well folks,

I just want to say- I did the W5D2 run today-and in all modesty-------------

I stride the earth as a god!- I am magnificence personified----all others must bow down before me!,LOL

SERIOUSLY

I can not wait to do the W5D3 20 minute run------- you folks that already did it, I seriously envy you if that feeling of accomplishment tops todays.

If we are goinmg to be strictly accurate- when I did W5D1- I felt like I could turn around and do the same work out again almost immediately

But TODAY?---- well strictly speaking after the run it did take a bit out of me- I didn't feel like I could do it again TODAY- or that I wanted to do it again today

but I feel like I could do it again tommorrow( but I won't)

I can't wait untill I thursday W5D3 and the 20 minute run.

what I KNOW- is that if I can run 20 minutes( and I can)---then I can run 25 minutes

If I can run 25 minutes- then I can run 30

If I can run a 5k- then eventually I can run a 10k-and who knows what?

this is so cool- it's almost like getting YOUNGER isn't it?- only better because instead of just getting younger- we also have judgement, and self controll.

BTW- weather during the run was perfect- about 40 and absolutely cloudless- running along a canal-the opposite bank perfectly reflected in the dead still water

and yet on my side of the canal- I could see all the leaves that had fallen into the water- the water was so clear- I could see the leaves suspended under the surface-surreal.

I also made 2 nice sales for my small business-which is alwyys a rush--so today I am feeling on top of the world.

My very best wishes to everyone-isn't it cool how we all keep banging away at this and getting closer to our goals?

Stephen

W6, D2 complete! My partner said I was running harder/faster tonight, which I didn't think -- but she was sweating profusely keeping up with me, so I'll take her word for it. I can't believe that was our last interval! These 6 weeks have gone by so quickly...

I did the 20 minutes yesterday. It wasn't easy. I wanted to quit at 6 min and again at 14 min but I kept going. It WAS easier than w2day1-for me. That was a bad day. I don't even have asthma but I thought my lungs were collapsing. This was easier than that.

I bought new running shoes after that run. My old ones were worn out from walking long before I started running in them. That was a fun time-trying on running shoes and knowing how I needed them to feel and thinking about all we would do together-me and the shoes. I ended up getting the exact same style I already had but of course, they feel much more supportive.

Reading your stories is so inspiring. I do have a question though: After I run, I feel amazing-sometimes for several hours if I do it in the morning. WHILE I'm running is another story. Do any of you actually enjoy the process of running? If not, do you think it will come with time?

Donna

Drinkup----

i think your comment on running being a huge mind game is" spot on"

most of the adult runners I  know- are pretty successfull people in their personal lives- but I actually pay more attention to high school runners- cross country kids.

I don't know if it is this way at every school- but I have been paying attention to one particular schools program  for about 10 years now- several years before my son ever ran there-and for 10 years Ihave been EXTREMELY impressed with the caliber of kids who are distance runners. Very very intelligent kids, some astounding GPA's- don't think I have ever seen a XC kid who was a dummy- very rare to see one who is only average intelligence-almost without exception extremely bright,focused,accomplished, productive kids with excellent time management skills.  In that time I  have watched 2 of them go on to get scolarships to run in DI college programs, 1 run DII with a scholarship and easily over a dozen run DIII with excellent academic scholarship packages, one who doesn't run in college- but runs marathons instead-and any number of kids who COULD have run at the college level with academic scholarships- but opted out.

I think it's clear- if you have the dicipline to push yourself to run- you also have the dicipline to accomplish tremendous things in OTHER areas of life.

Donna- you asked if anybody enjoys the actual running?

I do-however it wasn't always that way.- this isn't my first go around with running- but it looks like it  is my most successfull attempt.. In the past I always did too much,too soon. I might run 2-3 months- but my legs always felt like someone beat me with a lead pipe.

The C25K program- has been a revelation to me.- As long as I stick strictly to the prescribed plan- I feel great. I have been working on staying a bit detached,mentally from the actual running---------

- not to get too "ZEN"- but I have been mentally remainnig a bit aloof from the process- in my head I monitor 3 systems- my lungs/breathing, my legs over all, and specifically my very old,very creaky knees.- so when I am running I am looking for the best combination of those three things-kind of like monitoring a machine-and then when I get everything just so with that- I like to observe what is outside around me- the leaves,the weather, the water- the rain,sleet- whatever

so, yes I do like the actual runnint- but I gotta admidt I like the buzz afterwards- the feeling that I accomplished something-for that reason I run in the morniong because that buzz takes me through the whole day- I can't imagine wastit that feeling on the end of the day.

Stephen

I forget the  exact name- but there is a practice that is basically "walking meditation"

hey-maybe we can found our own "zen lineage", LOL

stephen

finished WK6 day 2...  Instead of 10 minute runs I ran  11:30 intervals because that is how long it took me to run a mile.  With my 5k coming up in 3 weeks (yikes) I am starting to concentrate on covering the distance part of the weekly workout.   I want to make sure I'm ready to cover 3 miles.    I look forward to seeing how much mileage I can cover in the 25 minutes.  I am starting to just feel tempted to go for it and run the full 3 miles... BUT  I know I need to be patient and let my body train into this. 

As far as feeling good during running... although I can do it.. running IS a challenge.  It doesn't necessarily feel good other than feeling good that I am accomplishing it.  But yes it feels awesome when your done.  The endorphins released are the best.  We are a society of wanting instant gratification and many of the rewards of running come after the work is done.   I try to focus on what is around me as well when I run.  My lake course has lots of ducks... and they are fun to watch.  The leaves on the ground.. the nice feel of the shady part of the course.   Today at the end of my run I actually passed a woman running..that was a weird feeling.   LOL!   I knew I was near the finish so I had my pace up a little.  Believe me I had several runners passing me by!   There was also a man in a wheelchair.  It looked like he had a broken leg.  I think he was working out his upper body by manually wheeling himself around the path.  He had a friend encouraging him.  Talk about motivating!  I know that he was working much harder than I was.   I am so thankful to be able to go out and do this.

Biggest Loser... I watched it as well.  Yes Tracy looks great!   Let us all Press on towards the goal!

Jess

I did Week 6 day 1 tonight.   It has been a busy week with activities each night.  I was so tempted just to go home and chill on the couch, but I put on my shoes and went to the gym to run on the treadmill.  I hate running at the gym, but it was so dark, I decided it would be better.  I did it and it really wasn't that bad.  I am just glad that I made the move to run and to stay on track.  Friday should be day 2, but it is another busy one.

Congratulations to everyone for making great progress!

Kendra