I spent Wednesday through Friday in Monterey, California and failed to pack proper running gear. I was actually quite unprepared for how gorgeous it was going to be, and I felt jealous of the people I saw running along the shore. But as they would say in Argentina (and many other places) "Hechos son amores no buenas razones." Good intentions only count when they lead to action.
Except the action was that on this day that I could have easily skipped the gym, I pushed myself and went anyway. Not only that, but I'm actually very glad I did. I had a hard time during the first part, but I made it through without compromising on the schedule, although I did lower the speed slightly for the last half of the run. I figure I'll start out at this running pace and I can always work my way up to my goal pace once I can run a 5K on the slow pace without walking breaks.
I don't struggle with running anymore; I struggle with the walking parts. Does anyone else experience this? I just feel this incredible tightness in my calves that is oh so much worse when I'm walking than when I'm running. This might mean I'm not warming up properly before stretching, so I'll have to figure out some way to change up my routine and see if I can reduce this discomfort.
I discovered today that basketball games are really the best thing for me to watch while I'm running. It's sometimes hard to find a team that I care about, so I just cheer for whatever team is losing because that makes it more exciting. I glue my eyes to the TV and can completely ignore the fact that I'm essentially running on a rapidly-moving inclined conveyer belt. I love basketball. <3
C25K W1D4
Distance: 1.83 mi
Time: 31:00
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
W1D3
I guess this entry is a bit belated in that I actually did the running yesterday, not today, but better late than never. I seriously considered taking yesterday off, but I'm glad I went, and I'm glad I stuck it out.
I ended up running the full speed I had intended when I started this thing, and for the amount of time the program calls for. Be proud. I'm also still running with a 3% incline, which is another thing to be super proud of.
I am hesitant to move on to week 2, but I do remember that last time I went through this thing I was also hesitant, and then week 2 ended up being easier than week 1, so I'm just gonna keep moving on. It was those weeks that you are running continuously for 20 minutes where I really struggled on the treadmill, so if I linger anywhere, that's where it'll be.
Tomorrow I'm headed to California for Western Spectroscopy, so I'm going to get up early in the morning to get my run in before I leave. Then I plan on running on Saturday afternoon. I know better to kid myself that I'll be able to run while we're at a conference. If I can, great, but if not, I have a back-up plan.
Here's the stats:
Distance: 1.87 Miles
Time: 31:00
3% Incline on treadmill
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Busy Busy Busy
Woo. Yesterday was sooooo busy, and I still squeezed in the gym. It was a fantastic research day, which means my legs were already like jello when I got to the gym from standing over a laser table in weird positions and walking/running up and down concrete hallways all day, and that made getting on the treadmill to intentionally run that much harder. But once again, making the decision of whether or not I would go ahead of time made it that much easier, even though I may or may not have tried to talk myself out of it.
At the gym, things got nasty. I went through the first half of the workout just fine, but then my legs started hurting pretty bad, so I slowed it down. I almost walked through the running segments, but I decided to just push through on a lower speed. Besides, it was during the walking segments that my legs really got the best of me - they felt fine during the running segments. I just think the treadmill is an evil invention, that's all.
I will be honest and say that I did NOT enjoy the workout yesterday, but at least I did it, and I did still feel the satisfaction afterwards of having followed through with something even though it was hard. I know my sacrifice and perseverance will pay off soon.
The workout:
C25K W1D2
Distance: 1.84 mi
Time: 31:00 min
Listening to: Absolutely
by Sister Hazel
At the gym, things got nasty. I went through the first half of the workout just fine, but then my legs started hurting pretty bad, so I slowed it down. I almost walked through the running segments, but I decided to just push through on a lower speed. Besides, it was during the walking segments that my legs really got the best of me - they felt fine during the running segments. I just think the treadmill is an evil invention, that's all.
I will be honest and say that I did NOT enjoy the workout yesterday, but at least I did it, and I did still feel the satisfaction afterwards of having followed through with something even though it was hard. I know my sacrifice and perseverance will pay off soon.
The workout:
C25K W1D2
Distance: 1.84 mi
Time: 31:00 min
Listening to: Absolutely
by Sister Hazel
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.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Prodigal
I know it's not the proper use of prodigal, but I'm using it anyway.
First of all, I want you all to know that my body HAS seen intentional physical activity since last time I wrote on here. Not as much as we might hope, but still, more than this blog may suggest. It is my intention to update here more often aka exercise more often and write about it.
I read an article yesterday about running in the cold, and seeing as yesterday was one of the most cold, rainy, and overall miserable days (weather-wise) we've had in Utah so far, I thought I'd go for a run. Naturally. It makes me feel more hard-core to run in the elements. I even did a goofy victory dance afterwards.
My lungs burned. I did half of the first week work-out for C25K before deciding to ditch the program and just throw in the running bits at my own pace. Maybe when I start to like running again like I did before I will be more apt to follow the little beeps telling me when to push hard and when to take it easy. But right now I am going to do whatever the heck I want to do just to get back in the habit.
Unfortunately, my diet is not yet the diet of a disciplined athlete. I may or may not have eaten this at 10:00 last night:
First of all, I want you all to know that my body HAS seen intentional physical activity since last time I wrote on here. Not as much as we might hope, but still, more than this blog may suggest. It is my intention to update here more often aka exercise more often and write about it.
I read an article yesterday about running in the cold, and seeing as yesterday was one of the most cold, rainy, and overall miserable days (weather-wise) we've had in Utah so far, I thought I'd go for a run. Naturally. It makes me feel more hard-core to run in the elements. I even did a goofy victory dance afterwards.
My lungs burned. I did half of the first week work-out for C25K before deciding to ditch the program and just throw in the running bits at my own pace. Maybe when I start to like running again like I did before I will be more apt to follow the little beeps telling me when to push hard and when to take it easy. But right now I am going to do whatever the heck I want to do just to get back in the habit.
Unfortunately, my diet is not yet the diet of a disciplined athlete. I may or may not have eaten this at 10:00 last night:
BUT I do trust that as I start running more my ability to resist the temptations of fried high fructose deliciousness that are often consumed by my room mates who were blessed with younger metabolisms that I. It's okay - we're just starting small. Baby steps.
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