Work In Progress - FitoverForty

[Bonnie]

I really don't understand running jargon, nor do I understand why anyone would JUST do cardiovascular training alone.However that being said, GLAD to see your still very active

[fitoverforty]

I really don't understand running jargon, nor do I understand why anyone would JUST do cardiovascular training alone.However that being said, GLAD to see your still very active

That's okay Bonnie, you don't have to understand it. I certainly don't understand all the weight training "lingo" I read on here - but I still support everyone in whatever their goals and desires may be. I appreciate your support too. I don't have all the answers, I just know what works for me, and what makes me happy. I hope to continue some forms of weight training when arm allows it - but right now that isn't possible. That being said, I do need to incorporate more core work - i seem to have let that lag behind lately.
Question: are lunges and step ups and squats (bodyweight only) necessary or beneficial if I am running 4 to 5 days a week? Or are legs getting enough strength training just from running? Thanks in advance for anyone's input.

[fitoverforty]

Todays workout:
2.5 mile hill run / .5 mile cool down walk
3.0 total miles
Evening run with son. We ran a very hilly course, he did great. I was the one lagging behind today. I felt tired from the get go - but we had this run scheduled in our training - and I didn't want to let him down.
It turns out today he was the coach and I was the student! He was such a great encouragement. On the steeper hills he kept saying "you can do it...but if you need to walk, I will still be proud of you... ". I know I say this alot - but I was SO proud of him, not just for his improved running, but for his compassion and caring for his "running partner" - he really showed me his maturity today, we kept at it and finished strong, sprinting the last 40 yards (well, he sprinted, I trudged along trying to make legs resemble something like a running stride!) lol!! We high fived each other, and I got to see the sweetest smile of accomplishment on his sweaty, red cheeked face - it was breathtaking.
Today was a good day.

[fit-fanatic-2025]

I got to see the sweetest smile of accomplishment on his sweaty, red cheeked face - it was breathtaking

I love those kind of smiles!!!

I was wondering that too Lynne about what you said about lungest and step ups and squats being necessary or benefiical if your running and stuff like that?

[Noosk]

Your running seems to be going great! goal is to break the 30mins for a 5k too lol! someday....

I do 3 total body strength training sessions a week at the gym - i consider it the basis of training - everything else gets worked in around that - hth!!!

rock on missus, I'm still in awe of your running prowess!

[fitoverforty]

Hey Noosk! Nice to hear from you again! I read your journal - congrats on the 157! Awesome!

I started out today feeling a bit down, feeling fat, feeling all the old familiar negative feelings start creeping in...I went to work and a Sales rep that come by our office once a month came in and we were chatting, he had told me last time he was here that he recently started running (he has lost about 25lbs.), so I asked him how was the running going and he said "pretty good, hadn't been running as much lately, but still trying", then he said "how 'bout you? You are looking very fit these days"...to which I said, (trying to contain sudden glee and urge to do the "happy dance") "yeah....I'm still at it, got a 5K this weekend".
But honestly, point I'm trying to make here is - your mindset is such a powerful influence on your outlook and mood, and just the way you look at your day. I started out feeling bad, negative, convinced I looked as big as the side of a house, then all it took was one positive comment about how i looked in another's eyes, and I suddenly realized that so much of how I feel and perception of how I look is largely determined by state of mind - mood for that day, or moment.
So, I want to say to everyone, small positive comments to another person really can and do mean alot. You may never know it, but you could really influence someone's whole outlook on themselves or the kind of day they are having. I'm sure that Sales rep was just making conversation, and had no idea that his one little comment about "fit look" would totally change day and the way I was feeling. I actually went to the ladies powder room and stared in the mirror, armed with this new perception of "fit look" and gave myself a good once over - and you know what? He is right - I do look fit, I look healthy, I look strong. I'm not perfect, and critical eye will always see flaws, and "problem areas" but in that moment I had some clarity - things ain't as bad as I see them and it's gonna be a good day after all.

[fitoverforty]

Tuesday workout:

3.0 mile hill, tempo run with son. We ran the 1st mile is just over 9 minutes! whew! Had a great run. We were running through this neighborhood in the early evening, about the time everyone was cooking dinner. We would be running past a house and could smell the different aromas in the air. I would sniff and say "steak!" then we would run by another and we would both yell out "chicken!!" lol!! it was so funny. Then we got silly with it and would say things like "meatloaf with...sniff, sniff...CORN AND GREEN BEANS!!" It really made the time go by fast and before I knew it we were done and had run the course a full 2 minutes faster than last week!
Sometimes it takes a kid to remind you how to just have fun and be silly sometimes.
Yes, it WAS a good day.

[EdgarHF]

I haven't had time to post much lately, but I have been getting a chance to read journals and I must say these are great reads.

[fitoverforty]

Thursday workout:

3.5 mile hill/steady pace run
Last training run before Sat. race. son and i ran the same hilly course, but added another .5 mile to the distance. We ran into some other runners from running club - and they were really impressed to see him out running with ole mom. One of the ladies said "I'd give ANYTHING to have even one of kids want to run".
At one point the other day when we were running, we passed this one guy (looked to be in his early 50's). He was coming towards us and son was out ahead of me by about 15 feet, as he passed us he looked me right in the eye, smiled broadly and gave me a thumb's up sign. Major Coolness right there.

Race day tomorrow morning!! woo hoo!

[fitoverforty]

Race day!!!

Had a great time at the 5K. I am beyond proud of son. He won 1st place in his age division! I managed to bring home 3rd in age division. It was a tough course, half trail & grass, other half streets. Not a good run to try for a PR, but still a good race. We started out together and ran the first mile side by side, but i could tell I was holding him back - there were some kids up ahead of us that I knew he was itching to pass. So I told him to go....RUN..run your race! He went on ahead - he looked back at me once, a little unsure if he should leave me...I looked at him and nodded a "go for it!!"..and away he went, he didn't look back again. I have to tell ya in that moment I almost cried. It was a huge moment for me, watching him run ahead. He stayed strong, never walked - steadily picking off his competitors. The only thing I regret was not actually seeing him cross the finish line, but as I was coming down the home stretch I heard this voice on the sidelines "come on MOM!!! RUN!! You're almost there!" And he broke out of the crowd and ran beside me the last few yards to the finish line. We high-fived and hugged - sharing our victory together - the perfect ending to a perfect race. I have ran many races, ran faster races, won bigger trophies, but nothing, nothing compares to sharing this day with him, seeing him reap the rewards of a hard earned victory - the smile on his face and his excitement on winning his first medal was the best "award" I could have ever gotten.
And as Noosk says....now it's "onwards and upwards" to the next race! Can't wait!!!

[fit-fanatic-2025]

Sounds like a great time!! Congrats to both you and your son. Its the best to cross the finish line with a loved one..

[Boss Man]

You are a FANTASTIC Mother and a great runner as well.

Keep on pushing and GOOD LUCK.

[fitoverforty]

Thanks guys! It was an awesome day.

[EdgarHF]

I wonder which of the 2 medals you prize the most.

[Boss Man]

Would it possibly be the biggest and shiniest one, or were they all the same size?