Running

I've been having the worst time staying committed to working out lately.  (And by lately, I mean the past 2+ years).  Right before I started graduate school, I was running a ton - like 15 miles a week and doing workout videos for weight training.  But over the past three years, my eating habits have gotten worse and my time spent exercising has seriously declined.  Like, it's-non-existent declined.  I wish I had a good excuse, but my boyfriend and I just really love food, and sadly, I can (and do) eat as much as he does at many meals.


A while ago, I found this app/website called gip.is.  You enter your current running level, and what distance you'd like to work up to.  I started it a year or two ago, and quit after a few weeks, but I just created a new "plan" and I'm hoping I can stick to it this time!

screenshot of my gip.is customized running plan

The app has all the same features as other running apps (like mapping your run), but it's integrated with your personalized running plan, which tells you how long and how fast you should run.  When you're running, a voice plays over your music when you're outside the pace for the day, and tells you to "maintain this speed", go "faster" or, go "slower".  You can customize the number of days each week you will have time to run, and set which day of the week you have time for your longer runs. And, if you miss a day, the plan will automatically re-adjust.  How cool is that!?

screenshot of the run mapping feature on gip.is

I think I didn't stick with it before because I was in slightly better shape than now, and was impatient to get better on my own (that didn't last).  Now, I'm grateful for their gradually start up phase, which for me, is lots of moderately paced walks.  Here's to getting back in shape (with a little help from gip.is)!