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). = )