Fat People Run Too!

Tuesday was my day to complete W8D2.  I managed to complete 28 minutes of jogging w/o stopping!  I can't believe that I only have a week and a day left of C25k and then it's off to the races so to speak.

Tuesday's run brought a new path, and it was descent.  I decided to just run out the front door, and around town a bit.  You can review the run by clicking HERE.  Not a bad little path to take in Owatonna.  There were very few stop signs/traffic lights etc.  Somewhat flat roads with a bit of elevation mixed in..just enough to make it a little tougher of a workout.

I don't have a ton to say about W8D2, other than I did it, and I manged to complete over 2.8 miles in 33 minutes, which included 5 minutes of cool-down walking at the end.  This was a good run for me.  I felt good about it, I felt good in the end, didn't have any breathing issues, muscles weren't too sore etc.

I am really looking forward to completing this program!  Should I finish Week9 next week, that means obviously that I've completed 9 weeks of training, 9 weeks of working out consistently, 9 weeks of not giving up on something!  If you're thinking of doing C25k, YOU CAN!  I am proof of that!

Yesterday was W8D1 of C25k, and it did not go well.  It seemingly started off OK, but it was a disaster by the end, but at least Jack got ot play @ the park!

It was a mere 80* and 50% humidity, but it was windy as well, and I was tired.  No excuses though, it just sucked!  I only made a mere 2.04 miles in 28minutes, granted I was running into a 15mph wind and was pushing Jack (50lbs) in a jogging stroller!  I forgot to start RunKeeper for the first minute too.  ABout a mile into the run, I approached a park called Mineral Springs, and the bugs were 100% nasty.  Both my sweaty arms were covered in bugs and they were just everywhere!  Just an overall bad run day.  It happens I guess!

I am looking forward to W8D2 tomorrow, and want to get as close as I can to 5k in the 28 minutes.  It's time to ramp it up.  Time to push it a bit.  That's what Ibuprophen is for right??! 

A lot was done today! I helped with Childcare at MOPS, updated the blog format and COMPLETED W7D2! I even managed to get a buddy to come out and run with me!

Here's how W7D2 goes: 5 minute warm up, 25 minute run, 5 minute cool down. Easy enough! I am starting to get the hang of this running stuff. I am impressed that I was able to run for 25 minute and not die! Woohoo. I was more impressed with @blivingood who managed to come along and run with me for 25 minutes! Nice Job man!

Tomorrow, I am going to pick up a Jogging stroller that we're borrowing from a friend that I'll use for Thursday evenings and Saturday's runs. I'll be toting along our 4 year old son Jack on two runs as my wife will be in California to spend time with friends! She deserves it. She's been staying @ home raising our son for the last 4 years without a real break! You're the best honey! So, W7D3 and W8D1 will be done with the jogging stroller and a 50lb 4 year old! Should be good times!

Looking forward to W7D3 and beyond! P.S. Let me know what you think of the new blog layout!

Thanks for the votes in the poll yesterday.  I decided, despite the results, to go ahead and complete W6D3.

At about 3:30, I made it to the local trail I've been using most often.  It was 82* with 60% humidity.  The air was a little heavy, and man are the Mosquitos in MN TERRIBLE right now.  No sooner than 2 seconds after getting out of the yukon did I hear/see/feel 4-5 mosquitos trying to get a snack.  Gross.

There is something to be said for running outside vs. on a treadmill inside.  I think it pushes your body more, makes you work harder etc.  There's not moving belt under your feet keeping you going.  No wind resistance in your face.  Either way, if you're running inside or out, you've made the choice to be healthier!

I completed the 25 minute run, and included my 5 minute cooldown walk on Runkeeper.  The details of the map etc. can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/P1po4

I am going to rest up Friday and Saturday and will pickup with W7D1 on Sunday, which is another 25 minute run.  From here on out, I am going to work on increasing my speed/distance, hoping to get at least 1 mile down in the just over 8 minute pace I want to complete the 5k in.

Opinions Please!

I am on W6D3 today, but have hit the following snag:  Peroneal tendonitis?! - This is what google told me...

Anywho, I have this slight pain on the outside of my right ankle just below the bone that is more irritating than it is painful, so now I am stuck with deciding if I should just go ahead with W6D3, or take one more day off and hope the ankle feels better tomorrow.

Yesterday was my rest day and I really wanted to wrap up W6 today and take Fri/Sat off to give the joints a good amount of rest before W7D1.  I am stuck at one of those "Do I push myself now and reap the rewards later, or do I take another day off, feel lazy and hope that the ankle feels better tomorrow" points.  I feel like if I just get off my butt and finish up W6 and the ankle still doesn't heal quickly, I could at least say that I made it to the end of W6 and go from there.  On the other hand, if I don't do W6D3 today, and my ankle still doesn't feel better, there's the chance that I have to take 3-4 days or more off to wait for the ankle to feel better!

What are your thoughts?  Leave a comment and vote on the poll (at the top of this entry) before 3:00PM CST today!

I never thought I'd say that I am looking forward to running, but I am actually looking forward to it now!  I used to HATE It.  I think that's why I used to be able to do the mile in 6:30 in high school, because I didn't like it and just wanted to get it over with!

Anywho..it's a great day outside today in Southern, MN.  Might be a bit on the humid side this afternoon for a run, but nice out none-the-less!  Week 6 Day 2 consists of a warmup walk, 10 minutes of running, 3 minutes walking, another 10 minutes of running and a cooldown walk.  We'll see how it goes!  Check back tonight!

This is my second note on running written Wednesday 9.2.2k9

This is an update to my first note about running, found HERE DO HARD THINGS!

Since starting running a little over 5 weeks ago, I've managed to get my wedding ring on again! This is HUGE considering it hasn't fit in well over a year! I've dropped about 18lbs, down from my heaviest ever of 280lbs. I feel better, I have more energy, I breathe easier, eating healthier options is easier, running for more than 5 seconds is a heck of a lot easier..the list can go on and on.

Another great plus is that Stephanie is now working out consistently too! Way to go Honey! You're awesome. We're on the right track to getting and staying healthy and in shape.

My goal with all this is mostly to honor God and take care of the temple I've been provided. However, there are some additional side goals that I've set as motivation etc.

1) Complete the Nerstrand Big Woods 5k Race on 10.17.2k9 in under 26 minutes. That's just over 8 minutes per mile. @stevemielke, @skeeter90x & @blivingood are also running in this race!
2) Drop my weight to 240-250lbs
3) Get back into heavy lifting (anyone have olympic free weights to get rid of?)
4) Drop my body fat to between 9-12%
5) Be in the same physical shape I was shortly after we were married

I'm sure there are a few other small things I've forgot, but you get the idea. Some of the ways I've been able to motivate myself other than by having an awesome encouraging wife:

1) LifeChurch.tv Worship Sets (podcast)

2) C25k (iPhone app) - This one is great. Has built in prompts telling you when to run, when to stop etc. Let's you update to Twitter and/or FB right from the app when you're done with a workout.

3) RunKeeper Pro (iPhone app) - Just started using this one, but it's awesome. See http://bit.ly/18zAh5 You can see maps of any of the runs I'll be doing etc.. pretty cool stuff!

4) Lose IT! (iPhone app) - Great for managing calorie intake and food nutrition!

I've found that running outside is great. This is now the second week that I've been running outside since the treadmill died. If you're going to run outside, GET GOOD SHOES. I dropped a good chunk of change at Nordstrom on some Asic running shoes, but they're well worth it when you're outside pounding the pavement. I don't know what I'll do come winter, but figure that I'll be able to run outside quite a bit since last winter I managed to wear shorts on even the coldest of days. I won't talk much about me in spandex pants and some running shorts over them etc yet... Still too heavy for that :)

I hope this offers some sort of encouragement. If I can do it, you can too! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, comments etc. Post away!