Monday, June 29, 2009

Rest is Needed

My right leg has been hurting so I've been taking it easy. I have been doing some light cardio but I'll pick up running again tomorrow My leg has felt better for the last few days so I think I'm good to run again.

Friday, June 26, 2009

I Missed a Post

This is info from a day I forgot to blog 6/19/09
Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 192
Average HR 162
Time 40 minutes
Distance ? miles
Speed 3-6MPH

Week 9

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 192
Average HR 159
Time 45 minutes
Distance 3.4 miles
Speed 3-6MPH

Today was better than my last run, not as hot. My last week of the "couch to 5k" plan! I'm walking 5 minutes running 30 minutes and then walking 10 minutes, it's awesome. Now I need to work on speed and I'm sure that will come as I lose weight and I am just lighter. I do feel like the speed thing will just get easier and easier, running at 6 MPH is a challenge and I only do it for a minute at a time right now but soon it will be my whole run. Right now I'm just proud of myself for being able to run 30 minutes! I think I'm going to keep my running routine like this for a while and just improve on speed and being able to go further in the same amount of time. By time I run my first race, I'll be in great shape, and fast.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hot in Chicago

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 192
Average HR 163
Time 40 minutes
Distance 3 miles
Speed 3-6MPH

Today it was so hot in my room (where I run). I turned my fan on high and drank cold water. I haven't been sleeping well either just very hot upstairs. I had a hard time breathing and more than the normal challenge. My max heart rate didn't get too far up there but my average is elevated. Today's run was supposed to be 28 minutes no walking but I had to stop short at about 23 minutes running then I ran the last 5 after a 2 minute walk. The heat is my enemy, I think it's time to move the treadmill to the basement.

Running before breakfast is still doing well If I had ate this morning before I ran I might have gotten sick. I do workout later in my day as well after I eat to maintain and hopefully build muscle. When I go to the gym I do strength training and a little more cardio. So far I feel like I'm more fit everyday and I want to keep on going.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Week 8

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 194
Average HR 155
Time 40 minutes
Distance 3 miles
Speed 3-6MPH

Today's run went well. I never think I'm going to be able to finish, but I do. This week I'm running 28 minutes with no walking, it is tough (as always). Next week I'll be running the full 30 minutes and then I'll need to work on speed.

I joined a gym yesterday to get a more well rounded workout. Now I'm incorporating other cardio into my routine so I can do more without over doing the running :) I am really enjoying being a runner and can't wait until I can race!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Back After the Weekend

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 197
Average HR 156
Time 40 minutes
Distance 3 miles
Speed 3-6MPH

So I had a non workout weekend, a little rest was needed. I went out Saturday night and was out way too late. I got home at 4am so I slept most of yesterday. This morning it was back to my normal routine get up and run. Running without breakfast is still what I'm doing and it is great. I keep dropping weight this week too, 2lbs in two days. I'm just coming off a plateau so I suspect that is why, but I wonder if the morning runs have helped break that plateau. As long as I feel good doing it I'm going to continue with this method.

Friday, June 12, 2009

5k in 40 Minutes

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 194
Average HR 158
Time 40 minutes
Distance 3
Speed 3-6MPH

I lost my post and need to go to work. more later...

5k in 40 Minutes

Today's Run:

On treadmill

Max HR 194

Average HR 158

Time 40 minutes

Distance 3 miles

Speed 3-6MPH



Well I'm getting there. One more 25 minute run in a few weeks I will be running the whole 5k. Then I'll need to work on my speed. Once I'm doing that well I will progress to 10k training. I am still very challenged and enjoy the feeling of finishing my run more improved from the last run, it's great.



Running before breakfast has made it much easier to stay on track. I can get up and run and have the whole day to do whatever I want without worrying about fitting my run in and having the energy to do it. This really shocks me as I usually need to eat every 3-4 hours to keep my blood sugar up. The last few weeks I have been eating a better more well balanced diet and I'm sure that helps as well.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I'm Still Amazed

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 191
Average HR 155
Time 40 minutes
Distance 2.94
Speed 3-5.5MPH


I'm running 25 minutes without walking in the middle. My routine now is walk 5 minutes, run 25 minutes, walk 10minutes. The "couch to 5k" routine has been perfect for me. Every time I run I am challenged and I feel stronger every time I finish. In a few weeks I'll be running 3.2 miles with ease, then I'll have to work on my time. My first 5k is in September and I want to finish with a good time.

I also ran on empty again today. running before breakfast seemed impossible but so far I enjoy it. I like to get up and go, getting my run done first thing is so nice. I hate the feeling of trying to find time later in the day.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Before Breakfast Run

Today's Run:On treadmill
Max HR 213
Average HR 148
Time 35 minutes
Distance 2.3
Speed 3-5.5MPH


So I don't think my max HR is accurate today, I didn't go that crazy. I did run before I ate breakfast though, and it went well.

I read (in a few books) that running before breakfast will burn more fat because of the lack of glycogen in the system, your body starts using fat for energy. If done for much longer than 30min (at high intensity) it could be more harm than good, eating away your muscle. This idea is very controversial, but when you need to lose a large amount of fat it is (supposedly) effective. Strength training is also recommended and I do that as well so I can maintain my lean muscle mass. I like the idea of running first thing because it feels good to just get it done. Running is great it makes me feel good but I hate having to get up... eat... wait for a while... then run... cool down etc... So I'm going to try this and see what kind of results I get and how I continue to feel. Muscle cramping in my right leg was a problem today for a bit, I don't think I drank enough water before I ran. Next time I want to drink a few glasses of water first and see how I do.

The thing that cut my run short today is a blister on my foot rubbing on my shoe. I'll have to get a blister bandage they work great and cushion the blister so I can run without pain. Since I ran yesterday I didn't mind cutting things short, I didn't want to blister more. When I used to do Karate my feet would blister but when new skin grew back it was tough and wouldn't blister again. I imagine it is the same with running, my feet need to be broken in and toughened up. Another improvement stronger skin on my feet, lol.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Much Better

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 189
Average 156
Time 45 minutes
Distance 3.1 miles
Speed 3-5MPH

Morning runs are the best! Today I ran 25 minutes no walking and it was possible. I think I need to just get up earlier to run. My issue is breakfast and finding time to eat, digest, and then run, so I just need to change my sleeping/waking up habits. I think the run later in the day is hard for me after being on my feet at work, my legs get tired so quickly. I think I'm going to start running more often now that I've been doing it for a while. I was reading today to run on an empty stomach in the morning. I'm not a huge fan of this idea because of the lack of energy but like the idea of no food in my belly to cramp up. So I figured I would give it a shot in the morning and see. This is something I keep hearing about and if it works I can sleep in a little more, lol ;)

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Running After Work

I didn't have a chance to post yesterday after my run, but it was tough. I had to run after work and my legs were tired. I think this is just something I need to start doing on a regular basis. I don't think I had enough water either and I cramped up a bunch so I still had to do a run/walk. I hope to start running more often but then I will have to run after work more days. I'm sure it is something I will adapt to. I love running and getting stronger. I can't wait until my next run, to get and feel better. I am always moving forward, even days like yesterday when I don't feel like running I went and did what I could.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Rough Day

Today's Run:
On treadmill
Max HR 192
Average HR 134
Time 40 minutes
Distance 2.67
Speed 3-5.5MPH

Today I had a hard time. I didn't feel that great before I ran and did anyway. I made it through and I'm glad that I made myself do it. Today's run was 10 minutes running and 3 minutes walking 10 minutes running. My next run is 25 minutes without walking. It's still amazing to me that I can run at all.