C25K - Week 6, Day 1

We went for an evening run tonight. Planned on running all day, but ended up doing other things - ran to the grocery store, planted my garden, played in Photoshop, etc. So finally at 10pm, I got DH to go running with me. It was a super nice evening. A little cool, but calm and no bugs - nice to get out to enjoy the weather.

I was cold at first, so we started running almost right away, instead of walking for 5 minutes. I think that was a mistake though, because my shins hurt a bit when I was running. Not enough to stop, but still kinda painful. That hasn't happened before, and I usually always walk for 5 minutes, so who knows if that's why or not.

The first 5 minutes of running was hard as usual, but then the next 8 minutes seemed to go fine, and the last 5 minutes was actually kind of easy. I felt like I was breathing easier than I usually do, so I picked up the pace for the last 45 minutes. Feels good to run when it isn't painful!

C25K - Week 5, Day 3

Yay! I ran for 20 minutes!! The dreaded Week 5, Day 3 is done. I really was dreading it and was feeling really lazy about getting out there. It was hard, but not as miserable as I thought. I just had to tell myself to keep running, even though I wanted to stop. I think it was hardest on my legs. It seems to always be really hard at some point, but if I just keep going, it seems to get a little easier again. As usual, it felt great to get outside, enjoy this warm summer day, and get some exercise in. It always feels great afterwards, so I try to remember that when I don’t feel like running. So week 5 is done - on to Week 6!!

Extra Run

I did get out for a run on Monday. I was going to try make it the 20 minute run, but really didn’t feel like it. We were camping, and I got DH, my brother and 2 14-year-old nephews to run with me. They all left me in the dust. We ran on a trail through the woods to a scenic overlook. This was my first time running in the woods. It was a nice change, beautiful scenery and all, but was pretty hard. There were some decent hills on the way back, plus you gotta pay attention to the ruts and rocks on the trail - just about twisted my ankle at one point.

The way there went okay – I realized that I wasn’t paying as much attention to my running, just enjoying the views for the most part. I was pretty tired out though when I got to the overlook. I think it took about 9-10 minutes to run there, and then we all stopped for probably 5-10 minutes checking out the view. The way back didn’t go so well. I did fine the first 5 minutes or so, but then saw the big hill I had to run up and I just couldn’t run anymore. So I walked for about 5 minutes until it leveled off and then ran/walked on and off for a few more minutes to the end.

So, basically this run was just to get some running in, in between Day 2 and Day 3 of Week 5. I didn’t want too many days to go by with no running. Just a little more practice before the big 20 minute run…

C25K - Week 5, Day 2

Woah, that was a tough one. Just got back from running two 8 minute intervals with a 5 minute walk in between. It was hard. But I did it!! I was running along fine at first, but then made the mistake of looking at the timer and I wasn't even halfway through the first 8 minutes. Time dragged on after that.

Sometimes it helps to know how much time is left - if it's less than a minute or two - and other times, it makes it worse - if there's still 4 or 5 minutes left and I'm already dying. So, I try not to look at it for as long as I can and then hope to be pleasantly surprised at the small amount of time left. ;)

So, next time is the big 20 minute run. Yikes! I'm not ready for that yet. I guess I know that I should be able to do it, because I have once before, but I'm feeling kinda lazy about it. It just doesn't sound fun yet... Not sure when I'll get it in, because we'll be camping this weekend, but maybe I'll have to drag DH along and a nephew or two for motivation.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

C25K – Week 5, Day 1

I started Week 5 today and day 1 says to run 5 minutes, walk 3, run 5, walk 3, and run 5. Seemed to go pretty well. I made it just under 2 miles again. It’s a beautiful, sunny day out there and pretty warm. It was a bit windy, but it felt good, cools you off a bit. Didn’t seem to be hard to run with that wind, but maybe I didn’t have to run against it this time.

I was just thinking that when I run, all I think about is my breathing, counting the breaths in and out. Would be nice to not have to think about that and just run, but it seems to help keep it steady and keeps me going. Is it a good thing to be counting like that?? Or should you just run and breath however you breathe?

I’m planning on running a 5K on June 13th, so that’s only 4 weeks away. I’ll only be on Week 8, but that should be fine. I ran a 5K in November and I was only on Week 6 of the C25K – the first time I ever did the program. This is my second round, so I’m not too worried. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to run the whole thing, but it’ll be interesting to see if my time is a lot better or not.

C25K - Week 4, Day 3

Finished Week 4 today! DH came with me on my run - always fun to have a running partner. It's not fair though - I'm the one that is dying by the end and I've been running regularly (well, for the last 4 weeks anyways) and this guy hardly ever runs and probably feels like he's going backwards when he runs with me. He hardly breaks a sweat. He's the one who went out and ran a 5K for fun without bothering to train for it. He hadn't run for probably 10 years but still finished somewhere at the top. What a guy! :)

Anyhow, today's run went okay. I was pretty tired out, but did manage to pick up the pace for the last 30 seconds to try make it back to the starting point. Should have worn shorts though - it was warmer than I thought. It was 40 degrees yesterday - COLD and windy, with frost overnight, but today has definitely improved. Around 60 degrees out there, nice and sunny with just a little breeze. Maybe we will have warm weather for camping next weekend - hope so!

BTW, I figured out that this week I've been going just under 2 miles (like 1.95). The plan, if you run for distance, says to be running/walking 2 miles this week, so I'm on track with that too. I don't count the distance I walk for the warm up and cool down.

C25K - Week 4, Day 2

Another beautiful day for a run! Actually, it could be warmer, but the sun was shining, so I won't complain. Just thinking about our camping trip next weekend though, and if it doesn't warm up before then, we're going to be a little chilly in the tent.

So I did W4D2 today. Boy that first 5 minutes of running seemed like a long time. But then the next 3 minutes went by quickly and the last 5 wasn't too bad. I keep waiting for the day that it's not so hard. I guess I have to keep thinking that it's not near as hard as it was the first time I ran, so it is getting easier - slowly, but surely!

C25K - Week 4, Day 1

After a 5-day break (with no good excuses), I got out for a run again today and got started on Week 4. I did go on an hour bike ride in that 5 days, plus I mowed the lawn, so I wasn’t completely lazy!

Today’s run was not too easy, but not terrible either. Kinda feels good to start running longer – this week calls for a couple 5 minutes runs along with a couple shorter ones. Definitely appreciated the walk breaks, but managed to run without too much trouble. I was able to run in shorts and a tank top today – nice weather for running. It was maybe about 70 degrees and partly sunny, not much wind. I should figure out how far I went, just for fun.

C25K - Week 3, Day 3

We're back from vacation. We had a grand time in San Francisco and Napa Valley! The only bad part was the weather. It rained over half of the time and the other half was cloudy - didn't see much of the sun at all. But the rain mostly stayed away when we were in the city, so we were able to walk around and ride the cable cars to see all the sites without getting too wet. Anyways, we didn't get any running in, but did get lots of walking in - with lots of hill climbing!

So today, I took advantage of the absolutely gorgeous day and went for a run. It really feels like summer! 73 degrees, blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and the grass turned green and the leaves on the trees really came out while we were gone. It felt really good to run, but I could tell I hadn't run for a week. My legs, especially my shins, were really tight. Took a while for them to warm up and stretch out again. But Week 3 is done - on to Week 4!