Rethinking Running

Lately I've started to rethink my plans on running. If you read this post it will tell you about my journey into the running world.

In fall I took a running hiatus, and even though I finished C25K I never actually RAN a 5K.  I know.  What was the point.  When I started running again I realized I wasn't ready to run a 5K, so rather than jump into the 10K program I did the "Ease Into 10K plan."

The first few weeks went really well.  Even now It's going ok, but there is a problem.  The workout is LONG.  Like almost an hour run long, and that's fine if that is my ONLY workout of the day, but then I ended up giving up my Zumba classes (which even though they make me crave Mexican food, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Zumba.  It's SO fun).

So I came up with this CRAZY workout schedule.  It failed.  Miserably. 

As awesome as P90X is.  I CANT workout at home.  Two little ones under my feet just isn't working.  Also I get too distracted.  I need the gym and I NEED their daycare.  I wanted to do it ALL, but at this time in my life raising small ones I just can't.

I also CAN'T give up running.  The difference that it's made in my body is unbelievable.  I never want to stop running and I always want to incorporate it into my workout regimen. 

The long runs are draining me.  Don't get me wrong, I plan to finish the 10K program and run a 10K.  I want to be able to say I did it.  But I'm thinking that I don't want all my running to be for endurance.

My husband and I started discussing sprinting.

Then I saw images like these:

img from HealthierLiving.com

And these:

img from HybridFitnessSolutions.com

Also, the more I started to read and research, the more it started to make sense.  PLEASE don't think I'm hating on marathon runners.  There is definitely something to be said for endurance.  As much as running has helped me shed the pounds that I wanted, I'm just not seeing the muscle definition there that I want, and SOMETHING has to change in my schedule.

I ran across this today and I LOVE it.  (Three Simple Sprint Workouts).

So I'm thinking now of somehow incorporating sprinting into my schedule, keep up with my strength training in my boot camp class, and bring BACK Zumba, because nothing is more fun than dancing to Latin music, even if it does make me want to eat tacos. 

Fitness Goals 2012

In the summer of 2011 I really hit it hard at the gym. I was doing boot camp two days a week, Zumba twice a week and C25K three times a week. I saw some massive results once I started in with my running.

Once I finished C25K though I never actually RAN a stinkin 5K. Then fall came and the kids went back to school, our schedule got crazy busy, and I went full force into a BUNCH of DIY projects followed by the Holidays. I still continued to work out, but I ate everything I wanted. Funny thing is while I was downing all the sweets in the world I wanted and NOT watching my eating, I lost like 5 pounds. No kidding. I know I know, hate me if you like.

Even though I may have LOST weight during the holidays, I felt gross. I was tired. I felt weak. I wasn't hitting the gym with my usual passion and my nutrition was going downhill fast. I was still hitting my Ease into 10K plan, but I'd hit it three times one week then skip a whole week, or only do it once. THEN I realized I'm getting these massive migraines on running days. I'm sure its from dehydration and improper nutrition.

So, here I am, feeling like a total mess. I feel weak. Something MUST change.

We've all seen this on Pinterest right?  Exactly how I feel.

So this past week I've been eating MUCH better and I've come up with a new workout routine to hopefully help me get to my goals. My weight is almost to the place I want it, what I REALLY need now is some muscle. My husband wants me to do Crossfit, but as much as I'd LOVE to it just doesn't fit in with my schedule at this time (childcare issues and such). I know Crossfit and running alone could take me right to the level that I would want, but I have to find something that works with my life right now so I've come up with a plan.

I will continue with my E210K plan and run a 10K the beginning of march. I will be running Mon, Wed and Friday morning at the gym while the rest of my family sleeps. Six AM and 30 degrees does NOT agree with me. I HATE the cold. I know running on the treadmill is NOT the same as the street, so I plan to mix in some street running when the weather gets a bit better.

Tues, Thurs and Saturday I'm mixing back in P90X. I never felt more bad ass and strong than when I did that program. (You can read about my journey here). It will help me gain the muscle that I really need. I'm not doing Plyo, Kenpo or Yoga, I'm just doing the strength days and Ab Ripper X.

THEN if my schedule allows and I feel like it I may hit up Zumba on Tuesday and Thursday. Depends on how my day is going. I also may hit up boot camp every now and again on Monday & Wednesday. I like the girls in those classes, and it gives me time to unwind and the kids can play in the daycare.

It's a crazy workout schedule. My husband said that If I stick to it all this week, at the end of the week he would detail my van for me. He he.

Him doing dishes in an apron and detailing my van for me in one week would just be crazy awesome.  He really needs to learn to stop betting me.  I always win.

Running

So anyone who has access to my Twitter or Facebook knows that I've been working out.  A LOT.  With all the working out I've been doing, I haven't really had the time or motivation to sit down and actually write a blog post.  My cousin Treasure kept pestering reminding me that I haven't wrote a post in months, but every time I tried to write one, nothing interesting came to mind.

Finally, I got inspired to write a post about my newest endeavor.  Running.

I have always HATED running.  Like LOATHED it.  You see, as long as I've been alive I've had all this great upper body strength but absolutely NO endurance.

Who was the kid that took more than fifteen minutes to complete the mile in grade school?

Me.

Who was the kid who was ALWAYS picked LAST in P.E. class?

Me again.

Who BARELY squeaked by with a C in athletics?

You got it.  Me.

So, when I first started working out officially the first time I got on a treadmill or elliptical machine, I really thought I'd die.  My face is red, head pulsing, heart throbbing out of my chest.  Yup, that's it's I'm having a heart attack for sure.

Slowly I was able to gain a little bit more endurance, but running?  Seriously, never even considered it.  Slowly though I began to see these women running, ponytail bobbing back and forth, feet pounding the ground in perfect rhythm, and I became envious.  I wanted that feeling I wanted that freedom that they had, to just take off and RUN.

So, five weeks ago I started the Couch to 5K program.  Basically what it does is gradually work you into running.  Weeks one and two went really well, between weeks two and three I developed swelling in my peronial tendons.  I determined this was from running in my Vibrams, which yes, are made for running, but you are supposed to ease into running in them.  So I sidelined the VFF's and went back to regular athletic shoes.  I figured it would be best to get used to running in general at first, then eventually switch slowly to the Vibrams at a later time.

So, now I'm in week five, and in the C25K program week five gets pretty insane.  Today my routine was warmup walk 5 min, 8 min run 5 min walk 8 minute run then a 5 minute cool down.

So you ask, is Julie the perfect running goddess, ponytail flapping in the breeze, shoes striking the ground at a perfect rhythm?  Is she ready for her Nike commercial now?

Not.  At.  All.

Let me give you a more realistic picture of what Julie running looks like.  A hot freaking mess.  Face so red it looks like it is going to pop.  Sweat POURING off me.  It's in my eyes, burning my contact lenses.  I lick my lips and I taste the sweat in my mouth.  Heaving, heavy breathing.  (I'm certain that it annoys the CRAP out of the people next to me in the gym.)  Feet not in a gentle rhythm, but more of a loud elephant like pounding.

Oh, and guess what?  I still HATE running.  So WHY?  Why do I keep putting myself through this torture?  Because when I start something I finish it, even if it kills me in the process, and this just might.

My next run in my C25K program is a 20 minute straight run.  If you all don't hear back from me, it's possible I killed over in the gym.  Wish me luck.  I'm gonna need it.