Couch to 5k Begins

Breakfast: yogurt and apple
Lunch: 1 turkey patties w/cheese and mixed veggies
Exercise: 25 minute walk/jog (day 1 couch to 5k), 20 minute upper body workout, 5 minute rowing machine
Snack: 4 cutie clementines
Dinner: taco salad (shredded lettuce, tomato, ground turkey cooked w/onion and taco seasoning, and hot 'n' sweet relish
Dessert: yogurt and Weight Watchers 100 calorie giant chocolate fudge bar

I had heard a lot of people mention the Couch to 5k plan in the past 6 months or so but never took the initiative to look it up until tonight. I feel like it will point me in the right direction to become a better runner. I still need to get myself to the athletic shoe store and be fitted for shoes, but right now we just can't afford it so these Champion shoes will just have to cut it.

Anyways, today was day 1 of week 1 on the program so I did a five minute brisk walk for warming up, then alternated between 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes. I was a little skeptical that I'd be able to stay consistent the whole 20 minutes because what I've been doing is jogging 3-4 times for 60 seconds in a 30 minute run and going consistently every 90 seconds for 20 minutes was pushing me further than I've been going. But I was pleasantly shocked and surprised to find that I did it, no problem. I was able to recover my breath in between jogs enough to keep going, and it really didn't put as much strain on my shins and feet as I thought it would. They still hurt really badly, but I'm sure that will be alleviated once I can afford to buy better shoes. The point is, I did it and didn't feel like dying afterward, which I was sure I would.

Which may sound strange to some of you more advanced runners, but everytime I've tried to jog in the past, it's always been outside. I'm finding more and more how different running on a treadmill is from running outside on the sidewalk. I'm not saying either way is better, because they both have their advantages, I'm sure. But while I'm building up my stamina and endurance, I think I will stick to using the treadmill. My neighborhood is relatively hilly (compared to most places in this part of OK) and the sidewalks aren't in good condition in a lot of places, meaning I'm constantly having to watch my feet to make sure I don't trip on broken pavement or grass growing through the cracks. Not to mention having to stop for cars going by at intersections. Altogether, running on the treadmill, right now, gives me consistency and the ability to, like I said, build up some stamina. I'm sure once I'm further along in my abilities, I can test it out "on the open road" and the hills will provide an added challenge for me which will be good, but right now I'm enjoying the treadmill.

And that's all I have to say about that!

Today I focused on getting a good workout, eating well, and getting my house in order so that tomorrow I can focus on studying. I will still go to the gym, but otherwise, I'm going to be hunkered down at my dining room table going over all my notes and tests from previous classes in preparation for my upcoming certification tests. Hopefully I'll be able to get a good start on that studying process (which will take weeks) and won't get distracted by the computer/TV.

That being said, I'm going to get back to watching all the shows I've been missing all week so I don't have them to distract me tomorrow!

'Night y'all!