Run 31: Monday 6/22/09
Weather: low 60's and cloudy
The temperature felt just about perfect today. I did a combo of endurance and speed training. 10 minute run followed by two sets of speed work: 1min fast, 2min medium, 3min slow, with walk breaks inbetween. This means that my running days are getting longer. I used to be out here for 30 minutes, and now it seems closer to 45min-1hr.
I was also being videotaped. Well, not just me. There was a woman set up in one corner of the park with a video camera on a tripod that looked very much like the size and quality of a news station camera. She was taping people as they rounded the path, with some people stopping for close up shots.
When I started running, I did not want anyone to see me. And while I still don't think I'm so fantastic to watch, I feel a lot more confident that I look like a runner instead of an overweight non-runner that really should know better than to try. ;) So, I welcomed the camera and continued confidently, proud that I was simply running at all.
I stopped to ask her what she was taping, before I left. She said she was a student working on a PSA for the city of Bellevue about their walking program. I gave her a smile and a little encouragement and went on my way.
Cross Training: Tuesday I got up early for yoga and it was nice to focus, relax, and stretch out before a busy workday.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Cross Training and a New Commitment
I've got a good thing going with my running program and I'm ready to step it up. I've been wanting to add in some cross training, but until now, my inbetween days were really all about recovery. Now that I am getting stronger, I feel ready to up the challenge.
Thursday I got up early and did yoga before work. Saturday I did a dance exercise video and today I did my Kick Boxing video. That is easily one of my my most challenging (and most effective) workouts. For any of you that are interested, I highly recommend Total Cardio Kick by Quick Fix. It's three 10 minute segments (upper body, lower body, & abs) with a handy little countdown clock, so you know how much longer you have to endure. The instructor is motivating without being annoying.
My new commitment is to aim for one workout EVERY day. That may be as simple as 20 minutes of yoga or a 30 minute walk, or as challenging as running or a cardio DVD workout. I'm excited by this new challenge and I'm ready to watch the fat burn off!
Thursday I got up early and did yoga before work. Saturday I did a dance exercise video and today I did my Kick Boxing video. That is easily one of my my most challenging (and most effective) workouts. For any of you that are interested, I highly recommend Total Cardio Kick by Quick Fix. It's three 10 minute segments (upper body, lower body, & abs) with a handy little countdown clock, so you know how much longer you have to endure. The instructor is motivating without being annoying.
My new commitment is to aim for one workout EVERY day. That may be as simple as 20 minutes of yoga or a 30 minute walk, or as challenging as running or a cardio DVD workout. I'm excited by this new challenge and I'm ready to watch the fat burn off!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Speed!
Run 30: Friday 6/19/09
Weather: mid 60's and cloudy
Run number 30!! Woohoo!!
Today I changed up my routine and started working on speed instead of duration. It was an experiment that turned out to be a lot of fun. Something just clicked in my lately and I felt like I want to go FASTER.
I ran 1min Fast (not quite a sprint, but close to it), 2min Medium Speed, and 3min Slow Speed (not my slowest pace, but close to it), repeated 3 times (18 min total run time) with aprox 2 min walk breaks inbetween.
I have never run that fast and had it feel "right". It's hard to explain. My body has become accustomed to the slow pace I've adopted to work on running longer periods of time. Today, besides being a nice change of pace, felt like 'real' running. It sounds silly, I know... but it's hard to overcome the image of a runner as being slim and fit and fast... a description I don't quite fit.
I'm excited to catch a glimpse of the direction I'm headed. To see myself moving towards the image I hold in my head of a Real Runner. Although part of me knows that I am not an imposter, but an athlete in training, ...I can't help but look forward to a day when I can run for 30 minutes at a pace I feel proud of.
Weather: mid 60's and cloudy
Run number 30!! Woohoo!!
Today I changed up my routine and started working on speed instead of duration. It was an experiment that turned out to be a lot of fun. Something just clicked in my lately and I felt like I want to go FASTER.
I ran 1min Fast (not quite a sprint, but close to it), 2min Medium Speed, and 3min Slow Speed (not my slowest pace, but close to it), repeated 3 times (18 min total run time) with aprox 2 min walk breaks inbetween.
I have never run that fast and had it feel "right". It's hard to explain. My body has become accustomed to the slow pace I've adopted to work on running longer periods of time. Today, besides being a nice change of pace, felt like 'real' running. It sounds silly, I know... but it's hard to overcome the image of a runner as being slim and fit and fast... a description I don't quite fit.
I'm excited to catch a glimpse of the direction I'm headed. To see myself moving towards the image I hold in my head of a Real Runner. Although part of me knows that I am not an imposter, but an athlete in training, ...I can't help but look forward to a day when I can run for 30 minutes at a pace I feel proud of.
Your slowest run is still faster than sitting on the couch.
Run 29: Wednesday 6/17/09
Weather: low 70's and partly sunny
I only ran two days last week, and it looks like I'm only going to be running two days again this week. I feel a little guilty. But at the same time, I'm enjoying the increased flexibility I feel with my routine since passing the 2 month mark. (not to mention, I've been fighting a cold and dealing with allergies)
Today I ran 15 minutes, with a 4min walk, then finished off with a faster paced 5 minute run. I'm really starting to feel like I want to work on speed. My duration has shown steady and impressive improvement, with several runs now in the 20-25 minute range. Unfortunately, to run for that long, I have to keep it in first gear, so to speak.
Friday will celebrate my 30th run and I plan to switch gears. I'm going to run shorter lengths of time to work on getting faster. It's a little off the C25K plan, so it feels a bit experimental. However, progress is progress and while it might delay getting to a 30 minute run, I'll still be improving my performance.
Weather: low 70's and partly sunny
I only ran two days last week, and it looks like I'm only going to be running two days again this week. I feel a little guilty. But at the same time, I'm enjoying the increased flexibility I feel with my routine since passing the 2 month mark. (not to mention, I've been fighting a cold and dealing with allergies)
Today I ran 15 minutes, with a 4min walk, then finished off with a faster paced 5 minute run. I'm really starting to feel like I want to work on speed. My duration has shown steady and impressive improvement, with several runs now in the 20-25 minute range. Unfortunately, to run for that long, I have to keep it in first gear, so to speak.
Friday will celebrate my 30th run and I plan to switch gears. I'm going to run shorter lengths of time to work on getting faster. It's a little off the C25K plan, so it feels a bit experimental. However, progress is progress and while it might delay getting to a 30 minute run, I'll still be improving my performance.
Friday, June 12, 2009
25 minute run
Run 28: Thursday 6/11/09
Weather: low 70's and sunny
I ran 25 minutes straight today. What more can I say? It felt awesome.
Well, actually, it felt like I was going to pass out from heat exhaustion... but before that (and after), it was great!
Weather: low 70's and sunny
I ran 25 minutes straight today. What more can I say? It felt awesome.
Well, actually, it felt like I was going to pass out from heat exhaustion... but before that (and after), it was great!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Run 27
Run 27: Monday 6/8/09
Weather: low 70's and sunny
I'm repeating the week 6 program. It was challenging today, but I did 5run/3walk, 8run/3walk, 5run/3walk: 18min total running. Not sure why it was harder today. Maybe I started out faster than my usual pace? Out of practice from the week off? Or maybe it was a little warm? I tend to overheat when it gets to 70 in full sun. I stuck to the shady spots as much as I could.
Anyway, I did it. I'd love to say I ran 30min straight at a good pace, but it's going to take some time. I'm more or less right on track with what I had planned. Keep on keepin' on.
Weather: low 70's and sunny
I'm repeating the week 6 program. It was challenging today, but I did 5run/3walk, 8run/3walk, 5run/3walk: 18min total running. Not sure why it was harder today. Maybe I started out faster than my usual pace? Out of practice from the week off? Or maybe it was a little warm? I tend to overheat when it gets to 70 in full sun. I stuck to the shady spots as much as I could.
Anyway, I did it. I'd love to say I ran 30min straight at a good pace, but it's going to take some time. I'm more or less right on track with what I had planned. Keep on keepin' on.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Post Heat Wave
Run 26: Saturday 6/6/09
Weather: 65 and cloudy
I didn't run all week, due to our surprise heat wave. Instead of highs in the upper 60's, it got into the low 90's!! Totally insane. As most of us in WA don't have A/C, it made for a rather uncomfortable week all the way around. I didn't want to go out at all in those temps, let alone run! So I took the week off. I did do some walking in the morning and on lunch, but otherwise it was a little vacation from running.
I wasn't planning to run again until Monday (my usual day). But since it had cooled off so nicely by Saturday, I treated myself to a run. It felt SO good! I ran through town with a big silly grin, so happy to be out there. I felt like a rockstar or a proud peacock or something. I was exhausted by the end of it, but it was worth it.
Weather: 65 and cloudy
I didn't run all week, due to our surprise heat wave. Instead of highs in the upper 60's, it got into the low 90's!! Totally insane. As most of us in WA don't have A/C, it made for a rather uncomfortable week all the way around. I didn't want to go out at all in those temps, let alone run! So I took the week off. I did do some walking in the morning and on lunch, but otherwise it was a little vacation from running.
I wasn't planning to run again until Monday (my usual day). But since it had cooled off so nicely by Saturday, I treated myself to a run. It felt SO good! I ran through town with a big silly grin, so happy to be out there. I felt like a rockstar or a proud peacock or something. I was exhausted by the end of it, but it was worth it.
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