Turkey Day run coming up

Our annual family participation (ok, semi-annual for those of us who shuffle between families) in the St. Clare's Cardiac Classic is coming up. I was making progress toward my goal of running it with no walking breaks, but have been sidelined for a week with shingles. I did run an easy one mile today, so maybe if I can shake these by next weekend, I can get back on track (haha). And if I do have to take a walking break or two, it won't matter that much. I have been in the cheering section for several years due to injuries, so being able to run it again this year will be its own victory, regardless of how long it takes. Keep on running!

Making Progress -- sort of

Ran a 5k on the 21st. Just two quick walking breaks -- at each water stop. Took 4:30 off last year's fastest 5K, so really pleased with that. Fastest 5K in six years. Not bad for someone who has reached "senior" level in running terms. However, have put on 8 lbs. since winter. Wah. Need to find enough balance somewhere so I can run at least three days a week. Funny, took so much time off by essentially running just once a week. The secret must be to adopt a kid from Ethiopia and then spend your days chasing him. I had a bad mommy moment in the race though. It was a woman's run, so it becomes my one "this one's for me" race for the year. However, a small boy said, "Me too!" when I announced I had a race. So we let him run as a bandit with Daddy. He made so many people smile, it was totally worth it. But he went out like a rabbit and started tiring close to the halfway mark, plus he had run back to find me, so added considerable distance. I was running completely within myself, consistent pace each quarter mile. Eventually he couldn't keep up any more. "Mommy, wait" he pleaded. I kept going. I feel so bad. Daddy stayed with him, but I still feel bad. He finished about seven minutes behind me. Was it ok for me to be selfish this one time, or should I have responded to that plaintive "Mommy wait!"? Sigh.

Karen Chimes In

Ok, just got this thing figured out, maybe. I'm supposed to be running a mile race today, but it's outside and it's really cold. Wah. I was going to just run a training run around the neighborhood instead, but I'm feeling so chilled that I might just stick to a walk on the treadmill. I can't run on the treadmill (yet) because it's on a permanent incline that got my heart rate up to what seemed like 200 after just a few minutes. Just not ready for that kind of hill work yet. It would be nice to have it set at no incline so I could actually run, but we're thinking that ability might be broken. Walking uphill constantly is quite a workout anyway, so I might as well do that. Thanks to Easter, I've gained back three pounds of the 10 I lost since Jan. 5. NO MORE JUNK FOOD IN THE HOUSE!

Busy

Been really busy lately. 3rd thermo test yesterday. Final a week from this Friday. Lots of reading, note taking, flashcard making, and homework. Not to mention movies and poker with the guys from work, cat night, boggle sessions, dinner with the tv, etc. Tomorrow I will head to either Dicks or Sports Authority, but probably Dicks since it is closer, and pick up some workout/running clothes and a stopwatch. I already have an ipod shuffle, with the built in clip, so all I need to do is maybe update the tunes on it and I should be good to go.

I'll make sure I have some water before and after the race and I can always cool off with the pool or cool shower.

I recently bought a nice scale from BB&B so I will be able to track not only my running, but my weight as well. Expect frequent weigh-ins.

Hope to start my first day asap, maybe tomorrow. Hopefully it will be cooler, it was 88F here today.

Fred

Day One

The real day one, that is. A little backstory: I have been trying on and off since college to become a more active, healthier person, which is difficult for me. I've never really been an athelete and I honestly have never loved exercising. Each time, I try something a little, usually am successful/overly gung-ho for a while, and eventually quit, with some excuse. Since college I have been walking less and driving more and have put on a few pounds. But, getting fit is actually important to me. Obviously our family has a history of obesity. I want to stop that in its tracks.

So, I figure it will be easier to work out with a buddy or two. And who better than my dear, old, also-disposed-to-gaining-weight family?

I've begun to play ultimate frisbee, a sport that is kind of a cross between soccer, basketball, and football. It's fun, and can be very high intensity. Sunday I played two games, though during the second I wasn't really in for that many points. I think I have noticed an increase in my stamina even just over the ten weeks of twice weekly games. Monday it was raining and I didn't do anything.

Which brings me to today. Today I started the couch to 5k plan and did the Day One run: warm up walk for 5 minutes, 20 minutes of alternating 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking, followed by a 5 minute cooldown walk. Sounds easy. In a way, it was. I was never winded or out of breath. However, my legs HURT! I think possibly they were still tired from Sunday's game. Also, I have been exercising in cleats on grass. At home I am running on concrete sidewalks which I think is most likely what killed me. Any thoughts, guys? Should I try running on the street? I don't really want to have to drive to a track to run, but the sidewalks are just so ouchy!

Other than that, it was a good run. Beautiful skies filled with puffy clouds and the setting sun, and a moderate 80 degrees.

For the future: get bugspray. Also, as a pointer, the thin elastic headbands made by scunci that have no slip rubber on them work remarkable well for holding back the little wispies - Karen should know what I mean. And, we need to pick some 5ks for the end of our nine weeks, and some kind of road race to do over Christmas.


How about you guys? Any running?

Edification

Matt and I planned to do the couch to 5k plan: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

So three times a week, we plan to do one of these runs, after which, I thought we could write about it: maybe how we felt, what the weather was like, what we saw, whatever.

I also am personally trying to track what I eat every day and will start posting it here for people to read. I am encouraging Matt to do the same.

Further stuff to add: tips, possible stretching routines (I am also trying to gain flexibility), goals, motivation, you name it.

If Karen wants to join in on this plan, great! Karen and Matt should both be able to sign in and write posts.

Any more questions?

Flabulous to Fabulous! Week 1, Day 0

The first day of our getting healthy plan! Matt and I are geared up to go tomorrow. We are planning on starting the couch to 5k plan which will take 9 weeks to complete, and will be tracking what we eat and drink every day. I can't speak for Matt, but I am eager to try to avoid the obesity that seems to run in my family by creating a healthier lifestyle for myself now. Hopefully writing about our experences every day will help keep us on track. I'm psyched.