I hate to talk about weight cuz every woman out there is complaining about their weight and it gets old. Yes, I know...because I'm one of them. I'm discussing it here because for the first time in my life, my weight is baffling me!
I've never been a small girl. In fact, I'm pretty sure that it is genetically impossible for me to be much smaller than I am right now. Toning up, changing jiggle to muscle, yeah, that is a possibility. But dropping 3 sizes...uh, no. I can't believe I'm actually going to throw some numbers out here...but here goes! My "sort of watching what I eat, but being lazy" weight tends to be around 140-145. This is the number that I always creep back up to when I stop working out. I figure this is my natural weight...whatever that means :) Believe me, I've been bigger. When I was in high school and didn't care what I ate, I was way more than is. Sometimes I can't even imagine that I let it get that bad. In college, everyone was a workout fiend. And that is where I learned to exercise. Thank goodness! That is where I got down to my lowest ever, which was still only in the low 130's. See...I'm just not meant to be a small person!
Back to the current situation! So, I was at my typical, not working out weight several months ago when I went through a bad situation. For some reason, for the first time ever, my way of coping was to not eat. I had absolutely no appetite. In 2 weeks, I lost 7 pounds! No wonder there are so many girls struggling with anorexia...it works. I am not suggesting anyone stop eating! It is very scary to see that happening to yourself! I can't imagine being in that state permanently! Anyway, once I started eating again, I gained back a few pounds and then I started this running. I dropped back down to my "no appetite" weight, but I started eating everything in sight! No wonder people training for marathons don't lose weight. You start eating like its your last day on earth! This week, I haven't run at all...but yet I'm still eating like I have been :) This morning, I hesitantly walked over to the scale, not wanting to see the results of my foodfest. And guess what? Still at the same weight! How is that possible??
I've been eating at least one meal a day out. I've been raiding the vending machines at work every afternoon. I made goodies for the bake sale and sampled a plenty! My metabolism NEVER works in my favor. Seriously! I am absolutely in shock right now. So much so that I had to come write this blog and reveal my weight issues to the world! I am sure this will be sort lived. Then again, my marathon training group starts a week from today so I'll be running my butt off...literally. Note to self: Start doing squats ASAP to counter running butt off! :)
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
No Blog Means...
No Running. Bad, bad, bad Nicole! Monday and Tuesday I was baking up a storm for a fund raiser bake sale. Then last night I was just plain being lazy since I had a night to myself. Tonight, well, no idea why I didn't get my butt out there! Bad girl. Tomorrow. Or maybe Saturday :)
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Woo Hoo!!
Went and did my first run on the lake front today. I loved how many people were out there running! There was a lot of puddle dodging to be done, but it was great to have a change in scenery. I started at Foster Ave and I'd never started that far north before. Let me tell you, there are million different paths up there! I had to seriously pay attention to make sure I stayed on the "Lake Front Trail" so I could stay where the mile markers were! The end result? I knocked out 4 miles! I think that is pretty darn good since a month ago just one mile almost killed me :) That heart rate monitor has been a life saver. I really keeps me aware of my pace...and that has been crucial! I love the way this feels right now! I hope I feel this same way in 6 months!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Excuses...not here!
So, yesterday was the first day I skipped a planned run...but I had a good reason! Not an excuse, a REASON!!! I got tickets to the Bulls game...I've been waiting for a chance to see Big Ben in action! There was no way I was going to turn those down! Something had to be sacrificed...and the run was it...I suppose those arena nachos weren't exactly necessary, but whatever!
In order to totally redeem myself, I was going to run today and tomorrow. Then it decided to rain here. All day. By 3pm, I already had it in my mind that a run was not happening. What happened to the treadmill, you say? Treadmills don't exist when you are looking for an excuse :) At 6pm, I got a ride home with a buddy of mine and I told him that I was skipping my run. What?! That was his answer. He told me that there were going to be lots of rainy days between now and the marathon and I couldn't let that be a reason not to run. And you know what? He was right! As soon as I got home, I went straight to my room and put on my gear. And I got out there and knocked out 3 miles. Stepped in a huge puddle about half way and turned one shoe brown, but you know, it was bound to happen at some point! Yay for me for getting my butt out there! And I'll do it again tomorrow!
On a little side note, while sometimes the slow pace the heart rate monitor sets me at can be terribly annoying, it is a relaxing pace. I'm not in agony...as I often am when I run :) I feel like I could run forever. I think this is a good thing!
In order to totally redeem myself, I was going to run today and tomorrow. Then it decided to rain here. All day. By 3pm, I already had it in my mind that a run was not happening. What happened to the treadmill, you say? Treadmills don't exist when you are looking for an excuse :) At 6pm, I got a ride home with a buddy of mine and I told him that I was skipping my run. What?! That was his answer. He told me that there were going to be lots of rainy days between now and the marathon and I couldn't let that be a reason not to run. And you know what? He was right! As soon as I got home, I went straight to my room and put on my gear. And I got out there and knocked out 3 miles. Stepped in a huge puddle about half way and turned one shoe brown, but you know, it was bound to happen at some point! Yay for me for getting my butt out there! And I'll do it again tomorrow!
On a little side note, while sometimes the slow pace the heart rate monitor sets me at can be terribly annoying, it is a relaxing pace. I'm not in agony...as I often am when I run :) I feel like I could run forever. I think this is a good thing!
Monday, March 19, 2007
The ol' ticker
Tonight was the first run with the heart rate monitor. I'm seeing that there are going to be a lot of let downs before I see improvements! In order to stay in my target heart rate zone, I could barely do more than a jog! I bet I could have gotten there with just a fast walk! It was embarrassing as other runners flew past me and my little heart rate alarm kept going off to warn me that I'm going too fast! Geez! What's a girl gotta do to run around here?!
But, I stayed in the suggested target zone...despite the embarrassment. I realize I just want it to pump, not explode! This will also be interesting to see the improvements though. So, that is what I have to look forward to at this point...getting to "normal". Now I realize that lazy does not mean out of shape and therefore, active does not mean in shape. Hope it doesn't take too long! And at the pace I was going today, I could probably run forever! :)
But, I stayed in the suggested target zone...despite the embarrassment. I realize I just want it to pump, not explode! This will also be interesting to see the improvements though. So, that is what I have to look forward to at this point...getting to "normal". Now I realize that lazy does not mean out of shape and therefore, active does not mean in shape. Hope it doesn't take too long! And at the pace I was going today, I could probably run forever! :)
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Good to Bad
You remember how easy that workout was on Thursday? How well my body was adapting to challenges? Scratch that. Today sucked. Took all my mental strength to finish...that is the only good point. I finished. And it hurt to do it. Bring on the green beer.
Moderately Low?!
Yeah, that is what my new heart rate monitor told me my cardiovascular health was!! I'm a little shell shocked...and I think my feelings are hurt! I mean, I have been sitting on my butt for 6 months, but at the same time, I can probably beat most of my friends when it comes to endurance. Or at least keep up! But my cardio health is below average? Damn!! So, now I have a serious goal! I will do the fit test again in a month and there better be some serious improvement! Feels really sad to be shooting for Moderate, but hey, it'll be a start!
I forgot to wash all my running clothes so today's trip to the gym is slightly delayed. Clothes are in the spin cycle as we speak! It works out well though because now I can catch the first games of the tourney, go work out, and be back and ready to head out tonight for dinner and watch the rest of the tourney. Then, of course, go celebrate St. Patty's Day! Should be wild...and make tomorrow a useless day!
I think I had mentioned that I knit...if not, I do! Here is my latest project:
Yes, another scarf...but I like scarves! The patterns can be complicated enough to stay interesting without all the added work of seaming and crap! I'm calling this the 100 Day Scarf. The pattern is only 4 rows, but each row is 56 stitches and you have to repeat the pattern 97 times. That takes a little time! So, I'm going to vow to do one set of the pattern a day for 100 days...and there you have the name! So, so clever :)
I forgot to wash all my running clothes so today's trip to the gym is slightly delayed. Clothes are in the spin cycle as we speak! It works out well though because now I can catch the first games of the tourney, go work out, and be back and ready to head out tonight for dinner and watch the rest of the tourney. Then, of course, go celebrate St. Patty's Day! Should be wild...and make tomorrow a useless day!
I think I had mentioned that I knit...if not, I do! Here is my latest project:
Yes, another scarf...but I like scarves! The patterns can be complicated enough to stay interesting without all the added work of seaming and crap! I'm calling this the 100 Day Scarf. The pattern is only 4 rows, but each row is 56 stitches and you have to repeat the pattern 97 times. That takes a little time! So, I'm going to vow to do one set of the pattern a day for 100 days...and there you have the name! So, so clever :)
Friday, March 16, 2007
I love my body!
Okay, well, not the looks of it...but I am totally amazed at how quickly it adapts to the challenges I've been giving it! Last night, it was back to the DREADmill, yes, I stole that word from someone else's running blog! Nothing sums up that stupid machine better :) Anyway, after two outdoor runs in a row, the treadmill was a breeze! I can only assume that it is due to the fact that running outside is so much harder with wind and ground resistance, hills, curb jumping, etc. I was just beaming when I got off last night! And to be honest, last night was the first night where I really didn't want to go to the gym and ALMOST let an excuse slip in! I mean, come one...the tournament is on, my laptop had just had all these new programs installed, I had to begin planning for my Y-ME race team...there were a lot of things I was ready to put before my run. But I didn't!!!
Although I'd done nearly a full run last time, I went back to the training schedule I was on and did the walk/run thing:
Walk 1 mile
Run 10 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
Run 5 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
Run 10 minues
Walk 5 minutes
5 minute cool down
I am sooooo looking forward to running outside! I think I am going to sign up with Chicago Fit. 1) because it is WAY cheaper than the other Chicago area training programs and 2) because I did Portland Fit way back before I moved here and I really loved the program. The first run is in 3 weeks so I'm determined to work on my speed until then. Can't decide if I'd rather be at the back of the moderate group or the front of the slow group...right now it could go either way!
Oh yeah!!! How could I forget! My heart monitor arrived yesterday. I ended up getting the Women's Polar F11 Blue Glow. I plan on doing the fit test tomorrow morning and then doing my first run with it! I'm so excited to see where I've been training at! Tonight will be filled with lots of training manual reading fun! Yeah! Don't be jealous...
Although I'd done nearly a full run last time, I went back to the training schedule I was on and did the walk/run thing:
Walk 1 mile
Run 10 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
Run 5 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
Run 10 minues
Walk 5 minutes
5 minute cool down
I am sooooo looking forward to running outside! I think I am going to sign up with Chicago Fit. 1) because it is WAY cheaper than the other Chicago area training programs and 2) because I did Portland Fit way back before I moved here and I really loved the program. The first run is in 3 weeks so I'm determined to work on my speed until then. Can't decide if I'd rather be at the back of the moderate group or the front of the slow group...right now it could go either way!
Oh yeah!!! How could I forget! My heart monitor arrived yesterday. I ended up getting the Women's Polar F11 Blue Glow. I plan on doing the fit test tomorrow morning and then doing my first run with it! I'm so excited to see where I've been training at! Tonight will be filled with lots of training manual reading fun! Yeah! Don't be jealous...
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Who could ask for anything mooooore?!
Two outdoor runs in a row! Ahhh! For those of you in Chicago, you know how gorgeous the weather was today...mid-March! I will admit, the wind was kickin' though! Hurried home from work to catch some daylight and set out on my 3 mile loop run from the summer. The wind seemed to be blowing head on, no matter which direction I was running. I ran almost the entire loop. I'd guess about 85 - 90% of it! I'd say that is pretty good. I only have to run 3 miles for the first week of the training group and that is still 3 1/2 weeks away! No problem! Here's a beautiful red-faced, sweaty shot after the run...so proud:
Oh yeah, today I measured my LA run on Google Earth and it was actually 5 miles! It's amazing how time and distance fly when you are somewhere new...or just outside even. Treadmills suck!
Oh yeah, today I measured my LA run on Google Earth and it was actually 5 miles! It's amazing how time and distance fly when you are somewhere new...or just outside even. Treadmills suck!
Friday, March 09, 2007
Mission Accomplished!
I got out and ran! Not without plenty of procrasination though. First, I decided that I must go get something to eat. This makes sense. We got food and brought it home. Decided to have half my bagel and then I'd digest and go run. While I was "digesting", I got a call from a friend and talked for at least half an hour. When I got off, I decided that I needed the other half of the bagel and therefore, more digestion time! I finally ran out of excuses and headed out.
I basically alternated between walking and running in 10 minute increments for an hour. My biggest issue was making sure I didn't get lost out there! I started off down a main straight street, easy enough. Got to the point where Brentwood borders Santa Monica and decided to turn. This road started winding and I thought about turning back before I lost my sense of direction, but decided to stick it out! Went down a big hill and got concerned because what goes up, must come down...or in my case, the opposite. I live in Chicago...Hills? What are those? After lots of turns, I finally got to Sunset Blvd. I knew it was up that way somewhere from the last time I was here. Turned onto that and it began to have a gradual incline. No biggie...until I hit the mother of all hills!! I decided I could do it. Started up and about half way, I was suckin' wind like you would not believe! Time for a walk interval! :) Finally came to a street where I recognized the houses from when I was wandering around the neighborhood on a previous trip. I love architecture so I remembered these homes totally sticking out in my mind. Took that back down to the road I had started on and headed back.
Nice little jaunt. Don't know how far it was...I'm sure somewhere between 3 and 4 miles. Note of importance: Almost tripped on a tree trunk and bit it big time. Didn't realize how truly dangerous the streets of LA can be! And for the record, I got 3 kisses and 4 honks :) Love running on the street!
I basically alternated between walking and running in 10 minute increments for an hour. My biggest issue was making sure I didn't get lost out there! I started off down a main straight street, easy enough. Got to the point where Brentwood borders Santa Monica and decided to turn. This road started winding and I thought about turning back before I lost my sense of direction, but decided to stick it out! Went down a big hill and got concerned because what goes up, must come down...or in my case, the opposite. I live in Chicago...Hills? What are those? After lots of turns, I finally got to Sunset Blvd. I knew it was up that way somewhere from the last time I was here. Turned onto that and it began to have a gradual incline. No biggie...until I hit the mother of all hills!! I decided I could do it. Started up and about half way, I was suckin' wind like you would not believe! Time for a walk interval! :) Finally came to a street where I recognized the houses from when I was wandering around the neighborhood on a previous trip. I love architecture so I remembered these homes totally sticking out in my mind. Took that back down to the road I had started on and headed back.
Nice little jaunt. Don't know how far it was...I'm sure somewhere between 3 and 4 miles. Note of importance: Almost tripped on a tree trunk and bit it big time. Didn't realize how truly dangerous the streets of LA can be! And for the record, I got 3 kisses and 4 honks :) Love running on the street!
Distraction
Day 12
Yeah, I already warned that getting up Thursday morning was going to be a challenge. Needless to say, it was an unanswered challenge! I got too distracted playing with my pretty new laptop Wednesday night and didn't get to bed until 1am. Getting up at 5am was NOT going to happen! Especially, since I hadn't even packed yet! So, blame this!
I will run today though! I'm staying in Brentwood and I'm told there are lots of interesting things to see while running through the neighborhoods. Plus, I can actually run outside! That is not an option I'm willing to entertain in Chicago right now...although it will get to the low 50's this weekend! Soon, it will be lakefront, here I come!
I'll keep you posted on the Cali/vacation run. Cross your fingers!
Yeah, I already warned that getting up Thursday morning was going to be a challenge. Needless to say, it was an unanswered challenge! I got too distracted playing with my pretty new laptop Wednesday night and didn't get to bed until 1am. Getting up at 5am was NOT going to happen! Especially, since I hadn't even packed yet! So, blame this!
I will run today though! I'm staying in Brentwood and I'm told there are lots of interesting things to see while running through the neighborhoods. Plus, I can actually run outside! That is not an option I'm willing to entertain in Chicago right now...although it will get to the low 50's this weekend! Soon, it will be lakefront, here I come!
I'll keep you posted on the Cali/vacation run. Cross your fingers!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
One Small Step
Day 10
Workout:
Walk 1.5 miles
Run 1.5 miles
Walk .5 miles
3 minute cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 4.2 mph, 1.5% incline
Run Pace: 5.5 mph, 1% incline
Distance: 3.65 miles
Time: 50 minutes
I didn't at all follow the program workout yesterday. It was supposed to be another one of those walking 3 - 5 miles days. Heck no! I could not bring myself to do it! So, after a mile and a half, I decided I would just run a half mile, which turned into a full mile, which then turned into a mile and a half. I could have kept going, but I reminded myself that soon I will be running miles and miles and miles, wishing I had a walking only day! So, I walked another half mile and called it quits!
Tomorrow I leave for LA. I'm not even close to ready! I still have to pack, do the dishes, take out the garbage and clean the bathroom so my bunny-sitter (yes, I have a little destructo bunny!) doesn't think I'm the grossest person alive! Plus, my laptop arrives today so I know I'm just going to spend the whole evening playing around and getting it set up. AND I'm supposed to get up at 5am tomorrow so I can squeeze a workout in? This is going to take a miracle! I might as well just assume I'll be running on 3 hours sleep tomorrow. I can nap on the plane! Speaking of naps, I need coffee...
Workout:
Walk 1.5 miles
Run 1.5 miles
Walk .5 miles
3 minute cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 4.2 mph, 1.5% incline
Run Pace: 5.5 mph, 1% incline
Distance: 3.65 miles
Time: 50 minutes
I didn't at all follow the program workout yesterday. It was supposed to be another one of those walking 3 - 5 miles days. Heck no! I could not bring myself to do it! So, after a mile and a half, I decided I would just run a half mile, which turned into a full mile, which then turned into a mile and a half. I could have kept going, but I reminded myself that soon I will be running miles and miles and miles, wishing I had a walking only day! So, I walked another half mile and called it quits!
Tomorrow I leave for LA. I'm not even close to ready! I still have to pack, do the dishes, take out the garbage and clean the bathroom so my bunny-sitter (yes, I have a little destructo bunny!) doesn't think I'm the grossest person alive! Plus, my laptop arrives today so I know I'm just going to spend the whole evening playing around and getting it set up. AND I'm supposed to get up at 5am tomorrow so I can squeeze a workout in? This is going to take a miracle! I might as well just assume I'll be running on 3 hours sleep tomorrow. I can nap on the plane! Speaking of naps, I need coffee...
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Ah, Sweet Revenge
Day 9
Workout:
Walk 1.5 miles
3x Run 5 min, Walk 5 min
Walk 1 mile
3 minute cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 4.2 mph, 1% incline
Run Pace: 5.5 -5.7 mph, 1% incline
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 63 minutes
I know, I know...you don't care about the workout details. But, it helps me, okay! I will stop posting it at some point down the road so just hang tight! :)
So, last night, I get to the gym and it is packed. And I mean, none of the 30 or so treadmills are open! I've NEVER in the 2 years I've been going there seen it like that. So, I patiently wait at the end of the rows of treadmills for someone to get off. I see another girl start looking for one and plop herself right in the middle of the row to wait...and yes, this is after she had already seen me patiently waiting on the side. I figured she would do the right thing if one came open and wait and see if I made a move for it and if I did, let me take it since I was there first. Well, she didn't! As soon as this guy got off she just darted for it! I couldn't believe it! And, I know that she knew what she had done cuz as soon as she got on, she looked over at me to see my reaction. Needless to say, I gave her the stare of death. I'm Italian...we are born with this ability :) About a minute later, the treadmill right next to her came open and I got on. About 2 minutes go by and I realize that she keeps playing with the buttons and finally stops and gets off. As the night goes on, everyone who got on that treadmill ended up getting off after a couple of minutes, so it must have been broken! HA!!! She got the broken treadmill and had to search for another, while I got one that worked just fine and had an uninterupted workout! That is what she gets for stealing a treadmill!
Okay, enough with the drama and on to the workout. It was good. Lowering my speed was crucial, but my ego is still trying to deal with the blow! I keep creeping the speed back up. Oh well, I'll learn my lesson soon enough! Still can't wait to just be running and building mileage. But I know I need to go through this work up stage right now. Boring :)
I'm leaving for LA on Thursday and that will be a huge test for me. I can't tell you how many times I've taken my workout clothes with me on vacation only to never touch them! The first test will be Thursday itself. I am not a morning person AT ALL, but if I want to get a workout in that day, it will have to be in the morning. The second test will be running in LA on Saturday. This means I'll have to take it easy Friday night. Not sure that is even possible :) I guess I always have Sunday as a back up if I can't pull it off on Saturday!
Workout:
Walk 1.5 miles
3x Run 5 min, Walk 5 min
Walk 1 mile
3 minute cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 4.2 mph, 1% incline
Run Pace: 5.5 -5.7 mph, 1% incline
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 63 minutes
I know, I know...you don't care about the workout details. But, it helps me, okay! I will stop posting it at some point down the road so just hang tight! :)
So, last night, I get to the gym and it is packed. And I mean, none of the 30 or so treadmills are open! I've NEVER in the 2 years I've been going there seen it like that. So, I patiently wait at the end of the rows of treadmills for someone to get off. I see another girl start looking for one and plop herself right in the middle of the row to wait...and yes, this is after she had already seen me patiently waiting on the side. I figured she would do the right thing if one came open and wait and see if I made a move for it and if I did, let me take it since I was there first. Well, she didn't! As soon as this guy got off she just darted for it! I couldn't believe it! And, I know that she knew what she had done cuz as soon as she got on, she looked over at me to see my reaction. Needless to say, I gave her the stare of death. I'm Italian...we are born with this ability :) About a minute later, the treadmill right next to her came open and I got on. About 2 minutes go by and I realize that she keeps playing with the buttons and finally stops and gets off. As the night goes on, everyone who got on that treadmill ended up getting off after a couple of minutes, so it must have been broken! HA!!! She got the broken treadmill and had to search for another, while I got one that worked just fine and had an uninterupted workout! That is what she gets for stealing a treadmill!
Okay, enough with the drama and on to the workout. It was good. Lowering my speed was crucial, but my ego is still trying to deal with the blow! I keep creeping the speed back up. Oh well, I'll learn my lesson soon enough! Still can't wait to just be running and building mileage. But I know I need to go through this work up stage right now. Boring :)
I'm leaving for LA on Thursday and that will be a huge test for me. I can't tell you how many times I've taken my workout clothes with me on vacation only to never touch them! The first test will be Thursday itself. I am not a morning person AT ALL, but if I want to get a workout in that day, it will have to be in the morning. The second test will be running in LA on Saturday. This means I'll have to take it easy Friday night. Not sure that is even possible :) I guess I always have Sunday as a back up if I can't pull it off on Saturday!
Monday, March 05, 2007
A sign of good things
Day 6
Workout:
Walk 3 miles
Run 10 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
3 minutes cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 4.2 mph
Run Pace: 5.5 mph
Time: 63 minutes
Distance: 4.4 miles
The real workout was to do 10 intervals of running for 30 seconds and walking for 1 minute. On a treadmill, that would have 1) been too much of a pain to keep playing with the speed and 2) made the people on the treadmills around me think I'm crazy :) So, I opted to just run for 10 straight minutes. I brought my speed down to 5.5 mph from 6.0, as I mentioned I might do. It made all the difference! I know I wasn't supposed to have any expectations for myself, but it is hard not to when you know what you were once capable of. But, I will be humble and run slow until I work my way back up!
Yesterday was another off day and I found myself itching to get up and move. Like I should at least go out and go for a walk or something. I love that feeling! It's motivating to see myself already getting in that kind of mind set! Yeah, I know, only 1 week in...31 weeks to go! But, every little thing counts when you've been sitting on your butt all winter watching TV. And knitting. Did I tell you that I knit? Yeah, it's the perfect excuse to sit on the couch all weekend!
Right now, I'm so psyched. I know I'm taking it slow and soon I'll actually be running all the time, but I can barely wait until then! I can't wait for that triumphant feeling when each long run becomes the longest you've ever done. And when you have those days where you totally don't want to go out and do it, but you do and when you are done you feel so proud of yourself! I just can't wait for all of this! But, most of all, I can't wait for warm weather :) The treadmill will be the death of me if I can't get outside soon. And no, I am just not one of those people who will put on 3 layers and 4 hats and brave the elements :) Can't do it.
Workout:
Walk 3 miles
Run 10 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
3 minutes cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 4.2 mph
Run Pace: 5.5 mph
Time: 63 minutes
Distance: 4.4 miles
The real workout was to do 10 intervals of running for 30 seconds and walking for 1 minute. On a treadmill, that would have 1) been too much of a pain to keep playing with the speed and 2) made the people on the treadmills around me think I'm crazy :) So, I opted to just run for 10 straight minutes. I brought my speed down to 5.5 mph from 6.0, as I mentioned I might do. It made all the difference! I know I wasn't supposed to have any expectations for myself, but it is hard not to when you know what you were once capable of. But, I will be humble and run slow until I work my way back up!
Yesterday was another off day and I found myself itching to get up and move. Like I should at least go out and go for a walk or something. I love that feeling! It's motivating to see myself already getting in that kind of mind set! Yeah, I know, only 1 week in...31 weeks to go! But, every little thing counts when you've been sitting on your butt all winter watching TV. And knitting. Did I tell you that I knit? Yeah, it's the perfect excuse to sit on the couch all weekend!
Right now, I'm so psyched. I know I'm taking it slow and soon I'll actually be running all the time, but I can barely wait until then! I can't wait for that triumphant feeling when each long run becomes the longest you've ever done. And when you have those days where you totally don't want to go out and do it, but you do and when you are done you feel so proud of yourself! I just can't wait for all of this! But, most of all, I can't wait for warm weather :) The treadmill will be the death of me if I can't get outside soon. And no, I am just not one of those people who will put on 3 layers and 4 hats and brave the elements :) Can't do it.
Friday, March 02, 2007
This is supposed to be the easy part...
Day 4
The Workout:
Walk 1 mile
Run 3 min every half mile until 3.5 miles
Walk .5 miles
3 minute cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 3.8 mph
Run Pace: 5.8 - 6.0 mph
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 1 hr 7 minutes
Holy moly! I am so out of shape! So much more so than I thought! Maybe I need to bring my running pace down cuz something has got to give! I'm still not sure about that 3.5 miles thing so I did it for 3 miles...which means 6 intervals. I really was going to go for the 7th, but my body just wouldn't let me. My hamstring was still a bit tight, and worse yet, a chronic hip/upper thigh problem is acting up again. That is why I brought down the walking pace. I figure it is WAY too early to be having so sit out due to injury! That would just plain be an embarrassment!
I have today off (Woo Hoo!), but tomorrow is another one of those walking only deals. And since there is snow in the forecast, it will have to be done on the treadmill. Oh how I am dreading this one! The only difference is that for the last mile, you interval with running. I'm hoping I can walk 3 miles without poking my eyes out and then run the 4th mile. I'll have to plan it around some good TV or something! Is there good TV on Saturday?? Very questionable! I'll workout it out...literally!
Finally getting my laptop next week so I will actually be able to blog right after the workouts. I figure it will be much more entertaining to get my gut reaction to things! Also, I'm thinking about investing in a heart rate monitor...any advice? Suggestions? Info? It would be greatly appreciated! Wish me luck tomorrow! Already dreading it... :)
The Workout:
Walk 1 mile
Run 3 min every half mile until 3.5 miles
Walk .5 miles
3 minute cool down
Walk Pace: 3.5 - 3.8 mph
Run Pace: 5.8 - 6.0 mph
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 1 hr 7 minutes
Holy moly! I am so out of shape! So much more so than I thought! Maybe I need to bring my running pace down cuz something has got to give! I'm still not sure about that 3.5 miles thing so I did it for 3 miles...which means 6 intervals. I really was going to go for the 7th, but my body just wouldn't let me. My hamstring was still a bit tight, and worse yet, a chronic hip/upper thigh problem is acting up again. That is why I brought down the walking pace. I figure it is WAY too early to be having so sit out due to injury! That would just plain be an embarrassment!
I have today off (Woo Hoo!), but tomorrow is another one of those walking only deals. And since there is snow in the forecast, it will have to be done on the treadmill. Oh how I am dreading this one! The only difference is that for the last mile, you interval with running. I'm hoping I can walk 3 miles without poking my eyes out and then run the 4th mile. I'll have to plan it around some good TV or something! Is there good TV on Saturday?? Very questionable! I'll workout it out...literally!
Finally getting my laptop next week so I will actually be able to blog right after the workouts. I figure it will be much more entertaining to get my gut reaction to things! Also, I'm thinking about investing in a heart rate monitor...any advice? Suggestions? Info? It would be greatly appreciated! Wish me luck tomorrow! Already dreading it... :)
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