Weeks 11 & 12 - Keep On Keepin' On

Well, I've only run 2 times in the past 2 weeks. I'm okay with that because my muscle was sore. Last time I ran (Sunday, October 28) my muscle was fine, no pain or soreness. So, I'm back on to running again. I was going to run today, but realized I probably shouldn't run on Halloween - who knows how many people will be out and about and I'd rather avoid running into anyone (literally!). :D

My last two runs were 30 minutes. Although after a week off, I couldn't do the full 30 minutes, but I did do 25 minutes, which isn't bad for a full week off...I'm certainly not complaining. I just need to make sure I get back on track with the running, otherwise, I may just stop completely...and I don't want to do that. I'm so close to that 5k...got to keep on keepin' on. :)

Tomorrow I have another 30 minute run scheduled and I'm all ready for doing it. We are in the process of looking into a gym membership - that way weather is not an excuse for skipping our runs.

A few weeks ago, I gave up Splenda in my coffee. I went cold turkey and I haven't gone back. I'd like to cut cream out of my coffee, but I tried my coffee black one day, and ended up adding Splenda in. So, I can drink coffee with sugar or cream, but not without one or the other. I think it's a step in the right direction.

I've also done a lot of reading lately. I've read two vegetarian books: Plant Based Diet Simplified: A Concise & Easy to Read Guide on How to Lose Weight with Plant-Based Nutrition and Forks Over Knives (I've also seen this documentary). Watching the Forks Over Knives Documentary really got me thinking about what I really put into my body. Can you really prevent diseases with a plant-based diet? I'm going to keep reading and researching...I have one thought I'd like to share. In Genesis 1:29-30 it says, "Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.'” (youversion, emphasis mine)

This tells me that God created us to be vegetarians. The only reason meat became an option is because of the fall...when sin entered the world, so did death/eating meat.

I have at least one more vegetarian book on my kindle to read, "How to Successfully Become a Vegetarian or Vegan" by Rudy Hadisentosa. I'll keep you posted!

Week 10: Running along

Well, my last run was Monday and I don't plan on running again until Sunday. My left calf muscle has been sore. I felt it in my last run, and since then I feel it every day just walking. My chiropractor worked some magic on it and taped it up for me. It has gotten better. What stinks for me, I don't do a desk job, so I'm on my feet and walking around a lot...needless to say, my muscle has really only gotten rest at night when I get home from work.

Sunday will be my first 30 minute run, which concerns me a little, because I haven't run all week, but I'm sure it will be fine.

This week has been very encouraging. Last week I tightened my belt a notch. This week, I tightened my belt another notch and I'm even wearing a belt with my jeans (which I didn't have to do at all, previously). This is very encouraging. I can't wait to weigh in in Monday this week.

On Sunday I also start tracking my foods in more detail to help my aunt (my mother's sister) out. She went back to school to become a dietician and she needed a case study. Having high cholesterol, I offered to help in anyway I could. There are many dietary issues on my mother's side of the family (as well as my father's - hence the high cholesterol) - including diabetes & Crohn's disease, so she had many choices of family members for her case study. I'm just glad to help and can't wait for her evaluation.

Week 9: Runs 27 & 28

I didn't run for 3 days in a row this week, which I was a little worried about today, as I was doing my second 25 minute run.

Somehow, I am off on my run schedule. When I started I was doing whatever week I was on run 1 on the first day I ran for the week (Sunday), now my first run is falling at the end of the week. Today was the first run for week 7 - which is running for 25 minutes straight. I will do this same run for my next 2 runs, then move up to 28 minutes (week 8), then 30 minutes (week 9), this should all culminate into my being able to run a 5k...I'm almost there and I'm so excited! :)

In just 9 weeks, I've gone from struggling to run 1 minute to running 25 minutes straight! It can be done, even if you're overweight (I know this because I am and I'm doing it). You can do anything you put your put your mind to. If you believe you can do it, you can!

Before I've been running my 25s, I just say a little prayer asking God to help me run for the entire 25 minutes. I'm hoping, soon, to be able to do 4 laps (including the warm up and cool down) at our running spot.

Week 8: Runs 24-26

 Somewhere I didn't count my runs right, but I checked my activity on Runkeeper and I'm about to move on to run 27. I can't believe I've been running for 8 weeks and almost 30 runs! Eight weeks ago I was struggling to run 1 minute, now I'm running for 10 minutes straight! I feel great!

Today we went to Dick Pond Athletics, our local mom & pop running store. They evaluated Terry and found out he is an overpronator (to learn more about overpronation, check out this article on Runner's World). Terry's been experiencing some pain in his ankle when running, so it was recommended that he visit a running store to get evaluated for the right shoes. Better to find out now before he injures himself. Needless to say, he did get new shoes. We went running and he didn't have any problems or pain. YAY!

Since we were at the store, figured I might as well make sure I have the right shoes too. And I do, I'm neutral.

This week I had to go downtown for training for work, so I got to walk downtown for two days. The second day we got out a little early, so I was able to do a little touring (been awhile since I did the tourist thing downtown). I visited the Bean and Buckingham Fountain....it was a nice 2+ mile walk.

This week's runs went well. I started out the week with 20 minutes of running, no walking (although I did walk, and didn't run the full 20 minutes. I ended up running 18 minutes); next run was 18 minutes of running (run 5, walk 3, run 8, walk 3, run 5) - which I did without any troubles; today's run was 10 minutes running, 3 minutes walking, 10 minutes running...and I did it! and it felt great! I'm running for 10 minutes straight! The next run, 20 minutes of running no walking, outside of warm up and cool down. Then the amount of time running just increases from there. I can't wait! Three weeks away from my 5K goal! (since i repeated a few weeks.)

Week 7: Runs 19-21

It was a good week of runs. I opted to run the 5 minutes 3 times twice. However, I wasn't expecting run 2 to be two 8 minute runs. I did a 5 minute warm up, 8 minute run, then walked for 8 minutes (was only supposed to be 5), then ran for 5 (was supposed to be 8), then a 5 minute cool down. Today's run - the actual third run for the week I'm on (which is week 5) is supposed to be running for 20 minutes. 

Run 23 is 1 5 minute warm up, 5 minute run, 3 minute walk, 8 minute run, 3 minute walk, 5 minute run, 5 minute cool down.

Run 24 is 5 minute warm up, 10 minute run, 3 minute walk, 10 minute run, 5 minute cool down.

Run 25 is 5 minute warm up, 25 minute run, 5 minute cool down.

I know you build up as you go, it just seems weird that I would run 20 minutes, then go back to running week 5 run 1.

The 5 minute warm up, 8 minute run, 5 minute walk, 8 minute run, 5 minute cool down that i did on Saturday was done at a Ladies' Retreat in Northern Wisconsin. It was cold! I am so thankful that I had bought a running jacket and gloves and brought them with me. As I was running I lost layers. I ran laps around a circle on which our cabin was located...I ran 8 loops. I thought my next run would be the same all week long (5 minute cool down/warm up, run 5 minutes 3 times with 3 minute walks in between), so I was surprised and unprepared to run the two 8 minute runs. I feel like I need to run the second run of the week again, since I didn't successfully complete the second 8 minute run. I know I can do anything I put my mind to...so I'm ready to re-run that run and next time move on to running 20 minutes straight.

One thing I've been enjoying, since we've been doing our own runs at the park, is seeing the other runners. We see the same people every time we go. The funny thing is, there's a speed walker too...and when I'm running, he walks passed me. :D I think it's hilarious! And I'm not discouraged at all...some day, I'll be running faster than his speed walk. (He just brings out my competitive nature.) Oh! And he is an older gentleman - 60-ish.

Week 6: Runs 16-18

This week my husband started running. So, my first run this week, I did at his pace - the first week on the Get Running app. Doing this run with him, I realized how far I've come...six weeks ago, I was struggling to run for 1 minute straight (8 times)...now, 1 minute runs are a breeze and I barely break a sweat. After seeking advice from other runners who run and a spouse has joined up later, I decided to run my runs on alternate days (i.e., Monday run with hubby, Tuesday run my week in the Get Running app, Wednesday run with hubby, Thursday...you get the picture). So, that's what I've done so far this week. The way I see it, running with the hubby helps build my endurance and I can work on running faster for 1 minute. Right now, though, I'm not pushing myself too hard as I'm still new to this whole running thing. Maybe once I'm able to run a 5k, I'll work on running faster when running the hubby...by then, he'll probably be where I am right now. :)

I'm really enjoying my time running. However, I don't feel energized yet. Maybe once I lose more weight, I'll start feeling like I have more energy. I can tell you a couple of things, since I started running...

1. I sleep all night long, I don't wake up from hearing things in the night (my husband snores).
2. I'm not as hungry as I used to be....especially after running.
3.  I feel better all around. I mean, I'm running! I can't tell you the last time I ran (especially for fun)...high school soccer team - maybe?

Anyway, it's a great way to reduce stress. I find that I don't really think about much while running. I only really have my iPod with me so I know when to run/walk...I don't really pay attention to the music I'm listening too (today was Journey, since I'm on one).

Next week's runs are 5 minutes with 3 minutes walking in between, plus warm up and cool down. I may do one more of this week's runs to give myself some reassurance that I can do the 5 minute runs. After all, I did it tonight for the first time all the way through, so I think an extra day won't hurt. :)

Week 5: Runs 13-14

My first run this week was hard...5 minute warm up, 3 minute walk/run & 5 minute walk run (2 times each), and 5 minute cool down. The first two runs were no problem. The second 3 minute run...I could only do 2 minutes. The second 5 minute run, I only ran 3 minutes. My calf muscle was sore afterwards, so I iced it.

Today's run, I went back to week fours runs: 1.5 minute run/walk, 3 minute run/walk (2 times each) + 5 minute warm up/cool down. My muscle did not hurt while running, but feels a little sore now. Next run will be a repeat of this one...maybe next week I'll run for 5 minutes straight twice...Nevermind, make that "I will" run for 5 minutes twice next week. :)