C25K week 3

Finished Week 2 and felt good about it, but I'm a bit nervous about 3 minutes.

Just finished Week 3 Day 1. Beautiful weather makes it much easier! The last two runs, my son rode his bike next to me. It made it easier I think, to have someone taking my mind off the time. I actually wanted to run longer or at least add another run onto the end, but am sticking to the plan.

I'm just checking in before I go out to do day 2 of this week to see if the rest of you fared ok. I guess I'll probably survive it.

Is there a way to delete a post? My fingers slipped and posted before I was done and then bizarreness happened.

I did it!!!! I didn't know if I could! I had to stop for just a few seconds to stretch during the walk after the first run because my calf felt like it was about to cramp up, but that was all! I joined a gym today for the days in between and when I was asked what my goals were I said 23 more pounds and eventually a half marathon.....and nobody laughed or even smiled. I know there's a LOT to go before that half marathon, but you know what, I think I'm going to get there. Now if I can just finish this and do a 5K.

Pete: I think you're really wise to get 2 days rest before the next run. Hang in there!

Keep the faith you guys! I just did my last week 3 run tonight and I'm feeling great. Tonight and run 2 this week I added a bit of extra running on the end. 4 minutes! Makes me feel a bit less scared about the 5minutes I'll be doing on runs this week. This week I had to start fastening my sports bras on the next smaller hooks-yay! Some payoff! So, keep it up!

I'm feeling a tad discouraged today. I joined a gym to get some help with core strength and for the classes and so I had something to do in between the runs that was different. So the plan I got had a special going that included 6 personal training sessions. I did my first today. I had no problem with anything except that when asked what my goals were I said to run a 5K and then eventually a half marathon. I had knee surgery something like 28 years ago because (in the simplest of terms) I tore some ligaments and my knee cap fell over and then years later the back of my knee cap was messed up and had to be surgically repaired. So I tell them this and then the response to my half marathon dream was something like "I'm not saying you can't do it, but with your knee and something as high impact as running........" I don't have problems with the knee except on rare occasions and really? You couldn't just say "What a great goal!" and then tell me what exercises to do to strengthen my knees etc for running? I'm going back to not telling anyone my half marathon dream. Well, OK, I told all of you, but that's different.

I did it!!!! I didn't know if I could! I had to stop for just a few seconds to stretch during the walk after the first run because my calf felt like it was about to cramp up, but that was all! I joined a gym today for the days in between and when I was asked what my goals were I said 23 more pounds and eventually a half marathon.....and nobody laughed or even smiled. I know there's a LOT to go before that half marathon, but you know what, I think I'm going to get there. Now if I can just finish this and do a 5K.

Pete: I think you're really wise to get 2 days rest before the next run. Hang in there!

You can DO it Tex, and I'll run with you. Stuff the muscleheads at the gym!

Completed Week 3 Day 1 yesterday. My bigger loop worked out pretty well. I was able to walk the hills and run the flats & downhills which worked out nice.
The first 90 sec interval went well...no problems.
The first 3min interval ...wow...my calves were screaming by the end. Stretched them out for a few seconds and kept walking.
Felt pretty good doing the last interval of 3minutes that we pushed it up to 4 mins to see if we could do it. We did it and were thrilled.
My loop is larger so our 5min cool down walk is longer but I figure that is still a good thing. Movement, right?!
Muscles felt good and warm at the end.

Today is my C25K rest day and I usually walk on these days or do a Tae Bo dvd. My lower back was aching A LOT last night while I was trying to sleep. I decided to do a Pilates dvd today to stretch my back and legs and work on my core.
I know other MFPers that do Yoga on rest days.
Thanks MFPers for this advice.
I am not good at Pilates...at all...but I can see how it can help me so I will continue with it. My back and legs do feel pretty good after the workout.
If the weather cooperates later, I might head outside for a long walk.
Tomorrow is Wk3 - Day 2 and I am looking forward to it.

I finished Week 3 Day 2 this afternoon and it felt pretty good. The calves really start burning toward the end of the 3 minute runs, but it's not horrible. And the recovery seems fast.

Week 3 Day 2 complete, with no problems. Latest journal entry is at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/russelljclarke.

Question for you all - do you think it would do any harm to up my pace a little when doing the last 3 minutes of running? We're not talking Usain Bolt here believe me, but I feel I want to know if I can run faster, not just longer. Your thoughts?

Russell - I don't see any reason not to run a bit faster during the last 3 minutes if you feel like you have the energy to do it. I say go for it! And thanks for the encouragement!

i completed week 2 yesterday, which I posted in the other thread. Tomorrow I am meeting a friend but intend to start Week 3 in the morning, even though I am going to do an hour circuit session tomorrow night. I figure I have a full day to get over my C25K!!

I'll let you know how I go!

Today's C25K Week 3 - day 2 run went pretty well. T
The weather was cold but we layered up and did fine. (long sleeve shirt, mittens, a fleece pullover, ear covering, running pants, socks and running shoes)
It sprinkled a little on us but nothing major. Just felt the occasional drop...
The cold air really didn't bother me but my cheeks sure felt the cold.
When we hit the door coming in from our run...I had to start peeling off the layers right away...lol....recovered well though.
Overall I am proud of us getting out there and getting it knocked out before the rain came.
It isn't supposed to warm up to the mid 60's again until Saturday.

Next week, C25K week 4, is upping the running again -- EEK! I always get so nervous about this next step...

Completed day 2 of week 3 today. Weather was cold, dreary and little wet, but I enjoyed it because I did not need to fuss with sunglasses. I layered up really well too, even put on some gloves.

Based on today, I'm not sure if I'll advance to week 4 on schedule. On Friday I will try to extend the 3 minutes to 4. If I'm able to do that I'll move on to week 4, if not, then I think I'm looking at repeating this week over again.

I think you should still work towards your goal!! As long as you're determined and you do it safely I see no reason why you shouldn't be able to do it. I think you should find out some exercises to perhaps strengthen your knee and go for it! Good luck, you can do it!!!!

I agree. To coin a phrase "quitters don't win, and winners don't quit. You'll never know till you try.