"Real" Running

Yesterday I ran through the Arboretum with a co-worker, Kennedy. I had put up a sign at work asking if anyone wanted to run with me after my work days. Kennedy is a "real" runner; she does 5K's regularly, half marathons, and has even run a marathon. She is kind of like Rose in her excitement for running--like the Energizer Bunny. I had no idea when she said she would that she was a real runner. She runs regularly through the Arboretum so when I said I only had 30 minutes, she actually knew a good path. It was just beautiful. I have seen people running through there & have always wanted to. I ran for 29.5 minutes. That's my longest run yet! It was really good. I even had a few conversations with Kennedy. She was really positive and said by the end of April I will be able to run that route with no problems. I did pretty well actually!

Week 8, Day 1

I decided that Sunday counted as "Wk 7, Day 3" and then some!!

Today was another beautiful day. I am so grateful for the sun setting so much later! I can get SO much accomplished in the day & still get a workout in! Love it! Today was a 28 minute run. I ran the entire time, except when I was running up hill. I ran half way up & then walked quickly. This is really much improved because just running with the stroller has been challenging.

Today Rose & Dirk sent me a link with upcoming Seattle 5K's. I found out about the Fremont 5K. I have seen the people coming from this before. They wear ties, button-down shirts & "Buddy Holly" style glasses with tape around the nose bridge & carry briefcases. I never knew exactly what they were doing; I thought it was a pub-crawl. This time strollers are welcome. Ian will be sporting his tie & white button down from the Kennedy's in his stroller! And since it's not till June, I should be able to push him, rather than Dirk!

It was a good exercise day!

St. Paddy's Day Dash

Goal #1 accomplished! On Sunday, March 14 Dirk & I ran/walked the Seattle St. Paddy's Day Dash, a 3.7 mile coarse. Dirk thinks I probably ran 3 miles. The weather was perfect! It was really cold, but sunny. We didn't dress up like a lot of people (next year); we dressed for warmth & comfort. We also decided that next year we will bring Ian in the stroller. The brochure said "NO STROLLERS", but apparently we are the only ones that read that...I was very proud of my accomplishment! Now I am going to look for a 5K in May to do.

By the way, our friend/former trainer Rose Wetzel won the Dash!

Week 7, Day 2

Yeah, yeah, I know I skip a few entries. Whatever, it's not like anyone really is reading this...

So Tuesday I did Wk7, Day 1. It was ok, not great. I was on the island & forgot my inhalor--at home! So I did the best I could, which was about 12 minutes. Not bad considering, I forgot my inhalor, was running with the dog (who tried to trip me), it was very cold & very windy.

Today I did Wk 7, Day 2. I felt so good! I had the right pace & was "clicking" along and the program announcer had just told me I was half way done--Wahoo!, when my knee started to hurt a little. I would have continued to run, but tomorrow is the St. Paddy's Day Dash & since this is the run I have been working towards, I don't want to screw things up now. I have been kind of scared for tomorrow, but after todays run, I am not. I think it will go well.

Also, I decided today while I was running that my next goal is to do a 5K in 4-6 weeks & run the entire thing. There it is now out there so I have made a commitment!

Week 6, Day 2

Wahoo! I did really well today. Went to the gym. I was having a bit a hard time at first; I was cramping in my side, my asthma was acting up & I was getting really tired. But I persevered & did it! Today's interval was run 10 min, walk 3, run 10. I just keep talking to myself to keep going, and I did! It was a good work out. then I did 25 crunches. Good exercise day!

Queen of Excuses

Today I went for a run on the flat trail with the jogging stroller. The weather was warm, but overcast. I started off well. Ran the first 8 minutes. Walked 5, the second segment I had a hard time running. I was getting a side-stitch. I tried standing up straight, breathing in thru my nose, out thru my mouth; nothing was helping. I also had the wind blowing against me which made it hard to run. I ended up walking a couple minutes. When I was done, I realized I had run Wk 5, Day 2 instead of Wk 6, Day 1...opps!!! Better luck next time. At least I made it out....

Week 5, Day 3

Today Dirk & I set out with the dog, kid & stroller in tow. We drove down to a flat bike trail. Dirk knows me well enough that today's run was going to be a challenge for me, so he was going to do whatever he could do to make it easier. Today's workout, warm up walk, then run 20 minutes straight! No walking in between! Then 5 min. cool down. On the drive down the the trail he asked me if I was scared. No. I figured I'd run for 10 min. and the walk a little till I got my breath back & run again. I'd do my best.

So we set off. Dirk had both the dog & the stroller so I could concentrate on my running. I felt good. I paced myself at a good speed so I wouldn't burn out or get winded. The announcer (on my C25K program on my iPhone) told me when 10 minutes had gone by. Yeah! Half way done! At 15 minutes I did need to stop for about 10 seconds & walk, but I kept going (with Dirk's encouragement!). And I did it!! I ran 20 minutes straight! I am VERY proud of myself! Now I think I will be able to do the St. Paddy's Day Dash.

Now we just need someone to watch Ian for that morning. We'll figure that out.

Week 5, Day 2

Yesterday I went to the gym & ran the treadmill. I was not looking forward to it as the interval was this:

warm up walk 5 min.

run 8 min.

walk 5 min.

run 8 min.

five min. cool down

But I talked myself through it & did it! I amazed myself! I even persevered through a side stitch. It felt very good!

Week 5, Day 1

I made it to Week 5!! I'm impressed with myself! But before I get too "haughty", let's talk about todays run... It started off well. I ran the first 5 minutes. Then the second run came. Not so good. I ran out of steam & ended up walking probably 4 of the 5 minutes. The third 5-minute run I walked for 3 minutes. Plus I was having technical difficulties...my music wouldn't play, so I ran/walked in silence. BORING!! At least it wasn't raining! My next run is 8 minute intervals, that will be tough. I think I will do it on the treadmill so I can concentrate on running & not all the other "stuff."

Week 4, Day 3 - Take 2

Wahoo!! I did it! I actually ran the entire segment:

5 min warm up

jog 3 min.

walk 90 sec.

jog 5 min.

walk 2-1/2 min.

jog 3 min.

walk 90 sec.

jog 5 min.

5 min. cool down

I am really proud of myself. I was really struggling with this one. The next one is going to be challenging as well, but now I know I can run for 5 minutes straight without stopping!! Yeah!!

Week 4, Day 2 - Take 2

I am re-doing week 4 because I can't run 5 minutes & the next sequence is 8 minutes! Today was not so good. I went out by myself, which was good, but I forgot my inhaler so I had a hard time breathing/running. It was not a good run. But as Dirk said, I got it done...And it was a beautiful day to be out running or walking! 62 degrees!! Also, we signed up for the St. Paddy's Day Dash today. God I hope I can do this!! Right now I'm not feeling very optimistic.

Week 4, Day 3

Today I did pretty well. I ran on the treadmill. I still can't run the entire 5 minutes. On Wk 4, Day 2 I ran 3-4 of the 5 minutes. I am thinking of repeating this week. The only problem is if I repeat the interval, I will be behind a week, and I want to run the St. Paddy's Day Dash. I really don't think I'll be able to run the whole thing. I'm really curious how much I'll be able to run. We'll see...

Week 4, Day 1

AGH! Today was hard. The interval consisted of run 3 minutes, walk 90 sec., run 5 min., walk 2.5 min., run 3 min., walk 90 sec., run 5 min., 5 min. cool down. On the 5 minute runs I was able to run about 3 minutes max. It was exhausting. My arms were getting tired from pushing the stroller. I did not take the dog as I knew it would be a hard run & did not want to deal with him. I am just proud that I got out today & ran though. It was sprinkling & I am super tired, so I had all these excuses not to go. But I had more reasons to go, so I did!

Week 3, Day 2 & 3

These runs went very well. And I even did them consecutively. Wk 3, Day 2 I did on the treadmill & it went really well. It always seems much easier on the treadmill because I can watch the clock. Wk 3, Day 3 I ran with Dirk, Ian & Coco. Dirk was a huge help as when it came time for me to run, he took care of the baby & dog, all I had to do was concentrate on running & my form. This run went well, but was not as "smooth" as the treadmill run.

Week 3, Day 1

Well, I missed writing my post for Wk 2, Day 3 because I was on Whidbey. I ran on the street, by myself. It went pretty well. I ran all of the intervals complete. Pretty uneventful. I was tired.

I was dreading todays work out. I have been putting off all week because I figured it was going to be hard & I wouldn't be able to complete it. Todays workout consisted of running 90 seconds, walking 2 minutes, running 3 minutes, walking, running 3 minutes, walking, then running 90 seconds. I figured there was no way I'd be able to run for 3 minutes straight! I can barely finish 90 seconds! I was mad & didn't understand why the program went from a minute & a half to 3?! Why wouldn't it go to 2 minutes & work up to 3?

So I went to the gym & got on the treadmill. The first 90 second run went pretty well. I surprised myself. Then I started the 3 minute run. I kept my eye on the clock & mentally talked my way through it.... "Just two more minutes to go. Half way done. One more minute." And before I knew it, I had run 3 minutes without stopping! I mean it was hard, but I did it! And then I did all the rest of the intervals! Before I knew it, my 30 minutes were over! And I felt good! (and proud). = )

Week 2, Day 2

YEAH! What a great workout session! I ran every time (5 times) for 90 seconds! It was easier than I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, it was not easy, but it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be! Yeah me! And 90 seconds doesn't seem like a long time, till you are running it! Today I went to the gym; I like running at the gym better than running outside. I know I need to get used to running outside though. Good day!

Week 2, Day 1

Yesterday was my Week 2, Day 1 run. And it seemed better getting all the "stuff" together. And I remembered my inhaler! So far, so good, right? WRONG! This time I was having "technical difficulties!" The "C25K" program was pausing & then when I got it working, the music wouldn't play! AGH! I have yet to have a perfect workout where everything goes right.
As for running, it was ok. This week I am suppose to walk 2 minutes, run 90 seconds. I was only able to run for 90 seconds on one of the sessions. The rest of the time I ran 60 or a little bit more. I was pleased with my overall workout though. I think I'll do better on my next run.

Week 1, Day 3

Today was a good day on the running! I went to the gym because it was crappy out. Running on the treadmill was much easier, and I didn't "cheat" once! Meaning I ran the full 60 seconds every time. Some of the time when I've been running, I start to walk a little earlier than I am suppose to. Plus it was nice to be by myself; no dog, no kid. I might continue my training on the treadmill... I am not looking forward to next week. Running 90 seconds. I can barely run 60 seconds now. Pathetic, I know...

Week 1, Day 2

Wednesday was day two of the C25K. Coco (the dog), Ian & I went out. It was a gorgeous day!! The only problem is it takes so much time & effort to get ready to go out!

Get the baby ready-stroller, blanket, car seat;

get the dog ready-leash, pokey collar;

get myself ready--which includes finding my clothes, heart monitor strap (which, by the way I forgot to get wet for it to work correctly), shoes, find earphones, find phone (for music & C25K program), and inhaler--which I forgot AGAIN!.

By the time I get out the door, I'm already exhausted & frustrated! As I said I forgot my inhaler again so I did have a little difficulty. It did seem easier to run the second day, but it was still hard. It felt good to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I would like to try running/walking on the treadmill to see if it's any "easier."
I was excited to find out two old Macy's friends, Carrie & Nicole, are also doing the C25K. It would be fun to all do a run at the end of our training!

1st Day...Ugh!

On Dec. 1st I had a baby; Ian. I was very fortunate to not gain weight from the pregnancy, but I still have the weight to lose that I had before the baby. In January, a high school friend, Michelle, put a challenge on her Facebook page, "Couch to 5K". That sounded simple enough. 5k=3.1 miles. No problem, right? So Dirk & I went to Road Runner Sports & got me fitted for new running shoes, a new jogging bra, and a Garmin watch/heart rate monitor. We spent a pretty penny, but now I am set to start this training!

Well, I just did my first run. And it was hard! As I was starting, I realized I should have brought my inhaler as my asthma kicked in. Half way thru the run I was really having a hard time breathing. Dirk, Ian & Coco were there to coach me on. I knew it would be hard, I just didn't realize it would be this hard!! But I did it! First day done! Now for a nap...just kidding!