Couch to 5K, Week 6

I took notes this week so I could remember how the week went! Like last week, each day had different running times.
Monday was on the warm side in the 70's. I did the five minute warm-up walk, then 5 minute jog, 3 minute walk, 8 minute jog, 3 minute walk, and 5 minute jog, ending with the five minute cool down.
The end of the 8 minute jog was up a hill, and I speed walked more than jogged through it, but I kept running form. The second 5 minute jog was tough, but I made it through. This was the farthest I've run so far, probably 1/4 mile or more than previously.
Wednesday was cooler, in the 60's. After the five minute warm-up walk, I did a 10 minute jog, 3 minute walk, 10 minute jog and 5 minute cool down walk. The second 10 minute jog started at the bottom of a hill and again, I speed walked more than jogged. It did get easier once I made it up the hill and the running path evened out. My earphone cord was a little too long and kept getting in my way, but I didn't want to break my stride to deal with it, so I just tried to keep it out of my way.
Friday was another nice morning in the 60's, and was time for another long jog, this time 25 minutes after the 5 minute warm-up.
The podcast I was listening to was for all of week six, so I still heard the cues from days 1 and 2. When the first five minutes were done, I couldn't believe five minutes had already passed. I had no problem getting through the first five minutes, but still had 20 to go.
The next cue was at 8 minutes, when I still had 17 to go. I was still doing pretty well, knowing I had a long time still ahead of me.
The next cue was only 2 minutes later from the end of day 2's 10 minute run. I had 15 minutes to go. A short 3 minutes later (at the end of day 2's walk time), I was suddenly at 13 minutes done and 12 to go--over half done!
The last three cues I was trying to figure in my head how many minutes I had left (9, then 6, then 1), and before I knew it, I had jogged for 25 minutes straight! I only speed walked up the second hill, and found it fairly easy to recover once the path leveled out again. Well, easy is not the right word, but it wasn't nearly as hard as getting up the hill.
Overall, I'm finding it takes a bit to find my stride, but after a few minutes I get my rhythm and am on pace with the music and my breathing and jogging.
My legs have been tired out this week, not quite sore, but definitely feeling the effects of running longer distances and times.
On a fun note, I rewarded myself for getting through last week's first long run of 20 minutes and got some new workout clothes and a handy dandy armband to hold my phone that plays the podcasts I listen to. I needed to replace the old pants I had that were becoming thread bare on the inner thighs, and also got a couple of sports bras so I no longer have to wear a ratty old nursing bra when I'm running.
That got a little long! I guess I had a lot to say this week.

It's got to be more exciting to run outside. I would not see wildflowers along my path if I were running on a treadmill!

Garden Progress

Our little garden is starting to take off finally.

Green beans

Blossom on eggplant

Beets

Carrots, with a rogue bean plant one of the kids "misplaced"

Peas, blending in with the lawn, ready to grab on to the fence

Tomato plant, peppers in the background

Up close and personal with the lawn

The first tomatoes starting to form (how long until they're ready to harvest? I can almost taste them now!)

Anniversary Weekend

Thirteen years married!

Barry and I celebrated our 13th anniversary on Monday the 11th, and we were fortunate to be able to spend the weekend kid-free. Barry's parents were willing to watch the kids for a couple of days, so we brought them down on Friday. Barry was sick with a bad cold, so after going out for supper, we drove the 3 hours home.
Saturday was cool, rainy and foggy. We had talked about going on one of the train rides that leaves from Duluth, or seeing the city from Enger Tower, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Instead, we had some lunch at the New London Cafe. Then we did some shopping for exciting things like bed sheets, workout clothes, and a cutting board to replace the one Remy broke when he accidentally dropped it.

That's a lot of glass to clean up!

No trip to Duluth is complete without a walk in Canal Park. We were reminded of our own wedding when we saw two wedding parties having pictures taken by the lake.

Foggy Duluth

A view of the lake walk from the pier

Aerial Lift Bridge

Fountain of the Wind

Sidewalk fountain?

Brick sidewalk

Yes, yes I do

On our way home, we stopped at the grocery store to get some T-Bone steaks to grill. A couple friends came over and we grilled the steaks, chicken and fish for the non-red meat eater, sweet corn, asparagus, and bread from Amazing Grace.


Sunday morning was the sun was shining once again. We ate breakfast in town, then took a walk at the marina and explored a lesser-known spot along Lake Superior. Then it was back home to wait for the kids to be return home.

Chainsaw eagle carving at the marina

A picture perfect day

Rock that form the safe harbor

These purple flowers are prolific in the ditches up here

Someday I will go kayaking

I never tire of the view of Lake Superior

While we didn't go on an extravagant vacation or venture far from home, it was nice to be able to focus on each other instead of focusing on the kids.

(As always, click on photos to view larger)

Couch to 5K, Week 5

I was glad to be back to my Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule this week. Instead of every day being the same, each day gradually added more running time.
Monday was jog 5 minutes, walk 3, jog 5, walk 3, jog 5, 5 minute cool down walk.
Wednesday was jog 8 minutes, walk 5, jog 8, 5 minute cool down.
Friday was the big one--after the 5 minute warm up, jog for 20 minutes, then 5 minute cool down walk.
I was a little scared at the beginning of the week. I had just been getting used to running five minutes at a time. Now I'd be at 20 minutes by the end of the week?! The way I've been getting through the tough parts is just by putting one foot in front of the other, and telling myself to keep going. I don't remember specifics of each day's run, just that I made it through all the runs without stopping to walk--even the 20 minutes! I'll admit it was slow going for much of the 20 minutes, but I did it!
The music this week had a very strong beat, making it easier to set a pace for jogging. The weather was on the warm side, in the middle to upper 70's all three days.

Couch to 5K, Week 4

I had to run on Monday, Thursday and Saturday this week as Barry and Jackson were out of town on Wednesday so I had no one else to watch the younger kids. If you would have told me when I started the Couch to 5K program and was struggling to run for one minute that I would be up to five minute runs in a few weeks, I wouldn't have believed it.
This week alternated 3 minute run, 1 1/2 minute walk, 5 minute run, 2 1/2 minute walk, 3 minute run, 1 1/2 minute walk, 5 minute run, then 5 minute cool down walk. I ran every segment as I was supposed to, although I'm still running at a slow jog. The burning in my calves was back this week with the longer runs and the hills.
It's getting warmer now that summer's finally here, and on Saturday's run it was 73 degrees when I started and 79 degrees at the end. I much prefer running at 50-60 degrees.
I didn't like this week's music selection as much as previous week's--it was a little too 80's sounding to me. The best music was in the last minute of the last run when it pumped up enough to get me through to the end.
I always enjoy the 5 minute cool down at the end when I'm on the ATV trail behind our house in the shade of these lovely trees:

Popsicles and Kiddie Pools

Make my kids happy