My LAST C25K Workout!!! (Week 9 Day 3)

I can NOT believe today is the last day of my Couch to 5K running program, but it is... it is over, I finished it!  I feel a little sad, a lot happy, overjoyed, excited, amazed and so proud of finishing the 9 weeks and bettering my health.  I also feel excited, antsy, nervous and ready to start my Bridge to 10K running program next week!  I can't wait for the new challenge which will last 6 weeks and then 1/2 marathon training will be for 12 weeks followed by The Gusher 1/2 Marathon race this spring!  All I can imagine are new and even better, more fit and healthy changes to my life and lifestyle.

As far as C25K goes, it is the absolute best thing I have ever done for myself.  This gave me a healthy way to get in shape and healthy physically and mentally.  It truly does become a way to meditate, zone out or de-stress.  It also makes you want to eat healthier....  It made me crave fruits, veggies and whole grains and I firmly believe it's because it's what your body need for fuel to run.  I can't imagine not running and hope to be able to do so injury free for many years to come.  Hopefully this will be my healthy example for my future children and something we can eventually do together and bond over.

For anyone considering an exercise program or change, I would definitely say do this.... other than a good pair of shoes, it's free and you can run anywhere, anytime.  What's better than that?  A healthy and affordable exercise program!  Thanks for all the support throughout this journey.  Now, on to the 10K!!  Bring it!

Happy Running everybody!

C25K: Week 9 Day 2

Week 9 Day 2 happened tonight at my new favorite park to run in.  It is really pretty and peaceful with plenty of trails and is very well maintained.  I am pretty sure I will be logging plenty of miles there.  Especially during the summertime when it gets really warm since it's covered with trees and shade.  It is definitely more of a challenge running outside with wind resistance and different temperatures everyday.  I am going to start training more outside for sure to have me more prepared, adjusted and adapted to running outside before my race in the spring.  Plus nature is so much more relaxing...feels like a form of meditation to me.  I love that my mind can wander and all my stress melts away.  I can't believe how far I have come in 9 weeks and I can't wait to keep moving forward and training hard.  My last C25K workout is this week!  Insane... only 1 more to go.

Here's a picture of the new running spot!

Happy Running Ya'll!

C25K: Week 9 Day 1

Day 1 of week 9 (the last week) of C25K was today and it's bittersweet...  I'm excited that I have almost reached my goal of completing this running program, but sad that it's almost over.  After this week, I will be moving on to half marathon training and am pretty nervous!  Today was a 5 minute warm up, 30 minutes consecutive running followed by a 5 minute cool down.  At the end of the run, I felt amazing and like I could keep going.  So, I left the treadmill and headed to the park with my sister (who started C25K today!) to run some more.  Tomorrow is a weight training day for me at the gym...  I am convinced that this is helping to strengthen my body and prevent running injuries.

As far as new food ideas, I finally put my Magic Bullet to good use and made the most delicious green smoothie ever!  I have noticed after longer runs, I am not in the mood to eat big meals, so this helps me get more fruits and veggies in my diet because even if i'm not hungry I can gulp it down real fast lol.  Here's the recipe:

1/2 C. 100% Carrot Juice
1 Kiwi, sliced
1/2 Banana (I like it frozen because the smoothie is colder)
1/2 Granny Smith Apple, Sliced
1 C. Fresh Spinach

Blend until smooth!!  I love how much fruit and veggies are in 1 glass of a "made at home" smoothie... so much better than the ones you buy somewhere that are just full of sugars and fruit juices which are basically just sugars.  You can also add a little vanilla yogurt or a teaspoon of raw honey to sweeten this up a little more if you need it.

The best and most natural Carrot Juice I have found.... tastes really fresh too:

C25K Week 8 Day 2

Today was day 2 of week 8 and I can NOT believe that I only have 4 workouts left in the C25K training program!  The past couple of months have flown by and I can see so many changes in my body now.  I definitely want to keep going and improving on my running skills.  I love this sport.  All you need is a good pair of running shoes and you're set.  What other sport can say that?  My endurance level is also so much better.  I can run 28 minutes as of now and not feel winded!  I felt miserable after 1 minute running intervals in the beginning, so yes, this program totally works.  My legs are amazing now too and i love that.  The only issue I am having is my legs start to feel tight in the last 5 minutes of my run interval even with stretching.... so I have to figure out a way to prevent this.  Other than that, i feel awesome and so energized!  The runner's high is definitely worth any pain or discomfort during the run.  Besides, pain is weakness leaving the body, right? :)  As soon as I finish up this program, I will be moving on to 1/2 marathon training and all of the new challenges that come along with that... excitement and nervousness.

One last thing.... my friend introduced me to this product.  I told my husband about it last night and of course he went out and bought me some.  <3 him!  Any girl with boobs knows, that your arms can get chaffed from rubbing against the seams of your sports bra.  This stuff is a lifesaver.  Just a tip for any fellow runners... good on arms, legs, feet (to prevent blisters), anywhere that has friction!

HAPPY RUNNING EVERYBODY!