5K Diary - Week Five

W5D1 - First five = gravy. Second five, a little harder, but I made it through with some energy to spare. Last five, I swear, that which was a cooling breeze during the first two runs felt like a blustery wind that was trying to push me backwards. Reality check: was in fact a cooling breeze the entire time. 

W5D2 - I misread the plan for today. I saw that the first run was eight minutes, but then thought the second was less. Imagine my surprise when it did not tell me to walk, and I looked and there was still four minutes to go! But I did it; I finished two 8-minute blocks of running. Phew! 

W5D3 - Twenty Minutes. In a row. Without a walk break (and without peeking). On the Road - Translation: Hills!

5K Diary - Week Four

W4D1 - You may remember that I was questioning my abilities to graduate to Week 4 since there was such a huge gap in Week Three, but today I went for it. The first three-minute run was gravy, but that first five-minute, OMG! I knew I should not, but I did - I checked the timer; 1:45 left, UGH. About 20 seconds later a dog came barking across a yard (don't worry, I have walked this route with my dogs many times and he never leaves the yard; I think they have an invisible fence), which gave me something else to focus on. Before I knew it, the leg was over! I think it was knowing that after this five section, I had to do the series again that made it so difficult. The final five, where finishing meant the workout was done, was no problem at all.

W4D2 - Back to the track this morning. I went on the road near home for Day One, but today is a weekday (therefore commuters), and the first day of finals to boot. Running on the road while sleep-deprived, anxious college students are getting a late start to their first exam and driving faster and riskier than usual did not seem like a smart idea. It went pretty well today, with occasionally reminding myself that I did it on Saturday so I can do it again.

W4D3 - Overcast today, which is good for me. Sun did not come out at all until I was on my cool down. Hopefully that will mean no new rashes today. Was rather warm and humid though, so I had my jacket sleeves rolled up. I need to start using some other sort of pocket for my phone cuz it is getting too hot for an extra layer. My knee started hurting on the cool down so I am spending a little extra time under Peas before I start my day.

5K Diary - Week Three

W3D1: Late start today, but that was more due to the fact that my mother called, than lack of motivation on my part. The first jog started rough and uncomfortable; I was just getting into my stride when it was time to walk. Everything was much smoother after that. I even got a small chuckle when Pandora started playing I Ran by Flock of Seagulls. Finished this day feeling like Day Three and it is only Day One!

I realized last night and then again when talking to my mother this morning, that I need to give kudos to my sister. She, who can break a leg stepping off a welcome mat, and was never a fan of such activity, started running last year; she got the flu (the real diagnosed influenza not a bad cold which people often refer to as the flu - 'tis a pet peeve, sorry) in December which knocked her for six, but she started right back up again once she was well. If she can do it, I can do it. Thanks Mb for the inspiration!

W3D2: Greetings from Vermont; though by the time you read this I will be home again. This morning was a bit earlier than usual. (I do not sleep well at home; I sleep even less well at others'.) I brought the wrong gloves, but I should have worn them anyway, despite their heaviness. Instead I ended up wrapping my sleeves around my hands. It kept the wind off anyway. All in all a successful outing.

The view on my run in VT

W3D3: After more than a week off, I finally got out this morning. Between school vacation, chorus contest weekend and recovering from chorus contest weekend, I have not had a morning. (Have to do morning cuz of that whole Lupus-can-not-be-out-in-the-sun thing). Despite the long stretch of nothing, today's run was not too bad; though I am wondering if I should repeat Week Three just to be safe.

5K Diary - Week Two

 W2D1: My baby is in the hospital. We spent all day yesterday in the Emergency Room and she was transferred and admitted to a hospital closer to home at 7PM. This morning I did not want to do anything, but then I thought, "what am I going to do, sit home and wallow in my depression? I cannot visit her until this evening, so I may as well get out there." Main Squeeze was on his way to grocery (as no one was able to get there yesterday) so I asked him to bring me to the track. Not ready to start my day alone I guess. Roxy came along for the ride and on the way I said she was wishing she had longer legs. Gemini meanwhile was wishing she had a brain. For some reason everyone this morning chose to go the opposite direction from us, so for every lap I passed them twice. Sometimes I wonder if the running part would go easier if Gemini was not pulling out to the side whenever someone else came along on the track.

W2D2: This week just gets harder and harder to get going. Probably does not help that I forgot to Peas my knee after Curves yesterday. I decided at the last minute to go to the Success Assembly at school, even though Princess A would not be there. One of the teachers asked if I had another kid at the school. She gave me a funny look when I said no, it is just that I have never missed one. Then there is the jogging itself. I cannot imagine next weeks assignment when I feel like I am barely getting through this week. Main Squeeze thinks that it will be fine; each day as I push myself to the end, I am building up strength for the next week when I will have to do more. 

And, yes Tami, your comments did help me to get started and they keep me going every time. April now, too. Thank you both!
BTW, I think the dogs would be very happy if my Knee Peas were to spring a leak  

W2D3: Memories of Day 2 made it even harder to get going this morning; what a lucky surprise that I was not struggling at all! In fact, I missed the first walking cue and ended up jogging for an extra thirty seconds and felt fine! By the time she said to cool down, I was happy to be done, but at the same time I know I could have done another jogging leg (no pun intended). The big question is, was it so easy because I am getting stronger, or because I left Gemini at home? Without the many corrections she requires I was able to focus on an even stride; but then again, how even would that stride have been without days one and two?

5K Diary - Week One

4/1-3/13: Having a very difficult time getting outside! Too many requests for my time, cold or wet weather, and just the fear that I won't be able to do it, has kept me inside. How is it possible that I cannot motivate myself and do that which I so desperately want to do?

What finally got me out there? A comment on my first 5K Diary post. I imagined Tami asking me how things are going and me having to say I had not started yet. I definitely did not want to have to give that answer! So, thank you Tami, for helping me get over the motivational hump. 

Week 1 Day 1 (W1D1): This is it! I am going out there today, no matter what!
I thought for sure there was going to be one more jog, but the app said "cool down" so I did, even though I know I could have done another round. My right knee has started slipping (it kinda bends all sorts of directions ie sideways/backwards, which does not feel very good and often makes me lose balance), so I may need to think about wrapping it until the surrounding muscles get stronger. Other than that, I feel great! Gemini enjoyed it too. Only took her about 1.5 times around the track to get the idea that she needed to stay next to me, no matter what her nose was telling her. Roxy was not happy about being left home. Poor Poochie, but those short little legs are just not going to go the distance.

W1D2: My knee has been uncomfortable since that first run. Not because of the first run, cuz this is something I have had for quite some time, though admittedly running did not help. Before going out this morning I scoped out the fridge (freezer actually), discovered several bags of frozen veggies. Am going to commandeer a bag of "Knee Peas" when I get home. Also, I took an extra green pill before leaving and will take my regular dose when I get home. (Don't worry, I know what I am doing.) Hopefully that will keep everything copacetic. Amazingly my knee felt absolutely fine while jogging! I am very happy it was not a painful experience today. However, the back of my ankle had some trouble. 

Looks like I am officially committed; I certainly cannot return the shoes after this

W1D3: The thermometer said 37F when I left this morning; by the time I came home (just about an hour later) it read 50F. So glad I removed that extra layer before heading out. Finished up with a bloody ankle again, though not as bad as before (there was less to rinse out of my shoe anyway). The Moleskin did not stay on; maybe a bigger piece next time? Strangely, I noticed that it hurt less when jogging (barely noticeable, in fact) than it did during the walking phases. Gemini was obsessed with the man at the track, who ended up about 20 feet behind us for the last lap. My left arm got a bit of a workout trying to keep her focused on me. 

Next week the jogging sections are going to be 50% longer. I really need to find a solution for this ankle, and maybe some strong smelling treats to carry in my pockets to keep Gemini's attention. 

5K Diary - Gearing Up

2/10/13 - Looked into Couch to 5K app that friends have raved about. (OK, maybe not 'raved' per se, but they used and liked it and are regularly running 5Ks now, so it has to be good, right?) Reading the reviews, I discovered some comments regarding difficulty playing downloaded music while using app. Immediately I searched for and downloaded the Pandora app (works out for me since I do not want to add music to my phone anyway, but I really did not want to be out without any) (And honestly, it was not that quickly. First I read the reviews, then did the math of GB usage; I don't want to go over my limit! It seemed to me that at 30 minutes a day 3x per week, I would not be in danger, so I went ahead and installed it)

2/22/13 - Met with Nick (also known as my rheumatologist) for my regular 8-week appt, and ask about running. He said no problem, just start very slowly and get good cushiony shoes.

(If things seem a bit out of order to you, you are right. But I knew I was going to run regardless; asking Nick was just a formality. How fortunate that he was so supportive of the idea)

3/21/13 - Went to Bob's with my multitudes of coupons and Verizon wireless rebate cards (those things just pile up around here, but we really don't buy new phones all that often). Tried on at least one pair from every brand I respect (NOT Sketchers, cuz Princess A had a pair of those and they wore out in 4 months. Did I mention that Princess A ONLY wears sneakers for gym class? What a waste of money those were; I am never buying that brand again.) Had a moment of silence because I did not fall for any Saucony. All my old running shoes were Saucony, but not this time. Today I fell in love with a pair of Nike. I tried very hard not to (hence the trying on of just about every other brand in the store), but the Nikes grabbed me and would not let go. Nearly an hour later, my new sneakers and I were heading to the car. (disclaimer: new sneakers are similar, but not identical to the pic in the link)

(Why is this all taking so long, you ask? Because this is New England in winter; I am not planning to start running before April. Why rush?)
 
3/22/13 - At Curves this morning they were talking about a rumor that it is going to be a cool Spring. Not going to get warmer til mid April. UGH. I do not want to wait that long before I start. Looks like I may be starting in the chill after all.

3/25/13 - Got home late yesterday evening after SONE retreat. (Had to hit the rubber stamp store that was down near there. I figure if I am going to drive for 90 minutes to get to retreat, I am not leaving without a rubber stamp fix.) Oh. My. Goodness. Am I tired. So happy the quartet decided not to rehearse today. 

3/27/13 - Finally feeling somewhat human again after Retreat. Cannot decide, am I that seriously deconditioned from not being able to function for two days, or am I just still over-tired? Gonna chill the rest of this week, and hope to start with the exercise regimen next week. 

3/29/13 - Downloaded Couch to 5K app. I am sure you are wondering why I cannot time myself. But I know that if I focus on my own timing, I will also be focused on every footfall, and every breath and every... well, you get the picture. For $2.99, I can zone out and enjoy my run.