We just went for an 8 mile bike ride (round trip) to Target. It was great! I bought a new sports bra (for biking) and some sunglasses. Now we are off to Disney.
I'm going to start posting my updates on Saturdays/Sundays for the previous week, so they coincide with the calendar week. This will make it easier to post total miles I run/bike straight form the program I use that reads and organizes the data from my GPS watch. Below is an updated list of accomplishments for last week.
Accomplishments for week of 5/25 - 31:
- Completed my 3rd 5k
- Ran 30 minutes--C25k Week 9--without walking (3 times)
- Ran 2.31 miles without walking
- Ran/Walked 8.5 miles total
- Biked 16.83 miles total
- Fit into a size 2 skirt
- Lost 1 pound
- Met mini goal: 20 lbs lost
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Fitness Update: -20 lbs in 120 days
Previous Weight: 133
Current Weight: 132
Weight Loss: -1
Total Loss: -20 in 120 days
Current Goal: 130
Lbs to go: 2
This has been a great week! I completed the C25K program (though I am redoing a few weeks to get up to the 3 miles mark), I fit into a size 2 skirt, and I lost another pound--meeting my mini goal of 20 pounds lost! That is incredible. To think, in early 2007 I was 160 lbs (probably more but that is the highest I have recorded). I was almost obese. To this day, I have no idea how this happened; but I vow never to let it happen again. I should check with my doctor and see what the highest weight she has recorded for me is. I bet it was higher than 160.
I mostly focused on the running this week and only got to ride my bike to work twice. I still neglected weight lifting and yoga, so I lowered that goal to just one day each this coming week. I should really be able to fit that in somewhere. I've been doing a bit of yoga before and after each run, but my body feels tired and really needs a full yoga session.
Accomplishments this week:
- Completed my 3rd 5k
- Ran 30 minutes--C25k Week 9--without walking (3 times)
- Ran 2.31 miles without walking
- Ran/walk 12.6 miles total
- Biked 9 miles total
- Fit into a size 2 skirt
- Lost 1 pound
- Met mini goal: 20 lbs lost
Goals for the upcoming week:
- Run 2.5 miles without walking
- Bike at least 12 miles
- Run/walk at least 10 miles
- Lift weights at least 1 day
- Yoga at least 1 day
- Eat out at most twice
W9D3
Well, I'm technically done and have my C25K GED =P Now I plan to redo weeks 7-9 for distance and get my diploma :)
Sadly, today's run was not the strong finish I hoped for, but I think I pushed myself this week and my body is letting me know it. I was so tired that it took every ounce of strength and determination I had to even make it to the 30 minute mark. I only covered 2.2 miles, but I did it! And that is all that matters. I think I may take the weekend off entirely to give my body a much needed rest, do some yoga, and resume running on Monday. We'll see how I feel Sunday. Here are my splits for today, compared to the rest of the week.
Sadly, today's run was not the strong finish I hoped for, but I think I pushed myself this week and my body is letting me know it. I was so tired that it took every ounce of strength and determination I had to even make it to the 30 minute mark. I only covered 2.2 miles, but I did it! And that is all that matters. I think I may take the weekend off entirely to give my body a much needed rest, do some yoga, and resume running on Monday. We'll see how I feel Sunday. Here are my splits for today, compared to the rest of the week.
| 5/30 | 5/28 | 5/26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 2.2 | 2.26 | 2.31 |
| Time | 30:01 | 31:01 | 30:28 |
| Avg Pace | 13:39 | 13:43 | 13:09 |
| Mile 1 Pace | 13:52 | 14:16 | 12:44 |
| Mile 2 Pace | 13:26 | 13:28 | 13:41 |
| Pace to Finish | 13:40 | 12:36 | 12:49 |
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Crazy women sizes
I know, I am one of those people that wears size 2s, but I'm really not that skinny (and have a belly I am still trying to get rid of). I am convinced that size numbers (not the clothes) have gotten smaller because I do not ever remember wearing a size 2, and I could have sworn I was a lot skinnier in High School. My clothe sizes still vary greatly, depending on the item of clothing and where I buy it, but I'll take 2-8 any day over 10-14 (I think 8 is actually too big now, but doesn't look ridiculous on me).
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
W9D2
Today's run was great! I was up by 6 a.m. and out the door shortly after 6:30 a.m. Surprisingly, I was not sore yesterday from Monday's run; so that pace was not too far off. I ran alone this morning (Jason doesn't get up this early), so I started off a bit slower, but I wanted to push myself a little bit to see what I could do on my own--but not too much.
I ran 2.26 miles in 31 minutes at an average pace of 13:43. Below are my splits from today compared to the ones from Monday.
I like this much better than Monday's where I started so fast that I finished the first mile in 12:44 but that made the entire run more difficult. This pace, with a slow start and the gradual constant increase, worked much better and my pace was not affected that much. I also ran stitch free!! Except for having to wake up so damn early, I really enjoy morning runs much better.
I only have 1 more run on Friday before graduation! But, as someone else's put it in their blog, that is for the GED version =P I can run 30 minutes straight as the program prescribes, but not 3 miles (though I haven't tried but I am not going to push myself that much that fast). I plan to continue increasing the distance by 1/4 mile each week until my next 5k on 6/14 where I plan to run the entire thing. That will be my graduation ceremony :)
I ran 2.26 miles in 31 minutes at an average pace of 13:43. Below are my splits from today compared to the ones from Monday.
| 5/28 | 5/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 2.26 | 2.31 |
| Time | 31:01 | 30:28 |
| Avg Pace | 13:43 | 13:09 |
| Mile 1 Pace | 14:16 | 12:44 |
| Mile 2 Pace | 13:28 | 13:41 |
| Pace to Finish (.26/.31) | 12:36 | 12:49 |
I like this much better than Monday's where I started so fast that I finished the first mile in 12:44 but that made the entire run more difficult. This pace, with a slow start and the gradual constant increase, worked much better and my pace was not affected that much. I also ran stitch free!! Except for having to wake up so damn early, I really enjoy morning runs much better.
I only have 1 more run on Friday before graduation! But, as someone else's put it in their blog, that is for the GED version =P I can run 30 minutes straight as the program prescribes, but not 3 miles (though I haven't tried but I am not going to push myself that much that fast). I plan to continue increasing the distance by 1/4 mile each week until my next 5k on 6/14 where I plan to run the entire thing. That will be my graduation ceremony :)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
C25K Resources
The Couch to 5K Running program is amazing and I would recommend it to everyone who wants to be a runner but thinks they can't because of [insert reason here]. The clever design of this program gradually eases you into running, starting with 60sec/90sec run/walk intervals in week 1, until you can finally run for 30 minutes straight in week 9. It will change the way you think of yourself in terms of fitness and is a great confidence booster. Since I am constantly referring others to this program, I thought I would repost these links in their own post to make it easier for new visitors to find.
- C25K Running Plan - This sites describes the program and what to do each of the 9 weeks.
- C25K Checklist - This site is just the chart of the 9 week program with checkboxes to track your progress. It uses a browser cookie so it remembers what you checked from one visit to the next.
- C25K Podcasts by Ullrey - One of my biggest worries was how I was going to keep track of when to run, when to jog, and when I had done enough intervals. These podcasts make it super easy and include workout music to keep you motivated.
- Podrunner: Intervals - Another great C25K podcast with more upbeat music. Instead of telling you when to run or walk, this podcast uses a sound to alert you when to switch.
- Couch to 5k LJ Community - this wonderful community is full of people doing the program and offer an endless source of inspiration, motivation, support and advice. Even if you are not following the program exactly as prescribed, they are a great resource. The same goes for the lj runners community.
- c25k.com - even more great links about the program and running in general.
HYC Check In
- I ran 2 miles straight on Wednesday
- I lost another 1.6 lbs, for a total of 19 in 113 days
- I completed my 3rd 5k on Saturday
- I ran 2.31 miles straight in 30:28 minutes yesterday
- I had a truely Meatless Monday yesterday
- I didn't eat out and cooked lots of yummy & healthy recipes
Goals for the upcoming week:
- [DONE] Run 30 minutes without walking (C25K Week 9)
- [DONE] Run 2.25 miles without walking
- Bike 16-20 miles
- Run/walk a total of 5-10 miles
- Lift weights at least 2 days
- Yoga at least 2 days
Monday, May 26, 2008
True Meatless Monday
I have been trying really hard these past few days to eat more fruit and veggies. I have had great success, but today was the jackpot because it snuck up on me. Without even trying, I ended up eating no meat today -- not even seafood!
I had planned to make a tofu stir fry for dinner, but after the run I didn't feel like cooking. This was fine because we had leftovers and all the fixings for a salad. Jason chopped some onions and carrots for the salad, and I warmed up some chicken and rice. While the leftovers were heating up, I spruce up my salad with some green olives, feta cheese, and cashews (instead of croutons). I found the salad so tasty that I didn't even want the chicken. Then I remembered it was Meatless Monday and I hadn't yet eaten any meat so I thought I'd keep it up. I feel so great after my run and that salad.
Here is what I had today:
breakfast: 1/3c egg beaters & 1 morning star veggie sausage patty
lunch: Pita Pizza (had to introduce Jason to it, and I am still in love with it)
dinner: salad (lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, green olives, red onions, cashews, greek dressing)
snacks:
- chips ahoy crisps
- special K granola bites
- strawberry shortcake
- banana
We also went to the movies today and that is when I had the chips ahoy crisps and granola bites that I brought with me and a bottle of water. I was going to buy some cookie dough bites, because they were $1 with a coupon they gave me, but Jason tore it up so I wouldn't. *lol* I was kinda ticked because I wanted a taste and was going to save the rest, but he is right I didn't need them.
I had planned to make a tofu stir fry for dinner, but after the run I didn't feel like cooking. This was fine because we had leftovers and all the fixings for a salad. Jason chopped some onions and carrots for the salad, and I warmed up some chicken and rice. While the leftovers were heating up, I spruce up my salad with some green olives, feta cheese, and cashews (instead of croutons). I found the salad so tasty that I didn't even want the chicken. Then I remembered it was Meatless Monday and I hadn't yet eaten any meat so I thought I'd keep it up. I feel so great after my run and that salad.
Here is what I had today:
breakfast: 1/3c egg beaters & 1 morning star veggie sausage patty
lunch: Pita Pizza (had to introduce Jason to it, and I am still in love with it)
dinner: salad (lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, green olives, red onions, cashews, greek dressing)
snacks:
- chips ahoy crisps
- special K granola bites
- strawberry shortcake
- banana
We also went to the movies today and that is when I had the chips ahoy crisps and granola bites that I brought with me and a bottle of water. I was going to buy some cookie dough bites, because they were $1 with a coupon they gave me, but Jason tore it up so I wouldn't. *lol* I was kinda ticked because I wanted a taste and was going to save the rest, but he is right I didn't need them.
W9D1 - 2.31 miles!
Holy frak! I just ran 2.31 miles in 30:28 minutes at a 13:09 pace with NO walking! This is my fastest pace and the longest I've ever ran in a row by .31 miles! I can't believe it. I am going be feeling this tomorrow, but it feels fantastic right now!
I was scheduled to start week 9 tomorrow, since I usually give myself 2 days off from running after a race. However, aside from some minor soreness in my calves, I felt fine since I didn't really push myself on Saturday (my pace for the race was 13:33).
The reason for my amazing time is because Jason came running with me. I was a few feet behind him the whole time, but was keeping up with his slow jog the whole way. I had a slight side stitch almost the whole time too, but not bad enough to make me stop.
I am not sure I could run like this every time, but at least now I know I can do it and just have been holding myself back a bit. It just goes to show that this really is a mental thing and my heart just wasn't in it on Saturday. By the time the next 5k comes around in 3 weeks, I'll be ready to run the whole thing!!
I was scheduled to start week 9 tomorrow, since I usually give myself 2 days off from running after a race. However, aside from some minor soreness in my calves, I felt fine since I didn't really push myself on Saturday (my pace for the race was 13:33).
The reason for my amazing time is because Jason came running with me. I was a few feet behind him the whole time, but was keeping up with his slow jog the whole way. I had a slight side stitch almost the whole time too, but not bad enough to make me stop.
I am not sure I could run like this every time, but at least now I know I can do it and just have been holding myself back a bit. It just goes to show that this really is a mental thing and my heart just wasn't in it on Saturday. By the time the next 5k comes around in 3 weeks, I'll be ready to run the whole thing!!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Roasted Zucchini & Carrots
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c carrots, cut into them strips (23 cal)
- 1/2 c zucchini, cut into thick slices (9 cal)
- 1 tsp olive oil (40 cal)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (4 cal)
- 5-10 sprays of Ken's Lite Accents Balsamic Vinaigrette (1 cal per spray)
Total: 86 calories
Instructions:
1) Since carrots take longer to cook than zucchini, cut them into thin strips and I cut the zucchini into thick slices.
2) Toss them in a bowl with a little olive oil and minced garlic
3) Seasoned them to taste with the onion powder and garlic powder (You can also add salt and pepper).
4) Add a few sprays of Ken's Lite Accents Balsamic Vinaigrette and toss to coat evenly.
5) Broil for about 5 minutes, flip the zucchini and broil another 5 minutes, or until carrots are tender.
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