As the title suggests, I'm noticing muscle changes in my body.
There's the obvious one.
Then there are the less obvious ones. Like my calf muscles. Those are getting defined and there seems to be a line drawn on my lower leg. And the tight muscles. Those are getting better.
Stairs. There's no hiding huffing and puffing after climbing a flight or two of stairs.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think I'm starting to like this jogging thing.
Still working on completing two miles in 25 minutes. It would be really nice to get to the 5K and finish closer to 35 minutes then 40.
Darn it. Am I now a jogger?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
TWENTY-FIVE MINUTE JOG TODAY
(see title)
The best part is the support from the people who care about me. Love you all.
The best part is the support from the people who care about me. Love you all.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
90 degree jogging
The plan was to wake up early, go for my jog/walk, then shower and go to work. Setting the alarm clock for 5:30, I tallied off to sleep last night.
Unfortunately, the alarm was set for 5:30 pm.
Waking up at a quarter after 6, I got ready for my day and headed into the heat of the East Bay. There were a few social engagements after work-a retirement party for a woman I adore, and a BBQ with a staff I will miss. Luckily, I was able to get out of work at a reasonable time. Took my gear, changed at work, then headed to a friend's house to take my jog.
Let me tell you what a 90 degree afternoon feels like in Concord. It's discreet. You may assume 90 is an obvious heat, but once you are in it, particularly after the cold and rain of the previous month, it's hard to tell just how warm it is. The skin heats. Feet feel the radiant heat through shoes. Sweat pours from the skin and drenches the body.
That's after just 2 of the 5 minute warm-up walk.
A bit dramatic? Sure. But it was hot enough that I felt the need to walk a few steps as I went. Biggest challenge? Hill at the end of the second 10 minute jog. I kept needing to walk up the hill, but I made myself jog all the way down.
Remember that part about hating to sweat? Yeah. I sweated. It was gross.
Best part was the cold shower at a friend's house. You know it's hot when you are still sweating after a cold shower.
Got a few comments about the red face at the retirement party. You know what? Badge of courage.
Almost done with Week 6. Tomorrow morning, I'm meeting a friend from work to help her start the Week 1 jog. She seems excited and nervous. It's great to pass along this energy and enthusiasm for an activity I never thought I would enjoy.
Anyone want to come jogging soon?
Unfortunately, the alarm was set for 5:30 pm.
Waking up at a quarter after 6, I got ready for my day and headed into the heat of the East Bay. There were a few social engagements after work-a retirement party for a woman I adore, and a BBQ with a staff I will miss. Luckily, I was able to get out of work at a reasonable time. Took my gear, changed at work, then headed to a friend's house to take my jog.
Let me tell you what a 90 degree afternoon feels like in Concord. It's discreet. You may assume 90 is an obvious heat, but once you are in it, particularly after the cold and rain of the previous month, it's hard to tell just how warm it is. The skin heats. Feet feel the radiant heat through shoes. Sweat pours from the skin and drenches the body.
That's after just 2 of the 5 minute warm-up walk.
A bit dramatic? Sure. But it was hot enough that I felt the need to walk a few steps as I went. Biggest challenge? Hill at the end of the second 10 minute jog. I kept needing to walk up the hill, but I made myself jog all the way down.
Remember that part about hating to sweat? Yeah. I sweated. It was gross.
Best part was the cold shower at a friend's house. You know it's hot when you are still sweating after a cold shower.
Got a few comments about the red face at the retirement party. You know what? Badge of courage.
Almost done with Week 6. Tomorrow morning, I'm meeting a friend from work to help her start the Week 1 jog. She seems excited and nervous. It's great to pass along this energy and enthusiasm for an activity I never thought I would enjoy.
Anyone want to come jogging soon?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Week 5? What week 5?
Newsflash! Kristina just completed a full, nonstop, 20 minute jog!!!!
It was a breezy though sunny Friday. The students had finished school. Kristina attended a staff lunch and (didn't) leave work early to get home around traffic. Following a lie-down and reading a bit of her book, Kristina pulled out her running clothes. Donning said clothes, she headed onto the street.
A five-minute warm-up walk got Kristina to Stow Lake. Stow Lake is preferred jogging area, as the path is wide enough to accommodate passing wandering tourists and flat. Notable items at this time are the goslings which are growing their juvenille feathers and have begun swimming on the lake.
She began jogging by the Strawberry Hill bridge. Pace was somewhat slow though several walkers were passed. Only one other jogger passed Kristina early on. This did not discourage her and she continued to practice breathing while jogging. She only slightly regretted eating a snack before heading out.
By the end of the jog, the only notable soreness was in her glutes. When interviewed, Kristina reported, "I'm really proud of myself. This is the furthest and the longest I have ever run in my life. It wasn't quite two miles, but it was a lot closer then I thought it would be. I think I can actually get up to 5K by the race!"
Chloe, Kristina's furry cat companion, reported, "Purr. Puuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Meow." Roughly translated, this means "OK, you're back. Where's my dinner?"
Next on Kristina's weekend agenda is a comedy show, Meet-Up event, dinner with a friend, and a day of reading outside. You can always offer her words of encouragement on this post or by following her at her blog: www.kristinaswalking.blogspot.com
It was a breezy though sunny Friday. The students had finished school. Kristina attended a staff lunch and (didn't) leave work early to get home around traffic. Following a lie-down and reading a bit of her book, Kristina pulled out her running clothes. Donning said clothes, she headed onto the street.
A five-minute warm-up walk got Kristina to Stow Lake. Stow Lake is preferred jogging area, as the path is wide enough to accommodate passing wandering tourists and flat. Notable items at this time are the goslings which are growing their juvenille feathers and have begun swimming on the lake.
She began jogging by the Strawberry Hill bridge. Pace was somewhat slow though several walkers were passed. Only one other jogger passed Kristina early on. This did not discourage her and she continued to practice breathing while jogging. She only slightly regretted eating a snack before heading out.
By the end of the jog, the only notable soreness was in her glutes. When interviewed, Kristina reported, "I'm really proud of myself. This is the furthest and the longest I have ever run in my life. It wasn't quite two miles, but it was a lot closer then I thought it would be. I think I can actually get up to 5K by the race!"
Chloe, Kristina's furry cat companion, reported, "Purr. Puuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Meow." Roughly translated, this means "OK, you're back. Where's my dinner?"
Next on Kristina's weekend agenda is a comedy show, Meet-Up event, dinner with a friend, and a day of reading outside. You can always offer her words of encouragement on this post or by following her at her blog: www.kristinaswalking.blogspot.com
Thursday, June 9, 2011
8 minute Intervals!
Ok, so here's what happens week 5. There are 3 different runs. The first has 5 minute jogs with 3 minute walks between. The second (finished it yesterday!) has 8 minute jogs with 5 minutes walk in between.
Here's what I learned on that jog.
Leaving one of my schools, I headed down the street toward the path that follows a canal. It's a prettyish spot, flat, and has wide paths which are great for jogging. Jogging for 8 minutes got a little boring. It wasn't difficult, at least, not in the sense that I was unable to do it. Even with music, I didn't shut down my brain and I got bored.
Now, I'm hoping this was a fluke, or reflection on it being the first warm day and nearing the end of the school year (what exactly do I need to finish before taking off for the summer?). I did get a bit of a side stitch, which gave me something to think about. After checking my distance, I noticed I went further then anticipated. The distance does include the warm-up and cool-down 5 minute walks.
Tomorrow is a full 20 minute jog. It's supposed to be 2 full miles, though I'm sure I won't get that far. Then comes the choice-do I jog for time or for distance? Since I built in extra training time, I think I'll focus on the time rather then distance for now. I can always add in distance as I go.
Half-way through the Couch to 5K program! Pretty exciting to think I'm getting there.
Ok, off to tune my new Uke.
Here's what I learned on that jog.
Leaving one of my schools, I headed down the street toward the path that follows a canal. It's a prettyish spot, flat, and has wide paths which are great for jogging. Jogging for 8 minutes got a little boring. It wasn't difficult, at least, not in the sense that I was unable to do it. Even with music, I didn't shut down my brain and I got bored.
Now, I'm hoping this was a fluke, or reflection on it being the first warm day and nearing the end of the school year (what exactly do I need to finish before taking off for the summer?). I did get a bit of a side stitch, which gave me something to think about. After checking my distance, I noticed I went further then anticipated. The distance does include the warm-up and cool-down 5 minute walks.
Tomorrow is a full 20 minute jog. It's supposed to be 2 full miles, though I'm sure I won't get that far. Then comes the choice-do I jog for time or for distance? Since I built in extra training time, I think I'll focus on the time rather then distance for now. I can always add in distance as I go.
Half-way through the Couch to 5K program! Pretty exciting to think I'm getting there.
Ok, off to tune my new Uke.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Rain? June?
In case you hadn't noticed, it's raining outside. RAINING. In June.
If I lived in a place like Indiana where summer thundershowers were a regular thing. Or south of the equator, where winter is about to start. That would feel normal, perhaps refreshing.
Rain in June. Amazing.
And I'm just waiting for a break in the weather to go out for Week 4, Run 3.
For all my concern early on, this week was not as hard as I thought it would be. The 5 minutes of jogging feels right. Breathing is the activity requiring the most attention. I breathe heavy but not hard at the end. Stretching is the other area I would like to be more consistent with. I stretch at the end, though not necessarily at the beginning. These will come with practice. Or just doing it. (I always thought that Nike like was crap until I figured it out. Darn those advertising people for getting something right!)
Another realization-this week was the start of more jogging then walking. 16 minutes of jogging in each workout to be precise. So from here on out, these are no longer walk/jogs. They're jog/walks.
Until the rain breaks, or slows for a while, I will go make some breakfast (lemon buttermilk scones anyone?) and drink some water. I have a book I'm in the middle of, and intend to finish today. I love sitting in my chair by the window with tea and scones and a book.
If I lived in a place like Indiana where summer thundershowers were a regular thing. Or south of the equator, where winter is about to start. That would feel normal, perhaps refreshing.
Rain in June. Amazing.
And I'm just waiting for a break in the weather to go out for Week 4, Run 3.
For all my concern early on, this week was not as hard as I thought it would be. The 5 minutes of jogging feels right. Breathing is the activity requiring the most attention. I breathe heavy but not hard at the end. Stretching is the other area I would like to be more consistent with. I stretch at the end, though not necessarily at the beginning. These will come with practice. Or just doing it. (I always thought that Nike like was crap until I figured it out. Darn those advertising people for getting something right!)
Another realization-this week was the start of more jogging then walking. 16 minutes of jogging in each workout to be precise. So from here on out, these are no longer walk/jogs. They're jog/walks.
Until the rain breaks, or slows for a while, I will go make some breakfast (lemon buttermilk scones anyone?) and drink some water. I have a book I'm in the middle of, and intend to finish today. I love sitting in my chair by the window with tea and scones and a book.
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