Week 5 Mix up

So each day this week, I run a different interval. Today it was 5 minute run/3 walk/5 run/3 walk/5 run. With 4.5 minute walking warm up and cool down. It was a good run, no panicking, just running. I broke another personal record. I'm proud of myself.

I need new sneakers and more supportive bras. That's my goal for the week.

2.4 miles in 30 minutes
12.5 minutes a mile. (not bad for someone who hated running)

Finished Week 4

I finished week 4 and realize I need a new MP3 player. My has been dead all week. I've been using my daughter's. I kept hoping it would come back to life but I think it's done for. I bought a new one online, an ematic. It got very good reviews and it's cheap. I was nice and got a black one so my hubby can use it. It also has a camera so I can take pictures on my run. :)

I just listened to Week 5's schedule and each day is a different jog/walk sequence. I decided I don't like the music on Robert Ullrey's podcast so I'm going to make my own using music I've purchased and Sony Acid Xpress is a free download. It's basically a scaled down program of their Pro verison. I'll see if I can make it on there.

Today my plan was to get new sneakers but Monday is really my day off and yet tomorrow and Wednesday, I'm busy. I found a place online that I can step through and pick out the shoes that are best for me. I think that somehow going in to talk to someone may give me tips that I just can't get from buying online.

2.63 miles in 35 minutes (ran/walk an extra 5 minutes)
12.5 minute mile

Week 4 Completed

Today, it got to 70 degrees by 10 am. When I was done with my chores and was ready to run, our thermostat said 85. No way.

So I waited till my hubby came home and had him run with me. ;)

I made it, I ran both 3 minute and 5 minute runs and another 3 minute and 5 minute run. I'm very happy with myself. Gordon and I argued how we are going to run the half marathon, if we are going to run the whole way (which I think is out for me) or run/walk. Since I decided on run/walk he said he wants to come with me so we were arguing how minutes running to how much walking.

We're still working on that part.

2.33 miles in 30 minutes
12.9 minute mile

Week 4 didn't start so well, or so I thought

OK, here I go with week 4 today ....

5 minute walk	of course, no problem
3 minutes run	ok not bad,
90 seconds	(I tell myself to calm down, relax while I run),
5 minutes	with easy going music I was able to find a groove,
2.5 minutes	slow down (not bad, I did well),
3 minute run	music is more upbeat,
90 second walk,
starting 5 minute run,	the music is whacked, sounds like two songs playing over each other, I don't like it. I'm going uphill, damn, I hear in my head, I can't do it, I can't do it, It's too much.
2 - 2.5 minutes in	I can't take it anymore, I've got to stop running and do. I'm disappointed. I try picking up the run again. I can't my legs just want to collapse when I start running. I keep walking. The run ends. I'm disappointed with myself.

I get the dog and walk another 4 minutes. (a little more for the dog) but I mark my 30 minute length.

I get home to check my mileage. I see I ran/walked 2.37 miles in 30 minutes. I smile and think OK that makes up for my disappointment.

2.37 miles in 30 minute
12.65 minute mile

End of Week 3

I made it to the end of week 3. It wasn't too bad. I took the dog with me and only stopped once for him to poo. I think I could of pushed myself a little harder when I was walking in the end. When I finish the 3 minute run I am so focused on catching my breath again that I forget that I should still be keeping a decent pace.

Although my dog loves going on the runs I think he slows me down. He's a beagle and wants to sniff everything. I have a retractable leash so he can do that for a bit but I needed to yank him a couple of times.

I gave myself pep talks while I walked, and reminded myself to stay loose and relax. That I'm working my endurance up. I find it is my cardio that is out of shape, physically my muscles are having no trouble with runs. I wish I knew a way to work the cardio better. I found that I became a bit congested and my teeth hurt. Yes my teeth hurt ... a dentist told me once that my sinuses come down low and that could be the reason why. I think I will use the neti pot on my off day to see if things clear up.

Starting tomorrow, I start a 3 minute and 5 minute run, twice - which would mean a total of 16 minutes of running. I think only 90 seconds and 2.5 minute breaks in between. I'm nervous but I carry on. I'm happy to say I thought the run went quickly yesterday. I guess I'm not bored yet.

2.15 in 30 minutes or 13.9 minute mile.

Cooling down the panic

It's 50 degrees out, warm enough to run but raining. I went. Last time as I was running I think I felt a panic take over and I didn't run so well although I still kept my time. My first 90 minute run, I felt the panic overtake me again. "I can't do this, what the hell was I thinking. There is just no way." Over and over in my head. I tried telling myself others have done this but still I tried talking myself out of it.

When I got to my 90 minute walk segment. I had to give my self a scolding that my running was erratic and I'm letting my panic take over. I need to do the next 3 minutes calmly. If I'm going to get through this run I need to get my head on, calm down, focus and relax. Yes that's right relax. I tried to make sure my upper body is relaxed while running because why waste energy being tense.

It worked. I got through the rest of my run without the panic. I still have those thoughts of failure and I'm crazy but I try to keep it quiet and I try to think of what I'll say when I do make that half marathon.

I like to point out that from this I am learning that running is not all about the physical. It is the mental as well, especially when you are thinking of doing something extraordinary and a half marathon from someone whose never ran or like running is extraordinary to me. :0)

2.16 miles in 30 minutes, that's a 13.8 minute mile.

Start of Week 3

I have taekwondo tonight. I normally don't but with my busy schedule it was the only day I could squeeze it in. Regardless, I felt it was important to run and keep to a schedule. I ran by myself again a 5 minute warm up walk, 90 minute run, 90 second walk, 3 minute run, 3 minute walk, repeat once then 5 minute cool down - I took 10 minutes to see if I could get my 30 minutes in and determine how far I went. The last five minutes I walked the dog.

So, 2.17 miles in 30 minutes. Not as good as Saturday but my lungs felt like they were burning at the end of my second 3 minute run.

I did learn that when I did do 2.33 miles in 30 minutes, that is a 12.8 minute mile where as 30/2.17 = 13.8 minute mile. So it would seem my goal is 2.33, maybe Saturday :0)

Running with my hubby

So my husband decides to run with me. He has not ran in a couple of years and yet jumping right in for him was no trouble.

It was difficult to pace myself. I wanted to show him 'look at me I'm a runner' and yet he had no problem keeping up with me and actually went ahead of me. Ugh!!!

I finally told him I'm having trouble keeping my pace with him. He said I should run at my pace. I said that's the thing, I can't find my pace with you running with me. I said that maybe we should run together more often so we can find our pace together if we're going to run together at Disney. He agreed and started to run behind me.

After the last 90 second run it took me a minute and a half to recover my normal breathing. I did go farther, he did push me. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. If I think of the Biggest Loser where Jillian pushes and pushes and pushes and yet they survive and are the better for it, then I think it's for the better.

2.33 miles in 30 minutes

Oh last week's results:
Wed. 2.17 miles in 30 minutes
Friday 2.15 miles in 30 minutes

What the hell am I doing!?!

I'm on week 2. Wed. I didn't want to run, even when I was running I didn't want to run. It was snow/raining and dark and gloomy out. Today, I didn't want to run. The wind has been constant this winter. I had a headache when I started but it seems to have subsided. While I was running on Wed. I started to panic, I can't do this, I can't run for 3 hours straight. What the hell was I thinking!?! I'm dying and can barely make 30 minutes. I can't even run 30 minutes straight and I'm going to run for three hours. I told myself to stop it and went on. Today, I told myself, who cares if I can't make it, I can make 30 minutes and if I go there and just run for 30 minutes well then there you go. I did sign up for the family fun run with my kids the day before so I'll have some sort of medal. The only goal I should look at now is running a 5K in April.

I went to tae kwon do in between days. We were breaking boards and my hand started to swell. I put on some Chinese bruise liquid on a paper towel and placed it on my hand and just watched TV while I was wearing it. I'm happy to say, my hand although a bit stiff looks pretty good. My daughter's hand is bruised. Next time I'll let her try some too.

Running in the Snow

I knew I had to run on Sunday. It was beautiful out, sun shining. Woo Hoo it'll be warm for my run, maybe 50 by afternoon. For some reason I was so tired that I fell asleep around 11:30 in the morning. When I woke it was 12:15. "Damn, I gotta run or I'll never get to it." Dressed in a t-shirt, sweats and sweatshirt. Grab the dog and started my 5 minute warm up walk. "Oh my god, is that snow!?! .... YES IT IS!!"

It was snowing a decent amount and the wind was going right through my sweatshirt. I was freezing and yes, I thought of quitting for the day. My conscious didn't let me though. A little cold is not going to kill me. After the dog stopped me twice, I dropped him off at home and continued with Week 2 of Robert Ullrey's podcasts (see my favorite links).

By the end of the run the sky had cleared and the sun was shining again. When I got home, my hubby told me it was 50 out. So I just had some freak storm that was testing me AND I PASSED!!

2.15 miles in 30 minutes.