Just call me loser...

It's been awhile hasn't it? Well, I had a sinus infection and couldn't breathe, or hear for that matter, so I took a week off. I'm finally feeling back to myself, although I'm still a little stuffy, so Wednesday I set out for my first post-sickness run and I was pleasantly surprised. When we last left off I was doing 3 minutes of running and 2 minutes of walking...just for a refresher ;)Well, Wednesday I decided I would just run as much as I could to try to catch up to where I was supposed to be. I got to 6 minutes!!! This is probably the best I have ever done, in my life...ever!!! I also cut my break time down to 1 1/2 minutes, so now I've decided to modify my program a bit and just add 30 seconds a day to my time and take Saturday and Sunday off (or maybe just Sunday, we'll see how it goes) so don't worry I'm back at it, I know you were all very concerned I had quit on you :) I took Thursday off, because life's a little stressful these days, but hoping to get a run in today in between errands, laundry mat, and work...oh yeah did I mention that my washer is broken currently, it's so much fun hauling a 1 year old to the laundry mat for 2 or 3 hours ever few days. I have too much laundry, between a messy boy and a farmer hubby things get dirty quick!

10 days of running and what have I learned?

Was today really day 10 already? Wow, I can't believe I've already been on this adventure for a week and a half...now on to the reason you're all here, to laugh at my inadequacies as a runner. 3 minutes doesn't seem like such a long time in the scheme of things, but OMG it's definitely the longest I have run in way too many years and I was feeling it. The strange thing was I thought I would be sucking air hard but my breathing wasn't the hardest part for me today it was by far that my calves were ON FIRE and tighter than my grip on the stroller, holding myself up. Again I felt like the 1 minute resting period just wasn't enough to get me ready to go for another hellish 3 minutes, so Heather and I did 2 minutes, Friday we're going to try 1 and 1/2. I was pretty excited that there were only 7 sets today instead of the 10 we usually do, somehow doing just 3 less than normal made it all seem so much better, even though we were running more than before. When I think about it, in just a little over a week we have doubled our actual running time and that is a serious accomplishment. Ok, back on track...as I was shuffling along at my snails pace Heather made a great observation, longer faster strides actually helps with the burning in your calves and shins, who would have thought? So the last 3 sets we both tried to do longer strides and I could definitely feel the difference, it was much easier with longer strides. I'm looking forward to a nice leisurely walk tomorrow to let my muscles rest up and get ready to run 4 minutes Friday and Saturday. Check back in soon to see how horribly I fail...or don't fail, you'll just have to wait!

Days 6, 7, 8, and 9 :)

Sorry for the delay in blogging loyal readers, yes both of you. So I may have been a serious slacker this weekend, ok I was definitely a serious slacker this weekend. Well Saturday I got a day off, and what new mom wouldn't take an opportunity to have a nice afternoon with their best friend. Sunday was a lazy day but it went quick and before I knew it I had missed another day of running.

When Monday came around it looked like it was going to be a cold, miserable day...but Heather and I set our appointment and we were going to do it. Well, life got in the way, poor baby boy is not feeling well and he was a real grump all day, on top of that I had a few appointments and other things I had to take care of so we moved our plans back. Then, baby boy wasn't going to nap well and didn't go down until 3:00 so our run was just not going to happen.

Today is another day though and I woke up determined to run, well about 10 Cash and I went out and braved the chilly weather to try our new week and a 2 minute run, I felt like I was going to fall over and die right there on the trail. How can 1 more minute of running be so difficult? I found myself checking my timer at a minute and a half every time, only to be sorely disappointed. Also, I couldn't catch my breath and get motivated for my next run in just 1 minute of walking so I modified the program to fit my needs, I would run 2 minutes and then walk 2 minutes. By the 6th set at these intervals I was feeling so much better about it, even though it took me nearly twice the time to complete I felt like this was something I could handle and I didn't want to push myself to far because I have to run again tomorrow. Oh yeah, did I mention that tomorrow is a 3 minute run followed by 4 minutes on Saturday. I am so not looking forward to this at all! Ok, well not much else to talk about today, except tomorrow is baby boys 1st birthday, wow, where did the time go!! Hopefully this time next year I'll be looking back and thinking wow, I could hardly run 2 minutes at a time, I can't believe it :)

Day 5: It's almost over!!

It's Friday, YAY!!! I'm especially excited about this because there's only 1 more day of running until a full on break...I plan on totally vegging out on Sunday, I might just lay on the couch and make hubby bring me everything I need all day. Sounds like a plan to me :) So we now have a running group, it's so great to have a few more girls and to have such supportive friends that they're willing to torture themselves with me, only it's probably not as much torture for them! Heather, Kathy, Nikki, and I packed up the kids and set out around my neighborhood for our adventure today and I'm sure it was quite the sight with 3 matching strollers. I felt much more comfortable and confident in my running today, and even had us run one 2 minute set, oops! Even though I was the slowest, especially in the end, I felt like we have put together a great group. I feel like having women who are at a little higher level than I am will push me to do better and I'm definitely motivated by competition. So, through out the rest of the day I've felt like I had a lot of energy and I'm really feeling great about my stamina (ha, that word gives me the giggles) I was even able to complete my cleaning day, so hopefully I burned some more calories that way too! Thanks for the great run girls, I'll see you tomorrow.

Days 3 & 4:Quick summary

Day 3: Well, I picked up a running partner...woo hoo! Heather might just be the perfect buddy for me, she also has a stroller to push (but her's has 2 kids) and she's comfortable at my pace...what a great arangement! So we decided to run out at her place and it just happened to be the windiest day of the year, so far. There's nothing harder than running into the wind, except maybe running into the wind and pushing a stroller...we made it through, barely, at least for me. I can honestly say I had way more energy and felt better than ever after I got home Wednesday, it was great. I'm definitely looking forward to the benefits of running in the future. I think it helps to not workout before a run too, just too much strain on my  muscles.

Day 4: Just a quick walk today, I had to get it in with my busy day and nothing too exciting to report.

Day 2: Nice and Easy

This afternoon I went out for my 2nd day of training. My muscles were already sore from yesterday's workout and run, so even a 30 minute walk didn't seem too appealing, but I did it. I learned a great trick recently for getting a little extra workout while walking, take longer strides and make sure to squeeze your backside when your leg is back. By the end of the walk my quads were beginning to spasm and my thighs were burning, and baby boy was sound asleep, must be nice, I feel like day 2 was a success and I'm a little excited about running again tomorrow. Usually after about a week I loose my enthusiasm for whatever cause I've taken up so I'm also hoping the blog will help keep me motivated past my one week wall. Until tomorrow :)

Day 1: Why?

       So, I guess I should start at the beginning. My first experience with running was 6th grade cross country, I wanted to quit after 1 week! My parents, being the responsible people they are and trying to not raise a quitter made me stick it out until the end of the season. I still didn't put much effort into it and usually by 10 minutes into the meet I was walking. What I'm trying to say is...I AM NOT A RUNNER. So if you're looking for a blog of someone who loves to run and gets that runner's high, keep looking. This is my brutally honest, slightly witty (if I do say so myself) experience with being a beginning runner.

        I have let myself get out of shape since high school and in March of 2010 I had a baby boy. I decided I need to be healthy for him and myself. I began working out with a trainer in August of 2010 and have seen some results with that, but I needed more cardio. One fateful day she had me do sprints, and I had this strange feeling. I wanted more, I wanted to become a runner. So here I am today...I went to my normal workout this morning and got in some great weight lifting and a little cardio and after checking out some beginning runners programs online I finally settled on The Runner's World 8-week program. It seemed simple enough for my new-mom brain to remember and easy to fit into the busy schedule of an 11-month old. On a side note, this kid has more social events and activities planned than I do, is this normal? Anyway, after navigating nap times, grocery shopping, book keeping, cooking, and other responsibilities of a "housewife" 30 minutes of running, 6 times a week seemed manageable. Plus, who wants to over do it right away? I'll be following the Runner's World program to build a base and then from there add miles and time, eventually competing in local 5ks and who know, maybe a marathon? HA

         This afternoon I laced up my new running shoes, put baby boy in the stroller and we were off. Luckily, I live in an area with lots of paths and areas that are great for running and we didn't have to go far to find a great location. Now this program seems so simple, run 1 minute, walk 2 and repeat 10 times. 30 seconds in my lungs were burning, my heart was pounding, and I didn't think I could make it. I know you're thinking, "Wow, she's seriously out of shape!" Well, I'm not trying to hide it. I have never been so happy to hear the timer on my phone when my first minute was up. Somehow I completed the 10 total minutes of running and made it home without collapsing. Tonight, I'm exhausted my muscles ache and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's 30 minute walk.

Oh and if you're interested in seeing my program here's the link
The Runner's World 8-Week Beginning Runner's Training Program