CARA Mid-Program Review

Hey Everyone

I have just completed my 5^th week and I’m over half way through the beginning running program with CARA.

If you didn’t know CARA stands for the Chicago Area Runners Association.

The Misson of CARA:  Expanding, motivating, supporting, and celebrating the running community of Chicagoland. We want to connect you to resources that enable you to run—farther, faster, better, for life.

I started my running journey in Level 1, which included running for 1 minute and walking for 2 for 20 total minutes.  I wasn’t challenged enough and though scared, I decided to move into Level 2 the following week. In Level 2, week 2, I Ran for 1.5 minutes and walked for 2 for 20 minutes. The CARA program  builds and increasing the amount of running each week.

For week 3, I ran for 24 total minutes, running for 1 minute walking for 1.Week 4 was 21 total minutes, running for 2 minutes and walking for 30 seconds

Most weeks I run on the treadmill before or after my classes at LAFitness, but find it much more challenging to run outside. In week 5, I ran for 2.5 minutes and walked for only 30 seconds for a total of 24 minutes. My Pace runner and program manager stated that running outside is definitely more difficult and to incline the treadmill to 1, as to mimic the feel of concrete outside.

I have a much slower pace than my group, but the program manager said not to be concerned. I have the ability to run for longer periods, which is the foundation for building speed later on.

   What I like most about CARA is stretching myself beyond the gym. I like exercising outside in fresh air and making new friends in the running community. This has been such a help to my weight loss journey. In the last 5 weeks I have lost 10lbs since running with CARA. I have been on my weight loss journey for 16 months and lost a total of 102lbs.

Stay tuned to CARA and my Facebook Page for updates about running, healthy living and weight loss.

CARA RockStar Runners Facebook Group