5k to Five Fingers

Hello blog land! I could tell you that I have been so busy training that  haven't had time to blog but to be honest, working out takes less time then I'd actually like to admit.  I have however, actually been training -that word sounds so weird coming from my mouth.
Here, at my house, we are not very well educated on fitness and even less concerned with running. So when we decided to commit to this exercise endeavor we knew were going to need a lesson in it. Maybe a trainer, or coach, or someone to just tell us what we should be doing. When to push through the pain and when to take a day of rest. We needed some sort of plan.
Running
Luckily, the Couch to 5k is all the rage (or was at some point) and Chris had heard of it, even talked about giving it a whirl once before. So we pulled up the details again and decided that we had about 10 weeks until the next race and since this was an 8 week program, it was perfect (if it actually works.) Now we had a plan...
Strength training 
Just before I got sick in February  we were trying to work out for the Mudder Dash and we started using some (Android) apps on our phones... sit ups, push ups, pull ups, and squats.  A couple work outs into it I was benched but Chris continued to power on. It was pretty successful for him so we decided to try it again, this time together. We also decided to see if there was a C25K Android App. - there is, a lot of them actually.
Running
We went with the app by Run Double we liked the GPS feature. Now we had a coach.

I know, I should have started documenting this journey when the journey actually began but, I didnt. However, I can tell you so far the C25K seems to be working. To my disappointment all the extra running has not actually shed any extra pounds off my frame, I've actually gained a few. But, Im still motivated because my body is changing. My legs are stronger (and sometimes more sore than I ever thought possible.) Things that used to jiggle do not anymore. I can even do 4 cheater style pull ups (which is much better than my previous none.) I'm not gonna lie. Its petty tough some days and even going into our third week, I can't imagine being able to full out jog a 5k by the end. Just have faith though right -or get the right equipment?
Gear
So with all the success running has become a little bit of an addiction for me. Well maybe its more of a motivation to feed my shopping addiction. Either way, it keeps me pumped to do more so I'll take it. With all the new fitness we've been doing we have also started acquiring new gear. We pulled out the dumbbells for strength training and my old ankle weights from waiting tables, for jogging.  There was much debate in our previous run about whatt he best all around shoe would be for the event. Chris finally talked me into trying out a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. Yes, those hideous, goofy shoes. After talking about it a while and doing all kinds of reading from research to bloggers, I went to try them on and just get a feel for them... I walked out with these bad boys.

The Bikila

I talked to a sales guy there who seemed pretty knowledgeable about them and helped me with a few different pairs. He was wearing the KSO himself. I thought I would feel slightly embarrassed wearing these around but he assured me that I should just own it and I'd love 'em. So I went with obnoxious pink and orange. Hey, if nothing else they would fit right in with all the crazy race attire.
The whole next day I wore them everywhere, and loved them! Finally that evening we ran, my parents were in town so we didn't have the jogging strollers (they add about 30 to 50lbs when loaded with kiddos)  this time and I felt wonderful. My foot seemed to have no trouble adjusting to the shoe, then again, I am a barefoot walker anyway. I had no pain at all and figured that maybe I just did it right. We started wearing these early enough in the training that maybe we will just adjust naturally instead of having to change years of built up bad running form. The next day I was fine as well. Day 2, was a different story. I hurt so bad. I could barely walk and when I did, I walked like an old man. Here we are, on day 3 and I am still sore but its much more manageable. Tonight, I will jog in them again. Hopefully when I report back the results wont be as extreme.
More Gear
I picked my shoes up on Thursday and this Sunday the hubby wanted to get a pair for him. -Can you see that this is quickly becoming and expensive hobby? Its like those free dogs people get but then have to take it to the vet and it ends up costing a fortune. - He picked the Speed version and went for something that looked a little less obvious.

While he was shoe shopping I was looking around for a good pair of running shorts. I have a pair that is loose fitting, and a few other pairs of pants and capris. It was my experience though, that I needed something fitted for the run, the mud and water are heavy and drag your clothes down. It got rather uncomfortable. So I talked myself into these itty bitty things 

Made by Moving Comfort

I was definitely skeptical about my ability to pull these off but when I put them on, I was immediately in love with the comfort aspect and to be honest, my rear didn't look half bad either. SOLD! with the promise to go home and look online at the other great things this company may have out on the market.

Even More Gear

I'm telling you, this is becoming a sickness or obsession. So today at Target I decided to swing by the athletic section and check on the clearance rack. I scored a pink shirt for just $3, now I have a whole running ensemble! But what I really need was a nice running stroller...ah yes, my other sickness - strollers. See in the beginning we were running using only the double bike trailer. The hubby wanted to switch off and I knew immediately, we were going to need something better. The double jogging strollers were expensive and I read 10 terrifying reviews on one popular brand about the front wheel popping off, the mom flying over the stroller, and everyone involved (including the kids) was injured. I decided 2 singles was the most fair and the best way to go. Also if I wanted to run while Emma Bean was in school, I could do it with just a single. I found a great deal on a Dreamer Design (discontinued but had great reviews) stroller right away. I let the hubby use it while I was pushing the Britax B-Agile (my pride and joy!!) it was working but it was a bit of a work out on its own. I finally decided to sell it and buy a used maclaren and find another deal on a jogging stroller. 

After a lot of research and looking, I lost control. I fell in love with the BOB Revolution. I knew I had to have one and forget the separate umbrella and jogging stroller, this one was good enough to do it all! Here's a handy little video but don't watch it if you don't want to want the stroller!  I read one review on amazon where a lady had her kid in the stroller next to the car door and was putting some stuff down in the front seat about to unload baby into the car seat. While the car next to them started back out and did see them. The other car was squishing the BOB between the two cars with baby in it. The lady obviously started yelling and the car stopped, the BOB and Baby were fine but the car's bumper was dented and bent. After that story I  had already purchased the BOB in my heart but my head was saying "another expensive stroller?"  I finally justified it that I didn't want to be held back by my stroller. If I was going to do this running thing and stick with it, I needed to be invested in it and comfortable. To craigslist I went and today I will be picking up my very own BOB Revolution in brown, I can hardly wait!

So there you have it, one little mud run and now I'm becoming a junkie. I have goofy shoes, tiny shorts, and a fancy stroller. You'll have to stay tuned and if I'm brave enough I'll post pictures from today (again, I should have done this in the beginning) and then again right at the end of the C25K. Kind of a before and after, you'll be able to see for yourself if you think the C25K works and if the investments were worth it!