Goal #2
Focus on my health and nutrition. I'm no spring chicken anymore.
Consequently, what I put into my body matters...a lot. I am determined
to work on creating more balanced meals. And, of course, exercising on a
consistent basis. My plan is to use this blog to keep me in check. I
want to recap each month with my progress in this area.I skipped January because to be honest I was gone for half the month working Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. That time never proves conducive to anything else besides working. I did do a bit of exercising with workout videos prior to my departure in mid-January, but nothing noteworthy.
To begin February, I signed up for a spring half-marathon. Along with signing up for it, I put together a training plan that would begin February 3 upon my return from Arizona.
I had not run at all since my last NYRR race in November so I knew that getting back into the swing of things was going to be a challenge. I started off with short distances using a run/walk method. Overall, I tried to eat smaller portions and began incorporating spinach salads for lunch a couple times a week. I didn't do a very good job with documenting food choices each week though. I'll work on improving my record keeping going forward.
February 2-8
Mon - Traveling back from Arizona
Tues - 3 miles (run/walk method)
Wed - OFF
Thurs - 2 miles (run/walk method)
Fri - OFF
Sat - too sore to run (supposed to run 3 miles)
Sun - 4 miles (run/walk method)
The first week was rough! I was extremely sore. And I began to seriously hate the treadmill. I was dreading week two...
February 9-15
Mon - Bootcamp
Tues - 3 miles (run/walk method)
Wed - OFF
Thurs - 1 mile run/walk + bike for 30 min (supposed to run 3 miles)
Fri - OFF
Sat - did not run
Sun - did not run
I was hurting. Getting back into running...via the treadmill in the dead of winter...was not going so well. I was beginning to wonder if I had made a huge mistake signing up for the half marathon. And to rub salt in the wound even more I had to decide whether or not to pay the entry fee for the NYC Marathon by the end of this week. I was really not wanting to sign up. I was doubting if I could do it, but after a pep talk from Chris I decided this was mind over matter...and he reminded me that I had already done all the qualifying work last year, too. I was in.
February 16-22
Mon - Bootcamp was cancelled so OFF
Tues - 3 miles (run/walk method)
Wed - OFF
Thurs - 3 miles (run/walk method)
Fri - OFF
Sat/Sun - 6 miles (run 1 mile, elliptical machine for 40 minutes, run 1.5 miles)
Week three went better. I made a decision to adjust my running plan to accommodate for the horrid treadmill. I removed one run from the week - essentially giving me one extra rest day. I started to feel the difference in the runs, too. I was gaining momentum and being able to run for longer stretches at a time. Still taking a few walk breaks, but working hard to maintain the runs even if my pace was a bit slower for those longer runs.
February 23-28
Monday - Bootcamp
Tuesday - 4 miles (very limited walking)
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - 3 miles (supposed to be 5 miles, but upset stomach got in the way)
Friday - OFF
Saturday - Traveling
The last week of February started off strong. Bootcamp was a killer, but in the best possible way. And my Tuesday run felt great! I ran nearly the entire time. Unfortunately some stomach issues thwarted my plans on Thursday, but I didn't entirely give up. I also made a decision to incorporate daily abdominal workouts into my March schedule. Excited about that as well as the long run I'm planning to bust out today!
Do you use a workout or running schedule?
Have any tips?
Andrea :)
Yay Andrea! You go girl! And what's this about not being a Spring chicken?!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up girl! I'm rooting for ya
Good job getting back into it! A few years ago I lapsed into not running during the winter, and used Couch 2 5K to get back into running, but I think that may take too long for you. Sounds like what you're doing is going well though!
ReplyDeleteI map out my week on my desk calendar at work. Once it's on my calendar, then it's a "date" and there's no going back for me! I use 2 of my off days to do yoga and a 15 min strength training routine, and allow for one actual rest day. I feel like it helps to "see" the workouts on my schedule so I can't back out!