My "First" 5K is TOMORROW!

Well, I have worked HARD to get to this point! I started running on June 3rd with C25K (couch to 5K). At first you have to run 1 minute at a time, and it was so hard!!! When we bumped it up to 3 minutes, I was so proud of myself! I felt like I'd run a marathon - it was that difficult and I was really proud of myself.

I have now been running over 3 miles since August 8th, so for the past month! I am confident I CAN run my 5K tomorrow, though hoping my cramps don't return!

I actually have ran/walked two 5Ks in the past. They were both in 2003 with my brother. At the time, I was exercising pretty regularly, but had not run outside at all and was just trying to run on a treadmill - without a plan and without much success. So, for both 5Ks I just ran until I couldn't run anymore, then walked while I recovered, then ran again! My times were: 49 mins 30 secs and 46 mins. (They were not chip timed, so not exact times, either.) I'm hoping to run in 45 minutes tomorrow, but that'd be a little faster than I've ever done it. For the past few weeks I'm averaging 15 mins 30 secs per mile, though I have run 1 mile in 15 mins.

Another issue... they've lost my bag! One of the organizers is someone I've known for many years. She told me she'd drop my bag off at my house instead of my having to go to one of the pickup places. Well, she put it at the wrong house! (next door) And, they told me they never saw a package! So, this lady is busy getting me a new bib & chip & goody bag... and she's having to get a t-shirt from another organizer as she only has 2XL left. She's supposed to give me a call sometime today for me to come to her house and get it! It does have me a little stressed, but it'll work out.

So, thanks for ALL of your support, fellow SPers! Here I go!!!

August Review & September Goals

I have not done very well in a lot of areas this month, but I have still made progress! Here's my monthly review & new goals.

August goals:
1. Run 3x per week - ALMOST MET... 1 week husband was working early and I only got in 2 runs.

2. Be able to run for 2.5 miles GOAL MET!  In fact, I can now run for 3 miles!!!

3. Weight train 2x per week (one upper/one lower). - I've been doing really poorly with weight training, but I start back with my trainer tomorrow!

4. Workout 6x per week.  - not even close!

5. Lose 4.5 pounds (would be at 146). - ALMOST - I'm at 147, which still feels great!

6. Burn 2000 calories per week - not even close! I've been burning more like 1400-1500. I should have realized I'd get off track with school starting.

SEPTEMBER GOALS:

1. Run 1st 5K (since 2003) on Sept 11th.

2. Run 'my' lake 5K in under 46 minutes. (currently at 49 mins 20 secs)

3. Run 1 mile at 14 mins 30 secs. (fastest current run was 15 mins 30 secs)

4. Buy a bicycle!

5. Lose 4 pounds (so 143).

6. Get back in the habit of drinking 8 glasses of water a day. (So, let's say 20 days this month.)

7. Start logging food again. (15 days this month)

8. Run 8 miles per week, swim 500 yards per week, and 'bicycle' (probably at gym) 4 miles a week.

I am really stressed with the start of the school year and am not finding much time to be on the computer logging my food, etc. And, I've been making poor eating choices. I hope to get that turned around! And, it was great looking back at last month's goals and see some that I've met!

Weeekend Workouts

I had a great weekend. All of my husband's family flew in and went to our new lake house. (There are a grand total of 9 of us.) My sister-in-law is training for a half-marathon in November (and marathon next spring) and we were going to workout together.

On Friday, I swam laps in the lake for the first time. I'd tried once before, but the waves were high and I gave up quickly. The lake was really smooth this day and I did 14 'laps' between my neighbor's boat docks. I am guessing they are about 22 yards each. I need to bring my goggles and swim cap, but I'll definitely be trying to swim laps each time we go out.

On Saturday morning, we were supposed to get up at 6:30 to run our '5k' around the peninsula. Well, she didn't sleep well, so I went by myself! It was cooler than it has been and I set a new personal record!!! My fastest had been 52 minutes... this time it was 49 mins 20 secs! My 'real' 5K is in 2 weeks and I'm hoping to run it in 45 minutes or less. It is a lot flatter than my hilly peninsula.

That afternoon we worked out on our boat dock. We did some upper/lower/core exercises. We probably only did about 15 minutes, but got a lot in. And, it'd been awhile since I'd done any weight trianing. Something I learned from the experience... I don't need 30 mins or an hour to workout... just squeeze it in where you can!

On Sunday, we went to run sprints... my first time. I know some of you don't recommend it for new runners. Anyway, it was hard!!! But, I was surprised that it got easier. On my last sprint, I felt like I was flying. We ended up running/walking for an hour and went 3.66 miles. (Our walking portion was really slow - and the sprints were really fast!)

Tonight's workout got cancelled because the a/c went out & I had to wait for a tech. It won't be fixed (probably) until Wednesday. Oh, well! I hope to workout at the Y tomorrow while dd is at co-op. On Thursday I'm getting back with my trainer after 3 weeks. And I'll run on the peninsula again on Friday.

I'm not being as faithful to either exercise or my eating, but I'm still getting better, faster, and thinner!

C25K... DONE!!!

I  completed C25K today. Yeah!!!

I started C25K (couch to 5K) on June 3rd, so the 9 week plan has taken me about 11 1/2 weeks. But, I did it! I can't believe I did, but I did! It was the best of times... it was the worst of times...

Now on to Phase 2

Running is SO Mental!

So, it is now dark when I need to get up and run and I'm struggling with what to do. I enjoy running in the neighborhood and get to sleep in a little later since I don't have to drive anywhere, but I feel safer running at our park where there are a few dozen people. So, this morning I headed to the park a little after 6.

One thing I like about the park is that the trail is marked off in quarter miles. However, the past few times I've ran there, I keep checking my watch and trying to set 'personal records.' This causes me to run too fast and be worn out before I'm done. Drats!

So, today I was supposed to run for 30 minutes. A few weeks ago, I ran a mile here in 17 mins 40 secs. Last week, I ran a mile in 16 mins 30 secs. Well, today I ran a mile in 15 mins 30 secs!!! I was so proud of myself! But, I was also really tired and had to start walking.

I tried to start running two more times, but could only run a few minutes each time. I ended up only running/walking for 30 mins total, including my warmup & cooldown. I went a little over 1.75 miles.

So, somehow I have to stop trying to go so fast! I really can't leave my watch at home as I have to be back for hubby to go to work.

The other "mental" part of this is that I can see the entire 1 1/4 run and it looks SO LONG!!! When I'm running in neighborhoods, I only see a portion at a time and it seems easier. Plus, I get out there and HAVE to finish running (or walking) to get home. Here, I can just cut across the parking lot - which I did today! So, along with being thrilled with my 15 min 30 sec mile (which I am thrilled!) I'm disappointed that I didn't run for 30 mins today.

Running 5Ks

Hi, everyone. Sorry I've been MIA the past few days. We were at the lake house this weekend and we don't have internet service! I'll be trying to catch up with everyone, but I might just jump in tomorrow as this is the last week before school starts and I have so much to do!

Some of you might remember my run last weekend. I was at the lake house and was thrilled to run 40 minutes straight! But, was disappointed when I used "map my run" and it showed I only ran 2 miles. Ew!

Well, I just couldn't believe that was only 2 miles... so I drove it this weekend. I was right! (And, "map my run" wasn't wrong, I'd just drawn it wrong!) My run was 3.1 miles... a 5K!!! So, last weekend I ran a 5K in 54 minutes - on my HILLS!

So, yesterday (Saturday), I ran it again!!! This time, in 52 minutes. But, I had a HARD time. I didn't have any water and the temps are hitting over 100 here. It was early (6:30), but still HOT. I was concerned for awhile, but I made it.

Today, I did it AGAIN!!! I know I'm not "supposed" to run back to back - especially long runs - but the weekends are my best days to run as I don't have to worry about my hubby's work schedule. So, I ran with a water bottle - much better! But, I was also more tired. On Saturday I ran for 40 minutes... today I ran for 25 minutes (and a few more short runs). And, even with all the walking, I did it in 54 minutes.

My first 'real' 5K is September 11th and I can't wait!!!

Today's Run was HARD!!! (C25K W8D1)

Completed W8D1 today. It was hard and I didn't enjoy it much. It was hot (already 84 degrees by the time I was done at 7 am), humid, I'm sore from an hour with personal trainer yesterday doing legs, and I was trying to run faster. Someone also mentioned that I might not have eaten well after workout yesterday. I didn't! I finished at noon and only ate a 200 calorie lunch - then took a nap. After dinner, I'd only eaten 1,000 calories and had to 'squeeze in' another 400. I hope I feel better on my next run, because this just wasn't enjoyable! I have usually been enjoying my runs.

Oh! And, with trying to run faster, my HR was usually 158 instead of 146 like usual. Maybe that was it, too???

Anyway, I was faster - finished a mile in 16 mins 20 secs. Last time I ran a mile and calculated it was 17 min 40 secs. But, I think I need to stop trying to go so fast - at least until I'm done with C25K. I need to concentrate on time and not distance and speed.

On a very positive note, I ran over a mile and a half for the first time!