Do the Couch to 5k running plan

Today was hot – ran right around noon – and a bit unpleasant. I held up pretty well though the people who saw the color of my face might not have agreed.

12/ 2 walk / 12. Ran pretty slow and steady. Tried to focus on staying loose. But the real goal was to keep the heart rate from hitting 180 and the level of madness, which I did pretty well. Only hit 180 on the hills near the end, for the most part stayed around 170, which is much more dealable.

HR results (includes w/u and c/d walks):
Time below target: 5:08
Time in target: 13:27
Time above target: 17:56
Calories: 537

“Hell yeah, I’m the motherfuckin’ princess!”

Good but hard run – 10/10.

First time wearing the heart rate monitor and can I say, oof? I was around 180 bpm for the entire 2nd 10 minutes! I knew I was pushing too hard (damn you Avril!) but couldn’t stop anyway. Started to get to the place where sticks and acorns were playign visual tricks on me.

So I think on Saturday I won’t go the full 25 with no breaks. I know I can, but I think it’s better to do a small break in between to keep the heart rate better and stay sane. I’m planning to do 12/12.

HR results (includes w/u and c/d walks):
Time below target: 6:04
Time in target: 12:34
Time above target: 16:23
Calories: 511

I was well enough to run about Thursday of last week but then on Friday I stepped on a big old piece of glass (ouch!) so today was the first day back.

5/8/5 runs. Very impressed that the body doesn’t rebel when suddenly pushed forward like this – I mean, that’s quite a bit of running. Good job, body.

Tried to remember that when the woman who was at least 15 years older than me blazed past on the long uphill. But she had sculpted calves of steel. Hard to not get competitive even with all of the buts about my fitness level.

Anyway. Compost shoveling tomorrow and another run on Wednesday. Whee!

Today’s run brought to you by the hour I napped between 9 and 10.

20 minutes with no walking today. Doable – not easy but not super hard, though I was confused enough that I forgot to stretch until the husband reminded me. Distance was about 1 3/4 miles.

I had to keep reminding myself at the beginning that the first few minutes always feel like a horrible mistake but that it’s all fine by the end.

I’m amazed my body has adjusted to this so quickly. I mean, 2 weeks ago I hadn’t run in 2 months and now I’m back up at 20 minutes. Pretty good!

Today’s run brought to you by Funky Fresh by DJ Stew.

8/8 – not easy but not hard either. I’m running ridiculously slowly but whatever.

Loving the misty morning smells today. I’m looking forward to the 20 minute run.

Today’s run brought to you by the fact that the music doesn’t actually suck on the Week 5 podcast.

5/5/5 run today. Doable – felt pretty tired at the end but pushed through. Fatigue may be explained by the fact that the chum and I seem to be coming down with a cold.

I know, I know. Here’s the deal. Before I taught? I didn’t get sick very often, but after that last year when I got 5 or 6 sinus infection and strep throat 2 separate times, I seem to get everything. Like I said earlier, those kids broke my health – I hope one day I’ll be healthier!

Anyway, I hope I’m strong enough to run again on Wednesday – I’d hate to lose my momentum.

Today’s run brought to you by The Private Psychedelic Reel by The Chemical Brothers

Started off really slow with the old 2nd day back to exercising drag but felt really great by the end. Did a 10 minute + run at the end and could have kept going.

Will move on to week 5 on Monday.

Wasn’t sure how this would go but was really unwilling to go back any further without testing the waters.

Totally doable. Did an 8 minute run to finish off rather than the 5 – and with hills – and was not mentally compromised by it. So that’s good.

Will do it again on Saturday morning and if it’s still doable the 2nd time, I’ll go ahead to week 5.

Avg HR: 148, Max HR:174, Calories burned: 605
Time in Target Zone: 22:36 !!!
To Ross Station Road at: 16:15

Oh yeah. I rock!
Seriously. I am running 3 miles and I am totally capable of it. 3 months ago I was tired by a 90 second run. My calves are noticeably more muscled. My overall mood is better because I’m getting serious exercise 3x a week.

Thanks madamwitty. I don’t think I would have pushed this hard without teaming with you.

And thanks everyone who asked/told me to register for a 5K. I’ll be doing it exactly one month from today.

Whoop!

Avg HR: 157, Max HR:176, Calories burned: 703
Time in Target Zone:12:14

Made it to Ross Station Road in 15:45. Woohoo!
I ran a total of 32:15 because I was listening to Oingo Boingo and I didn’t want to disappoint them by stopping half way through the song.

I’m trying to focus on running looser but it sure is hard when going up prolonged uphill stretches.

One more day!