Kathybad

Leslie... its time to take care of YOURSELF and in doing so you will take care of your family. Honour your committment to your girls tonight by taking them to the game, but then once you're home, spend some time moving for yourself. It'll probably be too late to go outside for a run or to the gym, but get down on the floor and do some crunches, stretches, etc. Then don't committ to them for tomorrow... committ to yourself. You know the answer to what you need... as Nike ads say "Just Do It". But in the meanwhile, don't beat yourself up. S#/t happens, but the band is there for life and will save you from this. So let it go. I know exactly what you're going through... trying to find the balance between yourself and your family (and work). Its never going to be easy, but putting guilt in there will always unbalance things even more. Don't do the guilt thing... it never ends well!

WTG Lynn... 30+ minutes!!!! I love your posts! and am glad I was able to help kick you in the butt to get there! BTW, forget the APB on your ass... you're a runner now... you ran and it can't keep up!!! It's gone babe! Georgia... keep at it girl and you'll get through week 4. I know week 5 killed me... took me 4 weeks to get through. One suggestion... when you try running it next time, pay attention to your energy level during the 2nd, 3rd and/or 4th intervals. If you lose steam like I did, then maybe try just running one interval, and run until you have to stop. I found when I stopped to walk I couldn't get my breathing under control during the next run interval. But when I just keep running I get in a groove that seems to work for my breathing. Renewed... batten down the hatches and good luck. We are glued to CNN watching Ike roll into Galvaston... scarey! Ok... time for a minor rant... Your election is Nov 4th and your leaders have been campaigning for almost 2 years and now are in high gear. Every day there is something on your TV stations about issues, points of view, positions, etc... 1 week ago our Prime Minister (aka President) called an election. In Canada the leading party gets to call an election anytime within a 5 year period... no set date, so they usually try for a time that they are leading in polls. The election date is Oct 14th... in just 1 month!!! And there is nothing on TV about it... just the occasional mention. I bet Canadians are more interested in your election than our own... and it affects us so much. At times like this, I'm ashamed to be Canadian. Ok, rant over!

Thanks Leslie and Luluc! It's what I needed. I RAN! I did 25 min on the treadmill. I was struggling... lol. I don't think my body likes the treadmill!!! However, this is the first time I've done more than 13 min non-stop on the treadmill... so that's a major success!! I ran to my own music this time, and it really helped!

Nice to hear from you Mama and Georgia! Mama... here's your gentle push... as requested! Seriously, though... take it one day at a time. Your DH and family needs you! I hope your DH is recovering well. Georgia... that's excellent that you continued to run through the move period. Stupid treadmills... it probably is elevated! Another energy sapper might be lack of carbs. I know you had said you were going to follow a low carb plan... that might be causing you some energy drain?? Ok... I was hoping someone would be online here to give me a good kick in the butt to get moving. It's rainy, hot and humid here today and I can't run outside... but dreading using the treadmill. I don't really want to run, so using that as an excuse!

Lyn... me a hottie... LOL, but thanks! BTW, when are you going to get some progress photos on your profile. We need to see a larger picture of that sexy red hair. Love the new avatar photo!

Renewed... that is thought provoking and very interesting. I don't know if I'm there yet, but it is certainly an inspiring way to look at the journey. I'm still at the very eager to know stage... I want to know how FAR, how LONG, how MUCH!!! It kind of drives my DH crazy... he's very calm and secure with his running.. he doesn't need to know the details, he's just comfortable with knowing he's done his run. Maybe that's where you are at!

It's funny, at the start of this c25k process, I never thought I'd get this far. Now I know I can run a 5k... I know I have it in me! That's an amazing feeling. I hear you on the music thing. I don't hate the podrunner music, but I don't like it much either... guess I'm too old! Today I put together a mix of my favourite music and loaded that on my ipod. My problem is I don't wear a watch, so don't know how long I'm running. I'm still working on how to make the mix a specific length of time.

I'm with you Renewed... I'm missing all of our friends! Leslie... we missed you girl! Don't ever feel like a failure! You have come so far since your pre-banding days... just look at your progress photos if you need proof. Don't worry about taking a break from running... just don't let that break turn into a stop! If you find yourself "lurking" and not posting... just send a post and say "Hi Everyone". Then watch all the love and support flow in. We are all here to be friends and support buddies... even if you aren't running! Same goes for everyone! Luluc... wow, what a workout you've got planned. I plan to do my strength training session today. I think that has helped me jumpstart my weight loss a bit. I know it's certainly helped my shape! LOL I went shopping yesterday to get the kids coats, as its getting a bit cool. While there, I checked out some clothes for myself... and I'm down a size!!! I now in a regular XL or size 18. Yeah!!! I took a couple of pictures of myself. I'm posting them to my progress photo folder on my profile... but here they are. I took them in the mirror, so they aren't that clear (DH takes BAD pictures.. LOL), but I'm happy with them!

Jbrad... I hit the wall on week 4 too! It was really frustrating and demotivating. I didn't make it through the intervals on the 1st or 2nd run and almost did on the 3rd. I kept losing steam by the end interval. So I decided to move onto week 5 and see how I did. I did very well with the first 2 mixes of week 5, but struggled with the 20 min run (for 3 weeks!!). I finally achieved the 20 min run by taking it outside. So my advice... move onto week 5, day 1, and see if you can do that mix. Then the next time you hit a wall, try running outside. I know its hot in Georgia... so might not be an option, but it worked for me. I progressed very quickly once I started running outside on my own steam. I'm now running 30 min, and that's just 1 1/2 weeks after hitting the 20 min mark. I'm also like Lynn... I have difficulty with intervals. Once I stop running and start walking, its really hard for me to get back into the groove of running again. I do better just steady running. aclubb... don't worry about distance and speed right now. All you want to think about is amount of time. We are all different, as we all go different speeds. But if you need a comparison, when I was on week 4, I would do a total of 2 miles from start to finish including my cool down. So I think you're doing great. When I was on the treadmill, I was walking at 3.5 mph and running at 4.3 to 4.5. Now outside, its a rough guess, but I'm running at about 4.3 mph, so in 30 min I'm going just over 2 miles.

Another slow day here today :omg_smile: Oh well... I guess you all have lives! LOL I did my run today. I did the week 7 run, but felt so good that I kept running through the cool down. So I ran a total of 30 min!!! I could have kept going too, but really had to pee!!! LOL I then drove the distance to see how far it was... 3.5km. So I'm running at the speed of about 4.3 mph. I know its not that fast... but it's better than it was the other day and will continue to get better. Based on that speed, it will take me about 43 min to run a 5k. Oh I love running outside! The weather was so nice today. Sunny, coolish and a light breeze. The coolest thing is when you cross paths with another runner and they give you the "nod"... you know, the "looking good, yeah you're a runner, hope you're enjoying your run" sort of nod! To ME! Who would have imagined that a year ago!!!

I'm a red head too... not by nature though. By nature I'm 99% salt and 1% pepper! So I go dark brown with the red tint... then when it fades, the red gets more intense. I wish I was a natural red head! While I'm at it, I wish I looked like "Addison" from Grey's Anatomy... now that's hot!

Thanks you guys! I really appreciate you listening to me vent. I'm in a better mood now. Family walk did the trick... who'da thunk it! Exercise could make you feel better! LOL. Lyn... I'm still laughing at the iPhone! Sexy hair you dirty talking goddess! Renewed... 4-wheelers will forever be changed in my mind! Glad I'm not the only one taking it easy today. Needed it though. But tomorrow I'm going for 28 min! Lynn... hope your 25 min run went well!

Don't get me wrong... I'm really enjoying this time off work. I've worked 70hr weeks for about 8 years now. So having a bit of time to recharge is great. I now have some real time with the kids... not rushed and planned. But the financial strain is very hard. My DH only brings in 1/4 of our old income. So its been a real strain trying to figure out how to live off of that 1/4!!! and my DH is not really doing well with cutting back. He likes to live high! Ok, enough whinning... I think that's why I'm liking the running so much... high pressure, and results! HAHA

You guys are cracking me up!!! Renewed! I got teary eyed reading your story... ok, maybe because I was laughing hard... but it touched me! What a moment! Luluc... is your training good lookin'? Cause I think I'd need that to do what he makes you do! OMG you are a fitness goddess!!!! I'm being really lazy and boring today. I haven't even moved my butt once! Boo hiss boo! OK.. its 3:30 and I have to get some exercise in... and maybe some lunch??? I'm kindof down in the dumps today! I get these days, especially since being layed off. Bills are piling up and no money comin' in... sad! Thanks for making me laugh! Needed it.

Lyn... THANK YOU!!! I needed to laugh today! I laughed so hard I almost... well you know! You are too funny. Did you ask your brother if it gave him any ideas!!!!

Renewed & Luluc, thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to push onto week 8, but as I continue to develop in my running, I'll be sure to add in some varied intervals to help drive me forward. Enjoy Date Night Renewed!!!

Another one bites the dust!!! Week 6 Successfully FINISHED! I did my 25 min non-stop run! Funny thing is... I could have kept going! I realize now that I don't really like intervals. My body likes to hit a groove and stay there. Longer, steady runs agree with my breathing, but run/walk segments mess me up! BTW, I didn't run the 5k yesterday... it poured rain here all day so I chose not to run. Call me crazy but I don't want my first 5k run to be in the rain, especially if I know I won't be able to run the full distance anyways. Ok, here's a question... Week 7 calls for 3 days at 25 min, which is the same as what I just did. Should I push myself and go onto week 8 which is 28 min... or should I continue doing the 25 min but work on improving my speed??? I'm inclined to go forward to week 8 to work on time first then when I finish week 10, start working on speed. Thoughts???

aclubb... welcome! I'm active most days. I usually run every 2nd day and walk on the opposite days. I also do some strength training at home using free weights, bands and an exercise ball. I'm on week 6 of C25k, and once I'm up to 5k distance non-stop, I will probably run 4-5 days a week, varying the distance between 2.5k - 5k. Enjoy and let us know how you're doing.

Forgot to share this... My DH has been taking my son out running a few nights a week. Remember, my son is intellectually challenged, so is kind of quirky at times and can freak out easily. DH usually initiates it and bribes him with a stop at Starbucks for a chocolate chip cookie afterwards... I know kind of defeats the purpose of the run, but my son is in no threat of being overweight right now! They usually run on a 1/4 mile track and run 1, walk 1/2... etc until they've run 3 laps. My daughter (4 years old) sees me running and says she wants to come running with me. So on our way to church last night, my son says he wants to go running after church! So at 8pm last night, my DH and DS start running and my DD and I follow behind. The 4 of us out running at dusk... looked hillarious. My little girl ran/walked 3 laps! I kept stopping to get her to walk... but she didn't want to! Then off to Starbucks... the kids shared a cookie and mom & dad had nothing!!!

uggggh... I just finished writing my post and hit "backspace" and it erased! Ok, so now I'll try again! gerrr! Whosya... Ok that's a sight I wish I had seen! You cycling in your cheerleading body suit! What colour did you choose??? LOL Tootie... I'm so glad you made it home and all is ok! I couldn't imagine having to evacuate from my home! Lynn... Actually I don't think pigs sweat... or is that Rhinos??? Anyhow, keep sweating baby, you're doing good work! Yeah for your toes!!! As for low carb... Renewed and Georgia follow a low carb plan and shared their typical day in posts about 4 pages back. I've thought about it, but not sure yet if I'm going to. Good luck! Renewed... glad to hear your getaway was good! Yeah for running outside! I mapped a route that avoided hills... not sure if I'm ready for that yet, but congrats to you for doing them. Make sure you stretch out those legs good over the next few days to get rid of the splints. I'm getting psyched up for my 25 min run today!! It's a lot cooler out today, so looking forward to the run!

Lyn... Don't fret about the Wendy's. Sometimes a little cheat is what you need. Just don't make a habit of it! I hear ya on the sex goddess thing. I can't keep my DH a bay! Oh well, my mom told me years ago "Men are like linolium floors... lay them right and you can walk on them for 30 years!" So I guess we hold the upper hand (or shoe??) LOL... Sorry Whosya!!! Luluc... Size 4! OMG! Way to go! Hope you enjoy football. I don't, and neither does my DH. In fact he doesn't watch any sports on TV, except the occassional golf. So I'm not a sports widow! I did my week 6 day 2 run yesterday and was successful!! I'm so loving this. I really prefer running outside! Today I'm going to do my strength training program. I think that is really helping to spur on my weight loss. And certainly my clothes are fitting loser too since starting this.