Well, I've still been challenged with schedule in getting out and running the past week.  My main issue has been that instead of having my morning's free I've been working more daytime shifts at work.  I have never ran at night (and really don't want to) so I need to figure out a better discipline for making it happen.  When faced with doing a run or doing a workout in the garage, I've been doing the workout because I'm in week 11 of a 12 week plan I started while running.  However, I am getting close to switching to more of a weight-loss and muscle build phase (however that works???) and running will be an important element. 

Life's been busy, but once things settle down it should be easier to get out.  I did run once since my last post.  Going back to the "tech" issues, my phone app showed I was running an upper 7:XX pace early on, so I figured I'd just do my best one mile run and see where I ended up.  Somehow, kicking butt (or so I thought) I ended up being in the 8:30 or so range, well off my previous run.  It made me lose confidence in my current phone app because it seems to have me all over the board.  Not sure what to do about that, but it doesn't motivate me like I need to be. 

Well, kathy, good for you for carrying the torch!  I will get back out there soon, hopefully by Tuesday unless I can get myself up early before church tomorrow.  It was close to 60 here in Seattle today, but I was completely booked so never got the time to enjoy it.  Maybe manana! 

-Dave

That and of course a ridiculously busy schedule with kids and jobs;

http://plombier-express.fr/

Well, a month later I figured I'd check in.  With the C25K challenge over for those in this thread, it might be that we are all moving on to our next thing, whether that be to just get in the groove for 3 miles, improve our distance, or try something new.  Whatever we all are doing, I hope it is beneficial and that it motivates each of us to continue to improve in our physical health and wellness.  :-)

For me, I've really struggled getting out more than once a week, but my wife and I just booked a 20th anniversary cruise for the end of April so that is a motivator.  Also, my wife, who has been an avid walker for years, recently started jogging/running during her walks.  While not fast, per se, she did ask me if I would like to do a 5K with her, so that's definitely an encouragement for me to get back out there. 

Armed with those two motivators, I've started a new 8 week period of focus on my running and weight training.  I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm hoping to lose 10-12 pounds and to get my running up to as much as 150 minutes or 15 miles per week (whichever comes first!!).  This week, I actually have ran four times since Sunday, including the last three days straight.  My times have slowed since completing the C25K and slacking off so I am suffering for transgressions, but the last three days I've ran a combined 8.75 miles with an average pace of about 9:15 per mile.  Frankly, that's good for me and I figure I've got 6 1/2 more weeks to improve. 

I'm not sure who is still tracking this thread, but a big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who stuck it out for the 12 weeks and encouraged each other along the way.  I'm personally in shock that I was able to do my 5K at the end of the program, and am equally in shock that I'm still running today.  I have so much appreciation for the people in this forum who took their time to come in and post their experiences, challenges, successes and failures.  It really kept it real and helped encourage me along the way. 

I'll try to post my progress occasionally through the next 8 weeks, if for no other reason than to provide myself with some more motivation and accountability.  It'd be nice at the end of the period to be running 5 days a week and to not be miserable the whole time - I'll settle for one or the other!  :-) 

Have a great week!