On the Run...

I just finished my first 2 weeks of training for my 5K that's on May 31. So far it has been great, I'm happy to say. The coaches have been wonderful and encouraging and enthusiastic, which really makes it nice. Each week, we run 3 times; twice as a group and once on our own. The first week, we ran 2 minutes, walked two minutes, ran 2, walked 2 etc. for 20 min. each run. Last week, we bumped it up to running 3 min. walking 2 for 25 minutes. Today, we will start running 4 min, walking 2 min. for 30 minutes. Next week will be run 5, walk 2 (for 35 min. maybe?) and then after that, we will just be running. It has been a very nice way to work our way into it. On Saturday (running 3 and walking 2), we made it about 2 1/2 miles, running just over half of it.



I have been pleased to find that doing the 10 week UBC prior to this (and I am still doing the workouts each night) has definitely been beneficial. I have a lot more stamina than I ever did before. My cardiovascular condition is pretty good from bouncing around the bag for 50 minutes each kickboxing night. All of us who are training for this 5K are beginners of all different ages sizes and fitness levels. I've never been athletic and I've never been a runner - even running bases in softball was traumatic for me! While I have spent my life at the bottom of the pack when it comes to fitness, I have been surprised to find myself always ending at the front of the pack on these runs. It has been a nice though quite surprising thing. I credit that completely to the workouts I've been doing since the beginning of January. It hasn't even been 4 months since I began working out and I am absolutely amazed at the change in my fitness level. I can't wait to see where I am at come this time next year!



As a weight watchers update, I have now officially lost 8.8 pounds since I began (and more than 10 since I started UBC in January). I am at 146.6 pounds and I really feel good about where I'm at. My goal weight is 140 and 143 will put me back to the size I was when I got married - though I'll admit my shape has changed a bit after 4 kids :o) The first 7 pounds or so came off very easily once I started weight watchers, but now it is going quite slowly. That's fine as I'm content where I am and I know it's a lot healthier that way. My instincts are to just keep reducing how much I eat to help me achieve my goal, but my instincts are wrong, so I have to consciously go against them. I want to keep my metabolism up and I want to have energy to work out. I'm still working on it, but I am little by little trying to apply this whole "balance" thing.

That's all for now. Have a great week :o)

I'm back and going strong!

Yes, it has been a long time since I have written. I finished my ultimate body challenge and then jetted off to Jamaica! Ok, so that was 3 or 4 weeks ago, I'm still using it as my excuse. Although I have not been writing, I have continued working, so at least I'm still doing what I need to do.

After taking a week off to go on vacation, I got right back in the saddle and joined weight watchers online. I laughed at myself a little because I was so excited when I first signed up, as if filling out the registration itself was magically going to do the trick. I sat on the couch that morning and had that moment of "Oh - now I have to follow this." But today marks 2 weeks and so far I haven't had any problems following it. I like it because I have a lot more choice in what I eat and as long as I include the good stuff and I watch my portions, I can also have some of the enjoyable stuff (like cheese, mayo, butter, some sweets...) So far, I have lost 7.6 pounds and I feel really good! I am at 147.8 and my ultimate goal is 140 - though I really feel good as I am, so I think I will be happy with whatever else I lose.

I have continued working out when I can. My first week back from Jamaica, I went every day. Dan had to make me go back that first night, but after that, I got a little momentum back. Last week, Dan had to be gone a lot with work, so I only made it to work out twice, but I am back in the saddle this week and plan to continue going every day. At this point in the game, I just feel so much better when I am consistent. Plus, if I miss a couple of days, the workouts are really hard when I return. It's amazing!

I am pleased to announce that I am adding a new challenge to my routine. I have signed up to train for a 5K that will be in Huntley at the end of May. The Running Depot (a running store in Crystal Lake) is doing a training for beginning runners to be able to finish a 5K. Now, this is kinda a big deal because truly I HATE to run. I don't want to hate it. I really want to like it. But so far, I just hate it. When I told Dan about this, his response was "Why would you want to do this? You hate running!" I found it funny and true. But as I said, I want to learn to like it and even if I never do, I will consider it a definite acomplishment to run a 5K. My sister, Elaine, ran a Marathon the year she turned 30. I think that would be a wonderful goal to achieve, but I will see how the 5K goes. No need to put the cart in front of the horse. My sister Kristine is also currently training for her first 5K in Peoria in June. She started training a couple of months ago though, and I know she will do great. My 1sttraining run is tomorrow night. I'll keep you posted!

Anyway, this doesn't really change my routine too much, it just adds a bit. On top of my kickboxing and bands workouts throughout the week, I will run on my own on Mondays, with the group on Wednesday evenings before kickboxing, and then instead of my bands/kickboxing class on Saturday. So, Saturday is the only day I can't just do both. So Mondays are kickboxing and running on my own, Tuesdays are bands, Wednesday I run with the group then jet over to Kickboxing, Thursdays are bands, Friday is kickboxing, Saturday morning is running with the group and on Sunday I will REST! I really feel like accomplishing the Ultimate Body Challenge has given me the confidence to try other things as well. I look forward to checking the 5K off my list and going on to the next thing!


Did I mention that I have a fabulous husband? He has been wonderful in supporting me - especially considering all the extra stuff he is responsible as I take off each night (baths, homework, cleaning up after supper, getting the kids to bed etc.)! It has been wonderful for me to be able to do this for myself and he can see how much happier I am because of it. I am so grateful for his support and encouragement. I totally couldn't do any of this without his help!