Congratulations, Stephen and the other 20 minute runners this week.  I think I have felt a bit letdown this week after doing the minute run on Sunday.  Doing the intervals yesterday was ok.  I think some of the feeling of I have to keep working on this settled in.  I was so happy to have completed the 20 minute run, and now that I know I have to keep building on that, my mind kind of says, "maybe not".  The only thing to do now is to keep going.  I just keep thinking of how great it will be to run with other people and to actually be a runner.  It would be great to lose weight as well.   It helps to be in this with others, and to know that we are all experiencing similar feelings.  Just gearing up for the 25 minute run this weekend!

Kendra

So, I'm one of the bandwagon of having not lost a single ounce since I started this - but then again, I haven't changed my eating habits at all, hehehe. I do FEEL better though. I have also started taking 2000IU of Vitamin D every day, as I have hypothyroidism and have been reading about the positive effects of Vitamin D supplements.

I'm also disappointed because I was already behind schedule when I did W5D3 on Monday and now I won't be able to run until tomorrow. I hate falling behind in the program.

Also, I saw some of you are going to do the distance vs the time from Week 6 on... I think I'm gonna do the same thing. Exciting we are so far into the program! Great job everyone!

Hello fellow runners!!

Stephen.. you made me laugh with your Rocky music comment!  LOL.. actually I did feel pretty awesome when I finished that.  Mostly because it was the first time I've ran a mile straight in a long long time.  Also I ran most of the 3 miles I did and had a pretty good time. 

I also felt a bit of a let down when I looked at week 6 one and two and back to intervals.   I decided I was going to work on my pace just a bit during those shorter runs.   I really think that is why they do it that way.  Also I was surprised a bit when I did week 6 day one and two that my body was in fact "feeling it."  Besides the running I've been doing other working out so I felt sore. On top on that my 3 mile time on WK 6 day 2 was a minute down.  (due to more walking breaks)   I think the scale backs are also planned so that we are ready to TACKLE the 25 minute run of day 3.  That will be tomorrow and I am ready!     As someone else mentioned.. I too am realizing this is hard work from here on out!  The excitement of being able to run 20 minutes is going to change to needing the tenacity to run 25 minutes over and over and over!!   It will be tough.  But we did not come this far to stop.

Weight loss... It has been difficult but I have lost 8 lbs since the start of this.  It has definately required cutting calories for me. I've struggled with overweight for a long time.    That can be hard when I want a big pasta dinner before my runs.  LOL!!   Yesterday I broke down and got that Wendys chocolate frosty after my run.  Today I'm back on the wagon.  I'm sure even without weight loss we are building muscle and strength.   Its just that the amount of calories burned in a half an hour workout  can be easily canceled with one extra helping of anything.   I am really hoping/planning to stay with this running and I know that my current 40 lbs of overweight makes it too hard on my body.   But Rome wasn't built in a day.. so one step at a time.

Keep on posting!   Everyone is doing great!                             Jess

Karen.. thanks for the good weight loss tips.  I hike and play tennis on my non running days.  I just need to watch my snacking and calories in.  Your right about the starvation mode thing to.  If you are interested in losing weight there is an excellent web site.. sparkspeople   dot com.   They also have teams you can join.  I am on rookie running team, couch to 5k team and half marathon team.  It is free.  Highly recommend. The only problem is I spend too much time on these websites as you can tell!!

Pee Wee..  So glad you were able to run 25 minutes without pain.  I know how terrible knee injuries are.   I "hiked" the LA marathon 10 years ago and also ran more than I was trained for.  It messed my knee up for a long long time.  That and plantar faciitis.  So I'm trying to use restraint and properly train this time.

Jess

Libby,   Just a word of caution.  Doing week one with sprints is considered speed work.  Although tempting to do.. for beginning runners it is not reccommended due to injury risk.  I know I'm tempted to do it too.. because of my first 5k coming on Thanksgiving day.   I know I shouldn't care about the time, but I kind of do.  I have a couple of 5k splits from the past when I wasn't really training and I'd like to see the training pay off with a better time.    You and your partner are doing great.  I'm looking forward to all of us doing our 5k!!               Jess

Last night we finished W5D3 and the 20 minute run. I really didn't know what to expect, because work has been crazy with 12 hour shifts starting this week and ending at Thanksgiving. Let's just say I wasn't feeling too optimistic going into the run. I was mentally and physically exhausted, but my stubborn nature won out and we finished. I'm amused that the beginning of week 6 looks "mellow" compared to last night.

It's so exciting to read all the successful W5D3 posts. I completed W5D2 today without a problem. I totally could have kept running at the end of the eight minutes. My next running day is on Monday. I am totally ready for it. I'm not sure I would have been as confident if not for all of the success stories you guys have posted.

I'm looking forward to the scary 20 minute run. Bring it on!

~Karen~

Hello all!    I did WK 6 Day 3 this morning which was to be the 25 minute run or I thought 2 1/2 miles.   I figured it would take me about 30 minutes to do the 2 1/2 miles so I set my sites on that.   I was all excited and determined because before I ran I signed up online for the Thanksgiving Day 5k!!!    They had a countdown clock on the site and it was at 20 days!!!   Oh my gosh it is close!   So I started my run.   First mile 11:15...  Second mile I was at about 22:30 so I set my sites on running a little longer to what I thought would be the 2 1/2 mile mark.  When I reached that I was at about 31 minutes ..  by that point I realized I was in to the "home stretch" of the mile loop so I decided to keep jogging.  I finished the 3 mile loop in 34:05.   So I did a 34 minute run today!!   I think it helped that I took a complete rest day from exercise yesterday.  No tennis league or hiking which is rare.  I felt great.  Now I am a bit sore though as I went to work afterwards which requires being on my feet for 6 hours.    so now I'm really not looking at any increases for weeks 7, 8 and 9.   If nothing on my body rebels I think I may just go to the 3 mile run 3 days a week for the next couple of weeks to solidify my base.  I should feel confident in my ability to run the 3.2 on Thanksgiving day by then.  I learned from todays workout that I will want to take the day off of excersise the day before the 5k.  Also that I seemed to do well running early am.  I don't normally get around to my runs till later in the day.  Today was an exception.  So that should work out well with race day being an 8 am start for my 5k.  My 2 kids will be running the 10k starting at 7 am.   Anyway that is my update!   On to week 7!

Wet sneakers... Way to go on your 20 minute run! 

Drinkup.. Congratulations!   You did it.   Isn't it funny how you can think about not wanting to keep going..but your feet and body refuse to quit!   One step leads to another and the minutes tick by!

Karen... great job!   I know you are ready for the 20 minute run.   Doesn't it just get to the point where we are tired of thinking about it and just want to go accomplish it!!  You will do great!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Jess