I did it!

Ok, so all I really did was make it through a week without quitting. It was difficult. I ended the week at 2/1 run/walk 5 times followed by 1/1 run/walk 5 times. The minute in between 2 minute runs was way too short! I persisted and I made it through. I am not too excited about the 3/1 run/walk days scheduled this week. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this! :)

I'm still here

I seem to be having trouble getting on the treadmill lately. It all started when I went to my sister's wedding in early June. There was no way I could even attempt to run/walk in the humidity in Kansas. When I got back, I was dragging my feet about it. I finally got it in my head that I was going to get on the treadmill when I cut my toe. It wasn't just a little cut, I cut a pea sized area of skin off and it was deep enough that I couldn't wear anything other than flip-flops for two weeks. Then my kids kept kneeling on my toe or stepping on my toe and making it hurt worse, tearing off the new skin that was growing there. I kept dragging my feet once my toe got a little better. Maybe it's because I have a baby who is teething (miserably) and wakes up several times a night. Maybe because when that baby is awake I have to be with him constantly or he will choke on something my older kids leave on the floor, fall down the stairs (because he can climb them now), or eat paper, get into my purse and eat my phone thereby ruining it, etc... However, I will not give up! I am to the point where I just want to be able to run for 30 minutes without passing out. So I searched the internet and found a program that is 3 weeks long, ending with me being able to run for 30 minutes. It is very detailed. It tells me how much to run and how much to walk each day. I got up this morning and told the older girls to watch the baby so I could get on the treadmill. I was dreading it- because I have been slacking off for almost a month. It really wasn't that bad, though. I did a 5 minute warm up of walking and then 1/1 minute run/walk 10 times (total of 20 minutes), followed by a 5 minute walk to cool down. Tomorrow I get to do the same. I look forward to the day that I can run 3 miles again. I am hopeful that I can run my first 5k around the end of the summer. Hopefully!

Training: Week 5

I got on the treadmill Monday for only 20 minutes because my legs were so sore from some work I did on Saturday. Then I headed to my sister's wedding and only got in a short walk one day. Not the best week, but I am back and ready to go again.

Week 6: I will be redoing Week 5- 35 minute walk/run.

Training: Week 4

Monday was a holiday, so I got a little confused and then forgot to get on the treadmill that night. I got in my 30 minutes the rest of the week, though.

Next week: Week 5 is 35 minute walk/run

Training: Week 3

Okay, so I guess last week was actually week 2 of the 20 weeks of training. So this week was week 3. I am so confused!

This week I did a walk/run for 25 minutes on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. I missed Wednesday. :( I have to get on the treadmill while the baby is sleeping because he can't be alone for 25 minutes while awake. Not with my 4 year old around. I was about to get on the treadmill when SHE WOKE HIM UP! I was upset. So I showered and changed into my regular clothes because I had someone coming over. I called my husband and told him to help me remember to get on the treadmill that evening. We forgot. Ugh! This is why I wake up and put on my running clothes. I wear them until I get on the treadmill. It is a reminder. But I had showered and changed because I had something going on that day. Guess I just have to get up in the morning before Jeff goes to work. Then I know I will get it in.

Next week: 30 minute walk/run!

Training: Week 1

Last week I started at week 1. Again. But I made it through it this time! I did get on the treadmill a few times the week before, but I felt it would be better if I stuck with a 20 minute walk/run for another week. So, it is official. I am now done with week 1 of my training. Week 2: walk run 25 minutes. Here we go!

Beginning..... again

Yay! I got on the treadmill and did it today. I have been so unmotivated. I have been trying to get myself to just get on with it. Today, I finally did. I did a 20 minute walk/run. I walked for 3 minutes to warm up and then ran 1 minute and walked 2 minutes until the last 2 minutes of walking for a cool down. I feel so much better when I exercise. I love how I feel. So why is it so hard to just do it? Hmmm... Now that I have started, it isn't so bad.

Here we go! (again)

Been awhile...

I know it has been awhile. We are getting settled in our new home. Today, we finally got the treadmill in the house! I am excited to get back to running. I think I might be switching to the Run to Stay Warm half marathon in November now. I think more people will be in town that weekend than the weekend of the Women's Half Marathon. Not to mention it is on a Saturday instead of a Sunday, which is a huge bonus. It is still up in the air, though. For now, I will start over on my 10 week training building up to running for half an hour. Then I will start on my 10 week Half Marathon training. That should put me on schedule for the Women's Half, but still give me the option of switching to the November half. I can decide at some point this summer which one I will run. The important thing is that I start my running again. So tomorrow, I will start up my training! Yay!!!! Exercise makes me feel so good. :)

Starting Over

Bet you thought I'd quit! If so, you were mistaken. I was pretty down for a bit and thought "why bother?" But now I am over that. It is time to start over. So Monday I walked for 20 minutes.
I am in the middle of packing for the big move this weekend, so it is a bit crazy. I may not post regularly for a few weeks till we are all settled.

Here is the new plan:
There is a new Women's Half Marathon here in September. So several friends wanted to do and suggested I do it too. So I am scrapping the half in May since I would only be able to run not even a quarter of it. September is a doable goal. I can totally be ready for that one. And it is right around my birthday so we can have a big ole party when I'm here!
Ah! A fresh start!

Training: Week 8

I find myself in week 8 of training and I am so behind! I am still looking at the treadmill longingly. I feel so...yucky?? I don't know. It just doesn't feel good- this lack of exercise. I go to the doctor in 2 days! Hopefully she will tell me I can start running again. I miss it. :(

Training: Week 7

I stare longingly at my treadmill.....

I am really missing walking and running. I think since it has been a week and I am feeling better that I can start walking. I go to the doctor next Wednesday and hopefully she will tell me I can run again. I feel so behind. Hopefully I can catch up.

Training: Weeks 5 and 6

I was so discouraged knowing that recovery from surgery would keep me from training. I let it get to me. So I stopped. I need to be more diligent. I had surgery yesterday and don't get to do any running for two weeks. :( We are moving on March 1st, and I have looked up races in the Las Vegas area. I am excited because there are many races in the winter and spring! They do a marathon (and a half marathon) in December. I am looking forward to that! I still plan to do the Eugene Marathon half in May. I may end up walking some of it if I can't get up to the whole thing with the training setback. I think I would like to do at least one 5K a month after the half. I have a few friends who have really gotten into running. It is so wonderful to have friends to inspire me! I look forward to the end of these next 2 weeks so I can get back to running!

Training: Week 5, Day 1

In the middle of my 35 minute walk/run I got a call from my doctor. She had the results from my biopsy (the procedure last week that made me too weak to work out on Wednesday). I finished my workout and managed to run 14 of the 35 minutes, but not consecutively. Anyway, the doctor wants to do surgery next week on Wednesday, and from what she said, I probably won't be able to work out for 2 weeks after that. I am feeling like I will never be able to make my goal of running a half marathon. I have been really struggling so far with all the illnesses and pain as well as breastfeeding and taking care of a newborn. I am wondering if this was too much to take on so soon after having him.
Maybe I will be able to at least walk for those two weeks. I will find out more when I go in for my pre-op appointment on Wednesday. At least I can keep up my training until the surgery. And then I can pick up again when I recover. I can always run as much of the half marathon as I can and then walk the rest. And I can find other marathons to run later in the year, I suppose. Maybe I will catch back up to where I need to be after recovering. Ugh! This is not what I had planned!

Training: Week 4

This week's schedule called for a 30 minute walk/run.

Monday I ran for 6 1/2 minutes straight! I was hoping to work up to 10 minutes by the end of the week.
Wednesday I had a procedure and then didn't eat enough so I was too weak to work out. :( I am working on eating enough. It is hard when you are breastfeeding a 6 week old baby. I have to be sure to eat enough and not overdo it. Well, I will just stay more on top of things from here on out.
Thursday I got a call from a realtor and someone wanted to look at our house the next day. Sooo, that night- instead of working out- Jeff and I cleaned. And cleaned. And cleaned. (We got it all done at least.)

Saturday I told myself no excuses. I have plans for the night, so working out would have to be earlier in the day. Hmmm. Maybe I should do that every day. Then I don't have to worry about being weak at the end of a long day, or put it off to clean for a surprise walk through. Well, I did it. I got my run/walk in. And before 10 pm, no less! Its a miracle! I managed to run for 7 1/2 minutes straight this time. So hopefully I will be hitting 10 minutes this coming week.

By the way, this coming week I get to walk/run for 35 minutes! Yay me! I am not very good at this, but at least I am not quitting. :)

Training: Week 3

Monday we were still recovering from our long drive back from L.A. We arrived home at 4 am. So I didn't get my walk/run in that day. This week was a 25 minute walk/run.

Wednesday I struggled to get dressed in my workout clothes. Jeff practically had to drag me off the couch. But it got done. And it wasn't so bad.

Thursday I struggled again. What is it about working out that is so difficult? I was not enjoying it at all. Usually once I get going it isn't so bad.

Saturday Jeff didn't have to drag me off the couch! I walked for 3 minutes, ran 1 1/2, walked 3, ran 5, walked 3, ran 1 1/2, walked 3, ran 2 1/2 and walked for the final 2 1/2 minutes. Yeah, that is 25 minutes. I am proud of my 5 minute stretch. Much better than week 3 last year! Remember, I just had a baby 6 weeks ago and haven't run for 9 months. I feel like I am making real progress. Maybe by the end of next week I'll be able to run for 10 minutes?

Training: Week 2

Monday I was still suffering the after effects of the stomach flu. Weak and dehydrated, I rested.

Tuesday we spent a long day at Disneyland. I walked and walked and walked, and ran a little. That counts right?

Wednesday- the stomach flu returned. Why?!?!

Thursday was another long day at Disneyland. Walking, walking, walking and a bit of a run in there.

Saturday- last day of Disneyland and some California Adventure. What a terrible way to get in my exercise, NOT!

I know I didn't really get in my 20 minutes of walking/running, but I think I more than made up for that pushing a stroller with a baby and a 3 year old around the parks all day (like from 8 am to 9-10 pm). Right?

Training: Week 1 (the rest of it)

Wednesday was the day we left for our Christmas holiday in California. I planned to get up early and walk before we left. Having a newborn really makes it impossible to plan. I got so behind and was so exhausted. We left 4 1/2 hours late and my house wasn't clean. Needless to say, I didn't get my walk in.

Thursday we were in sunny Redondo Beach! I got my 20 minutes of walking that day!

In the middle of Friday night I got the stomach flu. It was awful. It ruined my Saturday walk. Never happened. Why does it seem that things happen and make it impossible for me to stick with the program? Come on! I just want to do this!