5 Packs Short

 WARNING! This post contains really really unattractive pictures of me!

So I just have to say, thanks so much for all the comments about being impressed that I run in the cold - being able to brag on this blog is serious motivation to get out of bed and get out there.

Today was Week 5, Day 2 for Jillian's 6 Pack Ab challenge. I wore my heart rate monitor just for fun and I burned 245 calories (or, as I like to think of it, two servings of ice cream)
in the approximately 35 minute workout!  That's a huge jump from about 150 for level one.  Here's what I looked like when I finished. Please note that my hair was completely gelled down when I began.

You can't see it but I was really sweaty, and you also can't see my tank top straps....

I'm getting a bit concerned. Since I had some extra time, I decided to check out my progress. I didn't even see ONE pack, much less the five that should have been there. (6 weeks to 6 pack abs = 1 pack per week, right?). I know I haven't been doing it five times a week, but shouldn't training for a marathon count too? Like I said before, I'm not posting pictures, so here's a conversation to illustrate my progress, or lack thereof.

Me: I don't see anything even close to resembling a six pack.
Eric: You definitely have some definition at the top!
Me: Ok well look at just my midsection and tell me if you think that anyone looking only there could confuse me with Gwen Stefani.
Eric didn't care to comment on that. He's no fool.

I then decided to use my snow day to do something I've meant to for a long time - go swimming! Since I'd run 33 miles in the past 4 days, I figured this was the perfect cross training. Plus, it would force me to wash my hair, no small feat, since I'm on Danielle's plan.

Oh look how happy I am here. Things went sour pretty quickly from there. I didn't even make it one length of the pool before my googles filled with water and my swim cap came off. I tried to fix them a few times but then finally relegated myself to burning eyes and hair all over the place. Pretty much after about 30 seconds I mentally shortened my workout, especially since I was planning on vacuuming and french braiding my hair when I got home, which are totally forms of cardio and strength training, respectively.

In the pool, I just kept telling myself this was good for me, because I didn't want to be a marshmallow runner. That's what Runner's World calls runners who don't do any cross training so all their non-running muscles are like marshmallows. Apparently I currently am one since I can run for hours but 35 minutes of swimming makes me feel like I am going to die.

You can sort of see how red my eyes were, that was like 10 minutes after getting out when the burning had died down.

If the calculations I did in my head during my shower were correct, then the distance I swam today (about 1km) is close to the distance I'll have to swim in the triathlon. Which means I really have my work cut out for me, since I took lots of breaks and also did not exactly feel like hopping on a bike and then doing a run afterwards.

I'd like to leave you with a picture of me from my birthday, that proves I can actually do my hair, put on makeup, and dress myself. This is the one I'd like to pop into your mind when you think of me, which I know you all do, all the time.