Pushing Beyond 5k - A healthy update ;)

I promise I didn't leave you all. Life happened and I haven't been posting much. We lost a chicken to a neighboring dog and have been outside A LOT this summer.

A month and a half ago I shared with you my 1 mile story. I still can't believe that I run at all. Since then I have done 3 5k runs (one was 3.5 miles) without stopping and have taken 1 minute and 15 seconds off of my pace per mile. Once I get beyond the 2nd mile, my pace is set and everything just seems easier. In 8 weeks I went from jogging 1/4 mile at a time to over 3 miles at a time. To say that running has changed my life would be a bit premature but I will tell you that it is changing my life. 

Instead of tv time or driving around with my husband, we are outside running at least 3 days a week with our 2 year old in the stroller. We make healthier choices and have both lost weight. My hubby has always kept fit through running as he is still in the military. After leaving the Army, I'll be honest- I got lazy. Not just with my exercise but with my eating as well. It's embarrassing to admit but one day it will be my success story. 

Now my goal is 5 miles. I plan to hit that sometime in September. 10 weeks into my "new life" I can tell you that I am a better person inside and out. I've lost 37 lbs, 2 pants sizes, and am working on continuing to better my relationship with food. (Darn that period for mucking me up yesterday!) It's amazing how much happier my life has become and while I have had to sacrifice play date time with my toddler & our friends, it has been worth it. Now we have much more productive family time and our 2 year old is growing up with parents who are regularly active together.

If you are in a similar position to where I was just a few weeks ago, let me say that starting now is never too late. Whether you're 52 or 15 years old, 150 lbs or 300 lbs, one step in the right direction is better than none at all.

I'm sure that I'll continue to update as I go. What are you doing to get outside this summer? xoxo Jenn

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From 1 Minute to 1 Mile - A beginner's guide to running

Dear Friends, I am officially a runner!

Today I hit a huge milestone. I ran my first mile without stopping. Yeah, sure, some may roll their eyes but for me, this was a huge milestone. Hubby and I began running together (regularly) with little miss in the jogging stroller almost a month ago. At that time I was jogging a 1/4 mile and then walking, jogging a 1/4 mile then walking, ect. The thing that has really kept me going so far has been the quickness of improvements. Week 2 I was jogging 1/3 of a mile at a time and week 3, I was jogging 3/4 of a mile at a time. Now on day 1 of week 4 I pushed past the 1 mile mark. Hubby was in the Marine Corps and now is in the Air Force so he is a great running partner for me. He is encouraging and gentle but most of all he is right there with me, every slow stride of the way. :)

On Saturday we rode our bikes 32 miles so I rested Sunday to prepare for my run today. Let me be the first to say, wahooooooo!!!! 

Now that I enjoy running, the fun doesn't stop here. We usually run around our neighborhood but once I can run around our block twice (1.5 miles) we will likely switch it up at head to the metroparks path. I haven't been following a formal plan but rather setting landmark goals and listening to my body. Here's my mini guide for starting out running as a true beginner. 

Beginner's Running Guide

1. Have proper shoes and music ready to go with you. Find a buddy that can run with you (almost) every time. I always chew gum when I run to keep my throat and mouth moist.

2. On day one, run as far as you can push your body to get an idea of you're fitness level. Either track time or physical distance. 

3. Increase your time or distance by small increments every week. When you get to your "stop point" push beyond it. You'll be amazed at what your body is capable of.

4. Every week your body CAN run further, so push yourself. After a month you should be able to run 10 minutes straight or a whole mile. Don't get discouraged if it takes you longer though.

From one beginner to another, you can do it! You'll be so impressed with yourself when you do!

 Are you just starting out? Tell me about your Day 1?

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C25K Week 3

5k Training Update or I didn't die!!!

As I had mentioned in the past, I'm following the c25k running plan. I finished week 3 day 1 yesterday and let me just say I am really proud of myself. To many, this wouldn't be an accomplishment at all, so go ahead and laugh. For me, this was a physical fitness bench mark, but an even bigger mental breakthrough. I ran for 2 intervals of a 1/2 mile without stopping and 2 intervals of short time high intensity. AND I didn't die! I had been psyching myself out over this workout for days.  

Can I do it?

Should I repeat an easier run?

What if I can't?

After all that, you know what, it wasn't that bad! My legs were burning toward the end and it wasn't easy but I did it! It's like a switch clicked in my head when I finished my workout. I am going to be ready for this 5K in May! 

I'll be done with the program by the 1st week of March, giving myself 2 months to  improve my speed. The color run 5k is not a timed event but I'd really like to keep up with my husband. :) I have a long way to go but if I can do it, anyone can! Challenge yourself today, before today becomes tomorrow!

Cleveland 5k Color Run

The Color Run is coming to Cleveland on May 10th of this year. I may still be in the early weeks of training but I am setting this as my goal. 4 months from now (yes, I am web-committing) myself, my husband, and as many friends as I can wrangle are going to run this 5k. I'm sure a lot of you are thinking, "5k, big whoop!" but everyone starts somewhere and this is my 1st 2014 running goal. 

I have no illusions of winning this race in the traditional sense. Winning 1st place for me will be completing the race without walking. This means fighting the temptation to run as hard as I can at the start and then burning out shortly thereafter. In all honesty, I can barely make it a mile (@ a snail paced jog) before being completely wiped but over the past couple weeks my detirmination has helped me improve quickly. With continued hard work, I should be ready to make this lofty goal of mine :)

So here's my shout out to those of you in Northeast Ohio, challenge yourself and join our team. We will be a "no member left behind" group. Comment if you are interested in joining us!