I Forgot the Soreness

Ugh.  Building back up sure does suck sometimes.

So I didn't go to last week's long run because, well, I was in a car accident the night before 300 miles away from home.  I'm almost healed, but my car is still 300 miles away.  Hopefully I'll get it back soon.

Anyhoo, last week was a rough one.  As I was away for a work conference, I did not get my three training walks in - but I did use the elliptical almost every day, so I was working on different muscles/muscles that haven't been used in a while.

So I needed to get back into gear this week.  Due to rain, I opted out of Monday's walk, but I did Tuesday and Thursday- I walked for about 60 minutes at a comfortable pace.  I'm glad I did that, otherwise I might be MORE sore today.

Yesterday's long run was GREAT.  We did 4 miles, and I felt awesome on my 4th - like I could have kept going.  I'm continuing with negative splits, which makes me happy, and added more jogging in the 4th mile.  I'm a work in progress, but I'm getting there.

Average: 18:17/mile
Mile 1: 18:50
Mile 2: 18:15
Mile 3: 18:15
Mile 5: 17:51

I'm getting there.  I'm getting stronger.  With a bit more weight loss and cooler weather, I hope I will be down to 16 minutes/mile by the half marathon.

I am quite sore today - and I forgot about that.  I wanted to continue to work out on Sunday, but I think I'll just have to suck it up and use it as a rest day and just not worry about getting 10k steps (which is my daily goal).  I'm not so sore that I can't move, but I know a workout will be a pathetic attempt.    I just realized the gym across the street from me has a pool, so I think I'll get in the habit of going there Saturday afternoons to make up for my lack of a bathtub.  Gotta figure out how to soak somehow, and the swimming might be a good way to work those muscles gently.  My feet right now are what hurt the worst - which is quite understandable due to my weight gain.

BUT I'M NOT ON MY COUCH ANYMORE.  I'm allowing post-run/walk sweaty pictures of my to go on Facebook.  At first, I was too self-conscious because, let's face it, fat sweaty people are far from cute.  But then I got to thinking - who gives a shit?  Might as well be vulnerable and show people that I'm really doing it.  And I'm celebrating it.

Ciao!

Training Week 2

Well, training week 1 went pretty well.  After last Saturday's walk, I managed to keep everything going.  On top of my normal workouts, I did a 45-min walk Monday, 30 minutes on Tuesday, and 40 minutes Thursday.

For long walk #2, things went much smoother.  I again wasn't the last one in, I had negative splits, and I didn't want to pass out or vomit afterwards.  Also, I tried jogging/intervals walking for 4:30 and then light joggings at :30.  With my knees and ankles and feet, the jogging will be super slow.  No worries.  I'm all about safely finishing.

So, total was 55 minutes and 24 seconds.
Splits: Mile 1- 18:50
Mile 2 - 18:25-ish
Mile 3: - 18:05-ish

Average time: 18:27  Considering I'm still 85 pounds away from where I was when I last ran/walked, AND the fact that it was in the upper 80s, early 90s, I'll take it.

I feel good about this.  I shaved off 1 minute and 24 seconds, and dropped my average time from 18:56 to 18:27, all while feeling fine.  Definitely my strength training, squats, and water consumption went well this week.  In a perfect world, I'd shave another 27 seconds off my average time next week, but the odds might be stacked against me.  Training in another city all week means my workouts and eating will be unsure.  And it's still freakin' hot outside.

AND I hit a big milestone this week: I have officially lost 50 pounds since January.  I only need to lose another 85 to get back to where I was the last time I finished a half-marathon, but I think I'm going to try for another 100.  We'll see.

Ciao!

The Aftermath

So, yesterday I woke up with a surprise - slightly sore hips.  Slightly sore calves.  What is this?  I only walked 3 miles (albeit in the heat and as fast as my short legs and big ass could take me).

So, between that and the heat, I had a good wake-up call.  Sometimes I really like wake-up calls, especially if I know what to do.

Time to make some changes.

Change #1: Make sure I do the three weekly small walks.  Not a big deal.  I'm not going to stop my aerobics now (although I may change my mind later as my walks increase), but I can tack on 3 30-45 minute easy evening walks.

Change #2: More water.  Hydration is super important.  I completely forgot to drink extra water Friday and drink before my walk Saturday.  So I'm going to make it a point to drink my water this week.  Let's see if I feel better then.

Change #3: Focus on stretches.  I'm not good stretching with minor workouts, but in the long-run, I think I'll be better.

So, more walking, more water, more stretching.

Let's see how this week goes.

Tonight, on the schedule is a 45 minute easy group walk followed by core and strength.  This morning, I'm doing an 80 minute aerobics workout and a 20 minute upper body strength routine.   The 45-minute walk will be good to get all loose from today.

I also had to re-order many things I used to own: a hydration belt, body glide, double-layer socks.  Thank you, Amazon.  I went shopping AND I get mail.  Best of both worlds.

Ciao!

First walk: DONE

Today, I had my first training walk with Bay Area Fit, the group I ran with in 2007/2008.  Not going to lie: I was nervous as hell.  I have gained a significant amount of weight, I haven't done any walking of a significant distance in a while, and it was hot outside.

But it went well.  Thankfully I've been doing 1-2 hours of aerobics daily.  I wasn't breathing as heavily as people near me, and I don't hurt at all.  My legs are super-strong (that 30-Day Squat Challenge I'm in the middle of helps, as much as I hate to admit it).

So, 3 miles, 56:50 minutes.
Mile 1: 19:05 minutes.  It was rough.  The temp was already over 80 degrees and HUMID.  It was my warm-up mile.
Mile 2: 18 minutes.  I started feeling strong, but hotter.  I was passing up other walkers, so part of me felt good about that.
Mile 3: 19:47  minutes.  The heat started getting to me.  My head started hurting.  I was sweating like a pig.

So I finished.  I think I was happiest that I was not the last one in - there were maybe 4 or 5 behind me.  Considering I was the heaviest by far, I'm quite please with that.

But did I mention the heat?  Yowzas.

So, goal for this week: Start the weekly training plan.  In addition to my workouts, I'm going to add a 35 minute walk Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  Also, hydrate a lot more during the week.

All in all, I'm damn proud of myself.  And I don't hurt.

Ciao!