So 4 weeks later and my damn shins still hurt when I walk fast. Seriously, how out of shape does one need to be that WALKING FAST gives you shin splints? Grr!!!
But I AM happy to report that I've been doing fairly well....walking at least 2x a week and hitting the gym at least 2x a week. So, I'm not exactly on schedule with my new couch to 5K plan, but I can say this, when I do start running I'll be in significantly better overall shape than I was 4 weeks ago.
I'll keep it up and keep you posted!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
I'm back!
Well, its been awhile since I blogged. I’d love to say I’ve been working out, faithfully working towards the Small Goals to Running Goal. But no, I’ve done more days of sitting on my bum than exercise, sadly.
However, I am happy to report a mini-success. About 3 weeks ago I decided I really must, no really must, get back on it. I’ve totally out of shape, I’m fat, and my dog is so frickin annoying when she doesn’t get exercise. So that’s 3 good reasons to get on it. So, I came up with a new (and more realistic considering my fitness level) couch to 5K plan. Its actually a 25 week plan that starts with 5 weeks of walking and ends with my original 5K goal, which is the one in April. (yes, I know, a year later, so sad) I’m starting out slow partly just to get in the habit and partly because my knee can’t take the stress of trying to run (well, nor can the rest of my body). And walking is easy enough and won’t make me hurt the next day, thus allowing me to keep it up.
Why am I writing about this 3 weeks later? Because I wanted to wait until I did it for 10% of the time so I could report a success, not just a “I’m gonna do this”. (which I've been doing it for 2.5 week) So, my plan is walk T, Th and one other day (probably during the weekend but open.) I’m hoping to go to gym M W with the hubby and ideally, also one day during the weekend. Yes, I know, that’s six days of activity, which is a big huge step from zero days of activity. But note I said “hoping”…. I figure lets plan for 6 and get in 4 for sure.
Of course, at some point once I’m actually running (versus walking or even running 1-2 minutes) I’ll have to swap things around because I know going to the gym M/W and running T/TH will be too much. But, I’ll cross the bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I’m trying this and we’ll see how it works.
This morning’s walk was a little rough – a bit stiff from last night’s workout + the cold weather wasn’t great, but I made it. Still have that tightness in my outer calf/shin area. Hoping it will get better with more activity……
However, I am happy to report a mini-success. About 3 weeks ago I decided I really must, no really must, get back on it. I’ve totally out of shape, I’m fat, and my dog is so frickin annoying when she doesn’t get exercise. So that’s 3 good reasons to get on it. So, I came up with a new (and more realistic considering my fitness level) couch to 5K plan. Its actually a 25 week plan that starts with 5 weeks of walking and ends with my original 5K goal, which is the one in April. (yes, I know, a year later, so sad) I’m starting out slow partly just to get in the habit and partly because my knee can’t take the stress of trying to run (well, nor can the rest of my body). And walking is easy enough and won’t make me hurt the next day, thus allowing me to keep it up.
Why am I writing about this 3 weeks later? Because I wanted to wait until I did it for 10% of the time so I could report a success, not just a “I’m gonna do this”. (which I've been doing it for 2.5 week) So, my plan is walk T, Th and one other day (probably during the weekend but open.) I’m hoping to go to gym M W with the hubby and ideally, also one day during the weekend. Yes, I know, that’s six days of activity, which is a big huge step from zero days of activity. But note I said “hoping”…. I figure lets plan for 6 and get in 4 for sure.
Of course, at some point once I’m actually running (versus walking or even running 1-2 minutes) I’ll have to swap things around because I know going to the gym M/W and running T/TH will be too much. But, I’ll cross the bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I’m trying this and we’ll see how it works.
This morning’s walk was a little rough – a bit stiff from last night’s workout + the cold weather wasn’t great, but I made it. Still have that tightness in my outer calf/shin area. Hoping it will get better with more activity……
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Small Goals Check In
Well, I haven't met my small goals completely, but I am walking more and I've joined Gold's Gym. (I had joined Club Fitness prior, but they are always crowded and its not really very nice, so that was an excuse in the way that I've removed)
This month's goals are to:
This month's goals are to:
- increase my cardio stregnth
- walk at least 6 miles a week (in or outdoors)
- do cardio workouts 3 days a week
I'll check in and let you know how its going.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Update
Ok, so I'm still not walking the frequency I really want to be, but I'm consistently getting up and taking Layla for a walk 3+ times a week for 1.25+ miles. Today we went 2 miles.
At least its becoming a habit.....
At least its becoming a habit.....
Thursday, July 2, 2009
10,000 truths
Ok, so I've been walking in the morning, just not quite as often as I want. (closer to a few times a week than 6) Not great, but I'm getting into the habit and that's the important thing. Now, with Nat's walking campaign I've also been tracking my steps and I gotta say, its HARD to get to 10,000 steps a day. Aside from Europe, I think I've only made it a couple times and that was on long walk and high errand days. Lets talk about Tuesday. I got up, went on a 2 mile walk with Layla (4,000 steps) then went to work. At lunch I ran a couple errands- I went to Lowe's and Petsmart. After work I pretty much sat on my bum for the evening and watched TV. Total steps: 8294. Yeah. A 2 mile walk and I still didn't make it. (and yes, that means on a regular day I'm lucky to get 5,000 steps)
So the truth is I'll never get to 10,000 steps every day. Perhaps when I am in shape and can do more I might AVERAGE 10,000 steps a day, but I guess my average day just doesn't afford enough stepping opportunity. Sure, I did in Europe with ease....but I also didn't spend 8 hours of my day at a desk. (I suppose if I ever get one of those Walkstations I could do it on a regular basis)
In the interim, I'm going to strive for 7,500 steps a day on average - 52,500 steps a week. If I really can get in some good and regular walks like I have in my goals, I have a shot. I'll keep you posted.
So the truth is I'll never get to 10,000 steps every day. Perhaps when I am in shape and can do more I might AVERAGE 10,000 steps a day, but I guess my average day just doesn't afford enough stepping opportunity. Sure, I did in Europe with ease....but I also didn't spend 8 hours of my day at a desk. (I suppose if I ever get one of those Walkstations I could do it on a regular basis)
In the interim, I'm going to strive for 7,500 steps a day on average - 52,500 steps a week. If I really can get in some good and regular walks like I have in my goals, I have a shot. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Walking my patootie off
Well, I wish I was anyway. More like walking 3 pounds off......
In Europe we walked an average of 9 miles a day...it was rough. The caluses on my feet will probably need a power sander to remove! However, I'm going to keep it up. I took Sunday and Monday off - my shins and calves were hurting pretty bad, but this morning I got up and took Layla for a walk. It was miserable this morning - so humid!! But, we walked 1.3 miles and after a cool shower I felt great!
GOAL CHECK:
My goal after Europe was:
Goal 5: Walk 1 and 1/2 mile 6 days a week until the end of July.
I didn't quite make it that today, but hey, walking. I also have probably missed my "get as close to a 15 or 16 minute mile as possible"....but I'll keep it up. One day I WILL RUN A MILE. (EASILY)
In Europe we walked an average of 9 miles a day...it was rough. The caluses on my feet will probably need a power sander to remove! However, I'm going to keep it up. I took Sunday and Monday off - my shins and calves were hurting pretty bad, but this morning I got up and took Layla for a walk. It was miserable this morning - so humid!! But, we walked 1.3 miles and after a cool shower I felt great!
GOAL CHECK:
My goal after Europe was:
Goal 5: Walk 1 and 1/2 mile 6 days a week until the end of July.
I didn't quite make it that today, but hey, walking. I also have probably missed my "get as close to a 15 or 16 minute mile as possible"....but I'll keep it up. One day I WILL RUN A MILE. (EASILY)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Quick update...
Didn't take any walks over Memorial Day weekend - but I was at the lake walking up and down a huge massive hill, so its not like I was sitting on my bum the whole time. Got a little lazy for a day or two after that but am back in the swing of things.... walked yesterday and today. Hoping for a long walk tomorrow!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
New Game Plan
Ok, clearly the 5k in April didn't work out. I got caught up with school stuff and didn't put as much effort into training....blah blah, excuses excuses. Then I actually did hurt my knee (totally gave out - fell to the ground - ouch) Now, its less than 3 weeks before I leave for Europe and I've decided on a new game plan: small goals.
Goal 1: Walk a mile (at least) 6 days a week from now until I leave. Good for doggie, good for my knee, good for my energy level. Not that much time committment. I did it yesterday morning and today and honestly, its not that hard to squeeze in the 20 minutes. (Between the dog potty time and the fact I can't walk all that fast, particularly first thing in the morning when my limbs and knee is all stiff, I need to allow for 20 minute walk.) However, even with that small walk, I do feel much better. Also, Nat has a Walking Incentive Program at work and this ties in nicely.
Goal 2: Try to walk faster to as close to a 15-16 minute mile as I can.
Goal 3: Include a couple long walks to gear up for all the walking we'll do in Europe. I want to add in at least one 2-3 mile walk a week, hopefully more, but at least one a week.
Goal 4: Walk my arse off in Europe. (easy to obtain, as we aren't renting a car)
Goal 5: Walk 1 and 1/2 mile 6 days a week until the end of July.
And that's all I'm going for at this time - at the end of July I will assess how I've been doing. Hopefully I've exceeded my goals and my knee is much stronger and I can even think about starting a running program because I do have one more goal - run an easy mile by the end of the year. ("easy mile" defined as I'm not limping during or afterwards) Of course, I still want to run a 5K, but I don't want to overwhelm myself - my knee just can't handle even thinking about that much stress right now. So, small goals it is. I'll keep you posted.
Goal 1: Walk a mile (at least) 6 days a week from now until I leave. Good for doggie, good for my knee, good for my energy level. Not that much time committment. I did it yesterday morning and today and honestly, its not that hard to squeeze in the 20 minutes. (Between the dog potty time and the fact I can't walk all that fast, particularly first thing in the morning when my limbs and knee is all stiff, I need to allow for 20 minute walk.) However, even with that small walk, I do feel much better. Also, Nat has a Walking Incentive Program at work and this ties in nicely.
Goal 2: Try to walk faster to as close to a 15-16 minute mile as I can.
Goal 3: Include a couple long walks to gear up for all the walking we'll do in Europe. I want to add in at least one 2-3 mile walk a week, hopefully more, but at least one a week.
Goal 4: Walk my arse off in Europe. (easy to obtain, as we aren't renting a car)
Goal 5: Walk 1 and 1/2 mile 6 days a week until the end of July.
And that's all I'm going for at this time - at the end of July I will assess how I've been doing. Hopefully I've exceeded my goals and my knee is much stronger and I can even think about starting a running program because I do have one more goal - run an easy mile by the end of the year. ("easy mile" defined as I'm not limping during or afterwards) Of course, I still want to run a 5K, but I don't want to overwhelm myself - my knee just can't handle even thinking about that much stress right now. So, small goals it is. I'll keep you posted.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Machine of torture??
Well, I don't really think it is, but others have disagreed with me. Last night the machine in my previous post was taken, so I hopped on this one and made Nat get on it too. I did the interval program, level 2 for 20 minutes. In 20 minutes I burned* 274 calories. (*that's what the machine said, which I'm sure has to be inflated) Anyway, I'm not really all about the calories anyway, because I don't count what I consume, thus it makes no difference to count what I burn off, but it was encouraging to see that calories/hr at 1000+ during those highest resistance times, that's for sure. We did a few upper body weight as well, but overall were pretty spent.
I took a hot shower last night so I'm not that sore, but I can definately feel it all over, which is what I love about this machine - it works my entire body.
Hey, what happened to running you ask? Well, I'm getting there. The plan is to do machines one more time, then give the treadmill a try again. Wish me luck.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Setting realistic goals
Ok, so in my last post I was getting frustrated. Running was really hurting me and because I was hurting I wasn't doing it long enough to do any good, nor to burn any calories. I think it was just too much too fast on my muscles and joints. I was really, really, "less than couch fit". So, I took some time off running and hit the gym instead. 3 times last week I did an elliptical machine, very similar to this one.
The elliptical is easier on my knees and shins, but still gets my heart rate up and works my muscles, it just seems to do it more evenly versus shooting pains in my shins. I did the "interval" training program, which rotates between two minutes at a higher incline and resistance, two minutes at a lower incline/resistance. Last year when I was working out 5-6 days a week for 1-2 hrs at a time, I could do the interval program for 45-50 minutes, then went and lifted weights, did some core exercises, etc. I hopped on Thursday, set it for 30 minutes. Sounds reasonable, right?
No. F*ck, I couldn't even get through TWO intervals without hurting and had to drop resistance and incline. Wow. Ok, I'm in really bad shape. I was worried. I got through 25 minutes, but it was rough and I had to do a lesser workout overall.
But, I'm happy to report that I did it Saturday and Sunday, and by Sunday, I did the whole 30 minutes without dropping the resistance. No, I didn't go at with the vigor I did last year, but I finished it. I discovered that switching between going forward and backwards gave my calves a break and more worked out my quads and hamstrings. Also important muscles, so if my calves were giving me trouble, I'd switch to backwards.
The elliptical is easier on my knees and shins, but still gets my heart rate up and works my muscles, it just seems to do it more evenly versus shooting pains in my shins. I did the "interval" training program, which rotates between two minutes at a higher incline and resistance, two minutes at a lower incline/resistance. Last year when I was working out 5-6 days a week for 1-2 hrs at a time, I could do the interval program for 45-50 minutes, then went and lifted weights, did some core exercises, etc. I hopped on Thursday, set it for 30 minutes. Sounds reasonable, right?
No. F*ck, I couldn't even get through TWO intervals without hurting and had to drop resistance and incline. Wow. Ok, I'm in really bad shape. I was worried. I got through 25 minutes, but it was rough and I had to do a lesser workout overall.
But, I'm happy to report that I did it Saturday and Sunday, and by Sunday, I did the whole 30 minutes without dropping the resistance. No, I didn't go at with the vigor I did last year, but I finished it. I discovered that switching between going forward and backwards gave my calves a break and more worked out my quads and hamstrings. Also important muscles, so if my calves were giving me trouble, I'd switch to backwards.
No, I'm not going to give up on the running. I still have a goal to do the 5K, but being realistic with my fitness level right now, I think I should switch my goal to running at least half of it. We'll see- I'll probably try running again later this week but not until I do the elliptical a few more times. Who knows, maybe once I get a smidge more in shape I can get back on the training schedules and I might surprise myself.
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