March 4-10

Today's weight: 174.6 pounds

Workouts:
Monday: Ran 5K, abs and back
Tuesday: Elliptical for 5K
Wednesday: Upper body/abs for 30 minutes
Thursday: Off
Friday: Off
Saturday: Ran 5K
Sunday: Ran 5K

This was a week of firsts. The first time I fit in five workouts since the new year (or longer). The first time I ran outside since October. The first time I signed up for a 10K (though I'd started training for one before, but got hurt before I could even sign up).

Running outside was exactly what I needed. I haven't been to the gym since Tuesday. Even in the dreary, cold mist, it felt good. I needed some fresh air. I've felt cooped up. This helped.

I made myself a 10K training guide, adapted from this. Tonight will be the first workout. It's ten weeks long, and it has three days of running, three days of strength-training, and two days of cross-training each week. I'm hoping this is what it will take to do the things I want to do but haven't made myself do (run more than 5 miles, lift weights, etc.). I used a training guide to run my first 5K. I don't know why I didn't think of this a long time ago.

While making the 10K plan, I realized the other day that running has been a lesson in patience. I am not a patient person, ever. But running -- something I've been working at for two years -- has taught me how to persist, how to practice, how to be deliberate. Nothing else has (except, maybe, for grad school). I've spent two years trying to whittle down my mile time, two years trying to build endurance. I'm excited for what this third year holds.

February 25-March 3

Today's weight: 175.5 pounds

Workouts:
Monday: Ran 5K, abs
Tuesday: 3.5 miles of running/hill mix
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Spin for 50 minutes, abs and back
Friday: Off
Saturday: Hiked/jogged 30 minutes in the snow
Sunday: Hiked 1 hour in the snow

I spent the weekend in a cabin not too far from here, relaxing and hiking with my boyfriend. It was a short trip, but exactly what I needed. I feel rested. The only thing I missed was getting in one longer workout, but the weekend was well worth it. It felt so good to get outside in the sunshine and crisp air. I've been cooped up indoors for too long.

I'm happy to have kept up the varied workouts. This week I actually did weight-training for two days -- which is more than I've done in a long, long time. Pretty sad, but it's a start. I also started a little paper journal for workouts/food/health, just to track my progress on a more detailed level. I've been eating a little healthier. Not eating out as much. I'm feeling good. I still have shin splints, though. I'm buying new shoes next weeks, and a friend of mine sent me an article on proper running technique. Between those two things, I'm hoping to feel better soon.

February 18-24

Today's weight: 178.0 pounds.

Workouts:
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Ran 5K in 31 minutes
Wednesday: Stair climb for 30 minutes
Thursday: Spin for 50 minutes, abs
Friday: Ran 2 miles, elliptical 3 miles
Saturday and Sunday: Off

I've been trying to vary my workouts more, now that I know I can run the distances I want to run. And, look! I finally did weight-training. A very little bit of it, but it's a start. I've had bad shin splints for the first time in about a year -- I'm not sure if it's because I'm running more, or faster, or just that my shoes are worn out.  I'm hoping mixing up my workouts will help. Otherwise, it's time to buy shoes. Again. Already.