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 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...

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.

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.

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, 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 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.