Week Three - Day Two

Today, Chad was supposed to bring me to Hickam AFB to run on the path that follows the harbor. Apparently, there is a good 2 mile loop there. I was really looking foward to that, but when he got up this morning he had a bad sinus headache. So, we ditched those plans and I just ran after I brought the boys to school. The block in front of the boys' school is simple and flat, but it's getting kind of boring. I definately have to change it up for my third run this week. Today's training went well. This week has gone really smoothly.

After visiting the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (which provided me with lots of extra exercise as we walked the entire perimeter), Chad and I headed to the Navy Exchange. My intent was to find a replacement pair of running shoes. Should have been an easy task. I mean it's shopping after all! And I'm a GREAT shopper! The Navy Exchange has the running shoes seperated for normal feet and for feet that have high arches. I think I have a high arch and my feet have always been very narrow. My mother used to shop at expensive shoe stores for me when I was a kid, because the stuff in regular stores was way to wide. Anyhow, since having children I've gone up a half size and my feet are wider. Chad says it's because I've lived in Hawaii too long and never wear real shoes (therefore my feet have flattened out!) LOL If you live here, then you probably know that there may just be some truth to that! Anyway, that just made my shopping even harder. I don't know if I need extra cushioning for my arch or not. I tried on Saucony, Asics, Etonics, Nike, and New Balance in several different styles. I liked one pair of New Balance, but they were a little wide. The Saucony didn't feel too bad. The Nikes I run in now is the Air Pegasus and of course they didn't have my size. The Asics didn't fit me at all and the Etonics arch support seemed to press in the wrong place. I just got super frustrated and did not feel comfortable buying any of them. That's too much money to waste on a wrong choice! So I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get a proper fitting at the Running Room or Runner's HI.

Week Three - Day One Training

Today was the start of Week Three training for me. This week's training consists of 90 sec run/90sec walk followed by 3 min run/3 min walk. Both intervals are then repeated. Three minutes is the longest run in the training so far. I have to say that I LOVE this training. Because the intervals are longer, there are less of them. It seemed to go by so fast! I was also pleasantly surprised that I handled 3 mins of running rather easily.

I have discovered though that it is NOT a good idea to eat Taco Bell for lunch and then run 3 hours later. I've also discovered that energy drinks prior to running are not a good idea either (at least not for me). Oh my, my belly did not feel good during this run. And if I could ask that all residents in Ewa by Gentry in the block near the school not cook gross, greasy food with their windows open when I'm running, I would really appreciate it. It's not too much to ask is it? That smell combined with the Taco Bell sitting in my belly really didn't make for a very pleasant experience.

I've decided that I need new running shoes. I swear my shoes are probably 6 years old (which goes to show you how much they've been used.) I was waiting to see if I'd really stick with this before spending money on running shoes. It's going well and I'm still sticking with it, so new shoes it is! Now to decide on where to go to get properly fitted and what to buy. I've always run in Nike, but not sure they're the best for me. How do you know?

Last run of Week Two training

Well, this is it. The last day of Week Two training! Finally! And just when I'm getting comfortable with it. I did feel like I could run an extra interval and keep going at the end of the podcast today, so I guess that's a sign that I'm ready for Week Three. Little nervous about starting a new routine. But I've got the weekend to relax in Waikiki, and I'll start Week Three on Monday morning!

I ran this morning at the boys' school again. Jacob has JPO (Junior Police Officer) this week, so I get to run through the crosswalk where he's working in the morning. He's a Lieutenant this year, so he gets to train and supervise the kid who holds the stop sign. LOL He takes it so seriously that it makes me chuckle. Super proud of him! He's going to be a great leader in the military someday!

Things to add to my list of irritations while running - the smell of fresh dog poop and humidity.

Have a great weekend!

Still on track this week (Week Two training Day 5?)

I'm continuing with Week Two training after my illness last week. Before I got sick, I had completed day 1 & 2 of Week Two training. Then I didn't run for 7 days, so I'm finishing this week with Week Two training. I ran Sunday, Monday and now again today! Today I ran a new route around the block near the boys' school. It's flat and easy and I know the distance for it (as we ran the Steve Favela race there in November.) The run went great, but I don't think I ran very far. Maybe two miles? But I guess at this point I should just be concerned with completing the intervals and not worrying about how far I got.

I noticed on this run how many LITTLE things annoy me when I'm running ... smokers at the bus stop, my iPod headphone cord, a little rock or something in my shoe, being held up at the crosswalk, a plane flying overhead and drowning out my podcast (and gosh doesn't that happen like every 10 mins in Hawaii), the tightness of my shoelaces, stress incontinence (TMI I know, but very annoying), the sun in my eyes, my stupid watch that is 10 mins fast and on and on. Gosh I'm a whiner! But truly, what else is there to think about while you're running!

Back in the Saddle

Even though I just ran yesterday, I decided today would be a good day to run too. I wasn't looking foward to it (given yesterday's disaster), but I knew I had to get back out there and prove to myself that I can do this. I ran at Iroquois Point around the lagoon (which I love) and it went so well! I felt absolutely great afterwards. I worked really hard to keep my breathing under control and probably paced myself better.

I've decided these key things made the difference from yesterday:

1. Today was an early morning run (7:20am) and much cooler.
2. I ate an energy bar and drank water over an hour before I ran (I didn't eat or drink anything before I ran yesterday.)
3. I ran on a scenic, flat running path (yesterday was on hilly, noisy, messy Fort Weaver Rd.)

I think those three things made the difference for a successful run today. I'm going to stick with the Week Two training for the rest of this week. I want to be confident and comfortable with this week's training before I move on to Week Three. It will set my training back, but I think I'll be more successful at this pace.

Yes, that was me lying by the side of the road

This week was AWFUL! AWFUL! Last Sunday (the day after my last run), I got really sick with a horrible head cold ... sore throat, congestion, fever .... the whole thing. It took me all week to feel normal again, so I didn't run at all. This is so typical of me. Something like this happens and then I can't get back to the exercise routine. I MADE myself go out and run this morning before church. I was at the end of Week Two training when I got sick, so I decided to repeat that today. After the first 2 intervals, I knew it was going to be bad. My breathing was labored and that made my throat hurt. It had rained this morning and it was so humid out. By my last interval I was struggling. Worse than any other run I've done so far. I guess I shouldn't be surprised after a whole week of not running, but I was really disappointed. I hated it today. Really hated it. By the time I finished the last interval, I was very overheated. I felt very dizzy, my fingers were tingling and then I started losing peripheral vision. Well, I've fainted enough times in my life to know what that means. I found a shady spot and sat down trying to regain my composure. I felt like throwing up. I wasn't sure I'd make it the short walk down the block to my house. I had to lay back in the grass and wait until the nausea and dizziness passed. I was still shaky when I got back to the house. It was awful. I'm not looking forward to the next run. I guess I'll continue with Week Two for the rest of the week. I'm a whole week behind now! Ughhhhhh! Not a good week.

Yes!!

I got to run today! Early this morning, my husband returned from Vietnam! It's been a good day! I completed Day Two of Week Two training. I covered more ground (about 2.4 miles) than I did on Day One of Week Two training, so I must have run faster. I know I felt a little better and didn't struggle as much as I did on Wednesday. It was early and cool, so I was comfortable through most of the run. The last interval 90 second run was tough. I was getting tired and I was running uphill! But I did it and I feel great. Day Three should be on Monday when I return to Iroquois Point (so far my favorite place to run). Yes! Still on track!

Didn't get to run

I'm really bummed about it. I had hoped to run after work today before I picked up the boys at school. Even the weather cooperated and it was overcast and breezy. Perfect! Well, it would have been perfect, but work got really, really busy and I couldn't get away. I would have done anything to escape that desk and hit the trail, but I couldn't. So now I'm bummed and can't run again tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm subbing and will be at school the same time as the boys. My husband really needs to get home! Looks like Saturday morning might be my next chance.

Well here we go

My first schedule conflict and I'm not sure what to do. I just got a call to sub at the boys' school on Friday. Well, Friday was supposed to be Day Two of the Week Two training. I can't run now because I have to work and the boys will be with me all the rest of the day. What to do? I really don't want to be derailed.

Should I run tomorrow? I could run before I work at the preschool tomorrow, but then I'll be all stinky and sweaty for the rest of the day. ICK! Or I could run after work and before I pick up the boys, but then I'm in that noontime heat again. I found that really difficult last time. Or do I just wait until Saturday when the husband will be arriving home (YAY!) That would be 2 days between runs. I guess that would be OK? Maybe I'll just bring my running stuff tomorrow afternoon just in case. Maybe I should run both tomorrow AND Saturday! How quickly I've forgotten how difficult the training was this morning. I guess that's a good thing!

Week Two - Day One

Today I ran Day One of the Week Two program. Something new! This week brings a 5 min warm up walk, 6 intervals - 90 sec running/2 mins walking, and a 5 min cool down. First of all, I like the idea of less intervals. I thought it was easier ... until I hit half way. I did really well for the first 3 intervals. Interval 4 & 5 where challenging. I really had to focus on my breathing and my form. By interval 6, I was very short of breath and felt like I was shuffling along just to get through it. Hoping by Day Three I'll have improved that some. Didn't help that I was back to the crappy Fort Weaver Road run. Traffic, construction, and portapotties ... definately not inspiring! This may be a week I might have to extend until I feel comfortable. We'll see how it goes!

It might be helpful to extend just to get to a point where I'm running my first day of the week on Mondays. I started this program on a Wednesday, so I run Wednesday, Friday and Monday. I don't like that lag over the weekend. I really wanted to run Sunday, but couldn't with the boys home. I'd love to get on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule and then fit in an extra run on the weekend when the husband gets home.

Week One

I'm starting this blog one week into my training. I've already completed Week One! It feels really good to say that. Week One consisted of a 5 minute warm up walk, 8 intervals of 60 second run/90 sec brisk walk, and a 5 minute cool down walk. At least I think it was 8 intervals? The beauty of Robert's podcast is that you don't have to count or keep track of anything! He tells you when to run and when to walk and my favorite part, when you're almost done. Day One was exciting. I had been anticipating it for weeks. I couldn't get started until my boys went back to school. With my hubby away all summer in Vietnam, I just didn't have ANY alone time to start my new exercise routine. With school back in session, I have the freedom to run in the mornings now. I was pumped to get out there that first day. Boy was I rusty! I thought it would be easy, but I struggled a little with day one. Didn't help that Fort Weaver Road is being torn apart by construction and doesn't provide a very nice atmosphere for running. But it was easier just to start out from home on that day. I felt great when I finished!

Day Two of Week One was fabulous! I decided to fit in a run before work at the Iroquois Point Cooperative Preschool. The Iroquois Point Island Club (recently renamed The Waterfront at Pu'uloa) has a fabulous lagoon with a flat running path (my favorite kind) going around it. It was a beautiful morning, in a gorgeous setting, and my run went really smoothly. I'll post pics later this week of this great location for my run. In the meantime, you can check out the location at http://iroquoispointislandclub.com/ How can you not be motivated when you get to run with that scenery!

Day Three didn't go as easily. I didn't have time before work, so I fit it in after work and before I picked the boys up at school. That meant that I had to run at 12:45pm. Noontime sun! ACK! This Yankee girl is not meant to weather that kind of heat. I did OK with the run, but I was totally overheating and getting a little dizzy by the end. I can't run in the middle of the day anymore. I can't handle it! But I was really proud of myself that I didn't make excuses and completed Week One on schedule.

Why?

Why oh why is it so hard for me to stick with an exercise plan? As I near 40, I realize the urgency for me to get this old body in shape. I want to create routines that keep me healthy and fit as I get older. I've never struggled with my weight until the past few years when my slowing metabolism really started to take its toll. It's time to get moving!

So what to do? I surely don't need any more exercise equipment to add to the already growing graveyard of fitness gear in my garage. I need something simple. Something that only requires me to strap on my Nikes and my iPod. RUNNING! I love the idea of running. My Dad and stepmom are runners and my 10 year old son is becoming quite the runner too. I love the atmosphere at races ... great people gathering together to stay healthy and fit and to support local community organizations . I can do that! Right?

To facilitate my entry into the running world, I settled on the Couch to 5K running plan. You can check out this training program at http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml Can't be too hard if they start at the couch! I like to think I'm a step ahead of a couch potato. I'm not a complete slug! So rather than go through the trouble of trying to time myself in interval training, I downloaded Robert Ullrey's fabulous podcast from iTunes. He mixes just the right amount of encouraging comments with techno dance music to keep you moving. And it's so easy to just listen and follow along to what he tells you to do. Well, the listening part is easy anyway! LOL You can check out Robert's website at http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/

So this blog will chronicle my experience with the Couch to 5K running program, and I hope will help motivate me to keep going!