A few minutes after I published my last post about running a 5K, reader Elaine left a comment, suggesting the Couch-to-5K program. I checked out the Couch-to-5K site, and I think I’m going to add it to my schedule. I’ll probably train for the 5K on the days of the week when I don’t go to the gym.
Searching for the Couch-to-5K website, I stumbled across an amazing podcast, put together by Robert Ullrey. Basically, it’s and audio version, free to download, of the Couch-to-5K program, with music! I don’t have to look at my watch or track my intervals. I just downloaded the podcast, put it on my iPod, plugged in my headphones, and went to the track. Robert tells you when to run and when to walk. The podcast is awesome.
I downloaded the first episode for Week 1, and I hit the track. I’m happy to note that I was able to do the Week 1 session without any problems. I managed to do all 8 running intervals, and I even added an extra mile of walking, after the training session was over.
(Before I forget. Some of you might be wondering, just how far is a 5K, in miles? Well, it’s just over 3.1 miles.)
I might have to do a bit of maneuvering, to see how this new 5K training is going to fit in my workout schedule. For now, like I mentioned earlier, I’ll try to train on days that I’m not scheduled for the gym.
It feels so good to be able to go out and run - and feel like I did 15 years ago!
Photo by Patrick Dentler
A year or so ago, my little sister really got into running. She has participated in several 5K races, and I promised her that, when I got into shape, I’d run in one with her. When I made the promise, I had yet to fully dedicate myself to getting in shape an losing weight. Now that The 929 Project is in full swing, and I’m exercising four or five times a week, I think I’m ready to honor my promise.
I need to pick out a 5K race, here in Georgia. I want to feel comfortable, and I don’t want to feel like a “newbie”. If you have any suggestions, I’m looking or a 5K race, in the Spring. I’m willing to drive, but it needs to be in the state of Georgia.
I have no idea what to expect. All I can do, on my end, is prepare. Right now, I can pretty comfortably run a mile, maybe a mile-and-a-half. I want to be able to do four miles, without stopping, before I try the 5K. In other words, I want to be able to go and enjoy myself, and not worry about huffing and puffing all the way through.
Side note: My little sister is going to have another baby, her third, a little boy. So, I’ll run my first race without her. Once she gets back into running, we’ll do one together - and she will crush me.
From my other sites -
Over at No Credit Needed - Top 10 Ways To Save Money - Number 2 - Live On A Budget
Over at 99 Changes - Taking Out The Trash
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From The Fitness Health Network -
Fat Man Unleashed - How To Find The Right Gym
Get Fit Slowly - Charting A Course For Tomorrow And Creating A Goal
Lazy Man - Find Your Own Motivation
Mr. Low Body Fat - Headed To CNN For FitNation Summit
Weight Loss Journal - How To Stop Emotional Eating
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The Fitness Finds are published two or three times a week and highlight articles from across the web as well as the most recent articles from my other sites.
I treated Thanksgiving Day just like I have treated every other day since I started The 929 Project. I only ate foods on my food list, I hit the treadmill Thursday morning, and I didn’t cheat. I really didn’t miss eating cake or pie. In fact, instead of eating desert, I went outside and pushed my kids on a giant rope swing.
I was on the road Wednesday, so I missed working out. I did manage to walk for 40 minutes on the treadmill Thursday, and today, Friday, I was back in the gym. I changed up my routine just a bit, and did more of a total body workout. I feel great, and I’m proud that I stuck to my eating strategy.
As part of my Weekly Workout Plan, Mondays are for working out my legs, but I was unable to go to the gym yesterday. Instead, I worked them out today.
Here’s today’s workout -
After missing the gym Sunday and Monday, it felt great to be back. I really wanted to focus on cardio, so I put my Elliptical session ahead of my leg workout. Most of the time, I’ll do a few sets of leg curls, but my hamstrings felt very tight today and I didn’t want to risk injury. I’ve increased my cardio from 34 to 40 minutes.
