34: Run, Forest, Run...

Day 34: Week 5 of Couch to 5K

Weather: Sunny, 50 degrees with light winds.....another perfect morning!

Duration: 30:58
Distance: 2.73 miles
Pace: 11:17 mins/mile

Today felt like the last time I ran, though I was able to run for a lot longer distance before I had to stop and take a break. I did the same course I did the last time, the last 5 minutes of my run hurt pretty bad! I almost had to stop and walk a bit, but I kept moving. I still don't understand how some people can run for HOURS!

Day 33: The wall.

Day 33: Yoga: Meltdown with Jillian Michaels

Today, I've hit the wall. I thought I was all motivated to work out....until I started. My whole body was just sore. My groin especially. I felt so weak, and didn't even want to finish, but I made myself.

I haven't taken a break in almost two weeks, so I just did Yoga, took it easy, and finished.

I can't complain! I've felt so good lately...

Day 32: Love-Hate Relationship

Day 32: Couch to 5K, week 5: Run 8, walk 5, Run 8......repeat.

Weather: Sunny, 63 - light winds - perfect.

Duration: 30:33 (longest run time yet)
Distance: 2.72 miles (longest run yet)
Pace: 11:12 mins/mile (I think best pace yet)

No one ever said I had to love or hate running, right? Well, good. Because right now, I am not feeling the love, but I am certainly not hating it either. I do however enjoy seeing my progress each time I run. Today was probably one of my top 3 running days yet. It wasn't too hot, not to windy, not too cold, just perfect. Emmie did an awesome job running with me, and I got a burst of energy right around minute 20 like I seem to do each run. The 10-15 minute point seems to really hurt the most, and I think this is the part that is slowing me down because I need to take a break.

The couch to 5K says to run for 8 minutes, walk for 5, and repeat, but today, I ran, and then walked, and after walking for 2 minutes, I felt like I recovered enough to start running again, and I did. I will admit, I seem to be going away from what the couch to 5K exactly, and going more by how I feel. Not sure if this is a good thing or not.

After I returned home, I did some abs......and I feel the work I did on them yesterday! Whoa! Hopefully those muscles are remembering they are needed after being hidden by a cute baby bump for so long!

Here is my run today:

Day 31: Camel

Day 31: Yoga: Meltdown & Shred, level 1

I really can't express how much I enjoy Jillian Michaels, Yoga: Meltdown. It is so good and so challenging! Each time I do it, I see progress. Since I started, the Camel pose always got me. This is when you stand on your knees, and reach backwards with your hands to hold your heels (like a back bend). In the beginning, I could barely touch my heels with one hand, now today, I could reach back with both hands and hold the pose. I couldn't hold it for the full 15 seconds, but I could do it for about 10 seconds. The last time I did it, I could barely hold it for 5.

Seeing progress like that, only makes me want to continue!

Mairead also has taken an interest in exercising with me! It's so important to teach our kids what healthy eating and exercise does to our bodies.

I've decided to work out for an hour as much as I can find time for - even if that means two 30 minute periods. I may not be able to do it every day, but I my goal is 2-3 days per week.

Tomorrow I will be running!

Day 30! "Mommy, are you burning?"

Day 30: Shred with Jillian Michaels, level 2

Today, I actually did level 1 and 2 of the shred. Because I knew level 2 would kick my ass, I didn't push myself in the first level. I just really pushed cardio and abs. I am really trying to get about an hour of exercise in per day, whether or not it is one hour straight, or two 30 minute sessions. During rainy days, it's pretty easy to do that.

Mairead really has enjoyed exercising beside me, it is so cute! She knows Jillian's face, and she has been using words that she has heard on her videos! As we were doing the shred together, she asks "mommy, are you burning?" - ha ha! All I could do was laugh! "Yes!" I said


Today was the 3rd day of level 2. It was the first time I could really say that I didn't want to cry or feel as though I was in labor. I can't say it didn't hurt, but it definitely is getting easier! I felt as though I really had to push today as I ate an entire sleeve of thin mint cookies! We calculated it out to be about 600 calories! Hot damn, mamma! I don't feel too bad though...I've been really good about my snacking, so it shouldn't hurt too much :)

Day 29: Rainy days and Mondays...

......always get me down! or Moving!

Day 29: Jillian Michaels: Shred, Level TWO..........And.......Last Chance Workout

Agh....8'' of rain this month, and it's still not stopping. This is enough to make anyone not want to do anything!

This afternoon, I did the 'Last Chance Workout' with the girls - not at full blast knowing I would be getting my ass kicked with the Shred when Kevin got home from work.

Once Kevin got home, we did Level 2 - WOW! That is TOUGH. We had done it yesterday after running, and it was like giving me a death sentence. I felt pretty good this morning, so I would do it again. There was no way I'd be running in this downpour today.

Level 2 is definitely a challenge! I like it. It's amazing how far I've come since I first started. I thought level 1 was pretty tough, but this is much more. The strength portion of the DVD is very tough. By the end of the workout, I am breathing like I am in labor pushing out a kid! No joke :)

I have to admit, I like this feeling now. I think of myself fitting into my summer clothes.....wearing a real bikini this summer, and actually feeling good about myself. It is totally worth it! I am also glad Kevin has been working out with me! Definitely more motivation to work harder!

Day 28: Running high my fat arss!

Day 28: Week 5 of the Couch to 5K - but, I just ran today because I forgot to look at what I was supposed to do.... :)

Weather: Cloudy, 40 and WINDY.......like a hurricane! Not really, but it felt like it!

I ran the same trail as I ran yesterday, so no need to post the map - isn't that a cool tool! I love imapmyrun! I also downloaded the PLUS version, which has some cool other features. For $5, it's worth it! 

Duration: 27:59
Distance: 2.49 miles
Pace: 11:22 mins/mile
Calories burned: 263

I hear runners talk about a "running high" they get when they run.....Are they for real? Seriously! I do not get any kind of high when I run. I just want to finish. Somedays, around minute 20, I do start to feel strong, and want to keep running. Though, I think this is because I know I am almost home, and if I keep running, I'll get there faster!

Today was tough. The wind was whipping hard, and when it was a head wind, I wanted to just stop. It was hard. I pray that it isn't windy like this when I have to run the 5K. That will not be fun. I also have decided that running in the cold is not fun either. I am really needing some warm(er) weather. It was also tough because I ran yesterday, too. The next few days are going to be a rainy mess, and if I didn't run today, I would have had to run Thursday, Friday AND Saturday. No thanks! So, today it was!

I will admit, when I get home after a run, I feel awesome. Like right now, I could do another workout. I think I am going to do the shred next...I need to burn some extra calories so I can really enjoy some girl scout cookies! I think about looking good in a bikini and having little to  no muffin top this summer.....Yes, I will work out.

Day 21 - Day off

Today I decided to give my body a break. My hamstrings were a bit sore from yesterdays run, so an off day it was!

I actually missed not exercising!