Run 5-K, Loose 5-K

I’ve been out of the running scene for some time, due to time constraints (yes there are simply not enough hours in a day) work, lack of sleep, knee probs etc etc. but it’s time to simply rid of the excuses & make the time. Today marks my first day back and I'm feeling great! Amped and excited! Weddings in a month & 2 weeks & i want to be feeling & looking great in my bridesmaids dress so what better way to get more motivated. In conjunction with healthy eating, yoga & pilates, here goes my exercise plan.. 

Because it is quiet easy to get back into it if you have previously been pretty fit* you might up the anty a little faster as i may do, but if not and you’re just starting go along to the guidelines and you'll be a pro 5k runner (and 5KGS lighter) in no time :P

Do the following 5 week training programme, get running 5km's and lose up to 5kgs.

WEEK 1

Monday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Tuesday: Run 10 min

Wednesday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Thursday: Run 15 min

Friday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Run 3-K

WEEK 2

Monday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Tuesday: Run 15 min

Wednesday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Thursday: Run 20 min

Friday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Run 4-K

WEEK 3

Monday: Walk/XT 30 min or off

Tuesday: Run 20 min

Wednesday: Walk/XT 30 min or off

Thursday: Run 25 min

Friday: Walk/XT 30 min or off

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Run 5-K (on race course if possible)

WEEK 4

Monday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Tuesday: Run 15 min

Wednesday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Thursday: Run 20 min

Friday: Walk/XT 20 min or off

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Run 4-K

WEEK 5

Monday: Walk/XT 30 min or off

Tuesday: Run 30 min

Wednesday: Walk/XT 30 min or off

Thursday: Run 30 min

Friday: Walk/XT 30 min or off

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 5-K Race

Walk XT days:

You can walk or cross-train (swim, bike, use an elliptical trainer, etc.) at a moderate intensity for the stated amount of time, or you can take the day off

Weekday runs:

All weekday runs should be at a steady, comfortable pace.

Weekend long run:

This run is measured in kilometres, rather than minutes, to ensure that you’re steadily increasing the distance you cover each week. Long-run pace should be 1 or 2 minutes per kay slower than the pace you can run one very hard kay. Feel free to take liberal walk breaks.

(runnersworld.com)

GOOD LUCK :)

Fitness Freak

With me recently 
leaving my full-time job for something more part-time to give me time to prepare for leaving to work in USA or CT & to look at studies for the year ahead and next, I have had so much time on my hands it’s been fabulous!!

Time for ME! Time to breath, spring-clean, get life in order, spend time with family, spend more time with friends, and spend most of all quality time with my man! I’m finding myself again, discovering, & re-discovering my love for life, my passions, goals, hopes and dreams!

One thing at the top of my list is to get back into gym and on the road again cycling & running, getting lean, fit & the healthiest I've ever been! My recent purchase of the book titled "Skinny Bitch" uncovers all the facts and truths about what food, chemicals, hormones and junk we continuously put into our bodies on a daily basis! From coffee to meat and everything in-between! This is helping me to gain knowledge, direction and to formulate the best healthiest eating plan - that isn’t a "quick fix / diet" but rather a long term food lifestyle choice. For me personally, diet & exercise have a snowball effect on each other. Once I am eating healthily & have a good relationship with food I find I am more obliged and motivated to exercise.. And the more exercise I do or the more fitness goals I want to achieve, the more motivated I become to have a healthy body & good balanced diet!

Being at the gym every day this week so far has been amazing! A few new Addidas gym items & a new watch have got me all giddy and amped to go out & take on my daily exercise regim. I think sometimes we need that. Something just to get us going! Not only do I have a great support system with friends around me gyming & having goals of their own fitness wise, my biggest motivation is entering races! There’s nothing more encouraging than working towards an event.  I have thus far entered for a trial run, mountain bike race, forest marathon and a triathlon and I have only done a run & a cycle once if twice in the past!
So I’m setting my goals high and getting very excited
to tackle all the above.

Spinning classes are my best friend at the moment, the rush, fast pace, endurance, strength and interval training is just too groovy! 3-in-1, how about that :) Running I do on the road, at the gym and best of all on the beach! Swimming is my only less than average strength but I guess we all have to start somewhere, and I have a swimming program to follow too which will get me where I want to be. I’m quite excited to take Justin on a mountain bike track this weekend. Would be awesome to train together so holding thumbs he enjoys it & get ADDICTED!
For now my toning and weight training is going to be kept minimal doing a super circuit once a week and powerplate routine 1-2 times a week. Its only been 4 days and I feel like I can take on the world. Feeling the burn, but loving every second of it !!!

Whatever it is you want to do achieve or have,
grab it with both hands and don’t look back ♥

How to run a half marathon

To sum it up: "A feeling of ccomplishment and self-worthiness. Priceless experience!"

How I did it: 

I’d only ever run 5km races when I mentioned to my newly best friend that I thought I'd die if I ran 10km. Slowly but surely she helped me turn 5km into 6km, 6 into 7 and 7 into 10km! Little did I know, she had run a half marathon (21 KM) before and convinced me it was the absolute most amazing exhilarating experience to accomplish such an achievement – especially after struggling to finish 5km in good time as I did and as she did when she first started running. All that was needed was drive, determination, training and commitment. We entered the South African Kysna Forest half marathon and started training! We followed an 8 week training program and followed the tips below. The BIGGEST help in the journey was having her there to support and push me and encourage me! Find someone with the same goals or encourage someone to join in on your goal with you! Don’t start training and then find a race. Pick a race – ENTER and work towards that race! It’s more motivating and encouraging and forces you to obtain and achieve your goal!

Lessons & tips:

TRAINING Program:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6851-2-2X5X8-4,00.html

Four Training Universals 

 - Rest means no running. Give your muscles and synapses some serious R&R so all systems are primed for the next workout. Better two quality days and two of total rest than four days of mediocrity resulting from lingering fatigue. Rest days give you a mental break as well, so you come back refreshed.

- Easy runs mean totally comfortable and controlled. If you're running with someone else, you should be able to converse easily. You'll likely feel as if you could go faster. Don't. Here's some incentive to take it easy: You'll still burn 100 calories every mile you run, no matter how slow you go.

 - Long runs are any steady run at or longer than race distance designed to enhance endurance, which enables you to run longer and longer and feel strong doing it. A great long-run tip: Find a weekly training partner for this one. You'll have time to talk about anything that comes up.

 - Speedwork means bursts of running shorter than race distance, some at your race goal pace, some faster. This increases cardiac strength, biomechanical efficiency, better running economy, and the psychological toughness that racing demands. Still, you

want to keep it fun.

RACE DAY Tips:

http://www.sportscoach.netmx.co.uk/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1401

It took me 8 weeks.

See more progress on: run a half marathon