21 Days to go.... I'm still running...

Yay! Today I ran 25 minutes, non-stop, no problems! Thanks to Jenny H for introducing me to the 3 mile Gov-FoxEast Loop (and Sally Mc who originated the path). Jenny took me through it a week or so ago, and this morning I breezed through at a clippy pace. The trick was ditching Robert Ullrey's techno-trance music (sorry Bob!) and kicking into the good ole' rock-n-roll on my iPod. Wow! I never thought I'd break through the wall. But Hello... I'm there!

Look out GOTR 5K-ers, I'm running up right behind ya!


Training: 3 min warm-up; 25 min run; 3 min cool down

Set list ran: "Miss You" by Stones; "One of these Days" by Hawaiian John Cruz; "American Girl" by Tom Petty; "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White Ts; "Right Hand Man" by Joan Osborne; to name a few....

24 Days and Running...

with a little over 3 weeks left to go, I'm fast-tracking my running program. I must say I'm seeing no progress and now that Robert Ullrey's podcast is all about 20-25 minute runs, I don't really need them anymore. Each day I listen to what he has to say about what my training will be, then quickly switch my iPod to the music that inspires me.  This has made running a little easier. Don't get me wrong. I like Bob and all that, I just am not a huge fan of his techno-trance music.

So today Bob wanted me to run 25 minutes and I successfully completed 19 - That was running from my house to the baseball field, with SurferKid in front and behind on his Fuzion scooter/skate thingy -- plus -- 2 times around the track. Then I was losing daylight and wanted to be a good Mommy!... I'd promised to throw some baseball, so I had to quit. (Thankfully!)

I'm sure I could've made it 25 minutes? Maybe? Oh... honestly I was grateful and relieved to stop at 19.

Running in LA - Countdown to May 8

I've now run across 3 states in my quest for the 5k finish line. While visiting friends and family in Los Angeles on Spring Break, we ran once. OK, definitely not a stellar showing. We had several opportunities to run that we quickly passed up for food and beverages. But we did at least get one good run in.

Training: Week ? We're so far off the Robert Ullrey plan now, we can't look back... but we will try to do the last 3 weeks before the final run.
Warm up 5 mins walk:  Run 8 mins | Walk 3 mins | Run 8 mins | Walk 3 mins | Run 5 minutes.... cool down 5

A little work in the field..

Baseball season is here, and that means more time on the field. We biked down to watch a little of the team practice then Chip and I took off on a podcast run. Week 5. Run 8 minutes/walk 3 (2x). Made it through huffing and puffing. Next week is Spring Break and I'm on to week 6 training routine. Hope Robert Ulrey doesn't run me into the ground.

Training: Warm up 5 minues | Run 8 | Walk 3 | Run 8 | Walk 3 | Cool down

3-mile Run

Sorry Robert Ullrey! I broke out of your podcast routine and ran with a friend. 
I successfully ran three miles with my neighbor on Thursday night. Jenny H is a marathon runner and a great person to pace with. She graciously offered to run with me and do a run 4 minutes / walk 1 minute routine. We talked about marathons, 10k's and 5k's. And with the help of her trusty interval alarm watch, we kept a steady 4/1 run. This was the first time I ran for the distance vs. the time. Luckily I was able to keep up. It seemed easy when I was running with her.


Training:  Warm up stretch | 3 miles Run 4 minutes / Walk 1 minute.

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.