Its discouraging when you run farther and harder than you ever have in your life, you cut calroies down to 1200 and your careful not to go to far over, you do some yoga sessions as well as light weights, and generally you feel like you've made progress. Then you step on the scale and it tells you your 114.0 pounds, which means I've gained back 1.6 pounds. So weight wise its been a bad week. I'll admit I had some recces peanut butter cups but they all fit into my 1200 calorie budget. Next week I'll cut those out.
Anyway, on to W8D3. It was a fantastic run! I had done some yoga beforehand that I found on itunes and the boyfriend joined in. Its hard and will help me build strength so I will continue doing it. Then we went for a run on the treadmill. I completed 2.55 miles in 30:35 which is the farthest I have ever run! I ran at a 5 speed on the treadmill the entire time and a 6 speed for the last minute. its always exciting stepping up your pace and succeeding! As for pain I experienced soreness in that place between your foot and shin, maybe a tendon pain? I don't know but I think it is from flexing my foot to much. Other then that no more pain, no dizziness or throwing up, and my breathing was easy and not labored.After the run I experienced the normal small amount of muscle pain that is easy to get over.
Now, I'm on spring break! But this dosen't mean that I get a break from running. Traditionally I break over my holidays and fall of the running wagon completely. The boyfriend and I have decided that we will try running outside. If I decide that outside running is ultimately what I want to do then I'll get the garmin forerunner 210 for my birthday in 3 weeks. It will be the perfect inspiration to continue running! And hopefully running outside isn't as boring as running on the treadmill!!!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
W8D2
Today my boyfriend had to pull me up to go running. It gets hard to stay motivated and he knows that if I dont run I'll pester and badger him about how guilty I feel, better to just kick me to get me running. So after looking at pictures of people on google who participated in the Disney princess 1/2 marathon (my goal for January) I was pumped up enough to allow him to give me the kick I needed to get started, yes motivation for me comes in two parts sometimes. But I'm so glad that he pushed and I decided to run because I completed W8D2, and had a little help doing so!
Today I ran in my new PINK Zensah calf sleeves. They are amazing! I didn't get any shin splints for the first time since probably week 5. I kept them on to walk around campus and also didn't get any of the usual front shin pain. It'll take more runs to see if these beauties work but so far the verdict is YES! Without the shin pain the run went a lot smoother. I didn't feel the need to vomit this time, thank God, and overall it felt as though I pushed for the second half but not as hard as I pushed on W8D1.
For today's run I kept the speed at 4.7, afraid to get nauseous again, and told myself that I could look at the clock after 7 songs. After those songs were completed I had 4 more minutes left. Those 4 minutes wizzed by and I told myself that I could run for another half of a song and that would bring me to 30 minutes, so I ran! Today I completed 2.35 miles in 30 minutes! I wish I had reached the 2.5 mile mark, my boyfriend, running at 5.0, reached 2.55 miles, but there is always next time. I've decided that the W8D1 nausea was a fluke and that I am physically capable of handeling the 5.0 speed for 30 minutes. So thats my goal for W8D3.
But running isn't all of the exercise that I've been doing! My boyfriend is helping me lift weights in our room. We use a dung bell (I think) and I lift the bar and the clips that hold the weights on, for a total of 5 pounds. I don't want huge muscles just some upper body tone. Along with running, and lifting weight, I am also watching my calorie intake! I;v decided to not count my calories lost in my calorie tracking however because I dont not yet have a heart rate monitor. Today I consumed 1222 calories (22 over my 1200 goal). So hopefully if I keep tracking and running I will get to my ideal running weight of 105 pounds soon.
Today I ran in my new PINK Zensah calf sleeves. They are amazing! I didn't get any shin splints for the first time since probably week 5. I kept them on to walk around campus and also didn't get any of the usual front shin pain. It'll take more runs to see if these beauties work but so far the verdict is YES! Without the shin pain the run went a lot smoother. I didn't feel the need to vomit this time, thank God, and overall it felt as though I pushed for the second half but not as hard as I pushed on W8D1.
For today's run I kept the speed at 4.7, afraid to get nauseous again, and told myself that I could look at the clock after 7 songs. After those songs were completed I had 4 more minutes left. Those 4 minutes wizzed by and I told myself that I could run for another half of a song and that would bring me to 30 minutes, so I ran! Today I completed 2.35 miles in 30 minutes! I wish I had reached the 2.5 mile mark, my boyfriend, running at 5.0, reached 2.55 miles, but there is always next time. I've decided that the W8D1 nausea was a fluke and that I am physically capable of handeling the 5.0 speed for 30 minutes. So thats my goal for W8D3.
But running isn't all of the exercise that I've been doing! My boyfriend is helping me lift weights in our room. We use a dung bell (I think) and I lift the bar and the clips that hold the weights on, for a total of 5 pounds. I don't want huge muscles just some upper body tone. Along with running, and lifting weight, I am also watching my calorie intake! I;v decided to not count my calories lost in my calorie tracking however because I dont not yet have a heart rate monitor. Today I consumed 1222 calories (22 over my 1200 goal). So hopefully if I keep tracking and running I will get to my ideal running weight of 105 pounds soon.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Motivation
Everyone who keeps up with the C25K has to have some motivation to persist so I'll say a little bit about some recent motivation that I received that helped me begin week 8. At the begning of my third sttempt at C25K three weeks ago I weighed about 116.8 pounds, this was the closest I had ever been to 117 pounds and it was in the morning before I ate so there was a possibility that I was 117 pounds by the end of the day. I contemplated another crash diet where I'd starve myself and then inevitably give in and gain back all of the weight plus more. After all that kind of behavior is what made me 116 pounds in the first place. But instead I started the C25K again at W5D1. Yesterday before my run, I weighed 112.4 pounds. The lowest weight I have been this year (yes I know the year just started) and probably lower than my lowest last year (not including when I'd starve or purge).
This revelation made me feel incredible and I had to keep up with the running. The weight loss came as a suprise to me. I wasen't even planning on weighing myself! Two weeks ago I had dropped to 114 pounds but during my period last week I was 115 pounds so I thought maybe the weight loss was a fluke. I weighed myself thinking I would be 116 pounds again and this would motivate me to run, so I was pleasantly surprised!
Even more surprising however, was the fact that I didn't have to diet and I was gulping down water like someone who'd been stuck in a desert. Also, I felt hungrier last week then I ever have in my life! I would constantly get hunger pangs and was eating at least three meals a day most days, even breakfast which I don't usually like to eat. In short, I ate A LOT and drank tons, assuming that water weight was inevitable, and still lost weight. Screw the 1200 calories that these online calculators say I need to be eating to be 105 pounds (which is apparently my ideal running weight), I can eat and be healthy, happy, and skinny! This is a new concept to me!
Some people may wonder why this weight loss is a suprise to me and its because I have never lost weight through anything but dieting. Even the first 4 weeks of the C25K did not help me loose weight. This weight loss makes me realize that I'm doing a good job. Sure running is hard and at times I hate it but I'm finally getting results and feeling healthy and active, not to mention my self confidence is shooting up!
This revelation made me feel incredible and I had to keep up with the running. The weight loss came as a suprise to me. I wasen't even planning on weighing myself! Two weeks ago I had dropped to 114 pounds but during my period last week I was 115 pounds so I thought maybe the weight loss was a fluke. I weighed myself thinking I would be 116 pounds again and this would motivate me to run, so I was pleasantly surprised!
Even more surprising however, was the fact that I didn't have to diet and I was gulping down water like someone who'd been stuck in a desert. Also, I felt hungrier last week then I ever have in my life! I would constantly get hunger pangs and was eating at least three meals a day most days, even breakfast which I don't usually like to eat. In short, I ate A LOT and drank tons, assuming that water weight was inevitable, and still lost weight. Screw the 1200 calories that these online calculators say I need to be eating to be 105 pounds (which is apparently my ideal running weight), I can eat and be healthy, happy, and skinny! This is a new concept to me!
Some people may wonder why this weight loss is a suprise to me and its because I have never lost weight through anything but dieting. Even the first 4 weeks of the C25K did not help me loose weight. This weight loss makes me realize that I'm doing a good job. Sure running is hard and at times I hate it but I'm finally getting results and feeling healthy and active, not to mention my self confidence is shooting up!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
W8D1
Well I did it! Fought through a painful eye (more on that later), nausea, and slightly swore legs. The run started out well but I just couldn't stop focusing on the pain after 15 minutes! I was planning on doing 30 minutes but I felt like I was going to throw up for half of the run so at the 28 minute mark I was finished! But I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't get any shin splints and the muscle pain was minimum. Which is great but I'm still looking forward to trying out my new PINK Zensah calf sleeves which will hopefully get rid of my shin splints forever! They arrive tommorow and I'm hoping to have them before my run on Tuesday, it all depends on how quick my dorm sorts the mail.
Now on to the eye! I wanted to re-oxidize my seashell Pandora charm so I got a hard boiled egg at the dining hall on Thursday but forgot to bring it home with me on Friday. So I decided to reheat the egg today in the microwave to start the process. As it turns out you cant heat an egg for 45 seconds when the shell isn't peeled off. I learned this the hard way when I opened the microwave, stared putting my head close to the opening, and the egg exploded. Egg went EVERYWHERE, and the microwave was splattered with egg. Unfortunately, hot pieces of egg or shell (who knows) flew up and hit me in my eye. So my eye has been burning and red all day. I had thought that the eye lid was all that got hit by the egg but after my run, about 3 hours later, my eye became very painful and I started rubbing it. When I pulled my hand away I found a big piece of egg had been in my eye! Twice more I found egg, thankfully smaller pieces, in my eye. I'm scared they'll get trapped in the back part of my head or something and rot...On the bright side, because I'm trying to be a more optimistic person, I learned a lesson today: I hate eggs.
Now on to the eye! I wanted to re-oxidize my seashell Pandora charm so I got a hard boiled egg at the dining hall on Thursday but forgot to bring it home with me on Friday. So I decided to reheat the egg today in the microwave to start the process. As it turns out you cant heat an egg for 45 seconds when the shell isn't peeled off. I learned this the hard way when I opened the microwave, stared putting my head close to the opening, and the egg exploded. Egg went EVERYWHERE, and the microwave was splattered with egg. Unfortunately, hot pieces of egg or shell (who knows) flew up and hit me in my eye. So my eye has been burning and red all day. I had thought that the eye lid was all that got hit by the egg but after my run, about 3 hours later, my eye became very painful and I started rubbing it. When I pulled my hand away I found a big piece of egg had been in my eye! Twice more I found egg, thankfully smaller pieces, in my eye. I'm scared they'll get trapped in the back part of my head or something and rot...On the bright side, because I'm trying to be a more optimistic person, I learned a lesson today: I hate eggs.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Great day
I already posted about my run but later on I got thinking that ever since running I've been a happier person! People always say that exercising makes you a happier person but I never bought into that idea. These realization came after having read an article in my school newspaper that stated that my university is one of the "most obese and stressed" universities in America. I wasn't surprised by this at all. The academics are very hard and people do stress out a lot. And just walking around school you see many overweight and obese people. But it is sad to me named the most stressed and obese. The good thing about the title however is that my school set aside $50,000 to redo the gym, and I have to say I love the new treadmills!
So yes I am excited to continue running, I can't wait until I start seeing body changes but my attitude had changed tremendously. I'm excited!
So yes I am excited to continue running, I can't wait until I start seeing body changes but my attitude had changed tremendously. I'm excited!
W7D2 and W7D3
Thank goodness I was able to finish the 25 minute run on W7D2. It was a pretty normal and exhausting run, speed was 4.7, I finished 2 miles, developed a shin splint in each leg, and my legs went numb entirely after 15 minutes. After my last run that I couldn't complete I was just happy to finish W7D2, even if it was just barely.
Because of my last two runs I was convinced that I would have to do another day or two of the 25 minute runs as oppose to going onto week 8. But I surprised myself with the W7D3 run! Before I go into details let me just say that this was the single BEST run of my life!!!! I may have actually experienced a runners high!!! The first 15 minutes were hard, I wanted to quit because I had 2 shin splints and I was hungry. But then I discovered a small gray mark on the wall across the gym from where I was. As a side note my school gym is tiny but it is nice that they have a "cardio balcony" that overlooks the courts so you can watch the wrestlers and basket ball players and keep distracted while working out.
So back to the mark. I started staring at that mark and then a song came on my ipod that had a wonderful beat to it. I focused on a quieter instrument in that song that I had never notice before, stared at my dot, let my face and body go slack, and just ran. Then I raised the speed to 5.0mph and ran some more. Before I knew it I had 45 seconds left in my run so I finished strong. For the first time since I began the 25 minute runs I felt comfortable for the last portion and felt like I could continue to run. I completed half the run at 4.7mph and the other half at 5.0mph so I worked harder than ever! And offcourse the runners high that you get when the run is complete is fantastic!
Now the the injuries. I took an Ibuprofen about 1 1/2 hours before my run to see if that would help with the shin splints and to be honest I didn't notice a difference. Now I have my left leg iced down because on the way out of the gym I felt a small pain in my shin, higher up from where I get the pains usually, and it feels like a shin splint. I have never had a shin splint continue after running so I'm being careful and icing it. Hopefully that pain will subside with some massage and a days rest because I'm going to try for another runners high on Thursday!
Because of my last two runs I was convinced that I would have to do another day or two of the 25 minute runs as oppose to going onto week 8. But I surprised myself with the W7D3 run! Before I go into details let me just say that this was the single BEST run of my life!!!! I may have actually experienced a runners high!!! The first 15 minutes were hard, I wanted to quit because I had 2 shin splints and I was hungry. But then I discovered a small gray mark on the wall across the gym from where I was. As a side note my school gym is tiny but it is nice that they have a "cardio balcony" that overlooks the courts so you can watch the wrestlers and basket ball players and keep distracted while working out.
So back to the mark. I started staring at that mark and then a song came on my ipod that had a wonderful beat to it. I focused on a quieter instrument in that song that I had never notice before, stared at my dot, let my face and body go slack, and just ran. Then I raised the speed to 5.0mph and ran some more. Before I knew it I had 45 seconds left in my run so I finished strong. For the first time since I began the 25 minute runs I felt comfortable for the last portion and felt like I could continue to run. I completed half the run at 4.7mph and the other half at 5.0mph so I worked harder than ever! And offcourse the runners high that you get when the run is complete is fantastic!
Now the the injuries. I took an Ibuprofen about 1 1/2 hours before my run to see if that would help with the shin splints and to be honest I didn't notice a difference. Now I have my left leg iced down because on the way out of the gym I felt a small pain in my shin, higher up from where I get the pains usually, and it feels like a shin splint. I have never had a shin splint continue after running so I'm being careful and icing it. Hopefully that pain will subside with some massage and a days rest because I'm going to try for another runners high on Thursday!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
First day of failure W7D1
Today was one of the worst runs of my life. I had to complete a 25 minute run, which I had already completed in W6D3 but for some reason I chocked. I jumped on one of the older treadmills at my school gym, figure out how to get it to work after 5 minutes of messing with it, and took off at my normal speed. Five minutes later my calves were so tight that I motioned to my boyfriend that I'd have to stop, but I kept trying. Ten minutes in however, after developing a foot cramp and shin splint, I decided to walk to see if the tightness would alleviate itself. Unfortunately, the treadmill wouldn't lower it's speed and I was forced to stand on the side rails. Just standing made my calves tighten in pain. From then on I had to run and then stop when the tightness got worse.
I guess I had to repeat a day eventually but I feel pretty down. I've been beating myself up over it all day. I feel like I failed and in retrospect I think I should have just pushed through it. But in reality it was probably a combination of things that lead me to fail this run today. I ate breakfast at around 8:30 and didn't eat again until I finished my run at almost 3:00. I wanted to grab some bread on my way out but I get awful cramps if I eat before running. I guess Thursdays are going to be difficult days to run with my school schedule. Then add on the fact that I'm mentally exhausted by Thursdays and that the treadmill appeared to not be as inclined as the new ones and the belt seemed to run slower and catch every time I stepped down, and I was doomed from the start to have a bad run. I'll try again on Sunday after 2 days of rest, stretches, and maybe a massage from the loving boyfriend and hopefully I'll be able to complete this run...Everyone has a bad day every once in a while, right?
I guess I had to repeat a day eventually but I feel pretty down. I've been beating myself up over it all day. I feel like I failed and in retrospect I think I should have just pushed through it. But in reality it was probably a combination of things that lead me to fail this run today. I ate breakfast at around 8:30 and didn't eat again until I finished my run at almost 3:00. I wanted to grab some bread on my way out but I get awful cramps if I eat before running. I guess Thursdays are going to be difficult days to run with my school schedule. Then add on the fact that I'm mentally exhausted by Thursdays and that the treadmill appeared to not be as inclined as the new ones and the belt seemed to run slower and catch every time I stepped down, and I was doomed from the start to have a bad run. I'll try again on Sunday after 2 days of rest, stretches, and maybe a massage from the loving boyfriend and hopefully I'll be able to complete this run...Everyone has a bad day every once in a while, right?
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Saturday, March 19, 2011
W8D3
Its discouraging when you run farther and harder than you ever have in your life, you cut calroies down to 1200 and your careful not to go to far over, you do some yoga sessions as well as light weights, and generally you feel like you've made progress. Then you step on the scale and it tells you your 114.0 pounds, which means I've gained back 1.6 pounds. So weight wise its been a bad week. I'll admit I had some recces peanut butter cups but they all fit into my 1200 calorie budget. Next week I'll cut those out.
Anyway, on to W8D3. It was a fantastic run! I had done some yoga beforehand that I found on itunes and the boyfriend joined in. Its hard and will help me build strength so I will continue doing it. Then we went for a run on the treadmill. I completed 2.55 miles in 30:35 which is the farthest I have ever run! I ran at a 5 speed on the treadmill the entire time and a 6 speed for the last minute. its always exciting stepping up your pace and succeeding! As for pain I experienced soreness in that place between your foot and shin, maybe a tendon pain? I don't know but I think it is from flexing my foot to much. Other then that no more pain, no dizziness or throwing up, and my breathing was easy and not labored.After the run I experienced the normal small amount of muscle pain that is easy to get over.
Now, I'm on spring break! But this dosen't mean that I get a break from running. Traditionally I break over my holidays and fall of the running wagon completely. The boyfriend and I have decided that we will try running outside. If I decide that outside running is ultimately what I want to do then I'll get the garmin forerunner 210 for my birthday in 3 weeks. It will be the perfect inspiration to continue running! And hopefully running outside isn't as boring as running on the treadmill!!!
Anyway, on to W8D3. It was a fantastic run! I had done some yoga beforehand that I found on itunes and the boyfriend joined in. Its hard and will help me build strength so I will continue doing it. Then we went for a run on the treadmill. I completed 2.55 miles in 30:35 which is the farthest I have ever run! I ran at a 5 speed on the treadmill the entire time and a 6 speed for the last minute. its always exciting stepping up your pace and succeeding! As for pain I experienced soreness in that place between your foot and shin, maybe a tendon pain? I don't know but I think it is from flexing my foot to much. Other then that no more pain, no dizziness or throwing up, and my breathing was easy and not labored.After the run I experienced the normal small amount of muscle pain that is easy to get over.
Now, I'm on spring break! But this dosen't mean that I get a break from running. Traditionally I break over my holidays and fall of the running wagon completely. The boyfriend and I have decided that we will try running outside. If I decide that outside running is ultimately what I want to do then I'll get the garmin forerunner 210 for my birthday in 3 weeks. It will be the perfect inspiration to continue running! And hopefully running outside isn't as boring as running on the treadmill!!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
W8D2
Today my boyfriend had to pull me up to go running. It gets hard to stay motivated and he knows that if I dont run I'll pester and badger him about how guilty I feel, better to just kick me to get me running. So after looking at pictures of people on google who participated in the Disney princess 1/2 marathon (my goal for January) I was pumped up enough to allow him to give me the kick I needed to get started, yes motivation for me comes in two parts sometimes. But I'm so glad that he pushed and I decided to run because I completed W8D2, and had a little help doing so!
Today I ran in my new PINK Zensah calf sleeves. They are amazing! I didn't get any shin splints for the first time since probably week 5. I kept them on to walk around campus and also didn't get any of the usual front shin pain. It'll take more runs to see if these beauties work but so far the verdict is YES! Without the shin pain the run went a lot smoother. I didn't feel the need to vomit this time, thank God, and overall it felt as though I pushed for the second half but not as hard as I pushed on W8D1.
For today's run I kept the speed at 4.7, afraid to get nauseous again, and told myself that I could look at the clock after 7 songs. After those songs were completed I had 4 more minutes left. Those 4 minutes wizzed by and I told myself that I could run for another half of a song and that would bring me to 30 minutes, so I ran! Today I completed 2.35 miles in 30 minutes! I wish I had reached the 2.5 mile mark, my boyfriend, running at 5.0, reached 2.55 miles, but there is always next time. I've decided that the W8D1 nausea was a fluke and that I am physically capable of handeling the 5.0 speed for 30 minutes. So thats my goal for W8D3.
But running isn't all of the exercise that I've been doing! My boyfriend is helping me lift weights in our room. We use a dung bell (I think) and I lift the bar and the clips that hold the weights on, for a total of 5 pounds. I don't want huge muscles just some upper body tone. Along with running, and lifting weight, I am also watching my calorie intake! I;v decided to not count my calories lost in my calorie tracking however because I dont not yet have a heart rate monitor. Today I consumed 1222 calories (22 over my 1200 goal). So hopefully if I keep tracking and running I will get to my ideal running weight of 105 pounds soon.
Today I ran in my new PINK Zensah calf sleeves. They are amazing! I didn't get any shin splints for the first time since probably week 5. I kept them on to walk around campus and also didn't get any of the usual front shin pain. It'll take more runs to see if these beauties work but so far the verdict is YES! Without the shin pain the run went a lot smoother. I didn't feel the need to vomit this time, thank God, and overall it felt as though I pushed for the second half but not as hard as I pushed on W8D1.
For today's run I kept the speed at 4.7, afraid to get nauseous again, and told myself that I could look at the clock after 7 songs. After those songs were completed I had 4 more minutes left. Those 4 minutes wizzed by and I told myself that I could run for another half of a song and that would bring me to 30 minutes, so I ran! Today I completed 2.35 miles in 30 minutes! I wish I had reached the 2.5 mile mark, my boyfriend, running at 5.0, reached 2.55 miles, but there is always next time. I've decided that the W8D1 nausea was a fluke and that I am physically capable of handeling the 5.0 speed for 30 minutes. So thats my goal for W8D3.
But running isn't all of the exercise that I've been doing! My boyfriend is helping me lift weights in our room. We use a dung bell (I think) and I lift the bar and the clips that hold the weights on, for a total of 5 pounds. I don't want huge muscles just some upper body tone. Along with running, and lifting weight, I am also watching my calorie intake! I;v decided to not count my calories lost in my calorie tracking however because I dont not yet have a heart rate monitor. Today I consumed 1222 calories (22 over my 1200 goal). So hopefully if I keep tracking and running I will get to my ideal running weight of 105 pounds soon.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Motivation
Everyone who keeps up with the C25K has to have some motivation to persist so I'll say a little bit about some recent motivation that I received that helped me begin week 8. At the begning of my third sttempt at C25K three weeks ago I weighed about 116.8 pounds, this was the closest I had ever been to 117 pounds and it was in the morning before I ate so there was a possibility that I was 117 pounds by the end of the day. I contemplated another crash diet where I'd starve myself and then inevitably give in and gain back all of the weight plus more. After all that kind of behavior is what made me 116 pounds in the first place. But instead I started the C25K again at W5D1. Yesterday before my run, I weighed 112.4 pounds. The lowest weight I have been this year (yes I know the year just started) and probably lower than my lowest last year (not including when I'd starve or purge).
This revelation made me feel incredible and I had to keep up with the running. The weight loss came as a suprise to me. I wasen't even planning on weighing myself! Two weeks ago I had dropped to 114 pounds but during my period last week I was 115 pounds so I thought maybe the weight loss was a fluke. I weighed myself thinking I would be 116 pounds again and this would motivate me to run, so I was pleasantly surprised!
Even more surprising however, was the fact that I didn't have to diet and I was gulping down water like someone who'd been stuck in a desert. Also, I felt hungrier last week then I ever have in my life! I would constantly get hunger pangs and was eating at least three meals a day most days, even breakfast which I don't usually like to eat. In short, I ate A LOT and drank tons, assuming that water weight was inevitable, and still lost weight. Screw the 1200 calories that these online calculators say I need to be eating to be 105 pounds (which is apparently my ideal running weight), I can eat and be healthy, happy, and skinny! This is a new concept to me!
Some people may wonder why this weight loss is a suprise to me and its because I have never lost weight through anything but dieting. Even the first 4 weeks of the C25K did not help me loose weight. This weight loss makes me realize that I'm doing a good job. Sure running is hard and at times I hate it but I'm finally getting results and feeling healthy and active, not to mention my self confidence is shooting up!
This revelation made me feel incredible and I had to keep up with the running. The weight loss came as a suprise to me. I wasen't even planning on weighing myself! Two weeks ago I had dropped to 114 pounds but during my period last week I was 115 pounds so I thought maybe the weight loss was a fluke. I weighed myself thinking I would be 116 pounds again and this would motivate me to run, so I was pleasantly surprised!
Even more surprising however, was the fact that I didn't have to diet and I was gulping down water like someone who'd been stuck in a desert. Also, I felt hungrier last week then I ever have in my life! I would constantly get hunger pangs and was eating at least three meals a day most days, even breakfast which I don't usually like to eat. In short, I ate A LOT and drank tons, assuming that water weight was inevitable, and still lost weight. Screw the 1200 calories that these online calculators say I need to be eating to be 105 pounds (which is apparently my ideal running weight), I can eat and be healthy, happy, and skinny! This is a new concept to me!
Some people may wonder why this weight loss is a suprise to me and its because I have never lost weight through anything but dieting. Even the first 4 weeks of the C25K did not help me loose weight. This weight loss makes me realize that I'm doing a good job. Sure running is hard and at times I hate it but I'm finally getting results and feeling healthy and active, not to mention my self confidence is shooting up!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
W8D1
Well I did it! Fought through a painful eye (more on that later), nausea, and slightly swore legs. The run started out well but I just couldn't stop focusing on the pain after 15 minutes! I was planning on doing 30 minutes but I felt like I was going to throw up for half of the run so at the 28 minute mark I was finished! But I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't get any shin splints and the muscle pain was minimum. Which is great but I'm still looking forward to trying out my new PINK Zensah calf sleeves which will hopefully get rid of my shin splints forever! They arrive tommorow and I'm hoping to have them before my run on Tuesday, it all depends on how quick my dorm sorts the mail.
Now on to the eye! I wanted to re-oxidize my seashell Pandora charm so I got a hard boiled egg at the dining hall on Thursday but forgot to bring it home with me on Friday. So I decided to reheat the egg today in the microwave to start the process. As it turns out you cant heat an egg for 45 seconds when the shell isn't peeled off. I learned this the hard way when I opened the microwave, stared putting my head close to the opening, and the egg exploded. Egg went EVERYWHERE, and the microwave was splattered with egg. Unfortunately, hot pieces of egg or shell (who knows) flew up and hit me in my eye. So my eye has been burning and red all day. I had thought that the eye lid was all that got hit by the egg but after my run, about 3 hours later, my eye became very painful and I started rubbing it. When I pulled my hand away I found a big piece of egg had been in my eye! Twice more I found egg, thankfully smaller pieces, in my eye. I'm scared they'll get trapped in the back part of my head or something and rot...On the bright side, because I'm trying to be a more optimistic person, I learned a lesson today: I hate eggs.
Now on to the eye! I wanted to re-oxidize my seashell Pandora charm so I got a hard boiled egg at the dining hall on Thursday but forgot to bring it home with me on Friday. So I decided to reheat the egg today in the microwave to start the process. As it turns out you cant heat an egg for 45 seconds when the shell isn't peeled off. I learned this the hard way when I opened the microwave, stared putting my head close to the opening, and the egg exploded. Egg went EVERYWHERE, and the microwave was splattered with egg. Unfortunately, hot pieces of egg or shell (who knows) flew up and hit me in my eye. So my eye has been burning and red all day. I had thought that the eye lid was all that got hit by the egg but after my run, about 3 hours later, my eye became very painful and I started rubbing it. When I pulled my hand away I found a big piece of egg had been in my eye! Twice more I found egg, thankfully smaller pieces, in my eye. I'm scared they'll get trapped in the back part of my head or something and rot...On the bright side, because I'm trying to be a more optimistic person, I learned a lesson today: I hate eggs.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Great day
I already posted about my run but later on I got thinking that ever since running I've been a happier person! People always say that exercising makes you a happier person but I never bought into that idea. These realization came after having read an article in my school newspaper that stated that my university is one of the "most obese and stressed" universities in America. I wasn't surprised by this at all. The academics are very hard and people do stress out a lot. And just walking around school you see many overweight and obese people. But it is sad to me named the most stressed and obese. The good thing about the title however is that my school set aside $50,000 to redo the gym, and I have to say I love the new treadmills!
So yes I am excited to continue running, I can't wait until I start seeing body changes but my attitude had changed tremendously. I'm excited!
So yes I am excited to continue running, I can't wait until I start seeing body changes but my attitude had changed tremendously. I'm excited!
W7D2 and W7D3
Thank goodness I was able to finish the 25 minute run on W7D2. It was a pretty normal and exhausting run, speed was 4.7, I finished 2 miles, developed a shin splint in each leg, and my legs went numb entirely after 15 minutes. After my last run that I couldn't complete I was just happy to finish W7D2, even if it was just barely.
Because of my last two runs I was convinced that I would have to do another day or two of the 25 minute runs as oppose to going onto week 8. But I surprised myself with the W7D3 run! Before I go into details let me just say that this was the single BEST run of my life!!!! I may have actually experienced a runners high!!! The first 15 minutes were hard, I wanted to quit because I had 2 shin splints and I was hungry. But then I discovered a small gray mark on the wall across the gym from where I was. As a side note my school gym is tiny but it is nice that they have a "cardio balcony" that overlooks the courts so you can watch the wrestlers and basket ball players and keep distracted while working out.
So back to the mark. I started staring at that mark and then a song came on my ipod that had a wonderful beat to it. I focused on a quieter instrument in that song that I had never notice before, stared at my dot, let my face and body go slack, and just ran. Then I raised the speed to 5.0mph and ran some more. Before I knew it I had 45 seconds left in my run so I finished strong. For the first time since I began the 25 minute runs I felt comfortable for the last portion and felt like I could continue to run. I completed half the run at 4.7mph and the other half at 5.0mph so I worked harder than ever! And offcourse the runners high that you get when the run is complete is fantastic!
Now the the injuries. I took an Ibuprofen about 1 1/2 hours before my run to see if that would help with the shin splints and to be honest I didn't notice a difference. Now I have my left leg iced down because on the way out of the gym I felt a small pain in my shin, higher up from where I get the pains usually, and it feels like a shin splint. I have never had a shin splint continue after running so I'm being careful and icing it. Hopefully that pain will subside with some massage and a days rest because I'm going to try for another runners high on Thursday!
Because of my last two runs I was convinced that I would have to do another day or two of the 25 minute runs as oppose to going onto week 8. But I surprised myself with the W7D3 run! Before I go into details let me just say that this was the single BEST run of my life!!!! I may have actually experienced a runners high!!! The first 15 minutes were hard, I wanted to quit because I had 2 shin splints and I was hungry. But then I discovered a small gray mark on the wall across the gym from where I was. As a side note my school gym is tiny but it is nice that they have a "cardio balcony" that overlooks the courts so you can watch the wrestlers and basket ball players and keep distracted while working out.
So back to the mark. I started staring at that mark and then a song came on my ipod that had a wonderful beat to it. I focused on a quieter instrument in that song that I had never notice before, stared at my dot, let my face and body go slack, and just ran. Then I raised the speed to 5.0mph and ran some more. Before I knew it I had 45 seconds left in my run so I finished strong. For the first time since I began the 25 minute runs I felt comfortable for the last portion and felt like I could continue to run. I completed half the run at 4.7mph and the other half at 5.0mph so I worked harder than ever! And offcourse the runners high that you get when the run is complete is fantastic!
Now the the injuries. I took an Ibuprofen about 1 1/2 hours before my run to see if that would help with the shin splints and to be honest I didn't notice a difference. Now I have my left leg iced down because on the way out of the gym I felt a small pain in my shin, higher up from where I get the pains usually, and it feels like a shin splint. I have never had a shin splint continue after running so I'm being careful and icing it. Hopefully that pain will subside with some massage and a days rest because I'm going to try for another runners high on Thursday!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
First day of failure W7D1
Today was one of the worst runs of my life. I had to complete a 25 minute run, which I had already completed in W6D3 but for some reason I chocked. I jumped on one of the older treadmills at my school gym, figure out how to get it to work after 5 minutes of messing with it, and took off at my normal speed. Five minutes later my calves were so tight that I motioned to my boyfriend that I'd have to stop, but I kept trying. Ten minutes in however, after developing a foot cramp and shin splint, I decided to walk to see if the tightness would alleviate itself. Unfortunately, the treadmill wouldn't lower it's speed and I was forced to stand on the side rails. Just standing made my calves tighten in pain. From then on I had to run and then stop when the tightness got worse.
I guess I had to repeat a day eventually but I feel pretty down. I've been beating myself up over it all day. I feel like I failed and in retrospect I think I should have just pushed through it. But in reality it was probably a combination of things that lead me to fail this run today. I ate breakfast at around 8:30 and didn't eat again until I finished my run at almost 3:00. I wanted to grab some bread on my way out but I get awful cramps if I eat before running. I guess Thursdays are going to be difficult days to run with my school schedule. Then add on the fact that I'm mentally exhausted by Thursdays and that the treadmill appeared to not be as inclined as the new ones and the belt seemed to run slower and catch every time I stepped down, and I was doomed from the start to have a bad run. I'll try again on Sunday after 2 days of rest, stretches, and maybe a massage from the loving boyfriend and hopefully I'll be able to complete this run...Everyone has a bad day every once in a while, right?
I guess I had to repeat a day eventually but I feel pretty down. I've been beating myself up over it all day. I feel like I failed and in retrospect I think I should have just pushed through it. But in reality it was probably a combination of things that lead me to fail this run today. I ate breakfast at around 8:30 and didn't eat again until I finished my run at almost 3:00. I wanted to grab some bread on my way out but I get awful cramps if I eat before running. I guess Thursdays are going to be difficult days to run with my school schedule. Then add on the fact that I'm mentally exhausted by Thursdays and that the treadmill appeared to not be as inclined as the new ones and the belt seemed to run slower and catch every time I stepped down, and I was doomed from the start to have a bad run. I'll try again on Sunday after 2 days of rest, stretches, and maybe a massage from the loving boyfriend and hopefully I'll be able to complete this run...Everyone has a bad day every once in a while, right?
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