C25K and the One Hundred Pushups Program

I have some very exciting news! Since my last post about C25K, I was able to complete a 3-mile run in 30 minutes! This accomplishment had become my goal as I worked my way through the C25K program. I primarily wanted to be able to run a 5K, but I am excited I was able to get the time down to a 10:00 mile!

This is PROOF that with some effort, the right training program and some encouragement…you CAN achieve your fitness goals! I’ve had some great support from the girls on MyFitnessPal.com. It’s good to know they are there cheering me on, as well as checking up on my exercise and food diaries. I’ve said this before, but if you don’t have good moral support for your health and fitness goals, GET SOME! You can look me up on MyFitnessPal.com, user Jones0807. I’d be happy to cheer you along!

So now that I’ve completed this huge goal, it’s time for some new ones. Check them out:

C25K Update

So I’m not really sure what week of C25K I am on right now…

I left off at Week Seven which states you complete a “brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes)”. Last week I ran for 2.5 miles and did it in 25:30. My goal was to complete it in 25:00…so close!

That was last Wednesday and I haven’t had a chance to run again until today. The weather was perfect for a run outside: 65 degrees right after a fresh morning rain. I got in my car and measured a loop around the apartment complex, then set my mind to run 3 miles…just because.

And I did it! I ran 3 miles in 33:00. This actually doesn’t fit into any of the C25K weeks if one is working toward the distance AND time goal on the schedule. But I don’t care…this was a great run for me! My first time running 3 miles non-stop and I think the time is great for a first!

Of course I will be working to improve little by little. And I need to find a 5K to run in! J

Another C25K Milestone!!

I was in Ocala visiting my parents on Thursday so I decided to try my C25K Week Six Day Three run on the street. They live in a small neighborhood with a large loop in the center, so it was a perfect set up for a running course.

This day’s challenge was to warm up with a 5-minute walk, then run for 22 minutes without stopping. However, I thought the website said 25 minutes and so that’s what I did! Along with my walk times (before and after the run) I was able to finish 3.1 miles in 35 minutes. It was great to finish that kind of run!

Afterwards, I realized there is no more interval training in C25K.  I am so excited about this! Now I get to focus on the run…going faster and longer. Here are the remaining weeks for C25K:

C25K Milestone // Next Up: Week Six

WOOHOO! I did it!

Today was Day Three of Week Five…the 20-minute run.  I did it, and I praise God for His help. I was concerned about my knees (which have been hurting) but after some strength training, stretching and a lot of prayer, they are strong again! Prayer helps a lot during the workout too…haha!

As far as I can remember, I have only run continuously like that one other time in my life. I am a natural sprinter and jogging a ½ mile as a warm-up during high school track was excruciating enough. So this was a huge milestone for me!

This is also a testament that the C25K program is working. So if you’ve been thinking about it…dive in! I have enjoyed at least 95% of working through the program which also huge for me. By this point I would have already claimed boredom and given up. Not this time!

But even more important than a great program is the support of some great people. I absolutely love MyFitnessPal and the girls who are on there to support me (and everyone else). My sister-in-law, Shannon, is especially an inspiration. She is a working mom of four great kids with a crazy schedule and yet she has taken on the challenge to get fit and inspire the rest of us to keep at it too. AND Shannon and I started C25K around the same time and she is already running 3 miles non-stop! I’m so proud of her and thankful for that extra boost of motivation. J

If you’ve been hesitant to start health/workout routine, here’s my challenge to you:

C25K Week Five

This week is both exciting and scary. I love challenges but….take a look.

The run schedule for week five is:

Day 1

Walk 5 min
Run 5 min
Walk 3 min
Run 5 min
Walk 3 Min
Run 5 Min

Not too bad at all. I already completed day one today and enjoyed it. The last two minutes of the last run were a bit rough, but I made it!

Day 2

Walk 5 min
Run 8 min
Walk 5 min
Run 8 min

I’m looking forward to this day, because it will push me a little more. I know I can run a 10 minute mile already, so running for 8 minutes at a time shouldn’t be excruciating!

Day 3
Walk 5 minutes
Run 20 minutes

What?! Run 20 minutes, just like that? I feel like the plan skips an interval or something. What about starting at 15 minutes? Haha! Like I said, a little scary. But I am also looking forward to it simply because once I accomplish a 20 minute run, I know I’m going to feel great!

Check back in a few days to see how it went… J

C25K Week Four ... and I ran a mile!

C25K Week Four started today! It is going to be a challenge…I love it!

Last week I got bored with the intervals, so I don’t think I technically followed the routine any of the days. And I am glad for that. I found out I can run a 10 minute mile! Woohoo! This is such an accomplishment for me, since I am a natural sprinter. I also did my five days of 75 crunches and two days of strength training.

C25K Week Three

Today I started C25K Week Three and I got to do it with my sister-in-law. My brother tagged along too, but he runs all the time anyways. It was fun watching him try to “keep up” at our turtle pace. Haha!

We had a great time jogging together. To do it with someone who is working toward the same goal makes the journey so much easier. Plus, talking to someone is a good distraction from how long or difficult the run is. However, the intervals this week really seemed easy. Maybe it was just the company, but I might mix it up to challenge myself a little more. We’ll see. J

C25K Week Two

Tomorrow I start C25K Week Two. This week I will be alternating 90 seconds jogging with two minutes of walking. This may seem odd, but I am more bothered by the idea of two minutes walking than I am by the jogging. Last week I felt like I was walking too much. Maybe once I start the workout, I’ll appreciate those two minutes. We’ll see! J

My SIL and her friends are awesome motivators, by the way. Every day there are new encouraging posts and ideas on MyFitnessPal.  Today, my SIL asked everyone to post their goals for the week. I love how the girls always want to challenge themselves to do their best!

These are my goals:

Three days of C25K
Three days of strength training
50 crunches a day for five days

I’m looking forward to it!

C25K // Week 1 - Day 2

I haven’t been sleeping well and work has been hectic, so when my alarm went off at 7:00 am, I did NOT want to get up to run!  

But I knew if I didn’t, I would start a habit of making excuses. So I stumbled out of bed and got myself to the gym (which is conveniently located in our apartment complex).

I’m glad I did! Have you ever got that feeling of accomplishment after you did something you didn’t want to do (but knew you should)? What a great boost to my day!

So I am on Week 1 – Day 2 of the C25K training...

Trying Something Old, In a New Way

I decided to start exercising again, mostly running, for the simple fact that it is good for me and my body always appreciates the effort. My problem is I tend to get bored with the same routines, or working out alone. Neither are good reasons to be lazy.

I was inspired when I saw my sister-in-law’s post on Facebook about starting the C25K program with her sisters and friends. She also uses the MyFitnessPal app on her phone to track her progress with her diet and exercise goals. She may be on to something…