Almost a Year

It's been almost a year since I started on this running path. I absolutely HATED running with a passion prior to this. But I thought I would try it to see if that was still the case. I think the whole minimal/barefoot running concept won me over. And using a program like C25k totally helped.

But who knew that I'd be starting over several times after completing the program? That was quite disappointing since I worked so hard on the program NOT to repeat a week. I was successful at that, but slacked on keeping up the time and distance after the program. I didn't do the C25K program over again, but kept having to work at getting up to where I was when I finished the program. My distance as well as speed just went downhill due to obstacles.

FIRST it was stubbing my toe and that prevented me from running for about 2 months. Man, that one really hurt. I was SO annoyed because it took SO long to heal. I would stay active in other ways, but felt I lost all the hardwork I put into the C25K program.

AND THEN I got caught up again on distance, BUT got into a funk a few more times. Now, I'm slowly trying to up my distance, and eventually work on increasing my speed again.

This morning I ran outside again and it felt AWESOME. I wish I can say goodbye to my treadmill, but I do need it. My goal today was 2 miles. I just ran in my neighborhood and when I made it back close to home I stopped. I looked at my phone and runmeter said I only ran 1.76 miles. Oh darn, I was shy a quarter of a mile. I looked at the map and now have a new game plan to accomplish that distance in my neighborhood. And my time was alright at 20:49min. I'll take a 12min mile right now. Much better than my runs on the treadmill, that's for sure.

But nonetheless, I had a great time on my run. I started off slow and just went at a speed that was comfortable. I let my body decided on the speed (unlike the treadmill) and it was GREAT! I stayed at that speed for a while and didn't tire as easily. It was definitely a good run for me today. If I had more time I would have done a quick walk break and continued for at least another mile or so, but unfortunately I had to get ready for work.

I'm going to try and get that 2mile run done this weekend. I am loving this sunny weather!

When Sidelined, Cross Train!

C-Dog said I was slacking on my blog posts. Hey, I gotta listen to my readers and motivators....so here ya go.

I have been RICE'ing my foot throughout this ordeal. Yeah, I'm still disappointed. I'm going crazy not being able to run. (I've been reading RunMeter updates from C-Dog and Andrew on their runs. So jealous!) And when I can start running again, I'll have to start off slow ONCE again. It's a bit frustrating, but I'm sure I'm not the only runner who has gone through this. Grrrr.... this is NOT looking good for my last 5k of the year. As of now, I'm not even thinking of beating my already slow PR.

Today I noticed that my foot's feeling a little better as I walk on it. I'm receiving this as a sign of progress and healing. Normally having a cube job (sitting in a cubical for 8hrs a day) makes it difficult to stay in shape. As I sit I imagine, and I swear I can feel, my booty expanding. Not the bodacious J-Lo or Kim Kardashian expansion, but like a wide load on a semi. But during these times of recovery, I can prop up my foot for most of the day.

I am glad I started Turbulence Training because it is helping me stay sane while I'm sidelined. I feel great after a workout. I started with the introductory workout which is aimed for those who haven't exercised in a while, or EVER. I could have started with the beginner workout, but figured I would ease into it slowly. Starting slow. Just like barefoot running, you need to start slow. I think the whole 'starting slow' thing is finally clicking with me. Plus, this intro phase of my cross training only lasts for 2wks for a total of 4 sessions. The rest of the time you are doing light activity. For me, it's running...when I could.

And since I'm doing the short intro phase, I didn't feel the need to announce or log them on here. I logged my c25k runs because each run was a little different and I was completely new to running. I'm not sure how different these workouts will be, so I'll be updating my progress sporadically. But if you want to know what workout I've done, you could always check out my status on dailymile (feel free to add me as a friend) or follow me on twitter, as I usually announce my completed workouts on there.

I Officially Started Cross Training

I have always enjoyed weight training, but learned how to run this year because my endurance SUCKED big time. Now I enjoy running. I'm not trying to the be the fastest person, (I am quite s-s-s-s-low) but I want to have fun with it. Plus, I find it a good way to reach my goal of reducing body fat and creating lean muscle. My clothes fit better now! (pats self on back) 

You've probably heard the term, but what is cross training?
Per the Encarta(R) World English Dictionary

NOUN
cross train-ing
training in different sports: fitness training in different sports, e.g. running and weightlifting, usually undertake to enhance performance in one of these sports.

I have been following the Turbulence Training creator Craig Ballantyne on twitter, reading his newsletters, visiting his site and watching his videos on youtube. I really like his attitude, techniques and simplicity of his workouts. I was first introduced to interval traing with one of his videos. It just made sense. I don't want to spend 2hrs working out as I have in the past. I used to to enjoy going to the gym, but that's before I had a family. Now I want to be home more. As you have probably read on here, I am slowly putting my home gym together. And with Craig, it doesn't take much at all. You can still get fit in a small space.

Having watched Craig's youtube videos and such, I started doing some of the workouts. But I never stuck to the workouts. I would do planks here and there, do some bicep curls every now and then, bird dogs on occassion...blah blah blah. I realized that I needed some structure - a plan to follow. And I think that's why Couch-to-5k worked really well for me. There was a detailed schedule to follow.

Finally I decided enough was enough. I needed to start cross training in order to work on the rest of my body, and possibly improve my running. I've been reading that a strong core helps runners. Running does work your whole body, but it works some parts more than others. My other body parts are feeling a bit jealous. I purchased Turbulence Training and started the program early this morning.

This morning's workout went as follows....

Treadmill:  
(barefoot of course, duh)

     2min walk

     10min run  (2% incline @ 3.5)

     2min walk

Then I jumped into the first workout.

It felt GREAT to do a full body workout. Gosh, what the heck took me so long? Scheduling. I already run 3 times a week.

How the heck was I going to fit in another 3 days of working out?

Well I decided that I had to mesh my running with my workouts. First I'll run and then I'll do my Turbulence Training workouts right after. That's what I kind of did when I was younger. Cardio first, then weight training after. So far that's the plan Stan (gosh I've been watching too much Spongebob with my son)

So there you have it. This is day1 of my cross training journey. I know there are other cross training programs, but so far this is the program that called out to me.

Do you cross train?

If so, what program are you using?

Do you recommend your current program?

So What's Next After c25k?

Well I definitely plan to keep running 3x per week. I've gotten into a routine and I don't want to break out of it. It took a lot to get to where I am now, and I don't want to throw all that hard work away.

I plan to work on my speed. I'm not very fast. How do I propose to do that? I  plan to go back and repeat wk7 until I can run 2.5miles in 25min. I'm just gonna keep at it until I get there. I'll start off slow and slowly increase my speed.

I also plan to really focus working on my arms, back and core at least 2x a week. Running is awesome, but I know I need to work on the rest of my body as well.

And yes, I haven't had time to search for a 5k to do this year. Any suggestions? 

Week Nine - Day Three (c25k Completed!)

Slept early last night. I think I may have finally went to sleep at 9:30pm. Slept pretty good I think. Could have slept longer, but there was no way I was going to miss today's run.

First lap went pretty good. After a few laps my legs started to feel a bit heavy. wth? But I kept going. And then either someone ran over a skunk, or it sprayed on something, because it smelled really bad. Are you kidding me? Why is this happening on my last run of the program? When I got closer to the smell I just had to breathe into my hand for a bit. ick!

And then I finally did it. I completed wk9 day3 in about the same as day2's run. 2.1 miles in 30min. But not only did I complete wk9, I completed the whole Couch To 5k running program. What a journey. And thanks to those who gave me motivation throughout the last 27 runs. To pat myself on the back, I have come a long way. I was never able to run more than 2min, but now I can last 30min. It may not be fast right now, but it's not too shabby either.

I just knew I had to celebrate. But how? After doing my stretches and aquahydrated up.....I continued my workout! Worked on my core and back. Then more stretches. As Tony the Tiger would say, I feel G-R-R-R-R-e-a-t!

Week Nine - Day Two

I slept early last night. Got a full 8hrs of sleep. It felt great. But since I haven't had much sleep lately, I wanted to stay in bed. But I couldn't do that. Today is the 2nd to the last day of the program.

I rolled out of bed and was on my way. Started off in a slow jog, then ran. I pushed myself a bit more today by running faster more often. And it paid off. Ran 2.1miles which averaged about 14min and 20sec per mile. Hey, I'll take that! 40sec faster than what I've been running lately.

Stretched and hydrated with some AquaHydrate!

Hoping to push myself on the last run. Aiming for under 14min per mile.
Wait for my next blog post.

Week Nine - Day One

Yes, I made it. This is the last week of the program. Wowie!

I wanted to sleep in this morning since I haven't been able to sleep in for about a week now. But I enjoy the early morning runs since it's much cooler. I decided to take it slow today. Then push myself on day2's run and then really push myself on day3's run. So that's my goal during this final week.

As mentioned, I took it easy this morning and averaged 15min a mile. Seems to be my norm for the last week. Not too happy about it but it could be worse. Anywho, I plan to work on my speed after I'm done with this program.

Wow, 2 more runs. I still can't believe it. 

Week Eight - Day Three

Ah, I should have ran yesterday after a good night's sleep. But the program says to rest a day in between runs. Last night my son was up crying again, so I was tired once again. Today he has a dr appt so I hope we can finally put an end to his ear infection. (well that's what we think it is)

Today was a duplicate of day2's run. About 15min a mile. Not very happy with that at all, but I did finish it. I'll be on the last week of the c25k program. I hope to do well.

My focus is to just complete the runs since I'll be working on bettering my time after the program.

Week Eight - Day Two

Ugh, was so tired this morning. I really didn't have the energy to go for a run. But I also didn't want to repeat a week. This is the 2nd to the last week, and I haven't repeated any weeks thus far. I pushed through it.

Reason for me being tired is that my son has been waking up in the middle of the night. Sunday night and Monday night he woke up crying three times. Last night, ehem, this morning he woke up twice. Once at 3:15am to ask for some water. It has been hot lately. Then again around 4:15am he woke up crying. And I get up for my runs at 5am. I have just been exhausted each day this week.

I only did 5.75 laps. Much much slower than day1's run. That's only 1.85 miles which is about 15min per mile. Yuck. That's the slowest I've been in a long time. I pushed it a couple of times and especially during the last minute I was bookin. But I was just too tired.

Well I'd rather run slow and complete a day as opposed to repeating a week. Hoping to rest up for a better time on day3's run.

Week Eight - Day One

Yesterday I did day1 of wk8. 3 more minutes that last week. Was feeling a bit tired. Was tired the day before as well. We went out to the lake. The feeling definitely dragged onto this run.

Did 6.75 laps in 28min, which is about 2.17 miles. Per the program you're supposed to be able to run 2.75 miles in this time. So average time for me was 13min per mile. Not terrible, but doesn't match where the program says I should be at this time. Hoping for better on day2's run.

I stretched, did bicep curls and back exercises. Cooled down with some Aquahydrate.

Week Seven - Day Three

Yesterday I drove the lap and it came out to 1/3 of a mile. 3.1 laps equals one mile. So did 5.75 laps on day2's run which averaged 13.5min per mile. Not so happy with that. I did better in high school, but then again I am older and haven't ran in a LONG time. This morning I strived for better.

BTW, 5.75 laps is about 1.85 miles. Per the podcast and c25k, a 25min run is supposed to equal 2.5miles. I'm way too slow.

During the 5min walk I was pumping myself up. I had to run more and run faster. This was the last 25min run of the week. Next week bumps up to 28min runs.

This morning I actually started out fast. I really pushed myself. I noticed that when I slowed down for a jog, it seemed harder on my legs. I now understand what I have been reading in blogs. The less contact you have on the ground the easier it is on your legs.

During this run, I wouldn't have been able to hold a conversation with anyone. My breathing was hard and so was my heartbeat. But I really wanted to improve my distance. I was tired, but kept pushing myself.

Today I did improve. 6.25 laps. A half lap better than day2's run. 12.5min per mile. I improved by a minute. YAY ME! It's about 2miles which is still not the 2.5miles I should be running. I'm off by 1/2 a mile. But now I know that I can improve it and I'll get there.

28min runs next week. I hope to slowly improve throughout the week. Wish me luck!

3 People Sent It To Me

First off I'd like to state that I'm actually wearing jeans today. My jeans fit nicely. I can even slip them off and on without undoing the button. But I am wondering where my butt went. Need to work on that. I know Craig Ballantyne has some awesome workouts for this area.

I am also wearing sneakers today. Yes, what shocker that I'm wearing sneakers during the summer. It's a weird feeling, but somewhat comfortable. I was running late this morning and decided to run in the parking garage. Umm, yeah, that didn't work that well. In sneakers I ALWAYS heel strike. There's no way around it. And because I was heel striking, my head started to hurt. Yup, the impact went from my heel all the way to the back of my head. I have experienced that many times in the past, and now I finally know why my head hurts when I run.

Which brings me to something that made me smile today. 3 people sent me an article about barefoot running. Apparently it was on Yahoo! I guess I've mentioned vibrams and the Born To Run book so often, that they now associate them with me.

Welp, looking forward to my week7 day3 run.

Week Seven - Day Two

Woo-hoo! Had an awesome run today. I wore myself out, but it was good and I felt that I accomplished something. Got up at 4:50am and was draggin butt. I really didn't sleep that well. Kept getting up to go potty. Maybe I need to follow the rule I give my son, no drinking an hour prior to bedtime.

And then I was off. Started off slow as usual. First let me explain my running path. It's a lap around a group of houses. I haven't checked out how far each lap is yet. When I start running I use an object to judge where the lap begins and ends.

Continuing....I started slow as usual then decided to throw in intervals of fast and slow running. Maybe it's because I just read a blog entry about how slow and steady running pace releases cortisol which eats at your muscles. I don't want that! Interval training is so much more efficient.

The first lap was fairly slow and steady. From the second lap on, I ran half a lap at a faster pace, while the next half was done as a slower jog. It really felt good to do that. At one point it actually felt easier to run than to jog. On some of the laps I definitely ran fast more than the slow jog. I pushed myself today and it really felt great. I can do this!

Next thing you know I was half way done through the 25min. And then when I heard that there was one minute left, I pushed through and gave it all I had. Yes!

I did my 10min of stretching. But also topped off this morning's workout with a quick 7min of bicep curls. I really feel good this morning. Just wish I could continue to workout, but it's now time to make some money to pay the bills.

I plan to follow this fast run and slow jog routine on day3's run.

More Than Running

This whole learning how to run program has definitely helped me a lot. I still have a long ways to go since I'm as slow as a turtle, and don't have the endurance that many runners have. But I am quite happy with the current temporary results. I am doing more than I have ever been able to do.

I follow the c25k program by running 3days/wk as stated. On my non-running days (or even sometimes after running) I have done weights and core exercises. But it has not been consistent. Maybe it's because I want to sleep in a bit instead of getting up at 4:50 every morning. Whatever it is, I need to break out of that habit. I can save my sleeping in for one weekend day.

From this day on, I vow to continue to wake up early during each weekday to either run or perform other exercises. If I don't get it in during the early morning, I mostlikely won't do it at night.

As my back ached a little over a week ago, I want to avoid a repeat. I need to strengthen it. My biggest problem area is my gut, so I need to incorporate planks and other moves that focus on that area. And I've read from different sources that strengthening the core will aid in improving my runs. I must go and refresh my memory on Craig Ballantyne's workouts.

Make The Piggy Go Away

So I completed wk7 day1 today. 25min run straight without walking. After the run and stretches, I drank water with some Propel. (I didn't get a chance to get my coconut juice this week, or try AquaHydrate.) I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

When I got to work I ate the following PRIOR to lunch:
- Fiber Plus Bar (oats & chocolate)
- Sweet Potato chips by Food Should Taste Good (thx to my cousin Michelle)
- PB&J on double fiber whole wheat bread (my lunch!)

Mind you, I was drinking my watered down Propel during all of this too.
WTH? I honestly can't believe that my turtle run this morning is making me this hungry....could it be true?

Well now I had to buy lunch, and I'm slowly eating a couple of pupusas. I think it's finally filling me up. I have a large banana for an afternoon snack. But only IF I continue to stay full.

Week Seven - Day One

I wasn't sure if I was going to get up to run this morning, but I did. Had to get up earlier since I changed my hours at work. Now I have to get up at 4:50 and start my run at 5am.

Today was quite a challenge. 25min straight. Just like wk6 day3's run. I started really slow. Picked up the pace a bit and slowed down again. Wow, 25min is quite long, me thinks. It was different than the other podcasts since you only hear Robert speak when you are half way through, and when you have a minute left in the run.

I chugged along and kept going, changing my pace as my legs start to tire. There were certain points where it took so much effort to get those legs up. I kept thinking about my form and doing a check in my head.

Back straight - check.
Arms swinging straight back and forth - check.
Head facing straight - check.
Lifting the feet - check.

I also thought about possibly re-doing last week's run. But I figured that I started this and have gone passed the 5min time already, that I'd just continue. My breathing was ok, but my legs were getting tired. But I did finish and that made me happy. Going to rest my legs, and give them (and my feet) a massage. I just can't believe I'm on wk7! But I am looking forward to completing the program so I can work on speed.

Week Six - Day Three

This post is a couple of days late, but I was out on vacation. I went to southern California for a family reunion. While there, I ran on the beach.

It was nice and early on a Saturday morning, about 57 degrees or so. The sun wasn't up yet and it was perfect for me. I put my aqua shoes on, not knowing how many rocks were on the beach. I decided to run next to the water where the sand was very firm. I didn't want to go too far in one direction, so I turned around. But my ankles didn't want to run that way. Near the water the land isn't flat, you're at a slight angle. You're putting a bit of stress on one leg. I had to keep running in the same direction.

It was quite a workout, running on the beach. I suppose it's because it was different than asphalt. I did turn around because I had gone too far, and just dealt with the uncomfortable feeling in my ankles. Once the 25min were up, I took off my aqua shoes and it felt great to go barefoot. I actually had to run a bit back since I had gone so far in one direction. I think I'll do it barefoot next time. I suppose if you total my running time it was closer to 28min.

I wish I did have more time to run at the beach because I can definitely get used to that.

Afterwards, I did a whole lot of walking since we went to LegoLand and the Sea Life Aquarium. Phew!

They're Green

My toes are now painted green. And as always, my feet are planted in my favorite sandals. These babies are gonna take me to the end of the c25k program.

Here's the pic Jussy!

Week Six - Day Two

Why do I feel so out of shape? I can't continue to blame mother nature for this. Hmmm.....well, I started off fine. Actually picked up some speed towards the 2nd half of the first 10min run. But by the time I started the 2nd 10min run, I was already tired. Picked up some speed in the middle and tried to push it towards the end. Wow!

After stretching I didn't feel terribly tired so I squeezed in a little workout. Bicep curls and back strengthening exercises. I am really trying to include the back exercises to avoid the aches I suffered last week.

I did the plank as well, and then ended with more stretching. Wel, I'm looking forward to my first 25min run on the beach in the next day or so.

Week Six - Day One

Got started late this morning. Son had a little accident in his bed. Oopsie. Not to mention that mother nature is draining some of my energy, so I felt a lack of spunk for my run this morning. But I got through it.

I thought that since I did a 20min run on Saturday, that the 5min and 8min runs would be easier. I blame it on lack of energy. Wasn't the best day of running for me. But I guess not every day can be blissful.