3rd time's a charm!!!!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, now that that's out of my system, I'll tell you how I finally conquered w5d3! I've been running on the track. It's gentler on the body and easy to keep track of distance. I think it was getting to me. Running in circles for a half hour is not that fun! (It's ovals, actually, Mommy! - this is what my 3 year old daughter said when I said this to my husband!) Anyway, I just kept thinking, "Okay, 1 mile down, 6 more laps, 5 more laps..."

It became really overwhelming. It was more a mental thing than a physical thing. Everyone on the c25k facebook page that has gotten over this hurdle will tell you that. I was not smart enough to realize this the first time I tried it, or even the second, but after a mile on the track, something clicked. I ran directly out of the stadium and onto the street. I just ran.

I made sure to run where I could drive so I could track my distance. I am so excited to say that I was able to finish! I texted my best friend and called my mom and my husband! I was so proud! I went about 2.4 miles in my 30 minutes. Not too shabby!

I am actually starting to understand people wanting to run. Not that it is fun, but it just feels so good when you accomplish it! You're right, Emily! And thanks for the encouragement, Marcia, I thought of your comments as I was struggling!

W5D3 is killing me

I couldn't do it. Again.

I am getting really frustrated, but I am making progress. I ran for about 12 minutes, walked for 3, then ran for the last 5. I made it 9 laps or 2.25 miles. Not quite as good as last time, but still not too bad. I'm starting to get worried though because my 5k is Oct. 11 and I still can't run for 20 minutes. I can guarantee that by that time, I will have conquered the 20 min. run, I'm just not sure how far beyond that I'll be!

But, I need to think positive because that is the only thing that will get me through.

I'm also a little worried as I have a minor procedure done 3 days before my 5k. The nurse said I will probably be in some pain the day of the procedure, but I should be fine to run by the next day. Here's hoping!!!

Well, that's about it for now . . .

W5D2 - check. W6D2-what??

My son became ill last week, so that threw a wrench in my plan. He had a fever of 104.3 late Wednesday night. Needless to say, he did not go to the sitter on Thursday morning, so I didn't get to run or go to work. So, Friday, when Daddy was home, I got to go out for an evening run. I decided to go to the high school track that's just a few minutes away. I decided I really like running on a track so I can keep track of exactly how far I'm going. It was a beautiful evening out, so there were a few people there. I did pretty well. I made it 2 miles in my 1/2 hour.

I was really proud of myself!

Then, I looked at the training schedule and became terrified. I'd come to the dreaded 20 min. day. I tried. I promise you, I tried. I ended up running 10 min. walking 5, running 10. Turns out that is the exact same as the schedule for W6D2! I was pretty happy with that, but am determined that I am going to do all 20 minutes tomorrow. However, I did run further than ever on that run. I again went to the high school track and ran 10 laps - 2.5 miles! Yeah me!!

I think it may have been because I had an audience...of sorts. I got up early with the kids Sunday morning and then, about 9:30ish, headed out to run. I went to the track, and there were a bunch of cars parked there, and a table set up with snacks and drinks. I looked around a little more, and on the sidewalk, a guy had a big clock and was timing runners coming across what I gathered to be the finish line. I assumed I was not in the way, as they were on the sidewalk and I was going into the fenced area to the track, so I began. Soon, everyone started to filter into the fenced area and mill around. I thought maybe they were just hanging out?? Then, a few of them began to jog a little. One guy ran the whole track, the opposite way as me. Then another...

What the heck were they doing?? Well, eventually, the guy with the big clock/timer thing and the starting gun, meandered onto the track and began issuing instructions. Not that I could hear, I was listening to my podcast! Before he did that though, I asked him if I was in the way but he said I wasn't since I'd offered to stay in the outside lanes while they were there. But anyway, they were apparently having a 400meter "dash" now. I put that in quotes because for them it was a "dash" for me, it was a 3 minute run!! Anyway, They finished 2 heats of their "dash" by the time I'd finished my 30 minutes.

I asked 1 gal what they were doing and she explained the whole thing. Apparently, they start out with a 5k, then do a 400m dash, then a 1 mile run, followed by a 100m dash, topped off with a 10 mile run. They get 15 minutes of rest between each! It's called Pewterman's Pentathlon.

And here I was proud of my 2.5 miles!!! Maybe next year...

W5D1

**If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.**

So true! I was just really feeling good today and decided rather than repeating another day from week4, I'd just take a chance and move on. The worst that could happen is that I'd have to stop a little early or walk a little extra. Well, neither of those things happened!!!! I was able to finish all of W5D1 today.

I decided to try to run on an indoor track today for a few reasons. #1 - that is what I'm going to have to do when it gets cold, so I thought I'd give it a try. #2 - I wanted to know exactly how far I was running. #3 - I wasn't sure the local college would allow me to come in and run, so rather than waiting until winter to find out, now seemed like a better option!

#1 - it went well. Felt good and was much easier on the legs than running on concrete. #2 - I ran just shy of 2 miles, but I only did about 1/2 of the 5min. warm-up and about 1min. of the 5min. cool-down, due to time constraints. #3 - the kid there today didn't seem to care who was on the track, and since I was the only one, it probably didn't matter. This winter it might be different.

I think I'm going to go ahead and move on to W5D2 on Thursday. Hope that one goes as well!!

W4D2

Much Better!! I went out at about 8ish this morning and it was 60degrees and sunny. Perfect running weather! I "ran" into several others out taking advantage of the beautiful morning. I had a really good run this morning. I managed to finished the first 3 running intervals entirely, and about 2/3 of the last 5min. interval. I'm hoping 1 more day on W4 should be good, then on to W5. We'll see maybe 2 more...

Either way, I can feel the improvement. My theory is, as soon as I can accomplish the week I'm on, I'll move on. So, once I can do all 4 intervals entirely, I should be ready for W5.

I'm so happy to be back on the right track. I was pretty down for a while about having my little set-back. I guess I'm becoming a real runner. Who would have guessed?!?! I may be slow, but I can do it!

W4D1...eh

It didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Here's the thing. New shoes - awesome, no knee pain. Taking off too much time - not awesome, soo out of breath to finish the 5min. intervals. Well, I guess I'll just get back into doing it every other day again, and keep with week 4 until I can do it. Hopefully it won't take too long!

I took my dog with this time and that probably didn't help! She's not great on a leash because she's used to running free when we go to the farm, or in our back yard. We had a WONDERFUL off-leash dog park here until the flood last year wiped it out. They're apparently making a new one that should be open next year. The old one was 14 acres and had walking trails throughout. That would have been a great place for us both to run! She always loved it there, but I was much lazier then, and just walked! Now I'm hoping the new one is as nice as the old one so I can take advantage of the trails and she can run free with me! When we were at the farm last time, she followed right along with me, stopping only when the horse-drawn wagons passed! It was pretty neat!

Anyway, I think I'm on the right track again and will stick to it! My 5k is only 4weeks away!! OH NO!! Well, I'll just do it however I can. If I need to walk some, I will. But I'm hoping that the excitement and the adrenaline and all the thousands of people will help push me that little extra bit! I guess we'll find out in a few weeks!

W4D1...redo!

Well, I got my new shoes and am venturing out again today. We'll see how it goes. I ran on Sunday morning, at the farm, and my knees didn't hurt too bad, but the gravel may have helped out with that. I know it is slightly more forgiving than concrete! I was wearing my old shoes, but was able to get through it. Now the problem is too much rest = not being able to finish the 5 min. run because I was out of breath! I'll get there.

On a side note, my mp3 player that went crazy?? It's better now. I didn't do anything different, it just started working again! Who knows!!! I was able to download Carli's next few podcasts though! YEAH!!!

Anyway, I'll try to be better about updates and posting. It is just so easy to do when you're doing well and want to tell the world. It's becomes much harder when you come to a bump in the road. You don't really feel like telling everyone that you had a setback! But, that is what this is for, chronicling the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes along on this journey with me! So, here it is. The is the bad I guess. Not ugly, and I'm hoping I don't run into ugly, but if I do, I promise I'll tell you all about it!!

Thanks for all the support and comments, everyone, they're much appreciated!

W4D1

Well, today didn't go so well. Like I said last time, my knees were hurting pretty badly, so I took an extra day of rest. I went to our local running store, www.runningwild-iowa.com and met Nate, who was super nice. While waiting forhim to finish up a phone call, I wandered aimlessly, since I'd never even stepped foot inside a runnig store before, and read everything I could find. I read one sign that said something like If you're planning on having us analyze your feet, then buying your shoes elsewhere, don't bother. It makes us feel used. Since, as I mentioned last time, I'm short on money, this was my exact plan! Well, after sitting down with Nate and chatting and finding the right shoes for me, I still couldn't buy them yet, I had to chat with the hubby first! Normally I don't consult on purchases under $100, but we're really trying to save for a new house, so I thought I'd probably better! I had decided, however, not to buy them online!

The style he recommended for my is the Nike Air Pegasus+26. He actually brought out 3 pairs, but these were the best. They felt really good. I'm excited to go back on Monday and get them. My husband agreed that new shoes would probably help with the pain, but I have to wait until Monday, after we pay a few things off, to make sure we have the extra in our budget.

So, this morning, out of sheer curiosity, I checked eBay. I know, I shouldn't have! But, I did. And they weren't available. Anywhere else I checked online was the same price, so I gave up and felt satisfied that I was going to buy them from the store with the helpful staff and buying locally is always nice. But I do like a good deal!

Anyway, I will try to get through the rest of this week with my old shoes. I am thinking I will not be able to do week 4 though, I may just have to repeat week 3. Then do 4 next week. I'll let you know tomorrow what I decided to do!

And, if you're looking for good shoes in Iowa, make sure to visit Nate at Running Wild in Cedar Rapids!