Week 4 of C25K? It completely kicked my ass, to put it delicately.
I started it on Tuesday during my lunch break. The sun was shining, the weather was crisp, & after only four hours with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named-Because-I-Want-To-Keep-My-Job, I needed to run off some steam. I locked my office door, prayed that video cameras in the offices were just an urban legend, & quickly changed into my running gear. I swung around our main building for my warm-up, then headed into one of the neighboring neighborhoods (say that five times fast) for the actual run. Except I completely underestimated the amount of hills in this run & by the second 3-minute run, my legs felt like lead fire. When the last run started, I couldn’t do it. I simply couldn’t. I walked a little more as a hill loomed in front of me & at the top where it became flat, I broke into a jog. I managed to jog another 2 minutes or so, but then had to quit before the program told me too.
Or else I might have vomitted.
I hate puking.
So much that I’d rather swallow it. You know how that is when you kind of puke & then you have the choice of spitting it out or swallowing it back down? I hate puke so much that I’d rather swallow it back down.
So much for an easy, light jog on my lunch break, huh? I puffed back into the office, sweat pouring from under my tshirt. HOTNESS. He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named-But-Don’t-Worry-It’s-Not-Voldemort totally gave me the stink eye for showing back up at work in sweats with a ponytail & red face. Whatever. I had over an hour to cool-down & change before my next client. After work, I clocked what I did on my odometer – 2.0 miles! Hills galore!
On Wedensday, my friend Lauren somehow convinced me to run a 5K Turkey Trot with her on Thanksgiving morning since her husband was sick & had to back out. I knew I wasn’t 100% ready, but as long as we could run 3-5 minute intervals, we were golden. Unfortunately at 9pm on Wednesday night, Lauren emailed me to say that she had caught her husband’s stomach bug & would be unable to run. Since she had the numbers & race info with her & lived in another town, there was no way we could meet up before the race. & honestly, I wasn’t that keen on running it alone, so I bowed out & trained Thanksgiving morning by myself.
& totally kicked Week 4′s ass in return for the punishment it doled out on Tuesday. Tuck & I weaved through our neighborhood for 32 minutes in the Thanksgiving sunshine & I completed the entire thing without wimping out. That last 5 minute run? MURDER. But doable. I just kept thinking 10 seconds at a time & focusing on the road ahead.
Sunday? Same deal.
It is truly amazing me how simply three days of “training” per week impact my endurance. A few weeks ago, I was panting at the end of 90-second stretches of jogging & now? I can handle five minutes. I also snagged some new running shoes & some cold-weather gear. Lauren may have caught a stomach bug, but me? I’ve got the running bug.
You did awesome Blair!! Woot Woot!!!! You totally kicked Thanksgiving week’s butt.
I, however, did not do so well last week. I’ll be ripping a page from your book this week and kicking my jiggly butt back into gear!
https://laceyslaughablelife.wordpress.com/2010/11/29/mcfatty-monday-thanksgiving-week/
My big accomplishment this week was running Week 5, Day 3 by myself, without my running partner. Because where my parents live is flat as a pancake, it wasn’t bad . . and I did it again the next day. I also realized that running when I’m well-rested, and have the benefit of some caffeine is AMAZING! This morning’s run was a shock to my system: tired, no caffeine, and COLD!
kudos my dear- just the thought of running makes me hyperventilate.
It is amazing what three days a week will do for you! Good job BA. I am totally missing the running and need to dig out some cash for the gym.
My week unfortunately did not go as well…
http://www.ajdplusthree.com
Boom. You go girl. I wish I could run but if the metal in my spine gets dented….my hair ain’t gonna look right if you know what I mean. That’s why my ass keeps expanding…or because I can’t stop eating. Meh.
Running 5 mins straight is awesome!!! The C25K really seems to be working well for you- way to go!
I am also jumping back on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon- Hopefully I can make it stick this time around.
http://happilyeveryaftermyway.blogspot.com/2010/11/day-one-of-pre-week.html
what kind of running shoes do you wear?
I got a pair of New Balances – they fit my feet best!
Way to go!! I’m hoping to start the C25K soon. Last week I bought a treadmill, because I’m not so good about running outside. I’ve gotten on it twice so far. Just for a 30 minute walk, but I figured since the last time I attempted to run was a 10k in April of ’09, I should probably start off a little slow anyway. Hopefully I’ll be able to run five minutes too!
2 miles of hills?! That’s something to be proud of.
And nice job on kicking the butt of your Thanksgiving run. You’re doing great!
And me? I think I’ve caught the running bug, too.
I loved the one day I did of C25K. Now that I’m over my sickness, for the most part anyway, I’m hoping to get back to it. New shoes would definitely help!
Congrats on Week 4!
“I’ve got the running bug” ???
That may be one of the cheesiest things I have ever read of yours!
I’m not going to make fun of you though cause you could prolly chase me down and kick my butt.
ha!! I have to admit, I was about 3 shots of whisky into it by the end
Woot! Good job! It is amazing to me how much 3 days a week can do. I used to work out 6 days a week, and I don’t feel I made as much head way then as I have in 3 weeks on the C25K.
http://plmassing.blogspot.com/2010/11/mm-after-feast-is-over.html
Every time I read one of your C25K posts, I say I’m going to get started! I have so many excuses!!!! Like this week, I need to find a jogging stroller, b/c I really have to run with the baby due to hubby’s work schedule……must get motivation!!!
Good for you though — you’re doing great!
Stephanie
Congrats to you on week 4. Also, 2 miles of hills…GIRL you better be proud of yourself! I run, everyday, on a treadmill and don’t do hills. Go B!
The program really does get easier & better and you will find yourself running and running and running. You won’t look at your time anymore and keep thinking ok only 30 more seconds (which can feel like an eternity!)
Good for you! You have so much to be proud of!
Reading your C25K posts inspired me and I just completed my first run today. Thanks!!!!!
You are doing great!~ I just ran my first 5K as a C25K graduate two weeks ago, and it is amazing what a transformation it has been for me. I love reading about people’s experiences with the program.
Just wait – in a few weeks you’ll be doing the 30 minute run, and then a few weeks later you’ll look back on that and think ‘hey, it’s nothing.”
what is this c25k trainer you keep talking about??
So I was thinking. You should officially change the name of Mondays post to McFitty Mondays. Because I need to get fit. But I lack any motivation. So much like I lost 30 lbs doing mcfatty I think it would push me to get fit.
Do it whoaman.
I found a Tacky Sweater Run…. perhaps we could do that! It’s not till 12/21!
awesome! two mile run with hills is brutal! you goooo!!!!
Congrats, lady! That’s awesome. You’re inspriring me to start
Congrats on the milestone! You will be running marathons in no time
This is so encouraging to read as I am trying to stay motivated to keep getting out there myself. Thank you!
Just think–at the end of next week we’ll be running 20 minutes in a row!
You’re starting to make me re evaluate my whole “running is for criminals” philosophy. Just a little bit. Maybe.
Proud of you.
I have been following your blog for ages, but never posted. (I found you via the nest/the bump ages ago). We both got pregnant and lost a baby around the same time. I was elated when you got pregnant with Harrison. (Maybe he and my Harper can hook up in a few years.)
I’m rambling, so I’ll get to the point. I’m doing C25K as well and seeing your posts really inspire me to keep moving. Sometimes I feel like I’ll never be able to run longer than a minute or two, but seeing you progress makes me feel like I can too. Week 2 kicked my but so I’m repeating it this week. I’ve agreed to run a 5K in February and a 1/2 marathon in June (I’m insane), so I need to keep moving.
Keep posting about your runs and I’ll keep doing mine.
Have a great day.
Great job Blair! My running is still going pretty well. I did the Turkey Trot here in Oregon on Thanksgiving morning. 4 miles – 2 downhill, then 2 uphill. (I wish they would have switched the order. It was brutal.) My time was 40:41 which is really good for me.
So glad you’re sticking with running! It’s keeping me inspired as well.