Thursday, March 24, 2011

I'm lovin' it

Nope.  No McDonald's commercial here.  Just me going to the gym and loving every single second of it.

I am officially done week 2, day 2 of Couch to 5 k and I still can not believe that I am running.  Really, really running.  I am a bit skeptical about week three though.  Week one I jogged for 60 seconds, walked for 90.  This week I am jogging for 90 seconds followed by a walk for two minutes.  Next week ... week three ... they want me to be able to do two repetitions of this:
  • brisk warm-up walk for 5 minutes
  • jog for 90 seconds
  • walk for 90 seconds
  • jog for 3 minutes
  • walk for three minutes.
I'm sorry.  What was that?  Three minutes ... IN A ROW? I just cant see it happening but, that being said, I never say 90 seconds happening either so I have just basically summed it up to 'what do I know?'  What do I know ... this.  I know that I am going to give it my all.  My 100 percent.  In less that one week from now I am going to be able to post on my Daily Mile that I ran 2+ kms, at speed of 4.0 - 5.0 with a 2.0 - 2.5% incline. Thats what I know. 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

** Ahem **

Well it's been a very slooooow process but I am finally fully recovered enough to do almost anything I want to at the gym.  Nothing worse than back to back chest infections followed by a sinus/head cold to stop you right on the spot.  During those 6 weeks I did manage to work out twice.  It was difficult but lanes were swam.  This past week though ... I'm on fi-ya!  (fire for those who arent as cool as I .... lol)

I am dying to get to the gym today but decided that 4 days in row was good enough right now and I needed to give my legs and arms a break because the legs are kinda of yelling at me.  In the first three days I swam approximately 7.5 to 8 kms  (3rd day is a guestimate since my lane counting was interrupted too many times by people who lack simply pool etiquette and I was defintely moving at a slower pace than the previous two days.  45 minutes it was.)

The forth day --- Now that was a special day.  Because I drove in to the city with my Hubs, I had limited time and decided that it was time to try something once again.  Something that I attempted on November 15th.  Remember this post?  The one where the earth moved?  Well not only did the earth not move this time but I completed ALL of week one, day one of the Couch to 5k training program.  Unlike my second attempt in December, where I managed to run one full minute then a couple of 30 second stints (all while being beyond breathless), I ran the each entire minute with a comfortable breathing level and no physical discomfort.  The last time around I 30 seconds felt like f-o-r-e-v-e-r but this time around .... I couldnt believe how quickly the minute passed and before I knew it, I was walking again.  If I could have jumped in the air and yelled, I would have ... but I did have a HUGE grin on my face as I started my cool down.  I did it.  I really, really did it and, for the first time in my entire life, I really do think that I can run a 5k run.

Speaking of 5 k runs ... a while ago my friend Katie encouraged me to set the goal of running in the annual 5k Army Run held in September.  I quickly agreed to it then thought myself to be a lunatic.  I mean, look at the size of me.  To run 5k ... what a joke?  I quickly reassured myself saying "I will at least try.  Worse case scenario, I can walk because I know I can walk 5k very easily."  Well you know what?  SCREW THAT.  There will be NO walking.  There will ONLY be jogging and I WILL DO IT!!!!!!  No allowing myself to have that escape clause at the end of the sentence.  To easy to fail.  Best part.  I mean ABSOLUTE BEST PART ... I didnt know my Mom volunteers at that race every year until I told her about my goal yesterday.  She will be there at the finish line helping ... she will see me.  What's more motivating that my Mom at the finish line.  Oh how I love my Mom and I just know how proud she will be of me. 

Tomorrow is day two and I am so stoked - cant wait for it to get here.  I am going to skip the gym though and run outside. The weather has been gorgeous so why not fill my lungs with fresh air?

Wow.  feeling good about yourself is an amazing thing, isnt it??