Short post before, this morning, but I have more to share.......so there :-P

Reading all team members talking about "finding the rhythm" during their 3 minute run, I had my "yes, me too!" moment.  I have never been comfortable in my top-heavy body and running always seemed like such a foreign activity to the way my body wants to move.  Yesterday, I was able to clear my head and just run during those three minutes (was actually kind of peeved when Ullrey chimed in "one minute to go" cause it pulled me out of the zone but God Bless Him anyhow!).  After cooling down and stretching, I felt amazing - kind of a natural buzz.

Found something inspiring to get me through another week, which is the story of the struggling butterfly.

A young person found a butterfly just about to emerge from its cocoon and stopped to watch.  The butterfly had just a small opening and was struggling to push through, which worried the child.  Once the butterfly had rested and started to push again, the child thought to make the opening slightly larger to aid the butterfly..... which allowed it to emerge quickly.  The young person watched as the butterfly stretched out and was sad to see its wings were shriveled as they dried.  What the child did not know is that the cocoon is designed to have a small opening to make the butterfly struggle and push, because it pushes the body fluids into the wings.  The struggle and hard work which exhausts the emerging butterfly gives it the strong wings it needs to be able to fly.

Adversity is not always the enemy, it can help you develop your "wings" of self-confidence and self-reliance.  So for every pain and ache, every blister and side stitch, every feeling of fire lungs or gravelly knees............. we know we are working hard and getting stronger.........we are forging our wings. 

Hi everyone! I did W3 D4 today.. .Yes, day 4. Last week after running W3D3 I hurt both my knees and decided to take a few days to let them rest- so I decided today to do an extra Week 3 run before moving onto Week 4 tomorrow. The good news is that my run today was the best I've had yet! I ran strong through my last 3 minute run and then decided to walk for two mins and I ran the last 3 again! i was so proud of myself. I'm going to try week 4 starting on my next run (thursday I think).  Will keep you all posted. Great work today everyone!

Hi all,

I'm running with my roommate, runmplsrun, and we just finished W3D1.  I've been so impressed with the C25K program, with this forum, and with her!  I've run a few 5Ks in the past year, and they've all been great experiences - it's so nice to have a running buddy to do it with now.  I think this program is a great way to stay motivated.  When I started running, I didn't follow a specific program, but rather stepped out the door and ran until I couldn't move any further.  In addition to putting myself at risk for injury, it was hard to see any progress.  I think this program is a much better way to start out.  Our W3D1 run yesterday is a great example - it was such a great reward to be able to move from 90 seconds to 3 minutes!  My roommie did so great!   Our next step will be to do the same run outside (yesterday we were on treadmills).

Well done everyone, especially those struggling. And thanks for the warm welcome.

I make my own podcast, probably full of copyright infringement, so can't put them out there, but they have my own tastes in there, my own voice, and a few press ups and sit ups at the end

David Bowie's good for the running parts, Suffragette City especially. And for the walks, I like the Sound Of The Ladies.

I'll let you know how W3D2 goes tomorrow.

Nina

W3D2 done! The earth did not move, and there was no runner's high. Just a cranky, wannabe runner on the road. Spent the day with 38, 12 year old boys who can't wait for school to be out on Friday. Came home to a three and five year old who decided they did not want to nap today. At this point I'm not sure who is more whiney, me or my three year old. My run is done!  The three minute runs push my limits, but I can do them.  I ran 60/90 runs on the way back home.  Thought it might help with the mood, as I was still a little cranky.  My feet hurt today, as I think I need to invest in a better shoe.  I'm going to go soak in a bath tub with some peace and quiet, I hope!

I HATE PODRUNNER.

Had my first WTF! moment today. Did my run with Podrunner today 'cos I couldn't be asked to make myself one. The music was bad. Not as bad as Ullrey's, but at least his podcast contains a human voice encouraging you along. With Podrunner you just get a bing bing BING!

I must have missed one, because just after I had completed what I thought was my last 3min run and was happily walking home, it did it!

Bing bing BING; I was so confused, I just started running again and ended up running through the last 5min walk. I think you will agree with me, when you think your run is over and you're walking home and your iPod tells you you're not done yet, it's quite frustrating. This is why running podcasts should have human voices.

Ok, rant over. I guess you could say my W3D2 is complete, albeit slightly differently. I probably ran more, not less than expected, so should be all right.