Running Large: Running Again

Today I start back to a Running Room clinic. John Stanton is going to be able to retire on what I've spent on the For Women Only program, Learn to Run program and 5km Program. (To be fair, I probably made back what I've paid when I was a co-instructor for the 5k.)

My latest foray into Learn to Run was reasonably successful. I worked my way up to 10&1x2. So I'm moving up with most of my clinic to the 5km program.  I can already do the time, I tried it out a couple of weeks ago.  10&1x3 is doable. At my speed there's not much distance covered.

On the Partners for a Healthier Weight program during the 900 calorie OptiFast phase I can't increase my exercise. But since I've dropped a few other activities because summer is over, it should be fine.

The goal for this clinic is to keep moving. Based on my runs over the last 2 weeks I'll continue to lose speed from my super-slow speed walker pace to an even slower elderly-strollers-will-pass-me pace. Luckily there's a running buddy at my speed who keeps me at a reasonable starting pace. Looking forward to seeing her tonight.

Back to the start

Pleased to say I'm finally through the barrier. Thursday night I ran 2x10&1s. Slow is the word, but done is all that matters.

Considering joining a 5k clinic in the fall to keep up the motivation. Setting a goal, maybe a time to complete a 5k. Because getting there a 3rd time just doesn't seem that rewarding on its own.

But scheduling around the possibility of doing the Partners for a Healthier Weight program.

Run, run, as fast as you can

I don't run very fast. So it was an easy decision to offer to be a 'sweeper' for the Learn to Run clinic. My role as one of the group leaders is to make sure:

• No one gets left behind.
  
• No one is lost.
  
• No one gets left on the road.

After my clinic, I wasn't expecting this to be a very challenging job. My speed will keep me close to the back middle, so I would slow a little and have some company. The Running Room's clinic is Thursday nights this term and I assumed a small group (20?).

Well, what my parents told me regularly as a teen - assume makes an ASS out of U and ME. This group is pushing 35. Being 1 of 3 group leaders is hard. No one is running the pace they want. It's like the beginning of a race - but for the whole run.

People don't want to slow down. And really? Who am I to tell them they should?

But if you're doing 1 & 2s for 7 sets, and you're in the front of the pack for the first 3 and walking the last 3? You're going out too fast.

When the group moves to 1 & 1s for 10 sets and you're still in the front for the first 3 and walking the last 3? You're going out too fast.

If you're trying to learn to run and you can't breath at the end of a minute? You're going out too fast.

It's not about being fast. It's about getting it done.

It's Legs and Lungs

It's true to say that my first attempt at learn to run was a failure. My second was difficult, but successful.

Throughout my second Learn to Run clinic I experienced difficulty at every level. Every week we increased the consecutive minutes running was harder. My legs were sore. My lungs hurt from the effort. My trip home was just thinking about the stretching, the waffle, the shower and the nap. Really? Once I'd done my run for a day I was done for the day.

This time around was a little different. Running came back slowly post-baby #3. But effort was made to get in shape with classes, gym routine, walking, ellipticals, etc. It's worked. Getting my run in for the day is just part of the day. Unless I got up at the crack-of-stupid for my run, I can get through a run day without a nap.

Maybe it's thrown my balance off a little, too.

My legs are ready for more - longer strides, further distance, faster pace. My lungs? Are dying. I feel like a smoker struggling for my last breath.

Any advice on how to get back in sync? (Besides not working out and letting my legs weaken to my lungs pace.)

Great run

No blogging.
Little twitter.
Less activity.
Almost no running.

That describes my last 3 weeks. Alternating between sadness for the end of my year long maternity leave and happiness at the enormously privilege it is to have my life there hasn't been much healthy going on.

But last nights run was great. Surprisingly great. I did my 1 & 1s x 10 with the Learn to Run clinic. (Walked the last few to make sure everyone made it back). Finished that up with some socializing. Then hit the road again for 10 & 1 x 2. It was hard. I wanted to give up at 3 minutes, and 5 minutes and 8 minutes on each 10 minute set. But I didn't. And it felt so good to make it. To be done. To complete. Even a few minutes on the run felt great!

Pretty sure it wouldn't have happened without the massage from Breathe in Bedford. My flexibility is amped way past normal. Massages will become a regular part of my live better, take on the world, challenge myself way of living.

Running - Slow, Fat and (sometimes) in Pain

As promised in the bio this is a blog about a return to running. This month I made good on an early part of my plan. If I can't do it on my own, I need to get help.

So I've returned to the Running Room's Learn to Run program. It's what got me running outside last time. It's also where I met my running partner. My first night back I called speed dating. Only if there was someone as slow as me was I going to stick around. It was successful. And I was relatively fast!

We're three weeks in now and I'm not fast. At all. Not sure why I did so well the first night. Waiting for the magic to happen again.
The program to date is:

March 27th - Run 1 minute, Walk 2 minutes
April 3rd - Run 1 minute, Walk 1 minute x 10
April 10th - Run 2 minutes, Walk 1 minute x 7

You do your first at the time with the group on Saturday. Two more runs during the week on your own or with the Running Club at the Running Room. I've made it out to most Wednesday night runs at 6pm. Even made a Sunday morning.

This morning we tackle 3 min runs and 1 min walks. Wish me luck! I follow that up with a weigh and measure appointment for the Biggest Loser contest I've entered. It's going to be a big day.

Running fat & large, but RUNNING

There are no speed records being set, but the running has begun.

The last two weeks have had somewhere between 4 to 6 walks of about 30 minutes. The first one was barely 2km, the last have been barely 3km.

But my assumptions that technology is smart made an ass of me again. My iPod must have completely died at some point and been recharged, but not synched. No idea what date my walks were recorded as over the last two weeks, so I can't provide the details.

Tonight I broke out with the 1 minute runs. The schedule was:
0-5 minute warm-up walk
1 minute run + 2 minute walk x 7
4 minute walk (at good pace)
about 5 minute cool down

Managed to cover around 3.5km. Still slow. Took me almost all of 30 minutes to get to 3km. My Nike+ claims my best 3km was 25min & 19sec. Who knows how long ago that was. Certainly pre-pregnancy.

It felt great. My intention was only to do 5 sets of the 1 minute run + 2 minute walk. But it was good so I kept at it. Plus there was a desire to reach 3km in 30 minutes.

Tonights walk/run (according to the iPod):
Distance - 3.39km*
Time - 35:32
Pace - 10:28min/km
Calories - 362
*treadmill claimed it was 3.5km and I stayed on the treadmill an extra 30 seconds to get there.

Anyone running fat? Running postpartum? You're welcome to keep me motivated by sharing your training.

Running Fat & Slow (but with a partner)

Active.com has a great article up about running with a partner.

I have to say, all 8 tips are ones that resonate with me. My running partner has been all of those things, and a great motivator. It was the driving force for many months to know that if I didn't get my training runs in, I wouldn't be able to keep up with her on our regular weekend run. I'm someone who hates to disappoint people, and I knew she wouldn't want to leave me behind, so it worked out well.

Stumbling across the perfect partner for me through the Running Room clinic was pure luck. How did you find your running partner?

Can't wait to be back out there with her. Not sure how long it'll take me to catch back up after the baby arrives!

Status update:
No strolls, walks or anything for me. I'm beat and uncomfortable these days. Growing a baby is hard work. Plus two sick kids. (Excuses are great).
36 weeks pregnant
Slightly over 252lbs (I did stay below 250 for nearly a month, but just jumped up there again today).
Water intake fluctuates, but it's better working from home than it was at work.

Running Advice on Weight Watchers

Just a couple of articles that Weight Watchers pushed out to me. Thought they might be helpful to others.

How do I move from running to walking? actually has some good advice. I think starting at two minutes would be too long for me, but everyone is different.

The bottom of Running 101 includes some suggestions on nice runs in Canada. I also liked this piece of advice, "Running is not sprinting. It is not done at a breathless, my-heart-is-going-to-explode-at-any-minute pace". So slow down and enjoy learning to run.

Advice for novice runners

A reasonably good article about getting back to running, or starting, while staying injury free from CTVNews.ca.
Advice for novice runners

I really liked their plan for starting. It's nice and easy. Nice and slow. Something just about anyone can do.

Week 1 - 1 minute run, 4 minute walk x 5 times
Week 2 - 2 minute run, 3 minute walk x 5 times
Week 3 - 3 minute run, 2 minute walk x 5 times
Week 4 - 4 minute run, 1 minute walk x 5 times
Week 5 - 5 minute run, 1 minute walk x 5 times

Maybe that's the plan for you.