Week 5 Day 3 (So exactly how long IS week 5, anyway?)

Well, I've stretched out week 5. The short version is that having had the pleasure of my husband's company the whole time thus far, I want to progress together as well. There have been a few occasions where he was unable or unwilling to come with me for a variety of legitimate reasons. So I resorted to simply walking for 45-60 minutes and running flat & downhill stretches just to maintain and not backslide. I even forced myself to run up a few of the hills that have been tough for me just to prove I can.

So last night we embarked on Week 5, Day 3. This one calls for a 20 minute run, with warmup/cooldown walks on either end. Since it had been many days since the last run, I was on the fence as to whether to repeat the last day's regimen or "move on" to the 20 minute run. Finally I told Matt "Let's try for 20 minutes, and I'll commit to at least 8." So off we went. At 8.5 minutes, I said "New interim goal - 12 minutes." And once that was achieved: "OK, at least 15 minutes." By then we'd turned around and were on our way back to the house. So we got to 20 minutes, and by then it was downhill or flat the rest of the way, so we kept going until we hit our street (which is our stopping point for the cool down walk the rest of the way home). Total running time: 26 minutes. This is a first ever for me in my life. Even when I was forced to run in PE in school, I can guarantee you I never jogged that long, even WITH a walk break. I'm so unbelievably proud of myself that I could burst.

A very big Thank You to my husband Matt for being so encouraging and going along with me. I definitely could do this myself, but it's easier for me to push myself when he's with me.

Week 5 Day 2 - not so bad!

Tonight's routine:

1. Warmup walk at least 5 min
2. Jog 8 minutes
3. Walk 5 minutes
4. Jog 8 minutes
5. Cool down walk

I actually got a three day break. My husband's knee was bothering him too much yesterday (an old luxating patella injury that was aggravated by moving a HEAVY wood stove Sunday night then again Monday afternoon). I would've gone for a walk, but my dear husband forgot to tell me before it got too dark. And I had work stuff to deal with anyway.

I don't know if it was the three day break or what, but the 8 minute segments weren't really that bad. The hills were challenging, but surprisingly my lungs weren't what held me back - it was the cramp on the top of my right shoulder (in toward the neck) and then in my side. But I slowed down, kept jogging, and ran through them and made it. I was worried it would be so hard after three days off, but it really wasn't. I'm actually starting to feel reasonably fit.

Now, the program calls for the next session to be 20 minutes of straight running. I think I might repeat tonight and try to go just a smidge faster, then move up. Though I haven't decided if I'm just being a chicken or not. I do know this - tonight was the first time since high school (I'm now 32) that I've run for 8 minutes. In fact, even in high school when we had to run in PE, I think I always walked some - largely because I was too dumb to pace myself and go slowly at the beginning. I'm high on the accomplishment and very tired now, so good night!

The *Real* Week 5 Day 1

Last night we did the first workout of week 5; though it really was the second time we did it. Sunday or Monday we'll move on to the next workout for week 5, which I'm rather apprehensive about:

• 5 minute warmup walk (15 for us)
• 8 minute jog
• 5 minute walk
• 8 minute jog
• cool down walk

I guess we'll see how it goes. I hope I can talk Matt into going tomorrow instead of Monday. It would be nice to go when it's light out instead of having to carry flashlights in the dark.

We've truly been having some beautiful weather here lately - highs near 70, no humidity, cool breezes. Evenings/nights have been in the fifties, and usually when we go running in the evenings it's around 60 degrees.

I was really surprised last night by how much better my lungs seem to be doing on the longer jogs. We actually did an extra minute or two on the first two jogging segments to take advantage of the downhill terrain in a few places. We prefer jogging down hills (with short quick steps, almost like balancing on a rolling log) to walking down them, and it kinda feels wasteful if we walk down one :). There was one time I would've kept going except that I got a side stitch. Even with that though, my breathing wasn't gaspy the way it used to be. I suppose I actually am getting more fit, which is a good feeling. Another plus - I started tracking my weight again, and I discovered that I've actually lost a couple of pounds this week. I've gotten back to watching my portions (I usually make decent choices, but I have been indulging in treats a bit too often and the portion size has crept up on me). So that's a very good feeling. And I measured my waist, chest and hips today as a benchmark. I'll do that once a month to track my progress. After all, I want my winter clothes to fit nicely because I cannot afford to replace them all :).

To those of you who have left comments and started following my blog, thank you. I feel like it helps keep me accountable.