Repeat Week 4 day 1

STRETCH 2--3--4--I remembered to stretch today! Hooray!!

Well it was an easy decision to redo week 4. I couldn't complete the intervals and really truly want to successfully complete this course. I was able to complete all but 3 minutes of running in the 30 minutes of intervals; which is a great accomplishment considering I ran on the hilly trail.

Today Mater and I set out for a little extra challenge-we decided to run the trail. It was OK today since everything is frozen and it isn't garbage day for 1/2 the community, meaning there were few volatile smells. Mater was intrigued by all of the garbage along the sides but kept up pretty well.

Shin splints weren't as bad today, or maybe they were but so many other muscles were burning I didn't notice. No they actually felt a bit better today and I didn't even ice them post run.

GOALS:
*breathe through nose-check
*stretch pre and post run-in progress
*complete last 5 min run of interval-working on it

Week 4 Day 3

Another beautiful FALL day, November 18th...sun is shining and it was 48 degrees out. Perfect for me. I really didn't want to run today-I have a headache and am lacking serious motivation. Looking back on it, I am so happy that I ran bc I actually feel much better mentally.

I have noticed spectacular improvement in my lung function/volume for those nurses reading up-HA! I only start to get out of breath the last 10-12 minutes of the run and I can usually paint a mental picture to slow my breathing down. Starting to second guess my shin splints though. I still love the shoes but after stretching my tibialis anterior daily, I am still unable to complete the run. Tonight I made it 22 minutes before I just couldn't push anymore. I am going to talk to a trainer I know and see what she recommends and also see if there are any apparatus' that I can purchase to ease the pain and allow me to complete my run.

Any advice is more than welcome!!

Week 4 Day 2

Spontaneous trip to Chicago...Cramped in the van for hours...walked for 6 hours and miles and miles put a little damper on my "rest day". A bold move I made; decided to run anyway even though the quads were killing me. I was disappointed in myself for almost giving up last week and pushed to get this run in.

I had a 2 legged running partner today, Rick decided to join me (I kind of begged him). I forget how fast he walks and developed shin splints in the first 12 minutes. I wanted to be such a show off and show him what I have been accomplishing but that back fired. I wasn't able to complete the last 10 minutes of the RUN...I walked and he ran on ahead. I was impressed for someone who hasn't trained at how well he did.

I blame a portion of not completing the run on the fact that the week is a tough one and that my rest day wasn't much of a rest. I intend to redo this week, in order to give my body the opportunity to perform at the level I know it is capable of.

Week 4 Day 1

Bah! Sput--ter! GASP! Talk about revenge...my body has taken revenge on me for taking the day off last week!! Week 4 is a tough week with 5 minute and 3 minute running intervals and only 90 second rest periods; I got my ass whooped. I was able to complete the entire set of intervals though. I was wearing a big smile when I got home bc I was so proud of myself for doing so.

Another run outside with the new OW kicks-the sun was shining and the wind was a blowing. I headed into the wind to start, in hopes that I would get a much needed "push" home...sounded like a good theory rattling around in my head but didn't work in my favor on the run.

I did stretch prior to and after, along with ice the shins (they hurt mildly). This run was a bit tougher on my body though. All 4 of the muscles in each of my quads were screaming!

Week 3 Day 3

I am embarrassed to say that this day didn't happen! I skipped my run for W3D3.

I had a serious bout of self doubt and lack of motivation. Half of my brain was SCREAMING to throw in the towel on running (with no sound alternative plan) and the other half was chanting no! nO! NO! we have made it 3 weeks, let's go 3 more!

Well, look on at the blog to determine which half won the argument.......

Week 3 Day 2

I am behind on the running blog! Aaahhhhh! Well on this day the weather was spectacular for running outside. I STRETCHED AND THEN I strapped on the funky new orange and white kicks and took them outside. What an amazing run! It was shin splint free and I think at one point the thought that I actually liked running crossed my mind but I quickly put the kabosh on that one!
I did however complete the whole C25K intervals for the day.

Week 3 Day 1

So I am starting another week of C25K...week 3 of a 9 week program. Still going strong and looking forward to every run.

Another beautiful day for an outside run with Old Faithfuls...not really getting the opportunity to give the new shoes a chance for me to love them. Treadmill vs outside...hhhmmm tough choice. I decided no dogs today just me and my iPod playing DJ Steveboy. The podrunner intervals are great for a beginner runner. They offer a tone for when to start running and when to stop to condition your body at a slow pace and build up.

The scale provided me with a nice little surprise as well...I am down 5 lbs in 3 weeks. I have been more careful about what I eat but I think the running is definitely contributing.

So my goals...nose breathing-check, stretching prior to and after running-not check. Stretching is going to continue to be my goal for this week. I am getting through 2/3 of my run before the shin splints get really bad. I ran through them and put my legs up and iced for about 20 minutes. Repeat after me "I WILL STRETCH PRE AND POST RUN FOR THE NEXT 6 WEEKS!"

Week 2 Day 3

Today was a brisk day and I was anxious to try out my new shoes so I ran on the treadmill. They are super light weight and the soles are fluorescent orange. Love the looks of them!

The shoes gave me a new confidence in my running ability; a little too much perhaps. I was able to run/walk 23 minutes before the shin splints kicked in. I am aware that I was going to fast for my legs but was able to keep up with breathing through my nose. I need to grasp some patience and accept that I am not going to be able to just up and take off running for miles. I did make it a mile and a half today; half way to my 5k goal.

Continued reminders to myself to STRETCH prior to and after running! I can't get this concept in my head which bothers me because I have been playing sports all my life and have always stretched. I will get it, I owe it to myself.

Week 2 Day 2

Oh what a fantastic day! It is November 1st, the sun is shining, the air is crisp and the Vikings play the Packers. This weather is conducive to running for me.

I strapped on the old faithfuls and leashed up my 4-legged buddy and we were off and running. I took my 85 pound Collie cross instead of the puppy today, thinking we could go faster because he would pull me. Oh he pulled me alright-sideways. He isn't my best running partner; needs more practice, I guess.

Well like in my previous post the nose breathing is coming along, still forgot the tissues. As I type this, I am reminding myself of the weekly goal and that I haven't stretched yet. My muscles are now cooled down but I am going to do it anyway. I tend to remember that I need to stretch pre-run about the time that the tibialis anterior starts to hurt. Yes that silly thing is still bothering me. I am making a valiant effort to research this before my next run.

Week 2 Day 1

So today the sun was shining for the first time in weeks and I was excited to have an opportunity to run outside-major downfall, the wind was blowing 25mph! This meant I was destined to use the treadmill and another chance to try out my new shoes.

Maybe it is me but I just can't find the right running shoes! I like my new ones because my toes don't go numb when I run but the fronts of my calves hurt so bad when I wear them, sometimes I can't even finish the run. Now this could be related to weight overload and form but I want a magic pair of shoes that will just convert me into a "runner". The pain feels similar to shin splints but this is muscle pain. Being a nurse and all, I pulled out the text books to determine exactly what it is that is hurting. I discovered it is a muscle called the tibialis anterior. I have good intentions of finding a way to stretch it and more research as to what causes the pain...to be continued...

I am still focusing on breathing through my nose but it is becoming more of a natural instinct. I do however, need to remember to bring tissues with bc it is allergy season.

This weeks goal is stretching before and after running. I am terrible at remembering to do this and am afraid I will end up with an injury.