C25K Week 6

Well, I've got some semi-bad news. I have completely failed this week. But it's not really my fault. It's my body's fault. It rebels. On Tuesday, I started Day 1. I got through the first 5 minutes okay and started walking my 3 minutes. I was having trouble breathing again, but I recovered somewhat. I then started in on my 8 minute run. That's where the problems started. I think I made it maybe 5 minutes before I had to stop. I just couldn't breathe at all. I tried walking for a minute or so, then finish out the run, but I couldn't make it. I walked until the next 5 minute run came up. I started in and did about 2 minutes before I had to completely stop and sit on a curb to recover. My chest was killing me. I stayed there for a couple minutes, then walked the rest of the way home. It took me almost 2 hours before I felt normal again.

Today was not too much different. I was going to press on into Day 2, but I decided that probably wasn't a good idea. I tried to do Day 1, but it didn't go well. Again, I did the first 5 minute run, but after that, it went downhill.

I've been taking my inhaler at least 15 minutes before I go outside, but it wasn't really helping me. I know that the oak pollen was part of it. But, because I had such a bad episode on Monday (the worst since I've started C25K), that I called my allergist up and made an appointment for tomorrow. Hopefully, I can get some answers.

It is so irritating that I have some friends who can pick up and run a few miles without having worked out in weeks.....or even months. Meanwhile, I work out 6 days a week, have become pretty strong, and yet I can't make more than a 5 minute run outside. It makes me feel very weak and I hate that feeling. Some of my friends look at me like I'm crazy because I have such a hard time running. They think it's fairly easy. Running is the only physical thing I do that causes the problems I have. But I still want to be able to do a 5K. And I will. I'll let y'all know what the doc says tomorrow. Obviously, Race for the Cure on Saturday isn't going to go so well. I'll probably walk most of it, but that's okay. At least I'm participating. There's still Muddy Buddy in May!

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C25K Week 5: 2/3 Completed!

This was a week of weather changes! On Tuesday, the weather looked cloudy and the wind started picking up about the time I planned to go outside and run. I decided to play it safe and run at the gym. As soon as I started driving, the rain came down! Day 1 went very well....in fact, it went better than I expected. Thursday came and the weather looked the same. Thank goodness I played it safe again because it poured as I ran to my car! I finished Day 2 with ease. I actually ran 8 whole minutes at a time on the treadmill! I think I've done it before, but not many times.

On Friday, Jason & I went to Austin to celebrate our friend's birthday. She's my Muddy Buddy partner and she runs, so I thought I would be able to finish Day 3 with her. However, the weather decided to get cold Friday night. By Saturday morning, it was literally 40 degrees outside. Now I don't even want to walk, never mind run, in that kind of weather. I planned to go to a gym, but she's not a local member, so it didn't happen. My plan for this week is to just proceed on to Week 6. The format is similar to Week 5, so I don't think it will make much of a difference. This Saturday is Race for the Cure, so I'll do the best I can following the C25K program for Day 3. This week will consist of:

Day 1:

• 5 minute warm-up walk
• Jog 5 minutes
• Walk 3 minutes
• Jog 8 minutes
• Walk 3 minutes
• Jog 5 minutes
• 5 minute cool-down walk

Day 2:

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

Day 3:

• 5 minute warm-up walk
• Jog 25 minutes

Wish me luck people!

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C25K Week 4

As I mentioned last Tuesday, I started Week 4 and had a rough time making week transition outside. The weather turned very cold and rainy by Wednesday, so I ran on the treadmill indoors on Thursday. It went really well even though I was sore from lifting a little too much the day before. This past weekend was busy so I planned to finish Week 4 early Saturday morning before our winery tour trip. I had to be across town by 10am (30 minute drive), so I got up at 7, threw some clothes on and drove to the gym. I arrived at 7:30 and was prepared to get in there quickly, do my run and go home to shower and change clothes.

I was not prepared to find out that the gym wasn't even open. Really? REALLY? I had no idea that my gym didn't open until 8am Saturday and Sunday (they're open 24 hours during the week). I didn't have time to wait until 8, so I drove back home and got dressed. We were gone all day and didn't get home until well after dark and well after gym closing time. On Sunday, I worked a benefit for a friend's nephew and again, I had to be across town by 10:15 (35 minute commute), so there wouldn't be time to run this day either. I worked all day and then met Jason at his parent's house so we could have dinner and celebrate Jason's 32nd birthday.

Oh yes I did just say how old he turned! Ha!

To make a long story short(er), I decided to repeat Week 4 this week. I almost skipped W4D3, but thought that might be a bad thing. So, I'll be doing W4D1 tomorrow. Hopefully, the nice weather will hold and I can get back to running outside in preparation for Race for the Cure and Muddy Buddy!

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Very Minor Setback....

Sunday I was supposed to start Week 4 of the C25K program. However, due to the time change, not setting an alarm clock & family obligations, I missed the day. I decided to go ahead and work out as normal on Monday, then start Week 4 on Tuesday. From then on, I would run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

I was already nervous about today because my running time would be doubled from last week and I was a day behind. But, to my surprise, I started out okay. I got through the first 3 minute and 5 minute runs with relatively no problem. The second 3 minute interval was hard, but I got through it. Then came the second 5 minute run. I was already tired, but I was determined to do it. At 2 minutes & 30 seconds, my legs gave out and I needed to breathe. So I walked.

I briefly considered tell y'all that today went great, but then I thought that wouldn't be fair. I am a real person and real things happen to me. I'm certainly not perfect, but I'm trying! My blog is my accountability right now so I want to be completely honest.

Even though I didn't make the entire 14 minutes of running today, I did make 11 1/2 minutes. That's the most I've run outside in my adult life. I am still proud of myself and I am actually looking forward to running all 16 minutes on Thursday.

On a side note, I have signed up for the Susan Komen Race for the Cure on April 4th. I know that I won't be finished with the C25K program, but that's okay. I plan to still follow my normal week that April 4th falls on. Race for the Cure is such a great cause and one that is near and dear to my heart.

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