Back on the fitness wagon for the umpteenth time!

Seriously life, quit pushing me off!

Sooo as you readers probably noticed in a prior posting of mine, I have decided to get back into running training! Largely because I have a BIG half marathon coming up in May and largely because I haven't been able to keep consistent in a way that could even lend to me starting even the most beginner of half training plans (many of which highly recommend 2 months of regular training prior to beginning their plans)

All of that being said, I am back and I am ready to rock and roll! And most importantly, to RUN! So here is my schedule for this week, complete with progress made thus far, and what is scheduled for the remainder of the week!

Monday Jan 2
- Scheduled = Rest day
- Done = Rest :)

Tuesday Jan 3
- Scheduled = 30 minute "wog" - 5 min walk, 10 min jog, 5 min walk, 5 min jog, 5 min walk
- Done = 30 min wog at 2.10 miles total

Wednesday Jan 4
- Scheduled = 30 minute "wog" - 5 min walk, 10 min jog, 5 min walk, 5 min jog, 5 min walk
- Done = 30 min wog at 2.21 miles total

Thursday Jan 5
- Scheduled = 60 minutes cross training of my choice
- Done = 60 minutes stationary bike @ gym for total of 10.5 miles

Friday Jan 6
- Scheduled = 30 minute "wog" - 5 min walk, 10 min jog, 5 min walk, 10 min jog
- Done = 33:30 min "wog" - 5 min walk, 10 min jog, 5 min walk, 10 min jog, 3.5 min walk at 2.52 miles total

Saturday Jan 7
- Scheduled = 60 minutes cross training of my choice :)
- Done = short walk with Joe (not 60 min, maybe 15) 

Sunday Jan 8
- Scheduled = 35 minutes long "wog" - 5 walk, 10 run, 5 walk, 10 run, 5 walk
- Done = Rest day :(

Total miles ran/walked/jogged = 6.83 miles
Total miles biked =10.5 miles

My half is on Sunday May 20th and the training plan I would like to utilize is 12 weeks long... That means I need to start officially training on Monday Feb 27th (the day before the 2 day Bar exam... ick!) which gives me a little less than 2 months to get back to regular running and to get my endurance back up!

Why I am having a tough time...

One word - isolation. That's what I've been feeling. Isolated. Not because people don't want to see me or because I want to be, but because of the Bar exam. Studying is all encompassing and it's the majority of what I do and the majority of what I will do for the next while... Is this a new feeling? No. I felt this way with the other Bar exam last time, but at that point I didn't feel quite so alone because so many of my peers were in the same boat as me, so we could be isolated together, if that makes any sense. However now it is different. I do have friends who are taking the Bar exam again, but now we are all on our own, figuratively and literally. The first time around we took a class together, did the whole 9 yards. Now while some of us are still taking the class, it's not the same because we are doing it from home, largely in an effort to better tailor our studies to better assist us in passing this time around. Anyway, does this post have a point? Not really. Just rambling on my thoughts as of late. Finding it harder to be motivated without the support of a large group, but I am still doing my best, just need to get over the hump I think, as it is extremely demoralizing.

Just Closed... [Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was quite good, I liked it a lot. It was a good next part of Harry's time at Hogwarts. He had quite the eventful Third Year! That being said, I think I liked the other 2 a little bit better. However, that is just a personal comment and I am sure my opinions might vary as I read the other remaining 4 books in this series. I really liked meeting other characters who knew his parents and the fact that while we are led to believe that Black is bad all along, he is actually good! I also liked the twist with Scabbers and thought that was very unexpected but good!

View all my reviews

Follow My Book Blog Friday With Alison Can Read #12

Question of the Week: Go count the number of unread books sitting on your shelf. How many? 

So I don't have a ton of books that are unread at my home that actually belong to me... I would guess there are 10 or less.

However, I do have a list of books to read (i.e check out from the library) and that list has 102 books on it! All of which I have never read

I needed this...

So I got an email today from one of my most favorite law professors...

Thought I would share my favorite part...

"I'm sure taking the bar again is pretty rotten.  But this was just a speed bump for you.  We all hit speed bumps in our lives-- myself included.  Hang in there, stay diligent.  So get this behind you-- because you are going to be a terrific lawyer.  OK?"

I really REALLY needed that boost and that extra bit of confidence today. Been struggling a little with going through the whole studying process again... But I WILL do it and I WILL succeed...

As a really smart and pretty blue fish once said, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming.."

Running Resolution...

Last year I had resolved to run 700 miles... I ran only 157.79. OUCH! I just didn't feel it, I suppose. This year I am ready to start fresh and get back into running because I really do love it and I love how it makes me feel.

My goal this year is to run 400 miles. Today was my first run of 2012 and it was more of a "wog" (a combination of a walk/jog).

I had a goal of 30 minutes of wogging and I met it!

This is how I broke it down:
- 5 minutes walk
- 10 minutes jogging
- 5 minutes walk
- 5 minutes jogging
- 5 minutes walk

I made it 2.10 miles in 30 minutes according to my Garmin. Not too shabby! My goal for this week is to do 30 minutes for all "wogs" and on Sunday to bump it to 35 minutes (since that will be my LONG run day) and then do 30 minutes next week, and will see how I feel after that....

Hopeful schedule:
Sundays - Long run
Mondays - Rest day
Tuesdays - Run
Wednesdays - Run
Thursdays - Cross training day (60 minutes)
Fridays - Run
Saturdays - Cross training day (60 minutes)

New Years' Resolutions 2012

I want to first re-cap on what my resolutions were for 2011:
1. Read ENTIRE Bible cover to cover with a daily plan
2. Run MORE
3. Improve Health
4. Do MORE yoga
5. Go to gym regularly  

How I did:
1. ACCOMPLISHED :)
2. Failed. Poo.
3. Eh....
4. Failed.
5. Did good for awhile then fell off at the end of year.  

Now for my new resolutions... 

{HOME}

Figure out a good organization plan for all rooms (mainly office/spare room)  

{FINANCIAL}

Keep current on all payments (while looking for work)

Work on lowering debt (once have a job again)

Work on promoting my PartyLite candle business  

{HEALTH}

Keep going to the gym regularly

Get back into running (run at least 2 half marathons and run at least 400 miles in 2012)

Get back to pre-law school weight of 135 (which means losing 30+ pounds)

Cut out all soda/diet soda

Limit to 1 cup of coffee per day

Incorporate more healthy meals into our life and routine  

{SPIRITUALITY}

Do at least 5 different devotional studies from my Bible of varying lengths (week long, month long, etc.)

Expand my knowledge on the Bible

Do something with the notes I compiled from my Bible studies in 2011  

{RELATIONSHIPS}

Have a date night at least once a month

Write at least 1 snail mail letter each month (to friends or family)

Try to see mom at least once a month

Try to see a out of town friend at least once a month (finances dependent)