How did I do that?

Not feeling good today. Sore throat, Headache most of the day, tummy issues. I thought I'd take today as my "rest" day since the training schedule allows for one a week, but I decided to give it a try anyways. Made 2.5 miles in 32 minutes. I don't know how I did it. Go me.

Sherry Pearberry Salad

I made the most delicious salad. Got to preserve the ingredients list so I can make it again because it was yummy. Romaine lettuce, sliced boiled egg, sliced pears, raspberries, broccoli slaw (has broccoli, carrots, and cabbage in slaw slices- comes in a bag at Publix), caramelized pecan and walnut pieces, roasted pumpkin seeds, parmesan cheese, and a few garlic croutons with a raspberry vinaigrette. yep, yummy!

It's been a long day. I had a hard time finding time to fit in today's workout, but I did squeeze it in. Today's training schedule called for cross-training for 30 minutes. I laughed because the picture shows someone swimming. Yeah right Mr. Doug Alred adapting Hal Higdon's training schedule...I am not getting in my pool. It's freezing outside! So, I did my yogalates dvd again and did 10 mins at a max incline on the treadmill. Best I could do for cross-training today!

Adapton

I was just curious about this substance. Ran across it in reference book I have called "Disease Prevention and Treatment" published by Life Extension Media. It says an adaptogen 'is a substance that helps the body deal with and recover from stress. By balancing various organ systems, herbal adaptogens also help us feel more vital and energetic.' Adapton is a product used mostly in Europe and Japan. Active ingredient Garum amoricum extract which 'acts as a precursor to endorphins and other neurotransmitters that exert a regulatory effect on the nervous system.' Works at the cellular level....What is garum? It's a deep sea fish!

Fry me up some Garum!

I know I need to do better at my fish intake. Supplements are great, but you have to be really smart about the balance and synergy of it all. Excesses of isolated vitamins produce the same effects as deficiencies. I have found most doctors aren't really all that into checking for optimal vitamin/mineral usage. Just checking for deficiency.

Anyways, day two of 15K training. The training schedule called for a 2 mile run which I did on the treadmill thank heavens since it is 27 freaking degrees outside in what is supposed to be Florida! Did it in 25:32. And I'm on Ch 9 of 1st Nephi!

Day 1 of Week 1

So, today officially starts my 15K training. I'm curious to see how this all turns out because as it is, it's everything I've got to run a 5K. Hopefully it gets easier. Today's task was to strengthen and stretch for 30 minutes. I did a Yoga & Pilates workout. Louise Solomon Yogalates dvd workout. Went fine. I'm kinda shaky on some of those poses and stretches. Louise tells me that if I do her dvd workout 3x a week for 3 months that I'll have the body I've always dreamed of. I don't think I can stand it though, it's relaxing, but boring.

A few start out things to note, that I hope to be able to compare later. I am 126.6 right now. Hormone and vitamin levels all read normal. My cholesterol levels all read within the normal range, but they could be better. Blood sugar normal too. My sister and husband tell me kindly that my fatigue is in my head. That means something is wrong with my head! I have added a goal to my physical exercise training goal of running the 15k and that is to read the whole Book of Mormon by March 12th (Date of River Run). So, adding a spiritual goal too. (My religion reads the Bible too, for those who might not know, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ- this record is "of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel." - taken from introduction. Going to exercise spiritually and physically the best I can for the next 3 months and see how I feel afterwards. I'm also starting out with a little bit of pain in my right knee. Hoping to strengthen that knee too...it's from an old HS injury that resulted in arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage. I'll get it checked out if it gets worse, but over the years, when it starts to hurt it responds to strengthening those muscles around the knee, so I'm going to give that a shot first.

New Goal- 12 weeks to a 15K!

Just got new lab blood work back.... all normal. Both good news and bad news. The bad news being that I was hoping to find some reason for the fatigue plaguing me. I've made changes to diet and exercises, but still find myself feeling sluggish. It's been pretty cold lately and I'm not a fan. I know I'm a wimpy Florida gal, but I just don't like it. I seem to feel more fatigue in the colder weather, maybe I've got that seasonal disorder thing!

I coached a Girls on the Run team for 12 weeks this fall and built back up endurance to run a 5K. Ran 5K for that, and the week before ran 5k of a 6k (brisk walked the rest) in the Outback Classic and then last night ran the Festival of Lights 5K- took me about 36 minutes. I got a new treadmill for my birthday so I am going to use it to train for the Gate River Run. We'll see how that goes.

I went and bought myself an energy armor bracelet to let those ions go to work for me. Go ions Go!

I love Coke, but I said Goodbye

From: Michael Murray ND and Joseph Pizzorno ND
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition
"It appears that increased soft drink consumption is a major factor that contributes to osteoporosis. A deficiency of vitamin K leads to impaired mineralization of bone. Boron deficiency may contribute greatly to osteoporosis as well as to menopausal symptoms....Soft drinks have long been suspected of leading to lower calcium levels and higher phosphate levels in the blood. When phosphate levels are high and calcium levels are low, calcium is pulled out of the bones. The phosphate content of soft drinks like Coca -Cola and Pepsi is very high, and they contain virtually no calcium."

From: Dr Howard Liebowitz MD/ ER doctor and weight management specialist
"I consider diet soda a poison. There is nothing nutritionally sound in it....it's completely non-nutritious and it stresses the body, especially if you're consuming large volumes, because you're overwhelming your body's detoxification mechanism to get all these toxins out of your body. Eventually it's just going to burn out your adrenal glands and your immune system."

Sherry here: So...maybe as a special drink for my birthday or New Year's toast Hey, I'm Mormon, that's my version of a hard drink! :) But other than that, folks I'm done with my brown liquid elixir love. I'll have some water, please.

Smoothies

I have a smoothie-making passion. And I'm pretty good at it. I keep packages of frozen fruit in my freezer, juice on hand, whey protein powder, some yogurt. And I come up with some fun combos. My son Tyson loves my smoothies. It was his birthday yesterday so I made him one.

It had strawberries, mangoes, tang, pineapple juice, protein powder, some ice.

I never measure, ever, so sorry that I can't tell you what proportions I used, but it was super delicious. And healthy!

I think I'll name it Tangy Straw-mango!