I picked out all of the non-red and non-pink gummy bears. Just a bag full of pink and red goodness left.
I ran four miles last night, and KILLED my last 4 mile time. Destroyed, actually. 
SUAR commented on my post yesterday. She's pretty much my hero, so I was giddy. 
2. #1, previously known as my "good" child, has snapped. I think all the stress from the last several months has just caught up with her, and she's damn unpleasant. I'm trying really hard to be understanding, but balancing that with assuring her that disrespect and rudeness are not allowed, ever. It's exhausting. *yawn*
3. Last night I was scheduled for a round of the Suck Less Program. It was SO HARD last night, and I couldn't figure out why it was kicking my butt so hard. Then I added up how many crunches, push ups, and squats I did.
259 squats, 170 crunches, 113 pushups.
No wonder I was exhausted, head to toe. *Yawn*
Is anyone else having issues with Blogger?! It keeps unformatting my posts. Not cute for the exhausted mind!
So, here's the scoop. The Suck Less Program was born HERE... I have zero core or upper body strength, and have wanted to fit in cross training, but basically, I have zero discipline or drive. I'd been meaning to start these programs, and decided to toss them all together, creating a simple, structured program, that works my problem areas, in a clear, concise manner. Basically, it was something spelled out for me, that I didn't have to think about. I am a fan of non-thinking. How does it work?
Super easy. Go to these websites, and take your initial test...
Two Hundred Sit Ups
Two Hundred Squats
One Hundred Push Ups
There are pretty clear directions on the websites - you'll take that number from your initial test, and use it to determine which week/column you fall into.
The program calls for 3 work outs a week, with at least one rest day in between. I happen to do mine on Monday, Wedensday, and Friday OR Saturday - just depends on my schedule. I run on the alternate days, that's just what works for me.
After I'm done with my sit ups, squats, and push ups, I do plank. Nothing super hard core, I just do it and hold it for as long as I feel I can THAT DAY. Some days, it's 25 seconds, some days it's over a minute.
That's it!
3 days a week. 4 weeks. Better arms, better core, better bum, better quads.
If you can already do 200 squats, 200 sit ups, and 100 push ups? You could probably kick my ass. Congratulations on already being awesome! Feel free to snag and use that picture up there! I'll post a check in once a week.
Good luck!
Again, I didn't do yoga, but instead foam rolled and got a massage. I should do yoga. It's free.
I used my "Magic Mile" time to determine my training run paces, and stuck to them like glue. My "easy" run Tuesday was negative splits (fun!). I did some treadmill intervals Thursday that were less fun, but challenging and kept me engaged. However... I think I took it TOO easy. I think my "Magic Mile" was done under the wrong circumstances - I wasn't feuled properly, I didn't warm up, and I picked a hilly route. I think I can do better. So, this week's easy run Tuesday will incorporate another "Magic Mile".
My long run Saturday was 8.5 miles with the PCRF training group, and nothing short of magical. Perfect. The best run you can imagine. No, seriously.
Plan for this week: Monday: Suck Less Program Tuesday: 4 mile tempo Wednesday: Suck Less Program, Yoga (hahaaa) Thursday: 4 mile speed work Friday: Suck Less Program Saturday: 9 miles with PCRF
Oh. PS. I had my highest mileage week ever last week. 20.6 miles.
SUCK LESS PROGRAM UPDATE
Week 4, complete!
So, the Suck Less Program is a combination of the Two Hundred Sit Ups, Two Hundred Squats, One Hundred Push Ups, and plank.
The programs call for an initial test, before you start, to determine your specific routine. My initial test was pretty ugly:
Ouch.
After week 2, you test again to determine how you continue in the program.
Sit Ups - 27
Push Ups - 10
Squats - 70
Better!
And, the results after testing out following week four?
Sit Ups - 40
Push Ups - 27
Squats - 125
Anyway, the deal is, three times a week, following a set schedule of push ups, sit ups, and squats, then I add a minute of plank. At the end of the program, you should be able to do 200 squats, 200 sit ups, and 100 push ups in one shot.
4 weeks, three days a week.
So, March was interesting. I took a "rest" week following the Princess Half, and took another 10 days off due to The Ankle. Despite missing half of the month (!!), I ended up with 44 miles run, out of 71 scheduled.
But, the last two weeks of runs have been GOOD. I've felt great, and strong, and am getting a handle on this pacing business. I added some speed work and hill training, and rocked both. So, I'll take it.
I'm scheduled for 66.5 in April, which includes a week of taper before the PCRF Cinco De Mayo half on May 1.
Suck Less Program was AWESOME. I test out on Saturday, so I'll have an update next week on my progress, but... It's significant. :D Jess at Blonde Ponytail/ suggested a Suck Less Challenge - any takers? I'll organize for April starting Monday if there's interest!
Scheduled for 11 Suck Less Program workouts in March, and hit all 11.
*****
Anyone in OC or LA not already registered for the PCRF Cinco De Mayo half/5K, there's a fab deal on Plum District for half off of the 5K registration! Link HERE.
******
And, anyone in OC/San Diego free this weekend, check out this run for a great cause... Operation Jack/Autism Awareness Day at the ACT! Today for Military Families 5k/10k. If you can't participate, consider donating! Link HERE.
**warning. whining ahead**
I posted earlier this week about my spring break plans. Or lack of. I checked with our case manager at the hospital to see what she thought of our plans (basically if they were approved), or if she had any suggestions.
And the list of things that she DENIED was like... never ending.
No beach. No ocean. No camping. No Yosemite. No Sequoia. No boats. No Catalina.
Our basic rule of thumb is, we have to stay close, for hospital access.
I don't know why that didn't even occur to me. I mean, what would I even do if Gab had a fever and we're hanging out in the middle of the giant trees?
Then I felt like the crappiest parent EVER. I mean, we were sent home with a BOOK on how to care for her, what to watch for. There's a list of things that we need to be aware of, that lead to immediate hospitalization. As much as I might like to, I can't just treck off with them to the middle of the woods for a weekend.
It's like I forgot what is happening.
She has leukemia. She doesn't have a cold. It's not going to get better because she had a couple of treatments. It's... leukemia.
And that point was drilled home yesterday following her clinic visit.
Her treatments this cycle were going to be progressively increased at each visit - provided her counts were high enough. And she's responded really well to everything so far.
Except this visit. This visit, her counts are a little low. She couldn't get the upped dosage. Her ANC (link HERE for explanation of what that is) went down, significantly.
I've been very careful to NOT compare her to other kids, to not freak out about what if's. I suppose that's very easy to do, when comparatively, her treatment has been smooth sailing, and she's responded astoundingly well to all of it. And it still mostly is, there's nothing super alarming going on, but... that tiny bump.
We're not out of the woods. We can't do whatever we want. Life's not... normal.
So. Looks like San Diego Zoo. As a day trip, 'cause... I refuse to pay full price for a hotel and don't want to risk Hotwiring something we can't use "in case".
Le Sigh.
