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!