What a Run!

Today was a good run! It didn't start off great, but it ended wonderfully. I had a headwind for the first half of my run, and for those of you with a stroller (holla at ya Kim!) know how much that sucks. It slowed me down significantly. Once that calmed down the run was great. I also used my iPod today which I never do since we are on base. I am a huge rule-follower, and the rule on base is no headphones when running. So for the last few months that I've been seriously walking and running I haven't listened to anything. Since we only have about 6 weeks left until John's terminal leave starts I have a HUGE case of the f-its. So, I said, f-it. I broke a rule. This doesn't happen too often so it is a big deal for me. For the majority of my run I kept looking around me for the MPs to stop me and counsel me for wearing earphones. Yes, I'm an idiot. No one really cares as half the Marines I see running are wearing earphones. It's amazing I leave the house at all with the stupid things I worry about.

The best part of my run was I think I got the runner's high. It was right at the end of the run, and I was listening to Instant Karma by John Lennon (which always gets me super excited - such a kick ass song!), and I just wanted to keep going though I was done with my training time. What a great feeling.

I also discovered that on the days I don't run I am a huge pain in the ass. The run helps me get the grumpies out. It's really gotten under my skin despite the fact that 90% of the time I hate it.

Before I forget my new running shoes are awesome. I love them. My feet get a little wind through the top of the shoe, and it felt great. Thanks brother for the suggestion!

I'm off to read. I feel like I'm finally getting some of the things back that I loved to do before we had babies. I love being a mom, but I miss being able to do what I want when I want it. This quiet time when the boys are sleeping is important. Off to my cheesy vampire romance book!

I'm Running! I Swear!

When I did my initial post on here I said that one of my goals was to blog to keep myself accountable. I haven't been blogging, but I have been running. I took two weeks off when I was sick, but I started back up about a week and a half ago. I'll try to recommit to the blog as well. I like the writing, I just didn't think anyone was actually reading ;)

This past week's run was as follows:

Jog 3 min.
Walk 90 sec.
Jog 5 min.
Walk 2 1/2 min.
Jog 3 min.
Walk 90 sec.
Jog 5 min.

It wasn't a bad run, but I'm finding that I don't really LIKE to run. I like how I feel afterwards, but I'm not so much a fan during the run. I also peeked ahead on my schedule to see what this upcoming week's run would be like, and I saw that on Friday of this week I will run 20 minutes non-stop. Hmmm...I find that intimidating.

My body is changing in good ways though, despite my ambiguity to the run. My arms are slimming down, my leg muscles are reemerging, and my butt is no longer a part of my upper thigh. It's getting some shape to it again. The scale isn't doing what I'd like, but whatever. I'm getting tired of obsessing over it.

I got new shoes this week. My old cruddy Nikes met their end. I took my brother's advice and got Asics. I haven't used them yet, but John and I are going for a run today so I'll try them out then.

Here's the schedule for today's and the rest of the week's run:

Brisk five-minute warm up walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Hopefully it will go well. I also started running 4 times a week instead of just 3. I felt up to it, and I wanted to get more practice in before Friday's big 2o minuter.

Back on the Wagon

I ran today! It's been almost two weeks. It felt great to get going again. I stayed with my week 3 regimen since it'd been a while. I was ready to be done towards the end, but it wasn't terrible. I think it actually helped my cough as my lungs got moving again. What a nice surprise! Hubby and I are taking a day together tomorrow so I won't run then, but I am planning a run for Saturday. John is even going to run with me. This will be my first time running with him. Hopefully he'll be kind and stay at my pace.

Another good surprise today was when I weighed myself. I hadn't gained anything during my 2 week hiatus. I really fell off the wagon with my eating habits so it was good to see my slip up wasn't the undoing of all my shenanigans.

I took a heck of a nap this evening as well. So much so that I have to get up at 5, and here it is 10:30, and I am still up and at 'em. I need to get going so I can shower quickly before bed. It's good to be back on the wagon! My next task is to figure out what 5k I'll be running. The one I'd picked out for April on the beach is the same weekend we'll be in VA for a wedding. Need to get working on it!

P.S. - I ran over my weekend with my friends. It was too cold to run outside, so I used the treadmill in the hotel. I'm glad that I did it because I discovered I don't like to run on a treadmill. My knees and ankles were hurting by the end of it. Better to find out now than later when we'd invested in one.

Quick check in

I am so sick! I did all my runs last week, but this week I haven't done anything. My hope is to start back on Monday. This cold just won't go away, and with sick children running just hasn't been happening. I'll get back on the wagon hopefully very, very soon. Blerg.

A Case of the Mondays

Monday's run sucked! I felt awful. It was probably due to the fact that I didn't exercise Saturday or Sunday and ate about a million cupcakes over the Valentine's Day weekend. I felt groggy and yucky the whole way. I only had one kid in the stroller, which was a nice change. Thank God for the dog though. Were it not for her I don't imagine that I would have finished. And there was also a mean headwind my whole run/walk.

Enough complaining. It turns out that when I started this program I started on week 2 instead of week 1. That means I did a bit more than I should have last week, but since it didn't bother me I don't think it's that big of a deal. I started week with the week 3 regimen. Here are the steps:

• Walk briskly for 5 minutes
• Jog 2 minutes
• Walk 2 minutes
• Jog 3 minutes
• Walk 3 minutes
• Repeat jog/walk/jog/walk routine

Here's some good news - my recovery time after my run is getting much shorter. After I did my jog it only took about 10-15 seconds for me to catch my breath. That is better than last week for sure. I can't really say that I enjoyed the run, but once I was just walking I felt good. I'm glad that I got off my ass and did it. The temptation to do nothing was definitely there.

I learned from the weekend that just because I'm exercising and starting to lose weight doesn't mean I can splurge over a two day period. The weekend food binge of sweets really screwed my weight loss up. I've put some back on which is annoying, but I only have myself to blame and all I can do is not binge again. Alas, I have a weekend away with the girls. I only hope I can show some restraint.

I won't write again until next week since I'm heading out of town on Thursday. I will run tomorrow (Wednesday), and I already have my gear packed for Friday so I can run while I'm in Williamsburg. All of my friends are runners so I know I can count on them to keep me honest. It will be a beautiful run in my college town!

Accessories

Today was day 3 of my running experiment. Unfortunately I didn't take good care of myself today so my run sucked. All I drank today was coffee and diet coke so when I finally ran I was super dehydrated. I felt pretty nauseous most of the time. It felt very good to be done. Next week will be a new stage so I am anxious to see how much I'll do then. I promise myself to not go out without having drunk oodles of water.

The best part about today's run was my new stroller cover! My stroller is the Phil and Ted's Sport with a doubles kit. If you've never seen one of these awesome strollers than you need to check this out: http://www.philandteds.com/sport_index.htm. I am pretty sure that as much as I love my husband and children, some part of me, deep down, loves this stroller a little bit more. It's super easy to push, super easy to break down, and it actually fits in my car. That last bit is no small feat for a double stroller - those suckers are huge! I also love all the fun accessories that go along with it. End commercial for Phil and Teds.

I bought the UV cover for the stroller to keep the boys from getting fried on our run/walks on the flight line. Since there are zero trees I worry about them getting too much sun. Luke didn't care too much for the cover since he couldn't see me, but once we got moving he was fine. P was fine at first but towards the end got a bit squirrelly, though I can't say that I blame him. Sitting in a stroller for over an hour is probably kind of boring, even if you do sleep half the time.

My next stroller purchase (which I am still waiting on) is a cup holder. I don't like the P&T one, and I saw one on Amazon made by BOB that supposedly fits my Sport really well. Most of the Amazon reviews for the BOB cup holder were by P&T owners, and they were all positive. Hopefully that will come in the mail tomorrow.

I also find that I am need of a chronograph (I heard runners will make fun of you if you call your sports watch a watch - is this true? If so, really?!); wedgie-proof underwear; a good sports bra to keep my post-nursing ladies in line; and better running shoes. When I started this venture I didn't realize how expensive it would be. If nothing else financial necessity will keep me running. If I keep buying stuff I'll feel obligated to stick it out. Anywho - any suggestions on my accessories list would be appreciated.

I am taking tomorrow (Valentine's Day!) off. I plan on eating french toast in the morning, cupcakes in the afternoon and something ridiculously good for dinner. I guess I'll lose a bit of the progress I made, but it'll be worth it.

P.S. - For all you frugal moms, I found a vendor on Amazon that has great baby stuff for very reasonable prices. It's called Tikesville: http://www.amazon.com/shops/tikesville. They have Melissa and Doug toys for super cheap and shipping is FAST! I ordered my UV cover on Tuesday and got it Friday, and it was $20 cheaper than anyone else. Check it!

Yay Stroller Moms!!

Here's a tidbit from my friend Steph:

Here is a fact from The University of Wisconsin, La Crosse - "Pushing a stroller can help you blast about 20% more calories than going solo, when you walk at a brisk (3.2 mph) pace."

Thanks Steph! That's awesome. I also get the added benefit of sleeping children. Can't beat that!

I almost forgot!

I weighed in for the National Body Challenge, and I lost a pound! Woot woot!

Two Babies and a Dog

That's what I ran with today. Technically it was one toddler, one baby and a dog, but that just doesn't sound as cool.

Again I ran two minutes, walked one minute, and did this for twenty minutes. I then finished my usual walk for an hour. I wanted to punk out at one point, but I'm glad that I finished. It wasn't so much the run as it was the walk that came after it.

On my run I crossed paths with a couple running. They said something clever to me about my work being done because the kids were asleep. How cool is it that they thought I was like a real runner and thus wanted to do witty banter with me? Suckers!

It was a beautiful day to be outside. The only thing that pooed things up was that somewhere near the base someone was doing what I hope was a controlled burn. The last half mile of my walk smelled like a camp fire, and we were getting bits of ashes on us. At least it was a beautiful 70 degrees with a nice cool wind.

I just started taking the dog with me on my walk/runs. I usually struggle with her pulling me along, but the last few days she's been really good. In the beginning I want to punt her in the butt, but she shapes up. She's also good to keeping my motion going forward. I even think I was faster because she was pulling me along. I hoped the run would wear her out today, but when we got home she was still up for catching the ball.

Cool site

My friend Kim gave me a cool site that lets you map out your run and calculate distance among other things I haven't figured out yet. It's www.mapmyrun.com. Check it out! Thanks Kim!

Running Program Site - Couch to 5K

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Walk the Line

Which is what I did today. I walked the flight line. Ha! I'm so clever.

I was feeling a bit ambitious today and wanted to run. A quick call to my runner-brother shot that idea down fast. Even though I felt like it today, I need to stick to the program. Unfortunately he was right. I didn't run, but I did walk the full 5 mile route that I usually do. I probably should have shortened it. My legs are singing a bit. I will stretch (sage advice from brother), and I hope I didn't screw myself for tomorrow.

At least the burn means my muscles are building back up. I just need to follow the program, and I'll be doing good. I'm glad my enthusiasm didn't wane overnight. I think this time it just might stick.

Tomorrow is Wednesday, and Wednesday means weigh in day for the National Body Challenge. Another way I try to keep myself accountable is by signing up for the NBC on Discovery Channel's website. So far I've lost 6 pounds, and I have 6 more to go. We'll see what the scale tells me tomorrow. Hopefully I've done OK this week.

Off to make dinner for the family...Later gators.

Caution: New Blogger

I decided this weekend that I want to be a runner. I don't particularly like to run, but my attempts to lose this stupid baby weight have plateaued so I need to try something new. So I'm going to run. At least that's the plan.

I come from a family of runners. My dad ran marathons, and my brother is an avid, slightly obsessive runner. I like the idea of running, but I am so out of shape I've been incredibly intimidated to start. After having two children in two years my body is not too pretty. I want my body to be mine again so I think getting back into shape (it's been many, many moons since I can honestly say that I was in shape) will help me to feel some sort of ownership over this body.

To explain the "Run Dummy Run" I need to start with one of my favorite shows - 30 Rock. Liz Lemon's former boyfriend, Dennis, used to called her "Dummy." My two year old, randomly, started calling me Dummy one day, and my husband and I got a kick out of it. Since he'd never seen 30 Rock we figure he was mixing Mommy and Daddy together and got Dummy. Out of the mouth of babes...

I'm blogging as an attempt to keep myself accountable to this whole running thing. My goals are two fold. 1. To get my weight back down to 130, which for my height and body type, is a healthy number. 2. To run a 5k by the end of April.

I found a site called Cool Runnings that has a 5k running plan for beginners, and that is where I found my running plan. I run 3x a week. I start with a brisk walk, run for 90 seconds (for ease of use I ran for 2 minutes), and then walk for 1 minute. I follow this pattern for 20 minutes. Prior to starting my training I walked with the boys in a stroller for about and hour and a half, approximately 5 miles.

Today I did my first run! I did the brisk walk, jogged for 2 minutes, walked for 1, and did so for 20 minutes. I then continued on a walk for about another 30 minutes. It felt good, and I didn't feel like vomiting which is how I usually feel after my many attempts to run. My legs are a bit sore, but I feel like this is doable. I won't run/walk again until Wednesday. Tomorrow, Tuesday, I will probably just go for my regular walk.

So, we'll see how this blog thing goes. There is the distinct possibility that I will flake out, but I hope I don't. I think the blog will help keep my enthusiasm and drive up with running. Wish me luck!