Exercise Update: 5K

I completed my first 5K last weekend!  Here is my pre-race game face.

It was hard.  It was hot.  It was a really hilly course.  I didn't stop running once, although my pace was really slow thanks to the hills.  I don't care, I did it!

I'm going to hopefully do a couple of more this year, maybe after my allergies are under control (I'm pretty miserable right now) and the summer heat has subsided.  I'm still going to keep running in my neighborhood in the meantime.

Weight update:  Still haven't lost a single pound.  It's not ok, but I'm not giving up yet.

Exercise Update

My mom bought me these new running shoes when I was in town for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  I love them, thanks Mama (and Dad too, of course)!

I am in the middle of week 5 of the Couch to 5k program and still doing well.  I did take a week off in between weeks 3 and 4 due to traveling out of state and little stomach bug, but I got right back to business the following week.  I am past the halfway point, meaning there is definitely more running than walking.  It's hard, but I can do it.  The mental battle of psyching myself up to get out the door to run is sometimes harder than the run itself.  I'm pretty tired after my workout and my legs feel a bit wobbly, but I usually feel pretty good and back to normal an hour or two afterwards.  My biggest obstacle this week has been lack of sleep, partly due to my horrible seasonal allergies and partly due to me just staying up late.  I can definitely feel the difference when I run if I haven't been sleeping well.  I'm more sluggish and my legs feel heavier if I didn't get enough rest the night before.  So, the goal is getting to bed a bit earlier for the rest of the week...the running only gets more difficult from here and I need all the help I can get.

No weight loss to report, but not surprising since I took a week off and have been eating my fair share of treats lately.  I'm just glad I didn't gain anything back when I took my week off, must be doing something right!

Anyone have any good songs they like to listen to when they run?  I need some new stuff on my workout playlist.

Exercise is the key....I hate that.

I'm finally getting around to posting about my newest adventure.....running.  Well, let's be honest.  It's more of a shuffle/jog/waddle thing right now.  My friend and I are going to run a 5k this year.  I haven't run a mile since my high school sophomore PE class.  I HATE running, in fact I despise most exercise in general.  Due to me getting old and my crazy, stressed out, sleep deprived schedule (my son with autism doesn't sleep through the night very well), I have started to put on a little pudge in the middle section...and in my thighs....and my upper arms.  Love it.

I eat pretty healthy (always room for improvement though) and I could say no to desserts little more often, but the big hole in my overall health is lack of exercise.  I've joined gyms before, but it doesn't really fit my style or budget right now.  I had been toying with the idea of running and my friend gave me the confidence boost to give it a try.  I started... and not sure if this is for me.  I am 5' 2'' with short stubby legs, not exactly a body built for long distance running.  Frustration.

Then, I read this article, and felt sore motivation to give it a try again.  I started doing the Couch to 5k program, I'm on week 3 and doing well!  I am actually able to do what the program says...so far!  The biggest factor: good music on my iPod to distract me from the distasteful task.  I'm feeling better during the day (after my legs stop feeling like jelly) and I crash at night, so sleepy I can hardly hold my eyes open while brushing my teeth.  Not so great for my late night reading sessions (can't blame my lack of sleep all on my son, I admit), but that's ok.  I'll just have to take a little more time to read each book.  That's what renewals from the library are for, right?

So, I'm writing this all down so I can look this over when I hit my "wall".  Everyone hits one eventually and I want to keep going.  I am running, I've lost 2 pounds, and I need to keep going so I don't make a fool of myself during my upcoming 5k.  AND I've got some really cute clothes in my closet that I would like to wear again....please.

Thanks for indulging me by reading my ramblings.  I'll try to write down updates as they come.  

Short term goal:  run for 30 minutes straight.  Tired just thinking about it.  

Long term goal:  lose 15-20 pounds.  Maybe I'll get brave and post actual weight numbers later...I'm feeling kind of chicken right now, so just know that 15-20 pounds less would be where I was in college, before marriage and kids.  Is that even possible to look/weigh what I did in college after having 3 kids and an actual LIFE (aka stress-ius maximus)?  I've kept 5 pounds of baby weight with each of my pregnancies...and an extra 5 pounds lately, just for fun.  SO fun!

Ok, I'm going to put on my running shoes now.  Wish me luck.