Third run of the week

Just completed my third run of the week, and feel great!

I ran for 1 and a 1/2 miles straight at a 4 mph pace. Woot, woot! I completed 2 miles in total(running and warm up/cool down).

I really like stretching after running because I get a really good stretch. I always enjoy stretching, but running gets me warm enough that I can get really deep stretches.

I think I will do a little interval cross-training on the treadmill tomorrow, and then Sunday is my rest day.

The start of a new week

After last weeks lame running total, I started back yesterday with a run at the gym on a treadmill.

I ran for over 1 mile straight! This is quite the accomplishment for me. It felt great, and I still feel great today.

Since I won't be on campus for the rest of week (Thanksgiving break woot woot!), I plan on doing the rest of my running this week on the treadmill at home.

I'm really excited that I feel as good as I do, and I'm looking forward to being able to run longer distances at one time.

That's all for now...now back to studying.

Derailed week

My running this week was derailed by the fact that my car was in the shop.

But, I shall get back on track on Saturday. I will not let a little deviation get me completely off my plan.

As my brother said...other than consistency, flexibility is most important in any workout plan.

The good news is that I got all set up for the rock wall at the ODU gym! I'm so excited to just be able to go climb, for free, anytime the wall is open.

Day 1 of Week 2

Went running today.

I upped my speed for a few minutes, and was able to run at 4mph. My workout added up to 30 minutes, and I ran for about 22 minutes of that.

After running, I went and did one climb on the rock wall at the gym.

Yay for a rest day tomorrow! Although, I might go take a Ballroom dance lesson for one 1 hour tomorrow evening after class.

Measurement

Now...the purpose of this running project is not weight loss. The goal is to be able to run a 5k in Colorado.

But...I figure that I should at least keep track of any bodily changes that occur during the project.

With that in mind my current measurements are as follows:

Bust - 37.5

Waist - 28

Hip - 39

On August 17th I had my body fat measured, and I had 25.7% body fat at the time. I don't know my current body fat, but I will just go with the August measurement as I don't think much has changed since then.

I currently weigh about 130. A little less some days, a little more other days.

End of Week 1

Yesterday was supposed to be my cross-training day, but I rested instead. My legs were still a little sore from running the day before, so I thought I would start slow and take the day off. I will work in cross-training as I go.

I did run today though. I ran on a treadmill at home. I ran for 10 minutes straight at 3.7 mph. I took a quick walking break and then ran for 11 minutes. I ran almost 2 miles in 35 minutes.

I'm very happy with how the project is going so far. I am resting tomorrow, and then running again on Monday. Here's to hoping that week 2 goes as well as week 1!

Day 3 of Running Project

Yesterday was my first rest day, and today was my second day of running.

I upped my running interval from 5 minutes to 6, and reduced my walking breaking in between to 4 minutes.

After running I stretched, and then did some core work.

I'm feeling pretty good. My legs did get tired faster today than the first day, and it was harder to keep my breath under control.

Tomorrow is my second rest day, and then on Friday I am doing cross-training at the YMCA. I'm thinking of doing an hour of swimming.

Running Project

I have never like running...I have never been good at it. In fact, I am downright BAD at it. With this in mind, please understand the enormity of my decision to start running.

I don't know if right now is the best time to try to add something to a schedule that is already verging on overwhelming, but I have to try.

My project is this: get good enough at running to do a 5k run with my brother in Colorado when I go see him next summer. I am giving myself plenty of time because I am not a good runner now, and I know that I will need to be able to run more than a 5k here if I want to run at least a 5k in the thin air of Colorado.

My plan is to "run" (read: jog) three days a week, and cross-training one day a week which leaves me three rest days a week.

I started yesterday. I found out that my best "run" is really a jog, and that I can actually jog for 5 minutes straight which I didn't know before. I also found out that I can control my breathing so that I don't get out of breath so fast. I really have to concentrate on my breath, but I'm good at that from doing Yoga. I feel pretty good. No soreness, or tightness.

Yesterday, I did 5 minutes of "running" followed by 5 minutes of walking twice, plus a 5 minutes warm-up and cool-down which totaled to 30 minutes of movement. Then I stretched and did a little corework on a mat.

I have chosen to do my workouts at the gym on campus, which requires a several minute walk just to get there. I must exercise just to get to the place where I can exercise. While this seems weird, I still think the gym is my best bet. I do not want to run around either campus, or my downtown neighborhood. The track at the gym is nicer on my feet than the street. It is also indoors, so I do not have to try and run in cool air.

I also plan on blogging this project. I have already told a couple of people my plans to run, but I think that the added obligation of blogging will help me keep to my plan.

I am giving myself permission to continue with my plan even if I miss a day. Previous workout plans of mine have failed because if I didn't stick to it completely then I just threw it out as "failed". This not only made me feel bad for failing, but also curtailed my working out which was the point in the first place.

I'm thinking that I want to do some kind of picture documentation of myself to monitor my physical changes. I would like to post these pictures with my blog entries. The only sticking point is that I'm not sure of what to wear in these pictures. What is too little? What is too much? A shorts bra and running shorts? A tank and running shorts? A huge over-sized t-shirt and baggy sweat pants?

Please give me any feedback you might have on the project in general, and my clothing options for pictures in particular.