Jan. 26 update: C25K and trainer working miracles

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January 27, 2010

By Tinsley Carter The Richmond Register Wed Jan 27, 2010, 08:34 AM EST

I don’t know if any of you watched the Golden Globes or not. I didn’t, but it was hard to avoid the red-carpet fashion. And I must say, Jennifer Aniston has some sexy legs. And I hope my workouts can produce that result on me! Not too skinny — and muscular. I think it is achieveable!

This week kicks off Week 5 of the C25K program. Although last week was a little more difficult than previous weeks, it was still achievable. Week Five has a different run each day. Day one has three intervals of five-minute runs and three-minute walks; day 2 has two eight-minute runs and five-minute walks; and day 3 has one 20-minute run with no walks.

The highlight of the past week was beginning the training sessions with Stephen Carroll, a personal trainer at the YMCA. The most important thing I’ve learned is how to properly do the exercises.

I told him in the beginning, “My goal is to get my legs looking like Jennifer Anniston’s in that black dress she wore for the Golden Globe’s.”

He said that was good because he was going to give us a lot of leg workouts to go along with our running.

After the first session, I thought I would never be more sore in my life.

Every time I stood or sat, my quads screamed out in pain.

My chest was so sore Thursday, I could feel every step when I ran.

At work, Lorie and I groaned each time we had to go to the mailroom and climb down or up stairs, or had to hover over the toilet. We excitedly compared our battle wounds, knowing that the soreness just means the muscle is strengthening.

Thursday night, I responded to a text from Stephen confirming we would have our session the following morning, and asked him if we’d be doing more squats. I needed to mentally prepare myself for that.

I thought I’d not make it when he responded yes.

But then Friday came. We did squats with more weight. It wasn’t so bad! Neither was the rest of our routine!

Then miracle of miracles ... I wasn’t sore at all on Saturday!

I even carried my 32-pound daughter all through the Newport Aquarium for two-and-a-half hours without any effort! The only difficult thing was passing her cup to the back seat when we were driving, something I usually have no difficulty doing! But my chest was (and still is) a little sore.

C25K and Mr. Carroll are working miracles!

Lorie and I have only had two sessions, but already I feel and see more of a difference than with just the running we’ve been doing.

I am sure the core-strengthening Pilates class we’ve been taking has had something to do with that as well!

Speaking of Pilates, we had a killer session this morning! Stephen, who is a certified Pilates instructor, led the class today, as Melissa had to be out.

It was a different kind of class! We did a little more on the ball, and I thought a few times I’d fall off, but it was a lot of fun, and my core is feeling it now!

I’m looking forward to more training tomorrow, but I am NOT looking forward to measuring my body fat. Who knows, maybe I’ll be happily surprised! But we all know that a size 6 doesn’t necessarily mean healthy. I’m a little worried to see that percentage! But, I bet it’s a whole lot better than it would have been in December!

Also, I would like to write about the commadrie that I feel when I go to the gym. Since I’ve become a regular, I’ve gotten to know a few people who go to the gym. And it’s been encouraging to see these ladies, and have them inquire when I miss a class. It’s really nice to build that relationship with other people who are dedicated to exercise as well, and to see them at the gym each week is an inspiration to me! I hope one day I’ll be in as good shape as these ladies are! (Mary, Liz, Doris and Bobbie and a couple of other ladies I have forgotten your name or didn’t know it to begin with — I’m so sorry! I’ll get them and include you in the next article!)

Again, I cannot reiterate how important it has been to have someone to work out with me. If it weren’t for Lorie, I’d already have given up to excuses.

Now I believe we’ve formed the gym habit.

I look forward to it every day.

And I am super excited about the endurance and strength I’ve gained already.

Our first 5K race will be in March in Lexington. I’m ready for it!

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Couch to 5K Blog

COUCH TO 5K: Crossing finish line ‘a wonderful feeling’
Determination helped me cross finish line in 30 minutes — Tinsley Carter

Frost sparkled across the grass at Keeneland on Saturday morning as runners gathered around the barns, stretching and jogging to warm their muscles up. And I was one of them.

Lorie, her husband Steve and I forfeited our day to sleep in to run our first 5K race since beginning our training in January. We participated in “Run for the Hill” benefit race for Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center.

March 9, 2010 2 Photos
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March 1, 2010 1 Photo
Feb. 28 update: 5K is six days away and I am not ready! Our first 5K is Saturday and I am scared!
February 28, 2010 1 Photo
Feb. 28 update: 5K is six days away and I'm not ready
Our first 5K is Saturday and I am scared! We're on our ninth week of training and we should be ready to run the race, but I am having my doubts about my readiness.

February 28, 2010
Missing group exercise, continuing to run Unfortunately I have not been as diligent in writing my blog as I have been with exercising! It’s purely because of a lack of time! Hopefully, I’ll keep up with this better in the future.
February 15, 2010 1 Photo
Feb. 14: Navigating around obstacles This week has been a challenge. Sometimes, no matter how dedicated you think you might be, there are unforeseen obstacles in your path and you must learn how to navigate around them and still meet your goals.
February 14, 2010 1 Photo
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February 1, 2010 1 Photo
Jan. 26 update: C25K and trainer working miracles I don’t know if any of you watched the Golden Globes or not. I didn’t, but it was hard to avoid the red-carpet fashion. And I must say, Jennifer Aniston has some sexy legs. And I hope my workouts can produce that result on me! Not too skinny — and muscular. I think it is achieveable!
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Jan. 19 Update: Inner pep talks keep me going! I can�t believe we�re already in week four of our journey to run a 5K and become healthier women. It has gone by quickly and I am really enjoying each week�s new challenge
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Jan. 26 update: C25K and trainer working miracles

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