Throwback Thursday: Before and after 8 years

My husband and I were at his parent's house the other day. And we saw this picture displayed in their mantle.

 

 

What a throwback! This was taken two months after I gave birth to our first baby.

I started running January 2013. After being my huge supporter for a few races, he finally got bit by the running bug.

Here we are now, eight years, two boys, over fifty pounds and around 600 miles together later.

I'm proud of our transformation.

Couch to 5K Program for MH Kite Run

Our local running club is hosting it's annual Kite Run on Saturday, June 14th 2014.The Mountain House Kite Run is a scenic 5K or 10K loop course, starting on Central Community Park and going around our Creek Park.

To encourage neighbors to sign up and participate we are doing a Couch to 5K (C25K) program with a designed ending on the day of the Kite Run. The program starts next week, April 14th, every Monday/Wednesday/Friday. We'll have morning sessions at 9am and evening sessions at 7:30pm. I've volunteered to lead some of the morning sessions.

I stand by this program because this really transformed me from couch potato to a runner. It has gotten me to run on a regular basis. And if you get yourself financially invested by signing up for a race, you will truly get bit by the running bug once you experience the thrill of crossing the finish line.

MHRC will be following Cool Running's C25K plan. It is a 9-week plan and you can fine the training schedule here. They have an iPhone app that costs $1.99 that you can download. And it will make it easier for you to track your progress while you follow their schedule.

Personally, I prefer the Runkeeper app. It is free to download and their Beginner 5K plan is also free. I have been using it to keep track of all my workouts and it syncs to all my other fitness apps.

I like free.

And speaking of free, if you live in Mountain House, join us in the Couch-to-5K program. No need to download anything. Just show up at Central Community Park - starts April 14, MWF 9:30 am and 7:30pm.

But if you don't live close enough, download the apps, grab a friend, and go out for a run.

Then check out and sign up for the Mountain House Kite Run.

Throwback Thursday: Diva Run

The first ever official race I've registered for is the Divas Half Marathon & 5K in San Francisco. The thought of tiaras, feather boas, bejeweled medals and hunky fire men?!? So enticing! C'mon! I'm only human. Even a non-runner, nonbeliever like me would be weakened and give in.

I started with my C25K training the day after I signed. My excitement built up when my friends decided to coordinate our running getup.

And even more so when I went to the Health and Fitness Expo for packet pickup.

 



 The morning of the race, I met up with my friends.

Squat and Green Smoothie Challenges

It's the first of the month. And although, it's April Fools Day, this is no joke. The first is always a fresh start for something. I like monthly fitness challenges on social media because it gives me accountability. Hey! I have you guys as witnesses.

I saw this when I logged on this morning on Instagram.

So, I said, "Why not?" I'll take a squat challenge over a burpee or push-up challenge.

Throwback Thursday: How to be a Runner

I figured that since I am just starting out this blog, I should probably tell you more about myself. If you are on Instagram, you've probably come across #tbt or #throwbackthursday. It's a trending topic every Thursday when people post old or past photos. How about doing the same thing for a blog? Why not? There are a lot of things you can learn about somebody - about who they are now, from their past. So, I'm going to share a little more about myself every Thursday. Maybe I can convince you that if a self-confessed couch potato like me can feel confident to call herself a runner in a year, you can do it, too.



My first running shoes (02/03/2013)

First of all, I am not a shoe person. I'm the type that will only buy a new pair when an older one is worn out. I will have a few classic colors to match outfits but that's it. I had to dig out the Pumas I bought from when I got pregnant with my second baby years ago, just so I can wear decent shoes for running.

First of All

I've been toying with the idea of blogging about running and fitness for a while now. But I am such a novice that I feel like I've no right. An expert should be writing. Right?

But then again, there are a lot of people out there who are probably like me. I didn't like the sun, I didn't like to sweat. Going up and down the stairs made me out of breath. Running for even just one minute intimidated me. Let alone 3.1 miles or 5K? I told myself...it will kill me.

That was a little over a year ago. A friend coaxed me into registering for the SF Diva Run. The pink and the black attracted me. The hunky firemen waiting for you at the finish line with the medals tempted me. So, I registered. And because I didn't want to pass out or give up before I reach the finish line, I knew I've to commit to training.

 

I downloaded a C25K (Couch to 5K) app I found on the Apple App Store and followed it. The app is more like a walking/jogging program than a running regimen. Each session took 20 to 30 minutes, 3 times a week. The first week involved alternating between 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking, for a total of 20 minutes. I dreaded the time the app would signal that it was time to jog. I cursed at it until the 60 seconds was up. The first two weeks was like that.