Last Week!

This was the last week of class and blogging - and it was...sort of successful. I didn't exercise quite as much as I would have wanted to last week, but I blame it on class/work/homework. I am looking forward to being done with finals (and work...next week is my last week!) so I can focus on exercising again. It's going to be a very active summer!

Week 13

These past few weeks have been much better. I have had more free time (no tests or papers) so it was much easier to make sure exercise was a part of my daily routine. I didn't do any yoga last week, but did running and Burn 60 classes. It always seems to take a few days to see the results, but sometimes the lag makes it seem like all the work is for naught!
This week is going to be a little different, as my schedule is going to be a lot busier. I am teaching dance two times this week, so I will get a little bit of exercising in from them but it will be in a much lesser amount. I just need to keep balanced how many calories I am intaking compared to burning. Much easier said than done!

Week 11 - Back on Track

After our discussion last week, I had a renewed vigor for running. I'm now at a happier mental state because I'm getting my yoga, interval training, and running workouts in instead of just worrying about trying to run when I really don't want to. Although my initial goal was to run 2 half marathons, the true goal is/was to stay in shape and have exercise as a part of my daily regimen. I am happy, and I have even lost a few pounds over these past few weeks where I have been getting different types of workouts!

Week 10 - ....

I thought after a week or two I'd be back running again post-race. But I'm still a little burned out, and it's been a month! (where that time went, I have no idea). I just don't have the drive to make it fit into my schedule like I did before. I top off at about 5 miles right now, and yoga and Burn 60 are just way more fun and appealing. So, I can't say that I'm running in a way that I'd like to be, but I am happy that I'm moving, exercising, and staying healthy. And that's really what my original goal came down to, I just thought that running was the end-all be-all. (Mainly because that meant pasta was no longer a restricted food)
I'm proud I ran a half marathon, and would love to do the full marathon next year. I'm content that I'm staying in shape and balancing exercise and diet, and am hoping that I am giving myself a good foundation for dance team try-outs in the coming months.

Week 8 - Challenges

This week's assignment is to write about barriers that come up... well, the one glaring me in the face right now as it's almost 1 AM are midterms/papers/projects/everything that always seems to happen at the same time. And on top of that there's work, but that's another story. That all puts a serious damper on my sleep, nonetheless my exercising.

But, I have one incentive that keeps me going - walking the dog. If I don't walk Widget, she goes insane and tears up pretty much anything that's not concrete. And I don't mean like a walk around the block. We went for a walk this morning, a hike in the afternoon (not from me, sadly) and we went to the park in the evening. She's not ever totally tired out! I used to run with her, but since I started doing longer runs, I couldn't keep up with her. She can run 8 miles and look at me when we get home like she'd like to run 8 more.

So even on days I don't get in the work out that I may have liked, I at least am getting out, getting my heart pumping, and burning some calories. That's all I can ask for when 24 hours just are enough to get everything done.



Look closely... see what I mean about crazy?

Week 7 - Keeping motivated

Post-race, keeping up my regiment is not quite as easy. I have less drive to run long distances, and am much more likely to call it a rest day and not workout at all. And these 2 pounds that I seemed to have a never-ending tug of war with are tending to appear more and more consistently on the scale each day.
So, to get out of my funk I went to a Burn 60 class last night. I hadn't been in a while because of my focus on distance running...I fell in love again. It's just the most incredible class, and a great workout. I'm back on track - with a positive outlook, and an outlet to focus on again.
I simply need to reframe and adjust what I'm doing - no more "long distance runs," but shorter runs in the neighborhood, longer runs on trails with my dog, and Burn 60 classes here and there to get my arm workout in (my arms died last night!)

If anyone is looking for a great workout, I cannot speak highly enough about Burn 60. You'll leave feeling like a train wreck but in a fit, healthy sort of way :) Here is the website: burn60.com. Go to the schedule on the tabs at the top to find a time that works for you, and just show up 15 minutes early to get a spot. If you'd like a partner, I'd love to go with you!

Week 6 - Success!

I successfully completed my first half marathon this past Sunday! I finished it in 2:09:59 - right around what I expected to do. Whoever said that if you can just do 10 miles beforehand then you're good to go (only like every training website I looked at) failed to mention the pain that accompanies miles 10-13.1! But all in all, I am happy with simply completing my first race.
So this means my first goal is completed - I finished a half marathon! But now the daunting task of my second goal, finishing it under 2 hours, looms ahead of me. 10 minutes sounds like a piece of cake in the whole scheme of 2 hours... but then I put it into perspective that it's essentially shaving off 45 seconds from each mile. I am having trouble fathoming doing that for 3 miles nonetheless 13! So perhaps this goal is out of reach, but it is still something to strive for, and something I will do my best to achieve.


Here are my race details:

Half Marathon
Runner Details Race Results
Bib: 2492
Name: Julie Dragicevich
Gender: F
Age: 23
Hometown: Westlake Village, CA
Overall: 1087 out of 2979
Women: 386 out of 1636
F 20-24: 42 out of 102
Age/Grade: 50.65% Place: 1146
Finish: 2:09:59 Pace: 9:55
Tag Time: 2:09:59
Gun Time: 2:12:29
Split Times
10 Km: 1:00:06 Pace: 9:41