Week 3 of 4 Week Program

On the agenda for the week was 3/4/5....

Well because I wasn't able to do the full 4 miles at the end of last week...knew the first week was going to be about hitting that 4 mile mark. So that's what I did Tuesday. Was able to hit the goal but was definitely tired and didn't have enough fuel. Knew I had to make some adjustment before the next workout to make sure I had enough energy to sustain the longer harder workouts. Also noticed my hips were hurting much more than normal. Thursday went for 4 miles again....hips a little sore but nothing bad. Also made sure I had a good snack an hour before my workout and that seemed to really help!! I felt like I had plenty of fuel...the 4 miles actually flew by and I increase my pace from my first mile at 14:20 or so to my fastest pace in the LAST mile at 13:40. Was very happy!!! But with the good there was bad....my hips took an additional beating. My body was BEAT Up! And it got worse 2 days later....I was questioning whether I could do the 5 mi. on Sunday. Email Shelley and she was quick to point out if I added by total miles per week - week 1 - 7 , week 2 - 8, week 3 - 8 already..in just two days...if I did the 5 that would be 13 total for week 3 which is a big increase so I've definitely pushed my body harder faster. With that said I decided to give my body an additional days rest and planned to just resume in Week 4. Happy to say I did pull off 5 miles tonight!! Very happy and for the most part felt pretty good....but I paid for it...the moment I stopped my left hip "said what the heck did I do to you....I'm done!" So I've put it on ice and researching good stretches :)

Overall good and bad....happy with the progress and know I'll work through the pain...did it before!!!

Week 2 of 4-week Program

Plan for this week was:

3/3/4 miles

Tuesday and Thursday were very similar. Did great with the 3 miles.....on the track it's kind of crazy to see people come and go and I continue to go round, and round and round.....sweating, and sweating and sweating :) Also note to self....stay away from white and light pink T's because borderline wet T-shirt contest :)

Now day 3 different story....suppose to do 4 miles and I don't know if I was dehydrated but my body just wasn't hangin' with me. Sucked it up and did 2 miles but that's all I had....try again next time.

I will say I did do the 4 miles today...and boy did it suck!! But as usual felt great after...but have to say it had me a little scared....fill you in next week. Again hoping bad days vs good.

Also I hate food...so tired of thinking about it and when I should eat...it's the last thing I feel like doing. That battle continues...just need to get my cals over 1000...

Week 1 of 4-wk Program

So I made it through the 1st program...amazing and now start the 2nd one....4 weeks to increase my distance before I begin the 16 week..ultimate stretch. Goal for these 4 weeks is to increase mileage so that while I'm in the 16 week program I'm not drastically trying to increase mileage on top of speed. If I can get my distance up then that will hopefully put me in a good place to do both.

So here's how it lays out...3 days a week and in miles
Week 1 - 2/3/3
Week 2 - 3/3/4
Week 3 - 3/4/5
Week 4 - 2/4/6

So starting this week I had to take my workouts indoors....just too hot. There is a community center with an indoor track but the down side is that it takes a gazillion laps to = a mile and my GPS watch doesn't work indoors so I have to 1) count my laps which sucks 2) don't get a good idea of pace...yes I can do a proxy but still not great.

Day 1 - Did the 2 miles with no problem...which was great coming off my first 2 mile run Sunday.

Day 2 - Did 3 miles....first 2 didn't feel so great but as soon as I hit my 3rd mile I was in the zone....all was going great until halfway and I felt as though all the fuel in my body had been used up. I'm really struggling with my food....balancing calories with the workouts. I think I've been eatting too little so it's going into starvation mode. Conceptually I really struggle with this because I'm trying to lose weight on top of trying to increase my workouts and I can't find that balance. I work out harder and eat less and don't lose weight...how can that be...I get it...but I don't know how to find the balance. Do I do more protein, more carbs...I don't know. I have a crap load of storage that can be used if you know what I mean :) I know that's not how it works but I'm a numbers girl...all about the plus and minuses...so it's not working for me :) What % of carbs, protein, fat etc..is needed ?? I have to lose more weight if my body is going to carry me the distance. It's doing great right now...but somethings gotta give.

Day 3 - Did 2 miles...was short on time and got that in...I was fine with that because I knew I had two more days at 3 miles next week to prepare for the increase to 4 by the end of that week.

On top of each workout I've been swimming 30-40 minutes right after....very tiring but use that time to focus on my upper body and build arm strength on top of cardio. And the water feels great on my sweaty body and sore limbs after the run.

Can't believe I did 3 miles non-stop when just 4 days earlier I was stressing about doing 2 miles....increase by a mile in 4 days...I'm becoming a believer :)

So plan for the week is to figure out the food thing...any advice would be great!