Graduation is near

Today marked the start of week 8.  The final week of my couch to 5k journey.  I ran tonight for 28 minutes straight.  I bumped my pace down to 10:54 minute mile and then down to a 10:40 for the last half.  That had me running at a 5.5 on the tread and then a 5.7 and at the end I ran the last minute at 6 and then 7.5 for the final .10.

I am so excited for Saturday! 

I plan to get 2 more runs in before Saturday....Tuesday and Thursday.

First Outside Run...

Headed to the old Middle School track...or should I say what is left of it.  It was my high school track when I was a kid and I have run many miles on that track.  It was a good starting place for the first outside run.  Too bad it was pretty cold out.  The temp was hoovering around 30, but it was going to be great practice for the run on December 4th.

I had my ipod ready and I dressed a bit less that warm just because I knew I'd get warm as I started running.  We got to the track and well.....it was pretty sad shape.  It was runnable but not how I imagined it would be.  It was comforting to picture myself all those years back running on that track....sorta nostalgic!

I was able to keep pretty good pace while running outside and it seemed to be a lot easier outside running that on the treadmill.  I'm still confident that I can get my 5k time in 30 minutes.  This was the start of week 7.  I hope to run all of week 7 outside.  Day 2 I'd like to try street running with hills and all that jazz.  I'm sure my pace will go down a bit, but it will be a lot more fun.

So in all I ran 2.5 miles in my twenty five minute time chunk and did a full 5k again in 35 minutes.

I am feeling very good about my running progress.  It makes me smile.

 Going out for my first outdoor run!!!

The feeling of accomplishment....almost tasting it....

Today I entered the gym with a spring in my step.  I was ready for this.  To date this was the going to be my longest continuous run during my couch to 5k journey.  I had my ipod ready, my head phones on, my knee "pre
bengayed" and my water bottle in my hand.

I was able to find the zone today......and I was very pleased with the results.  I managed to run 2.5 miles in 26:10 minutes!!!  When you add in my five minute warm up and my five minute cool down I did 3.10 (that's a 5k) in 36:06 minutes!  That means in two weeks I will be able to meet my goal of a 30 minute 5k! That was a 11:37 mile pace.....

I seriously feel amazing and I can't wait to keep running.  Those are words I never thought I would in my entire say.......

Week 6, Day 2 is Over.....

Just to reflect a bit of where I have come from.....

I started this workout on October 11th.  Today is November 17th, I have run 38.71 miles so far.  I am a long way from where I want to be, but I am feeling so good.

Today was my longest run yet, at 2.76 miles. 

I am setting a goal for a 30 minute 5K on December 4th!

My knee is feeling wonderful.  I have just a slight bit of pain after my run, but some ice and stretching seems to fix that.  I really think it was my form and my shoes.  I went back to my old shoes.

Week 5, Day 2

Today the running started getting longer chunks of time.  It was a 8 minute continuous run followed by a 5 minute walk and another 8 minute run.

My knee held up good and I did a 5.7 mph for the 8 minutes.  I am getting excited for race day!  Only 3 more weeks!!!!

The Pain........is leaving

I had been so worried about the pain that was starting to be pretty intense in my left knee.  I took an extra day off, ice, bengay, advil, and extra stretches.  I also went back to my old running shoes.  I survived day 1 of week 5!

My pace time went up, but overall I feel good.

Pressing onto the rest of week 5.  My Saturday I will be doing a 20 minute continuous run with no walking!  I can't wait!

Pain?

As I started week 4 of the program I started to feel some tightness in my left knee.  I pushed through and each time I ran I felt it, but as I warmed up the pain went away. 

Yesterday, I had taken 2 days off between runs and when I started my run my knee was instantly sore and tight.  Then as the run progressed it got worse.  I tapered off the speed and did finish the last day of week 4. 

As I got home I started to have more pain in my knee.  I am scared now.  I want to keep going, but I've never had a knee problem.  I iced it and currently have heat on it. 

I am scheduled to start week 5 on Monday, but not sure how that will fair. 

I am loving the couch to 5k and the other parts of my body are ready to move onto week 5.  Des gave me some pointers for how I need to fix the way my feet are hitting the ground. 

I'm hoping a warm bath, heat, and then extra stretches will fix me right up!

Week 4 is here and I'm pushing through it....

I have to admit I was nervous going into Day 1, Week 4.  I started this program 4 weeks ago and I averaged 15 minute mile.  Today my mile time was 12:27 and I burned 334 calories!  I felt fantastic as I was running.  I still feel really good right now too.  I am getting anxious as the real 5k is only one month away.  It is hard to believe that I feel this good and excited about doing this.

Week 4 jumps you up quite a bit, I ran for a total of 16 minutes today.  16 minutes!!!  It has been a long time for me to run that much time.  Of course in 2 more week I will be running 20 minutes with no walking breaks.  I am really looking forward to that.  I am however, getting a bit nervous about running outside.  I need to take a Saturday and go see the course and run a bit outside.

I just wish the scale would start going down.  I weight the same today as I did 3 weeks ago!

I am looking forward to when my students do the mile run this year, this is going to be the first year I go down with them and run.  I want to run with my kids!!!!

Made me tear up.....

I don't have 120 pounds to lose, but this video is awe inspiring and I it has helped me see the true potential that I have.....all I have to do is, do it!

Middle of the Week...

Tonight I did day 2 of week 3.  My legs seem to be heavier on days that I work out in the afternoon.  When I go run/walk on Saturdays in the am I feel much more weightless when I run!


So far running 3 full minutes isn't anything different than when I did 90 seconds.  I am really enjoying this and so pumped that Des got me a brand new ipod touch!  I am in love with it!

Week 2 Complete

I finished my 2nd week of couch to 5K and I feel so good.  I'm looking forward to Monday and the start of week 3!  It feels so good to do this.  I am also registering for my first 5K today!

Week 2 starts without a hitch

Today I began week 2 of the couch to 5K.  My running lengths increased and I could feel the burn a bit more today.  In 30 minutes I went 2.20 miles which included my 5 minute warm up and cool down.  I've cut my mile pace down to 13:21.  I think as this week progresses I can get it down to the 13 minute mark. 

I'm about ready to step on the scale again, but I think I will wait until week 3 to see if how my clothes are fitting better translates to the scale moving down!. :)

Week 1 Completed

It was pretty easy to make myself do the first week of Couch to 5K.  I'm excited at how I feel this week.  I am looking forward to registering for my real first 5K, the Jingle Bell run the 1st weekend of December!!!

I keep taking time off my mile pace and getting farther in the amount of time.  Next week I start running longer, so it will keep going down.

Off to do report cards...booooo

Day 2 of Week 1

Yesterday was my "off" day of the program, so I rode the recumbent bike for 25 minutes.  My legs were really burning, then I did back and arms with my husband and the free weights.  I could really feel it today.

So it was officially day 2 of week 1.  It was the same workout as Monday, but today I pushed a bit harder and was able to get my pace including the 5 minute cool down and warm up to 14:15 per mile.

Here are my status from this work out:


30:38 time
14:15 per mile
2.14 miles
216 calories

I did have a mild side cramp, but I pushed through that. 

It Started.....Week 1, Day 1

Today was my first day of the couch to 5K program.  Here are my stats for today:
Total of 30 minutes (included 5 minute warm up, 5 minute cool down) 2 miles.
15 minutes miles, 209 calories

My running rates went from 4.5, 5.0 with the last minute at 6.0

Long way to go, but so excited to have gotten started.