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!