Yet Another Couch to 5K Blog

#C25K Week 01 - Day 03

Getting a bit more distance. A pretty good Week One, but ready to move on!

Day One - 1.27 miles, 25 mins.

Day Two - 1.48 mi in 24 mins.

Day Three - 1.71 mi in 24 mins.

#C25K Week 7, Day Two

Well, this IS progress. Rather than my usual, yet depressing, one run a week keeping me on C25K Week 7 forever, I pushed on and did Day 2!

The W7D2 would usually fall on a Saturday (and gets pushed off because of Family Time) and never get run, so rather that skip the day after a run (as C25K recommends) I went on and did my 2nd Day today!

I did run before dark, but was much colder today so it seemed a bit easier. I want to do my Day 3 Sunday but may have to hit it tomorrow.

Sunday will be a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving meal, with all the fixin's. And really, WHO could run after 2 plates of Sweet Tater Casserole?

Three runs on 3 consecutive days? Will I do it? Should I? Am I nuts?????

#C25K Week 7, Day One - The Wall

Looks like I hit "the wall" when it comes to passing Week 7. Been stuck here for-EVAH!

But since I have some time off this week, I am determined to break past Week 7 and into Week 8. I am sure I can at least get 3 runs in.

So, that is one down.

This time, I ran in the heat of the 4:30 Oklahoma temperatures. Wow, that is SURE not the same as running in the cool air of the night.

But it was a good test to see what I can handle in a real marathon - which is to say, not much! Ah but it is all about endurance, right? So, I will keep building and see where that gets me.

Note: Pedometer said I ran 2.65 miles, but I doubt it is very accurate, it never says the same thing on any of my runs.

#C25K Week 7, Day One Reflux Redux

How many weeks has it been since I ran? Two? Three? Wow, life sure can get in the way (or make for easy excuses not to run). And WHY is it that about halfway through my run, my stomach wants to remind me of what I had for dinner? I do NOT appreciate that.

Anyway, this is more a note to self to keep a record of my runs, not too much here that is gonna make your life better - but maybe it will mine if I keep running. Time: 25 min run, Distance: 2.25 mi

C25K Week 6, Day 3

Ran for 25 minutes, that is the longest duration yet. It was a distance of 2.5 miles, or 2.75 if you add in the walking at the start/end. That is bordering on 5K territory there. (5K = 3.1 miles/30 mins)

I did catch myself saying "Where is my half-way mark?" Thankfully, my home-make podcast for W6D3 chimed in shortly thereafter and told me I was half finished (or would the optimist say half-started?).

This day's podcast was made using the Free SONY ACID Express, the free C25K voice cue MP3s and a few carefully edited-together (on my part) 80's megamixes from the expertly mixed (on his part) podcast of DJ Colicky Boy.

I actually made 3 this week - one for each day (did the same for week 5). Now, some podcasts jam days 1, 2 and 3 together and it is up to you to discern which cues are for what day. I am running, I don't want to think that hard! So, I took the Week 5 and 6 MP3 cues, and turned the single files into 3 different files for each week. YEAH, it took some work, but I think the podcasts I made were better for it. I do plan to share the re-edited voice cues for those weeks, but it may be a while (the were hastily made and need to be fixed up a bit).

Anyway, next week is back to a single run for all 3 days. That is 3 runs of 25 minutes - zero rests/walks. So, just one podcast to make for myself. This one will be an all-mashup podcast - should be fun!

Hmm, running 25 mins is just about a 5K, getting close to the end!

C25K Week 6, Day 2

Not much to add here, last night I ran C25K W6D2 in the cold (felt pretty good on the 2nd lap) and 2 sets of 10 min runs.

Tomorrow is a full 25 min run, no walks. Should be fun (no really, can't wait).

C25K Week 6, Day 1

After running for 20 mins last week (W5D3), today seemed like a breeze. My distance was 2.25 miles, but I can't claim it as a full run, since C25K build (power)walks into the 1st few days.

I felt really good (except for the burst blisters from last time) and had plenty of energy left over.

Although I am supposed to take a day off between, I may have to hit W6D2 tonight anyway.

Seems like my run days are Tues/Wed/Thur which means I really need to build in at least a short run between Friday and Monday. Not sure how to work that out, but maybe it won't bee too hard most weeks.

We are getting closer to the end, I can see it!

C25K Week 5, Day 3

Completing this week was a big step. Of course, I've said from the start that my first big goal was to pass week 5, since that is where many drop out. Oddly, it was my Week 4 that was hard to push past.

Week 5 was not too bad at all, but I was excited/dreading the 20 min run on Day 3. But thanks to my home-brew podcast and some stubbornness, it was actually pretty non-eventful.

Next week will be the 25 min run on Day 3, so I am really ready for that.

For me,the big trick is finding the right days to run. When it was summer and the children had no school (homework) and no bedtime, I could run anytime.

Some might say my priorities are off and I am not committed to C25K. But, for me, my family comes first. If I have to give up a run, or push a new "week" off for a while, so be it. There will always be another time to run, there is not always another time to have that moment (whatever it may be on a given day) with your spouse or children.

That said, I do like doing something for myself. I like the feeling of accomplishment. I like that my calves are getting some definition. I like that my heart is healthier. I like that I am not watching as much TV and goofing off on the computer.

I don't like blisters. I don't like haters. I don't like that I didn't meet my goal of a 5K in October.

But I like the C25K community (forums, twitter tweeps) they keep me motivated, and I'll see this through to the end.

It just might be on my timetable, not anyone else's.

C25K Week Four - Stuck in the Middle

Seems like I've been on Week 4 for over a month now. It is just one thing after another that keeps me missing my next run, sometimes adding up to a week. Then I get in another run, and BOOM, something else going on every night pushes the run off my "to do" list.

I always read many people never make it past Week 5, HA, I'd be happy to make it to Week 5.

C25K Week 4, Day 1 Redux - Victory!

After a miserable attempt to complete the 3min-5min-3min-5min runs of Week 4 Sunday afternoon, I was able to complete this run tonight. OK so clearly, I am not going to cut it as a daytime runner. I can live with that.

I am not pleased by it, but I can live with it.

As for the run, I did it with no stops. To me, that is huge. Sunday afternoon, in 98 degree sun, I couldn't do it. But tonight, in the cool, post-rainy day air, it was - well - not easy, but easier.

I've really got to spend more time stretching, which I really don't have time for (but it is essential) and also, some strength training on "off" days.

And, is there a magic pill for making knee pain go away?

Question for other C25K-ers, do you consider your week 7 days or 4? I mean, the program was clearly designed for 3 days, with one off in between. So, do you rest those other 2 days, or just barrell right into your next week of 3 runs?