Turkey Trot - check - So what next?

So, I ran the race, I accomplished what I set out to do, what next?  I suppose I better come up with a new goal.  Running hurts my knees, whether from weak thighs, poor stretching or some other reason, running hurts my knees. My knew goal is going to be to do my pilates at least 4 days a week for 30 minutes.  Seems reasonable enough - now to make the time to do it!!  I want to keep my body strong so I can enjoy my children, husband and family more completely!!  I don't want to slow everyone down :)

I would love to hear your goals, leave me a comment or send me an email.

btw - The race was exhilarating! I enjoyed running and may try it again in the spring.

Couch Potato to 5 K Turkey Trot DAY!!

I did it!  While I thought the three hills would be the death of me, and I did walk at some point on each of them I was able to finish the run in 26:55!  The run was not a 5K, rather 2.5 miles.  Cob said the hills make it equivalent with a 5K.  He finished in 22:00, Mary in 25:19 and Abi 25:17.  Happy Belated Thanksgiving to anyone reading this :)

Couch Potato to 5 K day 3 of week 5

I was intending to blog every day I ran and that just has not been the case.  I am still running.  I did miss several days here and there but overall feel good about being ready to finish Thursdays race.  Notice I said finish :) At this point that is my goal.  We shall see if I train for another if my goals increase in loftiness ;)  Ran 26 minutes this morning with lots of hills in the run.  My knees are feeling it a bit more than at the outset but not enough to stop.

Couch Potato to 5 K day 18

Today is Tuesday
I was supposed to:  Nov 8  20 min jog 5 min walk

Although I haven't posted at all in a week I have not fallen off the jogging wagon.  I am a little behind with life so haven't had time to post.  I am also just a tad behind with the program.  I jogged 18 tonight and walked 5.  Not much to post otherwise.   - Other than it was raining and 42 degrees for tonight's jaunt :)

Couch Potato to 5 K day 10 and 11

Monday and Tuesday
Oct 31 Relax!
Nov 1 16 min jog 5 min walk

It was really cold this morning but I knew I wouldn't have time to run tonight. I tried to work in some hills (which is not hard around here ) into my run this AM since there are a lot of hills in the Turkey Trot.  This morning I tried to picture how it would look, me thinking about all the food prep for the day and taking the time to run in the morning.  Nothing that can't come together with some planning :).  So as my thoughts were wondering my run raced by :) and before I knew it I was stretching those ever too tight hamstrings.

Couch Potato to 5 K day 8 and 9

Saturday and Sunday
Oct 29 Relax!
Oct 30 8 min jog 5 min walk 8 min jog 5 min walk

Cob came with me for tonight's workout.  There was a chill in the air as we trucked along.  I know I didn't jog fast enough for his liking.  His energy motivated me and the jogs and walks were enjoyable.

Couch Potato to 5 K day 5, 6 and 7

Day 5, 6 and 7
Oct 26 Relax!
Oct 27 15 min jog 5 min walk

Oct 28 15 min jog 5 min walk


Day 5 went great :)
Day 6 - I jogged at night and took Abi along on her bike to keep me company.  I have been researching the Vibram five finger "barefoot" shoes. Click here for their web site.  I had bunion surgery on my right foot 20 years ago. The bunion doesn't hurt anymore but the surgery left my foot rather wide, not to mention the effects of pregnancy  on ones feet. Our chiropractor recommended these shoes for Mary E. who has inherited her Maternal Great Grandmother bunions.  I am wondering if they would be good for me as well.  As a result I am running around the block barefoot once a day (as long as the weather permits).  Then, when I take my scheduled jog (with my NB running shoes on), implementing the foot fall pattern of my baresfoot run. Today was day one of this and that went well.
Day 7 - Mary E. jogged with me tonight and the 15 minute jog and 5 minute walk breezed by.  By the end I needed to use the restroom which made me uncomfortable.  Lesson learned :)!

Couch Potato to 5 K day 4

Day 4
13 min jog 5 min walk




Incorporated my run in with tonight's Advertiser delivery.  Cob and I finished the route in record time once Drew came to pick up Baruch, Abram and Chloe!  Not sure why but I started out a bit on the fast side and after 5 minutes thought for sure I had been running 10.  Anyway I slowed the pace and made all 13 without too much trouble ;).  I also did not experience the "oh no, I'm not going to make it" mindset at the outset.  Not sure if that was due to the task aspect of tonight's w.o. or the fact that it was my third work out.  Oh and I should mention that my knees have been bothering me some.  I am going to try to get in some thigh strengtheners tomorrow and see if that helps on Thursdays jog.

Couch Potato to 5 K day 3

Oct 23(I relaxed yesterday and did this one on the 24th, today)  5 min walk  11 min jog  5 min walk



The whole family came today.  Walked down the same bluff.  Took 5 min.  The first minute went slower than a snail on land.  After that time flew.  Powered back up the bluff pushing Chloe in the stroller while Drew pushed up the little boys bikes.  It's really weird for me to jog with time expectations and not distance expectations.  Whenever I jogged in the past is was always a certain distance goal.  This is new for me.  I'm liking it.

I plan to alter the schedule to relax on Wed. as they are crazy days and Drew doesn't come home until after church.  I will do Wed. workout on Thur.

Couch Potato to 5 K day 2

It's day two of the plan and I am switching today with tomorrow. I'm not throwing in the towel yet, just relaxin :)

Couch Potato to 5 K

O.k.  I have had it with all my excuses for not exercising.  With Thanksgiving a little less than 5 weeks away I decided to start preparing for a local Turkey trot.  So here is the schedule . . .


WEEK 1  Sat - Thu  short week since I am starting late
Oct 22  5 min walk  9 min jog  5 min walk
Oct 23  5 min walk  11 min jog  5 min walk
Oct 24  Relax!
Oct 25  13 min jog  5 min walk
Oct 26  15 min jog  5 min walk
Oct 27  Relax!

WEEK 2  Fri - Fri
Oct 28  15 min jog  5 min walk
Oct 29  Relax!
Oct 30  8 min jog  5 min walk  8 min jog  5 min walk
Oct 31  Relax!
Nov 1  16 min jog  5 min walk
Nov 2  Relax!
Nov 3  17 min jog  5 min walk 

WEEK 3
Nov 4  17 min jog  5 min walk
Nov 5  Relax!
Nov 6   18 min jog  5 min walk
Nov 7  Relax!
Nov 8
20 min jog  5 min walk
Nov 9  Relax!
Nov 10  Relax!

WEEK 4
Nov 11
20 min jog
Nov 12 Relax!
Nov 13  12 min jog  5 min walk  12 min jog
Nov 14  Relax!
Nov 15  24 min jog 
Nov 16  Relax!
Nov 17  25 min jog

WEEK 5
Nov 18  25 min jog
Nov. 19  Relax!
Nov. 20  27 min jog
Nov. 21  Relax!
Nov. 22  30 min jog
Nov. 23  Relax!
Nov. 24  Race Day!


Ran the first day on the schedule.  Mary and Abi came along.  We power walked down the bluff not far from our house to a walk/bike trail.  The walk was more like 6 min. for us.  The first two minutes of jogging I thought the watch was broken.  I seriously thought I would never ever make it all 9 minutes but miraculously after 2 minutes the rest breezed past.

Lacking Self Control

Long time no post!  I lacked self control! ALL week!  What a terrible feeling. Yesterday started a new week! Today started a new day.  Each moment is new with the opportunity to choose to call out to the Lord and walk in HIM! So I have confessed my sin of overindulging (gluttony, whatever you wish to label it). I am really feeling that already/not yet tension. Already saved - heaven bound for all eternity/yet struggling to walk in the Spirit (Rom 8), struggling to conquer sin through Him(Rom 8:37 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.").

How am I running the race?

I Corinthians 9:24 - 27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

I have been thinking about these verses and am very convicted. I ask myself the following questions. Do I exercise self control in all things? Do I have aim? What is my aim? Is my body my slave or am I a slave to my body?