Yet Another Couch to 5K (C25K) Blog

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?

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 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.

C25K - Week 2, Day 1

Waaaay too many days between the last run and this one. But I kicked it into gear and went with it. Felt good, music kept me going.

This weeks playlist:

Things Can only Get Better (extended) 5 min pre-run walk

Everybody Wants You (remix)

Live Out Loud - Group One Crew

(still preoccupied with) 1985

Boom Boom Pow (DJ Ben C club remix)

U Can't Touch This (KMEL Mix)

We Close Our Eyes (extended) 5 min post-walk

Next run, probably will be one of the mixes made by someone else, for variety.

C25K Podcasts & Resources (yes, more)

A few more podcast links, and forums I've enjoyed while gearing up for week 2. Most of these were found in the C25K podcast forums.

C25K music Podcasts (some with run cues)

Nicole's Podcasts - No rss feed, so you will have to DL these yourself and put them on your iPod.

Elisa's Podcats - Not listened to these, but they are home-made, which makes them cool.

currerophobia - These podcasts keep the run-walk times to the music

PodRunner Intervals

Workout Music

Just thumpin' tunes to drive your workout.

FitMusic

PodRunner

GrooveElectric

Decibel Radio Amsterdam Weekend Mix (xml file, paste into iTunes)- you don't have to speak the language to enjoy these current dance tunes

Ramdom Thoughts - a podcast of mashups, remixes and really energetic music.

Techno Sweat Music - I wasn't impressed, but you may like it.

Wild Workout @ Noon (xml file) - No longer being produced, but you can paste this link into iTunes and get all the old podcasts, they are great mixes of hot tunes from 2008. From Wild 94.9 in San Fran, Cali.

Podcasts on Running

I've not listened to these, as I have more "talk" podcasts than I can listen to as it is.

Your Running Life

Runner's Lounge

Forums for New Runners

CoolRunning Newbie Forum

C25K.com Forums

Yahoo PodRunner forum

Now YOU! What did I miss?

C25k Week One, Day 3

Well, I need a new iPod. It is just that simple. Now I am not one to complain (or am I? depends on who you ask), but when an iPod can not hold a charge for a FULL DAY, then something is wrong. 

So I head out, ready to rock out to my homebrew jammin' C25K podcast, and my iPod just shuts down. I had to wing it - mentally do the 60/90 thing (not so easy).

I had the run for 60 down pretty good, but I'm pretty sure I walked for more than 90 a time to two. To make it right, I tossed in an extra 60 for good measure.

Seemed really hard to run at first, but then later, it came pretty easy. Is that endurance? Regardless, I got some much needed cardio, and that's all I'm really in it for.

As for the iPod, that really is a "must." Music makes the time pass faster, the instructions are on the podcast, and I don't have to listen to my huffing and puffing!

Seriously, my iPod (4th Generation, also knows as Click Wheel) is from 2004. At one time, it would run 12 hours on a full charge. Guess I will see about a replacement battery. I see a Do-It-Yourself kit for $7 vs $59 for Apple to do it.

Unless someone has one to donate?