Its a New Year... Good Bye 2010!!!

Well first a recap on the events of 2010....

~Lost 50 lbs. Final weight on the year 136 lbs. Finally in the "normal" BMI range.
~Size 17 down to a 7... XXL or XL shirts to Med.
~Lower Heartrate...all around healthier
~Finished the C25k running program
~Ran a 5k (not a race) in 28 minutes and XX seconds. I can't remember the exact time. Either way impressive, since Jan 1 2010, I couldn't run a mile without dying.
~Bought a treadmill
~As much as I want to say I "enjoy" running, I haven't quite hit that state yet. However, it is getting easier and more enjoyable than it was one year ago.

Now to conquer 2011...
For a resolution for this year, I am slacking. I do want to maintain or loose a little more weight. However, that goal isn't as "big" as it was in 2010. I want to continue running, however I can run a few miles now, saying I want to do it faster just doesn't seem like a substantial goal. I was seriously puzzled on what I was going to do. In the end, I decided to dominate 2011. No real goal other than to live life and actually enjoy it.

I plan on dropping more weight, running more miles, and taking more adventures. I want to go skydiving. A few vacations are starting to be planned and things are just falling into place for once. I am happy, things are going well and I just want to enjoy it.

On that note, I likely won't blog too much more. The purpose of the blog was to track my running, that it has done. I don't really have a program to follow much. Well I do have the 8k program, however the support and tracking isn't as necessary anymore.

I wish anyone who continues to run, the best of luck!!!!

Broke into the 130's... 8k training is spectacular ... and my heartrate can become freakishly low...

Such an awesome title we have here... so lets recap...

Well after many months of teetering the line and lots of running and hard work.. I have officially broke into the 130's. I am talking weight. For the last week or so, I have weighed around 138.X each morning. These last 5 pounds have been stubborn, so I am hoping this is the start of another downward trend.

The 8k training program has actually be fun and enjoyable. Things just seem to get easier once you can run for 10 minutes straight and not die. Nothing overly noteworthy has come from training yet though.. except for the fact I am still enjoying it.

And finally my heartrate. Awhile back I said my resting heart rate was 73ish. This was after strolling into Walmart or Kroger to their lil machines to measure it. Or at my parents place after getting up moving around etc. So the other day, I borrowed a machine. Resting heart rate, first thing in the morning was 58. I was stoked.

Well short and sweet and to the point, but that is it for now.. Hope everyone is enjoying their runs...

8k training has started...

Well since I was getting pretty good at my 5k time (getting it in under 29 now). I decided to start working on an 8k (around 5 miles). While I can run this, it is in anything but a timely manner. So this week I started training for it. This weeks intervals were 7 minutes of running, 1 minute walk, repeat 4 times with the standard warm up and cooldown. This workout was relatively "easy", it amounted to 28 minutes of running, right around 3 miles, with a little walking. My goal is to get the 8k in about 45 minutes.. We will see how this goes...

More running.. some with a weighted vest .. some without... boy this is getting interesting.

So I caved and bought a weighted vest. Just a 20lb one, adjustable though down to 5 lbs. But lets face it, I am way too lazy to adjust it down to 5 lbs, so it shall stay at 20 lbs. The first few days, I just walked with it on. Roughly a mile each day at a pace of about 3 mph. I really didn't want to push it and get hurt. So I slowly worked into it. Then I decided I would lightly jog in it. I jogged a mile in 12 minutes with it on. I thought this was mildly impressive, however I was not pushing it. The vest is as tight as it goes, however is still a lil loose on me. So when I run it kind of moves around, making it a bit more difficult to run. So now 3 or 4 times a week, I run a mile with the vest on. I will also just wear it around the house when I am cleaning and such as it tends to add a bit resistance and has helped build some strength.

Also, in randomness, I have realized I never really timed myself running a 5k. I usually just run for a time and report back my distance. So yesterday I decided to run a 5k and see my time. It was 30 minutes and 47 seconds. I was okay with this, however had a few holdups. I couldn't really find my rhythm and settle into the run. For that reason, I decided to redo the run today. Slightly different route, however same distance 5k. I managed to run it today in 29 minutes and 45 seconds.

I am also possibly planning on registering for a 5k jingle bell run on 12/04. I am kind of waiting to see how cold it is going to be. Due to asthma, extreme cold conditions suck, however if it is "decent" out, I will be running. I can't wait!...

Weighted Running Vest? ~ Opinions???

Well I have been researching weighted running vests to use during some of my shorter more manageable runs. They have them in adjustable weight and I hear it is a good way to build up your strength and endurance.

I was curious does anyone have personal experience? Are they good or bad? Is it difficult to get used to? What things should I look at when buying one?

Running.. running... and more running

So I have been playing around with interval training and just running in general. I did a workout the other day that consisted of a 5 minute warm up walk (.25 miles), then run .25 mile, walk .1 mile, repeat till tired then do a 5 minute cool down (.25 miles). I figured this approach would help build up some stamina. The first day it went smoothly, the next day I was sluggish. However I definitely like this as a possible running workout. It is a change of pace and something different.

The other day I did a 5 minute warm up walk (.25 miles), then took off running (walked a few short distances in the middle), and then a 5 minute cool off walk (.25 miles). I did 5.6 miles in 64 minutes. This was a grand accomplishment. Sure I would love to run the whole thing, however I really didn't walk too much so I consider this a success. Going to work to get this time a little quicker, however I never even thought it was possible to do, so I am very happy with where this is at.

Lately I have been managing 5 runs a week, sometimes 6. The cooler weather has really helped out and made the runs "easier" or at least more manageable. There is less mental work required with the cooler weather for whatever reason.

Week of fun and randomness...

Well I have continued with the running, which is fun and right now still holding steady around a 10 minute pace. There have been a few faster days, however not enough to say that my pace has REALLY improved, but I will keep working at it.

Friday I went and played sand volleyball with some friends. The rules were loosely based on the game. I hadn't played since high school and most on the court had never played, hence the loose rules. I can honestly say it was a blast and a good workout. Running in the sand provides some night resistance, though the running distance wasn't that great. I think we are going to get a few more games in before winter hits. Then once winter hits, we will be sledding every chance we get. And yes this totally qualifies as working out as the hike back up the huge sledding hill is quite the climb.

On Saturday, I did a ton of walking at a local festival. Though I didn't eat the healthiest, all the walking seemed to have balanced it out, as there was no weight change.