Another 5k and progress pics..

As I said I would do when I first learned about Katie's virtual 5k, I ran another 5k today. My time was 60:45 - a full 4 minutes shorterLONGER than last week, but I kept my pace slower to baby a tender knee. And I was actually able to do intervals of 90sec running/90-120 sec walking the whole time, so I'm happy with it. it is what it is.And hey, i finished, and not dead :P what doesn`t kill you.. yadda yadda yadda.

This is a pic of me taken by a good friend back in December.

and this was me yesterday. I definitely see some changes in my face - less bloaty, if nothing else.

Me... an inspiration???

I finally had a chance to get my hair cut today. Afterwards I posted a pic of the new 'do on FB (natch...) A few hours later I got a msg from a girl I used to work with...

"You look fab!! You gave me motivation to get my butt in gear. Started a couch to 5 k running program yesterday...."

I can't believe that at (still) 300+ lbs I can be an inspiration to anyone. I *know* I've lost close to 20 lbs and have changed a bit since January, I can feel it, but hearing that *I* am someone's inspiration to start running & get in shape? blows my frickin mind.

Virtual 5k day!!!

I did it! Today was virtual 5k day. I finished it in 56m 40sec, and I couldn't be more proud of myself. I did intervals of 1min run/1.5min walk for most of it - probably 45 minutes? I ran at 4mph (15:00 min pace) most of the time, but pushed it to 4.5 near the end, because I really wanted to finish in under an hour. And y'know, I felt great. When I checked P3 (my Purty Pink Polar HRM) I was usually within my target rate, and 597 calories were burned in that not-quite-an hour. 597! buh bye!

Plus, another reason to feel great - I jumped on the scale once we got home, and even wearing jeans & a tshirt I was down another 5lb! that's 19 lbs now, and less than 10 away from the 200s, which means just over 100 to go until I"m in ONE-derland. squeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Thank you to all who read (if anyone) and support me. I can't do this without you!

Woo!

I couldn't sleep last night as I was all hopped up thinking about the virtual 5k this weekend. At one point I tried on a pair of jeans (very) late last night that hadn't fit in many months, and not only could I do them up, they were a bit roomy! Nice non-scale victory for a Monday morning.

Virtual 5k

I read something tonight that is frigging BRILLIANT. Katie at Katie's Fitness Journey is hosting a virtual 5k this month.

I was thinking of doing a virtual 5K race this month, and I'm wondering if anyone else would be interested in doing it as well. I will make a "bib template" so that you can have a pic with it, and then you can submit your pic to my page. I will do a list of everyone who ran and then once all the times are submitted I will do a race results! Let me know if you would be interested!

and then she goes on to explain a bit further..

Yes you do it where you live. You can do it however you would like but you will take a pic with your "race bib" with your results and send them to me. You can do it outside, on the treadmill, you can walk it, jog it, run it, combination of both, etc...It is totally up too you! 

The "race" is Mar 10, but I think I'll do mine on the 9th, as that's *my* time at the gym. Just me, no friends, do what I want. I will run what I can, and walk the rest. I mean, I'm already signed up for a 5k in each May & June - might as well get at it... (12 weeks til Bluenose 5k btw, eek!) I ran 10 reps of 1min running/1m walking both yesterday and today, and with other walking I did yesterday, I moved my arse well over 5k. Some was even UPhill. Here's a link to the event if you want to join me (please do!)

Anyway, we'll see how it goes. I'm thinking that on Saturdays (to start) I'll stay on the treadmill til I have 3miles done - essentially 5k. Granted I don't use much of an any incline but it's a start.

SCORE!

When I got into work today, I had an email from one of the women in my French class (Hi K!) telling me that there was a wicked sale on running shoes at one of the specialty shops here in Dart, but that at 50-75% off, things were going fast.

I had a dr appt a bit later in the day, so stopped by after to check out the sale. After getting my feet properly measured (my left foot is almost a size smaller than my right. Who knew?) & trying on a good 6-8 pair of shoes, I ended up with a pair of New Balance WR759 - for a whopping $40.25 inc. tax!!! wahoo, mama loves a sale! They were low on my size sale shoes, or I may have bought a second pair. I mean really, they were 85% off the $140reg price - can't beat that!! No more wearing R's hand-me-down runners. These are so much lighter & less clunky than I'm used to - can't wait to take em for a spin! If only my lung/chest illness would bugger off so I could breathe properly, I'd be all set.

Frustrated

I was really frustrated with myself at the gym today. In 35 min, I only managed to run 5-6 min (1min intervals) between 4.4 & 5 mph, because i felt like puking whenever I ran. I didn't, but the fact I've been trying to build up to running more than 1 min straight for so long and still can't, frustrates the hell outta me. And the thought of only 1 min (or less) between running intervals? makes me wanna puke more, because i'm barely catching my breath by the time one min is up, let alone ready & able to run again.

I ended up breaking down a bit (yay for noisy showers) because I WANT to be able to run 5k in June, at least a goodly portion of it, but I feel like it will NEVER happen, let alone in 3.5 months. I know I should probably be running slower, but it feels so unnatural, and almost easier to run at the higher speeds, but then I can only do shorter amounts of running. Gah.

I'm hoping that when I get a good pair of shoes (next paycheque or so) I might try running outside, and maybe being un/less tied to the clock on the treadmill will help. I'm totally a numbers person though, so this might completely backfire. We'll see. I know the weight wasn't put on in a day and nor will it be taken off in a day, but it's not so much about htat but the fact that I'd let myself get so far gone that I can't even do c25k like a normal person. Boo.