Last week was not a good week. I missed most of my scheduled workouts, I didn't eat well...etc. 

This past week was tough. I started out the challenge strong and completed 20 each of the 100 required situps and pushups, as well as the first two sessions of Week 3 for the C25k. However, I hit a bit of a stumbling block by catching a virus that kept me sick the remainder of the week. 

So, this week saw the start of Lent, and though I'm not Catholic, I decided it was a great time to renew my resolve to continue running and getting healthy. 

On Valentine's Day we all seem to focus on those we love, but too often we don't focus on ourselves.  

UGH...isn't it frustrating to get rolling on something only to be stopped in your tracks!! 

Saturday, I truly felt like a runner for the first time ever. I leveled up on the C25k program and managed to increase my walking and running pace to 3.5/4.2 on the treadmill (respectively).  It felt amazing. 

I managed to do 20 minutes on the elliptical, even though I had to stop and rest a few times. It felt really good to accomplish something that I wouldn't have dreamed about doing a year ago! 

Well, I finally settled on a new training program and decided to give Cool Running's  "Couch 2 5k" program a try. 

Today is my best friend's birthday. I figure that's as good a day as any to get back on routine and break some habits that have creeped up again.  In May it will be a year since she and I started working on fitness and health goals together, using a private blog as our journal since we are in two different states. 

One of my friends, and fellow running buddies, talked me into doing a workout outside yesterday. The high was in the low 30's, so I didn't expect much. Planning on walking, I got the urge to try running after our warm up. I found a spot on the side of the road and made myself continue to that point. Then I walked for a little bit to catch my breath and did the same thing. 

Well, it took longer than I thought, but I got back to the gym today. 

Just a quick note to remind myself that I have not given up completely. Yes, the past month got out of control, what with cars being wrecked by snow plows and mothers ending up in hospitals with broken hips, but its time to look ahead and get back to it. 

After a hiatus of three and a half weeks, I finally got to the gym today and did some running. The last couple of days I've wanted to go, but something always got in the way. I told my friend I felt like I had a little pop up message in my head...I was so determined to break out and get moving again. 

Thankfully, I made it through Thanksgiving and my muscle strain is feeling much better.  Yes, I realize I was a bit of a baby but I don't like pain and I tend to overreact...let's put that on the New Year's resolution  list, shall we?

Happy Thanksgiving!

A few days ago I strained a muscle in my leg - I think, upon further research, that its actually in the gluteal region. 

I'm starting to love our "group" runs.  My hubby, when he's not on patrol with the Coast Guard, and my good friend are trying to run together on Saturdays when our time allows.  Today it was raining so we all went to the Y together and did the treadmill thing. 

Tuesday hubby talked me into trying a spinning class. Thankfully, it was an intro class so we learned about the bikes, the commands and the format of spinning. Then we did a 15 minute intro session - a session that left me completely drained and still a little sore.  It was kinda fun though, so I think I'm going to sign up for another. 

Tonight I ran for a straight 10 minutes. I totally can't believe it.  It felt amazing and I really wanted to keep going, but I didn't want to overdo it.  I'm supposed to go 12 -15 minutes on Wednesday and I can't wait!!! 

After the work out debacle on Tuesday, I took Wednesday completely off and tried again on Thursday.