Walking Test

Yesterday I downloaded a Couch to 10K app on my iPhone, and it suggested being able to walk 30 minutes comfortably before starting that program. I decided to try walking for 30 minutes today, just to see how it went. I finished 1.4 miles in 30:19. It was a tiny challenge, but not by much. That being said, I was on the treadmill in an air-conditioned gym! I think I need to to some more walking, and see what my right ankle (subsiding pain) and left foot (plantar fasciitis) have to say.

After that, I did some gentle yoga stretches from a yoga app on my iPhone, then lifted weights on three Nautilus machine. I'm an inflexible wienie. I need to exercise more than just on weekends to see any improvement. Now I'm thinking about the Second Empire Grand Prix Series coming up this fall. Could I do it?

C25K Week 5, Day 2 Complete

I did the C25K W5D2 run/walk last night, a little slower than normal (even for me), but I'm glad I got it out of the way. The run/walk intervals were 8:00/5:00, and the 8 minute run intervals intimidated me before I even started. Last night's run was mental training as much as running training. It was a minor victory to complete it.

I continued my new habit of doing some weight training after the run, a benefit of running at the gym. Each time I've done weight training lately, I've made a point of trying one new machine or exercise with the dumbbells. It's helping keep things fresh with that part of my workout, especially after running on the less-than-exciting treadmill. I also like watching what the other people in the weights area are doing.

I miss doing other cardio, but I can tell that, for now, my legs appreciate the rest days. A lot.

C25K W5D1 Complete

I decided to go to the gym last night and take care of the C25K W5D1 run/walk, and I'm glad I did. The run/walk intervals were 5:00/3:00, longer intervals for running than I've done in ages! I took it a little easier and didn't push the pace too much, which I'm glad I did. I have some left in the tank again to do some much needed weight training. I'm still a novice at the strength training, but I'm having a good time trying different machines, in addition to the dumbbells.

C25K Week 4 Complete!

I completed the C25K W4D3 workout on the treadmill yesterday, and had my best pace and longest distance yet, 1.76 mi. in 32:05 minutes. So I stayed on at the gym and did some dumbbells and weight machines. I've been pretty tired today, which I guess is recovery from yesterday. I'd hoped to do a light workout today, but decided to skip it.

Week 5 of this C25K program looks to be pretty challenging! Look out!

Bike Workout

Still tired from yesterday's long run, I hopped on the recumbent bike at the gym this morning, and went 5.25 miles in 30 minutes, a pretty decent pace for me. I'm looking forward to running again, but my legs needed a break today.

I added a little bit of upper body strength training. The 15 lb. kettlebells are still too heavy for me, so I worked with the 5 lb. free weights.

Back to an hour!

This morning I did 60 minutes on the elliptical for the first time in what seems like a while! My foot got sore, but I decided to push through this time. Felt great! Afterward, I did a little bit of upper body weight training with the free weights. There was another gal in the weights area when I went over, so I tried to push it with the 10 lb. weights, but had to return them for the 5 lb. weights. Oh well.

I'm still on the Rice Diet Program, and had a milestone of one year on it last week! It's been an amazing journey, and it's not over yet! I still have some pounds to lose, so I'm going to keep going!