Eadavenp - wow, you are fast compared to me! I was covering about 1.60 miles in that time period.

I thought I'd drop in & say HI to everyone, especially all of the 'newbies' so to speak!

Anyhow- the dr. says my strain is 'not that serious' & is related to a chronic issue so I can continue as before. Only problem is I've not run since last Friday & that was a bad day so to speak. I think I'll drop back a week or two on my schedule & see how I feel afterward.

I may go for a run tonight, it's absolutely gorgeous out for once. Definitely tomorrow though.

I hope anyone who was injured or struggling is on the up & up. I'll post tomorrow or Saturday if I run in the next day or so. Sorry I don't have time to post personals tonight - definitely next time!

Hello gang,

Newbies everywhere!! It's great to have you! This thread has helped me so much, I hope you get something out of it too. It's great to have someone to talk to about every running detail that everyone else in your life gets sick of hearing about. Good luck on this great adventure!!

Well, it pains me to admit this but I let six days slip away without running. Ack!! My back has been uncomfortable and then the dreaded mind games set in and ..... well, here I am confessing to all of you.

I went for my first outside run last Thursday and it did not go very well. I set out to do a mile and managed it but had a very difficult time setting a pace for myself. I started out to fast and then threw my breathing off. It was not the best experience. I'm thinking that next time I go outside I'll try some intervals to ease into it.

Today I did Wk8 D2. I ran 2.67 miles in 31 minutes. It went well and I could have kept going but didn't want to push it after the break. I had myself all worked up and worried after the outside run. It really played a number on my confidence. I'm glad today was back to normal.

Regulars - I am thrilled to hear all of your progress!! There have really been some huge accomplishments this week! It's so exciting!

Lou - where are you?

ShrinkingMama,
Don't let those mind games get to you. Remember that at week 8, you have managed to surpass many of us who have had pyhsical problems along the way. We look forward to reading your posts because we cannot wait to be where you are. Now don't let those mind games get to you. You are woman! Let's hear you roar, or in this case, let's see you run!

GenreGirl, enjoy the good running weather!

Question to you guys that are wk7+ or advanced runners that are reading: I know some of you cross train such as cycling etc, but do you also now run, walk, or similar every day? I have been only running every other day so that I don't get burned out or injured on the program, but now that I am getting closer to running the long times (25 minutes +) and I see the more advanced runners on the Cool Runners forum running short and long distances (seems like) every day, I was wondering when I should start trying/planning to do this. I really expect running to become my foundation sport/exercise for the future.

Tonight is my last W6 day for 25 minutes continual, then next week starts the full runs. I am actually a little excited (and nervous). I can't believe that I can actually run this long. Seems like just yesterday I was complaining about 90 seconds!

Shrinking Mama you are doing so well. Don't let the head games get to you.

Softballmom way to go, you are doing so well. Roll on 3 miles!

Genre Girl glad your strain is not serious and you can keep running. Seems like a good idea to go back a week and ease yourself into it as well.

TiredofWeightin congratulations on completing your second run . You are doing really well

Well I used the rowing machine on Thursday so hopefully I'm keeping my fitness up while I'm not running. However, I also decided to massage my heels as recommended by a chiropodist, and I think I must have been a bit too vigorous as they are now more sore than ever! Anyway, off to talk to the guys in a local running shop to see if they can offer any advice.

Keep on running

Week 5 day 2 with its 8 minute run, 5 minute walk, and 8 minute run completed! I've decided it's time for some new music on my Ipod. My existing running songs have been played too many times.

Hello,

Thanks for the support! I did Wk 8 D3 today. I got up early and ran 2.77 miles in 32 minutes. I'm trying to become an early morning runner since that will work best when the kids go back to school soon. It took a few minutes to get going but WOW, what a way to start the day. I felt like I was on top of the world!

Softballmom - I have been running every other day. I also do the Turbo Jam workouts (cardio, abs, sculpting), light upper body weights, biking, walking and water exercises in the pool. On running days I do a non cardio workout after the run. On off days I do a cardio workout and a non cardio workout. Like you I am just starting to think about adding some running on off days. For me I want to start working on outside running probably doing shorter distances so I can work my way up to what I can do on the treadmill. I'm so tired, I hope that makes sense. Congrats on making it to the full runs. I know what you mean about being excited and nervous. It's a great feeling when we push our bodies to accomplish something challenging.

I saw that someone on the other running thread mentioned The Complete Book of Running for Women by Claire Kowalchik. I am about 2/3 of the way through and I think it is great. I kept meaning to mention it here but forgot. I have benefited from reading it and highly recommend it to all of you. I found it at the library.

Pachyderm - I'm sorry you're in pain. I hope you are feeling better soon!

Webweevil - Congrats on the 8 minute runs. I remember feeling pretty proud of those. Good luck on your 20 minute run!! Can't wait to hear about it.

im nervous for the first day of week 5. I'll get it done though. I haven't been able to do any incline on the treadmill, which would be better to simulate running outside, but at least im getting the workouts done. I might have to slow up the pace for some of the running segments, but I like the idea of trying to do my running parts at a 12 minute mile.

I am so excited that I had to post right away. I did it! I freaking did it! I ran 20 minutes straight! Week 5 day 3 is so over! Even now I can feel my upper thighs tightening up. I walked a good 15 minutes after the run but can tell already that I am going to be feeling this for a day or two. But besides the stiffness in thighs, I feel great. Listening to music on my Ipod is what allowed me to get through it. I wouldn't let myself look at the time until I got through 4 songs, and after that, I would only look at the time after a song ended. Yeah! 20 minutes. I'm a runner, I'm a runner!

Way to go Webweevil!!!!!! You are a runner!!!!!!!

Way to go Webweevil! Doesn't it feel soooo good?!

eadavenp - You can do it! Three 5minute runs w 3minute walks between, right? Or, are you on a different training program? The mid-weeks (wk 4 & 5) played with my head a lot. But I do think that training with my headgames has helped me with the longer runs now. Don't give in to your head, just push your body safely.

I'm on week seven doing 25 minute runs. The temps are suppose to stay in the mid to upper 80s this week, so that will help greatly!! I'm beginning to pay more attention to my distance as well. I'm lagging behind just a bit, so over the next weeks I will work on picking up the tempo a little bit.

Thanks ShrinkingMama for the book advice. I saw the recommendation over at the other forum, too. I'm just looking out to the future to see how to incorporate this into a sport beyond the training weeks of C25K. You are on your last week, right? What are your plans for after graduation? I don't plan to do any more repeats from here on out, so I should be finishing up by the first of September. I would like to have my distance (5K) done in the 30 minutes when I graduate - that's my goal.

Ok, so i didnt make it through all the last segment of running. I did however just take a minute of walking and finish the rest of the running segment. I wish i had been able to finish it, and i might repeat the workout tommorow, but i am definitely proud of myself for finishing.

Eadavenp: Good for you to finish what you could. It's the little steps that you take so when you look back you realized that you've come a long way.

I was going back through this forum and realized that several of you have some upcoming runs. Are you still on for these?
Genregirl: 10 miles in October?
Shrinkingmama: 5K in October?
Webweevil: 5K end of September?
Pachy: Looks like you are working on two - 5K Sept 3 and then the 10K later.

Everyone is doing so good. Did any of us really think that we would be where we are now? I really didn't think I would be running over 5minutes, much less 25minutes! See eadavenp, it's the little steps!!

Hey Idest - you lurking out there? Just been thinking a lot about you lately. I know that you had a walk coming up in either Sept or Oct. Hope that you are okay and doing well.

Okay W3 D1 down, it was freaking tough to get through the second 3min run, but I made it....boy were my thighs just itching to stop! I can't even imagine facing the latter weeks of the program - I'm in awe of the people who are there at the moment...go you!

Mind you I have noticed my progress.... a few months back I was really self conscious at the gym, picking the last row of treadmills and always holding onto the handles coz I was afraid of falling off! - now I walk right up to any free space and have no problems running! go me! :-)

Maybe its not be too far-fetched thinking I will make it to C25K graduation...

How are all the other newbies ot there getting on?