Yet Another Couch to 5K (C25K) Blog

#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 7, Day 1 (take 3)

For the 3rd time, starting week 7. For 2 weeks only had a single 25 mins run. Tonight, ditto but maybe I will break the cycle and run Week 7 fully. Really tired of this slump.

#C25K Week 7, Day 1 (reboot)

Had to restart Couch to 5K Week 7, as I only got in one run last week. At this stage all runs are 25 mins, so it is not good to fall too far behind.

It was a bit rough to get through but I managed the full 25 mins with no stops.

After this I really respect those who can run a full marathon!

C25K Week 7, Day 1

Other than running in the drizzle and fog (and thus, my glasses fogging up), it was a mostly unremarkable run. My all-mashup home-made podcast was awesome fun and distracting from the burn in my legs.

I have two more 25 mi. runs this week, so not much else going on other than building endurance.

Maybe I really might be able to do a 5K in a few weeks.

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 4, Day 3 (ish)

Finally finished week 4 of Couch to 5K. Look forward to week 5 at last. Tired, more later