C25K – Week 9, Day 3! I did it!!!

Yay! I've officially completed the C25K running program! So after a year plus a few months, I can finally say I've completed the whole program. I started out once and got to about week 7, I think. I did run a 5K though during Week 6. I ended up quitting for the winter for various reasons. I started back at Week 1 in the spring and again ran up to week 7 or so, and quit because my knees were bothering me. So this fall, I figured I have to get this program done, once and for all. I started somewhere in the middle this time though, and finally made it to the end!

I did my last 30 minute run tonight at the gym. It went really well. I just wish there was some extra challenge for the last run to make it feel like I've accomplished something though. Since the last week is 3 30 minute runs, there is nothing too special about the last one. I knew I could do it, it was just a matter of getting it done.

Anyways, I ran the first 5 minutes at 5.5 mph, then upped the speed to 6.0 mph for the next 10 minutes. I was getting tired then, so I went back to 5.5 for another 10 minutes. Then I ran the last 5 minutes at 6.0 again and upped the incline for the last minute to 2.0. I think I need to start running faster.

C25K - Week 9, Day 2 again

Now I get to cross off W9D2. I went to the gym tonight to run on the treadmill. It was only 25 degrees today, and I didn't have time to run in the daylight. It went fine, nothing too exciting - time seemed to crawl at first.

I ran at 5.5mph most of the time. With a minute left, I bumped it up to 6.0, and then at 30 seconds left, to 6.5. Just wanted to see what it felt like to run at that speed. Definitely can tell the difference - not sure I could keep that speed up for long.

Only 2 day left!

C25K – Week 9, Day 2

Well, I tried. I haven’t gotten a run in for over a week. Shame on me. So, today, I told myself that I don’t have a choice. I have to get out there. I was able to run the first 16 ½ minutes, but it wasn’t very easy. I turned around a bit before 15 minutes and was then running uphill against the wind. I tried to keep going, but my hips hurt, my stomach was cramping up, and I just couldn’t run anymore. So I walked then for about 8 minutes. It felt much better to walk, so I figured I’d give myself a break today. When the timer had 5 ½ minutes left, I decided that I could run the rest of the way. I ran that and then another 30 seconds, so a total of 6 more minutes. In the end, I ran for 22 ½ minutes.

Still better than nothing at all, but I’m kind of disappointed that it was so hard today and I wasn’t able to cross off W9D2. That’s what I get for being lazy all week.

C25K - Week 9, Day 1

Last week of the C25K! I got out for a 30 minute run today. Ran the first mile in about 10 1/2 minutes. I think I went 2.8 miles if I clocked the right route on gmap-pedometer.com. The plan says to run either 3 miles or 30 minutes. So, I'm just a little short in distance.

It was another nice day out there, still able to run in a tank top and it's the middle of November! I was running against the wind a bit on the way back, but it wasn't constant, so it was fine. My calf was getting a bit sore, and I was getting pretty tired, but did run the whole 30 minutes. My muscles are really sore today, but that's because I was shoveling rocks for 3 hours yesterday. We're cleaning out a flower bed. So, 2 more runs left and I can officially graduate!

C25K – Week 8, Day 3

It’s crazy how 6 days can go by without getting any running in. I suppose there were a few cloudy, icky days in there, so I wasn’t motivated to get outside. I couldn’t resist today though – it was gorgeous out. I ran in a tank top again – but it was only a bit above 50 degrees. I just love soaking up the sun!

I didn’t know how it would go today, because we went for an hour and a half walk yesterday and I was surprisingly sore. But it went fine. My legs and feet were a bit sore, but not terrible. I ran through the neighborhoods again, and then came back on the running path. From the stop sign, which is a mile back to the main road, I had 11 minutes left. I didn’t quite make it, so my speed hasn’t increased any. Probably ran about an 11 ½ minute mile. Slow, huh? I did run faster the last minute – it would be hard to keep that up for long though. If I calculated right, I ran 2.6 miles.

Week 8 is done, only 3 more days left! On to the 30 minute runs!

C25K –Week 8, Day 2

Another 28 minutes down. Another beautiful day. I think October and November got mixed up this year, but that’s okay by me. It’s been so nice out lately, clear blue, sunny skies, and 60 degrees. Today I ran in a tank top. No complaints from me.

I set my timer for 7 minutes at a time again and went through the neighborhoods. My legs had a few mild pains here and there, but nothing too bad. The run went fairly well and I tried to run a little faster here and there the last few minutes. 4 more days of the C25K!

C25K – Week 8, Day 1 Again

Today was the best run ever! It felt great the whole time. I felt like I was just running along easily, no problems at all. I think three things helped.

First, it was an absolutely gorgeous day. 60 degrees, blue sky, and a beautiful sunset. I hadn't had a chance to get out there and enjoy it yet, so I couldn't wait to go running. I actually ran in shorts. I was a tiny bit cold, so I probably should have put at least capris on, but it wasn't too bad.

Second, I took a different route this time. I just meandered through the neighborhoods, with no specific plan. Nice to have a different view and new things to look at.

Third, I set my timer for 7 minutes and only thought about that 7 minutes. I set it four times and after the second time, I sorta headed back towards home, but on a different route.

Days like this make me really like running. Too bad every run couldn't be this nice!