Crossing over...to running...78 days

I'm approx 78 days into running.  Saturday, while the little guy practiced baseball, I went to the track and ran. Track running is very interesting. It is a mind game, of sorts. It's easier because you have no hills to negotiate, no turns to make, no decisions about your course or path. No people to wave at, no cars to dodge, no dogs on leashes to jog around. But it's harder that way, too.

You circle that monontonous oval a mind-numbing 12+ times, trying desperately not to watch the clock.

My goal for this day - courtesy of Robert Ullrey - was to run 20 minutes straight. Well, I can tell you that did NOT happen. I made it to about 10 minutes. Stopped and walked for 3 minutes. Picked up the pace again and made it another 9 minutes before giving up out of shear mental exhaustion. I just don't have the stamina mentally and physically yet to make it through.  I keep trying and striving for the goal which lies ahead.... the finish line of the Girls on the Run Charlotte 5K.  See you at the finish line!

Training: 5 minutes warm-up | 20 minute run | 5 minute cool down. (Didn't exactly happen like that..)   Actual: 5 minutes warm-up | 10 minute run | 3 minute walk | 9 minute run | 5 minute cool down.

8 Minute Stretch...

Last night was my 2nd run in Week 5 of Robert Ullrey's podcast program. As you can see, my couch to 5K progress has been slow... From Jan 2 to March 22...I am just now on week 5.  And the race is only 6 weeks away.

In that time, I have had 2 snow days, 2 major cold/flu attacks and basically I lost all my running partners. My son dropped out a month ago assuring me he could run a 5k without training. Today I find out his baseball game coincides with the Girls on the Run 5K anyway, so he is out. Kaput. No kid in the race.

My husband is still running, but he will now have to be the parent at the game, and besides, our schedules have not synched for weeks. Team WhiteOak is separated by distance/schedule. The Oaks are running (I think) but we don't run together. I can't remember when I ran with anyone other than myself in the past 5-6 posts. In the end, I guess that is how it is - runners are loners.

So last night I ran my first 8-minute stretch, separated by a 5 minute break, and another 8-minute stretch. I ran in the dark, with a little rain. It wasn't so bad. Nothing but me and my thoughts...

Tomorrow... I run 20 minutes straight. Yeah, right. Like that's gonna happen without cardiac arrest!

Training:  Week 5 program: 
March 23 (Tue) ) 5 minute warm up walk | Run 5 mins/walk 3 mins | Run 5 mins/walk 3 mins| 5 min cool down.

March 25 (Thu) 5 minute warm up walk | Run 8 mins/walk 5 mins | Run 8-min. DONE! 5 min cool down.

A running dry spell...

The dreaded spring cold/bronchitis has settled upon me and I've been out since March 15. Last week ( Mar 9) I got in 2 runs before getting knocked down by this cold.

Now I'm on a Zpack of antibiotics and expect to fully recover in time to run during this beautiful weekend. Problem is, I keep losing ground and since I'm only at week 4 in the training sessions, I am so, so, so far behind.

I've got less than 7 weeks until the 5K. Not looking good...

I'll make it across the finish line, but in what shape? I picture myself sweaty and exhausted, staggering across like some Olympic marathoners of days past, instead of victoriously crossing with my hands held high in triumph. No faith? Most definitely...concerned.

School plays and running days

Two more runs in this week. Apparently, it is easier now to run than blog. This week I'm in full mommy mode with volunteering for a school play, shuttling to baseball practice and rehearsing with the school choir + I'm on deadline for a story about kids adn the arts which isn't even written yet. Oh yeah, deadline was yesterday!

So, therefore I gotta run! I will leave you with these words...

I'm gonna run to you,
I'm gonna run to you,
When the feeling's right, I'm gonna run all night
I'm gonna run to you.
             Bryan Adams

Training:  Week 4 program:  5 minute warm up walk | Run 3 mins/walk 90 secs | Run 5-min/walk 2.5 mins | Run 3 mins/walk 90 secs | Run 5-min: Cool Down while cooking dinner! (ha!)

Slackin' on the Bloggin'

I may be slackin' on bloggin' but I have been running. As I look out my office window, just minutes before midnight and watch as the snow blankets the ground, I am sooooo happy I ran yesterday!

It's not like I wanted to, or enjoyed it, or even had a good run -- in fact, it stunk! But at least I did it. As I jogged along, all iPod-wires flapping, hoodie strings slapping, huffing and puffing down the road in SouthPark, I dodged cars, navigated curbs and gutters, saw cigarette butts fly out windows, said Hello to a little old man walking a prissy dog, wondered about a burned-out house and envied another whose smoke was curling slowly out of the chimney.

Making my way through a 5-minute torture run --- (do you really think I'll be able to do a 5K in May?) -- I thought of all the things a runner must see. What's the most interesting or unusual thing you've seen while running?

Don't run yet? Why not join me? 

YOU could start today and be ready in time for May. Come on... if I can do it... you can.

Training:  Week 4 program:  5 minute warm up walk | Run 3 mins/walk 90 secs | Run 5-min/walk 2.5 mins | Run 3 mins/walk 90 secs | Run 5-min: DONE! almost  5 min cool down.