My First 7 Mile Run

I've been doing much better lately.

I've been out running almost everyday since Thursday.

I think I did:

Thursday 5 miles (mostly walking)

Friday 4 miles

Saturday 2 miles

Sunday 2-3 miles (walking)

Monday 7 miles.....Yay!

Yesterday, I did my first 7 mile run...!  All by myself.  It was not too bad.

It is much easier to go with someone, but I just wanted to go at that moment, because I was too stressed out.  

It was a very nice day, and it felt so good.  I did 1 min/1 min.  My legs were hurting a little later, but today I feel fine.  I still feel very tired after I run .....and just want to take a nap.  I don't know if it is a good thing or not.  I guess I just take my time to get stronger each day.

I think today I will take a break and do a cross training....maybe Core Rhythms!

Items for Running

The weather is getting nicer and nicer, and I had a very good run today with my running friend.

We did 2 min/1 min run/walk for about an hour or so.  I think we covered around 4-5 miles.

Yesterday, I went walking with my another friend, and we ended up doing 1 min/1 min run/walk for about 5 miles.  It was very good.....nice day, too.

It helps to do it with someone.  For me, it is difficult to run by myself.  I do it when I don't have the time, or can't find someone to run with.  It is always very helpful and encouraging to run with someone, and it also makes it fun!

There are certain items necessary for running.  The very first item I purchased was my running shoes.  I think I mentioned it before, but I lovet his store...."Fleet Feet"!  I got my first running shoes there, and I love them.  They were about $100 so not too cheap, but not too expensive either.  It helps to have a pair of comfortable shoes to run in.

The newest item I just got is a hat.  I used to wear a regular everyday hat, but when I get sweaty, it is kind of bothering to have a hat that stays wet.  So I got this hat.....it is supposed to stay dry and you can wash it in the washing machine.  Also, it is very light weight.  

There are other items I want....but I guess I'm going to wait.

Gymboss Interval Timer

Eariler this week, I went to Fleet Feet and purchased a Gymboss Interval Timer.

According to my running friend who uses Jeff Galloway method, it is probably better to run/walk a long distance.   Run/walk (I usually do  1 min./1 min.) will help you avoid injury and record faster times.  

Jeff explains, " by using muscles in different ways from the beginning, your legs keep their bounce as they conserve resources. When a muscle group, such as your calf, is used continusously step by step, it fatigues relatively soon. The weak areas get overused and force you to slow down later or scream at you in pain afterward.  By shifting back and forth between walking and running muscles, you distribute the workload among a variety of muscles, increasing your overall performance capacity.....Walk breaks will significantly speed up recovery because there is less damage to repair.  The early walk breaks erase fatigue, and the later walk breaks will reduce or eliminate overuse muscle breakdown."

I had no idea that "walking" was allowed when running.  I walked sometimes when I got tired, but I always felt like I was cheating.  I feel so relieved now to find out that it is OKAY to take walk breaks.

This Gymboss Interval Timer helps when you are doing your run/walk.  It beeps according to your set up, and tells you when to walk and when to run.  I used this a couple of days ago for the first time, and it worked great.  It is very small, and it can be clipped onto your clothes or on your belt.  It tells you how many intervals were used so I could even figure out how many minutes I was out there running (walking).

I now feel that maybe....maybe it's not possible to run the half marathon.

Flu.... and then bad weather...

Here is my excuse...!!  The week started out with my son coming down with the flu.  I started to feel sick a little so I stayed in most of the week.

The weekend came, and it was nice.  In the high 70's.

He started feel better on Saturday so we went to his baseball practice just to watch.

I wish the weather stayed like that, but after Monday, it went down to 40's.

Today it was around 36.....cold again.

I went running a couple of times, but that was it.

I cannot use weather as an excuse, but when it's raining like today and yesterday I cannot go out.

Well.....hopefully I can go back out soon.

Oh, one thing to note...I got the Gymboss Interval Timer!  It works great.

I did 3 min run 1 min walk for about 25 min. and covered about 2 miles.

Yay!

Not feeling so healthy today....

My son has been sick since Monday.  He went to school, but started to feel sick so called me to be picked up.  The school nurse took his temperature, but it was only 97.  We got home and he went to bed, and I checked his temperature.  It was 102!!  Poor baby.

He was just very congested and didn't feel well.  

Now today is Wednesday, but he was still having about 100 degree temperature.  I took him to the doctor's and found out he has the flu....:(

This is the first time for him to have the flu.  We've been fortunate; we've been always healthy.  I never thought about getting flu shots either.  Well, maybe we need to start.

Now we are both on medication.  I don't think I have it, but didn't want to take a chance.

So....no running for me today.  Just spent time with my son which was kinda nice.

We had some snow over the weekend, but it looks like it is getting warm!!  Maybe the spring is near??  I hope so.

Getting healthy day by day

It's been a month already since my last post.  I feel I'm getting better and stronger day by day.  

Yes, I'm still running.  Actually, I'm doing a lot better.  I'm running or cross training almost every day.

A couple of months ago, I ran into this lady who I used to take cardio class with.  I have not been to the cardio class for a while, but I learned she was still going and also she started to run about a year ago.  She was telling me how great it has been and she was hooked on running.  She told me to come back to the cardio class and also I should start running with her.  I thought about it, but never went.

Now about a month ago, I ran into her again.  This time, I decided to give her a call and join her.  I've gone with her a couple of time so far, and it has been great.  It's so nice to have someone to run with.  She taught me a lot of stuff about running....how to start and to train.  I'm actually thinking about running a 1/2 marathon in April.

We'll see what happens.

Good day.

Kinda lazy day.  I could not sleep too well last night so I could not get up.....well I can never get up in the morning.  I'd like to get up early every morning to run, but I'm so weak minded.

Well, I managed to walk 2 miles today.  I didn't run.  Walking was not easy, but it made me feel better.  I listened to some music and used RunKeeper for the first time.  It worked well and I liked it.

I will do that again tomorrow.  I will run some and walk some.  I just have to get better.

I did it!!

Well, only 1 mile, but it is a big accomplishment for me.  I finally was able to run a mile 2 days ago, and I did it again today.  I was soooo out of breath and my son laughed at me.

I hope I can continue it and run longer by next weekend.

Still running...

Yes, I have not quit.

It's been getting better, even though I still cannot run the whole mile yet.  I progress little by little and it's okay.  As long as I keep going.

I want to try to reach 1 mile by this weekend.....and I will be very happy.

Starting my training

Well, yesterday was pretty warm (well around 45) so I decided to try running again.  It was a lot better than the firts time, but I still cannot run.

I managed to walk/run a mile though.  It was an accomplishment.

I want to just take baby steps and want to be able to run 12 miles in three months.

I was very discouraged yesterday though....1 mile seems forever to me.

So my first goal is to be able to run one mile without stopping.  I cannot believe this is so hard.  I guess I'm just out of shape.  I get so out of breath only after 0.2 miles.  Walking was no problem so I just need to work on running more each day.

I was going to go today, but it's about 28 degrees and snowing so I'm just going to work inside today to make myself strong.

Ummmm...

Well, I got my first running shoes yesterday.

I really love this store....it's called Fleet Feet.

Very nice people and great service.

They measure your feet, video tape you running, etc. to determine the best fit shoes for you.

I was sooo greatful.

I also went to Dicks Sporting Goods, and got a shirt and some socks.

I think I'm ready to start running.

This morning....it was very cold.  14F degrees with very cold wind.

Maybe it was not a good day to run, but I was anxious so I did.

Well, not too good.

I was sooooooo out of breath and out of shape.

I even could not run.  I walked most of the way....well it was not even a mile, but I could not take it anymore.

I'm so amazed that I'm so badly out of shape.

What am I going to do???

I even can't run a mile.....:(

I guess I just have to take it slow.  Still got 4 months to train. I might surprise myself.

It will just take some time.....

Cold Day.

Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold...!!!

I feel draft around my windows; I need to take care of that so that my heating bill won't be high.

I checked and checked, and decided to get some removable window caulking.  Hope it works.

Also, I need to replace my thermostat to a digital programmable one, soon.

I need to start running soon, but I still don't have the shoes.

I think I will go and look around so I know which ones to get.

So.....for now, I'm doing Core Rhythms.

It's a DVD program and I really like it.

40 min. of Latin Dance exercise...!   Since I love dancing, it does not feel like 40 min. at all.

It's fun, but kinda difficult.  I cannot move quick enough.

I've feeling better since I started the Core Rhythms every day.

Sometimes, I just do a 20 min. quick workout, but it's still good.

I just think doing even a small amount is better than no exercise at all.

It will take some time to build up my strengths, but I will get there!!!

First Step For Healthier Me

I found a great opportunity at my church to help me become healthier.

I decided to join the runners' club!

No....I have never been a runner.

The last time I did any kind of running was when I was in middle school.

We had to do a 8K marathon.....I walked the half way.

I even do not own a pair of running shoes......

I'm very scared and not sure if this is for me, but I really want to try.

Running is something you can do at any age, anywhere, anytime, and with anyone.

It is a great way to exercise, and I really want to have something I can do as a hobby.

We will meet every Saturday morning and run together. 

The rest of the week, you train on your own, but I was given a schedule as a guideline.

I'm so excited that I was given this opportunity.

I cannot wait to start and hopefully I can achieve my goal.......participate in the marathon this spring.

Well, I'm off to shopping for a new pair of running shoes now.  

New Year's Resolution

2009!!  So happy 2009 is here.

I have been waiting for 2008 to end.

I'm sure many people have been having tough times lately.... well financially.

Anybody out there who had a great year??

Well, not me.

Not only financially, but all sorts of things did not go well in 2008.

To put it positively......2008 was a very challenging year for me.

Accumulated medical bills.

Failed relationship.

Lost job.......:(

ummm, I don't want to even think about it.

However, I did learn a lot from these events, and I think I was able to grow as a person.

Maybe all these events were meant to be.....somehow necessary for me to be a better person.

2009 is here....finally, and  I have two No.1 goals.

The first thing I want to accomplish this year is to find a dream job.

Something I enjoy.  I want to be able to enjoy my job and my life.

I was laid off at the end of 2008.  This gave me an opportunity to spend some time sorting through my thoughts about what I REALLY want to do with my life.  Since the company offered me a separation pay, I can take some time to seek a job.  I know it's probably necessary for me to get a job which will give me steady paychecks, but at the same time, I want to find a way to make some money at home, maybe as a supplement.

The other one is...... I want to become healthy and stay healthy.

I have been healthy all my life, but lately I have been with less energy, and I'm out of shape.

Big time!!

I cannot move quickly.....I gained a lot of weight.  

I want to feel good and energetic again so I need to take some actions.

So these are my two number 1 goals.  Easy enough.

I'm so excited about 2009.

Can't wait to look back at the end of 2009 and feel PROUD.