Week 9 Day 1

Well, here we are--Week 9! This is the last week of the couch-to-5K program. I'm up to 30 minutes, which is where I should be since I've been doing the program by time, not distance. Distance was 2.58 miles today. My pace has stayed pretty steady the last few runs (11:32, 11:34, 11:37), and the plateau is a little frustrating. I think Saturday I want to push myself just a smidge harder to see if I can get that pace down.

I was excited that I discovered a new way to use dailymile's mapping software today! I can use the hybrid map (both satellite & streets) to make sure I'm mapping correctly. I discovered I've definitely been underestimating on the streets, but overestimating the distance through the tiny little park I run through. Hopefully overall it's been about right. I know I can really map it accurately from here on out!

Goal for Saturday: 11 minutes per mile. That would get me up to 2.72 miles in 30 minutes. Can I do it? (Hope so!)

Week 8 Day 3

Same route as Saturday, and almost the exact same time. Consistency is a good thing, I suppose! I felt much better than Saturday. It was a good run!

Wednesday: The first day of Week 9 (the LAST week of the Couch-to-5K program!) I'll be running 30 minutes. I won't be going 5K (3.1 miles) yet, since my pace is slow. And that's okay; I'll get there. I definitely plan to keep running 30 minutes, three times a week, after the official program is over.

Week 8 Day 2

Today was a hard run. Yesterday I ate too much junk and went to bed too late. I don't really regret either of those things; it was Christmas, and it was a wonderful day! But today I just didn't have my normal energy or motivation.

At one point, about 22 minutes into my 28 minute run, I almost stopped. I was feeling so winded, and I think that kind of panicked me. I slowed down to a walk for about a second then decided to keep running. I'm so glad I did! Within 30 seconds or so, I got my "second wind," and the rest of the run was easier. I even ran about 30 seconds extra, since I was so close to home at 28 minutes. So much of this is psychological, and though the run was tough today, I felt great that I got through that "wall" when I wanted to stop.

And, lo and behold, my pace improved again! Pace today was 11:32 per mile, an 18 second a mile improvement over Wednesday! I went 2.47 miles. (In case you didn't notice, that's very close to 2.5 miles!)

Week 8 Day 1

Wow, today went great! It was a 28-minute run, and I was shocked when I mapped it. I improved my pace on this longer run! I went 2.36 miles, for a pace of 11:50 a mile. Yee haw!

I changed the way I was using the mapping software so that it was more accurate. I was able to factor in street crossings and (somewhat) cul-de-sacs. I've probably been going a little further in most of my other runs too. (However, I used this new mapping method for the first time Monday, so I definitely, genuinely improved my pace over that run.)

A 10:00 per mile pace is still a ways off, but I bet I'll get there.

I've always said, "I hate running. I admire people who do it, but I don't think I'll ever be a runner." Here I am, doing it, and even enjoying it. Very, very cool.

Week 7 Day 3

2.01 miles today, pace 12:31/mile.

This run was actually enjoyable. I think keeping my pace consistent was immensely helpful too. Saturday I started too fast and that's part of what made it so hard.

I usually listen to podcasts as I run. Saturday I had music on instead, and I think I automatically adjusted my pace to the music. Not good. I went back to a podcast today, and that was a good thing. I mean, hearing about Raptor Rex on Quirks and Quarks doesn't inspire me to run at any particular speed; I can keep the pace I feel comfortable with!

I know this makes me a little weird, since most people listen to actual music while they run. But I prefer to think I'm just unique.

I'm ready to add three more minutes on Wednesday! And I'm so glad today's run was so positive; after Saturday's I was kind of dreading today. My good attitude is back now!

Week 7 Day 2

I really felt like I pushed myself a lot harder today. I went about 1/8 of a mile further than Wednesday (and it felt like about 5 miles further!) I improved my pace by 38 seconds a mile, from 12:37 to 11:59.

Honestly, though, Monday may not be this good. I really didn't like how I felt during or immediately after the run--I just pushed too hard. I prefer taking it a little easier than that; even though the running is still hard when I take it easy, I feel great when I get home. It's been about ten minutes since I got home, and my lungs are still not entirely happy with me!

I have one more 25-minute run, on Monday, and then Wednesday it'll be 28 minutes!

Edited to add: I just realized what a big deal this is. I ran 2.09 miles today. That's the first time I've ever run over two miles. Ever. In my 32 years. Wow!! I am giving myself a huge pat on the back, and taking a minute to savor that victory, and to thank God for the strength to hit such a cool milestone! In another few weeks, I hope to be up to three miles.

Week 7 Day 1

I took Monday off--the first time I've missed one of my regular training days. But I was up a good chunk of the night with an ear infection, and so I felt justified taking a "sick day"!

Today was hard. I was barely awake; I got up later than I'd planned and needed to get out ASAP so that I could run before my husband needed to leave for work. And I think I was just tired and a little worn down from being a bit sick. But I did it--it didn't feel good; I just got through it!

I track my mileage and pace at dailymile.com, and I decided to start tracking the jogging only, not including the five-minute warm-up walk. That way I can really know what my actual jogging pace is. Today I jogged 1.98 miles (ugh, SO close to 2!) with a pace of 12:37. I'd like to gradually get my pace down so that eventually it's more like 10 minutes a mile, and so that I can regularly run 3 miles in 30 minutes.