Well, here it is. Week 3. I've been sort of dreading this week since the beginning because it was the first time that I had to run a significant (for me) period of time without stopping. 3 minutes to be exact. The program works like this for the week: 5 minute warm-up walk, run/jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, repeat then a 5 minute cool-down. It's only a total of 28 minutes this week. Still 9 minutes of running, just like last week, but it is done in a much larger chunk of time.
Here is how the week went down:
Week 3, Day 1: Again, I put off this day for a little bit. I was just not motivated for a few days. I also hurt my ankle some running on Monday night and found that it hurt pretty badly on Tuesday so I waited it out until Wednesday. Then, I didn't go that morning because I was just tired. It happens. As long as I do it before too long, I still feel good about getting it done. I ended up dragging my butt out of bed on Thursday morning. I even woke up before my alarm clock thanks to a 1-year-old that let out a cry in his sleep as he changed sleeping positions in his crib so my alarm didn't wake Steven up. My moving around probably did, but he was snoring when I returned home so I figure it didn't keep him up too long. Anyway, this run beat me down.... but I did it. I didn't want to. Trust me. When it told me I was 1/2 way, I wanted to throw my phone. Only 1/2 way?? I actually knew I was 1/2 way, but having it tell me irritated me. The first 3 minute run wasn't so bad. The second 90 seconds run wasn't terrible but that final 3 minutes nearly did me in. Despite running the same amount as I did last week, my distance was farther this week. In the 28 minutes that the program runs, my Fitbit told me that I went 1.82 miles. I usually go by the distance on that when I determine how far I went despite knowing that it isn't 100% accurate because it is based on my movement alone. However, I know the course that I follow is about 1.75-1.85 long or so and I did almost the entire length of it in 28 minutes. Definitely my best distance thus far. Other than a bit of pain in my ankle and my back hurting when I finally sat down to write this, I feel great. Like Steven said to me last night after he hit his 10,000 step goal for the umpteenth day in a row, it seems.... This is probably the best I have felt physically in years. It's a good feeling. It's part of the reason I keep going with this ridiculous goal of mine.
Week 3, Day 2: I put this day off again. Do you see a trend? Again, in the long run, I am happy as long as I am getting things done... eventually. As it turned out, 2 days after my last run was the Saturday we were going to Disney and I would have needed to go at about 5am. Nope. Then, Sundays can be difficult because we have church. Plus, this Sunday was about 36 degrees at the time I would have needed to go. Double nope. So, I elected to hold off until Monday. As it ended up, Kenzie woke up calling for me at about 5:30 so despite the fact that I was set to get up at 5:45, after I dealt with her (apparently she needed to be covered.... gotta love 3-year-olds), I ended up going ahead and getting dressed and leaving. This run wasn't as difficult as the first of the week. I elected to take a new route and I liked it. I had a few more low grade inclines that I ran up. I need to get prepped to run up a bridge in a month and a half. Then, because it was a new route, I had some additional distance to go when the program ran out so I ended up running an additional 60-90 seconds towards the end. I am unsure of the exact time as it wasn't timed on the program for me and I didn't look at my phone. I find I can run better and for longer if I'm not watching seconds tick away. In just over 30 minutes, I ended up doing about 2.1 miles. 1 more mile, and I would have a 5k. That also means my average pace was a little over 14 minutes, so I am on point to run a 5k in under 45 minutes. I am hoping to be even faster as the weeks tick on towards race day though since the program is going to up my run intervals. (Next week looks pretty serious.) I started using Runkeeper as well. I wanted a GPS tracker as I know my step count through Fitbit isn't always the most accurate. For instance, this run according to Fitbit was barely over 2 miles so I lost a tenth of a mile. That definitely isn't much, but I think when you are trying to get to a certain goal, it can be important. As usual, once I finished, I was super happy I got up and went. My goal this week is to run every other day during the week. Today is Monday so I hope to run Wednesday and Friday.... but we will see how it goes.
Week 3, Day 3: Oh. Em. Gee. That was a bit rough. It is usually easier in the morning for me, but that one was tough for some reason. I mad it, but I'm not sure how. I didn't end up doing that additional bit of running at the end, but my pace was still about a 15 minute mile. Not too bad. I want it faster, of course, but I know that will come with the territory as I increase running intervals. For the first time in all of this (9 days total now), I actually got a stitch in my side this morning that almost sidelined me during my 3rd run interval. I knew that interval was only 90 seconds though, so I pushed through because I figured I was almost to the end of it (and I was.) I feel good, though. I am glad I am keeping up with this so far. This is definitely the farthest I have made with this program ever and I have started it a few times without ever actually getting anywhere. 3 weeks down, 5 to go. As an aside.... I am TERRIFIED of next week.
This week I ended up picking up a bit of new gear to help motivate myself. I purchased a new pair of pants and a top at Old Navy. LOVE the top. "Run, Rest, Repeat." Pretty much seems like what I am trying to achieve around here right now. It is a tank, so it isn't quite warm enough to wear yet, but I am really looking forward to it. Haha. I also needed a new headband. I have a super thin one that I was using but it wasn't staying on my head well and I kept needing to adjust it. My plan is to purchase a Bondi Band soon, but I haven't done it yet. I'm deciding which one I want, pretty flowers or the one that says "I don't sweat. I sparkle". Haha! Anyway, it was a good pick-me-up and makes me happy. =)
Oh! And I found the perfect first 5k to run. Okay, my neighbor found it. She is actually the one that inspired me to finally get off my butt and do this program (and try to finish it). She has been telling me for months that I should try a 5k because I would love it. She ran her first 1/2 marathon last week. She finished the Princess 1/2 at Disney and that is awesome! So, I decided I could suck it up and run a measly 5k. She brought up the IronGirl 5k in Clearwater to me. Um, a 5k with beach views? Yes, please! Who wouldn't want their first serious 5k to include the ocean air in their hair?? So, my first 5k is set to be April 10. I talked to Steven about doing the IOA 5k with him as well, and we decided to hold off on it because it is only a few days before this one and it is a huge mess of people. The IOA 5k is considered "Orlando's Largest Office Party" or something and the number of runners/walkers on such a small course is out of control. We decided that we will hold off and do a 5k together another time. You have to finish within 75 minutes and I know I can do that so I am setting a tentative goal of under 45 minutes at this point. I want to have a goal I can try to meet so I have something to shoot for (and eventually something to beat.) I figure I will adjust that goal in the coming weeks as I run more, but at this point, I know that if I walked into that 5k today, that I would want to finish in under 45 minutes.
With that... bring on Week 4.... I think.
Here is how the week went down:
Week 3, Day 1: Again, I put off this day for a little bit. I was just not motivated for a few days. I also hurt my ankle some running on Monday night and found that it hurt pretty badly on Tuesday so I waited it out until Wednesday. Then, I didn't go that morning because I was just tired. It happens. As long as I do it before too long, I still feel good about getting it done. I ended up dragging my butt out of bed on Thursday morning. I even woke up before my alarm clock thanks to a 1-year-old that let out a cry in his sleep as he changed sleeping positions in his crib so my alarm didn't wake Steven up. My moving around probably did, but he was snoring when I returned home so I figure it didn't keep him up too long. Anyway, this run beat me down.... but I did it. I didn't want to. Trust me. When it told me I was 1/2 way, I wanted to throw my phone. Only 1/2 way?? I actually knew I was 1/2 way, but having it tell me irritated me. The first 3 minute run wasn't so bad. The second 90 seconds run wasn't terrible but that final 3 minutes nearly did me in. Despite running the same amount as I did last week, my distance was farther this week. In the 28 minutes that the program runs, my Fitbit told me that I went 1.82 miles. I usually go by the distance on that when I determine how far I went despite knowing that it isn't 100% accurate because it is based on my movement alone. However, I know the course that I follow is about 1.75-1.85 long or so and I did almost the entire length of it in 28 minutes. Definitely my best distance thus far. Other than a bit of pain in my ankle and my back hurting when I finally sat down to write this, I feel great. Like Steven said to me last night after he hit his 10,000 step goal for the umpteenth day in a row, it seems.... This is probably the best I have felt physically in years. It's a good feeling. It's part of the reason I keep going with this ridiculous goal of mine.
Week 3, Day 2: I put this day off again. Do you see a trend? Again, in the long run, I am happy as long as I am getting things done... eventually. As it turned out, 2 days after my last run was the Saturday we were going to Disney and I would have needed to go at about 5am. Nope. Then, Sundays can be difficult because we have church. Plus, this Sunday was about 36 degrees at the time I would have needed to go. Double nope. So, I elected to hold off until Monday. As it ended up, Kenzie woke up calling for me at about 5:30 so despite the fact that I was set to get up at 5:45, after I dealt with her (apparently she needed to be covered.... gotta love 3-year-olds), I ended up going ahead and getting dressed and leaving. This run wasn't as difficult as the first of the week. I elected to take a new route and I liked it. I had a few more low grade inclines that I ran up. I need to get prepped to run up a bridge in a month and a half. Then, because it was a new route, I had some additional distance to go when the program ran out so I ended up running an additional 60-90 seconds towards the end. I am unsure of the exact time as it wasn't timed on the program for me and I didn't look at my phone. I find I can run better and for longer if I'm not watching seconds tick away. In just over 30 minutes, I ended up doing about 2.1 miles. 1 more mile, and I would have a 5k. That also means my average pace was a little over 14 minutes, so I am on point to run a 5k in under 45 minutes. I am hoping to be even faster as the weeks tick on towards race day though since the program is going to up my run intervals. (Next week looks pretty serious.) I started using Runkeeper as well. I wanted a GPS tracker as I know my step count through Fitbit isn't always the most accurate. For instance, this run according to Fitbit was barely over 2 miles so I lost a tenth of a mile. That definitely isn't much, but I think when you are trying to get to a certain goal, it can be important. As usual, once I finished, I was super happy I got up and went. My goal this week is to run every other day during the week. Today is Monday so I hope to run Wednesday and Friday.... but we will see how it goes.
Week 3, Day 3: Oh. Em. Gee. That was a bit rough. It is usually easier in the morning for me, but that one was tough for some reason. I mad it, but I'm not sure how. I didn't end up doing that additional bit of running at the end, but my pace was still about a 15 minute mile. Not too bad. I want it faster, of course, but I know that will come with the territory as I increase running intervals. For the first time in all of this (9 days total now), I actually got a stitch in my side this morning that almost sidelined me during my 3rd run interval. I knew that interval was only 90 seconds though, so I pushed through because I figured I was almost to the end of it (and I was.) I feel good, though. I am glad I am keeping up with this so far. This is definitely the farthest I have made with this program ever and I have started it a few times without ever actually getting anywhere. 3 weeks down, 5 to go. As an aside.... I am TERRIFIED of next week.
This week I ended up picking up a bit of new gear to help motivate myself. I purchased a new pair of pants and a top at Old Navy. LOVE the top. "Run, Rest, Repeat." Pretty much seems like what I am trying to achieve around here right now. It is a tank, so it isn't quite warm enough to wear yet, but I am really looking forward to it. Haha. I also needed a new headband. I have a super thin one that I was using but it wasn't staying on my head well and I kept needing to adjust it. My plan is to purchase a Bondi Band soon, but I haven't done it yet. I'm deciding which one I want, pretty flowers or the one that says "I don't sweat. I sparkle". Haha! Anyway, it was a good pick-me-up and makes me happy. =)
Oh! And I found the perfect first 5k to run. Okay, my neighbor found it. She is actually the one that inspired me to finally get off my butt and do this program (and try to finish it). She has been telling me for months that I should try a 5k because I would love it. She ran her first 1/2 marathon last week. She finished the Princess 1/2 at Disney and that is awesome! So, I decided I could suck it up and run a measly 5k. She brought up the IronGirl 5k in Clearwater to me. Um, a 5k with beach views? Yes, please! Who wouldn't want their first serious 5k to include the ocean air in their hair?? So, my first 5k is set to be April 10. I talked to Steven about doing the IOA 5k with him as well, and we decided to hold off on it because it is only a few days before this one and it is a huge mess of people. The IOA 5k is considered "Orlando's Largest Office Party" or something and the number of runners/walkers on such a small course is out of control. We decided that we will hold off and do a 5k together another time. You have to finish within 75 minutes and I know I can do that so I am setting a tentative goal of under 45 minutes at this point. I want to have a goal I can try to meet so I have something to shoot for (and eventually something to beat.) I figure I will adjust that goal in the coming weeks as I run more, but at this point, I know that if I walked into that 5k today, that I would want to finish in under 45 minutes.
With that... bring on Week 4.... I think.
Comments
Post a Comment