Want to run a 5K?

This past week, I had a friend ask me if I had any advice or a plan for running a 5K in the next 6 weeks or so. I could probably put together a program based on my experience, but instead, I went out and did some research online. I learned pretty quickly that any 5k training program I authored would likely be a bit aggressive, primarily driven because of my love for eating. Sweets.

According to the training plans I found out there, this is pretty doable quite quickly. The best ones I found:

NikeRunning.com

CoolRunning.com

MayoClinic.com

Take a look, give one a try, and let me know how it goes.

As far as advice goes, here is what I can offer:

• Be sure to rest. Resting allows your body to heal and helps prevent injury.
• Listen to your body. If you are sucking wind during a workout one day and it feels impossible, listen to your body and ease up. Tomorrow is another day.
• Don't get discouraged. Focus on the positive stuff you are accomplishing. The tough stuff? It is just there to remind us that we are human.
• Reward yourself. Set up milestones for yourself and pick some rewards along the way. And it doesn't just have to be cake (which is my reward of choice), but you could allow yourself some time to watch some TiVo that's been sitting there or take a night off of work e-mail. Be creative.

Please let me know about your experience, how it's going, where you need more help, etc.

Write me:

pamela@willrunforcake.com

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness

One issue that people have when facing the daunting task of losing weight and getting in shape is thinking that there is a quick fix, a miracle of some kind that they can pursue, rather than putting in the hard work. I am here to tell you - SORRY - that is simply not the case!

This news can be a tough pill to swallow when we are surrounded by media talking of bailouts and stimulus packages. Bottom line is that in order to effect you personal well-being, you have to sign up to do the hard work yourself. The good news is, it can be done. IT IS POSSIBLE!

For those of you who have not met me, have no idea what I really look like (better photo on the blog coming soon!), you are probably thinking who is this chick? She is probably some size 4 wearing, 5' 10", high-metabolism, runner who eats whatever she wants. Easy for her to say.

I have to let you know, that is not the case.

I am, in fact, a 5' 8", over 150 lbs. (OK, over 160 lbs.!), meaty, "athletic build" (HA!), tree trunk-thickness leg-toting, size 10-12 (depends) women who has to constantly weigh the questions: What did I do today to burn calories? What can I eat?

April is the month that I celebrate my weight loss success. I lost 100 lbs. in one year, meeting that goal in April 2006. I started out by simply power walking at least 3 days per week in 1 hour doses and watching what I ate. I limited myself to one Diet Coke and one 100 calorie sweet treat per day. I simply did what I could to address my heftiness & lack of fitness by coming up with my own "plan" after reading a ton of magazine and seeing a ton of weight loss ads and talk show topics on TV while I was on maternity leave with my daughter spring of 2005.

You know what you need to do, don't you? You at least have a slight idea of how to start. So why not? Why not make today that day and start? It will not be easy. There will be bumps in the road. But would you rather face a few of those bumps them the ones facing you in the mirror today?

I dedicate this point of view to this amazing country we live in, the greatest country in the world - The United States of America. We are free. Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness are ours for the taking! Start to find your happiness today in how you feel and how you look. You will be amazed at what you can do if you put your mind to it. And please come back here, because I am dedicated to supporting you!