Couch to 5K Updates

It’s been a few weeks since I gave an update on my Couch to 5K program. I have continued the program more or less. I mentioned last week that I was feeling under the weather. Unfortunately I developed a worse cough so I took a break from the program. It was frustrating doing that since I was just getting into the swing of things, but I didn’t want to get even more sick.

My shoes are aching to go out!

I can look at the positive side of taking a pause this week though. I realized how much I like having a consistent program and that I really miss the exercise. I did complete Week 2 (run 90 seconds, walk 60 seconds) and two out of three runs for Week 3 (run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds x2).

The other “positive” part of getting a cough is trying Chinese medicine/symptomatic relief that my aunt has kindly given me:

Pei Pa Koa (Apricot). It’s a dark syrup and very soothing. It leaves a tingly aftertaste, but it’s not minty. The bottle says it is a “herbs, loquat and honey extract” originated by Nin Jong from Beijing in the Qing dynasty.

“Bat see guaw”*: I’m not really sure what this is but I think it’s dried fruit. It has the texture of dried prunes and it is also very soothing. You keep it in your mouth like a cough drop, but I like it better than cough drops since it doesn’t make my tongue too rough.

* This is how the Cantonese sounds to me and not the “official” written English name.

Hollywood Walk & Roll

I’m still taking short walks during lunch. It has been raining more though and I’m not as keen to go out (but I still try!). I also started feeling under the weather yesterday unfortunately, but hopefully I am preventing it before it gets worse. Here are some highlights from the last couple of weeks.

Exploring Hollywood Road and SoHo (“south of Hollywood Road”). This area has a lot of funky and hip restaurants and bars.

Along Hollywood Road: it looked as if the wall was just standing there.

Various restaurants

I followed a wayfinding sign to go back to work, which led me through a walkway behind some buildings. I found an interesting housing complex.

 Neat alley.

Have a good weekend! I hope to recover, but still do something fun.

Week 1: Couch to 5K

Today I finished Week 1 of the Couch to 5K program. I often start exercise programs on a whim. I decided one day to start Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred and got up to Day 20 before stopping because of exams. I also started this running program on a whim too. I was not sure how I would fit in exercise here, but it seemed that this program could be fit in easily to my schedule.

I’ve never been comfortable running (e.g. lots of bad memories of Gr. 4 cross country runs). I look forward to running regularly, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to use this blog to keep me accountable yet. I enjoyed Week 1 a lot, but the program starts out slowly (run 60 sec/walk 90 sec). I can see the appeal of running, since I can just let my mind wander. When I am doing workout videos, Jillian Michaels is shouting at me and it’s definitely not reflection time 😉

I am exercising outside in the Botanical Gardens and there’s a great “track” to run around the fountain. The scenery is beautiful. There’s no need for music because I can hear the bird in the work. However, today I was listening to Carly Rae Jepsen on repeat, ha ha. I particularly love seeing middle-aged Chinese doing tai chi in the park while I run.

When the fountain is on:

 Flamingos!

I was hesitant about exercising outside in this humidity, but it has been surprisingly pleasant. I feel I warm up quicker. I figure if middle-aged and elderly people can exercise in this humidity, so can I. Wait, they are way more badass than I could ever be so that’s not a good gauge.

Excuse the crazy hair below!