Couch To 5K- Week 6 Day 2

My run on Tuesday went really well. There were a lot of hills, but I conquered them. There were fewer bugs. I felt more relaxed during my runs. It just overall was a fine day. Nothing noteworthy, nothing bad.

I chose to do another 5K with my Nike Plus, so there was a little more than 5 minutes of walking at the end. Yesterday's program was:

Brisk 5 minute warm up walk
Jog 10 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Jog 10 minutes
5 minute cool down walk

I am giving myself a total day off from any kind of working out on Wednesday (other than walking the dog) so my next run (and final run for Week 6) will be on Friday. It's 25 minutes. I understand that physically I can do it, but mentally, I am a little worried. That seems like a loooong time to me.

I did end up getting the shot that helps lubricate my knee joint. It was much less painful than the cortisone shot I had in the past. I haven't noticed a difference yet, but it supposedly can take up to 5 sessions for the shot to work, and then it lasts for up to 6 months to a year. The doctor doesn't want to treat my left knee (which is actually the more painful one currently) until we've fully treated the right, which I guess makes sense. I feel very lucky overall; my knees have behaved thus far, knock wood. They hurt MUCH worse when I was still doing lunges. I'm glad I quit those, LOL!

Couch To 5K- Week 6 Day 1

The way these middle weeks of C25K work is to give the runner long runs on the third (final) day of each week, and shorter runs with walk breaks for the other two runs. Today's Plan:
Brisk 5 minute warm up walk
Run 5 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 8 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 5 minutes
5 minute cool down walk

It was very hot and humid today, even though I was done my run before 11am. I didn't really mind that so much, but I really minded the black flies and gnats. Lordy Moses! They were swarming me from the minute I stepped out the door until the minute I stumbled back in. They got in my eyes and mouth, got smushed in my clothing, and worst of all, were very distracting. I guess I need to go on the hunt for a good bug spray, although I dread the thought of slimy, stinky bug spray running down my arms and into my eyes as I sweat. Blerg.

Robert Ullreys struck again today. In two of the songs on his Week 6 podcast, there are water sounds. There are waves crashing at the beginning and end of one song, and then river-like flowing water in another song. Now, if I were on a long run, I would be scared that this would make me have to pee. However, on this shorter run, it just made me thirsty. REALLY thirsty. I don't bring water with me as I run right now, since it's only for about half an hour. I don't usually want it either. Today, though, as I heard the sound of water in my ears, I wanted water in my gullet. A little piece of torture, courtesy of Bobby Ulls (as I've taken to calling him. I think we've grown really close over the past 6 weeks).

The run itself was fine today. I used my Nike Plus for the first time, and really enjoyed it. I followed the C25K plan, but I told my Nike Plus to have me do a 5K. As that worked out, I had about an extra 7 minutes of walking left after the actual C25K program ended. The fastest time in which I completed a mile was 11 minutes and 47 seconds, which is pretty darn awesome! I'm sure that was in the middle of the workout, when I ran 8 minutes and walked only 3. I really like the feedback I get from the Plus, and I like how easy it is to use. So far, an A+ from me!

Tomorrow I have a follow-up appointment with a orthopedist about my knees. I had a cortisone shot in my right knee awhile back, and it really helped- I think it still IS helping, knock wood. Tomorrow I am scheduled to start a series of injections that will help lubricate my right knee joint and hopefully help stop some of the grinding. However, I don't want to fix what ain't broken. I'd rather hold off on that injection and instead try a cortisone shot in my left knee, which is currently the one that is bothering me the most. We shall see.

A Quick Shout-Out

I have two people who have already helped me on my running journey, and I wanted to thank them quickly.

Jenn S. let me use her hot tub to soak and relax, and has been encouraging. Thanks!

Dave V. gave me injury-preventing strengthening exercises and great advice. Thanks!

Couch To 5K- Week 5 Day 3

I
DID
IT

I
DID
IT

I
DID
IT

I am very proud to announce that I ran for 20 minutes straight today! It wasn't very fast, and it wasn't very pretty, but I did it. I ran at the local sports complex, which has an outdoor paved 1 1/2 mile walking/running path. It was a beautiful, cool morning, and the scenery was new to me, and there were NO HILLS, and I actually liked it. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone.

I also got the Nike Plus, which fits in my new shoes. The receiver attaches to my iPod and the sensor goes in a special hole in my shoe. Then, the iPod will tell me my time and distance and pace and calories burned. I can load results onto the computer, and I've already joined a challenge with runner friends I have in other states. I am very excited! And, I am over halfway done the C25K program!

Very Funny!

http://www.half-fast.org/2007/08/9-types-of-runs.html

A friend posted this link for me after I shared with her that I was worried about my 20 minute run tomorrow. I want all runs to be perfect, and she pointed out that they rarely are. This blog is funny!

Couch To 5K- Week 5 Day 2

On Tuesday we had a lot of heavy, wet snow that continued through Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday night at 8 we lost power. It's not Thursday morning at 9am and we still don't have it back. I am going nuts. I came out to the local library to be able to post about my run, update Facebook, and check my email. I need technology! Or at least heat, running water, and lights.

Yesterday I did my first 8 minute run. The plan was:
5 minute warm up walk
8 minute run
5 minute walk
8 minute run
5 minute cool down walk

I laid around the house all day, reading and napping, because the roads were bad and I don't have my snow tires any more. That was a total energy suck; it was dark and cold and boring. Finally at 4pm I got dressed and went to the gym. I did my run on the treadmill, which is ever so boring, but I did it. I held a 12-minute mile pace until the end when I lowered it to 4.8mph on the treadmill. Still, it was my longest stretch of continual running yet, so I feel good. Tomorrow I am supposed to run 20 minutes straight. I am so scared. I know the worst that can happen is that I will have to walk, but to me that feels like failure. We'll see... I am doing this run outside, come hell or high water. The high water seems likely, considering the amount of snow that is melting today.

My new shoes felt very cushiony, and my left knee didn't hurt like it had been. However, the balls of my feet felt a little sore afterwards and my right Achilles hurt. I am chalking that up to the shoes just being new, and the fact that I was on the treadmill. I'll give them a week, and try them outdoors, then see. At least the store will take them back, no questions asked!

NEW SHOES

This was my purchase today at Fleet Feet. I really liked the staff and how they examined my foot and my gait before recommending shoes. These feel super, and they look cute too, which is always a plus. I'm excited to try them out!

On another note, I also got a sports bra. One of the several I rejected was... shall we say... not a good fit. I was terrified of it on the rack, and felt like it was choking me once I put it on. It was like a medieval corset, except without any bodice-ripping alure. I would like to SEE someone try to rip that puppy off a woman.

Thankfully, the sports bra I purchased offered support without looking like a torture device.