Vacations Kill Me

I don't know about you, but when I get back from vacation I need some serious rehab and recovery.  Vacations take a huge toll on my body.  I always go on vacation with the mindset that I will run every day, and continue to eat healthy.  Who wouldn't want to run with these beautiful views?

 The idea of a fit and healthy vacation lasts about a day.  Then I fall into the mindset of YOLO I'm on vacation!  Let me eat everything I don't normally eat at home, drink mimosas in the morning, have beers on the beach, and end the night with a bottle of wine.  This kills my body.  It slows it down, and I gain about 5lbs of water weight from all the bad food and drinking.

Vacation ... ugh!

RUN!

I have always been the person who dreaded the mile run in gym class.  I hated running before cheerleading in high school, and refused to do it as part of my conditioning in Tae Kwon Do.  Running and I just never got along.  After years of saying "no" to running I finally decided it's about time I "learned to run".  Yes, you heard me right, learned to run.  Every where you look in the city you see people running.  It's the go-to form of fitness for young city dwellers.  And with the recent increase in fun runs, 5K's, and mud runs, I figured now would be the best time to start.  So here is how I learned to run, and actually started to enjoy it!

Step-1:  Get yourself a good pair of running shoes to support your feet and running style.  And it doesn't hurt if they are cute too!  Charm City Run in McHenry Row is a great place to go to get custom fitted for a perfect pair of running shoes for your specific running style and foot.

Step-2:  Find a training routine.  I recently downloaded the app 5K Runner for my Iphone.  This app takes you from basically not being able to run at all, to being able to run a 5K in 8 weeks using interval training.  You start every work out with a 5 minute warm up walk, followed by intervals of running and walking.  The further you go in the program the longer the running sessions are and the shorter the walking sessions are.  You end with a 5 minute cool down walk.  Best of all, this app works with Itunes!  I am currently in week week 3 of the program and I have to say that the app does work.  I went from not being able to run a full two minutes to being able to run 20 minutes straight.

Step-3: Track your progress.  I use an app called Map My Run.  This is great if you run outdoors.  The app tracks how far you run, how long you run, your pace, the course you ran, and more.  It also has preset courses mapped out to choose from in your area.  You can share your progress and accomplishments on social media, and this app also works with Itunes!

Step-4:  Get Running!

Right now my goal is to complete my 5K Runner program and do my first 5K in October.  Wish me luck!