run a 5k

ugh. i am frustrated. i feel like i’ve been losing more stamina than gaining it. on the treadmill (at a level 3 incline to simulate pavement/outdoor running), i generally warm up for three minutes and do interval running/walking for 50-60. but i can only run nine minutes consecutively. i can’t even do a full mile yet and i’ve been running for five or six times a week for a month.

perhaps it is my shoes. i wear $15 payless sneakers that are tight in the toe and not very supportive (i have a high arch). will a better fitting pair help me? what else can help me build my stamina? i really want to be able to run for 30 minutes without walking. then i want to increase that so i can run the entire 5k under 35 minutes.

blah. maybe my body just needs a rest or i should try some new cardio to challenge my muscles and body. and maybe i should go outside and get off the treadmill…

i am proud to say i am improving. my stamina is progressing and i am doing longer running intervals. i am on the treadmill usually 50-60 minutes five days a week (i do alternate cardio and strength training on other days) and i run about 30-40 minutes of that (about 4-5 miles). i would like to do it sequentially and see if i can run a straight 30 minutes, but lately my mindset has been poor and my legs sore (i am taking off today, i swear!). i really have to be motivated and positive because it keeps me going. if i’m in a blah mood and i don’t want to be at the gym, then i don’t challenge myself.

i feel that i should already be able to run three miles no problem because in self magazine they said in four weeks you can go from strictly walking to running for 45 minutes straight easily. i’ve been running for about six weeks now and that hasn’t been true for me yet. oh well, i’ll just keep on doing what i am doing…

before last month, the i only ran to catch a bus or the ice cream truck. that was until last month, when i was so bored and restless i decided to try it. i was surprise how hard it was for me- i could go an hour on the elliptical, but after two blocks of running, i had to stop to breathe. running challenged me, which made me even more determined. i love the instant gratification and feeling of accomplishment whenever i run longer/faster than i did the day before. i also love that running is so accessible- i can run any day, any time, even if the gym is closed- and all i need are some running shoes.

right now i am working on building stamina. i know it will take some time, especially since the hot new york city summer weather really makes running harder than it needs to be. right now i want to focus on running for run/stress management/health and then start “training” for a 5k when i feel comfortable and ready for that next step.