Tomorrow is the big day. I feel so nervous, but I find that an odd feeling b/c it isn't like I am really competing. I guess I am competing with myself and the image I have of me crossing the finish line. It is funny b/c I had no problem feeling like I could do this when I thought that I'd make it with the 5 min warm-up and cool down, but once I thought that I wanted to actually run across the finish line I had issues.
I didn't really get a chance to play with the phone to set up my tunes, but I did move week 7 to play before week 9 since it has my favorite play list. I am still deciding how I am going to handle that. I was looking at the route and it is 3.15 mi and all flat. When I've run through the neighborhood there are some inclines, so I am hoping that a level field will make it more likely for me to run further.
Yesterday I did the Self video again and today I'd planned on biking but spent the day on my feet in the kitchen. I'd hoped to go to bed early, but it is even later than usual. Well, late as usual. Last night I was in bed and asleep by 9:45. Pretty awesome :D
Friday, September 27, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Couch to 5k Week 9 Day 2
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Sat - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
Week 8 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 28 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.14 mi/4.3 mph 2.80 mi with warm-up & cool down
Week 9 Day 1 & 2- 5 min warm-up 30 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.28 mi/ 4.3 mph 3.02 mi with warm-up & cool down
Wed - 4.6 mph 2.30 mi/4.3 mph 2..96 mi? with warm-up & cool down
A few years ago when I was exercising regularly and lost all the weight, one of my favorite videos to do besides P90X was called Self Bikini Ready Fast (or something like that). We had it on netflix, but once we got rid of that service it also meant the end of the video. Every once in awhile I would look it up online, but wasn't willing to pay the $10 to order it. It is silly because we paid that every month for netflix and it would be cheaper just to buy the video. Anyway, I never got it. Until last week. There is a store here called $5 and Below. It's like a Dollar General or Dollar Tree in that it has a little bit of everything and $5 is the most anything costs. They have a little exercise section where they sell weights and other gear. I happened to see a small stack (like 6) of DVDs on a shelf and noticed one of them was this Self Bikini Ready Fast. It was one of those moments where you hear angels sing and fireworks go off... yeah. I happily purchased it for $5.
So yesterday instead of doing a P90X video, I did my 'new' video. *whew* I am sore today! The video is strength training with just a little bit of cardio (but they are plyo jump variations so perfect for my thighs!!) I woke up with my lower back and inner thighs muscle sore! I was a little unsure how this would effect my run, but decided to not think about it. I had an appt at 9:30 am, so I wanted to be out the door as soon as my boys were on the bus at 8 to be able to run and get ready in time for my appt. I would say that today's run was harder than Monday's, but at the same time I was able to really push it at times. In fact, the last 3 minutes I really pushed it and when I was down to the last 1 minute I felt a rush of energy and ran as fast as I could! I am not sure where it came from, but it came and I was happy for it. Of course, when it was time for the cool down I was slow as molasses, but oh well :) Overall my speed was the same as Monday, but I went just a tad farther in my run.
Since the 5k is on Saturday, I think I will take a break Friday to really rest my legs. I want to run across the finish line so I have been trying to figure out how to accomplish that when my running intervals aren't reaching 5K length. I have debated walking for the first 10 minutes and then switch to running for 30 minutes. I think I could do that, but I don't know. II could try to run to the end and not stop at the 30 minutes but I don't know if I could maintain it. It would be potentially another 10 minutes of running. I *really* liked week 7's music and have debated using it for the final run. The final song is so inspiring that I know it would help me get to the finish line, but I also really like the countdown and back slapping that happens on week 9 because we accomplished the goal. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
After realizing what a disservice I'd done to myself by not riding my bike anymore, I have ridden the last two days hoping to strengthen my muscles for Saturday. We haven't been on a ride since the weekend before school - now three weeks ago. It is amazing how quickly our muscles atrophy. Even Jared ended up having to stop to give his legs a break. Aaron's bike chain keeps falling off which is a huge inconvenience. However, I am grateful that we made it through the summer with it and have only had the issues since Matthew got back and school started.
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Sat - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
Week 8 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 28 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.14 mi/4.3 mph 2.80 mi with warm-up & cool down
Week 9 Day 1 & 2- 5 min warm-up 30 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.28 mi/ 4.3 mph 3.02 mi with warm-up & cool down
Wed - 4.6 mph 2.30 mi/4.3 mph 2..96 mi? with warm-up & cool down
A few years ago when I was exercising regularly and lost all the weight, one of my favorite videos to do besides P90X was called Self Bikini Ready Fast (or something like that). We had it on netflix, but once we got rid of that service it also meant the end of the video. Every once in awhile I would look it up online, but wasn't willing to pay the $10 to order it. It is silly because we paid that every month for netflix and it would be cheaper just to buy the video. Anyway, I never got it. Until last week. There is a store here called $5 and Below. It's like a Dollar General or Dollar Tree in that it has a little bit of everything and $5 is the most anything costs. They have a little exercise section where they sell weights and other gear. I happened to see a small stack (like 6) of DVDs on a shelf and noticed one of them was this Self Bikini Ready Fast. It was one of those moments where you hear angels sing and fireworks go off... yeah. I happily purchased it for $5.
So yesterday instead of doing a P90X video, I did my 'new' video. *whew* I am sore today! The video is strength training with just a little bit of cardio (but they are plyo jump variations so perfect for my thighs!!) I woke up with my lower back and inner thighs muscle sore! I was a little unsure how this would effect my run, but decided to not think about it. I had an appt at 9:30 am, so I wanted to be out the door as soon as my boys were on the bus at 8 to be able to run and get ready in time for my appt. I would say that today's run was harder than Monday's, but at the same time I was able to really push it at times. In fact, the last 3 minutes I really pushed it and when I was down to the last 1 minute I felt a rush of energy and ran as fast as I could! I am not sure where it came from, but it came and I was happy for it. Of course, when it was time for the cool down I was slow as molasses, but oh well :) Overall my speed was the same as Monday, but I went just a tad farther in my run.
Since the 5k is on Saturday, I think I will take a break Friday to really rest my legs. I want to run across the finish line so I have been trying to figure out how to accomplish that when my running intervals aren't reaching 5K length. I have debated walking for the first 10 minutes and then switch to running for 30 minutes. I think I could do that, but I don't know. II could try to run to the end and not stop at the 30 minutes but I don't know if I could maintain it. It would be potentially another 10 minutes of running. I *really* liked week 7's music and have debated using it for the final run. The final song is so inspiring that I know it would help me get to the finish line, but I also really like the countdown and back slapping that happens on week 9 because we accomplished the goal. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.
After realizing what a disservice I'd done to myself by not riding my bike anymore, I have ridden the last two days hoping to strengthen my muscles for Saturday. We haven't been on a ride since the weekend before school - now three weeks ago. It is amazing how quickly our muscles atrophy. Even Jared ended up having to stop to give his legs a break. Aaron's bike chain keeps falling off which is a huge inconvenience. However, I am grateful that we made it through the summer with it and have only had the issues since Matthew got back and school started.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Couch to 5K Week 9 Day 1
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Sat - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
Week 8 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 28 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.14 mi/4.3 mph 2.80 mi with warm-up & cool down
Week 9 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 30 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.28 mi/ 4.3 mph 3.02 mi with warm-up & cool down
Sunday morning I woke up and felt different. I felt good. Apparently a hormone release is what I needed and now I am back on track. Maybe the cold front that came through helped too. Once again I am waiting for comcast to make an appearance this morning so I couldn't dawdle getting out the door for my run which helped as well. Recognizing that last week was a flop in the run department and this week ends with my actual 5K, I wondered if it would be better for me to run for 28 min or just go on to week 9 and do 30. I started off on week 8 but then decided to just go for it and switched to week 9. And I did it! My legs were definitely feeling the lack of use, but it wasn't as hard as Wed on the treadmill. I didn't feel like I ever needed to walk for a break. It wasn't a piece of cake, but it was certainly doable. I think it helped that for the final 10 minutes she did a countdown so I could talk myself through each minute. I felt slow but I wasn't stopped and that's what counts :)
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Sat - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
Week 8 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 28 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.14 mi/4.3 mph 2.80 mi with warm-up & cool down
Week 9 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 30 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.28 mi/ 4.3 mph 3.02 mi with warm-up & cool down
Sunday morning I woke up and felt different. I felt good. Apparently a hormone release is what I needed and now I am back on track. Maybe the cold front that came through helped too. Once again I am waiting for comcast to make an appearance this morning so I couldn't dawdle getting out the door for my run which helped as well. Recognizing that last week was a flop in the run department and this week ends with my actual 5K, I wondered if it would be better for me to run for 28 min or just go on to week 9 and do 30. I started off on week 8 but then decided to just go for it and switched to week 9. And I did it! My legs were definitely feeling the lack of use, but it wasn't as hard as Wed on the treadmill. I didn't feel like I ever needed to walk for a break. It wasn't a piece of cake, but it was certainly doable. I think it helped that for the final 10 minutes she did a countdown so I could talk myself through each minute. I felt slow but I wasn't stopped and that's what counts :)
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Not good
It was supposed to be day 3 of week 8. I didn't run. Going up and down stairs has me winded. We spent the day at the fall festival at the farm across the street. I am pooped. I may be doing a walk/run 5k after all instead of a running 5K.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Couch to 5k Week 8 day 2
28 min run/2.14 mi
Oh boy. It's like my running legs have switched off. It was so hard!!! I am not even sure I did the full 28 minutes because the phone I've been using had died so I couldn't keep track of the minutes very easily. I did the treadmill and tried to keep the pace at 4.5. I ended up going down to 4.0 and even walked a bit :/ I couldn't believe it. But, I have some theories:
1) I've gone from biking and swimming daily besides running to biking and running down to just running 3 times a week. I think my legs need that cross training.
2) I haven't been drinking my green smoothies in the morning so I'm lacking some nutrients to give me the energy I need. And besides that, I ran in the afternoon. I didn't eat much all day thinking I was going to run and wanted to drink my smoothie afterward. I would have been better off just eating and then running. I think I was running on empty.
3) I am not getting enough sleep at night. In fact, I crashed at 9:30 or so last night and still felt wasted this morning. It is tough getting used to sharing a bed after having my little pillow nest for the last three months. He isn't sleeping so great either so it's not just me.
I officially signed up for the Parkinson Alliance 5k next Sat. I sure hope it goes better than it did here yesterday!
Oh boy. It's like my running legs have switched off. It was so hard!!! I am not even sure I did the full 28 minutes because the phone I've been using had died so I couldn't keep track of the minutes very easily. I did the treadmill and tried to keep the pace at 4.5. I ended up going down to 4.0 and even walked a bit :/ I couldn't believe it. But, I have some theories:
1) I've gone from biking and swimming daily besides running to biking and running down to just running 3 times a week. I think my legs need that cross training.
2) I haven't been drinking my green smoothies in the morning so I'm lacking some nutrients to give me the energy I need. And besides that, I ran in the afternoon. I didn't eat much all day thinking I was going to run and wanted to drink my smoothie afterward. I would have been better off just eating and then running. I think I was running on empty.
3) I am not getting enough sleep at night. In fact, I crashed at 9:30 or so last night and still felt wasted this morning. It is tough getting used to sharing a bed after having my little pillow nest for the last three months. He isn't sleeping so great either so it's not just me.
I officially signed up for the Parkinson Alliance 5k next Sat. I sure hope it goes better than it did here yesterday!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Couch to 5k Week 8 day 1
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Sat - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
Week 8 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 28 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.14 mi/4.3 mph 2.80 mi with warm-up & cool down
Not as fast as Saturday, but not as bad as Wed either. It was a bit of a rough run. I missed the music from last week. It was very motivating, although this week's had a good pace beat. I wanted to walk half way through. My mind games weren't helping much today, but I didn't give up and made it. My quads were tired from the get-go which made it harder to run with umph. The last five minutes were the best part. I made it all the way to the end of the street where my warm-up usually ends which is cool.
I can't believe I have made it this far!! One more week to go!!
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Sat - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
Week 8 Day 1 - 3 - 5 min warm-up 28 min run
Mon - 4.6 mph 2.14 mi/4.3 mph 2.80 mi with warm-up & cool down
Not as fast as Saturday, but not as bad as Wed either. It was a bit of a rough run. I missed the music from last week. It was very motivating, although this week's had a good pace beat. I wanted to walk half way through. My mind games weren't helping much today, but I didn't give up and made it. My quads were tired from the get-go which made it harder to run with umph. The last five minutes were the best part. I made it all the way to the end of the street where my warm-up usually ends which is cool.
I can't believe I have made it this far!! One more week to go!!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Couch to 5k Week 7 day 3
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 -3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Fri - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
At the end of today's run I decided I needed to find out exactly how my run is going and not the entire workout. This week is a perfect one to gauge b/c the intervals are not changing every day and there was a dramatic difference in each day. So, the notes above reflect my speed and distance. I couldn't remember exactly where my run ended on Wed so there are two different times and distances to reflect the two places I might have stopped for my cool down. I was shocked and amazed today when my run ended the driveway before my house!! The music I am listening to was giving me a pretty good indication I was making better time but to land at my house at the end was validation.
This has been a rough week for me. There was a strong contrast between Monday, Wed, and Friday's attitude about exercise. Mon was amazing and optimistic and empowering. Tues I did P90x's leg and back - not too big a deal the day of though I knew I would be sore the next day. Wed I was indeed sore but did my run anyway because that has been my mindset - just do it and 'just because I am sore does not mean I am limited'. I was so stiff the rest of the day and walking around New York was exhausting. I loved being with my friend and seeing the sites (MoMA anyone? Original Picasso and Monet paintings...) I thought the walking would help stretch out the stiffness but I didn't really feel any better at the end. Thursday I was supposed to KenpoX but opted to take it easy. I did feel more limber when I got up in the morning but the stiffness returned the rest of the day - especially after sitting long periods of time. My friend and I walked around downtown Princeton and for some reason I was feeling really emotional. Yesterday I had absolutely no desire to exercise. None. I could care less about ever exercising again. Ever. My legs were feeling mostly better though. I knew that I would probably feel better if I just got out and did it, but I didn't. For our FHE activity we played Wii Fit and by the end my glute muscles were sore again. I was totally exhausted and crashed soon after the boys being ready for bed. My alarm went off at 5:15 this morning like usual and I debated getting up and running. I decided to sleep in and finally forced myself to put on my running clothes and shoes and get out. A cold front came through yesterday after all the rain and mugginess the weather feels great.
The run was much better than Wed (as the time suggests) but it did get hard half way through. I thought about giving up but kept at it. The feel to quit has been so tangible this week that I have come to decide that it must be the Adversary. I have been extended a new calling and have felt the weight of it this week and know that giving up in this aspect of my life would only give the darkness more power. There is a battle waging that must be won with perseverance and determination. I will not give up!!
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 -3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Mon - 4.4 mph 1.85 mi
Wed - 4.3 1.79 mi/4.1 1.72 mi
Fri - 4.7 mph 1.94 mi
At the end of today's run I decided I needed to find out exactly how my run is going and not the entire workout. This week is a perfect one to gauge b/c the intervals are not changing every day and there was a dramatic difference in each day. So, the notes above reflect my speed and distance. I couldn't remember exactly where my run ended on Wed so there are two different times and distances to reflect the two places I might have stopped for my cool down. I was shocked and amazed today when my run ended the driveway before my house!! The music I am listening to was giving me a pretty good indication I was making better time but to land at my house at the end was validation.
This has been a rough week for me. There was a strong contrast between Monday, Wed, and Friday's attitude about exercise. Mon was amazing and optimistic and empowering. Tues I did P90x's leg and back - not too big a deal the day of though I knew I would be sore the next day. Wed I was indeed sore but did my run anyway because that has been my mindset - just do it and 'just because I am sore does not mean I am limited'. I was so stiff the rest of the day and walking around New York was exhausting. I loved being with my friend and seeing the sites (MoMA anyone? Original Picasso and Monet paintings...) I thought the walking would help stretch out the stiffness but I didn't really feel any better at the end. Thursday I was supposed to KenpoX but opted to take it easy. I did feel more limber when I got up in the morning but the stiffness returned the rest of the day - especially after sitting long periods of time. My friend and I walked around downtown Princeton and for some reason I was feeling really emotional. Yesterday I had absolutely no desire to exercise. None. I could care less about ever exercising again. Ever. My legs were feeling mostly better though. I knew that I would probably feel better if I just got out and did it, but I didn't. For our FHE activity we played Wii Fit and by the end my glute muscles were sore again. I was totally exhausted and crashed soon after the boys being ready for bed. My alarm went off at 5:15 this morning like usual and I debated getting up and running. I decided to sleep in and finally forced myself to put on my running clothes and shoes and get out. A cold front came through yesterday after all the rain and mugginess the weather feels great.
The run was much better than Wed (as the time suggests) but it did get hard half way through. I thought about giving up but kept at it. The feel to quit has been so tangible this week that I have come to decide that it must be the Adversary. I have been extended a new calling and have felt the weight of it this week and know that giving up in this aspect of my life would only give the darkness more power. There is a battle waging that must be won with perseverance and determination. I will not give up!!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Couch to 5K Week 7 day 2/Weigh In
Just a quick update before my day gets busy and I forget.
Today was hard. H. A. R. D. hard. I am really sore from yesterday's legs & back workout added on top of being tired and high humidity in the air when I ran, it was a nasty combo. My pace was a lot slower and I really wanted to give up early on, but I persevered and made it.
My optimism from Mon was totally squished and negative. I know it is only b/c today was so challenging and the positive will return, but for now it feels like doing this 5k is the hardest thing in the world (which it isn't/won't be).
I am spending the day walking around New York with one of my TX friends. I am looking forward to being with her but my body does not feel ready for the demands placed on it today....
Oh, and I didn't lose anything this week. Still 180.1. And my measurements have not changed. If anything they've gotten bigger :/
Today was hard. H. A. R. D. hard. I am really sore from yesterday's legs & back workout added on top of being tired and high humidity in the air when I ran, it was a nasty combo. My pace was a lot slower and I really wanted to give up early on, but I persevered and made it.
My optimism from Mon was totally squished and negative. I know it is only b/c today was so challenging and the positive will return, but for now it feels like doing this 5k is the hardest thing in the world (which it isn't/won't be).
I am spending the day walking around New York with one of my TX friends. I am looking forward to being with her but my body does not feel ready for the demands placed on it today....
Oh, and I didn't lose anything this week. Still 180.1. And my measurements have not changed. If anything they've gotten bigger :/
Monday, September 9, 2013
Couch to 5k Week 7 day 1
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
2.44 miles/35 minutes total/4.2 mph
Where to start.... It was the first day of school which meant first day of new routines. When my alarm went off at 5:15 am I really wanted to stay in bed but with the morning plans for breakfast right after the boys got on the bus, I knew I couldn't delay my run. And I knew how I reacted to my alarm would set a precedence that would be hard to break. I finally drug myself out of bed and then all of a sudden I felt awake and ready to face this new challenge.
It is amazing how quickly the sun's habits change. It seemed like just days ago that the sun was bright at 5:30 am, but now it is still dark. It was chilly this morning but I figured I'd warm up enough once I got going. I was right. It was really just about perfect running weather. And it is amazing to be outside while the sun rises. It crested right as I finished my run. It was like a greeting of celebration at my achievement :)
This was the first time I've run without my running buddies. It was kind of weird to go it alone, but at the same time I was excited to see how far I could go without having to run circles or push a kid up a small incline. I figured this would be a truer test of my abilities. I was able to run at a good clip to begin with but about the half way mark I was really feeling the run. I slowed down and was just barely getting one foot in front of the other, but amazingly, once I hit the 15 minute mark I felt empowered to finish. In fact, I even picked up the pace!! I made it all the way around the neighborhood and down the next street, back to our neighborhood and almost to the street before ours before it was time for the cool down. At that point I'd gone 2.15 miles. I was disappointed at this when I mapped it because I didn't think I'd improved my distance. But, once I added the cool down I was pleasantly surprised that I surpassed my previous distances!! I almost made 2.5 miles! And my time went from 3.3 or so to 4.2 (about what my treadmill pace is). Not bad :D
I carry two pouches with me while I run - one to hold my water, phone, and keys and the other to hold the phone with the podcasts. They have a shoulder strap so I carry them across my chest like a messenger bag. I don't like the way the water bangs against me so I hold the pouch in my hand while I run. For some reason I let it go the last 5 minutes and boy what a difference it made!! I was really surprised how much easier and faster I could run without that 'burden' of carrying a water bottle in my hand. I think I may need to figure something else out to carry all my stuff so my hands can be free. There is power in the movement of arms as you run/walk. I have also noticed that since starting these longer timed runs I don't drink as much water. Previously I could down two water bottles in a 20 min walk/run interval. These last two runs I have barely finished one bottle. I am not sure what the difference is. I am almost wondering if I could get away with no water at all, but it really is helpful to get what drinks I do take.
This week we consistently run for 25 minutes before upping to 28 next week. It is amazing to think how far I've come. 1 1/2 minutes was awful. So was 3 minutes. And 5. And 8. But I've done it and done it well. I look forward to completing this challenge and moving on to the next. I am debating redoing the 5k challenge with a focus on speed or moving on to the 10k. Hmm.... Of course with winter on its way it would be easy to give up running, but I hope that with the treadmill in the living room I don't make any excuses.
Oh, funny story. I have been keeping an eye on my weight and inches (as you are aware). I can see small changes but today Matthew was massaging my legs for me and all of a sudden made a somewhat surprised comment about the muscles on my leg/hamstrings. I had to feel for myself because I didn't believe what he was saying. I was shocked to feel my muscles! I know it is silly, but this running is actually toning my legs!! (as it should be, I just hadn't noticed because all I see is the fat I want to have disappear - and this was the back of my legs. I notice muscular legs because that has always been the type of leg that I want. Running might actually get me there - though it is such a gradual process it is hard to detect).
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
Week 7 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
2.44 miles/35 minutes total/4.2 mph
Where to start.... It was the first day of school which meant first day of new routines. When my alarm went off at 5:15 am I really wanted to stay in bed but with the morning plans for breakfast right after the boys got on the bus, I knew I couldn't delay my run. And I knew how I reacted to my alarm would set a precedence that would be hard to break. I finally drug myself out of bed and then all of a sudden I felt awake and ready to face this new challenge.
It is amazing how quickly the sun's habits change. It seemed like just days ago that the sun was bright at 5:30 am, but now it is still dark. It was chilly this morning but I figured I'd warm up enough once I got going. I was right. It was really just about perfect running weather. And it is amazing to be outside while the sun rises. It crested right as I finished my run. It was like a greeting of celebration at my achievement :)
This was the first time I've run without my running buddies. It was kind of weird to go it alone, but at the same time I was excited to see how far I could go without having to run circles or push a kid up a small incline. I figured this would be a truer test of my abilities. I was able to run at a good clip to begin with but about the half way mark I was really feeling the run. I slowed down and was just barely getting one foot in front of the other, but amazingly, once I hit the 15 minute mark I felt empowered to finish. In fact, I even picked up the pace!! I made it all the way around the neighborhood and down the next street, back to our neighborhood and almost to the street before ours before it was time for the cool down. At that point I'd gone 2.15 miles. I was disappointed at this when I mapped it because I didn't think I'd improved my distance. But, once I added the cool down I was pleasantly surprised that I surpassed my previous distances!! I almost made 2.5 miles! And my time went from 3.3 or so to 4.2 (about what my treadmill pace is). Not bad :D
I carry two pouches with me while I run - one to hold my water, phone, and keys and the other to hold the phone with the podcasts. They have a shoulder strap so I carry them across my chest like a messenger bag. I don't like the way the water bangs against me so I hold the pouch in my hand while I run. For some reason I let it go the last 5 minutes and boy what a difference it made!! I was really surprised how much easier and faster I could run without that 'burden' of carrying a water bottle in my hand. I think I may need to figure something else out to carry all my stuff so my hands can be free. There is power in the movement of arms as you run/walk. I have also noticed that since starting these longer timed runs I don't drink as much water. Previously I could down two water bottles in a 20 min walk/run interval. These last two runs I have barely finished one bottle. I am not sure what the difference is. I am almost wondering if I could get away with no water at all, but it really is helpful to get what drinks I do take.
This week we consistently run for 25 minutes before upping to 28 next week. It is amazing to think how far I've come. 1 1/2 minutes was awful. So was 3 minutes. And 5. And 8. But I've done it and done it well. I look forward to completing this challenge and moving on to the next. I am debating redoing the 5k challenge with a focus on speed or moving on to the 10k. Hmm.... Of course with winter on its way it would be easy to give up running, but I hope that with the treadmill in the living room I don't make any excuses.
Oh, funny story. I have been keeping an eye on my weight and inches (as you are aware). I can see small changes but today Matthew was massaging my legs for me and all of a sudden made a somewhat surprised comment about the muscles on my leg/hamstrings. I had to feel for myself because I didn't believe what he was saying. I was shocked to feel my muscles! I know it is silly, but this running is actually toning my legs!! (as it should be, I just hadn't noticed because all I see is the fat I want to have disappear - and this was the back of my legs. I notice muscular legs because that has always been the type of leg that I want. Running might actually get me there - though it is such a gradual process it is hard to detect).
Friday, September 6, 2013
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
2.25 mi/43 min (including 5 min warm-up and 9 min cool down)
Wow!! I am in amazement. First of all, I was surprised when the podcast said we were running for 25 min because for some reason I had it in my head that it was only 22. Second, I did not feel like I was dying by the end. In fact, I felt amazing! Maybe part of that was knowing that Matthew would be driving up any minute and my general attitude was a positive one, but I think I was prepared for the run and handled it well. We've had fall weather this weeks which also helps. It is a nice dry climate and refreshingly cool. Perfect running weather :)
It was my intent to run first thing this morning but the boys were being sluggish and I had a long list of work to do around the house. I was concerned that I'd be drained afterward and was willing to put the run off til the evening. Unfortunately the sun is setting sooner now and though two weeks ago it would have still been light when we left, we were definitely in the dark coming home. Aaron decided he did not like riding in the dark. Good news for him because once school starts all runs will be in the morning and bike rides can happen after school.
One of the mental games I played tonight was comparing my location to Wed when I ran for 10 min thinking that when I got to that place I'd be close to 10 minutes. Either I was running faster today or my memory was off because when I hit that spot I'd only been going for 5 minutes. I think I did start at a faster clip today and realized that I needed to check my pace or I'd burn out pretty quick. I did slow down after the half way mark but then was able to speed up again at the end.
Running in the evening increases the chance that people will be out and about in the neighborhood. I had to laugh to myself when a few people commented that I'd never be able to catch up with my boys who were biking up ahead of me. It is a 'win' to me because at the beginning of summer Aaron couldn't keep up with me! One of my goals was for us to be active and exercise regularly. I think we have definitely achieved that goal and Aaron especially has gotten stronger. I don't know that he could keep up with me on foot, but even biking requires leg power so I think he'd be better off now than when we started 3 months ago. Thankfully I haven't had to worry to much about the distance between the boys and I because almost always one of them is waiting just around the corner. I am pleased that Jared waits for us instead of zooming so far ahead that we can't catch up. He does circles around us or pulls off and waits for us to catch up. Aaron takes enough natural breaks that I end up passing him or running circles around him until he gets his zoom going again.
Chubby Jones always says the right thing on her podcast. One of her initial comments was recognizing that this run will be hard, but every week has been hard and yet we did it! So we can do this one too. Hard to believe that I have completed week 6. Only two more weeks to go!!
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 25 min run
2.25 mi/43 min (including 5 min warm-up and 9 min cool down)
Wow!! I am in amazement. First of all, I was surprised when the podcast said we were running for 25 min because for some reason I had it in my head that it was only 22. Second, I did not feel like I was dying by the end. In fact, I felt amazing! Maybe part of that was knowing that Matthew would be driving up any minute and my general attitude was a positive one, but I think I was prepared for the run and handled it well. We've had fall weather this weeks which also helps. It is a nice dry climate and refreshingly cool. Perfect running weather :)
It was my intent to run first thing this morning but the boys were being sluggish and I had a long list of work to do around the house. I was concerned that I'd be drained afterward and was willing to put the run off til the evening. Unfortunately the sun is setting sooner now and though two weeks ago it would have still been light when we left, we were definitely in the dark coming home. Aaron decided he did not like riding in the dark. Good news for him because once school starts all runs will be in the morning and bike rides can happen after school.
One of the mental games I played tonight was comparing my location to Wed when I ran for 10 min thinking that when I got to that place I'd be close to 10 minutes. Either I was running faster today or my memory was off because when I hit that spot I'd only been going for 5 minutes. I think I did start at a faster clip today and realized that I needed to check my pace or I'd burn out pretty quick. I did slow down after the half way mark but then was able to speed up again at the end.
Running in the evening increases the chance that people will be out and about in the neighborhood. I had to laugh to myself when a few people commented that I'd never be able to catch up with my boys who were biking up ahead of me. It is a 'win' to me because at the beginning of summer Aaron couldn't keep up with me! One of my goals was for us to be active and exercise regularly. I think we have definitely achieved that goal and Aaron especially has gotten stronger. I don't know that he could keep up with me on foot, but even biking requires leg power so I think he'd be better off now than when we started 3 months ago. Thankfully I haven't had to worry to much about the distance between the boys and I because almost always one of them is waiting just around the corner. I am pleased that Jared waits for us instead of zooming so far ahead that we can't catch up. He does circles around us or pulls off and waits for us to catch up. Aaron takes enough natural breaks that I end up passing him or running circles around him until he gets his zoom going again.
Chubby Jones always says the right thing on her podcast. One of her initial comments was recognizing that this run will be hard, but every week has been hard and yet we did it! So we can do this one too. Hard to believe that I have completed week 6. Only two more weeks to go!!
Bad omen
Woke up at 5 am for a potty break and realized I felt a little dizzy. Three hours later and I'm still feeling it. I think I may have been dragging yesterday for more reason that I realized. There is so much I want to get done today I don't have time to be sick!! Bad timing: run day and Matthew comes home today.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Yoga - Ex
Well, what was meant to be a day full of life was just a day of good intentions. Kind of.
It started off well enough. I woke Jared up and encouraged him to come exercise with me. He followed me to the basement and sat watching while I started up YogaX. He decided to join me at one point, though he quickly got bored and moved on. I was getting bored too and ready to move on. Especially after I realized that the video was still an HOUR and TWENTY MINUTES to go!!! aye yie yie!! My arms were tired and I just wanted to quit. I stopped the video and debated. I checked the pamphlet to figure out whether I should keep going or not. I started it again and went another 10 minutes. I checked the clock. Finally I decided I was done. I didn't want to spend another hour exercising. Especially yoga exercising. It was intense in its own right. It was amazing to just sit and watch their flexibility, stamina and strength.
I am not sure how I feel about quitting the video. Part of me did not want to quit because that could make me feel like I had permission to quit other regimens (especially when our schedule is about to get shaken up anyway with Matthew's return and the start of school). I think the biggest reason I did quit was the time commitment. Had I realized that it was a much longer video, I would have either started earlier or skipped it today. I wanted to finish it and even thought maybe I'd go back to it later in the day (didn't). It was really hard on my arms. They were feeling the burn. I recognize that it won't get easier if I don't practice it though.
I got showered and dressed fairly quickly after going back upstairs and then something happened. All my energy deflated. Perhaps it was because I had chosen to take a meal to a family who'd recently had a baby but there were corn allergies to contend with it. After doing some research on google, it was really overwhelming to think about catering to such a demanding allergy. Corn is in EVERYTHING!! It turned out just fine and it was probably the simplest dinner I'd made for an occasion like this, but it just sapped my energy and will power. Before I knew it it was 1 pm and we hadn't even had breakfast :/ Thankfully I had to take the dinner otherwise I don't think we would have made it out of the house today. We didn't even ride bikes. This was a first (not counting Sunday but it was raining).
Tomorrow is running day. Big running day. From now on there are no more walking breaks. I've got this covered though, right? right..... positive thinking (she says as she lies in bed knowing she should be asleep because its going to be a L-O-N-G day tomorrow and she already has zero energy)
It started off well enough. I woke Jared up and encouraged him to come exercise with me. He followed me to the basement and sat watching while I started up YogaX. He decided to join me at one point, though he quickly got bored and moved on. I was getting bored too and ready to move on. Especially after I realized that the video was still an HOUR and TWENTY MINUTES to go!!! aye yie yie!! My arms were tired and I just wanted to quit. I stopped the video and debated. I checked the pamphlet to figure out whether I should keep going or not. I started it again and went another 10 minutes. I checked the clock. Finally I decided I was done. I didn't want to spend another hour exercising. Especially yoga exercising. It was intense in its own right. It was amazing to just sit and watch their flexibility, stamina and strength.
I am not sure how I feel about quitting the video. Part of me did not want to quit because that could make me feel like I had permission to quit other regimens (especially when our schedule is about to get shaken up anyway with Matthew's return and the start of school). I think the biggest reason I did quit was the time commitment. Had I realized that it was a much longer video, I would have either started earlier or skipped it today. I wanted to finish it and even thought maybe I'd go back to it later in the day (didn't). It was really hard on my arms. They were feeling the burn. I recognize that it won't get easier if I don't practice it though.
I got showered and dressed fairly quickly after going back upstairs and then something happened. All my energy deflated. Perhaps it was because I had chosen to take a meal to a family who'd recently had a baby but there were corn allergies to contend with it. After doing some research on google, it was really overwhelming to think about catering to such a demanding allergy. Corn is in EVERYTHING!! It turned out just fine and it was probably the simplest dinner I'd made for an occasion like this, but it just sapped my energy and will power. Before I knew it it was 1 pm and we hadn't even had breakfast :/ Thankfully I had to take the dinner otherwise I don't think we would have made it out of the house today. We didn't even ride bikes. This was a first (not counting Sunday but it was raining).
Tomorrow is running day. Big running day. From now on there are no more walking breaks. I've got this covered though, right? right..... positive thinking (she says as she lies in bed knowing she should be asleep because its going to be a L-O-N-G day tomorrow and she already has zero energy)
Couch to 5k Week 6 day 2
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 in warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
2.12 miles/36 min
Mentally it is easier for me to run somewhere, not in a circle or on a treadmill. I like to see progress. Today the boys rode their bikes while I ran the neighborhood. Though it was challenging and my sore legs ached, I think it was actually easier than when I run on the treadmill. We went roughly 2.12 miles, give or take with the back tracking required when travelling with a 6 yr old. I had 5 min left of running when we got to the end of our neighborhood so we just followed the sidewalk on out of it and made it to the next neighborhood culdesac. We didn't go down that street, but I think if we had the timing would have worked out so that I got to our house right at the end of my time. Instead we cut across the top and headed home only to discover I had 2 min of walking cool down to go still.
Tomorrow morning - Yoga X
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 in warm-up 10 min run 3 min walk 10 min run
2.12 miles/36 min
Mentally it is easier for me to run somewhere, not in a circle or on a treadmill. I like to see progress. Today the boys rode their bikes while I ran the neighborhood. Though it was challenging and my sore legs ached, I think it was actually easier than when I run on the treadmill. We went roughly 2.12 miles, give or take with the back tracking required when travelling with a 6 yr old. I had 5 min left of running when we got to the end of our neighborhood so we just followed the sidewalk on out of it and made it to the next neighborhood culdesac. We didn't go down that street, but I think if we had the timing would have worked out so that I got to our house right at the end of my time. Instead we cut across the top and headed home only to discover I had 2 min of walking cool down to go still.
Tomorrow morning - Yoga X
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
"I want to be a missionary!!"
I want to write this down so I don't forget it.
Aaron is assigned a talk in Primary this Sunday on the topic: I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. We've been having an ongoing discussion when we sit at the table about the topic. We've broken down what each of those words mean and today I asked Aaron if he could think of someone from the scriptures who served God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength. He immediately thought of Ammon protecting King Lamoni's sheep.
I traced the story back to the very beginning and had the boys recall exactly who Ammon was: the son of King Mosiah (which means he was a prince) and we meet him along with his brothers and friend Alma, the prophet's son, as they go around trying to destroy the Church. One day an angel comes to them and asks why they are trying to destroy God's church. The experience is life changing for them. In an effort to truly repent, they go about trying to repair the damage they made in their rebellion. They even go so far as to want to be missionaries to their enemies, the Lamanites. King Mosiah offers each one of his sons the opportunity to be the next king, but each turns him down choosing instead to bring people to Christ.
Think of this, they chose serving God over being a ruler. This decision effected their ENTIRE society and even their world. Following King Mosiah's reign, their government body changed into more of a republic like ours. They established the election of a chief judge to rule but also another panel of judges to offer a checks and balances. In addition, because of their work among the Lamanites, many people (including some of the Lamanites' own leadership) turned to the Lord and these new Saints played a really important part in later history.
So the sons of Mosiah and Alma go to the Lamanites to serve a mission. Ammon happens to land up in King Lamoni's land. King Lamoni asks him what he is doing there and why. Ammon responds that he wants to live there, possibly for the rest of his life. The king likes this answer and even offers one of his daughters for a wife. I wondered if there was something about Ammon to indicate he was a prince for the king to offer one of his daughters, a princess, to be his wife. Ammon declines and says, nope. I want to serve you.
One of his first assignments is to help water the king's flocks. (And this is the part that is Aaron's favorite story of all time). While there at the waters, another group of Lamanite robbers scatter the flocks. Ammon's fellow servants are beside themselves because historically, King Lamoni kills the servants who let the flocks get scattered. The robbers know this and do it for sport. Ammon recognizes this as an opportunity to show the Lord's power. He takes command of the situation and tells the other servants to gather the flocks back up and encircle them so that they don't scatter. (Incidentally I saw this in action on a farm with sheep. As long as people were spread around the sheep with arms out wide encircling them, they felt enclosed and did not bolt. Once they saw on opening they would make a break for it). When the robbers try to scatter the flocks again, Ammon defends them with his sling and sword. He chops the arms off of those who seek to kill him and finally when they realize they could not overpower him, they run away. Pretty dramatic experience I think. The servants thought so too and when their flocks were watered, they gathered the arms to take back to the king as proof of the story. Ammon just humbly goes on to his next assignment. I drove home the point that Ammon was so obedient that he did not forget or get distracted or do whatever he wanted to do before moving on to his next task.
After the servants present the king with all the arms, Lamoni wonders where Ammon is now. They tell him that he is preparing his chariots like he was told. King Lamoni is so impressed with Ammon's faithfulness and obedience that he calls Ammon to him and wants to know exactly who he is and what power he has because he seems like a god. Ammon tells him he is only a man, but then teaches who God is as well as the plan of salvation. King Lamoni believes him. Further experiences with Ammon then allow King Lamoni's father to hear the gospel and accept it. Between Ammon, his brothers, and Alma, a large group of Lamanites eventually become converted and become a great source of strength to the Nephites.
So to recap, how did Ammon serve God with all his heart, might, mind, and strength? He chose to serve as a missionary instead of a ruler and as a result of his obedience and service, protected people, brought them to Christ and changed their society. At this point, Aaron got really excited and started shouting, "I want to be a missionary!! I want to be a missionary!!" ahh, music to my ears
To read the story directly, here is a link to the chapters in Mosiah and Alma: Mosiah 27, 28, 29, Alma 17-27
I love summer. I love this time with my children. Once school starts it is all hussle and bussle of homework. Summer gives us a chance to actually be together and utelize that time for teaching opportunities. I hope Aaron remembers that feeling of excitement and desire to be an influence for good. I hope Jared caught a feeling of vision from this conversation as well.
Aaron is assigned a talk in Primary this Sunday on the topic: I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. We've been having an ongoing discussion when we sit at the table about the topic. We've broken down what each of those words mean and today I asked Aaron if he could think of someone from the scriptures who served God with all their heart, might, mind, and strength. He immediately thought of Ammon protecting King Lamoni's sheep.
I traced the story back to the very beginning and had the boys recall exactly who Ammon was: the son of King Mosiah (which means he was a prince) and we meet him along with his brothers and friend Alma, the prophet's son, as they go around trying to destroy the Church. One day an angel comes to them and asks why they are trying to destroy God's church. The experience is life changing for them. In an effort to truly repent, they go about trying to repair the damage they made in their rebellion. They even go so far as to want to be missionaries to their enemies, the Lamanites. King Mosiah offers each one of his sons the opportunity to be the next king, but each turns him down choosing instead to bring people to Christ.
Think of this, they chose serving God over being a ruler. This decision effected their ENTIRE society and even their world. Following King Mosiah's reign, their government body changed into more of a republic like ours. They established the election of a chief judge to rule but also another panel of judges to offer a checks and balances. In addition, because of their work among the Lamanites, many people (including some of the Lamanites' own leadership) turned to the Lord and these new Saints played a really important part in later history.
So the sons of Mosiah and Alma go to the Lamanites to serve a mission. Ammon happens to land up in King Lamoni's land. King Lamoni asks him what he is doing there and why. Ammon responds that he wants to live there, possibly for the rest of his life. The king likes this answer and even offers one of his daughters for a wife. I wondered if there was something about Ammon to indicate he was a prince for the king to offer one of his daughters, a princess, to be his wife. Ammon declines and says, nope. I want to serve you.
One of his first assignments is to help water the king's flocks. (And this is the part that is Aaron's favorite story of all time). While there at the waters, another group of Lamanite robbers scatter the flocks. Ammon's fellow servants are beside themselves because historically, King Lamoni kills the servants who let the flocks get scattered. The robbers know this and do it for sport. Ammon recognizes this as an opportunity to show the Lord's power. He takes command of the situation and tells the other servants to gather the flocks back up and encircle them so that they don't scatter. (Incidentally I saw this in action on a farm with sheep. As long as people were spread around the sheep with arms out wide encircling them, they felt enclosed and did not bolt. Once they saw on opening they would make a break for it). When the robbers try to scatter the flocks again, Ammon defends them with his sling and sword. He chops the arms off of those who seek to kill him and finally when they realize they could not overpower him, they run away. Pretty dramatic experience I think. The servants thought so too and when their flocks were watered, they gathered the arms to take back to the king as proof of the story. Ammon just humbly goes on to his next assignment. I drove home the point that Ammon was so obedient that he did not forget or get distracted or do whatever he wanted to do before moving on to his next task.
After the servants present the king with all the arms, Lamoni wonders where Ammon is now. They tell him that he is preparing his chariots like he was told. King Lamoni is so impressed with Ammon's faithfulness and obedience that he calls Ammon to him and wants to know exactly who he is and what power he has because he seems like a god. Ammon tells him he is only a man, but then teaches who God is as well as the plan of salvation. King Lamoni believes him. Further experiences with Ammon then allow King Lamoni's father to hear the gospel and accept it. Between Ammon, his brothers, and Alma, a large group of Lamanites eventually become converted and become a great source of strength to the Nephites.
So to recap, how did Ammon serve God with all his heart, might, mind, and strength? He chose to serve as a missionary instead of a ruler and as a result of his obedience and service, protected people, brought them to Christ and changed their society. At this point, Aaron got really excited and started shouting, "I want to be a missionary!! I want to be a missionary!!" ahh, music to my ears
To read the story directly, here is a link to the chapters in Mosiah and Alma: Mosiah 27, 28, 29, Alma 17-27
I love summer. I love this time with my children. Once school starts it is all hussle and bussle of homework. Summer gives us a chance to actually be together and utelize that time for teaching opportunities. I hope Aaron remembers that feeling of excitement and desire to be an influence for good. I hope Jared caught a feeling of vision from this conversation as well.
Summer challenge Week 10 Weigh in
week 10 180.1
week 9 182.3
week 8 181.9
week 7 182.3
Week 3: 174.6
Week 2: 175.9
Week 1: 176.6
Well, when I consider that 3 months ago I was four pounds lighter, it feels discouraging to be 180 but the fact that I am down two pounds is good. I weighed the exact same on Saturday so the consistency is also encouraging. I think I may be in better physical shape at this point even if the actual weight is greater.
Today I went for it and did the Shoulders & Back p90X video as well as the Ab Ripper X. The whole time he tells us to set goals and write it down. Well, I didn't write it down but I know I can improve. I used a resistant band instead of dumb bells though I would have liked having weights for freer movement. Ab Ripper was hard. I did a lot of modifying because my core just isn't strong enough to make it through the number of reps or even some of the basic moves. But, I will get stronger and eventually be able to do it all. My shoulders and arms are feeling weak at this point.
I was typing this last night and fell asleep. This morning I am definitely feeling it. My abs hurt and my arms. Going to stretch out the kinks and hit the ground running!
week 9 182.3
week 8 181.9
week 7 182.3
Week 3: 174.6
Week 2: 175.9
Week 1: 176.6
Well, when I consider that 3 months ago I was four pounds lighter, it feels discouraging to be 180 but the fact that I am down two pounds is good. I weighed the exact same on Saturday so the consistency is also encouraging. I think I may be in better physical shape at this point even if the actual weight is greater.
Today I went for it and did the Shoulders & Back p90X video as well as the Ab Ripper X. The whole time he tells us to set goals and write it down. Well, I didn't write it down but I know I can improve. I used a resistant band instead of dumb bells though I would have liked having weights for freer movement. Ab Ripper was hard. I did a lot of modifying because my core just isn't strong enough to make it through the number of reps or even some of the basic moves. But, I will get stronger and eventually be able to do it all. My shoulders and arms are feeling weak at this point.
I was typing this last night and fell asleep. This morning I am definitely feeling it. My abs hurt and my arms. Going to stretch out the kinks and hit the ground running!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Bike Riding It
I am so proud of my boys!! Three weeks ago Aaron could barely ride a bike and today we went on a two hour/3.21 mile bike ride!!! WOOHOO!!! Our first real bike trip :) They did amazing. Our goal was to get to the WaWa, but then we did a little bit of exploring and pushed it to the limit. Aaron was dragging by the end, but overall, he did fantastic. Jared said he didn't feel tired at all so kudos to him too! We were able to stay on sidewalks up until the very last bit. I was really nervous and apprehensive about riding on the street but for the most part they stuck to the curb. I can generally trust Jared to use good judgment when it comes to being on the street, but Aaron is a wildcard and scared me. Except for a small moment, he did good staying on the safe side. Jared would love to do it again tomorrow, but I think we'll have to give Aaron a day of rest. We'll see though.
Couch to 5k Week 6 day 1
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
End mileage: 2.25 miles in 34 min (both warm-up and cool down included)
Despite my optimism about being able to successfully finish the C25K program and the 'ease' of today's interval, I was nervous about running today. My knees and left ankle have been a little tender. I am not sure if it was Fri's run or the storms that have been moving in and out all weekend. My ankle is especially sensitive now that I am finished. I am wondering if the balega running socks with their tube on the ankle to keep them from sliding down into the shoe (which is a brilliant feature) is tightening around my ankle and effecting it. It isn't happening on my right side though so maybe not. However, it is my left foot that has been giving me problems since getting real running shoes. Last week I had a bruise there too so obviously something is going on. As I ran I thought about maybe wrapping my left ankle to give it some extra support.
Joint issues aside, I tried to step this run up. I did it on the treadmill (and wondered if the cushion would help my joints too) and upped my run speed to 4.5 mph with a decent incline. The other times 4.3 were my limit. It is a small difference, but I had also dipped my speeds down to 4.0 by the end and my walks to 3.0 from 3.5. I did not want to dip my speed this time, so as I tired I decreased the incline until I was flat and it certainly made the run easier. If I ran the neighborhood there'd be declines as well as inclines so I didn't feel like I was really cheating to do that. The last minute of the final run I decided to punch it and got it up to 5.5 mph. woohoo!! I really wanted to make it to 2 miles before the cool down. I was really close but missed it by .02 miles. Not bad. Just for a mental note, I went .25 miles by the end of the warmup. When I put my final mileage and time into sparkpeople, it gave me an average of 3.75 mph which is a 16 min mile. I will take that because last week it was 3.3 mph and an 18 min mile. woohoo!! Progess :)
Wed we have 10 min intervals with a walk in the middle. The 8 minute run was hard, but once I can get to the half-way mark I seem to be ok. Those first two minutes are always a killer b/c I feel tired but still have so long to go before I'm done.
Last night I almost committed myself to the 5K on Sept 28th but decided to put it off until I had Matthew's full support b/c it would mean committing him too. We have some other responsibilities that day so we'll see how it turns out. I have until the 20th to register. I am kind of exciting about the prospect though.
****
Cross-training -
I didn't do my P90x videos Thurs or Sat :/ I do not want to lose the momentum but I am going to have to really focus my determination to keep it. These sore joints are a big hurdle. I will say that we have been pretty faithful at riding our bikes though which is better than doing nothing. Today is the last day the pool is open, but it is raining so we'll see if we can end our summer with a (pool) splash.
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 8 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
End mileage: 2.25 miles in 34 min (both warm-up and cool down included)
Despite my optimism about being able to successfully finish the C25K program and the 'ease' of today's interval, I was nervous about running today. My knees and left ankle have been a little tender. I am not sure if it was Fri's run or the storms that have been moving in and out all weekend. My ankle is especially sensitive now that I am finished. I am wondering if the balega running socks with their tube on the ankle to keep them from sliding down into the shoe (which is a brilliant feature) is tightening around my ankle and effecting it. It isn't happening on my right side though so maybe not. However, it is my left foot that has been giving me problems since getting real running shoes. Last week I had a bruise there too so obviously something is going on. As I ran I thought about maybe wrapping my left ankle to give it some extra support.
Joint issues aside, I tried to step this run up. I did it on the treadmill (and wondered if the cushion would help my joints too) and upped my run speed to 4.5 mph with a decent incline. The other times 4.3 were my limit. It is a small difference, but I had also dipped my speeds down to 4.0 by the end and my walks to 3.0 from 3.5. I did not want to dip my speed this time, so as I tired I decreased the incline until I was flat and it certainly made the run easier. If I ran the neighborhood there'd be declines as well as inclines so I didn't feel like I was really cheating to do that. The last minute of the final run I decided to punch it and got it up to 5.5 mph. woohoo!! I really wanted to make it to 2 miles before the cool down. I was really close but missed it by .02 miles. Not bad. Just for a mental note, I went .25 miles by the end of the warmup. When I put my final mileage and time into sparkpeople, it gave me an average of 3.75 mph which is a 16 min mile. I will take that because last week it was 3.3 mph and an 18 min mile. woohoo!! Progess :)
Wed we have 10 min intervals with a walk in the middle. The 8 minute run was hard, but once I can get to the half-way mark I seem to be ok. Those first two minutes are always a killer b/c I feel tired but still have so long to go before I'm done.
Last night I almost committed myself to the 5K on Sept 28th but decided to put it off until I had Matthew's full support b/c it would mean committing him too. We have some other responsibilities that day so we'll see how it turns out. I have until the 20th to register. I am kind of exciting about the prospect though.
****
Cross-training -
I didn't do my P90x videos Thurs or Sat :/ I do not want to lose the momentum but I am going to have to really focus my determination to keep it. These sore joints are a big hurdle. I will say that we have been pretty faithful at riding our bikes though which is better than doing nothing. Today is the last day the pool is open, but it is raining so we'll see if we can end our summer with a (pool) splash.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Couch to 5K Week 5 Day 3
Week 1 - 5 min warm-up 60 sec run 90 sec walk for 20 minutes
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Once again, I survived!! It was not easy. I don't know that it was any harder than any other hard run though. When my first 2 minutes passed, I wondered how I could possibly run for a total of 20 minutes. I was grateful for chubby jones' updates. When I hit 5 minutes I thought about how easy 5 minutes was on Wed but getting those next 3 were hard. Pretty soon 8 minutes had passed and I remembered that I was able to do the first 8 minutes on Wed and really was grateful for the walk. I wanted to walk at that point and really considered taking a short break, but I didn't. I kept my feet going even when they wanted to stop. When I got the more than half way there notice, it was like a rejuvenation. At the 5 minutes left I had to tell myself that I could run for 5 minutes. Then 2 1/2 minutes. It was a L-O-N-G 2 1/2 minutes, but when she did the final 10 second count down it was sweet relief!!! When I changed to a walk my legs almost went out from under me. But I did it. It felt SO good to walk home.
Some other notes about the experience...
I had wanted to go earlier in the day, but time got away from me and had to do it in the evening. By the time we got out the door the sun was setting. The boys were on their bikes and we headed to the parking lot that has become our go-to for bike riding. I ran in circles while they did their bikes. I was concerned about being there in the dark. It doesn't bother me as much on a bike b/c I know we could make a quick get-away or if something happened to the boys I could get to them quickly. Not so much on foot. I run like a snail so if we were in danger, we were out of luck - at least I certainly would be. Normally there is no one around when we go but tonight there was a man sitting on one of the curbs smoking a cigarette. Thankfully he left at some point but it was a little unsettling. We need to make sure and get our outing in before the sun sets. I had a hard time seeing the boys on their bikes too which is unsafe in and of itself.
Now that I am sitting as I update, I can feel my left knee whining at me. We'll see how it holds up tomorrow.
I was supposed to do chest and back and ab ripperX yesterday for my video but I sabotaged myself by staying up til 2. When I woke up at 7 I was absolutely wiped out. I really paid for it when I then worked all day (7 hours of cleaning!!!) I still had hangover tired today and considered not exercising again, but knew that if I didn't all my motivation would have vanished. I tried not to think about running for 20 minutes only that my run needed done for the day. I think that helped with the motivation. I am trying to decide if I should skip yesterday's video or go ahead and do it tomorrow. My left shoulder socket was bothering me by the time I went to bed from all the vacuuming and scrubbing and I think the video will be a lot of weight lifting which could irritate the joint even more. I'll figure it out tomorrow though I guess.
Week 2 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 2 min walk for 20 minutes
Week 3 - 5 min warm-up 90 sec run 90 sec walk 3 min run 3 min walk repeat once
Week 4 - 5 min warm-up 3 min run 90 sec walk 5 min run 2.5 min walk repeat once
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm-up 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run 3 min walk 5 min run
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm-up 8 min run 5 min walk 8 min run
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm-up 20 min run
Once again, I survived!! It was not easy. I don't know that it was any harder than any other hard run though. When my first 2 minutes passed, I wondered how I could possibly run for a total of 20 minutes. I was grateful for chubby jones' updates. When I hit 5 minutes I thought about how easy 5 minutes was on Wed but getting those next 3 were hard. Pretty soon 8 minutes had passed and I remembered that I was able to do the first 8 minutes on Wed and really was grateful for the walk. I wanted to walk at that point and really considered taking a short break, but I didn't. I kept my feet going even when they wanted to stop. When I got the more than half way there notice, it was like a rejuvenation. At the 5 minutes left I had to tell myself that I could run for 5 minutes. Then 2 1/2 minutes. It was a L-O-N-G 2 1/2 minutes, but when she did the final 10 second count down it was sweet relief!!! When I changed to a walk my legs almost went out from under me. But I did it. It felt SO good to walk home.
Some other notes about the experience...
I had wanted to go earlier in the day, but time got away from me and had to do it in the evening. By the time we got out the door the sun was setting. The boys were on their bikes and we headed to the parking lot that has become our go-to for bike riding. I ran in circles while they did their bikes. I was concerned about being there in the dark. It doesn't bother me as much on a bike b/c I know we could make a quick get-away or if something happened to the boys I could get to them quickly. Not so much on foot. I run like a snail so if we were in danger, we were out of luck - at least I certainly would be. Normally there is no one around when we go but tonight there was a man sitting on one of the curbs smoking a cigarette. Thankfully he left at some point but it was a little unsettling. We need to make sure and get our outing in before the sun sets. I had a hard time seeing the boys on their bikes too which is unsafe in and of itself.
Now that I am sitting as I update, I can feel my left knee whining at me. We'll see how it holds up tomorrow.
I was supposed to do chest and back and ab ripperX yesterday for my video but I sabotaged myself by staying up til 2. When I woke up at 7 I was absolutely wiped out. I really paid for it when I then worked all day (7 hours of cleaning!!!) I still had hangover tired today and considered not exercising again, but knew that if I didn't all my motivation would have vanished. I tried not to think about running for 20 minutes only that my run needed done for the day. I think that helped with the motivation. I am trying to decide if I should skip yesterday's video or go ahead and do it tomorrow. My left shoulder socket was bothering me by the time I went to bed from all the vacuuming and scrubbing and I think the video will be a lot of weight lifting which could irritate the joint even more. I'll figure it out tomorrow though I guess.
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