Making the Fat Cry!

 So here it is the beginning of February and I am 16lbs lighter. Holy cow I cannot believe it myself! I would love to tell you it has been all because of my hard work, but to be truthful it has been pretty easy so far (ahh jinxing myself!!!). My mind is so set on changing my life that I really am confident with all my food choices and workouts. I have been following the Weight Watchers 360 program and doing a Couch to 5K program. I also have a 10K training plan set and my half training plan in place. So I am feeling really good about life right now. My back had been about 75% better! I noticed a difference after the first 5lbs, by 10lbs I could run and not feel to much pain with some stretching of my back and hips. Now I am running regularly and having very minimal pain. Right now I am holding tight on to this weight and fitness accomplishment. I know I will be hitting a wall someday so while I am on cloud 9 I am going to enjoy it.

Time to remove the couch from my ass....Again!

I have been using the phrase "When I start running again..." way to much lately and not actually running. So tomorrow I am going to start the "Couch to 5K" program from the beginning. Hopefully getting back into a running routine will restart my mojo and get me back in runner mode.
13.1 I am coming to getcha! :)

Holy Cow! I Did It!!!

So I have been looking back at past posts of my Couch to 5K journey, trying to think of something to say about how I feel now that I have completed my goal of running a 5K.  It is amazing to see how my views on running have changed over the last 16 weeks. When I started this "Project" all I really wanted to do was run a full 5K just to be able to say I did it. I had no plans of becoming a runner, I wasn't even sure I would make it through to do the first one. Now I have training schedules and plans of Half marathons in my not so near future.

 Doing that first 5K was a mix of emotions for me. Being sick the whole week prior to the race affected my performance and I ran the race way slower then I was expecting. Thus making me feel disappointed. But crossing that finish line, running every step of that race, doing the 5K I set out to was an amazing feeling. I set a goal, worked hard and achieved it. I am not good at following through and sticking with things. But this time I did and it was so worth it.

 Running is kinda a solo sport. Your the only one making your legs move, talking yourself into not stopping, making yourself to push harder. But to say I did this on my own would be a mistake. I had a whole army helping me reach this goal. My husband dealing with non-stop running talk, making sure we budget money for running clothes and races, and for letting me get away for workouts on the weekends. My Mother and father for watching the kids for me during the week when I needed to get away for a work out. My Brother Andy for being a bad ass Iron man and inspiring me to start this journey in the first place. Last but not least my Brother Eric also known as my coach. He made my schedule and forced me to check in with him on how every work out went. He was my go to guy with all my running questions. I am sure all my concerns were annoyingly trivial and "Newbie" to him, but he still helped me however he could. He ran a couple workouts with me at my extremely slow pace, and went out of his way to make sure he was at my first race and ran every step with me even though I was disappointingly slow. I am so Thankful for him and all he has done to help me reach this goal. I am an extremely lucky sister.

 So What now? you say. Well I have a bunch of 5K's planned for the spring and summer. But my next big goal is a 10K race in October. So my running shoes are still on, and I don't think they will coming off anytime soon!!

5 Sleeps!

That is right! As The Princess would say, 5 Sleeps until my first 5K. I have no words really. I can not believe that I even made it this far. 

15 weeks

111 miles

This is crazy!!! I have two more workouts then the big race. I am excited, nervous, scared and happy all at the same time. I am totally blown away that I am going to do this. Run a 5K. Up til this adventure I never ran more then 1 mile and not by choice. Now I find I can run 3 miles, and feel amazing after.

Well with me luck and think of me Friday because me and my pink sparkle skirt will be running that 3.1 miles!

The Free Beer At The End Was The Best Reward!!

On Sunday March 27th 2011 I ran my first race ever. The Manchester Shamrock Shuffle. It was a 2 mile race I did with some friends for fun. I wanted to get a race under my belt, So I knew what to expect at my 5K in April. My goal was to just run the whole thing. I was sure I could since I run 2+ miles in training, but I wanted to see what I could do in a racing environment. Well I ended up cutting over a minute off my normal mile pace. I am totally surprised with this! Don't get me wrong, it was tough work and I struggled keeping up that pace. But it was way better then I expected.

 My Brother/Coach did the race with me and ran the whole thing by my side even though I am sure I run at his walking pace. This was very helpful and I am so grateful for his coaching! Not only did he help me know what to do to prep for a race but also he helped walk me through the whole thing. I also feel he contributed to my faster pace and now he will be forced to run every race with me :)

 All in all the race was challenging and fun! And the free beer at the end was the best reward!!

Kinda Makes The Suffering Worth It......

The best part of running is that feeling you get right after you finish a run. The run can be a great run or it could be your worst run yet, not matter which one the feeling is usually the same. It is almost indescribable. Like a surge of adrenaline. At first it was more of a "Thank god I am finished with this running shit" but now its more of a "Whoa, That felt good". I am still not crazy about running while I am actually running, but it is getting better, and that feeling kinda makes the suffering worth it.

Half Way!

So I am just starting week 9 of my C25K. Which means I have completed 8 of my 16 weeks of training! One way I look at it I am very excited and proud to have stuck with this for 8 weeks. Another way I look at it I can't believe I am only 8 weeks in. Either way I am half way there, and so happy with my progress. 

Even 8 weeks in I am learning a lot about myself and this running thing. For one, I HATE running on a treadmill and try my hardest to avoid it. Another thing I have learned it that running outside without the ipod is surprisingly therapeutic. And Proper running gear totally makes a difference. I have also learned that I can be a running person. Can you believe I have already started looking into 10K training programs. I even have a 10K race in mind for a goal! I also and getting more into other exercises to improve my running. I know!!! I hardly recognize myself!

All in all this is a great journey, and I think it is going to change me for the better! 

Fake It Til You Make It!

I recently bought myself a new running outfit. Like the real kind that real runners wear! I outfitted myself with clothing that will keep me warm in this winter weather so I never have to run on a treadmill again.

Well I wore the outfit for the first time today, and I felt like an impostor. I wore clothing for a runner. I looked like a runner. But I still don't think of myself as a runner. I feel like everyone was looking at me in my new running clothing and thinking "Why is she wearing those clothes she is not a real runner".  (I know, I know it's just clothing)

I have been doing my C25K for almost 8 weeks now, I am still walking about a 1/3 of my workouts. I realize I have come so far but I still can't call myself a runner. So at what point can I call myself a runner? When will I feel like a runner?

Hitting the Pavement!

I decided to shake things up a bit for my workout today. I had such a miserable time last week with my training that I had to do something to keep up my motivation. Since the temp wasn't so bad out today, and the road was pretty clear of snow and slush, I took my run outside to the road. I was nervous at first, but once I got to it, it was great!!! I could totally see my improvement. The running part was tough at first but once I got my pace I felt great. And when my running sets were done I didn't feel the normal feeling of "Finally" it was more like "Oh, okay I can stop now". And I felt I could have got further if I needed to.

 This is just the running experience I needed to keep my motivation up! I feel like I can reach that 5K goal and maybe more! Instead of feeling dread and doubt, I feel excited and think this goal is totally within reach!!

Runners Anonymous.......

So I am officially obsessed with running. I know it's weird! I have only been doing this C25K stuff for 5 and a half weeks, and I only run for about 15 minutes split up with some walking. But I am really into this. I spend most free time on line looking at clothing, stretches, races, shoes, and runner blogs. I examine over and over again my training schedule, and my progress.  I am constantly thinking about my first race, and how it is going to feel crossing that finish line. On my days off I am figuring out my next workout, and on my workout days I dream of the time when running a 5K will be fun and easy.

 It is a sick addiction! While I am running I mostly am not having fun, but when I am not running I want to be! I think I might need a Runners Anonymous meeting.

I wonder will this obsession wear off after time, or will this be my life from now on?

Dear Treadmill, I HATE YOU!!!

I can not wait for spring. I am now craving to do my C25K workouts outside. But with the slush and snow I am stuck on the treadmill. Our apartment complex has a gym, not the best gym but a free gym so it works for me. They have old treadmills stuffed in a room in the community building. I think the biggest problem is they keep the temp at 80 degrees and there is no air flow. Running in a hot stuffy room is not fun at all. I am praying and waiting for the day the roads are clear enough for me to run on. Right now I am worried with the snow and slush, and the fact that I have never really run outside, that I might hurt myself. 

 So I hope that ground hog is right and that we end up with an early spring! I mean I think we deserve it with all the snow we are getting this winter!

I Ran and Liked It!!!!

I am not sure if it was the easy workout, or the fact that I got to get out of my sick child infested house and do something for myself, but I loved my workout yesterday. It is my easy week and I am back to doing 90 second reps. This time 90 seconds was nothing! Usually I watch every second tick by during my running reps, but this time I barely noticed the time and even caught myself running over time! Again I understand it is only 90 seconds, but when I look back at how I used to feel about running 90 seconds I am amazed. There really is hope for me to be able to run 5K and not hate myself every step of the way. I mean I'll probably have to start running marathons before I feel like a 5K is a walk in the park, but at least I know it is possible!!

Couch to 5K Week 4.....You Suck!!!

So my Couch to 5K week 4 looks something like this:

Day 1-

10 Min warm up walk
1 X 60 sec jog 60sec walk
2 X 3 min jog 60sec walk
1 X 60 sec jog 60sec walk
10 Min Cool Down

Day 2-

10 Min warm up walk
1 X 60 sec jog 60sec walk
3 X 3 min jog 60sec walk
1 X 60 sec jog 60sec walk
10 Min Cool Down 

Day 3-

10 Min warm up walk
1 X 60 sec jog 60sec walk
2 X 4 min jog 60sec walk
1 X 60 sec jog 60sec walk
10 Min Cool Down

The weeks before today the longest I ran was 90 second, which was fine, because just as I got sick if running I got to stop. Well not today. I had to push through that feeling of "I want to stop now" and it sucked.

I know most of you are thinking "quit your whining, it's only 3 minutes!" And for the most part I feel the same way, but the last time I ran 3minutes I was 14 years younger and about 70 pounds lighter. So 3 minutes is a big deal to me. But I did it today and I feel great. During the run I would be lying if I said the thought of quitting didn't pass through my head. I really hate running when I am running. But I have to accomplish this, and I will. Even if it means Hating every step across the finish line.

So my message to Week 4 is F*** You!! Because nothing is stopping this Mom!!

The Race

So the race I have chosen as my first 5K is the 7th Annual NHTI/Delta Dental 5K Road Race. There was no reason for choosing this race other then when it was happening and that it was in my town. It will be on April 22nd, that seemed like a good time frame for my training. That is a full 16 weeks training.

I am now into my 3rd week. The first workout of week 3 went very well. The running part is still hard but getting better. Still only running for 60-90seconds at a time, broken up with 90seconds of walking. The one big lesson I have learned form this so far is that I might want to cut down on the garlic and onions I eat, since that's all I smell when I do my workout!!!  lol!! Oh well could be worse I guess! 

So all in all things are going well. The workouts are not so bad when my mind frame is in a good place. If I am in a bad mood i find my workout sucks!!! So my goal is to try and always be in a good mood and hopefully my workouts won't suck.

My Couch to 5K Journey!

All my life I have seen people run and was envious. The cool clothes, shoes and gadgets along with the fit and tones bodies. I wanted to be them. So year after year I got on the treadmill and tried to run myself. I HATE IT!! Yes i know surprise, I hate running. In my head it is so much better then in reality. But still that goal of running a 5K race is in the back of my head.

 My 2 Brothers are super athletes. They do it all, but mostly they run. They run miles and miles. When they come visit they are always off doing some workout or another. Running, Biking, Swimming. They are damn Triathlete for cookie sake!!! Then there is me. The larger, lazier, mother of 2 sister, Who would rather bake for days then run one step.

 So I have made a promise to myself and only myself to run that 5K this year! Maybe two! But I am going to do it. So I started the Couch to 5K Program. My Brother came up with a good 3 day a week workout schedule for me to follow based off the ones you can get online. I am currently in week 2. Week one was great! I was motivated, it felt good to work out. I *Hearted* my 60 second runs. But now I hate it. Who would have thought 90 second of running would suck so much. I feel great after, but during I feel like banging my head on a wall. But I am going to do this if it kills me!! To be honest the only thing that keeps me going are the cute running clothes I get to buy when I do my race. Also I promised myself I can wear a cute Team Sparkle Skirt at my race! 

I plan to journal my journey to 5K here so stay tuned for my progress!! I WILL RUN A 5K!!!! If only for the cute skirt :)