I know it's been a while since I've added anything to all the valuable information I post ;)
I needed a bit of a break from exercising. Just because I needed one. Also, last Thursday I went into NYC to see Wendy Williams, How You Doin'? and walked about 15,000 miles. That's the great thing about the city. All the walking. Anyway, I have been feeling very physically exhausted/unmotivated so I took a small break.
Today, I went to the Y and did some C25K. Yes, I'm still doing week 1. It's good I have until the end of next September to prepare because it sure seems like I need the time!!! Anyway, I realized or discovered a couple of things.
1. I run to music. I had to pick songs that allowed me to run at a faster pace. Ironically, when doing this program, the walking portions are harder than the running. I know that doesn't make sense. See, I set the treadmill at a speed & leave it there. My walking strides are faster & smaller than my running strides. I have to hold on to walk so I don't fly off the back of the treadmill, with running I don't. Today I noticed that it was much easier to run with the faster beat songs. My shins didn't get that burning feeling in them.
2. My breathing was better as in I didn't feel like I was gasping for air. Running faster made it seem easier for me to maintain a breathing pattern. I always worry I sound like I'm wheezing & I probably am, but, who cares. It won't always be like that. I also noticed that during the walking portions, my breathing calmed down some & so did my heart rate. I'm pretty sure that's a good thing.
3. Today I made sure that each time I had to run, it was a strong run. My head & chest were up. The first week of C25K goes like this: it's a 25 minute session. You have a brisk 5 minute warm up walk & then you run for 60 seconds, then walk for 90 seconds, constantly alternating for the next 20 minutes. Each time it felt as if I could run a few seconds more than the 60 seconds determined by the C25K program. It may not seem like a big deal but it means I'm not struggling so much to get through the 60 seconds.
I also didn't have my typical breakfast which is usually a bowl of cereal. I had about a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese & a mixed cup of blackberries & raspberries. I'm sure as I get stronger, this may change.
If my runner/triathlete (Leah, Amy) friends would be so kind as to weigh in & tell us if they had these realizations when they started out, or even different ones they would like to share with us........
Today I would like to say keep plugging along if you're doing something. Listen to your body, if it says rest, then rest but don't rest for too long. If it says it feels strong, push it. I count Thursday as an exercise day because of all the walking I did. If I lived in NYC, then I wouldn't count it because it would just be a way of life I adapted to. I rested Friday, Saturday & Sunday but I'm back it it today.
Get moving!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
W1D846999874693
Ok, so that number is a gross exaggeration. Let me explain. In Couch to 5K (C25K) lingo, people who are doing the C25K program tell where they are at in the program by the Week & Day. So in my blog title I essentially said I was still on W1D846999874693. That's untrue. Anyone who knows me in real life, knows I tend to exaggerate, sometimes. In reality I'm at W1D6. The C25K program is a 9 week program essentially, but it does say that if you aren't ready to move to the next week, don't. So I haven't. I've never run, I never thought I'd want to run.
Getting into running isn't easy, well for me. As I've said before, it's hard, really hard, for me. Lifting weights, building stamina on the cross trainer, all much easier than running. If I haven't stretched enough before hand, I feel it quickly. If I didn't eat well the night before, I feel it quickly. You'd think my breakfast would have an impact on how my session goes, and it does, but the night before carries over as well. I lose energy quickly, my legs become tired & heavy.
As I was on the treadmill today, it occurred to me that there is more to running than well, just running. Granted, I'm not quite at a full run, but I will get there. I noticed I had to pay attention to my breathing. During my 60 second jog, I noticed I started to gasp for air. I had to stop myself from doing that, I had to take in a slow deep breath, all while jogging, to stop the gasping. The gasping was throwing my pace off. I know, this probably sounds weird, but it's what was happening. My pace isn't fast, it's only at 3.9 right now, which is ok. I have to learn to keep my breathing steady, so that my pace remains steady. Remember when I talked about my body being a machine? Well it's true. Think about how a machine works. It's not all herky jerky & gawky. It has a flow to it. I'm pretty sure that's how my body is supposed to be when it's in motion, a smooth flow.
I've decided that before I move to W2 in the C25K, it would be best, for me, to be able to do W1 in a smooth & fluid way. To make sure my breathing remains even & my pace steady. Then, when I get to W2, I will do it all over again.
According to my friend Amy, who writes this wonderful blog Byline to Finish Line about her journeys, you increase your speed as your strength & stamina increases. I know I've mentioned Amy & her blog & it's worth mentioning & worth checking out. Yes, I have a friend who is a triathlete, it makes me kind of excited to say that. Knowing Amy before she became a triathlete makes her blog that much better. Anyone can relate to it. You don't need to be as advanced in your athletic skill as Amy to get what her point it. What I like most is that when someone completely inexperienced like me, Amy has the patience to answer my questions I have about the whole running thing. Sure, there is a lot of info in the Internet, but having someone like her to ask a question of, well it's pretty awesome. Anyway, Amy is the one who introduced me to the C25K program. Oddly, she's never done the program. The reason I have mentioned her & her blog is because when you read it, and I hope you do, you will see that she struggles, she succeeds, she has the occasional epiphany & has has friends she looks to as I look to her.
My whole point with the above is we all have a starting point. Amy had to start somewhere & so did I. It's the fact that we haven't stopped. Sometimes you have to step away & come back to clear out your head. Well I do & did, at least. That sometimes things aren't easy & we all work at a different pace. Pretty much what I'm saying is since this whole C25K is hard for me, I'm not going to stop trying. I'm going to keep working at it, at my pace and I will be gathering knowledge and inspiration from those around me to keep pushing forward.
Have a great Monday!!!
Elizabeth
Getting into running isn't easy, well for me. As I've said before, it's hard, really hard, for me. Lifting weights, building stamina on the cross trainer, all much easier than running. If I haven't stretched enough before hand, I feel it quickly. If I didn't eat well the night before, I feel it quickly. You'd think my breakfast would have an impact on how my session goes, and it does, but the night before carries over as well. I lose energy quickly, my legs become tired & heavy.
As I was on the treadmill today, it occurred to me that there is more to running than well, just running. Granted, I'm not quite at a full run, but I will get there. I noticed I had to pay attention to my breathing. During my 60 second jog, I noticed I started to gasp for air. I had to stop myself from doing that, I had to take in a slow deep breath, all while jogging, to stop the gasping. The gasping was throwing my pace off. I know, this probably sounds weird, but it's what was happening. My pace isn't fast, it's only at 3.9 right now, which is ok. I have to learn to keep my breathing steady, so that my pace remains steady. Remember when I talked about my body being a machine? Well it's true. Think about how a machine works. It's not all herky jerky & gawky. It has a flow to it. I'm pretty sure that's how my body is supposed to be when it's in motion, a smooth flow.
I've decided that before I move to W2 in the C25K, it would be best, for me, to be able to do W1 in a smooth & fluid way. To make sure my breathing remains even & my pace steady. Then, when I get to W2, I will do it all over again.
According to my friend Amy, who writes this wonderful blog Byline to Finish Line about her journeys, you increase your speed as your strength & stamina increases. I know I've mentioned Amy & her blog & it's worth mentioning & worth checking out. Yes, I have a friend who is a triathlete, it makes me kind of excited to say that. Knowing Amy before she became a triathlete makes her blog that much better. Anyone can relate to it. You don't need to be as advanced in your athletic skill as Amy to get what her point it. What I like most is that when someone completely inexperienced like me, Amy has the patience to answer my questions I have about the whole running thing. Sure, there is a lot of info in the Internet, but having someone like her to ask a question of, well it's pretty awesome. Anyway, Amy is the one who introduced me to the C25K program. Oddly, she's never done the program. The reason I have mentioned her & her blog is because when you read it, and I hope you do, you will see that she struggles, she succeeds, she has the occasional epiphany & has has friends she looks to as I look to her.
My whole point with the above is we all have a starting point. Amy had to start somewhere & so did I. It's the fact that we haven't stopped. Sometimes you have to step away & come back to clear out your head. Well I do & did, at least. That sometimes things aren't easy & we all work at a different pace. Pretty much what I'm saying is since this whole C25K is hard for me, I'm not going to stop trying. I'm going to keep working at it, at my pace and I will be gathering knowledge and inspiration from those around me to keep pushing forward.
Have a great Monday!!!
Elizabeth
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Zumba - Week #9, Last Class
So yesterday was the last class of Zumba. I was sad through the class. Well, sad & sore. This whole C25K is really working me. Yes, it's all good, I'm just sore.....most of the time.
Well, yesterday was the last day of classes for the session. I knew I didn't have the cash to take the next session starting next Wednesday. As I was walking out, one of the YMCA's director types was there. She was talking with my Zumba ladies. Well, as luck would have it, they've dropped the price on Zumba!! It's not as expensive as it was, so it's a bit more affordable. Granted, I shouldn't really make the splurge with my current financial situation, but in this instance I can justify it. To me, Zumba is activity, it's socializing, it's a place for me to be. It's not like it's a new glittery eye shadow that I wouldn't really be wearing because I don't wear much makeup lately. It's not something frivolous, it's something that is beneficial for me in so many ways.
I also learned that, depending on how things go this session, in January, Zumba & Hip Hop will be offered as a package deal, making it EVEN MORE affordable!!! Isn't that wonderful???? I'm so excited!! I also spoke with the director type lady about my financial aid application that I submitted & she told me it would most likely be approved, without a doubt. That makes me very happy!!! Granted, I'd be happier about a job prospect, but I will take the one thing helping keep me sane at the moment!!
I know that Jake is planning to change up Zumba, new moves, new music. Yesterday, it was freezing, and he asked me if I wanted to lead the class for him, he was too cold to do it!! I know he was joking and he knows of my possibly wanting to teach Zumba classes at some point, I still found it flattering. Anyway, more classes, new moves, I'm staying on the new kick. I probably won't write about the new Zumba as much, unless something really moves me. When I start Hip Hop, I will write about that. I'm pretty sure I will be perfecting my moves to audition to be a booty poppin' girl in an R. Kelly video!!
Have a great day!!!
Elizabeth
Well, yesterday was the last day of classes for the session. I knew I didn't have the cash to take the next session starting next Wednesday. As I was walking out, one of the YMCA's director types was there. She was talking with my Zumba ladies. Well, as luck would have it, they've dropped the price on Zumba!! It's not as expensive as it was, so it's a bit more affordable. Granted, I shouldn't really make the splurge with my current financial situation, but in this instance I can justify it. To me, Zumba is activity, it's socializing, it's a place for me to be. It's not like it's a new glittery eye shadow that I wouldn't really be wearing because I don't wear much makeup lately. It's not something frivolous, it's something that is beneficial for me in so many ways.
I also learned that, depending on how things go this session, in January, Zumba & Hip Hop will be offered as a package deal, making it EVEN MORE affordable!!! Isn't that wonderful???? I'm so excited!! I also spoke with the director type lady about my financial aid application that I submitted & she told me it would most likely be approved, without a doubt. That makes me very happy!!! Granted, I'd be happier about a job prospect, but I will take the one thing helping keep me sane at the moment!!
I know that Jake is planning to change up Zumba, new moves, new music. Yesterday, it was freezing, and he asked me if I wanted to lead the class for him, he was too cold to do it!! I know he was joking and he knows of my possibly wanting to teach Zumba classes at some point, I still found it flattering. Anyway, more classes, new moves, I'm staying on the new kick. I probably won't write about the new Zumba as much, unless something really moves me. When I start Hip Hop, I will write about that. I'm pretty sure I will be perfecting my moves to audition to be a booty poppin' girl in an R. Kelly video!!
Have a great day!!!
Elizabeth
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