Hitting a wall.

Week two of training went really well... I did 15 miles again throughout the week and tried to change my schedule as much as possible to get to a morning routine. Waking up with Russ and staying up until bedtime. I was making my runs and feeling very confident. Every Monday I weigh myself and take my Measurements. (Note: The goal is not to lose weight, but to get healthier, and tone muscle) And after two weeks of kicking my butt I saw ZERO progress! I was so frustrated.

So when it came time for week three I was over it. But I made myself keep going. We had to switch some days around because of scheduling issues, but I was doing my best to make up the ground. Then came Friday, my long distance day and I was done. I didn't want to do it.... And I didn't do it. Disappointed! After all that hard work in Week 1-2, here I was giving up on week three. I had hit a "wall!" I felt burnt out. I had only got in 10 miles all week! I took all weekend off. Focusing on important issues, my home and family. Things I had been neglecting a bit. Which brings me to Week 4!

Week 4!!! After this week I am a third of the way finished with the training program and on my way towards my goal!! I am feeling re-energized after a few day off.

I started Monday with another packed house at the YMCA... it is frustrating when it is that busy... People waiting for treadmills which limits the amount of time you have to complete your runs. So I finished 3 cycles of 10 minute sprints at 5.5, followed by 3 minutes of rest at 3.0. 3 miles down!

On Tuesday, my schedule calls for a 30 minute light workout or walk. But Russ and I decided that we would try an indoor cycling class!! LOVED IT!!!! It was great crosstraining and a good break for my knees (compared to the beating they take while running)

Today I got up early with Russ, made us a healthy breakfast, sent him off to work and headed to the gym. I went to yoga!! Which I love!!! Yoga is so great for so many reasons. I have been taking classes off and on since college. It helps with my breathing issues, not only on the everyday level, but also when I am running. The stretching is amazing, especially after training all week. And it gives me some "me" time, time to relax and yet still get a good workout in.

After Yoga I headed to the gym to get in a 5 minute warmup, 20 minute jog, and 5 minute cooldown. 2 miles down!!! Then did some weight training, including abductor and adductor, pull ups and dips, the roman chair (for lats and abs) and squats! All in all a pretty well rounded workout!!! So pray for me that week 4 continues to be a productive one!!!

Will Run for Pedicure!

So my first week of training is over!!!

On Tuesday I had to brave the gym without Russell for the first time. My assignment for the day was to walk 30 minutes. I was also going to attend the cardio and step classes offered at my YMCA. When I arrived I was informed whenever school is canceled all the classes are canceled also. That is all well and good, unless you are like me and don't have kids so you never know when they have canceled school!

There is this crazy thing that happens when you don't have classes, everyone flocks to the treadmills! Well that and the fact that right after the New Year everyone and their brother (myself included) makes some form of New years resolution to get healthy! I have been going to the Y for almost a year and I had never seen it this crowded! Once I snagged a treadmill for my walk, I decided to bump up my speed a bit and got in a two mile jog.

On Wednesday, Russ and I returned to the Y a bit later in the evening, to try and avoid the craziness. We started with a 5 minute walk to warm up, then I jogged forty minutes at 4.0 and then a 5 minute cool down... my first time jogging that long without needing to walk!!!! Russell always goes a bit faster than I do, but normally goes for the same amount of time. Another 3 mile accomplished!!!

Thursday was take a break day! We even had Date night at Ella's and then settled in to watch a movie (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which was much better than the first Harry Potter Movie!).

Then came this weeks D day. Friday is the long distance day. Now mind you before this test of my endurance the longest I have ran was my 5k on my last birthday (August) so when Russell said we were doing to run a 6 miles, approximately a 10k I was a bit nervous. We would jog 12 minutes, then rest walk for 2 minutes. My starting speed for the jog was 4.8, walk was 3.5. The first two miles didn't seem too bad. Then the two middle miles hit... I was exhausted, my heart rate was way above where it needed to be so Russell slowed my time to 4.2 and 3.0. and had me walk a little longer than the allocated two minutes. It should be noted that Friday is not about speed, but about getting to the goal of 6 miles.

The last two miles brought relief, and numbness in my right foot. Originally we had given ourselves (well really me, Russell was finished with his 6 mile while I was on mile 4, he continued to run with me until the last 3/4 a mile but stopped so he could get me more water and watch my vitals) 2 hours to complete the 6 mile objective, however 3 miles into it we knew we would far surpass that and possibly even get right at the 90 minute mark. Towards the end of the last mile I realized that if I upped my speed I might have the possibility of getting under 85 minutes. So, with Russell cheering me on (and checking my heart rate every two seconds) I boosted my speed to 5.o for the final three minutes, then to 5.5 for the final minute. Final time 85:20. Not too shabby for my first distance day!!!

After a few minutes of cool down, we went to stretch. It was then I noticed there was a little bit of blood coming through my tennis shoes. Now mind you there was no pain involved, but Russell helped me get my shoe off and my sock was soaked in blood. Not wanting to get blood anywhere we immediately put the shoe back on and left for home...still no pain.

After we got home Russell cleaned up my foot and found that even though I had recently trimmed my nails, there was one that was sharp and had cut into the toe beside it... it was super tiny... but because my heart was pumping so much from running it bled a whole lot... so other than being a tad bit scary it was not a big deal. Russell even got all the blood out of my tennis shoe which was amazing.

Final Mile Tally for the week: 15 miles!!!!!

Today is my day off before starting week two... Russell is at a Indoor Soccer tournament, so I think I will settle in for a girlie day!!! Maybe even a pedicure!!!

So the new year has begun and I like so many other crazy people have set off with a New Years Resolution. Last year was the first year I have successfully completed a resolution. So I am more determined than ever to accomplish this years goal.

In 2009, I managed to break my hardest habit, lose 20 lbs., and run my first 5k (in 36 minutes, 9 minutes under my goal of 45 minutes!!!) all with the loving support of my husband. Needless to say I am lucky to have an in house personal trainer/athlete to teach me how to run, work out and eat right under my own roof. Being Married to an athlete certainly has its positives!!!
So in 2010 I have set a new goal for myself, I am going to run a half marathon. 13.1 miles stand between me and my goal. So Russell has drawn up a very tailored 12 week plan to get me there.

Jan. 1 was day one... it constisted of 2 miles, with a 5 minute warm up and a goal to jog the whole time, no walking! By the halfway point I thought, "What the crap am I thinking?" I have never been an althlete. anyone who knows me knows although I tried (I was a Cheerleader, ran track and played tennis in high school) I was actually never very good at sports! I am a better observer. I love to watch sports to engage in full rants at the television when WVU isn't playing its best, to let the TV have it when a referee call pisses me off, hyperventilate at during the last two minutes of a basketball game and nobody wants to be around if you slide tackle my husband and miss the ball!!! It is why I worked in a Sport Bar for years, why I instantly fell in love with my husband while watching the World Cup for the first time!

So here I am running on a treadmill thinking "Why?!?" Am I really doing this for me? Am I doing it because it is what I think I should do? I say to Russ "I think I need to walk for a minute." He says, "not much further." And it hits me he is right. I am so close to my goal, don't stop. This is my goal. To be healthy. Not skinny, healthy. I don't wanna go back to that girl that just a year ago couldn't walk on a treadmill for 20 minutes, much less finish a 5k or train for a half marathon. So I finished. Not for Russ, not for the skimpy Sports Page uniform that haunts me from last year super bowl photos, but because I wanted to do it for Me. To prove to myself that I am a strong, healthy woman.

Jan. 2 ~ today I started with a 5 minute warm-up. Did 3 intervals of a 6 minute run at 5.0 and then walked 2 minutes at 3.0. Afterward my face was the color of a lobster, but I did it!! I got through it, and every time I wanted to stop Russ was there to support me. Training right beside me for his triathlon, following the same regiment as me that he has so carefully mapped out for us.

We also took starting weights and measurements for comparison, but I think I will keep those to myself for now. I will keep you posted. Pray for us!! We will probably need it!

Oh and by the way Happy New Year, I hope God blesses you and yours this 2010!