Totem Animals

Last week I started my Couch to 5K training.  My friend Bianca encouraged me to start a whole two weeks before my plan.  I didn’t think I was ready, but I was.  I’m so grateful I started Day One with her by my side.  After we finished our walk/run, we walked another three miles.  Bianca was giving me some tips on my form and she sees a deer.  She was so excited.  She goes on about God sending us this deer as a sign as I start this new journey.  So we both gave thanks.  She then encourages me to remember the moment and that deer during my training.  We named it “Rosemary.”

So today during my cool down walk I see a rabbit.  I immediately think of the deer we saw last week.  I give thanks to Spirit and the rabbit and continue my walk.  I just looked up totem animals and here’s what I learned. The bold print is what I want to remember from these two incidents:

Deer -- Deer is a keen observer, enabled to see well in low lighting and its sensitive hearing allows it to perceive a twig snap in the distance. For the first few days of life a fawn hardly moves, hidden by the color of its coat from predators. Once it can stand, it follows its mother around to learn how to survive. The graceful movement and gentle nature of these creatures show us the innocence of nature.

Deer is a messenger of serenity, can see between shadows and hear what isn't being said.

Deer teaches us to maintain our innocence and gentleness so we can share our open-heartedness with others.


Rabbit -- Rabbits normally live alone in the wild, making their homes by burrowing underground. Rabbits are curious animals who like to explore their surroundings. They live on a few acres of land & become familiar with every square inch. They are territorial creatures who will fight over their piece of land. Their eyes can see in every direction, so they will watch a bird in the air while watching a predator on the ground. When aroused, their ears stand up. All these characteristics combined with their willingness to run away, are what rabbits use to defend themselves against predators.

Rabbit is often connected with fear because they are timid and constantly on guard. Rabbit wants us to learn how to face our fear and know when to defend our space or walk away.

Rabbit shows us that defending ourselves doesn't always involve fighting back. He teaches us to listen carefully to what is going on in our environment so we can accurately use our intuition when in danger.

Pretty cool….

C25K: Week Two, Day One

Just finished Week Two, Day One…when my alarm went off at 5, I immediately hit snooze.  This is a huge no-no for me.  I quickly reminded myself that this AM would be the only opportunity for me to complete my C25K workout.  It is supposed to get up to 106 degrees today.  It was already about 76 degrees so I needed to get up and out.  As soon as I got out of bed, I thought of the following verse:

I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. ~Psalms 34:4

Talk about nerves! I drank some water, prayed, turned on my tunes, and headed out the door.  My goal today was to finish all the runs without stopping, focus on my form, and enjoy my workout.  All this work is not worth if I’m not enjoying myself.

I did it! I was sooooo elated! The only downside was my heart rate monitor.  I finally remember to wear it so I can track how many calories I’m burning….the battery died!

C25K: Week Two

I'm schedule to begin Week Two tomorrow.  I'm filled with some self-doubt.  Yesterday I did a 30-minute Elliptical workout and increased the resistance. Today my knees are bothering me a little.  I'm going to go a lot of stretching, drink a lot of water, and pray.  I'll play it by ear in the morning.  If my knees don't feel any better, I'll repeat Week One. 

I'm thinking maybe I pushed it with increasing the resistance.  I probably did because I started getting a cramp in my calves while stretching yesterday.  I'm praying it's just my body getting used to my training and not an injury. 

C25K: Week One, Day Three

Yay! Completed all my runs today! I made it up that little incline today! Praise God! Now, I’m tired. Lol! I still think it’s best for me to do my C25K training in the mornings.  It’s barely 7 am and it’s starting to warm up.  It’s nice and cool at 5:30 am.  Today, there was also a nice breeze…probably due to a tropical storm in Florida.  Also, the traffic in my neighborhood starts up about 6:15 just when I’m wrapping up so I need to make sure I’m out of that mess.  I’m sticking with my plan to complete the C25K workout and then walk.  So my C25K workout lasts about an hour.  I also need to remember to wear my HRM so I know how many calories I'm burning. This evening I’ll do 30 minutes cycling to keep my knee nice and strong.

Today I really paid attention to my breathing and form.  I need to remember to breathe from my belly and keep my head up. 

Tomorrow it’s back on the Elliptical.  I decided that instead of increasing the time I’m going to increase the resistance.

C25K: Week One, Day Two

I was so nervous about today’s workout.  I’m not a morning person but getting up early and getting it done is the best way in Hotlanta.  So, I set my alarm for 5 am.  I dressed, prayed, and repeated an affirmation my friend shared with me:

Let my child-like faith dissolve my grown up fears

I did it! I was so happy.  I had a little trouble with one of the runs because I was going up a little incline but I will eventually conquer it.  Today I give myself two thumbs up!  The fact that I’m sharing my C25K workout on my Facebook page is going to give me more incentive to finish.  I have to admit that the naysayers really motivate me.  I’m also aware that this enthusiasm wears off really fast.  We’ll see how I feel next week when the alarm goes off at 5 am! 

The Morning After

My body is a little stiff this morning.  As I started stretching, I experienced a slight cramp in my left leg.  My left side is usually a bit tight so I really need to work on stretching.  I am so looking foward to water aerobics later on today.

I have so many thoughts about starting this Couch to 5K.  Yesterday was fun because I had Bianca and her daughter there.  I'm going to be on my own until the next time they can train with me.  I'm debating when to train.  It's hot here in Georgia.  I'm not much of a morning person but I think my best bet will be to get up early and get it done.  If I wait until the evening, there's no guarantee it will be cooler. Plus, the longer I wait, the more opportunity I have to talk myself out of training.

Last night it was 87 degrees at 10:30 pm.  So, I'm thinking I'll shoot for mornings and have evenings as a back up.  I'm going to have to dig deep, back to that place when I was training to walk my first 5K.  I didn't care if it was raining, etc.  I did my walks.  It's going to have to be that way with these walk/runs.  I'm going to stay hydrated, eat well, and stretch.  It's not about speed.  It's about getting it done. 

Today I'm going to scope out some places to train.  My usually spots to walk are too hilly.  I'll try to tackle them later. For now, I need flat surfaces.  The trail yesterday will be nice in the evenings but I wouldn't feel comfortable going there early mornings.

Week One, Day One

First of all, I was planning to start the first week in July.  My friend had other plans. 

I was up early worrying about whether or not I'm ready, hoping my knee is strong enough, praying it wouldn't be too hot, etc.

It went really great.  I had to slow down my pace but I managed to keep up.  She was able to give me some pointers about my form and pace between runs.  It was over before I knew it!  This is always the best feeling after working out day after day, week after week, and not feeling I'm getting anywhere.  Well, based on today's workout, I've made some progress.

More than anything, I am very touched that someone would take time out of her weekend to train with me.  She's going to be training for a half marathon soon so I know what we're doing isn't very challenging for her.  She could have spent the time running instead of coaching me. She said she just understands what I'm going through, believes in me, and wants to help. She's lost 100 pounds and completed her first 5K in March so I know what she says comes from the heart. I'm very grateful I met her.

Couch to 5K Prep

My Elliptical workouts have been going really well.  I’m up to 25 mins 2x + 30 mins cycling.  I suspended my weight training for the past two weeks because I hurt my back.  I do see how  the Elliptical is helping to strengthen my knee and improve my cardio health.  I’ve been focusing on some new stretches for my quads and hamstrings.  I can’t believe how tight my quads are. 

I’m getting really anxious about trying this Couch to 5K again.  The third time is a charm, right?  My friend who has completed it gave me some great advice.  I’m probably going to repeat weeks until I feel comfortable.  I’m not going to push to move on just for the sake of completing the program “on time.”  I have plenty of time (three months) to train for my race.  So, I’m going to take it slow.  I’m also going to train outdoors instead of the treadmill.  I am also doing something different and asking for more help.  I’ve asked her to train with me every once in a while.  This will also give me a good feel for what it’s like to run with another while focusing on my own pace.  It will be good practice on learning how to run on own race.

On another note,  I’m a little frustrated that I’m not dropping any weight.  I switched back to eating five to six times a day.  I stopped because it felt like I was eating all the time and I was afraid it was going to trigger bingeing.  The compulsive overeater in me is better with this approach now.  My new mantra is food is fuel, not therapy.  So, when I eat, I remind myself that I am fueling my body and taking care of myself.  I remind myself that this is a lifestyle, not an eating plan. 

The last thing I’m doing is my mental training.  I work with my affirmations, prayer, meditation, and my vision board.

UPDATE:  My friend just sent me a text.  Apparently, I'm started Day 1 tomorrow.  Too funny! I thought she wanted to meet for coffee.  I'm ready!