Pace setter

It's been a week since I blogged. I have completed 2 runs since but I didn't take the time to blog them (sorry followers). I just don't have the motivation or give a damn to workout. Lots of self talk as well as talking with others to determine things to get the mojo flowing....this is what I tried today....hopefully having this base line will help me to continue to maintain and have the desire to decrease my time.

Today my goal was to complete 4 miles of walking to get a base line time...that time was 87 minutes. This gives me good mindset for the Lucky 7K which is in a little over 50 days! The course is 4.3 miles (or 7K) and is open for 2 hours (120 minutes). If I think about it in simple terms such as these, I think "hhmm this is definitely manageable".

Back to today's walk, another day on the dreadmill. I approached it with a positive attitude that I would complete the 4 miles. I came prepared; Nook, TV remote and cell phone in hand. :oP I completed my 5 minute warmup as usual and began reading, before I knew it I had completed 2 miles and was getting bored with the reading.

My body was getting bored with the pace so every so often I would increase my speed. This of course made me sweat...I truly HATE to sweat (no matter what my sister tells me, I still hate it!) I was already stripped down to my sports bra in the frigid basement. A pulse check was probably in order but it didn't matter I was on a mission here. Literally, salty liquid was beginning to drip off of my body, slide down my face and back. Other than the sweating, I was able to move right along without difficulty. At one point, I thought I may break out in a run but I quickly dismissed that thought. In all seriousness, I didn't have any shin splints, hip or back pain. Nothing.

So as I got bored with the book my mind started to wander and my sister started texting me...the last thing I sent her "Right now I'm grunting, I hate it! I'M NOT STOPPING I'm over halfway. HAIRBALL ON PANDORA ROCK IT OUT SISTER!"

I finished with a nice 5 minute cool down and 24 ounces of water and am in dire hopes that I will still be able to walk tonight at work. Afterward, I wasn't all that tired wither, mostly just bored. Maybe there is hope for me after all!

Motivational Monday!

Wow 8 weeks and 5 days until the big event! No excuses C25K in 9 weeks...huh need to kick it in the arse, I need to double that.

When you look good you feel good, right? Yesterday I indulged and bought some proper running gear that fits well and looks good. I am wearing my Merrell running shoes that I bought for $4.99 last fall. It feels like I am running barefoot; I absolutely love them.

I didn't like the Double Run C25K app I was using so I went back to old faithful today. I was more comfortable running with that and had better results. Today I am whipped. I completed the whole series run/walk at the appropriate times. I am so happy for that!! My body is a machine and capable of it with the proper training. I really focused on breathing today (I hope that some day I can run without panting) and remaining injury free...hitting with with heels first to prevent shin splints (I've been doing some research).

Today I continued with the 18 minute 30 second mile pace. That puts my 7K time at approx 78 minutes. When I registered, I provided I'd be complete in 60 minutes....do the math. I have to cut a whole mile off of that time or approx 2 minutes per week. When ever anyone has told me I can't do something, I have always put my head down, horns forward and forged ahead. Steer clear.

With this training, I have now piqued Gabbriele's interest in exercise. When she left for school this morning, she said "remember mama we have to run when I get home"...since I have already completed my run, we will get some other form of exercise in to benefit my training and keep her interested.

2012 New year, new me...we'll see

Holy crap, what have I done?!? Yesterday, my mind thought I was a well equipped machine and I signed up for not one, not two but 3 races this year! I haven't even been running for 2 years! What was I thinking. The icing on the cake is the first one is in 10 WEEKS, 10 weeks AND it is a 7K. Talk about get the ass off the couch and get motivated. YIKES!!!!!!!

First race; March 17th Lucky 7K with my Sassy Lassy

Enough talking and time to get doing....I started week 1 day 1 of C25K this morning, 3am. I did a mile in 18 minutes 30 seconds...this was primarily walking briskly on the treadmill at the slightest incline. My walk was faster than my run, I am pathetic at this point. My heart rate was 180 bpm and I was a hot mess when I finished. I am hoping to look back at this and laugh when I complete the program. Water and PB w J provided a sufficient snack post workout.

Day 1 P90X

So it begins...our schedules finally aligned so that my dad and I could get on the workout train. He purchased P90X sometime ago on a whim from some infomercial and there it sat collecting dust. We all know what we need to do to eat healthy and live right but sometimes life isn't accomodating to that way of life.

I believe in the power of positive thinking as in "yes, I'm positive I want to eat the whole pan of brownies" or "yes, it is ok to have a 4th slice of pizza". No, really I do believe in it; I just don't practice it near enough. Well I am positive that I am going to give this P90X a try. Prior to starting I printed several beach photos and pics of people in bathing suits, I also printed some small pics of my head to paste on the people wearing bathing suits. I have been reading daily affirmations on how I am worthy of losing weight and how I deserve to look and feel great, etc. When I find just the right ones they, along with the photos and a bikini (in a desired size) will be hung on the wall as a daily reminder to do my workouts and stick with it even when it gets tough. I AM WORTH IT!

OK so day 1, core synergistics, wasn't as bad as I had expected. I kept it lower key in hopes to be able to walk in the morning. I was impressed we were able to complete all 57 minutes of the workout, with modifications of course. I can say I hate to sweat and by the end of the workout I was a puddle from head to toe-GROSS! I had fun working out with my dad and I'm not sure I can say the same for him as he was making wise cracks to the "host" the entire time. Adding humor makes the workout a bit more tolerable and able to push a little harder.

Dad and I are not able to workout together for Day 2, Cardio X but I recruited my sister to be dad's coach for the day. He told our mom that his daughters are trying to do him in. We just want to be healthy and have them both around for many years to come.

Repeat Week 4 day 1

STRETCH 2--3--4--I remembered to stretch today! Hooray!!

Well it was an easy decision to redo week 4. I couldn't complete the intervals and really truly want to successfully complete this course. I was able to complete all but 3 minutes of running in the 30 minutes of intervals; which is a great accomplishment considering I ran on the hilly trail.

Today Mater and I set out for a little extra challenge-we decided to run the trail. It was OK today since everything is frozen and it isn't garbage day for 1/2 the community, meaning there were few volatile smells. Mater was intrigued by all of the garbage along the sides but kept up pretty well.

Shin splints weren't as bad today, or maybe they were but so many other muscles were burning I didn't notice. No they actually felt a bit better today and I didn't even ice them post run.

GOALS:
*breathe through nose-check
*stretch pre and post run-in progress
*complete last 5 min run of interval-working on it

Week 4 Day 3

Another beautiful FALL day, November 18th...sun is shining and it was 48 degrees out. Perfect for me. I really didn't want to run today-I have a headache and am lacking serious motivation. Looking back on it, I am so happy that I ran bc I actually feel much better mentally.

I have noticed spectacular improvement in my lung function/volume for those nurses reading up-HA! I only start to get out of breath the last 10-12 minutes of the run and I can usually paint a mental picture to slow my breathing down. Starting to second guess my shin splints though. I still love the shoes but after stretching my tibialis anterior daily, I am still unable to complete the run. Tonight I made it 22 minutes before I just couldn't push anymore. I am going to talk to a trainer I know and see what she recommends and also see if there are any apparatus' that I can purchase to ease the pain and allow me to complete my run.

Any advice is more than welcome!!

Week 4 Day 2

Spontaneous trip to Chicago...Cramped in the van for hours...walked for 6 hours and miles and miles put a little damper on my "rest day". A bold move I made; decided to run anyway even though the quads were killing me. I was disappointed in myself for almost giving up last week and pushed to get this run in.

I had a 2 legged running partner today, Rick decided to join me (I kind of begged him). I forget how fast he walks and developed shin splints in the first 12 minutes. I wanted to be such a show off and show him what I have been accomplishing but that back fired. I wasn't able to complete the last 10 minutes of the RUN...I walked and he ran on ahead. I was impressed for someone who hasn't trained at how well he did.

I blame a portion of not completing the run on the fact that the week is a tough one and that my rest day wasn't much of a rest. I intend to redo this week, in order to give my body the opportunity to perform at the level I know it is capable of.