We Kin Get Thin!

I just hopped off the treadmill... and I mean JUST. I am laying on a towel, on my bed because I am dripping so much sweat.

Today I did two things for the first time -

#1.  My first time trial for 5k.  I decided to just go for the 3.1 miles no matter how long it took. And it sure did take a long time. 53 minutes and 10 seconds to be exact.  I walked mostly, but worked in 1 ten minute jog, and about 5 tenth of a mile sprints (and one .15 of a mile!)  I felt it was important to start working up to that distance, if I really intend on doing a 5k some time this year.  My knee is beyond mad right now, so I am going to go ice it after I finish up here!

#2. I ran barefoot.  It was strange, but nice! I read a lot about this whole barefoot running phenomenon and I do agree with its basic principles. While I don't think it is something I am going to adopt as a lifestyle... I do intend on trying it a few more times in the future.  It feels so different. SO incredibly different. My stride, gait, and rhythm are completely altered. It feels much more natural, and easier. I ran .25 miles and it felt like a little jaunt. I could have easily kept going, but I remembered all the articles I read which insisted on starting slow, no matter how good it feels.  So I hopped off and put on my socks and sneaks and hopped back on. Wow, suddenly my sneakers felt like moon shoes. Like they were made of heavy cottonballs, a foot thick.
Of course, it took no time at all to get used to them again but I am honestly astounded at the difference.

Has anyone else tried this?

Oof. *plop*

Just got off the treadmill. I am honestly impressed with my resolve while running. I could easily quit. And my body tries SO hard to convince me to. Oh, my sock is bunched up. My contact is itchy. My foot hurts. My leg is throbbing. My ponytail is too loose. Blah. Blah. Blah. Its everything. Every tiny little thing nags at me to stop. I caught myself thinking (multiple times!) "oh, you can just do the 5 minutes jogging instead of 6, you're tired, you're not ready"

Pardon my language... but FUCK YOU, self. Quit trying to sabotage me on something this important. Because I WILL FIGHT YOU, AND I WILL WIN.
I did my 6 minutes. Every time. It was hard, but I made a deal with myself and I kept it thankyouverymuch.

Aaanyway, back to our regularly scheduled program...

So yes, today I've been teetered on the edge of sickness. SUPER tired, headachey, all that fun stuff. I was truly hoping that my run would make it feel a bit better, but right now my head is really throbbing. I have a sneaking suspicion that this could be a tooth thing. Which suuucks. We shall see.

Honestly, its getting progressively worse by the second, so, I am cutting this blog short and running to find some drugs. I'll finish this tomorrow!

Tonight I did the bump up on my running program. The last week and a half I've done the 30 minutes, in 5 minute intervals. Tonight, I did 6 min jogging, 4 minutes running.
It still amazes me how well my breathing is, and I only got one small side cramp, and it was short-lived.

My legs, however, were killing! Bob says it is lactic acid build up that causes it, but my leg just starts to feel HARD like a stiff tree trunk. Almost like it is numb, but less tingly, more hard. So strange. It was difficult for me to power through it, and I am quite surprised in myself that I managed to.

It is going to be so exciting for me when I hit the ten minutes straight! It's coming soon! :-)

Man, running is hard, though. I keep expecting for me to hit this breakthrough and it'll just be easy and breezy and enjoyable. LOL. I know that is a beautiful fantasy, though!

Just finished up my running. This time, I did it in the dark. Joel made fun of me, I don't care.
The dark helps me zone out a little bit more. Helps the time go by faster.. I dunno why.

I'm a niiighhhtiiimmmee RUnnnaaahhh (sing like, part-time lover!)


Anywhoodle...

It went well. Same plan as Wed. 30 min, 5 min alternating jog/walks.
It was slightly easier tonight, maybe because I knew what I was in for! :-)
Did about the same distance, 1.68miles. Less cramps, easy breathing. Shin splints like a mo-fo, but, they'll fade.

Training with Kate in the morning! Oof, I'm pooped!!

I decided to create my own Chai-to-5k challenge... I'd like to be able to run 5k in 12 weeks.
I'll be doing this Wed/Fri/Sun, training with Bob on Tues/Thurs/Sat and Monday will be my rest day, since that is bead night.

Tonight was my first little session.
I challenged myself to 30 minutes, alternating jogging and walking every 5 minutes.
And, I did it!

Stretches
5 min walking @ 3.0mph
5 min jogging @ 4.0mph
5 min walking @ 2.8mph
5 min jogging @ 3.9mph
5 min walking @ 2.6mph
5 min jogging @ 3.8mph
Cool down

Distance : 1.66 miles

Difficulty (out of 10) : 8.5

Thoughts :
Wow, I have a LONG way to go.. but.. WOW, I've come a long way already!
I know I should only be proud of myself, but internally... I am quite torn between feeling proud and feeling disappointed.
Twelve weeks is not very long, BUT... one thing about running is that it improves so quickly if you stick at it. And that is what I plan to do!

Those are crappy thoughts, here's my real thoughts on this session -

My breathing is SO SO remarkably improved. I no longer get the "runner's asthma" where I just can't breathe. Now, my body gives me crap before my breathing/heart rate does. My calves feel like 100lb wooden stumps by the second minute, and I notice that I really "lead" with my right leg. Is it normal to have a lead leg when running? My righty comes up and runs like normal and when my lefty follows it just kind of... THUDS up behind the righty. Like I'm pulling it, rather than propelling my body with it. Does that make sense? Some say it does. Cause it makes me sound like a zombie!