Week 3 surprised me. I was expecting to alternate a 90 second run with a 90 second walk for 30 minutes. Halfway through the second run set, I glanced at the timer on my C25K app and was surprised to see I still had 90 seconds left to run. Huh? Was there a glitch in the program? Nope. It was a three-minute run! Week 3 starts with a warm-up, then a 90 second run followed by a 90 second walk. Then the three-minute shock to my running system followed by a three-minute walk. Both sets are repeated and the workout ends with a cool-down. On day 1 of week 3, that first three-minute run was hard. By day 3, only the second three-minute run was a struggle. I’m getting there! … [Read more...]

So much for getting ahead. I wanted to be writing about week three today but I’m not there yet. Hopefully I will be tomorrow. Or Friday. I did complete week two, though, and that’s something. To celebrate, here are my joys of running for this week: Seeing the colors of autumn creep over the mountains near my home. Hearing the leaves crunch as I ran through a park while my son played on the playground with my husband. An Indian Summer evening with just enough light left in the day for a run. The scent of wood burning in a fireplace, which was a little unexpected given the 80 degree temperature that day. My son saying he was going to go running like mommy. Now on to week three! … [Read more...]

I’m one run into the second week. I feel good that I’m continuing through the program but I am worried that I won’t be ready by Race #2. I have seven weeks to go and eight weeks left in the program. I guess there’s a reason I didn’t major in math. Part of me thinks I can make up the time if I’m diligent about running every other day but the realist in me knows that won’t happen. I have to keep going, though. I have to complete this program. Today’s run was good. It reminded me why I like to run. It clears my head. I was feeling overwhelmed before my run. Afterwards, I felt more focused. When I run, its just me against the pavement, one foot at a time, and the C25K app and iTunes on my iTouch coaching me along. Warm up Run then Walk, Run then Walk, Run Cool down In week two, the running time extends from one minute to a minute and a half. The walks are longer, too. There are just less of both. I felt like I was running farther and faster, although, I doubt I was. I don’t care … [Read more...]

I’m halfway through the first week of the Couch to 5K program. I’ve done 2 out of the 3 runs for the week. This is my third attempt at this program. This time I’m going to finish. This time I have two races to complete. I was registered for a race the first time I started this program. I got through week 3 and the blizzards hit. Two weeks later, when we were finally shoveling out, I’d lost my running mojo. I tried again in the warmer months but was deterred by the heat. I’d rather run in the cold. I’ve already participated in two races this year but I am determined to run one completely. That’s why I am trying again. I meant to start last week but had such a hard time getting out there. Sunday, I finally did. And it was hard. I expected it to be hard the first time I attempted the program. The second time was surprisingly easy so I hoped this time would be too. What I didn’t account for was the extra weight I’m carrying on my run. I’ve gained (cough, cough) 10-20 pounds this … [Read more...]