Saturday, April 30, 2011

A Surprise Milestone

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 2.39 miles in 25m:56s using Endomondo."

So two awesome things happened today in terms of getting in shape. First off, I did my fastest minutes per mile so far. I clocked in at an average of 10:50/mile, which is slightly better thana couple of runs ago.

The other thing is that I looked at a pair of pants that I pulled out of my closet awhile ago in the Great Purge. They were the smallest ones I had and I knew they would be the last ones I would fit into before I had to search elsewhere for pants. I decided to experimentally pull them on today, and they fit like a freakin glove :-)

Prom is tonight! Mike and I are stepping out in style, and I will be wearing a dress that has never fit me before a few weeks ago. Yeah!!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

A New Layer

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.06 miles in 33m:18s using Endomondo."

Today is about layers.

First off, I weighed in this morning and dropped 2.2 pounds, bringing my total to 26.4 pounds gone. That's the equivalent of over 105 sticks of butter! Wow! And gross. I am so happy to see those layers go.

And the positive layer that I have added: since I've been using this running app, I have been tracking my total distance, including my walking warm up and cool down. I am now at a point where I am more interested to know the accurate minutes per mile of my pace than how far I've gone total. So from today forward, the numbers for my workouts reflect only the time and distance I am actually running, plus the few minutes of walking in between running sections. Today, for instance, I ran 30 minutes and walked 13, but only the 4 walking minutes between sets of running are actually counted, therefore making my 10:53 mile almost accurate.

Also- woo freakin hoo! My first under 11 minute miles!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Woo!

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.72 miles in 54m:14s using Endomondo."

Not only did I completely kick this workout's ass, but it felt pretty good too! I am taking lots of time to stretch afterward so I don't pay for it later, and it is sooo good. I got a huge grin on my face when I finished the running portion (a total of 30 minutes) and actually felt pretty good.

Pride feelings. 

Sunday, April 24, 2011

The Longest Mile...so far.

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.11 miles in 40m:43s using Endomondo."

This was Friday's run, but I didn't have time to post before going off adventuring for the weekend. Friday was the most physically demanding run yet...it was run 8 minutes, walk 2, and do that 3 times. It was also the day after I gave blood, so I'm thinking that contributed to the run being harder. Tomorrow's, however, is going to be even more challenging- run 10 minutes, walk 2, do that 3 times. This program starts out nice and slow and then cranks it up, that's for sure. I have noticed that my pace is getting slower, but that also makes sense because I'm running for longer. I'm not focused on speed right now, only stamina to run as long as I can. On the plus side...it used to be that I would think "run 5 minutes? That's really hard!" and now I'm thinking "run 5 minutes? That would be pretty easy!" That tells me this program is working :-)

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Better.

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 2.42 miles in 37m:00s using Endomondo."

I was really worried about running today. Monday I went and overdid it and had really painful shin splints come back. I had been flying through every run until that one. It felt like I hit a wall and all the old doubts came back- can I really do this? What if I can't go past this point in my running development? What if it goes back to hurting every time and I have to quit? All the same, I went out today and did the same amount of time as Monday, but slowed the pace a little...and did just fine. I am really glad that worked out. I was really not motivated to run earlier- my stomach was aching, I was tired, etc. But I think, while those things are very true, that I manage to work myself up on the inside if I don't want to work out for some reason, so it makes the other issues suddenly a bigger deal.

But here is where more of the personal growth comes in. Old Me would have succumbed to personal pressure and just said 'forget it' and laid on the couch. New Me, on the other hand, tells Old Me to suck it and gets off her ass even if she doesn't particularly want to. If I had an actual serious injury that'd be a different situation, but I stretched out, didn't push too hard, and still managed to get a good work out. The best part is that while I am stretching post-work out as I write this, the shins are doing okay. :-)

Bleh.

Today's weigh-in was pretty bad by my standards- I gained 1.6 pounds back. I can't think of anything I did that would warrant that big of a gain. The only possibility I have come up with is that it is due to my sudden burst of hardcore exercise. When you build muscle your body retains water to help with the building, plus muscle is heavier. All the same, it doesn't seem to add up.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Today kicked ass...mine that is.

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.94 miles in 45m:01s using Endomondo."

This was definitely the hardest workout so far. I ran 3 segments of running 7 minutes and walking 2 minutes. Ramping it up to 7 and 2 from 5 and 3 is a surprisingly big jump. Plus I went further than I was supposed to, so there is some added walking time in there. I was nearly limping home, but my legs are feeling better now. Rest tomorrow then same run Wednesday.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Running

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 2.37 miles in 26m:32s using Endomondo."

This has been my fastest average mile time and it keeps going down! Woo! Check out the website and you can see details. It's neat!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Cool App

As you know, I am training for a 5K in May. I recently found this awesome app for my phone that tracks distance, speed, calories burned, and even maps your route. I will be uploading those to the site as I complete them, so if you want to look at where/how far I am going you can follow the link.

Endomondo Running Workout

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 2.30 miles in 32m:33s using Endomondo."

Milestone

I hit that next big milestone today at my weigh-in. I have lost 25.8 pounds! I am halfway on the weight loss path to the weight I was in college when I felt really good, then I have another 5-10 pounds for my lifetime goal. It's all very exciting! I have been averaging 5 pounds per month almost exactly. If I kept that consistent, it would take me exactly a year to get where I want to be. Right now, given that summer is approaching, I am most excited for the little things...like a new swimsuit! I won't be in bikini shape at that point (not that I would wear one anyway), but going back to a 2 piece is a thrilling prospect. Woo!

Monday, April 11, 2011

5K

As I mentioned in my last post, WW is hosting a 5K run all over the place. The workout plan is for six weeks (starting last week and going through the actual race day) in which you run four days a week in longer and longer chunks. For instance, the first day was to run one minute then walk one minute, and repeat ten times. Then run two minutes and walk three, repeat four times, etc. Today's was run 3 walk 3, 4 times. I am excited that I have a plan to follow and it mixes up my workout so it is fresh again. Loving it! If anybody wants to come out for a run with me, just drop me a line :-)

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Progress!

Today's weigh-in was a pleasant surprise. I did pretty well this last week, but not spectacular. All the same, I lost 2.6 pounds, bringing my total so far to 23.4 pounds. Just 1.6 away from that next big milestone! It feels really good.

 One of the things I've been doing that is good for me, both in terms of weight loss and personal space, is getting rid of clothes that don't fit or I otherwise just don't wear. There was a massive pile I donated a couple of weeks ago, and now my plan is to wear everything in my closet. If I don't like it or it doesn't fit/look quite right, it gets added to the new donation pile. And the best part was from today- I went through all of my dresses. I still have dresses from high school- prom, winter formal, etc. And while I have worn them on a few occasions, I took an idea from a smart colleague of mine and am bringing them to school to donate to girls who need a dress for prom. Plus it made lots more room in my closet (I'm talking 9 dresses in total that I'm donating!). And girls who don't have money to buy a dress usually have a harder time finding one to borrow that is their size. Problem solved!!!

One other really neat thing I learned today is that WW is hosting a 5K all over the country! Our branch is going to have one in Drain in May. It even came with a walking plan and a jogging plan to get you prepped for the 5K (which is 6 weeks from now). I did day one of the jogging plan today. I am really excited about it. My goal is to jog the whole thing, which would be a huge accomplishment for me. I can run/walk it no problem, but this is a great opportunity to set a specific fitness goal in a reasonable amount of time. The jogging plan is for 4 days per week with variation on how long you run for and walk for, alternating. You always start and end with 5 minutes of walking. Today's task was run one minute then walk one minute, doing this cycle ten times. So all together it was 30 minutes on the treadmill, which is also a big deal for me! I can do that on the elliptical no problem, but I've always had a harder time/mental block when it comes to running. Wish me luck!!!