Day 9 - struggle bus

Whew! The second day back to work after a break is usually harder than the first one and that it was! Honors Day Assembly, messed up schedule for the kids, and a rough dismissal...BUT afterwards I had a chiropractor appointment, so that made things better (I just LOVE adjustments...)!

I took the opportunity to run today!

Got back home late due to my appointment, and the whole way home, all I could think of was "I didn't HAVE to run today, I ran yesterday, I'm really tired, I have to go to the store today, I don't have enough time..." the whole gamut of excuses that I usually use to get out of working out. I got home, took a few minutes to myself, ate dinner, and WENT FOR THE RUN ANYWAY. I'm so proud of myself! I did go back to week 2 of the couch to 5k  training because I ate right before I went running and I was tired, so I didn't think I had it in me to really push myself for the 3 minutes of running. I wanted to finish a whole program run, otherwise I would have been extremely discouraged and might have just helped the excuses take over the next time and I am NOT about to let that happen.

The run itself was very dark and cold, but since I was doing an easier run (run 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes) I really pushed to go further and faster. For the last 90 minutes of running Pitbull's Fireball came on and although most people find the song obnoxious, I think it is super catchy and just love it...it really pushed me to finish strong! Then when I had one minute left in my cool down, my phone died, so the last minute was quiet, getting pretty dark, and there were deer crossing my path...needless to say it was a creepy end...

I ran the furthest distance yet outdoors (usually average 1.75 miles and today I went 1.95, yay!!!) which led to my quickest pace outdoors...even more progress!! As long as I keep seeing these baby steps, I'll be thrilled and continue to stay motivated.

What excuses have you used in the past? How do you overcome them?

Day 8-back outside and found some motivation!

Well today was my first day back at work after my spring break. I was happy to see my kiddos and enjoy their ridiculous commentary and teach them a few things too ;) I definitely did NOT get enough sleep last night-3 hours (this always happens after a long break...ugh...) but I went into work bright-eyed and bushy tailed! One thing I noticed while back at work today-I have a bit more stamina at work and I can kneel next to the students' and their desks a lot longer then I used to!

I keep this one on my desk at work!

I knew I was going to have to run today no matter how exhausted I was to start my training while working on the right foot. I had a meeting after school and had to run home and eat dinner with my sister (which also meant I had to miss my usual Monday chiropractor appointment...nooooooooo!). She left after dinner and I took an hour to myself to digest my food, hydrate and drink my pre-workout energy. I have used AMIN.O. energy in the afternoon at work on a occasion. I have three flavors-green apple, grape, and fruit punch-with fruit punch probably being my favorite, but all 3 are good! I think it helped and I wasn't too jittery.



I decided to run outside. It wasn't too cold, but it was a bit windy. I wasn't sure if I should go back to week 2 on my couch to 5k program since I took 2 days off running, but decided to try it out and see how it would go. I did make it through the whole thing (yay!) but it was a bit slower than my last time and I REALLY had to push through my last 3 minute run. It was not so quick, but I didn't give up and ran the whole time, so I am proud of myself for not giving up and pushing through!!

fostering confidence in young girls!

My school has recently sponsored a few of our girls to participate in Girls on the Run-an amazing program to foster self-esteem, self-love and all-around confidence in girls grades 3-5. I spoke with one of the coaches (a fellow 4th grade teacher!) and asked her if she wanted to run a 5k with me and she told me that I should join the Girls on the Run 5k on May 31st with her and a few of my students!! I am excited to have a race to participate in (although I may not be able to do what I want to and may have to stick with my girlies)! I will most likely still sign up for one with my sister around the same time, but excited to share my new found love and excitement with some of my students!


Well I better get moving-I need to recover some of that sleep I lost last night!
Until next time-
Liz

P.S. All that hydrating, really helped my run, but I have had to pee like a million times tonight! ughhhhh

Day 6 and 7-all combined into one!

This weekend was BUSY! I was feeling pretty stiff all weekend, so yesterday I went for a walk for a mile and then today I completed another recovery yoga video on DailyBurn.

What I am realizing more and more is that the running part is the easy part. The healthy eating is very difficult. I have to focus on portion control. I eat healthy whenever I can make my own choices, but living with others and eating family dinners nightly makes it difficult to be able to choose my dinner options. However, if I am really adamant about eating less of the garbage and more of the better options with the meal, I will be much better off.

how I feel at the gym...

I will have to go to the gym more now...I get home so late from work and usually have to do more work, so some nights will be too dark. I do feel very self conscious at the gym-everyone else there is always so much more fit! I don't want them to think that my frequent walking is weakness or see me as something I am not. My sister the athlete, tells me not to worry about it, so I am doing my best to not think about it. 

Tomorrow is my first day back at work after spring break and I really have to have the discipline to come home from work and make sure to fit my run in. I have already created a weekly schedule based on when I have meetings and things after work to try to fit it in. I am hoping to get out for runs at least 4 times a week and cross train or recover with stretching 2 days a week. Making the schedule will really help me stick with it! Anyone have anyways to ensure you stick with your schedule??

Until next time,
Liz

Day 5- busy day off!

Today was a ridiculously busy day! I slept in and went to the gym when I woke up. I did manage to skip week 2 for the couch to 5k program! I completed a 5 minute warm up walk, 2 90 minute runs with a 90 minute walk and then 2 3 minute walks with a 3 minute walk. It was way easier than I thought it would be! This could be because  I was inside on the treadmill, or it could actually be because my endurance is getting better...only time will tell!

I then went to the chiropractor and got some muscle stim and an adjustment which really helped with my stiffness and then I of course had to enjoy an amazing fish fry (obviously undoing all the work I did today, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it.)

I spent the rest of the day relaxing at my friends house, trying to convince them to do a 5k with me! I may have them hooked ;)

I text my sister every day about my progress and we take time to celebrate every little victory. I think it is so important to share those victories with someone and really acknowledge those baby steps. Without that, I know I would be super discouraged that I am not running non-stop for a mile, or 5 minutes, or picking up speed as quickly as I would want to. I know some people who put a dollar into a jar every time they follow through and go to their workout...I see how that works! I might have to try that when motivation gets low!

Well, time for more tv with my friends!

Until next time,
Liz

Day 4-treadmill day...stupid snow!

I was going to cross train today, but I texted my sister and she told me I should just go to the gym I have a membership to and just use the treadmill. I was dreading it. I didn't want anyone to get annoyed when I had to keep turning up and down the speed and know that so many say running outdoors is better for you. Plus, I haven't been feeling well all day-these weather changes are really getting to me! Regardless, I went and the time flew by! I think this was partly due to the new playlist I added on my Spotify (if you want to follow my account, let me know!) and that I actually enjoy what I am doing and am looking forward to seeing progress. I keep moving, because I really want to take the time to see myself improve and get stronger and healthier. I used to use the elliptical all the time for a half hour and I did it because I felt it was the only exercise I could do, but now that I am building stamina and the muscles to run, I know better!

I really didn't want to turn the treadmill speed up and down every 60 seconds so I followed a different plan, just for today-it was a little easier too so I wasn't pushing it too hard. I just found it by looking up workouts on Pinterest-you can follow my food and exercise pins here- and printed it out and followed it. I was able to go 2 miles in 30 minutes (yay! progress!) and felt I could have pushed it even more.

In the C25K program, I am supposed to take one more day to run for 60 seconds and walk for 90, but I think I'll move on to week 2 since I am feeling good and run for 90 seconds and walk for 60. I am curious to see how well I keep up this energy for improvement when work starts back up on Monday. Some coworkers and I are involved in a "Biggest Loser" of our own and workout every Monday, but I am not a fan of circuits and really like my running program, so I may just come home and complete my run.

We shall see!

Until next time-
Liz

Day 3 - Rest with a bit of stretching

Today was a good day for a run, but considering I ran the last two days and was feeling pretty stiff, I decided to do some yoga. I really needed to stretch out my hips and lower back. I am a member of DailyBurn and they have some GREAT recovery and mobility videos for rest day. They have some with foam rollers, tennis balls, and yoga. Considering I have neither a foam roller or a tennis ball (although they do have some at 5 Below, which means they'd be less than $5...) I chose the yoga (plus I have ALWAYS wanted to be a yogi!).

There were some amazing hip and back stretches and nearly every pain I had went away for awhile and I iced my back - I have one that wraps around and velcros in the front so that I don't have to sit on the couch for 20 minutes while I ice, I can still be mobile.

A few weeks ago, I was having major back and sciatic pain, so I went to a chiropractor. I was told I have scoliosis (pretty minor curve, nothing extravagant) and a pelvic twist and tilt, so I am currently going three times a week for adjustments and muscle stimulation. I think this is really helping my sore muscles from running - my body definitely tells me when it is time for an adjustment, and I always feel so much better afterwards. Also, my doctor also gives me hip and back stretches that I am to do twice daily (hip swings and kneeling lunges), which helps a lot with my pain. I think it's not just important to exercise, but also to keep myself healthy to prevent injuries!

Until next time,
Liz

Day 2 - now which 5k to sign up for?

Yesterday, after my run, I called my sister (an ex-D1 college volleyball player-turned D1 coach and all-around great athlete) and asked her if she would be in town from Georgia at the end of May to sign up for a 5k with me. I didn't want to do my first one by myself and knew she runs about 4 miles a day anyways, and she accepted! Now we just have to figure out which one fits in with both our schedules...

My motivation for running today...

This morning while I was doing some errands, running was ALL I could think about! This runner's high thing is no joke! I never EVER thought I would look forward to my workouts, but I actually thoroughly enjoy running around my small neighborhood! Only being able to think about running, did FORCE me to buy more running clothes and supplies (did I mention that I also have a shopping addiction?!), but oh well, the less frequently I have to do laundry the better.

I know I probably should have taken a rest day today or cross-train, but knowing that it was so sunny and gorgeous, it's going to rain for the next 2 days pretty much non-stop, and that it's girls night tonight (weekly dinner and drinks date with my college roommate and bestest friend!), I decided to get my second run of the week in. Today's pace was much faster than yesterdays! I went further in the half hour given to me for the C25K program and shaved like 2 minutes off my pace! It is still a run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds kind of workout, but progress is progress! Everyone has to start somewhere. 

He's super-cute though, right?!

Today was only a bit warmer than yesterday, but I actually think I like running in chilly weather better than summer weather-I don't sweat until I get inside! Then my face gets super warm and I realize how hard I had actually been working. Somewhat rewarding actually! 

I almost took my dog with me today, but he would slow me down and make me stop so he can "mark his territory" throughout the entire neighborhood. He picks up pretty quickly when I run that I am not stopping for him to do his business every 3 seconds, but nonetheless, it's a nuisance


Well, now it is time to get ready for my girl's night out tonight!

Until next time-

Liz

The first run! Well sort of...

Well, being inspired by some others who I have seen blogging their weightloss/running adventures, I have decided to create my own! Hopefully, this will hold me accountable...

Being a teacher and being on "spring" break, I figured there is no time like the present to start running. I downloaded the C25K program on my phone, made a few new workout playlists on my Spotify (and tried them out in my classroom in the mornings to pump me up-my coworker walked in and wanted to start a dance party before the students arrived!).

Today's run involved a 5 minute walking warm-up and then alternating 60 second runs with 90 second walks and then a 5 minute walking cool down. According to my favorite tool, mapmyrun.com that is 1.88 miles! That's probably the furthest I've gone since I "ran" track in middle school (I was in it for the shot put...) I have a gym membership, but decided to run outside so that all the beeping of turning up and down the speed on the treadmill didn't annoy everyone around me. It was a great idea until I realized today's high was 35 degrees!



Now, I know there is no polar vortex in March, but geez, shouldn't it be a bit warmer?! At least I have warmer temperatures this week to look forward to! There was also some very weird activity in my normally extremely quiet, suburban Cleveland community...I guess it's not as quiet during the day as I thought!

My goal is to AT LEAST run 3 times a week, but I'm hoping to work it in more!

Until next time,
Liz