keeping on going.

Yes, I did get the second day of OHR over and done with yesterday. I just seem to have lost the real drive to get out there. A couple of weeks ago I couldn't wait to get up in the morning and get out for a run. Today I'm dreading the alarm going off at 5am.

But I'm going to do it. I think it's just the initial loss of motivation after completing the c25k and starting over in week 1 of a new program. I toyed with not following a program, but I have come to terms with the fact that I need to have structure or I'll lose focus.

I think I need a few days off, so I've decided I'll run tomorrow, then the start OHR week 2 next Wednesday.

Me? Trying to be a One Hour Runner...

I completed the c25k on Thursday. So todays run was the first of the OHR program for me.

It's weird, I think a few weeks back I thought once I hit the post c25k runs it would all be easy! But realised last week that 30 minutes won't be easy until I can comfortably run for an hour. So on to the One Hour Runner for me. I don't naturally enjoy exercise, if I have free time I'd rather read a book or play video games so I need the structure of a running program with targets. At least for then next 10 or so weeks. Maybe by then I'll be in a routine where running is a real habit that I miss when I'm not getting out there.

The hardest thing this morning was getting out out of bed. Daylight savings is dragging on - a few weeks too long I think, but it finishes next week so the mornings will be lighter for a little while.

Once I was running I was brave enough to vary my running route and I left the streets and went up along the top of the stopbank by the stream that runs through the suburb I live in. It's not exactly scenic but it was nice for a change.

I'm still getting nowhere near 5km in 30 minutes, but my short little legs are getting quicker, I broke the 4km barrier today. I've gone from averaging about 8min/km to around 7.40min/km on a normal day, so as I go along the 10 week program I should get closer to the 5k 30 minutes mark.

OHR week 1 day 1, 30 minute run - pace 7.42min/km (max 3.31min/km) distance 4.13km

Playlist - forgot to update my shuffle so I ran to the c25k week 9 podcast again.

C25K - The End

I'm done. A graduate of the Couch to 5km program. I'm now going to call myself a runner. Because if I call myself a runner, it means I have to go out every week and run.

I was up at 5am, it wasn't wet or cold, but it was pretty windy. A few tree branches had come down in the night, I was just lucky I saw a dark shape on the footpath or I would have ended w9d3 pretty early on...entangled on the ground in half a tree.

Running for 30 minutes still isn't easy, but I could probably describe it as comfortable. My pace varied a bit today, I managed to stretch out my stride, when I wasn't weaving around debris on the footpath. I'm never going to be a super fast runner, my little legs are too short, but I'd like to get nearer 5km in 30 minutes.

It was great feeling to hear the podcast tell me I'd finished the 30 minute run, and knowing that I'd managed the c25k in just on 10 weeks.

Now I'm on to the One Hour Runner program. Another 10 week program, starting this Sunday. I'll transition from starting my week on a Sunday to finishing the week on a Sunday next week. I was thinking of skipping week one, and counting week 9 of the c25k as the first week of OHR, but I don't think I will. I might just try and challenge myself to run a bit faster.

C25K complete - pace 7.55km/min, distance 3.91km

Graduation Playlist

I've just been going through my playlists trying to pick some of my favourite running songs. Some of them aren't things I'd listen to on a day to day basis, but when I was experimenting with running to different music some of the songs had really stood out as ones that really made me enjoy jogging along.

No Way Out - Immaculate Machine (warm up)
Flashdance - Irene Cara
Harder Better Faster Stronger - Daft Punk
Stayin' Alive - The Bee Gees
Northshore - Tegan & Sara
Telephone - Lady Gaga & Beyonce
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
Heart of Glass - Blondie
Whatever I fear - Toad the Wet Sprocket
Freedom - Wham!
Hold On, Hold On - Neko Case (warm down)

I want to run tomorrow!

I'm due to run week 9 day 1 of the c25k tomorrow. That means it's graduation day.

Unfortunately, the weather doesn't look like it's going to be my friend. I think I'll cope if it's raining lightly, but we've been getting gusty northwesterlies and horizontal heavy rain this evening. The forecast for tomorrow is for "showers clearing and northwesterly winds". I'll hope that it is calm and not too wet at dawn tomorrow.

I really want to get out there and do this thing!

In other news, I've decided on my next "physical challenge" for the year. Tonight I started the 100 pushups, 200 situps & 200 Squats program. I attempted the 100 pushups last year but didn't get past the first day. I didn't really make time for it in my day and forgot about it.

After almost 10 weeks of running I've noticed a difference in my thigh and back strength so I didn't do to badly with the squats. I still have real issues with situp and pushups. My upper back & shoulder strength is pretty much nil, and my abs may as well not even exist.

I have started swimming once a week, so in combination with the strength exercises and running, I'm hoping that I can get through the year without putting my back out. Even 6 months would be an achievement.

c25k week 9 day 2

I woke up at around 4am to the sound of heavy rain and went back to sleep thinking "it might stop in an hour and I can go running". At 5am, I couldn't hear any rain, so got up and dressed, put my shoes on and opened the door. There were a couple of minutes where I just looked at the drizzle and thought "oh, it's raining, here's an excuse not to go". Funny thing is, this morning, I just decided that it wasn't too bad, it wasn't cold or windy, so a little bit of drizzle wouldn't kill me. 10 weeks ago I would have used the rain as an excuse!

It was a slow run, think I was a bit paranoid about slipping over on wet concrete or something - but overall I got through the half hour comfortably. Once I was running I didn't really notice the rain - except that my shower proof jacket is only waterproof for about 20 minutes of rain, then it becomes a bit pointless. Of course it started POURING when I was in sight of home and was into the warm down walk, so I ended up running the last few 100m or so.

Luckily I was greeted at the back door with a towel and a hot drink :)

Only one more run till I 'graduate'. I really hope I don't lose motivation and I can keep up with running 3 times a week. It's going to be hard going in to winter, I can probably cope with the cold - it will be the windy or cold wet days that will make it hard to keep going. I'm thinking of renting a treadmill for the coldest months.

The playlist for today was -
Hold on - Wilson Phillips (warm up)
When You're looking like that - Westlife
My life would suck without you - Kelly Clarkson
Telephone - Lady Gaga & Beyonce
Hell - Tegan and Sara
Hung up - Madonna
Somebody told me - the Killers
Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell
Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
We Don't need another hero - Tina Turner (warm down)

5km conquered on week 9 day 1

ok, it hurt. That last km almost did me in. But I didn't have any choice - I wasn't far from home and I was either going to have to run it or walk it, so I just kept on plodding along.

I was comfortable for around the first 30 minutes, which is what I would have run today if I had followed the podcast. Now I know I can run 5km. It might have been hard but if I think back to 9 weeks ago, it was almost easier than I found those 60 second runs at that point.

I'll go back to following the podcast for the last two runs, then I'll go on to one hour runner. I feel like I'd rather work on going a bit faster and going a bit further in the 30 minute runs.

pace - 8min/km, 5.06km, total time taken 40min30s

week 9 day 1 5km playlist

well, I'm hydrated, but dinner ended up being chips & hotdogs from the fish'n'chip shop. Not exactly good fuel for a run tomorrow. I've tried to compensate with drinking a decent amount of water, but I'm not confident about how well I'll run tomorrow.
This will be my first run with just a plain playlist, without any time cues. I'll go back to the podcast for Tuesday and Thursdays runs.
For tomorrow, I've cued up the following on my shuffle.

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler (5min warmup)
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Always something there to remind me - Naked Eyes
Suffer for fashion - Of Montreal
Down on Pennys Farm - Natalie Merchant
Since u been gone - Kelly Clarkson
Telephone - Lady Gaga & Beyonce
Womanizer - Britney Spears
Invisible - Alison Moyet
Jolene - Dolly Parton
The Cure - Tegan and Sara
I'm still Standing - Elton John
Flashdance - Irene Cara
Don't Rush - Tegan and Sara
Leaving New York - REM
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

It's just under an hour long. I'm not confident that I'll make 5km in a decent 30-40mins. If I'm not doing great, I pretty much know about where the 30min mark should be on my route and I'll just stop there.

Rest day Saturday

so my second rest day in a row. It's my usual schedule to take Friday and Saturday off, but today I'm getting restless and want to go running. That's just so not me. I'm not one of those people who wants to exercise...or am I? Have I finally found the activity that I enjoy? It shocks me that it's running.

Apart from a period at primary school when I ran a lot training for the school cross country, I hit 12 and grew to dislike physical activity. My only memories of running are 8.30am High School daily PE and being made to run around the field for 20 minutes. Oh, how I despised it.

It's the final week of the c25k this week. I'm really considering trying to run 5km tomorrow. I've mapped out a run, so might just go for it.

Week 8 down. 3 runs to go.

The end is in sight now. Can't believe I've gotten this far and haven't quit. I've lost 2kg, but that isn't really due to the running, I've also been tracking what I eat and making sensible choices (ok, and a few silly ones...and learnt pizza for dinner = difficult run the next morning).

Todays run was perfect. We've still got two weeks of daylight saving left, and it was pitch black at 5am this morning when my alarm went off. I managed to drag myself out of bed 10 or 15 minutes later, and realised that it was darn cold out. My fancy Thorlos socks were toasty and warm, and the Columbia running hoodie I bought just to wear under a denim jacket a few years back was the perfect answer to the chilly autumn morning. I never expected I'd actually wear it running!

I warmed up pretty quickly once I started running though. It took a while to settle in to the pace, and I had to stick to the pavement, simply because it was a bit too dark out to risk running on the grass verge. Couldn't think of anything worse than stepping in a hole and doing in my ankle again.

Suprisingly, I found that despite the frosty weather, I had my best run since week 5 day 3. I settled in to a nice pace, managed to pick it up a bit for a few of the more upbeat songs, and all of a sudden I'd run right around the block and the 28 minutes was up.
The phone GPS told me I'd run 3.81km at an average pace of 7.23min/km. That's the longest I've run, and the fastest pace since I realised I could track it on my phone.

I was on a high all morning. I felt great, and now I realise why people stick with this running lark.

I'm ready for week 9 now.

Oh, and a different playlist today...

All I wanna do is make love to you - Heart
All the Showstoppers - The New Pornographers
Night Fever - The Bee Gees
Papa don't preach - Madonna
Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners
Do you think I'm sexy - N-trance
Wouldn't it be good - Nik Kershaw
Good Intentions - Toad the Wet Sprocket
Prison Girls - Neko Case

week 8 day two

Today was w8d2 and honestly, not sure whether I was a bit tired, or didn't like the dark, slightly warm, humid morning, but it wasn't a great run. I managed to keep running the whole way, and wasn't too uncomfortable at all, but I just couldn't pick up the pace at all...just kept falling back to a slow jog. Overall it was a shocker and I my legs feel like lead now.

3.3 km, 8.36 min/km

Just have to keep telling myself how well I've done...looking back to January when I couldn't even run 60 seconds without getting out of breath.

4 runs to go! I'm looking at starting the One Hour Runner program, but will be taking the Easter break off - 4 or 5 days with no running.

c25k WEEK 8...not long to go now

28 minute run today- and the first 5 minutes is still hard! That's where the mental struggle is for me, I still get 2 or 3 minutes in and have a desperate need to stop running and start walking. I'll get there, I just have to keep running...5 Runs to go!

It was a bit cool this morning, probably the coldest morning since I started.

3.58km, 7.52 min/km

week 8 playlist

Week 8 Playlist!

This Kiss - Faith Hill
Stronger - Kanye West
I think we're alone now - Tiffany
You're the first, the last, my everything - Barry White
Thats all it took - Gram Parsons
The tide is high - Blondie
Not fair - Lily Allen
Stayin' alive - N-trance
Take me anywhere - Tegan and Sara
Prison Girls - Neko Case

c25k week 7 day 3

w7d3 and I say goodbye to the 25 minute runs. It was pretty hard this morning, I decided to start faster than usual. I think I wanted to test myself and see if I could mentally keep going if I got out of breath. And I wanted to stop and walk after 5 minutes. I just slowed down and kept going instead. At one point I may have slowed down so much it probably looked like I was jogging on the spot!

3.16km, 7.58 min/km

Also needed a new playlist today.
Hymn to her - The Pretenders
Something bigger, Something better - Amanda Blank
Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves - Cher
You're so vain - Carly Simon
Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell
Monster - The Automatic
Orange Crush - REM
Wooden Heart - Elvis Presley
Don't want to forgive me now - Wet Wet Wet
I will not take these things for granted - Toad the Wet Sprocket

c25k week 7 day 2

w7d2 this morning, before the dawn and it was a little chilly out today. Can't wait till daylight savings finishes, it might be a little lighter in the early morning again. I didn't go as well as Sunday, but that might be a time of day thing - still managed 3km in 25 minutes though.

One more run and I can say goodbye to week 7. Still can't believe I've made it this far - when I started I was a little skeptical of myself, as I've never been able to stick at going to the gym, any group sport or exercise class for very long. I never enjoyed it like I have the past few weeks, even though it's been hard at times. I think being outside jogging in the fresh air appeals to me a lot more.

3.01km, 8.22 min/km

week 7 starting

dragged myself out of bed at 7am (on a Sunday!) for w7d1. Not to bad, completed it and got a bit further than on the last day of week 6. The weather gods have smiled on me - there were supposed to be strong winds all weekend, but they haven't eventuated. I wasn't looking forward to running into the wind.

3.29km, pace 7.41 min/km

I was a little suprised at the pace I managed - I'd stayed up a little later than I meant to last night. A little matter of finishing off Mass Effect 2. Which was AWESOME, and I managed to complete the final 'suicide' mission without dying or losing any of my team.

The playlist for this week is...
Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
Bury me under the weeping willow - Natalie Merchant
Whatever I Fear - Toad the Wet Sprocket
Into the Groove - Madonna
Thorn in my side - Eurythmics
Left outside alone - Anastacia
Freedom - Wham!
Refugee - Melissa Etheridge

c25k week 6 day 3

I realised yesterday that my Nokia has a GPS sportstracker app. So I can now log my distances and pace.

It was a slow start today, and my legs still don't like to get going, although my breathing was good. Only covered just over 3km in the 25 minutes, but I can work on speed later - at the moment I think 5km would take me around 40 minutes.

And the playlist was

Maxine - Sharon O'Neill
Grease - Frankie Valli
I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters
You give love a bad name - Bon Jovi
Accidentally Kelly Street - Frente!
Don't stop movin' - S Club 7
Northshore - Tegan & Sara
I'm still standing elton john

week 6 day two..running in a sauna?

Managed to drag myself out of bed before dawn for w6d2 today. It was a bit damp and drizzly outside, but too warm and sweaty for a jacket. I tried but it was a bit like running in a sauna.

The playlist...
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Invisible - Alison Moyet
Mickey - Toni Basil
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
Speak Slow - Tegan and Sara
Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston
Jesse - Carly Simon
Empty Garden - Elton John