My husband and I recently expanded our walking and running route to the length of our street, which equaled out to be the distance of a 5k. While this gives us the length we need without running laps or experiencing redundancy, we were constantly running up against obstacles.
Because we run after my husband, Daniel, gets off of work, there is a lot of traffic using our road as a cut through. You literally save two minutes taking this "short cut" down a country road filled with horses and cows. Two whole minutes of driving way to fast down a road known for it's 35 mph speed limit. This road is not exactly straight. It curves up and down, left and right, which I didn't realize until we began using it and tracking it on RunKeeper. Cars don't see any pedestrians, bike riders, strollers or horse back riders until it is nearly too late.
Daniel was talking about the disappointment, of using our road as a route, with some coworkers, when they suggested using a running track at the abandoned middle school in town. While we enjoy the ability to walk straight down our driveway to our "track", this football field is only about a 5 minute drive from the house. It is flat, there aren't any aggressive dogs, and we did not need to dodge any cars.
We wanted to take it for a simple trial run, because we have kind of been rained out for the last week and a half. RunKeeper tracked 1 1/2 miles at a 16:53 minute pace; our best time! It was an overall good experience, very quiet and amazingly no disruptions, besides a few other walkers. I found it rather pleasant to focus on my exercise without being startled by a mule whining for attention.
And, our upcoming weekend should be fun, too! Daniel will be having hand surgery on Monday, so some friends from our Scuba diving group have put together a refresher course for my husband and I to take. They organized another dive member to lend us gear, will be providing the filled air tanks, and even want to grill some burgers while they babysit our daughter. We are so thrilled at the opportunity and feel so blessed to have wonderful dive buddies.
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walking. Show all posts
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
Week Two of Couch to 5K
When you are so used to sitting down all the time, throughout the week and especially on weekends, your body tends to reject any sort of exercise. Knowing that the pain is inevitable it is easier to avoid exercising, and just cozy up on the couch or with the Playstation instead. However, my husband and I both have been pleasantly surprised with our results and determination this go round.
I can't tell you the amount of times we have discussed doing something together. Even now, the mountain bikes have yet to be taken down a trail. In our defense, rain and other unforeseen incidences have been working against us, but it still doesn't look good. But there is something about pounding out that pavement together that continues to draw us back in each day we run.
My husband does not have the tiniest frame on the planet, and he has suffered from high blood pressure for years. Suffice to say, it is not the easiest for him to continue with a scheduled plan that may not have been written up for someone like him. Regardless, he has stuck it out best he can. There have been break days in between harder sessions, such as increasing running time. But, I have also seen him push himself, and encourage me to endure when I wanted to quit.
That's a funny thing about marriage, or many relationship forms, I guess. When one is ready to hang up the running shoes and toss out those compression pants, the other is usually there to motivate you again. I have seen us develop together more, than I think we would have going it alone. And while I could stand to increase my running time, or even go twice a day, there is something about doing this together.
We haven't lost weight, we haven't increased our run time past 2 minutes. Yet we have learned to push ourselves and encourage one another. Through error we have learned which kind of foot support we need, and that our diving watches make better and easier timers than phone apps. To always remember our compression pants, less we suffer in the morning. That stretching is best done before you start your session, as well as after. But we are pleased with our results, especially in breathing.
I can't tell you the amount of times we have discussed doing something together. Even now, the mountain bikes have yet to be taken down a trail. In our defense, rain and other unforeseen incidences have been working against us, but it still doesn't look good. But there is something about pounding out that pavement together that continues to draw us back in each day we run.
My husband does not have the tiniest frame on the planet, and he has suffered from high blood pressure for years. Suffice to say, it is not the easiest for him to continue with a scheduled plan that may not have been written up for someone like him. Regardless, he has stuck it out best he can. There have been break days in between harder sessions, such as increasing running time. But, I have also seen him push himself, and encourage me to endure when I wanted to quit.
That's a funny thing about marriage, or many relationship forms, I guess. When one is ready to hang up the running shoes and toss out those compression pants, the other is usually there to motivate you again. I have seen us develop together more, than I think we would have going it alone. And while I could stand to increase my running time, or even go twice a day, there is something about doing this together.
We haven't lost weight, we haven't increased our run time past 2 minutes. Yet we have learned to push ourselves and encourage one another. Through error we have learned which kind of foot support we need, and that our diving watches make better and easier timers than phone apps. To always remember our compression pants, less we suffer in the morning. That stretching is best done before you start your session, as well as after. But we are pleased with our results, especially in breathing.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
My Experience with Compression Leggings
Just check out a couple sporting good retailers, or big brand name web sites, and you will quickly learn about the latest athletic "fad". They claim to offer a lot of benefits to the wearer, but come at a hefty price tag. How can you get in on the goods while saving some cash?
While I am no full time runner, yet, I have had some experiencing walking, jogging and running in compression capris. I even took them for a spin on my mountain bike. Regardless of how you may feel squeezing yourself into a pair of spandex pants, you may not want to write them off completely.
I found my first pair of Calvin Klein compression leggings at a Bealle's Outlet store. Originally $50, I snagged them for $14.99 with an additional savings due to their Friday member card discounts. While I was hoping to find full length pants, I was really excited to get home and try them out. And my first experiences did not disappoint!
These Calvin's offered support I didn't know I wanted, or needed. My thighs are not very "thick" but they do touch at the top, and the compression cropped leggings kept them from creating friction. Without getting too graphic, my butt didn't bounce around too much or throw off my balance. I didn't find them to be too tight, but they did stay tight enough to keep my blood flowing.
The next day the proof was in the pudding. My husband and I have been avoiding exercise for about 5 years, so, I expected some soreness after walking and jogging, and biking. Although I did notice some muscle tightness I did not have fatigue or more obvious soreness like I was expecting. The following day I did not wear any compression pants, and I noticed definite pain. To really test the theory, I wore compression the day after that, and had much less soreness in my leg muscles. They truly made a difference for me!
While I am no full time runner, yet, I have had some experiencing walking, jogging and running in compression capris. I even took them for a spin on my mountain bike. Regardless of how you may feel squeezing yourself into a pair of spandex pants, you may not want to write them off completely.
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| www.belk.com |
These Calvin's offered support I didn't know I wanted, or needed. My thighs are not very "thick" but they do touch at the top, and the compression cropped leggings kept them from creating friction. Without getting too graphic, my butt didn't bounce around too much or throw off my balance. I didn't find them to be too tight, but they did stay tight enough to keep my blood flowing.
The next day the proof was in the pudding. My husband and I have been avoiding exercise for about 5 years, so, I expected some soreness after walking and jogging, and biking. Although I did notice some muscle tightness I did not have fatigue or more obvious soreness like I was expecting. The following day I did not wear any compression pants, and I noticed definite pain. To really test the theory, I wore compression the day after that, and had much less soreness in my leg muscles. They truly made a difference for me!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Couch to 5k - Day Two
Due to being unbelievably out of shape, overweight and incurred health issues, we have had to begin our Couch to 5k program slower than expected. However, after a little research, my husband and I are beginning to learn a new technique or two. Here is our journey thus far.
On the first day, which hasn't counted as part of the 5k program, we walked for 20 minutes. It equated to something over 2 miles when we tallied up the step count. We also rode some bicycles that same day, which ended up being returned to the store, but that's a story for another day.
The second day, or first day of C25k, we attempted a 5 minute brisk walk. After a walk we jogged for 60 seconds and walked for 60 seconds, alternating five different times and ending with a cool down and stretch. My husband noted that he was having difficulty breathing and felt as though he might pass out. We decided to rest the next day, and read about breathing and foot striking.
We learned that relaxing your jaw and jogging with a slightly open mouth makes it easier to breath, while taking advantage of belly breathing. To start out you can begin breathing in for two steps, and exhale over two steps; repeat. Your feet, especially in Vibram FiveFingers (such like I wear), should strike either on the toes or front of your foot, or flat on the ground. Out of habit we find ourselves in a heel-strike situation, and that should be avoided.
Our third day of C25k we waited until the hubby came home from work, beginning with a brisk 5 minute walk. We then jogged for 2 minutes and ended with a 5 minute cool down and stretch. I found that I felt strong through the 2 minutes leg-wise, but started to wane with my breathing right at end time. I did feel as though my breathing was more steady through the whole job, before I began to huff and puff.
Tomorrow will be another 5 minute walk, 2 minute jog, 5 minute walk day before we rest another. Have you found any techniques or extra exercises/stretches that helped your C25k experience? We would love to hear of any tips or "tricks", as well as questions, in the comments!
On the first day, which hasn't counted as part of the 5k program, we walked for 20 minutes. It equated to something over 2 miles when we tallied up the step count. We also rode some bicycles that same day, which ended up being returned to the store, but that's a story for another day.
The second day, or first day of C25k, we attempted a 5 minute brisk walk. After a walk we jogged for 60 seconds and walked for 60 seconds, alternating five different times and ending with a cool down and stretch. My husband noted that he was having difficulty breathing and felt as though he might pass out. We decided to rest the next day, and read about breathing and foot striking.
We learned that relaxing your jaw and jogging with a slightly open mouth makes it easier to breath, while taking advantage of belly breathing. To start out you can begin breathing in for two steps, and exhale over two steps; repeat. Your feet, especially in Vibram FiveFingers (such like I wear), should strike either on the toes or front of your foot, or flat on the ground. Out of habit we find ourselves in a heel-strike situation, and that should be avoided.
Our third day of C25k we waited until the hubby came home from work, beginning with a brisk 5 minute walk. We then jogged for 2 minutes and ended with a 5 minute cool down and stretch. I found that I felt strong through the 2 minutes leg-wise, but started to wane with my breathing right at end time. I did feel as though my breathing was more steady through the whole job, before I began to huff and puff.
Tomorrow will be another 5 minute walk, 2 minute jog, 5 minute walk day before we rest another. Have you found any techniques or extra exercises/stretches that helped your C25k experience? We would love to hear of any tips or "tricks", as well as questions, in the comments!
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