Sunday, January 29, 2017
Moments to Miles: Week 4 of training
Moments to Miles: Week 4 of training: Last Sunday just before I published my first blog I was so nervous about the process since all this is new to me. I thought I would start ...
Week 4 of training
Monday:
I started off the week feeling empowered and determined to stick to my clean eating plan and told myself I will not be breaking my own rules. My breakfast that day was an egg white scramble with sausage, mushrooms, spinach and a little cheese. Had the right snacks for the day between fruit, roasted soy beans and almonds, I was so confident that I am on the right track and nothing is going to stop this young lady. My dinner that night was zoodles and baked chicken and made sure that I had prepared enough for the next 4 days to take for lunch as well as packed snacks for the week.
I bought new cycle shoes so I tried them out for the cycle class I did on Monday evening. The feel of new shoes made the class more challenging compared to when I was wearing regular trainers and I felt different types of muscles burn and left the class feeling like a super hero. Best part about this class is that I went with 4 of my friends and it felt like we were at the club dancing in one spot while exercising.
Tuesday:
Am still on a roll and feel am conquering the world with all my cravings and no one can stop me now not even my negative side. Well I did pretty well, enjoyed the leftovers of the day before, felt energized and since it was not too cold went for a walk during my lunch break. The barbell class was fun and is always challenging and we got to sweat, moan and groan during the class but got it done. On my run training schedule, Tuesday night is when we are scheduled to do a 2 mile tempo run. So after doing lots of squats, strength training and was all sweaty and exhausted I knew I still had to do my run homework.
The thing about running just like anything else in life is that you have to do the work in order to be successful. So with that in mind and some whining about how I don't like running on the treadmill aka dreadmill I was joined by a friend and off we went running. I really don't know how people are able to run on a treadmill and for a long period of time. Running 2 miles on the treadmill felt like I was running 100 miles and the tough part is when you think that you are almost done with the run and you check the time and it is only 5 mins and you haven't yet done half a mile and wonder when will this end...arrgghhh. While I watched the mileage increase very slowly and the clock looked like it was not moving at all all I could do is try and focus on my music. I was able to finish and felt great after I was done because that run on the treadmill is what I called mission impossible but it was done...woot woot.
Wednesday:
The night of hill repeats. I guess this is the week of wearing new shoes and it takes a while to break into new shoes. I bought a pair of new running shoes since I felt that the ones I had on previously were hurting my feet and knees so it was time for change. Have you been in a situation where everything isn't working for you the way you planned it and you just feel like you would rather just go home, chill, watch TV and eat some good food? Well that was Wednesday afternoon, I had so much to do and for some strange reason didn't think that my baked teriyaki chicken with zoodles will be enough and bought some fries to add onto my lunch (see emotional eating again) Clearly that is what one would call over eating but I convinced myself that I was "carb loading" for the hill repeats that night...yeah right...that is just eating for the sake of it. Any runner would get a kick out of this comment. The rest of the afternoon I felt so full and uncomfortable and started to regret my choices but the decision had been made and the food tasted good.
Just before training I realized I had forgotten my water bottle and flash light and at that point made up my mind that nothing was going to work for me that evening and doing these hill repeats was going to hurt whether I had the right attitude or not. I complained about how I don't like running outdoors, how it is dark outside, it is cold and how everything is so hard as if this is my first time running outdoors. It ended up being a nice night, great running weather at about 46 degrees F. Despite the negativity I was able to do it which is all that matters.
Thursday:
I decided to make this a rest day since I had to meet friends for dinner. For somebody who had said they would not have any alcohol before the race I ended up having 2 glasses of white wine (don't judge me). I think this "live a little" attitude needs to be put in check because it seems am finding any excuse not to be disciplined and yet my days are going by fast. The only form of exercise I did was go for a walk since am on a Fitbit work week challenge and needed to get my steps in for the day. My highlight for the day though was the amazing company I had for dinner. Nothing beats friends you haven't seen in a while and catching up over good food and conversation is a great pass time.
Friday:
This is the official rest day both from my gym routine and also my training schedule. It was a pretty windy and cold day so I was determined to rest until when I remembered Friday is the last day of my work week challenge and my competitive side still had to come in a little. I had convinced myself that I was really going to relax and looked at the number of steps that I had taken most of the day and they were only 357 steps. How do I get to 10,000 steps as my daily goal while on a rest day? With extra push from my best friend who reminded me that I have no choice but to get up and do something I had to go for a walk. This reminded me that having a support system is also important because it keeps you accountable.
Saturday:
Reality set in on Friday night after I got my run schedule for the half marathon training which meant that I was going to do more miles compared to the majority of people in the training program. Most of the runners in the training program are training for a 10 mile (16km) race later this spring however, there are a few of us in the program who will be running half marathon races before the 10 mile race. Saturday morning started off when a few of us had to meet earlier than the rest of the crew to do a either 1 or 2 mile runs before the scheduled 6 mile run with the group. It was cold with temperatures in the high 20s so one had to get ready with layers, gloves and hat and off we went. I only had to do 1 mile but ended up doing a little over a mile after missing the turn around point.
We met up with the group to start out our 6 mile run and all I can say is that course was really hilly. Whenever I went down a hill I didn't have enough time to smile and enjoy any flat course because we would end up going up another hill. I think the mental part was a little tough because every time I looked up and saw that I had to go up a hill I assumed that was the end of the hill but no not at all. One went up and down and up and down again until when we were done with the 6 miles. In so many words many of the runners called this brutal and those who liked it well I didn't get to talk to them...LOL. Despite the challenging course we all did it and finished strong. Yes I run 7.4 miles on Saturday woot woot. We were able to enjoy breakfast after our run and enjoy great company. The rest of the day was spent chilling and that is all I could do since I was exhausted.
My week might have had it's challenges and I might have had some set backs with my eating and even my attitude when it came to running but am glad this week is over. The best part about this journey is having a great support system and even when you don't want to go out and exercise accountability plays a big role in this process. Off to the next week and hope it will be better.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Moments to Miles: Intro to Week 3 of training
Moments to Miles: Intro to Week 3 of training: I will be running my first Half Marathon this March in Sarasota, FL. I have been running for about 2 years and this journey has not been ea...
Intro to Week 3 of training
I will be running my first Half Marathon this March in Sarasota, FL. I have been running for about 2 years and this journey has not been easy. One must be wondering what is the big deal about writing about a first half marathon and I would say back to you it is a HUGE deal to me. I didn't do any sports as a kid growing up and I equate my running experience to climbing Mt. Everest or Mt. Kilimanjaro.
I started running in March 2014 at 250 lbs after recovering from a broken ankle from an accident I had while visiting my cousin in March 2013. I had tried running before in 2012 and hated it so much and actually swore I would never do it again. Who in their right mind wants to run with people when you don't have what you perceive to be a runners body and you are always going to be the last was what I told myself. At that time I didn't realize that you only compete with yourself and not with the people who you meet through training programs or races. I always thought that running was for those physically fit and that everybody has to be extremely fast. Well, little did I know that I would get to join the running community and start to enjoy the experience. Am sharing my journey to show that it is not easy at all but with determination and hard work anybody is able to achieve this goal.
A year after my accident in March 2014, I thought oh well it's one year and am going to try again and sign up for a running program. I had not lost any weight and was determined to start as I was and do my best to be open minded and have the right attitude and just put one foot forward and keep it going. I dedicated the year 2014 to start from scratch, trained for my first 5k (3.1 mile) race and ended up doing the Jeremy's 5 K race. That year I did four other 5ks and made great friends along the way. I wasn't super fast and my run times ranged from 49 mins to 55 mins to finish the races.
In 2015, I decided I would step it up and try and run the 10 km (6.2 mile) distance and of course this was also due to peer pressure from not only my coaches but some of my running buddies who believed more in me than I believed in myself that I could do the distance. I ended up completing four 10 km races that year and thought that was it since everything about running hurt and that was going to be my longest distance and no need to go any further.
They say be careful who you surround yourself with because you will end up being just like them. Well I joined KC and the Runshine Band which is a group of amazing friends who run at least twice a week, always support each other and will challenge you to be a better person. We build on each others strengths, support each other when we are down and always make sure that we have each others back during the process. Almost everybody in the band had run longer distances than I had done in the past and I thought with such great company why not try and see if I can get an ounce of the energy and strength the group has and see if I can run further and be a stronger person as I achieve another goal. Why not? Well in 2016 I managed to run two 10 miler races. Yes I said I did run 10 miles and I still think that was out of body experience. Both races were in frigid temps, the courses were challenging, I can't forget the aches and pains but it was done. One might be wondering gosh with all that running I must be 160 lbs by now...but oh no I was still lingering about 246 lbs because guess what I have been eating up a storm and justified any exercise I did with rewards of food and please don't get me started with cakes and cookies.
I started running in March 2014 at 250 lbs after recovering from a broken ankle from an accident I had while visiting my cousin in March 2013. I had tried running before in 2012 and hated it so much and actually swore I would never do it again. Who in their right mind wants to run with people when you don't have what you perceive to be a runners body and you are always going to be the last was what I told myself. At that time I didn't realize that you only compete with yourself and not with the people who you meet through training programs or races. I always thought that running was for those physically fit and that everybody has to be extremely fast. Well, little did I know that I would get to join the running community and start to enjoy the experience. Am sharing my journey to show that it is not easy at all but with determination and hard work anybody is able to achieve this goal.
A year after my accident in March 2014, I thought oh well it's one year and am going to try again and sign up for a running program. I had not lost any weight and was determined to start as I was and do my best to be open minded and have the right attitude and just put one foot forward and keep it going. I dedicated the year 2014 to start from scratch, trained for my first 5k (3.1 mile) race and ended up doing the Jeremy's 5 K race. That year I did four other 5ks and made great friends along the way. I wasn't super fast and my run times ranged from 49 mins to 55 mins to finish the races.
In 2015, I decided I would step it up and try and run the 10 km (6.2 mile) distance and of course this was also due to peer pressure from not only my coaches but some of my running buddies who believed more in me than I believed in myself that I could do the distance. I ended up completing four 10 km races that year and thought that was it since everything about running hurt and that was going to be my longest distance and no need to go any further.
They say be careful who you surround yourself with because you will end up being just like them. Well I joined KC and the Runshine Band which is a group of amazing friends who run at least twice a week, always support each other and will challenge you to be a better person. We build on each others strengths, support each other when we are down and always make sure that we have each others back during the process. Almost everybody in the band had run longer distances than I had done in the past and I thought with such great company why not try and see if I can get an ounce of the energy and strength the group has and see if I can run further and be a stronger person as I achieve another goal. Why not? Well in 2016 I managed to run two 10 miler races. Yes I said I did run 10 miles and I still think that was out of body experience. Both races were in frigid temps, the courses were challenging, I can't forget the aches and pains but it was done. One might be wondering gosh with all that running I must be 160 lbs by now...but oh no I was still lingering about 246 lbs because guess what I have been eating up a storm and justified any exercise I did with rewards of food and please don't get me started with cakes and cookies.
2017
Just like any beginning of the year almost everybody wants to be better and make some sort of resolution or whatever you want to call it about being better in the New Year. Well am no different I set my goal this year to run my first half marathon yes 13.1 miles or 21 kms. How did I even get to 13.1 miles when I just told you that I started my journey in 2014 and I also mentioned that there is a time I hated running. Well well well this time I have promised myself that I will watch what I eat and lose a few pounds before my half marathon. So starting weight at the beginning of the year on January 1 was 240 lbs and my goal is to lose about 25 lbs by March 19th when I run the half marathon. My goal which although will still be on the heavy side is 215 lbs for a 5.6 ft female. What am I going to do to get there and how am I going to be honest with myself is by doing the work. I plan to work out at least 5 times a week and watch what I eat. I will also run 4 times a week based on my training schedule.
I have tried diets and counted calories but that stuff really doesn't work for me since I find myself so restricted especially when I count calories. I started following Jane Mukami - Fit Kenyan Girl on Instagram and on Facebook with her 21 days of change as well as read her book Eat Clean Get Lean. I am still struggling with the clean eating since I have a sweet tooth and don't have the discipline but am working on it. When am serious and very focused clean eating works for me and it is what am going to stick to for the next two to three months and see how I feel. I know when I cheat I will be lying to myself and will be honest with how I feel and think about what could have caused the triggers for me to cheat. I don't like calling it cheating since it makes it seem like it is not a good thing to do. I will call it living a little. Logging what I eat will help me in being accountable.
The Run Program - I will be running with a training group on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings however, a majority of the people in the training program are training for a 10 mile race later on in the spring. There are a handful of us who are training for a half marathon before the 10 mile race. Wednesday nights will always vary in the training from track works to hills or whatever other work we need to do as per our coach. Saturday mornings will be for long run and that is where my mileage will go up every weekend. You will hear about my experience, my aches and pains, my accomplishments and how I felt before and after the run.
Saturday Jan 21, 2017
This was the 3rd weekend of the training program and I have 8 weeks before my first half marathon. While there was the Women's March around the country I joined the running program participants who didn't go for the march for a 5 mile run this morning. It was foggy but not too cold which was great. The trail we run on was hilly but I was determined not to complain today. I had good conversations during the run and it was a good distraction from when I sometimes doubt myself. There are times during my first mile that I sometimes wonder if I will ever be so fast but forget that am better than what I was a year ago. I recall the first time I run 5 miles I got home that day, took a shower, got something to eat and took a 3 hour nap. One would have thought I had walked to another state and back.
Earlier in the week on Wednesday night, we had to do hill repeats training. What are hill repeats, this is where you run up a hill pretty fast and have to do it a number of times. Well we had to do 3 hill repeats after running 1 mile to the hill and another mile back to our starting point. The hill was pretty steep and gosh was I sore by the time I was done and spent so much time huffing and puffing while I conquered each hill repeat and was determined not to complain that evening. I had company of an 18 year old who while I run up the hill and thought I would die he was walking alongside to encourage me. I remember getting to the top of the hill and saying that one day my pace will be fast enough for him to also run to keep up and we just laughed it off. In my mind the speed at which I was moving I was convinced that Usain Bolt would be impressed. Did I mention that the training runs are carried out outdoors and this is winter so just imagine the rest. The only time we don't run outdoors is when it is icy and not safe.
During my Saturday run on my way towards the end through a neighborhood, I saw a lady who came to the road waving and cheered me on like I was running a race and I was number 1. For a moment I thought I knew her or she knew me but this was a stranger. Being cheered on by a stranger made me get some more energy to finish off my mileage with a smile. My interpretation of all of this was that she probably could relate to me and was encouraged that somebody was out doing something. I waved back to her to acknowledge her and off I went happy and content that I had done something great.
Let us see what week 4 will have in store for me.
I have tried diets and counted calories but that stuff really doesn't work for me since I find myself so restricted especially when I count calories. I started following Jane Mukami - Fit Kenyan Girl on Instagram and on Facebook with her 21 days of change as well as read her book Eat Clean Get Lean. I am still struggling with the clean eating since I have a sweet tooth and don't have the discipline but am working on it. When am serious and very focused clean eating works for me and it is what am going to stick to for the next two to three months and see how I feel. I know when I cheat I will be lying to myself and will be honest with how I feel and think about what could have caused the triggers for me to cheat. I don't like calling it cheating since it makes it seem like it is not a good thing to do. I will call it living a little. Logging what I eat will help me in being accountable.
The Run Program - I will be running with a training group on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings however, a majority of the people in the training program are training for a 10 mile race later on in the spring. There are a handful of us who are training for a half marathon before the 10 mile race. Wednesday nights will always vary in the training from track works to hills or whatever other work we need to do as per our coach. Saturday mornings will be for long run and that is where my mileage will go up every weekend. You will hear about my experience, my aches and pains, my accomplishments and how I felt before and after the run.
Saturday Jan 21, 2017
This was the 3rd weekend of the training program and I have 8 weeks before my first half marathon. While there was the Women's March around the country I joined the running program participants who didn't go for the march for a 5 mile run this morning. It was foggy but not too cold which was great. The trail we run on was hilly but I was determined not to complain today. I had good conversations during the run and it was a good distraction from when I sometimes doubt myself. There are times during my first mile that I sometimes wonder if I will ever be so fast but forget that am better than what I was a year ago. I recall the first time I run 5 miles I got home that day, took a shower, got something to eat and took a 3 hour nap. One would have thought I had walked to another state and back.
Earlier in the week on Wednesday night, we had to do hill repeats training. What are hill repeats, this is where you run up a hill pretty fast and have to do it a number of times. Well we had to do 3 hill repeats after running 1 mile to the hill and another mile back to our starting point. The hill was pretty steep and gosh was I sore by the time I was done and spent so much time huffing and puffing while I conquered each hill repeat and was determined not to complain that evening. I had company of an 18 year old who while I run up the hill and thought I would die he was walking alongside to encourage me. I remember getting to the top of the hill and saying that one day my pace will be fast enough for him to also run to keep up and we just laughed it off. In my mind the speed at which I was moving I was convinced that Usain Bolt would be impressed. Did I mention that the training runs are carried out outdoors and this is winter so just imagine the rest. The only time we don't run outdoors is when it is icy and not safe.
Let us see what week 4 will have in store for me.
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