The Journey To 10K

Wait....so......what is this running thing again?

So, I have been "working out" maybe two days a week....it has been enough to maintain only a 6lb weight gain.  I also have been eating like I was starving to death and haven't seen or tasted food in years.  Whatever....it's been bad and that is that.

I have kept up with my once a week karate group class that my Dad teaches, and then maybe one day after work of running?  That part only started recently.  So, i decided that last week was THE week!  I have a 10k in May my friends and that scares the CRAP out of me!

So, I got my 5k-10k App ready ( Download Here ).  I really do miss my Zombie trainer though....I had him with their Couch to 5k App.  I would be laughing out loud while I was running.  It broke some stresses when I almost gave up and it kept me moving.  Off topic, however I recommend that app to EVERYONE!

I started on Friday and did day 1.  The way I function though it put me off for a week.  The app/program itself actually trains you three days a week.

 
So ideally when we don't have THIS weather.....I can run in the evenings and keep with that schedule!

ANYWHO!  I can't stop babbling in circles today!  Back on track here.

Ok, so THIS week I did my Week 1 Day 2 on Wednesday morning...which was really a bad idea because I then had a 770 calorie burn at karate group class.  I not only was a bit sore at my class.  I was also sore in the AM!  Feel the burn right!?

So Thursday morning is a strength training day and it has been kicking my butt!  However I do notice my upper body strength improving so I can't complain.  My Thursday mornings are brought to me courtesy of Jay.  He is a personal trainer at my gym.  He is young with a young family.  AGAIN off topic LoL  He has been working on strengthening my hips and thighs because I have been having some knee pressure while running.  It's been really great!

I went today at 7am and did week 1 day 3!  My knee started to get that air bubble feeling again that hit me in November.  UGGGHHHH!  I did realize that my running shoes are almost a year old and have been used 3 times a week.  I can't NOT do this!

I called Second Sole and talked to Doug?  He always answers the phone.  He looked up my records and said "WOW!  Yeah bring the shoes in and I will check the wear, but you may need some new shoes".  Now, these shoes are SUPER expensive, but they made my feet so happy!  So I am going on Sunday during the kids nap time to hang with Doug and my running shoes...maybe we will bury them and find my back up pair.

I just re-read through what I have typed so far....this has nothing to do with my title...such a jumbled mess!  What is wrong with me today!  FULL MOON!!!!

Ok so I started my 5k-10k App and have completed week 1....there are 8 weeks more and then my 10k in May.  BAM there ya go :)  If you have managed to stick through all of that and get to this end BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS!!!  I apologize for rambling on and posting such a confusing mush of typing.  I will keep you posted on my training and let you know how it goes!

~ <3 ~
Me

Don't Piss In The Wind

Or spit for that matter!  So one icky thing with running is that I get REALLY flemmy.  Like mucus is suffocating me.  So, I read online to make sure you spit.  For me, if I don't, I will physically be sick at the end of my run.  SO, I have learned to spit quite well.

HOWEVER!  I went for a run this morning.  The weather here in Northeastern Ohio is AMAZING right now.  A bit off topic, but I have been running outside a lot.  ANYWHO!  I get to a point where I am having a hard time breathing and swallowing, so I hocker one up and spit into the street.  I was MORTIFIED when this woman runs up right behind me.  I probably almost spit on her if she didn't get at least a misting.

I was SO embarrassed and apologized.  She just smiled and said "Good Morning" after her horrified look that she almost got nailed in the face.  I seriously couldn't believe I had done that.  Why didn't I look?  OH WELL!  She passed my slow ass right up and kept on going.

Other than that awful event, my run was so nice!  I ran 4.5 miles and walked the remaining to hit just over 5 miles.  Felt great!  I am super sore, but I burned like 800 some calories!  So, I use My Fitness Pal to track my food and my fitness.  I have a Garmin Forerunner GPS (purchased it with a company called Hear Rate Monitors USA) watch which I use with a heart rate monitor.  I love it because it takes into consideration my weight, distance, and my heart rate to figure out calories burned.  I knew I had to have burned quite a few because the course I took was pretty steep with some inclines, so it gave me a good work out.  I wasn't going for speed.  I just wanted to do 4 miles and I passed that! 

This honestly has been the best thing I purchased when I started running.  Yes, the clothes are nice, and my Fitbit One is amazing with tracking steps.  BUT, I like exact measurements and this item makes me so happy!  I recommend one to everyone!  I sync it with a website I joined (for free) called Map My Run.  Amazing website and if you don't have the Garmin, or another device to sync with it, you can figure out your course on their website and it will tell you everything you need or want to know! 

The combination of the two of them has helped me immensly.  I like graphs and maps.  Most of all I like knowing exactly how far I have gone and how many calories I have burned.  I like numbers.  Numbers show progress.

It's amazing looking back when I started in the beginning of May 2013 and could barely do that mile.  PLUS that was a combination of running and walking with my Couch to 5k App.  Looking back it seems silly that I couldn't do it.  HOWEVER!  I was a 203 lb almost 31 year old woman of two children that hadn't stuck with a damn thing dealing with my health and exercise.  Now I am down 26 lbs and am feeling amazing.  I have my moments of back tracking, but I find my way back because I miss it!

I honestly can say that I REALLY enjoy running.  I wouldn't say love....quite yet....but I am getting there!  When I don't run I feel run down and tired.  When I run I feel energized and so much better ab out myself!  One of the ladies I worked with made me chuckle!  I brought my running clothes to work Wednesday last week for a VERY cold run around the office.  She looked at me and said "Look at you!  You really are a runner now!". 

She was right!  I don't dread running.  I don't hate it.  I don't say "Oh I hate running.", "I'll only run if something is chasing me.".  NOPE!  I am a runner.  It feels amazing and I enjoy running.  It is a part of my life now and it makes me happy.  Thank you May of 2013 and what you changed in me and for me.  I couldn't imagine my life any other way.  Well, other than maybe winning the lottery or something :)

AMEN!

~ <3 ~
Me

Yes, I Ran

And yes it felt amazing!  I ran 3 miles and then walked a mile at almost 4mph at alvl 5 incline. Holy crap!!  I alternated the incline. Up down up down. I was beat!  I can't wait to do it again!  Change things up for my body!

I can tell it's getting close to that time of the month for me. My tummy is so huge and all I want to do is stay home and lay on the couch. Last weekend I ate everything it seemed. So it all comes together!

Can't wait until THAT'S all over with!

Busy weekend coming up. My husband planned a date night for us Saturday night. He is so sweet!  Dinner and maybe a movie!  I can't wait!

Well I had better get to work!  Busy afternoon ahead!  Thanks for reading!

~ <3 ~

Me