Run 11: Friday 4/24/09
Weather: Upper 50's and mostly cloudy
I was really tired today. I'd been looking forward to this run, but by afternoon I was feeling so tired that I didn't want to go. I went anyway, and I'm glad I did. I wasn't able to hold my posture as well (running proud is the image to strive for), and my speed was a little slower. I still managed to push my last run for a full 1/2 mile loop!! That put a smile on my face. The run today was hard, but I felt content when I was done.
Run 12: Monday 4/27/09
Weather: Upper 50's and sunny
This marks the first day of a new week. My plan was to move to the official week 3 plan: 1.5 min run then walk & 3 min run then walk, repeated twice. But, as I pushed myself on the last running days to complete a full half mile (a little under 5 minutes), I have actually progressed beyond this weeks plan already!
I started off with a skip, eager to start the run (after my 5 min warm up walk). This was a first! And I found myself thinking, this run is only 1.5 minutes- easy. ;)
It felt so good, I ran with a smile on my face. After the 3 min run, I only needed 2.5 min to recover and started off on my next run. To top it off, I ran the whole 1/2 mile loop again, cutting about 20sec off my time (4:36), AND even sped up for the last bit. It was incredible!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
1/2 Mile Run, no stopping
Run 10: Wednesday 4/22/09
Weather: Upper 40's and cloudy
I've been alternating with 2 mins running and 2 mins walking this week. For my last running stint, I tucked away the stopwatch and just ran. I wanted to see how far I could go without watching the clock. I put my focus into breathing, like I do when I'm swimming, with deep breaths. I know it's oxygen that we convert into energy, so this really helped.
I went ALL the way around the loop, a full HALF MILE without stopping!! 4min and 45 seconds. Wow!! What an achievement. :D
Even compared to when I had "run" a few years ago, I think that is the longest I've gone without needing to switch to walking. I am amazed to see such progress after only 3 weeks!! Maybe it won't take me 6 months to able to run 3 miles without stopping, after all. (The official program is 3 months, but as I'm extending some of the weeks, I expect my progress to take longer.)
One step at a time, but it's very exciting. Gotta celebrate all the mini milestones.
Weather: Upper 40's and cloudy
I've been alternating with 2 mins running and 2 mins walking this week. For my last running stint, I tucked away the stopwatch and just ran. I wanted to see how far I could go without watching the clock. I put my focus into breathing, like I do when I'm swimming, with deep breaths. I know it's oxygen that we convert into energy, so this really helped.
I went ALL the way around the loop, a full HALF MILE without stopping!! 4min and 45 seconds. Wow!! What an achievement. :D
Even compared to when I had "run" a few years ago, I think that is the longest I've gone without needing to switch to walking. I am amazed to see such progress after only 3 weeks!! Maybe it won't take me 6 months to able to run 3 miles without stopping, after all. (The official program is 3 months, but as I'm extending some of the weeks, I expect my progress to take longer.)
One step at a time, but it's very exciting. Gotta celebrate all the mini milestones.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
On to Week 3
Run 8: Friday 4/17/09
Weather: Mid 50's and mostly cloudy
All week, I'd been running 1.5 min and walking 2 min. Today, I didn't feel that I needed the full 2 minutes to recover, so I decreased it to 1.5/ea. That means I ran for a full half of my twenty minutes for the first time!!
Run 9: Monday 4/20/09
Weather: 70 and sunny!
BEST RUN EVER. (Well, so far, at least.) It felt so good. The weather was gorgeous, my performance was better than ever. I can feel my body changing. Today I started a new week with 2 mins running and 2 mins walking. It's sort of an inbetween from the official week 2 and week 3 plan for the C25K. This was definitely challenging, but doable. What a rush. And I'm noticing that I'm circling the path a lot more times than when I started this journey. Now I wish I'd kept count, so I'd know how far I ran! Maybe next time...
Weather: Mid 50's and mostly cloudy
All week, I'd been running 1.5 min and walking 2 min. Today, I didn't feel that I needed the full 2 minutes to recover, so I decreased it to 1.5/ea. That means I ran for a full half of my twenty minutes for the first time!!
Run 9: Monday 4/20/09
Weather: 70 and sunny!
BEST RUN EVER. (Well, so far, at least.) It felt so good. The weather was gorgeous, my performance was better than ever. I can feel my body changing. Today I started a new week with 2 mins running and 2 mins walking. It's sort of an inbetween from the official week 2 and week 3 plan for the C25K. This was definitely challenging, but doable. What a rush. And I'm noticing that I'm circling the path a lot more times than when I started this journey. Now I wish I'd kept count, so I'd know how far I ran! Maybe next time...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Two Weeks and Counting
Run 7: Wednesday 4/15/09
Weather: low 50's and SUNNY
I'm doing it! I'm really doing it!!
Weather: low 50's and SUNNY
I'm doing it! I'm really doing it!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Soaked
Day 6: Monday 4/13/09
Weather: 40 with HAIL and heavy rain
It looked decent outside when I went to change into my running clothes. When I came back out, there was a hailstorm and my coworkers thought I was nuts for going through with my plans to run. I got out to the park and it seemed I was the ONLY ONE there, except for a soccer team having practice on the grass. As I continued along, I saw a lady with an umbrella and a hot drink. (Who goes for a walk in the rain with a mug?) But, before I was through, another girl runner came out. Go us! "We're so hardcore", I thought to myself. lol
So I did it! And I got soaked. My "rain jacket" turns out to be rather absorbant and it seems I need to shop for something a little more water resistant. Oh and sweatpants? Yeah, they hold more water than you'd think. Time to expand my running wardrobe.
If I went out in that weather, I MUST be committed! (Or maybe I should be.)
Weather: 40 with HAIL and heavy rain
It looked decent outside when I went to change into my running clothes. When I came back out, there was a hailstorm and my coworkers thought I was nuts for going through with my plans to run. I got out to the park and it seemed I was the ONLY ONE there, except for a soccer team having practice on the grass. As I continued along, I saw a lady with an umbrella and a hot drink. (Who goes for a walk in the rain with a mug?) But, before I was through, another girl runner came out. Go us! "We're so hardcore", I thought to myself. lol
So I did it! And I got soaked. My "rain jacket" turns out to be rather absorbant and it seems I need to shop for something a little more water resistant. Oh and sweatpants? Yeah, they hold more water than you'd think. Time to expand my running wardrobe.
If I went out in that weather, I MUST be committed! (Or maybe I should be.)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Still Running
I've continued with the Couch to 5K program. It's been two weeks now! Honestly, I'm pleasantly surprised that I've stuck with it. I'm gaining confidence that I really can do this. I came to a realization on my last run. I have this preconceived notion that I'm not a runner; it's not something I can do. But, when people see me at the park, I look like a runner (just not a very fast one) and it struck me that they would not see the barriers I have in my own mind. Shift my perspective, and I am a runner. It's just a matter of putting it into practice, like untapped talent. :)
"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
Here's a recap of my last two runs:
Day 4: Wednesday 4/8/09
Weather: High 40's - low 50's and sprinkling
I noticed that my recovery times are getting better. (run 60 sec, then walk 90 sec) It doesn't take me the full 90 secs to feel like I'm ready to run again. Progress!
Day 5: Friday 4/10/09
Weather: Low 50's and threatening to rain (managed to stay mostly dry, though!)
Still seeing increased recovery time AND improvement with speed.
The big accomplishment today: I ran UP STAIRS!! Now, I know that may not sound like much, but I didn't know I could do that. I was running along the circular path at the park... and my running stints are always at different places, depending on how the timing works out. So, I was approaching the steps and I knew I was going to have to run it, and I wasn't sure if I could. But, to my own amazement, I bounded up and over those stairs, two at a time, like there was nothing to it. I continued my run with a big rediculous grin of accomplishment, and passed a couple people who clearly were wondering what in the heck I was so happy about. LOL...
The more I do this, the easier it will get, right? My next run is tonight, after work. I have my running clothes here to prove it. I'm moving on to the 'week 2' program, with 90 second jogging and 2 minute walking segments. Think my new Asics running shoes will put the bounce in my step to get me through it? I think so. These babies are awesome.
lol
"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
Here's a recap of my last two runs:
Day 4: Wednesday 4/8/09
Weather: High 40's - low 50's and sprinkling
I noticed that my recovery times are getting better. (run 60 sec, then walk 90 sec) It doesn't take me the full 90 secs to feel like I'm ready to run again. Progress!
Day 5: Friday 4/10/09
Weather: Low 50's and threatening to rain (managed to stay mostly dry, though!)
Still seeing increased recovery time AND improvement with speed.
The big accomplishment today: I ran UP STAIRS!! Now, I know that may not sound like much, but I didn't know I could do that. I was running along the circular path at the park... and my running stints are always at different places, depending on how the timing works out. So, I was approaching the steps and I knew I was going to have to run it, and I wasn't sure if I could. But, to my own amazement, I bounded up and over those stairs, two at a time, like there was nothing to it. I continued my run with a big rediculous grin of accomplishment, and passed a couple people who clearly were wondering what in the heck I was so happy about. LOL...
The more I do this, the easier it will get, right? My next run is tonight, after work. I have my running clothes here to prove it. I'm moving on to the 'week 2' program, with 90 second jogging and 2 minute walking segments. Think my new Asics running shoes will put the bounce in my step to get me through it? I think so. These babies are awesome.
lol
Monday, April 6, 2009
Couch to 5k? Really?
One of my big goals is to RUN. I've never been a runner, not even close. But there was one time, about 2-3 years ago, that I started a running program. It felt great! It was so empowering and I had this mantra in my head, "If I can run, I can do anything!".
I want to run again. But where to start? The most I can muster is a good lunchtime walk, and even that on most days, is not the speediest. I've been waiting for warmer 'spring' weather. But, with a little encouragement (thanks, Sasha) I got started in the rain.
So I'm doing a program called Couch to 5K. The idea is to take someone who is more of a couch potato than an athlete, and get them into shape to run 3 miles after 3 months. Does it work? I'm as good a test as anybody, I think. And I'm very excited to be starting this journey!!
Here's the program...
Week One consists of a brisk 5 minute warm up, then alternating 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. This is repeated 3 times a week.
Each week progresses so that you are running longer and longer stints.
Day 1: Tuesday 3/31/09
Weather: 40's-50's and raining
My first run. Well, run/walk. 60 seconds may not sound like much, but it's a challenge for me! Especially towards the end of the 20 minutes. But I got out there and I did it! I'm proud of myself for even attempting it. And as the rain keeps most pedestrians indoors, it was nice to feel that my first run was did not have too many spectators. :)
Day 2: Thursday 4/2/09
Weather: 50's and sprinkles
Run #2! Feeling anxious, but I brought my running clothes to work. Am I really going to go through with this? Perhaps I like the idea more than the reality? But, I get out there and tried the track near my work. It was great! This actually IS doable. One step at a time. Feeling confident that I can get a real routine going here.
Day 3: Sunday 4/5/09
Weather: 70 and Sunny! (unseasonably warm!! we had snow just last week)
Run #3. Went back to the track and it was crowded with people enjoying the warm day. It was nice, though, to see my fellow Seattlites doing something positive. I manuevered my way through the crowds, stop watch in hand, giving a pretty good impression of someone who knew what they were doing.
I'm getting stronger, but it's still challenging. I'll continue with the week 1 plan for 2 more days before I move onto week 2. Stay tuned! I'll try to keep posting.
I want to run again. But where to start? The most I can muster is a good lunchtime walk, and even that on most days, is not the speediest. I've been waiting for warmer 'spring' weather. But, with a little encouragement (thanks, Sasha) I got started in the rain.
So I'm doing a program called Couch to 5K. The idea is to take someone who is more of a couch potato than an athlete, and get them into shape to run 3 miles after 3 months. Does it work? I'm as good a test as anybody, I think. And I'm very excited to be starting this journey!!
Here's the program...
Week One consists of a brisk 5 minute warm up, then alternating 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. This is repeated 3 times a week.
Each week progresses so that you are running longer and longer stints.
Day 1: Tuesday 3/31/09
Weather: 40's-50's and raining
My first run. Well, run/walk. 60 seconds may not sound like much, but it's a challenge for me! Especially towards the end of the 20 minutes. But I got out there and I did it! I'm proud of myself for even attempting it. And as the rain keeps most pedestrians indoors, it was nice to feel that my first run was did not have too many spectators. :)
Day 2: Thursday 4/2/09
Weather: 50's and sprinkles
Run #2! Feeling anxious, but I brought my running clothes to work. Am I really going to go through with this? Perhaps I like the idea more than the reality? But, I get out there and tried the track near my work. It was great! This actually IS doable. One step at a time. Feeling confident that I can get a real routine going here.
Day 3: Sunday 4/5/09
Weather: 70 and Sunny! (unseasonably warm!! we had snow just last week)
Run #3. Went back to the track and it was crowded with people enjoying the warm day. It was nice, though, to see my fellow Seattlites doing something positive. I manuevered my way through the crowds, stop watch in hand, giving a pretty good impression of someone who knew what they were doing.
I'm getting stronger, but it's still challenging. I'll continue with the week 1 plan for 2 more days before I move onto week 2. Stay tuned! I'll try to keep posting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
