Active Community: Message List - Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

Milio99 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:31:02 GMT

I finished wk5d3 20 minute run this morning with absolutely no problem. I wasn't even planning on doing the 20 min. run until later this week. For some reason time flew by and before I realized it I was already on 18 mintues so I decided to go the distance and finish the run. I started out at a 4.5 and stayed there for the majority of the run until I decided to step it up to a 6.0 for a short sprint.

Day 5 of JM 30 day Shred complete. I've got a bunch of the nurses on my unit shredding along with me. It's a great workout. After only 5 workouts I already feel so much stronger.

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:32:54 GMT

Congrats on the consistent running schedule and the weight loss! It's good to listen to your body and attempt the 20 min run next week. You'll have no problems with the way you're doin it! I hear you on watching programs while running. It does help make the time go by faster. You have to let me know what your results are after doing Jillian's workout for 30 days. You'll have a six-pack before you know it!

It is funny to miss running. I get very tense when I don't exercise & my stress levels go way up. Thanx for keeping me updated!

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

Milio99 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:59:59 GMT

Hi VJ,

I just finished my third day of running. I guess I am somewhere around week 5. I ran for 10 minutes, walked for 2, and ran for 8. I'm not ready to run for an entire 20 minutes just yet. I think I will add more time to the first interval next week and shorten the recovery time to work up to the 20 minute run. I should be ready by the end of next week. So far, no pain in my left leg. I've started watching old episodes of "House" during my runs to take my mind off things. It makes the time fly by.

I've added Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD to my workouts. It is a killer! I've only done 4 workouts and am so sore. I really hope it gets easier. I am down 12.5lbs since I started running. I was down 15lbs but then had to stop running to rest my leg and then the holidays didn't help any. I'm glad to finally be back on track. It feels good to be running again. Can't believe I just said that!

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:36:00 GMT

I've had a good week with the program so far because I completed W3D1 & D2 already. I've been trying to get back to running consistently @ 4 mph & it's getting there. With the last session, I did 3.9 for the 1st interval, 3.9/4.0 with the 2nd, & 4.0 for the last 2. I'm feeling more shin pain in the beginning of the run, but I don't know if it is because of of my shoes or the many breaks I took over the holidays. Also, I haven't been stretching as much after the runs as I usually do. I'm quite sure that has something to do with it as well. Once the run progresses, it goes away & I do not have residual soreness afterwards. My right knee has alos been bothering me, but when I correct my form during the run, it goes away. I want to get new shoes because I've read that they shoud be changes about every 4 months, but it's just not in the finances right now.

As the intervals get longer, I'm feeling stronger, yet I'm very aware of the additional time. Usually, the 1st 2 intervals are the hardest to get through. They never said running was easy, lol! Thank goodness for walk breaks.

I've had a relative from out of town staying with me, so I haven't done any yoga or ab work this week. Hopefully, I get to do some today.

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:39:21 GMT

Well, I never got to the gym that day. I decided to take a break for the holidays. I was going to start back up next week, but I got a fire lit under my butt today!

Hi Milio! It's sooo good to hear from you & to see that you're starting the program again! How did today go? When I saw your message it helped to motivate me to go to the gym and finish Week 2. My other motivation came from my husband because he was able to get me out of the house today, lol! I think it's a great idea for you to start slow & work your way back into the program. With your new shoes, you should have no problems!

I would love for you to continue to check in with me. We can keep each other motivated during the winter. It can be so hard getting out of bed to face the cold, but we can do it!

I actually had to run in my old shoes from my 1st attempt at C25K today because I forgot the other ones. Everything still went ok & I just took it slow for the most part. Did 3.9 for the 1st 3 intervals, then 3.9 - 4.2 for the last. I can't wait until it gets warmer, then I can just run out the door to workout. I'll probably try running outdoors next winter, but it's not happening now, lol! I felt better than I thought I would, so I'm excited to start Week 3 next week. Hopefully, this program will get me through the winter.

Ohhh, also I did some ab work today! I've decided to incorporate that into my running days, so I can whittle down my stomach more. Until next time!

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

Milio99 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:54:38 GMT

Hi VJ! so glad to see that you are still running. I tried to restart the C25k program after Thanksgiving but I may have restarted too quickly because the pain in my left shin came back. I plan to restart on Friday. I got a new pair of running shoes and inserts for Christmas. I'll probably go back to week 4 or so and take it easy. I can't wait to get to where you are! You are doing great! Keep up the good work.

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:58:06 GMT

I always get extra motivation for going to the gym when I journal here. Something about writing that I'm going to do it makes me get up, despite the my bed's siren song, lol! I signed up to work yesterday from 7am - 3:30pm, so I didn't get to sleep late on Christmas Day. As a result, my body wants me to lay lazily in bed all day, but I must knockout W2D3 today. Have to get hydrated before going (lots of wine yesterday), so I should leave the house by 11am. I'll give report when I get back home!

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:32:50 GMT

Well, I didn't run on Monday for 2 reasons: (1) it was waayyy too cold to even step outside yesterday and (2) I found out that my gym wouldn't be open for Christmas Eve. Because of that, I can only run 2 days this week as a result of me working weekends now, so I decided to stay & rest. Later on, I found out that the other reason why I wanted to hibernate all day was because I started my period that evening.

Today, I did get to the gym & completed W2D2. I had a good workout & the music really kept me going today! For all four intervals, I stayed @ 4 mph. I think I'm going to stay @ this rate for the remainder of my training. Before, I just was so gun ho about getting faster because I run so slow, but now, after reading a couple of heart rate training posts, I've changed my mind about increasing my speed. When I run at my current pace, my heart rate is usually in the 170-180 range. While I would love to do heart rate training, if I go any slower, I'll just be walking at a quick pace. So, one of my goals is to have my heart rate lower while running my usual pace before trying to acheive a faster pace.

It's a bit frustrating at times to think about how slow I run, but I try not to feed into the negativity. I'll just continue to tell myself that speed will come with time and to be thankful that I can go out & run at all. Also, I'll read all the great posts here that say speed will come with time, too. Hopefully, I will be faster this time next year!

Tonight, I'll probably do 20 minutes of pilates and yoga tomorrow. My next running session will be on Friday. I'll be glad to knock out Week 2!

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:51:28 GMT

W2D1 done! Wow, not training for a 1 1/2 week definitely took its toll. With 3 of the 4 intervals, I stayed @ 4 MPH. For the 4th, I did 3.9 for 4 min & 4 for the rest. It's a good thing that I'm doing interval training because I didn't have to do a week over. I was thinking about doing my second session tomorrow, but my body needs time to rest. During the beginning, I was aware of my shins, but it wasn't painful. The awareness went away after 10 min, but it may be time for me to get new shoes. We'll see.

Tomorrow's workout will be Yoga @ home. I really want to improve on my yoga practice so I can eventually go back to the regular hot yoga class. It's a really good workout, but I have to build on my arm strength for the faster vinyasas.

This weekend I'll be working 2 12-hour shifts, so my next running session should be on Monday. Until then!

Re: Starting Gateway to 8K - My Journal

vjhappy — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:12:31 GMT

I've been gone awhile...had finals & got caught up, but I'm getting back on track. Going to the gym today to begin week 2 today.

Since my last post, I've been to 2 Hot Yoga classes. The 1st was a killer since I haven't done yoga in while & because of the heat. My arms were sore for a week, lol! Last night, I went to a beginner Hot Yoga class & it was a much better pace for me & I'm not sore. I really like the teacher, so I'll be going back. Going to have to work for extra $$$ to be able to afford to go during Spring semester, but it will help with my running program & it's worth it!

Well, I'm gonna throw my clothes on & get to the gym. I'll report when I get back!