Better late than never! Day 1 of Week 3.

Sooooo I know everyone, aka, no one ;) was wondering what happened last week. Well, not much. At least running wise, not much. I took a week off after Saturday's painful excursion. My knee was really bothering me all week and still felt a bit off this evening. Let's start by saying that I debated with repeating week 2 since I had a week break, I wasn't sure if I could handle an upgrade after skipping one whole workout BUT I went with it. I said, "Self? Do you want to be challenged??" Self replied with "HELL NO!" I then proceeded to beat that biotch into submission and dove right into week 3.

BAD IDEA!



My podcast lady pulled a fast one on me and went from week two's work out of 90 seconds of running and two minutes of walking to 90 seconds of running, 90 seconds of walking... wait for it, wait for it... THEN she went and changed it up on me! We moved to a three minute run and then a three minute walk! WTF!!!

It wasn't horrible, but it was a kick in the crotch. I'm thinking I'll be ready for Wednesdays run, it'll just be a matter of pushing through this cold weather... I hate treadmills and ellipticals, but I keep coughing for hours after being out in the frigid air!

Week 2 Day 3 - Rinse and Repeat!

Runnin scared... Week 2, Day 2

I was so bold as to venture out in a public park around 5:45pm last night to "enjoy" my week 2, day 2 run. It was basically a bad idea for three reasons 1. I was the only one out there, 2. Lots of trees, darkness and creepiness, and 3. I don't usually carry my cell phone as I'm afraid it will jump out of my pocket and run away.



The last one I consider the most dangerous because if I get hurt, which is usually a good bet, I don't have a way to call for help. If I get attacked how do I call for help? Orrrr if I get bored with my run and want to take a breather, how do I play fun games like paper toss or scrabble????

Needless to say, I know my mother would have coniptions if I continued to run after dark by myself on a not so awesome street. Especially after I told her about my run in with two random men on the trail last night. They didn't see me and I think I scared them... but I could feel their eyes on me the rest of the night and I was so thankful that my run was almost complete.

I really dislike the idea of running inside in a well lit gym as all my "wobbly bits" (think Bridget Jones' Diary) make themselves known to all the gym rats in the general vacinity. I really, really, really hate the eleptical as it is a device of torture.



Don't ask me why, I just hate it. I'm just gonna have to suck it up and run on the treadmill... I'll tie that bowl of puppy chow I've been craving in front and just go to town ;)

Can you believe its WEEK 2??

Woot woot, I've officially been running/jogging consistently for a full week! That is major progress from "I only run if someone is chasing me with a knife..." Mind you this is not sprinting, nor is it for extended periods of time, but soon it will be!

I got a cramp yesterday from the fourth portion of running, that was a little discouraging but it was colder than ever last night. I think I might have to join the gym to run indoors soon, I'm sick of almost chocking on my throat gunk that happens when it's cold out. Either the big gym, or my little condo clubhouse treadmill... I'm not sure yet :/

So last night was day one of week two in thie C25K program. It consists of 6 sets of 90 seconds of running and two minutes of walking. It is still easy enough that I'm not wanting to quit right away, so yay! I didn't take Colbie this time because my neighborhood is sloped and all I need is for her to pull me one way and my knee or ankle to go the other!

My next run will be tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to it. My roomie has been bugging me to eat afterword even when I'm not hungry. I ate a bit, some pickles which she wanted to hit me for, but I really didn't want anything else. Plus you would think not eating dinner and running would help in my weight loss goals... anyone agree??

Day 3 and it's only two days late ;)

In an attempt to switch up my already boring routine jaunt around my neighborhood, I decided to put off my Friday run til Saturday morning so I could visit a different area. I used to live over near the Westerville Rec Center off of Cleveland Ave. and enjoyed the openness of the trails they have there, so that was my spot of choice. It's getting colder and I always seem to have gunk in my throat, making it hard to breathe well while jogging... it might be time to join the gym until spring comes along. I think the experience was ruined because I also took my dog. BAD IDEA. Colbie is a sweet heart but I think she's also upset at my slowness along with my parents. She was constantly pulling me every which way on the trails and that didn't help one bit. I will be visiting the trails again next weekend but without the dog, she can have a separate walk after I get done concentrating on myself ;)



This weekend was great, I was able to hang out with a group of friends that I love... AND I went bridesmaid dress shopping with one of my best friends! She is getting married in less than a year and its so awesome to know that everything is coming together. We found dresses that everyone loves but apparently my girls are too big to be appropriate ;) I'm hoping that dedication to this program and to portion control really help me achieve my fitness and weight loss goals.

Did I really just... Day 2!

Goooooooood morning! I was a horrid person last night and chose to sit on my couch with my roomie instead of running. Yes, yes, it's all about dedication, blah blah. BUT I promised myself I would go out this morning, and I did! I am the type of person to snuggle in my bed til the last possible moment. I love my bed, pillows and extremely soft sheets waaaaay too much.

I did it, I really did it. I GOT UP AT 6 AM, to go RUNNING. It was quite cold and hurt a little bit to breathe but it got easier. I completed my week 1, day 2 workout but my knee felt weird throughout the first half, like it needed to pop. Also, my ipod keeps attempting to escape my jacket pocket and jump to the ground... I know they have arm bands, but unless they make plus size arm bands I'm pretty sure it won't fit me.

I'm debating whether to get back on schedule by running tomorrow night or to wait til Saturday morning and maybe head out to a park... hmmmmm decisions, decisions!

Random thought, I know I find this running shitza hard and it puts into perspective my level of activeness and overall health. Since today is Veteran's Day, it got me to thinking about how hard our service men and women work. Not only do they run harder and longer than me, they do it in full gear; in deserts, harsh climates and in dangerous situations. I am so thankful to live in a free country and I THANK ALL Veterans and current Service Men and Women for your hardwork, your dedication and mostly, for my life. My cousin is/was a marine and I respect him so much, he might not know it, but he's my hero. You rock Keith!

Day 1 - I can do it!

Today is my first day of learning to love running, or at least what it can do for me. I come from a family where most of my cousins are runners. Apparently it's contagious because my sister and a non running cousin were gobbled up and spit back out in those horrid short shorts and numbered racing shirts. While I admire their strength and speed, that is not what I am shooting for with this program. I am instead opting to live a more healthy lifestyle and of course, to lose some weight!

I have never enjoyed running, jogging or walking extremely fast... I am not a fast person. My parents used to joke about tying me to a car and hoping that would help with my base running speed... instead I still resemble the roadrunner with moving legs yet not going anywhere. I don't think I will be a sprinter by the end of this program either, just more fit and able to jog without dying after three miles.

I will be using the couch to 5k program everyone raves about and I already have my podcasts downloaded and ready to roll. It helps that it will be dark out by the time I get home from work, enabling me to hide my inept running from those watching in the nearby condos.

The hardest part is actually getting myself to start. I'm sure once I see how bad it really isn't I'll be fine, but until that time you're going to enjoy the rough ride right along side with me.

Wish me luck, cause here I go!