Week 5 Day 3 DONE!!!!

Hello world!! I did it!!! I did it!! I ran 20mins straight today!! I'll be ready for the Color Me Rad on March 30th in no time!

I actually decided to push myself a little bit further after the 20mins was over. So I think I ran 5 extra minutes for a grand total of (drum roll please) 25mins of running!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!
I'll start Week 6 on SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Consistancy is key!

Good morning! Not only am I trying to build my endurance to run the Color Me Rad 5k run in March, but I'm trying to shed some pounds along the way. So What better way than to continue having my oatmeal EVERY morning! It helps keep me satisfied until my snack! I've gotta make better choices for lunch and dinner though! In not making horrible choices but I am not eating enough fruits and vegetables! That's something I've gotta work on! Have a lovely day!

Dinner...Ummm...

A new recipe I tried....a pork stew....didn't turn out the way I hoped it would, but, it was "clean"!

Week 5 Day 2

WooWee...an 8 min jog today!! All I can say is I pushed thru it and I got it done!!!! I finally took my but outside and did my run/walk...such a huge difference from running on the treadmill!! I feel really good and I'm
looking forward to Day 3...20min jog is on the horizons WOOHOO!!!!!

Tuesday Morning

Good morning! I don't usually do this but I was kind of draggin' the wagon this morning and I needed a quick pick me up! I try not to make a habit of drinking these but they're so good...and of course full of calories!

Rest Day

Well, I took a day off today from my running and I was sooo tempted to go ahead and run! I think it's becoming an obsession for me LOL!! I doubt it lol!! But I had to rest because I've been running consistently for the last 4 days in a row woohoo!! This is the first time I've been consistent in a long time!! I really think my focus is clearer and I understand now more than before that I have to put in the work to get results!! And I want RESULTS!!

I've go the Color Me Rad 5k coming up on March 30 and I'm soooo excited!! I'm in week 5 Day 1 of the C25k training and this is another area I've been very consistent in...so I guess the keyword for the day is CONSISTENT!!

Done with Week 4!!

I can't believe it...but I made it thru week 4...sooo excited to move forward to week 5, even tho I've heard this is a tough week! But you know what, I'm not gonna let that get the best of me! I'm gonna push thru and get the job done! Remember, I've got the 5k coming up in March and I'm very excited about it! This will hopefully be the 5k that I've done where I've been able to run the whole thing without stopping. But I've gotta stop being pig-headed and running even after I'm done with the program for the day. I do it to see how far I can go before my legs start to act crazy. By the way, that's another thing I've gotta get under control. So I think I'm gonna purchase some compression socks! From my understanding, compression socks are supposed to help with the circulation in my calves and help you go further on your runs. That's what I'm looking for PLUS to make my legs to stop aching while I run. Actually today was much better!! My heels are achey, but with time, I think it'll get better!!

1Mile run!

I couldn't take it...I had to try and run only today!! And I was very successful in doing a mile in 14mins I tryin' to build up my stamina and I'm not too concerned with the distance as I am with the time. My friend keeps tellin' me to stop worryin' about the distance but just run the time. However, today my goal was a mile, and I wanted to do it under 12mins or right at 12mins, but unfortunately, my right leg started givin' me issues again! So I kinda lost my focus and felt like I had to stop...or at least I wanted to!! But I pushed through and made it to a mile. Tomorrow is day 3 of the week 4 of C25k and I'm so excited to finish this week and move on to week 5...half way there!! YAY!!!

Ugh...leg issues...STILL!!

Today is week 4 day 2 and I feel really optimistic about the training...however, my right leg is still giving me ISSUES But I'm not gonna quit, you better believe it!! I think I'm being a little hardheaded and not following the training the way I should...because I'm trying to run after the I finish the 30min walk/run! Yep, maybe that's what it is!! YIKES!!!

Best Pace and Distance

WOOHOO!!! Best pace and distance so far!! Wow, I've gotta pat myself on the back for that!! But I know I've still got a long way to go...5 more weeks!! But I'm gonna accomplish what I set out to do and that is...to complete a 5k without stopping to walk I've still gotta figure out how to keep my right leg from aching during my walk/runs! It doesn't hurt per se, but it does make me want to quit and not keep going! I fight thru it and I finish! What the heck am I gonna do on race day, especially if the achiness doesn't go away by March 30?!?! Shoot, I've got no clue, but I'm gonna take more time to stretch from this point forward. I don't wanna any drawbacks while I'm training for the 5k...none at all! But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it!!

At the end of my c25k training, I try to jog to see how much further I can go! Here's my outcome for today! I did another treadmill run, but I'm anxious to get back outside and walk/run from there. I don't think my distance is accurate or even close but maybe it is. The trick with using Nike+ when doing an inside run is to hold my phone in my hand...at least that's the tip Nike gives LOL! It's supposed to measure my arm movement while I run/walk. So based on this theory, when I run inside, I'm averaging 2.5miles in 35mins. But again, I've gotta get outside to see if that's close or not! Anyhoo, I'm staying focused regardless of my distance and time. All I'm concerned about right now is finishing the C25k and being able to run for 30mins at the end of this training!!

Compression Socks?

Compression socks, huh?

Under the weather

Well, today for me is one of those days I didn't get anything done! Ugh...I wasn't feelin' so great for the past 2 days and I haven't run any at all! But I'm feelin' a little bit better tonight (10pm) so I'm gonna get my butt up in the morning and start week 4 day 1 of the couch to 5k! I don't do well with pain, aches, or anything like that. They always usually knock me down and I can't muster up the energy to do ANYTHING!!!!
Today I've been pretty lazy and under a cloud! But I'm gonna get it together! I've got goals!! And I'm gonna meet 'em!!

Last Day Week 3

This is the last day of week 3 for me! I'm so excited about going into week 4!!

I've been using the Nike+ app to keep up with my miles. I hit 2.5miles tonight because I wanted to see how far I could run after I finished the 28mins of the walk/run. The Nike app is pretty cool...especially when it cheers me on when I accomplish a faster pace or achieve another type of award! I love it!!

Things are going good and I'm really amped about running in the Color Me Rad run on March 30....that's why I'm doing this! So excited! I'm really loving the feeling I'm getting after I finish my runs! We got some snow this evening so I didn't get to run outside like I'd hoped. But it's all good! I got it done and that's all that matters!!

Mmm..mmm...good!!

After walk/run snack...bananas and strawberries...YUMMY!!

This is a Lean Cuisine pizza I had for dinner tonight! Pretty good and 350 cals and less than 500mg of sodium! WooHoo!!

I'm tryin' my best to stay focused on healthier eating while I'm training for the C25k for my big run in March! I've limited my "fast food" trips down to once a week now, down from almost 3-4 times a week!!  
        

Week 3 Day 2

I'm excited to say that I had a very good walk/run today....shoot, the 28mins passed by so quickly, I didn't even realize it was over with lol!! I decided to get another tattoo after I complete the run in March...however, I've gotta run the full 3 miles to treat myself to the tattoo...hey, what better way to reward yourself than with a needle and some ink, huh? Well I think it's a great idea...I've already got a tatt, so why not give it some company, finally! Even though I didn't do 2 miles today like I normally have been doing, I completed the workout according to the plan. I was getting to the 2 miles because after the 'cool down' of the C25k, I would run a little longer to make the time an even 35mins.

I'm lookin' forward to finishing the C25k! I'm actually really excited and I'm anxious to see how much weight I can lose and how far I can run without stopping! EXCITED!!!

Running Form

Hmmm, I might've figured out why my heels and calves are hurting a little when I run. It's my form!!!
I was reading an article on www.fitsugar.com about running form and why certain parts of my body might be hurting during and after my run/walk. I've gotta correct this before my run in March. And again I say, it's not my shoes
The article was very interesting to read and I'm definitely gonna refer to it from time to time to see where the aches are coming from and why!

Here's some of the article from fitsugar:

1. Head: It sometimes feels good to close your eyes and relax your chin toward your chest, but don't keep your head down (or tilt your head up) for long periods of time. Prevent neck strain and encourage an open throat for easy breathing by keeping your head stacked over your spine. Correct head position also encourages a straight, upright stance, which makes you a more efficient runner.
2. Shoulders: Without even realizing it, you may be running with your upper back and shoulders tensed up toward your ears. (And you wonder why you have a pounding headache or aching neck.) Every so often, take a nice deep breath in and as you exhale, relax your upper torso and actively roll your shoulders back and down toward your pelvis. Do a self-check to make sure your shoulders are stacked over the hips. Hunching the upper body forward not only makes it difficult to breathe, it also puts pressure on your lower back.

3. Arms: Leave the side-to-side swaying arms for the dance floor. Your arms shouldn't move across your body when you run: it uses up energy, tires your muscles, and actually prevents your body from propelling forward. To increase your speed and endurance, focus on swaying your arms forward and back, keeping your elbows at 90-degree angles.
4. Hands: Clenched fists translate to tense arms and shoulders, which tires your muscles and can cause a dull, achy sensation. Not to mention, it also makes you look like an angry runner! Maintain a sense of relaxation in your torso by running with a slightly open fist, pretending you're holding an egg in each palm.
5. Belly: Many runners complain of lower back pain, and one reason is because they don't engage their abs. While running, concentrate on drawing your navel in toward your spine to keep your pelvis and lower spine stable.
6. Feet: Where your feet strike is a big debate among runners. In order to land with the least amount of jarring pressure on your ankles and knees and have the ability to push off the ground with great force, it's best to land on the midfoot — not on the heel. Then roll forward quickly onto the toes, popping off the ground with each step. Landing softly is key — no one should hear you pounding your feet as you run. Think of yourself as a deer, quietly and effortlessly bounding as you move.

Source: Fitsugar

Week 3 Day 1

Today I started week 3 of C25K and it's gettin' a little tough! . I'm not focused and I'm lettin' the pain get to me. The pain isn't bad, it's annoying! My right calf gets tight as I'm walk/running and I don't know why. I'm stretching enough, but I'm still having the tightness. It's not the shoes because i just bought a pair of Brooks back In August. I'm also wearing compression socks to help the circulation in my calves...so I don't know what the heck is going on! But believe me, I'm not givin' up I refuse to give up!! I'm gonna keep pushin' forward and learn the signals of my body! I've gotta keep movin' my body so the weight can come off and I can be lighter when it comes to runnin'! I've been sayin' I wanted to lose 20lbs before I participated in another 5k, but I've still gotta try now! The C25k is the only affective way I can see myself learnin' how to run for long periods of time and lose weight in the process. Even though C25k isn't a weightloss program, it is, however, a running guide and I can lose the weight along the way. If I'm 20lbs lighter before my 5k run on March 30th...that's AWESOME!! But if I don't lose 20lbs, I'll still have the tools to run for 30 minutes without stopping to walk!
I gotta keep pushin' thru and make it to the finish line!

Color Me Rad!!

I'm registered and I'm ready...well at least I'm getting there!! I'm almost finished with week 2 of the C25k, so that'll give me plenty of time to be finished with the training before the run. Actually, I should be finished with my C25k on March 6 and I'll have 3 extra weeks to keep preparing! Two of my friends are supposed to be doing it with me, but I've got no clue if they've registered or not I wanted to go ahead and do "early bird" registration which ends today...$35 is much better than $40 I still have a long road to go, but 9 weeks will be here before I know it!

Yep, I'm registered! March 30th, here I come!!