Well, I got really derailed in the last week. Posted about it on weight watchers.com, but not here... here's what I had posted.
9/10/2007 12:58:31 PM
So, I'm doing 2.5-3 miles on the treadmill, with a 1.0 incline. Sometimes I get bored and check the clock but otherwise it's fine. No pain, I'm not tired... just wondering when I'll stop running in place.
I had planned to do the Komen 5k race for the cure yesterday and just register onsite. We went to be early Sat night and everything, and I was excited because DH had the day off work and would be there to cheer me on and maybe even get a pic of my first 5k.
We overslept. I missed it. Grrr.
So I decided to go running in the park at 10:30am. It was in the mid 80s, and hot. And after a little over a mile, I was really tired and broke down and walked a few minutes.Why can I go 30 minutes on a treadmill and only a mile outside without wanting to shoot myself? I didn't carry a water bottle, but everyone says you shouldn't "need" water. I felt overheated and tired.
I now want to switch to running outdoors so I'm not fooling myself about my endurance, but it's not easy. I'm not a morning person, and by evening it's dark. Even if I commit to running outdoors, I wonder how long it would take me to build up to the distance I did nonstop on a treadmill?
I feel like this is SUCH a setback.
Please encourage me. I feel defeated.
*****************
Update, I went back to the gym tonight, and did a 5k in 37 mins on the treadmill. Certainly not competitive, but at least I proved to myself that I CAN do the distance and I just need to condition myself outdoors.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Training Gone Askew!
Until about 2 weeks ago, I had been focusing on running, with a few other classes tossed in there for cross training. Well, I'm not sure if it's a good or a bad thing, but I'm becoming REALLY hooked on the other classes - sadly, to the detriment of my running training. I MUST find balance!
The kickboxing, step, muscle toning, and other cardio classes I've been enjoying are either RIGHT when the gym opens or at 6/7p. It does not afford me time to use the treadmill for a 30 minute run before class because either the gym isn't open, or I'm still trying to haul booty just to escape the office. And, after class is over, well, I can run a mile, maybe 2. But 30 minutes after an hour of kickboxing? Who are you fricking kidding?! I'm getting in better shape, but I DO have limits here!
So, this means I've been doing lots of fun classes, and then running 1-2 miles. I guess it's good as for an hour and a half of cardio endurance, but being that it's only partly running, really isn't enough for my training.
Today I made the first step toward reshifting the focus. I arrived at the gym 25 mins PRIOR to my cardio kickboxing class. Not as early as I hoped, but better than coming in the minute it started! Changed, had 15 minutes 'til class started. So I stretched, did a 2 min walk, and then ran a 9:40 mile.
Now, to any runner, 9:40 is still ridiculously slow. But since I've been running approx 11 min miles when doing long distances, I was happy to at least push myself to go faster for a shorter time. It also meant I was fully warmed up the minute kickboxing started. YAY!
And, another sign of better fitness is that pushups and situps are getting so much easier! YAY! I am no pushup master, but have gone from doing them on my knees to a short number of "proper pushups" and being able to sustain plank position. Little by little, I WILL be fit!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't updated this blog every time I work out, my goodness you'd be tired of reading it if you're not already! But I successfully got at least 1, if not 2 or more hours of exercise every day this weekend.
Yesterday, an awesome kickboxing class followed by a 2 mile walk with Laurie. Why walk when I could run you ask? Not everyone likes running, and I really like the social aspect of accompanying others while they meet their own fitness goals. I had been doing Weight Watchers online for a year, totally fell off the wagon, then my coworker Charlotte mentioned she does meetings, so I've just joined them in July - and finally seeing results! We agreed we'd walk around the area after meetings - and conveniently, another coworker, Laurie lives near the WW center and agreed to meet us after meetings are over.
I can no longer attend Tuesday meetings because I'd begged my local Y to add a kickboxing class and they did - right when I am normally on my way to WW! So I'm now attending Sunday meetings, and then just meeting up with Charlotte/Laurie when the WW meeting gets out for walking. It's good times!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes, I think that was officially a rambling post!
The kickboxing, step, muscle toning, and other cardio classes I've been enjoying are either RIGHT when the gym opens or at 6/7p. It does not afford me time to use the treadmill for a 30 minute run before class because either the gym isn't open, or I'm still trying to haul booty just to escape the office. And, after class is over, well, I can run a mile, maybe 2. But 30 minutes after an hour of kickboxing? Who are you fricking kidding?! I'm getting in better shape, but I DO have limits here!
So, this means I've been doing lots of fun classes, and then running 1-2 miles. I guess it's good as for an hour and a half of cardio endurance, but being that it's only partly running, really isn't enough for my training.
Today I made the first step toward reshifting the focus. I arrived at the gym 25 mins PRIOR to my cardio kickboxing class. Not as early as I hoped, but better than coming in the minute it started! Changed, had 15 minutes 'til class started. So I stretched, did a 2 min walk, and then ran a 9:40 mile.
Now, to any runner, 9:40 is still ridiculously slow. But since I've been running approx 11 min miles when doing long distances, I was happy to at least push myself to go faster for a shorter time. It also meant I was fully warmed up the minute kickboxing started. YAY!
And, another sign of better fitness is that pushups and situps are getting so much easier! YAY! I am no pushup master, but have gone from doing them on my knees to a short number of "proper pushups" and being able to sustain plank position. Little by little, I WILL be fit!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't updated this blog every time I work out, my goodness you'd be tired of reading it if you're not already! But I successfully got at least 1, if not 2 or more hours of exercise every day this weekend.
Yesterday, an awesome kickboxing class followed by a 2 mile walk with Laurie. Why walk when I could run you ask? Not everyone likes running, and I really like the social aspect of accompanying others while they meet their own fitness goals. I had been doing Weight Watchers online for a year, totally fell off the wagon, then my coworker Charlotte mentioned she does meetings, so I've just joined them in July - and finally seeing results! We agreed we'd walk around the area after meetings - and conveniently, another coworker, Laurie lives near the WW center and agreed to meet us after meetings are over.
I can no longer attend Tuesday meetings because I'd begged my local Y to add a kickboxing class and they did - right when I am normally on my way to WW! So I'm now attending Sunday meetings, and then just meeting up with Charlotte/Laurie when the WW meeting gets out for walking. It's good times!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes, I think that was officially a rambling post!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Upcoming Races
So, back in Chicago where I grew up, the main running season was from late spring through late fall... there were a few winter races, but that was risky because of the ice on the ground... and for me, well, 'cuz I wasn't a runner and anything running was dangerous!
Here in Florida, it's so bloomin' hot in the summer that our running season is actually from September through late spring. How convenient, I'm just in time!
I signed up for the Autumn Rock n Run 5k on September 15 but need more for my running calendar to keep me on track. Even though my half marathon training will increase training distances, I think I'll do 5ks throughout the fall to see how my time increases. I'm purely training to COMPLETE the Disney Half Marathon. Crossing the finish line will be a victory for me, regardless of what the clock says! But I'm sure the more I run to train for the half marathon, the better my time would be on a shorter distance. I think??
So, here's the menu of upcoming races on my calendar. I'll try to do at least one every 2 weeks, may scope out the weather on a few... So far I'm registered for two, will try to do at least half of them. It's nice to have so many options :-)
9/9 Komen Race for the Cure 5k
9/15 Autumn Rock n Run 5k - REGISTERED.
9/29 Miracle Miles 5k & 15k (I'm thinking 5k for me!)
10/13 Kathy Stilwell’s Celebration of Life 5k
10/21 U Can Finish 5 Miler & 2 Mile presented by Florida Hospital
10/27 Dick Batchelor Run for the Children 5k
11/11 Florida Hospital Celebration Health Founders' Day 10k & 5k (Carolyn may be in town, but if not, then I'll do the 10k)
11/22 - NAPERVILLE Turkey Trot - who wants to run with me in Chicago burbs?!
12/1 OUC Half Marathon & 5k
12/8 RDV Sportsplex Reindeer Run 5k
1/12/08 - DISNEY HALF MARATHON!!!!! (13.1 miles, baby) - registered (it's closed)
1/26/08 Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5k presented by Florida Hospital
2/23/08 House of Hope Run Around the Pines 5k presented by Florida Hospital
3/29/08 James C. Barnett Memorial 10k & 2 Mile presented by Florida Hospital (10k for me)
Here in Florida, it's so bloomin' hot in the summer that our running season is actually from September through late spring. How convenient, I'm just in time!
I signed up for the Autumn Rock n Run 5k on September 15 but need more for my running calendar to keep me on track. Even though my half marathon training will increase training distances, I think I'll do 5ks throughout the fall to see how my time increases. I'm purely training to COMPLETE the Disney Half Marathon. Crossing the finish line will be a victory for me, regardless of what the clock says! But I'm sure the more I run to train for the half marathon, the better my time would be on a shorter distance. I think??
So, here's the menu of upcoming races on my calendar. I'll try to do at least one every 2 weeks, may scope out the weather on a few... So far I'm registered for two, will try to do at least half of them. It's nice to have so many options :-)
9/9 Komen Race for the Cure 5k
9/15 Autumn Rock n Run 5k - REGISTERED.
9/29 Miracle Miles 5k & 15k (I'm thinking 5k for me!)
10/13 Kathy Stilwell’s Celebration of Life 5k
10/21 U Can Finish 5 Miler & 2 Mile presented by Florida Hospital
10/27 Dick Batchelor Run for the Children 5k
11/11 Florida Hospital Celebration Health Founders' Day 10k & 5k (Carolyn may be in town, but if not, then I'll do the 10k)
11/22 - NAPERVILLE Turkey Trot - who wants to run with me in Chicago burbs?!
12/1 OUC Half Marathon & 5k
12/8 RDV Sportsplex Reindeer Run 5k
1/12/08 - DISNEY HALF MARATHON!!!!! (13.1 miles, baby) - registered (it's closed)
1/26/08 Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5k presented by Florida Hospital
2/23/08 House of Hope Run Around the Pines 5k presented by Florida Hospital
3/29/08 James C. Barnett Memorial 10k & 2 Mile presented by Florida Hospital (10k for me)
Life As a Non-Smoker
Gawd, smoking is one of those guilty pleasures. That you should be able to do without hurting yourself, hurting others, offending others, or leaving the smell everywhere.
Giving it up is one of the harder things I've done in my life. I tried many times and relapsed. But as a runner, RELAPSE IS NOT AN OPTION. Yes, I must be a runner - if I succeed at running, I will succeed in my journey as a non-smoker. Maybe it's just mental, but I'm making a correlation between the two. A defense mechanism perhaps?
My brother Jeff was in town last month. I had one. And quite frankly, 1 since nearly two months ago isn't half bad.
At this point I'm not really worried about relapse. The pride of succeeding is by far better than any pleasure that rolled up tobacco could ever give me. I could be mad at myself for ever starting smoking, but I think I'll focus on the pride of being a recovered smoker instead.
There was one article that someone passed along to me that has been helpful on tough days:
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html
Absolutely wonderful "story" and so true.
And now, yes, I can smell a smoker a mile away. And they reek - not in a good way.
Many people told me they never smelled the smoke on me like other people, but I have to think they were just being nice. There's no way I didn't reek.
Running is better for me. Maybe my knees will give out. But at least it doesn't cause knee cancer, hehe. :-)
Shyam and I promised ourselves we'd set aside $25/each for every week without smoking, which is approximately $200 a month. We haven't actually put any money in a separate account, but I did the math and after a year, this would give us $2400 to take a nice trip somewhere. Yay :-) A healthier and better traveled couple. Life is sounding good.
Giving it up is one of the harder things I've done in my life. I tried many times and relapsed. But as a runner, RELAPSE IS NOT AN OPTION. Yes, I must be a runner - if I succeed at running, I will succeed in my journey as a non-smoker. Maybe it's just mental, but I'm making a correlation between the two. A defense mechanism perhaps?
My brother Jeff was in town last month. I had one. And quite frankly, 1 since nearly two months ago isn't half bad.
At this point I'm not really worried about relapse. The pride of succeeding is by far better than any pleasure that rolled up tobacco could ever give me. I could be mad at myself for ever starting smoking, but I think I'll focus on the pride of being a recovered smoker instead.
There was one article that someone passed along to me that has been helpful on tough days:
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/joelcigfriend.html
Absolutely wonderful "story" and so true.
And now, yes, I can smell a smoker a mile away. And they reek - not in a good way.
Many people told me they never smelled the smoke on me like other people, but I have to think they were just being nice. There's no way I didn't reek.
Running is better for me. Maybe my knees will give out. But at least it doesn't cause knee cancer, hehe. :-)
Shyam and I promised ourselves we'd set aside $25/each for every week without smoking, which is approximately $200 a month. We haven't actually put any money in a separate account, but I did the math and after a year, this would give us $2400 to take a nice trip somewhere. Yay :-) A healthier and better traveled couple. Life is sounding good.
Welcome! (and my first shoes!)
I'm creating this blog with the dilusion that one day I might be a runner. I know that positive self-talk is often the key to success, but let's be realistic - I tried to be sick every time we had to run the mile in school. My entire life I have hated running with a passion.
But I'm a girl who likes a challenge.
Tell me I can't, I'll prove you wrong.
I'm like that. Stubborn as can be. Not afraid to go against the grain. In fact, I think I take a twisted bit of pleasure in following the path of greater resistance. Just ask my mom...
So, since my body has always told me I can't run, I'm going to try to prove it wrong. The healthy way, with conditioning, training, practice, and probably a lot of curse words along the journey :-)
My reasons for deciding to take up running were several...
1) the CHALLENGE.
2) to help shed the love handles. group classes are fun, but I need something that requires commitment.
3) three, to f-ing quick smoking. Ok, there you have it, my first curse word. I picked up the nasty habit while in college and knew I had to put myself in a situation where smoking isn't an option - and Shyam and I aren't ready for kids yet... so running is to become my addictive fix.
Back in November 2006, I was crazy and took up Couch to 5k, a beginner's running program. Crazy you ask? Yes, because we were in the middle of selling a condo to relocate cross country, plan a wedding, the holidays, and snow on the ground. I got to the 5th week of the program, where you run 20 minutes straight, and gave up. I wasn't ready to quit smoking yet, got caught up in the holidays, and abandoned the program. Then in February 2007, we moved to Florida, and I was certain I'd spend many a Saturday training on palmy trails. Again, who was I kidding? I am a procrastinator and the last months of the wedding planning really caught up with me.
.... so, you ask yourself while reading this, does she ever follow through?
Well, that's the plan. Seriously.
As many of you reading this may know, I'm an active member of Weight Watchers online. In June, another Floridian, Julie (GPBYJULES), was contemplating signing up for the Disney Half Marathon - we sort of dared each other to do it and went for it. Accountability.... ah haaaaah. I told her I'd run a few times before the wedding but nothing crazy, however I'd be 100% on target after returning from our Honeymoon.
So...
5/31/2007 Registered for 1/12/08 Disney Half Marathon - Check.
7/7/07 Wedding - Check.
7/9/07-7/17/07 Honeymoon - Check.
7/17/07 QUIT SMOKING - Check (this one is huge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
7/20/07 Started attending aerobics classes at the Y - Check.
7/22/07 Restarted C25k running program - Happy Birthday Me :-)
7/24/07 Went to my 1st Weight Watchers (WW) meeting ever, after a year of trying to winging it by myself online and not getting so far..
8/14/07 Ran 2 miles nonstop for the 1st time in my life
I keep hovering around the 2-2.5 mile mark on my runs, time to bump it up. I run 2-4 days a week and cross train with cardio kickboxing, step, latin cardio, and weights. I've become a gym rat of sorts but am loving it.
more progress on becoming a healthier and more fit me....
8/13/07-11/4/07 I am leading a Halloween WW challenge to focus on the Healthy Guidelines of the plan, it's called SATP and I LOVE this group of girls!
and today, very exciting for me, was my first professional running store shoe fitting. Starting with my former manager Dirk, many runners have told me how going to a running specialty store for a fitting will make a world of difference. So, I went to Track Shack in Orlando (www.trackshack.com) this afternoon and got my first pair of "real" running shoes. I can't wait to try them out tomorrow after my Cardio Interval class!
So, lots of rambling. If you've read this far, I'm amazed. Leave a comment to let me know you visited! Maybe something organized in future posts... we'll see.
Happy Trails,
Denise
But I'm a girl who likes a challenge.
Tell me I can't, I'll prove you wrong.
I'm like that. Stubborn as can be. Not afraid to go against the grain. In fact, I think I take a twisted bit of pleasure in following the path of greater resistance. Just ask my mom...
So, since my body has always told me I can't run, I'm going to try to prove it wrong. The healthy way, with conditioning, training, practice, and probably a lot of curse words along the journey :-)
My reasons for deciding to take up running were several...
1) the CHALLENGE.
2) to help shed the love handles. group classes are fun, but I need something that requires commitment.
3) three, to f-ing quick smoking. Ok, there you have it, my first curse word. I picked up the nasty habit while in college and knew I had to put myself in a situation where smoking isn't an option - and Shyam and I aren't ready for kids yet... so running is to become my addictive fix.
Back in November 2006, I was crazy and took up Couch to 5k, a beginner's running program. Crazy you ask? Yes, because we were in the middle of selling a condo to relocate cross country, plan a wedding, the holidays, and snow on the ground. I got to the 5th week of the program, where you run 20 minutes straight, and gave up. I wasn't ready to quit smoking yet, got caught up in the holidays, and abandoned the program. Then in February 2007, we moved to Florida, and I was certain I'd spend many a Saturday training on palmy trails. Again, who was I kidding? I am a procrastinator and the last months of the wedding planning really caught up with me.
.... so, you ask yourself while reading this, does she ever follow through?
Well, that's the plan. Seriously.
As many of you reading this may know, I'm an active member of Weight Watchers online. In June, another Floridian, Julie (GPBYJULES), was contemplating signing up for the Disney Half Marathon - we sort of dared each other to do it and went for it. Accountability.... ah haaaaah. I told her I'd run a few times before the wedding but nothing crazy, however I'd be 100% on target after returning from our Honeymoon.
So...
5/31/2007 Registered for 1/12/08 Disney Half Marathon - Check.
7/7/07 Wedding - Check.
7/9/07-7/17/07 Honeymoon - Check.
7/17/07 QUIT SMOKING - Check (this one is huge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
7/20/07 Started attending aerobics classes at the Y - Check.
7/22/07 Restarted C25k running program - Happy Birthday Me :-)
7/24/07 Went to my 1st Weight Watchers (WW) meeting ever, after a year of trying to winging it by myself online and not getting so far..
8/14/07 Ran 2 miles nonstop for the 1st time in my life
I keep hovering around the 2-2.5 mile mark on my runs, time to bump it up. I run 2-4 days a week and cross train with cardio kickboxing, step, latin cardio, and weights. I've become a gym rat of sorts but am loving it.
more progress on becoming a healthier and more fit me....
8/13/07-11/4/07 I am leading a Halloween WW challenge to focus on the Healthy Guidelines of the plan, it's called SATP and I LOVE this group of girls!
and today, very exciting for me, was my first professional running store shoe fitting. Starting with my former manager Dirk, many runners have told me how going to a running specialty store for a fitting will make a world of difference. So, I went to Track Shack in Orlando (www.trackshack.com) this afternoon and got my first pair of "real" running shoes. I can't wait to try them out tomorrow after my Cardio Interval class!
So, lots of rambling. If you've read this far, I'm amazed. Leave a comment to let me know you visited! Maybe something organized in future posts... we'll see.
Happy Trails,
Denise
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