Well since the last post....there is nothing too exciting to report....no significant improvements but I will talk about a few little things.
First --- let's talk about the 5k I did this weekend....for a girl out of my out of shapeness (made up phrase) I should have probably never have done this.....but I did and I finished....dead last....but the coolest thing, even through I was somewhat embarrassed.....there we people there cheering me on at the end and that was really cool. So from now on after I cross the finish line, grab my water, I am going to head back to the finish line to cheer folks on. For now, I won't have to wait for to many people...hehe!! For those of you that know the Sidney Moose, you can understand this....running zig zag through the Moose is quite a challenge...it is a great place to sled..but a tough place to run. However, I did realize that walking the hills are some great conditioning....may have to run go run Children's Home one day.
Also, this week I got my bike fixed so I can change up the workout and enjoy the outdoors. I went riding with my friend Erin last night...it was nice and relaxing but could tell this morning it did give a little workout to the muscles...ones i don't use in walking/running. I have had the same bike since I was 14...got it for summer gym in the eight grade...When I went to get it fixed...the owner of the bike shop remembered me...I have taken in there a couple of times...but its cool to see small town business. I do like the biking but it make the running a little hard on the left knee tonight...hopefully just growing pains.
One thing that has been a bummer is I keep losing my underarmor headbands...a few i have found in passing but most are gone gone....boy does that stink. I do <3 all of my underarmor gear...I am miserable if I run in a regular t-shirt now that I spoiled myself.
I got my bib number today for the AF 10k...next year I plan on saying the AF Half Marathon...I am number 11626. I am very excited to participate in such a big thing. I did not realize how big it was...next year if I do the half I am probably going to raise money for an organization for injured vets. It will give me even more reason to do what I am doing.
I also realized tonight as I was logging my walk/runs I am 103 miles totals and most days I don't count my warm up or cool down.
As far as the weight challenge...I am losing barely anyway weight....a real big WTF.....but I have taken off inches. I tried on a dress last night I wore to a ball at the beginning of March and it is totally too big....can't wait to see more results and hopefully I will see them on the scale one day but I am trying not get to frustrated in the mean time.
Well till next time...I am off to bed soon...I am one tired girl after 6.5 miles today!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A little to closer to cutting out the walking
Well today...I did what every geeky auditor would do...I plugged the data I had on my running into an excel spreadsheet and did some calculations and analysis. When I get a little more data maybe I will do an improvement curve to set the goal for where I should be going....KIDDING!! But in looking at the data I noticed a few things....first my first run...ok serious...lets be real...the only running I did then was from garage door to the sidewalk...so my first walk was two miles and took me forty minutes....tonight I did 3.72 miles in 58:54, so I went from a 20 minute mile to a 15:50 mile....which is about my weekly average for a mile. So it is obvious I am improving. Now there is a portion of the data where I did not record my time, this must have been when I thought I was crazy for doing this. Which is obvious because now instead of nice round whole minutes I record the seconds, setup an excel spreadsheet and use Nike plus....so yeah I am crazy. I like Nike plus....but it is a little more generous with the distance I go, but I have mapped out routes so I am able to calculate the real deal!
In the past week I have found two great new running spots the country and more of the bike path. First, the country between corn fields and bean fields, it was so peaceful out there...It made me think back to when we praying for it to stop raining so the farmers could plant the fields and now we the farmers are preparing for a harvest....the difference is somewhat characteristic in my life. To think where I was back in May to now....Wow what a difference. For the first time since I have moved back, I can say I am truly happy here. Now that does not mean I will stay, that is dependent on what life brings. But I am not miserable like I was before. Two things have changed....one is I do more for my parents now, which is very rewarding and hard all at the same time and I do this running thing. I guess it is true what the say running brings positive endorphins. I do believe I have experienced a few cases of a runners high...along with the really why am I doing this? But overall I have to say above anything I have experienced or put forth to do since I have been home, this is the best. Better than getting an advanced degree, better than any relationship, better than going out and partying, better playing xbox....because this is going to make all those things better as life goes on. Ok well maybe not the advanced degree...but it puts me in better health and aids in me having a clearer mind to focus better at work.
This week in running has been awesome too because I ran a 5k and took about 30 seconds off my 5k time from the previous week. In addition, at this 5k I had the support of my sister-in-law and niece. They crossed the finish line before me and cheered me on at the end, which probably was the reason I beat my time!! Thanks Gwen&Grace!! And also my wonderful high school friend and now neighbor...she goes with me out the the park.....now with the foot she has on me height wise....we run at our own pace and meet up at the end. But it awesome to have someone to tell your little accomplishments to! Thanks Erin! Like to today I was telling here the little stuff that excites me....like I can now stand on one foot and stretch without having to hold on to the car....you must understand this is a little milestone for a pleasantly plump girl like myself.
Over the next week I have another 5k and will be meeting up with the running group I joined for the first time. Oh and I always will have another weight watchers meeting....which I am beginning to think that plan is pointless for me because it has only been since I have been running about 20 miles a week that I have been able to lose weight...and a little bit at that...shedding inches at a nice pace but not lbs....so I am thinking it is time to take my cash for weight watchers and invest that in running!! I guess you could say I am transiting out of the weight loss group into the lean mean and fit group....boy to have some catching up to do!! I have to say the running will benefit much more....but we shall see...I do like some of things about weight watchers...but the focus is only weight...that is the only thing that is rewarded....which I know is the point, which makes me think maybe it is just not for me.
Peace out!!
In the past week I have found two great new running spots the country and more of the bike path. First, the country between corn fields and bean fields, it was so peaceful out there...It made me think back to when we praying for it to stop raining so the farmers could plant the fields and now we the farmers are preparing for a harvest....the difference is somewhat characteristic in my life. To think where I was back in May to now....Wow what a difference. For the first time since I have moved back, I can say I am truly happy here. Now that does not mean I will stay, that is dependent on what life brings. But I am not miserable like I was before. Two things have changed....one is I do more for my parents now, which is very rewarding and hard all at the same time and I do this running thing. I guess it is true what the say running brings positive endorphins. I do believe I have experienced a few cases of a runners high...along with the really why am I doing this? But overall I have to say above anything I have experienced or put forth to do since I have been home, this is the best. Better than getting an advanced degree, better than any relationship, better than going out and partying, better playing xbox....because this is going to make all those things better as life goes on. Ok well maybe not the advanced degree...but it puts me in better health and aids in me having a clearer mind to focus better at work.
This week in running has been awesome too because I ran a 5k and took about 30 seconds off my 5k time from the previous week. In addition, at this 5k I had the support of my sister-in-law and niece. They crossed the finish line before me and cheered me on at the end, which probably was the reason I beat my time!! Thanks Gwen&Grace!! And also my wonderful high school friend and now neighbor...she goes with me out the the park.....now with the foot she has on me height wise....we run at our own pace and meet up at the end. But it awesome to have someone to tell your little accomplishments to! Thanks Erin! Like to today I was telling here the little stuff that excites me....like I can now stand on one foot and stretch without having to hold on to the car....you must understand this is a little milestone for a pleasantly plump girl like myself.
Over the next week I have another 5k and will be meeting up with the running group I joined for the first time. Oh and I always will have another weight watchers meeting....which I am beginning to think that plan is pointless for me because it has only been since I have been running about 20 miles a week that I have been able to lose weight...and a little bit at that...shedding inches at a nice pace but not lbs....so I am thinking it is time to take my cash for weight watchers and invest that in running!! I guess you could say I am transiting out of the weight loss group into the lean mean and fit group....boy to have some catching up to do!! I have to say the running will benefit much more....but we shall see...I do like some of things about weight watchers...but the focus is only weight...that is the only thing that is rewarded....which I know is the point, which makes me think maybe it is just not for me.
Peace out!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Progress
Well I have not written since Monday and there is actually a lot to talk about today with only having 4 run/walks between then and now. My first accomplishment of the week, which I thought was going to be the big one, was that I ran for a whole mile without stopping on Wednesday....small potatoes I know when your goal is to run 13.1 miles but to me it was an accomplishment.
Wednesday was also the family tradition dinner as I call it....so I had a blast with my family and friends after cooking spareribs most of the day and who can resist MaMa's BBQ sauce.....carb loaded for sure but oh so good. But some pictures were taken....yeah I still had my running clothes on....I did not realize how much this running/walking was really changing my life...cause the scale is not showing it....so I checked my measurements and had drop five inches in just a week and a half. I also compared this to fourth of July pictures, yep something is working. So this is what I am looking at now...my body does not want to drop weight right now....its all about conversion. Which mean when its decides to stop dropping weight....watch out!!
Tuesday of this week....I reached one of the first goals which was to run 50 miles cumulatively....well after today's 7.5 mile run (talk more about this later) I am at 64 miles since July 16....time re-evaluate the goals. So putting that in some terms I ran the same distance it takes to from my house to Cincinnati, well the GE plant in Cincinnati.
Saturday of this week I completed my first 5k since I truly decided myself to this goal. I completed two 5k earlier this year and would do fun runs, turkey trots etc in Saudi. But this one....this one means something because this is truly my starting point to gage improvement. Now I did one back in June which I believe my time was around 55 minutes. Saturday race took me around 47:30....I am waiting for the official time to be posted. Now I know I made some mistakes in this one which could have effected my overall performance. When the race started I pushed myself really hard, not intentionally but it just happened to stay up with the other runners, which left me a little winded at about a half of mile. As a result I had to walk for quit a bit. So I will just have remember I am not one of those people....well at least not yet.
Today was a great day. Today I accomplished 7.5 miles in eight more minutes than I did 6.5 miles last week....so there is progress...I thought I had completed at least 8, but my Nike plus was off...luckily I ran in a park in which I was able to find the distance online....that being Duke Park....boy do I love Duke Park....which that brings me to one of favorite things associated with running....the beautiful trails and parks around this area. The taxes we pay are really well worth it. While I am still a little partial to running in the neighborhood because I figured if it is absolutely too much I am not to far from home...more importantly my couch. But this morning I went out to Duke Park and it was so peaceful, well as peaceful as it could be with Usher, Lady Gaga and Britney blaring in my ears. But today after the first half mile I continue with a nice steady slow jog only slowing down after maybe every half of mile for 30 seconds to a minute. It actually hurt to walk and felt good to run. Today I was looking more to increase my distance I wasn't so concerned about the time. It took me just over two hours so I was about at a 17 mile pace, yesterday I ran right around a 15:30 mile pace. Over time I know both will improve because they have in the last week. My three mile runs now is where I strive to better my time and one day a week I challenge myself to a greater distance than the week before. Oh I am sure my endurance was all due to my carb loading of skyline...since I got hungry at the beginning of lap four...I think I may go with a bigger one next week especially if I am going to increase distance. Well so it is my excuse to enjoy skyline...really I should make a health choice of pasta but I don't worry about eating my Skyline knowing I am going to run my butt off the next morning.
So today I hope I am not too sore to go out and mow my lawn....and clean up my house a bit...but we shall see...I have already put on my most value thing to running which is flexall and icy hot...cause I know today really challenged the muscles.
Oh I almost forgot.... this week I also joined a running club. This I believe will be the extra push I need to be able to run a half marathon instead of just finish a half marathon. I have not met anyone from the group yet...but will hopefully during the week some time.
Wednesday was also the family tradition dinner as I call it....so I had a blast with my family and friends after cooking spareribs most of the day and who can resist MaMa's BBQ sauce.....carb loaded for sure but oh so good. But some pictures were taken....yeah I still had my running clothes on....I did not realize how much this running/walking was really changing my life...cause the scale is not showing it....so I checked my measurements and had drop five inches in just a week and a half. I also compared this to fourth of July pictures, yep something is working. So this is what I am looking at now...my body does not want to drop weight right now....its all about conversion. Which mean when its decides to stop dropping weight....watch out!!
Tuesday of this week....I reached one of the first goals which was to run 50 miles cumulatively....well after today's 7.5 mile run (talk more about this later) I am at 64 miles since July 16....time re-evaluate the goals. So putting that in some terms I ran the same distance it takes to from my house to Cincinnati, well the GE plant in Cincinnati.
Saturday of this week I completed my first 5k since I truly decided myself to this goal. I completed two 5k earlier this year and would do fun runs, turkey trots etc in Saudi. But this one....this one means something because this is truly my starting point to gage improvement. Now I did one back in June which I believe my time was around 55 minutes. Saturday race took me around 47:30....I am waiting for the official time to be posted. Now I know I made some mistakes in this one which could have effected my overall performance. When the race started I pushed myself really hard, not intentionally but it just happened to stay up with the other runners, which left me a little winded at about a half of mile. As a result I had to walk for quit a bit. So I will just have remember I am not one of those people....well at least not yet.
Today was a great day. Today I accomplished 7.5 miles in eight more minutes than I did 6.5 miles last week....so there is progress...I thought I had completed at least 8, but my Nike plus was off...luckily I ran in a park in which I was able to find the distance online....that being Duke Park....boy do I love Duke Park....which that brings me to one of favorite things associated with running....the beautiful trails and parks around this area. The taxes we pay are really well worth it. While I am still a little partial to running in the neighborhood because I figured if it is absolutely too much I am not to far from home...more importantly my couch. But this morning I went out to Duke Park and it was so peaceful, well as peaceful as it could be with Usher, Lady Gaga and Britney blaring in my ears. But today after the first half mile I continue with a nice steady slow jog only slowing down after maybe every half of mile for 30 seconds to a minute. It actually hurt to walk and felt good to run. Today I was looking more to increase my distance I wasn't so concerned about the time. It took me just over two hours so I was about at a 17 mile pace, yesterday I ran right around a 15:30 mile pace. Over time I know both will improve because they have in the last week. My three mile runs now is where I strive to better my time and one day a week I challenge myself to a greater distance than the week before. Oh I am sure my endurance was all due to my carb loading of skyline...since I got hungry at the beginning of lap four...I think I may go with a bigger one next week especially if I am going to increase distance. Well so it is my excuse to enjoy skyline...really I should make a health choice of pasta but I don't worry about eating my Skyline knowing I am going to run my butt off the next morning.
So today I hope I am not too sore to go out and mow my lawn....and clean up my house a bit...but we shall see...I have already put on my most value thing to running which is flexall and icy hot...cause I know today really challenged the muscles.
Oh I almost forgot.... this week I also joined a running club. This I believe will be the extra push I need to be able to run a half marathon instead of just finish a half marathon. I have not met anyone from the group yet...but will hopefully during the week some time.
Monday, August 8, 2011
You know you have become a runner when...
Today is the day that I knew I had become a runner.... when on my way to work I stopped off at Meijer to get icy hot and flexall. Yep...to make it through the day I needed this...I pushed it to six and half miles on Saturday and well Sunday and Monday I felt the pain. realized at about noon...hey this icy hot is really working...so I put some more on because I realized there was hope I could run tonight since I missed last night. So today the most valuable running item is the icy hot!! Who in their right mind runs only after applying icy hot three times a day to their calves.... this girl.
Ok let's talk about the running a little bit....I can't run for the whole time I am out....but lets talk about progress...I started this adventure on July 16, 2011...23 days ago I could barely walk 2 miles and not be exhausted. I mearly was training to be able to walk the Air Force 10k on September 17th. As far as running I could make it from my driveway to my neighbors....so tonight when I was running more than I was walking for the first two miles I was stoked....I finished 3.14 miles in 48 minutes...a pace of 15:20 miles....this is with a blister below my left ankle and need I remind of the pain in the calves.
My body is still adjusting....I am sure it is wondering when I am going to give on this...it is not use to an intense workout regiment longer than two weeks. So I am having some trouble sleeping and of course the sore muscles and blisters if anyone knows any tricks let me know!!
Ok....here are one other sign..yep I am a runner...
First, let's talk about the blister....I was on a short trip to Dallas last week for business and well...I remembered my shoes but forgot my socks...thinking well I am only going to go for two miles on the treadmill...I will be alright....well so goes the story of the blister.
More to come as this journey continues!!
Ok let's talk about the running a little bit....I can't run for the whole time I am out....but lets talk about progress...I started this adventure on July 16, 2011...23 days ago I could barely walk 2 miles and not be exhausted. I mearly was training to be able to walk the Air Force 10k on September 17th. As far as running I could make it from my driveway to my neighbors....so tonight when I was running more than I was walking for the first two miles I was stoked....I finished 3.14 miles in 48 minutes...a pace of 15:20 miles....this is with a blister below my left ankle and need I remind of the pain in the calves.
My body is still adjusting....I am sure it is wondering when I am going to give on this...it is not use to an intense workout regiment longer than two weeks. So I am having some trouble sleeping and of course the sore muscles and blisters if anyone knows any tricks let me know!!
Ok....here are one other sign..yep I am a runner...
First, let's talk about the blister....I was on a short trip to Dallas last week for business and well...I remembered my shoes but forgot my socks...thinking well I am only going to go for two miles on the treadmill...I will be alright....well so goes the story of the blister.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)