I tried to start again on C25K last week. I have a lot to say about this but not a lot of time to say it, so I'll save it for another entry. I trained for my first 5K mostly OTP (off the program), running when I felt like it and walking when I needed a rest. I ran my 5K that same way. After I ran the 5K I started back on the C25K program. With that reasoning, and the idea that anything is better than blatant inactivity, I am going to
Problem: My ankles KILL me when I try to run on the program. I guess it's all the hills here, and the unnatural pace that the program forces. My method now is to run on all the flat parts, half the down-hills, and the last little bit of the uphills. I'm going to keep doing this until it feels comfortable and easy, and then I will gradually increase. When I can run for several minutes without ankle pain, I'm going to start on the structured program again and train for a 5K.
In the meantime, genius athletes out there, what do you think I should do about my poor ankles to help them along?
Showing posts with label starting over. Show all posts
Showing posts with label starting over. Show all posts
Monday, April 4, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I own a bike, but I'm not a hippy.
In anticipation of high gas prices this summer, I bought a bike. I have never felt so out of shape as when I am riding it.
My goals regarding the bike is to be able to bike an average 5 mile Provo stretch (grrrr hills) and still be able to walk afterwards eventually. A more immediate (and practical) goal is to be able to ride to my new apartment by the time I move in so I don't have to find someone with a bike rack. An even more immediate goal will be to do grocery shopping on my bike. So... I may be GPSing my bike rides soon now, too.
Also, I really haven't given up on running. I've just taken a little break after falling up the stairs a little over a month ago. My shin is still a little sore, but in reality it's good enough to start again. It's just frustrating to have to restart AGAIN. Whatever. Life's all about starting over, right?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Feels Like Starting Over
Beginning again has officially begun. I am running on a treadmill at the gym set on 3.0% incline, and following the Cool Running Couch to 5K program (link at right).
And boy, 3.0% incline sure feels appropriately challenging. This morning my legs feel just like they ran outside yesterday, except I got a LOT sweatier than if I had run outside, even in the summer time. Perhaps I need to invest in a larger water bottle. I also set the run pace/ walk pace to be a little higher because I know that when I'm running outside I tend to run faster, and I want to already be accustomed to running at the pace I tend to run at when I start running outside.
Scheduling was difficult yesterday, but making the decision to run ahead of time really helped. I actually had to run during a long step in an experiment for my research and come back afterwards to stop it. It worked out fine, though, and now I feel proud that I was able to finish the first day with a positive attitude.
I want to shout-out to all of you who have left supportive comments on here. I really appreciate your encouragement! My college buddy Tamara is doing her own health overhaul, and I think we will be great mutual encouragers. I also magically found a buddy on Strands this week who started commenting like crazy on my goal and workout entries. And then this girl I went to high school with posted on a C25K forum, and we've decided to also buddy up through cyberspace. I've never had much luck with the buddy system before because of scheduling problems and because I tend to feel discouraged and compare myself to other people, but feeling love and support from people all around the country really feels good and makes me want to do my best, so THANKS! :)
Workout:
3.0% Incline Treadmill
1.92 miles in 31 minutes
16:08 min/mile (we'll definitely be improving THIS)
PS: I really do think of you all while I'm running. When I think it's too hard and want to quit, I think, "Well, what am I going to tell the people who read my blog?" and it gives me the motivation to keep going. So I also thank all of you silent readers out there!
And boy, 3.0% incline sure feels appropriately challenging. This morning my legs feel just like they ran outside yesterday, except I got a LOT sweatier than if I had run outside, even in the summer time. Perhaps I need to invest in a larger water bottle. I also set the run pace/ walk pace to be a little higher because I know that when I'm running outside I tend to run faster, and I want to already be accustomed to running at the pace I tend to run at when I start running outside.
Scheduling was difficult yesterday, but making the decision to run ahead of time really helped. I actually had to run during a long step in an experiment for my research and come back afterwards to stop it. It worked out fine, though, and now I feel proud that I was able to finish the first day with a positive attitude.
I want to shout-out to all of you who have left supportive comments on here. I really appreciate your encouragement! My college buddy Tamara is doing her own health overhaul, and I think we will be great mutual encouragers. I also magically found a buddy on Strands this week who started commenting like crazy on my goal and workout entries. And then this girl I went to high school with posted on a C25K forum, and we've decided to also buddy up through cyberspace. I've never had much luck with the buddy system before because of scheduling problems and because I tend to feel discouraged and compare myself to other people, but feeling love and support from people all around the country really feels good and makes me want to do my best, so THANKS! :)
Workout:
3.0% Incline Treadmill
1.92 miles in 31 minutes
16:08 min/mile (we'll definitely be improving THIS)
PS: I really do think of you all while I'm running. When I think it's too hard and want to quit, I think, "Well, what am I going to tell the people who read my blog?" and it gives me the motivation to keep going. So I also thank all of you silent readers out there!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year - New Resolve
Last year's one resolution was to have a "theme," instead of a resolution. That theme was "it's my turn," and I may make it a two-year resolution, because I think it's a good theme that deserves two years. "It's my turn" is all about taking life by the horns and making my life what I want it to be every day. This blog was begun in February of last year as a branch of that theme, and running really did become a passion for me.
I never would have imagined that I would fall off that wagon, but I did. It's old and cliched by now, but they say that the boxer that wins isn't the one who is knocked down the least but the one who continues to pick himself back up. I refuse to let my past failures stunt my future success.
That said, I really hope to get back on the ball, and for several reasons. Reason number one, I realized that my ten year high school reunion is in 18 months. That's the perfect amount of time to lose the large number of pounds I need to lose to be in the healthy range without doing unhealthy things to my body to get there. Reason number two is I have realized that although my body seems to "like" being heavy, it really doesn't. I'm more tired, more stressed, and just ugh about things since I quit running. When I was running I was really happy. I was happy with myself, with my body, and with pretty much every aspect of my life. All of the positive effects started from the very first day. I really need to get back into this and recommit myself again. I really need all you out there to hold me accountable to this.
So, speaking of cliches, I am starting an exercise program in January. And it's cold, so I'm going to have to go to the gym. Hurdle number one would be signing up for the gym membership, but I already have one, so I guess I'm ahead of the game there. I hate that the gym is crowded in January, and I hate that the people at the gym look at my pudgy little body on the treadmill and think that I have never exercised before in my life and am just in it for the short-term. It makes me want to wear a t-shirt that says, "This ain't my first rodeo, bucko." Also, treadmills. Yuck.
I'm going to start training again with the Couch to 5K program, same as before. The big change I'm making is that I'm going to run the treadmill (dreadmill) on a higher incline than before so that it's less of a shock to my poor legs when I start running on pavement as soon as the snow melts in Provo. I may actually work through the program on a 1.5% incline once, and then start over again from week 3 with a 3% incline. Week 3 was very difficult for me outside, even after week 6 on the treadmill on 1.5% incline, but in the spirit of working up to outside conditions, I'm going to do it. That will have me running a 5K three times a week OUTSIDE by May, assuming I can stay on the C25K schedule. Even if I take 2 weeks to do each "week," the first time around, I'll still be there by June or July. At that point, I may temporarily hire a personal trainer to help me through the slump that has historically occurred there. In the meantime, it is up to you who read this blog free from ads, to earn your keep and ride my chubby butt so I stay with the program!
Is there anyone else out there who is starting or restarting the couch to 5K program? If you're out there, I'd love to hear from you.
I never would have imagined that I would fall off that wagon, but I did. It's old and cliched by now, but they say that the boxer that wins isn't the one who is knocked down the least but the one who continues to pick himself back up. I refuse to let my past failures stunt my future success.
That said, I really hope to get back on the ball, and for several reasons. Reason number one, I realized that my ten year high school reunion is in 18 months. That's the perfect amount of time to lose the large number of pounds I need to lose to be in the healthy range without doing unhealthy things to my body to get there. Reason number two is I have realized that although my body seems to "like" being heavy, it really doesn't. I'm more tired, more stressed, and just ugh about things since I quit running. When I was running I was really happy. I was happy with myself, with my body, and with pretty much every aspect of my life. All of the positive effects started from the very first day. I really need to get back into this and recommit myself again. I really need all you out there to hold me accountable to this.
So, speaking of cliches, I am starting an exercise program in January. And it's cold, so I'm going to have to go to the gym. Hurdle number one would be signing up for the gym membership, but I already have one, so I guess I'm ahead of the game there. I hate that the gym is crowded in January, and I hate that the people at the gym look at my pudgy little body on the treadmill and think that I have never exercised before in my life and am just in it for the short-term. It makes me want to wear a t-shirt that says, "This ain't my first rodeo, bucko." Also, treadmills. Yuck.
I'm going to start training again with the Couch to 5K program, same as before. The big change I'm making is that I'm going to run the treadmill (dreadmill) on a higher incline than before so that it's less of a shock to my poor legs when I start running on pavement as soon as the snow melts in Provo. I may actually work through the program on a 1.5% incline once, and then start over again from week 3 with a 3% incline. Week 3 was very difficult for me outside, even after week 6 on the treadmill on 1.5% incline, but in the spirit of working up to outside conditions, I'm going to do it. That will have me running a 5K three times a week OUTSIDE by May, assuming I can stay on the C25K schedule. Even if I take 2 weeks to do each "week," the first time around, I'll still be there by June or July. At that point, I may temporarily hire a personal trainer to help me through the slump that has historically occurred there. In the meantime, it is up to you who read this blog free from ads, to earn your keep and ride my chubby butt so I stay with the program!
Is there anyone else out there who is starting or restarting the couch to 5K program? If you're out there, I'd love to hear from you.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Promise
"Our diet starts tomorrow!" we all declare. And as the holidays come and my body starts to feel sluggish from all the sugar and lack of exercise, I promise to myself that upon my return, C25K Wind 2 will begin... So watch for more frequent updates here in 2011.
Monday, August 30, 2010
New Beginnings
It's a new semester, and I have all sorts of resolutions. First and foremost, I want to start writing on here every day, whether I run/swim or not. But I need to be running or swimming every day, because that's another goal I have.
This morning I started over from square one with the C25K program. I've been off it long enough that I felt like I needed to. It was refreshing to be running again, but my body complained quite a bit, particularly my ankles. Sometimes they burn bad, and sometimes they feel fine. I wish I could know what I'm doing differently to make such a difference in how I feel.
After running I went to Golds to lift weights. It was a nice feeling to already be done working out before I even started my day, although my alarm clock going off this morning was particularly unpleasant. I hit the snooze button longer than I should have, which I will have to work on improving in the next week or so so I can go to work on time while I'm exercising.
This morning I started over from square one with the C25K program. I've been off it long enough that I felt like I needed to. It was refreshing to be running again, but my body complained quite a bit, particularly my ankles. Sometimes they burn bad, and sometimes they feel fine. I wish I could know what I'm doing differently to make such a difference in how I feel.
After running I went to Golds to lift weights. It was a nice feeling to already be done working out before I even started my day, although my alarm clock going off this morning was particularly unpleasant. I hit the snooze button longer than I should have, which I will have to work on improving in the next week or so so I can go to work on time while I'm exercising.
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