I think I like A.M. runs now.

Sundays are nice.  I really enjoying staying in and resting.  Today that was not going to happen.  I did get up early (7..auto internal alarm clock).  I decided to drink water and rest instead of going out to run.  9 A.M. I got up and finally went to have breakfast.  Frosted shredded wheat (Fiber one variety) with Org Valley Milk and half a banana.  Delish.  30 min later I got up and finally got dressed.

I made it to my apt gym and well surprisingly it was full.  Well at least the treadmills were full.  The only one available was previously not working.  It's also very loud.  It felt like the treadmill had crossed with one of those vibrating shoulder massagers.  So my feet were tingling and I was worried that how was I supposed to do a steady 25 min run with the stupid broken machine.  Well at higher speeds the machine got louder but the vibrating stopped so I was happy.

I made it through the 25 min steady without any major complaints.  I also walked an additional 25 minutes to make my walk longer. 

It was a great run and I enjoyed it alot.  I'm back at it on Tuesday.  I'm going to try A.M. for that workout.

Week 6. Day 3.

Week 6. Day 2.

I was supposed to run on Wednesday but do to work or whatever (Life) I didn't get to it.  I took a nice relaxing day off and I enjoyed it. 

Therefore I went after my Pilates reformer class on Thursday to the treadmills at the rec center gym.  All 10 (maybe 7..I didn't really count) were being used.  Thankfully the very last one was unoccupied.  Oh man though it was hot on that stupid treadmill.  My muscles were so sore fom the reformer class that I virtually felt that every step was a chore.  I ached to quit and postpone the run.   Throughout the whole run I was considering the repercussions of quitting.  I was So Tired.  I could barely breathe and I hated staring at the pool from my balcony view on the hottest corner treadmill ever.  I just envied the people in the pool.  I just wanted to do was go swim.  Not swim really, I just wanted to be in the cool pool and rest. 

Oh well..I pushed through and almost died but I did it.  I am happy I did so but it was a terrible experience.  Not bad enough to make me stop running.

Playing Catch Up!

Week 6. Day 1.

Today, on schedule (WOOhoo!), I ran week 6. Day 1.  I struggled a bit but I made it through.  I enjoyed the run and the feeling after running.  I stretched and came home to relax w/ my dog and another chocolate milk.

Wednesday ..Week 6, Day 2.  10 min intervals w/ a walk break in between. 

Friday or Sat A.M. Week 6, Day 3.  25 MIN! Run!  Wow!  I'm excited and scared but I think I'll finally be able to get my distance/speeds up. 

Tomorrow... Pilates Mat at home or Gunnar Peterson total body workout ..I'm thinking pilates!

What's up with the return to intervals?

Week 5. Day 3.

After a lazy Friday ...If you call going to Whole Foods for 1.5 hours plus carrying six bags, a laptop, purse, etc up three flights of stairs lazy.  I stocked my fridge with amazingly healthy great things to eat.  One of my new favorite snacks is "Nearly Nake Popcorn w/ a touch of olive oil".  So good! I'm thinking of buying so more bags so I can take it to the movies in the future. 

Anyway enough about food.  The next day I actually got up as promised and went to run.  I was up by 7, in the gym by 7:30.  I did a 35 minute run plus five min on the elliptical.  Well nearly five min, I had to jump off as a guy was coming into the gym, and if I didn't book it he would take the only available treadmill.  I got there before him although he seemed very upset that I took the TM from him.  That was what he appeared to think, but truly I was there first, and first at the gym.  I even had my water bottle on the TM already.  (It's a small gym, w/ three treadmills.  At that time of the morning there were three of us in the gym.  Two people were on the other two treadmills.  So I figured it was safe to use the ellip for a couple of minutes since no one was waiting for the TM.)  That being said if he had been able to make it to the TM before me, I would've given it to him. 

I did Week 5 Day 3.  This run was a straight twenty minute run with five min warmup before and after the run.  I was very optimistic and was encouraged by last few runs.  I'm not quite used to running in the A.M.  I struggled a bit for the first five minutes but the rest of the run was great.  I was focused and was very into my music.  I really love the treadmill I was on.  The sun was streaming in behind me and I could feel the warmth and I was very happy.  I stretched, and left after the run.  After that I collapsed onto my couch with my dog and had delicious 1% chocolate organic valley milk.  From there my weekend began.. with a ka-billion places to go and people to see. 

Week 6 to start on Moday!

That's Smooth.

Consistency.

Consistency.  I made a promise to myself and that was that I would follow through on my goals.  Be those work, life, or athletic.  I'm trying to hit my targets on time/ at all.  I may slack here and there but I'm proud of my progress.  Tomorrow A.M. I do week 5 day 3.  The first 20 min run all at once.  No walking.  I'm excited and scared.

Today's blog though is about the run on Wednesday.  I actually made it in on time.  The lure of running for me (and I'm a treadmill runner currently) is forgetting everything.  I run on the treadmill that has a broken tv and I just stare at the monitor.  I see my hair shadow swinging like a swag in the screen.  I see my head bobbing up and down in time with the music and my pace.  It helps me focus and zone out.  I just focus on the music and breathing.  I don't focus on work, I don't focus on bills, and I definitely don't think about a million other things that are going on in my life.  Stress free focused and fulfilled.  These are the reasons (along with the fringe benefits of looking and feeling better/healthier) that I run.  These are the reasons I keep running. 

I'm happy to be into running now.  After years of refusing to even consider the possiblity of running, here I am now, loving it.  So crazy! 

I talked to my only friend whom runs and she is planning for a 5K in June.  My target 5k is at the end of April.  I will run the first one alone, but the second I will do with her.  I'm going to sign up tomorrow.  I get a little bit of stage fright when getting ready to register for the races.  I hope not to fail and don't want to overwhelm myself with pressure.  I realize that but I need to have faith in myself that I will not only make it, but I can succeed. 

Thursday, I went to my Pilates Reformer class.  It was great.  I can feel how my abs have gotten stronger and are helping me everyday.

I'll report again tomorrow!

On a side note, today I spent an hour and a half at whole foods!  My fridge is stocked with amazing fresh organic foods and yummy meats plus an amazing bag of popcorn that I think is called Nearly Naked Popcorn w/ a touch of olive oil!  Amazing!  I'm planning on taking that with me to the movies in the future.  <- Mayyyybeee.. I'm a sucker for Popcorn at the movies w/ lots of butter.  Can I have extra cheese on the side? LOL.

50 minutes for my c25k Week 5 day 2.

A week delay, but back at it.

Week 5. Day 1!  I've been fearful of week 5 but it was great!  I use the c25k app to run, but today I changed the settings.  I used to have alerts for during the runs it would count down, 2 min left, 1 min left, etc.  Instead, I took that off, as I found it made the 5 minute runs feel like eternity. 

Today's run consisted of three 5 minute runs, three 3 minute walks, and the 5 min warmup & cooldown walk.  I planned a playlist and it was pretty much great!  One song I might reconsider to put later in the lineup, but overall the songs were motivating and kept me going. 

I am so glad I went to do as I felt that same old laziness creeping into my bones.  I was going to put it off and laze about my house, watching tv and eating dinner.  I'm so glad I kept to my resolution because I don't want to be the same person that had gained weight by being lazy.

I've lost a total of 10 lbs so far and that's fabulous.  I'm very happy but it's only a third of the way.  I want to keep it up and keep going with both my weight loss goals and my goal for the 5k in April.

Set to run again on Wednesday!  Week 5. Day 2.

About time! Week 5 STARTED!

Last run wed. Day 3. Week 4.

Oh man I barely made it. I was reluctant to go due to the snow &
cold. I did it tho and I did the workout. My legs felt tired and I
trudged thru the workout. I start week 5 soon. I currently have
about 30 inches of snow outside & I'm catching a cold. It's been hard
to keep going with as many roadblock as I've encountered. I hope to
do this tomoorow after work.

I did go to my pilates reformer class as well on Thursday.

Here's hoping I feel better and make it through tomorrow.

Day2week4

As scheduled I did week 4 day 2. It was tough as I was super sore from
my reformer class. I did it and did it well. I'm more sore than
ever. I upped my protein tonight in hope that I'll feel better
tomorrow. I'm still glad I did my run on time.

On Time. Yes, but I definitely am hurting!

Delayed again but made up for it the next day.

Week 4. Day 1.  I gotta tell you that I've been pretty intimidated and a l'il scared to start week 4.  I still remember the first week and how hard it was to run 1.5 min let alone five whole minutes at a time.  I've been letting outside things also intimidate me.  I had read a bunch of posts of how hard week 4 is, and how many give up at this time.  I was letting all this psych me out.    I also was running behind.  Due to real life obligations such as work, family, etc. I had intended to start week 4 on Sunday.  I was running late due to my skipped Friday workout.  Sunday..I ended week 3, Tuesday was my scheduled day to start week 4.  Surprise, I had to work late!  Seriously, I think something was stalling me and maybe that something was Me. 

Who knows but the point is I made it today.  I made it and it wasn't that bad!  I slowed my pace on the five minute runs but still kept the incline.  I made it through without major side stitches and without being crazy out of breath.  I was extremely proud of myself!  I can't wait to do it again!

Tomorrow I have my Pilates Reformer class.  I wonder what is going to hurt most then.  After my arm pain last week, I think I'm going to boost my protein intake tomorrow. 

Speaking of which, I'm gonna go plan my meals for tomorrow.  Let's see how I weigh in this week.  Each week I've been playing with my food intake on the weekend and to see what works best.  Last week I knew it would be a light (weight loss) week due to my splurges from Sat-Mon.  All I lost was .5lb (better than nothing).  I hope to do better this week as I carefully monitored my splurges.

Wish me luck!

Week 4! Day 1. It was great!

Better Late than Never!

Week 3, Day 3.  Finished.  I was delayed due to a series of family obligations and hair appointments.  This took up Friday and Saturday.  That left Sunday.  I was still feeling lazy after Thursday's A-- Kicking.  Haha I bet you think I'm saying something different.  It was an Arm Kicking!  My arms hurt so bad!  I couldn't even imagine running with the soreness I felt in my arms.  Sunday finally I felt better.  Whew!

My husband even made it to the gym with me!  I was happy he went.  He hasn't run in a while, but he ran the whole time!  He ran further and faster than I did.  :(   Oh well.  I'm not gonna let it get me down.  

I did well and did faster than in my previous runs.  I also was much more consistent.  

I'm feeling pretty good right now, and am looking forward to starting week 4.  What I'm looking forward to is having the ability to do it.  What I'm not looking forward to is actually doing it.   I am scheduled to do this on Tuesday!  Tomorrow I have zumba class.

Week 3. Day 3. Finally.

Puh Lah Tees!

This is a blog about running.Really.  I just happen to be doing other things too!  I loved todays class.  We did something called short spine on the reformer.  Now the reformer looks like a flat total gym but bigger (that's what most people recognize when describing the reformer).    Now if that still draws a blank, then it looks like a large pad on pulleys and rails.  At the bottom there's a foot bar and springs for added resistance.  All of these things are used to make the most ordinary movements even more difficult.

Well short spine starts with your feet in the pulleys.  You let the pulleys pull your feet up (with control obvi) and then you lift your body (which was laying on the pad that is on rails moved by the pulleys) up in the air and then drag your feet downwards until your legs shape are in a diamond outline.  I don't know how else to explain.  Then the feet push forward back into Frog.  Heels almost together, legs extended out, and knees together.

It's darn Tough!  I can tell you I'm sore already.

It was a great class.  I'm looking forward to next week.

Back to running tomorrow.

O M G

Week 3.  Day 2.  Dead Tired.

The last time I ran was Friday the 15th.  As soon as I got home I realized I had a cold.  The next day it was worse and below the neck (chest congestion).  All the sites I saw said take a break if you've got below the neck symptoms.

Saturday I had the In Laws over and they brought yummy amazing (and yes fattening) foods.  I enjoyed with moderation.  I unfortunately had already gone to the Olive Garden with my mother earlier.  Double Wammy.  The next day we enjoyed French Toast for breakfast (yes, cooked in butter); and P.F. Changs for Dinner (Mongolian Beef; Chicken Lettuce Wraps; and lots of SALT included in those meals).

Needless to say my cold wasn't inhibiting my appetite.  :-/

I was definitely not feeling well on Monday and stayed in Bed.  I didn't even work from home.  I enjoyed this and I like to think that was the reason I was able to go run today.

Tuesday.  Work got in the way.  I ended up working until 7 on Tuesday and I had to prepare for an early presentation for Wed A.M. (8 AM!)  Okay Early for me.  :-D  I left work around 6.  I was ready for the workout.  Unfortunately I didn't get to warmup on the elliptical as they were all taken.  This I think was the difference.  I really need that as a warmup after a day full of sitting.

While it was a tough workout and now I'm very sore.  I did it and even made a max speed of 6.0.  I'm looking forward to my Pilates Reformer class tomorrow.  It'll help stretch my sore muscles.

In reference to my previous post .. I Dudetz comes from the movie Dreamcatcher.  I often find silly things from movies and keep 'em as my own catchphrases.  I totally recommend this one.  Please note that throwing your hands up in the air, and yelling I Dudetz should be done in the privacy of your own home.

The Return - Week 3. Day 2.

Week 3. Day 1... AND I'm developing a cold; But "I Dudetz"

Okay.  I've been psyching myself out for a while and been reluctant to start week 3 due to the longer run times.  Reluctant or not, I kept to my schedule and made it to the gym.  I also discovered I was developing a bit of a head cold.  Head cold or not, I was going to do it.

I did my 10 minute warmup on the elliptical.  I switched over to the treadmill and started the c25k app to week 3, day 1.  I walked the warm up at a quick pace.  I did the first run at 5.4 and an incline of 1.  The 1st 3 min run I did at 5.0 with a 1.0 incline.    I ran the second 1.5 min run at 5.8 and incline of 1.  The second 3 min run at 5.2 but I wiped out the incline.  I think I did great!!  I dudetz!!!

Week 3. Day 1.

Today's workout was great! (Week 2, Day 3)

I was surprisingly excited on my drive from work to my apt gym.  I was early and figured that it should be pretty easy to get a machine.  Uh, wrong.  The place was packed at 5:15!!!  Craziness.  There was an elliptical open so I got that while I stared at the three people on the three treadmills.  11min 43 seconds later, finally one opened up.  A good one.

The elliptical was a good warmup though.  Even though I wasn't happy about having to wait, it was great to get me going.

So I said that the treadmill that opened up was a good one.  What was so special about it?  It's in a corner of the gym where I don't have to stare at people, or be stared at.  That was great.  Additionally the tv was broken.  To some that might make the treadmill into being the Bad one.  How can I possibly do my workout if the tv won't turn on and I can't watch HGTV or whatever.. LOL.  Okay that's not fair, I'm sure plenty of people enjoy the tvs and workout perfectly well with them.  I on the other hand get distracted.  I can't concentrate on my music and I can't focus on the run.

Another good thing about today is that I wore good clothing.  Nothing that was going to slip down, tug up, pull up, etc.  It is so fricking frustrating to have my pants slipping down, showing things that I don't want others to see, having to pull them up, and this breaks my concentration and the run feels longer and tougher.

I didn't have these problems today.  It was fabulous.  I had a peaceful corner away from others and got to enjoy the run.  Today's run schedule was as follows :  5 min warmup, 1.5 min run alternating with 2 min walk until the 5 min cool down.

I did add to it by the 11 min warm up on the elliptical, an additional 5 at the beginning of warmup, and an additional amount at the end of the cool down.

I managed to make it though all the 1.5 min runs without slowing down or even getting too out of breath.  I sped up the runs each time.  Starting with 5.0 and ending at the highest of 5.8.  I also kept the treadmill at an incline of 1.0 to "supposedly" make it feel like you're actually running outside.

At the end I did some stretching to hopefully avoid future injuries.  I went to my car and headed home.  I walked the dog while drinking my organic valley 1% chocolate milk.  It was really satisfying after my run.

As I was a bit behind schedule, I will probably run again tomorrow.  My plan is run tomorrow, Pilates Reformer class Thursday, and run again Friday.  Sat & Sunday off, and back to it on Monday or Tuesday next week.  (I might hit a zumba class w/ my cousin on Monday).  <-  If I go I'll report back, the instructor is hilarious!

Nike Plus Screen Shot! Week 2. Day 3.

Week 2. Day 2. Details.

Wow. I'm tired. It happened to snow overnight/morning. I was going
to try to go the gym in the A.M. but decided against it for time
reasons.. And laziness.

I was late to work anyway. I had an extremely tough day today and
hadn't eaten as much as planned. I changed and fixed up a lightish
protein shake.

I think I might need to do this earlier as I was slightly
uncomfortable with my full feeling.

I arrive at the gym and I am happy to report it was not full! Great!!
Only 1 person and all the treadmills were available. In the 40
minutes I was there this changed. By the time I left the gym it was
at least 70% at capacity.

I'm glad I got to go earlier today. I'm exhausted now but I've still
got things to do. Rest later. Rest tomorrow.

Addl note : I've lost 4.4lbs .. I'm sure some is water but I'm pretty
happy with the results anyway!

Week 2. Day 2. Tired.

Week 2. Day 1. Details.

Resolutioners. It should be a new word. The apt gym was packed with
them. Every machine was taken. I was surprised. I ended up waiting
maybe five minutes as I was lucky. I realized that a guy on a
treadmill was slowing down. I hovered in his area until he finally
finished. Yay!

While I waited I stretched a bit. I felt pretty good today. Much
better than last time. I had eaten much better than my workout on
Monday.

I did a quick warmup and started my first run. 1 1/2 minute run,
alternating with 2 minute walk. I struggled on the final 30 seconds
each time. I lowered the speed but still kept running. The final run
I ran at 5.6 speed and kept it for the full 1 1/2 min. It was tough
but it felt great to do!

I went back home after cooling off and stretching. I didn't have any
of the organic valley milk in the house so I was contemplating an
alternative when the UPS man arrived with my shipment from Amazon.
Hooray! 12 new individual serving of the organic valley 1% chocolate
milk. I got to have my milk after all!

I'm on schedule to run on Friday but I might go tomorrow as well.
We'll see!

Results. Week 2. Day 1.

Results. Week 2. Day 1.

Week one complete!

This workout kicked my A@@. Wow. I don't known what was different.
All I know is that I struggled.

I was a day late with my workout. This was my first 7 P.M. workout.
My first after work run. It could be any of these things. Well I can
figure it out later. The point is tough or not I did it.

I'm glad I went. I did push up my speeds and still managed to up my
speed for the last run by .2. I looked at my treadmill pics and I'm
around the same distance 2.29 miles. What has changed is that my time
for that distance has gone done (essentially I'm going faster)!

I'm glad I've been taking the pictures anfld keeping the record to see
my improvement.

Okay my next scheduled run is for Wed. Week 2. Day 1. I'm off to
have my chocolate milk, hit the shower and then have dinner with my
hubby.

Week 1. Day 3.

Workout 2 postponed. Yes, but definitely done today.

Okay so I'm supposed to do the runs three times a week. I started on
tuesday/Wednesday but I'm doing a Monday-Sunday week.

Day 2 fell on new years day and it was too difficult to work in a
workout when visiting family etc.

I had been trying to alternate workouts every other day. Ney years
day was supposed to be workout two. I had to skip it. I was upset by
it but promised to do the workot the following day. Since that would
be a Saturday then that means Workout two is Saturday and Sunday is
workout 3.

No rest in between the days.

Ok 11:00 a.m. eastern time I head out to the complex's gym. Same
treadmill different people. Lots more new year resolution folks were
in the gym getting ready to tone up.

I went over to my treadmill and warmed up. I started my first run off
slow. It was evenly paced but not as painful as the first time. The
following runs felt tough but I put more speed and incline than
workout 1. I went up to speed 5.4 this time. I felt great after the
run. I went home right after and had an organic valley chocolate
milk. Delish!

I'm glad I went. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Day 2. Higher speeds.