Couch to 5k: Week Five

Photo by emples

Success!

So, I know I haven't posted anything about this for a couple weeks.

Honestly, with all the traveling we did over Thanksgiving, I ended up taking a whole week off. It was unintentional. I ran that Monday, then not again until the following Monday.

When I looked at week 5 last week I thought...there's no way I'm going to be able to do this.

I mean, on Friday they expect you to run 20 minutes straight. No walking! 

This for the girl who has been repeating every week twice? Who felt like she was going to die at the end of running 5 minutes?? No way was this going to happen!

But happen it did! I couldn't believe it!!! I did it!!! I ran for 20 minutes straight!!!

I thought the week was going to be a bust though.

Monday I went to the track and it was crazy windy. The sky was super dark and I didn't even need my sunglasses (but I kept them on anyway). The wind resistance was incredible. 

But I was able to complete the require intervals. I felt awesome. I knew I could do it though because I had done it the Monday before in Alabama.

After that workout, I had The Hubble walk me through the gym on post so that I could start going inside on bad weather days. I really want to use the gym sparingly. I'm just not a treadmill person.

On Wednesday, it was bright and sunny outside. But it was cold. C-O-L-D. Freezing! Like seriously. 

I got to the track and did a 'warm-up' lap. By the end of that lap I knew I had to stop and get my gloves (which I found in the trunk of my car!). I put them on and tried another 'warm-up' lap. 

I knew then that I should have taken it inside. My face and thighs were completely numb. I couldn't feel my lips but when I would rub them together they felt like they were taking up half of my face.

Pretty much I felt like this:

Source

But for some stupid reason, I decided to try to stick it out. That didn't really work out. I did good the first half, which was an 8  minute run. But the second 8 minute run, I ended up walking for half a lap in the middle of that one. After the workout I was frozen solid. 

And I sneezed about a million times. It was crazy! 

It took me about half the day to warm up.

Friday was warmer so I headed to the track. When I got there, there were a bunch of soldiers setting up tents around the track so I parked and decided to take the urban trail that goes through and around post. 

I figured if I could do Wednesday over again that would be cool. 

I got to 8 minutes and felt great so I pushed it to 10 minutes. By then I figured if I was already halfway there maybe I could push it a bit further. 

Well, by the time I made it to the 15 minute mark there was no turning back. I was going to finish the full 20 minutes or pass out trying. 

The only bad part is that the last 5 minutes was at a steady incline. A friend of mine always told me she hated that slight hill because it was at the end of her run and it never let up...

I completely understand that now.

So. I'm counting this week as a success since I succeeded 2 out of 3 days. 

I am nervous with the weather getting colder. 

Will I be able to run on a treadmill for that extended amount of time?

I already feel like I was going crazy and wasn't at my best going circles around a track.

I guess I will do what I have to do. 

Week five of the Couch to 5k program is:

Monday:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 3 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 3 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Wednesday:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 8 minutes

Walk 5 minutes

Run 8 minutes (I failed at this part)

Friday:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 20 minutes (no walking)

So seriously. I still cannot believe I was able to run for 20 minutes straight! 

I am completely amazed with myself at this moment. We will see how this week goes.

But I wanted to let you all know that I'm still going strong.

Oh! Also, I'm planning on starting the 30 day shred challenge in mid to late January. Anyone interested in joining? We can start a group and keep each other motivated and hold each other accountable.

If you are interested, a couple friends and I started a Facebook page called Operation Motivation: Fiercely Achieving Fabulosity.

And just one last thing before I go. Please jump over to my friend Amanda's page and congratulate her. Amanda has started her journey to a healthier her and has already lost 19 pounds in 7 weeks!!!

Okay. That is all.

Carry on.

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Four (Again)

Couch to 5k: Week Four (Again)

Photo by emples

Success!!!

I am so freaking proud of myself this week it is not even funny! 

And I'm sure it's only going to get better from here.

Except for the fact that I'm worried about this next week.

See...we are currently driving to my dad's house in Alabama for the week of Thanksgiving. (I'm setting this up to post tomorrow--Saturday--morning.

What's the problem with that you ask??

Well, being at my dad's house is not a problem. He has a treadmill and there's a nice trail about a mile or so down the road. I can definitely continue my training while at my dad's house.

However, we are driving to Kentucky on Tuesday, going to a graduation on Wednesday morning, then driving back to Alabama on Thursday. And we'll be getting back late on Thursday so I'm not sure I'll get up and run on Friday morning.

Although, I just thought that maybe I can do Monday, Thursday (before we leave) and Saturday. But then I won't have two days of rest before starting the next week.

I guess maybe next week will have to be week four and a half?? Who knows. I just know that I don't want to take an entire week off.

Anyway. Back to this week. 

I decided on Monday that I needed to focus and slow it down again. I have a tendency to want to go fast to get the run done faster. However, when you are running for a certain amount of time, it goes by just as quickly if you are jogging as it does if you are sprinting. You just hurt a lot more with the latter.

So I went at a jog pace as opposed to a full out run and it helped me make it through the running intervals.

I was on cloud nine on Monday when I was able to complete the whole thing. Then I did it again on Wednesday. Then again on Friday!

However, on Monday, the very last 45 seconds of my last run time I felt like I was going to die.

Then on Wednesday and Friday I thought I was going to die my last 2 minutes of my last run time. 

But no matter. I pushed through. I just kept telling myself that I was done after that. It was my last lap. My last minute. Whatever. 

I can't believe I ran 1/2 a mile in one shot! Woohoo!

Anyway. 

Week four of the Couch to 5k program is:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Cool down 5 minutes

My week:

Monday: 2 1/2 miles 30 minutes 54 seconds

Wednesday: 2 1/2 miles 30 minutes 46 seconds

Friday: 2 1/2 miles 30 minutes 56 seconds

Woohooo!!!!

Did you notice my distance got better too?? Instead of 2 1/4 miles, I'm now up to 2 1/2 miles consistently.

So. All in all it has been a good week. 

I'm hoping to jump on here at some point while we are traveling as well. 

I don't know what this week will bring as far as my running goes but I am definitely going to try my hardest to get out there and get moving. There really aren't any adequate reasons not to. 

Wish me luck!

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Four
• Couch to 5k: Week Five

Couch to 5k: Week Four

Photo by emples

Fail!

Sadly, this week was another off week and I just didn't get the job done.

I went on a long walk with a friend Sunday afternoon and I'm starting to see a trend. It seems when I do something on Sunday, I just lose the week's running. 

When I had an off week for week three the first time I had done a yoga session on the Sunday afternoon before. Oh well. 

Monday, I got to the track and I was walking a lap to get my body warmed up before I started the intervals. As I was on the other side, 3 guys walked onto the field and started measuring. They spread string or something across the track. I asked them if I would be in their way and they said no, they were just finding the center of the track. Oooookkkkaaaayyyy. 

So I had to go around or step over their string. It was weird to have them just standing there. It felt like they were watching me. I was very distracted. I was able to do the first half of the intervals but lost it after that. 

I was hoping to salvage the week but when I arrived at the track on Wednesday there were Army guys training behind the bleachers. That usually doesn't bother me but one of the trainer guys had one of the trainee guys come run a couple laps while the trainer guy was timing him. 

So again, I felt like I was being watched (whether I was or not I just felt like it). I lost it. I just couldn't get it back.

When I took Little Butt to daycare on Friday, I came outside after dropping her off and it was raining. Seriously??

I called The Hubble and asked if I should just run in the rain, give it time to quit or just go home. He said give it about 10 minutes (where we live it does that, rains for 10 minutes then stops). So I drove over to the track. Sure enough, by the time I got to the track (about a 2 minute drive from the daycare) it had stopped raining. 

There was one guy on the track. No big deal right? I started to do my thing. Everything was good. Then this humvee with a couple guys drinking coffee decided to park right in front of the track and just sit there. There went my run. Blah!

Maybe I have performance anxiety or something. I just don't like it when I feel like people are watching me. It makes me feel...I don't know...weird. I get distracted and lose my breathing. I also feel like I need to do better so I think I run a bit faster and that makes things worse. 

On a side note though...I have decided that Army MP's really like pick up trucks. 

The track I run on has an MP building right next to it. So I watch the MP's come and go during the time that I'm there. When you look at their little parking lot it seems to always be pickup trucks. I counted on Monday and 5 out of 7 vehicles were pickup trucks. On Wednesday, 7 out of 10 vehicles were pickup trucks and the other 3 were SUV's. Friday they were off for Veteran's Day weekend but I'm sure there would have been a bunch. 

Okay. Let's get to how my week went. 

Week 4 of the Couch to 5k program is:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds

Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes

Cool down 5 minutes

My week:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 24 seconds (did the first half but lost the rest).

Wednesday: 2 1/4 miles (I don't know the time because my watch reset somehow. I ran the 3 minute interval then continued with 3 minutes throughout. Couldn't get to the 5 minute run).

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 28 minutes 40 seconds (ran the first 3 minute interval then made up my own intervals).

I will try again. I'm trying hard to become a runner and it doesn't seem to be working. The Hubble says to keep plugging away at it. I hope I get there. I'm trying.

Oh, I also found out I won't be able to do a Turkey Trot this year. My stepbrother is graduating Army Basic Training in Ft. Knox the day before Thanksgiving so we'll be traveling on Thanksgiving day. 

I found out there is a Turkey Trot here on the 20th but we are leaving for my dad's place in Alabama on the 20th. What can you do?? 

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Three
• Couch to 5k: Week Three (Again)

Couch to 5k: Week Three (Again)

Photo by emples

Success!

I did it! I made it through week 3 successfully this week! I know I didn't do too well with it last week but I think my friend Gwen was right. I got my girlie problem this week so I'm thinking some crazy hormones were wreaking havoc on my body last week. 

Oh well. What can you do?? 

Tie up your shoes and try again, that's what!  

This week I decided to stop trying to go as fast as I possibly can in the time allowed and instead just focus on getting through the intervals. That means I took it a bit easier than I have the last few weeks. 

Don't get me wrong, it was still challenging. 

I was still able to do 2 1/4 miles each day. 

But I didn't feel so dead/drained afterward. And I think the walk intervals were faster because I didn't need as much recovery.

The only crap day I had was today. 

I woke up with the worst cramps I've had in over 4 years! I started out really tired. And it was about 30 degrees out this morning. 

Luckily, the gloves The Hubble bought for his Halloween costume have helped keep my hands warm (I can't find my gloves). 

But, the wind was pretty gnarly this morning and my ear buds kept blowing out of my ears. Annoying!

Again, I made it through. And that's what matters. 

Week 3 of the Couch to 5k program:

Warm up 5 minutes.

Run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds. Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. 

Repeat once for a total of 2 repetitions.

Cool down 5 minutes.

My week:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 24 seconds

Wednesday: 2 1/4 miles 28 minutes 48 seconds

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 07 seconds

Did you notice I broke the Wednesday curse this week???? Woohoo!!!!

So that's my week. I'm happy that I made it through but am still nervous about next week. I know that it just gets more and more intense from here. And the weather is just going to continue to get cooler and cooler. 

Also, my friend Wendy is considering doing this program and I just want to say....DO IT!!!! 

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week Two
• Couch to 5k: Week Three
• Couch to 5k: Week Four

Couch to 5k: Week Three

Photo by emples

Fail!

Sadly, this week definitely didn't go very well for me. 

I don't know if it's because the weather finally got cool or if I was just worn out this week or what. It could also have something to do with the intense yoga session I had with a couple friends on Sunday. Who knows. 

Monday I was doing pretty good. Until I got to the end of the intervals. I ended up walking about 10-15 seconds during the last run time. A friend of mine showed up to walk with me and I think I walked really fast at the end to try to catch up with her. 

Wednesday I was able to run all the intervals I was supposed to. I thought I was doing really great! My time was a bit slower than Monday but I could live with that.

Friday. I woke up early and was tired. I wasn't feeling too well to begin with. And it was super cold that day. By the time my 5 minute warm up was "done" my hands were completely numb. When I started running I could feel that the muscles in my legs were still tight and cold. My last run interval was full of fail. I couldn't run the time at all. I ended up running the straights and walking the curves (remember I run on a track) until I finished the number of laps I like to complete.

Week 3 of the Couch to 5k program:

Warm up 5 minutes.

Run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds. Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat once for a total of 2 repetitions.

Cool down 5 minutes.

My week:

Monday: 2 1/2 miles 28 minutes 57 seconds (walked 10-15 seconds in the middle of second 3 minute running interval).

Wednesday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 10 seconds (ran all required intervals).

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 31 minutes 19 seconds (could not run second 3 minute running interval. Ran straights, walked curves until completion of 9 laps, then walked a lap to cool down).

So...that means I have to repeat this week. I can't move forward to another week until I've mastered the week I'm in.

I am somewhat disappointed. But, on the other hand, I'm not disappointed at all. 

I know I tried and that's what counts. So my body didn't want to keep up this week. That's okay. We'll try again next week. 

I can only do what I can do. I think I definitely need more of a warm up time though. My body just doesn't warm up as quickly in cooler weather as it does in the warmer weather.

And gloves. I definitely need to wear gloves on those cool mornings. It's just to distracting...and somewhat painful. 

So that's that. I will be repeating week 3 this coming week. Wish me luck!

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week One
• Couch to 5k: Week Two
• Couch to 5k: Week Three (Again)

Couch to 5k: Week Two

Photo by emples

Success!

Another week of the Couch to 5k program has been accomplished!

I know it's not much but I'm still proud of myself.

Monday, The Hubble had off so he stayed in bed while I took Little Butt to daycare and went to the track. I'm really proud of myself for not letting him deter me from my goals. (Two years ago it would have been a different story).

I don't know what's up with Wednesdays though. Either I lose count of my laps or I just REALLY drag ass on Wednesdays. 

Usually I do 9 laps (2 1/4 miles) during the program's intervals. However, on Wednesdays I only do 8 (2 miles). It happened last week and it happened this week. It's pretty frustrating but I need to find a way to straighten things out on Wednesday. 

Surely I just lose count...right????

Anyway. 

My best friend Insomnia came for a visit on Thursday night so when time to go to the track rolled around...let's just say I was tired. But I went anyway.

Luckily, there were a bunch of soldiers working near the track so that made me stand up a bit straighter and move a bit faster. I couldn't look like a slacker in front of soldiers right?? LOL!

The sky was dark on Friday and I thought for sure it was going to start raining on my head! (It didn't). It was also pretty windy offering me some lovely resistance. But I still did pretty good.

Oh. And taking about 15 minutes to do some yoga stretching at the end of my workout has been helping my recovery time. It's also a really great way to feel calm and loose after running. 

Now for the numbers!

Week 2 of the Couch to 5k program:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes (repeat for a total of 20 minutes)

Cool down 5 minutes

My week:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 20 seconds

Wednesday: 2 miles 29 minutes 22 seconds (see what I mean???)

Friday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 35 seconds

I thought for sure my time would suffer this week since I was running for a longer time but it didn't. All of my times this week were better than my times last week.

I also have not yet started doing yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Honestly, I'm kind of scared. If I add something new, will that affect my running? Which is more important? 

I think I definitely want to get more comfortable with running. Maybe after I complete this program and am capable of running distances I want then I'll add in more stuff.

One step at a time right??

Have you started a new fitness program recently? How are you doing with it? 

If you haven't started one...do you want to?

For Further Reading Check Out:

• Couch to 5k: Week One
• Couch to 5k: Week Three

Couch to 5K: Week One

Photo by emples

Success!!

At the end of last year I discovered a program called Couch to 5k. 

This is a running program that helps you go from the couch (never running) to a 5k in about 9 weeks. 

One of my goals for this year was to be able to run a 5k.

I did a 5k in February. The Race for the Cure actually. It was so much fun! But I only ran about a mile in the beginning (I had no idea I could even run a mile straight). I ran a little bit more at the end but didn't cross the finish line running. I felt like I was going to die at the end so I ended up walking across the finish line. 

I keep starting this program and something gets in the way. 

I think the furthest I've gotten in the program was week 4, trying desperately to get to week 5.

I ended up getting shin splints REALLY badly at one point last year. Then I've started it off and on since January. Butt all the moving and traveling kind of kept me from completing it. 

That, or I just didn't have the dedication to the program that I needed to complete it.

So now, I'm determined. I really want to do a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving this year. I want to run it. The whole thing. That only gives me 7 weeks. 

Can I do it? I don't know. I hope so.

I have started out strongly and I know that doing that kind of thing pushes and motivates you further than you normally go on your own. so I have high hopes.

I think writing about it may help. I hope so.

So this week I did really well and I'm proud of myself.

The program only requires 3 days a week. I figure Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are good since Little Butt goes to daycare those days.

Monday was Columbus day though. The daycare was closed. And The Hubble was home. It's difficult for me to leave the house when The Hubble is home. But I did it! I did my first day on a holiday and left Little Butt and The Hubble to their own devices.

Wednesday there were no issues. Little Butt went to daycare and I did my thing. Although, I was SO freaking tired. I didn't sleep the night before (I have issues with insomnia sometimes). I felt like I was dragging and there was a nice breeze for wind resistance. I sucked bad that day. I got a really bad cramp in my right rib area too.

Friday, The Hubble had his graduation from the Career Course here so I couldn't go to the track. HOWEVER, I went this morning on my own. Yes! I went on a Saturday and it was amazing!

Week one of the C25K program is:

Warm up 5 minutes

Run 1 minute, walk 90 seconds (repeat for a total of 20 minutes)

Cool down 5 minutes

30 minutes total.

I do time and distance. 2 miles on the track is 8 laps. I make sure I do 9 laps. 

Here's how my week broke down:

Monday: 2 1/4 miles 31 minutes 6 seconds

Wednesday: 2 miles 30 minutes 34 seconds (I told you I was dragging!)

Saturday: 2 1/4 miles 29 minutes 57 seconds

I can't believe I shaved about a minute off my time from Monday to today!!! I'm so stinking proud of myself.

Wednesday was really bad. But at the end I took a good 5 minutes or so and did some yoga stretches. That really invigorated me. 

I don't know if my better time today was because of the added yoga stretches or because I had 2 days to rest in between Wednesday and today. 

I guess we'll find out on Monday! 

Have you started any new programs or projects recently that have made you proud of yourself? What were they?

For Further Reading Check Out:

• 2010 Goals: August Update
• My Fitness Page
• Couch to 5k: Week Two