I'm bummed. My husband is concerned about our boys participating in the race.  He's worried about the boys running without being supervised. Would you worry about boys almost 8 and 10 running of about 1200 people? Maybe I'm naive but I'm not worried.  I will admit the boys don't run at the same pace. The little one can't keep up with the big one. The older one starts out way ahead of me and after 15 minutes he runs out of gas.

I asked my husband to sign up and walk the race but then he pointed out that he would have to walk from the finish line all the way back to the car somewhere. I thought that would be a great walk for him on a day of a lot of calories. But you know not everyone likes walking.

My husband is the designated worrier in the family. If there's any worrying to be done he takes care of that. I am super bummed over his fear of the unknown. I'm thinking about getting up early and just leaving them all at home. But then that will be a bummer too. After all this work I would love to share the moment with them. KWIM? You're supposed to get in shape for your self though, not for others. Sigh.

I was so excited about the race. Now I'm not.

Jasmine,   Thank You for the great post about 5k's.  some excellent info offered!  You are inspiring how far you've come and how you continue to progress.

Stephen.. Wow.. Great for you!  Doesn't it feel great to have "trained" your way up to this instead of adding too quickly!!    Now that I've been doing 3 mile runs for the last couple weeks I know what you mean about kind of being done with the C25k plan.  What a great plan it is though!  I would reccomend to anyone.    It does change the "graduation" day feel a bit.    WELL DONE!!!

Karen.. I understand your dissapointment completely.   It is hard when our intentions are so good.. and then hubby is not on the same page.   I have tried to get my husband interested in walking (I'm in a hiking club) and he just isn't interested.  At least he is supportive of me going out and doing it.. but I do feel sad that we can't do it together.  Also I care about his health and would love to see him do something like this.    It could be risky having the boys do it alone.. just in case they twisted an ankle, took a wrong turn or other things that most likely would not happen.  You would probably end up being very nervous waiting for them at the finish.  It might get difficult for them to find you in that sea of people.  It doesn't sound like your hubby is crazy about coming and waiting for you at the finish with the boys?   I know my husband will be home comfortably in front of the tv while I'm out there working my tail off!  LOL.. at least I'll have someone home to watch the turkey cook!   I REALLY hope that you do this even if on your own.  You will still have the whole day with the family and set a great example.  I will be doing mine basically on my own.  My son and daughter will race the 10K that starts an hour before my race.  They are 20's so I don't have to worry about them.   I know the race I'm participating in has a smaller race for kids.. wonder if yours could do that?  Although it would require hubby to come along and watch.  Anyway keep you head up girlfriend..   hope you decide and find a way for you to still do this.  We are so proud of you doing this with your asthma and all.  You are doing fantastic.

Drinkup, Aprillily, Wet Sneakers  congrats on your great job.  Your all making great progress.

Pearson Flyer... Woooo Hoooo.. GREAT 5k with great time!

Jess

I was worried about myself...I didn't think I could get back on the road after Saturday's debacle.

But I did today just to prove to myself I could. I decided to JUST run the 30 minutes for W9D1, and I was fine the whole way. I definitely have a harder time running during the day than I do at night -- I much prefer the cold to the sun.

But I did it. And here are my goals for Thursday:

1. Run for at least 30 minutes non-stop. (it would be my W9D2 anyway)

2. Not get frustrated with myself, no matter how well/"poorly" I do. I noticed for the past few days how angry I was at myself -- angry that I couldn't do this or that, instead of being thankful and ecstatic that I can run for thirty+ minutes without stopping! That is an incredible accomplishment! I need to give myself a break.

3. Finish strong. Even if I can only push for the last 15 yards, I'm going to push at the end.

Hot tub tonight! It's our reward for 9 weeks of running.

Another 45 minutes today.  I took 2 days off and today I was good to go.  It's now 6 hours later and I'm not yet hurting.  I'm thinking I just need to keep with it.  Just like those first minute runs, eh?  Hee Hee Hee. 

I started looking into additional training schedules such as the Cool Running 5k Training program.  The suggestion is to be able to run 4-5 times a week at 2-3 miles each time.  And to be able to do that for 4-5 weeks before starting that program.  Has anyone taken a look at this one or any others?  If I don't get a chance to say Happy Thanksgiving to you all... I'll say it now

Happy Thanksgiving to all my 'Cool' Running Buddies!

I think I may try Hal Higdons 10 k training program for novice.. because training for a 10 k and adding miles and time that way will automatically make your 5k speed increase. I am going to look for a 10 k to run in the proper number of weeks the program takes.  I'll do a couple more 5 k's in the meantime.    I think the "speed" workouts are what they recomend you stay away from your first 6 months.   They do say that adding time jogging and distance ran is a natural way to increase beginners pace. 

Jess

The only thing I would say here is that from what I'm reading, if you don't work some speed intervals into your runs, you train your body to run at that speed, just with better endurance, and it becomes hard to decrease your time.

Intervals of speed should always be part of your training.  Or hill climbs, or something that exerts you in a way that your normal "running speed" doesn't do.  Personally, when I'm running on the treadmill, I crank it up to 7.5 for 60 seconds every 10 minutes or so, to make sure I'm building some speed ability.  When I'm running around the neighborhood, I try to do some speed bursts as well, along with attempting to push off more on my stride so my feet are hitting the ground less often.

Running at the same speed, but for longer distance, won't really help you improve your 5k speed that much - and if you try without working speed intervals into your training, that's where injuries will happen.

I'm also going to move on to the 10k program (if I survive the upcoming 8k, that is - maybe I shouldn't be planning anything past this Thursday ), but definitely working speed intervals in to try to bring my 5k time down to my goal of 25 minutes or less.

Thanks for all the encouraging words, everyone.  I am just so glad to actually be doing this.  One of my friends tonight said he was very impressed that I could run 28 minutes.  He is very fit, but does not run.  It was really exciting.

I am not sure what I am doing next.  I plan to keep improving my time.  I am debating between a couple of programs.  I pikced up Running for Mortals a few weeks ago, and I highly recommend it.  In the back they have some good training programs.  I am debating between the 10K training program or the Weight Loss program Phase III.  I think I am leaning toward the weight loss program.  It has 30 and 45 minute runs with circuit and strength training.  I also has one day where you double up and run the morning/walk in the evening.  One of the days has intervals where I can work on my speed.  I think it may be a good way to build up my running skill without going beyond what I can do now.  I would like to get my speed up there so that eventually I can join a running club or something.  I think it would be fun to go running with people on a regular basis.  Maybe it would keep me motivated beyond any program.

I thought about the Hal Higdon plan, but the plans in this book seem a bit more managable for someone who just started running 8 weeks ago.

I just wanted to say to all of you how thankful I am for you guys!  It has been such an exciting and fun adventure with you these past weeks.

Kendra

It's Turkey Trot Eve and it has been raining cats and dogs here for hours and hours. I hope it's not raining like this tomorrow morning. I've never had to run in the rain. Hmmm.