C25K Update - Week 5
I made it again. Finished a day late, with a 20 minute run today (though I slowed my speed just a tad).
Mon: Ran at 6 mph, walked at 3.3 mph. Went for 7 minutes for the last run instead of 5. 30:00 minutes, 2.4 miles
Thurs: 8 min run @ 6 mph. 5 min walk @ 3.3 mph. 8 min run @ 6 mph. No total distance or calorie info as I pulled the emergency stopper off the treadmill a couple times...
Sun: 5 min warm up and cool down walks @ 3.3 mph. 20 minute run at 5.5 mph!!! I can't believe I ran for 20 straight minutes. Had a permagrin for a while. 37 minutes total. 476 calories. 2.64 miles.
Chad
Mon: Ran at 6 mph, walked at 3.3 mph. Went for 7 minutes for the last run instead of 5. 30:00 minutes, 2.4 miles
Thurs: 8 min run @ 6 mph. 5 min walk @ 3.3 mph. 8 min run @ 6 mph. No total distance or calorie info as I pulled the emergency stopper off the treadmill a couple times...
Sun: 5 min warm up and cool down walks @ 3.3 mph. 20 minute run at 5.5 mph!!! I can't believe I ran for 20 straight minutes. Had a permagrin for a while. 37 minutes total. 476 calories. 2.64 miles.
Chad
HW: 316 / SW: 294 / CW: 197.5 / GW: 195
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
. Have fun! -margaret 
Chad,
You deserve to have a permagrin, these kinds of accomplishments feel so great, don't they. congratulations!
It wasn't a mental block, running outside is very different from running on a treadmill. Remember the treadmill is moving under you, the pavement isn't. Add in wind, uneven terrain, temperatures (cold/hot) etc and outside is more of a challenge but you also get fresh air and an excuse to be outside. I will often "force" myself to commit to a time or distance for a run by running an out and back....for instance if I want to run for 30 minutes, I will run "out" for 15 minutes, maybe even 18 minutes, then turn around and come back and I have to run 15 minutes back or else I'm stuck out there. I could walk back of course, but then that would just take longer and I can be kinda impatient! :-)
If you can try to do some runs outside, it will help you prepare for any 5km race that you sign up for - I highly recommend signing up early - pick a race with great swag, it will help to motivate you too, wearing race shirts still brings me incredible pride.
Shelly
You deserve to have a permagrin, these kinds of accomplishments feel so great, don't they. congratulations!
It wasn't a mental block, running outside is very different from running on a treadmill. Remember the treadmill is moving under you, the pavement isn't. Add in wind, uneven terrain, temperatures (cold/hot) etc and outside is more of a challenge but you also get fresh air and an excuse to be outside. I will often "force" myself to commit to a time or distance for a run by running an out and back....for instance if I want to run for 30 minutes, I will run "out" for 15 minutes, maybe even 18 minutes, then turn around and come back and I have to run 15 minutes back or else I'm stuck out there. I could walk back of course, but then that would just take longer and I can be kinda impatient! :-)
If you can try to do some runs outside, it will help you prepare for any 5km race that you sign up for - I highly recommend signing up early - pick a race with great swag, it will help to motivate you too, wearing race shirts still brings me incredible pride.
Shelly
The miracle isn't that I finished...the miracle is that I had the courage to start -- John "The Penguin" Bingham
I thought I'd reduce the 'outside forces' by running on the even (and probably cushioned) high school track. Could the slow turning of an oval track have a part in the 'shock' to my body? I'll add track running to my C25K program this week for the interval stuff. I've got a 25 minute run at the end of this week that is terrifying me.
Chad
Chad
Good call on going from the treadmill to the track - you are right it does reduce many of the "outside" forces but not all of them. I think that the cushioned track is a great way to transition from the treadmill but it is different and different can be a shock to the body. But as you shock your body, you build strength and stamina, and confidence. Next time, you might make 3 trips around the track before you feel that same tough feeling, stick with it, it does get easier.
You did 20 minute run at 5.5mph, you really shouldn't be worried about a 25 minute run at the end of this week. Is there a "rule" about how fast you have to run your 25 minutes? If not, just do 25 minutes at whatever pace you are capable of. Next week you can try a little faster. 5 minutes is not a long time in the scheme of things.
I can see from your weeky report that you have been challenging yourself to do that little bit more each time - 25 minutes will be totally doable.
I did things a little backwards in life, I started running long before I lost my weight, in fact I did a half marathon at my heaviest weight 321....(yup 13 miles of luggng around a lot of extra weight) and slow and steady was my mantra. So I know a little something about the need to believe in myself to get it done...trust me, I know slow run times, but 3miles is 3 miles no matter how fast you run!!
If Georgia was close to where I lived (Ottawa) I'd even offer to run on the treadmill next to you to cheer you on - I'll bet you knock off that 25 minutes first try if you set your mind to it. Send me a note, let me know how you do.
Maybe you find it odd, a stranger cheering you on, but I have had so many people believe in me and believe in me on as I try to attempt physical feats that felt overwhelmingly terrifying, that I really want to be able to offer others support who are attempting those very same things.
Shelly
BTW - what is C25K???
You did 20 minute run at 5.5mph, you really shouldn't be worried about a 25 minute run at the end of this week. Is there a "rule" about how fast you have to run your 25 minutes? If not, just do 25 minutes at whatever pace you are capable of. Next week you can try a little faster. 5 minutes is not a long time in the scheme of things.
I can see from your weeky report that you have been challenging yourself to do that little bit more each time - 25 minutes will be totally doable.
I did things a little backwards in life, I started running long before I lost my weight, in fact I did a half marathon at my heaviest weight 321....(yup 13 miles of luggng around a lot of extra weight) and slow and steady was my mantra. So I know a little something about the need to believe in myself to get it done...trust me, I know slow run times, but 3miles is 3 miles no matter how fast you run!!
If Georgia was close to where I lived (Ottawa) I'd even offer to run on the treadmill next to you to cheer you on - I'll bet you knock off that 25 minutes first try if you set your mind to it. Send me a note, let me know how you do.
Maybe you find it odd, a stranger cheering you on, but I have had so many people believe in me and believe in me on as I try to attempt physical feats that felt overwhelmingly terrifying, that I really want to be able to offer others support who are attempting those very same things.
Shelly
BTW - what is C25K???
Thank you so much, Shelly! You're distant cheering can be heard all the way in Georgia! I really appreciate it.
The C25K is the Couch (potato) to (2) 5K running program for very beginning runners, of which I'm one. There is no requirement as to the 20 minute run speed, though the suggestion is a 10 min mile pace (so I was a little slower than that). I am going to try to push myself this week and shoot for the 6.6mph speed that I had been using for my intervals while doing a longer run time (20-25 minutes).
I experienced the same thing many before me have: the first 8 minutes of the 20 minute jog were a lot more taxing than the last 12 minutes. Once I found my groove, I just focused in on the TV screen in front of me and let the minutes (and quarter miles) pass.
Thanks again for your advice and encouragement.
Chad
The C25K is the Couch (potato) to (2) 5K running program for very beginning runners, of which I'm one. There is no requirement as to the 20 minute run speed, though the suggestion is a 10 min mile pace (so I was a little slower than that). I am going to try to push myself this week and shoot for the 6.6mph speed that I had been using for my intervals while doing a longer run time (20-25 minutes).
I experienced the same thing many before me have: the first 8 minutes of the 20 minute jog were a lot more taxing than the last 12 minutes. Once I found my groove, I just focused in on the TV screen in front of me and let the minutes (and quarter miles) pass.
Thanks again for your advice and encouragement.
Chad
I hear you..I've been running for many years and the first 8-10 minutes are always the toughest. If you can mentally stick through that first bit, it does indeed get easier to zone out and enjoy the TV or the passing scenery.
Let me know how your 25 minute run goes!
I like that C25km....very doable, I did a similar thing when I took up running - took me 10 weeks to get up to a 5km and the first time I actually ran 5km without stopping I cried for about the last 400 m because I NEVER thought that I could....(ok, maybe too much sharing.....aren't runners supposed to be tough :-)
Shelly
Let me know how your 25 minute run goes!
I like that C25km....very doable, I did a similar thing when I took up running - took me 10 weeks to get up to a 5km and the first time I actually ran 5km without stopping I cried for about the last 400 m because I NEVER thought that I could....(ok, maybe too much sharing.....aren't runners supposed to be tough :-)
Shelly
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