Week 4 of Couch to 5k

A little shout out to the awesome website that is making my progress possible (Yes, I know there are other programs out there, but this is free and easy and I like the music. ) Podrunner Intervals.

Yesterday morning I finished week 4 of Couch to 5k. That's 12 days. Still almost halfway there. 

Stats for this week are interesting.  Everyday, I basically did the same thing:

33 minutes (I tagged on extra cool down time because I needed it)

2.15 miles each time

3.9 average mph.

Total couch to 5k mileage for the week: 6.45 miles.

Grand total for all 4 weeks: 22.97 miles.

Why am I doing this?

I am doing this because I want to know that I can run in the event of a zombie apocalypse. 

I am doing this because I want to know that I can do it. I've always hated running.  I did the mile warm-ups when I rowed in college because you do what you have to do to do what you love. I loved rowing. 

I'm doing this because it will hold me more accountable to myself for a workout schedule. And I don't want to wake up at 6 in the morning to do P90X.  6:30 a.m. is a much better time for me, at least in these first few weeks where 30 minutes on a treadmill is totally doable (yes, I know I'll eventually have to go outside) and I know I'll either have to wake-up earlier to fit in the 45 minute sessions, or iron my clothes the night before to save morning prep time. I am perfectly capable of bursting my own bubble.

In short it's all about me. Not a self-centered "I need to look hot in hot shorts" all about me. But a "honest understanding of the fact that my future depends on it" all about me.  (I might still be talking about zombie apocalypses here. If you aren't watching AMC's the Walking Dead, you are missing out.)

And no one likes a quitter. Except the zombies.

Via Pinterest- fitisthenewbeautiful.tumblr.com

End of Week 3 of Couch to 5K

Almost half way there.  Almost.  I completed week 3 of Couch to 5k yesterday morning.  To make it through, I simply slowed it down when running, but I kept going. So moving forward is what it's all about.

On day 8, I did 1.8 miles at an average speed of 3.8 mph on an incline of 1 over 30 minutes.
On day 9, (nine!) I did 1.81 miles at an average speed of 3.8 mph on an incline of 1 over 30 minutes.

So for week 3 I completed a total of 5.36 miles.
Over the past 3 weeks the grand total comes to 16.52.

Manana I start week 4. Five minutes in a row here I come.

Day 7 to 5K

So, this morning we went to Anytime Fitness and I hopped on the treadmill, fully aware of the fact that I was going to have to keep up a faster pace for 3 minutes at least twice during the workout. 

Somewhere along the way I must have missed a cue and I didn't end with the last long run. I'll pay more attention next time- or maybe I'll listen to it before the next run so that I have a better idea of what to expect. 

Anyway there are still stats to report and in about 27 minutes, on an incline of 1 at an avg speed of 3.9 mph I did 1.75 miles. 

On the entertainment front we just watched what we're calling the mid-season premiere and man was that a heavy episode. They talked about taking a hard left in this episode and it seems like the creators took a hard left. 

We'll see how this plays out. If you want to see the episode you can see "Ass Burgers" here, but you should really see the episode before it "You're Getting Old" first.

Now to clean the pantry and do more laundry. Yay Sunday!

Week Two to 5K

This morning I wrapped up the second week of the couch to 5K program.  I was maybe half asleep when I started it and I don't know if that worked for or against me.

But I got it done. 

I didn't blog separately about my fifth workout I did 1.95 miles in about 30 minutes on an incline of 1 with an average mph of 3.9.

In my last workout this morning for the second week of C25K I went 1.94 miles in about 30 minutes, on an incline of 1 with an average mph of 3.9.

So in total this week I did 5.8 miles this week. 

In week one I did 5.36.

Add 'em together and so far though C25K, I've done 11.16. 

Wow. You do the hokey pokey and you shake yourself around.  That's what it's all about. (Yes that's random, but that's me)

This morning I realized that the week two workout was closer to 28 minutes and  30 seconds but with my fumbling around at the beginning of a workout trying to get headphones situated while the treadmill is running I ended up tacking on extra time at the beginning. (Brilliant strategy right? Add extra time and not even realize it. Guess again, I'm a girl who got a burn from coffee maker steam last weekend. I shouldn't try to multitask too much, though I have the whole chewing gum and walking/jogging thing down).  This morning I got things going right when I hopped on and cooled down for an extra minute and a half at the end. 

Tonight we are going to ompah it up with the big brass band during the First Friday Oktoberfest at Beethoven Maennerchor.

One line a day journal

I saw this at Paper-Source in Austin a few months back. I didn't buy it, because I didn't think I needed it. 

Available on Amazon.com for $11.53

I've decided I not only want this, but it's become a need. It's inexplicable really. But Justin did so well with my list last time that maybe I'll find this in my stocking during the holiday season this year. 

Justin, if you are listening-

Fourth day to 5K

Technically day 4 is day 1 of week 2!  I've graduated to the second week.  Or at least stumbled into it and managed to keep moving.  

I was talking to my significant other, Justin, about something I experienced during the first week. Rather than feeling time was on my side and rushing by, it felt like it was crushing me. The amount of time left in every sixty second interval during which I was running felt like an eternity. 

My solution? 

Image courtesy of here.

A towel over the part of the treadmill that said the time remaining/expired. And I turned off the T.V. too and tried to just get lost in the music.  I think this helped a little bit. Of course my mind still tried to figure out the time left by looking at the mileage.  I even toyed with the idea of cutting a hole in my towel so that the only thing I could see would be the mph. 

I am neurotic. 

On to the stats. In about 30 minutes I did 1.91 miles, at an incline of 1 at an average pace of 3.8 mph. YAY! 

I then hit the leg machines cause I figure it can't hurt. Or if it does then it's just me getting stronger or something. Right?

Also, today I re-downloaded the iphone app My Fitness Pal.  I'd done it once before and for some reason stopped using it, but I think it will help me reach my goals. And boy do those calories go in a hurry. 

Now I just need to add some Rosetta Stone time into my day and I'll be on the right track all around. Hasta Luego!