C25K Training: Week Three, Day Two

Week Three, Day Two done!  I did not want to get up this morning.  I haven’t been sleeping well and it’s starting to catch up with me.  Today my goal was to get it done and try to finish strong.  I really wanted to push my walking intervals to help increase my endurance.  I’m not sure if it was my mind or my body that said, not happening.  So, halfway through my workout I decided just to be grateful I was able to complete the three-minute runs. Work out complete!  Between now and Wednesday, I need to stretch, stretch, stretch and rest, rest, rest!

C25K: Week Three, Day One

I did it! I’ve been so nervous about today’s workout.  Thursday and Friday I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that I was going to have to run for three minutes today – twice! I prayed.  I meditated.  I did some visualization.  I whined to my friends Bianca and DJ.  They both truly understand what I’m going through.  They each have lost over 100 pounds and are now runners.  It’s always comforting to hear their words of assurance.

Today my mantra was:  My mind will quit before my body does.

This morning I got up scared out of my mind.  I prayed and did some positive self-talk.  I told myself that if others could do it I could too… all I have to do is trust the process and my God.  Well, here I am all sweaty, proud, and grateful!  Truthfully, I think I had another three minute run in me.  It wasn’t as bad as I imagined.

C25K Training: Week Two, Day Three

I did it!  My goal today was to finish all the runs strong and to have fun.  I did both!  I even picked up my pace a bit on the last run.  I'm gaining confidence and stamina.

The biggest lesson I learned this week is not being afraid to push myself.  I start to panic when my breathing gets too heavy.  I'm reminding myself that as long as I'm still breathing I'm fine.  I also make sure I'm not getting too tense in my shoulders.  I have a tendency to do this and start holding my head down.  I make sure I'm maintaining correct form and think of a mantra, quote, or scripture to get me through.  It worked.  Before I knew it my workout was complete.

Oh, and I found out I'm actually completing about 3.4 miles these mornings.  I continue walking after my cool down. My guessimate was 2 miles.  So, my goal will be running the entire course, nonstop, once I complete the Couch to 5K. 

I really nervous about starting Week Three on Saturday.

Healthy Eating: Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf

I'm doing a bit better with cooking.  I haven't been as great with blogging about it.  On Sunday I also made Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf.  I really didn't use a recipe:

Ground turkey
cup of cooked quinoa
1/2 of panko crumbs
egg whites
tomato paste
garlic
onion
celery salt
black pepper

It's yummy.  I like to mix tomato paste into the loaf instead of putting it on top.  When I make this again, I'll add a little more tomato paste.

Today I had this, along with some sauteed zucchini, squash, and onions.  I kept this really simple and fresh.  I like a little crunch to my veggies so I didn't cook it that long:

Healthy Eating: No Mayo Avocado Chicken Salad

No Mayo Avocado Chicken Salad

One of my fitness pals shared this recipe with me:

1 avocado
1 chicken breast
1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
2 T onion
lime juice to taste


It's yummy.  I love paprika so I used a little extra.  Next I'll use extra chili powder too.  She served her salad with homemade tortilla chips.  I may try it next time.  For now, I'm going to eat mine with lettuce or spinach greens. 

C25K: Week Two, Day Two

I really did not want to do today’s workout.  I didn’t sleep well.  My knees were bothering me yesterday.  I iced them; cycled for 30 minutes; and did water aerobics for about an hour.  This morning I did a gentle stretch and warm up.  Today’s workout was just okay.  I was happy it was over and very grateful my knees cooperated.  Either I’m getting used to them or some of the intervals seemed really short.  Anyhow, I completed all of them.  I did stop about 2 seconds before two of the 90-sconds runs.  (Not sure if this means I should repeat this work out.  I'll assess how I feel on Wednesday.  I'm thinking that with proper rest and I'll be fine to move onto Week Three on Saturday). 

It started raining during my last walk and five-minute cool down.  So, I’m planning to go to the gym to walk two miles on the treadmill.  Very grateful for the courage to continue moving forward.

Hotter than July

Funny! Today I was supposed to start my C25K training and I’m a week ahead of schedule thanks to Bianca.

Really nervous right now.  Today I’m going to inquire about swimming lessons at Swim Atlanta.  I can’t express the amount of fear I’m experiencing right now.  I’ve been thinking about this off and on since I started the blog.  Now is the time!  Hopefully, I won’t chicken out.  If I do, I’ll try again tomorrow.  The next session starts July 14^th.

My legs are feeling a little sore and my knees are tight.  Today my plan of action is stretch, stretch, stretch, ice, ice, ice.  It’s going to be over 100 degrees today so a long walk is out of the question.  I’ll probably go to the gym for a bike ride.  Water aerobics is a maybe for me today. 

Cooking for the week today – Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf and No-Mayo Avocado Chicken Salad.