Moving counts as exercise, right?! I have changed jobs and moved...not just moving across the street, but out of state. There has been so much to do... no time... not much sleep... not eating like I should.... not working out as much as I can. Can I have a giant glass of wine on the beach?! Like right now!
I don't love the process of moving. There is still stuff to be moved, but I am starting to get settled in the new job with a new routine. It has been a little hard adjusting since I had been at the same employer for eight years.
Moving didn't really help with my 5K training. But I made it through and the 5K went great! (Race recap and pictures to come.) Somehow my weight has still gone down (not much, but still!) throughout the moving process and I am figuring out a workout routine at my new gym.
Update: Running in shorts is not for me, yet. I tried it and they started riding up within 30 seconds of running on the treadmill... sigh.
Beth :o)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
To drink or not to drink
I hate working out sans water especially as the summer heat approaches. Recently, I complained about running for an hour in about 80 degree weather without water. My husband then picked out for me a spiffy water belt. It comes equipped with a bottle, holster for said bottle and a zipper pocket (for keys, chaptsick, whatnot).
On Sunday, I had the first opportunity to use the water belt. My husband and I went to a canal trail for our workout. He ran 10(!) miles while I was just focusing on time. I am doing running/walking intervals and trying to increase my running times ever so slowly.
I was even somewhat color coordinated (actually unintentional!). Note the shirt, it is a somewhat slick workout shirt material. Bad move to use this with the belt. Also, note where on my hips the water belt started.
My first two running bursts I wanted to rip the belt off and throw it in the woods. It kept sliding up and spinning around. The belt would end up about where old men put theirs and the water bottle ended up somewhere unreachable. I tried tightening it twice. Finally I gave up and tightened it as much as could around the smallest part of my waist. Maybe not cute, but it was bearable. The water bottle/holster still slid to the back, but that was ok... since it was so high my arms would have knocked into it otherwise. And there was the swishing sound every time I ran...
But, the belt and I reached some sort of equilibrium and I was grateful to have the water.
Any suggestions for hydration while running?!
Beth :o)
On Sunday, I had the first opportunity to use the water belt. My husband and I went to a canal trail for our workout. He ran 10(!) miles while I was just focusing on time. I am doing running/walking intervals and trying to increase my running times ever so slowly.
I was even somewhat color coordinated (actually unintentional!). Note the shirt, it is a somewhat slick workout shirt material. Bad move to use this with the belt. Also, note where on my hips the water belt started.
My first two running bursts I wanted to rip the belt off and throw it in the woods. It kept sliding up and spinning around. The belt would end up about where old men put theirs and the water bottle ended up somewhere unreachable. I tried tightening it twice. Finally I gave up and tightened it as much as could around the smallest part of my waist. Maybe not cute, but it was bearable. The water bottle/holster still slid to the back, but that was ok... since it was so high my arms would have knocked into it otherwise. And there was the swishing sound every time I ran...
But, the belt and I reached some sort of equilibrium and I was grateful to have the water.
Any suggestions for hydration while running?!
Beth :o)
Friday, May 4, 2012
The long and short of it
My 5K in a couple of weeks has the potential to be a quite humid and hot N.C. evening and I figured shorts might be in order.
But, there is no way I am wearing shorts for the 5K without first trying them out. I don't want to be miserable midway through the race. For all you ladies, I am sure you have experienced the annoying shorts that ride up. It doesn't help either if your thighs are rubbing together and there is chafing involved!!
Test 1: Walking on treadmill, elliptical and arc trainer all good. No riding up or anything. (Note: No shorts on spin bikes!!)
Next week I will try them out actually running!
Beth :o)
All in my head
Running is very much about your physical abillity and getting/staying in shape. But so much of it is mental as well. Your body wants to stop, but you have to force yourself to keep running until the next driveway, finish the next minute or mile.
I always thought it was just me who struggled with these things. It takes a lot for me to stick to my training schedule and I am not even running the whole time.
A lot of regular runners just make it look easy... they are just glowing and bounding along. I always feel like I look like I am on death's door — dripping sweat, out of breath, annoyed and just want to stop.
Apparently, I am not the only one feels this way about running. I have talked about trying to convince myself to run to that next mailbox or finish the block. A couple of people have said to me, "That's running." I guess it is not just me.
I don't think my brain has caught up to what my body can do. That is going to take some adjusting. That is part of the reason I am slowing down my training slightly. I hope my brain will hurry and catch up to the rest of me!
Beth :o)
I always thought it was just me who struggled with these things. It takes a lot for me to stick to my training schedule and I am not even running the whole time.
A lot of regular runners just make it look easy... they are just glowing and bounding along. I always feel like I look like I am on death's door — dripping sweat, out of breath, annoyed and just want to stop.
Apparently, I am not the only one feels this way about running. I have talked about trying to convince myself to run to that next mailbox or finish the block. A couple of people have said to me, "That's running." I guess it is not just me.
I don't think my brain has caught up to what my body can do. That is going to take some adjusting. That is part of the reason I am slowing down my training slightly. I hope my brain will hurry and catch up to the rest of me!
Beth :o)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Off track
Oh yeah, and just stress in general.
I am determined to get back on track and not let one blah week get in my way!
So, this week I am making a bit of a tweak to my training schedule. To get myself mentally and physically back on track, I am re-doing last week's running plan. Basically I am sticking to my run 3 minutes and walk 2 minutes intervals. If I feel up to it, I will go to 4 minutes running.
Today, I did Zumba, weights and 30 minutes of extra cardio. I am getting in some running tomorrow along with some Turbo Kick... wish me luck!!
Beth :o)
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The right stuff
When it comes to running - or working out - having the right "stuff" is very important. (And yes, I meant to get a New Kids on the Block reference in there!)
Shoes are probably the most important, but having the wrong clothing can be quite annoying.
As I have lost weight and started running, I have picked up some new workout capris that are more fitted and a few new tops. The bottoms I have gotten have turned out great... no problems there. The tops, on the other hand have given me some issues.
Some tank tops slide after I get hot and sweaty. One in particular, I was quite excited about. It was cute (light blue bubble tank top) and easy on the wallet (under $20).
Then, I ran intervals in my new top. Every time I ran, up rode the top and I would have to pull it down every time I walked. It got quite annoying after 30 minutes of that. I decided try out the top in Zumba and then Turbokick. Unfortunately, jumping of any kind produced the same results.
I guess that shirt is resigned to the elliptical machine and other tame workouts. Sigh.
Shoes are probably the most important, but having the wrong clothing can be quite annoying.
As I have lost weight and started running, I have picked up some new workout capris that are more fitted and a few new tops. The bottoms I have gotten have turned out great... no problems there. The tops, on the other hand have given me some issues.
Then, I ran intervals in my new top. Every time I ran, up rode the top and I would have to pull it down every time I walked. It got quite annoying after 30 minutes of that. I decided try out the top in Zumba and then Turbokick. Unfortunately, jumping of any kind produced the same results.
I guess that shirt is resigned to the elliptical machine and other tame workouts. Sigh.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Welcome!
Welcome to my new blog! My hope is to discuss running tips, struggles and life as it happens.
I have never been a runner. I dreaded P.E. growing up and was that kid picked last for teams. One thing I don't come to naturally - among many things - is athletic ability.
My weight has fluctuated over the years and my husband I decided to start getting healthy in August 2011. It has been a struggle, but I have lost more than 40 pounds now and am just shy of reaching my goal weight.
Training and running races has become a major motivator for my husband. I decided, despite my distaste for running, to give it a try. Around Thanksgiving, I ran an informal Turkey Trot 5K. Finish time was 43ish minutes. Next was the Cupid Crawl in February. Finish time of 39:47!! A good improvement and no actual training beyond my normal workouts.
This time, I have a training regimen. On May 19 I will be running the Bright Night 5K. My hope is to improve my time to around 35 minutes. Week two of training and so far, so good!
-Beth
I have never been a runner. I dreaded P.E. growing up and was that kid picked last for teams. One thing I don't come to naturally - among many things - is athletic ability.
My weight has fluctuated over the years and my husband I decided to start getting healthy in August 2011. It has been a struggle, but I have lost more than 40 pounds now and am just shy of reaching my goal weight.
Training and running races has become a major motivator for my husband. I decided, despite my distaste for running, to give it a try. Around Thanksgiving, I ran an informal Turkey Trot 5K. Finish time was 43ish minutes. Next was the Cupid Crawl in February. Finish time of 39:47!! A good improvement and no actual training beyond my normal workouts.
This time, I have a training regimen. On May 19 I will be running the Bright Night 5K. My hope is to improve my time to around 35 minutes. Week two of training and so far, so good!
-Beth
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