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!

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.

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!

I'm baaaackkkk!!!

Yes, I've been M.I.A. and I'm sorry. The last couple of months have been roadblock after roadblock. I had pretty much given up on the 5k training until 2 weeks ago. I found PodrunnerIntervals. This discovery has re-energized my goal to run a 5k race. I started week 2 of the training yesterday. And I feel great. I wanted to be ready to run a 5k by June 6th but it doesn't appear that I'll be ready for it. That is two weeks away. So now I'm looking to find something in mid to late July. The Podrunner training is for 9 weeks. If I stay on track and don't get lazy or let life get in the way, I will be 5k ready by mid July. I can't wait! I am determined to stick to this. Another thing that has me motivated is that it's officially the "start of summer" and I am nowhere near the shape I want to be in. I'm ashamed to wear sleeveless tops because my arms are too fat and jiggly. My legs are awful - cellulite city. I need to get my ass motivated and hopefully the goal of running a 5k will do the trick. I know, I've said this before. But I really mean it this time. I promise to stick with it and I look forward to the day when I post about my first 5k.

It's on like Donkey Kong!