Training

First off I have lost 43 pounds as of Friday. That is an average of 14.3 pounds a month. Pretty good. 

On Monday January 3 2011 I started going to the Gym. I was determined to do the "Couch to 5K" program to prepare for my first 5K (didn't have one in mind at that time) 
 On that first day I, in all my brightness, thought I would train on the Elliptical. I sometimes have momentary lapse of sanity. I begin the workout with a 5 minute warm up, for those of you who have been on the Elliptical, 5 minutes is a lifetime when you have no fitness level. For those who have never been on an Elliptical, go try it you'll see. I did the first 4 intervals of Run/Walk 15 minutes into Day 1 I thought I was going to die. I was sweating more than I ever have in the Gym. I was always saying that "it takes a lot to make me sweat" WRONG!! I was not working out hard enough. I decided that my first workout was done and stepped off the machine. My legs were like Jello. I barely made it to my car. Dennis even asked if I were ok. I must have been a sight. 

On Day 2 I decided that the Treadmill was the better choice for my training. I did make it through 6 of the 8 Run/Walk intervals. On my 3rd day of Training I made it through the whole 8 intervals perfect. I was amazed!! I could not believe how fast my body responded to this. Soon I signed up for my first 5K. Now I had a goal. WOW!! I have never done anything like this. I was never the athletic type. 

For the next several weeks I faithfully trained at the gym on the treadmill and thought I was becoming a track star. I was really running. Burning calories getting stronger and preparing for the 5K I was so proud of myself. 4 weeks ago today my friend and I thought we would go to the course where the 5K is going to be and see just how much we can run.

So armed with attitude and feeling confident I was convinced that I would be able to run at least half of the 3.1 miles. WRONG!!! Not even a 1/4 of it. I had heard that running on the treadmill was very different than running on the road, I had no idea how different. About a half a mile into it my friend asks me how far we have gone, I check my GPS and to my dismay it was only a half mile. No freaking way. I huffed and puffed moaned and groaned and really thought I was done for. My friend thought I would never run outside again and just stick to the treadmill. Little did she know I am very stubborn and I am not giving up. By the end of my first outdoor training session we did 2.25 miles in 43 minutes. It was rough!!! 

I was so sore after that but I knew that I needed to train outside if I was going to do this 5K. I texted my friend later that day and told her that we needed to meet at 6am at the Park to do this right. We worked out a schedule of 4 days a week at the Park and Sundays at the Course. By the 2nd Sunday we did 3 miles in 59 minutes, it was easier. 

I get up at 4:45am to meet my friends by 6am. I have slept in on accident and one day I just could not go . I have 100 pounds on them but I am busting my butt to do this and I am getting stronger. 

Today was my 4th Sunday at the Course and I did 3 miles in 59 minutes again. I walked most of it. My legs felt like led filled bricks. 

It has been amusing, but all fun aside I am so proud that I am out moving. My body is responding quickly. I am learning new things. I have changed Calorie Count Apps to Spark People. I love that site. My first 5K is next Saturday at 8am. I now have 3 more planned. I didn't want to stop. I want to beat my time with each race.