Back In Action! C25K: Week 7, Day 1

Although it was really hard, I promised my body that I would take care of it throughout this adventure (and well, always) so I rested and did no running or riding for 1 whole week. That might not sound like much, but for me that felt like an eternity!!! After a few days with 0 pain in my knee, I decided to get back on the treadmill and continue on with my C25K training. I literally only have 3 weeks to go!

I went into my run thinking I would just take it slow and see if I could tackle 10 min with no issues. I left my incline at 1, but chose to run at 5.1mph instead of 5.2mph. Well, 10 min quickly turning into 15, which turned into 20... leaving only 5 min to go until I did 25! Week 7, day 1 workout was to run for 25 minutes and I did it with absolutely NO issues! I think it was at this point when I really realized that this program works! After 1 week off, I was still physically able to run for 25 min straight with no issues. I wasn't out of breath or anything - it came easy!My knee didn't hurt at all during my run! I iced both knees for 15 min afterwards for precautionary measures and they feel fine now! I think I'm back on track and almost ready to register for my first 5K!

Yesterday's Stats:

Distance: 2.76 miles (4.44km)
Calories Burned: 313
Time: 35:07

Injured = C25K On Hold

I don't even know how to explain what happened... but what I can say for sure that I am now finding myself completely bummed out because with only 3 weeks left in the C25K program, I am unable to proceed until my knee feels better. The oddest thing happened last night - I was on my way out the door to go ride and as I bent down to put on my boots, I felt some sort of movement in my right knee. I'm not sure if it was a tendon, or a muscle? but at that moment I dropped and was in an immense amount of pain. My mom had to help me out and after walking for literally a min, the pain went away. I proceeded with my night and went to ride my horse with no issues. ... Until 2am when I awoke with a throbbing sensation in that same knee. I didn't sleep much the rest of the night due to the pain and have been hobbling around all day.

Needless to say, running for me now sadly has to be put on hold until all the pain is gone. As much as I want to proceed with this program, I have to be smart about the situation and take care of my body so that I don't cause permanent damage.

Hopefully this break won't be for very long!

C25K: Week 6, Day 3

I have just hit another milestone and feel incredible!

Today I ran for 25 minutes non-stop! I am now only 5 minutes away from reaching my first goal!

What I did today: Brisk 5 min walk warm up, run 25 min, 5 min walk cool down.

Minus a few equipment malfunctions during my last 10 min - ear phones kept falling out, the run was great. I tried out a new podcast and it only allowed me to further my belief that good music definitely makes the run. I couldn't help but to laugh and enjoy myself while listening to Baby Got Back! lol

Today's stats:
Distance: 2.79 miles (4.49 km)
Calories burned: 331
Time: 35:00

C25K: Week 6, Day 2

I did NOT eat before my run today, and it went much better! This workout made it my last interval one of this program!! It will be longer runs for here on out! Yikes! lol

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

I'm really loving how the changes in my body now 6 weeks into this program are evident! My legs are physically firmer, I don't start really sweating until about 10 minutes into my workouts, and after my workouts are complete, I am not out of breath! Here's hoping this is a new habit I can keep up for the rest of my life to keep my health in order!

Today's stats:
Distance: 2.52 miles (4.06 km)
Calories burned: 286
Time: 33:00

C25K: Week 6, Day 1

You know when growing up how you're always told to listen to your mother? Well today was a day when I wish I did NOT listen to my mother for a change! lol (yeah, I'm a little goody-goody) Anyway, I had sort of a lazy morning as Friday was a late night and that just put my entire schedule a little behind. I didn't finish my ride until after 11, meaning it was after 12 by the time I got to my parents' house to do my run. Lunch was just about ready to be served and I was starving! My mom convinced me that it would be a good idea to just eat some lunch first and then go do my run. "You need the energy!" she says.

I had a bowl of vegetable soup with cheese stuffed tortellinis and 2 small slices of grilled chicken/roasted red pepper/goat cheese pizza. I waited a good 20 minutes or so and then went to do my run which consisted of the following:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Eating before = MISTAKE. My whole body just felt heavy the entire run. I was lethargic, and for the first time throughout this program, I had a VERY hard time. I really had to push myself to get through! Needless to say, no more meals BEFORE my runs!!

Today's stats:
Distance: 2.54 miles (4.09 km)
Calories burned: 279
Time: 34:00

C25K: Week 5, Day 3

I DID IT!!!!

I am so darn proud of myself for completing the famous week 5, day 3 of the C25K program where I had to complete the following:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.

I'm not doing this for speed, but I really want to build up my endurance, so I started out with the goal to run for 20 minutes, and that's what I did! The first 5-8 minutes were the toughest, but after that, I seemed to breeze through with no issues. After I passed the 10 minute mark, I realized that as each second passed, I was running farther then I had so far! Next thing I knew, I had 5min left, then 4, then 3, 2, 1! The feeling was awesome!

Stats:
Distance: 2.33 miles (3.75km)
Calories burned: 269
Time: 30:00

C25K: Week 5, Day 2

I am now one step closer to my first big test! Tomorrow is the first big one-I'm supposed to run for 20 minutes straight! I'm not going to lie, that scares me a bit, but at the same time I feel excited to see if I really can do it.

Last night's workout was a breeze! ..well minus the fact that my stomach was growling for most of it. Shame on me for spending too much time in Value Village before going to do my run!

The workout was to consist of...

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
• Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

...but I decided to cheat again and I did 10 minutes for my last run, instead of 10. ;) I loved how my legs just sort of felt like they were floating along for that last run. I think that's why I'm looking forward to tackling 20 minutes tomorrow.

Stats:
Distance: 2.49 miles (4.01km)
Calories burned: 274
Time: 33:00

C25K: Week 5, Day 1

I can't believe that I'm already into week 5! When I began this program, the famous week 5 seemed like it was going to be so far away. Well, now that I have completed day 1 of this 'dreaded' week, I can say, with no hesitation, that I feel great!

I'm into the portion of the program where each day I have a different workout. Since I had the spare time, I went ahead and made my own playlist again - this time I had the timings pretty band on!

Yesterday's workout consisted of...

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
Jog 800m (or 5 minutes)
Walk 400m (or 3 minutes)
Jog 800m (or 5 minutes)
Walk 400m (or 3 minutes)
Jog 800m (or 5 minutes)

After doing the 8 minute run on Wednesday, this workout actually felt easy!!

Stats:
Distance: 2.29 miles (3.69 km)
Calories Burned: 246
Time: 31.00

My wicked playlist of the day...
Fag Hag - Lily Allen
Hey Baby - Cuff The Duke
Them Kids - Sam Roberts
I've Just Seen A Face - Jim Sturgess
Nature Of The Experiment - Tokyo Police Club
Rebellion (Lies) - The Arcade Fire
Bridge To Nowhere - Sam Roberts
Where Are You - Our Lady Peace
Can't Get Your Face Outta My Head - The Golden Dogs
Unusual You - Britney Spears

C25K: Week 4, Day 3

Week 4 is complete!!!!

...and I cheated a little bit! but in a GOOD way!

Is it bad that this program is feeling like it's starting to take too long?? I suppose I take that as a good thing and proof that the program actually works! Although I knew I was going to be able to do this program with no issues 4 weeks ago, after the first workout, the thought of even running for 5 minutes straight kind of scared me a bit! Well, now that I am finished week 4, unlike many people on the C25K forums, I find myself excited for my 20 minute run next Wednesday!!! Last night during my last 5 minute run, I decided that I was feeling too good to stop at 5 min, so said to myself 'let's push for a 6 min run!'.. when I reached 6 min, I decided to push to 7! when I was almost at 7, I thought to myself 'well I *do* have an 8 min run coming up on monday, so why not give it a go no!'. So.. I ended up finishing last night's workout with an amazing 8 minute run AND I could have EASILY kept going!

I am absolutely in LOVE with this program and how amazing it's making me feel! I never bothered weighing myself before starting (I base my weight more on how I look and how my clothes fit).. and last night I was starting to notice a change in my body! My legs and butt are now rock hard! lol When I'm not flexing, you seriously can't even pinch an inch anymore!! hehe Oh C25K how I love thee! :)

Last night's stats:

Distance: 2.60 miles (4.18km)
Calories burned: 287
Time: 34.30

p.s. I used my own playlist again last night and decided that this is the way I'm going to do it from now on. I am running so much better with music that I love and can sing along to!! Last night's playlist consisted of:

Boy - 'Hollywood'

Raine Maida - 'Sex Love And Honey'

Our Lady Peace - 'Where Are You' ----the BEST song to get me pumped up running!

Phoenix - '1901'

Lily Allen - '22'

Sam Roberts - 'Up Sister'

Metric - 'Rock Me Now'

Broken Social Scene - 'Almost Crimes'

Metric - 'Gimme Sympathy'

Metric - 'Dead Disco'

Foo Fighters - 'Monkey Wrench'

Jim Sturgess - 'Across The Universe'

C25K: Week 4, Day 2

Well, let's just say that today was interesting.

To start, I'll admit that I was definitely feeling my pms symptoms today making the moments prior to my workout a little emotional roller coaster. lol Oh the joys of being a woman!

I was really upset about the music included in the podcast I had downloaded for this week, and wasn't too keen on the other selections out there, so after doing some brief research, i decided that I would try and make my own before my run. I chose enough songs to fill the half hour, downloaded the software and plugged in my ipod. I didn't realize until tonight that you can't take the songs from your ipod and put them into itunes! Meaning i had no way to get my songs into the special program to create my own podcast. After doing some googling, i found a way to get around this. It took like 20 minutes to download the 600+ tracks from my ipod onto my mother's computer, making me already 20+ minutes late to starting my workout. I was already pretty annoyed with the situation, and to make matters worse, itunes wouldn't let me import the songs after I had wasted all that time downloading them! Oh i was fuming! Finally I just made a new playlist on my ipod with the songs I had chosen, wrote down what I needed to do for the workout and headed downstairs to the treadmill. i would have my own music, but... i would have to spend my workout watching the clock.

I wasn't in the best mood by the time my feet hit the treadmill, however it was very easy to shake those bad feelings once my workout started to music that I love. it really wasn't that bad, and running to killer music made it seem easier and more fun! So all in all, my worries and woes were for nothing because in the end, my workout was great.

Today's stats:
Distance: 2.42 miles (3.89km)
Calories burned: 264
Time: 32:30