I completed level 2 in my training on Saturday by participating in a 10k race for a local church here. Even without the 1˚C (33.8˚F) temperature and brisk winter wind, it was an interesting experience.

I warmed up well, started out by climbing up a reasonably steep but short hill, and proceeded through what was a beautiful, not-terribly-strenuous walk to complete the first 5k loop. I found that although I wasn’t breathing hard or feeling like I was exerting myself beyond my comfort zone (keeping up with about a 7 on the RPE in my estimation), I was pushing myself beyond my ideal heart rate, and my muscles got very tired, very quickly – which is unusual, as I walk a 10k or more almost every week with no issues whatsoever.

I have been training using the Maffetone method which I love, but I’ve not been using it long enough to get a good speed result from a 10k race, so I decided to ignore all his good advice about keeping within your (much lower than conventional) ideal training heart rate level, and just walk as quickly as I could without getting winded. By the end of the first 5k my feet were numb from the cold and felt like bricks, I was demotivated, tired, frustrated, and feeling generally like quitting. I couldn’t believe it. I warm up with a 5k. This was ridiculous.

The second half was better because I hooked up with the woman who owns Distinctive Catering and we got into a great discussion about my funky shoes (they were quite the hit at this walk) and walking in general and I slowed my pace a little to keep together with her and engage in conversation. This moved me back into a better pace within my ideal heart rate. My pace had moved to about a 5.5-6 on the RPE, and with my feet now having some warm blood circulating through them, engaging myself in interesting conversation, and staying within my hear rate, I felt much better on the second lap – but was still feeling quite tired. Much more tired than my long walks (i.e. 21k) feel. This was odd.

The race ended in the middle of a pretty good downfall of snow, so I didn’t want to hang around much outside when it was over (though I did snag a bagel and had a brief chat with some walkers around the coffee urn…) Because of this I didn’t really stretch properly (what is WRONG with me?) and so for the rest of the day I was tired, achy, and quite uncomfortable.

So, lesson learned. I will take longer to prepare for my 21k so that my aerobic level is at place where I can complete it within my proper heart rate level at an 8 minute/kilometer speed (2.8hr finish time – I’m not too far off). And I will take the time to stretch properly when I’m done.

Live and learn….

Happy walking!

Darlene

(PS – sorry I don’t have any pics. My hubby had a meeting on in the morning and couldn’t be there to take pictures of my crossing the finish line in the snow… Too bad)

I’ve been participating regularly in the “10,000 Steps” community over the past couple of months. They have some fun and motivating ways to keep you walking, one if which is the “Million Steps Challenge”. Every Time you log 1,000,000 steps they send you a certificate. I got mine on the 16th. My next one is due in December.

It’s kind of fun! Check them out :”10,000 Steps“

Darlene

I just got back from a 7-day cruise to Alaska with my parents and siblings.  My folks are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year, and this was part of that celebration.

What great fun!  Lots of laughs, beautiful scenery, fabulous ship (Holland America’s “Volendam”) and wonderful service.  A great way to travel, to be sure.  Another cruise is definitely in my future somewhere, this time with my hubby and kids.  My parents actually won a 7-day cruise on this cruise, so they’re all geared up to go again as well.  Cool anniversary present!

I was terrified to go on the cruise because I kept hearing about all the food, and I have worked so hard to lose weight that I didn’t want to gain it all back in a 7-day cruise.  Neither did I want to go on a cruise with all that food and eat only lettuce.

I decided to compromise: I’d keep up with my walking, never take the elevator (as we were on the 2nd deck and the food and many activities were usually on the 8th deck, that meant a regular scaling of 120 stairs one direction, several times a day – I was usually over 20,000 steps on my pedometer each day of the cruise), eat only fruit for breakfast, salad for lunch, and then simply enjoy my dinner – all four courses.

I even did a 5k walk for breast cancer while I was on the cruise!  I walked 12 laps of the ship with 65 other people, and finished two laps ahead of the crowd.  We celebrated with glasses of chilled pink lemonade, and were part of Holland America’s raising of over $1,000,000 for the cause.  Pretty cool!

The result?  I still gained 4 pounds.  But ONLY 4 pounds.  I’m quite happy with that.  I also attended a very interesting workshop on weight loss and heard things I’d never heard before that will make future weight loss not only much easier to succeed at, but also even easier to maintain.  I’m doing further research on that to make sure I have the facts straight before I share the info.  Watch for that here.

It’s great to be back, but I sure loved the time away.  I am back refreshed and full of new ideas!  Can’t wait to share them with you!  There will be some exciting things happening here over the next couple of months, so keep your eyes peeled!

Have a great day, and happy walking!

Darlene