Jogging

You should just expect me to update this every day now, at least for the next 2-ish weeks, before he motivation dies off. Because I know that will happen, because it's just human nature and I can be as enthusiastic as I want this week (week one), but after awhile, that will wear off and I'll think 'urgh, fuck this.'

But I do have a very limited schedule so I have lots of time. I really can devote myself to this lifestyle change. I mean, maybe not to the extent that I am now- but at the same time, after this 10 weeks- which will hopefully turn into another 10 week plan, with new rules and goals and limits, a lot of it will be easier- I'll be able to run faster and further, I'll enjoy swimming, I'll have made a habit of eating healthy for breakfast and lunch and limiting my snacking. The easier running is, the more likely I am to keep doing it. Right now it's somewhat intimidating but at the same time, it's only 30 minutes. And I know that, I think 'okay Lucy, we're down here at the park. In half an hour you'll be done, and we'll only have the cool down walk home and that's easy.' And it is true. I spend the entire time trying to motivate and distract myself, with occasional 'maybe just doing 10 laps instead of 12 would be okay, it'd still be better than Monday because of the extra running...' but I head that off and just say 'I'll think about it when I get to it.' And when I get to it, I'm in my stride and just keep going. And I did fine. I finished it, around lap 10 I was actually like 'hey, maybe I can do more than 12!' but that part was not big enough because the next time I was running I was like 'lol no' I still added an extra 600m to my run.

Actually, I'll write down exactly what I do each time, not including the walk there and back (1.5-2k)

Week 1
Attempt 1 (Sunday) : 2100m, 1050m jogged, 1050m walked. (7 laps)
Attempt 2 (Monday): 3000m, 1650m jogged, 1350m walked. (10 laps)
Attempt 3 (Wednesday) : 3600m, 2250m jogged, 1350m walked. (12 laps)

Attempt 4 will be on Friday, let's aim for... 11 21 12 12 12 11 21 12 12 12 11 21 12 11
(1's are jogging, 2's are walking.)
So if I do it correctly, it will be 4200m, 2700m jogged, 1500m walked.

That's awesome :)

I don't know if I'm improving or just forcing myself to go longer but either way, I think it's good. I mean, I'm not killing myself, even if when I stop at the end I'm like... can I stumble over 10 metres into  the shade or is it better to just drop here and die?

Maybe my goal for the end of week 2, where I have hopefully gone 4 times again, is to do 12 laps, with  the run-run-walk pattern, 8 times. Because my main concern is that I can't jog very far without being like 'break now?' So I have 4 goes to build up to that. It's intimidating now but I think by this time next week I'll be ready.

I want to get back to the point where I can run 3k without needing to walk. Then eventually 5k. That's what the ultimate 10 week goal is, it's the goal of C25k. Which is couch to 5k. And though I'm not following that program, I'm making my own, it's basically similar.

Also today I walked down to the pool, and did 15 laps. While swimming isn't new to me, doing laps is and I'm pretty bad. But I love the water, so hopefully it'll be a good addition to running, doing 30 minutes or so of laps once or twice a week. I have recruited a friend into this scheme, since she is a good swimmer, but also could benefit from losing a bit of weight, so whether she's doing it for that, like I am, or just for fun and to hang out, it's still good because as I told her when I asked, it's a good time to catch up and I'm more likely to be motivated to go/ do more laps if she's there.

I have another swimmer friend who I will be able to swim with as well, but I'd rather wait until I don't suck before swimming with him. So... when I am doing 30 laps, at least. Maybe 50. Or is that really extreme? I don't know, I'm not good at knowing. I could have done 20 today, but my ankle/ lower calf kept cramping and I couldn't fix it so I just stopped after that. I don't know what I'll be capable of, that's exciting.

I'm just really committed that me right now- this is the before shot. I want to be able to see a difference in 10 weeks- two and a half months. By winter, I want to look different and feel different, and I know that if I follow the plan I will see these changes, in my fitness and in my weight.

My food today was mostly good, 2 boiled eggs and buttered toast for breakfast, 1 and a half salmon sandwiches for lunch. And *mumblemumble* there was some consummation of some salt and vinegar chips, not many but... Honestly, they're my Achilles Heel, I need them out of the house. I'll tell Mum not to buy any more next week.

I will also be adding cereal next week, so that can be breakfast food sometimes, and maybe snacks. I'll get Special K I think. That's good for you.

Okay, that's everything :) Everything is calm and normal on the Austin front, and friends and family stuff is all cool too.