Feeling Good

2.1mi = 3.3796km

That's how long I can run (jog) for.  Three times I've done it now.  My next goal is 2.35 miles and my first attempt will hopefully be tomorrow.  I have previously said that it's boredom that makes me want to stop during my runs, not being tired.  I feel confident that I have the energy to make that distance, I just hope I have the attention span to accomplish it.

My schedule is a little off again.  My normal Wednesday run was preempted by taking the family to a hockey game.  Fun night; ate my favorite big, yummy (probably extremely fattening) hot dog - smothered in onions, bacon and nacho cheese!  Unfortunately, our team lost though.  Thursday night was karate for the kids so I didn't run until yesterday (Friday).  I also did yoga on my lunch break at work and my legs felt like jello all afternoon but I still ran, and I felt pretty good. 

So bad, I know!

I don't have anything else to report otherwise but I figured it was time to make an update.  It may be short but the part that I can run for 30 minutes (and not be super winded) is freaking exciting!

Deflated

There I was feeling all proud of myself that I could "run" for 25 minutes when I noticed that the Couch to 5k app says "Jog for 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes)".  2.5 miles?  I'm supposed to be at 2.5 miles?  Whoa!!!  I had been all proud of my 1.75 miles per run.L At least it has helped me to figure out a plan to get to 3.1 miles (aka 5k) for real.  I have continued on to Week 8.  Day 1 and 2 were 28 minutes each which I did without problem.  Day 3 will be 30 minutes, which was supposed to be 3 miles (not quite 5k).  After Week 8 is complete I will continue to add 0.25 miles once I am comfortable with each distance.  Once I actually achieve 3.1 miles, then I can either work on speed or possibly take it outside. 

1.75mi = 2.8164km

Taking it outside.  That is something that has never interested me before.  Now I am bored on the treadmill and that is what makes it hard to run for as long as I need to sometimes.   I know running outside will be totally different and I will need to get past my anxiety of running in "public" but I hope that a change of scenery will make it easier.   Plus. this means I can shop for some "outdoor" shoes!

I've been feeling like a may be developing a shin splint.  I have purchased some KT Tape (aka physio tape) and will likely apply it if the pain persists.  Tonights run will be the deciding factor.   This tape is the type that many of the athletes in the last summer Olympics wore for various injuries.  

I am looking forward to tonight's run.  I can't believe I am going to jog for 30 minutes again.  I never thought I would get back to that time, or at least not this quick!

 

The (Running) Week That Was

Sunday. . .Couch to 5k Week 6, Day 3. . .I ran for 22 minutes.  I told myself I could do it and then I did it!  The last three minutes were hard, but I kept going.  I really was amazed since the 20 minute run only one week prior had felt so far beyond my reach and now I had accomplished 22 minutes instead.  Next up was Week 7, Day 1. . .25 minutes.

Tuesday. . .I ran for those 25 minutes!  I gave it my all.  I turned the iPhone screen off so that I couldn't see how long I had left.  Once I did start feeling like I was (hopefully) close to the end, I turned it on and found three minutes remaining.  Those three minutes were again hard, but I did it! 

Thursday. . .Couch to 5k Week 7, Day 2 was 25 minutes again and I nailed it.  Once again I turned the screen off, but this time I didn't turn it on again.  I was so satisfied with myself!

Friday. . .Lunchtime yoga.  Oh, it was hard.  I usually have a rest day before yoga day but since my run schedule is off track, there was no rest day.  I'm not sure if I was just tired in general or if not having a rest day was the problem but I did feel super shaky.  I really need to work on my upper body strength though because even on a good day, the upper body yoga exercises are difficult for me.

Today (Saturday). . .I am sore and stiff from yoga but I need to run today as I would like to get my run schedule back to the normal days (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday).  I have run in this condition before so I am hopeful that I can do it.  If I don't make it through at least I can say I tried!!!  I am repeating myself but remember, even a bad run is better than no run at all!

Keep On Going

I forgot that Couch to 5k, Week 5 was such a bitch!!!  Day 1, three five-minute runs, good.  Day 2, two eight-minute runs, check! Day 3, one twenty-minute run?!?  I don't think so!  I ran for ten, walked for four, then ran for six.  I was originally thinking I would just stick to Day 3 for my next few runs until I could get to twenty minutes, but then I looked at Week 6 and it makes way more sense to carry on as normal.  Day 1 is broken up again into 5-8-5 minutes so I think I'm just going to continue as normal without repeating the day. 

I haven't been very disciplined at staying under 1700 calories.  I don't necessarily go very far over that amount but I must start to make a better effort at staying under.  I did lose one pound since last month so I am pleased, but I feel I could get closer to that 160 mark quicker if I can just stick closer to that goal.  My Fitbit shows that I burn more calories then I take in on most days but I would prefer to see a larger deficit.

 

I would also like to make a bigger effort to reduce my grain intake, but that's a hard one for me.  I admit it, I love my bread.  I just need to get more on top of having other options easily available to me.

Lesson Learned

My schedule is a little off track AND I was very bad on Saturday.  I had a hair appointment first thing then I worked overtime and didn't eat properly during the day.  When it came time for dinner I was non-selective.  My mom wanted to go out for dinner and when we got there, I was starved!  I ordered two appetizers for the table and soon found out that I was the only one that liked the hot spinach dip that I ordered!  My son ended up liking it too but only ate a little bit because he was more interested in the other appetizer, sweet potato fries. Then for my entrée I ordered a larger dinner than normal too and ate all of it!  Lesson learned. . .eat properly during the day!!!

So good, but so bad!

I also didn't do my run!  By the time we got home it was late and my stomach so full, there was no way to run without cramping or worse.  I normally try to eat light if I'm going to go for a run so it really wasn't going to happen.  I will go tonight. I need to get back on schedule at some point and the overtime in my future doesn't make it very easy.

Color Me Broke

Last night was the first time in the five weeks since I've returned to my journey that I missed my "run".  I'm at Week 5, Day 2, but had to postpone until tonight. You see, life gets in the way sometimes, and on the weekend one of my cats became ill and had to be taken in to the vet.  He stayed for two nights and came home Tuesday night to the tune of $1200 and an expensive special diet.  So, when the opportunity to work overtime was presented, my hand was up. "Ooh, ooh, pick me!"  Now tonight we normally have extracurricular activities but due to a parent-teacher night those activities are being skipped giving me the opportunity to get my run in.  

I haven't shared that I registered for Color Me Rad this year.  I'm super excited!  It will be my first 5k!  The reviews from last year advise that I probably won't be running the entire time due to crowding and color-bomb stations, but I really would like to do my best.  I am glad though because right now I'm saying "What was I thinking? 5k? Yeah, right!"  I was also saying that during my five-minute runs on Monday.  How the heck did I ever make it up to 30 minutes before?!?  It's all for fun so I'll try not to worry too much.

The Blog Post That Turned Into A Rant. . .

One-sixty seven.  Progress is so slow now.  It kind of makes me really think that 170 is really where my body is meant to be.  I had no troubles maintaining 170 but getting lower and then maintaining that may not be in my future.  I kind of still want to get lower just to say I did it, but I'm pretty sure that 170 will be the ultimate place to never go over again!

The biggest reason I can't see myself getting past this "plateau" is because I do refuse to cut my calories any lower.  I've always lived by the motto "I'd rather be fat and happy then skinny and deprived".  It's still true even though I have lost weight.  
 

I know there will always be critics who think I'm lazy or unhealthy but you know what? They don't get to critique me because I did make changes and I am healthier than I once was and there are many other people out there in far worse shape than I ever was.  

Also, I can't stand those people who used to be "fat" that now critique every "fat" persons' "bad" choices.  Do you think they don't know they're being unhealthy?  Do you think they don't know that they're "fat"?  That used to be you!!!  Not everyone can do it.  Some people just can't make that commitment and keep it.  Some people don't have the time or resources to go to the gym or go running or whatever.  If it was easy then there would be no "fat" people, we would all be skinny!  People do not need to judge others for what they do or do not do.  Offer advice based on what helped you, but don't expect it to be followed, let it be taken if wanted, adapted as needed, and ignored by those who are not interested.  End rant.