Day 33 -- it's getting easier!

I did 32:11 for 1.98, almost 2:

1 @ 3
4 @ 3.5
10 @ 4
3 @ 3.5
10 @ 4
2 @ 3.5
1 @ 3 - 2.5
1 @ 2 - 1.5

I know that if I run straight instead of a walking break that I would have went farther than 2 miles. I am getting there! Run 3 which takes place on Thursday has me running 25 minutes. I am going to write down how far I go during the 5 minutes of brisk walking in the beginning and subtract that from how far I go in 25 minutes to see what my true mile is.

I have to say that I got bummed getting out of breath walking up the lighthouse stairs but I just ran for 20 minutes at 10 minute increments and I didn't slow down or stop. I struggled but I did not quit. I am gosh darn proud of myself!!

Thank you coolrunning.com for The Couch-to-5K Running Plan!!

Day 32

OK, I had to check the wedding site on the Westport docks for the wedding I am doing this weekend so I walked 20 minutes quickly up and down the dock, then did 10 minutes of walking up then down the Westport Lighthouse steps. Here is what I did on the treadmill while cooking dinner:

1 @ 3.5
2:30 @ 4.5
3 @ 3.5
2 @ 4.5

I was going to do more but keeping an eye out on the dinner ensures that a fire is not started!!

See you tomorrow!

Day 31 -- running outside

I should mention that I am only dating the days as the ones that I exercise. I did not name yesterday, my day off, as Day 31 because I didn't train. I wanted to clear that up as it looks like I have only been going 31 days but it has been a bit longer! =O)

I did 35:24 for 2 miles (purely speculation as I ran outside):

My run was 5 minutes brisk walking,
5 minute running,
3 minutes walking,
8 minutes running,
3 minutes walking,
5 minutes running,
6 minutes walking.

I kept asking my husband who was riding next to me how fast I was going as he has one of those GPS thingies for bikes and he was telling me 5.2 so I would slow down, then 4.8 after adjusting a bit I think I was going around 4 - 4.2 but I gave up asking him and just ran! My son was also riding with us but he is almost 13 and impatient so he was riding ahead.

I also do not know what my distance was. My husband thinks he has the ability to track that but is not sure how to get that going. He is a manual reader so he will have that figured out tonight!

Running outside is different! I didn't perspire as much...woo hoo...but I also was not able to accurately know how fast or how far and I got a few bug bites....blech...I am not much of an outside person anymore. Weird, I know, considering that I was born and raised in California but here in Washington state is different. The weather is more temperate and there are more bugs.

Therein lies the reason I will never do Survivor! My husband thinks I would do really well...does that mean I am manipulative or really good with people...but I will never do it because of the bugs and no water. Food schmood, but no water...heck, no!

Later we are heading out to Westport to check out locations on the dock for my bride whose wedding is next weekend.

See you tomorrow!!

Day 30

I did 30:08 for 1.91:

1 @ 3 mph
4 @ 3.5 mph
1 @ 4 mph
5 @ 4.5 mph
3 @ 3.5 mph
6 @ 4.5 mph
3 @ 3.5 mph
1 @ 4.5 mph
1 @ 4 mph -- OK, I half ran half walked this minute
3 @ 3.5 mph
1 @ 3 - 2.5 mph
1 @ 2 - 1.5 mph

OK, this was supposed to be my easy walk day as this is day 6 and I ran for 20 minutes straight yesterday but I wanted to see how long I could run at 4.5 mph. I did the first set for 5 minutes and my heart rate got up to 163 so I walked for 3, then ran another 6 where my heart rate got up to 166. I walked another 3 minutes and was going to run for another 5 but my whole body said, "Nuh uh!" after 1 minute so I slowed down to 4 mph and halfway through that minute I had to walk. When I start to feel like I am going to fall asleep and can barely keep my eyes open, I know I pushed it waaaayyyy too hard. But I did do 12 minutes at 4.5 mph! Woo hoo! For some reason I am way more proud of that then the 20 minutes yesterday!! If I keep up this on my days off from running, I may pick up my speed soon!!

Honestly, though, I am so glad tomorrow is a day off. It is my sis-in-law's baby shower. Yay! The last few days have been rough for me emotionally but I am hoping to get over these doldrums soon especially tomorrow when I get to visit my sis-in-law, you know?

See you on Sunday!!

Day 29

I did 30:18 for 1.78:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
12 minutes @ 4 mph
8 minutes @ 3.8 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

Oh my goodness, I did it! I ran for 20 minutes straight!! Woo hoo! Admittingly, I did have to slow down .2 mph to get through the remaining 8 minutes of the run. I also had my son pop in Big Bang Theory in the DVD player of my computer as I knew I would struggle with only listening to music. It REALLY helped!!

Weirdly enough, I feel like crying and not a happy cry. It's like I am disappointed that I am not running faster, that I had to slow down...heck, I don't know...

Day 28

I did 30:11 for 1.82:

1 minute @ 3 mph
14 minutes @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

This one was a bit tougher as I ran longer at the beginning clearly evidenced by me going farther, 1.82, as opposed to yesterday where I went 1.75 and I ran for a total of 16 minutes yesterday and only 7 minutes today! That extra .5 of mph in both my walking and running really makes a difference. My heart rate on the other hand much prefers the slower mph! It is what is getting me through the longer runs for sure! Tomorrow I have to run for 20 minutes straight..yikes...

This morning before I ate I did the body test on the Wii Fit and I weigh 149! Woo hoo!!!!! My Wii age is 24....wow...if only...

I know I am not supposed to care about my weight but after exercising 5 weeks straight AND eating well (rice cakes aside), I was beginning to worry! My darn jeans are still tight...what the heck??

Today was a much better day for me emotionally as well thanks to my son, my uncle and a dear friend from my youth. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Day 27

I did 30:21 for 1.75:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
8 minutes @ 4 mph
5 minutes @ 3 mph
8 minutes @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

I was worried that I would not be able to run 8 minutes straight twice, but I did! Woo hoo! One thing that I discovered is that I will need to speed up at some point as I should have done at least 2 miles today and that is only at 26 minutes. It looks like next week's second run has me running 10 minutes which equates to 1 mile and as we have seen I'm only going 1.75 miles in 30 MINUTES! Yikes!

The Couch-to-5K Running Plan lasts for 9 weeks and if I haven't already begun to speed up I will definitely need to after the plan is over. A 10 minute mile....yeesh....

One thing that is not helping is the lack of sleep I am getting. I have mentioned it several times already but I know my body is not getting the rest it requires for this training. It's been years since I have slept more than 3 hours straight but I figured with my training that I would be sleeping better. Everything I have read states that is one of the wonderful effects of running. I have been to my doctor more times than I can count, trust me. The first time I went to him was about 3 years ago and he told me 50% of the population doesn't sleep well. I asked him, "For over 5 years straight???"

I had a breakdown today before my run. I got 2 hours of sleep last night and am still suffering from my rice cake snafu...I still haven't eaten one since Thursday....woo hoo....and I am just plain exhausted. I don't know where to go, who to go to, what to read...scratch that, nothing holds my attention for more than a couple of minutes except a very good fiction so buying any books on how to sleep would be a total waste of money and magazine articles always give the same recommendations. Go to sleep at the same time, turn off the TV, just use your bedroom for sleeping, blah, blah, blah, blah....been there done that, still not sleeping...sigh...

The medicine my doctor had prescribed for me did allow me to sleep for one hour straight when I first went to sleep which is more than the 15 - 30 minutes I am now getting but that would be it and then I am up for the rest of the night and because it has a sedative effect I would be a walking zombie/gumby like person for the day. Plus, he tells me this is one of the reasons I had gained 35 pounds in a year. You can see why I don't take it...an extra 30 minutes of sleep with a trade off of 35 pounds....hmmmm, let me think about it....uh, no!

I better get going since I put off today's run for over 2 hours and I have a ton of errands to run in just a couple of hours so I will be here tomorrow!

Day 26

I did 30:07 for 1.75:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
10 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

At around minute 12 I was only planning on walking and since that is all I was going to do, I was looking at the different trainings I have printed out for beginning runners to quell a bit of the boredom. One I have, has you running every day with one day of rest. On week 5 you start with a 15 minute walk, then run 2, then walk 4 and nothing else after that. The next day you walk 5, run 5 and repeat until you hit 35 minutes. I decided to see on the Couch-to-5 K Running Plan what next week had in store for me and discovered that my second run of THIS week has me walking 5 minutes then run for 8 minutes, walk for 5, then run another 8. Yikes! I print out (or hand write) what my run will do with minute tallys so I know when to switch the treadmill to a different mph and had written down the first run thinking that was the same run all week and it wasn't! Whew...thank goodness I looked!

So, I decided to do a bit of the other plan. I walked the 15 minutes, then ran 2, walk 2, ran 2, walk 2, ran 2 at a higher mph since I was already walking at 3.5, I ran at 4.5. Did you notice I got farther with only 6 minutes of running then I did yesterday with 15 minutes? In all honesty, I was getting winded at the end of the last 2 minutes at 4.5 mph so I am glad that I am running the longer distances at 4 mph.

Heck, the last run of this week has me walking 5 then running 20 minutes with no walking! Obviously I will walk the remaining 5 (to get to 30 minutes) to cool down...I am not afraid...OK, I am but I am going to do it. Even if I have to slow down to 3.5 while running I am going to do it....

Tomorrow my next run!

Day 25

I did 30:11 for 1.71:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
3 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
3 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.7 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

It's funny that the more I run it seems the shorter the distance! I know it is because I have slowed down my pace for the running and walking but I am successfully completing these runs so I am TOTALLY OK with it, I just think it's humorous.

I did not exercise on Friday or on Saturday and feel guilty. I did work out 5 days last week but still feel bad even though I was down for the count. I have this weird rice cake addiction that finally caught up with me. Apparently when you eat waaaayyyyy too much fiber in the form of a rice cake it does not allow your body to absorb any of the nutrients from the other food that you are eating and your body starts to shut down. NOT FUN at all....so, not only am I not sleeping more than 3 - 4 hours a night (and barely more than 1/2 hour at a single stretch), my body also decided it was done with the rice cake thing.

I actually went the whole day yesterday not eating a single rice cake! I also could not raise my head from the pillow but that is beside the point!

I have a decision to make. I am training for the 5 Mile run in Westport on the 8th of August. Someone I used to work with at the CU texted me on Thursday to see if I could perform her wedding. I asked her the date afraid that she was going to say the 15th which is when we are planning to go to Silverwood in Idaho but she didn't...she said the 8th. I told her that the run starts at 10:30 and I know it will take me a few hours, maybe less, and she told me it is at 4:00. I asked her where and she told me a place in Aberdeen. I didn't respond back yet as I had to give this some thought. I am training for this run that I am looking so much forward to...it inspired me to start taking care of myself (OK, not with rice cakes but with the running) and I was hoping to meet some people and just hang out and do things that runners do after a race. I have no idea what that is, just that I am going to be there. My son and husband are going to be there cheering me on. Sigh...I probably could be done and home in time to shower change and head back into town but what if I am not? I would feel terrible and I would never be so gauche to ask her to move her wedding to a later time. Wedding venues don't like change and neither do brides.

When we last discussed her wedding over 8 months ago a relative was going to do it...would it be selfish of me to say no? What if I am done in plenty of time and had said no...I would feel terrible! I definitely have some thinking to do!

Change of subject...I am thinking of either training longer on my off days from running or adding a 30 minute brisk walk about 4 hours after my run as if I was training for a marathon. The reason is that I am following The Couch-to-5K Running Plan and I am actually doing a 5 Mile race. I don't think that I will burn myself out. I am feeling really good about my pace and endurance at this point. Another thing to think about! =O)

Day 24

I did 30:14 for 1.73:

minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
3 minutes @ 4.1 mph
90 seconds @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4.1 mph
2 minutes 30 seconds @ 3 mph
3 minutes @ 4.1 mph
90 seconds @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4.1 mph
90 seconds @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.7 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

I guess the honeymoon is over because although this one was only a tad harder than Tuesday's, I don't have the same "Go me!" attitude. It probably has something to do with yesterday being a bad day. I shall explain:

I took my son to the Y so I could get on the elliptical machine and he could swim with a few friends. My son's school backpack had fallen apart a bit before school ended so I let him borrow mine. This is what he brought with him to the Y with his running shorts and towel as he lost his swim trunks somewhere in his room. He also put in his backpack his brand new DSi. He decided to take the bus home so he could stay longer with his friends. I said OK and headed out to finish some shopping.

I went to pick up the girls from daycare. One of my niece's BDay was on Monday so the daycare lady got here one of those motorized glitter glue dispensers for her for her birthday...really, daycare people?? She's 8 with a 5 year old little sister. You have a nice vinyl floor with industrial tables that are very easy to clean. Me...I have carpet. So, I bring the girls home and she immediately sits down on my living room floor to create her art. I told her no way in hell was she doing it in the living room so to go into her room and keep it off the floor. I leave her room for 5 minutes, go back into her room and discover that she has finished one painting which is drying on the table in her room and now she has moved to the floor. Apparently both her and her sister have both managed to get this glitter glue on their fingers so they BOTH wiped their hands on the carpet to remove said glue from their fingers.....

My son calls and asks me when the bus runs. I told him to call his dad who works for transit. Dad is not answering so I call him and he tells me. I call my son back and tell when to get on the bus. Several phone calls later it is discovered that my son has managed to miss the bus or really didn't try to catch it...who knows...all I know that several of the drivers were on the lookout for him and were concerned when they didn't see him. I had to go pick him up. When I get there he is waiting for me with no backpack. I told him to go inside and get it but it turns out someone has stolen it. No morals in this society...thank goodness I grabbed his DSi from it before I left the first time. I just wish my son was more responsible!

A couple of other things happened that caused me to be upset which I shall not detail here. I just read what I wrote but I sound like a whiner...

Long story short...not...tomorrow I shall probably do some exercising using My Fitness Coach.

Thanks for letting me rant!

Day 23 and working out at the Y

I did 40 minutes:

I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, then did 20 minutes on some machine called the SCIFIT. Quite frankly, I am not really sure what I was doing on the SCIFIT. Was I hiking...climbing...cross country skiing...who knows? I was mainly just getting some aerobic exercise in while working my arms. The only muscle that felt like it got worked out while using the SCIFIT was my right forearm muscle. Weird!

I accomplished all of this at my local Y. I was hoping to find someone there who could help me figure out why I keep twanging my IT band when I am stretching but there were mainly only muscle guys and really young girls doing weight lifting. Maybe next time!

Unfortunately while out and about in town, I saw a ton of people I know. So, I am there in my running 'outfit' with cellulite....it's a sad state of affairs....sigh... But I did tell people that I was training for the 5 mile run and they seemed happy. At least that's what I thought as they weren't really saying anything but, ohhhh...I am sure they were struck dumb by the sight of my very pale and rippled thighs!

Tomorrow is the last run of the week!

Day 22 --- I did it!

I did 31:18 for 1.77:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
3 minutes @ 4.1 mph
90 seconds @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4.1 mph
2 minutes 30 seconds @ 3 mph
3 minutes @ 4.1 mph
90 seconds @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 4.1 mph
90 seconds @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.7 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph
1 minute @ 1.5 mph

I did it! Woo hoo! I slowed down my pace but I did it! I seriously could cry...I was so worried that I would fail but I didn't!!

Other than some normal tightening my legs didn't bother me at all until I stretched. After I stretched the IT band a couple of times and other stretches, I was getting up and twang! On both sides...sigh...I really need to figure out what the heck I am doing wrong!

My son and I are heading to the Y tomorrow (today is the last day of school) so he can do some swimming and I can get on the elliptical. If someone who is running finishes while I am there, I am going to see if they have a moment to help me figure out how to stretch properly.

Wow, I am cloud 9 right now. What a great feeling!

I am signing off to get ready to go to Olympia to go book shopping with my son. My favorite activity with my favorite person...nothing could be better than that!!!

Day 21

I did 30:10 for 1.58:

1 minute @ 2 mph
4 minutes @ 2.5 mph
5 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 3.5 mph
5 minutes @ 4 mph
5 minutes @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.5 - 2 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

Today I emotionally felt much better. The walk was great and I actually heard the music I have programmed on the computer. When I run, all I hear is myself saying "Oh my gosh, am I done yet???" =O)

I also did 15 minutes on My Fitness Coach of upper body work although she started skipping and lunging at first to warm up my back which seemed odd…oh well!

I then did 15 minutes of yoga where I have determined that I should get my right leg checked out as that one pesky IT band pull (at least I think that is what it is) is not letting me fully do some of the moves. How am I supposed to become flexible if I cannot stretch? Yeesh!

While walking I made a decision that if I am still struggling after my third run this week, then I will repeat this week to get my endurance built up. I am not a failure if I am not progressing where I think I should be. For goodness sake, I am a 41 year old woman who hasn't exercised for over 3 years! Although trying to tell myself that yesterday did NOT work as I was really bummed by my weight gain. This morning when I got up a visitor came to call which explains the gain...if you are a woman then you know what I mean...if not, well ummm, sorry?

One thing I got in the mail today was a flyer for Team in Training which raises money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am seriously considering attending one of the meetings in Tacoma. What a great way to get in shape with people who know what they are doing while raising money for a great cause! If I do it, I will let you know what my fundraising website is.

Tomorrow, I...gulp...run!

Day 20

I did 31:02 for 1.86 miles:

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.2 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph
5 minutes @ 4.1 mph
2 minutes 30 seconds @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.1 mph
3 minutes 30 seconds @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.1 mph
2 minutes @ 3.3 mph
1 minute @ 3 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph
1 minute @ 1.5 mph

This was a very tough one for me. I received a great email from a very nice woman named Pam from a Yahoo group that I belong to and I decided to slow down on the mph for my runs and was raring to go. Problem is, I made the mistake of weighing myself afterward on the Wii Balance Board before my work out so I could accurately record that number while creating my personal profile on My Fitness Coach and found that I had managed to gain 3 pounds. I was devastated....I cannot even begin to tell you how much...

Added later in the afternoon: I did feel yucky last night and didn't sleep very well so I had 4 cups of coffee with nonfat milk and Stevia, 1 banana and breakfast bar then another banana and a piece of flax bread shortly before weighing myself so that might have had something to do with my weight...who knows...it's just frustrating to work out 6 days a week for 3 weeks for 30 minutes each day to have only lost a total of 1 pound as I started at 158, you know?

Added later in the afternoon: My husband is trying to convince me that it is muscle weight which I know to be hogwash, but sweet for him to say nonetheless! He tells me that I look like I have lost weight and I did the belly pat and it does not jiggle as much as it did before I started so that is something, right?

Back to original post:

Then I started my workout, bummed, and did the first 3 minutes at 4.2 mph, did OK, then did the 5 minutes at 4.1, still OK my heart rate was a bit high, then did the second 3 minutes and it was very difficult. Not to mention that my heart rate was at 170! So after the 3 minutes, I decided to walk more and only do another 3 minutes at 4.1. When I was cooling down from that with the 3.5 mph walk, I thought for sure that I was going to pass out. Not a good feeling!

I also found that I pulled the IT Band again in my right leg so after I stretched, I decided to do 15 minutes of Yoga on My Fitness Coach and found that I am having problems doing some of the moves, but I did it!

I decided to shower first then record this or this log would have been filled with a lot of Woe Is Mes! Sigh...tomorrow is another day!

Day 19

I did 30:08, 1.54 miles:

1 minute @ 2.5 mph
4 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 3.5 mph
10 minutes @ 3 mph
5 minutes @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.7 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

I definitely pulled my ITB yesterday when stretching and aggravated it when I was putting a car seat stroller combo into my cart when at Wal-Mart but I couldn't not exercise....I would have felt totally guilty! I did take it easy. Tomorrow is my off day and we are heading to Olympia to do fun things!

I had to take my son to the doctor's office due to an ear infection and I asked his doc if he could start running as we are training for the 5 Mile race in Westport and he said yes. It turns out that he used to be an avid runner, including running multiple marathons and half marathons but gave it up when he moved to Aberdeen. He gave me some great tips and we chatted for a good 5 minutes about it....sorry to his other patients!

He told me he was thinking about starting up again and I told him that he should enter the 5 Mile race! I told him that, who knows, maybe I am the inspiration or catalyst that he needed. He would have to see his doctor to get a stress test as older runners encounter can encounter abnormal heart rhythms. He may be there, you never know, right?

Day 18

Here is what I wrote in my journal before I started my running at around 8ish.

OK, I am getting a little bummed so I want to write it down and release it into the ether so here goes:

I have been reading a bunch of running books and online articles and I should be running for way longer (time not mileage) than I am doing. My husband claims that since I was so out of shape that I am doing great for where I'm at. He's right but I guess I'm a little competitive and feel like I should be farther ahead.

Heck I am so proud of myself for doing what I am doing and just because my motivation to get started was a 5 MIle run, it doesn't mean that is the only reason, right? AND I exercised through really sore legs and didn't quit!

Do I feel better...ummm, a little?

I did 30:07 for 1.88 (shouldn't my mileage be more??):

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3.0 - 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2.0 - 1.5 mph

I did it! I have to say when I was stretching I did twang my left calf but it seems to be getting better as I am typing. Now after doing my run today, I am right where I need to be, the last 3 minutes was tough! But, I toughed it out and added another 2 minute run to it. Woo hoo!

Next week the schedule is jog 3 min, walk 90 secs, jog 5 min, walk 2 min 30 sec, jog 3 min, walk 90 secs, jog 5 min, nothing more after that but me hanging onto the treadmill attempting to not throw up!! =O)

Tomorrow some brisk walking using the above schedule but changing the 4.5 mph to 4 mph.

Don't forget to check me out on my other blog seekermommy.blogspot.com!

Day 17 -- still a tad sore

I did 30:05 and 1.39 miles:

5 minutes @ 2.5 mph
20 minutes @ 3 mph
3 minutes @ 2.5 mph
1 minute @ 2 mph
1 minute @ 1.5 mph

My legs are still are tad sore which is why I took it very easy on myself. I also did some stretches for a longer period of time than I did yesterday.

I weighed myself before starting on the Wii Balance Board and I weigh 154. I lost 4 pounds in less than 2 weeks and 9 pounds since I have started! Woo hoo! Go me!

I am still in love with running but I was feeling a bit down for being so sore. I was also reading in another running book and I should be running for 5 minutes, then taking a break and not the shorter time prescribed by The Couch-to-5K Running Plan so I am bummed! Perhaps next week I shall step it up a notch. Next week, my son is out of school so we will be running outside which I need to do to get acclimated to the warmer weather.

Day 16 with fried legs!

I did 31:05 and (I think 'cause I did an extra minute) 2.0 miles:

Because of that darn EA Sports Active frying my legs yesterday, I hit a wall on the second of the 3 minute runs...I also had to kill a spider that decided to watch me from above my head...freaked me out! It probably was attempting revenge as I saturated his brethren in my bathroom with hair spray about 10 minutes before. Hey, I don't mess with bugs on the outside, don't come in to MY inside and mess with me!!

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph -- here is where I saw the spider above my head
3 minutes @ 4.5 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph -- here is where I hit my 'wall' and didn't do the 3 minutes
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes 30 seconds @ 4 mph -- here is where I made up the 90 seconds
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3.0 - 2.0 mph
1 minute @ 2.0 - 1.5 mph

Tomorrow I will definitely do something not so hard on my legs so I can do the correct schedule on Thursday!

Can I stress again how pissed I am at the EA Sports Active? I am definitely returning it on Saturday. After suffering through the bugs in the software and getting a little aggravated that there was no cool down or stretching after the work out, I did some research online and dozens, almost a hundred people, are as pissed as I am about how incomplete and faulty this game is. More people than I can count on two hands had the flex band break and the same and additional people had trouble with the strap not staying on the leg. This is not a problem I encountered but my son did have problem with the leg strap.

More people than my family has hands encountered the same problem with the software not recognizing movements. It was particularly stressful when I had to do some weird yoga move to have it recognize my left side lunges. The pause in between reps was waaaayyyy to long and I found her positive comments about how well I was doing when I clearly wasn't was really annoying! Major bugs in this software!

Another thing that my research found was that there are NO ab specific work and no stretching. Are you kidding me? You fry our entire body and there are no cool downs and no stretches?

I researched other Wii fitness games and know to never buy the Jillian Michaels software as no one seemed to be happy with it. So, thank you Game Stop guy for talking me out of it and shame on the same guy for talking me into putting the EA Sports Active on hold...well, maybe not shame as it wasn't out yet and he could not have known all the bugs were going to occur.

I think I will get the Wii Personal Fitness Coach as it has Flexibility as one of the options and seems to be a good compliment to the Wii Fit. Personally I don't see myself using the Wii Fit for most of it as I do not need to Hula Hoop. But, I haven't explored all of it yet other than to add to my Activity Log for my runs and walks.

Day 15 cross training with EA Sports Active

I did the Easy 30 minute workout on EA Sports Active. I was trying to avoid running altogether on my 'days off' but there were two quick runs in the workout so I faked it. I am supposed to be doing low or no impact exercises on the days that I am not running. I cannot believe how many lunges there were and how bad I need them!

Also the first exercise was dancing which confirms my belief that I have no coordination when it comes to these things...must be why I love running!! And that my good friends is exactly why I will be a runner forever...no embarrassing workouts in front of other people, just one foot in front of the other for a period of time...ahhh, peaceful bliss!

I almost want to do some more cardio as 'they' say you should do 30 minutes of cardio a day. I may walk later, we shall see!

The one thing that I do not like about the EA Sports Active is that there is no official cool down but a few seconds and no stretching which should be crucial when working these major muscle groups. If anyone has found them, let me know. Maybe I should jump onto the Wii Fit and do some yoga?

Tomorrow I run!!

P.S. I am proud of myself for doing all of the workouts when the going got touch...remember I was a major couch potato!

Day 14

I had Saturday as a workout day but we ended going up to Olympia to see Land of the Lost, buy EA Sports Active, buy a Nathan Speed 3R belt, walking shoes and socks at Big 5 for my husband, two running mags from Barnes & Noble and grocery shopping.

So, today, Sunday the 7th is my Day 14. I did 30:02 for 1.86:

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.5 mph -- that's right, I ran for 3 minutes straight. Woo hoo!
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
90 seconds @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4.5 mph -- I ran 3 minutes again!
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4 mph
3 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3 - 2 mph
1 minute @ 2 - 1.5 mph

I have to admit that the last 30 seconds of the last 3 minutes, I thought I was going to yak. I looked to see how my much I had drank of my sports drink and it was not much at all so I must be pushing myself to that Big Brother throw up moment...

I am a little puzzled as to why if I ran more today, I went less of a distance...

I have this schedule written down and I originally had 2 more minutes of running but I didn't do it and retooled the schedule. On Tuesday, I am going to shoot for 2 more minutes of running!

I am really proud of myself! I also have to admit that the music during the last 3 minutes did not do much to distract me and what did was thinking that 4 times around a track is one mile, right? But is that the inside of the track or the outside? If it is the inside, then those that walk on the outside are actually putting in more mileage than the faster runners on the inside! My husband was behind me while I was typing this in and saying "not by much"...I told him to go away. It was what distracted me, I don't need exact distances...sigh...this is why we don't talk much...

Regarding the Nathan belt:
1. It is ridiculously expensive at $50 at South Sound Running
2. Yes, it has 3 bottles but they are only 7 oz (and plastic!). I drink 7 oz in a gulp...
3. I knew I would need it for the 5 Mile run
4. I bought this one for my son because my waist is too big for the small (not for very much longer, right? ) and that is all they had other than a large.

I was originally going to grab the one that goes around my wrist, but if I am planning on running outside, I will need a place for a key and my cell phone.

When I look at the schedule for training for a marathon, you do 45 minutes of RW and then approximately 4 hours later a 40 minute walk. I am wondering whether I should add another activity to only 2 of my 'running days' per recommendations from a few sources. I just bought EA Sports Active and they have some workouts I can do that as well as the Wii Fit which I already own. I have been reading that strength training is super important, especially upper body, to aid in running. The Wii Fit also has yoga which I could use for the stretching, right?

Tomorrow I will either walk the above schedule changing the 4.5 to 4 mph or an activity on one of the Wii games that is sustained for 30 minutes. See you then!!

Day 13

I did 30:04:

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4 mph
1 minute @ 3.5 - 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.5 - 1.5 mph

I can say that this time was a bit harder than the last set like this. I am not sure why, it just was. I was thinking about next weeks schedule and the rest of The Couch-to-5K Running Plan and I was wondering how the heck I was going to do it. I am not sure where these doubts are coming from. I did not have them yesterday or the day before. I was thinking that I am only training for a 5K run and I am actually doing 5 miles.

But...I know I can do it. For gosh sakes, I am only on Week 2! I have until August 8th to get my training and I CAN DO IT!!!

I started reading The Non-Runners Marathon Guide For Women by Dawn Dais which is soooo hilarious. I am only on page 60 and I have laughed out loud numerous times. For obvious reasons, I have not encountered any of the problems she has as training for a marathon involves waaaaayyyyy more running then I am doing now but it is nice to know what I can expect when I get to more time running then walking. Thank you Dawn for writing this book and for all the tips that I have read so far. I cannot wait to read more!!

Day 12

I did 30:04:

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph9
0 seconds @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4 mph
1 minute @ 3.5 - 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.5 - 1.5 mph

Instead of cross training I did a modified Couch-to-5K Running Plan but instead of running, I walked at 4 mph. I figured this is what I love, the walking and running, that I was going to do that instead of the others for now. Keep in mind that I did start the Bhangra Dance and realized, again, that I have no coordination. If I try to do something that I resent because I cannot get it right away then I am going to do what I love and try again later. I know myself and this is better than being a quitter and then resenting MYSELF for not doing anything...you know?

Tomorrow is another running day and Saturday we will be heading to the beach so I will trek up and down the beach for another 30 minutes. This time, I will wear something more appropriate like shorts!

Ta ta, for now!

Day 11

I did 30:01:

1 minute @ 3 mph
4 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
2 minutes @ 4 mph
1 minute @ 3.5 - 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.5 - 1.5 mph

I did an extra 90 seconds. I did find that it is getting easier. When I started today, I looked at the schedule for next week and I will jog 90 seconds, then walk 90 seconds and on. I panicked thinking how the heck was I going to do it but once I got going, I realized I can do it!!

Woo hoo! Go me!!

If my husband has Banghra Dance on his DVR, I may do a bit of that after the Burn part of Turbo Jam.

Day 10, cross training with Turbo Jam

I did approximately 25ish minutes:

I did Turbo Jam's Learn and Burn. So, umm, OK, I have no coordination...but I will not give up. I was tempted but I know that if I just do it over and over I will get it. Crossing fingers...

I have a feeling that I will be doing the Learn and Burn portion for at least a week instead of the 2 times they recommend and then go to the 30 minutes. I felt goofy stepping and moving the wrong way!!

I only wish it was longer so I did the full 30 minutes of exercise.

My mother-in-law called with another health issue and is stressing me out! She even called during the last minutes of Turbo Jam and wondered why I was out of breath. When I told her that I was exercising, she kept talking! Sigh...

Tomorrow, I run.

Day 9

I did 30:06:

1 minute @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 3.5 mph
3 minutes @ 4 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
90 seconds @ 4.5 mph
2 minutes @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 4 mph
1 minute @ 3.5 mph
1 minute @ 3 mph
1 minute @ 2.5 - 1.5 mph

I am going to follow The Couch-to-5K Running Plan found on CoolRunning.com. I am starting on Week 2 as I started to build up endurance on my own Week 1. It suggests doing this only 3 days a week so I am going to do one of my exercise videos, perhaps the Rebounder or Turbo Jam. Perhaps Turbo Jam to build up my abs! My husband will be thrilled as I made him buy me the Turbo Jam when we were in a hotel room visiting California in 2006 with the last of what was left on his CC. Shame on me for not using it sooner!!

I feel really good! I am sooooo proud of myself for doing ALL of the 90 seconds @ 4.5 mph. It really wasn't that long to be frank. I imagine it would have been significantly harder if I was doing it at 5 mph. I will start doing 5 mph towards the end of these 8 weeks and beyond.

I am going to miss not walking on the treadmill tomorrow. Even though the weather has been beautiful I would prefer to be at home for right now. When my son gets out of school in mid-June, then we will go outside then.