The End Is Near

Hello all!

A very good update to report today.  I'm on the final week of the Couch to 5K program, with just two runs left until I'm finished!  Since I started this, I have lost 9 lbs., I can (fairly) comfortably run for half an hour, my clothes are getting loose, and my confidence is only gaining more and more.  After the program is over, I'm now asking myself, what next?

I have several options.  My goal for long-term sustainable health has really been divided into three phases.  Phase 1: Healthy Eating.  Phase 2: Cardiovascular Exercise.  Phase 3: Strength Training.  I'm hovering on the border between, should I continue my cardio as-is, intensify it, or move on to strength training?

I'd like to enter a 5K race soon.  Especially before summer gets too hot.  Once I've done that, I'm considering training to run up to a 10K.  Beyond that, I haven't decided yet.  Do I want to pursue half-marathons or full marathons?  (Those are 13.1 and 26.2 miles each, respectively.)  I don't know.  I suppose the best thing to do would be to work up slowly and see what happens.

Concerning strength training, I don't want to do anything too intensive, but I should round out my 3 days a week of cardio with at least two days a week of something else.  I guess it's just a little daunting because I may need to invest in some equipment or something, and I don't really know how to get started.  I really need a trainer...

Anyway, not only is the end of my C25K program near, I'm also just days away from finishing the semester!  I will be so relieved to have a break.  Of course during my break I'm going up to Iowa with B for his brother's college graduation, I'll be searching desperately for an apartment for the move, and I'm sure whatever spare time is left out of that I'll be visiting friends and family.  Not that I'm complaining, but it's going to be a busy break for sure.

I have to say, I'm very much looking forward to my internship, where my work ends with the school day, I can go home and not worry so much about homework, and I'm not having to sit in 3-hour lectures multiple times a week.  Of course it'll be like I have a real job, but honestly I'm looking forward to that.  I'm ready to not feel like a student anymore; I'm ready to be an adult!

Anyway.  I'm also ready to do some laundry and a little house-cleaning.  And probably go through my closet  yet again to prepare for my (probably) 300 sq. ft. future apartment.  I should probably get started on that.  So until next time...