April, please be good.

It’s April?  Although I started one several times, I never did publish a blog for March.  I have my first 5K in 10 days and I am pretty nervous about it.  Work has been sucking the life out of me.  I really need to slow down and get some rest. 

Weights.  I did not lift at all during March.  I hurt my right shoulder.  It’s feeling much better.  Yesterday I did back and biceps.  

Push Ups.  I’m back at it.  I am going to take it easy and just do 22.  

Running.  I have been running two or three times a week.  I have been stuck on Week 4 of the Couch to 10K plan for weeks.  I am not too worried about it.  I am sure I will get across the finish line.

Swimming.  Well, I purchased a new swimsuit.  Now it is just a matter of finding the time to take lessons.  I missed the current session.  There’s a season starting on April 26.  However, I will be traveling and will miss one session.  I may wait until May.

Nutrition.  I’m doing well.  I just need to work on portion control.

I got my Fitbit Surge and I love it!  It’s been a struggle to hit my daily 10,000-step goal.  I really spend way too much time sitting.  I have been trying to take more walk breaks during the day, but it does affect my productivity at work.  Today I got up at 6 to walk and as I write this at 10 pm I still have 100 steps to go.  I think my best bet is to try to get in any many steps as I can early morning on days that I do not run.  On my running days, I am sure it hit my goal.

All Kids Count 5k

I wasn't too sure about this race. I signed up to do it solo. After picking up my bib, I was filled with so much self-doubt.

I acknowledged my fear and gathered my things. I spent a quiet evening home alone watching a movie and trying to calm my nerves.

My training hasn't been the best for the past three weeks. Headaches and fatigue. Now, this stomach ailment. At any rate, I was determined to show up and try.

Well, it wasn't as bad as I thought. My worst fear, being the last one across the finish line, did not come true. What I continue to find is a bunch of encouraging people who are willing to give you a high five, thumbs up, and encouraging words.

I ran the first mile. I took two walk breaks during the second mile. The third mile was rough. My run/walk ratio was probably 50/50. More than anything, I kept telling myself to run my own race and stop worrying about being at the back of the pack. I need to embrace and accept that I am a back of the pack runner.

As long as I finish in under an hour, I'm fine. I am out there doing something I never thought I could do -- running! So what if I'm slow! I did it and I am very proud of myself.

As I just tweeted, it doesn't escape me that in about a month I will be doing TWICE the distance. I will be ready. I need to stay healthy and injury-free.

I also decided to do another month of my plant-based challenge. I also think I need to stay away from eating out. Going home soon and my cousin, who is always so supportive, has already found some vegan restaurants for me to try.

I'm still here!

I haven't been blogging, but I have been working out! Today I finished Week 7, Day 1. Week 6 was a bit rough so I completed Day 2 a few times before moving on. Today I felt strong. I am also proud of myself for running outside, even though it had been raining all day.

I have this fear of falling and was worrying about slipping and falling. Although it had stopped raining by the time I went out, the greenway was still wet. In fact, there weren't many people out on the path. Mostly people on bikes. I could how slippery things were as I ran on the little overpasses, but I took my time and it was fine.

My trip to Michigan was okay. My Dad is in better spirits than I expected. In fact, I use him from inspiration and motivation. I think of how he is going to radiation and chemo fighting for his life. I listen to my breath and think about the cancer that was in his lungs. I am humbled. I am grateful.

On a bright note, today is my 5k anniversary. Five years ago today I completed the Publix 5k. I think about how nervous I was. In hindsight I was so naïve. I picked one of the hilly courses for my first 5k! I am very grateful that I am here and still plugging away at my fitness goals.

Improvements!

It took me all day to get to the gym today. I almost didn't go. I got dressed, stood outside for a while, went back inside, and took a nap. I got up. Wasted time on the Internet. I then gave myself a pep talk. If I expect to run the Peachtree Road Race in July, I need to get my butt in gear now. I struggle with 3.1 miles. The Peachtree is twice as long.

So, I finally get there and there are no treadmills available. Fine. I decided to do my 3.1 miles on the Elliptical. I set a new PR. The last time I did a 5K on the Elliptical it took me 38 minutes. Today I did it in 35:12! Pre-workout me I would think that is no big deal. However, anyone who workouts out knows an exercise minute can be an eternity! I'm so proud of myself.

Cold Weather Running

Now that my November 5k has passed, I'm thinking about how to improve my training for my December 5k. Thankfully, I have not signed up yet. I'm having second thoughts about it. Part of my fee from The Turkey Day 5k I didn't go to on Thursday went to charity. I'm bummed I didn't earn a t-shirt. I don't think I want to spend another $25 and run the risk that I will not run. Since I'm so slow, cold weather running is just not for me...at this point.

I did okay on Thursday. Usually when I run on the treadmill my knees ache for days. I was a little sore but not too sore to jump back on the treadmill later on today. So, I think I'm going to do most of my cold weather running on the treadmill. For December I may to do a virtual 5k:

There's no t-shirt, but you will get a medal if you post your time. If I sign up for this virtual 5k, I'll have the option of completing it outside, if weather permits. The downside, it's not a Peachtree Qualifier like the Santa on the Square 5k.

Turkey Day 5k

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am very grateful for my health. I am grateful for the willingness to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Although I am not where I'd like to be, I am a grateful for where I am. I've made a lot of progress.

Today was the Turkey Day 5k. I've been worried all week because it was supposed to be cold and I do not have proper running gear for the cold. I picked up my bib last night ready to give it an honest effort. I planned to wear two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, a long-sleeve shirt, two jackets, three hats, gloves, and ear muffs.

I woke up this morning and it was 27 degrees (but feels like 17)! No way! I'm slow. I knew I'd be out there for at least 45 minutes, on a good day. I decided I'd just do a virtual 5k at the gym. I'm kind of bummed because this was another Peachtree Qualifier. I think I have until April to do another Peachtree Qualifying race. I know it's not going to make that much of a difference in my starting wave but I do want to complete a 5k under 45 minutes. I have some work to do. Total's run: 59:25.

Turkey Day 5K

Although my training hasn't been 100%, I do feel ready to tackle my next 5K. I have already accepted that I will not be able to run the entire race and that's okay. Now there appears to be another hurdle I must jump -- the weather. It has been unexpectedly cold lately and the weather is only going to get colder. We're expecting a few rainy days. I've been walking and running but most of my workouts have been in the afternoon, not early morning. It's much colder early mornings. I'm so worried about the weather. I'll do my best. All I need to do is finish.

5K Training

I have not started training for my second 5K as planned.  I’m starting to have second thoughts about it.  I didn’t start last week before I had a cold AND it was so windy and cold out due to the storm Sandy.  Then, I joined LA Fitness and I’ve been working on building a workout routine.  Truth is…I’m tired.  I still have a stuffy nose along with sneezing.  I cannot afford to get sick.  I just don’t think I have the stamina for running outside in the cold.  I thought about training on the treadmill but I don’t like running on the treadmill – it hurts my knees. 

I was reading my latest issue of Runner’s World and I realize I may need to work on having better gear to run outside.  I still have time to get it together. 

Let Freedom Run!

My next 5K is in 100 days.  My back is still giving me trouble.  I've been walking two miles since my 5K last Saturday.  I'm going to continue walking until I leave for my retreat.  When I return, I will begin training on November 1st.  I've got to make sure I incorporate some hills in my training this time.  I'm so excited!