Thursday June 9th, 2011

I didn't sleep well the night before, so I was really dragging most of the day. We went for a swim after dinner, and on the ride home I didn't feel very energetic. We got Max ready for bed and it began to thunder outside. For some reason this perked me up. It was 100 degrees earlier in the day, and with the approaching thunderstorms, it had cooled down a bit. So once Max was in bed, I switched into my running shorts, put on my running shoes and headed out.

I was running Week 5, Day 3 of the Couch to 5K. I was supposed to run 2 miles without stopping. I ran for 3/4 of mile straight, then stopped for about .10 of a mile to catch my breath a bit. I then ran another 1/2 mile straight before walking another .10 or so. I then finished my last 3/4 of a mile or so running straight.

I set a personal best time for the mile at 10:50. Still terrible, but getting better.

Total Distance: 2.05 miles
Total Time: 23:41
1st Mile: 10:50
2nd Mike: 12:16

Tuesday June 7th, 2010

I did another 2 mile run on Tuesday night. I was SUPPOSED to run 3/4 of a mile, walk 1/2 mile, then run 3/4 mile. I didn't follow that exactly, but I ended up walking less than a 1/2 mile total. I started off from the house, ran down Thrift, around the corner and turned onto Trentdale. I made it past the first set of townhouses which was about 1/2 mile. Then I hit a long incline and ran out of gas and walked till I reached the top. That brought me out to Hoadly Road. I ran the entire stretch of Hoadly Road till I hit Dake Blvd. I walked briefly to catch my breath, then ran back into the neighborhood and up Thrift. I walked briefly as I reached the mailbox near the house until I reached the top of the block. I then ran the last part until I hit 2 miles. I walked around the block until I reached the house as my cool down.

One thing that is puzzling to me is that my time isn't getting dramatically faster as I run more and walk less. I guess when I get tired, my jog slows down to almost walking pace.

Today it's supposed to be 100 degrees. Im supposed to run C25K Week 5 Day 3 today which is a 2 mile run without stopping. Not sure that will happen in this heat. Last night it was still 92 degrees at 8:30 when I usually run. I'll see what I can do. Should be interesting...

Time of last run:

Total Time: 23:03

First Mile: 11:11
Second Mile: 11:45

So it begins

About 5 weeks ago, I started the couch to 5k. I had made it to about week 3 or 4 back in November, then Rachel got sick and the weather turned cold, so I stopped. I hope to make it all the way through till week 9 this time. My plan is to run at least one 5K before my 38th birthday. If that goes well, I want to try one or two more in the spring of 2012, then sign up for the Warrior Dash in May of 2012!

So here is where I'm at as of June 7th, 2011...

Running has become a lot easier for me. When I began, I could barely run a minute without getting winded.I couldn't make it from my driveway down to the stempipe where Jennifer and Jonathan live. Once I made it to week 3 and 4, I started feeling a lot better. I was able to run 1/4 mile without stopping, then 1/2 a mile. Last week, I ran from the house all the way down to where the townhouses in the neighborhood are, which was about 3/4 of a mile. I was so proud of myself.

Tonight I am supposed to run 3/4 of a mile, walk 1/2 mile then finish by running another 3/4 of a mile. I'm a little nervous. I think the 1/2 mile walk in the middle will help. By Thursday, I am supposed to complete week 5 on Thursday. That means I am supposed to run 2 miles without stopping. Not sure I'll be able to do that right off the bat, but I will run as far as I can without stopping. I can probably run for a full mile, but I will probably need to walk a bit once I hit the one mile mark. The weather is supposed to be hot on Thursday, with temperatures near 100, so that will make it that much more difficult. Trying to stay focused and concentrating on tonights run. I'll report back tomorrow with how I did.

One last note, after my last run, my Nike+ App said that I needed 1/2 mile more to reach the next level. Not sure what that means, but I can't wait to find out. So far I have 25 miles total.