Sunday, February 10, 2008

Exercise, Interrupted

Yesterday I officially ran couch to 5k week 2 day 1. It went well ... I could tell it was harder than week 1 when I was running it, and today I'm a wee bit stiff. Since I was doing some walk/run alternations on the treadmill before I started the official program, I think my body was ready for week 2. On the other hand, it is safe to say that week 3 will be out of my comfort zone completely. I'm very interested to see how that goes. Interested, and fearful, and excited, actually. All at the same time. Nothing like a little emotional stew to make the exercise interesting, eh?

When I was out in my neighborhood running yesterday, I had a paranoid thought. If I keel over on the road next week, I can't call anyone. I don't carry my cell with me. Hey, runners out there: Do you guys carry your phone when you run? Where do you put it? And if I pass out cold, I have no ID with me, either. Do you carry ID? Where?

I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!

Riiiiiight. OK, shake it off, shake it off. But I am curious.

Anyway ...

After the run, I came home to do strength training. I did lunges down the street, and then came inside to do abs and arms and more legs. I have dumbbells and a balance ball and a medicine ball in a corner of our living room. I call that decorating style "Early American Losethebadonkadonkbutt." But I digress.

I was saying, after running and lunges I head inside to strength train. Fate was against me, though. I got a phone call 1/3 of the way into the strength workout, and by the time I was off the phone I was out of time for working out. Typically I don't answer the phone when I'm working out, but I had to take this call. I guess this means that I didn't officially reach my exercise goal this week. THAT STINKS! I was so psyched to be able to say I actually got all my exercise in. POOP.

Technically, I could do strength training today and meet the goal, but since tomorrow is my evening with the trainer and we'll do LOTS of strength training, I don't want to it today, too. Every other day, recovery time, blah blah blah. Bummer.

Nevertheless, I'm happy with the progress I'm making on the exercise front. The momentum and motivation are finally there. Yay for that!

13 comments:

Abimars said...

I always make sure my trousers have inner pockets for my keys and ID, I don't take my phone though and come to think of it I think I should.
You just might be pleasantly surprised about week 3, remember your fitness level is improving as you go along so it might not be too much of a challenge.

Hanlie said...

Sometimes we can't complete a workout, or we have to miss one due to unforeseen circumstances. It happened to me too this week, and I was very bummed about having to take away my HYC Exercise button, but hopefully it will be back next week!

Good luck with week 3!

Brightcetera said...

How did you hear about Couch to 5k and where can I get more info?
You're almost making it sound like fun :)
Can you do it on a treadmill?
thanks

juliabjerke said...

I think as long as you work hard this week (week 2) you will be surprised at your ability to do week 3. That happened to me yesterday. I worked hard throughout week 1, even though it was way beyond my comfort zone, and then yesterday I completed the week 2 workout and was definitely shocked at how much better my fitness level was. It was still difficult, don't get me wrong, but I could feel that I had improved since the previous week. I think you'll be fine=) And don't get too down about the unforeseen interruption. You'll be able to make up for it. Plus, you still got your run in so it's not as if you didn't get any exercise. Also, katschi, I've been doing the Couch to 5k on a treadmill and I think it's fine. It also makes it easy to monitor my speed and time/distance etc.

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

Have you considered one of these road IDs: http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

I'm not a runner, but I love to walk outside. I always make sure I have a pocket for my cellphone. At least one of my routes is in a wooded area and I'd hate to get trapped by a bear or something *g* and have no way to call for help.
Of course, I'm not sure what I'd tell the 9-1-1 people. "I'm in a MAPLE tree. It's next to an oak tree and I can see some logs on the ground. And a bear. A big one." :) :)

Katy said...

Way to go on week #2!

Paul said...

I've (almost) never been enamored with the idea of running.... or I should say running for the sake of running. Running because something big, scary and mean is after you, well that's another matter entirely!

But reading your running posts is starting to bring back memories of that "running a marathon" book I read a while back and was considering acting on, before I came to my senses. Perhaps I've dismissed that whole running thing too soon... :)

Pattie said...

I'm not a runner: I'm a walker, or at least I used to be, and will be again! LOL!

Anyway, when I'd do my hour walks, I'd wear a small fanny pack to hold my iPod, a house key, a small bottle of water - and my cell phone. I had a joke going with my youngest daughter, who works failry close by, that if I was chased by a coyote, I'd call her!

Boy, those were good days... I miss being that active. Your post reminds me of how great walking hard for a workout feels. THANK YOU!

Unknown said...

Hmmmm.... I don't take anything except a key (and I even avoid taking one if the Cub is going to be home) - I really don't like being bogged down by stuff when I'm trying to glide (right!) through the trails like a gazelle.

Even if I'm doing some serious, long distance training, I don't like to carry water! I'd rather run with a dollar and include a convenience store on my route!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you're making great progress! Way to go!

When I walk outside, if I'm not wearing something that has a pocket, I will carry a fanny pack and wear it on the back. Looks stupid but I'm paranoid, too.
:-) That way I have my phone, my ID, my keys (I drive to walk, how funny is that?) and usually my iPod, though I've got an armband for that now.

Anyway, go you! You're doing amazingly.

V.

Kate said...

LOL, this is the reason I only run on the treadmill, if I pass out and die, someone will at least notice when I make a "plunking" sound when I hit the floor lol.

Per your comment on my blog about ice cream. Me and Ice Cream have issues. We used to spend time together in front of the tv, but I make the promise to never bring the carton to the sofa, only a bowl. But now, like you, I just find myself standing with the freezer door opened, eating out of the carton, lol. I think it's time ice cream isn't allowed in the house..unless it's the single serve variety.

Tina said...

You're hysterical (and a little paranoid). :)) Yes I carry my phone (never thought to carry ID... OMG what if I keel over)... almost always in a zipped inner pocket in my jacket. :))

You're doing awesome. You're daily weigh in has been looking good! How do you do it and not drive yourself crazy?

*ccc* said...

Wow...I am exhausted just reading the progress you are making. Rock on, rock on! (As to what to do with my gear...I wish I had an answer for you...I've thought about talking walks around my neighborhood, but didn't want to be the one dragging my stuff around with me...)