Rate: Team Jillian Michaels

Alright, I'm going to go out on a limb here and defend Jillian Michaels. This "controversy" has been blown way out of proportion. I'm not blogging about it as if it is news, because it happened a few days ago, but rather just because it really urks me. First of all, it sounded to me like Michaels was trying to convey how much she believes in adoption, not how much she is "against" pregnancy. I totally relate to that. Reasons why I would rather adopt than become pregnant:  1) I have a long list of small, but annoying, conditions including asthma, bad eye sight and endometriosis-- I don't want to pass that on to anyone. 2) There's a good possibility I'm not able to. 3) I don't want to get fat and I don't want to go through such physical trauma. That's right. I am just as shallow as Jillian Michaels. Sew me. Here's the thing, if you don't really want to have a kid in the first place, then the fear of a pregnant body is probably one reason on the list of many.


Second of all, having a great body is a major part of Jillian Michaels career--  more so even than an actress or singer. Women choose careers over child-bearing all the time, and no one seems to complain. We're a progressive, non-sexist, post-liberation culture right? Then why is it any different for Michaels? Are we still so appalled by a woman making a choice about pregnancy?  Besides, have these people even seen The Biggest Loser? I watch it every Tuesday-- that girl is extremely intelligent and ballsy. Self-esteem issue? I don't think so.

Run: Personal record alert... again. Too soon?

I don't mean to brag but, I'm pretty much on fire. Kidding. But, I ran 3 miles in 31:30 minutes. That's two personal records in one week, and I haven't even been training hard, like, at all.  So here's my thought process.  I have been running 3 miles every work out, but I barely ever increase my mileage, even though I have been getting faster without much effort. I want my goal marathon to be Arizona's Rock N Roll marathon which is January 16th, 2011. I should realistically start on a structured marathon training plan on September 1st, or even a little earlier. That means I have four full months to build a lot of mileage and endurance. So I am setting some new goals for myself.

By June 1st

New base mileage of 5 miles every work out

Long Runs: 10 miles or more

Join a freaking running club already

By July 1st

Add interval and track training into my workout

Lose 5 pounds (because it will make me faster) 

Run a 5k

By August 1st

Run a 10k

Run more 5ks

Run 3 miles in under 29 minutes

By September 1st

Sign up for Arizona's Rock N Roll Marathon

Start training

Okay make-believe readers, you better hold me to it!

Work Out Recap:

Run: I ran 4 out of 7 days this week. It would have been five, but I rolled my ankle on Friday, so I had to take a few days off. I ran three times with my Oregonian buddy which is awesome, but she is still working on her base and getting in shape, so my workouts were easier with a lot run/walk intervals.

Strength: abs, arms


Thoughts/emotions/concerns: This was my first week working 9-5, and it was pretty tiring. No excuses though, I've got to continue training hard. I also wish I had more time to ride my bike. sigh. 

Run: Personal record alert

This whole nine to five thing is exhausting, and it doesn't help that I'm obsessive about making sure all my work is fabulous and ahead of schedule even when I'm at home. So until I get used to my new job, and until I can effortlessly excel at my internship, my posts may be a little short. However, if you haven't noticed, lately I've been a little off topic (or off my training schedule to be specific) anyway. You're probably sick of my ramblings, huh? Oh you'll miss them soon, I know you will. But until you do, cheers to me! I have a new personal record!

Sunday 4.18.2010
Run: 30:54 minutes, 3 miles
Strength: crunches and arms
Thoughts/Emotions/Concerns: I just ran an 10:18 min/mile average, and it wasn't even that hard. I'm so proud!


Monday 4.19.2010
Run: 33 minutes, 3 miles
Strength: If I muster up the strength, I might do a few crunches... but probably not
Thoughts/Emotions/Concerns: I don't know if I should be disgusted or thoroughly impressed with myself, but after a long day of work (two different jobs, mind you), I came home to a decadent home-made and healthy meal made by my wonderful boyfriend. How, then, could I possibly deny a glass of wine...or two. Normally, even one glass of wine would be the end of any running aspirations for the night, however I conquered that feat tonight. Impressive? yes. Somewhat embarrassing? most definitely.

Rest: Moving on up

Things are looking up! Two great things happened this week (and really made up for my fairly crummy prior week). 1. I got a new job! woot woot. Okay, so it’s not a career or anything, so I shouldn’t be too excited, but it is a step in the right direction.  I’m officially the editorial and administrative assistant for an executive magazine company. I work for the lady who runs the entire thing (it’s a small company), and I get to close every issue, upload and organize the content, write and pretty much do everything that involves publishing a magazine. I also answer phones. It’s part-time, and she completely worked around my internship, so that’s cool. So if for some tragic reason, they don’t hire me at the end of my internship (but gee, I hope they do), then at least I have something to fall back on that also looks good on my resume. The best part is… I WILL NEVER SERVE TABLES AGAIN (god willing).

Exciting fact number two is that I have a new running buddy. Boyfriend and I’s good friends, who also happen to be a couple, moved back to Arizona from Oregon this week.  Miss Oregonian friend wants to start running with me.  Ahhh, [big, nerdy smile].  So we ran, and it was fun, and we made a running schedule for the week. I just hope we stick to it.

Wednesday

Run: 28 minutes.

Strength: crunches, arm exercises with strength band

Emotions/Thoughts/Concerns: My asthma is still acting up. It must be the pollen count that is affecting it, but this is starting to get really annoying. Plus, it’s giving me a cough for the next few hours after my run.

Thursday

Run: 25 minutes

Strength: abs, arm exercises with strength band and medicine ball

Emotions/Thoughts/Concerns: I love having a running buddy, I just can't wait until she's in good shape and we can start running faster and for longer distances. 

Friday

Run: none

Strength/other: We went camping! So I went hiking Friday and Saturday. I also put up the tent all by myself! 

Emotions/Thoughts/Concerns: I love camping! And fishing! However I hate being dirty.
What a conundrum.