Calves

I did my usual lifting at the gym today followed by some time on the treadmill. I have reached week five of the Couch to 5K program. My calves are so tight and painful. I'm not sure if I was landing wrong on the treadmill or just overworked my legs when I lifted, but it's quite uncomfortable.

I finished ChiRunning. I really liked it. It has some really good instructions for running form and stretching and "loosening." It's hard to apply the form on the treadmill though. I think it will be much easier to apply on the track and road.

Inspiration

Despite a late start, I made it to the gym today. I got in most of my full body lift. I always assumed the gym would be pretty empty on a Friday... but it actually  had more people than usual. An elderly gentlemen was astonished that I log my weights in my phone instead of the standard notebook. I'm not sure if I still want to be going to the gym in my 70s, but I certainly admire this guy for still doing that. 

My run was challenging today. Five minutes of steady running still feels really challenging, especially when I can't seem to catch my breath. I'm not sure if I should repeat this week's interval rotation or push forward for next week. I do have a week or so I can play with and still be able (theoretically, anyways) to run the 5K in September. 

I started reading ChiRunning. I really like it so far. I reminds me of all the non-western religious stuff I liked in high school and college.

Food :-(

I had another successful workout at the gym today. I did another full-body circuit (I finally remembered that word) and spent half an hour on the treadmill. I had smartpop as a snack before the gym and a banana. I'm not sure which one gave me horrendously uncomfortable dry-mouth, but I think I will steer clear of both of those before workouts from now on.

 

I have been doing the Couch to 5K program and just hit week 4. This is the third time I have started the C25K interval program, and I am hoping to stick with it for the Niantic Bay 5K in September. I have made it as far as week 5 in the past before being distracted; but, in my defense, last time I was writing my master's thesis. 

When I got home, I realized I had nothing unprocessed, healthy and quick to eat. I really didn't want to cook, but I was starving. I ended up having cinnamon almonds (delicious and healthy) followed by several sugar cookies (not so healthy).  I really need to stock up and prep some healthy foods so that I eat better. It's just so much work.

I finished reading Marathon at work today. Then end contained some good information on diet, mental preparation, and race-day logistics. It will definitely bare another read before I do my first half marathon and first full marathon. I am going to start ChiRunning tomorrow! I glanced through it, and I am excited to report that it has pictures!

 

A Good Week

I had another great work out last Thursday. I did the same weights as Tuesday and followed up with about a half an hour on the treadmill. I was still sore from Tuesday, and I assumed I would barely be able to move on Friday. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up at 6 am on Friday and was able to go to the high school track and run for half an hour. I haven't gotten up to run like that since college. It felt really good. I was surprised at how many people put our high school track to use that early in the morning. Although, if I had gone any later (I got there around 7), it would have been too warm to do much. I felt really good, and, using my playlist from jog.fm, I was able to maintain a solid 10-minute mile. I haven't done that since high school. So, all in all, I hope to be able to repeat last week this week :-)

Tomorrow may hurt but boy is it worth it!

After work today, I hit the gym. I did a full body lift before I started the treadmill. I haven't done that since 2009. My arms were literally shaking on the drive home. When I got home, I finished up with abs and supermans since I forgot while I was at the gym. 

An hour later, where am I? Out in my yard digging up rocks holes for the plants my mother-and-law gave me. I spent an hour and half yesterday and an hour today getting all the plants in the garden. I am very excited since the previous owners did almost nothing in the back yard (the front does look awesome though), and now my back yard is starting to look awesome.

I already know I will be very, very sore tomorrow; but, at the moment, I feel so strong and so awesome. Hopefully, I can remember this feeling when I cringe at the very thought of going to the gym/running tomorrow.

Reading

I spent today reading a few more chapters in Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide (4th edition). So far, I have learned that a marathon is exactly 26 miles and 385 yards. I also learned that interval training is a good method and should last about 30 minutes each day to start. The author, Hal Higdon, is kind of full of himself. He keeps going on about all the people he has "trained" for marathons--but he includes everyone that reads his books or uses his website as his "trainees." He also really emphasizes that marathon training is as much psychological as it is physical. So far, I feel like this is an obtainable goal, even if it will take me a few years to get up to that level.

My other book also arrived in the mail: ChiRunning. This one is all about avoiding injuries while running. I can't wait to delve into it!

First Run

I went for my first run in my new shoes yesterday. I didn't get out until about 10 am, and by then it was already 80 degrees out. My street is fairly well shaded, and I even made it half way up the huge hill at the end before I decided I had enough and turned around. I definitely have to get out a little earlier to be comfortable. I may even try to get to the high school track so I'm not dealing with cars that drive far too fast on my curvy, hilly road. 

My right ankle is a little sore today, but I suspect that was from stretching rather than running. I always prided myself on my flexibility in high school (that was generally the only part of the physical test I passed each year). Now, my legs are so tight I can barely put my hands flat on the floor when I when I bend over. I used to be able to do that without even thinking about it. I should start up with yoga again...

More Research

 

 My run will have to wait until tomorrow. Today was hot, humid and sticky--until we got a thunderstorm with hail around three in the afternoon. I did get in some more time floating in the pool with my husband, though.

I did some more research today--on running apps for the phone. I settled on MapMyRun; it has the GPS function and will post to Facebook. I also like the I can have friends on it too. It has other features that I won't use--like nutrition. I like myfitnesspal better for that. 

I also ordered some running socks. I had no idea there were socks specific for running or that there was so much technology involved. I ended up getting Bridgedale Xhale Speed Diva Socks after looking at some reviews through SELF. I got an amazing deal through Sierra Trading Post. I got each pair at half the usual price! 

I am looking forward to walking up tomorrow with my husband and going to the high school track to log in a run :-)