Week 9 of running...

I cannot believe that in just 8 full weeks of running we've gone from intervals of 2 to 3 minute runs with a walk in between to 30 full minutes of running starting today...as we move into the 9th and final week of the Couch to 5k program!!! I am truly amazed at our progression through the program!! Running is now an integral part of our daily routine!! The data from the Forerunner gps watch has proven very informative and continues to help keep us focused on our next steps as we move forward from the Couch app to new and exciting things...like our first 5k in late September!

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PR on distance...

3rd day out with Garmin Forerunner starting first day of 8th week of Couch to 5k program...made a PR for distance on this mornings run...in the rain!! I'm finding that the gps readings on the Forerunner seem more accurate than the C25k app...makes sense...Garmin is in the gps business after all. I continue to be impressed with our efforts running. I NEVER would have imagined myself in this position...as a runner...8 weeks ago!! Going to Spin class in the morning...then run Wednesday.

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Up-ing my game!

As we get closer to finishing the Couch to 5K program...I decided the other day that it was time to up my game and start preparing for what comes next. I did some research on gps running watches. I want to be able to keep track of things as the Couch program comes to a close. All the reading I did on these watches convinced me that it would be a good idea to take the plunge...so I did! I got a Garmin Forerunner. Tested it out today. It came with a heart monitor as well. The data that this thing collects is sick! It uploads to a website that allows me to look over the data and think more about my running goals. It also allows me to share the data on both Twitter and Facebook...so I can get encouragement from my followers and friends.

About 7 years ago...I found the writer in me...this summer...I have found the runner in me and it feels great! Naming myself a runner makes me proud of what I'm becoming!

Last day of summer begins with two PR's...

After a well deserved day of rest...we started our 7th week of running today. 25 minutes of running...the second time ever we've run for that amount of time. We improved on our distance (2.3 miles) and pace (15:12/per mile) this morning...2/10ths of a mile longer and 30 seconds faster than Monday's run! I am so impressed with our progress in such a short amount of time and I am positive that all of our Spin training has prepared us to embrace running! Running has truly helped me through a very busy summer.

Most of audience knows that I'm a teacher and while the general perception of a teacher's summer revolves around the myth that they just sit around and do nothing...you all know that this is NOT true for many of us and it is certainly NOT true in my case. In fact, you might say that my summers are just as hectic as when I'm working with children each day at school. That said--I am convinced that running will help me stay balanced with all that lies ahead of me as this summer comes to a close...including a new school year beginning (tomorrow)...my very last doctoral class beginning (next week)...and the defense of my dissertation proposal (hopefully some time in September) leading to my research/writing of my dissertation (some time after the proposal defense).

It is my intent to continue blogging through all of this. Like running and spinning and yoga...I feel that blogging has helped me stay balanced.

Permission to rest...granted!

Yesterday's 25 minute run...a first for the two of us...resulted in today's decision to rest! I care enough about my body (specifically...my knees) and the fun I'm having running to know enough when to take a break. All the reading I've been doing about running supports my decision to rest at least once a week...if not twice. Think I'll use the time I'd be running reading some fun stuff about running!

This thinking about resting in between runs has me wondering more about guilt. I don't feel guilty having made this decision to rest today so why does guilt come into my life after, during or before the time I write and work on my doctoral studies? I know this guilt is 110% mental...in my mind...not the world...yet I cannot get over it. I can write for 3-5 hours in a day then try to sit down and relax and struggle with it...feel bad for trying to do something fun or just sit and relax. Knowing that this guilt is self-driven is a first step...figuring out how to get over it and enjoy my life is a process...one day at a time. Writing about that process "here" is a part of the process. Getting this thinking out in front of me does help me reflect on it...helps me figure out how to give myself permission to rest...relax...enjoy life.

New PR and time for a rest...

Today we ran for 25 sustained minutes...first time ever! It felt great but about 9 minutes in...I started to feel some pain in my...of all places...right knee. I was wearing my knee sleeve on my left knee (as always) and it felt great the entire time. I was surprised a bit about the right knee "acting up." I say surprised a bit because we have been working out a lot recently...with no days off to rest since last Monday so I think my right knee was trying to send a message to my brain today...7 days in a row (5 running, 2 cycling) ='s time to take a break! I listened and we plan to take tomorrow off. Now...back to that 25 minutes!! I am so proud of us (Steph and I) for going the whole 25 minutes without stopping. It was a beautiful Monday morning for a run...clear...cool...lots of stars out...the moon looked awesome...it was quiet...just Steph, myself and the road! Knowing that my knee was bothering me a bit...I really tried to land soft and as flat as I could...not trying to thump! When we got back home...I iced both knees...did some yoga and plan on icing the knees more later on today. There were a few moments on the road that I thought about stopping and just walking but I really wanted to run for the whole 25 minutes. I did not think it was unrealistic to complete the run. I still feel the same way now...almost 3 hours removed from the moment. I promised myself that if I could just finish...I'd give myself a day off and I will keep that promise...feeling good about what we accomplished today!

What is Spin class?

What is it that makes a Spin class...a Spin class? You need bikes, you need an instructor, you need music. Wait...do you really need music? This morning our instructor was unable to secure the music for our class. She was very apologetic and told us that she'd teach the class without the music if we were willing. No one left the room. For the next 40 minutes she proceeded to take us through a grueling workout that included several climbs, numerous sprints and a few hovers...just for kicks and giggles. Some of the people were a bit perplexed and dare I say "lost" without the music. Not me. I turned inward and thought about cyclists that compete on the road...they don't have music. I began to visualize myself "on the road" with my fellow cyclists...riding...trying my best to do my personal best. In the process...I visualized myself climbing hills, sprinting down the road...passing my fellow cyclists...giving myself up to the ride...pushing myself...my instructor's commands in the background...guiding me through the race I was constructing.

At the end of the ride...I felt great about my performance and knowing from this point on...the only playlist I need is my own determination to make each class my personal best!

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