This past week I completed the last week of the Couch to 5k program!

That means that I will be running my first post-surgery 5k this coming weekend. The 5k-ish {not official, more like 3.21 miles} is a walk/run fundraiser for the Scott Carver County Humane Society, which is where we found Shamrock.

My fundraising goal since I signed up just 3 weeks ago is $250. With your help, I’ve raised $100! Surely I have 15 more friends who can spare a 10-spot. If so, you can donate here. A special thanks goes out to all of you who have donated already. Cheers to you!

So how did Week 8 go?

Couch to 5k – Week 8

Day 1 – Monday

• 5 min warm-up
• Run 28 min
• 5 min cool-down

It was a little rough. I’m having the soreness and aches and pains in my legs that I’ve had in the past. But I’m also having back pain. It’s no where nearly as bad as it was before surgery, but I hope it’s not running that’s causing it. I’ve been icing and taking everything else pretty easy.

Day 2 – Wednesday

• 5 min warm-up
• Run 29 min
• 5 min cool-down

Same aches and pains and random lower back pain. This does not happen immediately after running. In fact, I feel better while I am running. Sometimes it’s a few hours later or the next day.

Remember last week’s Food & Fitness Plan? Well, I semi-failed on the Fitness portion. I only ran the three days required in the C25k program. I didn’t do anything else. I did try walking the dogs one night, but Sham has been no good on the leash lately. I’ve decided to walk them separately, hoping to teach Shamrock a little more. They used to be better walking together, but I think Sham is becoming more confident and getting bolder! At least Rob gets to walk them in the 5k walk on Saturday.

And that yoga I said I’d do? Haven’t done. It’s my core that I need to make stronger!

Day 3 – Sunday

My Saturday run became my Sunday run due to the fact that we had to get out of our neighborhood early to avoid a local festival and make it to a wedding. But then on Sunday, I just wasn’t feeling well. By the time I got to feeling better to run, it was 7:15pm and I knew if I changed into my running clothes then and made my way outside, it would soon be dark.

That was no excuse. And I knew running would do me well mentally and also help make up for my poor eating All. Day. Long. So I did this run on the treadmill. Though we recently got a very nice, new treadmill, I forgot how hard it is to run on that thing. Not hard on my body, but how hard it is mentally. I look down at the time and speed rather than pay attention to how I’m feeling when I’m running outside. I don’t know how I’m going to continue this throughout winter. I need to change my mindset, cover the time so I can’t see it, and find something really stimulating to watch on TV. Any suggestions?

So, despite completing the program, I don’t feel ready at all. When I ran my first 5k, I was working out five days per week. I need to get it together and do that instead of just running the three times.

This week, I’m running for 30 minutes each on Tuesday and Thursday. Of course, I’m nervous about Saturday, but it’s nothing like the nerves before my first 5k. And I actually don’t expect to do very well this time. And I’m facing my worst fear of coming in last. But, so what if I do? At least I’ll have finished it. I do have legs and feet and lungs to run. That’s something for which to be grateful!

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And now for this week’s Food & Fitness Link-up:

Last week, I did so-so. My food plan was pretty good until Sunday. On Wednesday, I was cooking for just me so I changed my mind on baking a frozen black bean burger and decided to use up some sausage and make some Lasagna Soup instead. And since nothing was truly planned on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I can tell you that it was not good. That needs to change!

As for fitness, I need to figure out how I am going to really get on this yoga/pilates core work-out thing? Why am I not doing it? Why am I putting it off? I need to make a plan to do it right after work or something. I want to be stronger. I want to prevent back injuries in the future. This is what I need to do.

Here’s the plan for this week:

Food:

We are pretty well-stocked, so I didn’t do any grocery shopping this week. But I didn’t make it to the farmer’s market, so I need to add some veg to round out the meals below.

Monday – Pork Chops with Veg

Tuesday – Hot dogs & Veggie (Suggestion?)

Wednesday – Chicken Taco Skillet (with beef)

Thursday – Chili or Bag Meal

Friday – Healthy Take-out

Saturday – Walk FUR Love 5k. Dinner out – most likely here.

Sunday – Packer Game Day! It doesn’t look like it’ll be on regular TV here, so we’ll probably go somewhere to watch it. One of our favorite Packer Bars is the Buffalo Tap. Whatever we do, I’m going to look for the healthiest options! Dinner will be leftovers.

Breakfasts – Magic Smoothies, Overnight Oats, Granola with Milk, Peanut Butter Toast (lots of options!)

Lunches – Leftovers (Lasagna Soup!) and Snack Lunches

Fitness:

Monday – Walk on treadmill and/or pilates/yoga. It’s going to be 100 degrees today!

Tuesday – Run 30 minutes

Wednesday – Pilates/Yoga, walk one dog around the block

Thursday – Run 30 minutes

Friday – Walk one dog around the block (Rest Day)

Saturday – 5k Race

Sunday – Pilates/Yoga, Walk

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REMINDER:

The Wine Bible giveaway ends at midnight tonight! {technically Tuesday at 12:01 am CST}, so please head over there to comment on what you’d like to learn most about wine for a chance to win!

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Please look at my Food & Fitness Plan to answer:

What are your favorite side veggies and favorite ways to prepare them?

What kind of veggies do you serve with hotdogs!?

What is your favorite healthy take-out food?

What would you order at First Course of the Buffalo Tap?

How do you add pilates and/or yoga into your fitness routine?

Cheers~
Carrie

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