Sunday, August 31, 2008

Nike+ Human Race 10k

I did it! I finished 6.3 miles and it didn't kill me!

The whole first mile I walked because I was trying to pace myself. I didn't want to start jogging too soon and end up not being able to finish or something. At the one mile mark I started jogging. I kept a 14:25 pace going on the treadmill for 8-10 minutes, then walked for 2-3. And that was pretty much how I finished it. I kept that up for a total time of 1:28:03, or 13:57 per mile. It's not a fantastic time, or hell, even a good time, but it's the best time I could do on my first race. I'm proud of myself for making it through it (without dying or wanting to saw off my legs) at an even better time than what I had set out to do (1:40:00).

Afterwards I sat in a cool bath instead of icing my legs down with my trusty bag of peas, and I feel like that made a difference in how my legs have reacted. I know I'll be sore, but hopefully not that horrible. Here's hoping I can get back on the c25k saddle on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Now I just need to sign up for a real 5k. :D

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Couch to 5k: W7D1

*long sigh*

I'm so disappointed I copped out again. First, I had to walk at about 12:00 for a minute, then again at 17:00, and stopped altogether at 22:00. I don't know why, I feel like my progress took a step backward today. Maybe I didn't beat the sun enough, I was a little late getting out the door today.

Oh, wait. I know what the problem is, I had a peach before I went out instead of my usual Clif Mojo bar. Fewer carbs and less protein, I'll bet that's why my run was so miserable.

Ok, well at least I can fix the problem now. On Sunday (the 10k) I'll make a real breakfast since I don't have to worry about getting out of the house at a certain time, so that should be an improvement. I'll have plenty of time to chill out and let my stomach settle before jogging, too.

I think what I'll do is break my jogging up into 10 minute segments with 5 minutes of walking during the 10k, then add a buffer of about a mile of walking to either end. Total, I figure I'll do about 3 miles of jogging. I think that's optimistic, but doable. We'll see how it goes.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Couch to 5k: W6D3

Huzzah, I did it! I ran for 25 minutes today! I went so slow I probably could have walked at the same pace, but w/e. I was a little apprehensive after my last bad run and wasn't sure if I should have redone it, but I felt mostly ready for day 3. After all, I did 20 minutes last week sucessfully.

I got through it, only stopping once for about a minute at halfway to stretch. That's even with weaving between cars, parents, and strollers in front of the elementary school. I think I'll be going my other route on Wednesday, all those cars make me nervous someone's not going to see me.

It didn't occur to me on Saturday, but that was my last interval run. Today began the first of my "pure" runs, and the beginning of my "real" training. Not that the previous weeks haven't been real, but I don't have to think about exact timing to the second anymore. I don't have to worry about making a specially timed playlist. I can just focus on my music and putting one foot in front of the other. I'm amazed by my progress over the last two months and I'm anxious to see even more improvement as I start to count miles instead of seconds.

Also, I've decided to use the treadmill for the Nike+ 10k. It's always been sooo much easier for me to run on a treadmill than outside, and I can use that to my advantage. I'll do week 7 day 1 on Wednesday and then rest until Sunday. Considering I'll be walking most of it I think that'll be enough down time. Then I'll do day 2 on next Wednesday or so. Oh, and there's a local 5k on 9/20 that I think I'll sign up for. It'll be like 5 days after my last c25k run, which I think will give me enough rest time that maybe I'll finish at a respectable time. Likely not sub-30:00, but maybe 35:00.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Couch to 5k: W6D2

Today was mediocre at best. I didn't get enough sleep last night because my alarm was still set for stupidly early from yesterday, but I still thought I would do alright, since my 20 minute run last week went so well. I rode my bike over to the track and started jogging. Within about 5 minutes I knew I was going to have trouble. I was huffing and puffing even before the halfway mark, and no matter how much I slowed my pace I was still having problems. I made it through the first 10 minute run, ended up taking 5 minutes to walk instead of 3, and tried to get through the second part. I ended up having to stop with about a minute left.

I feel like a copout. I'm still exhausted and will probably take a nap after I shower.

The Nike+ Human Race 10k is in one week from tomorrow, and there's no way I'm going to be able to jog more than like 2.5 miles. Maybe if I split that and do intervals instead of the full run that I'm supposed to be doing that day I'll be able to go further. And the route I'm taking will bring me by my house at the halfway mark so I can rest for a few minutes. My goal is to finish it in 1:35:00, which makes out to be about 15:00 per mile. That's slightly faster than a walking pace, so here's hoping I can make it.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Couch to 5k: W6D1

Bleh, I had to run on the treadmill today because it was so icky outside.

It was shorter than my last run by a couple of minutes, so I tried to pick up the pace some and run a little faster than my snail's pace jog. It went as well as expected, and I wasn't even winded much when my last 5 minute run ended.

The next one should be more fun, hopefully I'll get to the track for that.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Couch to 5k: W5D3

OMG I DID IT!!

I went 20 minutes without stopping! Well, ok. That's a lie, I stopped for < 10 seconds while waiting for a stoplight.

I used my playlist to break up the run into 4 manageable segments, so I knew where I was in the run. During the first segment ("Heart of a Champion"--Nelly) I kept telling myself that if at the halfway point I was dying, then I could stop and walk for a minute. But, halfway came and went ("That's Not My Name"--The Ting Tings) and I was still going, and even feeling pretty good. During the third song ("B.O.B."--Outcast), I was beginning to think that I could actually finish it. After that, it was just a matter of knowing it was almost over for me to keep moving through the last song ("'Till I Collapse"--Eminem (a great ending song, btw)).

I'm pretty sure I didn't go 2 full miles, there was no way I was running at a 10:00 pace. Nike+ said it was around 11:30 or so, but I still haven't calibrated, so I think it's closer to 12:00/mile. Oh well. I ran for 20 minutes straight!

This is a huge milestone for me. Up till now I've been dependent on the C25k program to guide me, but I'm seeing the end of it and the beginning of the "real" training that will make me a runner.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Couch to 5k: W5D2

Today was another one of those days where I really didn't want to go running, but did anyway and am SO glad I did. this is what I did:
  • Jog 8 min
  • Walk 5 min
  • Jog 8 min
It sounded alot tougher than it actually was. I didn't walk at all when I wasn't supposed to, and really wasn't all that winded. Totally an awesome run.

Day 3 still looks pretty rough, but I'll give it a try. I'm sure I'll have to redo it, but I'll get it eventually.

In other news, I got Wii Fit as a supplement to jogging. I'm loving the yoga and balance exercises, and I was even feeling a little sore this morning after playing for about an hour yesterday.