Run 6.1

After the 20 minute run, running 5, 8, and 5 with 3 minute walks in between was a piece of cake. I really pushed myself to keep a good pace going for most of the runs - probably explains why I got a stitch in my side halfway through the 8 minute run and had to pause the run to do some deep breathing to get rid of it. But I was able to resume the run with no issues. I went further than I normally do and did 4.6 km and it took me about 45 minutes. Even with the pause to get rid of the stitch, at this pace I should be able to beat my baseline 5K by a few minutes. Although my goal is to be under 40 minutes. I will be so pleased for my time to be 39:59 (but I am shooting for 35 minutes).

When I am running, I always put my running list on shuffle. This way I don't get bored with the songs or even the order. I have over 132 songs on the playlist, so I don't usually get that many repeats through the week. (Although, did I really need 3 Nickelback songs during today's 45 minute workout). There were two songs that helped me get through the rest of the run today: 1) Good Bye Earl by The Dixie Chicks (I can't help it, that song makes be giggle, especially cuz of the video). 2) Beautiful by Christina Aguilera (It was playing during my cooldown and just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside). Just thought I would share some songs, cuz eventually both of you will not need the podcast and need something to listen to.

Week 3 contiued!

I ran on the trail with Rona on Saturday.  OMG, I love it!  It is so much easier to run on a flat surface then run on my road!  I didn't get tired until the last minute of the last 3 minute interval, but even then it wasn't that bad.  I recovered rather quickly and was breathing quite normally within a very short time frame (during the first song I listened to).  I will still run on my road since not every race will be flat, but I think I will do a few runs at the track here just for something different (and easier).  I'm usually winded here on my 5 minute brisk walk since it is up a huge freaking hill, let a lone running up all the other hills.  LOL.  Not sure if I could ever run 20 mins on this road with all the hills (especially the really big ones), but I will give it my best when I get on that level.

Week 8!!!

Today I started week 8. I ran for 28 minutes!! WOOO!!! It was easy! Almost 5k! Ran to the end of the rod and almost all the way back which is almost 5k :D Can't wait for the 5k run!! :D

On another note, I got into the canoe today!! :D And going back tomorrow, I think!

Almost Dead

So, I did my 20 minute run today. I think I died on the track. But the main thing is that I did it. I can walk 20 minutes at a time....Who cares if it is the pace of a turtle.... I still did it....I am pleasantly surprised that I was able to do it....

Week 5

So I have been kinda repeating week 5 and the first two runs have been going well. Today I attempted the 20 minute run. It did not got very well. It was way too hot, plus everyone had there green bin out. They smelled RANCID... I was ready to throw-up.

Oh well.... I will try again tomorrow.

Argh...

Hating the heat. It's really messing up my runs. I can't run for 25 minutes in the heat. I get nauseous because of the heat. So I tend to run half of it and walk for a minute or so, then run again. I couldn't do it today though. It was just too hot. Yesterday was brutal for me. I just walked yesterday, but I couldn't cool my body down the entire day. I didn't want to go through that again. I might start running on the beach. Which will be difficult, but give me some resistance. But I really just hope it'll give me a breeze! lol

Week 3!

I started week 3 today.  I didn't find it too bad.  The 90 sec run was no problem.  I found I got tired about about 2 1/2 mins of running the 3 minute interval, but I powered through it!  The second one was the hardest.  I really had to use my mind to keep going, but I did it.  I went first thing this morning since the kids were having a sleep over.  I was exhausted when i got up.  I didn't fall asleep until around 2 give or take, then woke up around 6ish, then the alarm went off at 8.  I learned that I need to eat before I run.  I'm now feeling nauseous a bit.  I know that it is from a combination of the heat (with humidex it already feels like 25 degrees) and no food, but I need to pick the kids up by 11:00, so I wanted to make sure I had my run in.  Turned out I had time to do both, but oh well.

Not sure how my pace is now.  I ran further then my turn-around point for the second 90 run interval then I turned around before the big turn (there were a lot of dump trucks going by and I didn't want to meet one on the turn), but when that run interval was over, I happened to finish at my original turnaround point.  My last 3 minute run started right before I hit my road again, so I ended up doing my "cool down" walk for most of my road.  I know I turned around with only 1 interval left, but I didn't feel like I ran very far even tho my pace seemed to be on par with before, but my distance wasn't there.

Dripping with sweat

I did my run today. 25 mins. I had to stop twice because the heat was getting to me. I felt like I was going to be sick and I know it was the heat, so I paused it and walked for a few minutes to see if it would subside when I cooled down. Then I continued. The heat is killing me. I might start running by the ocean so I can have the breeze. Lol! Other than that, the runs are going well.

How's everyone else doing?

Run 5.2

I can run two 8-minute intervals. HOLY CRAP!!! Hard to believe that only two months ago, I could barely run 1-minute.

My DM

My DM was down today. She's runner. I told her that we were training. She's shooting for the full marathon when we run our 10k. She said it was like having a part time job on top of her full time job because she had to run 5 or 6 days a week, but that she loves it. It's so addicting. And you should see her body. She looks fantastic. Even though tomorrow is strength training day, I'm going for a run with Dani. She needs to start training for the police academy. I'm shooting for 25 mins, but knowing her, not going to go over well. Lol. Anyway, I'm still going to do my strength training and maybe a short walk or swim if it's nice.

So Run for the Cure is Oct 3. I want to do it up there, you up for it Rona? We're going to have a team because one of the girls I work with is battle breast cancer. I think it would be a great tribute for her to do it. D you can do it here too. I'm going to see if mom will do it. It's a great cause!

Sneakers

I think part of my problem with not wanting to run is due to my sneakers. I will admit that I am very lazy when it comes to taking them on and off and I don't untie them. This has resulted in the material at the heels completely wearing away. I wore these sneakers yesterday and ended up getting a huge blister on my heel. I have bought some gel heel protectors as a short term solution.

I went over to SportsCheck today to buy new sneakers. I tried on another pair of New Balance. They were on sale, so I was hoping for some success. OMG!!!! I could feel the difference and my foot was not supported in all of the places that it needs to be. I showed the sales guy my current sneakers and he went to find me this years model of them. He couldn't find them, but he was able to find the exact same ones I showed him. I am so happy and I am gonna break them in slowly.

I will only be using these new sneakers for running and I will be taking them off properly in order to prolong their lifespan.

Run 5.1

I didn't get a run in while I was in New Brunswick for the weekend....We wanted to, but the humidity was UNBEARABLE, even at 9 am. So we spent the whole time at the beach instead...When I woke up this morning, I was not excited about running today...So I had to make sure that I actually went up to the trail after work.... Really don't want to lose the progress that I have made.....

Anyways, today was my first run of Week 5. Three five minute runs. The first 5 minute run was fantastic and the other two runs were a bit tougher, but not too bad at all. I kept a good pace the entire time. Total distance was just over 4 km.

I love how friendly people are on the trail. I had just finished by third run interval and was breathing pretty heavy. This man runs past me, encouraging me that I am almost done. My legs were pretty sore afterwards, since I haven't run in five days. I am looking forward to the 8 minute runs. I think it will be tough but I think I can do it. After that run, I will decide if I will try the 20 minute run or repeat run 5.1 and 5.2 before attempting it.

Week 6

I did the last run today of week 6, which is 25 minutes. Week 7 three runs of 25 minutes so I'll be moving on to week 7 probably Thursday. I find the longer runs I feel like I can't continue part way through. But after I get through that little bit, I feel like I can keep going and going. The last few minutes I have to push myself. Because I'm adding some strength training, I figure I will switch to 3 to 4 runs a week and in between days do strength training. On the days I do strength training, I will also walk for probably an hour. The strength training I'm doing is Carmen Electra's 2nd DVD. One day I'll do lower and mid, then upper and mid, then full body. I'm also going to switch it up with the Biggest Loser Yoga DVD.

I'm back!!

I ran today since it was much much cooler! Still pretty hot, but much more tolerable then running in 30 C plus weather! I shouldn't complain since I don't like cold, but can't run in the heat.

Anyway, I did good. I was a little slower then I have been before (not as slow as my last one tho, LOL). I almost made it the "turn around" driveway. I walked there anyway, then turned around. I only had a hard time for the last 2 secs on my 5th interval, and about the last 15 secs or so of the 6th interval. I found if I did "belly breathing" (an anxiety relaxation technique that we are learning with C), I did much better! Sure it was hard to concentrate on so many things at once (form, running, breathing, etc....) but I did it. The belly breathing worked really good during my walk intervals to get me ready for the next run. I'm going to try to run tomorrow since we are both off the weekend, so he can get up early with the kids, but then again, he has to do his other job, plus yardwork (the yardwork won't make much difference tho), but I am going to give it a shot anyway. I'm only gone for 30ish minutes, so I'm sure I can find the time tomorrow. It looks like my running schedule is going to be Saturday, Sunday, Monday tho. LOL. Not sure how that is going to work out, but right now it is the best I can do for sure. If the weather isn't too hot, then I can run more during the week.

Anyway, I did it (week 2 still), and I found it quite easy. I might try tomorrow to do week 3, but I'm not sure since I again had almost a week off. LOL.

Wooo!

Okay...I'm here. So I started week 6. First run isn't bad. 2nd run not bad. The 25 minute run... I ran for about 13 mins before I had to walk for a couple of minutes. But that's also because I was running in about 30 degrees of heat. I haven't ran in a couple of days because of the heat and because of work. But I ran today. I did run 2 of week 6. I'm going to add some strength training to my routine. Work on my flabbiness. Lol! Hope everyone else is beating the heat!

Week 4 - Part Deux

No one seems to be blogging much this week. Hope training is okay well for everyone this week.

I have been redoing week 4. So far I have done two runs and I will (hopefully) be doing two more - one tonight (weather permitting, as it is freaking HOT!!!) and on Saturday while I am in New Brunswick with the girls. The five minute runs are getting easier. On Tuesday, I actually did a total of 4 km. I never realized how close the 2km mark was from my usual turn around point on the trail.

Next Tuesday, I will start week 5. I am kinda looking forward to the 8 minute runs. I am thinking they won't be too bad. We'll see how the 20 minute run goes at the end of the week.

On another note, my scale has gone down about 2 pounds since I started the running. At first, it is slightly disappointing that it is only 2 pounds. But I have probably lost about a half a dress size. My body shape is really changing and I have been feeling sooooo much better.

Week 4 - Part One

Today, I finished the last run of Week 4. No major problems. I did develop a stitch in my side, but I was able to breathe it out. I don't think I am ready to progress to the 5th week, so I am gonna continue on week 4. Since I knew I would be repeating week 4, I spent this run focusing on my pacing. I made sure that for each run interval, I did not go slower than 9:00 a km, which is better than the last run. I was exhausted after this run today, but extremely pleased. Still loving the GARMIN!!!!

Week 5 Again...

Did a second 20 min run today. It was easier than the first 20 minute run. I start week 6 on Saturday. I have to get up early because I have to work until 10 and the bf's birthday party right after. And Sunday...I'll probably be hungover, so I might just walk. Lol!

Week 6 is another 3 runs. First run is 5 min run, 3 min walk, 8 min run, 3 min walk, 5 min run. Second run is 10 min run, 3 min walk, 10 min run. Third run 25 min.

Easy peasy!!

Week 2, run 2

I did my second run yesterday of week 2. It wasn't too bad really. I had to have a much much slower pace then normal since I was feeling like crap with a horrible horrible cold. I didn't even get off of my road before I finished my 3rd run. I didn't think it was that hard until the end and I was doing my cool down walk and had horrible waves of nausea. I really didn't think I was making it home without being sick, but I did! I actually prefer the slower pace since I didn't have to push myself as much, but I don't know if I can actually stand running that slow when I am not sick. LOL.

run 4.2

Haven't really had time to post much this week. On Tuesday I did my second run of week 4. It didn't go to bad. I also got to try out my new toy - Garmin Forerunner 305. I was gonna wait to buy it, but I remembered that the taxes will be going up so might as well save a few dollars.

It took me a bit to find it at Costco and I ended up having to go over to Dartmouth to get it. They were promoting the new Garmin Forerunner 405, but there was no way I could justify $350. The Forerunner 305 was only $170 and it does everything that I want and need it to do.

The key features that I want it for is to tell me how far I have gone and what my pace is. I can also use it to monitor my heartbeat, but I haven't played with that feature yet. It will be more useful for longer runs, but also really got during the Fiddlers Run, as people have a tendency to try to keep up with the pack during a run, but I probably can't keep that pace up. It also tells me how many calories I have burned. And I can set to for interval running, but I really like listening to my music and using the application. It will also measure the elevation of the course, but the trail is pretty flat, so I am not too worried about that feature yet. I am not sure what other features the Forerunner 405 has, but this one is just perfect for me....well I wish it was a bit smaller, as it is bigger than a man's watch

During this run, I learned that I am much quicker during the first interval of my run than I am during the last (go figure!!!). I decided that I am gonna repeat week 4. I don't think I am ready for an 8-minute run, let alone a 20 minute run. This way I can also work at my pacing.

Gonna go for run 4.3 tomorrow after work. I think I am gonna follow K's lead and when I do week 5, I am gona try to do 5 runs that week. Probably will do 5.1; 5.2; 5.1; 5.2 and then 5.3 (aka the dreaded 20 minute run).