C25K - W3D1

I'm alive!!!

I'm also happy to report that I was surprised at how smoothly the start of Week 3 went. The three-minute running bouts were definitely challenging, but I actually felt like I could do them. It's true that you get some bad running days and some good ones, so I'm glad to have gotten off on a positive vibe for this week.

My next runs are scheduled for Wednesday and Friday. Doing this in the evening definitely helps - no heat, no sun, no 25lb toddler in his 30lb stroller to worry about. I'm planning on running in the evening on Wednesday, but Friday I have it scheduled for the morning since my son's baby sitter will be here. (Plus, I figure I should train in both day and night times.)

Looking forward to completing this week, and keeping up with the rest of the program. I really need to sign up for that Turkey Trot to help keep me motivated! For now, I'm winding down with a glass of red, and feeling good 'n proud.

C25K - W2D3

Today's session went a lot better, despite pushing my luck by doing it in the middle of the day - I had to take my son to swimming in the morning, and we won't be back from friends' until later, so it was the only time I could fit it in unless I do it at midnight. I just went around our little neighborhood - I figured if I did feel like passing out, I could attempt to crawl back into our garage, or pray that one of our neighbors would recognize the heap of sweaty mess on the street!

So I focused on pacing today and kept the runs slow & steady, while stepping up the walks a bit. I'm still feeling tight in my shins at first, then my hamstrings. I think that I may be hunching my back too much, and that when I remembered to keep my shoulders back and my chin up, the strides got a little easier. Must remember this for next time.

Done with Week 2!

C25K - W2D2

I thought getting out without the stroller would make this week's sessions easier, but man, I definitely struggled during the first couple of running intervals. I think I was trying to go too fast too soon. After the halfway mark, I tried to concentrate more on keeping a slower but steady pace, and I thankfully managed to finish the session alive.

I'm still nervous about Week 3. While out today I kept thinking that maybe I should redo Week 2, you know, just to be on the safe side. Then again, I need to go out and at least try. I have W3D1 scheduled for Monday, and I'm thinking I should try to do it at night, after my kid has gone to bed. It'll be cooler out and I won't have the stroller (or how I'm gripping it) to worry about - it'll just be me, the cool night air, my music, and all my attention to my pacing.

C25K - W2D1

I stopped by a highly-recommended running store yesterday and picked up a pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 12 running shoes. (I had a hard time deciding between that and a pair of Saucony.)

I had originally planned to do my C25K session at night, after my son has gone to bed, but I couldn't wait to try out my new shoes! More than anything, I wanted to see if the pain in my shins (while running) would still be there. So I packed up my son and jogging stroller and headed to a nearby park.

I was very glad that I did not get the shin pains I was getting before. I did struggle at some parts where my thighs were feeling overtaxed and I questioned whether I can keep pushing the stroller. I tried to remember to not grip the handles so hard, and to my surprise, I felt the run was a bit easier if I pushed with one hand while letting the other arm move along with my stride.

Week 2, Day 1 was definitely challenging. I'm sure I can complete two more sessions of it, but I'm a bit fearful of Week 3: I have to survive jogging for a whole three minutes! Yikes!

C25K Mom?

I really, really want to start C25K, but I'm TERRIFIED.

I was never a runner. At my healthiest (just before getting pregnant), I had plenty of endurance (stair climbers, ellipticals, etc.) - but never had the courage to try and run. I always thought that running was for "real" athletes. I was strong and healthy, but I saw people who ran as being waaay above my league.

So now, after a couple of weeks of getting back on the wagon, I feel like I could be ready. I'm just worried that I'll either fail miserably, or ... die trying.

If I try this, I will be doing it while pushing a 30lb jogging stroller carrying a 25lb toddler. I'm already planning on hitting easier terrain (flat ones), but still ... me, still out of shape, pushing all that weight while trying to jog ... it just sounds like I'm asking for trouble.

I'm sure many, many moms have been in this situation and have gotten through it successfully. I know I'm not alone, but you know? Sometimes, it doesn't matter how much company you keep (or how supportive they are), because in the end, it's all up to me to give it my best shot.

Tomorrow I will try to build up enough cojones to start this. We shall see.