8 Weeks and Counting

I have been walking off and on for several years. I started back in 2002. Mostly to get out of the office without hanging around the smokers on break. I walked all over the small town that I work in, even the dogs got used to me after a while. It is a safe way to excercise and I lost about 20 pounds over the months that I was diligent about it. I walked a couple of 5K races and felt good even though it took me about 45 minutes each time. 15 minute mile, not speedwalking, but not crawling either.

Through all the walking and noticable weight loss I never really changed my diet. I cut out some things and considered cutting portion sizes, but other than eating from the cabbage soup diet (don't laugh it is cheap on calories and filling) for lunch every day for a year (cheap on the pocket too), not much else changed. So when I changed contracts and found myself busier I made excuses to not walk so much and the weight started coming back.
This picture is me in 2005 at the Pipestem State Park 5K/10K Pumpkin Run wearing the 2004 t-shirt. I think the trophy is for 3rd place in my age group, there were probably 3 of us racing. I am pretty heavy in the picture, about 245 I think. I hadn't really trained much for the race that year. I agreed to walk it when a friend wanted to give it a try for the first time. We finished, but I felt bad after that one.


That leads me to my next goal, which is to run the 2007 5K Pumpkin Run. Yes I said run. Now my disclaimer is that just because I sign up to run doesn't mean I have to run the whole thing, but I do want to aim for a 10 minute mile. I have an 8 week training plan prepared, actually I found it in a book, but it is perfect. A nice mix of walking with a little running, some off days, some weight training, and then a little less walking and more running.
I will be posting my weekly plan and progress. Hopefully there is some. Hopefully there is a much better picture to post at the end of the 8 weeks. I am shopping for a heart rate monitor to keep an eye on me while I excercise so I will be reviewing that when I get it too.