Yet Another Couch to 5K (C25K) Blog

C25K - Week 4, Day 1 volume 2 (week 4 is KILLING me!)

Once again, I am re-starting Week 4 of C25K. I don't know what it is, but this week has just KILLED my knees.

Must be the pavement, though, I've not had any pain this harsh in any of the other weeks. I literally had to take a break for almost a week for my knees to recover.

(and yes, I always stretch)

So, tonight I am re-booting Week 4, with hopes I can hit it 2 more times and complete the week. I very much want to make it to Week 5.

Week 5 seems to be the sweet spot, as many don't make it any further.

Still not sure I will ever actually do a marathon, I just can't take the daytime heat. But if there is a night marathon around October 2009, that might get my attention.

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?

C25K - Week 4, Day 1: Epic FAIL

This was one horrible, no-good, very bad run. You see, yesterday (Sunday) was the first time I've ever run while the sun was out.

I was not ready for the "wall of heat" that I ran right into! I'd say I made it halfway through the program before I was overcome by heat and dehydration (had water with me even). It was 98 degrees, and the heat index was probably 108 - and we definitely had humidity in there too.

So, by the time the 2nd 3 min run came, I had to actually walk a little - such a wimp! And forget about the 2nd 5 min run, there was just no way I could complete it, felt like a total loser!

But to be fair, it was kinda dumb of me to try it considering I've never run in ANY heat, and I'm still a sweaty mess. Shoulda known it wasn't gonna end well.

I'm seriously wondering if I can hack it in a real 5K. Unless they run them at night (and some do), I do not know if I could do it.

I seriously thought many times "How do people run marathons in the heat of the day? No way can I do this!"

Well, I'm utterly disappointing in myself, and the fact that I can only do this is the moon is out.

Lame!

C25K - Week 3, Day 2

Somehow I managed to wake myself up at 5AM so I could go running. Just wanted to see what it was like to start the day with Cardio, rather than end it that way. But WOW, my knees hurt. Why do my knees hurt??? I really need to find out, because I do NOT like it!!!!

So all went well, it was a bit cooler than running at night, but essentially it was the same.

Not sure what folks do who run in the morning. Do you eat breakfast? Have a powerbar? I don't like the empty stomach feeling, so I had a granola bar. It worked, but I still need to find out what folks usually do, need some ideas.

Yeah, I remembered to strectch, so that was good.

I guess I can say I will do this again, it really is just hard for me to go to bed so early.

C25K - Week 3, Day 1.1

Or Week 3, Day one Redux. It has been a good 5 days since my last run, which, is sad. I've really looked forward to them, but man, LIFE sure has a way of happening when you've made other plans.

Soooo, here we are re-starting week 3. Not as easy as it was coming right off Week 2, let me tell you. I definitely felt the burn this time. Maybe tomorrow will be better, I am hoping I can manage to get up and run early, like in the dawn-hours. We'll see, I'm really more of a nocturnal creature.

Speaking of, one thing I really like in the night runs are all the bunnies I see in the neighborhood. I don't know why, but seeing them makes me smile which distracts from the reality of the run.

Another note, I hear many C25K-ers don't make it past week 4, and that if you make it past Week 5,  you have a greater chance of finishing the program. Just something I'm keeping in mind.

Mini-Goal #1 - Make it past week 5.

Mini-Goal #2 - to be determined

Major Goal: Run a 5K in October

That's it for now, might be back tomorrow - if I don't hit snooze for 2 hours.

Note to self: Get Week 4's podcast(s) finished!

C25K - Week 3, Day X

Well, last night was to be Day 2 of Week 3, but the sky just opened up and let lose. Guess that is where a Gym membership would come in handy, right?

So, not sure if I should re-start week 3 or keep going. It is all about building up stamina. I guess since this week introduces a 3-min run, it might be a re-do.

C25K - Week 3, Day 1

Week 3 got off to a puffy start. The lawn was so bad, I could only finish HALF the backyard before darkness fell (now, to a guy, that is the worst, to leave THAT job unfinished). So I figured since I was already a sweathog, might as well run. So I did, then when I got back and showered, we had a bit of a medical issue in the house.

Long story short, I don't think Week 3 will be off to such a great start.

C25K - Week 2, Day 3

DONE! Well, with week 2 anyway. On to week 3, which gets a little harder.

I'm ready, I think.

My buddy Scott said I might be more motivated if I worked towards an actual 5K. I'll consider it, since there seem to be a few 5Ks around the time I will hit week 9 (and finish the C35K program).

Anyone else running one about that time? Let me know.

9/26/2009 Saturday

Capitol Challenge 10K, 5K & 1M Fun Run/Walk 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk, 1M fun run, 1M walk, kids run more info

Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma

10/3/2009 Saturday	Life Saver 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run 5K run, 1M fun run more info	Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma
10/3/2009 Saturday	Spirit of Survival Marathon - Mount Scott 5K 5K run, 5K walk more info	Medicine Park, OK Comanche
10/4/2009 Sunday	Spirit of Survival Marathon 26.2M run, 13.1M run, 10K run, 5K run more info	Medicine Park, OK Comanche

10/10/2009 Saturday

Komen Central Oklahoma Race for the Cure 5K run, 5K walk more info

Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma

You can see more here.

C25K, Week 2 Day 2

Another long break between runs, life just seems to get in the way. Still, it seemed a better run in spite of that, and I even noticed I was ready to run even beforethe cue came. Pretty sure I even picked up my pace a little tonight.

All in all, a good C25K. Used the same soundtrack as last time, and will again next run. Got to get to mixing week 3.