first run/walk after the half

Huge thanks to Emily for coming to meet me for my first run/walk since the half on Sunday.  I did 30 minutes last night, and will be doing 45 minutes to an hour tomorrow.  My blisters are still a bit sore, but everything else felt pretty good.  Weird thing is, my calves never once hurt or felt tight during the half but that was the first thing I felt last night.  I've got to get an interval timer or something though, to make my runs/walks more regular.  Time to kick this training thing in gear, so I can finish the PHM in under 3:30. 

1st day of training

So, I went to the gym tonight and started my training for the Princess half marathon.  It was tough, and I must say again, how much I HATE the treadmill.  I can't decide if it is the lack of control I have, and not being able to speed up and slow down w/o pushing buttons, distractions, tv's, and all that jazz.  I'd rather just be able to walk when I can walk, run when I want to run, jog when I want to jog, etc.  I had planned on doing 45 minutes on the treadmill and only made it just under 30 minutes.  I burned 532 calories in my workout.  I will be doing cross training tomorrow, jogging again on Friday, and then a "long" run on Sunday (only 3 miles).  I'm on my way to the princess, and the Battleship Half Marathon in November.  I'm going to do this.  There is NO stopping me!!

Krista

Let the excitement begin...

So, I need to start training this week for my half marathon that will happen in the first weekend of November.  I am hoping to finish it in around 3 hours, and doing a run walk ratio of 2:1 for the entire half marathon.  I find myself typically starting out jogging longer than that, and it causes me to get more worn out and I don't have the endurance to continue that.  I'm going to be getting 2 things when I get paid this week to help me, the 1st will be the Jeff Galloway run-walk-run timer, so it lets me know when I need to jog and when I need to walk.  I'm also going to get a hydration belt I think.  I don't like carrying my water during my longer walks/runs, so a hydration belt would be nice.  I also have noticed that I tend to want water on courses at the times where there is no water stop.  I'll be jogging/walking for 45 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, doing long runs for a specific distance on Saturdays.  I am also going to be doing some cross-training, and getting my endurance and cardio increased. 

The other thing I am seriously considering and reading up on is looking at the Primal Blueprint for eating.  So far it has been pretty interesting, and I have heard people say that with PCOS it is the best thing to do.  The doctor that will be doing my surgery next month has recommended it highly with my PCOS and says it really is the best thing to do for my body.  I've just started reading it, and it is really kind of a common sense approach, more than a "diet".  I need to finish the book before I make any specific decisions.  I'm hoping that the training, cross-training, and increased activity will help me get this weight off and I will run the half in November at just under 200#, then run the princess at around 160#. 

I appreciate your reading, your encouraging comments and your support! 

Krista

Training walk #2

2.25 miles in 50 minutes.  I didn't jog, but it felt great!!  I'm excited for a longer jog/walk on Saturday.  planning on a 2:1 run:walk ratio for a 5k, every saturday between now and the diva...hoping to get myself just under 45 minutes for the race on May 20.  I've got this, and an awesome new training partner to help me get there.  Thanks so much for walking with me, Emily.  You rocked.  It was so nice talking to you and having someone to walk with tonight.  Looking forward to weekly walks/runs.  Next week, can't wait to do a little Galloway, Run/walk/run. 

Krista

1st traning run

I did my first training run yesterday, and while a bit winded, it felt really good.  I made it 1.5 miles in 20 minutes.  Not sure how realistic this might be, but last year I ran the Quay 5k in 58 minutes (my goal was to finish under 1 hour).  If I continue training, get some of this weight off, I'm hoping that I can maintain this pace and finish the Diva 5k in about 40 minutes, which would SMASH the only timed 5k I have ever run.  The more I think about this, the more excited I get about the Princess and my running future.  I love how running makes me feel, I love the endorphin/adrenalin rush I get from running...I just need to keep doing it. 

As a side note, it hit me this morning like a slap to the face.  For years I have approached things like "This is my body, I am a prisoner in it".  Today I though, "my body is slave to my mind.  If I tell my body what to do, what to eat and to work out, my body will be slave to what I want it to be, and it will be healthy.  Love the idea of all that.

Krista

Brain Storm...It's amazing the things that happen when you gain perspective!

So, I was considering the possibility of hiring ANOTHER personal trainer if I could find the funds, which I really can't afford, and then tonight, it hit me.  I have spent more money than I would like to admit over the years, on this exercise program or that.  I have workout DVD's coming out of my ears.  I had a trainer last year who I saw a ton of results with, but didn't learn much about working out without him. 

So here's my new plan.  I'm going to be continuing the couch to 5k training plan, followed by the half marathon training to work on the running.  The rest of the workouts are going to be done using the DVD workouts that I have...no need to pay someone else more money with all the resources I have at my disposal here in my own house. 

Now, time to get the diet in line!

Krista

Here we go.....

I am feeling much better, the cough and congestion have left, and thus, tomorrow start the 5k training plan.  The goal is to run the entire 5k, preferrably under 45 minutes on May 20. 

I have also printed out a list of weight goals, goal dates to reach that weight, and what I will get when I do reach that weight.  The first goals are in 20 pound increments, based on the assumption and my experience that the weight comes off faster at first, then I go to 10 pound increments.  So I'm going to put the training schedule and the goal list up on the fridge, so every time I think about reaching in there for something that may be questionable to eat, I will see what my next goal and reward are. 

I have to approach this in a way I never have before.  I have always let myself get bogged down in the overall picture and gotten overwhelmed by the prospect of having to lose about 130 pounds.  I get frustrated by the fact that I'm not seeing big changes and feel like it never will change, so I give up.  My new approach is 1 meal at a time, 1 work out at a time, 1 day at a time.  This will also keep me from giving up because I make 1 mistake or fall off the wagon, 1 time...If I fall off the wagon, I'll get back on, immediately, at the next meal. 

I also know from working out with my trainer last year that I am far more capable of pushing myself beyond the limits my mind sets and do it successfully...so goodbye to those limits and fears.  I'm going to do this!!

Krista

What's that old saying.....

I believe it goes something like, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."  I concur.  I started coughing yesterday which I quickly dismissed, then found myself in the doctor's office this morning with bronchitis and 2 prescriptions so that I don't end up sicker than a dog, and deep into asthmatic bronchitis that typically takes me over a month to get over...so, no running for me yesterday, but hopefully the meds will kick in , and I can at least walk a little bit tomorrow w/o coughing up a lung.

Day 10

Today is day 10, and I started it off at 5:15 in the gym.  I did an awesome class this morning and walked a mile on the treadmill.  I feel amazing for getting through the workout she gave us, and am making notes of what we did so that I can repeat the exercised by myself.  We did an amazing ab circuit and I feel great.  I have realized that every single day I am going to have to make the decision to do the right thing for my health and fitness, and I feel like today I definitely started in the right direction.  Now, I need to make good food choices all day, and it'll be another good day under my belt.  The endorphin high has obviously passed, but I am still going to have a GREAT day! 

I feel GREAT!!

Thanks for reading!

Krista

Days 2 and 3

Day 2 was uneventful, but a raging success dietetically!  (Is that even a word?)  I have started Weight Watchers, and am allowed 35 points/day.  Yesterday, I came in at 32 points, which is pretty good.

Day 3...well, to put it bluntly, sucks!  Before dinner I was at 42 points (which is okay, because it is the first day this week that I am using any flex points allowed by WW).  I haven't been back to the gym since Monday night, which is the most difficult for me.  I need to get back to regularly going to work out. 

This reminds me...Is it possible to have a 6-pack under all the fat I carry around my middle?  I'm pretty curious about this.  Here's why...Barney and I were working out at the gym the other night, and pretty much every exercise Joan had us do, she uad us engaging our cores to strengthen them.  Thing is, He was having some struggles, fell off the yoga ball while trying to do sit-ups, etc. and he was only able to do 20.  I was able to do 60 (20 straight, 20 to the left, 20 to the right).  I didn't feel anything at all that night or the next day.  So, my question remains.....Is it possible for me to have a 6-pack under the fat?!?! 

I would appreciate the input of anyone with any knowledge about this.  I'm stumped, and frustrated.  Am I working out wrong?  Am I not engaging the right muscles?  Or am I just really strong on the inside and a marshmallow on the outside?!?! 

Love y'all, thanks for reading!