Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 4, Day 1

Or, as I wanted to call this post: THE APOCALYPSE.

I had so many fears about this day.  Most stemmed from the fact that up until now, I was super-proud of myself for jogging an entire three minutes in a row, and even that was a struggle.  Then I saw today's intervals, and I nearly choked: Run four minutes, walk two, run six minutes, walk three, run four minutes, walk two.  Then collapse on the ground and assume the fetal position.  (Okay, so I added that last bit.)  So, after my eye appointment and a quick favor to a friend, I put in my earphones and headed out.  I was in my little village today, which was actually kind of nice; it's such a sweet little village and on my run today I actually got to go to parts of it that I rarely see.  And the change of scenery, coupled with some AWESOME music from my workout playlist, made today's run easier.  I won't say easy; the first run was extremely hard--my legs felt like lead pretty much throughout the run--and that six-minute run nearly did me in.  But it was only slightly awful, as opposed to the scene from Revelation that I was imagining.


Time--30:59
Distance--2.11 miles


Friday is supposed to be Day 2, but we are getting up early to catch a train to Disneyland Paris (yes, I said Disneyland Paris ... my excitement cannot be measured with current technology) so I am not sure what this will do to my training.  I have half a mind to get up extremely early and fit it in before we leave.  If you know me, you know how much I absolutely HATE mornings, so the fact that I'm even considering this is a big deal.  More than likely I will try to get it in while we are at the park, although I'm not even sure if THAT will work. In any case, I hope I can fit in at least one run while we are gone.  We shall see!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 3, Day 3

Time--26:59
Distance--1.94 miles

I am LOVING the GPS feature on this app.  It allows me to concentrate on my running and not on how many laps I've done so that I can figure out my pace.  It does it all for me!

Now Wednesday, I start Week 4.  The halfway point of the training!  And I'm so, so scared.  A 4-minute run, then a 6-minute run, then another 4-minute run.  I am going to DIE.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 3, Day 2

Second verse ... same as the first ...

Time: 27:11
Distance: 1.8 miles

I finally got my app to allow me to make the in-app purchase to activate the GPS, so that it can track my mileage for me.  This makes things so much easier for me because I tend to obsess about how far I've gone. Now I don't even have to worry about it.  It's very nice!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 3, Day 1

So, when my friend Megan told me that today's run starts off at three minutes, I was both shocked and terrified.  I mean, seriously?  I thought the 90-second runs were torture.  I thought I'd never get through that first run, much less the rest of the program for today.  And when I started, I almost psyched myself out; I began to think I was too winded, that my legs were too heavy, and that I'd never be able to finish this run.  Then I stopped that snowball and told myself to stop being such a wimp and do the best that I could.  And I'll bet you can guess what came next: yep, I finished that 3-minute run.  When the app directed me to start walking, my eyebrows raised and I said, out loud, "Hmm, not too bad I guess."  (Thank goodness the track was empty when I started--I don't need to be known as the crazy wife who talks to herself while running.)  It was still tough, but I think I was expecting it to be impossible ... and it wasn't.

Hmm.

I know that it's just going to get harder, but I think I learned an important lesson today: if I just push myself, I can actually surprise myself with what I'm able to do.  It's a welcome change from the defeatist attitude I've had for so long being overweight.

Workout summary:
Time--27:00
Distance--1.75 miles

Monday, October 22, 2012

Four and a half weeks!!

Two posts in one day!  Boy, aren't you guys impressed?  (haha)

Just writing a quick post to say HOLY CRAP, I JUST SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST 5K.  It's called the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Festive 5K in Ely on November 25.  Paid my money and everything.  No turning back now!  I only have four and a half weeks until the race, so I won't be able to run the entire thing just yet, but I want to be able to run at least half of it, maybe two-thirds of it.  I am actually excited--giddy, even!

If you're in the area and want to run with me, I would love the company, as long as you understand that I will be SLOW SLOW SLOW!

UPDATE: I just found out that my race packet will include a Santa hat, which I am encouraged to wear while I complete the race.  I am looking forward to this race even more now!

Ease Into 5K: Week 2, Day 3

So I never got a chance to get out of the house with the Munchkin to get Day 3 done over the weekend.  I told myself that I would just start over today on Week 2, but then I realized that I didn't want to backtrack.  I actually WANT to move forward to Week 3, even though starting off with a 3-minute run scares the bejeezus out of me.  I think the fact that I don't want to repeat Week 2 says a lot about how far things have come for me.  Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty proud of my decision to keep moving forward!

Today's workout:
Time--33:14
Distance--2.25 miles (approximate ... I lost count on the track!)

Wednesday starts Week 3 and yes, I'm scared.  My hairdresser will also probably kill me because I have an appointment that morning and I will be showing up with a sweaty head.  I figure, if I can just get my hair to dry before I get there, it will be okay.  We won't tell, will we?

Friday, October 19, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 2, Day 2

Short post today just to log in my workout from this morning.  It's cold and wet here, and I want to curl up in a ball and vegetate for about five hours, but I have places to go, things to do.

Time--34:03
Distance: 2.5 miles

It was another worm-minefield out there--something I will have to get used to, I suppose.  EWW.

I have one more run this week, but I'm not sure when I will fit it in.  It will probably have to be tomorrow afternoon after the Munchkin wakes up from her nap.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 2, Day 1

HOLY LONG RUNS, BATMAN.

I was totally prepared for this workout to suck.  After all, I had to take an extra two days off due to a sick kiddo, so I knew my body would be protesting a bit.  And while the runs were harder, and winded me more, it wasn't the worst thing I've ever done.  Ask me again Friday, on Day 2, and I might have a different opinion, though.  I have no idea when I will fit in Day 3 since every other day I will have the Munchkin with me (also known as She Who Hates the Stroller) but maybe I can bribe the wee one with some ice cream if she behaves long enough for me to get through it.  Yep, I'm that momma.

Summary:
Time--32:05
Distance--2.15mi

Ran on the track on base today, which was an unexpected venue since not an hour before I began, it was absolutely pouring rain.  The rain stopped, and the clouds were pretty much gone by the time I started, but the wind was HOWLING.  And the rain brought out all of the slimy creepy-crawlies.  It was like a slug/earthworm minefield on that track.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

ACK! Weekly Weigh-In and a Catch-Up

So ... Hey, folks!  How ya doin'?  Did you wonder where I went?  Yeah, me too.  I forgot to post my workout for Friday, so here it is:

Completed Day Three of Ease Into 5K
Time: 26:38
Distance: 1.98mi

I followed a route with some friends who were running, and it was nice to have a change of scenery.  It was NOT nice, however, when a van decided to run through a puddle and soak my entire right side.  Classy, people--thanks.

This weekend was a down weekend for exercise, which was good because our little Munchkin got sick and is still sick today.  Sick Munchkin = no school = no "alone" exercise time for Mommy, so I am behind on starting Week 2 of my Ease Into 5K app.  I am hoping that my husband can come home a little early today, so I can maybe squeeze my run in before dinner.

I alo weighed in today, and have lost another 2.6 pounds!  That brings my total to 64 pounds lost, with 36 left to go.  If I average three pounds a week (which might be a stretch but I'm being optimistic here), that would mean that I will hit my goal weight just after the new year.  I would absolutely LOVE to reach my goal in January!  Here's hoping!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 1, Day 2 (a day late)

WHOOPS!  Forgot to post my workout from yesterday ...

Time--26:45
Distance--I don't know.  The track I used was not marked.  I am assuming I got at least 1.5 miles in.

I have one more day in Week 1 and then the running times get longer.  Nervous about that but we shall see how I handle it!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Weekly Weigh-In

On Take Shape For Life (TSFL), I weigh in once a week and record my weight and measurements at five different places on my body.  I will be posting those numbers here for the world to see, which some may call insane; I call it ACCOUNTABILITY.  If everyone reading this blog sees my measurements, I'm less tempted to cheat and make those numbers go UP rather than down.

Since this is my first weigh-in post, I will post my starting measurements, so you can see how far I have come in five months.

Starting Measurements:
Weight--238.0
Chest--48.75"
Left Bicep--15.75"
Waist--49.5"
Hip--51.5"
Left thigh--30"

These are the measurements I took this morning, at twenty weeks on plan:
Weight--176.6
Chest--40"
Left Bicep--12"
Waist--36.5"
Hip--40.5"
Left Thigh--22.75"

Total weight lost as of today: 61.4 pounds
Total inches lost as of today: 43.25"

WOW.  Just seeing those numbers again makes me realize just how far I have come.  I've lost more than a foot off my waist alone!  I also took another "in progress" picture today and the comparison to when I began is mind-blowing.



I cannot believe I ever looked that bad.  It is pure motivation to stay on plan, when I see that "before" picture and how unhealthy I looked (and was!).  It's not easy, by any stretch, but by following the plan I look and feel SO MUCH BETTER.

Yay for health!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Ease Into 5K: Week 1, Day 1

Got started today, and I think I'm going to like this program.  I was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle the running bits, but they're spaced evenly apart and aren't too long (that last 60-second one was the worst, though). I do find it funny that, since I bought the app in the UK, the voice giving me cues is British.  Anyway, my workout summary:

Time: 26:45
Distance: 1.75miles

I am actually really excited to get back out there Wednesday to get Week 1, Day 2 under my belt.  I never thought I'd be excited to exercise!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Today's workout

Went to the gym today and spent some quality time with the elliptical machine.  I almost wanted to hug it; it had been WAY too long since I stepped onto its lovely little foot pads.  I love my elliptical workouts because I sweat like a MO-FO and I feel like I can go faster and farther on it than on the track.  Got in two miles in under 30 minutes, too.  Yay!  Not sure if I will be working out this weekend or not ... if the mood hits me (and the husband is willing to babysit) then I might head out for a walk around our village.  If not, it's a weekend of rest then Ease Into 5K time on Monday!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Today's workout ... and a new goal

Got another walk in today ... Had to estimate the total distance because my phone couldn't pick up a steady GPS signal.  I will never understand how that can happen when you're outside and not in a metal warehouse, but whatever.  I think I got at least 1.5 miles in today.  We'll call it good.  Tomorrow's an off day (massage ... can't wait!) then Thursday I will probably skip as well, since I will have my three-year-old with me and being pushed in the stroller is somewhat akin to root canal surgery for her.  So I'll be back in the saddle on Friday, sans Munchkin.

I plan to start the Ease Into 5K program on Monday.  It's an eight-week program designed to slowly build your jogging up until, at the end of the program, you are jogging three miles consecutively.  I'm a bit daunted by this, but I have a jogging partner--a friend who is willingly slowing her runs down to walk/jog with me--so hopefully that will push me to finish this program this time.  I plan to do our base's Turkey Trot 5K around Thanksgiving, so while I won't be finished with the program by then, my goal is to be able to jog at least two of the three miles.  Fingers crossed!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Back on track

Got out and did a little walking today.  And I do mean "a little" ... I kept a pretty moderate 3mph pace and walked two miles in 40 minutes.  But I think the thing that shocked me was not that I actually felt like I got a workout (because I did, albeit a very light one), but that I wasn't completely and totally winded.  I know that sounds weird, so as my mom would say, lemme 'splain.  Five months ago, if I had been forced to take a three-week hiatus from walking, the first day back would have been TORTURE.  I would have been puffing for breath, my knees and ankles would have been screaming in pain, and I would have been cursing like a sailor the entire time (in my head, of course).  Today, though, NONE of that.  I am truly amazed.  No doubt it's because I'm carrying around less weight than I was five months ago.  It makes me want to cancel the massage I have scheduled for Wednesday just so I can get back on the track and do it again.  I won't, because HELLO--MASSAGE! But it makes me want to, and I should get points for that, right?

I don't have anything to do tomorrow morning, though ... Maybe I can bribe the Munchkin with some sort of goodie if she'll sit in her stroller and let me push her around the track.  Hmm ...