The Week Ahead

It's the beginning of a new week and a NEW MONTH, and here's what I have in store, based on the 8-Week Plan I've been following.

WEEK 5

"Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach."

--Dr. George Sheehan

Mon	Tues	Wed
Run/Walk Run 12 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 4 min Zumba	Run/Walk Run 13 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 2 min Weight Lifting	Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest

Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Run/Walk Run 14 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Weight Lifting	Run/Walk Run 15 min Walk 1 min Run 14 min Cardio Contact	Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest	Rest

Week 4 Tally: 1/25-1/31

Tallies are a little early this week, but Saturday and Sunday are "off" days, so ain't nothing new happening... It's the end of my FIRST MONTH of training. Remember where I started?


******WEEKLY TOTALS******

10.1 miles in Run-walk drills (I'm up to 11-minute intervals now)

2.5 hours of Strength work
1.5 miles of walking

45 minutes of Zumba
2 pounds lost this week 
48 days 'til 5K

******JANUARY TOTALS******
34.9 miles in Run-walk drills (in 5.5 hours)

4.2 miles walking

9 hours of Strength work

4.75 hours of extra Cardio
7 pounds lost  total (with some muscle gained, pants still don't fit well)


Went from struggling to run 2 minutes at a time, to running 11 minutes at a time... from a pace of 17-minutes/mile including the walking breaks... now between 11 and 12. Progress.

The Long Gym Day

Today was my long gym day. I got off work at 7am, got to the gym by 8am. Did run-walk intervals for 30 minutes (2.39 miles) with 25 minutes of running and 5 minutes of walking.

I stayed for Zumba with the high-impact teacher. My calves were burning, but dancing to the Latin music was fun, despite being out of breath. Then, I took the half-hour core strengthening class followed by the hour-long muscle challenge class. 3 hrs and 15 minutes of consecutive exercise!

I found myself having trouble getting through through multiple sets of planks, lunges, or boy pushups without stopping or modifying. But, I'm happy to report that my abs and obliques are surprisingly strong (especially after my hernia doc told me my rectus muscles would never come back post-pregnancy), as is my upper body and back.

My muscle challenge teacher really pushed us. I typically like to weight-lift when I want to get strong without breaking a sweat or jumping all over the place. She had us lunging while doing bicep curls, squatting during our "breaks," alternating between abs and pushups multiple times ("roll over!"), all at a fast pace. She was no joke. It felt like bootcamp -- with a yoga mat, 4 hand weights, a water bottle and a towel.

I'm sure I'll be stronger for it come Monday.

Turning 30

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." 

-- William Faulkner

This quote encompasses my view on turning 30.

I'm not the person devastated by turning 30, sad, regretful, or just afraid of getting older. I've been saying I'm "almost 30" since I turned 28. There's something about being 30 that seems settled and peaceful to me. 

The 20s are so tumultuous. Just think of how different people are from 20, to 24, to 27, to 29. There are too many phases, hurts, life lessons and plain ole' confusion in the 20s, that I welcome my 30s with open arms. 

Faulkner's quote is exactly what my 30s are to me. A chance to challenge myself to be better. To do all the things that I shy away from because I'm not "great" at it. At work, I've challenged myself to study more, get more involved with research, no matter how difficult it's always been for me. I've challenged myself to run a 5K 15 years after I ran cross-country (and fallen out of shape). I've challenged myself to be a better mom and wife, even though my schedule makes it so easy to just disconnect in order to get things done.

Better health, better relationships, better spirituality, better peace of mind, better doctoring, better me... 

at 30.

Workout: Off Day

Days 'Til 5K: 50

Days 'Til 30: 178

If Your Scale Manages to Lie To You...

... your pants won't.

I was running late for conference today, where I was scheduled to give a lecture. I dressed up in my only clean (and brand name) suit because I also had a (side job) interview after the lecture. Yes, the pants were a little snug coming up over the thighs, and yes, I had to hold my breath to get the hook to attach. But never did I expect to bend over to get my lipgloss off the floor and hear RIIIIPPPPPPPP!

I spent about 3 minutes feeling myself up looking for the dreaded tear in my pants. But, it wasn't there. Fortunately for me it was just the lining... and I ran out the front door just in time. Still... I should have known better than to stuff my heavier self into those tailored pants.

On a brighter note, I ran outside on the track today. I couldn't bear the thought of going back on the treadmill today. The weather surprised us and got up to 45 today with some sun. So, I ran about 2.6 miles in 30 minutes. Ten minutes running, 1 of walking (twice), followed by 8 more minutes of running to round it out. That's the first time I've run 28 minutes during my interval training!

I am so excited, and what's better, I felt like I could have run at least another 1/4 mile with ease.

Net Carbs: 36 grams

Workout: Run only

Days 'Til 5K: 51

Back on the Treadmill

Looks like I'm not doing anymore outdoor runs this week. Boo.

To be honest, I don't think I could bear another day so soon of running with legs weighed down by soaking wet pants, the wind blowing rain directly into the small hole I left myself in my hood, and freezing afterwards drenched with sweat and rain. It was definitely an impulse run.

Today's run went well. I was due to run 3 intervals of 9 minutes walking with 1 minute of walking. The first interval went smoothly. The second, I found myself counting down each minute (59... 58... 57...). I took a longer walking breaking after that interval (3 minutes total) and ran 7 minutes for the last interval.

2.52 miles in 30 minutes.

Tomorrow's run is supposed to be 2 10-minute runs and an 8-minute run. EEK!

Net Carbs: 25 grams

Workout: Run only

Days 'Til 5K: 52

Singing (and Running) in the Rain

I've been dying on the treadmill lately. So, I prayed for warmer weather in an effort to get out on the road. Well it came today -- a 55-degree day in the midst of 20- and 30-degree days. But, with it came a rainstorm and some mean and gloomy clouds.

Saturday was actually a sunny 45-degree day, but I missed the chance to run in it because it was my off day. I found out when I left for work at 2 pm, cursing the fact that this was the 3rd time a gorgeous day fell on my workout "off" day. The nice weather will not escape me again!

Run Summary
The run went just okay. It was humbling for sure.

I walked down the incline to warm up (about 10 minutes), then started my intervals. I was supposed to run for a consecutive 8 minutes, but I hit my first hill at 4 minutes. I haven't been doing inclines or hills on the treadmill, so this killed. Legs felt heavy, out of breath, feeling like I was moving in SLO-MO. I only made it to 6 minutes for fear that I'd mess up the entire 30-minute run by pushing too much.

I walked it off, then sprinted for a minute up the second hill. Again, killer! Once I got on level ground, I ran 8 minutes without a problem. The second 2 hills were mostly downhill.

But, what happens when you reverse the route that has downhills? UPhills! I only made it 4 minutes then 1 minute up hills 4 and 3 on the return route.

My Thoughts
I'm proud of myself for running the same route as 2 weeks ago and getting farther than the first time I tried. Yet, I'm disappointed that the hills got in the way of me running 8 consecutive minutes. In total, my run-walk drills lasted 32 minutes (23 was running, 9 was walking). Then, I walked the rest of the way back home which was 1.5 miles -- including walking back up that crazy incline to the house.

In total I ran and walked 4.6 miles today in under an hour, in the rain. My MP3 player died with about 3/4 of a mile left to walk, but I kept SINGING (yes, aloud). Oh -- the best part... after getting completely drenched from head to toe, the sun came out just as I finished. Go figure...

I'm also proud that I found it in me to head to the gym for my weight lifting class right after. I completed all of the reps without having to stop or modify the movements. It was a good strength day!

Lastly -- I tried a new Atkins Endulge Bar today: Caramel Nut Chew Bar. De-li-cious. So happy I'm giving them a second look.

Net Carbs: 24 grams
Workout: Run (see above), and an hour of weight lifting
Days 'Til 5K: 53
Breakfast: Atkins Shake, 3-egg omelet with spinach and Turkey Kielbasa, Atkins Endulge Bar
Lunch: (slept through) Atkins bar with 18 grams of Protein -- after the run
Dinner: Turkey Burgers with cheese and pickles wrapped in low-carb tortillas, Steamed broccoli and carrots

Inspiration Monday

There are so many inspiring runner-bloggers out there... Reading their posts daily keep me from throwing in the towel on most days.

Last Monday, I read an Inspirational Monday post that I wanted to share with you guys. It's a guest posting by Tricia from Endurance Isn't Only Physical on a different blog: A Very Busy Mind last Monday for Inspiration Monday. Her story of weight loss and fitness is so amazing.

Here's the link: http://averybusymind.com/2010/01/18/endurance/

The Week Ahead

It's the beginning of a new week, and here's what I have in store, based on the 8-Week Plan I've been following.


WEEK 4

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

--Theodore Roosevelt

Mon	Tues	Wed
Run/Walk Run 8 min Walk 1 min Repeat 3X Run 3 min Weight Lifting	Run/Walk Run 9 min Walk 1 min Repeat 3 Groove Class	Run/Walk Run 10 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 8 min

Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest	Run/Walk Run 11 min Walk 1 min Repeat 2X Run 6 min Core/ Weight Lifting	Walk Walk easy 30 min Rest	Rest

Week 3 Tally: 1/18-1/24

9.9 miles in Run-walk drills (up to 6 minute intervals)

2 hours of Strength work

1 hour of extra Cardio (Zumba)

4 pounds lost (with some muscle gained)
54 days 'til 5K

My (free) Atkins Quick-Start Kit

I signed up for the free Atkins Quick-Start Kit during week 1 and the kit came this week!

This isn't the first time I've done Atkins, but I thought it would be cool to see what this kit was all about. Plus, I tried a couple of Atkins bars 5 years ago, didn't like the flavors and have never looked back. So this was my chance to try them again without wasting my money (I do love the South Beach Diet bars, which also have comparable Net Carbs).

The kit came with 3 bars, a pocket-sized carb counter book that lists the number of carbs in most foods, and a quick-start guide. I tried two of the bars -- Chocolate Oatmeal Fiber Bar and Chocolate Caramel Mousse Bar and they were delicious! Maybe they've stepped up their game since 5 years ago. I'm willing to give them a try again now.

I am, however, leaving the third bar - the Sweet and Salty Almond Crunch Bar - for hubby to try. I'm not so sure about that combo and I'm not that brave.

If you're interested in low-carb, check out Atkins' interactive tools and sign up for your free kit.


Days 'Til 5K: 55
Workout: Off day

Rough Workout

Today's workout was rough. I don't know what happened this week, but I have been so tired, and un-motivated to run or workout. I had to drag myself to the gym today, after falling asleep when I was supposed to be working on a presentation. I think I've napped every day this week so far!

I repeated the 6 minutes running, with 1 minute of walking in between, but at 21 minutes, I just didn't want to run anymore. I was tired, my left hip felt like it was tightening up, and I didn't want to miss my muscle challenge class which was starting.

Then, I thought about you guys. And how I would feel having to blog that I only ran for 21 minutes for no real good reason other than lack of motivation. So, after taking a long walking break (to 23 minutes), I ran again for another 6 minutes.

Muscle challenge was also hard. Legwork after running/walking for 30 minutes was difficult, but the hardest for me was the core work. Squats, lunges, inner/outer thigh stuff, all fine. Upper body, great (as usual). But, I kept having to stop or modify almost all of my core work.

I felt guilty about cutting the running short by 2 minutes, so I stayed for the Zumba (Latin Fitness) class afterwards. But, I did treat myself -- a pedicure with foot massage -- as soon as I left the gym.


Net Carbs: 20 grams
Days 'Til 5K: 56
Workout: 29 minutes of running-walking; Muscle Challenge class; Zumba fitness class

Running and the Dentist

I spent another morning at the dentist. This time, to get the first step toward a crown for the tooth I cracked. It took at least 4 different needles  (I actually lost count) to finally get my bottom teeth numb. I've been pooped all day after gripping my hands in anxiety, bearing the few times I felt pain, and handling the pain I've had all day since.

But, I learned from Tuesday and got my rump out of bed this afternoon and to the gym.

I had another best today - 2.55 miles. I ran 6 minutes, walked 1, ran 6, walked 1, ran 7, walked 1 then ran 7!! That's the longest I've run since training. I wasn't supposed to run 7's today but I lost track of the time (which is a great sign!).

Net Carbs: 10 grams (Could only drink liquids with the numb lip earlier, but I have "date night" with hubby in 10 minutes, so I might be adding to my total).
Workout: Just running today.

Breaking The Habit

Today was a workout off day, especially since I've been at work for almost 16 hours so far. That's a workout of its own.

But, today was also my first day back at our main hospital since I started cutting out carbs, training, and writing this blog. It was tough walking through the cafe and the cafeteria, seeing my usual snack culprits and not grabbing them out of habit.

You know... the White Macadamia Nut cookie that goes with my tea, the pastry that goes with my mid-day water break, the fries that are pre-made so I can grab them if I'm really hungry and not have to wait in line. The list goes on...

I walked past all of it today, got my tea and diet Pepsi and snacked on my Atkins Endulge bar. But, I'm not gonna lie -- I definitely looked twice.

The Okey Doke

After my day at the dentist and only 3.5 hours of sleep, I had no interest in running whatsoever.

I woke up from my "nap" with that jittery, nauseated feeling that spoke to my lack of sleep. In addition, my household is fighting some sort of mild sneezy virus or maybe just plain ole' nasal irritation from the dry heat. Needless to say, I felt pretty crappy.

I told myself all I had to do was pick up my son from school and get back home and I could go back to sleep. Screw the gym. But, I made myself put on my gym clothes just in case. I suspected I might feel differently once fresh air hit me...

Well, I didn't. But I drove to the gym anyway.

We got to the gym too late to run before my groove class. There were no parking spaces. And there were no available treadmills when I got inside. The voice in my head kept telling me, "It's okay to just go back home." Instead of listening, I just waited, sitting cross-legged on the gym floor, still uninspired.

Boy, am I glad I did.

I did a long, walking warm-up (10 minutes) to see if I would start circling the drain early. It felt okay.

I increased to 5 minutes running with 1 minute walking. No breaks, no gasping, no cramps, nose cleared up... for a full 30 minutes (2.54 miles). I couldn't believe it (and still can't). How could I run the best and the farthest on the day I felt the worst? I can't explain it.  But, I'm so excited.

Net Carbs: 50 grams

Weight: thinking I'll only weigh once a week at weekly tally.

Workout: 30 minutes on treadmill: 5 minutes running, 1 minute walking. No groove class.

Days 'til first 5K: 59

My Poor Teeth

We've all heard how important dental health is to keeping our hearts healthy, yet for some reason, the dentist is the last appointment I remember to make, if I ever do. I probably floss once every few months. And I have a habit of ignoring random tooth pain until I can't anymore. 

Today, I got off work at 7am and spent my hard-earned napping hours at the dentist for a down and dirty cleaning (i.e., scraping), and addressing a cracked tooth I unsuccessfully tried to forget about.

I had a really nice hygienist that got me to thinking -- I'm doing all this dieting, working out and running so I can be fit and heart healthy going into 30, yet I'm not doing basic things that can also keep my heart healthy -- like flossing. 

So, this year, despite my absolute aversion to flossing, I'm going to try to fit it into my routine. My poor teeth and my aging heart deserves at least that. I'm adding "flossing once a day" to my list of health and fitness goals  (I know it's supposed to be twice, but let's be realistic here). Let's see how it goes...

Sixty Days And Counting...

In exactly 60 days, myself and two friends will run our first 5K.

Today, I increased to 4 minutes running, 1 minute walking. It didn't go that well. From an endurance standpoint, it felt great. I did 4 minutes without even coming close to feeling winded. During the second 4 minutes, my left shin started burning then cramping (yes, again). I tried to walk it out but it didn't really work.

I went to my weight lifting class, and afterwards, finished up the remaining 10 minutes. I felt a lot more out of breath than the first few sets.

From an endurance standpoint, I think my 3-day rest did some good. Regarding my shin cramp, I think it's time for new sneaks.

Net Carbs: 30 grams
Weight: -5 lbs. (We're back to checking again!)
Workout: Run/Walk drills as above; Group Power Class (weight lifting) for 1 hour.
Mileage: 1.57 miles + 0.84 miles = 2.41 miles in 30 minutes

Thanks to Barby for the sports bra suggestion!

Week 2 Tally: 1/11-1/17

7.1 miles in Run-walk drills

2 hours of Strength work

2 hours of extra Cardio (Group Groove)

?? pounds lost (temporarily boycotting the scale)

Last Day Off

Today was day 3 of my extended break from working out and running. According to what I've read, rest days are just as important as training days. I feel nice and energized now.

I am proud to report that my resting heart rate was 60 today! When I'm not active, it's usually about 80. I knew there was an athlete developing inside somewhere!

The true test will be running this week and seeing if my endurance holds up. Back to the gym tomorrow.

Net Carbs: 26 grams

Taking the Weekend Off

After working out 5 days straight, I didn't schedule work outs for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Of course the weather has been beautiful so far. Just my luck it'll be frigid again in time for my next scheduled run.


Net Carbs: (1/15/2010): 23 grams
Net Carbs: (1/16/2010): 60 grams
Weight: Not checking until Monday

Sports Bra Hunting

Over the years, I've learned that affordable sports bras are not often constructed for shapely women. The bra is either too tight with resulting spillage from the top... or the bra fits the twins, but is too loose around the bottom making a huge gap where they can fall in and get stuck. Or even worse, the bra fits, but provides less control than a regular bra.

I went on a hunt recently for a device to tie the twins down with all this new running I'm doing. The salesgirl gave me a strange look as I explained my shapely girl woes (see above). She suggested I check out the Champion line, and if not, to try Lane Bryant (??).

Of course, the Champion sports bras only went up to a C-cup. But, I have been stuffing the girls into the Champion C9 Sports Bra for a week and it is way more comfortable than any of the five other sports bras I own. Oh, how did I forget? And it was only $16.99 -- So, two thumbs up for Champion!

Anatomy of Our Low-Carb Fridge

The Scale Hath Betrayed Me

The scale says I gained a pound today.

I hate this point of working out and losing weight where you're gaining muscle (which weighs more than fat) faster than you're getting rid of fat.

I've done this enough times to know that even though I've stopped losing pounds on the scale, my body is starting to look different (my calves are looking particularly athletic these days). And, if I push through this temporary plateau, the numbers will start dropping again.

But, it still hurts to see the number.

I keep reminding myself that while muscle does weigh more than fat, muscle requires more calories to maintain. So I'm burning more calories in my sleep with muscle than I do during some cardio workouts.

I might avoid the scale for a few days until my body works this all out.

Net Carbs: 23 grams
Weight: -4 lbs. :-(
Workout: Group Groove class (cardio/dance), Group Power class (weight lifting). Today was a non-running day.

Avoiding the Apple Pastry

Every Wednesday morning, we have 5 consecutive hours of mandatory lecture (ouch). As a peace offering, trays of bagels, pastries and muffins sit next to coffee containers on a table outside the lecture hall door. I'm not a big baked goods person and the bagels are usually a little too dry for my taste, but the pastry with the apple stuff in the center... heaven.

Of course, this heaven would cost me 2 days worth of carbs.

In preparation of this temptation (or torture, depending on how you look at it), I packed a goodie bag that would keep me so well-stocked that I would never even desire to walk near the table o' carbs.

In my snack bag:

• Piece of a spinach omelet hubby made on my way out the door
• Dannon Light & Fit Carb Control Yogurt (3 net grams)
• Del Monte No Sugar Added Peaches (or Mandarin Orange)
• Blueberries & Blackberries
• South Beach Diet Bar
• Atkins Shakes - vanilla and strawberry
• Sugar-Free Twizzlers
• Water bottle

The big news of the day...... I did a treadmill run after lecture and increased today's intervals to 3 minutes running with 1 minute of walking, which means I ran a total of 23 minutes, and walked 7 minutes. No shin cramps, no gasping for air! 

Maybe I really can do this...

Net Carbs: 36 grams (so far)

Weight: woke up late, forgot to weigh myself before I got dressed.

Lunch with Dad & Muscle Cramps

My dad (who by the way was an amazing sprinter back in high school) came up to visit with some of his friends today -- a neat surprise. We went to an Irish Pub for lunch and I had a wonderful salmon with capers, and double order of veggies instead of rice pilaf. 

I practiced great restraint, because trust me, I love rice pilaf! I did so well with carbs today that I treated myself to almost a whole bag of microwave popcorn with extra butter... which I ate while soaking away my aches from tonight's workout and run (in a Lavendar bath soak).

Tonight's run on the treadmill went better than yesterday endurance-wise (Max heart rate was 182 today versus 188 yesterday). I repeated the 2min run:1min walk routine from yesterday since I had such difficulties. 

My tongue actually remained in my mouth at all times, and I started to feel like I had a good stride. However, between minute 13 and 14, I got a major left shin cramp. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake it out while running. So unfortunately, I had to stop running until the cramp subsided. Five minutes later though, I was golden and could run on it with no problems. But, man, was it an uncomfortable feeling.

Tonight's treadmill run (2.33 miles)
00:00-15:00 -- 2 min run (at 5.8mph, 1% incline), 1 min walk (at 3.2mph, 1% incline)
15:00-19:00 -- walking at 3.0mph (cramp)
19:00-30:00 -- 2 min run (at 5.8mph, NO incline), 1 min walk (at 3.2mph, NO incline)
Total run: 18 min, Walk: 12 min

Net Carbs: 20grams
Weight: -5 lbs.
Other Workout: Cardio for an hour in the Group Groove class.

The Here And Now

I'm terrible at living in the moment. Every spiritual, meditation, or relaxation book I've ever read talks about how important it is to well-being.

But, I am an uber-planner by nature. I've had my whole life planned out (with multiple revisions of course) for as far back as I could remember. It's how I cope with uncertainty. I always have a plan.

Even when I think I'm living in the moment, or being spontaneous, I'm usually not. Sometimes I'm not even enjoying the little moments that makes motherhood and wifedom precious because I'm thinking about our next endeavor, making a to do list, or imagining our life five years from now.

Except when I'm running.

It's only been a week, but I am painfully aware of every present moment when I'm running... how my body feels, how I'm breathing, how hot or cold the room is. After a year of struggling to learn how to meditate, and whaddya know? Running brings me everything I have tried to achieve cross-legged and shut-eyed.

I'm not thinking stressful thoughts (except, "What the heck am I doing to my body?"). I'm not worrying about things that have already happened, or things that will happen an hour from now, or even 5 minutes from now.

It's just me, right here, right now -- one footstep at a time, for 30 minutes.

In My Head I'm Still An Athlete... My Body Doesn't Always Agree

I was really excited to graduate to 2 minutes of straight running today with only 1 minute of walking in between.

I psyched myself up: "It's no big deal. If you can run 1 minute, you can do 2." Yea... not so much.

At 01:45, much huffing and puffing commenced, and the 1 minute of walking was about 30 seconds too short for me to fully catch my breath, or to convince myself I wouldn't fall out during the next 2 minutes of running.

Yet, I tried again. I did have to go back to 1 minute of running with 2 minutes of walking for 2 repetitions (I was dying). So, I ran for a total of 18 minutes and walked a total of 12. It should have been 20 and 10.

I hope tomorrow is easier.

Net Carbs: 63

Weight: -5 lbs

Today's Workout: Run-walk drills for 30 minutes (2.22 miles), 2 min run, 1 min walk; weight-lifting - upper body, lower body, core for 1 hour.

Week 1 Tally: 1/4-1/10

7.8 miles in Run-walk drills

2.7 miles walking around NYC

2.5 hours of Strength work

1 hour of extra Cardio (Zumba)

4 pounds lost (18-23 to go)

A Frigid, Spontaneous Run

Today was supposed to be an off day. But I had a lot on my mind, and I (surprisingly) felt the itch to run outside to clear my head -- in the 26 degree weather.

I mapped out a 3-mile road with several inclines near my house, and went for it. Running at a slow pace, I ran 0.7 mile, walked 0.1 mile, ran 0.4 mile, then walked a mile back home.


Net carbs: 30 grams
Weight: -4 lbs

I signed up for my first race!

It's official! Me and my girlfriends, Zia and Rashonda, have signed up for the Nun Run 5K during our getaway in Phoenix.

There's no turning back now...


Victory Lane Sports Park
March 20, 2010, 8am
Race Details
Races: 5K Run, 10K Run, 5K Walk

Net carbs: 50 grams

Weight: -4 lbs

Humbling workout

So I figured out why my run-walk drills have felt so easy... I haven't been running very fast!

I've probably been on a treadmill five times in my whole life. Needless to say, I don't know anything about treadmills.

So, I have been setting my walking speed at 2.8 and running at 4.5. Apparently, (based on last night's google search) that's pretty darn slow. Today, I walked at 3.5 and set my running speed at 6, which is 10 minutes per mile. Whew! At about 10 minutes, I wanted to give up, but I pushed through and thankfully got my second wind.

I definitely see how much work I have to do between now and race day.

Today was my longest gym day: 30 minutes of core strength class, 60 minutes of muscle strengthening class, 30 minutes of treadmill work. As a treat, I took my time afterwards stretching in the sauna... and later soaking in a Eucalyptus bath soak for sore muscles back at home.

Net carbs: 38 grams

Weight: -3 lbs

8-Week 5K Plan: Run-walk drills on the treadmill for 30 minutes (2.08 miles)

Walking around NYC

Today was a gym OFF day. But, hubby and I took the train into NYC for the day and I still walked about 3 miles with a 15lb purse on my shoulder. Someone thought it was a good idea to study during the 90 minute commute. Never again.

Net carbs: 40 grams

Weight: -2lbs

Low carb ice-cream and more running

While grocery shopping, I found slow-churned vanilla ice cream with Splenda (6g net carbs) and low-carb taco tortillas (7g net carbs)... Both kept me from cheating today!

Net carbs: 29 grams

Weight: -2 lbs

8-Week 5K Plan: Run-walk drills on the treadmill for 30 minutes (2 miles), plus Zumba class afterwards