Sunday, August 26, 2012

Week 3: Run 8 & 9

Both runs went great! Because of traveling, I switched my schedule up to ensure I got my runs in...didn't get all my strength training days in, but I'm okay with that, since I'm working on running anyway.

Run 9 I did in Michigan on the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. It's a paved path, it's listed on the rails to trails website (www.railstotrails.org). I've wanted to run a trail by home, but I have to drive to them - kind of defeats the purpose of running, in my opinion. But it was a really nice, smooth run. I'm definitely going to check out running on a trail by home...at least while the weather's still good.

Next week is run for 1.5 minutes/walk for 1.5 minutes (2 times) and then a 3 minute run/3 minute walk. Wonder why they skipped running for 2.5 minutes? :) well, I'll keep you posted on how it goes...it's going to be good!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Week 3: Run 7 - Moving on up!

Well, today was the day. I moved on to week 2 in Get Running. That's 5 minute warm/cool down and 1.5 min run/2 min walk 6 times each. Overall it went well. I feel great...just need to get some breakfast into me now. :)

I struggled with the last two runs...my footfalls were harder for the last two, I was getting tired. I did try to not land so hard, but that did take some effort. Can't wait for run 2 on Wednesday! Tomorrow's weigh-in day, so we'll see how that goes.

I'm going to put a bar on the side of my blog showing weight loss to date and miles run. Keep in mind, weigh-ins are once/week on Monday.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Week 2: Run 6 - moving up

Today's run went well. Considering after I got to work I realized I had a sore area on my left side, lower back. I rubbed it and stretched it all morning. Finally I didn't feel it anymore. I was a little worried that I might not be able to run because of it, but it all worked out.

I went to a local park and ran there. It was nice to see fountains and run across bridges. It was not crowded at all, but then again, I went earlier than I usually do...had a snack in the car ride home, which allowed me to come home, change and run.

I've been noticing my muscles a lot more lately...I can feel the strength training in my abs and arms.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Week 2: Runs 4 & 5

Ooops! Missed a day of posting. Oh well. Could have done it yesterday...it was a rest day.

This week I'm repeating week 1's runs in Get Running (that's the app I'm using). Week 1 is 5 minutes of warming up; 1 minute running to 1.5 minutes walking (repeat 8 times); and 5 minutes of cool down.

Run 4: I felt great afterwards. It was a little later than I would have liked to run, but that's okay...there was enough light. Definitely going to need to find a treadmill...don't want to run when it's pitch black outside in the winter.

Run 5: I tried a new route, since every where says to change up your route and I've been running the same route, so far. It was a little rough...lots of uneven sidewalks, not the kind you trip on, the kind that makes one leg go lower than the other (unnaturally) when running. If I do this route again, I'll be taken to the streets, except the busy road (I think I'll run the grass there (it's wide enough). I think I'm starting my runs too fast...so runs 1, 2, maybe 3 are a little faster than runs 4-8. So, I think I need to slow down on runs 1 and 2 definitely...I feel winded after those 2 runs. I think it's the second one that makes me realize my running pace is too fast and then from there on I slow it down. I'll learn what works for me soon enough. :) That's what this learning to run stuff is all about, isn't it? :D

Overall, running is going well. I'm sticking to 1400 calories or less. Monday is weigh-in day, which I missed blogging about this week. So, I'll report that I'm down 2 lbs. since beginning this running program...16% towards my goal of 15 lbs by Thanksgiving Day.

Weight training tomorrow and Run 6 on Friday. Can't wait!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Week 1: Run 3 - 1 week of running complete

Yesterday I did my third and final run for the week. I didn't feel any soreness in my muscles after my run or the next day. Yay! I think I will repeat week 1's runs as I did feel a little winded after my runs. (week 2 increases to 1.5 minute runs/2 minute walks (8 times each).)

Today I did a crunch workout...lots and lots of crunches. Not feeling it yet, but I'm sure I will tomorrow.

One thing I've noticed, I'm fuller sooner. For example, yesterday we picked up one of our favorite teriyaki fast foods for dinner. I usually eat half of what's in the container and have one day of leftovers. Well, I only ate about a quarter of it when I stopped eating because I was full. Same thing happened today with another meal. Believe me, I'm not complaining, I just didn't realize my appetite would decrease so much with exercise. :)

Friday, August 10, 2012

Week 1: Run 2 - Progress

Tuesday I did some strength training (arms and abs mostly, I tried hard not to do squats and lunges). Wednesday I did my second run...I did all 8-1 minute runs! Quite the accomplishment, IMHO. :) Thursday I took the night off. This evening I did more strength training g (avoiding squats & lunges). My leg muscle have been a little sore, but not uncomfortably sore (part of why I avoided squats & crunches...didn't want to overdue the leg muscles and not be able to run). Any suggestions on good non-running day routines? I'm open for anything...I just want to keep on going!

So, my journey began this past Monday, August 6. My goal is to lose 15 lbs by Thanksgiving, November 22 - - that gives me 15 weeks...so 1 lb/week. I think that's highly doable.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Week 1: Run 1 - Yay! I did it!

Yesterday I did my first couch to 5k training session. It was 5 minutes for warm up; then run 1 minute, walk 1.5 minutes (8 times); then walk for 5 minutes. Overall, I think it went well. My legs started to feel a little jelly like after my fifth 1 minute run, so runs 6-8 were shortened about 10 seconds or so. I'm okay with that...I'm listening to my body and I don't want to overdo it my first day(/week/month either).

Why did I choose this week to start running? Well, my niece and nephew lent us a book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Running" (their first book about running)...in the book it said if you can walk a mile (which I can and then some), then you can start running. So, that's what I did.

I started reading the idiot's guide this past weekend...finished part 1 of the book. Very helpful and informative. It's given a bunch of ideas, including looking into the rails for trails (or something like that)...I wrote the URL down on a piece of paper. Looking forward to finding fun and different places to run in the area, rather than just the neighborhood. As a matter of fact, I'm going to see if I can find a place for my Saturday morning run...I'll keep you posted! Stay tuned for more running updates!