And then I ran five kilometres

This past week marked the final week of my Couch to 5K training program and they were all big runs - at least that's how they felt to me when I looked at the amount of time I was supposed to spend running.

In the previous week I had pushed myself a couple of times and ran through the 5-minute cool down, which boosted my overall running time to 30 minutes. And I was pretty proud of this but I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke, that I could actually do that more than once. So with those last three C25K runs (2 x 28 minutes, 1 x 30 minutes) I was cautiously optimistic of my success but also aware that it may not work out after all.

Turns out I needn't have worried.

The first 28-minute run I stuck to the 28 minutes and was almost able to do it; I hit 20 minutes and needed a quick walking break, so after a minute of catching my breath I ran the remaining 7 minutes. It was a bit discouraging but setbacks are to be expected, right?

The second 28-minute run went much better though; I was able to push through the extra 5 minutes at the end and top out at 33 minutes of running. I also turned on my RunKeeper app to track distance - and I clocked in at 4.9km! While I was a bit disappointed that I didn't hit 5km, I was also completely surprised that I'd even made it that far. Woot!

Then last night was the final run of the program, 30 minutes. Again I set RunKeeper to track my distance and suddenly I found myself running...and running...and running...until I'd topped out at 6km.

SIX FREAKING KILOMETRES!

Given, 0.7km of that distance was my walking warmup but still - I managed to hit 5km!

I gotta say, I'm pretty proud of myself. When I first started the program and had to do some of the first long runs (you know, 5 and 8 minutes) they were HARD. And there were times when I was pretty sure I couldn't do it and that I should just forget it and find another activity. I'm not really sure why I kept going; maybe deep down I was actually enjoying running (and now I can admit that I do enjoy running). Whatever the reason, I'm glad I kept at it. And the humidity has also helped, which is pretty much the only thing I like about the humidity. The warmer air helps make breathing easier for me. It will be interesting to see how the cooler air of fall affects me but I'm hoping I can ride the wave of summer running success into the fall and overcome any obstacles.

Overall I'm ridiculously pleased with myself and I have no problem bragging just a little!

WW Weigh-In #30

Alright, so the numbers worked in my favour this week:

Last week: 187.8 lb
This week: 186.6 lb
Total lost this week: 1.2 lb

Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 4.8 lb

Even with decent weight loss I still feel like I'm stuck in a plateau and I'm not sure how to get out of it. Honestly, I'm wondering if I need to just get through the summer as best I can and refocus come the fall. I know this sounds weird - after all, summer is supposed to be the time to be outside and active. Thing is, the heat and humidity of the summer makes me feel sluggish and gross and I actually spend more time inside than any other season. Once the cooler, fresher weather of fall rolls around, I love being outside and my goal is to start running outside come the fall.

I like sweating when I have a good workout. I don't like sweating as soon as I step out my front door. Fall can't come fast enough.

WW Weigh-In #24

Now that's what I'm talking 'bout Willis! Finally moving in the right direction, at the right pace:

Last week: 186.8 lb
This week: 185.8 lb
Total lost this week: 1.0 lb

Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 4.0 lb

One pound down, four to go!

I wasn't able to fit in a workout on Monday BUT I had a great one yesterday (weights and a run - awesome!) and another one today. And my muscles have that lovely day-after soreness to them that I do so love. Though I'm kind of over gaining and losing the same few pounds so maybe that will help me stay on the straight and narrow!

I'll be honest: I haven't been as diligent as I should with my points tracking. I'm discovering that I do know the better choices to make and I'm aware of what I'm eating but I really need to get back to the points. I do just fine until I drink too much on the weekend and need greasy hangover food the day after and then I'm to ashamed to track anything. That said, I always weigh in. I may cheat with the points tracking but I won't cheat with my weigh-ins because that's really only hurting me.

One reason I find weight loss in the summer so hard is because it's the time of year for patios, beer, burgers and ice cream and when it's hot and hazy (and, let's face it, way too humid for human consumption) I become the embodiment of hungry laziness. Of course, the irony is not lost on me, as summer is also the time for bathing suits and less clothing and exposed skin and such. Oh, the paradox I find myself in! Though with a little more will power and some better points tracking, I can get myself out of this.

Yeah. I'm going to do just that!