Training for 5K

Monday, July 21, 2008

The weekend:
I did some stress eating but thank God for new day! Today my 10-year-old alarm clock went crazy (I got it wet…) so it went off one hour before planned, which was good. I spent some time with God then I started training for my first 5k! I was able to run 8 minutes straight twice with a total of 46 minutes working out. I was so thankful to God cause I never thought I could run for that long. I tried running in the beginning of my journey but it was too difficult. It’s much easier now that I’m thinner. Here are some interesting benefits to running:
Why run?
"To feel better -- physically, mentally, emotionally. Running is among the best aerobic exercises for physical conditioning of your heart and lungs. Studies have shown the health benefits to be enormous, reducing the likelihood of everything from the common cold to cancer. Your stamina will increase. You'll lose weight; most beginners lose nearly a pound a week. Just as important, running -- like many forms of exercise -- is a great cure for stress, emotional strain, even mild depression. You'll likely find yourself with fewer headaches and more energy, patience, humor and creativity. Studies have found that healthy adults who exercise regularly are generally happier than those who don't. And running, quite simply, is convenient. You don't need any elaborate gear. No special playing field or apparatus. No need to juggle the schedules of others. Just a pair of shoes and the inclination to get out the door.
Rewards of the spirit
You've probably started running for the physical benefits, but you will quickly discover other, more metaphysical rewards. Yep, no kidding: Metaphysical. Health reasons may be why most start running, but it's the less tangible benefits that finally motivate us to persist, to become "runners." While running can be a social activity, it is more frequently an opportunity to spend a little time with yourself and your thoughts, a chance to develop an increased self-awareness. As you become more aware of the nuances and condition of your own body, you also discover things about your inner self. Many say they are at their most creative and lucid, even meditative, during their runs, as the worries of the day slip away. Confidence increases as you push your own limits, meeting goals and often surprising yourself by exceeding your own expectations. Running is a sport of discipline, sometimes of sacrifice, and always of self-reliance. You may surprise yourself with your capacity for all three. The personal rewards can be quite powerful." - From Welcome to Running,
Cool Running
Goals for the Week:
* Train for 5K 3 times a week (2 more times to go);
* Attend Body Blasters 2 times this week;
* Walk on Saturday or simply swim;
* Treat myself with a visit to a friend, a manicure and pedicure;
* Focus on protein and dairy intake;