R-hizzle,

The program is Couch to 5K (the C25K in the title of this thread).  A good number of us started back in March, but others have joined in as well.   We are at all different levels - some of us are nearing the end of the nine-week program while others are in the midst of it.  Either way, this is a very supportive group.

R-hizzle wrote:

 

i'm reading that people who are training for their first 5k are following a program, what program is this?

Diane

I would lean toward a 30 minute light run.....

enough to warm up your muscles but not enough to tire you out....

tomorrow is a for ure rest day......

Rock it on saturday and GREAT job on the weight loss and encouragement toward others!!!!

You go !!!!!

Jean,

Me too!  (Well not so much on Tuesday) but definitely today.  I know I said that I wouldn't become slave to the scale, but lately I've been checking it rather frequently.  It still insists that I'm only down about 8 pounds since beginning the program, but my clothes are fitting differently and I've been complimented several times about "losing weight".  My rational mind understands what is happening, however, my vain mind wants the change to reflect on the scale as well. 

Either way, I'm feeling leaner, stronger and taller.  I walk differently. 

jmdessart wrote:

 

W8D2 smashed!!!  Today I had hardly any mental battles, and any that came up, I demolished!!  I think it helped that I had a lot on my mind because I made a mistake at work yesterday, and I was trying to figure out a resolution while I was running.  The sun was out, but it was 32 degrees and still frosty when I left the house.  When is Spring going to get here?!?!  I did get to try out my new sunglasses that I bought.  I figured my fashionable rhinestone ones weren't really workout appropriate, so I bought some cheapo sporty ones so that I don't have to run blind.  I can't wait for the tan lines...

 

I've been feeling skinny lately.  The scale doesn't show it, and currently my "popped" rear end and my belly are fighting for space in my pants, so my pants feel way too tight.  Even with those things, I feel skinnier.  I feel like a well oiled machine.  My muscles are doing what they're supposed to, and my body is loving me for using it.  If only I could ditch the beer belly, but then I'd probably have to ditch the beer, and who wants to do that!

 

Thank you guys for all of the motivation.  I usually can't wait to log on and see how everyone has done.

On the feeling skinnier front, I thought I'd share a story.  This morning my daughter was snuggling up with me and she said "mama, you're not squishy enough!  You need to eat more candy!"  Now my scale has not been saying much in that vein to me, and frankly I don't think my pants are fitting much better either, but hey, I'll take whatever I can get.

Cate

JJ, you probably did the right thing to postpone until you feel ready.  I found the same thing in week 6 as you did.  In my mind, I could say, "I know that I can do 20 but 25?  Am I crazy?" but just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Isn't it an incredible feeling?

Welcome to all the new people! And great news from the ones who've been around.

This morning I did another 2.25 mile run and it went very well , except I kept fighting with my MP3 player. It is a Panasonic version and we have issues. I suppose most of the issues stem from me being 50 and about a generation behind this stuff, but well we muddle through.

Tomorrow is my birthday - the big 51 and it will be a rest day. Then Saturday is my first 5k an a couple of decades. I'll let you know how it goes.

I had a pretty bad W8D2 too! But for some reason I destroyed D3, I'd say it was the easiest run so far!

I had to stretch far more than in the past becuase my left calf has still been bothering me, I stretched like crazy today, for about 20 minutes and everything worked perfectly. I don't even have any pain now, which is pretty awesome.

I changed my route back to an older one too, I think it helped mentally comfort me. I dropped my pace by :15 too and it was colder, and I've done much of this program in sub 40F weather, so the 60-75 degree days have actually been killing me recently.

Anyway, it was pretty good today. I hope it was for everybody else too. We're only one week away!

PS. I signed up for the BAA 10k in late June, so who else is up for Bridge to 10k right after this?

Well, I was a total quitting quitter last night, and I'm totally okay with that.  After conquering THE HILL a few days ago, which was part of a 2.65mi run, I decided I would attempt the full 3.1 on a course with no hills.  My usual course involves running through a hilly neighborhood to a lake that's a little more than a mile around and then running back.  I figured I would give myself a break by riding my bike to the lake and just run around the relatively flat path 3 times.  Well, as it turns out, those hills aren't much less forgiving on a bike, so I just wasn't feeling it when I got to the lake and started running.  My legs were tired (which is never a problem for me), my throat was dry, and I just couldn't get into the groove.  I still knocked out a solid mile (which also happened to about 30s faster than my usual pace, so maybe that was part of the problem too, although I sure didn't feel like I was going very fast), and a couple more intervals before calling it quits, but it was certainly not my best work.  I realized the last time I had that bad of a day was also after riding my bike somwhere and then running back, so I guess I wont be doing any triathlons any time soon

JJ - as far as cross training, I don't think joining a gym is necessary at all, especailly if you're looking at getting a bike and live in such a bike-friendly city as Portland!  I live in a pretty bike friendly area as well, and I love just taking the bike out to run errands.  (Ok, so maybe by "run errands," I mostly mean "go get ice cream," but it's still better than driving, right?)  And for strength training, I pretty much find all the gym machines unnecessary.  You can really do a lot at home just doing crunches, squats, push-ups, and maybe get some cheap hand weights; you can do it while you watch TV and it's not so bad at all