Week 1--Success!

I finished out week 1 right on schedule! I had some back pain from running 1/4 mi. without stopping on Friday, but pain is gone today and I'm ready for a rest day and the new week. I read Bob Greene's "Get With the Program" and learned some interesting things about emotional eating so that is something to think about. I'm feeling great! I have to say it mostly feels good to have just accomplished the week. Yay!

Keep going. . .

Day 5 and I haven't given up yet! I went to the track today and did a mix of run/walk--mostly about 1 1/2-2 min running and 1 1/2 min. walking. I'm kind of freaked out about bumping up to 2 min. running and 1 min. of walking. I also wonder if it's hard for me because there is so much uphill here by our home. Well, it will all work out! I did get once around the track without stopping today--it took me 3 1/2 min. but at least I know I can do it!

Day 4

Today was supposed to be an easy walk, but I just can't just walk. My heart rate goes nowhere, and my body just wants to push forward. So I jogged (does anyone use that word anymore?) down the entire gradual downhill, then walked up the long hill, and jogged at the top to catch up with a couple of friends. By the time I had walked again for a couple of minutes I wanted to go again, but walked and visited instead (there's plenty of time for running tomorrow). So I feel like it was a lot more than an easy walk but much less than a regular run day. Tomorrow I'm planning on doing 1 1/2 min. run and 2 min. walk, or something along those lines. It still felt great! I have actually been excited each day to get out--even in 30' weather. And I LOVE watching the sunrise--soooo beautiful! I wish I could walk in the dark and feel completely safe. It's so nice, quiet, private--I love the solitude.

WIMP! now you see it, now you don't

I got all ready last night so I wouldn't have to search for cold weather clothes this morning, with an expected 20' temperature drop. Then, this morning, I woke to the wind howling--I had said a few days ago that pretty much wind was the only thing that would keep me in--and maybe intense snow. So when I got up I decided to go on the treadmill--still acceptable. But by the time I took Sunny out it didn't seem so bad, so I quickly bundled up and headed out. WOW, what a gorgeous day! It was still pretty dark for the first 1/2, so I took along a small but very bright flashlight to make me more visible, since I only have very dark workout clothes for the cold. But 1/2 way through it was light enough to see the stopwatch and it just felt so good to be outside. I noticed that all week I'm supposed to do 1 min. running, 2 min. walking, and next week it jumps right up to 2 min. on, 1 off, which seems like a big jump to me (especially since it's 4 on and 2 off by the end of next week) so at least 1/2 of my sets today were 1.15 running and 1.45 walking, which was actually pretty challenging for me (sad, but true). I feel really, really good to be getting out. Oh, and the stiffness in my hips is the same feeling that I get walking back down the hill towards home, so I'm pretty sure that will be worked out by the end of the week. Go, go, go! (40 min., 32 total walk/run, 175 S.)

Day 2

Day 2 was just as good as day 1. I had to jog a little--my body just says go. It was just about a block on a slight downhill and I went super slow--almost jogging in place. But I felt like I could go on forever. I want to stick with the program, though, because I know if I overdo it will be harder to stick with it.
The second half was on a very long uphill--probably not the "easy walk" outlined in the program but it sure felt good. I need to do the uphills and downhills so the hike up Timp is easier next summer.
I started off with Sunny but she is horrible on the leash. It's our fault--we really haven't taken the time to train her on the leash. She is great off-leash--stays close, comes when called, but we need to work with the leash more. She is pretty much perfect in every other way! She is still exhausted after her weekend at the doggy campground running around with all the other dogs.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a lot colder so I am trying to keep my psych up so I don't wimp out.

Feels great!

I've often told my boys that the key to self esteem is to do things that make yourself proud. It's not something that comes from other people or other things, but from doing things that you know are right and good. So I need to take my own true advice. For sooooo long I've wanted to be able to run (or jog) 3 miles without stopping. I've thought about it, I've dreamed about it, I've talked about it, but I've never done it. I've started and stopped a hundred times. I saw a Facebook post from my nephew, Zach, that reminded me of a Runner's World beginner's running program (8 weeks to running 2 miles without stopping). I've thought about it some more and have decided once again to try.
I guess one thing that made me think about it more was our camping trip to Arches this last weekend. I went rock climbing with my husband and boys and got the distinction from Josh of being a "slightly cooler mom". It's great to know that they love me no matter what but who wouldn't want to be "slightly cooler" to her own 2 teenage sons? It was just a little thought to rest on. . .
This morning? 52'--I was definitely overdressed in mid-calf knit pants, long sleeved workout shirt and fleece pullover. The ear band was absolutely essential (hardly anything's worse for me than cold ears), and the knit gloves were great for about the first 5 minutes. I took the usual neighborhood route--5 min. up the hill, then made it to 65 S. before turning around at 15 min. I made it back to the start point in 31 min. I'm pretty sure there were a couple of times I only walked for 1 min. instead of 2--I need to learn to use the stopwatch or count or something. There was 1 min. in the middle that was purely uphill--pretty sure I looked totally stupid barely putting one foot in front of the other but didn't stop! It felt GREAT. 40 min. total.