I was just about to cancel with the personal trainer, when she called me and apologized for being so slow to get back to me and offered to meet with me right away. I was apprehensive, but agreed. I’m so glad I did! She was warm and friendly and encouraging and inspiring. She did a comprehensive fitness assessment on me, which was quite humbling. I know that I’ve come a long way in my fitness already in the past 9 weeks or so since I’ve started running, but I still have a long ways to go. I’ll probably post a chart with my results soon, but the main things were:
Body fat 36%. When I started it was 40%. The top of the “healthy” range for women, and the number that the trainer thinks should be my goal is 21%. That’s still a LONG way to go.
Upper body strength: Poor. I was able to do 14 “girly” pushups before I had to stop. And it was hard.
Flexibility: Average
Cardio: GOOD!!! This was a pleasant surprise because I’ve always thought that my cardio fitness was very, very low. Nine weeks ago it was. Today it is categorized as “good”!! For this test I had to step up onto a step for three minutes. By the third minute my heart rate had climbed to 173 and I was panting and starting to sweat. It was embarrassing, the trainer had to ask if I was okay. Then I got to sit in a chair and rest for one minute to see how my heart could recover. Guess what? In just one minute my heart rate was down to 69 bpm (resting was 60) so I was almost fully recovered in just a minute! The trainer said this was “awesome” and really impressive.
The trainer wants me to meet with her assistant instead of her for training since she knows I want to get started right away… I’m tempted to tell her that I would rather meet with her instead of her assistant, even if I have to wait a while. I’m really focused on my race in NINE DAYS so I wouldn’t mind starting a strength routine after that, anyway. I’ll think about it and call her tomorrow to discuss.
Anyway, after the fitness assessment I got on a treadmill and walked for five minutes, then ran for 28 minutes. It was very hard. It’s been a while and I’ve been sick and am still not 100% healthy. I paused the machine after 14 minutes of running to take a short break and get a drink. Then I cranked it back up and finished the rest. OOF it was hard. The race is coming up so soon I really want to do whatever I need to do to be ready. Also I am in an EXTREMELY STRESSFUL situation at work and I think running really helps me blow off some of that steam.
Anyway, if I can continue to run every other day up until my race I should be able to finish the Couch to 5K program by race day, or maybe count the race as the final run. I’ve been tempted to just sluff off these last few runs, workout however I want to and move on to some other training plan, but I do want the satisfaction of having really, truly completed this program for real. So I’m going to keep doing it. Four workouts left!
April 10, 2008 at 9:49 pm
You are the BOMB in my book on so many counts. FOURTEEN girlie pushups and you’re embarrassed?? Girlfriend, I’m taggin’ you from way behind, but you are inspiring me to keep pushing, keep training and keep moving. Thanks for sharing!
April 11, 2008 at 7:46 am
Woah – 21% is NOT the top of “healthy for women”
It breaks down like this for women: you NEED at least 12% to essentially exist. Highly trained athletes are typically 14-20%, “fit” women are between 21 & 24%, but anywhere from 21 to 31% is healthy. Don’t get too caught up on body fat % – I don’t know how she measured it, but most ways aren’t very accurate anyway.
April 11, 2008 at 11:22 am
Enjoy your runs, but let your body set your pace, not your brain. You’re still getting over your ick, and you want to have fun at the race.
Really glad the personal trainer came through. Great work on your cardio!
April 11, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Yay! It’s always great when someone pleasantly surprises us, isn’t it? And having a personal trainer that you really like is so important, in my experience. I had a few sessions with a guy who I just didn’t click with at all, and didn’t get much out of it, then my last session there was a substitute lady who I loved to pieces.
I’ve just gotten caught up on your blog (real life has been pesky lately!), and I’m so sorry to hear you were sick! I’m living in fear lately of getting sick, because I feel like I’m on such a great exercise kick that I don’t want to be sidelined. It’s good that you didn’t lose too much–you’re still logging those LOONG runs. I’m sure you’ll be ready for the race!
Good luck, and take care of yourself so you can get back to 100%!
~briy