GaMomof2 takes on running....

[gamomof2]

So today DH decides that since we've been so good at walking lately we should think about starting to run. He's gotten this idea from running during the Wii Fit each day. Inside running, in place, in our living room. He does the Free Run and chooses 20 minutes and gets about 5 miles out of it.

I'm telling him that outside running won't be the same and he agrees. So I looked up a website today called Couch 2 5k. Has a really detailed plan of working our way towards running 5k in about 8 or 9 weeks. Sounds great. So we're starting that tomorrow.

We've got to be better about getting up earlier to do this though. Usually we get out to walk around 10 am. He works till 2 am and I'm still getting over the pneumonia. But no more excuses. We are going to get out tomorrow right after the oldest leaves for school (around 7:45). Wish us luck.

 

[gamomof2]

So day 1 of actual running. We walked for a good 20 minutes with the dogs before taking them home. Then we started back out. Up the hill to the main road. Starting there we ran 3 minutes which put us a good distance. I'm not sure what our pace was. Then the 3 minutes of walking. The running seemed to pass quicker than the 3 minutes of walking. We repeated this pattern 3 times over. So we ran for a total of 9 minutes and walked a total of 9. I only had one episode of wanting to stop. I had a bad stitch in my right side. It just happened to be over where my kidney surgery was. Large incision site and a drain site. The surgery was almost 3 years ago so I hope I'm not doing any damage.

Came home and did an obligatory 15 or so minutes of Wii Fit. Les put me to shame though he did 51 minutes on the Wii after returning. Including 20 minutes of the Free Run for 5.25 miles. Obviously different than running on the road but definitely conditioning.

I work a 12 hour shift tomorrow at the hospital so I'll be doing my 3 min intervals when I get home and Les will be on his own in the morning. I think tomorrow night when I run I'll see if Katie will run with me.

Another thing about this morning is that we really waited too late to do this. It was 10:15 or so. I think getting an earlier start would work much better with stamina. It was close to 11 before we finished and the last 3 minute run was drenching.

 

[gamomof2]

I joined a gym today. Now I know that sounds simple and silly but I was proud of myself. Somewhere to go where someone will hold me accountable to condition like I should. I still have the Wii Fit here at the house and I'll still do the Couch 2 5k with Les. I did the 5k program on the treadmill, 3 minutes running, 90 seconds walking times 3 repetitions. Then a 3 minute cooldown. All new equipment with little tv flatscreens at the top. 75 channels to choose from and you can plug your headphones into this hand device down near the machine handles. I used my PodRunner podcast at Level 1 Week 2 so that my runs came out right.

Then I went to the stationery bike for 15 minutes. It asked for my age and the amount of time I wanted to do it for and computed the resistance to put on the pedals. Neat. I really made an effort for that one. Actually made a sweat pattern on my t-shirt. That's big for me. I used the Podrunner 140 bpm for that. Really kept me going. I ended up cycling 87 bpm on average for over 5.2 miles.

After grabbing a hand towel I went to the step machine. They have two types of machines that do this. I don't know the real names but will be finding out tomorrow so that i can keep track of what i'm doing. One kind has you shuffling your feet back and forth in a sliding motion and the other has you grasping handle bars and actually stair stepping. This machine also used my age and amount of time but then added in my weight. I was good I put my true weight in. It calculated the resistance for the steps and handlebars and I was on my way. The gym was close to closing so I put in 8 minutes and that allowed for a 2 minute cooldown. Each of these machines was big on having a cooldown.

There were heart rate sensors in the handle bars of each type of machine and it worked to try and help me control my heart rate. On any of the machines the highest it went was 177. Way to high to be healthy so I will work on doing the same amount of resistance but getting my rate down.

Hope to go back in the morning but I'm on call all weekend for the Operating Room so we'll see. A friend from church got the referral credit for my joining. And a nurse from work and her husband are going to join soon and will give me their referral. Each referral gets you a free month.

http://www.kinetixhealthclub.com/

 

[gamomof2]

This morning we played hookey and went to town instead of walking. We went to Penney's to try and find some workout clothes but they had probably 4 racks of random stuff and mostly for 60 something year old women. Nothing flattering and nothing with any **** support. So we went on to Best Buy where I looked for a sports case to run with my Touch. Found one and used some Best Buy rewards coupons to get it.

Went on to Wally World where we got pet food and they actually had at least some shorts I liked. But still no tops so I'll have to switch off with the two I have.

Came back home and as I walked in the door was called by the hospital to come in and work an OR case (I'm on call this weekend, I'm an OR circulator). So I went and did 2 cases until 4pm. I took my gym stuff with me so that I could go straight there afterwards.

Headed towards Best Buy to return the case because my oldest game me her Nano which is much lighter than my Touch and my youngest game me her arm sports holder to fit it. So I was set. I resynced the Nano to just the Running Podcasts and that's all that will be on it.

Got to Best Buy and returned the case and got new pair of earbuds to listen with. All I had had so far were the Apple Ipod white earphones that come with it. I wanted a good set of earbuds. Skullcandy had a good set that matched the Nano for $21.

At the gym it was already 5pm and they close at 6pm on Saturday. During the week they're open 5 am to 10 pm. So I did 15 minutes on the treadmill doing the 5k intervals. 3 minutes running with 90 seconds walking. Working my way up. Then over to the cycle where I did 15 minutes working my way up to 84 RPM. I did over 5 miles on that. My heartrate maxed out at 177 but generally I could breath right and work it down to 144 or so.

Then on to the step machine (still don't know the right name for it). Did about 5 minutes on that at 4.? mph. I was running out of gym time and needed to get home to go somewhere with my daughter. Not much strain there but figured out how to hunch down on the machine and work the top of my legs harder. I'll try that the next time.

Hey, that'll be tomorrow.

 

[momof2minnies]

Good morning Ursula!

Sounds like you are ready to make a change.Good for you.

How is the running coming along? Your body needs at least 9 times out on a run to get what you are trying to do to it so make sure you give yourself that before making a decision on whether it is for you or not.This is from Runner's world magazine- I love the tons of info it gives me.

Keep journaling!

Linda

 

[gamomof2]

This morning we headed out bright and early to the Kinetix gym I just joined. DH was going with me to use a visitor's pass and see what type of equipment was there and the people. We got there and he signed in and filled out the liability waiver and we proceeded on. The first machine was the treadmill again. Today was the start of Week 3 for the Couch 2 5k so it bumped up a notch. Longer runs with shorter walks. Did fine. I was able to go 1.1 miles in 15 minutes. So I left him on his treadmill and went on to the bike. Cycled at around 84 rpm for 6 miles. Heart rate is getting better and each time comes down faster during the cooldown part. On to the step machine. Found out the other step type machine is called a Summitt master and is more climbing than step. So I like my little step machine. I did 10 minutes on this and called it a day for the machines. Then DH was nice enough to use his know how to figure out what weight machines I wanted to use to get my legs and abdomen more toned. We did this for probably about an hour. Going to each machine and setting the amount of weight I'd need and the number of repetitions. He told me that if you want to tone an extremity do more repetitions and decent weight. But if you wanted to build muscle in that extremity work on upping the weight and fewer repetitions. Cool.

We left and went home and he got ready to go to work on the base (works 2p-2a).

Oldest came home after school and said she wanted to try it out so we went back up there around 5pm. Back to the treadmill and this time made it to 1.9 miles in 24 minutes. So I guess a 12 min/mil pace. Cycles and step machine again so I could show her how they worked. Poor body didn't know what was up. Showed her the weight machines and how to look at the machine graphic to know what each one worked on. This is her first gym experience and there will be times she will come alone. If she joins then she'll get 3 - 1 hour sessions with a trainer and that will help her know things alittle better. Worked for about an hour on these until we needed to leave to pick up youngest daughter and take her to her year end band concert. Otherwise definitely would have stayed longer.

 

[gamomof2]

This morning we headed out bright and early to the Kinetix gym I just joined. DH was going with me to use a visitor's pass and see what type of equipment was there and the people. We got there and he signed in and filled out the liability waiver and we proceeded on. The first machine was the treadmill again. Today was the start of Week 3 for the Couch 2 5k so it bumped up a notch. Longer runs with shorter walks. Did fine. I was able to go 1.1 miles in 15 minutes. So I left him on his treadmill and went on to the bike. Cycled at around 84 rpm for 6 miles. Heart rate is getting better and each time comes down faster during the cooldown part. On to the step machine. Found out the other step type machine is called a Summitt master and is more climbing than step. So I like my little step machine. I did 10 minutes on this and called it a day for the machines. Then DH was nice enough to use his know how to figure out what weight machines I wanted to use to get my legs and abdomen more toned. We did this for probably about an hour. Going to each machine and setting the amount of weight I'd need and the number of repetitions. He told me that if you want to tone an extremity do more repetitions and decent weight. But if you wanted to build muscle in that extremity work on upping the weight and fewer repetitions. Cool.

We left and went home and he got ready to go to work on the base (works 2p-2a).

Oldest came home after school and said she wanted to try it out so we went back up there around 5pm. Back to the treadmill and this time made it to 1.9 miles in 24 minutes. So I guess a 12 min/mil pace. Cycles and step machine again so I could show her how they worked. Poor body didn't know what was up. Showed her the weight machines and how to look at the machine graphic to know what each one worked on. This is her first gym experience and there will be times she will come alone. If she joins then she'll get 3 - 1 hour sessions with a trainer and that will help her know things alittle better. Worked for about an hour on these until we needed to leave to pick up youngest daughter and take her to her year end band concert. Otherwise definitely would have stayed longer.

While we were checking out we ran into several other church members who had recently joined so it was encouraging to have someone there in the future to workout with. Definitely hold each other accountable.

Got on the Wii fit after the first trip this morning and weight is down 1.5 lbs. Hopefully from the tummy.

 

[gamomof2]

So up this morning early again. Feels good. Got to walking the upper half of the neighborhood with our two dogs. We have a lab mix and we have a miniature schnauzer. We take them through the first two cul-de-sacs and around the entrance and then back to the house. They're put back up (because they would follow us) and we head for the back of the neighborhood. On the first cul-de-sac that way we decided to run half the cul-de-sac and then walk the way back. Went well. For some reason I had some pain in my upper arms. Legs felt good though and heartrate stayed around 120. Second cul-de-sac we agreed to do the same thing but I only made it 3/4 of the way. At the start of the last yard I just kindof gave out. We rounded the street and ran some of the way back. Not really keeping time with the intervals but probably running 3 min and walking 2-3 minutes. The back of the neighborhood was the same way but each time we weren't quite as winded. The arm pain finally went away but I also noticed they were very flushed. As we headed back for home we did the cul-de-sacs over again and this time ran down the cul-de-sac and halfway back up it.

Once we got home Les started on the Wii (I had done mine before we went for the run/walk) and I headed for the gym. I was able to do several of the ellipticals and then went over to the bicycle. Did my usual 15 min there for about 6 miles (~84 rpm). Then the treadmill for 35 minutes at an average speed of 4.0 and made it to 2.1 miles. So jazzed. I can see 3.1 miles in the distance. I hope to make it there by the weekend. As long as I keep my time to less than a 15 minute mile I'm good for the 5k. I think this first one will definitely be a combination of run/walk. But with others there I know I will be able to push myself to run more stretches than I'm doing now. Didn't do the step machine today but definitely will be back on tomorrow. Plus Les will be back there with me tomorrow.

Did a tummy measurement and I have lost an inch off my stomach. So jazzed. Seemed to take forever but it's a start.

 

[gamomof2]

So I may have gone alittle overboard today. This morning after we got up I went ahead and did my Wii for the day to get it out of the way. Then we started out with the dogs for the first leg of the walk/run. After dropping them back off at the house we hit the back of the neighborhood and did the cul-de-sacs again but more running this time and less walking. It had gotten to about 9:30 or so and was so sunny. Ugghh. Finishing up a new route I had mapped we did 3.1 miles today. I came home at just under one hour. Then I headed for the gym (hubby opted out today). Did the weight machines and then got on the cycle. Then had the bright idea to push myself on the treadmill to do the 3.1 again. With a combination of walking (16 min pace) and running (14 min pace) I did it at 46.09 minutes. Left the gym for about 30 minutes to get a salad and visit a new running store down the street and came back for my first appointment with a trainer at the gym. With the membership you get 3 training appointments. This one went over everything I want to accomplish and expectations. They know I want to run better and feel better and keep from getting sick. I had worked on legs that morning on my own so she worked with me to do arms and it definitely made itself known after we were done and I was just trying to lift them to hold the steering wheel. Came home and it was already 2:30. Mommy duties now and thankfully bedtime soon. The trainer did fuss at me about being too much at the gym and said my body needs time to rest. I'll have to weigh that advise and see if I can hold to it. Endorphins are a wonderful thing.

Also looking for some recommendations for some running shoes. Need to get them soon so they can get broken in by the June 12th race.

 

[gamomof2]

So Friday I worked most of the day and finished up around 2pm. Went home and changed and went to the gym. Did the treadmill for the whole 3.1 miles and finished at 46 minutes. Then cycle and step machines. Saturday DH and I woke up and headed out to the base to walk the 5k path to get to know it before the June race.

Started out at the fitness center and went back behind it towards where they had torn down all the cinder block housing. Nice big piles of rubble to look at. Amazingly they seemed to have spared alot of the trees. Some of the cinder had already been processed so there were tall piles of gravel. On up the trail it turned to the left and there was a water fountain there. It worked but had luke warm water. Note to self. Proceeded on up the path where we were passed by a runner going the opposite direction. We noticed on the path that there were yellow indicators and white indicators so we weren't sure if we were going the right way or if there were two different paths. We checked the path map that we had picked up in the gym lobby and it reassured us we were going the right way. Top of the street the path swung to the right and we came up on some new housing construction on the right and horse pastures on the left. Went by the few horses and then the path took a weird turn. There was a sign that said the end of the path / turn around. But the map showed us to go down a regular street to the right and we could rejoin the path at the lake. So that's what we did. This street took us right in front of the horse riding club and there were stables with many more horses. Some had fly masks on and some were just poking their heads out their stall windows hoping to gain the attention of someone passing by with a treat. There were one or two families there getting ready to ride. One set of girls had what I would assume was their mare and her colt out on lead ropes. The colt was so pretty. Right past the stables was the path and so we rejoined it. It took us up what was our only hill. and at the top of that was a second water fountain. It also worked but I chose not to drink any this time. Past the first lake which had old camp site hookups and overgrown grass, playground and buildings to hold picnics in. Les said their work picnic last week was held over here. Seems like a fun area. There's a sign that talks about fishing and what licenses are required and the maximum amount of fish you can catch. Right past the lake is a lodge. One story and looks fairly new. MOre like a community house or gathering place. Next up the road we ran into a group of 15 or so people bird watching. Kid you not. Binoculars and clothes and hats and everything. They were all chattering about how the birds seemed at home and unaware of people. Really cute. Past another lake and new housing. Two story duplexes. Very nice. A ramp where you can put small boats in the lake and a very community style layout to the duplexes. Up the path and to the right is where they are building new stand alone houses. Most panneled but some have a bit of nice brick on them. Probably officers housing. Another water fountain here too and this would be the last one we saw. The elementary school came up next and then the final stretch back to the car.


All in all it was a good walk. There are definitely places in the path where the roots are busting the concrete up but it hasn't come through yet. Good to know about ahead of time. Walking it like we did we finished in 54 minutes.


Treated ourselves to Cinnabon afterwards and then went all the way across town to the gym. Worked out there for probably an hour. More of the same as before including the stuff that the trainer added in for me on Thursday.


Sunday I've felt like my left knee cap has completely come off my knee. The knee doesn't hurt but the knee cap does. Not sure if I strained something or if somethings torn but it is alittle more pain than the average out of shape muscle feeling bad. I'll watch it but try not to push it too hard until I know.

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

Hi there, looks like you are well on your way to doing that 5K! You will be surprised that running can be addicting. After you do the 5 K you will want to do another one, a little longer to see if you can do it and so on and so forth. I used to be an OR nurse, when I first graduated from RN school. Keep up the good work! You can definitely do this

 

[gamomof2]

Ok so more work today. Official knee diagnosis. Tendonitis. Per ortho surgeon there's a brace I can wear and it should get better. pretty significant though. He did say it shouldn't curtail my training though. Yea....

Came home from work and took this as a second day of rest for the knee. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the trainer at the gym so I'll be back on track then.

 

[gamomof2]

so training is going well. each day we do at least the 5k and sometimes a mile more. Doing the intervan training but more on our timeline instead of the Couch 2 5k timeline. At first last week we were working on buiding distance but now the distance isn't a problem so we're working on improving our time. Just over 2 weeks left to go until the local 5k. I've got my time down to between 41 and 42 minutes. Pretty good. Turns out to be about 13.5 minute mile. I hope to get it down to 11 or 12 pace before the race. We're going back out to the base to the course again Friday morning. I also get my new running shoes Friday morning. So jazzed.