Workout 12/25 (Yup, Christmas)

After making it through 4 days of family gatherings, Christmas parties, gift exchanges, flights, and Christmas morning, Mr. E and I actually headed outside, in Alabama, in the rain, to run at about noon on Christmas. I kept thinking, I can't believe I'm outside, in the rain, running on Christmas. But, after 4 days of events and food, it kinda felt good to get outside and just move. Of course, by the time we were done, I was pretty much soaked to my skivvies. But we did do our final workout for the week.

Stats:
About 50-60 degrees
Run 25 minutes
Fairly flat
2 minute cool doown walk
Total distance???

Workout 12/20

Workout tonight seemed really daunting when I looked at it a week ago, but then the run yesterday went so well tonight's didn't seem as bad. It went quickly, amazing how watching bad TV programs as a distraction can make time go quickly. Anyway tonight's program was 5 min warm up, 10 min run, 3 min walk, 10 min run. Could've been worse. Glad it's over.

Stats:
5 min warm, 4.0 MPH/2.0 incl
Runs at 5.4 MPH/2.0 incl
Walk at 3.5 MPH/2.0 incl
Cool
Total distance 2.45 miles, 33 minutes

Workout 12/19

I'm scared to admit that Mr. E was right tonight. I'd had just an awful day, and was on my way to do my run for today (5 min warm, 5 min run, 3 min walk, 8 min run, 3 min walk, 5 min run) and he said "maybe it'll make you feel better to get your blood pumping". Yeah, right. I'm pretty sure in the history of the world, running has never made me feel better ever....until tonight. Some old, and probably horrible with the sound on, Jean Claude Van Damme movie was on the tv in front of the treadmill I was working out on, and Aida was on the iPod. Amazingly, although this was one of the longer in time workouts (29 minutes before cool down), the longer I went, the better I felt. I got home and told Mr. E that I was upset with him for being right. I'm not admitting I have turned that "corner" that everyone tells me exists from hating running to it actually becoming cathartic and an enjoyable experience...I am admitting that for once, I was not miserable. We'll see what the next few workouts bring as to the long term attitude.

Stats:
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH/2.0 incl
5 min runs at 5.5 MPH/2.0 incl
8 min run at 5.4 MPH/2.0 incl
walks at 3.5 MPH
5-6 min cool
2.65 miles, 34-35 mins (I lost track)

Workout 12/16

So it took two tries to get this workout done. I went in on Saturday with Mr. E to do the workout, but due to a bout of middle-of-the-night sickness, was pretty physically drained by the time the workout came around. (I'm fine, but I apparently ate something that I'm either (a) allergic to or (b) was really bad because my body determined it did not need to stay in me...enough said). The workout was the first of our long runs - 20 minutes without stopping after a 5 minute warm up. On Saturday Mr. E did his workout, but I got to about 13 minutes in and my body began to give out. I got in another couple minutes of running, but ended up doing a run-walk-run-walk session. Overall, that was 30 minutes and 2.3 miles. So, not wanting to give up on our program, Mr. E and I went back on Sunday. I'm not sure if it was the day of food finally in my system, the Rent soundtrack, Mr. E working on the recumbant bike and not clearly kicking my ass running next to me or what, but I made the 20 minutes without too much pain and suffering.

This coming week is going to be a challenge, the week before Christmas just seems as if it's doomed to be super busy. Things may have to be "squeezed" in during the week, but Mr. E and I are determined to make it through week 6 of 9. I guess on the positive side, I'm over half way done with this program!

Stats:
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH/2 incl
20 min run at 5.4 MPH/2 incl
5 min cool
Total Distance 2.4 miles, 30 minutes

Weight 12/15

Back in the right direction this week, down 0.8. Plus 19.6 now.

Workout 12/12

Today's workout only happened because I'm committed to the training program with my husband. Otherwise, not a prayer. It was super crazy at work and I had a concert that night. I had to sqeeze in a 5 min warm up, 8 min run, 5 min walk, 8 minute run at some point. I arrived late, barely had time to change, do the workout and run to the concert and I was almost late for that. Ugh. Nevermind that two 8 minute runs almost killed me. I found though that if I cover the counter with a towel it seems to go faster. I don't know. Regardless, if this had been any other time in my life I would've skipped the workout and just taken my time between work and concert.

Stats:
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH
1st run at 5.7 MPH
walk at 3.5 MPH
2nd run at 5.6 MPH
4 minute cool
Total 2.3 miles, 32 minutes

Workout 12/10

You know that saying out of sight out of mind? Well, that's how it was for the beginning part of this training program. Its on two sheets of paper, so the first 4 weeks only showed, the last 5 weeks were out of sight and blissfully out of mind (what I can't see won't hurt me?). Unfortunately, I had to eventually turn the page. Holy crap, I'm not sure what to think of this. Today didn't look too bad - 5 min warm followed by 5 run, 3 walk, 5 run, 3 walk, 5 run. My initial thought - at least there's a bunch of walking. Then I looked to the rest of the week. Workout 2 - run 8, walk 5, run 8 (EEK), Workout 3 - run 20 minutes with no walking (EEEEEEKKKKKKKK).

Stats:
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH (2 incl)
walks at 3.5 MPH (2 incl)
Run 1 at 5.7 MPH (2 incl)
Run 2 at 5.6 MPH (2 incl)
Run 3 - min 1 at 6.0 MPH (2 incl), min 2 at 5.9 MPH (2 incl), min 3-5 at 5.5 MPH (1.0 incl)
6 min cool
Total Distance (approx) 2.3 miles (I hit some stupid button and the machine reset in the middle), 35 mins

Workout 12/8

I really didn't want to go to the gym. I really didn't want to go to the Chrismas party after we got home. I did both. At least I get tomorrow off.

Stats: (all at 2 incline)
5 mins warm at 4.0 MPH
3 min runs at 6.0 MPH
5 min runs at 5.7 MPH (except last 3 mins of second run were 5.6 MPH)
Walks at 3.5 MPH
Total: 2.52 miles, 33 minutes

Weight 12/8

I really needed some positive reinforcement today to keep me going on the healthy eating and running....up 0.4 pounds wasn't it. I shall have to find inspiration somewhere. Back to +20.4.

Workout 12/7

Nothing to note from the workout. It is amazing how empty the gym is on a Friday.

Stats: (all at 2 incline)
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH
3 min runs at 6.0 MPH
5 min runs at 5.6 MPH
Walk at 3.5 MPH
Total: 2.5 miles, 33 mins

Workout 10 12/5

To be completely honest, I was really scared about this workout after the problems I had on Monday. I learned a lesson in listening to my body on Monday for sure. Mr. E had an event tonight, so I was also on my own. After waiting 10 minutes for my treadmill to open up (why is the gym soo busy at 630??), I put on my iPod and got going. This week's workout is one round of walk 5 minutes for warm up, run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minues, walk 2.5 minutes, run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes. Monday I made it through the first run and walk and absolutely died in the second run. On top of not being all that confident I would finish the workout, I was on the treadmill next to Mr. Sweatyandsmellyguy. We all stink when we leave the gym, but it always sucks to get on the treadmill next to the guy who's half-way done and smelly. Regardless, I finished the workout! I hit a huge wall about 2 minutes into the second 5 minute run. I realized that I was at the 2 mile point, the exact point in the 5K on the 2nd that I had issues too. As soon as I pushed past the 2.1 mile hurdle, it wasn't as hard getting to the end. That doesn't mean it was easy in any way...

Stats:
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH/2 incline
3 min runs at 6.0 MPH/2 incline
5 min runs at 5.5 MPH, 1st one at 2 incline, 2nd one 2 incline for mins 1-2, 1 incline for mins 3-5
walks at 3.5 MPH
5.5 min cool down
Total Distance 2.45 miles
32 minutes

My 1st Setback

Today was supposed to be the first workout for the week, but after a workout on Saturday and a really taxing day yesterday with the 5K, my body gave out about 10 minutes in. I'm going to do all 3 this week, but my legs, lungs, and will weren't there today. I'm taking tomorrow off and hitting the next workout on Wednesday. (FYI, Mr. E finished the workout and looked strong.)

5K - 12/2

Ok, so signing up for a 5K didn't sound like a bad idea 2 months ago. My company sponsored the event, so it was a good thing to show up and have people there to support it. Due to reasons drastically beyond my control, we got there 2.5 hours before the race actually started to get our pictures taken. Then stood around for what felt like forever. I don't like the cold...actually, I REALLY don't like the cold, but there we were standing around in 50 degree weather for 2.5 hours. The essential goal was to go from start to finish without walking. Mr. E ran with me and we actually jogged the whole thing, finishing in about 36:30. Not a bad pace for only really starting to train at running 3 weeks ago. But, OH MY GOD, I am so sore tonight. I am totally paying for that. So sore and tired....off to bed. I'm not looking forward to how I'm going to feel in the morning.

Workout 12/1

Today was a long day, for a Saturday. I had a weigh-in and bridal shower in the morning, came home and all I wanted to do was sleep...so getting up for the 3rd workout of the week was hard. Got to the gym, it was cold in there. Didn't feel like running, but once I got about 1/2 the way through it became ok. Finished strong and even did some push-ups and bicycles.

Stats (all at 2.0 incline):
5 min warm at 4.0 MPH
Jog at 6.0 MPH
Walk at 3.5 MPH
7 minute cool
Total distance 2.10

Weight 12/1

Yippee!! Sticking to my "menu" this week worked, down 2 pounds. Now at +20. New menu for this week and more running, hopefully down again.