Cross-Training

Since I've ramped up my C25K training, I haven't been so good about cross-training. Last night I wasn't able to get in a run, so I took advantage of that to do a core workout on the exercise ball.

I have a few main cross-training options that I try to work in: the 30 Day Shred, workouts recorded from FitTV (mostly from In Shape with Sharon Mann), riding the exercise bike, and yoga.

I discovered the Shred in December, shortly after I decided to start training for a 5K. I find it very motivating and challenging. Plus, as someone who is not good about making time for exercise, the short workout length is great. I don't like doing it every day, as I think that is too repetitive and hard on my body, but as a workout to integrate into my overall training, it's definitely a keeper.

I started recording FitTV shows several years ago, and after a lot of trial and error discovered that Sharon Mann's shows worked really well for me. Good, short workouts that are high on challenge, but low on annoying host patter. My favorite is her ball/yoga combo, which is a terrific core workout that ends with a segment of yoga poses.

One of my favorite exercise sites that I've found combines the 30 Day Shred and running, which is ideal for me. I will try to add a button for the site on the sidebar, but it can also be found at Shredheads.

I did manage to do the first day of Week 5. The weather was nasty on Saturday so I ran at the fitness center. I think that helped me stay on track with the 5 minute runs. I also experiemented with listening to a podcast instead of music, hoping that would make the time go a bit faster and it did. I don't think I would do that running outside, but for the treadmill, it's a good solution.

W5D1: 2.1 miles, 31 minutes (treadmill, includes warm up and cool down)

Week 4 Plus 1

It took four runs, but I finally did the full cycle proscribed for the Week 4 runs.

On the first run, I couldn't do five minutes of running at all.

On the second run, I did the first five, but messed up the last five when I miscounted the time. (Simple oversight or my subconscious taking over? You be the judge.) In my defense, when I realized the error, I did run for another minute. I also had a slight rest in the second five getting stuck at a light.

On the third run, I took advantage of daylight savings time to run after putting my son down for bed. However, his stalling tactics delayed my start enough that I couldn't do the whole run because of darkness. The first half of the run felt great. Terrific warm up walk, the three minute run was a breeze, and even the five minute run was tolerable.

Therefore, I decided I had to do at least one more day of Week 4 before moving on. Tonight I had enough daylight to get in the full run, and I did the whole thing. It was hard, but it's amazing what concrete goals can do for you.

Prior to starting Week 4 I peeked ahead to Week 5 so I know what's ahead of me and how impossible it seems, but for now I am going to bask in the accomplishment of tonight's run and leave the dread of what's to come far behind.

W4D1: 2 miles, 27.09 minutes
W4D2: 2.3 miles, 31.30 minutes
W4D3: 2 miles, 25.42 minutes
W4D4: 2.14 miles, 29.00 minutes

Hills

I was in Saugatuck, Michigan this weekend and was able to get in a run each morning. I was able to avoid the huge hill in town by staying in the residental areas on the top of the big hill, but there were still smaller hills to deal with, which was new to me since our neighborhood is pretty flat. I still managed to do the 90 seconds/3 minutes sets for Week Three, so the hills did not deter me, but they did slow me down a bit.

I just took a peek at the Week Four workouts. Yikes! Two sets of 3 minutes and 5 minutes of running?! Who thought that was a good idea?

W3D2: 2.08 miles, 26.30 minutes
W3D3: 1.97 miles, 26.17 minutes

Milestone

Today was Week Three, Day One so I was scheduled to run for three minutes twice in the run. I have not run for three minutes at a time since PE class in high school. But I did it! Twice. It was not easy, but it was not as hard as I had feared. I used incremental goals to get me through. "Get to the alley. Get to the next street. Get to the end of the song." I'm sure (I hope) that before too long that running three minutes straight will be no big deal, but right now it feels like a great accomplishment.

W3D1: 1.78 miles, 23.08 minutes

Running in the Winter

Week Two went pretty well in hindsight. I still wasn't feeling back to normal and wasn't sleeping well with the travel and time difference, but I got in three runs with a strong last run. This week really showed me that my good run in Florida wasn't a fluke and that I do run better outside. Running on the treadmill provides structure, but I'm definitely starting to prefer the organic pacing of running outside.

Not that Chicago winters necessarily give you the option to run outside. I know plenty of people do, but I have a lot of concern about getting injured. I know two people who have suffered serious broken bones from slipping on ice and that's a real mental block for me. I struggled to come up with a good answer for winter running once I decided to embark on this journey. After exploring several options, I decided to join the Chicago Park District fitness center. Reasonably priced and very close to home. It's been a good solution for these nasty winter days, but it has also only reinforced the idea that I don't like going somewhere to work out. I feel like the time to and from the gym is wasted time, and I prefer the privacy of my own home or the solitude of the outdoors for working out. Fortunately, daylight savings time is right around the corner, so there will be more daylight to get runs in during the week, and the weather should be continuing to improve as well.

W2D1: 2.0 miles, 30 minutes (treadmill, includes warm up and cool down)
W2D2: 1.67 miles, 25 minutes (treadmill, includes warm up and cool down)
W2D3: 2.12 miles, 29.01 minutes

User Error

I had a post all written about how I barely managed to complete Week One but why it still counted. Then I deleted it by accident and couldn't get it back. Rather than try to recreate it, I just had to step away from the computer. So, the short version is that I got a run in at the fitness center on Sunday, which concludes Week One. My preference would be to start my weeks on Sundays, but with being sick that didn't get off to the best start. Hopefully, that will get straightened out in the next week or so. I should be able to get at least two, if not three, runs in while I'm traveling this week.

I had a sinus infection during Week One and got food poisoning this week. Fingers crossed that Week Three (and beyond) will be healthy!

W1D3: 2.02 miles, 30 minutes (treadmill, includes warm up and cool down)

The Official, Disastrous Start to Couch to 5K

So, this was the big week. Sunday was ten weeks out from my first 5K, and I was planning to start the Couch to 5K plan this week for a couple of reasons. First, I thought it made sense to have a buffer week in the schedule in case things didn't go 100% according to plan (a wise move as it turned out). Second, we were in Florida the first half of the week with Dave's parents, meaning lovely weather and plenty of people to watch Alex while I took some time for myself. A perfect plan, what could go wrong?!

As is often the case (Why? I don't know.), I got sick before we left on our trip. Just a cold, but still annoying. My first run was going to be on Monday, and since all the advice I had read about running when you are sick says to get out there if the problem is above your shoulders, I did. I didn't feel great, but the 60 degree weather and sun was glorious, and it felt good to be outside and moving. I cut the run slightly short because the sidewalk ran out a little shy of where I planned to turn around, but I tacked a little more distance on at the end and stopped around 23 minutes, thinking that wasn't so bad for being out when I didn't feel well. As it turns out, I had a better run than I realized. Now that we are home I mapped the run and did 1.92 miles in 23:11 minutes (which includes the warm up) -- not bad at all! On the day of the run, I felt good about getting out and thought that the run actually helped clear my head literally and was good for the cold. So, I'm feeling pretty good about this start. Then Day 2 arrives...

I feel far worse on Tuesday. Terrible night's sleep, more congested, raspier cough. However, buoyed by my success the day before, I soldier on and plan to go out and run. As I'm getting ready it becomes very clear that this is not going to be such a good idea. I quickly adjust my expectations and decide to take a short walk. I walked for 16 minutes and, after mapping it today, managed 1.03 miles. Not even a normal walking pace for me, but at least I got out and did something.

I am now suffering from a full-blown sinus infection and don't know when my next run is going to happen. I have grand illusions of getting on the bike at some point today, but it's more likely that I will take another nap.

I have more to say about what I've been doing over the past 3+ months and my plans for this blog, but this saga was long enough for now. More later...

W1D1: 1.92 miles, 23:11
W1D2: Aborted