25 Minutes Straight

We met last night at Ocee to run. It was cold. Like, 54 degrees (not cold to most of my northern friends, but it's pretty chilly for Georgia). I wore pants and had my hoodie with me, but I decided to ditch it before we started running.

Since we ran the Color Run on Saturday, I wanted to give myself several days of rest before starting back on the C25K plan. By the time yesterday rolled around, I was feeling pretty good about running.

I'm on week 7 day 1. 

Can you believe that? I've been running for 7 weeks already. It's quite spectacular to look back and see how far I've come in just seven weeks. I was hardly able to run 1.5 minutes before, and now look at me!

Last night, I did the 5 minute warm up and then it was a straight 25 minute run. Yes. I ran for 25 minutes without stopping!!

I'm  not going to lie. I am quite impressed with myself. That's a LONG time to run and to not stop once. Granted, I was running slowly, but I didn't stop. When I finished and had to do my five minute cool down, my legs felt like Jell-O.

I've decided that I am going to run twice a week. My days will be Monday and Thursday. Since all the runs from here to the end of C25K are all 25+ minutes straight, I want to give myself enough time between to have the energy, determination, and motivation to complete them.

Here's my C25K progress so far:

 Last night, I walked the shortest distance and ran the furthest so far. I am really pleased with my progress and I can't believe that I'm only 8 runs away from finishing the C25K program.

Lesley and I decided that after we finish the program, we're going to do it again from scratch, and see if we can beat our pace (we should be able to). I plan on keeping up with my running into the winter and spring. Not sure how summer will go... but with the night runs, it's been much easier mentally and physically.

I still don't consider myself a runner. I'm still not losing any weight from the effort, but I feel healthier. I know that I'm exercising and I'm eating better than I have in years. I've got thyroid issues that don't help with weight loss, but I'm doing what I can and I'm moving my body.

I'm still not sure how I feel about 5k races. I would much rather run with a few people at night and do what I like, than to deal with the nonsense and stress of a race. It's not like I'm being timed... but I just felt really defeated both times that I've done a 5k. Maybe it's because I am slow and not comfortable with that? I don't know. I am excited about the Turkey Trot next month (November 28th). I'm more excited to run with Jessica, my dad and Dave, but I think it's going to be awesome. And I get a medal after this one, and I intend on wearing it all day on Thanksgiving.

I'll be back next week to post about week 7 day 2.

Horrible Run

Friday morning was rough. I had asked everyone if they wanted to run with me and everyone had a reason that they couldn't. So I had a choice to make. I could stay home or find the motivation and go. 

I loaded the single jogging stroller into the car, loaded Hugh, and we headed to Ocee Park. It's now my favorite place to go and run.

We got to the park after fighting hellish traffic. I had stretched for about 20 minutes at home prior to leaving, so I felt good. I loaded Hugh into the stroller, got my music set up on my phone, and we set off.

Hugh wasn't sure what to think, but he seemed really happy. I was two cycles into my run when I noticed that my stroller was wobbly. Three cycles in and I started to hear a weird dragging sound, and when I looked, I noticed that not only did I have ONE flat tire, but I had TWO flat tires.

I had to continue, but it was brutal. Not only was it making a really horrible noise, but it was heavy and hard to push and steer. I made it around once, and stopped at my car to put Hugh back into his infant carrier and put him into the frame stroller.

He was quite unhappy to leave the jogger and head into the carrier. He screamed and screamed, and all the while, I was sweating, and tired, and sore.

I could have just called it a morning right then and there, but I decided to keep going and finish my run. Well, Hugh was not happy about my choice. I got 1/2 way around the loop and he was done. So I had to cut my run short and head back to the car as quickly as I could.

I finished by 9 and I had run just over a mile. I was exhausted from having to push Hugh and then change strollers and then deal with his screaming. It wasn't the best run, but as I drove home, I was happy that I at least tried. I am now free to relax until Monday night. 

I woke up this morning SO SORE. My arms really hurt from pushing the stroller. I guess muscle pain is a good thing because it means I'm doing something right!!

Back on the Trail

We decided to meet at 8:30 this morning to walk/jog/walk and I was so afraid I'd sleep too long and not make it on time. I got up around 7:30 and thankfully, Gus was still sleeping. I was able to get ready without having to rush or worry about him. Unfortunately, when I needed to leave at 8:00... he was still asleep!

I had to go in and gently wake him, which is NEVER a good idea. He was pleasant, but definitely out of sorts. As I was backing down the driveway, Pilar called to see if it was okay if I had Gus ride in her double stroller with Logan, so the weight was balanced. I believe she's having issues with her single stroller.

I didn't think it'd be a big deal, and I assumed Gus would enjoy riding with a friend. Of course, as soon as I put him in the double stroller, he was upset. He did not want to ride in the double. He cried the ENTIRE time that we were walgging.

It was definitely different to do it without a stroller and 30 pound child to push. I commented that it seemed to go by quicker today, and both Christy and Pilar said it was probably due to not having the stroller. Or that it could be that my body is adjusting.

We decided to do Week 1 Day 1 again and instead of jogging for 30 seconds each time, I jogged for 45. You wouldn't think that an additional 15 seconds would really make a difference, but by the time we got to the bridge (our turn around spot), I was exhausted. My legs felt like lead and I felt like I did back when I started.

Christy and Pilar like to do crazy exercises on the bridge, so I continued on without them and they caught up to me. I was alone, and could have cheated on my jogging, but I didn't. I know that if I cheat, I'm only cheating myself and it's not worth it.

We finished the cool-down period and let the kiddos out to run and be free. Gus fell not just once, and not twice, but THREE times. He has a bloody knee and took off the bandaid that I tried to put on his scabs. :-(

 

Gus on the path leading from the Greenway to the parking lot

 

Taken seconds before he fell for the first time

I'm back on the trail and starting back up on getting myself in shape. I lost .5 pounds at my weigh-in yesterday and I'm happy that I lost. I was off my plan Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so even with those days of not 100% following my plan, I was still able to lose-- I was pleased.

I'm eager to stretch tomorrow and then it's back to the routine on Wednesday with Pilar. :-)