Couch to 5K... again.

Well, I ran my first 5K back in July. And now 5 months later, do you know how many times I have run since then? ONCE. That's it. And that was the next day. So... it seems to me that it's time to start in on the great C25K again.

I really do enjoy running, and it really is a good way to exercise. And I can put Eliana in the stroller and run with her if I need to.

So... Monday, January 5th, I am going to get on my treadmill and run. Well, walk/run. I'll start at week 1 and take it one day at a time. And if all goes according to plan, I should be running 3 miles at a shot by March.

I'm hoping to get others from SP to join me, but even if they don't I am still planning to do the program by myself. It's worth it to me. Hopefully it will be worth it to my body. Either way, it ought to get me in better shape so I can enjoy my summer more, too.

And, you know, a little reduction in the muffin top would be nice, too.

My First 5K!!

Today was the Drop & Trot 5K. I had two goals going into the run...

1. Run the entire 5K, no walking.
2. Complete the 5K in 30 minutes.

The first goal was obviously the more important of the two for me. And guess what? I DID IT!! I ran the ENTIRE 5K, no walking! No stopping to catch my breath or drink water (though I did drink a couple cups of water while running - lots of dribble down the front of my shirt there!), just running! I am proud of myself for that. You see, not only was this my first 5K event to run in, this was the first time I have ever run 5K in one shot. EVER. I'd never even made it past 2.15 miles in my practice runs, so I wasn't sure I could do it. But I can. And I did.

As for my time... I didn't quite make the run in 30 minutes. My final time was 31:52, but I am proud of that! My legs felt pretty much like jelly at the end of the run, so I was just happy that I could push to the end, and even speed up for a good finish! 31:52 is just about a 10 minute mile and I am proud of it!! But my "official" time, after it was adjusted from the "drop" part of the Drop & Trot was 23:42. Sounds a whole lot better, eh?? See, before the run starts the participants have the option of seeing how many push ups they can do in one minute. For every push up you do, they take 10 seconds off your run time. I did 49! I originally wasn't going to do the push up part, because I didn't think I could do very many. But I got to do girl push ups, and I can do more of those for sure! And I did!!

So... Now I have run my 5K. I have made it through the Couch to 5K program, and successfully competed in a 5K run. That was my goal. I don't know if I count myself as a runner yet, but it's a start. And last night Leif and I went on a date downtown for the artwalk and stopped in Chalet Sports to see their 50% off shoe sale. So I got some new running shoes! I think that means it's time to break them in, so I guess I'll keep running! Maybe not 3x a week, and maybe not following the C25K program any longer, but I have a new goal brewing in my mind and my new shoes will help me get there.

Still not ready....

... for Saturday's run, that is.

I ran outside tonight (once it cooled down a bit) and ran 2.15 miles in 21 minutes. And that's as far as I could run. Pretty much felt like I was going to pass out or throw up if I went any further, so I walked the rest of the way. Still, it was a 10 minute mile, and it was double the furthest I've ever run outside, so that's improvement! Still, though, I need to be able to run 3 miles by Saturday and I'd like to do it in 30 minutes.

I haven't weighed myself in over a week. I keep meaning to, and manage to get in some breakfast or something to drink first. And I'm not to keen on the idea of weighing after I've consumed anything, so I haven't weighed. No idea where I am in that department. Pretty sure I'm not going to make my July 19 goal of 110. I'll probably be lucky just to be at 115 (no loss, no gain) at that point! My parents will be here Tuesday, so I am not even going to make any promises about this next week. Except that I will be training for Saturday, and that means at least 2 more serious outdoor runs, and maybe even a few endurance (not so much speed/distance) runs in between.

and THIS is me...

after I ran...

(are you ready?)

...30 MINUTES STRAIGHT!!!!

It's true! I started out determined to run 10 minutes, more if I could. But I was going to do week 6 day 2 (run 10 / walk 3 / run 10) and hoped beyond hope in the back of my mind that I could make it to 21.5 minutes, which was my previous record. I got to 10 minutes, then 13, then 15, and I pushed myself to 20. At that point I just kept going and went for another 10 minutes, finding myself at 30 minutes, running 2.5 miles in that time. WOW! I need to step up the speed a little bit to make it to 3 miles in that time, but I'm pretty darn happy with the run tonight!!

I hope I can run outside on Thursday. I could use the outside practice and I need to work on regulating my speed so I can go further and for longer. I'm taking tomorrow off from running, but hope to get in a walk, at least, and hopefully some DDR.

As a sidenote, my run tonight burned 450 calories. Woohoo!

It's official

I am signed up to run the 5K on July 12. Leif is going to run with me and be my moral support.

And I ran 3 times this last week in preparation. The first two times I ran on the treadmill, and the third time I ran outside. And let me say, it's harder to run outside, especially if you don't have music to listen to. So I think I'll need to do most of my training outside, at least once, preferably twice a week. The run is in 2 weeks and I need to be able to run 3 miles by then. My goal is to run it in 30 minutes. When I ran outside yesterday I ran 2 miles (with a couple walking breaks no more than a block each time) in 20 minutes, so I'm already running a 10 minute mile, I just need to extend the run by a mile.

So that's my exercise for the next 2 weeks. At least 3 runs a week, hopefully outside as often as possible.

WOW!

Well, Ellie is awake. That means I don't get my DDR in, unless I want to try to do it with her in the room. That usually doesn't go terribly well as she wants to play, too, and tries to step on the mat. That usually means I spend my time trying not to step on her instead of trying to step where and when I'm supposed to. I might still try. We'll see.

BUT....

I just did my running for C25K and I thought I'd perhaps pick up with week 3 since I did something resembling week 2 on Monday with no problems. Week 3 has a 3 min run / 1.5 min walk / 5 min run / 2.5 min walk / 3 min run / 1.5 min walk / 5 minute run schedule. And I? Well, I was feeling good after the first 3 minute run, so instead of doing the 1.5 minute walk I just kept running... and I ran the whole time! I ran a full 21.5 minutes! That's the most I've ever run! Makes me think that 5K in August is a little more of a possibility.

Oh yeah, and I burned 335 calories in 30 minutes. Not too bad!

(Just looked it up... turns out it's not week 3 that is the 3/5/3/5 run. It's week 4! So I guess this is where I pick up and start running)

Considering....

Oh yeah. I'm considering signing up to run a 5K in August. I'm not 100% sure yet, but I'm considering it.

today...

Today I am recording my food. So far it's 1:45 in the afternoon and I've had 235 calories, leaving me plenty for an afternoon snack and dinner. And actually, I'm planning on vegetable soup for dinner, so I'll have plenty for snacks this afternoon and evening, which will be helpful as I transition out of snack-mode and back into calorie counting mode. I'm over halfway through my protein for the day, but I really need to work on fiber, as I've only had 4 grams and I need another 20 or so more. Dinner will provide me with 180 calories and 8 grams of fiber, so... (thinking aloud here) that puts me at 355 calories and 12 g. fiber. If I add to that 200 g. of strawberries I'm at 415 calories and 16 g. fiber. Now... that leaves me in need of another 9+ grams of fiber and 685+ calories. I can get my 9 grams of fiber in one Fiber One bar, plus 140 calories. Or I could get 10 grams of fiber and 180 calories from 2 slices of Fiber Flax Bread. The Flax Bread would also give me 10 grams of protein, which would be helpful. And if I went that route I'd have 500 calories to blow tonight at Erika's party, provided there will be food there. Something to think about.

It's hard to get back into calorie counting mode.

It's also hard to get back into an exercise routine, but today is Wednesday so I ought to do my C25K run and then, if Ellie is still sleeping, perhaps some DDR. Of course, I could use the rest of her naptime to clean up the kitchen and put laundry away, too. I wish I were a little more productive and efficient with my time sometimes. At least I started my day out right this morning and did my devotions before I let myself check email or do anything else.

Okay... off to run.

DDR for the Wii!

Well, I had originally planned to make DDR (Dance, Dance Revolution) for the Wii an incentive prize for when I finally made it down to 110, but we saw it at Target the other day and bought it. But I have been having SO MUCH FUN with it, and that is good because....

I've been exercising!

You can put DDR into workout mode and tell it how many calories you want to burn (after inputting your weight and all that) and then it will give you different songs to "dance" to and calculate your calories based on how much you move your arms and feet! Yippee! I've burned a couple hundred calories playing with Leif already tonight and we're going to play some more once Eliana goes to bed.

I've also agreed to be a friend's running buddy (she doesn't live here, but we'll keep each other accountable for the C25K plan) so I should be getting back into that this week, too.

Recording my food? Haven't in a long time. That's bad. Weight gain? Nope, still at 117. Also bad, but good that I haven't gained any more, just been at a stand still. Still struggling to drink my water, too. Basically, I need to crack down and just not give myself any slack. But I don't want to. I know I need to, though. So that's my current struggle.

So tomorrow is Monday. We have a Mom and Me hike at 10 that should last an hour or so and is 2.5 miles. Then in the afternoon while Eliana is napping I'm going to run on the treadmill. If I'm really good I'll record my food and water, too, but I won't push my luck too far. ;) First I'll just aim to get some good exercise in.

A walk and a run

Well, I woke up this morning before everyone else again, so I got up, ate breakfast, and did my devotions. Then, when Ellie got up, I got her ready right away and we headed out for a run a little before 9. I did week 2 day 2 of the C25K run and when I got all done I decided to keep walking around the loopy trails. I went a total of 7 miles on my walk/run in an hour and a half. Woohoo!

I've already completed a few things from my to-do list today and now it is time for a shower and trip into town for groceries!

I ran.

There. I did it. I ran. And I think running on the treadmill is easier than running outside! Crossing streets, passing people, wind drowning out my peppy podcast... I might go back to the treadmill. We'll see.

I don't want to run!

Which is why I really should. I know I'll enjoy it once I get started, I just don't want to do it. I'm lazy. So I should get off my bum and change and head outside to enjoy the sunshine and run while Ellie's sleeping and my parents are here to watch her. Sooner or later I'll have to wait until Leif comes home from work to run outside in the evenings or go the treadmill route, so I should take advantage while I can!

Okay... getting up now...

C25K Week 1 Day 1

Yes, that means I got my behind into gear and RAN today! Of course, I decided to start back at the beginning of the Couch to 5K program, so I really only ran about 1/3 of the half hour workout, but I started back with the running program. Woohoo! And thanks to the podcast, I had peppy music to run to, and I didn't have to watch the clock to know when to switch from running to walking and back again! The podcast is WONDERFUL. I may even be able to run outside with it! =D

There was a little splurging on the eating front, though, because my mom is here. Bad excuse, I know, but we had sticky buns and mocha for lunch out this afternoon. SO GOOD! And so caloric... I made up for it by eating a giant fruit salad and a few crackers for dinner. So I ended the day at 1300 calories even, 33 g. fat, 26 g. fiber, and I got 4 f&v and 2 liters of water. Not the best I've ever done, but not too shabby for my first day back to calorie counting in a week and having my mom here to play! I'm sticking with calorie and nutrient counting and not watching points right now, for the ease of it all. One less thing to do. But with the running and toning program going, I hope to see more progress, even without point counting! I will probably add points back in once Mom is gone. But it's too much to keep track of while we're busy playing. =D

Well, I am headed to bed now, so have a good night and a great tomorrow!

New Goal?

Well, since I reached my microgoal, I guess I need to set a new goal.

I know that I want to...

• Lose another 5 lbs (taking me to 110)
• Tone my arms, legs, and abs

But I'm not sure how to put those into a measurable goal. I don't have a specific deadline in mind, because I don't have any specific events coming up that I want to use as a timeframe. I do know that I want to do some hiking this summer (Mom and Me hikes should be starting in another couple weeks!) and that I'd like to do the Bikini Workout to get my arms and abs toned. I've been thinking, too, about the Couch to 5K program that I dropped a while back. So here's what I'm thinking...

MWF I'll do the C25K routine for the next 2 months. That will get me running either inside or outside and hopefully I'll be able to run 3 miles at the end of it. It will also change up my exercise routine since I need to do that about now anyway. TTH I'll do the Bikini Workout to get my arms and abs toned. And hopefully, by the end of the 2 months I will be more toned, be able to run 3 miles, and be 5 lbs smaller, too!

So that's it. That's my intermediate goal. To run 3 miles and lose 5 lbs in the next 2 months, so by... let's say by Ellie's birthday, July 19! Okay... it starts Monday!

Another run!

I've been eating HORRIBLY lately, but I did another 20 minute run again today! I even upped the treadmill to speed 6 for one minute toward the end! I tacked on a 5 minute warm up and cool down for a total workout of 30 minutes. Woohoo!

And I just have to say that running makes me high or something. It makes me feel great (except for the sore legs, LOL!) and I feel like I can conquer the world! It's pretty cool!

I RAN!

I just went down to the basement to do the w4d1 workout. It's supposed to be done like this:

Workout 1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
• Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

But I knew the other gals were having trouble on that last 5 minute stretch, so I thought that I could maybe do it 5-3-5-3 instead of 3-5-3-5. So I walked my 5 minutes, then ran for 3 and felt really good, so I kept running to get to 5. At 5 minutes running I still felt pretty good, so I just kept on running. I ran a total of 20 (yes, TWENTY) minutes straight! 25 minute workout, 300 calories burned. 20 minutes running! I am in shock.

I looked it up, and instead of doing the w4d1 workout, I did the w5d3 workout!

Workout 3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.

Wow!

Weighing In....

.... at 118. I haven't gained at all this week, which is good considering I also haven't tracked my calories or exercised a lick. But Ellie's down for her nap, so I'm about to do my C25K week 4 workout. We'll see how I do! Eeeek!

I did it!

C25K week 3 day 1 that is!! I even went for a little longer than scheduled (I made it to 30 min) and burned 300 calories!! Or so the treadmill said. Anyway... I'm just so proud I got it done! Yippeeee!

I think we're going to have stir fry tonight for dinner. Mmmmm....

Couch to 5K... day 2

Today was day 2 of the Couch to 5K plan. I went for 30 minutes this time, and walked/ran with the incline on 2. Maybe on Friday I can move the incline to 4.

Couch to 5K - day 1

Well, here's where we start a new year.

I did the first session of week 1 in the Couch to 5K plan this afternoon. I was surprised how easy it was to jog for 1 minute intervals between 1.5 minutes of walking. I was also surprised at how well I hold up, even with intervals like that, when I'm watching TV. =D I popped in a Farscape and away I went! I intended to do more than the 20 minutes outlined in the plan, but at 22 minutes my computer shut down and I was without Farscape, so I called it good at that.

Still, I did it. I started when I said I would and I am on my way!

It's a good way to start a new year. Now for a shower....