Like a five-year-old

That's how I felt doing the circuit today. There was an old lady behind me that upped my weight on every arm machine. My legs were, as usual, amazing, but having that old lady (and I do mean old) show me up made me feel that much more committed to working on everything, not just my running. I'll show you, Ethel! (I have dubbed her Ethel.)

This week, I promised myself I'd put in at least 20 miles. As of today's workout, I am at 20.75. I'm so proud of myself. The goal now is to increase my total by 10 percent every week. Twenty-two isn't that much more. I feel like I can do it.

I put in what felt like a Biggest Loser last chance workout on Saturday because I'm crazy, apparently. I started out with 55 minutes on the treadmill, doing my usual mix of running and walking at 5.6 miles per hour (which is feeling easier and easier all the time, so I'll be stepping up the speed soon). This part of the workout was accompanied by "Hot Fuzz" on TV, which was awesome. Then, an hour of Zumba at the gym which was way more intense than the Zumba I did at the church. Then I got back on the treadmill and walked/ran another three miles while watching the Syracuse/Villanova game. I love my Orange. But yeah, that was intense stuff. Toward the end of my two hours and 40 minutes in the gym I felt a little like I was drunk... but I burned so many calories. It was nice.

Thanks to all that hard work on Saturday, today was much easier. I completed 5.33 miles in 66 minutes, making just over five miles at the hour marker. I'm excited about that. I want to be able to get back up to my 6.5-mile-an-hour-pace before Boston, but I'm not going to push. I'm going to take my time.

There will be no running tomorrow, however. I got a lovely blister on my left pinkie toe today due to a stupid sock, and since I've been slacking off on work with weights, that's what I shall do. Not looking forward to it, but it needs to happen.

Zumba!

I've had a pretty busy week, as far as work outs go. Gym on Tuesday and Thursday, shoveling a ton of freaking snow on Wednesday, and tonight I went to my first Zumba class. I was kind of skeptical about Zumba at first since so many middle-aged housewives raved about it, and while that was the majority of my class, it was actually a lot of fun. It definitely got my heart rate up and I could feel it working my core and my legs. I just need to remember to get my arms involved too. I picked up on all the moves pretty quickly, though, so next time there should be more upper body movement.

There's a Pilates class tomorrow morning at my gym. I think I may give it a try.

Also, I miss bread. I'm really craving it today, but I think I'll be okay. I'll definitely be pigging out on some boneless buffalo wings tomorrow night when I spend some quality time with my bestie.

There is much work to be done.

Okay. For reals.

After the flaming train wreck that was my life in 2010, I decided that this year I'm going to be serious. I'm going to get back into my 2008 routine of going to the gym at least three times a week (and my new gym totally has classes too, which I'm psyched about). I'm trying a new diet approach -- giving up bread and bagels in January, March, May, etc., and meat in February, April, June, etc. And, eight days into January, I've already doubled my previous no-bread attempt, so yay me!

I decided that if I want things to go my way this year, I'm going to have to work really hard. This involves doing things I don't want to do, like push-ups and sit-ups. It's going to be worth it though. I am going to reach my goal weight. I am going to run my races and be happy with my times. I am going to rock.

These are my New Year's Resolutions that have to do with my fitness:
• Lose 25 pounds. Again. (I did it once, I can do it again, dammit!)
• Run the following: the Boston Marathon, the Boilermaker, the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day 10K and at least five 5Ks.

I figure that between those goals and my dieting I should be able to lose the weight I want much more quickly than I did before. I also joined the Biggest Loser program at work, which includes a cash incentive and we all know how much I love "free" money.

So. Bring it on, 2011. I'm ready.