Karen,

I have asthma as well, and I notice the difference in a big way if I don't take my inhaler before setting out.  I also feel the running much more strongly in my lungs.  I think my legs would keep running even more if my lungs would only keep up.  I am also not worrying about speed.  I am pacing myself to go as slow as possible, and to concentrate on proper breathing.  Keep hanging in there.  We are in this together, and we will get there.

Kendra

W3D2 today, went somewhat better than day 1. I made it through the 3 minute intervals - but I was definitely gasping for air and my legs were killing me at the end of the 3 minute runs. I noticed some knee / ankle pain at the start of the 90 second run today, it did seem to settle down as I continued the workout. I did wear a knee support today on my left knee because this morning when I was stretching before the workout, I felt a lot of discomfort/weakness in my knee. I'm thinking I will need to add a day 4 to week 3, as I am still struggling to make it through the 3 minute runs. My breathing is improving a little as I'm starting to get better from the flu and bronchitis, but I know the biggest hurdle with my breathing is caused by being out of shape for so long and being overweight.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement - it really did help. I'm still feeling a little down as I continue to struggle with the increasing intervals of running. I know that success will come with hard work and a positive attitude! Enjoy your Sunday everyone. I'm relaxing now and watching my Patriots

Thanks for your support Kendra. I really appreciate it.

Today I went for a 1/2 hour brisk walk and I ran for two minutes at the end. I was aiming for three minutes but forgot to use my inhaler beforehand. It was a REST day anyway as far as training goes.

Tomorrow I MUST remember to use my inhaler. I'd like to do Week 3 Day 3 again and then move on to Week 4 Day One on Wednesday.

Fingers crossed.

~Karen~

Well, I finished Week 2 today!! Yay me!! My workout was a little different than usual today. I normally do my training at the Y on the treadmill. My brisk walks are at a 3.5 speed (I think that is a 17.5mm) and then I do my run at a 5 speed (which is a 12mm, I think). In the end, I typically finish my 30 or so minute workout at 2 miles...sometimes a little more or less, depending.

Well, today, I had a lot of errands to run and since the Y closes at 6pm, I wasn't able to get there to do my normal workout. Since it was so nice out (about 68 degrees), I decided to jump on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and do my last day of Week 2. Now, I have never really run outside and was not sure what to expect and I must say that it was truly different. It is harder to pace yourself. I am so used to relying on the treadmill to tell me how fast or slow I am going that I find it difficult to determine how fast or slow I should be going outside. I also had to fight the slight wind, moderate inclines and declines, and the constant inhalation of knats (ewww!!). I also did not have my trusty water bottle that stays on the treadmill with me. Since I didn't want to run with a 32 oz. bottle, I decided to leave it in the car. I didn't know if I was going to be able to make it without ANY water, but I must say that I did. I had to take the advice of one of the posters here (I am so sorry that I can't remember who posted this) and give myself pep talks. I kept telling myself that "You can do this", "Just make it to the light", or "There's your finish line up ahead...just cross it" and I must say that it worked!

All in all, today was a good day. I really did enjoy running outside and since the 5k will not be on a treadmill and I have to get used to running on asphalt anyway, I think I will take my run outside for the last run of each week.

I am so proud of all of us. Just think how far we've come. Even though I am only going to be starting Week 3 on Tuesday, I am still so much further than I was before I started and even before last week. Let's all keep up the good work!! Go us!!

Hey All and Welcome New Folks,

I did my W4D2 run on Saturday and completed it out of pure stubbornness. My calves and shins ached the entire time. It was the first run since W1D1 where I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish or not. Like I said, I stubborned along till I completed it and I'm scheduled to run W4D3 this evening. I think all the cramping and pain is because I was an idiot and forgot to drink water...all day long. Yeah, not my brightest moment. Making sure to hydrate yesterday and today and we'll see if it happens again.

Shell

Hooray for those of us on Week 5! We can do i t, everybody! Keep running!

We completed W5D1 last night and it was AWESOME. Best run I've had so far. No breathing problems, no leg problems...just enjoyed it and felt like I could have kept going.

Excited about tomorrow's run!

W4D2 this morning.- no problems at all.

mid 40's-- running in tshirt and wind pants---- but THAT can't last long.

I have kind of settled into a groove, I think.- I do the 5 minute warm up walk-- then a 90 second run and a 90 second walk-and then start the assigned workout.

the extended warm up--- particularly the  90 second run-- remind me of proper pacing

I do find--- I run the 90 second pace--- different than the 3 minute pace---and that is different then the 5 minute pace

So- I am assuming the 20 minute run next week-- is all about finding the proper pace-- and self controll.

just a suggestion to any folks still having foot/heel pain or knee pain------ during about week 2-- I started doing some heel stretches---3- 4 times a day, every day--- kind of made my heels itch,actually---- but any heel discomfort is now totally gone.

I ice my knees for 15 minutes after the run--and I have started some knee exercises as well to strengthen THOSE joints-- and that seems to be working as well.

weather here--fantastic-- but the leaves are ever so slightly past their peak--- but still super.- some of the trees are now bare----- but it is still so fun to get out and see how things have changed day to day.

BTW- spent a good part of Saturday  at a highschool Cross Country  meet--- this is a course I know very well as a spectator-- I have easily seen over 100 plus races their in the past few years--- was pleasantly suprised how much easier it was on Saturday-scampering from vantage point to vantage point( If a spectator is prepared to hustle--- you can see the runners from  8 -10 different spots during the race. Boys team advanced--- and the girals team advanced--the girls team won the race outright  and the top girl runner--ran shoulder to shoulder with her chief competitor the entire race---and then blew her away in the final 200 yards---- won the race outright pulling away!-- possibly the best race I have seen in 10 years-- boys or girls-- very moving.

stephen