I've managed to increase my mileage up to a 'comfortable' 2.6 miles or so. I've logged two 5Ks as well and so far clock my 5K at 44 minutes. I would absolutely LOVE it if I could just do a 5K in under 40 minutes. I would be so pleased!
I've been using Map my Run on my Android on weekends and then running on the treadmill and cross training during the week. I can't stand running on the treadmill, but it does help with my endurance training.
I always seem to have to stop at .60 miles..if I could just keep going to .80 before I take my first rest, I think that will significantly help my time.
Also looking to purchase some safety gear like Road ID and reflective gear. I have to say that I still have the running bug! I also joined Black Girls Run Baltimore. They usually run very early in the morning and so far I haven't been able to get up in time! lol But they are very supportive and I visit their facebook group page often.
My 2nd 5K is coming up in 3 weeks. I'm not as nervous as I was before when I was only pulling 1 milers. I know I can do 3 miles now without feeling like I'm going to pass out!
Let's just hope that I can at lease shave 1 minute off my time, lose weight, and most importantly...not fall off the wagon since March is such a crazy month! I can't wait for it to be over....
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Back in the Habit
So the last time I ran was the Tuesday before Christmas. I had told myself that I was going to continue running even when my family came into town...even when we have huge Christmas dinner..despite the fact that I knew I'd be drinking and carrying on..that I would run.
And of course, I didn't.
The Holidays (as I can imagine for most people) can be particular hard in terms of working out. It's cold outside, there's food and friends all over the place, and you just want to relax.
It took me until this morning to finally get up and just run! But for the past couple of days I have been experiencing what my co-worker called 'paralyzing fear'. I tell you it was a different kind of fear. It was a fear that kept me hiding under the covers every morning dreading the disappointment after seeing that my time wasn't good enough or as good as it has been. I was literally petrified to get back into it!
I finally got up the courage, put on my fabulous new running gear and just did it. There was a fine misty rain out this morning, which I wasn't particularly fond of, but still managed through it. Usually, I can run 2 and a half full revolutions around the caldasac where our house it. This time, I barely made 2 revolutions around.
I ended up finishing a minute heavier than I usually do. I was disappointed, but the good thing is, is that I think I've caught the running bug again. That was all I needed I guess. My race is on March 17, so I want to make sure I get used to running 2 miles by the end of January. We'll see what happens!
In other news, I have to say that when you have REAL running gear on, it makes so much of a difference! It's lightweight, cool when you need it and warm when you need it too! I highly recommend investing in effective running clothes. It helps! And of COURSE you need the proper shoes. This makes a tremendous difference.
Oh..I finally shaved my pits...but the hair grew back again lol.
I need to invest in reflective gear and a suitable stop watch!
Wish me luck and it's good to be back!
And of course, I didn't.
The Holidays (as I can imagine for most people) can be particular hard in terms of working out. It's cold outside, there's food and friends all over the place, and you just want to relax.
It took me until this morning to finally get up and just run! But for the past couple of days I have been experiencing what my co-worker called 'paralyzing fear'. I tell you it was a different kind of fear. It was a fear that kept me hiding under the covers every morning dreading the disappointment after seeing that my time wasn't good enough or as good as it has been. I was literally petrified to get back into it!
I finally got up the courage, put on my fabulous new running gear and just did it. There was a fine misty rain out this morning, which I wasn't particularly fond of, but still managed through it. Usually, I can run 2 and a half full revolutions around the caldasac where our house it. This time, I barely made 2 revolutions around.
I ended up finishing a minute heavier than I usually do. I was disappointed, but the good thing is, is that I think I've caught the running bug again. That was all I needed I guess. My race is on March 17, so I want to make sure I get used to running 2 miles by the end of January. We'll see what happens!
In other news, I have to say that when you have REAL running gear on, it makes so much of a difference! It's lightweight, cool when you need it and warm when you need it too! I highly recommend investing in effective running clothes. It helps! And of COURSE you need the proper shoes. This makes a tremendous difference.
Oh..I finally shaved my pits...but the hair grew back again lol.
I need to invest in reflective gear and a suitable stop watch!
Wish me luck and it's good to be back!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Why I'm Running...and Strange Quirks Emerge!
Hey!
ACP here!!!
Since I got married, I've had an overwhelmingly hard time losing weight and keeping it off. This can be attributed to many reasons, but it just comes down to the fact, that I wasn't motivated. Oh, but trust me, there are plenty of reasons why I should have been motivated!!!!
1. I have High Cholesterol. I've been on medication for about a year now. This medication makes my face break our like I'm 12 years old! And I have to eat a lot of fiber. One of the side effects of the medication is constipation...so I either have excessive gas all the time...or I'm, ya know...a little blocked up LOL. After much trial and error with my wonderful Doctor, we've determined that my body simply does not like the extra weight. I need to lose weight.
2. Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Diabetes alll run in my family. I can't begin to tell you just how many people in my family have had heart attacks. It's scary. While I understand most of this is built upon lifestyle, genetics also plays a part. I kinda got dealt a raw deal here.... :(
3. I want to have a baby, au natural!!!! My goal is to at least attempt to have a natural drug free birth. It's something I've always wanted to do and certainly can't expect to get pregnant in this condition! I'm already pre-hypertensive!
4. I'm just tired of being fat! Don't get me wrong, I'm not super obese or anything. But I'm tired of buying clothes to hide my fat roles, sitting a 'certain way' in pictures, or being terribly winded after climbing a flight of stairs!
So, that brings us to December 3, 2011! Although I had been cross training prior to this date, December 3, 2011 has a very special meaning for me. It's when I finally got EXCITED for fitness again! On December 3, 2011, I completed my first 5K with several co-workers of mine. We trained together for about a month and ran the race together. I wined and complained the whole time lol...but on race day, I couldn't begin to describe my excitement. It made me fall in love with running again...YES...again. Almost 10 years ago, I used to run 2 miles a day..no problem, run on the treadmill for 20, the elliptical for another 20 and strength training. My then tiny ass did this 5 days a week!! So what happened? College...friends...food...marriage...work....BILLS. I simply just got FAT! LOL
I laugh because I simply see the comedy in things..you'll learn that about me. Here's where I am so far in my journey!
I've committed myself to attempt (keyword: attempt) to run 100 miles by the end of February! So far, I've logged 3. :)
Obviously I'll have to start upping my hours per day which I intend to do slowly. You see, it's not running that's the problem...it's my endurance! My stamina needs a lot of work. In between running, I cross train...taking spin, step class, Turbofire, and the occasion trip on the elliptical. I have to keep things mixed up or I'll get bored.
I've been running 1 mile in the mornings...trying to run most if not all of the mile by the end of the month. Every time I run, I notice an improvement! I recently shaved nearly a minute off my mile time! yipee!
For some reason, though, I've got these strange habits popping up. Like I've been very reluctant to shaving my armpits..Not sure why, it's just that everytime I feel the hairy things in the shower..I'm reluctant to shave them because I think they will affect my running. I know it doesn't make sense!
Welps..welcome to be blog...I'm starting my journey on running..you're reading it...so that somehow makes me accountable now. :) Talk to you soon!
ACP here!!!
Since I got married, I've had an overwhelmingly hard time losing weight and keeping it off. This can be attributed to many reasons, but it just comes down to the fact, that I wasn't motivated. Oh, but trust me, there are plenty of reasons why I should have been motivated!!!!
1. I have High Cholesterol. I've been on medication for about a year now. This medication makes my face break our like I'm 12 years old! And I have to eat a lot of fiber. One of the side effects of the medication is constipation...so I either have excessive gas all the time...or I'm, ya know...a little blocked up LOL. After much trial and error with my wonderful Doctor, we've determined that my body simply does not like the extra weight. I need to lose weight.
2. Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Diabetes alll run in my family. I can't begin to tell you just how many people in my family have had heart attacks. It's scary. While I understand most of this is built upon lifestyle, genetics also plays a part. I kinda got dealt a raw deal here.... :(
3. I want to have a baby, au natural!!!! My goal is to at least attempt to have a natural drug free birth. It's something I've always wanted to do and certainly can't expect to get pregnant in this condition! I'm already pre-hypertensive!
4. I'm just tired of being fat! Don't get me wrong, I'm not super obese or anything. But I'm tired of buying clothes to hide my fat roles, sitting a 'certain way' in pictures, or being terribly winded after climbing a flight of stairs!
So, that brings us to December 3, 2011! Although I had been cross training prior to this date, December 3, 2011 has a very special meaning for me. It's when I finally got EXCITED for fitness again! On December 3, 2011, I completed my first 5K with several co-workers of mine. We trained together for about a month and ran the race together. I wined and complained the whole time lol...but on race day, I couldn't begin to describe my excitement. It made me fall in love with running again...YES...again. Almost 10 years ago, I used to run 2 miles a day..no problem, run on the treadmill for 20, the elliptical for another 20 and strength training. My then tiny ass did this 5 days a week!! So what happened? College...friends...food...marriage...work....BILLS. I simply just got FAT! LOL
I laugh because I simply see the comedy in things..you'll learn that about me. Here's where I am so far in my journey!
I've committed myself to attempt (keyword: attempt) to run 100 miles by the end of February! So far, I've logged 3. :)
Obviously I'll have to start upping my hours per day which I intend to do slowly. You see, it's not running that's the problem...it's my endurance! My stamina needs a lot of work. In between running, I cross train...taking spin, step class, Turbofire, and the occasion trip on the elliptical. I have to keep things mixed up or I'll get bored.
I've been running 1 mile in the mornings...trying to run most if not all of the mile by the end of the month. Every time I run, I notice an improvement! I recently shaved nearly a minute off my mile time! yipee!
For some reason, though, I've got these strange habits popping up. Like I've been very reluctant to shaving my armpits..Not sure why, it's just that everytime I feel the hairy things in the shower..I'm reluctant to shave them because I think they will affect my running. I know it doesn't make sense!
Welps..welcome to be blog...I'm starting my journey on running..you're reading it...so that somehow makes me accountable now. :) Talk to you soon!
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