So my sister in law, Kitty and I are training for a 5k in December. We are currently on our 3rd week of training, but on week 4 of the couch to 5k training program. Here is why we are a week ahead of that training. We only have 4 weeks to get ready and the program is for 9 weeks! I stopped running after my first 5k letting myself slack off a bit and boy am I paying for it now.
This week it has us running 3 minutes then walking 90 seconds then running 5 minutes and walking 2.5 minutes. Repeat this twice and add a 5 minute warm-up and cool-down. I am trying to get myself up to her speed which is currently at about an average of 5.5 mph. My average on a good day is about 4.8 mph. On the 3 minute runs I pushing myself to run at 5 mph and the 5 minute runs I try to stay at a 4.7. Today it was just not happening. At the end we were both sweating breathing hard and ready to quit. Instead if quitting I just backed my speed down to a 4.5 and went slower. Am I trying to win a race? No, I'm trying to endure, to make myself stronger. When I want to quit 30 seconds early, I decide to run faster! By the end of the run today I managed 2 miles in 32 minutes. Kitty is going to run the 5k in under 30 minutes. I am proud of her and wish her luck ( that I know she doesn't need). Is this my goal? No way! My goal is to finish under 45 minutes. I want to beat the time I made in my first 5k about 40 pounds ago. I know when I cross that finish line I will have done my very best.
Yesterday was another day of 5k training with Kitty. We both noticed that we weren't struggling as much with the running. We also noticed that we were recovering a lot quicker during our walk times. It was nice to step back and to see the 2 of us enjoying our run. Yes we cussed a little at the end, but for the most part we finished our 32 minutes session feeling better than we did on Monday! We both went only 2 miles in that time, but I believe on Monday neither one of us made it that far. I hope that my readers will read this post and go out try something new. Whether it is running, walking, biking, swimming or just getting into the gym. Just remember we all started some place and we all have to crawl before we can walk. Take it slow and steady and you will soon be setting your own "impossible" goals and achieving them!
ReplyDeleteI remember how hard it was to start training for the 30+ miles breast cancer walk... how long each mile felt. But as I finished each training walk, each additional mile started to feel less and less. 6 miles was nothing when I knew I just did 3 before. 10 miles, that was just 3 miles with 6, plus one, totally doable.
ReplyDeleteI've been slacking off since that walk but reading your blog, seeing how you keep yourself motivated is so inspiring! You are amazing Rebekah!
I can't believe how hard it has gotten for me to run a 5k. Saturday I was on the treadmill for 45 minutes and only managed 3 miles. I have to remember that it won't always be this difficult, but with the race only 3 weeks away I am in a little bit of a panic. I think I just need to slow down and take it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it, running 3 miles in 45 minutes already cut 3 minutes off the pace you ran with Kitty on the 9th (2 miles in 32 minutes)! You are doing great! You'll have no problem cutting more minutes off within the next three weeks!
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