Sunday, September 16, 2012

10K Complete

By Jennifer Compton
Before Eric and I were lucky enough to get pregnant with Jack, I had added running a 10K to my bucket list.  I postponed it indefinitely when we found out the happy news.  Then, once I returned to work from maternity leave, I found it hard to stay motivated to take more time away from my family to fit in exercise.  I love to do it and needed to so that I could lose the rest of the baby weight.  I decided to check something off my bucket list - a 10K!  

After signing up to run, I logged on to Hal Higdon's training website.  I used the novice plan but started in the 2nd week due to when I made the decision.  I followed it pretty closely, only making changes due to scheduling issues or to add time to my workouts.  

I was pretty nervous that I wouldn't be able to push past the 3 mile limit I've pretty much stuck to my whole life.  I was happily surprised each week as I pushed farther.  The only things that threatened to slow me down were an occasional cramp and I also had some pain in my calf the last week of training.  

Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
1
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
2
n/a
2.5 m run
30 min cross training (elliptical)
2 m run + strength
Rest
40 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
3.75 run
3
Yoga 20 min + strength
2.5 m run
45 min cross (elliptical)
2 m run + strength
27 min cross (elliptical)
50 min cross (elliptical)
4 m run
4
25 min circuit training
3.2 m run + .5 m walk
35 min cross (elliptical)
2 m run + strength
Rest
50 min cross (elliptical)
4 m run
5
30 min cross + strength
3 m run
40 min cross
2 m run + strength
Rest
60 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
4.5 m run
6
30 min cross + strength
2.8 m run
40 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
2 m run + strength
Rest
60 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
5 m run
7
45 min cross + strength
Rest
3 m run + .2 m walk
2 m run + strength
Rest
5.9 m run
60 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
8
20 min cross + strength
3 m run with jogging stroller
30 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
2 m walk
30 min cross (elliptical + stationary bike)
60 min cross (bike ride)
10K

In "week 7", I bought a used jogging stroller so that I could take Jack on my slower runs.  He LOVES it!  I plan to take him a couple times a week going forward.  Plus, I have another 10K at the end of October that will keep me training.  I got the bug!  :)


Race day - ready to go!  We left plenty of time to get there, but traffic was not our friend.  By the time we parked, checked in, etc. I walked up right when the race started.  I had to tell myself not to get nervous!  I could start late even though I did not want to!


My cheering squad, Eric and Jack, took pictures at the finish and inspired me all along the way.  I can't believe I am smiling at the end.  My hip, knee and calf were all bothering me.  I did it though!  My goal was to run a 10 minute mile the entire time.  That is about what I did at home while training and I felt confident that I could stay on pace.  However, the start was very crowded as races always are.  I always want to find a less populated spot which sometimes causes you to run off pace.  When I reached the 1 mile marker, I realized I ran it in less than 9 minutes.  I knew I couldn't keep that pace up and finish running, so I slowed down.  I did a little better when I reached the 2 mile marker, but then much better the rest of the race.  

I finished in 1 hour and 41 seconds.  Not bad!  I am very pleased.  


Afterwards....




Part of the race fee was free zoo admission for me for the day.  The three of us hung out for a couple of hours.  Eric was a good sport.  He is NOT a fan of zoos but tolerated it.  We visited Royal Oak for a yummy lunch at Tom's Oyster Bar afterwards and then a quick stop at the Astoria Bakery.  YUM!

Overall a great time.  I am signed up for a 5K in early October and another 10K at the end of October.  I loved the weather today for the race and can't wait for more races in fall weather!  

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Such a fun guy!

Just check him out and you'll see!

Jack had his first solids this past month.  We started with carrots.  He wasn't sure what to think but ended up gobbling them right up.  I have made all of his food so far and plan to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.  He has had carrots, butternut squash and bananas.  Next up is sweet potaotes!


Our little guy is already 5 months old!


Summer fun



We went on a short trip to Grand Rapids for our anniversary and to visit friends.  This shot was taken at the Frederik Meijer Gardens.  They are beautiful. 


Jack got to visit with Mya, our friends' Jessica and David's beautiful little girl.


His (and our) adventures continue...

Bucket List Revisited


Bucket List

 

Having our wonderful son, Jack, has made me want to revisit the bucket lists I’ve created in the past and make some updates.  Looking at ideas online made me realize that I really have experienced some amazing things in my life already.  Marrying my best friend and having our beautiful child are the most amazing things.  Everything else has just been the icing on the cake! 

 

Despite how lucky I feel, I also know that you have to make an effort to accomplish and plan things in order to avoid having any regrets later in life.  Therefore, I’ve come up with the most recent version of my always evolving list! 

 

In no particular order, the items still left from my “old” lists are:


Travel:
Travel to Australia
Travel to Hawaii
Travel to Alaska.      
Swim with dolphins
Go scuba diving and/or snorkeling

Personal Accomplishments:
Create my dream home
Start a business with Eric
Achieve my ideal weight.  I am extremely close to my pre-pregnancy weight due to excellent diet control and exercise.  It feels pretty freaking awesome by the way. 
Run a 10K (this was postponed due to my amazing pregnancy but it is back on!  I am running it on Sunday and am READY!)
Make a positive difference in someone’s life
Become a bit of a minimalist.  This is a lifelong project.  However, I feel some progress each day.  The most recent achievement is that we are not holding on to Jack’s baby “stuff” as he outgrows it.  I am not going to hold on stuff just for the sake of holding on to stuff. 
Take the SPHR test and pass (at my next recertification)

Fun:
Go stargazing
Visit all of the MLB parks with the hubs – making great progress

Complete:
Travel to London. We traveled to London in May of 2010.
Travel to Paris.  We traveled to Paris in May of 2010.
Develop craft/creative blog and post regularly.  This was developed in spring 2010.
Go on a road trip with my hubby, Eric, to places we’ve never been. We visited Pittsburgh in 2011.
Compete in a Triathlon.  I have competed in 2 now!  One per year sounds like an appropriate goal for me.  I am focused more on running now. 
Volunteer to help children in need.  I volunteered with Make a Wish in July 2010 but will continue to do so.  I need to visit this one again.
Plant and grow a garden – completed in 2011

Life changes and then you update your bucket list!

New Items:

Travel:
Travel to Spain as a family
African safari
Family vacation to Yellowstone
Go whale-watching (in Alaska?)
Visit Savannah, Georgia
Go to the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in late November
Create a joint travel bucket list with Eric
Visit the Grand Canyon

Personal Accomplishments:
Climb an impressive mountain
Cooking classes
Improve my photography skills
Decide on my next physical challenge (race, etc.) and do it

Fun:
Take Jack to his first concert
See a Cirque du Soleil show
Own a mustang.  This has been something in my heart since I was 15 or so.  There is no rush on this one, but someday, I will own one!
Try paddle boarding

Removed:

Learn Spanish.  I completed a course at Jackson Community College in 2010 and have moved on from this. I realize now that you cannot really learn and retain a language unless you use it and I don’t have enough opportunity to use Spanish regularly.)


Really learn to golf – Eric and I took lessons.  We know that to get better, we need to go!  We no longer see this as an important goal now that Jack is a part of our life.  We have NEW goals instead.  However, I still have to golf for work a time or two a year and each time, it is a bit embarrassing due to my extreme rustiness!

Plant and grow tomatoes.  Our most recent living adventures have changed this goal.  My new focus is on eating more fresh/local foods.  We love the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market and if life ever slows down at all, I plan to make this somewhat of a regular thing. 

Updated List:

Travel:
Travel to Australia
Travel to Hawaii
Travel to Alaska.      
Swim with dolphins
Go scuba diving and/or snorkeling
Travel to Spain as a family
African safari
Family vacation to Yellowstone
Go whale-watching (in Alaska?)
Visit Savannah, Georgia
Go to the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in late November
Create a joint travel bucket list with Eric
Visit the Grand Canyon


Personal Accomplishments:
Create my dream home
Start a business with Eric
Achieve my ideal weight.  I am extremely close to my pre-pregnancy weight due to excellent diet control and exercise.  It feels pretty freaking awesome by the way. 
Run a 10K (this was postponed due to my amazing pregnancy but it is back on!  I am running it on Sunday and am READY!)
Make a positive difference in someone’s life
Become a bit of a minimalist.  This is a lifelong project.  However, I feel some progress each day.  The most recent achievement is that we are not holding on to Jack’s baby “stuff” as he outgrows it.  I am not going to hold on stuff just for the sake of holding on to stuff. 
Take the SPHR test and pass (at my next recertification)
Climb an impressive mountain
Cooking classes
Improve my photography skills
Decide on my next physical challenge (race, etc.) and do it


Fun:
Go stargazing
Visit all of the MLB parks with the hubs – making great progress (click here to see our progress)
Take Jack to his first concert
See a Cirque du Soleil show
Own a mustang.  This has been something in my heart since I was 15 or so.  There is no rush on this one, but someday, I will own one!
Try paddle boarding


Detroit Tigers Ultimate Fans Update


Jack went to his first Tigers game this month!  It was a great time!





Tigers Away Game Update


Los Angeles - Dodgers Dodger Stadium 
Atlanta Braves - Turner Field 
New York Yankees - Yankee Stadium (We visited the old Yankee Stadium in 2008 - need to visit the new one)
Colorado Rockies - Coors Field 
Toronto Blue Jays - Rogers Centre (2010)
Texas Rangers - Rangers Ballpark in Arlington – 2013?
Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field 
Baltimore Orioles - Oriole Park at Camden Yards 
Seattle Mariners - Safeco Field 
St. Louis Cardinals - Busch Stadium 
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Angel Stadium of Anaheim 
Philadelphia Phillies - Citizens Bank Park 
Cleveland Indians - Progressive Field (2008)
San Diego Padres - Petco Park -  2013?
Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ball Park 
Milwaukee Brewers - Miller Park 
Washington Nationals - Nationals Park 
New York Mets Citi Field 
Detroit Tigers - Comerica Park (have visited every year since it opened in 2000)
San Francisco Giants - AT&T Park
Chicago Cubs - Wrigley Field 
Houston Astros - Minute Maid Park 
Chicago White Sox - U.S. Cellular Field (2009)
Minnesota Twins - Target Field  - scheduled later this month!
Kansas City Royals - Kauffman Stadium –2013?
Florida Marlins - Sun Life Stadium 
Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park (2011)
Boston Red Sox - Fenway Park
Tampa Bay Rays - Tropicana Field 
Oakland Athletics Oakland - Alameda County Coliseum