W2D2 yesterday - it was hard in the beginning but got a lot better! But I still think I might repeat either this week or next week... let's see how day three turns out tomorrow...

@Rhonda: way to go for getting on the horse again! :carrot: This plan indeed is so much fun. And sometimes when you struggle it's just good to have a structured plan like this, so it's not even a question of "hmmm, what am I going to do today?"

@Betsy: I also use the treadmill - and I also start slow and try to up my speed a little with every interval. My first run is 5mph, and if I feel I'm in good shape my last one is 6mph. I've slowed down the walking a bit - I was at 4.0 the first week but now walk between 3.7 and 4.0 depending on exhaustion.
I cool down with a 5-10 minute walk or sometimes add 15 min. of low/medium impact cardio, such as rowing or a stroll on the elliptical, for variety. I also recently rediscovered how much I looove stretching, so it's not a problem for me to do my 10-15 minutes afterwards - though I usually forget to stretch before the workout. :)

@mothermavis and others who switched from inside to outside running: how much harder is it for you to complete the program outside if you're used to the ol' dreadmill? From past experiences I know that I'll probably have to start over again or at least go back some days once I start running outside... :^:

Hi all!

W2D2 yesterday for me, too. It was a pretty rough go... I'm thinking that I'll be repeating week 2 as well. I just felt like I was pushing so hard the whole time, and I didn't really get into the runners high until halfway through the last interval. Plus, instead of stopping and waiting for lights, a couple times I was able to catch them by running a little faster - maybe that accounts for why it was so much harder?

Rhonda - good to see you. We were missing you! In fact, I was tempted to go track you down on another forum yesterday and drag you back here :lol: Ok, really I'm not a stalker :lol: Just glad you're back with us. I am guessing that repeating and restarting will be the name of this game often. Running is great!

Heffalump - haha. Sounds like you and I had similar runs yesterday. Its nice to see you might be repeating Wk 2 too. I'll wait and see how Day 3 goes, but I think I've decided that I won't move on until I really feel comfortable in the current week's plan.

Betsy - wow, mixing your own would be cool. I've thought about it, but I'm pretty much technologically incompetent. I really like the music mix on the wk 2 podcasts, though.

How's everyone else doing?

Hi everyone. I started the program yesterday. It was so nice outside that I finally took the plunge. I was actually surprised that I could run as much as I did. I'm glad I read this thread first so that I knew about the podcast, it made the time go by so fast.

Whoot!:woohoo: Congrats Diva on making it to Onderland!

This calls for a produce party!

:carrot::carrot::cb::broc::broc::cb::carrot::carro t:

Diva that is SO exciting. Congratulations!!! I hope to be joining you VERY soon. last unofficial check I was down to 207.....Way to go!

:carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::c arrot::carrot:

~betsy

w2d3 today, I can't believe I made it. I will deffinatly be doing at least one more week 2 workout before I move on. I may even repeat the week, we'll see. Keep up the great work ladies.

~betsy

I've slacked off this week ladies :( I'm hoping to do W2D1 or W1D3 again as I have been sick all week long. Horrible chest congestion, coughing, ... It's starting to get better but I don't want to go to the gym and spread my germies as that is probably where I got it from in the first place. I'm going to try it tomorrow though, gonna set a reminder to go to the gym tomorrow morning to get back into this. I need to! I've got a 5k coming up in mid May!

I repeated W1 D3 today (Started last Saturday) and it went really well. This week has been a "figuring out how to run a decent stride on the treadmill" since I've never been a runner before. I've figured out a few things - I need a longer warmup, so I do 10 minutes instead of 5, usually at 3.5 with an incline of 4.5, then drop it down to start the intervals. I've also realized that it's easier for me to run faster than I thought I could. On Monday and Wednesday I was trying to 'run' at 5.5 and it was killing me. Today I kicked it up to either 6.0 or 6.5 and it was much, much easier (gack - did I just say running and easier in the same sentence??)

Not sure if I will start W2 on Sunday or not...but I probably will.

W2D3 today - wow that was MUCH better! I'm going to keep at week 2 at least once more, but day 3 was so much easier (Oh my! Berner I think I did it too!). :lol:

The only thing I didn't love was that I ate a fairly large dinner before my run - word to the wise: don't.

How's everyone else doing?

@Me_Amarie: :D And so our mirror-experience continues! I did W2D3 yesterday and it was so, so much easier for me, too. I think I'll try to go on with week 3, though, because while the 90 sec. are still pretty challenging I started to get a little bored with the 2 min. rest period. On the other hand - I don't know if I can really run 3 min. already... guess I'll find out Monday... :)

Diva, congrats on making it to Onederland!!! :bravo:

I am feeling better today. I broke my fever last night and woke up in a major sweat. I don't know which was worse, the breaking the fever or doing W2D1!!! I did it!! Woo-Hoo!! I almost had to stop during the last jogging interval though as I started to feel light headed, thankfully it was the last interval so I made it ok and was able to do a 30 minute cool down on the dreadmill ;) Yep, a full hour on the http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_5_141.gif

Anyone have a good recommendation for a Heart Rate Monitor? One that does not require the chest strap.

Andi, feel better soon. I know how you feel, I had it last weekend, then we got a major ice storm, no power for most of the weekend, altogether, not one of my best, but back on track this week except for food, not good with food....lots of food issues...

Heffalump, I actually found the outside running very enjoyable (for exercise) lots more to look at, our treadmill is in the garage so view is limited...but it snowed again last night, so today I did the last workout of week 5, a 20 minutes run with no walking on the dreadmill..boring!! But I did it. I think I need an Ipod.

Diva, woohoo on Onederland!!!!!!!!!

W2D4 for me today. I'm sticking with week 2 for a while, I guess. Its getting better, but I feel like I barely catch my breath during the rest periods. So on I go. How's everyone else doing?