starting up again

The last few weeks, I didn't run much at all. It's much harder without the group to run with, and I've been starting work early so it's too dark and lonely in the morning to run by myself.  Yesterday, I ran 3 X 8 minutes (total 24 minutes, with 1 min between each cycle), it was hard to get back out there, but I felt so proud that I went.  My goal is 3 X 10, so I'll be doing 30 minutes.

Pray for me as I try to resist temptation over Christmas with all the yummy treats, and try to keep up running.  I;m so thankful for my dog, who keeps me getting out since she needs exercise as much as I do, and she loves it.

1st time enjoyed running

Hey, I reached my main goal of running tonight, I actually enjoyed it.  we did 5 min run, 1min walk X 4.  It didn't really feel difficult.  never thought I'd see the day.  I had such a stressful day at work and now I feel fabulous. I also had a great run at Beaver Lake on Friday, it was so beautiful and my puppy loved it too, she was racing back and forth through the shallow beach having a great time.

4 min and counting!

Did 4 min run and 1 min walk X 5 tonight.  The first 2 cycles, I did NOT want to be there.  I seriously thought I couldn't do it and should detour home.  I only kept at it because my keys were back at the clinic.  but, each time after that felt better and better.  I should remember for next time that I can do it if I just get past the first few cycles.  I am so blessed to have Marianne with me, she's awesome!  I know she could run faster but she's so encouraging.

I did it!

3 min run, 1 min walk for 6 cycles.  Yay me!  I downloaded a book to my ipod and that made a huge difference, the time flew by.  Tomorrow 4 min run, 1 min walk X 5 I think, but it's with the running group, so hopefully OK.  I have to document that I feel so much better about myself and have way more +++ energy, praise God for that, I've been praying for energy for a long time.  I felt like quitting last week, but now onward and upward. 

McDonald's - yuck!

I've been doing well eating healthy the last few weeks, lots of salads which I don' usually eat.  Tonight I decided to splurge and have a McChicken and then had a granola bar, feel yucky now.  I'd better go back to healthy food tomorrow, I just have to remember this feeling.

did 3 minute cycles - almost!

I was so close, it kills me!  We were doing 6 cycles of 3 min run, 1 min walk.  the first 4 cycles were good.  cycle 5 I needed to focus and sing a song in my head (reminded me a bit of childbirth).  Then cycle 6, up a hill, I was only 1-2 minutes away, and I felt nauseated.  I told myself I could do it, keep pushing, but the farther I got up the hill, the more worried I was I would barf in front of the whole group.  I walked for the last minute.  I'm really disappointed because I was worried about the 3 minutes and almost did it.  I guess the take home message is have snack before going and dinner when I get home (I ate about an hour before and thought that would be good enough).  Oh well, I'll do it this week, at least I know I probably could have, my willpower was there.  It was good to be with a group because I don't think I would have pushed myself that hard alone.  Its embarrassing to say 3 min at a time is a big deal, but I'm writing this blog so one day I can be an awesome marathon runner and look back at my very humble beginings

up and down

last week, I ran 2 min and walked 1.  the first time, it was a struggle to do 6 cycles.  Now, I've done 8 cycles a few times and it's getting easier.  I had music today which made a big difference. I am holding steady  on my weight, but I'm re-discovering I have thigh muscles - very exciting!  Tomorrow night is run 3 minutes walk 1, I hope I can do it. I know it;s such a small goal but a big deal for me. I didn't actually think that I would get more fit, it surprised me that the 8 cycles is easier, I thought it would just be pushing myself farther and farther but I am seeing improvement on my endurance.  I have been running now 4 times a week for 3 weeks, so I'm going to congratulate myself. Also, have only been eating health food which is a big deal for me too.  spinach salad with goat cheese and cranberries for lunch tomorrow.

little bit discouraged

It seems I have gained 2 lbs from last week, what's that about?!  I have re-written my goals as:

1. enjoy running.
2. have regular exercise as a habit
3. do a 5 km race one day.

I can't have losing weight as a goal or I will get discouraged.  I am proud of myself for this morning I ran 2 min and walked 1 min, instead of the other way around.  I realized though that I'm supposed to be doing that for 8 cycles, not 6.  It was hard work to do it for 6 this morning.  I'll work at doing 8 cycles, because next week it's 3 min of running and 1 of walking.   Pray for me to keep working at it

12 cycles!

When I heard we were going to double the cycles tonight, I was ready to sneak off to my car and head home.  But it was actually fine.  My running buddy helped a lot.  Felt it a bit walking up the hill at the end, but so happy to feel my muscles again, it's been so long.  So tonight did 2 min walk, 1 min run X 12 cycles.

Weighed and measure myself this morning, lost 1/2 inch on my waist in the last 2 weeks, and 1/2 a pound.  Pretty small gains, but I'll take it!  The first time I've gone down instead of up in a very long time.

P.S. I didn`t eat the pie last night

Temptation

It didn't take long for me to be tempted to eat treats.  We had early thanksgiving last night and came home with pumpkin pie, looks so yummy.  Krista made a key lime pie for Chris and I started my usual self-talk, "wouldn't it be nice for me to try it so I can tell her how good it is, how rude of me not to have any".  I didn't though, because she knows I'm trying not to eat treats.  Maybe I shouldn't call it treats, maybe it would be easier to refuse if I talk about sugar or fatty foods, so it has a more negative connotation.  I do wish that pie full of sugar and fat wasn't in my fridge, but will not eat it!  I think its good for me to write about it, because if someone reads it, it keeps me accountable.  "maybe no one will read it and I could just have a sliver..." I'm going to clean out a cupboard far away from the kitchen to take my mind off it.

The reluctant runner begins

I have always hated running.  2 years ago I was into a routine of using my elliptical every few days and was feeling pretty good about my routine.  Then, in Dec 2010, I took a leave to write my thesis.  For some reason, I decided to stop exercising so I could focus on only writing.  Very dumb decision.  Since then, I have hardly exercised at all.  I have been gaining weight, and every few months I have to buy new clothes in larger sizes.  My "will wear again when I lose weight" rubbermaid of clothes is now overflowing.  For the last year or so, I have been in the contemplation phase of change, thinking I sure would like to start exercising again, but it seemed so hard to get started.  

In June, we got bikes for our whole family and started riding together.  On one of our rides, my son said, "look at us being a healthy family"  I wanted more of that. Really fun to exercise and spend time together. July and Aug, I tried to do more active things with the kids.  

One day in mid-Aug I weighed myself and I was 1 pound away from a weight I never thought I would approach. I thought, "that's it, I'm going to change".  I visited with my best friend and she suggested running.  I have always hated running, I told her and she said she had other friends that hated it too but when they did a running clinic, they learned to love it.  I was interested, but very skeptical.  

End of Aug, we were sitting around with some friends and I asked one of them about a run she had done, the Times Colonist 10 K.  She had done a running clinic and said it was helpful.  She said if I was interested, she would go with me and was even willing to do the learn to run beginner version.  

Beginning of Sept, still in contemplation phase about running and struggling with eating.  I was so tempted to eat sugary foods and was giving in sometimes and cranky other times, feeling deprived.  For me, I can't do moderation of treats.  It's all or none.  A few years ago, I did none for a whole year and I was so proud.  The struggle isn't so hard when I know it's not even worth thinking about, I'm not going to have that treat so I might as well think about something else rather than imagining eating it.  I have been fairly fit in the past and I remember having more energy and motivation for everything in my life.  I also needed to find a way to exercise my hyper labradoodle puppy and thought maybe she and I could be running partners.  

Mid Sept, I went for coffee with our new pastor's wife.  Her husband lost a huge amount of weight by running and changing his eating habits.  The two of them love to run together and she described it in such a positive way. My son is starting hockey and his team is running together.  I went for a few runs with him and with my daughter and it was fun, I felt I was supporting him to learn to run too.  

End of Sept, last Monday, my friend and I went to the Running Room and did our first learn to run clinic.  Thank you to my husband for supporting me in this.  We are so busy and don't have many evenings free. They do 2 min walk and 1 min run, for 6 cycles. The run felt pretty easy, until the final minute, which I swear the leader cheated and made longer than 1 min.  

So here's my week (Sept 24-Sept 29):

Mon: Running Room 1 min run 2 min walk, 6 intervals (18 min total)
Tues: Elliptical for 20 min, few minutes of abs
Wed: rest
Thurs: evening, 1 min run, 2 min walk, not sure of the number of cycles, I lost track.  I felt nervous about running alone in the dark.  Need to find another time or place to run.
Fri: rest
Sat: 1 min run, 2 min walk, 6 or 7 cycles (lost count again) (I think 18 mins)
horseback riding - good for my legs and abs. I bought a timer watch from the running room so I can track my cycles. 

Today, I feel good about my week.  I have eaten well (packed lunch to work every day except Friday, only ate the fruit at a staff education session), I do have more energy and I definitely feel better about myself, more motivated and positive in general.  

This is a really slow start but I hope I can keep it up. I have really enjoyed the time running.  I used to find it boring, but since getting my dog, I started to walk more and love looking at the leaves changing, and Christmas lights will be up again soon.  The walking helped me appreciate nature and my neighborhood, so I'm used to the quiet time to think which is nice when running too.  

I'm now in contemplation phase about registering for a 5 K run one day.  We'll see.  I need to plan out how to run when it's dark (need to exercise the dog and me)  I think I'll use the elliptical and play fetch with her in the house, and take her out with a group in the mornings now that it's getting dark for most of the time I'm not at work.   I thought about running at lunch at work, but it doesn't seem very professional and then I'd have to shower in the middle of the day. 

Anyway, I'm going to give myself a pat on the back for this week and keep taking it slow and steady.  Any encouraging words welcome.  Thank you to my three friends who encouraged me; Elizabeth, Marianne and Amanda.