I ran Week 7 Day 2 last night. It was exhausting and I didn't want to go, but I'm glad I did.
It was just me and Lesley, and Ocee Park was totally dark again. Thankfully, there were a few small lights on in the back and it was do-able. We ran together at a pretty slow pace, but we ran non-stop for 25 minutes. It was awesome.
It's funny how I've progressed to this point. While I'm not fast, I am at least out there moving. It's more than I was doing before. At this point, I just want to finish C25K and be able to say that I did it.
I could tell that I was going slowly, but I knew I needed to maintain my strength for the long-haul. I was excited to finish and not have my knees aching, or my shins hurting. I'm good today and feel really comfortable. I didn't get get home and do my usual crash.
Don't get me wrong, I was tired, but I wasn't overwhelmingly tired. If that makes any sense.
Here's my progress so far:
While I'm not happy with the fact that my walking pace was 20:50 and my running was 18:49, I am excited that I walked the shortest distance so far. To think that I've actually put in 35 miles so far, is awesome.
We were going to try to run on Thursday, and start a Monday/Thursday schedule, but Thursday is Halloween. So we're going to try to go tomorrow. I'll finish Week 7 Day 3 and then the progression to week 8 is easy. It's just like this week, but running for an extra three minute. I can totally do that.
I'm seriously impressed with myself. I can run for 25 straight minutes. I could NOT do that seven weeks ago.
I knew I needed to run last night, even though I really didn't want to go. I didn't go on Friday or Saturday, so I knew I absolutely had to get a run in before Steve heads out of town for the week. Thankfully, Lesley was also feeling up for it, and we ran at 7:15.
It's so weird to see it get darker and darker... earlier and earlier. I swear, we got to the park at 7:25 and it was totally dark. Add to it that there are no activities on Sunday night, and the lights weren't on. It was really dark.
We started off and my run was walk 5- run 10- walk 3- run 10- walk 5. I was good until the last run of 10 and then I was just really hot, tired, and felt like my legs were made of cement. I pushed through, but it was hard. Here are my stats:
Total Distance: 1.83 miles
Walk Distance: 0.72
Walk Pace: 17:56
Run Distance: 1.11
Run Pace: 18:02
I was definitely on the slower side... but at least I gave it my all and I finished the run without having to stop. My new total is 29 miles since September 1st. I've completed 17 days out of 27 for C25K.
My dad arrived tonight and he'll be here through Monday. I'm excited to see him and it's now real that I'll be running the Color Run on Saturday. I hope I have stamina and endurance, and more importantly, I hope I have fun. I'm excited to run with a big group of friends and eager to see how the Color Run goes.
I'm probably not going to run again until Saturday, so be ready for a post with pictures on Saturday/Sunday!! Wish me luck!!
There's nothing in the world like the feeling you get after a great run. They're few and far between, so when they actually happen, it's important to really enjoy the feeling.
Tonight was one of those nights. I had contemplated not running, but since I'm hosting MOMS Night In tomorrow (there are like eight or so friends coming over to watch Dirty Dancing, eat delicious food, and enjoy the night together), I wouldn't be able to run tomorrow. So that left me with no other option but to suck it up and run tonight.
It was just me and Stacey tonight, and the park was PACKED. It was a cool night (64 degrees I think) and we started at 7:15. We stayed together for a lot of it, but she did go off a few times because she's faster than me and wanted to get a good work out in and not just slowly trot next to me all night. :-)
I started off slowly, but it wasn't super slow. I ran 1.97 total miles tonight! My walking distance was 0.90 with a pace of 18:33 and my running distance was 1.07 with a pace of 16:47. I set a new record for distance (with the exception of my 5k) tonight.
I felt pretty good all the way through. Almost immediately I felt hot though and it was funny to see how quickly the body warms up. :-) My first run was for five straight minutes and I was comfortable and didn't start to think about walking until I was already 3 minutes in. It's amazing to think that I ran for three straight and had no problem at all. I think I AM adapting!
I finished and my shins hurt a bit. I almost think it's shin-splints which sucks. I used to get them in high school when I cheered. I'm hoping that it's not shin-splints... because there's not a lot that can be done for them. I've been tempted to look into compression socks to wear when I run because they help with shin-splints, but I don't know if they're worth the money. I need to do more research and see if they're worth it or not.
I'm not sure when I'll run again... either Friday or Saturday. Either way, I'm prepared for the next run (10/3/10). I'm now going to head to bed and enjoy the comfort of my bed. Man, I do love a good run! And to everyone that cheered me on (via FB) while I was running-- YOU ARE SO AWESOME!!!!
Last night I wasn't sure if I was going to run or not. I was still sore from Saturday and I read something that said to take two days off and then a slow transition back into training. However, there's no rest for the weary and by 7pm, I was mentally good to go.
I picked Lesley up and we talked about where we are on our training. She was starting Week 5 and I was ending week 5.
I'm not sure what it is about C25K Week five, but it's grueling. It's probably because up until then, each work out is just a bit more difficult and it gradually builds up and then you get to week 5 and it's a total change.
We met up with Stacey and the three of us started our five minute warm-up. When we got to the running part... I started out on the longest run of my life (honestly).
Even when I ran track in middle school and did the 800 (two miles), the longest I ever had to run was like 15 minutes because I was much faster back in the day.
So I started out slow... and I just did it. It was hard, and I wanted to stop at different points, but do you want to know what honestly kept me going? This:
My friend Aimee told me about it. It's the Nike Running app (it's free) and you can have it post to your Facebook to let others know that you're running. And while you're running, they can cheer you on!! As I ran, I had over 10 cheers come through (I think it was like 13) and they came at just the right moment. It was so awesome to run and to know that someone was seeing my FB post and liking it to give me that extra support that I needed!! If you run and don't use this app yet, I HIGHLY recommend it!!!
What's funny about running for 20 minutes is that eventually, your body just goes and you don't have to really think anymore. I found my breathing was aligning with my steps and while it was hard, it wasn't as painful as previous runs.
I made it to the cool down and then had a potty emergency. Must have been my insides sloshing around or something... I'm not sure what's up with running and needing to use the bathroom. I swear I need to wear depends when I run. I ALWAYS feel like I need to pee!!
Anyway-- Here's my time from yesterday:
Walk Distance: 0.60 16:39 min per mile Run Distance: 1.17 miles 17:05 min per mile
Total distance for yesterday: 1.77 miles.
I'm not too excited that my distance was shorter, but I think it's because I was running slower than usual. I felt like I needed to go slower so I could endure the entire 20 minute run. With everything, the more you practice, the better you'll be. I'm hoping the same is true of running.
The awesome news is that I finished Week 5. I am now on Week 6 and my first run is: 5 minute warm-up walk, then run 5, walk 3, run 8, walk 3, run 5 and cool down. It's a 34 minute workout... but I think I can handle it and can do the runs with walking in between.
And then Week 6 Day 2 is another good one-- 5 minute warm up, jog 10 walk 3 and job 10. More my speed for sure.
The great thing about finishing week 5 is that I'm not afraid of the 20 minute run anymore. I not only faced it, but I did it and I now know that I CAN do it. Running is such a mental game... for real. I just have to keep saying:
I've got this.
Steve left this morning for NY and I knew I needed to run before Thursday, so Lesley and I met at Ocee last night and ran together. It was her first day of running week 4 (running for five minutes at a time) and she and I stayed together for 99% of our run.
I felt pretty good starting out and I just realized that it's all mental. I've got to stay focused and know that I CAN and WILL get through each run.
When we finished, I looked at my log and it said, "Best Pace and Distance!" I was really surprised! I was pushing myself more, but not until the last cycle... here's my progress so far:
I don't know how it's the best pace and distance... but I'll take it.
I'll be running again on Thursday, since Steve doesn't get home until late on Wednesday. Lesley and I discussed trying to run earlier (6:30/7:00) since it's getting dark earlier and earlier. Last night, there were NO lights on at Ocee and thankfully, we went at 7:30 instead of at 8. We finished at 8, it was very very dark.
I'm still not sure about week five, but I'm going to try it. I figure, I won't know until I try. Running for 20 minutes without a break makes NO sense to me, but I'm willing to see what happens.
It's amazing to think that I've been running for three days a week for a solid month. I'm proud of my effort and feeling more and more confident about running my first 5k. I'm glad it's the Color Run because it's more of a "fun run" and not a serious race.
When I run the Turkey Trot, Jessica and I will be wearing "Where's Waldo" outfits. I'm excited. :-)
Last night we met at Ocee Park at 8pm to run again. We didn't run on Wednesday, so we had to run last night.
When we got to Ocee Park, the lights that are usually on (they're on the baseball diamonds) were not on. Only the back two diamonds were lit, and the front two were not (which made it quite dark). I'm not sure what will happen when we get into winter and there aren't outdoor sports on a nightly basis.
It was cooling off when we arrived at 8 and there was a nice breeze. It actually felt good and I'm glad I've discovered running at night.
It was just me, Lesley, and Jo last night and I was on W4D2 of C25K, while Lesley was on W3D3. We all started the five minute warm-up walk together and then after the five minutes were up, we started our run. I ran for three minutes while Lesley and Jo ran for 1.5. It was after 1.5 minutes of running together that we split.
As I was running last night, I could tell that I was doing better than before. I had more energy and I felt more determined. I did feel sick as I was running (felt like I could throw up), but I kept it together. I also needed to use the bathroom, but kept it together as well.
I figured out that one lap around the fields is 1/2 a mile.
As I was running, my legs did feel like cement and I felt really tired, but I focused on my breathing and I made an effort to push myself to run faster. I think it paid off.
When I finished, I saw that I had set a new personal best. Here's my progress so far:
Do you see that? I actually ran for 1.03 miles yesterday! With week four, I am now running more than I'm walking!! YAY ME!!
I am very proud of myself and while my run wasn't the greatest, I feel really good about it. I am not as sore this morning as I was on Tuesday, and I don't know if it's because my body is adjusting or if it's because I had an extra day off. Either way, I'm happy. I feel good. I am proud of myself.
I think I've got a solution to my problem of not being able to run next week. Lesley and I are going to run on Sunday (instead of Monday) and then we'll run on Thursday. Then I'll treat next Saturday like another training day when I run the 5k with Steve's work. I should be able to get back on track the following week with running MWF and then the week after is when Steve's gone again. But I think he's home Monday (the 14th), so I can run Monday night and then my dad will be here, so maybe I can go run one night while he's here. Then I wouldn't need to run again because Saturday is my first real 5k.
The more I think about running my first real 5k on the 19th of October, the more emotional I get. It's probably stupid, but I'll probably cry when I finish my race. Being able to actually run a 5k is something that I have wanted to do, but just didn't think I'd be able to do it. To have my dad, my husband, and my children there to watch me cross the finish line is just amazing. I'm teary-eyed just thinking about it.
So I think I can do W5D1 (5 minute warm-up, jog for 5, walk for 3, jog for 5, walk for 3, jog for 5, cool down), but not W5D2 (5 minute warm-up, jog for 8, walk for 5, job for 8, 5 minute cool-down), or W5D3 (5 minute warm-up, run for 20, 5 minute cool-down).
It seems so extreme to me. I mean, run for 20 after just running for 8? It seems like it should be gradual, and lead to run for 10 then maybe run for 12 and then run for 15 and then maybe run for 18. But to just go from running for 8 to running for 20? Craziness.
Weird to think that they want me to run for 20 straight minutes on week 5. I don't think that's going to happen. We'll see. I may be repeating week 4 again.
