Lisa's Running Away from Excuses Journey....Please Comment

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks, Tracy and Laurie for the encouragement! I took today off from running, because we are working on a remodel, and I wanted to get in some work time with that tonight. I have a run on the schedule for tomorrow though.

Laurie, I am not really following a plan, lol. I looked at the Hal Higdon 5K plan, but he was starting at a 1.5 mile run for the novice level, and I couldn't even do that, lol! I may have to revisit that now though, since I am up to that distance pretty consistantly now. I also had looked at the couch to 5K plan on coolrunning.com, but I sort of started veering off into my own thing instead. I am still leaning towards the 2-miler in March, then a 5K in April.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!
Lisa

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Ok, for today, I ran on the treadmill again- just too cold outside, lol! The area schools are doing 2 hour delays tomorrow already because they are calling for sub-zero wind chill temps!

So, to the treadmill again at the gym. I must say I am proud of myself today; I had every reason NOT to go to the gym, and yet I made myself go, and I felt glad afterwards.

I pushed myself a little today, and added a 0.25 mile, bringing me up to 1.75 miles. I also sped up the treadmill a little; usually my pace is a 4.5, but today after about a 0.75 mile, I increased to 4.7, then even went to 4.8 for part of the last "lap." I finished 1.75 miles in 22:57, which was a 13:06 pace. Hmm, not too bad for my goal of 2 miles in 22:00- I may have to make my goal harder by March! I am hoping that next week (Wed or Fri) that I will be able to complete 2 miles for the first time, and I am psyched! All coming from the girl who couldn't finish 1 lap when I started!

Lisa

 

[toystoryduo]

You CAN do two miles, Lisa! You are doing a fabulous job... Keep up the good work!

This weather is for the birds isn't it? We had about 10 inches of snow yesterday and temps are expected to drop in to the single digits this week.... I WISH I was in Florida!

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

[hockeygirl]

Lisa-you are doing an awesome job!!! There is no doubt in my mind that you can do two miles!!! Your pace is great. You will definetely be able to do 2 miles in 22:00 min in March!!

It was pretty cold here too...only 9 degrees when I left with windchills below zero!! Hopefully it warms up a little over the weekend...I dread going on the treadmill but gotta do a 5 mile LR on sunday!

Keep up the good work!!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Lisa--just checking in to see how your training is going.....hope you had a great weekend.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Hi Laurie- thanks for checking in on my training! Hope things are going well with your training too!

Yesterday I ran at a different health club, and I hated it! They only had 4 treadmills, so I had to wait about 15 minutes to even get one. They had the treadmills set up in front of all the rest of the cardio equip, so I felt like everyone was watching, so I was feeling a little self-conscious! The whole atmosphere was not very good; the place had really low ceilings, and it smelled well, like a gym (aka old sweat, lol). The treadmill I was on was really creaky and wobbly, and the belt was about half the width I am used to, so I felt like my running form was way off, because I was concentrating so hard on staying in the middle! All in all, a terrible day, and I can't wait to get back to my "normal" gym.

So, for the stats- I only ran for 14:00, because I wanted to increase the speed a little, and I made it 1.10 miles, which was a 12:43 pace. I really felt like it was much harder than that, but maybe I was just out of my element because of everything else going on.

I have tomorrow off work from my main job because we are having some remodeling done, and I want to go over everything with the guy that is starting tomorrow. I was excited because I thought that I would be able to get to the gym then for a nice long run, but now our dryer stopped working, and the repairman says he will be there tomorrow between 8-5. Quite a time frame, huh? Then I have a basketball game tomorrow night, so I am really hoping I get a workout in tomorrow because I took off today to clean the house.

Ok, now that I wrote my book.......have a good start to the week everyone!
Lisa

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Oh, forgot to add....I changed my weigh-in day from Sunday to Saturday, because then Saturday is now my "free" day to eat whatever I want! I figured I will just weigh-in first thing in the am, and then I am good to go for the weekend.

SO, yesterday was 163.5!!! Down 2 pounds!

 

[toystoryduo]

Weigh to go Lisa!

Sorry to hear about the other gym... That's great that you got a workout in anyway!

Hope you have a great week ahead! We're expected to have snow, snow, and more snow and temps in the single digits.

 

[hockeygirl]

Lisa--Congrats on losing the two pounds!!!

Sorry to hear about the new gym, one of the main reasons that I hate going to health clubs is the lack of equipment. The gym that I used to be a member of was like that, and I hated going there wondering if I would even be able to get a treadmill for my workout. Now I just hate running on the treadmill, so I rely on gettting outside for my workouts!!! I just pray for nice weather every day.

Hope you got the dryer fixed! I find it so annoying when they give such a large time frame for repairmen to come, it is like they think you have nothing better to do with your time than sit around and wait for them!!!

Keep up the good work with your training!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks Tracy and Laurie for the encouragement- it is always so nice to come on here and see that someone knows and understands the effort that we are putting in!

Well, I ended up taking off on Sunday and then again on Monday. Monday wasn't planned, but the dryer guy never showed up, so now we are rescheduled for Saturday with him. We had a contractor come to the house Monday to start some remodeling, so I was kept busy talking to him about the projects, and running some errands.

Yesterday I ran at the store on our treadmill after I closed. I felt pretty good, but I was pressed for time b/c I had to meet dh and ds at Lowe's. So, I just ran 20 minutes to see how far I could get. I did 1.58 miles, which was a 12:39 pace, so not too bad- I am usually at about a minute less per mile now than when I started, so I am happy about the progress there.

I am planning on heading the gym (the good one!) after work today, and if all goes well, I want to try and finish 2 miles! I will have to see how my legs feel since I ran yesterday, but I really want to get it!

I have to work on my food choices here this week too- not been doing too great this week. Ds and I made brownies the other night, and I just constantly feel like snacking!

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week!
Lisa

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Well, I am very happy to say....... I DID IT! I RAN 2 MILES!!! I must say it wasn't easy, though. My goal was to complete it in under a 13:00 minute pace. I finished it in 25:57, which ends up being..........a 12:59 pace !!!! Made it barely, but I made it!!

I have a basketball game tomorrow night, so I know I will take off then, but then I am hoping to do 1.75 miles on Friday, and then another 2 miles on Sunday, depending on how sore I am from all of this, lol.

 

[toystoryduo]

I KNEW you could do it, Lisa! I am so proud of you! You are doing an amazing job with your progress so far.... Keep up the good work!

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the post you left in my journal today. I really appreciate your words of encouragement and the reminder of how great God is in our lives. Your words really spoke to my heart today. Thanks WISH sis!

I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Whoops, I have been MIA for the past couple days on my journal. Luckily I have been keeping up on my running though; things have just been hectic here with the contractors coming and going, and me following after them cleaning up their mess, lol.

Let's see- I took off Thurs because I had a b-ball game. My legs actually weren't too sore- I thought they might be after finishing the long run the day before.

Friday- I hit the treadmill again. I wasn't really in a running mood today, so it was really a mental battle for me to complete it. I decided to push myself and do just 1 mile for time- I set the pace at 4.9 on the treadmill, and went for it. (I usually flucuate between 4.6-4.8). I finished the mile in 12:10, which was my best time so far. Then I finished by jogging another 1/4 mile, ending up with 15:20 or so, and then walked to finish up with 21 minutes total. Then I also did a bike workout for 10 minutes at level 3 resistance to work on some quad strength. Funny thing is, as much as I dreaded getting in there and working out that day, I felt so much better after I did!!!


Tracy- thanks so much for the kind words- it is so nice to hear that someone believes in you!

Dh has not been exactly encouraging on all of this; he thinks that it is something I will just quit. When I told him that I finished 2 miles the other day though, I saw the slightest hint of surprise, and I think that maybe, just maybe, I even impressed him a little!! I can't say I blame him for not thinking I will stick with it; I never have with anything else in the past, but I really feel good about this! I think the timing is just right. I love the fact that my ds3 was so excited the other day when I brought him home some new sneakers- the first thing he said was "YEAH! Now I can go running just like you Mommy!!" Talk about a proud moment, I almost teared up; I heard the pride in his voice, and it made me feel great!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Ahhh... I just typed in a long post, and I lost it all! Stinking computer!!

To recap- I took yesterday off, and then I had a brilliant idea to run outside today. Not so smart; the temp here is 12 degrees, and with wind chill, it is 1 degree. Yep, that's right- 1. The sun was deceiving though, so I put some new songs on my MP3 player, and stepped outside- the wind just took your breath away before you even got started, but I had it in my head to press on.

I really wanted to run outside to see if I could see some progress. Sometimes I feel so slow on a treadmill, and when I run outside I just feel faster. I managed to make it for 1.39 miles, although I did have to stop and walk 1 time for about 30-40 seconds because the road was frozen over. I stopped and checked my watch. And then I checked it again. I finished it in 15:47, which ends up being a pace of........ 11:21!!!! That is my fastest time yet!! I felt great too- I mean, it was hard to get my breath just because my lungs were burning from the cold air, but my legs felt fantastic- not sore at all! I couldn't believe it! What a huge mental boost that I needed to push on with the treadmill- I am apparently doing something right. Now I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can try and do a long run outside.

On a down note, today is weigh-in day, and I am not feeling good about it. I didn't do great with eating this week. I overdid it yesterday when we went to a buffet, and all week I have been in a snack/chocolate craving mode. I have been pms'ing all week, and I tend to retain water like a camel about now, so I am a little scared about getting on that scale. I don't want to backtrack too much, kwim?

Well, enough putting off the inevitable; I am off to shower, and do my weigh-in , and then run into town for some errands. I will stop back later tonight and post my weigh-in numbers then.

Hope everyone enjoys the SuperBowl!!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Well, I am back from weigh-in, and the results are 163.5. No loss, but no gain either!!! That is enough to make me Now if I can stop myself from eating too much during the SuperBowl tonight, I will hopefully get back on track!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Lisa-sorry I haven't checked in a few days, I have been a bit under the weather with a cold. I have been trying to keep up with everyone but I have not been so good with that.

Looks like you have been doing a great job with your training. WTG on your outdoors run!!! I know the feeling about feeling slower on the TM. I HATE running on the TM, I always feel like I can't go very fast on the TM, but this week it is supposed to be very cold here, so I finally renewed my gym membership and I will head to the gym tomorrow for my workout.

Good job on the weigh-in!! No gain, no loss isn't so bad once in awhile, especially if you felt like you overdid it one day! Keep up the good work!!

Have a great week!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Wow Lisa,

Great job on your run today! Please be careful with these brutally cold temperatures though. BRRRR!

Have a great Monday!

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Well, it was back to the treadmill today. I felt pretty good going in since I took yesterday off. I ended up running 2 miles in 25:30, which is a 12:45 pace, and I felt pretty good about that. It is still a mental battle for me to finish those long runs, but I feel so great afterwards, that it is totally worth it!

After I finished running 2 miles, my legs actually felt pretty good, so I kept a 3.6-3.8 pace to walk, and finished the rest of a 5K in a total time of 43:28. That would put me under the sweeper times, so I was pretty happy about that!

I am hoping to get a short run in tomorrow, and then maybe do some strength training instead.

Hope everyone is having a great week, and staying warm!
Lisa

 

[toystoryduo]

After I finished running 2 miles, my legs actually felt pretty good, so I kept a 3.6-3.8 pace to walk, and finished the rest of a 5K in a total time of 43:28. That would put me under the sweeper times, so I was pretty happy about that! Lisa

Way to go Lisa! You are doing such a wonderful job! Keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! Stay warm.

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey there Lisa--sounds like you are doing a great job with your training!! Keep up the good work!! Isn't it a great feeling when your legs feel great enough to continue longer with a workout!!!

Have a great weekend!!