wk7d1 run is done. Wow this one was so hard. It was slightly colder outside and took my muscles a while to warm up. I kept getting major cramping in my calves. Had to stop for about a minute and a half. I was a trooper though and made sure to run an EXTRA minute and a half so as not to cheat lol. I have another run scheduled for tomorrow. Having such a bad run on Thurs put me in a bad mood. I need to get my motivation back up....come on wk7d2 I know I can do this!

who's been running???

I ran 6 times in a row - about 3.25 miles - and then took tues off and ran today maybe 4.5 or 5 I'm gonna use that tool and find out in a minute - But I was really proud of myself - I sprinted at the end - and didn't give up near the end like I usually do - kept up the speed - in fact got faster towards the finish line.

I'm hoping to start running soon, I have read a couple sources and have found some schedules (training schedules) that I really like, I'll be posting on here or just reading some of your own posts. Hopefully its something I can stick to, I've been wanting to do it forever

Another month is starting, and I feel that it's time to re-commit - and that I'm ready for it. I'm really eager to go for a run, but it's drizzling outside, and I'd get soaked within 15 minutes. That wouldn't be a good thing, especially since everybody at home has colds ranging from mild to very bad, and I feel that I'm on the verge of catching one as well. Has anyone tried running with an umbrella?

I've been thinking about doing the couch-to-5k program - it has a schedule, and that would help with keeping me committed and on track. The only thing is that I know that I don't want to start at week 1. First of all, I'm moving overseas in 7 weeks, and I might need to take a break while I'm looking for an apartment, organizing work, school and everything else. So I feel that I can only commit to 7 weeks. Secondly, it's been a while, but I have done 5 kms not once before, and I know that I'll be able to do 20-25 minutes of constant running at a stable pace.
Well, I guess I need to go for a few runs and see where I'm at. Maybe I could start at week 3 or 5, or something like that.

Wheeee, I did it! I did wet a bit, but not too much except for my runners.

I started at a good pace and maintained it up the road, but it was probably a bit too much - I was out of breath at the end of the dirt road. It only took me 8 minutes to get there, and after a long break it's usually 8:30 to 9 minutes. I walked for a few minutes and then ran again, for another 19 minutes without breaks, so I probably covered three lenghts of the road, which will be about 4.5 kms. Very happy with that and with the fact that I managed to conquer a stitch which I got right after the second start. Stitches are killer for me, but this time I decided to keep going as long as I could - and after a few moments I actually forgot about it and only later realized that it had disappeared without me noticing.

My plan for the week will be to go for two or three runs along my dirt road, and then try the 5 km trail by the creek on the weekend.

yeah for you sushi!!! sometimes to alleviate the stitch try breathing very deeply - (and like try to get the breath to go where the cramp is). expand ;

yeah for the running - and motivating yourself to get off the couch - soo proud!

It turns out my long run was 5.3 miles - so I'm proud!! I did another one the next day and yest I did prob 2 miles and a big leg workout - my but is still a little sore. But I mostly enjoyed it.

I tried to work out my arms today - and the gym I go to (A school gym) I haven't joined yet for the summer - and it turns out that they need my fall semester registered class printout before I can begin - ouch - didn't have that. ahh well tomorrow!

and many more!

Ok got my last wk7 run in on Sat. Moving onto week 8. Sat's run went well but it was inside on a treadmill which always makes me skeptical. With the race coming up on Aug 6 the pressure is really on not to miss and training runs. I need to get my endurance up before then. SO this week I should be right on target *hopefully*.

bida - I have been doing that too. Giving it a bit of get up and go and sprinting to finish out my runs. So much easier to make yourself give a little bit more when you know it will be over soon. Great job getting a run and a workout in. I am so not to that level yet. I can maybe muster some more cardio but strength training kills me.

Dreamer - good luck with running. I was skeptical but determined when I first started and I love it. It gives me such a sense of accomplishment and killer self esteem. It has helped me change my body already and I have only been at it for 8 weeks.

sushi - There is actually a 5 k program seperate fromt he c25k on coolrunning. It is a bit harder. I see nothing wrong with you starting off at week 3 though if you think that is where you are at level wise.

Sigh, I didn't manage to go for any runs during the week... either got home too late or was too tired or whatnot.
It's Saturday here already, and I did go out this morning, but it didn't go well at all. Unlike last Sunday when I couldn't wait to run, this morning I didn't really want to be out there, my legs just didn't want to carry me, and it didn't help that I was really hungry and suddenly got some weird pain in my side. In the end it was a walk with several running bursts.

So I think the drought may be over. I had been having the worst time with my running. I gave up twice last week because I just could not get my head to let me do it. It was even on the treadmill that I made these attempts which should have been easy peasy right? Nope...So last night I made the trek to this beautiful riverside trail we have in town. Got all 28 minutes in although I did have to stop and walk for 1 minute at one point and 2 minutes at another. But I added minutes onto my total so that I could make sure that I did run for the full 28 minutes. I am not going to be too hard on myself for stopping...It's been rough lately and this really is an improvement.

sushi - Those running bursts count as running too! Don't forget that. I have been having trouble with my running too...you just got to make yourself do it.

The c25K sounds about right for me. I have been jogging for 6 weeks now, I'd say 4-5 days a week. My goal is to do 5K in 31 minutes (a passing Marine Corps PFT run time) before my birthday. I can run 1 mile in 14 without stopping, but I generally am too cramped in the abs to keep going to 2 miles. So I don't think I'm quite ready, I pushed myself too hard those few times. Then I ended up really hurting in the calves last week, so I cooled down on the jogging a bit and did workout videos instead. I'm going to start on this program tonight.
I jog on the treadmill because it's too darn hot here, even at night, to run outside. Eek. Which of the three workouts are you each doing?

Hi Candice

I run almost every day (or have been for the last 3 weeks - hu ya - or is that the army ) Last night I did 5.3, tonight I'll do 3 or 5.3 - depending on how sore my muscles are - but even then I feel better after I run for a bit. It's really sad - sometimes it takes me just 2 minutes to get into my stride, sometimes up to 20!!! But not so long anymore. I now go to the gym and lift too - just started that last week - so I am totally sore.

anyway - if you are getting cramps - make sure you are breathing properly - and deeply into your abdomon area. If you don't then I think that is why you are prone to cramping (also I cramp if I eat to close to my run, or too heavily).

Hrm - I have noticed an improvement in my running because of a few things i have started to do which I read in the runners magazine. Basically it said that if one does jumping drills it helps with some of the "twitch" or "switch fibers" in your leg, which helps with your sprinting or speed running - and I have noticed I have been able to run faster - I think - or with more power (when I finallly know I am gonna finish soon!).

anyway I should find another 10K to run - so I have another goal set.

B

Candice - great to see a new face in our humble running thread. The c25k is great. I think it is perfect for getting your body used to running the 3 miles of a 5k. I am doing the time version however looking back I wish I had done it for distance.

I agree with Bida...if you are getting side stiches try to really focus on your breathing. Also there is nothing wrong with stopping for a min to catch your breath and then getting going again.

Thanks, I'll remember to breathe better. I also think I need to watch my posture. I find myself hunching when I start to get tired. I'm going to try to focus more on that next time and see if it doesn't help.
DH got called to go on duty tonight (sort of a 24 hour watch at work) so no one was here to watch the kids for me to go run. Pooh. I wish I had a double jogging stroller, but no room in a Sergeant's budget, LOL.
I haven't decided yet whether to do a distance or time track. Now that some of you are down the road on this plan, what do you see as the pros and cons?

And it's OOH RAH!

Semper Fi

Now that I've been running (the past 6 or so weeks) I've found that my weight loss goal has transformed into a fitness goal instead. I really am more focused on reaching the running and resistance training milestones than seeing the pounds go down. I do like to see the weight come off, but I really love being able to get through another set of reps with an extra 5 pounds on the stack each week, you know? It's much more immediate, and I do like me some instant gratification!

Candice - also when you are more focused on fitness the weight loss comes naturally. lets see pros and cons of time vs. distance. Well in my opinion the timed version lets you work at your own pace and may make you less likely to do too mcuh too fast. For instance week 5 I think it is says go 1 miles or like 9 minutes or something...if you were to go 9 minutes at say a 12 minuute pace you would not be hitting a full mile but you would get the gratification of hitting the time. The reason why I said I would have loved to do the distance version is because I was interested in doing a 5k asap and in order to do a 5k in the 8 weeks of the program you need to be able to run 3 miles at the end of the schedule. The end schedule allots you 30 mins...that is 3 ten minute miles. I am much slower than that. I am 5'2" and a babyrunner so I am more around the 11 mark. Also If I am running for distance and it takes me more time to go the distance...I will have more cardio time for my fitness challenge log on here. Sometimes even though I know I crammed a lot of effort into those 28 minutes I feel wussy having only done that amount of cardio.