couch-to-5k ~ week 4

I have a cold, I'm cranky, I'm not going to the gym today. I will probably do a whole lot of laying around today and tomorrow (after I shovel some heavy snow) but as promised, I will post this week's training schedule.

I never got to Day 3 on my week 2 routine (I'm really slacking here!), but I will finish that this week and flow right into Week 3...hopefully getting it all done by week's end. Of course much of this relies on me getting over this cold.

1:00-5:00 - Brisk Walk
5:00-8:00 - Jog (3 Min)
8:00-9:30 - Walk (90 sec)
9:30-14:30 - Jog (5 min)
14:30-16:30 - Walk (2 min)
16:30-19:30 - Jog (3 min)
19:30-21:00 - Walk (90 sec)
21:00-26:00 - Jog (5 min)
26:00-31:00 - Cool Down

finally some fun in the snow!

(marking our territory with a big "Z")

Snowshoeing is one the fastest growing recreational winter activities in the world due to its accessiblity, affordablity and that fact that pretty much anyone who can walk can snowshoe.

I've been itching to go skiing this winter...an itch I still unfortunately haven't scratched, but considering our lack of snow this winter, I was glad to take advantage of the little bit of accumulation we did have by traipsing around in a pair of borrowed snowshoes this weekend.

We started out in my mom's backyard and headed down the block (i'm sure the neighbors got a kick out of us) to the park at the end of the street. There we walked the trails (which were unforunately partially shoveled, but we kept off to the side), climbed small rolling hills, and ventured into some rough terrain through the woods (yes I'm exaggerating, but it was still fun!)

We played for about an hour, and I was pretty wiped out afterwards! I wouldn't say that it was challenging per se, but it kept my heart rate up a bit, and the fresh air was certainly invigorating.

I definitely recommend trying it!

couch-to-5k ~ week 3

Due to studying for a chemistry exam, free tickets to the Red Wings game on Thursday night, and some old person back pain on Friday night, I didn't make my gym quota last week. Not even close...only made it in once. So, I'll share the week three training routine as scheduled, however I myself will be redoing Week 2.

1:00-5:00 Brisk Walk
5:00-6:30 (90 sec) - Jog
6:30-8:00 (90 sec) - Walk
8:00-11:00 (3 min) - Jog
11:00-14:00 (3 min) - Walk
14:00-15:30 (90 sec) - Jog
15:30-17:00 (90 sec) - Walk
17:00-20:00 (3 min) - Jog
20:00-23:00 (3 min) - Walk
23:00-28:00 - Cool Down

couch-to-5k ~ week 2

So Week 1 is over. I didn't struggle too much with the first three workouts, and for that reason, on Day 3 I added a little resistance by raising my incline from 0 to 2. It doesn't look like much, but I definitely noticed the difference.

Ok, time for Week 2!

This week will be rough for me, as I will be studying nightly for my first Chemistry exam. I won't have much extra gym time, so I'll be running (literally) in and out for my 3 days of training.

• Start with 5 minute brisk walk
• Alternate between 90 seconds of jogging, and 2 minutes of walking for 20 minutes (actually comes out to 21 minutes.)
• Cool down

1:00-5:00 - Brisk Walk
5:00-6:30 - Jog
6:30-8:30 - Walk
8:30-10:00 - Jog
10:00-12:00 - Walk
12:00-13:30 - Jog
13:30-15:30 - Walk
15:30-17:00 - Jog
17:00-19:00 - Walk
19:00-20:30 - Jog
20:30-22:30 - Walk
22:30-24:00 - Jog
24:00-26:00 - Walk
26:00-31:00 - Cool Down

couch-to-5k ~ week 1

Ok, time for week 1! (I love that February started on a Monday...it just gives a nice clean start to this program.)

I simply googled "Couch-to-5K" and clicked on the first hit. I have no previous experience with this site, but I'm just gonna "run" with it (har har.)

Week 1 is simple enough. The routine is the same each time, and you'll want to do it 3 times this week.

• Start with a 5 minute brisk walk
• Alternate between 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes, followed by a 5 minute cool down.

Don't want to concentrate while on the treadmill? Here's a detailed, minute-by-minute run down:

1:00-5:00 - Brisk Walk
5:00-6:oo - Jog (about 6mph to keep up with this training plan)
6:00-7:30 - Walk
7:30-8:30 Jog
8:30-10:00 - Walk
10:00-11:00 - Jog
11:00-12:30 - Walk
12:30-13:30 - Jog
13:30-15:00 - Walk
15:00-16:00 - Jog
16:00-17:30 - Walk
17:30-18:30 - Jog
18:30-20:00 - Walk
20:00-21:00 - Jog
21:00-22:30 - Walk
22:30-23:30 - Jog
23:30-25:00 - Walk
25:00-30:00 - Cool Down


I completed day one yesterday. I'm used to staying on the treadmill for an hour and could've easily kept walking, but decided to do this program as written. Since I wasn't feeling burned out or bored, I spent the next 20 minutes doing some strength training...triceps, shoulder presses, kettle bell squats, and some ab work.

I walked out of the gym feeling good...I know I could've pushed myself harder, but I was glad to get in some cardio as well as strength training (something I've been neglecting lately) and I knew I wouldn't be too sore to go back today.

running towards a goal

I've really neglected this blog recently, and for that reason alone I've decided to participate in the "Couch-to-5K" training program, blog about my progress, and invite any and all to join me.

Ok, I lied...this blog isn't really the reason I'm trying this out. Honestly, I'm having a hard time getting back into the swing of things at the gym. I'm not as motivated to visit, and when I do go I'm kind of lost. I know what I should be doing, but I lose interest quickly and end up just walking on the treadmill for 4 miles while watching Roseanne and Friends reruns. I know that 4 miles is better than nothing, and I feel good when I'm done, but I don't walk out feeling accomplished and energized and excited for my next visit.

I decided that I needed a goal to work toward; something that will motivate me to get into the gym 3 times a week and something of which I can track my progress. Maybe blogging about it will keep me more accountable? (Yes? Maybe?)

I will be posting at least weekly, so if anyone is interested in joining me, check back for updated weekly workouts.