Halfway There

Finished Week 4 today... I've missed a few days here and there, but I've actually hung in there pretty well the past few times.  Could have to do with it being SO COLD!  Today was 2 10 minute runs and an 8 minute run.  I went a little further before I turned around, so it was probably 2 1/2- 2 3/4 miles... did it in 46 minutes.  I know that's still super slow, but right now I'm just focusing on doing it.  I guess speed will be my goal next year :)

Week 3

Started Week 3 today.  I had to repeat a day of Week 2 since I had taken a couple days off, but now I'm back on track and today's run was actually pretty good.  5 5-minute runs with 1 minute walking in between.

Week 2

Started week 2 today... Run 2 minutes, walk 1, repeat 10 times... I could definitely tell that I haven't run since last Wednesday, but I guess considering that, it wasn't too too bad.  As always, pretty slow, particularly towards the end, but I'm ok with that.  Keeping on keeping on.

Week 1

Finished Week 1 today... I thought I was going slower today, wasn't feeling great, foot was kinda bothering me... but then I actually made it to my car in the same amount of time as I did the other day.  Maybe I was walking faster, maybe I parked closer, who knows.  Got it done though.  36 mins. for a little over 2 miles... ran 10 mins. of it... I'll start Week 2 Friday with running 2 mins. and walking 1 min. in between.

5K

Started my 5K training program today.  It was ten 1 min. runs with 2 mins. walking in between.  I think I did pretty well... tried to speed up my running a little bit... Did so more on the first couple than the rest, but still overall, I think it was faster.  Total, I went a little over 4 miles in 1:12, and I ran a total of 25 mins. of that.  If I do it in exactly 8 weeks, I should be running 30 mins. straight (theoretically 5k, but I know I won't be going that fast) by Dec. 23 (1 week after graduation!).  But because of holidays and whatnot, I'm going to give myself some grace, and my goal is to be there by the end of the year.  I would even be fine if I got there by my birthday (Jan. 14).

Good Workout

The past week or 2 I've just been kind of reveling in the fact that I can run for 10 mins. straight (albeit slowly).  On my 2nd miles I've been repeating days from other weeks, usually ending up with about 19 total mins. running for the workout.  Today, I decided to go further on the trail, so I went almost 4 miles in 1:05.  I did the 10 min. run twice and 2:15 four times, for a total of 29 mins. running and 36 mins. walking for the entire workout.  Again, my runs were still slow, but I think I'm doing really well, and I burned over 500 calories.  Hopefully I didn't overdo it today.  I plan on starting my 5k training program on Friday.  With shorter running times at the beginning of the program, maybe I can work on my speed a little bit.  Overall, really proud of myself!

I DID IT!

Well, folks, I just ran for 10 minutes straight!  It definitely wasn't a mile, like it's theoretically supposed to be, but I'm super proud of myself.  During my second mile, I went back and repeated a day from week 3, which was 4 intervals of 2:15 with 0:45 in between, so total, I ran 19 minutes!  Again, it's still slow, but it's not walking, and I ran more than I walked, which is exciting.  And I'm also really excited that I made it the whole 10 minutes on my first try!  I remember in the spring when I got to this point I had to repeat this last day several times before I made it the whole 10 minutes.  My speed/endurance tonight may have had something to do with the fact that I went at night and it wasn't quite as well-lit as I remembered so it was kinda creepy in places... but it still counts... motivation is motivation, right? :)  My plan now is to revel in this for a few weeks and try to work on my speed, and then start the 8 week to 5k plan and hopefully be at 5k by the end of the year... We'll see how it goes!

Back on the Wagon...

So it's been pointed out to me that I've kinda fallen off the blogging wagon lately... Possibly because I also fell off the running wagon... But in my defense, it's really hot here.  No.  Like really hot.

However, I have now started back running and have, as of this morning, completed 3 weeks of the 4 weeks to a Mile training program.  My ultimate goal is to be able to run 5k (although whether I run IN A 5k is another question...) by the end of the year.  Theoretically, I should be there by December 16 (graduation day!!)  So we'll see!  My hope is that it will be easier building up as it gets colder outside than it was as it was getting hotter.

I'm still not sure I'll post every time I run... it got a little monotonous after awhile... but I'll try to at least post after I finish each week.

Week 2, Day 3... take 2

Well today was attempt #2 at Week 2, Day 3... and it was better than the other day, but still not perfect.  A little over halfway through I got a text from my boss that I needed to answer, so that paused my workout and then when I started back I thought it was on the walking part and it was on running, so I ended up skipping on of the runs and... excuses, excuses, I know.  However, I did make 2 loops instead of 1, for a total of a little over 4 miles, and I did another couple of 1 min. runs at the end to make a total of 20 mins. or so of running.  I've decided (even though this may not be the best idea in the world) that I'm going to keep running every day instead of every other until I can actually do this thing.  I've basically got the next week off work except for taking care of their dog, so I'm really going to try to hit everything hard.

Also, I mentioned to my mom that we should do the FBC Clinton Hit the Bricks 5k on July 16... so that's 6 weeks from now (meaning I'll barely be done with this training program if I keep up with it... yikes!)  I have a feeling I'll be walking at least part of it, but I think it'll give me a good sense of accomplishment just to do it.  Also, my mom posted on facebook that we're doing it, so now there's no backing out... :/  Like I said, I'm really gonna try to hit it hard this week, both with exercise and diet, so I'm looking forward to good results.

Week 2, Day 3... ish

So it's been almost a week since I did Day 2... so we all know how this is gonna end... not fabulously.  It also didn't help that I had way too much On the Border for lunch and a piece of Sarah's leftover birthday cake... I got about halfway through the workout and was pretty sure I was gonna die, so I just walked the rest.  Will try again... I really need to get more consistent with this.  Weekends are hard.  Long workdays are hard.  I need to start making it more of a priority.  I'm never going to build up if I keep taking days off.

Week 2, Day 2- 3rd time's a charm

Did Day 2 again on Thursday.  I actually did pretty well... wasn't fast but I made it through.  Day 3 tomorrow... skipped Saturday though, so it might not be fabulous... will see how it goes!

Week 2, Day 2 again...

Ok so I took several days off... and that was bad.  I could definitely tell.  Once again, attempted Week 2 Day 2 of the 5k plan, and once again, took breaks and ultimately quit.  Ran a total of 10 of the 23 minutes I was supposed to.  Oops.  I've really slacked off in both diet and exercise the past couple weeks, so this next week I'm really going to try to be consistent in running every other day and doing some other form of exercise on the days in between.  I did the Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown last night and ran/walked (albeit poorly) this morning, so I'm off to a good start.

Week 2, Day 2 (sort of)

Today I started week 2, day 2, which consisted of 3 minutes running alternated with 1 minute walking and ending with a 2 minute run... But I really just wasn't feeling it today... could definitely tell I skipped 2 days instead of 1 and hadn't been drinking enough water.  Ran a little bit, but cheated and walked most of the time.  Oh well, still got a decent workout.  Will try this one again on Saturday.

Week 2, Day 1

Guess I forgot to write about Week 1, Day 3... whatever.  I did it.  Started week 2 today, which is the opposite of Week 1: 2 mins. running, 1 walking, for a total of 10 runs.  My walking was definitely a lot slower and my running was pretty slow, too, particularly the last few, but I tried to push myself and made it through them all, slowly but surely.

Week 1, Day 2

Did Day 2 today and I think I did pretty well... It was the same as yesterday, 10 intervals of 1 min. running/ 2 walking.  Not much else to say... Still keeping on keeping on!

8 Weeks to 5k- Week 1, Day 1

I started my "8 Weeks to 5k" Plan today... I skipped running all weekend, so I missed 4 days instead of 2 and this one was actually easier than the 10 minutes, so I figured why not.  The workout consisted of a 5 min. warm-up, 10 1 minute runs with 2 minute walks in between, and a 5 min. cool-down (plus a few extra minutes of walking at the end until I got to my car).  My first few times running were actually pretty fast (relatively speaking), but I did slow down as I went.  Overall, it was a pretty good workout and I'm going to try to push myself and stay on track with the 8 weeks.  We'll see how it goes!

Still going...

I feel like I'm stuck on repeat... I went running again yesterday... took a 30 sec. break but tacked it on at the end... did a day from week 2 afterwards... still gonna do my 10 minutes for another week or so til I feel comfortable with it...

Meh...

Ok so today's workout was... less than stellar.  I went to the walking track at a middle school close to the seminary.  I just wasn't feeling it today... Total I ran probably 10 minutes, but it wasn't all at once, plus I only went about 25 or 30 minutes instead of the usual 45 or so.  Really gonna have to work hard on it next week.

10 minutes

Went running again yesterday and actually did the whole 10 minutes without taking a break this time.  Once again, I don't think I really went a whole mile, but I'm ok with that.  I did Week 2 (90/90) afterwards again, too.

I saw on the Fbc Clinton newsletter email that I still get that the "Hit the Bricks" 5k is in July, so I'm thinking about going home and doing that... we'll see.

I'm planning on doing the 10 minutes for another week or so and then start on the 5k training plan.  Hopefully since I've already been tacking on some extra running at the end, it won't be too bad and maybe I can actually do it in the 8 weeks I'm supposed to instead of taking twice as long as I did with the 1 mile plan.

Done! (sort of)

I decided to go ahead and do Week 4, Day 3 today, which is the last day of the 1 mile training program.  It was a 10 min. run with a 5 min. warm up and cool down as usual.  I did take about a 30 sec. break towards the end of the run, but I tacked an extra 30 sec. on at the end to make up for it.  Now technically, this 10 mins. was supposed to be a mile, but I don't think I'm running that fast.  I'll have to work on speed some more.  Also, I did Week 2 afterwards to add a total of 6 more minutes of running.  Total, I did 16 mins. running and 31 mins. of walking... had to walk further than I had planned b/c part of the trail was blocked off and I had to turn around... oh well.  Got a good workout.  Gonna keep repeating my 10 mins. for a few times until I know I'm running the whole mile... then will probably relish that for a few weeks before starting the 5k running plan.

Week 4, Day 2

Friday before I left for Houston and yesterday when I came back I did Week 4, Day 2, which consists of a 6:15 run, 0:45 walk, and a 3:00 run.  I actually did a lot better than I thought I would both days.  I went on campus and I only did 1 loop, though.  Should have done 2 but I was in a hurry on Friday to leave town and yesterday it started thundering... oh well.  I think I'm gonna do Day 2 one more time and then I'll be on Day 3!  Which is theoretically a mile, but I don't think I'm running fast enough for it to be a mile yet... we'll see.

Again

Did Week 4, Day 1 again today, and actually did pretty well.  It was cloudy and windy, and I was afraid it was going to rain, but thankfully it didn't.  I made it through both 4:30 runs without slowing down too much or stopping early.  I also did a day from week 2 (90/90).  So total I ran 15 mins. and walked 30.  Good workout today.  Myfitnesspal says I burned about 349 calories.

Week 4

Ok so I skipped Saturday... but I started Week 4 today and did ok.  Every day on Week 4 is different, but today was supposed to be 4:30 running, 1:00 walking, 4:30 running.  I actually did a lot better on the first run than I thought I would.  I did end the second one early though. But then on my second mile I did a day from Week 1 just to get in a little bit more running (forgot how little... 3 mins. total!)... I've definitely come a long way.  Those 0:45 runs were like nothing... and that was after I had already been over a mile!  Good to have a reminder that even though I may not be as far along as I had hoped, I'm still making a lot of progress and I'm doing a lot better now than when I started.

This week

Did day 3 another couple of times this week- Tuesday and today... Tuesday I cheated a little bit and stopped early on one of my runs, I just really wasn't feeling it.  Today was pretty good though.  Nice breeze.  Survived all 4 2:15 runs.  I think I'm going to bump up to week 4, day 1 this weekend, which consists of 4:30 running and 1:00 walking repeated 2x.  Week 4 changes times every day, so I'll probably do each day at least twice.

Also, I almost got run over by a bike today... totally my fault though.  With the headphones on, can't really hear people coming up behind me, and I was crossing the sidewalk to get back to the parking lot and didn't look over my shoulder first... oops!

I feel gross...

Just got back from my run today and I feel super gross... Summer's coming fast, and it's already hot and muggy!  There was the occasional nice breeze, though, so that part was nice.  I did pretty well running today... there were a lot of people at Trinity Park today, so maybe I was trying to impress haha.  Apparently Sunday afternoon is a popular time to go.  My running wasn't as slow as the other day I don't think, but not very fast either.  Also, I didn't go any extra beyond the 2 miles today.

On a non-exercise-related note, I took some time after I got done today and just sat in the grass by the river and listened to praise and worship music... it was really nice.  I may find a bunch of bug bites later and regret it, but it was good to just sit and relax outside for a while.

*edit*- No bug bites, but I have my first sunburn of the season... Not an awful one, but it's there nonetheless.

Huh?

So I think there's something wrong with me.  Something strange is happening.  I found myself actually looking forward to my run today.  Wait, what?!  Yeah.  I was going to do my Yoga dvd yesterday and did a few minutes and stopped and then last night I actually started thinking about how I was looking forward to running today.  Strange feeling.  I like it.

Did Week 3, Day 2 today and actually made it through all 4 running times (for a total of 9 minutes running).  I also walked further than I normally do when I got done (like I passed my car and kept walking for a few minutes and then turned around).  All in all, today was a very good walk/running day.  Beautiful weather, too, which makes it even better.  My running/jogging was still super slow, but it was more than walking, so I say it counts.

Week 3 For Real

Today I did Week 3, Day 1 (remember those other ones I labeled as week 3 were actually week 2... yeah that system confused me too... so anyway).  That consisted of 2 minutes, 15 seconds of running with 45 seconds of walking in between.  I did pretty well, but I did skip the 3rd run.  On the ones I did, though, I did a lot better than I thought I would.  Still running/jogging very slowly, but hey, progress is progress and I'm happy with it.

Progress

Ran again Wednesday and Friday of this week and I have to say, I think I like running when it's a little cooler outside.  Maybe it was the weather and maybe it was just me getting better, but this past week actually went really well!  Made it through all 90 seconds all 4 times all 3 days, plus got faster throughout the week.  Think I'm gonna do it ("it" being Week 2, intervals of 90 seconds) one more time tomorrow and then bump up to Week 3.  On that note, I'm not sure what to title these posts since I'm all off track with the weeks... Oh well, whatever.  Anyway, still making progress, slowly but surely, and I'm fine with that.

Brr...

Ok so this morning it was super cold... or at least super cold considering it has been like 80 for the past week or 2.  I don't like all this up and down weather stuff, it messes with my sinuses.  I want it to be spring and stay spring.  Having said that, I actually had a pretty good walk/run this morning.  Made it through all 4 of my 90 second runs, albeit very slowly, and tried to keep a semi-decent pace on my walks as well.  Gonna stick with week 2 a few more times to get more comfortable with it and then keep going.

Week 3

So I went running this week on Wednesday and Friday.  Officially they were Week 3, Days 2 and 3, but since I skipped about a week for spring break, they were Days 1 and 2... and honestly I'll probably repeat the whole week again because I never really did all 4 90 second runs... I did good on the first one, ok on the second, barely survived the third one (if not ending it early), and skipped the fourth one altogether.
I've decided to not be so worried about getting there in the time allotted, though, but just repeating it until I feel comfortable and then moving on to the next week.  My goal wasn't necessarily to run a mile in 4 weeks, it was to run a mile.  So I'm going to take my time and work up to it.  Either way, I'm getting more exercise than I usually would, and that's what really matters.
Also, a few things I need to change:  1) Don't wait so long after a meal... I need more energy.  2) It's starting to get hotter, so I need to start going earlier or later instead of the middle of the day.  3) Wear better socks... my shoes that I've had for 2 months all of a sudden decide to start giving me blisters.

Fyi...

So I decided to give myself spring break off and will be starting back running this week.  I'm sure I'll have to do some adjusting, but I'm going to get back on it and do my best.

Week 3, Day 1

So... today was hard.  Between bumping up my running time, bumping down my walking time, having not run since Thursday (maybe I should rethink my schedule...), and my knees hurting... it just wasn't fabulous.  And I admit, I shaved a few seconds off my 3rd and 4th runs... So yeah.

But I did it.  Check it off the list for today and do better on Tuesday.

Week 2, Day 3

Well, I finished up week 2 (or week 1 again) today.  Went to Trinity Park and did my extra mile+... Really tried to focus today on keeping up my pace when I was walking, and I think I did a pretty good job with that.  I also tried to run for a few extra seconds each run, and actually did ok with that too.  My knee was bothering me a little bit today when I started, but I just pushed through it and did my best.  I think my runs may have been slower today but I know my walks were faster.  Sunday begins week 3, and I'll be bumping up my running time and bumping down my walk time, so that'll be interesting... I'll also be on spring break for next Thursday and Sunday, so I'll be working out in some different places.

My brother ran over a mile yesterday morning... Which means I really need to step it up.  He's been doing really well on his diet and exercise, so I'm choosing to see this as an extra motivation rather than a "wow I'm out of shape."

Another funny side note-- I saw a lady on the trail today who was smoking while riding her bike... And she wasn't just a casual rider, she was hard core with her matching biking outfit and helmet on and everything!  Kind of blew my mind a little bit...

Week 2, Day 2

Back from walk/running.  Went to Trinity Trails... remembered my water... walked the extra mile+... So it was pretty good.  Still not easy though... kind of scared about what next week holds!  Also, kind of questioning why I thought it was necessary to blog after every run... on the one hand, yes, it gives me extra accountability, but on the other hand, I kind of run out of things to say other than "I ran.  This is where I went.  It was fine."...

Week 2, Day 1

I guess this could be called "Week 1, Day 1, Take 2"... but that was just a bit too wordy and awkward.

Just got back from walk/running on campus (and I took the right key with me this time, thank you very much).  I forgot my water again, though... I for real have to work on that or I may die.  I could definitely tell it was 2 days between workouts rather than 1 like it was most of last week... but I still survived and did pretty well.  Again, the 3rd run was I think the worst.  I think by the 4th one I can kind of see a light at the end of the tunnel and it gives me a little more energy.  Knee didn't really hurt today, so that's nice.  I really really want this to work for me without my old-lady-ness getting in the way (at the ripe old age of 24...)

Total, I did about a mile and a half and, according to my guesstimations and myfitnesspal, I burned about 158 calories.

Week 1, Day 3

Well I completed week 1 (take 1).  Went back to Trinity Trails today.  I took a cut-through and didn't do the entire 2nd mile of walking because I left my water in the car, but I did do the walk/run and then walked probably another half mile or 3/4 mile or so (I'm not a great judge of distance, so I really have no idea).  The first 2 runs were pretty good, but the 3rd and 4th were rough (though not as rough as Day 1).  However, they probably would have been a lot better had I not forgotten my water in the car.  I did start to feel a little ache in my knee today, so I'm hoping that's not a sign of things to come... every other time I've tried to start running (and by that, I mean the other time), I stopped because my knee started to hurt... but at that point I was running on a treadmill and I think I was overdoing it, so I'm just really going to try and stretch really good and pay attention to my form and all that jazz so hopefully this time around will be better.  Even though I feel like I'm doing okay at this point, I'm still definitely going to repeat week 1, just so I can make sure I'm really comfortable with 45 seconds before I jump up to a minute and a half.

Week 1, Day 2

Walked/Ran again today, this time at Trinity Trails.  Felt slightly less like I was going to die, so that's progress!  I went to Trinity Park since that's really the only part of the trails that has a loop.  Today was still running for 45 seconds 4 times with walking 2 minutes in between.  I did that, which was about the first mile or so, but then of course had to walk the other mile to get back to my car.  Trinity Trails is pretty nice, and today was a gorgeous day.  I wish that it wasn't quite so public, as on half the trail I feel like all of downtown can see me and the other half all of University Drive.  But it's not too bad.  Overall, I really liked it.  Even though I can already feel myself getting better, I'm planning on repeating this first week just to make sure I'm ready to bump it up to the next level.

And so it begins... Week 1, Day 1

So I have another blog (bethanyrobbins.blogspot.com) that I explained this on, but because I am bored and procrastinating, I decided to create an entirely separate blog to chronicle myself trying to start running.  It all started a few days ago when my friend Jenny posted on Facebook that she is doing an all-girls half marathon in December and wants someone to train with.  Well, I've been thinking about trying to start running for a while, but I'm a very goal-oriented person, so it just hasn't happened yet.  So I thought... hmm... I might could do that, it's 9+ months away... Now I haven't committed to the half-marathon or anything crazy like that yet, but I am starting to run and I'm just going to see how it goes.  I got an iPhone app that will talk to me over my music to tell me when to walk and when to run.  Right now I am starting a "4 Weeks to 1 Mile" plan.  It has 4 cycles of 45 seconds of running followed by 2 minutes of walking (in addition to 5 min warm-up and cool-down)... and wow am I out of shape.  Those 45 seconds were killer and the 2 minutes were never long enough.  I'm supposed to run 3 days a week during these 4 weeks (and I may repeat a week if I feel like I need to).  I'm proud of myself for starting this and I'm really going to try to keep it up.  Wish me luck!