Couch to 5K - Week 1

I successfully completed the Couch to 5K Week 1 last week and attempted to start Week 2 yesterday.

During week one, I walked at a 3.5 pace for a 5-minute warm-up then completed 8 rotations of 60 seconds jogging at 5.0 and 90 seconds walking at 3.5. Cool down was about 6 minutes of 3.5, then 3.0, then 2.5 until I stopped. I used the podcast to make timing easier.

I didn't have much of a problem until the last two rotations each time, and it obviously got better each day that I ran - Monday, then Wednesday, then Saturday. I felt accomplished. I had more energy.

Yesterday, Monday, I tried Day 1 of Week 2.

Week 2 is only a slight step up, so I'm a little embarrassed I wasn't ready for it. After I was through, I almost thought I could puke I was so beat. My lungs burned and I was dizzy and red in the face... Wheezing.

Still, I completed the entire podcast from Day 1 - 5 minute walking at 3.5 to warm up, then 6 intervals of 90 second jogging at 5.0, two-minute walking at 3.5, then another 6 minute cooldown.

I know you're supposed to push yourself, so I did, and I know when you're out of shape that it hurts, but it shouldn't have been that bad should it? It took me nearly an hour to regain composure and I really did think I might pass out.

It probably didn't help that I already had some breathing issues from terrible allergies as of late, but does anyone have any advice?

I'm thinking maybe I should double my workout time and try the program at my own pace. You know, do week 1 for another week, and then spend two weeks on week 2 before moving on.

I do know that I don't want to give up.

I've also started doing yoga a little bit again, and I have been eating smaller portions and less junk. I've had a lot less soda and even choked down a diet. I've also been purposely trying to push water down my throat. I don't drink enough water.

I know weight fluctuates around 2 pounds per day. I'm holding at a steady 167-168.5. That's at least 1.5-3 pounds gone in a week. I'm already feeling a difference though, feeling tighter and better about myself.

Wish me luck!

How to avoid sitting on the portos

I've been spending a lot of time on Inforoo. One day, I posted a thread asking how girls deal with the portos. It is one of my fears, after all, and I'll be working these next few months to get over it.

Days later, the thread has 49 posts to it and quite a conversation has started up. People are recommending wet wipes and disinfectant, all stuff I could have guessed, but others have recommended a variety of plastic devices that let girls pee standing up (mostly for camping and outdoorsy type uses). Could these really exist?

Why, yes they can, and they do. In many varieties.

First there's Freshette. It looks like a cup guys wear to protect themselves while playing sports, but it has a little hose off of it. I think you can imagine what that's all about.

There's the GoGirl female urination device (Watch the intro video, you won't be disappointed.)

But the most highly recommended one I'm finding is a device called Pstyle. You can even get them in several designer colors.



I won't lie to you, I'm fascinated.

At least, I figure, there are options ;) Anyway you slice it, I'll definitely be ready come 'roo.

My Bonnaroo fitness plan

So I've been wanting to get in shape for awhile, but always found it quite easy to slough off my efforts and go back to lounging and fast food.

The fact of the matter is though, I can't be my unhealthy self on the farm with temps hovering around 100 and a gagillion people crammed into a loud, loud, dirty, smelly (yet heavenly) space. It won't be as heavenly if I am.

So I'm taking this opportunity to try and stick to my fitness initiative. I have just about 17 weeks.

Here's the plan.

I'm trying to make David do a "couch to 5K" running plan with me. It requires going to the gym three days per week, which I think we can handle. It's a 9-week program altogether.

I'll stick to Yoga and Wii fit on the other days, so as not to wear myself out.

I can't start eating 100 percent healthy right away because that would be a diet 180, but I can cut down on fast food and portion sizes. Less soda, more water, etc.

I'll be keeping track of my progress on here. It will be fun and you all can laugh at me if I don't make my goal. Maybe that will give me some more inspiration.

Speaking of inspiration, lots of 'Rooers are doing the same thing as I am. I found a really neat thread on Inforoo where the girls are supporting one another through the whole process.

(I'm onesweetla83 if you want to find me.)

Wish me luck!

Please let it be true...

So, Justin posted this clipping on my profile. Look at the caption.



Could it really be true? Could my wildest dreams actually happen at Bonnaroo this year? Oh it would be too perfect.

CORRECTION: The above clipping is not from the Manchester Times, it's from The Saturday Independent, which, I'm told, is a much more reputable source. So yay. Also, the clipping was originally posted at Inforoo by roofanintn.

(Sorry about the mix-up! I suppose I should know one shouldn't assume.)

It's official

Unless there's a glitch with my checking account, I have my tickets ordered and there's no way they're falling through this time.

Manchester, Tenn., here I come.

2009 redesign

As you can see, I redesigned this blog to match the official site and logo. Sets a new tone I think.

Next year I'll have to think of a new name ;)

Bonnaroo 2009 lineup poster

Bonnaroo 2009 initial lineup has been released!

And I have bolded my current desires. (Here we go again, folks!)

* Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
* Phish (2 shows)
* Beastie Boys
* Nine Inch Nails
* David Byrne
* Wilco
* Al Green
* Snoop Dogg
* Elvis Costello Solo
* Erykah Badu
* Paul Oakenfold
* Ben Harper and Relentless7
* The Mars Volta
* TV on the Radio
* Yeah Yeah Yeahs
* Gov't Mule
* Andrew Bird
* Band of Horses
* Merle Haggard
* MGMT
* moe.
* The Decemberists
* Girl Talk
* Bon Iver
* Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate
* Rodrigo y Gabriela
* Galactic
* The Del McCoury band
* of Montreal
* Allen Toussaint
* Coheed & Cambria
* Booker T & the DBTs
* David Grisman Quintet
* Lucinda Williams
* Animal Collective
* Gomez
* Neko Case
* Down
* Jenny Lewis
* Santogold
* Robert Earl Keen
* Citizen Cope
* Femi Kuti and the Positive Force
* The Ting Tings
* Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3
* Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
* Kaki King
* Grizzly Bear
* King Sunny Ade
* Okkervil River
* St. Vincent
* Zac Brown Band
* Raphael Saadiq
* Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
* Crystal Castles
* Tift Merritt
* Brett Dennen
* Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue
* Toubab Krewe
* People Under The Stairs
* Alejandro Escovedo
* Vieux Farka Touré
* Elvis Perkins in Dearland
* Cherryholmes
* Yeasayer
* Todd Snider
* Chairlift
* Portugal. The Man.
* The SteelDrivers
* Midnite
* The Knux
* The Low Anthem
* Delta Spirit
* A.A. Bondy
* The Lovell Sisters
* Alberta Cross
* More Artists to Be Announced!

I'm getting pumped already!