10-20-10

Today's walk was a variation of the 10-10-10. This time the fast and furious pace was 20 minutes long. I missed walking in the morning and didn't have any free time until around 2pm. I went out to walk the neighborhood, and after about 2 minutes, realized that it was way too hot to try to do anything outside. I went to the gym and did my walk on the treadmill. I did the first and last 10 minutes at a 17.1 minute mile and the 20 minute part at a 15 minute mile. I even ran a little during the 20 minute segment. What was interesting is that when I started the 20 minute fast and furious it didn't seem like there was any way that I could stay at that pace for that long. But I controlled my breathing and stuck with it, and after a short time it became easier. That's when I decided to try running intermittently. Tomorrow is Wednesday, a rest day and I am ready for a break.

Week 7 Training

This morning's walk was 45 minutes. It should have been pretty easy, but considering we got in from NY late last night, it wasn't. I got a late start - 10:00am, and it was already hot and humid. It felt good to be back in my Asic running shoes. I made the mistake of leaving them in Houston for fear I would ruin them in New York. I won't ever do that again!

A Walk in THE Park

This past Thursday, Stan and I went on a weekend trip to New York City. We had scheduled the trip prior to the start of the Fort Bend Fit training program. When I found out that I would be missing a 9 mile walk, I started obsessing. I didn't want to skip a big training, but I also didn't want to cut into our tourist time in New York. The biggest walk Stan had done was a 5K, and I wasn't sure he would be up for a nine mile walk. So, after much forethought, here's how it worked out. I did Thursday's 45 minute training on the treadmill on Wednesday night, since we had an early flight on Thursday morning. I got up at 6:00am on Friday morning and walked 3 miles on the treadmill at the hotel. Then I woke Stan up, donned my Fort Bend Fit Shirt and we proceeded to walk down Eighth Avenue from our Hotel, into Central Park. It's hard to believe that this magnificent oasis exists in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New York City, but it does. My original intention was to walk at least 5 or 6 miles in Central Park, go back to the hotel, shower and change and then go sightseeing, but as it turned out, we walked about 2.5 miles in the park, and came out on 5th Avenue by the Guggenheim museum, just before it opened. We decided that since we were right there, we might as well go in. After touring the exhibits at the Guggenheim, we continued down "Musuem Mile" to the Metropolitan Museum of Arts where the security guard asked me if I was with the FBI (He thought my FBF shirt said FBI!), decided we weren't prepared to spend the whole day there (it's a huge place) and proceeded to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). By this time it was early afternoon, and since we would have to shower and change for our dinner date with my Cousins Judi and Gerry, we decided to keep on going in our walking clothes. We walked another 24 blocks (20 city blocks equal one mile) to the Empire State Building. All in all we street-walked a total of 8.5 miles (plus my 3 miles on the treadmill for a total of 11.5) on Friday, about 2.5 miles on Saturday and another mile today. And although the walks were not non-stop, I feel like I kept up with the program. And Stan, who can now barely move, deserves a medal for keeping up with me!

Me by map at entrance to Central Park

Me walking under a bridge in Central Park

Me walking out from another bridge in Central Park

Me and Stan representing FBF on top of
the Empire State Building

A view of Central Park from the Empire
State Building (it's all the greenery just
on the other side of the buildings)

Me, Stan, Gerry and Judi at Danny's on
Restaurant Row

Week 6 Training

Yesterday's walk was 45 minutes. I listened to a CD with my new non-skipping CD player. The CD is entitled Walk I by Shape Fitness Magazine and has songs by original artists. The pace was for a 20 minute mile, but I walked faster than that. The music really put a bounce in my step. This morning was a 10-10-10. I listened to the Walk II CD that with a pace for a 15 minute mile. I don't think I went quite that fast during the first and last 10, but once again I had a real bounce in my step. One of the songs was the "Electric Slide" and I kept wanting to break into the slide routine.

Last Saturday's post mentioned that this coming Saturday's walk was only going to be 6 miles. Apparently there was some confusion and it turns out that it will actually be 9 miles. I guess that's a good thing since 26.2 is still pretty far down the line.

8.2 miles

Jacque (partial), Barbara, Beverly, me,
Marty and Nurith after our walk

Today's walk was 8.2 miles, the farthest I have ever walked. I was really apprehensive about this course down Austin Parkway, then Commonwealth to Elkins and back . Since I drive it all the time, the distance was more real than the walks through Oyster Creek park. But it turned out to not be so bad. Marty, Nurith and I started out together at 5:20am. Marty left us in the dust as Nurith and I went on at a comfortable 17.2 minute mile. It started to drizzle a bit half way into the walk but it was actually a welcome relief. I was glad when it stopped, though, because the thought of walking with soggy shoes and soaked clothes did not thrill me. I've been pretty tired most of the day, but nothing like last Saturday. Even though I went to bed at 8:30pm last night, I had a hard time falling asleep and when I finally did, I kept waking up almost every hour on the hour. I actually got up before the alarm went off at 4:00am. This coming week's training is the same as last week's, but our Saturday mileage falls back to 6. It should be a piece of cake!

Looking Forward to Saturday's 8.2 mile walk

Last night after I received Coach Randy's newsletter I felt a lot better. It seems that our 7 mile walk last week was actually 7.5 miles. I couldn't figure out why the 17 minute mile would have worn me out so much. But now I know -we actually did a 16 minute mile, not a 17.1 minute mile. Big difference. And that also means this week's walk is only .7 miles longer. I plan to get to bed early so that I can wake up with plenty of time to stretch and prepare for my longest walk to date.

Last Training Until Saturday

Training was only 45 minutes today, but it was a struggle. I kept wondering what was going to happen on this Saturday (8 miles) or even on Marathon day (26 miles) if this is how I felt on a 45 minute walk (2 to 3 miles). I finally convinced myself that I was just having an off day - and probably needed more carbs in my diet. Finding the right balance is a real challenge when you combine intense exercise that requires fuel with a weight loss program. I have to stay focused and remember that I started this project to feel better. And in the scheme of things, this is a very minor blip on the radar screen.

Week 5 Training

I really felt the backlash of pushing too hard this past Saturday. I was so exhausted I couldn't function in the afternoon and wound up taking a 3 hour nap. Next Saturday I'm going to slow it down and probably walk with the decaf walkers. They will start out at 5:20am.
Monday's training was a 45 minute walk and was very easy. Today's training was another 10-10-10. When I did the intense walking, I retraced my footsteps from the first 10 minutes. My pace was about 1.5 times faster. Since Tuesday is trash day in our neighborhood, I had to come up with an alternative route to create a more pleasant walk with less trash cans and more open sidewalks.

7 miles

Seminar on nutrition

7 miles! The walkers split into 2 groups this morning - decaf and espresso. Marty and I left at 6:00am as part of the faster group. Nurith wasn't feeling well, so she didn't come.

Beverly decided to run with the red group and finished with a time of 1hr and 45 minutes. Marty and I made it back in 2 hours which equated to a 17.14 minute mile. I was satisfied with that time, although I felt it was a little bit of a push. The walk was very peaceful through lovely Brightwater subdivision and scenic Oyster Creek Park. The weather was perfect. Next Saturday will be an 8 mile walk with a different route. Who would have thought I'd be enjoying this so much?

Coach Randy, our inspiration

Beverly and Marty listening attentively

45 minutes

Today's walk was for 45 minutes. I started at 7:30am, later than I had planned. While I was walking, I saw someone ahead of me and thought that if I caught up to her, I might find a new walking buddy. As I got closer, I realized it was my "old" buddy, Beverly. She was 30 minutes into her walk, so we walked together for her last 15 minutes. The time really does go a lot quicker when you have a walking partner. Tomorrow is an off day and then Saturday is our next big walk - 7 miles this time and I'm ready! Our coaches have been emphasizing hydration. Since I can't drink any of the commercial power drinks like Gatorade, I've been adding an electrolyte powder called Stamina to my water bottle. It really helps to keep my thirst quenched. It's sweetened with Stevia and has lots of Vitamin C for an extra boost of strength.

10-10-10

This morning's training was something new. It was a 10-10-10. Warm up walk for 10 minutes, fast and furious walk for next 10 minutes and then a cool down walk for 10 minutes. I didn't take the time to stretch this morning, so I really started feeling the pulling when I went fast and furious. I'm sure I made quite a spectacle of myself during the fast walk, but it felt really good. Either I'm getting in shape or didn't push hard enough, because I didn't feel winded at all. Tomorrow is another rest day, but I plan to do my stretches anyway.

45 Minutes

Beverly and me

Beverly and I met this morning to do our 45 minute walk. She pulled back, but we still had a brisk walk. It's amazing how much faster the time seems to go when you have a buddy to walk with. It was still dark when we started out at 6:15am. Except for a few cobwebs in some low hanging trees and an occasional shot from a neighborhood sprinkler or two, it was a pleasant walk.

Feeling the Pain

What goes up, must come down. It's Sunday morning and thank goodness this is a rest day (from training that is). I am feeling some of the pain of that extra mile. My legs are hurting and I have some IT band (iliotibial band )pain. Harris has given me some exercises that I will start tomorrow. But the worst of it is that I really over-ate yesterday. I've designated Saturday as my day to "cheat" since eating carbs before and after the long walk is important. However, yesterday, while eating lunch out (for no particular reason other than I wanted to) and taking my Mom out to dinner (to celebrate her 82nd Birthday), I think I ate everything in sight. So I am feeling the pain that eating the wrong things causes. But I'm looking at the positive side. Since I don't like the way the "white foods" make me feel, this was a good reminder to keep me from sliding down that slippery slope again. And because of it, moderation will be my mantra next Saturday.

Week 4

Me

We did it! 6 miles through beautiful Sugar Creek subdivision. My recruits, Marty, Nurith and Beverly were way ahead of me today. I could barely keep up with Nurith, but Marty and Beverly passed us early on.

We started out at 6:05am in the dark. The weather was perfect for an August morning. The sun rose as we were walking, displaying a beautiful orange orb surrounded by pink and orange clouds. This morning's time was just over a 16 minute mile. I can't tell you how good it feels to know that you can walk this far and this fast. That 26.2 miles for the Houston Marathon is just starting to appear to be in the realm of possibility. It better be, as I've already signed up to walk it.

Beverly, Jacque, Me, Nurith, Marty

Harris and Susie

Anticipating Tomorrow

Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be looking forward to waking up at 4:45am to prepare to walk 6 miles, outdoors. But, I am anxiously awaiting our Fort Bend Fit (FBF) trek through Sugar Creek subdivision. So far the weather has been clear on each of our walks/runs and I'm hoping that will be the case tomorrow. I also have 3 friends, Beverly, Marty and Nurith who will be attending for the first time. I think they will really enjoy themselves.