Tuesdays have kinda now become my “10k days” - because I only have one class on that day, I usually make it my goal to have a nice, long run (6 miles is long for me still).

So, just this past Tuesday I ran a 10k in 59:47, which is okay but not bad seeing as I haven’t been running (took 2 weeks off due to school and stuff). (October 9th I ran a 10k in 58:32).

I’m going to start interval training now. I’m signed up for another 5k on November 24th and my goal is to run it in under 25:00. I realize it’s kind of a high bar to set for myself at this point, but hey, the little engine that could, right?

  9:59 pm  |   November 7 2012  

Tonight we went trail-running again. I think I’m falling in love with it. It is so much fun, and I don’t know if I can never go back to running on regular roads or the treadmill again! I did not fall this time, though we ran while it was getting pretty dark, to a point where we only had the moonlight to go by. I’m thinking we definitely need to invest in some headlights or one of us really will break an ankle.

Really looking forward to receiving my first pair of trail running shoes in the mail. There were so many different brands and styles of trail shoes that in the end I just picked something from the brand I tend to like most. 

Can’t wait to go running again.

  11:34 pm  |   September 24 2012   |  1 note  

Tonight I did trail-running for the first time. This was taken after I tripped on a tree branch and fell smack-dab onto the ground, face-first. I also nearly rolled my ankle and ran into a thorny plant. It was so much fun, I can’t wait to go back :D

  12:56 am  |   September 23 2012   |  1 note  

I ran my first 5k yesterday night! My official time was 28:18 - certainly not bad especially considering the fact that I ran it at ~80% health (I got sick a couple of days before the race, and I wasn’t able to run at all), but I am definitely aiming to break 25 minutes next time.

The first mile went by quick. When I passed the mile marker, I thought, I have this under my belt. The second mile seemed to take a bit longer. I was definitely happy when I reached the second mile marker. The third mile and home stretch were definitely the toughest. I had to slow my pace down so I wouldn’t burn myself out. When I saw the finish line in sight, I quickened my pace to finish strong, and I pushed myself to the limit. I know this because as soon as I crossed the finish line and started to slow down, I almost puked twice (but didn’t). 

I’m definitely interested in doing another 5k, just because I want to beat myself and set a PR. This time I’ll train smarter and better and have more preparation. I know I’ll make it!

  4:40 pm  |   September 16 2012   |  2 notes  

…progress photos?

-Kelly

  2:16 pm  |   August 21 2012   |  1 note  

I haven’t been to the gym much lately this summer, thanks to my job (though that is a workout in itself). But today was a day off and I decided to go. My results:

3.1 mile run (5k) on the treadmill at 2.0% incline at 9:31 pace
15-20 minute focused ab workout

Not too shabby. Felt good. Went to weigh myself and I clocked in at…129.2 lbs!! I’ve never broken under 130 lbs before and I can’t remember the last time I weighed under 130 (maybe 6th grade??). And I didn’t even have to diet. Feels good.

Also, shame on me. I’ve already given up on my swim work-outs :( Sometimes life just gets in the way.

  8:37 pm  |   August 9 2012  

thedailywhat:

Inspirational Motivational of the Day: Twelve-year-old Nathan Sorrell’s Nike commercial was meant to inspire others to “find their greatness.”

But the 30-second spot — which features Nathan, who weighs 200 pounds, struggling to jog a country road at dawn — has actually inspired its subject.

“They didn’t edit much,” he said, admitting that he even had to stop and throw up in a ditch during the shoot.

Now Nathan and mom Monica have vowed to help each other lose weight through diet and exercise.

And of course Nike has vowed to return for another taping if they follow through.

[adweek]

I LOVE it!!!

(Source: thedailywhat)

  3:52 pm  |   August 6 2012   |  535 notes  

I’ve recently been ‘hired’ by another grad student (who just said that he needed more people to put in hours for him because he’s got so much work to do), which basically means I’m going to be working all the time and also tired all the time. I am physically worn out. And I don’t even know how to find the time for working out…

  9:42 pm  |   July 13 2012  

Goal: 4 x 25m, no more than 20 breaths between laps

I found that the 20 breaths in between each lap was pretty difficult, and I had some trouble completing the 25m lap (freestyle) as I got tired and out of breath near the end. I ended up taking much more time to recover but I was able to complete my laps. I also did:

4 x 25m breaststroke
4 x 25 freestyle
4 x 25 breaststroke
2 x 25 freestyle

with plenty of breathing in between. I am going to aim to do this work out repeatedly until I no longer need more than 20 breaths to recover in between. It will be tough, but I found that it got a little easier as I got into my later laps. My body just has to get used to breathing on a rhythm, and the endurance of swimming.

Tomorrow I will focus on training for my 5k. I went the other day to run on the track, with a goal of keeping a 1:30 pace per lap, but found myself missing the mark each time by 10-20 seconds. Bummer, but I will conquer it!

  9:27 pm  |   July 11 2012  

benetherington:

progresstofitness reblogged your photo: Being Obese is less dangerous than being…

Pretty interesting. I think it’s because underweight people are much more likely to be malnourished, and therefore have a weaker immune system. When they get sick, they are affected much more. Just my two cents though.

This study simply uses more up-to-date information to demonstrate that being obese is probably not as dangerous as we once thought. The data do not indicate (and the authors do not comment on) dangers associated with being underweight.

The dangers of being underweight are pretty well known. Compromised immune systems are a common result of being extremely malnourished but NOT of being underweight. Salient dangers include muscle atrophy, anemia and osteoporosis.

Remember that the immune system is one of the absolute highest priorities in the body, and not much can harm it. “Everyday” temperature extremes, poor diet and a lack of sleep are all supposedly enemies of a strong immune system. There are even more “immuno-boosting” foods, supplements and tips. Ignoring extreme circumstances, NONE of these have a noticeable effect on our immensely complex and dynamic immune system.

I’m not saying cause and effect, but linkage. Being underweight means your body is burning off more energy than it is receiving, so the body is breaking down muscle and stored fat, leading to the body being underweight. Simply because of this, the immune system can be compromised - the body is not getting the nutrients it needs in order to keep up.

The underweight are also more likely to get sick due to compromised immune systems. If they become sick, they are likely to experience more serious bouts of illness because they have little in terms of fat reserves to support healing or additional weight loss.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/135694-the-dangers-being-underweight/#ixzz20KRkwXLW

(Source: hapaxlegomina)

  11:37 am  |   July 11 2012   |  1 note