Today was "tempo" day. I had to start my mile and end my mile at the same speed (and of course throughout). After being coerced into playing basketball for a half an hour (and after bouldering at the rock wall for 10 minutes), I ran my "tempo". I thought really hard about what speed I should run that I could keep throughout my one mile. I stuck with a 6.0 (10 min mile). After the mile was done, I decided to keep going. I ran that pace for two miles!!! I am jacked about that, if you can't tell! Then I did some planks. Today was the first time I wore my heart rate monitor and I really like it. It picks up on the machines at the rec, which is even cooler (and it picked up on the two right next to me!, whoops, sorry ladies!).

One of the things that I DVR is ELLEN. I freaking love Ellen. She's hilarious and giving and who doesn't love a dancer? Well, an episode from a couple of days ago was one I watched last night. They had this guy on who is the auther of "Eat This NOT That". I am sorry, I don't know his name. But it was astounding. I am providing the website so you can, too, be informed.

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/

When I was back home, a bunch of us went to Starbucks. (More than one of my readers was there- don't worry, I won't say who.) I got the "skinny" latte for 90 cals, 0 fat, 0 fiber = 2 pts. My friend got the super yummy Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino Blended. Seriously, I had some and it is delic. This deliciousness comes with a hefty price tag: (sit down, ladies and gents) 750 calories (!!), 15 g fat (16 points!), and what I find VERY alarming is that it has 120 grams of sugar! 120 grams of sugar which happens to be the equivalent of drinking FOUR Mountain Dews. Insane. Just take a look at that website, and you will be surprised in MOST, if not all, cases...

My alarm clock went off at 0616. I pressed it in for another 9 minutes, but I woke up before it went off again. That's not like me. I actually am "okay" with waking up if I know I am going to meet my trainer. I did 30 minutes of cardio (interval training and switching from anaerobic to aerobic activity). Then we were off to arm exercises. This is fine with me, but I don't like legs. I did bench. First, I only did the bar (this is CRAZY! I used to rep 100-120 in my prime) then to 50! haha This is hysterical to me. Then a bunch of lat pull downs and other things (I can’t tell you ALL of my secrets). When I was on to tricep pulldowns, I started with 50 then she said that's too easy so to 60. Then she said I don't know if this machine is working because I usually do this weight. We switched machines and I did 90s. She was amazed. I told her my legs are a problem, not the arms. She said that's crazy. I find this funny --- I can lift more than an big-time athlete (in THIS ONE thing). Nonetheless, it was awesome. We did some med ball abs that took some getting used to (my LAST set was my best!) and what I perceive to be the opposite of kick backs. I told her that she was crazy, but I liked it. So you lay on your stomach and hold on to her legs (like kickbacks except on your stomach) and kick your legs back to hit her arms. The craziest thing ever--- works the back and abs. Great workout that makes me feel rejuvenated. I am quite tired already, but I didn't sleep my 8 like I would like (go figure). I ate breakfast this morning (Elvis' & Don's favorite snack: PB & banana sandwich) and had a muffin (VITAmuffin @ 100 cals, 0 fat, 7 g fiber = 1 pt!!) after working out and am hungry just the same. That's the only reason I don't like eating breakfast, it seems I am hungry the WHOLE day no matter how much I eat--- I guess that's metabolism. She's giving me Sat along with Sun off now. She said she would feel better about that. Whatever she thinks... which means no long runs for me this week. I think I might swim though. The person that befriended me on my REALLY bad day (that had to wait for me after the Rec closed) chatted with me for awhile, then I went to the sauna. When I came back she left a note: "Have a GREAT day!" -***** Very thoughtful. Made my day.

What didn't make my day was: I was putting my $8.95-"Saving for a rainy day"-Steve & Barry's-Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten-jeans on this morning at the REC... sniffle... a patch job is going to have to be done. They were (and hopefully still will be) my favorite pair of jeans (maybe to date?). Luckily, a friend had a pair in her locker and I happen to know her combo . So thanks to her, I wasn't pantsless around campus...

Hmmm... More to come, I'm sure.

Okay, a grpmate got that in my head last night... ha. I was telling him about my trainer and my workouts and he was laughing at me. I asked why and he said: "cuz you're jacked!". Yeah, I was. Yeah, I still am. Then, he was mad that I didn't tell him I was training for a half. Sara let that cat out, but I really wasn't keeping it away from anyone. The way I see it, the more people know about it, the more likely I will ACTUALLY DO IT THIS TIME.

I really like my trainer. On Sunday was a one hour workout with her --- a lot of leg exercises. That is my weakest part of my body, which is quite ironic because I want to run a half. We're working on that. Yesterday was my day off (Sun is supposed to be). Today I met up with her at 0715. Let me tell you, it was a frozen tundra of 02 Fahrenheit. [Boss said it was "Minnesotan weather".] I walked a slow walk for a warm up and she got mad at me because I had my arms crossed and was not power walking (I swear it was 50 degrees in there). Then to a jog and a warm up. Next, she had me do 10 50 yard sprints. I felt really slow. But she is very encouraging and provides me with great information. After they were done, I did some core work. Planks. She had me do it for 30 seconds. Seemingly, the longest 30 seconds of my life. Then side planks. 15 seconds on one side. I told her next side to do 30 seconds. Back to regular plank and I swear this was even longer. She kept saying: good job, almost there, it's mental, etc. When I was done, she said THAT WAS ONE MINUTE! It was an awesome feeling. Two rounds of that then hip flexor exercises. Good 30 minute workout. I feel like that isn't enough time to get a good workout in, but this has proven me wrong! Yeah, SS is right, I AM SUPER JACKED! I meet with her tomorrow at 0700 for one hour (cardio and arm weights).

On a related note, I am really glad that I gave her a chance after the first impression. I was not too happy about it, but put it past me (very unlike me)... I wanted my trainer to be chosen completely at random as I felt like I would get a good fit. Seemingly so!

Yesterday I ate around 1300-1400 calories (2 short of my 26 pts)

Today I am at 18 pts and 1000 calories SO FAR.

My first training session went well yesterday. My legs are sore today. I will be paying for my 2 day binge for the next two weeks. But I am back. Tomorrow is a running day... nothing to report right now. Sorry to disappoint.

Find out I am overweight, and have a feast yesterday. That's all I am going to say. Good job. I'd pat myself on the back, but I can't seem to wrap my arms around...