape and have a lot of work to do but it won't take long.