Day 3 Week 4, Couch to 5K

Quick update.  I finished the week pretty strong.  I definitely am feeling the longer runs, but am able to complete all of the run portions so far.  We'll see how it goes over the next five weeks.  Next week should be interesting because each of the podcasts for the different runs for next week are different.

I will say that the music this week was definitely not as good as previous weeks.  The up tempo stuff for the run portions seemed a bit boring.  I like to have a loud, heavy beat to run to as it just makes the run seem easier.  Speaking of loud, heavy beats:

Day 1 Week 4, Couch to 5K

I mentioned in my previous post that I was now even more motivated to get in shape and exercise.  I am currently doing the NHS Couch to 5K program and exercises I got for core strength and balance/agility from my PT.  However, if anyone wants to post other ideas for activities, please do.

This workout was tough because once again I couldn't get my iPod to work correctly (the head phone remote was not working correctly).  I'll have to check it before I go on my next run.  Nevertheless, I think I hacked the run pretty well, considering I haven't gone out in a week.

Last week was extremely busy and I barely worked out (did my PT exercises), not that it's an excuse.  Besides the YOPC conference, I also went to the Van Halen concert in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 12.  It was a great show and here is Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo (all eight minutes).

Day 2 Week 3, Couch to 5K

I finished and felt pretty good today.  I'm also pretty busy today, so I'll just leave you with this.

Day 2 Week 2, Couch to 5K

This was my worst run so far.  Interestingly, when my meds have not kicked in, I have noticed that I run much better than I walk.  In fact, while at work, if I'm feeling a bit off, I might go run or jog down the hall to get myself going and my arms swinging.  Unfortunately, this was not the case today.

I am getting up before the family to do these runs (about 5:45 am).  I take my meds, squeeze a couple shots out of my new inhaler, turn on the iPod and go.  Up until today, when I start running after the 5 minute "brisk" walk, I have felt great.  Today, that feeling never kicked in.  In fact, I really did not feel my meds kick in until after my shower and as I was leaving to drop my son off at school.

Nevertheless, I did the entire run and am glad I did.  I know I'll have good days and bad days, you just have to roll with it.  And to those who don't get what I mean when a Parkinson's patient is discussing on/off periods of medications:

Day 1, Week 2 Couch to 5K

Short update:  Did the run without an iPod because I forgot to charge it. DOH!  Counted in my head to try and get the correct times, but know I was off. I still got up early and did the run though, so I'm happy.

In honor of my dead battery iPod,

Day 2, Week 1 Couch-to-5K

Good things:  I got my podcast working and used my inhaler before my run.
Bad things: It's raining in San Diego.

I still did the run despite the rain.  If you know anything about the weather in San Diego, it's not supposed to rain between May and October.  However, it's good because the family is supposed to go camping out in the Mountains this weekend and their is currently a fire near Julian.  Hopefully, the winds will stay low and the rain will help.  It's our first camping trip with the kids and we have been looking forward to this for a while.

The run was actually pretty easy despite the rain, so I might skip day 3 and get the weeks back on schedule and go directly to Day 1, Week 2 for my next workout.  Ended the running part of the podcast I'm using and switched to music during the cool down.  Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit was the first song where I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard it for the first time.  I was actually at a friend's house in Buffalo (I was doing an engineering internship at GM) and I just stopped and was immediately hooked.  It basically changed my entire musical outlook and taste.

Day 1, Week 1 Couch to 5k

I figure a way to keep me honest about exercise will be to track it and publish it online.  That way, if I miss some workouts some folks might be kind enough to let me know I need to get back on the horse.

On that note, I'm starting the NHS couch-to-5K program.  This is a podcast that reminds the runner when to run and when to walk in order to build up to running for a full 5K.  I went out this morning and did my first run/walk session. Only two problems occurred, I forgot to use the inhaler I just got to help with my exercise induced asthma and the podcast download did not sync to my ipod.  Nevertheless, I was able to do a 1.7 mile loop walk/run and felt pretty good afterwards.

I was able to listen to the single best mash-up album ever.