The Workout Routine

July 8, 2012

Today, I jogged/walked on my treadmill for about 30 minutes, which came to 1.79 miles... I did all of this with the Sauna Suit on... which made the workout a little more intense, considering my body started to pour sweat after the first couple of minutes! When I say your body pours sweat, I mean the sweat literally pours down your arms and legs and exits through the openings of the sleeves or the pants. I wear my socks high to catch the sweat from my legs. The next time I go shopping at a sporting goods store, I going to look for some wristbands to catch the sweat from my sleeves!

So, after a 30 minute workout, I felt great! I had to stand in my tub to remove the suit... it was that soaked!

July 15, 2012

Well, I apparently have some catching up to do... Let me start off by saying that my running group - Black Girls Run - is truly a blessing in disguise! I officially started with Black Girls Run on July 10, 2012, so I still consider myself to be a newbie... because, I still have so much to learn! But, from what I see... Black Girls Run (BGR) is everywhere! BGR is made up of a great group of ladies with one goal in mind... and that is to combat obesity and get fit while running!

So, I'm going to go back in time... back to July 10th...

On July 10th, I met up with the ladies of BGR in Philadelphia for the Couch to 5K mentoring program. Not knowing what to expect, I came prepared for anything and everything! I had on my comfy running shirt, comfy shorts... and a great pair of running sneakers! Ready, Set... GO!! :)

Week 1, Day 1 of Couch to 5K

We started off my doing a quick stretch, before being broken up into groups of 15...

Can you believe 122 ladies showed up for the 1st day of mentoring program??

After breaking up into the small groups, we were off... having the run take place by the waterfront... was not only scenic, but it offered a great breeze! :)

Most of the ladies had already downloaded the Couch to 5K (C25K) app to their smart phones... and my phone, of all phones... wanted to have technical difficulties on Day 1... so, I missed being able to log my 1st run... but, I was going to make sure I all set for Day 2, which was taking place that Thursday, the 12th!

So, how did I feel after my first run?!

Actually, not bad! I focused on getting my breathing under control... In through my nose, out through my mouth... I wasn't too concerned about speed... I kept a pretty steady pace when it called for a brisk walk... along with the jog... So, when it was all said in done... my calves was the only part of my body that felt a difference!



Before the  run, the running coaches told us that any of the C25K apps were sufficient, but after checking out a few... I chose Active.com's C25K app for a minimal fee. So, far so good...

Week 1, Day 2 of Couch to 5K

On Thursday, July 12th - My C25K app was all set and ready to go to log the day's run... the purpose of the C25K program is to build on what you did on the previous run. So, again I focused on my breathing and continued with a steady pace on both the walk and jog. I figure later on down the road, I'll worry about increasing my speed. According to the app, it's taking me about 15 minutes to complete a mile! I would love to improve that time... but, I will continue to take my baby steps! I'm not trying to kill myself!

So, the program is suppose to take place three days a week -- Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. I'm going to meet up with BGR on Tuesdays and Thursdays, because they meet in the evening. On Saturdays, start time is 6AM. I've opted to run on my treadmill, instead...

Our running coaches say that by the time this program is over... we should all be able to participate in our first 5K as a runner... I'm really excited about being able to run my first 5K, that I have gone ahead and started reading the Runner's magazine! This magazine lists all the 5K's, 1/2 marathons and so forth across the country! I'll keep every one posted with my progress and my decision on where I plan to do my first 5K!

July 15, 2012

Today, I finished up my Week 1, Day 3 of the C25K program -- I should have completed this run this past Saturday... but, I was having some lower back problems! So, I'm a day late... but, it's done! So, I'm officially on Week 2!!

So, there will be some changes this week in my workout routine... I'm going to commit myself to doing 50 crunches, 50 sit ups, 50 squats and 50 lunges a day! I'm also trying to incorporate some push ups into my routine, but for some reason I lack upper body strength... LOL! I can laugh now, but it sucks that I can't do more than two, without collapsing to the floor! And that's when I do the "man" push ups... The girly ones, I can do a lot more... but, I want to do the "real" one! So, I'm going to continue to build on them... until I can do a decent amount... I would actually be happy if I could do 20 a day! :)