Week 8...

Yep I am in week 8 of C25K! Of course, I haven't been following the program anymore...been running beyond that. But for all of you that want to know what the schedule is for week 8 here it is: Run 28 minutes all 3 days!

I ventured out this afternoon to run! It wasn't a planned run...I was planning on running tomorrow but my hubby asked if I was going to run and I didn't hesitate and said, "Yes!" So I decided to run 5K since my race is coming up on Saturday. I will not lie...this was a hard run for me tonight. My mind kept telling me I wasn't going to make it. And I kept arguing back that if I stopped I would be sooo disappointed in myself and that I COULD do it! And I did it!!! I didn't give in and I kept running! I knew my distance for 5K because I had tracked it in my car last week. I was curious to see if my Nike+ would be correct since I calibrated it the other night. I looked at my watch when I started and stopped running just to make sure too. The Nike+ was pretty accurate!!! It went over a little in my distance but that is because I couldn't get the workout to end...I kept hitting the wrong button and resuming or pausing the workout lol! Regardless, I am VERY proud of my time! I ran 3.18 miles in 31 minutes and 27 seconds....a PERSONAL BEST for me!!!! That is an average of 9:53 min/mile!!! Now I KNOW why I was struggling lol! I was running faster than ever! Woo Hoo! I hope I can do that well on Saturday...I am a little nervous because Saturday's race route has a few hills. But hopefully I can conquer those hills no problem!

FAST One Mile Run!

Before running with the Sole2Soul Sisters tonight, I ran a mile around the track to calibrate my Nike+ because it has been way off on my runs. I am not sure if I was in a hurry because I knew our meeting was about to begin or what but I ran that one mile faster than I have ever run! I ran it in 9 minutes and 33 seconds!!! I couldn't believe it when I got done running and I looked at my time!

Anyway, because I ran two days in a row, my shins are sore. Depending on how I feel on Tuesday, I might take the day off. Or I might run about 2 or 2.5 miles on the treadmill. I just don't want to overdue it...I want to be completely sore free for the Fiesta of Five Flags race on Saturday!!! So excited about that!

Week 7 Day 3...

I am proud of myself for running today! My mom is here to visit and it was hard to get away to run...but I did it! I had to run on the treadmill because it was storming outside...thunder and lightning would not be a good thing to run in lol! I ran 3.11 miles in 35 min and 59 seconds. I ran at a pace of 11:34...I know on the treadmill you run at a steady pace so I knew it would take me a little longer than if I was running outside and slowing down and speeding up throughout the run. I am ok with that. I am just glad I did it!!! Week 7 is complete....and I exceeded running 25 minutes by far!

Week 7 Day 2...or 3.5 miles!!!

Yep that's right...I ran 3.5 miles tonight! It was actually an accident. I drove the distance I wanted to run (3.1 miles) earlier in the week but forgot my stopping point. So I ran by my time. I ran 3.1 miles on Tuesday in 37 minutes. So I was aiming for about 36-37 minutes thinking that would be 5K. Boy was I wrong! After my run I hopped in my car and drove my route...it was 3.5 miles! I never meant to run that far but I am pumped about it! And here is the next kicker...I ran that distance in 36 minutes and 54 seconds!!!! Woo Hoo! Andy calculated it for me and said I was running an average of 10:44 min/mile!!! I am in awe that I ran that fast...I have been averaging about 12 minutes a mile. So it was a GREAT night of running for me!!!

Week 7 Day 1...

The schedule for this week: All 3 days run 25 minutes!

I can do that! I have already been running longer than that the past two times I have ran!

Today, I had planned on running outside but the weather is forecasting rain so I decided to run on my treadmill. I ran 3.1 miles in 37 min and 3 seconds! And yes...I RAN THE WHOLE TIME!!! Yay! My time was a little slower than the 5K I ran last week with my friends but I am sure that is due to the fact that on the treadmill you run at a set pace and on the pavement you tend to speed up and slow down. So I feel accomplished!!! Hopefully Thursday I can run outside!

Week 6 Day 3...

Ok so I have been out of town all weekend...I know, I know not a good excuse. But I didn't get to do my 25 minute run today. But I DID go out to the track for our running group meeting and I ran week 1 with them. So I did something at least. But I figured it would be ok since this week I have ran farther and longer than I was supposed to anyway. I know the last two runs will make up for not doing today. Even though I was out of town, I REALLY missed running! Can't wait to get back into the routine this week!

Week 6 Day 2...

Ok so I did not do what day 2 said to do. I just wanted to run lol! I also told Andy I would only be gone about 30 minutes...we had a movie/pizza date scheduled with the boys that I needed to be back for. So I strapped on my shoes and headed to the FLAT neighborhood next door. I made a goal to run at least 2 miles without stopping to walk. I knew I could accomplish this since I did 3.1 miles Tuesday night. Of course, I found out that running by yourself is a lot harder! I really had to push myself to keep going because my inner voice kept telling me to stop. I did not stop though! And I actually did 2.5 miles!!! And I ran it in about 26 minutes. Not too shabby!

Note to self: I ran at 5:30 tonight...in the future I am going to have to run after the sun goes down. It was sooo hot!!!

Week 6 Day 1...Or More Importantly 3.1 miles!!!

Today I was supposed to start week 6. Here's the schedule:

Day 1:
5 min. warm up walk
Jog for 5 min.
Walk for 3 min.
Jog for 8 min.
Walk for 3 min.
Jog for 5 min.
5 min. cool down walk

Day 2:
5 min. warm up walk
Jog for 10 min.
Walk for 3 min.
Jog for 10 min.
5 min. cool down walk

Day 3:
5 min. warm up walk
Jog for 25 min.
5 min. cool down walk

Well I got an invite to go running with a few friends of mine (who have been running longer and farther than me). I decided to go even though I had major butterflies in my stomach about it. I was sooo nervous and scared that I wasn't going to be able to keep up even though they assured me they were going to go at a slow pace. We ran at 9PM in one of the girl's neighborhood. It was flat which I love! Not only did I run the ENTIRE 3.1 miles...I felt GREAT!!! And we ran it in a little over 35 minutes! I am sooo proud of myself! This is the longest and farthest I have ever run without stopping to walk! Even though I ran the 5K Azalea Trail Run I had to stop a few times to walk. I am excited that I did this! I know I am going to be ready for my next 5K race, The Fiesta of Five Flags Race in Pensacola on May 1st!

So anyway, I didn't do day 1 technically...I ran farther than that! But hey the whole point is getting off the couch and running!!!

Week 5 Day 3...

Woo Hoo! I ran for 20 minutes today! And I did not stop! And surprisingly I felt like I could have kept going! I am sooo proud of myself! 5 weeks ago I would have NEVER thought I could run for 20 minutes straight!

Today was also the first Sole2Soul Sisters meeting! We had 49 ladies show up!!! God is so good! I am so excited about this ministry! I can't wait to share my love of running with others! Here are a few pics from today!

Waiting for the meeting to begin!


Bananas for after our run!


Stretching...so important!

Week 5 Day 2...

I ran on the treadmill again today. Still wanting to make sure the shoes are working properly...I really think they are. Yippee! Anyway, today I ran 8 minutes at a time! And it was really no big deal...I could have kept going! I hope I feel like that on day 3 when I run for 20 minutes!!! I am still really nervous about that one!

I ran/walked a total of 2.55 miles. The treadmill tells me data for now but I need to get this little pouch that you tie onto your shoelaces to put the Nike+ sensor in (since I no longer have Nike shoes). That way I will know my pace, time, and calories when I start running outside again. I like the Nike+ but it is not always accurate. It will do for now but I think for my birthday (in November so I have awhile to wait) I am going to ask for a Garmin. I love gadgets and data!

I am really excited about Sunday! Some of my running buddies have started a running group at church called Sole2Soul Sisters. We are going to help ladies start the Couch 2 5K program. I am so excited about it! I love this running thing and want to share that with others and help and support them as they become runners. Anyway, our first meeting is Sunday at 2:00! I am going to run my day 3 before the meeting. I think we are going to have a great turn out...tons of ladies have signed up to come!

Week 5 Day 1...

Wow! I can't believe I have made it to week 5! I am still running on my treadmill testing my new shoes. My shins were a little sore from my run Monday but I think it was past soreness because it didn't seem any worse after running. Today while running I felt a little bit in my shins but nothing unbearable at all. Hopefully these shoes are better.

So the plan for my run today was to walk for 5 minutes to warm up, then I ran for 5 minutes, walked for 3 minutes, ran for 5 minutes, walked for 3 minutes, ran for 5 minutes, and then walked 5 minutes for cool down. It went sooo well! The last 5 minute run was a little challenging because I was getting tired but I did it and did not slow down! I absolutely cannot believe I can run 5 minutes at a time now!!! I am really proud of myself!

Day 2 changes this week: warm up walk for 5 min, run for 8 minutes, walk for 5 min, run for 8 min, cool down walk for 5 minutes.

And Day 3 is what I am really scared about: warm up walk for 5 minutes, RUN for 20 min, cool down walk for 5 minutes!!! Yikes! I hope I can do this one!

Week 4 Day 3...

Success! I ran on the treadmill with my new shoes! I am still a little sore in my shins from last week but I am hoping that goes away. I really want these shoes to work! Hopefully, no more old or new pain arises!

I LOVE McCoy's!!!!

I just got home from McCoy's! Joe Sims is awesome! He remembered me from a few weeks ago and was really concerned that my shoes weren't working. He took my Nike's back and swapped them for a pair of New Balance 760's! Yes, he totally swapped them free of charge although my Nike's were worn and a little dirty from running outside!!! I couldn't believe it! He said he was going to make sure I was put into the correct shoe...he told me to try the New Balance ones (only on the treadmill) and if they were still hurting me to come back and we would try a different shoe until we got it right! I am so happy! I really hope these new shoes work! I just want to run...pain and issue free lol!

Here are my new shoes (not as pretty as the Nike's but that's ok as long as they work)!

More Owwws....Ugh!

Ok I am having pain again...it may be shin splints. But it is the same pain I was having a few weeks ago but only lower in my leg. I am afraid it may still be my shoes. I am heading back to McCoy's tomorrow to see if they can help me figure this out. I don't know how I am going to afford to get a new pair of shoes if they say that is the solution...I just bought these Nike's not too long ago!

Anyway, I went ahead and ran Week 4 Day 2 on the treadmill tonight. It was successful although I felt it a little in the area I am already sore. I would give my stats but my Nike+ is way off! It said my average pace was about 8 miles an hour and I KNOW that is incorrect. Plus it said I ran 4 miles and that is incorrect also...it was only about 2.5 miles. So I guess I need to recalibrate! Anyway, I will post tomorrow after my visit to the shoe store...I hope it is successful!