About Me

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CA, United States
I have been a stay at home mom for the last 5 years. I love being with my children and feel so blessed and lucky to have the opportunity to do so, but I often get lost in the shuffle of it all. I have tried to lose weight and get in shape many times in my life, with varying degrees of success. It has seemed especially hard since having kids. So, I've decided to sliver out a little piece of time for myself to get back in shape and get back to feeling good about myself. I am hoping that this blog will help me find an outlet to talk about my experiences and find a community of people who have similar goals. I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Week 2, Day 3 - pushing through the pain in the rain

I really enjoy starting my days with some solitude.  I love being able to do something for myself first thing in the morning rather than starting my day be responding to other people's needs (i.e. my kids).  I feel so alive, my cheeks hot and brow sweaty, legs rubbery and tired, heart pounding as I push to make my last few running strides strong.  And it is so refreshing to feel my breath returning to me, gasps returning to deep inhalations of crisp morning air.  It really is a great start to a day.  So, why is it that when the alarm goes off, I find it so dreadful to get out of bed?  Where's that old childhood enthusiasm that could get me out of bed with a spring in my step and excitement in my blood? 

Despite its absence, I slowly get out of bed and start getting myself dressed and stretched and ready to go.  Looks like a good morning to run, a little grayish, but dry and cool.  I've determined that I am going to pick up my pace this morning.  I don't want to watch a clock while I am running as that seems to have a negative psychological impact on me, so I remember where I was when I had finished my run last time and aim to be further along my route when I complete today's program.  So I get started and and in the middle of my first run, the rain started pouring down.  I wasn't prepared for it, so I got very wet, but it wasn't so bad and I guess I am glad that the rain didn't get the chance to give me pause this morning.  Running in the rain was actually refreshing in its own way, so now that is one less obstacle in my way in the future!

I found the first few intervals to be challenging, but I made it without great difficulty.  The third interval is where I started finding it hard to keep up my quicker pace.  I was panting and my muscles just burning by the end of 90 seconds and I barely felt ready to run again after two minutes.  My running slowed quite a bit from that point and while I did make it further than I did last time, I felt a little beat up.  Today should be the last of the week 2 workouts, but I don't feel entirely ready to move on.  Reading through other people's experiences on The Couch to 5K Facebook page, I know a lot of people repeat weeks until they feel more ready to move on.  I know that it isn't a big deal to do so, but still, I wonder if I'm just telling myself that I need more time because I am afraid.  I don't know.  I don't want to sell myself short, but I also don't want to move on before I am ready.  I feel like the confidence I build at every run propels me forward.  I fear what a bad experience would do to my mind set, so I think I will run another interval of week 2 before graduate to week 3.  I am going to go out there on Thursday with a positive attitude, ready to kick some ass because I know I CAN DO IT!

11 comments:

  1. Good luck - I know that feeling. I should be starting week two this week - but I don't feel ready so we are going to repeat week on (plus it is like 90 plus degrees out there{we live in northern michigan and it is never 90 plus degrees here!} and I feel like garbage today) Going to run when Gabe gets home though. NOthing wrong with repeating weeks - you do what you have to do!

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  2. Thanks Angel. You're right, as long as we are not using excuses and we're getting out there to run, that's what matters. The habit and routine of it is half the battle anyway. I'm so lucky that I don't have to battle the heat. I live in a very mild climate, so I get cool mornings and rain a lot, but I suppose that I'll take rain over heat. Make sure you stay hydrated! Drink lots of water during the day before you run and that should help you a lot! Godd luck and I hope it cools down a bit for you before tonight!

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  3. Hey Theresa-Just found your blog...I'm about at the same spot as you in the program! My guess is that I'll be repeating week 2 also, you wouldn't think that it would be that much harder than week 1, but it is! Good Luck!

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  4. You too Jo. It's all about keeping it up. I think our bodies will tell us when they're ready. Keep me posted on your progress, OK!

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  5. You guys are doing great! Don't let the upcoming weeks intimidate you. If you truly don't feel ready to move on, then go ahead and repeat if you need to (even if it's just an extra day or two). No biggie. Theresa, you made a very good point-at least you are out there and moving. The endurance will come. Right now the bigger battle can be just getting out the door and creating the habit. Thanks for that reminder. I'm currently on W5. Feel free to come check out my progress at www.imthemamaontherun.blogspot.com I'm not nearly as witty, but at least it's an account of my experience.

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  6. Mama, I am already following your blog! And it is great! Thanks for sharing your journey too. Every bit of motivation and encouragement we can get from eachother helps.

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  7. Theresa, I gave outside a trial run tonight. lol
    I ran W2D2 last night on the treadmill, then today my husband said he wanted to start the C25K program. I wanted to support and encourage him as much as possible, so I went and ran W1D1 with him! I'm not sure if it was because I didn't have a rest day in between or the fact that it was outside, but I couldn't run the last 2 or 3 intervals....and I forgot to mention, I was pushing our two year old daughter in the stroller this whole time. But I think I will be able to try it outside soon. Maybe not tomorrow but hopefully this weekend, I will have time to get outside without a stroller to push!
    Thanks for the blog, it is great motivation!

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  8. Theresa, it's better to complete a run feeling like you want to or could do more, than feel like you don't ever want to run again. So go ahead, repeat whatever you need to!

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  9. I am on Week 2 as well. Sounds like you are doing great though! If you feel you need to repeat, don't feel bad for it! Everyone starts at a different place, and every person is different, so no one's experiences will be exactly alike. I am blogging about my C25K journey too, and would love it if you check it out!

    http://ataylorfamc25k.blogspot.com

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  10. Thanks Charlotte and Kelli. I'll check out that blog too!

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  11. Even if you repeat a week, you're still out there running! A friend of mine started C25K then got sick. She did Week 1 for THREE weeks! But she was still getting out there and doing something! She didn't let not feeling well derail her.

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