Why?

Today a co-worker asked me, "Why do you want to run a marathon ... ANY type of marathon - long distance, short distance ... ANY distance?"

I said, "I don't know ... I just wanna'."

As the day has gone on I have contemplated her simple and sincere question.  My answer remains the same ... I really don't know ...

I just wanna'.

Seriously - it's not like I've held onto a lifelong dream of crossing a finish line, of ripping through tape, of cheering crowds and whoops and hollars (well hold it - that seems kinda cool now that I stop to think about it ... )  lol

But seriously ... I am not a "has been" exercise/running enthusiast who is itching to get back to my glory days.  There are no athletic glory days in my past.  Granted - when I was in elementary school and on into what we called Jr. High (now most kids refer to this as middle school) I did LOVE running ... but even then I loved only short distances ... sprints.  I was quick back then -- and it wasn't until long legged Lydia Watson started at Manor that I actually had competition.  I was a quick short kid and I won races (such as we had them at a little private school).  But I've always preferred a quick 50 yard dash or a 4 person relay.  Long distance has never been my thing.  It still isn't.

When I got into high school I pretty much shriveled up socially after leaving Manor (I went from being an "it" girl in 9th grade to becoming a total "has been" by 10th! ha).  I would've enjoyed running short distances still and would've enjoyed softball and basketball ... maybe even volleyball ... but I wouldn't/didn't try out.  Too shy.  I tried out for the cheerleading squad (I had been head cheerleader at my previous school).  When I "only" made the lettergirl squad I had my mom call and get me off of that because I wasn't satisfied with being a lettergirl ... it was cheerleader or nothing for me.  How silly.  How immature.  How vain. 

Hindsight is, once again, 20/20, ey??

Soooo - now here I am ... 47 years of age.  Training for a marathon?  A 5K?  Longer maybe?  Why?

I dunno.

I just wanna'.

It's not for anybody else - it's for me. 

I need a little bit more of a reason because running seems boring to me everyday when I go out to train.  It is a mind game ... and I want to come up with more of a personal incentive to achieve this goal.

But I will.

Because ...

I just wanna'.

That's all for today ... and as always - I'll keep you ~

'posted' ...  ;-)

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It's Official - TRAINING DAY #1

Today I officially began my training ... I am training for a 5K AND (possibly - the jury's out) an "Aflac Irongirl Triathlon" in Georgia.  The 5K is a go (still determining location/date - but somewhere in California the latter part of this year and sometime in the spring of 2011).  The Irongirl in Georgia is up in the air due to a few variables -- date, time, location, travel and sign-up expense, weather. 

Anyway - all that aside - I started this morning.  I did a 20 minute run/walk, followed by 10 push-ups, 20 sit-ups and 30 squats.  I have a long way to go but I have come a long way since I started my weight loss journey a little over 7 mos. ago. 

I have exactly 25 pounds to go to reach my personal goal weight of 125 pounds ... this morning I actually saw 149 on the scale but the second time I got on it (I always have to weigh twice for whatever reason??) it was back at 150.  I should've stuck with the one time weigh today!  (ha)

Okay - so that's it for today.  The "journey" has begun.  I can already see myself crossing that finish line for my first 5K.  That will just be the beginning ... the best is yet to come!

And as always, on this journey, I will keep YOU ...

posted!  ;-)

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5K Training - Post 1

What is the best way to train for a 5k for a beginner?

If you are a beginner and someone who has never run before, the best way to get started is to use the run-walk method introduced by the great Olympian: Jeff Galloway. The 5k run-walk method is the most popular method for a beginner to successfully train for a 5k.

5K RUN: 7-Week Training Schedule for Beginners

By Mayo Clinic staff

• Are you thinking about participating in a 5K (kilometer) run? Preparing for a race is a great way to add challenge to your fitness routine.
• A 5K run is 3.1 miles. To prepare for the run, consider using this 7-week training schedule, created by Olympian Jeff Galloway. If you prefer a slower pace, substitute walking for running. On days in which you choose between resting and walking, the length of the walk is up to you.

7-WEEK TRAINING SCHEDULE

WEEK 1:       

On run/walk days, walkers walk only.   Runners run for 15 seconds/walk for 45 seconds.

MON:          Run/walk 30 minutes

TUES:          Walk 30 minutes

WED:           Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:       Walk 30 minutes

FRI:              Rest

SAT:             Run/walk 3 miles (4.8 km)

SUN:             Rest/walk

WEEK 2:

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 15 seconds/walk for 45 seconds.

MON:          Run/walk 30 minutes

TUES:          Walk 30 minutes

WED:           Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:       Walk 30 minutes

FRI:             Rest

SAT:            Run/walk 3.5 miles (5.6 km)

SUN:           Rest/walk

 

WEEK 3:

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 20 seconds/walk for 40 seconds.

MON:          Run/walk 30 minutes

TUES:          Walk 30 minutes

WED:           Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:       Walk 30 minutes

FRI:              Rest

SAT:             Run/walk 2 miles (3.2 km) with Magic Mile*

SUN:             Rest/ walk

WEEK 4:

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 20 seconds/walk for 40 seconds.

MON:           Run/walk 30 minutes

TUES:           Walk 30 minutes

WED:            Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:        Walk 30 minutes

FRI:               Rest

SAT:              Run/walk 4 miles (6.4 km)

SUN:              Rest/walk

WEEK 5

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 25 seconds/walk for 35 seconds.

MON:            Run/walk 30 minutes

TUES:            Walk 30 minutes

WED:             Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:         Walk 30 minutes

FRI:                Rest

SAT:               Run/walk 2 miles (3.2 km) with Magic Mile*             

SUN:               Rest/walk

WEEK 6

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 25 seconds/walk for 35 seconds.

MON:            Run/walk 30 minutes

TUES:            Walk 30 minutes

WED:             Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:         Walk 30 minutes

FRI:                Rest

SAT:               Run/walk 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

SUN:               Rest/walk

 

WEEK 7

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 30 seconds/walk for 30 seconds.

MON:           Run/walk 30 minutes 

TUES:           Walk 30 minutes

WED:            Run/walk 30 minutes

THURS:        Walk 30 minutes

FRI:               Rest

SAT:              5K run

SUN:             Rest/ walk

CREDIT: Galloway, J. Jeff Galloway's 5K/10K Running. Aachen, Germany: Meyer & Meyer Sport; 2008:38. Used with permission.

  

*

The Magic Mile is a training tool designed to help you find a realistic race pace. On the first Magic Mile, warm up as usual ~ then run or walk one mile (1,600 meters) slightly faster than your normal pace. Time your one-mile run/walk with a stopwatch. Run or walk easily the rest of the distance assigned for the day. On each successive Magic Mile, warm up as usual — then try to beat your previous one-mile run/walk time. Your 5K race pace should be one to two minutes slower than your fastest Magic Mile time

Information/excerpts found in this post are from the following websites:

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/5k-run/SM00061
• http://www.half-marathon-running.com/5K-training.html

My contribution was simply exercising my REtyping skill!  (lol)   ALL info. in this blog is retyped especially for y-o-u but alas, sadly, none of this was written by yours truly!

The Stages of Change (copied from a Livestrong e-mail)

The Stages of Change:  Understanding Your Motivation

Overview

People often expect to make changes in their lives quickly. "I'll go to the gym five times a week," they say, or "It's no big deal to cut out sugar." And then reality hits, the fatigue sets in and the cookies start calling from the cupboards. Whether it's starting a new exercise program, learning communication skills or a career transition, understanding how change works can help you find and maintain your motivation.

Six Stages of Change

According to University of Rhode Island researchers James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente, there are six stages of change: pre-contemplation is the mindset before you even think about making a change; contemplation is the stage in which you start to think about making a change; preparation is the stage during which you start to get ready for a change; action is when you are in the midst of changing; maintenance is remaining consistent with your new behaviors; and relapse (which people tend not to realize is one of the stages of change) is falling back on former behaviors.

Planning for Change

To best set yourself up for lasting change, there are several things for which you can plan. Gathering resources and information about the change you want to incur can put you on the path to success. Asking yourself what in your life will need to look different and what are the specific steps you need to reach your goal will help as well. Getting really detailed and breaking your goal into the smallest objectives possible is a great way to ensure being less overwhelmed with the process.

Stage Shifting

Once you figure out where you are in the stages of change, think about what you might need to transition from one stage to the other. Maybe you've been exercising with regularity, but the flu set you back two weeks so your new habit has suffered a setback. How will you get yourself back to your regimen? Taking a step back and an objective assessment of where you are can help you refocus on what you need to budge. It doesn't have to be a big thing that gets you going, because solid change usually comes from a gradual process.

Relapse

It is completely normal to lapse into former behaviors. If you notice that you've slipped, instead of beating yourself up, consider relapse as an opportunity to examine what helped you succeed and what were your blockades. Coming up with a new plan to address obstacles, whether they are old or new, may give you the adjustment you need to dive back into your new behavior.

Support

Rarely do people make it through changes without support. Look at the people, institutions and environments in which you interact and ask yourself which are helpful and which may be detrimental to you. Setting your sights on positive influences and asking for help will assist you in your new behaviors. No doubt, if you have the bug, you can do it alone; but why struggle when there are likely many people just like you with whom you can share the efforts of the challenge and the celebrations of success?

*Thanks to livestrong.com for this article in my e-mail this morning!  For more information go to:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/22794-stages-change-understanding-motivation/?utm_source=junenewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=100629#ixzz0sGckGOmB