A Lil' Update

Last week I started the fourth week of Couch to 5k. I had problems all week with it (the intervals are 5 min warm up/3 min running/90 sec walking/5 min running/2.5 min walking/3 min running/90 sec walking/5 min running). During the 5 minute running intervals, about 2 minutes in, my calves would cramp up like crazy. I would have to pause the treadmill, stretch my legs, and continue, to only be in pain for the duration, until my little break in running. It was terrible. But throughout the week, it seemed to be getting better. One thing I have definitely noticed is that I don't get as tired, out of breath, in my heart is pounding sort of way. So things are improving. I remember when week 2 seemed impossible! Anyway, so by the end of last week, I decided I should repeat week 4 so I feel more comfortable without the frequent pauses/stretching.

Over the weekend we stayed at a cabin in Georgia, so Saturday and Sunday we spent hiking (Sunday was our longer hiking day). Well, my calves, again, were cramping like crazy! They feel really tight and it's painful to walk with them (this was also during steep inclines during the hike). Usually my problem is that my heart is racing and I feel out of breath, but just like w/ the running program, same problem. Ugh.

On Monday I went to the gym like a good little girl (after fattening ourselves up on frozen custard in Greenville -- woowee!), and attempted, again, to complete week 4. And, again, my legs were cramping up like crazy, so soon into the run! I decided Tuesday would be a rest day, because after all, my muscles were still sore from weekend hiking. I talked to several friends that are runners and they seem to think it could be my shoes. That's entirely possible. The shoes I have been running in have been used several times for hikes, and perhaps there is too much wear and tear. So, I'm going to use my work shoes for the gym today (before going out and buying a brand new pair of shoes for running) and see what happens. But overall this week has felt very off with my workout schedule. Right now I need to work out today, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to complete my 5/5 goal. It stinks because I work this weekend and the gym isn't open before I leave or after I come home from work. So, I'll have to plan long walks with my dog.

In other news, I weighed in on Tuesday (instead of Monday, because we weren't back into town the morning of), and I'm down another 2lbs. I was surprised because it was a vacation weekend and I consumed more than usual beer and wine. I guess the weekend hiking paid off, though! These 2lbs mean I'm down a total of 11lbs. Woohoo! I still don't really notice the difference with my body, and everything seems to be fitting the same. I'm hoping once I get to 20lbs of loss in a few months that's when I'll really be able to see it.

Well that's what is new in my neck of the woods. What about you, S.? (: