Update 10/18/08

Here's my weekly update. I was sick last weekend, so I didn't do my running on Sunday. I started "Week 4" of the Couch to 5k on Tuesday. Up until this point, I've been struggling with shin splints, arch cramps, and calf pain. With the help of some friendly folks, I've discovered why. I was running wrong. I was stretching before I warmed up at all, and that was part of the reason I was in pain. I've started walking for 2o minutes before stretching, and that has helped a lot. I've also revised my running form according to this article. My feet are still cramping a little bit, but it's nothing I can't push through.

Tuesday, I was able to run a total of 10 minutes, and yesterday I finished the whole run (a total run time of 16 minutes, broken up into 2 3-minute runs and 2 5-minute runs). To add to it, I'm going to walk at least 40 minutes on the days I don't run. I think I'm going to splurge on a fitness mat so I can start working on my crunches/push-ups/stretching. The one I want is $20. It may be worth the expense.

Other things in my life that I'm improving on: I'm doing pretty well at keeping my calorie range between 1300 and 1700 (according to SparkPeople, it's supposed to be 1200-1550, but I'm not that good yet). I created a budget and weekly meal plan today, as well. My life is on the track it should have been on all along. I'm pretty proud of myself at this point.

Reading: I'm about halfway through To the Shores of Tripoli. Marines in 1800 were as bad-ass as they are now. My next book is going to be First to Fight or Generation Kill. I haven't decided yet.

Just a Quick Update

I finished Week 3 of the Couch to 5k. It was rough. I think I either need new shoes or I need to adjust the way I'm running. I'm going to try giving myself 10 more minutes of warm-up before stretching, instead of stretching right away and then warming up for 5 minutes. Hopefully that will help me stretch out my calves and such so I don't end up in so much pain halfway through. I weighed myself on Friday morning and I've lost two pounds. Not much, but it's a start.

As for reading, I've finished One Bullet Away. It was an amazing book and made me want to be a part of the Marines even more. I've definitely made the right decision on which direction my life should take. Currently, I'm reading To the Shores of Tripoli: The Birth of the U.S. Navy and Marines. While I'm not very far in, I've learned some things they don't really teach you in high school. It's turning out to be an interesting book.

Back on Track

I'm back on track for the most part this week. I went for a 45-minute walk/run today. There are these podcasts based around the Couch to 5k running plan. I tried to do Week 4 last week and I think that was part of the reason I had so much trouble. I simply wasn't ready for that much. I'm back on Week 3, now, and I did really well. This week's running called for a total of nine minutes, broken up into two 3-minute and two 90-second intervals. After finishing the podcast, I continued walking for another 20 minutes or so, and it felt really good. I'm also almost done with One Bullet Away. It's definitely must-read material.

On another note, the Giants are kicking butt this season. :)

Struggling

I'm having a really tough time keeping my motivation this week. I haven't been running very well and I haven't lost any weight, even though I've been exercising for almost five weeks now, and I've been trying to watch what I eat. People keep telling me it's because I'm building muscle, but it still doesn't make me feel any better.

I've also started to doubt whether I can actually make it to my goal, and I don't have anyone around me who really supports my decision. My mom and sister do, but they're a thousand miles away and I only talk to them once a week, if that. I don't have any friends here who have any faith in me.

My roommate just found out tonight that I wanted to join the Marines (even though I haven't been trying to hide it) and he was not nice. I know I'm overweight, and he's been fairly supportive about my running and trying to lose weight, but he was just a jerk about this. He started talking about how hard it was to get into the Marines and how hard boot camp is. I told him that I know and that it's not a decision I made overnight. He responded, "You may have read about it, but when have you ever done anything at all like boot camp?" I don't know what his problem is. He's always saying shit like that, trying to make me feel like I'm not good enough over certain things.

To be honest, I think his doubt just makes me want it that much more. I'm going to become a Marine Officer and prove him wrong. I'm going to do something I can be proud of, and everyone else can piss off if they don't like it. If need be, I'll find my own place. Hell, I'd probably end up saving money because I won't need the air on 76 all the time and I won't have cable.

I WILL DO THIS!!!