5K on a whim: I need to stop adding things to my schedule.

Couch to 5k in less than two months when I'm insanely busy with work, food stuff, and music stuff? Sure, why not?

I just signed up for the Ras 5K (Davis Square, St. Patty's Day) on a whim. Do I have time to train? Nope. But I'm going to make this work somehow.

The obstacles:

1. Time. I work weekdays 9-5:30 with a commute that's usually an hour, so I'm out of commission from wake up until generally 6:30pm or so. In this weather, the MBTA has been royally failing, so sometimes I get home later than that. A lunch workout is not possible (no showers, no time), and I don't think I can wake up any earlier to squeeze in a morning workout. I'm devoting a lot of time to Boston Food Bloggers, so between events, updates, and catching up on emails, I tend to put in several hours each night. Also, my band is having a release show February 26 (please come?), so until then, I'll be tied up several nights a week with lengthy rehearsals (plus neat promo stuff like radio shows and photo shoots! Super exciting!) Something's gotta give. I'm guessing it'll be sleep.
2. Ability. I ran track all through high school, but I'm using the word "run" pretty loosely here. Although dedicated and determined, I was consistently one of the absolute slowest on the team. Officially a sprinter but occasionally testing out the distance workouts, I was pretty bad at both. The longest run of my life was 13.5 miles the morning after a drama-filled high school party. I hadn't eaten breakfast, I was hungover, I was depressed, and I had mono but didn't know it yet. I figure if I survived that, I can survive any run, but the fact remains that I'm still a pretty bad runner. I've jogged off and on through the years, and I've finished a couple 5Ks along the way, but I'm fairly out of shape at the moment. Since 1/1, my only exercise has been to walk up and down the Porter T station stairs rather than taking the escalator. I've stuck to this resolution faithfully, but I still emerge from the station wheezing, bright red, and lightheaded. As for my other resolutions...well...never mind.
3. Snow. Yeah, yeah, I ran winter track for four years. I'm still not a fan of winter running. The burning, tight lungs, the slushy grossness, the slippery ice...not so fun. I've already slipped and fallen several times just walking.

So I need to make a training plan. What can I accomplish in six and a half extremely busy weeks, starting from a pretty low fitness level? Based on my prior running experiences, I think I could probably complete a 5K at about a 12- or 13-minute mile pace on absolutely no training. I might be selling myself a little short, but I don't know. If I can squeeze in some training, I'd love to end up in the 10- or 11-minute mile range for the actual race.

Aside from continuing to shun all escalators in favor of stairs, particularly the 200+ at Porter, what other pseudo-exercises can I sneak in? There might be one or two ski trips in the next six weeks, so there's that (but I'm a horrible skier - just started last year and honestly not really looking forward to trying again this year!) Realistically, I can probably fit in one long jog each weekend and one shorter jog on a weeknight. (When training for a 5K, what's a good distance for a "long" run?)

This race is right in my neighborhood. Is it good to run the course a few times during training, or will the novelty of an unfamiliar course boost my adrenaline on race day? (I'm leaning towards the latter.) 

Any other tips for a sort-of-experienced-but-still-pretty-bad-plus-busy-and-out-of-shape runner? Anyone else running the Ras 5K?

The Obligatory New Year's Resolutions Post

Usually I don't write posts like this - I don't often make resolutions beyond the generic "I'm going to exercise more this year!" and "I'm going to procrastinate less!" - but this year I have a few resolutions that are more specific and (hopefully) attainable. By sharing them here, I'm hoping that people will actually hold me accountable for them. (So if, for example, you spot me taking the escalator at the Porter T station, feel free to yell at me. But make sure you know it's actually me, or it'll be an awkward situation for everyone involved.)

Resolution #1: Kickbox.
Awhile ago, I tried out a few classes at the gym where Joel kickboxes - Redline Fight Sports - and I enjoyed them. In fact, the last time I was there (a month or two ago, maybe) I actually bought a pass to attend ten classes, none of which I have attended yet. In an effort to get in shape and not waste the money I already spent, I will attend at least one class per week. At this rate, I should be done with my class pass by mid-March, at which point I'll decide whether or not to buy more classes - or a membership - or try out a different gym.

Resolution #2: Stop being lazy at Porter.
On a typical weekday, I tend to find myself leaving the Porter T station at least once, sometimes twice. There are a lot of stairs. I almost always take the escalator. Unless I'm carrying a lot of heavy stuff or wearing uncomfortable shoes, there's really no excuse not to trudge up the stairs, especially during rush hour when there's actually a line to get on the escalator. A line. For the escalator. I feel like a lazy sheep when I stand in line. In 2011, I will take the stairs for at least half of my trips out of the Porter station and all of my trips out of other stations. By March, I should be taking the stairs all of the time. After that, I'll start tackling the eight flights up to my office. (I'll continue taking the escalator down into the station, though. On a busy weekday morning, I enjoy the minute and a half of nothingness that standing on the long escalator provides, busy people rushing past me hoping to not have to wait the extra two or three minutes for the next train if they miss this one.)  

Resolution #3: Tackle the cookbook pile.
Over the last few months, I've accumulated a lot of new cookbooks. Some have been sent to me for review purposes, others I've bought for myself, and others have been given as gifts. I've barely had a chance to try them out. Starting in January, I will make at least one somewhat elaborate meal a week from my stack of new cookbooks.

Resolution #4: Bring lunch.
I started my current job in early September, and I have not brought lunch a single time. I've subsisted on cafeteria food and a rotation of Longwood's limited fast food options, particularly Au Bon Pain and Boloco. There's no reason I can't go to Shaw's on Sundays and prepare lunch for at least Monday and Tuesday. I will bring lunch to work at least twice a week from now on.

Alright, I think that's all for the moment, but I might come up with a few more in the coming days. What are your resolutions? Do you go all out and come up with extraordinary resolutions that you're unlikely to keep, or do you keep it moderate and choose things you might actually be able to do? I think that each of these resolutions is reasonable and do-able, so we'll see what happens.

Reservoir Running Report: Week 1

Last week I told you about how my epic quest to try every cupcake in and around Boston is having quite negative effects on my health. (Daily cupcakes aren't a staple of a healthy diet? Shocking!) I challenged myself to some fitness goals in order to help counteract my continued questing. (I'm eating all these cupcakes so you don't have to...I hope you appreciate it!) Also, I mentioned that there would be a prize for a commenter if I didn't meet my goals for the week. So, without further ado, here's my report from week 1 of the anti-cupcake, pro-running-around-the-beautiful-reservoir challenge.

Week 1: The Goals
Run 5 times by next Wednesday, at least once around the Reservoir without stopping (about 1.5 miles) each time. In the event of torrential downpours, a seemingly likely occurrence, I'll substitute one hour of Exercise TV workouts in my living room with at least 30 minutes aerobic, such as Jillian Michaels' evil workouts. The other 30 minutes can be pilates and/or yoga.

Week 1: The Reality
Workout 1
On Wednesday I went home after work totally motivated to start the challenge, but a thunderstorm was looming, so I decided to do the indoor substitute workout. (As it turned out, the storm never actually occurred.) I turned on my TV, and the screen was green. No ExerciseTV, no other channels, nothing. Thanks Comcast. I called the 800 number and requested the auto signal refresh, which takes about 45 minutes to take effect. My motivation was quickly wearing out, and I didn't want this to take the whole night, so I pulled out an old workout DVD. I got through about 20 minutes of the most boring aerobics workout ever and gave up on it. Finally, the TV was working again, so I completed the rest of the goal requirements with a combination of aerobics and pilates workout videos.

Workout 2
On Thursday, I was meeting up with an old friend who was in from out of town, so there was no time. On Friday, it was 1000000 degrees. On Saturday, I finally got out for a run. It wasn't around the reservoir, but it was 1.8 miles non-stop, so it counts. (I ran in Somerville: down Summer St. from Porter St. to Davis Square and back to Porter St. via Highland Ave.) It was my first time out for a run in a month or maybe two, and it was rough, although I managed to drag myself up the steep Porter St. hill (the Highland Ave. side) near the end of the run. I was pretty sore the next two days.

Workout 3, 4, 5
...non-existent :(

Week 1: What happened?
Stupidly I picked the heat wave - not to mention a very busy week with events and out-of-town friends - to start this challenge, and my goal was too ambitious. There just wasn't time for five workouts.

One of you gets a prize!
Here's the deal: I failed, so you win. You may have heard of the recent devastating flood damage suffered by the local and delicious chocolate company, Taza Chocolate, which had just finished shiny new renovations before the floods hit. Due to some social media outreach, they've been selling chocolate like crazy, but their production has been interrupted by the damage. In order to continue raising money to fix everything up, they're now selling gift certificates that will be usable in the future only at the factory store (561 Windsor St, Somerville) - not valid for online orders. So here's the prize: I'll buy you a $10 gift certificate to Taza. You won't be able to use it until the store opens back up (they're aiming for August or September), but the wait will make it extra delicious. To enter, leave a comment on this post answering one or more of the following questions:

1. How do you fit in workouts when your schedule is just too busy? Do you find it worthwhile to sneak in short workouts when possible, or do you just spend extra time working out when you have a free day?
2. What's your favorite way to exercise on unbearably hot summer days? How do you keep cool?
3. How should I go about training for a 10k that I'd like to run in early October? Is less than three months enough time to go from lazy cupcake-eating blob to a successful 10k finisher? 

Comment by 7pm tonight (July 21, 2010), and I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner. Please keep in mind that this gift certificate will only be usable at the factory store in Somerville, not online.

Week 2: The Challenge
This time, I'm not going to set a specific number of workouts; I'm just going to make two goals to meet in any number of workouts before next Wednesday.

1. Run a three-mile route without stopping, preferably two laps around the reservoir (but any other route is acceptable too, as long as it's at least three miles.) No time limit, but no walking.
2. Three cumulative hours of yoga and/or pilates workouts (acceptable methods: ExerciseTV, DVDs, or a class.) 

Same deal next week: if I fail, one of you wins! As much as I love chocolate, I don't want to keep buying you chocolate, so hopefully this week will be better than last!

Comment away! You have until 7pm tonight.

Cupcake Quest Consequences

With cupcakes come consequences. Flabby, energy-sapping consequences. Ever since I started the Cupcake Quest, I've been feeling less than stellar. The number on the scale hasn't changed much, but there are certainly areas that were toned that now aren't, energy levels that are suspiciously low, and an overbearing feeling of disgust at my diet that can't be fully counteracted by fresh veggies from the Farmers' Market.

I'm leaving Cleveland Circle in a month and a half, so I should take advantage of the beautiful Chestnut Hill Reservoir while I'm still here. I've run it many times over the past two years...but not so much recently. Actually, I haven't done much of anything exercise-related in at least a month or two. Oops.

Here's the plan: a reservoir running challenge for the duration of my Brighton habitation. I'll be posting weekly Reservoir Running Reports, and you get to yell at me if I haven't met my goals. In fact, the first person to comment on a post where I haven't met my weekly goal will win a small prize, such as a gift certificate for a cupcake.

Week 1 Goal
Run 5 times by next Wednesday, at least once around the Reservoir without stopping (about 1.5 miles) each time. In the event of torrential downpours, a seemingly likely occurrence, I'll substitute one hour of Exercise TV workouts in my living room with at least 30 minutes aerobic, such as Jillian Michaels' evil workouts. The other 30 minutes can be pilates and/or yoga.

I won't tell you how long the running takes me because (1) I'm a slow runner and I'm not really looking to increase speed at this point and (2) I'll be breaking my feet back into these crazy "shoes." It can be a painful process, and I haven't worn them in awhile.

Well, that's the plan! I'll report back next Wednesday, and hopefully I will have met my goals, or one of you is getting a cupcake!