First week of training

The Plan:

I decided to go with SmartCoach for my half-training.  It doesn't look as agressive (a tempo OR track workout each week), and I don't think it will get me to a 1:50 finish time in September.  But, I don't think I was really ready for FIRST, which has a tempo and a track work out every week.  While I'm doing all this running, I am only doing the weights and abs for ChaLEAN.  I'm also following the diet, but I think I should add more carbs on the day of my tempo/speed workout and the long run day, or maybe the day before.  I want to stay close to it though, as I am pretty sure diet is the place I need to improve the most. 

Week 1 Report:

Overall I was really dragging this week, I'm hoping it was PMS, since I also had a hard time with the diet (I may have added several handfuls of chocolate-covered almonds for 2 or 3 days).  I really like the diet foods.  I was a little intimidated at first, looking at the new recipes, but so far, they have been pretty simple and quick to prepare.  And, the kids have liked them more than I thought (not the cooked greens, but we've started green smoothies to help them get some of that).

Here's how it went:

Monday: 5 mile run with a 3 mile tempo (8:53 pace).  Wow!  Keeping a constant pace with all the hills and varying surfaces around here was tough, overall I ran faster than I was 'supposed to.'  My pace for the tempo averaged about 8:35.  Next time I think I'll just use the Garmin on the tempo part, or use the lap feature.

Tuesday: ChaLEAN Burn Circuit 1, felt good, I thought I was taking it kind of easy on some of it.  But, I was a feeling that shaky weak feeling for a while that morning, so not as easy as I thought.  I think I'll get more out of it as I become more familiar with the moves.  I also walked about 6 miles with some ladies from the ward.  I was really wasted after that- not sure it was the sun or what.  (This was also the first 'PMS' day.)

Wednesday: Easy 2 miles.  I don't run the 10:15 pace that SmartCoach recommends, but I try really hard to make sure it feels 'easy'.

Thursday: ChaLEAN Burn Circuit 2, hamstrings were still tight from Tuesday, but it was good.  I need to remember to get my chart and keep track of my weights.  Walked about 4 miles today with the walking group.  Felt much better than Tuesday.

Friday: 7 'easy' miles.  I think I ran more than that, because I messed up using my Garmin.  But, when I tried to map it on map my run, it was still pretty close to seven (there was a chunk of it on trails- hard to see even on the hybrid map, so I had to guess a bit on that).  In any case, the last 2 miles or so were TOUGH.  Again, I'm chalking it up to a combination of starting weights this week, and PMS.  Plus, I started later than I should have (Scott had the day off), so there was more sun and the temp was higher.  It was also the first time I tried out my hand-strap water-bottle that I got for mother's day.  I think I like it.

Saturday: 2 'easy' miles.  ChaLEAN Burn Circuit 3 & Ab Burner.  I forgot to add in the other Ab day.  It was definitely tough.  I am very weak in my abs.  I think I may try doing abs before the weights next week.

I haven't weighed or measured yet, so I better get that done tomorrow (I think Sunday morning will be a good time since I don't do a workout that day), so I can record my results.  But, making this report IS helping with my motivation.

******measurements: Sun. 4 July 2010*******
149 lbs.
32.8% body fat (I really don't think its this high, but whatever, I'll just measure change)
chest: 39 in.
waist: 36.5 in. (this is where I want to see the numbers change the most!) measured at belly button, I think I should have done my 'natural waist'- maybe next time I'll do both.
hip: 40 in.
bicep: 10.5 in.
thigh: 20 in.
(and I started my period this morning, so looks like I was right about PMS)