Week 6, Day 2: Twice for 10

Workout was uneventful:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
* Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
* Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
* Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

I think things are breezing by now. I think that the next hurdle to come is running for 25 minutes. That will be another major milestone.

BTW, Congrats Isha on completing the half marathon!

Week 6, Day 1: The Day After

So, yesterday I started taking my exotic aerobics class - Can I just tell you that I am huuuuuuuuuur-ting. My legs are hurting. My arms are hurting. And my abs are, well, WACK! I did not realize how much fat I actually had around my abdomen until the wackness was tested yesterday.

At any rate, I did my running workout today.

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

* Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
* Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
* Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
* Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
* Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

It wasn't so bad, even after a week. I guess that once you get past that first 20 minute run, you know that you can tackle the rest.

Exotic Aerobics

Have you ever tried it? It's great! And it's a great workout. And I seriously needed one since I havent worked out in a week. Well, today was my first day and I am hooked. The workout started out with step aerobics. I had endurance from my running so I could keep up with that. Then we did some military type stuff shuffling across the floor, then lunges, squats, and ab work (which killed me) - a true workout indeed.

Then, it was time to show our "sexy". We started learning a dance routine to Cherish's song "Killa" featuring Young Joc:

06-Cherish-ft-Yung-Joc---Killa uploaded by nicko2601

After the workout that we had in the beginning of the class, learning the dance routine was hard. But the interesting thing is that we incorporated a lot of exercise moves into the routine.

Interested in finding out more about the Exotic Aerobics class? Here's a video of one dance routine that was taught.



Click here for more videos and information.

Thanks for introducing me to the class Hollywood Diva! Let's see if I keep it up.

Catch Up

So, I've been gone a week so let me catch you up!

• I havent done any of my Week 6 workouts so I'll start that back up this week.
• Tuesday, my daughter and I rallied for 'Change We Can Believe In' with Barack Obama at Toyota Center.
• My mom flew in town to babysit and spend time with her granddaughter.
• My husband and I flew to Las Vegas and stayed at the lovely Palazzo, sister resort to the Venetian.

Now, I'm back on my grind...

BARACK is coming...

Week 5, Day 3: A Natural High

Wow oh wow, how wonderful it is to finally be able to run longer than I have ever run before. Today was amazing. I actually completed my 20 minute run without stopping! I had to pat myself on the shoulder for that multiple times. One thing that I did differently today, though, was looking at the clock. I just decided that I would not stop until the 20 minutes ended. I tried to only look at the clock after about 3 minutes or when one of the songs changed. It worked. I kept my same playlist from the last time so I knew that when "Encore" came on, I was headed toward the home stretch. Anyway, I completed the 20 minutes and courtesy of my husband and daughter, headed to a Chinese buffet. Go figure!

Ain't no love...

Have you gotten your Jay-Z and Mary J tickets? I have! Go to Rocafella to get presale tickets if your city has not gone on sale yet! Beware, the tickets are EXPENSIVE! $125+

Quick Visit to Slackersville

Yep, I slacked this weekend. I didnt do my Week 5, Day 3 workout where I was supposed to run for 20 mintues straight. I didnt't do anything as a matter of fact. No working out whatsoever. I guess you need one of those weekends every now and again - or maybe that's my excuse of the moment. Either way, today is a new day and I am back on my grind.

I will be catching up on my 20 minute run in a bit!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We won't be doing too much. Just having dinner at home. What will YOU be doing?

Week 5, Day 2: Crazy 8s

I didnt believe it would happen, ladies and gentlemen, but YES - I completed both of my 8-minute running intervals without stopping. It was the biggest test yet and I did it! I guess it's mind over matter. I felt like stopping plenty of times and even my power song didn't hype me up for the final stretch. But, somehow, I got it DONE!

Hip hip hooraaaaaaaaay!

Power Songs

It truly is amazing what you can do when your mind and body work together. Today, I had an excellent workout. I was actually able to complete the 5-minute running intervals. I now realize that it's all in the music that I am listening to. At the end of the second 5-minute interval, I felt my mental game deteriorating. During the rest period, I convinced myself that I did not want to walk. I needed to run.

And that last boost came down to my power song. You know, a song that just makes you go longer, faster, harder... Mine is "Encore" by Jay-Z. And it gave me all the energy I needed to finish out my run.

Encore JayZ uploaded by nhennigan90

It only gets harder from here on out but maybe if I had more power songs, I'd be able to boost myself in my most difficult times.

So tell me, ladies and gentlemen, what's YOUR power song?

Week 5, Day 1: Nerves for sure

This week makes me nervous. 3 different workouts, 3 different days. Will I be able to do it?

Day 1:
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Day 2:
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

Day 3:
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.

Again, I'm following the time intervals. It works well with the playlist, which I've slightly updated again:

Stronger (Kanye West)-warmup
Flipside (Freeway)-jog 2.5 minutes
Show Me What You Got (Jay-Z)-jog 2.5 minutes
Yeah! (Usher)-walk
Touch the Sky (Kanye West)-jog 2.5 minutes
Promiscuous Girl (Nelly Furtado)-jog 2.5 minutes
Hollywood (Jay-Z)-walk
Check On It (Beyonce)-jog 2.5 minutes
Encore (Jay-Z)-jog 2.5 minutes

Extras include:
Good Life (Kanye West)-walk
Just Fine (Mary J. Blige)
Eye of the Tiger (from Rocky movies)

Monday morning

Way to brighten mine Cam!

Week 4, Day 3: All's well, at least for now

My workout today was pretty uneventful. I came, I ran, I conquered. There really isn't too much else to it. I have definitely bounced back from Tuesday's run. I was able to complete each interval and I even upped my speed slightly. Either way, next week is yet another big test. On day 3 we are supposed to run 20 minutes straight. Somehow, I think I might be stuck on week 5 for a while. Either way, wish me luck!

Viva Estados Unidos!

So, I was able to go to the USA vs. Mexico "friendly" soccer match yesterday (courtesy of Chi) and what a sight. The stadium was filled to the brim with mostly Mexican fans all dressed in their country's colors - green and red, truly a spectacle.

Chi's brother Oguchi also scored the first goal of the evening!



I was happy to be at my first professional soccer match. Unfortunately, I felt jipped. Nobody won. The game ended in a tie: 2-2.

But most unfortunate is that two people were shot after the game.

So sad, so sad.

Week 4, Day 2: Back 2 Back

What was I thinking? Today's workout was horrible. I was tired but tried to stick to my schedule. Since I can't workout for the next two days I tried to do a back to back workout. What a mistake. My legs were tired and my mind just was not in it. I actually made it all the way to the last 5 minute interval and then had to take a quick break. I couldn't run for the whole song. I guess that's why they say to leave a day in between workouts; so that you are refreshed with each one. Maybe I've learned my lesson, maybe not.

Oh yeah, and the gum does not make a difference for me. As a matter of fact, it lost it's flavor after the first 5 minutes and I had no where to put it.

Try, try again.

Week 4, Day 1: Press On

So, who's bright idea was it to train for a 5K again? Mine? Well, sometimes I reeeeeeeally want to rethink my decision. But, I have to press on. I am really impressed with myself that I actually made it this far. I have broken down my own mental and physical barriers to actually run, although I still do not consider myself a runner. Maybe after May I will.

Well, today's workout was very hard. I mean, I did it. But it was HARD. To start, the interval periods were very confusing to follow 'Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes, and so on'. I was trying to tell somebody what the intervals were before I actually got to the gym and all I could remember was the fact that I had two 5 minute running periods. That's it. There is no way that I could keep up with all the changing if I didnt have my trusted playlist changing songs whenever I was supposed to run or walk (thanks Isha!). That is indeed a big help with the workout plan.

And I started off really well. Remember I am not a runner. I did my warm-up, jogged for 3 minutes on 4.5mph, walked a little and got right into my first 5 minute interval as I sung along to Kanye's New Workout Plan. That song really keeps you going. You should give it a listen. Anyway, I moved right along through the workout and got to the last 5 minute running period singing along to Get Me Bodied. That's when I hit my brick wall. I started off running at 4.5mph, then went to 4.2, and then went to 4.0. I wanted to stop so bad but it wasnt necessarily because I was over-tired. It was because mentally I felt like I could not go on. I kept telling myself that I just had to get to the part where she calls all the ladies to the floor (you know what I am talking about...) And really, as soon as I heard that, I increased my speed back to 4.5mph and finished out the 5 minutes of the interval. Again, I knew I wasnt tired, it was mentally draining.

And again, I forgot my chewing gum. Now, I never even chew gum. I got it specifically to chew while running and for the past few times, I forgot to pop in a piece. Maybe next time I wont forget it. And maybe it will help with my mental stagnation.

Until then, Making the Band is coming up...

Updated Playlist

Well, who cares that it's updated only slightly? Since my running times are getting longer, I have to find longer songs that keep me hype. Yes, I know that I can split two songs up but why do all that when one song works just fine. Well, here it is. Do you see a pattern with me?

Stronger (Kanye West)-warmup
Flipside (Freeway)-jog 3 minutes
Good Life (Kanye West)-walk
New Workout Plan (Kanye West)-jog 5 minutes
Hollywood (Jay-Z)-walk
Encore (Jay-Z)-jog 3 minutes
Show Me What You Got (Jay-Z)-walk
Get Me Bodied (Beyonce)-jog 5 minutes
Want It (Danity Kane)-cooldown

I also have various other songs in case I want to run or walk a little extra. :-)

Week 3, Day 3: Skip a day, feel the pain!

So, I missed my original Week 3, Day 3 workout because my daughter had an ear infection and because of it, today's workout was brutal. I feel like it's been a week since I've worked out. I feel like I started all over again. Well, maybe it wasnt that bad. I was able to breathe through all of it. But it wasn't easy... or pretty. My legs felt like jelly. And I'm sure that I looked like it too. And of course, I forgot my chewing gum again. Well, it was in my purse and I didnt remember until I was struggling through the running intervals but I didnt feel like stopping the workout to get it.

Anyway, I guess that will teach me not to skip my workout days. But what's one to do when the kiddie gets sick?

At any rate, for the upcoming week, I have a lot to look forward to. I'm sure I'll be in pain:
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

I'll be using the time intervals. I dont think I am completely ready for the distance intervals yet. I'll work my way up to that soon. Wish me luck!

Oh yeah, the superbowl commercials were horrible. Did anybody else feel the same?