week 3, day 1 (workout 7) aka i can run for 3 minutes!!!

workout for week 3: five minute warm up, jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, repeat again, cool down.

i can run for 3 minutes. i actually did it! i ran the whole time, i didn't stop, i didn't walk. i'm so so proud of myself. i know someone out there is probably thinking "three minutes? is she kidding? you can do anything for three minutes" but this is an accomplishment for me. my only previous running experience was really middle school gym, something i've conveniently blacked out of my memory.

this was great because by the time i finished the first 3 minute set, i was halfway done! i think i was a little conservative with my effort on this one, so next time i do it i'm going to push it a little more. right now though, i'm just on cloud nine for finishing this one strong!

week 2, day 3 (workout 6)

today was so much better. i don't know if it was taking a day off between, or just in a better mood, but i felt like i could do another set or two after i was done- i just felt like i was cruising! it was definitely a relief to get back to a happy running place, because i'm really determined to finish this program and i don't want to do something i hate ;)

i think it helped that 1) i ran earlier when it was cooler out and a little less humid but also that 2) i ran around the boston public gardens. it's fun to see the swans out and it's just nice to be in the shade for a little more time. plus i see other people and that always motivates me to go a just a little bit harder!

i'm excited to move on to week 3. i felt so good today i think i'll do it tomorrow! running for half an hour is a great way to start my day!

week 2, day 2 (workout 5)

i hit a wall today. i finished the workout, and i ran every part i was supposed to run, but man it was hard. my body was sore, and i just mentally was not into it. i need to start coming up with a better running playlist- i've realized how much of a difference that makes for me. i'm glad i mentally got through it, but it was certainly not my best run and i hated every minute of it.

but i finished it and that's what counts for me right now. hopefully the next day goes better!

week 2, day 1 (workout 4)

week 2 has officially begun! it was definitely harder to run those last 90 seconds, but mentally easier because it was only repeated 6 times, not 8. i was able to complete it without any problems (except that my shoes do not stay tied even when i double knot them!). this week is definitely harder than last week though.

i think i'll probably go for a 30 minute walk tomorrow. i'm not sure i'm ready to do 3 days in a row, but i like starting my day with some exercise now, instead of waiting for a class to begin. i'm still tempted to maybe do a barre class though-  i love the whole body workout.

and clearly i have trouble finding matching socks. at least these ones are in the same color family!

week 1, day 3 (workout 3)

week 1 is over! i completed day 3 today- the same workout as the first 2 days (60 seconds running, 90 seconds walking). week 2's workout is 90 seconds running, 2 minutes walking. i think i can bump up my running by 30 seconds!

i'm so excited to get started on week 2 that i think i might do it tomorrow! i'm really happy with how things are going. yes, i know i'm 3 days in, but still i've worked out when i've said i was going to (without dragging myself to a pre-paid class!) and i haven't completely died yet!

i wore my lululemon speed shorts today. i sometimes get a size 2, sometimes a size 4. i definitely need to wear my 2s when i'm running. i wore a pair of size 4s today and they were falling down! not fun pulling your pants up while running. i also wore a power y tank. i think i like the run swiftly better, as there's just a little more breeze and it doesn't cling to your skin as much. so i'm off to get another one today i think!!

i've also learned humidity just isn't my friend. i don't mind the heat, but when you feel so sticky it becomes really hard to push yourself!

and a quick picture of my favorite place to run so far- seeing these ducks make me so happy!!

week 1, day 2 (workout 2)

so. day 2- the same workout as day 1, so it's 60 seconds of jogging, 90 seconds of walking, repeat 8 times. not too bad again. this time i ran early in the morning (6 am) and it's much cooler out, so i wasn't dying just from the humidity. it was definitely easy again, but i tried to push myself more during the jogging phase, and tried to speed walk as much as possible.

lesson of the day: i suck at tying my shoes. they must have come undone like 3 times!

week 1, day 1 (workout 1!)

week 1's workout is: 5 minute warm up, jog 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds (repeated 8 times), 5 minute cooldown.

so. i survived. i actually ran the entire time i was supposed to ran. i did a power walk the entire time i was supposed to walk. i went into this thinking i couldn't do it and it would be hard, but somehow it wasn't. this is not to say i think they'll all be this easy- i am really really sore today, but i'm relieved i got off to a better start than i had anticipated.

it's so so so hot and humid out here, so i did this one in as much shade as possible. it's nice that it's 30 minutes total. i think that'll keep me on pace. i can wake up 30 minutes earlier than normal, that's not too bad. i'm hoping to do all of these in the morning when it's coolest out.

it's good to just follow the couch to 5k plan. it's sort of like my favorite classes, where you aren't in charge of the workout, but rather just following the plan. it's hard not to have my favorite instructors there to push me to go harder, to push myself more, but it's a good challenge to learn to do that myself.

so. that's day 1.