I FEEL GOOD!

Seriously - this is week 6 of the C25k program and today was day 3. After the warm-up walk I ran for 25 minutes to a fun mix of 80's music. It is my first day of vacation today, so I left home at 8:00 before it was too hot and had an amazing run.

I've been struggling with my pace and my breathing this week. I've been trying to increase my pace a bit, but I have found breathing hard this week due to the humidity and some mild asthma that I have that only surfaces when the humidity is really high. Thursday's run was a struggle, I had to focus so hard on my breathing and at one point I had to stop and walk for a minute to catch my breath.

Today though, it was a breeze. My muscles were in agreement with this run, my breathing came easy, and I kept a good pace throughout the whole run. I even picked up the pace at the end for the last 3 minutes, and for the last minute I ran full out.

Saw Natasha and Rodney Hawco out in their yard, and I even waved at them but I don't think they recognized me. I think Rodney shyly wondered who the heck I was but wasn't really sure. That's okay - I have a new cover for when I'm running so people passing me won't know who I am for a few weeks. There have been a LOT of second glances in the last couple of days.

I have to admit, I was very proud of myself at the end of the 25 minutes. Honestly, I wasn't sure I would be able to do this. Admittedly I am as stubborn as a mule and when I put my mind to something usually have great success at it. But I have never been able to run any more than maybe 200 meters without feeling like I was ready for a heart attack. It was hard to believe that I could start this program and somehow a few weeks later everything would be ready for me to run for 20 or 25 minutes without stopping. And yet, here I am, six weeks later and just done of a 25 minute run that went really well.

I LOVE having this period of 30 or 40 minutes a few times a week that is mine.  I listen to my music, bop along and have fun, the kind of thing that we likely did as kids and teenagers and took for granted. Now I finish my "ME" time and come home feeling great and like I escaped the world for awhile.

If you are looking for some sort of exercise program that doesn't take a big commitment, try this. Thirty minutes three times a week...you just might be surprised at what you can do!

The dreaded day 3 of week 5 is done! 20 minutes straight of running!

And I am still alive to tell the tale. We were at the cottage yesterday, and after a late night of card playing with Lee and Gerard it was a late morning getting started. (Don't ask Gerard who won!) It was COLD at the shore and there was a lot of wind coming off the water.

Lee and Gerard have a spectacular view in the landing - here's what it looks like:

Well - their view is slightly to the right of this picture, but you get the idea. So I spent two hours deliberating about whether it was too cold to run outside and if I really wanted to brave the hills of Pictou Landing for this 20 minutes straight of running. Then I decided there was no better time than the present, so I started to get ready. Of course, I've never really run in cold weather so I wasn't really sure what to wear. I decided on my regular dri-fit clothes with a sweatshirt over top (since I hadn't brought a jacket). I was pretty sure I might be cold, but off I went with Noah for company.

We decided to turn right at the main road instead of doing the big loop like we did last weekend. This turned out to be a good idea, because I was pretty sure we were running along a relatively flat surface.

After the 5 minute warm-up walk and about 3 minutes of running, I was too hot and had to get my sweater off (while still running because heaven help me I can't stop!). Noah was playfully walking along beside me without exerting much effort. *sigh*

I decided to try a few intervals of running faster, to see how it impacted my run. So I did four intervals of running fast (even Noah had to run to keep up with me!) and then decided I should keep at my regular pace. I had a lot of minutes left to go, you know!

Surprisingly, before I knew it, the lady came on and said "Day 3 you are halfway through."  WOW - that was fast. We turned around and started back.

Suddenly, I realized the error of my ways. That long 'flat' stretch is actually a hill, and now I have to run back up it for the last ten minutes of my run. Oh oh. This was definitely not part of my plan.

Meanwhile, Noah is still playfully walking along beside me.

"Wanna do another fast run, Mom?"

"No."

In my head: can't you see the mountain I have to run up in order to get back to the cottage? Why can't I be more aware of hills when I am running down them? Why do you only notice them when they are in front of you and you are running?

We carry on and before I know it, there are 7 minutes left. This was the hard part.

Seven more, focus, seven more, it will be over before you know it.

Six more, you can do it, one foot in front of the other, keep going.

Meanwhile, a parade of cars passes and I am sure that the drivers think I look like I'm insane...there is clearly no enjoyment in this process.

Five more minutes. This isn't so bad. I can do this. Four more (reminiscent of Jane Fonda - maybe I should wear leg warmers next time!). Hey, I'm almost done!

"Noah, let's run faster!"

So we pick up the pace for the last minute and then I am done. Yippee! I'm pretty sure my legs might collapse under me before I ever finish the five minute walk back to the cottage...but eventually I get there. (Mr. Energy ran ahead of me of course).

Needless to say, I was pretty proud of myself that I finished the run. This 20 minute run looms ahead of you for the entire first five weeks, because it is wayyyyy longer than the 90 second, 3 minute, 5 minute, or 8 minute intervals you may have run.

But, I was ready for it. Breathing wasn't a problem, just the soreness in my legs but that wasn't really too bad either. Certainly after I finished, the soreness passed and I was fine the rest of the day.

I am on an off day today but will be back to the running tomorrow or Monday. Week 6! I get two more days of intervals and then at the end of week 6 the long run is for 25 minutes. From there on, the runs are 25 minutes or longer, building up each week until the end of week 9 when you are at 30 minutes.

We measured the distance afterwards, and during my 20 minute run I covered 2.5km. Not bad for my first time!

I am reading a new book on my kindle. It's The Biggest Loser coach Jillian Michaels' "Mastering Your Metabolism". I'm only a quarter of the way into it but it is very interesting. She is focusing on how all of the chemicals on and in our food, and the environmental pollutants we are exposed to, impact the hormones and androgens of our endocrine system. I think she is going to be a proponent of the Eat Clean plan. If so, I may try that, AFTER vacation. LOL!

Nerves and accomplishments!

Hey there - I'm here with my week 5 update. First off, Michelle found us a new set of podcasts that feature more modern music. I put week 5 on my ipod and off I went today for my day 2 run:

Warm up walk 5 minutes
Run 8 minutes
Walk 8 minutes
Run 8 minutes
Walk 5 minutes

I set off to an upbeat version of Rihanna's Umbrella and walked up the hill getting ready for my longest run yet. When Katy Perry's "I Kissed A Girl" came on it was time to run and off I went.

A lady pulled into a driveway and was about to back out but then decided to wait until I was past. I giggled as she was watching me and told her she could have backed out 4 times before I ever got near her. The music switched into "Shake it" and I boogied my way through. Another song came on that I didn't know and finished up the 8 minute run without much trouble. 

I have to say I was pretty surprised at how far I had run during the eight minutes. When I started this program 4 weeks ago I "thought" I had been running a fair amount during my outing but I learned the hard way in week 2 that running for 90 seconds was challenging! And now, here I am, running all the way from the top of Lacy Anne Avenue to nearly the corner of Boyd and Wilson Road without stopping. I just checked on mapmyrun.com and that's about 1km during the 8 minutes of running.

The recovery walk of 5 minutes was plenty of time to catch my breath and get ready to do another 8 minute run. I learned something new tonight...when you run longer you sweat more. And you can feel it dripping...in places you would rather not feel it.

My second run started to 'Girlfriend' by Avril Lavigne and to be honest I felt like I needed a little attitude. Another nice driver let me pass (while likely thinking I would never get by her). This run was not without a few aches and pains but with 3 minutes left to go I knew I couldn't quit. So I kept on running into Survivor by Destiny's Child. Before I knew it there was only a minute left and I pumped it through the last minute to finish strong.

Carli came on and said "week 2 you can stop running now" and Wanda said "Thank F**k." (sorry mom)This was also about 1km of running during the 8 minutes.

If you want a more upbeat podcast, try Carli's podcasts at http://runningintoshape.com/5k-training-downloads/

So...that's 2km of running tonight. On Friday I have to run 20 minutes straight. And yes, I'm nervous about that. I might clear 2.5 to 3km during that time. Apparently I am going to have to work on covering more distance if I'm going to get to run 5k anytime in the near future.

"They" say to run slow to conserve your energy so you are able to get through the runs. I am thinking that I will continue to run slow Friday since I have to run for 20 minutes. But then next week when I start running 25 minutes regularly I might start doing some intervals of faster running to try to cover off a little more distance during my run.

I will be the only woman running in this race who looks like she's running and acts like she's running, but really takes longer to finish the 5k than the walkers in front of her. What race? Stay tuned...I have something picked out but I am trying to get all of the ducks lined up to make it work.

Hills aren't as bad as they look

Ask me: almost every time I had to run today it was on an uphill incline. We spent the night last night at Todd's Mom and Dad's cottage, and even though it was a late night getting to bed I got up and ready to go out and do my run. It was an overcast morning with the promise of rain, which prompted me to get out the door as quickly as I could.

Lee was going out to walk the loop with her neighbour Anne-Marie, and Noah wanted to run with me so off we went. Noah is eleven and very fit, and ran circles around me pretty much the entire duration of the outing.

I did the 5 minute warm up walk, and then added about 2 extra minutes of walking on to get me to the stop sign and the top of the first hill before I started running. Then off we went. I had 3 minutes of running, 90 seconds of walking, and 5 minutes of running. The entire duration of this running was up one very very long stretch of hill. Good thing I didn't drive the loop first, because I might never have left the cottage.

A truck drove past me just as I was finishing my 8 minutes of running, and I thought to myself, "If that was Wayne, he would open the passenger door and put me out of my misery."

Eventually I got to walk 2 and a half minutes, and that was mostly down the really big 'Well Hill'. Then the running began again. I wasn't sure how much stamina I had left. I ran for about 1.5 minutes down hill and then bam...another hill to run up.

"We should run faster Mom...you are good at this, we can cruise fast from here to the cottage."

"Noah, I am going fast. Can't you tell?"

"Oh, well yeah Mom. I just thought, you know." More running in circles around me here. "That we could really run."

Shit Noah, what do you think I've been doing for the last twenty minutes?

Funny thing is, Noah is a really sweet kid and in no way means any disrespect. He just figures we can run really fast and set a world record for getting back to the cottage.

I finished that segment and got to walk for 90 seconds down a hill. Just as I reach the bottom and get ready to start up another hill, it's time to run my last 5 minute run.

Run might be a strong description. I was using running motions, and was moving forward, but I think it might have looked more like I was using the stair climber than running. Fortunately I hit another downhill part and felt that I deserved the treat of running down a hill after all of the uphill running today. Before long, my run was over and I was in the cool down walk part.

Of course, Noah was still circling around me from side to side wanting to run again.

It was nice to have Noah out with me, but talking during the running is just not possible for me, and so at one point in the uphill climb I had to tell him that "now is not the time for a big conversation."

Running in the salt air was nice, even if it did rain on me a bit. And I have to say that I am amazed at the endurance and stamina I am developing. Three weeks ago I couldn't run more than 90 seconds at a time, let alone do any of it on a hill. Never mind a long stretch of hills.

After a nice breakfast at the cottage Todd and I went to do some shopping and then visited Michelle & Wayne (and Britt and Brad). Then we came to the trailer for a quiet night of rest and relaxation, without kids.

Since it's a little damp, we decided to turn the heat on.

Not a good idea. After a run-in with some smoke and a funny smell, we determined that somehow...somewhere...something....was in our heating system. Naturally Chris the firefighter was here LAST weekend, not this weekend. Todd brilliantly thought to grab the fire extinguisher as we ran out the trailer door. I have to give him credit. I was just going to let the whole thing go.

I did however think to turn the furnace off as I ran out the door. Then the smoke died down and we decided we had to LOOK for the 'thing' that had clearly taken up residence somewhere in our RV heating system.

There is no better way to become familiar with your trailer than to simply just start dismantling things.

After inspecting the floor vents and removing the furnace access under the fridge, Todd ventured outside and removed the outer panel. Sure enough - he found the creature who met an untimely death beside our furnace. Apparently lady bugs like dead mice, because there were lots of those too. And other untoward crap that I didn't want to hear about and had no intention of seeing.

I stayed safely on the couch with my feet elevated, facebook chatting with Brittney and Wayne about the whole expedition Todd was on.

My brave man got the whole mess cleaned up and even sprayed some air freshener in there. We are not going to turn the heat on again tonight though. Just to be safe. We'll give it a few days to air out.

If you need to know anything about accessing your trailer furnace, call Todd. He hires out cheap in the summer.

W3D2

Hum.........I am thinking that day 2 in any of the 9 weeks is the pivotal point. Day 1 is new and exciting and day 3 is "getting it done" so you can move on to another challenge. Day 2 you already know what to expect (and how painful it will be) and the only thing you need to look forward to is one more day of the same.

Good news is I got through Week 3 Day 2. Laura (the nice woman on the podcast) told me that I had to get through it even if I want to stop. It is "very important". I wonder if I stopped halfway through would she know. I admit I am a little worried about that.

Day 3 on Saturday - there goes any plan on sleeping in.

The Scoop on Running Without Music

The truth is, man invented portable music for a reason. And we should respect that and use it to our advantage. Not to put ourselves in danger from potential traffic or unheard dogs. But running without music is long and painful.

How do I know this when I listen to podcasts while I run? Because the battery on my ipod went dead exactly halfway through my run today. So I had to 'guesstimate' 2.5 minutes of walking, 3 minutes of running, 90 seconds of walking and 5 minutes of running.

I'm not really sure if I did more running or less running than Monday's run. But it was only my ability to focus on a point and say "Yup, I am running at least to the turn and that should be 5 minutes" that kept my legs moving until what could be said to approximate the distance I ran Monday night. After I got going on that last 5 minute run I had the realization that if I ran faster I could be put out of my misery a lot sooner. So I ran faster.

Good thing Wayne didn't drive by.

When I am listening to good music, I focus on the music and my breathing and not so much on the "one foot in front of the other" stuff. Although I still have to focus on that so I don't fall on my face. But music makes running a much more enjoyable and refreshing event. You get a sort of mental freedom from whatever is eating at you and you can just enjoy the physical exertion and the mental block.

My advice for the day: keep your ipod charged.

Introducing the "shy friend"

Yes Yes - the illusive shy friend has arrived and am feeling ready to contribute. Simply because I am now in w3d1 and feel that I am committed to the process. Before this time I did not want to contribute in case I dropped out of the regime and would have to admit my failure.

Let me start at the beginning...........

My good friend Wanda four weeks ago decided that we (meaning her and I) were going to run a 5K before she was forty. Already having met that milestone myself (turning 40 not running a five K - Let us all be clear about my limitations) I really paid little attention to her. However as she began her journey I quickly realized that I would be participating regardless if I was willing or not. For those that know Wanda they recognize my challenge because Wanda is a bit competitive (cough cough)....okay a lot competitive. So seeing as I am going to have to run this 5K with her I better bite the bullet and train.

So here I am at w3d1 and feeling really quite proud of my accomplishments. I have never jogged in my life. In fact every time Wayne and I pass a jogger he says "open the door and put them out of their misery" and I have to say I am tempted. :-)

I am actually looking forward to w3d2.

A guy I work with has also started the regime (along with his wife) and is enjoying it as well. So I am thinking that I am not only responsible for improving my own health but am contributing to others as well.

I will have to say I am not looking forward to week 4 when I am expected to run 5 minutes.

Special thank to Laura the nice woman on my podcast who tells me what a great job I am doing and forces me to go that one step further even though my thighs are screaming in pain. I suspect by week 6 I may be tempted to say something nasty to her.

M

Sixteen Minutes of Running! I bet you are just as amazed as me!!!

Hello there! Back after my Canada Day hiatus of camping at the trailer, taking in the Canada Day activities in Westville, visiting Melmerby Beach, and chilling at the trailer with friends.

My travel advice from this weekend: if you have never been to Melmerby Beach, take the time because it is worth the trip. we visit Melmerby almost every weekend from July 1st to Labour Day (except when we are camping at the OTHER beach, near Brule and this year the Gulf Shore as well.

http://www.nsls.ns.ca/melmerby-beach

So I finished week 3 of the C25k program on Sunday on the hilly roads of Lansdowne with Michelle running along near me finishing up week 2. It was a beautiful hot morning and even the black flies stayed out of the sun and left us alone.

I got home from the trailer this afternoon and decided I would do my first week 4 run tonight because I have to get my teeth cleaned early tomorrow morning and tomorrow night Todd and I are off to Halifax to see that great Aussie band INXS in concert, apparently with JD Fortune (although I'm not 100% sure of that). We are going with Barb and David and expect to have a great evening. 

So, off I went to start week 4.  I have to admit, this run was more than a little daunting because of the increased running time. After a 5 minute warm-up, it's a 3 minute run, 90 second walk, 5 minute run, 2 and a half minute walk, 3 minute run, 90 second walk, 5 minute run, 5 minute cool down walk.

To sum that up, that's 16 minutes of running in 21 and a half minutes. Two weeks ago running 90 seconds was a challenge. Boy did I have to put my mind aside for this one.

It went great! The first 3 minute run was fine because I had done that one last week. I barely had time to prepare and it was off for the 5 minute run. it went by pretty quickly and then I had a good walk to recover. The next 3 minute run was solid and then came the last 5 minute run. Naturally it was up that little hill between Alderney and the Magnolia. I passed some friends walking and tried to look impressive as I continued on. LOL! Anyway, I finished it up and did me walk home.

This really is a neat program. I have walked before for exercise and done aerobic routines but have never really felt like I was actually 'getting in shape'. Doing this I am noticing muscles in my legs that appear to be getting a little toned and my summer clothes are a little loose which is an added bonus.

I switched up from the NHS podcast today and used Sue's week 4 Michael Jackson podcast. So that was fun, to run to music I recognized. Once I'm done of the C25k and able to run 30 minutes, I will be switching back to my great 80's mix which will be fun.

If you are interested or participating in the program, here is another website I have stumbled across that has some interesting resources.
http://shrinkingjeans.net/2009/01/couch-to-5k/

And don't miss Ingi's blog link on the side here....she is a 40-something Mom in Australia who is doing the Couch to 5k program while raising her kids and blogging about it along the way.

Have a great week everyone, and be sure to get your exercise too!