Back on the wagon

Hey folks! This is my first post since I deleted my 5k training blog and merged it with this one. Woo hoo?

I can't believe it's August already. Summer is practically over. Yeah, I'm a glass half empty kinda person. Summer has been pretty uneventful for us. No Caribbean vacation for us this summer which totally sucks. I haven't even made it to the pool but one time. I would blame it on being too busy but I'd be lying. The reason why I haven't gone to the pool is because going to the pool would require that I wear a swim suit. And I definitely don't want to do that! Why, you ask? Because I'm probably the only idiot on the planet who has managed to gain weight DURING THE SUMMER! I feel disgusted and disgusting. There is no excuse. I've just been lazy. And when I don't workout at all, my body rebels. It's not like I'm eating tons of food. But ever since I hit 35, my metabolism has shut down. I could eat the daily recommended calories or less, not workout and STILL gain weight. But if I eat the same way and exercise, I maintain my weight. So what the hell do I need to do to lose? Starve? I'm starting to think that's the case.

I started working out again last week after my unplanned hiatus. I was super out of shape and when I was done, I was super sore. I attempted to workout to the week 1 5k running podcast and I thought I was going to have a heart attack I was breathing so hard. That's not good. Not good at all. I'm going to keep working out, eating healthy, drinking my H2O and hope that the scale starts budging. I'm also going to schedule an appointment with my doctor. I need to get a physical just to make sure there's not something else going on with my body that's got it acting all weird. Oh! Forgot to mention - my migraines are BACK! after not having regular migraines for 2 years! I now have one every two to three weeks. Not normal. Not appreciated. I'm having sleeping issues and my skin is breaking out. I'm wondering if I'm experiencing menopause? Isn't everything tied to our hormones? All I know is my body is a mess and I need somebody to fix it.

I know - TMI. But that's how I roll (sometimes).

I'm back to square one with the 5k running. Boo! I'm still all about The Chubby Jones podcast to workout to. It's fun and the music is great.

Anyway, I will try to post more often. I know it's been mad sporadic on this side of the world but my goal is to remedy that.

I still have pics from the 4th of July I need to upload. Yep, I suck.

Catch y'all on the flip side!

Back in the saddle

Great news! My knee is doing MUCH better. I had my follow-up appointment last Monday. The discomfort in my knee had lessened and I didn't need to take the anti-inflammatory medicine daily. I finally got my knee brace which is great. It only took 3 weeks! Sheesh! So my doctor told me that as long as I'm not experiencing more discomfort and that my knee is getting better instead of worse, there's no reason for me to come back. If I start having more pain, then to give him a call. Woo hoo!

With that great bit of news, I started back with the Chubby Jones 5k podcast on Saturday. Today was my second day working out to it and my knee still feels fine. I'm back to square one with the 5k training but that's okay. I least I can train again!

Taking a break

Ha! That's funny. I've been on an "unofficial" break since early February. This is to announce my official break. I will not be training until I get my knee checked out. My knee is consistently getting worse and I don't want to add to the problem. This morning I walked on the treadmill and even that was a little painful. I am hoping that it's nothing serious and that I'll be back on path to my 1st 5k in no time!

Back to the starting line

This week I made the decision to backtrack and start my 5k training from the beginning. This morning I trained starting with the week 1 Chubby Jones podcast. I figured since I haven't been consistenly training since December, I'm not at the level I should be. And I don't want to injure myself by trying to do too much. That said, I'm glad I made that decision. I huffed and puffed during the 1 minute interval runs this morning. It's amazing how it's like I never did any training. So I'm back at the starting line but I'm okay with that.

I'm also training for the 2 day Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. We'll see how successful I am with intermingling my walk training with my 5k training.

To visit my page and make a donation, click on this link: http://www.avonwalk.org/goto/Marquetta

Thanks for your support!

Gym Pet Peeve

A couple of weeks ago, BGR had a post about Gym Pet Peeves. I commented on that post saying that my gym pet peeve was being on the treadmill next to someone with bad breath. Well, I need to add another one. Tonight I was at the gym. I was supposed to workout this morning but Mr. Sandman had other ideas. Anyway, I'm on the treadmill, struggling through the Week 3 podcast. This is one of the reasons why I hate working out in the evenings. My belly has a day's worth of food in it. I felt heavy and bloated. Jogging was extra difficult. And I had the beginnings of a headache. Halfway through my workout, I get a whiff of a loud smelling perfume/lotion. It was a strong sweet smell, but not in a good way. Every time I inhaled, the odor was in my nose. It was terrible. I tried to ignore it and soldier on but I couldn't. The twinge of my headache started to become a throb. And I think it had to do with the loud perfume/lotion. I looked around trying to find the culprit but had no luck. The old man on the treadmill next to me kept looking at me as if I was the guilty one. I gave him a dirty look and kept on moving. After about 10 minutes, I gave up. I started cooling down. I had to get out of there. My head was throbbing as if the little headache was trying to become a migraine. And I wasn't having it.

You'd think people would use common sense and not douse their body in perfume before entering an enclosed facility that puts you in contact with a lot of people. I wish I knew who that idiot was. I would have given him/her the dirtiest look I could muster. And I'm an expert at giving dirty looks; I learned from the master -my Mama.

I hope to drag my tail out of bed tomorrow morning and hit the gym. I got to make up for my prematurely-ended workout.

New Year - Same Goal

Happy New Year everyone! What happened to 2009? I think I have whiplash the year went by so fast. My goal (not resolution) for 2009 was to run/jog in a 5k race. If you've been reading my blog (and infrequent postings), you know that I did not achieve that goal. But no worries. It's a new year and the same goal. 2010 will be THE year that I run in a 5k race. In addition to running a 5k, my new goal for 2010 is to run in 5 or 6 miler by Fall. Yep, I said it! Two running goals for 2010. And if I'm feeling pretty confident, maybe the Army 10-miler. *gasp!*

Today I was back in the gym after a 3 week break and it was brutal. Man, it's amazing how your body reverts back as if you've never worked out. This morning I grudgingly headed to the gym in the bitter cold. I'm just gonna to have to strengthen my resolve and get used to the morning workouts. Right now, the gym is packed in the evenings with all the New Year Resolutions I'm going to get in shape folks. They'll be gone by February if not sooner. Then I can go back to working out in the evenings.

I knew due to my hiatus, I couldn't start where I left off with The Chubby Jones running podcast. My last workout I was on week 4, not looking forward to starting week 5. So I decided to start with week 3. I remember week 3 being very do-able. Ha! Back when I was consistenly working out it was do-able. Today, it was torture. The 3 minutes runs killed me. Aargh! But it's okay. I'm just going to keep with it and before I know it, I'll be at week 5, cursing the treadmill and Chubby Jones. LOL!

Happy Running!

Where have I been, you ask? Well, let me tell you...

Sorry! I know it's been two weeks since my last post. It's the holiday season and life has gotten in the way. You know how that goes. I haven't trained since my last post which completely sucks because that sets me back. By how much? I won't know until I hop back on that treadmill. Last week I was lazy; pure and simple. I felt so bad about my laziness that I thought I could make up for it by going to the gym over the weekend. But Mother Nature had other ideas. We got hit with a buttload of snow starting Friday night and ending Sunday morning. The only exercise I got was digging out my car for 2 hours. My back is still recovering.

The first couple of days after "The Blizzard of 2009" (That's what the local media is calling it. So dramatic!) driving was still treacherous due to the melted snow re-freezing overnight and many sidewalks had not been shovelled. I rushed to get home before the sun went down. Once inside, I knew I wasn't going back out.  I have to manuever around black ice and chunks of unshovelled snow that has chunks of ice underneath. Once I get to my car, I have to make sure I don't bump into the 3 foot pile of dirty snow that's next to my car. My point in mentioning all this is to say that I can barely get to my car in the morning to drive to work without it being a process. There's no way I'm making a second trip outside to go to the gym. Plus, it's Christmas week. I've missed out on 3 days of shopping because of the snow. I have a lot of catching up to do. My goal is to be back in the gym this Saturday. Yeah, we'll see about that.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Week 4 - Update #2

This week I'm going to continue working out to Week 4 podcast. I dragged myself out of a warm bed this morning and went to the gym. It was 4:30am and 29 degrees when I got in my car. My leather seats were cold, my steering wheel was freezing and I had frost on my windows. Morning workouts during this time of the year totally sucks. But I did it and I'm proud of myself.

I still haven't bought new/better running socks. I'm afraid of the stores/malls. Crazy people are out there doing their Christmas shopping. I just don't have the patience to deal with the crowds and the craziness. I may end up ordering them online. I believe that's the only way I will be able to keep my sanity.

I also started back to weight training. Weight training (strength training - whatever you want to call it) is essential for weight loss and preventing injury. Today I trained chest and back. I'm sure I'll be feeling the soreness by tonight. I may have went a little overboard.

This week's motivational word: CONSISTENCY

p.s. The last 5 minute run kicks my ass! The only time I don't look forward to the end of a workout. :-)

Week 4

Hello! I'm still here. There hasn't been anything new to report. I've been sporadically training. A couple of weeks ago I hurt my ankle. I don't know how. I just know after getting off the treadmill, my left ankle started paining. I went home and iced it up. I probably should have soaked it instead. The following week I trained one day only. My ankle felt fine while I was on the treadmill but the moment I stopped, it would start hurting again. I don't know what's wrong with it. I'm still have the same issue as of today but I choose to ignore it. I'm sure that's not a good idea and may end up regretting it later.

This week I started the Chubby Jones Week 4 podcast. I don't like this one that much. The music sucks and the sound quality is terrible. I can barely hear the host, Mia, when she's cueing for the next run. I'll stick it out though because I am not ready for week 5.

Here's the Week 4 workout:
5 min warm-up
90 second walk
5 min run/jog
90 sec walk
3 min run/jog
90 sec walk
5 min run/jog
5 min cool-down

This totally kicked my butt this morning. I enjoyed it. I just wish the music was better. During the podcast Mia did admit she didn't pick the best music. Let's hope she has her act together for week 5.

Today is December 1st. 2009 is almost over and I haven't run in any 5k races yet. Will I be able to run a 5k before we ring in the New Year? Who knows? Time will tell. I have 30 days to figure it out.

1 week down, many more to go!

This week I've consistently trained using The Chubby Jones Couch to 5k podcast. I like it SO much more than the Podrunner podcast. During each workout Mia Jones is training right along side you. And I love that! When she interrupts the music to cue the next running or walking segment, she's just as out of breath as I am. It feels like she's on the treadmill next to you.

I started Tuesday with the week one training. It started off pretty slow with walking for 2 minutes and running for 1 minute. The entire workout was 25 minutes. On Thursday my intention was to do week 1 again. My iTunes and iPod had other ideas. I forgot that I have my podcasts set to erase once I've listened to them. So week one was gone. Oh well. I'm far enough along with my previous training that moving onto week 2 won't be a big deal. And it wasn't. Week 2 interval training upped the running to 90 seconds and the walking portion stayed at 2 minutes. It was a great workout. I was feeling good.

I made sure I changed my podcast setting so that it won't automatically erase any episodes that I've listened to.

Today I go to the gym, ready to train again with the Week 2 podcast. Apparently my settings change did not take because Week 2 was missing from my playlist. So I jump to Week 3. I'm not so sure I'm ready for Week 3 but I didn't have a choice if I wanted to get in my last training for the week.  Week 3 was tough but I huffed and puffed through it. This is what Week 3 training looked like:

5 minute warm-up
90 second run
90 second walk
3 minute run
3 minute walk
3 minute run
3 minute walk
90 second run
5 minute cool down

The 3 minute runs where kicking my behind but the final 90 second run at the end had my legs on fire! I was so happy when she counted down to 1 and said that it's now time to cool down. I wanted to shout "Hallelujah!". To insure that week 3 isn't deleted I marked it as unwatched.  I plan on using Week 3 for next week's training.

I feel good.  I'm glad I got through this first week. There were many times I wanted to talk myself out of going to the gym but I told myself to shut the hell up!  I'm so glad I listened.

Until next week....

Starting from scratch

I have been consistently inconsistent with my 5k training. I've experience a range of emotions from excitement to frustration and finally to disillusionment.  I was ready to give it up completely. One of my goals for 2009 was to run a 5k race. It's October. There's no way I'm going to be able to achieve my goal. I was ready to delete the running podcasts and playlists from my iPod and be done with it.

Friday night hubby and I went to a comedy show at the DC Improv. While standing in line waiting to enter the show, we ran into friends. The husbands were friends/former co-workers. The wife and I knew each other through our husbands. Anyway, they were talking about leaving the following morning to go to San Francisco. The wife has been training all year to run in a half marathon - 13.1 miles. She was so excited about her achievement and said that her goal was to finish it in 3 hours. The husband participated in his first Triathlon over the summer and plans on competing in another. While they both talked about their achievements, I saw the excitement on their faces. And I was jealous. I'm thinking to myself she's about to complete a half marathon and her husband has completed a triathlon and I can't consistently train for a stinkin' 5k (3.2 miles). What the hell?

The wife suggested that I train with her next year. She said it's hard but she enjoyed herself and she was proud of herself for sticking with it. The following four words made me decide to get off my ass FOR REAL! She said to me "You should do it." And I thought to myself  I should. There's no reason why I shouldn't.

I downloaded a new running podcast called The Chubby Jones. I've only worked out to it once so far (this morning) but I think I'm going to like this better than the Podrunner podcasts. The narrator is Mia Jones and she's actually running and training right along with you. She cues you when it's time to speed it up and start running and when to slow it down and walk. The music is pretty good. I love it. It feels like I have a virtual training buddy.

I'm eyeing a 5k that I want to run in the next month or so.

I will get there!

Gold Star for Me!

Yay! I'm so happy! I woke up at 4:15 this morning and went to the gym - accomplishment #1. I then weight trained for 30 minutes - accomplishment #2. But my biggest accomplishment was that I ran/walked for 20 minutes. And I ran for half of that! 10 big ol' minutes. I am so excited. That's a huge deal for me since I have not been training consistently. It felt great. I felt great! I actually ran long enough to get that "runner's high". Mayjah!

Yesterday I was having the worst day at work. It was one of those days where I wanted to pack up my stuff and leave. That. Damn. Bad. When I've had one of those days, the first thing I want to do is eat unhealthy comfort food or have a glass of wine (or a glass of any alcohol that's available).  But I told myself I was not going to fall into that trap. Before leaving work, I had decided that I was going to take my frustrations out on the treadmill. By the time I got home and sat for awhile, the desire to go to the gym ebbed. I still needed to de-stress and unwind. So I read a book and watched Glee. I didn't gorge on junk food. I didn't let my stressful day control me. I found more productive ways to relieve my stress.

So far I'm on a good path. I am determined to stay on that path. I can't let work or any outside forces derail me.

Still here

Okay, so I didn't participate in the 5 miler last Saturday. I'm really bummed and disappointed in myself.  I was tempted to give up this ruse of becoming a runner since I wasn't making the progress I expected due to my inconsistent training. But then I thought about it. I'm not going to let this get me down. I'm still determined to become a runner and to run a 5k. Come hell or high water.

I went to the gym this morning and ran a little. I've realized a break - no matter how short - is detrimental to my training. I can't afford to take too many consecutive days off. It's a constant setback. So my training schedule is going to be this: Run/walk every other day for 20-25 minutes (50% runnning with 50% walking to start) and build up from there. Hopefully this will help me with staying consistent so I won't feel like a failure.

I haven't given up

Even though my 5k training has been horrifically inconsistent, I'm still planning on running a 5k race THIS YEAR! I found a couple of races in late September (don't know if I'll be ready) and October (will be ready).  So don't give up on me yet!  My intentions are good; I just need to get focused.

The procrastination and laziness ends today! I worked out (and ran a little) yesterday morning and worked out again this morning. Two days in a row I woke up at 4:20am and dragged my tired, weary behind to the gym. See?  Consistency! I'm getting there.  I won't pat myself on the back yet.  I still have a ways to go. But I will get there.

Promise!

Oy!

I have been out of the training loop for 2 weeks and boy did I feel it today! I didn't think that two weeks off would set me back so far but it did. Today was my first day back on the treadmill and the first 5 minutes were torture! My chest was tight, breathing was heavy. I thought I was going to pass out. My legs and shins were fine. It was the breathing part that was giving me problems. I think the breathing issue has to do with my current addiction to 5 hour energy. I really need to stop drinking those things. I'm at the point where I drink one everyday and that can't be good for me. And I did have a sip of one before heading to the gym. I know - not smart.

My plan to get back on track is to run everyday the rest of this week. It's the only way I figure I can get my breathing back up. And I plan on not drinking any 5 hour energy drinks. I promise.

The 5 miler is a little over a month away. Right now I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm giving myself til the end of August to determine if I'm going to walk the race or run it. If I can get to a solid 4 miles then I will improvise on the last mile.

I'm staying focused on my goal. I am determined to run the entire 5 miles by September 19th.

Keeping my eye on the prize.

On a roll!

I am so excited. Today my podrunner workout was to run 2o minutes uninterrupted. I saw this as a daunting task. There's no way I would be able to do it. But I did - sorta. After the 5 minute warm-up, I cranked up the speed and started running. As I was approaching the 5 minute mark, I decided that I would take a 1 minute or less break. I figured this would be the only way I would be able to get the 20 minutes of running done. The mini-breaks really helped me a lot and I was able to finish the 2o minutes.

Even though it was supposed to be 2o minutes of non-stop running, I'm still proud of myself. I'm glad I added in the 1 minute break every 5 minutes. I'm hoping soon I will be able to run the 20 minutes without needing the break.

Feeling Good

Today, the treadmill was my bitch. I had a great workout and like Tony the Tiger, I feel g-r-r-r-eat!! I'm on week 5, workout 2 of the Podrunner 5k training. This workout consisted of a 5 minute warm-up, 8 minutes running, 5 minutes walking, 8 min running and 1:45 minute cool down. I pounded the treadmill hard. I was focused like I've never been focused before. I did take a 30 second break during the 8 minute run but that was mainly due to being thirsty not because I was tired. I guess I should hydrate a little before I start training. My concern is that I might drink too much and end up getting a stitch in my side. That would not be fun.

I am proud of myself today. Next training workout is running 20 minutes straight - no breaks. It's daunting and I'm a little nervous but I am determined to do it.

Woo-hoo! I'm still on that runner's high.

Making Progress

I'm baaack!!! I've been keeping a low profile since I've pretty much fallen off the wagon. But now I'm back on - I hope. I ran Saturday dreading it the entire time. But to my surprise, my endurance had kicked up a notch. I just knew I would be huffing and puffing at the one minute mark but I wasn't. I ran for 5 minutes before I slowed down to a walk. (And I only stopped at 5 minutes because my mouth was so dry my tongue was stuck to the roof of it!). I walked for 2 minutes and increased the speed again, thinking that first round was a fluke. Nope! It wasn't! I ran for another 5 minutes. I slowed it down again because now I am getting winded and didn't want to over do it and pass out. But I continued this for 30 minutes. At the 30 minute mark I was winded, sweaty and proud of myself. I think this was the nudge that I needed to get back in the training mode.

Since I felt so great about my workout Saturday, Sunday I went outside and did a 30 minute run/walk with Darrius. Running outside is so much harder than being on a treadmill but I plan on keeping at it.

Today I signed up for a 5 mile race in September. I have a goal in sight. And I plan on staying on track working towards that goal.

Wish me luck!

Hanging my head in shame

I know in my last post I was all gung-ho and talking smack about how I'm back and track. I'm off the wagon....AGAIN! I haven't trained in two weeks. I have been working out. But I haven't been doing my 5k training. The moment is started getting tough, I sort of gave up. Not totally gave up but I started finding reasons to avoid my 5k training podcast. It varied from I downloaded new music and wanted to workout to that instead to there was a real funny episode of Friends on that I wanted to watch for the 100th time while I walked on the treadmill. I am ashamed of myself. How am I going to be able to run a 5k by September if I don't stick with the training? Do I think that on that day I'm going to magically be able to run 3.2 miles with ease? SMH.

I don't know what to do to get the motivation back. Like I said, I've been in the gym, working out, pounding the treadmill (walking). I dread hitting the up button to increase my speed to 4.6. I think I've psyched myself out of being able to do it. So now I got to psyche myself back into being able to do it.

I will be able to get back on track....eventually. I'm going to start one step at a time.

We shall see. I will keep you up-to-date as my journey continues.

Ta! for now