I felt really good about just showing up yesterday morning. Sometimes it's all about just being there, isn't it. Plus had some nice chats with the rest of the group, AND we got our training shirts. Isn't it pretty?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Just.show. up.
So yesterday was a big snow day (for the lower mainland anyway) and not having slept properly the night before I entertained one or two thoughts of chickening out, especially when I looked out the window and saw 6 to 7 inches of snow on the ground (so pretty though!) and snowflakes still falling fast. But my pack was ready, I was up before 7 and champing at the bit to get out there and get running, since last week I missed both the Tuesday and Thursday runs AND the big group run on Sunday. Anyway, put the dogs away, was out the door and caught the bus. Unfortunately, the session was cancelled even though about a dozen of us showed up. I got home, put the leashes on the dogs and we went for a walk. Quite a lively exercise walking on snow. And in the evening worked out for a half-hour on the cross trainer.
I felt really good about just showing up yesterday morning. Sometimes it's all about just being there, isn't it. Plus had some nice chats with the rest of the group, AND we got our training shirts. Isn't it pretty?
I felt really good about just showing up yesterday morning. Sometimes it's all about just being there, isn't it. Plus had some nice chats with the rest of the group, AND we got our training shirts. Isn't it pretty?
Monday, February 21, 2011
In the thick of Week 6
I pretty much jammed out of most of my training last week (blame procrastination) and so now it is catch-up week and I'm a little bit nervous as we head into the first run of week 7 which is intervals of 10s and 1s, total running time of 40 min. Last week I did nada, zilch, nothing, except for a quickie half-hour run around the neighbourhood on Friday and walking the dogs for an hour the following day. Decided to drop out of the Sunday group run because I had to pick up a friend from the airport. This morning (Monday) I made up for it by doing the Sunday run on my own out on the dike. Was struggling a bit toward the end (who am I kidding, was struggling from the start) but determined to work out lots and show up on Sunday, Feb 26!
Meanwhile here's my running group - don't we look nice and fresh? It was just before the long run on Week 5.
Meanwhile here's my running group - don't we look nice and fresh? It was just before the long run on Week 5.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Week 3 update
Highlight: A nicely brisk 5k walk with the puppies...followed by the oatmeal chocolate chip cookie chowdown.
Overall this week has been pretty good for fitness. I didn't get to do the two workouts we are supposed to do in between our Sunday training runs (see the programme) but I managed to fit in the spin class on Monday, a 5k walk with the furball babies on Tuesday, and a 20 minute elliptical cross trainer session last night. I plan to take Mags and Patz walking in an hour or so. Feeling good!
Tomorrow is the start of week 4, aka "Easy recovery week" with a run/walk interval of 3min/2min x 6. Looking forward to it! The weatherman called for light rain in the morning, so hopefully we won't be too damp!
Overall this week has been pretty good for fitness. I didn't get to do the two workouts we are supposed to do in between our Sunday training runs (see the programme) but I managed to fit in the spin class on Monday, a 5k walk with the furball babies on Tuesday, and a 20 minute elliptical cross trainer session last night. I plan to take Mags and Patz walking in an hour or so. Feeling good!
Tomorrow is the start of week 4, aka "Easy recovery week" with a run/walk interval of 3min/2min x 6. Looking forward to it! The weatherman called for light rain in the morning, so hopefully we won't be too damp!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
New year, new fitness!
Early in January I made a resolution to step up my fitness regime a few notches. I'd been working pretty steadily since March 2010 at a new kind of job that entailed somewhat more physical activity than I was used to, and although I hadn't been running since the Sun Run in May I felt I was somehow more attuned to the whole running thing despite having dropped out of my beginner's running clinic which started in November 2009.
I realize now that that clinic was clearly above my abilities and fitness leel (at the time). Not the fault of the lovely peppy instructor at all. Last month, though, I registered for a proper training clinic for the Sun Run, and with 13 weeks to prepare till race day on April 17, I feel refreshed, ready and resolute!
The first session was pretty much an orientation, though we did run a few minutes. The training leaders emphasised doing a "shuffle-jog" instead of running, and wonder of wonders, I found it quite easy going! Exhilarating, in fact, to be in pace with a group instead of struggling, struggling, struggling to keep up. The past two weeks have followed the shuffling pace, with the run time increasing gradually. Last Sunday's session went like this: a 5 minute warmup and a 5-min cooldown and in between, a total of 21 minutes running (3 min run, 2 min walk x7). I felt really good at the end of the session. My running buddy was pretty cool too and I think she and I will be keeping each other motivated throughout this training.
Yesterday I took my first spin class and loved the challenge. Since I was a complete beginner I took it at my own pace, and used lower resistances and speeds, but overall it was a fabulous workout and I plan to do it at least once a week. (Note to self: wear longer workout shorts or tights next time! One of my thighs sported an ugly red bruise from the bike seat by the time it was over). I think I'll get the hang of this in a few weeks, and I expect the sore bum will heal up soon too. Those bike seats are HARD!
Really looking forward to a marvellously active winter and spring!
And now some bonus pictures of the garden, where green things are starting to come up. It's been a mild winter so far, not counting that cold snap in late November.
I realize now that that clinic was clearly above my abilities and fitness leel (at the time). Not the fault of the lovely peppy instructor at all. Last month, though, I registered for a proper training clinic for the Sun Run, and with 13 weeks to prepare till race day on April 17, I feel refreshed, ready and resolute!
The first session was pretty much an orientation, though we did run a few minutes. The training leaders emphasised doing a "shuffle-jog" instead of running, and wonder of wonders, I found it quite easy going! Exhilarating, in fact, to be in pace with a group instead of struggling, struggling, struggling to keep up. The past two weeks have followed the shuffling pace, with the run time increasing gradually. Last Sunday's session went like this: a 5 minute warmup and a 5-min cooldown and in between, a total of 21 minutes running (3 min run, 2 min walk x7). I felt really good at the end of the session. My running buddy was pretty cool too and I think she and I will be keeping each other motivated throughout this training.
Yesterday I took my first spin class and loved the challenge. Since I was a complete beginner I took it at my own pace, and used lower resistances and speeds, but overall it was a fabulous workout and I plan to do it at least once a week. (Note to self: wear longer workout shorts or tights next time! One of my thighs sported an ugly red bruise from the bike seat by the time it was over). I think I'll get the hang of this in a few weeks, and I expect the sore bum will heal up soon too. Those bike seats are HARD!
Really looking forward to a marvellously active winter and spring!
And now some bonus pictures of the garden, where green things are starting to come up. It's been a mild winter so far, not counting that cold snap in late November.
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