Day 7, awful...Day 8, the BEST yet!

Day 7:
Just to sum it up...CRAP! Couldn't run more than 11 minutes and I was suppose to run 15 minute intervals. Never even made it to 3.1 miles.

Day 8:
With two days off and pizza 2 nights in a row, I'd better have run...and did I ever! I went with a little different approach tonight. Since my goal is to be able to run the 5K without stopping (not for time), then I probably should focus on increasing my distance in intervals, vs. increasing my time in intervals.

I hit the gym @ 5:30 this evening and was able to get on the treadmill I like! I walked my 3 minute warm up @ a 3mph pace. After 3 minutes I began my jog @ a 5.0mph pace. I think this pace helped me go farther for longer. I knew I could run a solid mile, so I set my goal for 1.2 miles. Once 1.2 miles were run, I still felt good, so I kept going until 1.5 miles (yep a mile-and-a-half). That 1.5 miles had never felt so good! I slowed back down to a 3mph pace for 2 minutes. Then I finished up the 5K at 2 5.5mph pace...yep, you read that right...one 2 minute walk in between and that was it, even with a faster pace. I felt like I could have kept going, but I didn't. My commitment is 3.1 miles, 3 days a week.

As I hopped off the treadmill, I felt like giving myself a little cheezy high five. (i didn't... so not cool.) But, instead I smiled at my accomplishment, especially after 2 crappy runs in a row. (haha.."crappy runs") I am proud of myself...one, for not giving up after 2 yuck runs, and two b/c I did it, and it felt great.

All and all, even after a very mixed emotional week, I still stuck with my commitment. Another run tomorrow...and I'll keep you posted!

Day 6...SUCKED!

Not a great run, at all! Scott ran an 8-mile race this morning, so the morning run was out for me. No problem, so I get to sleep late. I enjoyed the day with the kids and got a little house work done. Come 3:00, I really needed to get to the gym...we had friends coming over for dinner and I hadn't been to the grocery yet! So off to the gym I go.

ALL, but one treadmill was taken. No problem, I grabbed one of the ones that does the automatic speed adjustment thingy. I do my one-minute walk and begin my run. 13:1 minute intervals! OMG, running for 13 minutes is HARD!! I bust through the 1st set, but needed to walk for the 2 minutes. I begin the 2nd set and get through about 8 minutes and, again, I begin to loose my peripheral vision and sound...so I slow down. Well that didn't help, I trip...totally loosing cool points. I keep going and at about 2.5 miles, I trip again. That's it...I'm done! I'm going to kill myself on the stupid treadmill.

Needless to say, I'm pissed off @ myself. Sleep wasn't to blame, but maybe not enough carbs today was? Or maybe my body does better in the AM, or maybe I'm out of shape? Who knows? I'll run again Monday with 15:1 minute intervals. I'll keep you posted!

Day 5...Tough!

The alarm went off this morning, I hit the snooze, and stayed in bed. Off to work for another frustrating day, so my run afterwards was NEEDED!!!! Today was 11:1 minute intervals and they've been the toughest yet! I'm not sure if it was because it was quarter to 6 when I went to the gym this evening, or if it was because I was running for 11 minutes? I kept up the pace...wha-who, but definitely wanted to stop after 20 minutes. "No!", I thought...I reminded myself that I'm doing this for ME and that I was not going to allow myself to cheat. Instead, I clinched onto my anchor and picked up the pace (so that I could be done faster)! OUCH...but I finished 2 minutes sooner. All-in-all, I did it and felt really great afterwards!

I wiped off the sweat and headed home to a marinated chicken salad that honey had ready! I truly am thankful for a supportive husband who always seems to find a way to encourage me to keep it up!

Day 4...another day and I rocked it out, again!

I got started today later than I would have liked, but I still did it! Come 3:00, I was dragging ass, but still made it to the gym with 9:1 minute intervals to bust out. I got on the treadmill and began trucking at an 11 minute pace. Then the cramp hit, low on the left side. I figured if I stopped, that would be the end of my run, so I pushed through. By the time the 1st 9 minute interval was up, the cramp was gone. Thank God! The 2nd interval came and gone, and then the 3rd. My 30 minutes were up and I still felt like I could keep going, so I did. I ran the 3.14 miles in 38 minutes. So far, so good.

With a little hesitation, I'm beginning to think I might like this running thing. I know for sure that I feel so much better after I complete my run. And I definitely don't dread going to run. It's a time when I get to be by myself and do something for me!

Day 3...and I ROCKED!

What a great start to another awesome day! Sleeping until 9:30 has never felt SO good. It was the much needed rest I've longed for all week. Got up, and dressed, and off to the gym (although the weather was perfect!). Today's training was 7:1 minute intervals. I rocked it out! Took the pace down slightly to an 11 minute mile, but held that pace with no problems.

As I'm jogging on the treadmill and watching some Fox News (battery died on the MP3), I'm astonished with the reports and footage of Haiti. I think this coverage held my attention, because the time flew by. I look down, and I've already jogged for 26 minutes and I still feel great. So, I bump up the pace to a 10.5 minute mile and keep on trucking! My 30 minutes are up, but because I slowed down my pace, I haven't run my 5k yet. After 34 minutes, I've run the 3.14 miles (5k) and the work-out is done.

I head to the mat to get in a long stretch before I head home. I feel great, I'm working toward that 5K on February 20th and I'm definitely feeling better about myself. I love that I'm adding more balance to my life and thinking more about myself (plus I got my nails manicured today).

All in all, things are off to a great start. I'm staying motivated, getting the support I need, and more importantly that affirmation I always seem to crave!

Day 2...Blah!

The alarm goes off and I hit snooze...too tired! 9 minutes later, the damn thing is screeching in my ear again. I roll out of bed, put on my gym clothes, double check that I have 5:1 minute intervals today, and I'm out the door. The gym was packed again today and I'm not really feeling the vibe in the air today. I am glad that I'm up and at the gym for day 2, but boy am I tired and a tad-bit sore.

I get on the treadmill, ready to run! Wha-whooo. I take my girlfriends advice...'slow down at the start of the training...I can always pick up the pace later'! So I start my pace at a 10:30 minute mile. I'm cruising along, check my time, and it's only been 2 minutes! I think, "this is going to SUCK!" And it did. I make the 5 minutes, but barely. I take my much need 1 minute walk, but am NOT ready to run another 5. So I take just one more minute to psych myself up. I make it 3 minutes and can't breathe, so I slow down the pace. I make it another 30 seconds and the sounds around me become distorted and I'm losing my peripheral vision. I think "oh shit, here I go!" I catch myself on the side railings and take the pace WAY down to a slight walk. After I recover, I try to pick the pace back up, but it's not happening. Too bad! I finish the walk for the rest of the 30 minutes, but am aggravated the entire time that I couldn't do it.

Once I'm home, I hit the shower and try to problem solve "why couldn't I finish?" The solution I've come to is: one, I didn't eat enough the night before (although I wasn't hungry); two, I didn't eat the "right" kinds of foods the day before; three, I was tired and didn't get enough rest. Or maybe it's a combination of the three? I decided to take the next two days off to make sure I recover and eat right, and to make sure I don't discourage myself.

Sounds like a plan!

Day 1...whew!

As I rolled over and hit the snooze button this morning (6am) I was pumped and ready to run! I know, I know...it's day 1, but I hope this enthusiasm keeps strong. So I'm up and out the door by 6:15am and at the gym 5 minutes later. Pulling into the parking lot, I was amazed at how PACKED the gym was THAT early in the morning...and yes, 6:15 is early for me. I walk in and there was vibe of determination in the air.

My task today...intervals for 30 minutes, with the goal of eventually being able to run for 30 minutes straight (5k at a 10 minute mile pace). I DID IT! 3 minute run, with a 1 minute walk. I have to admitt, it was tough, but definitly do-able. With the help of my anchor and a little SnoopDogg on the MP3...30 minutes went by pretty quick. It was just one foot in front of the other and me making sure I was breathing and not holding my breathe. It really felt great!

Five minutes to 7...and I'm all done! I head home, make my shake, and grab a much needed shower. As the hot water runs down my sweaty body, I am relieved the run is over and proud of myslef for not cheating. With the help of my marvelous husband, I was showered, dressed, and out the door by 7:40am. He got the kids up, dressed, and fed, without any expectation from me...that kept me motivated that on his 4 days off, I can get my work-out finished in the morning without hassle!

Come 1:00 today...I'm pooped! It very well could be that this is my 1st week back to work with students since break...or it could be that I ran for 30 minutes this morning?! Who knows? Then, cramp in the upper left hamstring! Holy crap...that hurt. But, a little stretching this evening, and I think I worked it out.

Dinner tonight was virtually ready when I walked in the door @ 5:00 (yes, I was home by 5!)...baked salmon with pesto and steamed veggies. Just what I needed!

Oodles of thanks to my hubbie for the support today. It really made the morning and after work run smoothly.

Another day of training tomorrow...5 minute run with 1 minute off intervals for 30 minutes. I'll keep you posted! and thanks for reading!

Getting Started

As I layed in bed last night and began some self reflection I pondered why I don't take my own advice..."If you don't like something, be a problem solver and fix it!"

The purpose of this blog is to share with the world my goals, my path to accomplishing these goals, and finally the celebration as I achieve these goals! I find myself a goal oriented person, but the goals I have set over the past few years have been center around others and not myself. My goals have been centered around my students at work, work itself, my husband, my children, my home...but not Katie. It's time I make a personal goal for me...and no one else! A friend pointed out to me that I show my love through time. As I dig deeper into her comment, I believe she is 100% correct. I DO show my love to someone/ something with my time. And this is the gift of others that I look for as a reflection of whether or not they love me. Well it's time I show myself some love...with time for me!

My goal is to get healthy...on the inside of me with the food I choose to eat, the outside of me with my physical appearance, and mentally with the way a view the inside and outside of me.

The next question...How do I plan to do this? After much thought, I have a few solutions that I believe will not only help me achieve my "getting healthy" goal, but allow me to gain some balance in my life. I know myself pretty well and know that if I don't have "someone" holding me accountable, it becomes really easy for me to cheat myself...and I do.

1. So this blog is one of my solutions. It will have the world holding me accountable (because I believe the world will read about me!) You ask "how?" I will be posting my progress and my reflections of the training I do each day.
2. Another solution is to set a tangible, accomplishable goal. I've done this my pre-registering myself for races through-out the year; thank you Runner's World! My first race is a 5K on February 20th here in the Springs. Not only do I want to finish, but I want to RUN the whole thing. I'm not a "runner" so becoming one and proving it will be a mini-goal within my healthy goal. For each race, I will be setting a goal.
3. Continuing with my solutions, I have also written a plan my for my training. This comes back to balance! Leaving work at 4:00pm is hard when I have so many commitments I drown myself with. Leaving at 4:00pm, 3 days a week, not only prevents me from working 10 hour days, but allows me to train in the gym (or outside, given the weather) and not neglect my family. And getting the exercise in will not only help make my physical appearance something to be desired, but my mental "appearance" will be desirable as well!
4. And lastly, fueling my body properly is a solution. Not only will I need to fuel my body with the right kinds of food, but also the right amounts of those foods. "Zoning" has been, by far, the nutrition choice I have felt the best on. It's a block system, which requires you to be conscience of the food you put in your body; amounts and combinations of foods. 10 days of keotosis will be my start so that I can find out how many carbohydrates my body truely needs to be a healthy working machine. After these 10 days, my "blocks" will be adjusted accordingly.

Supporting me is all that I ask! There are a few ways you can do this. For one, reading this blog will be support. That is the reason I am writing one...I want you to know my path to healthiness (those of you who love me...will give of that time). Another way you can support me is by leaving your negative/ unpositive remarks to yourself. These tend to be goal busters and I don't care to hear them. I would like words of wisdom, encouragement, and accountability. So leaving those types of comments on each posting would be much appreciated! Lastly, you can support me by joining me. I love to talk! and share! I will post my training schedule for you, and if you can make it...I'd love to have the company.

Getting healthy and staying healthy with my body and mind is a necessity for the now and for the future! I want to live a long, prosperous and healthy life. If this is what I want, I need to light the fire under my ass and do it! I am a firm believer that things don't "just happen"...that is if someone want something to happen, they have to DO IT! I pray for strength, support, wisdom, energy, and above all PERSEVERANCE!!!