More running

I've been plodding steadily along in Couch to 5K. On Sunday, it was the dreaded W5D3 -- the 20 minute run. I wasn't convinced I could do it. Sunday morning, I kept finding things to do to put off the inevitable. Finally, around 3:00, I headed out. I decided to go to Sandymount Park instead of the Y. I wanted new scenery to look at. I think this was my mistake.

I got to the park and noticed all the hills. Nothing major, but not nearly flat like the YMCA path. I made it about 12 minutes in when I hit a hill and just had to walk it for a few minutes. Then, I finished up the run, ending up with my longest distance and best time yet. I was happy with that, but being the perfectionist that I am, couldn't count W5D3 as complete since I didn't run for 20 minutes straight.

So yesterday, I headed back to the Y. Since I hadn't rested a day, I told myself I wasn't going to retry it. My plan was just to see if I could run 2 laps (1 mile) without walking. Well, I ran 4 laps without any walking!!! This took about 22 minutes, so I did it! I finished week 5! The key this time was thinking about the distance and not checking the time. I did it without the podcast, just listening to my new playlist.

Yesterday on Facebook, there was a post from the Carroll County Times looking for people training for a 5k, a 10k, a half-marathon or a marathon. I responded with an email and was interviewed on the phone. I don't know when the article will appear, but I'm looking forward to it.

Another weigh-in tonight. Based on my daily weigh-ins at home, I expect a slight gain this week. Disappointing to be sure, but I've been concentrating on the running. I've still been eating healthily and not overboard, but not as on track as I might have been. It's like I can't do both at the same time.

Another week

Tonight, I completed Week 5 Day 1 of Couch to 5k, which means I ran 3 sets of 5 minutes each, with a three minute walk between. And for the first time, I wasn't struggling making it to finish each interval.

At weigh-in tonight, I lost 1.2 pounds last week, bringing my total to 34.6 pounds. I have 63 left to go.

Still here

Ok, so the weight loss blog wasn't such a great idea. But never fear, I haven't given up on the weight loss, just on writing about it. It's rather boring and tedious. I'm now down 33.4 pounds total since September. Slow, slow, slow.

Last month, in an effort to speed things up a bit, I finally got back to the gym. I've been there four or five times per week for nearly a month now. On 3/17, I started the Couch to 5k program. I've just finished Week 3 and will be heading into Week 4 tomorrow.

It's been such a shock to discover that I *can* run. Not fast; not for long; but I can do it. Sunday, I completed treadmill 5k in 46 minutes. Yesterday, I did 2 miles outside on the YMCA path in 24 minutes. Sports sponsorships aren't going to start rolling in any minute, but I am thrilled with my progress! I'm a over 200 pound 46 year old woman, and I am a runner. Who the hell would have ever thought that? Not me!

Tonight is another Weight Watchers weigh-in night. I doubt there's going to be a sizable loss. I've been averaging less than a pound a week. I've found that with the exercise, the weight is not falling off like I'd hoped, but things are definitely changing. The size 18 pants I bought in February are loose. I hate wearing loose clothes, but I don't want to keep buying new ones.