W1D2- was HORRIBLE

So, I waited until 9:30pm to run. Me and Joe hit the road for our 5 minute warm up. Only, apparently I didn't hit start on the start button on the silly app. So, about 4 minutes in, I looked and noticed I hadn't really started. So far, I am rather disappointed in the app, and really like the podcast. Anyway... you can't fast forward it, so I walked another 5 minutes.

When it was time to run...my legs were like logs....ridiculously heavy. It was like I couldn't lift them...so, my jog was more of a heavy shuffle/walk. I made it through the first four rounds of 60 sec runs...then I started not being able to complete the full 60 seconds.

By the 6th round...I was so hot...and Joey was still hanging in there with me...we paused so he could sniff for a moment. That was the point when I realized that it was too hot for both of us. The only breeze had been the air passing us as we were moving. Now that we were stopped...no air moved. That's when I noticed my face was actually burning. So, Joe and I decided to walk the rest of the way home. It was 91 degrees. Too frickin hot for 9:30pm.

Also, while I was running, I got my first side stitch. Or at least my first as an adult. I had probably eaten a little more and a little later than I had planned, so my belly was not FULL but more on the fuller side than the empty side. I figure that contributed, but I was still cramping too. I also blame the leg heavy-ness on my cycle.

We made it home...I hosed both me and Joe off. Then Joe was both hot and pissed. Poor dog. I do feel dumping some water on him was a good thing to help him cool down a bit. Neither of us moved for a while after drinking some water and collapsing in the living room.

I am sooooooo hoping for a better day 3 on Thursday. And a break in the heat would be real nice too.

Week 1 Day 1 down

I got a little later of a start yesterday than I had hoped for. I couldn't sleep Saturday night, so I read until about 4am. I got out of bed by 9 and slowly got myself together to run by about 9:45. It was already close to 90 outside. And I was tired before I started.

I struggled with the run. Probably because I was tired, it was hot, I had taken 3 days with little excercise and I was just beginning my period-ugh! I wasn't hurting during the run, it was the breathing. I love that they say you should be able to have a conversation while running. I can barely do that while walking at a brisk pace. Hopefully, that will improve with time.

I had my dog Joey with me for just the first 2 60 sec runs. Then took him home during one of the 90 sec walks. He was pretty tired and hot.

I cancelled his physical that I had scheduled for this eve. I remembered he had some tests about a month ago, so I called and spoke with the vet. She said he was healthy, but she was absolutely opposed to any dog running, saying it's too hard on their joints. I neglected to tell her that my running is really more like a 'heavy walk'. My jog is equal to Joey's trot! I think I will plan on bringing him some, and just really watching his behavior and taking him home as he begins to wear down.

This morning I woke up feeling like crap. I had a hard time sleeping again. Could be those darn 'True Blood' episodes I've been watching right before bed! But also my whole body just aches. It's not sore muscles, so I feel like it's more menstrual cycle related than it is to running yesterday- in any case, I stayed home from work today and just took it easy. The fact that I took something to sleep also has left me feeling groggy all day today.

Sure can't wait to run again tomorrow.

In case you can't read sarcasm well in print...know that I'm disgusted with the idea of running tomorrow- but I'm going to do it anyway!

Hell Yeah!

This evening, I fully completed a session from week one. That's a 5min warmup followed by 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking 8 times!!! AND I was still able to do the 5 min cool down!!!

That's 8 min total of running! I've probably run a total of 8 minutes in the past 10 years. Seriously.

My feet hurt... My legs feel like jello...yeah, the quads are really tight. Tomorrow is likely to be a bit rough on the old bod. But I don't run again until Sunday. That's when I officially start the c25k program.

I have decided on c25k because of the podcasts and aps that tell you when to walk and when to run. I don't have to work my brain to hard. No pooch to 5k aps that I saw :(

As for Joey, he made it 6 rounds then I dropped him by the house. He was dragging behind a bit. He was still panting heavily when I got home 10 minutes later. Gonna have to break him in a but slower. I think he's enjoying it though!

New Shoes... New Socks... New Plan?!

I have failed to mention that I have taken my 10 year old dog, Joey on my (fake) runs. He wears out at about the same rate I do. It is a concern, but I am thinking that he could benefit from the gradual increase in activity as well. Then, it occurs to me that I am probably not the only dog owner who is in the same boat.

So I googled dog couch to 5 k. Guess what I get? Poochto5K , which is actually a 12 week plan. Now I don't know which to do. Anyone wish to compare the 9 week C25K with the 12 week P25K and give me their thoughts? Anyone? Anyone? (that means you, Carrie!)


UPDATE: So, being the good petmom that I am... Joey has a physical scheduled for Monday eve to make sure he is ok to start a new excercise program.

Um...yeah...so... I'll call my doc to schedule a physical for myself soon too. :)

New Shoes and Socks Make My Feet Very Happy!

Last night I bought my first ever pair of running shoes and running socks! I have to say, I have been to Swags two previous times. The first visit was a probably 3 years ago. They analysed my feets and sold me a pair of walking shoes. I left very happy. The next few weeks, my feet were even happier.

My second visit was about 3 months ago, for another pair of walking shoes. The guy was not very helpful, kind of a smart ass, and I left with a pair of shoes I thought might work for me. By the end of the next day, my ankles were killing me. See, I'm a pronator. The guy from last night(Justin) told me that my feet suffer from 'severe pronation'. He quickly added that it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Anywho...my feet roll inward a bit. The guy (3 months ago) sold me a pair of shoes that I swear roll my feet even further inward. I was not happy. And my feet even less so.

Last night, I explained this all to Justin...who was just wonderful. If I liked boys, I'd have a crush on him. He told me I could bring those previously bought shoes back...and told me if my feet hurt after this new pair, to come back as well. I spent $84 and left with a pair of Brooks running shoes and a fancy pair of running socks. I know NOTHING about what running socks do...I mean they look like regular socks...but my feet felt IMEDIATELY better when I put them on. Now, I jus thave to run in them!

I start a part time job tonight...and it's suppose to be my running day. I don't know if I'll have a chance to run. If not, I'll aim for running befoer work tomorrow. That even sounds funny to me. I have to be at work at 7:30. Sure. I can get up early enough to run! ha!...We shall see!

Pre-K

I am in pre-k.

This week I have impulsively decided to start running. Anyone who knows me (at all) knows that running is one of those things I have always said I might not even do if someone were chasing me. I have ALWAYS hated it. Even at my healthiest...it's always been the thing I just don't do. Ever.

What on earth could have made me decide I should take up running? Well, I'm about 8.5 months from the BIG 4-0.

AND...

I'm at my heaviest weight yet...this happens about every five years...I reach my heaviest yet, then lose the weight...then 5 years later...I reach another even greater and more astonishing high point on the scale. If this trend continues...well, let's just say...It's not going to continue, because I am (drum roll please...) Reversing trends in two thousand ten!

Here's the deal. I had a health assesment a few weeks ago. While my numbers were not horrible...I did notice a trend. They are all increasing. My sugar, my blood pressure, my cholesterol, and of course, my weight.

I've been struggling to lose weight for the past year and a half. Turns out, I hadn't really been trying to lose weight, I was merely struggling with the idea of losing weight...which was driving me to horrible food choices. I kept thinking..."I'm gonna eat what I want today, because tomorrow...I diet!' This is a horrible way to live your life!

So, July 5, I started South Beach Diet - Phase I, as a way to get a jump start on my weight loss.

Weighing in at 179...during the 2 week sugar detox, I lost 9 pounds.

Feeling much better about myself, feeling like I don't need dessert after every meal, I have decided to take another dietary approach. I plan on implementing this new plan this coming Sunday, August 1, 2010. More on that in a future post.

Back to the Pre-K.

Here goes. I am putting it out there for the whole world to read and hold me accountable for. I intend to run a 5k race this fall (funny, since no one reads this, that may not be as bold as it sounds). I Haven't picked one out yet, but I am looking at one the first of October.

I am attempting to follow coolrunning.com 's Couch to 5 K (C25K) plan. It's a 9 week plan beginning with alternating walking and jogging, gradually increasing the time until you can run 5k. It's 3 days a week at 30 minutes (including the 5 min warm up and cool down) each session. I've done 2 days. Except that I haven't really. I mean, I havent yet been able to keep up with all 8 rounds of 60 second jogs. By the 5th round I was skipping a jog to rest (walk)...by the 7th round, I just walked home. Comparing C25K to kindergarden for runners...I am definitely in pre-k. I'm not even on the damn couch!

I intend to journal about this here on a fairly regular basis.

Mostly, what I have to say about how I am feeling right now is...ouch. My legs are tired. And stiff. And rubberband-like all at the same time. I am hopeful that it will get a little easier. But I am also aware that it might be an 18 week program for me, rather than the suggested 9!

In any case... one foot in front of another... just at a little quicker pace than I am use to!

Wish me luck.