Training: Weeks 2 & 3

I was originally going to update about my 5k training weekly but then I realized that there's not a whole lot to talk about. I'm just running in intervals and it's getting progressively longer and harder. I will however try to update every couple weeks.

Week 2: After a particularly hot run at the track I decided to listen to my sister's advice and try running through my neighborhood under the shade of the big beautiful trees. I really enjoy doing this because not only is it more comfortable, but I'm getting more of a road-race feel doing it this way. I've also been enjoying exploring my neighborhood. It is very beautiful. As with most small towns there isn't continuity from one house to the next. There might be a large, beautiful house next to a tiny little shack next to a historic home next to new construction. There aren't rules like in some of the newer neighborhoods. It's fun for somebody like me who really enjoys real estate to snoop around in this way. Here are a few of the homes I get to run by:








Week 3: I was really getting into the swing of things and then I got sick for about 2-3 days. I missed a run because there was just no way that I could do it in the state I was in. I was all ready to do a make-up run on a day that I don't normally run and all of the sudden a huge storm hit. It looked like a hurricane outside my window. When everything was said and done many trees had been knocked down, broken in half, and destroyed. Everybody was out cleaning their lawns. Our neighborhood was cluttered with tree debris. I finally was able to run after the storm and it was interesting running around and seeing all of the damage. It was fun to run through. Here are a few pics I snapped of the damage:











I can tell that my body is getting used to this training. I feel ready each time that I run. The runs aren't intimidating. And if you can believe it I actually look forward to them. It's a little time to myself to just be alone and listen to music. It's very therapeutic. I hope that I'm saying the same thing the next time that I post.


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Couch-to-5k: Week 1

This was my first full week (out of 8) of couch-to-5k workouts.

This week's exercise consisted of alternating 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes with a 5 minute warm up and cool down period at the beginning and end.  I really liked this workout because as the title suggests it starts out very beginner which makes it seem not as intimidating that I'm training for a race.

Monday was my first workout and I arrived at the local high school track around 10 a.m.  I don't think I could've asked for a more beautiful day to begin training.  It was in the 70's.  The sun was shining and there was a nice cool breeze.  I turned on my C25k app that guides you as you are running and keeps track of your workout.  I blasted my music and was able to do my workout with a really great mindset.  I felt like the training was challenging but doable.  Remember that I had a baby 4 months ago, so this is the first working out I've really done in over a year.  I left the track feeling very accomplished and with a general positive attitude for the rest of the day.  

Luke is actually doing some training of his own for SWAT tryouts that are coming up, so we're running on the same days and alternating watching the kids.  On Wednesday he went to the track first and when he got home he warned me that there was a high school gym class that was out running the mile that day but they should be done by the time I got there.  I headed to the track and sure enough they were just finishing up and about to walk inside.  "Phew, I missed them!", I thought.  Maybe 10 minutes into my 30-minute workout another class came out and they were obviously going to be running the mile as well.  As I ran by the PE teacher I asked him if it was okay if I keep running.  He said yes, and that they would be timing the mile.  I told him I would do my best to stay out of their way and not interfere with their running.  As the class began to run I would try to get into one of the middle lanes as the kids came up behind me so they could have the inside lane.  It didn't matter to me since my workout isn't about a specific time or distance at this point.  I could hear some girls running up behind me as they were about to finish their mile.  I stepped to the side so they could run on the inside and apparently one of the girls wasn't paying attention and she just PLOWED into me.  I laughed, and thought about how she was probably humiliated since her whole class saw it.  Her teacher yelled out, "That's why we don't look down when we're running!"  Poor girl, I definitely don't miss that part of high school.

Friday was the hardest workout of my first week.  It was very hot out.  The high was in the 90's, but because I was there in the morning it was only in the mid-80's.  But man, it was still miserably hot.  The whole time I was huffing and puffing and drinking water and just not digging it as much as I had the past two workouts.  Running on the track might not be the best idea until it starts to cool down a bit.  There isn't any shade from trees and I can feel the sun beating down on me.  I think next week I am going to try running through my neighborhood with all of the nice mature trees providing me shade.       

Overall still feeling very motivated and excited about my training.  I'm hoping to keep this positive energy as I continue with my workouts.  Also glad that I have three workouts behind me and that I have two days off before I start up again on Monday.  Thank God for the weekend.