Road to 5k

I knew it was coming, the day that was tough. I felt sluggish and struggled through the workout today. No personal bests today! But, despite that there's an accomplished feeling that accompanies completing another day. And I do fee like I'm making gains toward my goal. I can see how I'll be jobbing a 5k by the end if November without difficulty. Another day logged another step closer to the dream!

Workout summary-

No more "rest" days... Because it's just too new it's bit a habit yet and it's just too tough to get back at it after a hiatus. I have to ride that wave of endorphins!

Yesterday and today I jumped back on schedule with two great runs that I feel awesome about. 

I have to again, praise the walk/run method of getting into shape. I can feel myself getting stronger and every day we are running further and faster! Today our running split time was an 8:30 mile and combined speed was 11 min/mile. So much better than first workout with a 14 min/ mile. 

The girls are living it! During walk intervals Beans yells "Jog!!! Go fast!!!"

Workout summaries

Fastest and longest run yet!

Rest

I'm looking forward to when this gets easier. I'm looking forward  To when my current 'workout' becomes my warm-up. I'm a bit sore from yesterday and the glow of excitement has worn off. 

This is where the rubber meets the road. Do I have what it takes? I know I do. I know I can do this. It all comes down to hard work now. 

I've set some new goals for myself. I want to run the 5k in under 30 minutes. This changes my training from 3 days a week to 6 days a week (Sundays off) and either Wednesday or Thursday cross training. That way I can work myself up to 5k distance a few weeks before the race and then begin increasing my speed. 

I want to focus on improving my flexibility because I feel that will help me run more efficiently and help prevent injuries. 

I want to begin eating more conscientiously with a focus on vegetables and lean protein. This should help my body be able to function at it's highest ability. I'll accomplish this by recording my food choices for the day. 

Day 3- road to 5k

We accidentally skipped ahead and did a workout from week 3. It was definitely challenging! But our fastest time ever and felt good to know that I can get into a groove and run longer than a minute. I think I could probably run for the full 30 minutes but I want to ease my body into this. There's plenty of time before the marathon and injuring myself would just derail my plans completely. 

So, I swallow my pride and run/walk on!

This is only day 3 there aren't any physical changes ( that will come later) but mentally I feel so much better! I feel like my mind is clearer, I'm more relaxed and my food choices have improved dramatically. Today was Sunday and Baby Roo slept through church so we didn't go, which means the day was very uneventful, yet I feel accomplished! And it doesn't seem to make sense but I have more energy!  

I've decided to sign up for a 5k on Nov 23. It includes a christmasblight display so should be a really fun family event!

Workout summary

Day 2- Road to a 5k

Lovey came today, and this time he pushed The Beast.   It was glorious. He really pushed me to run faster than I would have on my own or maybe the extra speed was just due to the fact that I didn't have to push The Beast.

Without the rain and wind this run was much less theatrical than the last.

The app on my phone congratulated me on a personal best. A 14 min mile still makes me cringe... I've got a long journey ahead of me but I'm on the right path and it feels great!

The workout was the same as yesterday 

5 min warm up 

Alternate walk/ run intervals 1:30 each

Cool down 5 min.

Total 30 minutes

Workout summary-

Day 1- road to 5k

"Today is the day! The first day of a healthy me!" This was my mantra all day long. I put my workout gear on hours before the time I had scheduled the run.... No backing out now! 

****flash flood warning.******

*****severe thunder and lightning******

I balked, just for a moment but decided that I'm going for or anyway. After all, I'm an Oregon girl at heart, I've seen a rain storm or two in my life!

I glanced at the workout on my "couch to 5k" app and scoffed a little bit. 

30 min.

5 min warmup 

Alternate jog 1:00, walk 1:30

5 min cool down 

"Pfff, peice of cake....mmmm cake"

I loaded the girls into The Beast (my affectionate nick name for our double stroller) and set off. 

Ummm not easy. 

"Start jogging!!!" Screeched the robotic voice on my app just as we passed a sales representative standing at the end of a driveway. I heaved off puffing WAY too much for only running for 30 seconds. 

"Great job! You're in great shape!" He cheered.

"Not yet.." I managed to puff out "day one, I'm in my way!"

Then the rain started,just a drizzle. Not so bad. Then it REALlY started. 

Is that hail? Ouch! Since when does rain hurt?! What's with this wind? It didn't say anything about a hurricane... Did it! Abandon ship!

I pulled the canopy over both girls but Beans threw hers back lifted her arms to the sky and said, "I love it!! I love the rain!"

So we pressed on. 

"Great job! Now cool down!" Cheered my  app. I sprinted back home. Wet and cold but feeling SO great about myself and after getting tre littles in a nice warm bath I think I'll treat myself to an apple and a tall glass of water...

Workout summary-

Dream

Once upon a time, I ran and swam and hiked and danced. There was no physical challenge that I felt incapable of. I craved apples and said hold the mayo on sandwiches (no one likes to throw up during intervals at track practice) and I had almost forgotten what a French fry even tasted like. 

10 years, two babies and a load of responsibilities later, I'm busier than ever. My to do list is a mile long and taking care of me just never seems happen. I'm a smaller structured person so the doctor says my weight is healthy. And it is. This isn't a journey of weight loss. But I just don't FEEL healthy. I feel tired. I only want to eat chocolate and my cardiovascular and physical strength are in poor shape. 

Somewhere buried deep under laundry and story time and kids soccer games lies a dream. An unrealized dream. I want to run a marathon. I found it on a bucket list I penned in high school, right before 'go sky diving' and after 'be sealed in the temple.' Some dreams fade in time. I have no interest in skydiving anymore. What would Beans and Roo do without a Mama? No, it's not for me. 

But, I still really do want to run that marathon. I don't have to get first. I don't have to qualify for Boston. I just want to run. I want to prove to myself that I can still set goals and follow through. I want to put my health at the top of my to-do list and I want to model a healthy, active lifestyle to my children. 

This will be a place of accountability and inspiration. If you can dream it, you can do it!