Attempt #2

I decided to give another try at running today.  I decided that I'm gonna take a bit of a break from the c25k program.  I almost think that starting on the treadmill, and then moving onto the track, is hindering my progression.  I wish I had started outside right away, even though when I started, it was super snowy outside.  I have a 5k in less than a month, and I've only run outside twice now.  I think I'm gonna just do my own thing now, until at least after the 5k and I increase my stamina. 

I downloaded an interval timer, but I set it for farther than I think I can go.  It's weird how different it is, running outside vs. running on an indoor track.  The track basically gives you the most perfect running condition.  The ground is level (except around the corners, which has an incline), there is no wind to deal with, the temperature in the building is always perfect.  When I run outside, I have the wind to deal with, the cold air messes with my lungs, and the ground is uneven, which makes it harder.  So I think until I run the 5k, I'm gonna only run outside (unless it's raining), so I can condition myself to be able to run the race.

So today when I went out, I decided to start with the interval timer, but I didn't like that thing, and decided to just run what I felt like I could.  I also decided, since I had trouble finding a place to run yesterday, that I'd just go on my street.  We live on a dead end, and although it's not the longest road, I figured I'd just run up and down my street.  Boring, yes, but at least it's outside and it will help me figure out distance. I started at my house, and ran as far as I could...which was to the end of the street.  I then walked the other side.  And once I got to the dead end, I ran again, and ran to the end of the street. I did this 5 times.  I know that's not far, but it was about a 25 minute workout total.

 I think I'll try to run again tomorrow, and maybe take Friday off.  I can't keep doing this thing I've been doing, where I run a day, and then take 2 or 3 days off.  That's not helping my progress.  I'm gonna run at least 4 days a week.  I have 3 weeks and 3 days before my race, so I have a lot of work to do in a short period of time. I think as long as I stick to my plan, I should be able to run a good amount of the 5k!

Good Intentions don't get you anywhere in life.

I woke up this morning, and once again, didn't wanna go run.  But I knew that if I didn't, I'd regret it...so I got my shoes on and left.  I was about to get on the highway to go to the gym, and I decided that I wanted to try the 20 minute run, and that the best way to do that would to be running outside.  I was afraid that the track at the gym would get me way too bored and I wouldn't have anything to focus on other than the fact that I was running for 20 minutes, and I wanted to stop.  The problem is, I didn't know where to go.

So, I drove down the street.  I want to figure out what my pace is, so I was excited that I'd be outside and my GPS would work on my phone, and I could use the mapmyrun app to figure all that out.  I drove down one of the side roads that is a few miles from my house, off of the busy road, and drove.  I was hoping to find somewhere that I could park, but there really wasn't any. So I parked my car along side of the road, next to a field.  I was worried that I'd get yelled at for parking there, but I don't think anyone really cared.

So, I got all my stuff out, and got out of the car.  I decided I'd stick kind of close to my car, just in case someone wanted me to move it, I could do so pretty easily.  I started my c25k app, and the mapmyrun app, and pandora, which is generally what I do when I go to the track.  I did my warm up, and started running (and I still can't figure out why the countdown only had me running for 8 minutes, before it started a cool down?). I was doing the run/walk intervals, where I'd run for 90 seconds, walk for 30, hoping that would help me get through the entire 20 minutes.  Well, I did 8 minutes, it had me starting my cool down for some reason.  And basically, it was hell.  I know that I'm having trouble with the 2 8-minute intervals, but at least I can generally run one of the two intervals!  I had such a hard time running.  I don't know if it was the cool air, or the wind, or the uneven ground, or a mixture of all of that, but my lungs were burning so bad.  I was coughing like I've been a smoker for the last 25 years.  I still am coughing like crazy and my chest hurts.  And, I got stopped by 2 different cars, asking me if I needed a ride.  They saw my car and thought that my car had broken down and that I needed a ride.  And then, somehow I hit a button on my phone, and it closed down the c25k app!  I was so frustrated by this time that I walked to my car, and started to cry, and went home.

I just feel so defeated.  I want to be as proud of myself as I was when I did the 5 minute run.  I dont know if I'm doing so badly because I am slacking, or if changing up my running environment is messing with me, or what the deal is.  I decided I'm going to get back to a regular schedule.  Every other day, doing my run.  I have been slacking a bit, when it comes to my schedule.  Instead of running every other day, I've been running every 2-3 days.  I'm sure that's part of the problem.  I need a way to make myself feel motivated again.

Sorry if my blog is becoming more depressing than inspiring.  I love having you all read this, and give me advice. I am listening to your advice and it is helping me so much! If it weren't for you guys, I'd probably stop by now!! So THANK YOU!

Motivation

I dont know why I have been lacking motivation lately.  I almost feel like I'm getting bored with running, even though it's hard.  I'm getting bored of running at the same place.  I know that the way to change this is to run somewhere else, but at this point, I don't know where to go.  My house is right off of a busy road, so running from my house is basically not doable.  Since I'm new to this area, I don't really know of any parks or running trails.  I've tried using MapMyRun, but I haven't been able to find any good, interesting trails.  I'm scheduled for a run tomorrow, and I was hoping to go outside, but I think I'll just do it inside again.  It's supposed to be about 45 degrees tomorrow morning, so it may be a little bit too chilly for me to run outside.  I also think that I wish I had a running buddy.  I don't mind running alone, because it gives me time to think, and I have to stay in my own zone to be able to finish.  But it'd be nice to have someone with me, to help motivate me.

Maybe once I start doing some 5k's in the area, I'll meet some people, and then I'll find a runner who is at the same point in their running journey as I am.  I just wish I lived near some of you that read my blog, and we could all run together! :)

I've been thinking a lot about the Princess Half Marathon, and I am super worried that I'm not gonna be ready for it.  I probably need to start working harder than I am right now, but I am worried about over doing it.  I don't wanna hurt myself. I have a friend who started running, and went from not running, to running every day.  She now has a completely screwed up knee, and she gets shin splints every time she tries to run.  She is giving up running for a while.  I don't wanna do that!  I wanna be able to run without a problem.

Speaking of the Princess Half, I decided I want this once I finish the race:

How adorable is this???

Okay, I'm off to bed.  I'm going to give my Week 5 Day 2 a try tomorrow, hopefully being able to give myself a few walking seconds within my 8 minute intervals so that I can run it without a problem! So I can FINALLY move on to giving the 20 minute run a try!!!  Night ya'll!

Bad Day

It's only 11:30 and I'm already feeling down.  I think a big part of it has to do with the fact that my baby (my puppy, Remy) is going to have surgery tomorrow.  :(

I'm so nervous about it, I could just cry.  I have cried, actually.  She's just getting fixed, but sending my baby in to have surgery is so scary.  I really don't wanna do it, but I know I have to.  They have to keep her overnight, and although I've been away from her overnight before, it's usually a situation where Cody and I go out of town, and she stays with my parents.  The good news is, she'll be gone all day Monday, so that will give us a good amount of time to try to get as much as we can moved to the new house, without having to worry about her getting in the way.  But I'd rather her not have to have surgery.  :(

I slept in this morning, because I haven't been sleeping great at all.  I had planned on getting up at 8:30 to go run, but I didn't wake up until 9:45.  I had to drag myself out of bed and put my running clothes on, and when I got to the gym, it was closed. I guess I've never been to the gym on a Sunday, so I didn't realize they weren't open.  I am so tempted to not do the run today. I'm just not mentally feeling it.  I have so much packing to do, I have to work tonight, and I apparently have to spend the afternoon at my brother in laws house for his dogs birthday party......yeah.  I don't wanna do that, but apparently he'll be all sorts of pissed if I don't show up with Remy.  Blahhhh. I just wanna lay on the couch in my pajamas and watch movies all night..

I hope everyone is having a good day.  :)

Week 5 Day 2

Did my run this morning. Once again, didn't wanna get out of bed, but it seems that I'm getting better at pushing myself out of the bed and into my gym clothes.  Before, my normal wake up time would be around 10, but now I'm finding myself waking up around 7:30-8.  This makes it easier to run, and still have a full day to do things before work!

My run was only okay.  I was able to get through the first 8 minute interval.  The second one, however, kicked my ass.  I ran for about 5 minutes, before I had to stop and walk for a minute, and then finishing up the last 2.  My next scheduled run is 20 minutes, but I think I'm going to redo todays run.  I figure, if I can do this run on Sunday and get through both 8 minute runs, then on Tuesday, when I have the day off, I'll attempt the 20 minute run.  I dont feel comfortable trying the 20 minute run until I know that I can do both 8 minute runs.

This is gonna be a short entry, I need to get changed and pack up the car so we can bring another load of stuff to the new house!

Sleepy

So I did NOT wanna get out of bed today.  Since we were out of town on Monday night, I slept terrible.  And Sunday night, I didn't sleep all too well either. I was hoping to get a good, full night of sleep last night, but I didnt.  I went to bed around midnight, but didn't fall asleep until about 1am.  And then I woke up around 7:30, even though my alarm was set for 8.  I think that my mind is running too much lately.  I have my training on my mind, the move, the 5K I signed up for yesterday.  I also know that I work most of the night, so I don't wanna waste my day by sleeping in all morning.

But, I was able to pull myself out of bed.  I left my workout clothes in the dryer at the new house, so I had to go to the house this morning before I could head to the gym.  I bought some Power Bar energy gel to try out for my run this morning, so I tried that....and it was nasty. I think eventually I might be able to eat them, but I just wanted a bowl of cereal and I forgot to eat before I left.

My run was fine. I did Week 5 Day 1, and it wasn't much harder than last week.  My next run, I have to run for 8 minutes, and then after that I have to run a 20 minute run. I don't know what I'm gonna do, I dont think I'll be able to do it. I'm just gonna make sure to get some good sleep the night before, and pray the whole way that I can do it!