Started "Running for Mortals" 5-K walk training program

I've been struggling with running ever since I started exercising again in October 2007. I tried to NOT run for a long while, then added it in. I thought I was being gradual, but by late December I had injured my shin muscles pretty badly. I stopped exercising.

(Note: I started this process at 260lbs on 10/12/07, and was 234 on 1/25/08. I'm proud of myself, but I have a long way to go to my first goal, which is 200lbs.)

During that time I talked to some friends for advice and keyed into the word "intervals." I had a gift certificate to Amazon.com to burn so I searched there for books on the topic that included the idea of adding running in intervals. Pretty esoteric topic, but I succeeded in finding not one but two books that had consistently good reviews from Amazon shoppers.

I bought "Running for Mortals" by John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield. It really is quite good. There is a lot of coaching, no patronizing or cheerleading and lots of specific examples of what to do, what not to do and the information to explain why. There is a questionairre that leads to the program you should choose.

I was either going to do the 5-K Walk program or the weight loss program. It came down to the equipment that I had on hand, since the weight loss regimen requires some kind of strength training and I did not have any weights, nor a health club membership, and yoga classes were going to cost me $80.00 a month.

The 5-K Walk program required walking and cross-training, and biking was an option there. I have a decent bike, and all the gear for day or night riding.

I started the 10-week 5-K Walk Program yesterday. It's really gradual, and is actually less walking per session than I was already doing in my own. But I was only getting out there 2-3 times per week, and this is 5 times per week of walking or cross-training.

At the same time, I have been watching my diet very closely. This started in October, with Phase I of The South Beach Diet. I've learned a lot about eating and gave up fried food and sweets. I've ALSO learned that if I eat sweets, the weight comes back on. I was down to 231 lbs. at one point but can't keep out of the candy jar during week periods!

I'm using http://tweetwhatyoueat.com/ to track my eating. Food is tracked either online at the website or with a direct Tweet on Twitter. It's tedious, and I don't think I am going to track food long term, but I think I can learn calorie values of foods in 3 weeks, so my goal is to track food there for that long.

So, goals:
1. 200lbs. reward: weekend getaway with wife, no kids
2. 10 week 5-K walk program: 100% adherence to the schedule, barring injury. reward: new clothes at current size at the 10-week mark.

Still pushing outdoors,

Ivan

Twitter

Follow me at twitter http://twitter.com/ivn_d_trrble

For anyone that found their way here from my Twitter profile, thanks.

I'm interested in following people with like interests, particularly geocaching and walking for exercise. I'd appreciate some followers as well.

I live in the Jacksonville, Florida area and as far as geocaching goes, this is either micro hell or micro heaven, depending on your opinion. I am of the former opinion. I am very interested in hearing about finding geocaches in far off places. Everywhere is different than Florida, which is totally flat and completely full of bugs and thorn bushes. And if you need tips on some good caches to hunt here in NE Florida when you're driving through, ask.

I remain pushing myself outdoors.

Something changed!

No posts for almost a year, since I returned to the workforce last March. Still geocaching, not hiking at all. In October 2007 I started exercising and eating right and so far have lost 26 pounds. Most of the exercise is walking in the neighborhood. I was getting a bike ride in per week, but not lately.

My family and I geocache as much as possible, since the girls love it. We will hopefully break 100 finds this weekend. Recent cool places we discovered were Camp Chowenwaw near Green Cove Springs and we all returned to Bayard Conservation Area to find "In Bayard, Not Hard."