As you know I've successfully resumed my workout schedule for the summer. I've been doing Zumba 1-2x a week, cardio dance or Werq class 1x a week and prepping for my 5K Susan Komen Breast Cancer run in October 3x per week. I've even incorporated some weights, ab work, Piloxing and/or yoga in there some days to promote some nice muscle confusion and to better tone my target areas. People keep questioning whether or not I'm losing weight and the answer is no. I've actually gained weight but I assume it's an increase in muscle mass and a change in weight distribution. I've always had a slender face, but many people have been commenting on how my face looks smaller when my hair is pulled back. I guess those people just don't know me well enough. I usually don't pull my hair up but if you really know me then you would know that I have a slender face and high cheek bones like my mother. My goal by no means is to lose weight. I'm a woman of color who loves my curves. My goal is to simply tone, confidently wear some things that I may have been sceptical about in the past, and feel healthier than I was before. I've worked out in the past but became boggled down by school and the stresses of life. Now that I don't have any excuses, I'm putting to action all of the things I complained about and wished I could do in the past. My blog alone reveals how I love to eat. Lol. So I also have to do something to counteract that hobby.
What's helped me the most with prepping for the race is my Couch to 5K application on iPhone and my Nike+ sensor. The Couch to 5K app provides a 9 week training program that allows non-runners to successfully build up their stamina to be able to run a 5K. Currently I'm on week 4 day 2 of training. Each session includes a 5 minute warm up walk and a 5 minute cool down walk. My current session alternates 3 minute jogs with 90 second walks then 5 minute jogs with 2.5 minute walks. A total training session is 27-31 minutes. The circuit style training has been pretty effective so far. The Nike+ sensor is nice because it allows me to track how far I've ran and my pace. It also syncs with my iPhone.
My next step is to buy some lighter running shoes. I love my Nike Shox but it has been brought to my attention that they may be a bit too heavy for running. I'm looking to buy some Nike Free Run+ shoes.
My favorite running place so far is along the Lake Michigan trail. The weather in Chicago for the summer is superb with adequate sunshine and a nice breeze. The walk to the lake alone is 1 mile and provides a nice warm up and cool down for me. I usually can get to Shedd Aquarium by the end of my 5K training session. At that point I walk a little farther, turn around and power walk back. I usually total about 5-6.5 miles on the entire adventure. With the app itself, I'm doing 2-2.5 miles during the 30 minute session depending on how tired I am pre-workout.
I'm really excited about this race. I'm hoping my training doesn't slack off due to change in climate when I move to Alabama next month. I can imagine that an increase in humidity will have me want to stay inside or run on a treadmill. Gotta love the South! :)
What's helped me the most with prepping for the race is my Couch to 5K application on iPhone and my Nike+ sensor. The Couch to 5K app provides a 9 week training program that allows non-runners to successfully build up their stamina to be able to run a 5K. Currently I'm on week 4 day 2 of training. Each session includes a 5 minute warm up walk and a 5 minute cool down walk. My current session alternates 3 minute jogs with 90 second walks then 5 minute jogs with 2.5 minute walks. A total training session is 27-31 minutes. The circuit style training has been pretty effective so far. The Nike+ sensor is nice because it allows me to track how far I've ran and my pace. It also syncs with my iPhone.
My next step is to buy some lighter running shoes. I love my Nike Shox but it has been brought to my attention that they may be a bit too heavy for running. I'm looking to buy some Nike Free Run+ shoes.
My favorite running place so far is along the Lake Michigan trail. The weather in Chicago for the summer is superb with adequate sunshine and a nice breeze. The walk to the lake alone is 1 mile and provides a nice warm up and cool down for me. I usually can get to Shedd Aquarium by the end of my 5K training session. At that point I walk a little farther, turn around and power walk back. I usually total about 5-6.5 miles on the entire adventure. With the app itself, I'm doing 2-2.5 miles during the 30 minute session depending on how tired I am pre-workout.
I'm really excited about this race. I'm hoping my training doesn't slack off due to change in climate when I move to Alabama next month. I can imagine that an increase in humidity will have me want to stay inside or run on a treadmill. Gotta love the South! :)
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