I may have mentioned in a blog post from eons ago that I am running a 5k this summer and started some sort of doable training schedule a few months ago until P90x came into my life. My view was: This will be even better than running because I will be super fit, right? Wrong.

My former co-worker, who I am going to (attempt to) run this 5k with, sent me a friendly e-mail the other day about how she has been sticking to her running training schedule and she is, in fact, running a 5k this weekend.

What 5k? Oh yeah, that whole thing I agreed to a few months ago... 

I panicked slightly because although the race isn't until June 25, I haven't run in a few weeks thanks to the rigorous P90x workouts. I was at the point where I was running a comfortable three miles and trying to improve my speed. I never thought a two week slump would make much difference, until I ran yesterday.

It may have partially been the humidity, but I don't remember the last time I had such a miserable run. My legs, which I thought were turning into legs of steel thanks to P90x, felt like lead. I tried again this morning and it was slightly better, but I was still lumbering up hills instead of gliding.

What I've learned: I can't stop running unless I want to look like a fool in this race.

My new plan: Combine P90x with a running schedule. Days that call for plyometrics or leg workouts will be running days.

Caveat: I am not giving up, just switching it up so I don't die in this race. 

Slacking: I haven't been drinking my protein shakes, which seemed to keep my energy levels up. But I'm learning. My excuse is that I'm a rookie.

What I learned today while P90xing: do not drop weights on your face while lifting. Don't worry, I didn't do it. I listened to Tony Horton when he cautioned not to be a hero and to only use weights that are of reasonable size. For those curious, I used some 5 pounders, although in retrospect, I could have probably upgraded a whole three pounds to 8 pound weights during my arm and shoulder workout today. The fitness experts in the video used 20-30 pound weights but really, I'm not even going to go there.

A perk of this new workout is that I have so much energy. After the initial submersion of pain and sleepiness after day one, I am on the fast track to actually feeling healthy and not like a couch potato.

I am also trying things I've never tried before like lifting weights for more than 10 minutes and drinking milk with protein powder.

Not to worry, this is not me

But really, protein powder apparantly helps muscles recover after you spend an hour ripping them to shreds from doing exercises with ridiculous sounding names like the tri-bi-rise-kickback ... or something like that.

The biggest problem I have encountered, even with recovery drinks, is that my muscles don't necessarily recover. After plyometrics on Friday, I was essentially dead. I actually wanted to cry, yell and nap all at the same time while doing those exercises. I was even chided for cursing at the TV too much during workouts that hurt too bad and seemed neverending. My calves have never hurt so much. They still hurt today. nearly six days later.

I am hoping that I'll get used to this. In the meantime, I encourage others to jump on this bandwagon and embark on crazy workout adventures that involve them potentially injuring themselves and drinking vanilla flavored protein powered instead of eating a meal. Ok, so I'm a little bitter, but I promise, it's more fun than it sounds. And tomorrow is yoga, so I get to take a breather and balance my chi, hopefully weights have nothing to do with that.

I survived day one of my 90 day fitness plan following P90x. Don't act so surprised. I'm a champ, you know.

All right, so I'll admit that I struggled through the hour and 15 minute chest, back and abdominal workout. I can comfortably do about 25 pushups. But P90x guru, Tony Horton, asked me to do far more then 25 regular pushups. There were diamond pushups, dive-bombers, military pushups, you name it...

And it is just as painful as it sounds, in case you were curious.

But if I want to be as fit as the girl (Marina, I think is her name?) in the initial workout video who, as Horton said, is "stronger than the average bear," I have to push through it. So I did.

Breathing, walking and thinking hurt after I was done. Chelsea, my friend who is doing the workout with me, said that it hurt to lift her beer after.

Editor's note: Beer is probably not the best choice for an after p90x drink, but in my non-expert opinion, perhaps it will help you relax your muscles. And you are allowed one liquid snack in the diet plan, so that was it.

Yes, there is a (loose) diet plan that comes with the program. I think will be pretty easy to follow, actually. No junk food and portion control, that's about it. Ok, so I gave in and had a burger after the workout, but apparently that counts as protein, so I'm safe.

After work today I will embark on day two of the plan, which is mostly plyometrics. Wish me luck!

Chelsea, me and Chelsea's brother Jake doing pull up exercises with resistance bands.

Verdict: P90x, albeit challenging, is not as impossible as I thought it would be.

Advice: stretch before trying any of the exercises.
Invest in protein shakes - they help you feel full and make up for all the calories you burned while trying not to faceplant while doing pushups.

Results: Three pulled muscles, feeling fit and energized, but was incredibly tired after the workout

So this is a trend blog, as many of you know by now, and I have participated in a lot of the trends I write about - only the moral, safe and legal ones, of course. But I am about to partake in what will probably be the biggest challenge in my life thus far and I want all of you to join me.

There is a supposedly life (and body) changing 90-day workout plan that I am soon going to embark on called P90x. Many of you may have heard of it. If you have, you know that it is not for the faint of heart. 

The masses often write reviews that detail grueling workouts that were so strenuous they had to give up because the workout video is fit for only Olympians.

P90x reviews

Well, I am putting this to the test to see if I have what it takes. My friend, Chelsea Lange, will be going through this with me. While I wouldn't consider either of us couch potatoes, as we do tae boe and pilates, run and zumba together, we also aren't Olympians by any stretch of the imagination.

This will be an exciting endeavor in our lives and hopefully yours as well. You blog readers get a treat - we will hopefully be posting pictures, videos and of course, details of our experiences, along the way. In turn, please feel free to give us tips, encouragement or even, if you must, laugh at our efforts. It's all in good fun!

Now I am going to enjoy my last bacon cheeseburger that, if I don't cheat (I won't, I promise,) will be the last one I eat for the next 90 days.

It's Thursday, which means you're probably trying to figure out something to do tomorrow night that won't break your bank.

Lucky for you, it's restaurant week in New Haven. You can get dolled up and hit the city's finest restaurants for an appetizer, dinner and dessert for only $30. Everybody's doing it (this is a trend blog, by the way) so I suggest that you make your reservations pronto.

I have mine at Pacifico, which is offering some sort of plantain encrusted item. I didn't have to read further - I was immediately sold.

My only regret is that I didn't tell you guys about this sooner. How often can you get a $60 (or more) meal for half the cost?

The restaurants' menu's feature pre fixe choices that are likely to suit anyone's fancy. Many even offer pre fixe lunch specials for about $16.

Pick your poison

For those anxious for spring weather, this is also an excuse to put on that spring dress and heels you've been stowing away in your closet. (Guys, I don't recommend shorts for some of these chic spots.)

Dine out at these places tonight and tomorrow like you can afford it, because, well, now you can thanks to restaurant week.

Maybe I'll see some of you out on the town enjoying braised lamb with a Cabernet-shallot reduction.

Happy dining!