Today was my first attempt at running outside and it felt absolutely incredible! Since I don't have a watch yet to time myself I ran the c25k distance intervals rather than time intervals and I went my longest distance to date. Very exciting stuff.
At first I thought I was going to freeze my tush off it was so cold and windy out. When I got into the workout though I started warming up and the cold wind felt good. It helped me keep from feeling overheated.
Probably the best part of running outside was the fact that I didn't have all of those counters and timers and technological crap in my face psyching me out. I was able to just... go. It was also nice to physically see the distance I ran. The distance tracker on a treadmill can give you numbers but looking at the path and seeing it in a tangible form made me feel really good.
It was hard to keep my pace steady. I kept going super fast and having to bring myself back down to a more reasonable pace. At least now I know that it's an issue for me and I can work on it before April.
Overall a very good day. I've set a small goal for myself too. If I stay on track with the program and make it through week 5 day 3 within the next week and a half then I get a massage!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Success!
I finally made it through week 4 day 1!!!
For about two weeks I have been struggling with this particular part of the C25K challenge. For those of you who read this blog regularly, you know how difficult this has been for me both physically and emotionally.
Today I finally was able to push through and complete the workout. The resulting emotional high is incredible.
Also, Saturday is my wiegh in day and I am officially down 10 pounds! Clearly this whole eating right and exercising thing is working.
For about two weeks I have been struggling with this particular part of the C25K challenge. For those of you who read this blog regularly, you know how difficult this has been for me both physically and emotionally.
Today I finally was able to push through and complete the workout. The resulting emotional high is incredible.
Also, Saturday is my wiegh in day and I am officially down 10 pounds! Clearly this whole eating right and exercising thing is working.
Friday, February 19, 2010
my husband rocks Friday!
It's not really a secret, my husband loves me and is always doing little things to show me just how much he cares. Most weeks that is what I discuss in my MHR posts.
However, every now and then he does something really out of the ordinary and awesome (like when he suprised me with a new coach purse).
Today is one of those days. Steve made reservations for us at an amazing restaurant downtown and tonight we are going to go out for a romantic evening. Check this place out:
I'm practically giddy with excitement. It's been quite a while since Steve and I have had the ability to have a night out like this and I am really looking forward to it... to a night where we can just be young and in love without all the worry and stress that has been a major part of our time here in Savannah.
My husband rocks because he has great taste in restaurants and knows how to make me feel really special. :)
However, every now and then he does something really out of the ordinary and awesome (like when he suprised me with a new coach purse).
Today is one of those days. Steve made reservations for us at an amazing restaurant downtown and tonight we are going to go out for a romantic evening. Check this place out:
I'm practically giddy with excitement. It's been quite a while since Steve and I have had the ability to have a night out like this and I am really looking forward to it... to a night where we can just be young and in love without all the worry and stress that has been a major part of our time here in Savannah.
My husband rocks because he has great taste in restaurants and knows how to make me feel really special. :)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
exactly what I needed
For those of you who don't know, my mother-in-law had surgery this week. Steve and I went to visit her while she was in the hospital and it was a really intense experience. First, just being in the hospital gave me the creeps but seeing her in that bed and in so much pain scared me. We also found out that she has officially been diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that terrifies me after seeing what it did to my grandfather. I kept seeing myself in a similar situation in 20 years if I didn't start making good and healthy choices now.
Earlier this week I also spoke with a few people on the heath and fitness board I frequent about my difficulties with the C25K program lately and how discouraged I have been feeling. They gave me some great advice and really encouraged me to keep going.
Both of these things were exactly the boost I needed to get me going forward again.
I've found a park near my office where I can go to run outside after work instead of always using the treadmill and I really think that will help me a lot. It will also be a good way to avoid rush hour traffic and allow myself to work through any frustrations from work. Steve is completely on board and has even suggested ideas for afternoon snacks and other things to make running after work easier on me.
Finally, one of the blogs I've started reading posted a great strength workout that I think I am going to start using (with maybe one or two modifications depending on the day):
20 dips
50 crunches (any style)
30 push ups
50 squats
50 lunges
Repeat 3 times
Thanks to Run, Sleep, Rinse, Repeat for the suggestion!
Earlier this week I also spoke with a few people on the heath and fitness board I frequent about my difficulties with the C25K program lately and how discouraged I have been feeling. They gave me some great advice and really encouraged me to keep going.
Both of these things were exactly the boost I needed to get me going forward again.
I've found a park near my office where I can go to run outside after work instead of always using the treadmill and I really think that will help me a lot. It will also be a good way to avoid rush hour traffic and allow myself to work through any frustrations from work. Steve is completely on board and has even suggested ideas for afternoon snacks and other things to make running after work easier on me.
Finally, one of the blogs I've started reading posted a great strength workout that I think I am going to start using (with maybe one or two modifications depending on the day):
20 dips
50 crunches (any style)
30 push ups
50 squats
50 lunges
Repeat 3 times
Thanks to Run, Sleep, Rinse, Repeat for the suggestion!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
checking in
Notice the complete lack of running/C25K/healthy lifestyle stuff on here the last week or so? Notice the shift from happy and upbeat to completely frustrated and down?
I certainly have and it's annoying. I'm not a pessimistic person and I hate feeling so negative.
Still no progress on the C25K front. The snow and random hotel issues kept me from doing anything this weekend while in Columbus and my old lazy bad habits are creeping back in to finish me off. I don't want that to happen.
After talking with some people who have done the program and others who just enjoy running, I think I am going to try running outside. There is a park not to far from my office so I may attempt to go after work and run there. Considering the frustration I feel when I leave the office, it may be really good for me.
What gets you motivated and pumped up when you feel you have hit a wall?
I certainly have and it's annoying. I'm not a pessimistic person and I hate feeling so negative.
Still no progress on the C25K front. The snow and random hotel issues kept me from doing anything this weekend while in Columbus and my old lazy bad habits are creeping back in to finish me off. I don't want that to happen.
After talking with some people who have done the program and others who just enjoy running, I think I am going to try running outside. There is a park not to far from my office so I may attempt to go after work and run there. Considering the frustration I feel when I leave the office, it may be really good for me.
What gets you motivated and pumped up when you feel you have hit a wall?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentines' Weekend...
Where do I even start? This weekend was ten kinds of crazy/fun/strange.
First, on Friday Steve and I ended up missing our appointment with the financial advisor in an effort to get on the road on time since we slept in ridiculously late and ran into a few other issues. However, my sweet hubby did manage to suprise me with red tulips for v-day! He gave them to me early since he knew we would be traveling on v-day. They are actually potted bulbs that are blooming still so they are alive and (as long as I keep watering them) will last much longer than cut flowers. One of them actually bloomed over night last night!
Once we finally got on the road it had started to rain. The weather channel said ti was supposed to be a wintery mix and even suggested that snow was possible so we took our time. About 2 hours into the drive it started snowing. Yes, you read that right, about 45 minutes southeast of Macon it started snowing. It kept snowing the entire way to Columbus and got progressively worse the further west we drove. It took us 5 hours to get there and we saw a ton of accidents caused by people not driving carefully and sliding on the ice. This is actually being called the blizzard of 2010 it was so bad. But more about the snow in another post.
We finally get to our hotel and go to check in and then we're todl that they are over booked and they are bumping us to another hotel across town. The reason they are overbooked? A bunch of high school kids are in town for some Thespian conference. A) who books a large group like that at a 4 star hotel? B) who the heck in the hotel management approves such a large group of high schoolers at a hotel like that over Valentine's Day weekend? C) why didn't they inform us of this issue when they called us an hour before we arrived to confirm our reservation?
They sent us to another hotel and paid for that night's stay but by the time we got settled into the room and were abnle to get dinner it was almost 8 o'clock and everything was closed because of the snow. It was frustrating to say the least but turned out to be a pretty good night.
The next day we got mani/pedis (that's right, Steve got one too. More men should get them.) and went shopping before going back to our original hotel and getting ready for dinner. There was another customer service issue at the hotel but I'll just leave it at that. We managed to get settled in and ready on time and even got a good table at the restaurant despite all the theatre kids running around. We met our friends for dinner, which was amazing by the way, before heading to a new bar they told us about for drinks.
For the record, if anyone ever asks you if you want to go to an 80's bar you need to say yes. "eighty-five" is the new 80's alternative bar in Columbus and it completely rocked my socks off. We had a blast! The drinks were good and the music was even better. There was a good vibe in the crowd too. When the DJ played "Don't Stop Believin" everyone sang along and danced. It was a really good time.
By the time Valentine's Day actually got here Steve and I were exhausted! We ended up leaving Columbus early Sunday morning and got back to Savannah early afternoon-ish. We watched 500 Days of Summer and had a fruit/cheese/cracker tray for dinner and chocolate truffles for dessert before passing out asleep.
Over all it was a great weekend but now I'm dragging today. It was still completely worth it.
First, on Friday Steve and I ended up missing our appointment with the financial advisor in an effort to get on the road on time since we slept in ridiculously late and ran into a few other issues. However, my sweet hubby did manage to suprise me with red tulips for v-day! He gave them to me early since he knew we would be traveling on v-day. They are actually potted bulbs that are blooming still so they are alive and (as long as I keep watering them) will last much longer than cut flowers. One of them actually bloomed over night last night!
Once we finally got on the road it had started to rain. The weather channel said ti was supposed to be a wintery mix and even suggested that snow was possible so we took our time. About 2 hours into the drive it started snowing. Yes, you read that right, about 45 minutes southeast of Macon it started snowing. It kept snowing the entire way to Columbus and got progressively worse the further west we drove. It took us 5 hours to get there and we saw a ton of accidents caused by people not driving carefully and sliding on the ice. This is actually being called the blizzard of 2010 it was so bad. But more about the snow in another post.
We finally get to our hotel and go to check in and then we're todl that they are over booked and they are bumping us to another hotel across town. The reason they are overbooked? A bunch of high school kids are in town for some Thespian conference. A) who books a large group like that at a 4 star hotel? B) who the heck in the hotel management approves such a large group of high schoolers at a hotel like that over Valentine's Day weekend? C) why didn't they inform us of this issue when they called us an hour before we arrived to confirm our reservation?
They sent us to another hotel and paid for that night's stay but by the time we got settled into the room and were abnle to get dinner it was almost 8 o'clock and everything was closed because of the snow. It was frustrating to say the least but turned out to be a pretty good night.
The next day we got mani/pedis (that's right, Steve got one too. More men should get them.) and went shopping before going back to our original hotel and getting ready for dinner. There was another customer service issue at the hotel but I'll just leave it at that. We managed to get settled in and ready on time and even got a good table at the restaurant despite all the theatre kids running around. We met our friends for dinner, which was amazing by the way, before heading to a new bar they told us about for drinks.
For the record, if anyone ever asks you if you want to go to an 80's bar you need to say yes. "eighty-five" is the new 80's alternative bar in Columbus and it completely rocked my socks off. We had a blast! The drinks were good and the music was even better. There was a good vibe in the crowd too. When the DJ played "Don't Stop Believin" everyone sang along and danced. It was a really good time.
By the time Valentine's Day actually got here Steve and I were exhausted! We ended up leaving Columbus early Sunday morning and got back to Savannah early afternoon-ish. We watched 500 Days of Summer and had a fruit/cheese/cracker tray for dinner and chocolate truffles for dessert before passing out asleep.
Over all it was a great weekend but now I'm dragging today. It was still completely worth it.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
my Biggest Loser moment: part 2
As promised, here is my baggage from earlier today. The rest of the day was about 15 shades of craptastic but I think some of that was from having all of this mess in my head.
I keep trying to figure out how to explain what it felt like this morning but it's incredibly difficult. From the moment I woke up it was a struggle to convince myself to go work out. My own mind had come up with multiple reasons why it was okay not to run today. Then, when I got there, all I could think about was how hard it was and how I'm never going to make it to the end of the program much less actually run a 5K. These intense negative thoughts just kept running through my mind and no matter how hard I tried to counter act it with positive statements I couldn't.
It's one thing to have a negative person around you putting you down. You can ignore them or tell yourself they don't know what they're talking about. It's a completely different thing when that person you are fighting against is yourself and every negative comment or reminder abotu past failures is the god's honest truth.
When I cried on that treadmill today it was because I realized that I don't believe in myself. I don't follow through because deep down I honestly don't think I can do it. I want to but I also care too much abotu what people think of me to put myself on the line and potentially fail.
In my head failure and mockery and judgement for that failure are all 100% certain to occur. Instead of going through that I pull myself out of the situation. I make excuses.
I don't want to do that anymore and I don't want that feeling of fear and insecurity to fuel that fear of failure. I don't want my choices to be made based on my perception of what others may think. I don't know yet quite how I'm going to manage it except for each day going to war with that pessimistic side of myself and considering each workout a battleground. I don't have the option of losing either because by losing I'll be admitting that I don't even have control over my own self and that is terrifying.
I keep trying to figure out how to explain what it felt like this morning but it's incredibly difficult. From the moment I woke up it was a struggle to convince myself to go work out. My own mind had come up with multiple reasons why it was okay not to run today. Then, when I got there, all I could think about was how hard it was and how I'm never going to make it to the end of the program much less actually run a 5K. These intense negative thoughts just kept running through my mind and no matter how hard I tried to counter act it with positive statements I couldn't.
It's one thing to have a negative person around you putting you down. You can ignore them or tell yourself they don't know what they're talking about. It's a completely different thing when that person you are fighting against is yourself and every negative comment or reminder abotu past failures is the god's honest truth.
When I cried on that treadmill today it was because I realized that I don't believe in myself. I don't follow through because deep down I honestly don't think I can do it. I want to but I also care too much abotu what people think of me to put myself on the line and potentially fail.
In my head failure and mockery and judgement for that failure are all 100% certain to occur. Instead of going through that I pull myself out of the situation. I make excuses.
I don't want to do that anymore and I don't want that feeling of fear and insecurity to fuel that fear of failure. I don't want my choices to be made based on my perception of what others may think. I don't know yet quite how I'm going to manage it except for each day going to war with that pessimistic side of myself and considering each workout a battleground. I don't have the option of losing either because by losing I'll be admitting that I don't even have control over my own self and that is terrifying.
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