2010 Life Goals - 1st Quarter review

Before I begin to talk about how I've done to this point of the year, here's what my 2010 goals are.

Goal #1 - Lose 24 lbs.
Since the beginning of this year I've managed to lose 20 pounds. Most of that came when I was doing the Master Cleanse at the beginning of February. Once it was over, I did put back on some of the weight, but in the last couple of weeks, I've seen that number drop. My goal from this point on is to keep losing the weight slowly and keep it off for a long time afterward.

Goal #2 - Run 3 Half Marathons
Well due to being ill 2 days before the scheduled date of the 1st half marathon, I'm still looking to run my 1st HM of the year. This means, that I probably won't get to run 3 HMs this year, as there are none after October. I'm already registered for a half marathon at the end of May, and my next one will either be in September or October of this year (date and location TBD). So if I can still run 2, and have Personal Best times for both, I will be happy with that.

Goal #3 - Spend less money on irrelevant things.
Since 2010 began, I have only gone out for lunch 2 times, once with my work group to celebrate the arrival of 2 new employees, and once because I didn't have any juice made for that day. As for breakfast, the only time I have gone out was a few days before starting the Master Cleanse and I did it more for a treat than anything. So essentially, I haven't been spending money on irrelevant things to this point in the year.

Goal #4 - Focus more at work.
Up until this week, I've been very committed to my work. I managed to complete a big project that I've been working on for several months now, and I'm quite happy with that. Now, I'm currently between big projects and my interests has diminished a bit, but I know I will be right back at it once the next project comes along.

National Capital Half Marathon update

I received an e-mail yesterday stating that the National Capital Half Marathon was FULL and it is still 2 months away. I'm very glad I signed up when I did.

NCHM Challenge - Run # 40

Today was hills and with the number increasing, I've been thinking of finding a different hill. Either one that was closer,  or shorter so that my total time doesn't hit over 1hr, as it is frowned upon at work to be away from your desk for longer than that several days a week. So I managed to find one that was 1k away and only 60m shorter (each way) with a more consistent incline.

Here are my numbers

		My results	Comments
Type of Run	Hills	non-stop	OK
Distance	5 Hills	5 Km	total: 196.63 km
Pace	6:36	???	see below
Average HR	148-159	149	see below
Max HR	180	173	expected
Calories Burned		617	total: 24544

With doing a 1k warm up and 700m cool down, my HR barely made it into the required range, but my Max HR hit a good number while I was going up the hills. I managed to have a 4:16 time for each up and down of the hill (6:10/km) so that was a decent time.

NCHM Challenge - Run # 39

Made it out today for a Tempo run.

Here are my numbers

		My results	Comments
Type of Run	Tempo	non-stop	OK
Distance	4 km	4 Km	total: 191.63 km
Pace	6:36	6:10	great
Average HR	148-159	159	OK
Max HR	180	210	high
Calories Burned		477	total: 23927

Well, I felt like I pushed today, and my numbers confirmed it, especially my Max HR. My pace for the 2.75k Tempo part was 5:54/km which is very fast for me. Overall, it was a little difficult and my legs were a little tired from Sunday's LSD run, but I made it through in great time.

Winner

 I just received word that I'm a winner of a Cookbook! The book is called "Spice Up Your Life," by Bindu Grandhi, and the site that I won this book on is health site that I read daily called Live Lighter.

I read the following review of the cookbook and was very interested in purchasing the book. So when Stephanie, at LiveLighter.org, announced a draw for this cookbook, I made sure to put my name in the draw. Lucky for me, I was chosen.

Now I will await the book and once I try a few recipes, I will gladly put up my thoughts and comments on them.

NCHM Challenge - Run # 38

First off, I changed my battery in my HR monitor strap and it helped. Second, there was a strong head wind going out, which kinda left me feeling not to interested in running so I went out slow. Third, had some pain in my right heel, right quad and right hip throughout the run. Nothing major, nor consistent, just every now and then I would feel something for a few seconds and then it was gone. Other than all that, made it out and it was a decent run.

Here are my numbers

		My results	Comments
Type of Run	LSD	10:1	OK
Distance	12 km	12 Km	total: 187.63 km
Pace	7:19	7:19	great
Average HR	137-148	138	great
Max HR	180	149	great
Calories Burned		1429	total: 23450

I managed to have a much faster come back time without bringing up my HR. The new battery meant my Max HR wasn't some very high number.

NCHM Challenge - Run # 37

Made it out today.

Here are my numbers

		My results	Comments
Type of Run	Steady	non-stop	great
Distance	4 km	4 Km	total: 175.63 km
Pace	7:19	7:11	ok
Average HR	137-148	152	little high
Max HR	180	191	little high
Calories Burned		498	total: 22021

For some odd reason, my HR started up high and I could never get it down. Other than that, it was a good run.