Determination!

I've decided that running never gets any easier. You are always going to be pushing yourself to run faster or further, therefore you can never just say, I'm going out for a run. Light and breezy. Nope. 

My last three runs have totaled 15 miles. I am still using my couch to 10k program and there are still walking intervals included. I still have no idea how I am going to run 6.25 miles in less than a month. The furthest I have run so far is 5.5 miles and it was on completely flat ground. Thankfully, those 5.5 miles were around the same course as the upcoming 10k. I am determined to make this race a success! 

I am starting to feel some of the benefits of running. I can actually run without huffing and puffing and feeling like my lungs might explode. My lungs are becoming conditioned. AND my mother mentioned that I am looking more toned. Yay for progress!

falling off the wagon

Ok, I admit that I fell off the wagon. Note the absence of posts within the last week. Last Monday night I got a phone call from Mike asking me to fly to Alaska the next day to visit him for a couple days. Of course I booked the first flight I could find. I packed lightly, as I was only going for two days, but I did bring my running shoes. Unfortunately for my running, I spent nearly all of my time on the fishing boat. I was fortunate enough for a little town time and was able to go on a couple walks with my hunny :)

After I returned home, I just couldn't seem to get motivated. Finally, on Wednesday this week I put on my running gear and stayed in those clothes all day long before finally going out for a run at 4:00pm. Just as I started my warm-up, my sister called. So I ended up walking only a mile before packing Jacob and stroller back into the car to head home. As I made my way home I drove by the Y and pulled into the parking lot. I decided to finish my run on the treadmill while Jacob was able to play in the child care center. Needless to say, after falling off the wagon for a week, getting back into the swing of things was rough!

Happy Birthday America!

In the past I never thought it was a good idea to exercise on a holiday. It just seemed like it should be a day off from everything but fun, family, friends, and food. Or perhaps that was just another excuse on my long list of reasons why I didn't exercise regularly. Hmm...

But not today. Today I gathered up Jacob and the stroller in the car and drove to the trailhead. From there I set out on a nearly 4 mile run. Today was by far my toughest day. Every step was a struggle, both physically and mentally. About halfway through my run the wind began to pick up and I soon realized that while having a jogging stroller is wonderful, it is still an extra 35-40 lbs. you are pushing. With the wind, my stroller may as well have been a parachute. Something I never considered - wind resistance. I am now thinking that I should probably go to the Y on the days that I think running will be tough, that way I can leave Jacob at the drop-in day care and not be discouraged by the elements.

C210K

Ok, so in light of the fact that I signed up for a 10k, I figured I better start training for one. Today I downloaded the Couch to 10k program and started basically where I left off on the C25k. However...the running time has drastically increased. C25k has a maximum running time of 35 minutes. Today's workout with the C210k was 68 minutes! I was seriously worried about doubling my normal routine. Surprisingly, I was able to complete the routine and manage to have enough energy to get through the rest of the day. In addition, I marked just a little over 4 miles today!

I do have a small issue. For whatever reason, I don't like running along main streets or where there is a possibility of running into someone I know. That's why I stick to the trails and obscure neighborhoods. Today I started on the Cushman trail and before I knew it, the trail had spit me out onto a main road and I had to follow sidewalks and crosswalks through a main part of town before connecting with the other side of the trail. I was instantly self-conscious. I'm fairly certain I remember sucking my stomach in just a bit further and holding my shoulders back more as I lengthened my stride. Maybe on the off chance that someone I know was driving by? I don't know what it is exactly, but I hate the way it makes me ultra aware of my surroundings. At some point, I forgot about trying not to look stupid and just focused on my run.

Would you believe that tonight after I put J to bed and just sat down to watch a movie (I know, a rocking Friday night at the Babich house!) I got a text from a friend that asked me if I was running near her work today, because she was sure she saw me go by while she was on her lunch break. I told her, yes, it was me and she better have recognized my flattened stomach, great posture and gazelle-like stride!

Another successful day!

Week 4 Day 2 of my Couch to 5k program - Complete! This time I did my run while pushing J in the stroller. Wow! What a workout! Much different than just running alone. I'd love all those "runners" out there to try doing what us moms can do.

I read recently that the best way to get into running is to sign up for a race. That way you are putting it out there that you are training and it will hopefully keep you committed to your goal. Therefore, I began looking around for 5k races. Somehow that lead me to a 10k race near my parents house, that two years ago I signed up for the 5k version of and ended up walking most of the way. Not this year folks! I am going to complete that 10k AND do it running! Needles to say, the non-runner in me is laughing her ass off at the aspiring runner in me. Me, run a 10k? Ridiculous!

August 21st is race day. 8 weeks from now. I can't believe I am going to be ready, but here goes nuthin!

C25K

I love iPhone apps! I found a great one called Couch to 5k training. It is great because you download the program which has a 9 week training and follow the program while listening to your own playlist. A voice prompt tells you when to run, walk, when you've reached your halfway point and when you have one minute remaining.

So today I dropped J off at his grandma's house and went for a run on the Cushman trail, which I have nicknamed the 'Lady Killer', because, well, I am a lady and the trail nearly killed me! Tons of steep long hills. Ouch! I chose to start with the workout for Week 4, day 1 and it was a perfect fit for my running abilities so far. I feel energized and encouraged!

The Runwalk

So, I am really curious as to how many people that call themselves runners actually run the entire time they are out there. I have read a few articles written by marathoners that use a run/walk method and clock better times than those that run the entire distance. Interesting. As of right now, I am definitely a runwalker. I set out yesterday morning for a run up my street and back to the house. This was my first training outside and not on a treadmill and a run pushing J in the stroller. I went about 1.5 miles, and probably only ran about half that. It was tough after taking a few days off.

Today I went for a 3 mile trail walk with my parents and J in the stroller. Then got home and tried to run up my street again, this time while my parents stayed with J. Well, I ran close to a 1/2 mile, with a short walk in there and then truly ran the last 1/2 back to the house. Uphill the entire first 1/2, hence the walk.

In short, I have marked 4 miles today! With a 1 mile run! Yay!

Well, today was a bust as far as fitness is concerned. Mike left today and with all the commotion before he left and sadness after, running just didn't seem like it was possible. So I guess I fell off the wagon for today, but I am committed to jumping back on tomorrow morning. J and I will be visiting the Y once we get up and going. As for tonight, I am giving myself a break and wallowing in my loneliness while watching The Bachelorette.

A rainy, gloomy Sunday. It certainly matches my mood. It is the last day before Mike leaves for Alaska for the Salmon season. I probably should have gone for a run today just to give myself some endorphins to get through my sadness. A run will be a must tomorrow as he and the crew set sail around midday. I guess now is the time to really focus on my goal of looking and feeling fabulous when Mike returns in the fall. Fit and trim will be on my mind for the next 2 months!

Later that evening...

Now I am really feeling sorry for myself. The reality that my wonderful, loving man is leaving tomorrow is really hitting me hard. I can't help but be jealous of my friends that get their husbands home with them every night. If only they know how truly lucky they are. Goodbyes are difficult no matter how you look at it, but I always think it is so much easier to be the one leaving to run off to exciting adventures than to be the one left behind with a half-empty bed. Tomorrow night after I put J to bed I know I will wander aimlessly through the house for about 5 minutes before plopping myself onto the couch in front of the TV for the illusion of company. And when I find I am not comforted by the wonders of television, I will retire to our lonely bedroom and really begin to feel my sadness. I will, however, have the bed all to myself to spread out and stretch my arms and legs any way I want. There's my silver lining.

WHAAAAAA AAAAAAH AAAAH!

Ouch! Today was so hard! I achingly forced myself to go to the gym this morning. I began my usual 30 minute work out with plans to Run 2x1 for 20 minutes. I think I walked 2 minutes at times and ran 3 minutes a couple times. I was all over the place. All I can say is that I completed my 30 minutes and 2 miles.

On another note, my entertainment while working out included a lot of people watching. Today was "celebrity look-alike day". I saw Mr. T; complete with a mohawk, beard, and ethnicity. And I saw Carson Kresley. Carson was on an eliptical machine and managed to keep his coif perfect until SHE took off her sweatshirt. Oops.

As for the rest of my day, I have yet to make it into the shower and it is pouring down rain outside. Maybe I will just go stand in my driveway with a bar of soap.

Motivation...or lack there of...

Ugh! I cannot get motivated today. I am hoping that when Mike gets home from work today I can get myself into going to the gym or at least running up our street. I took yesterday off and so today is supposed to be the day that I try to get to the gym. And my only blockade is myself and my damn lack of motivation! Until later...

30 with a Baby

So now that I am 30 and have given birth to our first child, I realized just how out of shape I truly am. I can't say I always had a perfect figure, but I had a body I was happy with. Sure there were a few trouble areas that I wasn't crazy about, but for the most part, things looked good. Then I got pregnant. And turned 30.

So here I am, a year after having my son and slowly accepting that my body won't just magically lose the pounds that are hanging on after pregnancy. I think a year is a sufficient amount of time to wish the pounds away and come to the conclusion that it just won't happen. Great. That means I have to actually work at this. Something I've never been good at.

So I have decided to become a runner. Never have been in the past. Not even a little bit. I was never the girl that just went out for a run. Never. Walks? No problem. Running? No way.

Here I will chronicle my path in trials and (hopefully) triumphs in running.

The beginning:

So I have already began my training. I started using that Y membership once again. I brought J with me and left him with the child care center and committed to 30 minutes on the treadmill. Here is the plan I followed on Days 1 & 2.

Walk for 5 minutes at 3.5mph

Run 1 minute at 5.0 / walk 1 minute at 3.5 - continue this pattern for 20 minutes

Cool down walk for 5 minutes at 3.5 and slower as the minutes decrease.

Day 3:

Walk for 5 minutes at 3.0 and 3.5

Run 2 minutes at 5.5 / walk 1 minute at 3.5 - continue for 20 minutes

Cool down walk for 5 minutes at 3.5 and slower as the minutes decrease.

As of right now I am not making myself stick to a work-out schedule. I have been loosely following a day-on, day-off schedule. With more days off than on :( I'm working on it.

By the way, Day 3 was tough! I took 3 or 4 days off and pushed myself to do the 2 minute mark.

Today is an off day and I think I will take J to the park!