Tuesday, March 30, 2010

1.5 miles

I think there is going to be an adjustment period with this treadmill. I'm never sure how fast to go because the speed is on a sliding scale. I ran 1.5 miles today (woo hoo) but I'm not sure if I could have done better if I pushed it more. I'm proud of myself but also feel like maybe I should be more progressed?

Monday, March 29, 2010

Discouraged

Once again I am feeling discouraged. I don't know if I am sore from all the work I did yesterday or if I am not pushing myself but I ran 1.31 miles today. I walked 1.35 the other day. And that was at an incline. That means I can walk faster than I run! That's rather pathetic. For the next workout I am going to turn up the speed a little more. It's difficult to do on this treadmill because there is only a sliding scale...not buttons to select the exact speed. I need to push it up a notch!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Goal Number 6

Goals this week:
3-30 minute workouts
Run for 30 minutes at no incline
Run a distance of at least 1.5 miles, preferably more

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Does he know?

I have not told my husband about my running. I did not tell him that I bought a new pair of shoes.
I asked him to help me fix the treadmill because the console wasn't working. (I ended up fixing it myself). He has helped me fold laundry and has seen my workout clothes.
What do you think? Does he know? I'm sure he wouldn't have any idea what I am actually doing or what my goals are but do you think he has no clue that I've been working out? I'm not sure. He hasn't said anything and neither have I. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Still not sure I'm pushing enough

Today was my last day of strength training for the week. I walked 1.35 miles at full incline in 30 minutes. Seeing myself go almost as far walking at a full incline as I did running definitely makes me feel like I haven't been pushing enough. I will have a better gauge after my running workout next week.
I have found that it's really easy for me to skip a workout. I didn't get a chance yesterday and I didn't even miss it. The whole "it takes 21 days to form a habit" thing has never worked for me. I can workout for months and stop and not miss it one bit. I have to tell myself every day that I need to workout. It will be a lifelong battle for me I think.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Am I pushing enough?

I'm afraid to overdo it and hurt myself but because of that I feel like maybe I am not pushing as hard as I should. I walked at full incline today for 30 minutes and did a distance of 1.15 miles. If I am running 1.5 miles in 30 minutes that means at a full incline I am almost walking as fast as I am running. Now that I have the console working I will better be able to judge my running speed so hopefully I won't feel so pathetic but I don't know that I am actually pushing myself hard enough when running.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Does this count as a workout?

I took my kids for a 40 minute walk today. Pushing (and this is a guess here) about 60lbs of kid + stroller I think counts as a workout! :-D
I also took them for a walk yesterday but we only made it about 20 minutes. It was cold and super windy.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Strength Training = sore

I noticed I was a little sore yesterday and this morning but I wanted to get another workout in so I put the treadmill on full incline and walked another mile in 30 minutes. Hopefully this week of strength training will improve my running performance next week. I don't know how I feel about doing a week of strength than a week of running but we'll give a try and see how it goes. I guess I'm afraid that I'll 'lose' my ability to run for 30 minutes if I spend the week walking. I know...I'm nuts!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Strength Training

I put the treadmill to it's fullest incline and started to run. Yeah, that lasted about 30 seconds. It as SO much harder on my legs that I couldn't run. Instead I decided to walk which was also pretty difficult. I managed to do it for 30 minutes and walked 1 mile so overall not too bad. How do I know I walked a mile? Because my console is fixed! Yay!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

I am an idiot!

I got smart today and googled my treadmill hoping to find a replacement part or something so that I could fix the console and start monitoring my speed. I cannot believe how ridiculously easy the fix was! The console is battery operated and had a taken a closer look at it I would have seen where the batteries go. So the good news is, despite me being an idiot, the treadmill is now fixed and appears to be fully operational for tomorrow. I looked at the serial number, etc. before I googled it...it was manufacture in August of 1996. It's had a good life so far...hopefully it will last a lot longer!

Goal Number 5

Talking to my sister's trainer in Wisconsin he gave me some ideas to work on increasing my strength which will enable me to run faster. He suggested I use the incline on the treadmill one week and then switch back to "flat" the next. By doing this I should be able to move faster on the "flat" weeks. My goals for this week:
3 workouts minimum
30 minute workouts
Use treadmill at highest incline
I'd like to add some strength training like squats with weights, etc. but I get a feeling that I won't really do them even if I set them as my goal. So for now I'm going to leave those off.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Another day...another run

I'm finding that running 30 minutes isn't has difficult as I thought it was going to be. Rather than working on increasing my length of run I want to work on increasing my speed of run. I'm very proud of myself that I've made it this far. My first run was a month ago and I never thought I'd stick with it this long...especially since I'm keeping it a secret. I still don't love it and I don't know if that's because I'm doing it on a treadmill and I'm bored or if I just don't like running. I plan to keep at it though. I really want to reach my long term goal in the back of my mind of running a 5k!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Why aren't I losing weight?

I didn't start this running 'thing' with the intentions of using it to lose weight. I want to get in better shape, feel better and accomplish something just for me. If I lost weight along the way, great. Well, I haven't lost any. In fact, I've gained 2lbs. (probably from all that food from visiting my sister). That said, I probably need to start watching what I eat if I want to lose weight. Where is the fun in that though?

Back to the grindstone

Back to my 'old' treadmill today. I 'easily' ran for 30 minutes but I once again have no idea how fast I went or how far. I 'think' I ran faster than I had been at home before but it's really hard to tell. I'm going to have to see if I can figure out how to fix the instrument panel.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Pushed it up a notch

Today was my last day of working out in a gym with a 'real' treadmill. Meaning, one that has a screen and can tell me how fast I'm going, for how long and how far. I was very spoiled using a 'working' machine and am kind of sad that I have to go back to my 'broken' one. That said, I pushed it up a notch today and am pretty proud of myself. I increased the speed and was able to do 1.5 miles in 30 minutes. Now I just have to figure out a way to be able to monitor this at home. Any ideas besides a new treadmill?

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Feeling Discouraged

I was finally able to get in a workout after having 3 days off so I'm excited about that. My sister generously stopped at her gym yesterday and they gave me a 1 week trial membership so I was able to go to the gym by myself without dragging my sister or brother-in-law. I ran for 30 minutes again so yay for that!
Now, for why I am discouraged. In a 30 minute run I only went a distance of 1.25 miles. That's really pathetic! If I'm going to rain for a 5k I need to bump that up A LOT. I don't want it to take me an hour and a half to run 3 miles. That's really pathetic. I had no idea how far I was going (or what speed) because the panel on my treadmill at home does not work.
I talked briefly with my sister's trainer and he gave me some tips on how to increase my speed so that I can run further faster. I wish I was able to get out of the house and afford a trainer. He'd get my butt in shape for a 5k in no time at all!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Goal Number 4

I have rather sad goals this week. This week my goal is to fit in as many workouts as I can. Since I am at the mercy of my brother-in-law and when/if he is willing to take me to a gym, I cannot guarantee how many runs I'll be able to get in. It's too cold here to do it outside so I have to hope I can get him to take me to their gym at least twice. We shall see. My plan is to try to run for 30 minutes if I can get to the gym but we shall see. I don't want to overdue it and my shins are a little sore but I think a good run will do them some good.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Another 30 minute workout!

I'm so proud. I kind of feel like maybe I'm not really running (well jogging). Like maybe I am just fast walking. I don't know. It doesn't feel real. Like I shouldn't really be able to run for 30 minutes so I must be doing something wrong.
On a sad note...I think this will be the last workout I'll be able to do for a week. I'm going to visit my sister and her new baby so I don't know if I'll be able to get a workout in. That makes me very sad. I'm also worried that I will "lose" my ability to run if I take so long off. Or that after taking time off it will be an excuse for me to not get back into it again.
Anyway, I'm just typing out my worries. Hopefully I'll be able to get some workouts in there even if I have to do it outside (which worries me). I kind of don't want to get my brand new pretty sneakers dirty though!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

I did it again!

I ran for 30 minutes! I definitely think I was trying to go too fast before which is why running was so hard for me. Now that I have awesome new shoes and I am setting the right speed I think I'm on the right track! Woo hoo!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I ran 30 minutes!!!

I know I'm not supposed to push and risk overdoing it but I was feeling pretty good today so I thought what the heck. And you know what? It wasn't that bad. I think I had the speed to fast before which is why it was so difficult for me. Now that I've toned it down a little I'm able to run for longer periods of time. I'm so proud of myself!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Double Workout

It is a beautiful day today so I decided to take the kids for a walk. We were out for about 30-40 minutes before my son started crying so we had to make our way back to the house. I forgot how much of a workout it is pushing approximately 70lbs!
I also got my workout on the treadmill in. Once again I looked at the clock and 7 minutes had flown by. This is a good sign! I am proud to say that I had 2 - 30 minute workouts today!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Almost Easy

I got on the treadmill in my new running shoes and a minute later I looked at the clock and it had already been 7 minutes! I couldn't believe it! I almost kept going but I didn't want to push it so I then walked for 3 minutes and repeated until I made it to 30 minutes. I don't want to get too confident but I was very excited that today's run didn't feel as difficult to me!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Goal Number 3

I'm not sure if I am ready to increase my run time yet. My shins are still sore and I noticed the last two times I ran that my chest was a little tight. But, if I don't increase and push myself than I will never improve. So, despite by concerns my goal for this week:

Run 7 minutes, walk 3
Be on the treadmill for a total of 30 minutes
Do this 3 times during the week

Wish me luck!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Still Plugging along

I got another workout in this morning while the kids took their nap and my husband was at work. I can definitely notice a HUGE difference having proper shoes. I think it's safe to secretly throw away the box and the receipt for the shoes.
That said, proper shoes did not make me like running any more. I think it is partially a problem because I am inside on a treadmill. I am watching tv but the shows don't interest me. I keep watching the clock which of course makes the workout seem like it is going slower. I mentioned before looking into renting movies to watch. I think I have to do something because the tv shows that I am finding are just not cutting it.
I did manage to get my full 30 minute workout in with 6 minutes running and 4 minutes walking.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Stupid people and their perfume!

I had a visitor to the house today who I swear took a bath in her perfume. I noticed it the second she walked in the door and thought to myself "uh oh...this is not going to be good." Sure enough by the time she left 1.5 hours later I had a RAGING headache. Still now 1.5 hours after she is gone I can smell her in the house and I am nauseous and can barely function my head hurts so badly.
The thing that really makes me mad is that I WANTED to work out today. I WANTED to get on the treadmill and use my new shoes again. Ugh. At least I've gotten 3 workouts in this week. I'm going to try to squeeze one in tomorrow. I have to make cakes for my twins for their first birthday photo shoot on Sunday so hopefully while the cakes are cooling I can get on the treadmill.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

What a difference shoes makes

I went back to the shoe store this afternoon and bought myself a new pair of shoes. I tried on about 10 different pairs and walked around the store in them. I ended up with a pair of Adidas running shoes. The main reason I chose to go to this type of store is the knowledgeable sales staff. I knew they would be able to help me find the right shoe for me and my lifestyle and how I chose to wear them. This is what they do and they did an amazing job of helping me find the right pair. My shins are still a little sore but today's workout definitely did not add to it!

On to today's workout. I did my entire 30 minutes running for 6 and walking for 4. After about 15 minutes I wanted to stop. After 20 I really wanted to. But I pushed through and did it anyway and am proud of myself for finishing.

On another note; I did some research today and there is a 5k race in September that I might be interested in participating in. I'm sure I'll be ready by then but at least I know I have a long time to reach my goal!

Tried to buy new shoes

I've mentioned several times that my shins really hurt after I'm done running (and while also). I had a doctor's appointment this morning so I was out of the house by myself and thought it would be the perfect time to sneak to the store and buy some new shoes. I rush rush rush, get to the store...and it didn't open for another 20 minutes. My husband had to get to work so I didn't have time to sit and wait for them to open. Sadly I was not able to purchase my shoes. I think I might make a trip over there after the kids have lunch. I took the day off yesterday and my shins are still sore and the pain is heading down into my feet now. I don't want to keep running and causing more pain but I also don't want to stop working out either.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I've decided to take the day off

I'm trying not to think of it as being a quitter. I'm really tired today. My shins are sore. I have a bad headache. I'm sure all of these things will feel better or go away (except the sore shins) if i do run but instead I'm going to take a nap. My goal for the week was 3 workouts and I've already done 2 so skipping today will not throw me off goal. Plus I still have Thursday, Friday and Saturday to work out. So, although I could and probably should workout today, I'm going to take a nap instead!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Almost a quitter

I got on the treadmill and was about 10 minutes into the workout and I wanted to stop. But I didn't and I'm very proud of that. I did not do as well today as I did yesterday. I was torn between trying to take it easy since I was pretty sore the rest of the day yesterday or pushing myself again. After 5 minutes of running I was going to stop and take the workout easier today but then I remembered my goal of 6 minute runs and 4 minute walks so that is what I did for a total of 30 minutes. My shins really bother me when I run. I really need to go to a running store and see if it's my shoes, the treadmill or my running form. On another note, maybe I'm just out of shape and this is natural and my body is getting used to it. I don't want these sore shins to give me an excuse to quit!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Really Pushed Myself

I hardcore pushed myself today. My goal when I got on the treadmill was to run 6 minutes, walk 4, repeat until I hit 30 minutes. When 5 minutes rolled around I realized I wasn't tired so I decided to keep going. When I hit 10 minutes my shins were hurting a little so I decided to walk for 5 minutes. Then I ran 10 and walked 5. I'm so proud of myself! I got my full 30 minutes in by running in 2 ten minute stretches. I never thought I'd be able to run 10 minutes so quickly. Heck, I didn't think I'd be able to run 5 the first time I got on the treadmill. I'm obviously not in as bad of shape as I thought I was which is very surprising to me considering how blah I've been feeling.
It's getting harder for me to keep my secret from my husband. I really want to surprise him when I've reached my long term goal of being able to run a 5k. I feel like it's only going to be more difficult to keep from him as time progresses. I'd like to get a nice pair of running shoes but how do I explain that to him? I'd also like to get the screens on the treadmill fixed so I can monitor how far I'm going and not just how long. It will be hard to rain for a 5k if I have no idea how long it takes me to do it. For now I'm enjoying my little secret but we'll see how long I'll be able to keep it that way.