I completed C25K Week 2 Day 3. I ran 2.29 miles in 31:07. Average pace 13:35.
It felt hard today, so I checked my pace. According to my Garmin, I was averaging a 7:30-8:30 minute mile while running. Now if I could just maintain that sort of pace for an extended period of time.
I wanted to get some miles in on the bike trainer, but my rear tire was flat. I lost the adapter for the tire pump during our move so I attempted to ride anyway.
Bad idea. The two miles I rode were ridiculously hard and slow. I was sweating buckets. I think I’ll just put my regular tire back on and start taking the bike outside. I can easily ride to the chain of lakes from my house.
I rode 2.0 miles in 9:16. Average speed 13.0 mph.
C25K Week 2 Day 2
5 minute warm-up
Alternate 90 sec running w/ 2 min walking for 21 min
5 min cool-down
2.30 miles in 31:02. Average pace 13:29
It’s getting a little easier every day.
I completed C25k Week 1 Day 3 on the treadmill this evening. Even though I am still walking far more than I am running, It was nice to see that my average running pace was less than a 9 minute mile. I’ll take that.
I spent most of the run holding my pants up with one hand. My running tights/capris/pants/shorts are all mediums or smalls and resemble sausage casing when I try to put them on. That only leaves sweatpants (too hot) or my maternity yoga pants to run in. I guess I should be thankful that they don’t stay up anymore!
I’m also happy to report that the evil poop monster tried to make an appearance in the last 2 minutes of my run. Normally I would be pretty pissed to see him, but this time he made me happy. If he shows up, it means I’m actually doing something to shake up the stasis in my body. So again, I’ll take that.
Making progress. Slowly but surely.
I completed C25k week 1 day 1 today on the treadmill. It felt so strange to be starting over from the very beginning. The good news is I have begun the process. I completed 1.95 miles in 30:00.
It was 50 degrees out today, so I loaded up Little Mister and we went for a walk at Lake Nokomis. I love having the Minneapolis chain of lakes in my backyard.
He spent most of the walk crying or staring at me like I was a stranger. I guess he’s not used to me in a hat and sunglasses. We walked 2.56 miles in 48:06.
It was wet and muddy, but it’s finally starting to feel a little like spring.
SLASH - “Anastasia” (by slash)
Driving home from the doctors office today, I listened to this song at a decibel level that probably would be considered unsafe by most professionals. Sometimes you just have to crank up the volume, drive a little faster and feel all the feels. I know this probably seems like a strange song to cause “feels”, but feeling good and hyped up can cause strong emotions to sweep over you at times.
When the doctor told me that I could return to all my regular activities, it was like someone unlocked my cage and said “It’s okay, go be yourself. Make amazing things happen”.
The last ten months of my life have been filled with more changes and challenges and heartbreaks than I have faced in the last five years. From my dad being diagnosed with a rare form of Lymphoma to finding out that I was pregnant. Fundraising for Chicago to losing an Aunt and Uncle to cancer. Gaining weight (a lot of weight) to giving birth to unexpectedly losing a cousin this week. I have learned a lot of lessons, lost a lot of sleep, and have found more love in my heart for the friends and family in my life.
So where I am at right now today is back at square one. I haven’t run since Thanksgiving Day. So that means a complete restart. I haven’t weighed myself in awhile, but I’m guessing I have at least 60 pounds to shed. Do I feel overwhelmed by the road in front of me? Yes, a little. Will I get frustrated at times? Absolutely.
But maybe by embarking on this fitness/weight loss/running journey for a second time, I can inspire a few more people IRL and online to think about their health. To re-evaluate their lives. To take a chance. To make a change. To redefine who and what they can be. I am blessed in more ways than I can count. I will never stop trying to be the best person I can be on the inside and outside.
So tomorrow morning I will turn the page on a new chapter in my life. It will start by running some miles. I can’t wait.
“All glory comes from daring to begin.”
Flashback Friday: St Patrick’s Day Edition
This is a reminder to myself how much I have accomplished in the last 3 years. From my first 5k to multiple marathons. 90 pounds lost to the birth of my first child.
The journey back to my pre-baby body will be tough. I have been feeling discouraged a lot. But, I have done it before. I can and will do it again. It seems more daunting this time around. Perhaps it’s because I know just how hard it was to lose the weight and then maintain it for 2 years the first time around. I just need to keep reminding myself how worth it it all was. I felt like a BAMF most days. I miss that. It’s time to get that feeling back.
1) 2010 My first 5k ever. I was 5 months into my weight loss and was down around 60 pounds. I was terrified that I would come in last or not finish at all. It ended up going great and my love for racing was born.
2) 2011 Get Lucky 7k. One month after my third knee surgery. It felt great to get out there and race again after a few months recovering.
3) 2012 Get Lucky 21k. I paced Melinda through her first half marathon. We trained in 30-40 degree weather, only to be greeted with temps around 80 the day of the race.
4) 2013 Get Lucky 7k. One month after giving birth. Had to walk the race in 20 degree weather.
It’s time to buy new running shoes. My Brooks Ravenna 2’s were shot a month before Chicago, but I didn’t want to change shoes that close to the marathon. I also knew I wouldn’t be running much for a few months after, but now it’s become necessary. I’m having ankle/foot pain just walking.
I have been pretty loyal to Asics and Brooks in the past. Most recently I have been rotating between the Brooks Ravenna and the Brooks PureFlow. I am a mild over pronator so I like to have a shoe with a little guidance in it for long runs and a more minimal shoe for shorter/treadmill runs.
So my question is, do you have a favorite shoe/brand that you love and would recommend?
I walked 3 miles on the treadmill this morning in 54 minutes. After, I spent some time getting my home gym set up. I put my bike back on the trainer and pulled out my weights, medicine ball, foam roller and yoga mat. I just need to inflate my stability ball.
Everything is visible and within reach so there is no excuse to not use it.
I finally wrote out all the thank you cards for my baby shower and addressed the birth announcements. I put that off for longer than I should have, but it is finally done.
I go to the doctor in just over a week. Fingers crossed that he clears me to start running. Fortunately the cold and snow has kept me from feeling the itch to run outside.
I have been struggling with some pretty big feels over the 7k last weekend. Walking a race was more difficult for me than I ever anticipated, but that is another post…
1. 3.2 miles walked on the treadmill in 1:00:07.
2. Little Mister is 1 month old today.
3. Raw Energy Salad for dinner.
Tomorrow I’m heading to packet pickup for the Get Lucky 7k and to Target to find something green that fits to wear during the race.
I walked 2.01 miles in 34:02 on my new treadmill.
It was a humbling experience. I have lost more fitness than I anticipated. The good news is what was lost can quickly be regained.
I will just have to take it in small chunks. Adding on a little more each day. Hopefully I will be cleared to run when I go to the doctor on the 26th. Until then, I power walk.
Making up my grocery list for tomorrow. The plan is to make Vegan Quinoa and Sweet Potato Chili, Asian Stuffed Napa Cabbage Rolls, Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Salsa, Southwest Spaghetti Squash and Raw Energy Salad.
Some of these recipes are new and some are old favorites. I don’t have any fruit on my shopping list because I buy all of that at Sam’s Club which is a separate list.
I’m hoping to fire up the new treadmill tomorrow morning before heading to the store with the Little Mister in tow. It should make for an interesting day…
I finally signed up for my first race of 2013. I will be doing the Get Lucky 7k with the hubby on March 16th. I haven’t been cleared by the doctor to run yet, so we will be walking or doing run/walk intervals. I know it will be difficult to not “race”, but at least it’s not forever.
It was important to me to participate in this race. My very first race ever, a 5k, in 2010 was a St Patty’s day race. So the Get Lucky will be my 4 year racing anniversary and I just couldn’t miss that. There are around 14,000 people registered so strollers aren’t allowed. The Little Mister will have to spectate with the Grandparents. He did 6 or 7 races with me last year so it will be weird to go it alone again.
Team Ortho the sponsors of the race have a volunteer program. You earn points for every hour you volunteer. You can convert those points into race registrations. I have finally earned enough points and was able to register for the race for free. So all the more reason to participate.
Now to figure out what kind of ridiculous green outfit I can pull together this year.
Tuesday Happenings:
- Baked some bread.
- Shoveled for 1.5 hours (hello workout).
- Went grocery shopping (I don’t get out much anymore, so this was actually a nice change of pace).
- Made spicy roasted vegetable Mac and cheese for dinner.
- Cuddled with a very sleepy Little Mister.
I’m looking forward to setting up my home gym tomorrow. I’m going to get my bike back on the trainer and make room for the treadmill that should be here any day.
