C25K: Week 5 Day 2

Day 2 of week 5 went much better than I anticipated.  The run intervals are now at 8 minutes a piece with a walk of 3 minutes in between.  I am feeling much more confident about my running and less like I "need" the walks to recover.  I can definitely see how this training program works and builds up endurance and strength.  Even after each of the running segments, I felt like I could still keep going.  I am not feeling as exhausted after my workouts either.  I am really starting to enjoy it.  Plus now that the runs are longer than 3-5 minutes, I am actually starting to feel a little bit more of the "runner's high" which I completely love!  My strength training is also going well.  I am wishing my arms would get toned up more quickly, but it'll all happen in good time.  My legs are solid muscle now and i LOVE that... they don't jiggle at all anymore lol... not even my inner thighs.  I am seriously excited about this.  Well, on to day 3 on Friday!  Wish me luck :)  Thanks for all the support!

C25K: Week 5 Day 1

Week 5 Day 1 of C25K began today...Monday September 27, 2011  The workout is a little harder than last week.... there are more 5 minute run intervals through the duration of the workout.  Definitely a challenge but much much much more endurance is being built up too!!  Not really anything new to post...just wanted to update this blog and let everyone know the progress is coming along slowly but surely!  Happy Running people :)

C25K: Week 4 Day 3

Day 3 of week 4 and I am feeling it...  I am definitely sore, but that just means more progress, right?  :)  I don't know why, but this is the second time in a row that I have gotten a stitch in my right side.  I need to work on more controlled breathing to prevent my diaphragm from freaking out on me like this....  This is now a top priority!  I am excited and a little nervous about next week because the running intervals will be even more intense, but ready for more progress!!  I'm beginning to wonder how my runs now on the treadmill will compare to my runs outside once it cools off a little more....

Weight training is going well.  My legs look amazing now and I am very happy about this....  My arms are a little slower to get into shape... probably because I have NEVER in my entire 29 years of life weight trained my arms.  So basically, I am using tiny amounts of weight like 20-30lbs on my arms compared to the 100lbs on my legs.  I know it will take longer to sculpt my arms but I am definitely hoping to see more progress at the end of the next month.  I am hoping to be able to increase the weight and the amount of reps soon.  I am determined to be the fittest and healthiest  I have ever been within the next year.  Thanks for everybody's support and encouragement! :)

C25K: Week 4 Day 2

Ok, so I am falling behind on this blog! lol...  Last week I pretty much was a slacker because I was so wrapped up in celebrating my husband's birthday and making a week of it.  Anyway, no more excuses this week!  I am redoing week 4 and Monday was day 1 while today, Tuesday, was day 2...  Weight training upper and lower body on Mon, Wed, Fri still.  I am now leg pressing and glute pressing 100 lbs!!  So excited about this.  My legs are so much stronger.  I can tell a huge difference since I started this running program.  I also think the weight training is helping to condition my legs and prevent any running injuries.  Today was the first day I  got a side stitch... and ugh, oh boy did it suck!  I am pretty sure it was because I didn't have as much water intake as I normally do and maybe was a little dehydrated.  I rushed to the gym instead of waiting until a little bit later in the day.  Other than that my progress is great and I am amazed at how well this program trains you physically as well as building up cardiovascular endurance!

C25K: Week 4 Day 1

Started Week 4 of C25K today and it is definitely pushing me farther than last week.  I'm averaging an 11 minute mile run time and a 14 minute mile walk time now... so I can tell my speed is getting quicker as well as my endurance getting better.  The weight training that I have been doing has also helped me build muscle and lose fat and prevent running injuries.  This is the training schedule this week:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
• Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Cool down for 5 minutes (walking)

It is getting more difficult each week, but I am also starting to tap into the runner's high and really enjoying every minute.  I'll be up to running 30-45 minutes straight in just a couple more weeks and that is exciting!!  The first thing I want to do when I get up is go to the gym... I am officially addicted :)  Hope you all have a very happy and healthy week!!

C25K: Week 3 Day 3

Decent workout today... I put in my 2 hours at the gym and feel great now!  So  much extra energy since I started working out and training again.  I completed C25K Week 3 Day 3 today and will move on to week 4 on Monday.  Because of the labor day holiday, I worked out Tues, Thurs and today (Fri) instead of my normal Mon, Wed, Fri routine.  I think today's workout was harder for me because I didn't have as much recovery time as usual with the back to back C25K training days this week.  I definitely like the Mon, Wed, Fri schedule much more.  I know next week will be even more of a challenge, but I am so looking forward to it...to pushing myself just a little further.  Happy Friday everybody! Hope you have a blessed weekend :)

C25K: Week 3 Day 2

Today was great... I got my workout in early afternoon and had major energy all day after that.  I'm still on week three so the run intervals vary between 1 and 1/2 minutes to 3 minutes at a time.  Next week they will be up to 5 minutes of straight running so I am a little nervous and excited all at the same time.  Today was also a weight training day for me and I feel sore... but the good kind of sore lol  I can tell a huge difference in the strength of my legs... I am up to 100lbs on leg presses and glute presses/hoist machine.  I can also tell a difference in how my body looks, especially my legs.  Longer, leaner and tighter.  I honestly am enjoying the changes and am completely addicted to the gym again.  My workouts usually last 2 hours with a 15 minute sauna session to relax afterwards.

I also ordered this awesome Key holder for when I run at the track at night...  I can put it around my wrist and not worry about my keys, plus it's way cute!!  My family member sells them if anyone needs one! :)

http://mobileguide.thirtyonegifts.com/Product/89

C25K: Week 3 Day 1 (Redo!)

Well today was day 1 of week 3 of C25K for me since I was a total slacker last week and on Labor Day....  I can tell a huge difference when I skip that long between runs.  It was definitely harder today after taking so much time off.  After my run, I weight trained extra hard... higher weights...3 sets of 10... to make up for missing last week.  I always regret the days I skip working out but I never regret my runs or workouts.... so when I totally do not feel like working out or hitting the gym, I tell myself "you will regret skipping it but you won't regret doing it once you're done."  Once the adrenaline kicks in and I hit my runner's high, I am golden!  One last quick thing before I end this short but sweet blog today....  I have found a new delicious dessert or treat that only has 100 calories and I am in love with it!  So far they come in 2 flavors and both are good:

Every single time I eat one, it instantly brings me back to family trips to Astroworld with my Dad, Mom and sisters....  gotta love nostalgia.

Back on Track!

So, this past week I had family come in from out of town to visit and stay with us and then Labor Day weekend was here and basically I blew off my gym routine.  I'm going to redo C25K week 3 this week and add more weight training to try to make up for my missed workouts and get back on schedule.  Ready to get my routine back on track, my energy level up and a step closer to my weight loss/exercise goals!!  So, here we go... lets get this week started.