Day One!

Last night as I was trying to fall asleep, all I could think about was my post from yesterday, and how nervous I was to start this journey. It was just like trying to fall asleep the night before a big race, all sorts of fears racing through my mind: what if I fail, what if it hurts, what if I am biting off more than I can chew, what if I just give up?!

After about an hour of restlessness, a calm washed over me, because I allowed myself to remember that I am human, I will make mistakes, I will hurt, I will want to quit, but it is the way that I come back from those set backs that make the entire journey so worth it. I was able to finally fall asleep and I slept so well! It was like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders, this is going to be tough, but I am going to be gentle with myself.

Waking up this morning, I was very excited to get going!

My dogs have always been early risers, there is nothing I can do about this. They are up and ready to go between 5am and 5:30am everyday, without fail! Today was the same, and while I usually just let them outside, feed them and then return to bed, today I got my first meal of the day in. This early meal is fuel for my morning run, and because of my very sensitive stomach, I need to eat at the very latest an hour before running. This morning I had a whole wheat English muffin, 2 teaspoons of peanut butter, and a banana along with a generous glass of water. With a full tummy, I laid back down in bed for the hour and was ready to run at 6:30am.

The path was lined with these today!

Today was a longer running day: 1 hour. I am switching back and forth from 1 hour runs to 30 minute runs during the week and then running the long run of my 1/2 marathon training program on Saturday, resting on Sunday. The weather was cool and foggy, and humid! I was happy to be running early before it warmed up too much. I took my favorite hilly route, and completed just over 5 miles in the hour. It was a great run, and I felt energized at the end, wishing I had more time! But, I had to get meal #2 in and off to yoga.


I was super sweaty when I got home and so I took a quick shower, which ate up the time I had planned on using to cook some eggs. Instead, I drank a protein shake and biked to yoga, the eggs would have to wait.

The bike ride to Yoga only took about 10 minutes and it was lovely to stretch my legs after my run. On today's Yoga schedule was Power Yoga! It was killer!! I was again a sweaty mess by the end of the class, and was very happy for the few minutes of relaxation our shavasana allowed! After class it was back on the bike and back home for my eggs!! Yum!

At noon, I headed to the pool. This was the part of the day I was most worried about, having not been in the pool for many years. It was better than I hoped it to be. I swam a quick 500, with the only issue being my breathing pattern. I probably could have swam much more, but I don't want to start too quickly...

After the pool, I came home and had an apple and some carrot sticks. Then I took off on my bike again and went to the YMCA. This was the second part of my day that I was worried about. I have not lifted for many years.

This part was pretty hard. The lifting program I am using is tailored by Jami Eason and can be found on Boudybuilding.com. It is all laid out for you and even includes videos of the lifts for those of us who have no clue what we are doing!!! I got to the Y thinking that I would workout in the free weights room, as my programs tells you to, but I was too intimidated by all the guys in there (I was the only girl), so I ended up using the the machines instead. It was tough, and I could really tell that I am lacking muscle, but I got the workout done and I was proud of myself for not giving up!!

Rode my bike back home, cooked some dinner and then headed out for my 10 mile bike ride. The first mile is straight up hill... it was tough! I was sweating and my legs were giving out, but I made it, and being able to climb that hill after all I have done, was such a confidence booster!! I managed 10 miles in 45 minutes and was home to shower and head to bed!

Over all I am very happy with how the first day went! I felt good all day long, aside from a headache at around 3pm, which I cured by eating a few more carbs.

I think the exercise portion of my program is going to go really well, I need to figure out my eating though, and work on eating enough calories to sustain this type of activity, while still losing some weight!

Looking forward to tomorrow's work-out!

30 minute Run
1 1/2 hours of Yoga
500m Swim
Lift back and bi
20 mile bike

Wish me luck!! :)