C25K: Day 5

So, I haven't run in several days, but I have been working out! I have been doing those Bikini Ready Makeover videos on Hulu. I did the Boot Camp Burn one a few days ago and really liked it. Thought it's really repetitive, so I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that workout twice in a row; I'd get annoyed. Plus, I've been doing 'mini-challenges' on MFP; 300 jumping jacks on Friday and 150 squats yesterday. Super fun!

I also got a job (no, not a career job with my hard-earned Master's degree, just a paying job) at Teavana in Charlotte. I'm really stoked about it because the people seem REALLY cool, and I pretty much love tea! Not sure how this is going to mess with my eating/workout schedule just yet, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I'm just glad to have an income again. I love food and my dog, but I'm starting to mentally make a decision on what to cut back on first. Ha.

Day 5: 5 minute warm-up, alternate 90 seconds of jogging/2 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes; Total miles - 2; Total time - 26:20 minutes

C25K: Day 4

First day of the second week which means upping the running/walking intervals. (Un)fortunately, Robbie is back at work and wasn't there to run with me today. I say that because it's both good and bad--good because I can run a slower-faster pace consistently every run interval, and bad because he wasn't there to push me past my own comfort zone. Oh well, have to learn to motivate myself.

I thought things were getting better with the crazy white dog on Wilson, but he charged after me again today. I've called animal control twice to have his owners put him in a fence or on a leash, but they seem to ignore that warning. I feel bad because I don't want something to happen to the dog, but I would like to be able to run or walk my dog around MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD without being chased by that dog. I don't even think his owners are home during the day; they just leave him outside all day to do as he pleases. C'mon people, take responsibility for your animals! I'll give it another week, then I'm calling again.

Day 4: 5 minute warm-up, alternate 90 seconds of jogging/2 minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes; Total miles - 2.06; Total time - 26:39 minutes

C25K: Day 3

Well, it took me two weeks to complete "week 1" of C25K, but it is done. This weekend was hectic, what with filming all day Friday and Saturday, so I didn't get any workout in besides holding a boom pole for 16 hours. But this morning, we went out and conquered the last of the 60 second / 90 second intervals.

One comment about running with someone faster than you: it's great that they can set a faster pace for you to follow, but they can also kill you with speed. Day 2's run was pretty good, running at a significantly faster pace than I could  set myself...but today was a mixture of extreme speed, medium speeds, and slow speeds. Because of this combination of paces, we finished the normal 1.91 mile route in less than the 25 minutes allotted for the workout; we made it back to the house in 24 minutes. Whoa. I'm pretty sure I was hauling ass at a 7min/mile for the first two runs...

Anyways, to compensate for the fast return, we added another .25 mile (3:30 minutes) to the workout at the end, just walking.

Oh, and I'm really restarting the calorie counting thing again this week. Really.

Day 3: 5 minute warm-up, alternate 60 seconds of jogging/90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes; Total miles - 2.06; Total time - 27:35 minutes

C25K: Day 2

Today, Robbie went running with me, which meant that I was running even faster than my fast pace. Ugh. He typically runs about an 8 minute mile, which is far faster than I ever even dreamed of running. Of course, we didn't quite run his pace, but I definitely was pushing harder than I usually do when I'm running alone. If I was doing a 10-11 minute pace by myself, I was probably achieving about a 9-10 minute pace today. I'm POOPED.

Day 2: 5 minute warm-up, alternate 60 seconds of jogging/90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes; Total miles - 1.91; Total time - 25:46 minutes

Two pictures today--

This is what I imagine Robbie & I look like running together, except maybe if one pug looked extremely pained that would be me.

Truth. I powered through all 9 intervals of running. And a little future inspiration for the longer runs :)

Does my timer have a stutter?

Since, once again, it was pouring down rain all over the city, I went to the Y to get my run in. Instead of the treadmill though, I tried the indoor track. 13 laps = 1 mile. I don't whether it is because I've been eating more (not really counting calories) or because of the oxygen level or because I haven't run in a few days, but I KICKED THIS RUN'S ASS.

My average lap time was about 52 seconds so I knew I was running less than a 13 minute mile, but I had no idea HOW fast I was really going. (Let's keep in mind here that my notion of fast and every other runner's notion are completely different.) My first goal was 30 minutes. Then 3 miles. Then 3.1 because I wasn't exhausted. I ran 3.12 mile (40.5 laps) in 35 minutes and 10 seconds. I double and triple checked my lap times. I did the math. Everything checked out. I cut FIVE MINUTES off my 5K time. HOLY COW.

Last night I got some really depressing news so maybe I was running off my lack of sleep and anger and disappointment, but whatever it was, AWESOME. Overall, I ran a 11.5 minute mile, which is 5.2 mph. If only this could keep up once I get back to Denver...

Happy Sunday, ya'll! :)

Turkey Trot 2011 Results

Yes, I just posted but I checked the race website and the official results were up [x]. Final race time was 40 minutes and 27 seconds! 13:02 pace. 71/73 in my age division (ouch!) but 1231/1553 overall. It's only the second whole 5K I've ran, so I'd say getting faster is better--I shaved almost a whole minute off my Fit 4 Fire 5K time! :)

PLUS, I shaved almost 2.5 minutes off my last Turkey Trot time! Progress is progress, man.

One Positive Thing About the Midwest...

Oxygen.

Seriously, God bless oxygen. I have been kicking some serious ass on my runs. I have to make this entry quick since I need to shower and meet a friend for lunch, but since I haven't blogged on here in a while, I thought I would update.

I came home to Indiana before Thanksgiving and haven't really been tracking my calories, but I've been working out and running still. Who knows (and who cares) if I'm still losing or whatever. A little break from dieting never killed anyone...well, that may not be true. REGARDLESS, I did another 5K on Thanksgiving (Turkey Trot) in unofficially 40:30. Plus, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill at the YMCA at at 4.7 pace AND I just ran 2.09 miles around my neighborhood at a 12:30minute pace. GO ME!

I'm probably going to get my ass handed to me when I go back to Denver and can't breathe again, but for now, I'm thriving! :)

Say Goodbye to Outside Runs

This morning it was a gorgeous and sunny 56 degrees when I went for my run. Ran a different loop, west of campus, trying to avoid stoplights and people. While it was more hilly than I usually do, I liked it better than the loop around campus. Took me 31 minutes and 36 seconds to run 2.37 miles, which equals a 13:20 pace. Consistency is my middle name.

This could be the last time I enjoy running outside, since it is supposed to be in the 30s and snowing by Wednesday. Goodbye, Fall. Hello, Winter.

The Results Are In

The title says it all: the results from the Fit 4 Fire 5K race are in. Official time was 41:19 minutes. Avg pace was exactly 13:20 minutes/mile. Damn. 21/29 in age division. 118/155 total.

Overall, I'm happy with the results. I shaved some off my total time and ran the whole thing. [x] There are also some pretty sweet pictures they snuck of me while I was running. A lot less attractive than the one Kirsten snapped at the finish line...

9AM: Start of the race...

9:41 AM: Approaching the finish line...
9:41AM again: Dead sprint towards the finish line...
I'm such an unattractive runner. LORD. Oh well.

Run, Run, Runaway Run

Maybe someday I will find someone to run, run, runawaaay. Maybe someday, maybe someday. (Yes, I just quoted a Hanson song.)

Well, today was my last run before my 5K on Sunday. I was going to run inside on the treadmill and do some "speed" training, but it was so nice outside that I couldn't help myself. I just did the loop around campus, which is about 2.11 miles. Last time, I ran this loop in 27:21 minutes; today I finished the loop in 26:48 minutes. My pace was 12.7 minute/mile. Granted I ran the loop the opposite direction than last time, but honestly, I think this direction was harder.

Regardless, it felt good to run, and I'm still confident that as long as I keep my slow pace during the race, I'll run the whole thing no problem. :)

"It's too hot outside to run"

That was what the guy who smokes outside my apartment said to me when I got back from my run this morning. I laughed, and we talked about how I'd rather run when it's warm than when there is snow on the ground. And to be honest, it was only 75 when I left; I don't really consider that "too hot" by any standards.

I ran a loop around campus which was 2.11 miles, according to mapmyrun.com. I had to stop at a few red lights, and had to pause for a bit right before I hit 2 miles to catch my breath (it was uphill, KILLER!), but for the most part, I ran the whole thing. There was a lot of dodging and weaving through people, which broke up my pace a bit, but still managed an average speed of 12.96 minute mile, which is somewhere between 4.5 (13:30 min/mile) and 5 (12 min/mile). I'll take it!

27:21 total running time. Then a 5 minute-ish cool down walk. Good start to the day!
Cheers!