Mike, I was very encouraged by your story and your progress. Keep up the good work! I love reading all of the posts about everyone's progress.

I completed Week Eight today. There had been a light rain. I thought it would be an easy run! Wrong! It was quite humid and warm, even though the sun was hidden behind the clouds.

It didn't help matters that one of my married male supervisors sent me a romantic text mistakenly at 3:30 AM! He had texted me the evening before asking me if I could come in to work to cover someone who called in sick.  He is a Don Juan and is having an affair with someone.  I guess he forgot to un-select me and forgot to select his lover. He then texted me again, explaining that though he thought the world of me, the message was not meant for me. I texted him back saying that I thought not! And I asked him if he was a ghost writer for Harlequin. Ha ha. Well, I have ammunition if he ever tries to write me up for any reason. LOL. Next time I see him I'm going to call him Tiger Woods. I was unable to go back to sleep for about an hour after that silliness and that probably made the run in the humidity a little more tough. But I made it through and did some striders towards the end.

I found out what the tingling on the left side of my face and my loss of balance are related to. My friend reminded me that I had a seasonal flu shot before all the drama started. I will never get a flu shot again as long as I live. I will just take my chances. I talked to the nurse in charge of flu shots at my job. She called the company that made the vaccine and they confirmed that my symptoms are r/t the vaccine. The company advised that I fill out a Vaccine Injury Compensation form. I am having to take two hour naps every day or else I am very fatigued, especially on my running days. I'm very fortunate, me thinks, that I can still run. I wish I had never taken that shot. It's only the second one I've ever had. I had one six years ago without a problem. Lesson learned! According to the CDC website, neurological symptoms can take about six weeks to disappear. I'm reaching four weeks. I have to plan out all of my errands like an old old lady. I have to plan out what day I will do certain errands or else the tingling of the face and the loss of balance worsen.

My employer was forcing folks to take the shot. Never again!

~Karen~

Karen- It looks like your weight loss is doing fine!  There are several tools to use to determine mileage of different routes that you want to run.  One is mapmyrun.com.  Active.com has this feature also- after you log in, go to "My profile", then "Manage my training" and the is a Map route feature available.

I use the Nike+ kit, and it is a pretty good tool to use to determine distance and pace.  But first thing after you get it, try to calibrate it on a treadmill if you can for a .25 mile distance.  Otherwise it assumes a pre-determined (faster) pace, which really throws off your "Best Time" calculations for quite a while.

Just completed the aptly name Frosty Freeze 5K Run.  It was 34 with a wind chill of 25, after snowing early this morning. Most dangerous part of the race was driving here, because no one (in AL) remembers about ICE!  I had my full cold weather (long) gear on, but took off the windbreaker and gloves about .3 mile into the race.  I set up a nice steady pace - but I had people behind me somewhat, the whole time, and even passed 2 (LOL)!!

I ran the whole way & did the same splits as last week- 1mi=14:30, 2mi=30:03, so I was real happy.  I finished 3 sec faster than last week - 46:33, or a 15:01 pace, though the course was a little more challenging.  This was the same course as the first race that I did (walk/jog) in August, at > 62 mins. Such dramatic improvements won't be as easy in the future. I got 2nd (of 3) in my age group, with about a dozen behind me.

Funny thing is, they give gift certificates to the local running store as age group awards, and I'm almost breaking even with entry fees, because there are so few women in my age bracket, and I get a medal and certificate (HA HA!).

There is another race in 2 wks but I haven't decided to do it yet.  In the meantime, I can open my new running shoes and start breaking them in.

Congratulations, JoAnn and Pearson Flyer!  Great runs and great time.  I am especially impressed that you are out there in the cold and ice.  That is incredible!

I am still nursing my sore hip.  I worked out with my trainer today and we did lots of stretching so it feels better. I think it is just a muscle problem, but I don't want more injury.  I  still need to finish week 9 and graduate C25K.  I will probably try the treadmill tomorrow and see how it goes, if it is an issue, I may just finish the program on the elliptical.  I don't want to lose my fitness.

Karen,  I am not sure what I am doing next either.  I may just try to run the mileage on the last few weeks of c25K to make sure I am doing it, then start adding mileage.  I am still thinking about the running for weight loss program in running for mortals phase III.

Here is week 1:

Mon - run 30min

Tues - 45 minute circuit workout strength training - 1 set 8012 reps

Wed - run/pickups - run 8 min/walk 1 min repeat 5 times for 45 minutes

Thurs - Strength train 40 minute 2-3 sets 8-12 reps

Fri - run 30 min am, walk 30min pm

Sat - run 35 min

Sun - rest

Aprillily - keep up the good work.  I am with you.

Shell - congrats! Go team subborn!

Libby and Mike - Keep us updated on your runs.

Kendra

Karen,

I really like what yoru friend suggested.  It seems very simple and doable, plus it helps you work up to getting better.  I think that is my biggest concern.  How do you progress?  I am not necessarily trying hard for races, but I want overall fitness.  I would like to join a running group eventually as well.  In order to do that, I need to get faster and grow in my ability to run.  I don't want to go crazy and hurt myself.  Slow and steady, that is my motto.

Do you think you are going to do this program?

Oh, by the way, the running store steered me away from the Nike Plus because it wasn't that accurate.  I bough a Garmin instead so I would have a heart rate monitor.  I didn't get the GPS (expensive), but I did get the one with the accelerometer.  It works really well, and it ties to the computer so I can track my runs.  I have enjoyed having the HRM.  It helps me to see how hard I am working and to pace myself better.

Kendra

The Nike+ is accurate if you calibrate it to a known distance first - and keep in mind that once it's calibrated to either running or walking, it's going to be out of sync with the other one.  If you're a run/walker, it's going to be darn near impossible to get any kind of accuracy, because your gait is so much different.

Kendra,   Great to hear an update.  I was thinking about this thread yesterday and that we hadn't heard any reports lately from our group!

Yesterday I got out for my 3 mile run.   I was so tempted to stay on the couch.   I'll add to Jillians words,

"PEOPLE THIS PROGRAM IS NOT COUCH TO 5 K and THEN BACK TO THE COUCH!  DON"T YOU DARE GET BACK ON THAT COUCH!!!"

I know this is a busy time of year and the weather outside is frightful for many, but the sacrifice is worth it.  MERRY MERRY and HAPPY HAPPY to all of you!

Jess

Well I finally finished C25K with an asterisk.  I had to finish the last 3 days on the elliptical because of the pain in my hips.  I still did the time, and I will continue with running as soon as my hips feel better. I think the pain is stemming from tightness in my IT band.  A friend recommended that I get a foam roller, and I rolled out my IT band, and it already feels much better.

Aprillily, I completely understand what you are going through.  Don't get discouraged.  This is a long term program, not just a short term one.  This is for life!  A little set back from pain is just that a little set back.  I hope your knee feels better soon.

I am glad we are all still hanging in there and moving on our next adventure.

Kendra

Karen,   I think Galloway's method is excellent.  By taking planned walking breaks people can actually get faster times and they say it is much easier on your body.  Sounds like a good plan!  I remember doing a 5k years ago and there was someone doing that.   On his walks I would pass him.. then when his running came up he'd pass me.   He ended up finishing way ahead of me!  I  "ran"  a very slow run the whole time!   The whole key is planning these breaks into your routine so you get the maximum benefits of the rest time.   I also have  a couple of friends who did the Disney half marathon running 5 minutes  and then walking one.  They did that for the whole 13.1 miles and did an excellant job.  They just love his method.  Also the walking part lets certain muscles recover and is supposed to minimize overuse injuries.   Congrats on finishing C25k.  You are a smart lady and knows when your body needs a break.  Glad to hear your listening.  We have come so far.  We can enjoy where we are at right now and not feel the need to push push and push!!

Jess