Couch to 5k: Week Three

Posted on Apr 07, 2016

Posted in: Couch to 5K

Couch to 5k: Week Three

Hello Friends and welcome to the vacation edition of my Couch to 5k journey.  You can read about Weeks One and Two here and here.  I don’t have much to report this week because I was away for spring break.  My family and I travelled to San Diego and it was glorious.  It was sunny and 68 degrees every day and the warmth felt good on my pale Wisconsin skin.  We explored the city, visited the zoo and went to the beach.  My favorite part of each day was sitting outside on our patio at dusk with a crisp glass of Rose wine and soaking in the last of the sunshine.  It was just the break we all needed.  I even managed to squeeze in 3 runs while I was there.  That’s the great thing about running for fitness: you can do it anywhere and it doesn’t require a lot of equipment.  I love to cycle but it’s a high barrier sport to do on vacation. You either have to bring your bike, which can be cost prohibitive if you are flying, or rent one, which is also expensive.  Then there is all the gear that cycling requires like a helmet, shoes, pedals, and various clothing items.  For running the gear is minimal: shoes, shorts, socks and bra.  It took up very little room in my suitcase.

My runs felt like an adventure rather than a chore.  We rented a beach bungalow one block from the ocean so the routes I took had glimpses of the water and the occasional surfer catching a wave.  The views and the cool ocean breezes on my face made it easy to get my miles in.  The training schedule called for a distance of 2 miles.  I ran more than that and it didn’t feel hard.  I still think I’m slow but I hope to work on speed next week.

I have observed one negative transformation thus far: I feel hungry much more than usual.  I’m not usually a “snacker” but I find myself reaching for something mid-morning and then again mid-afternoon.  I weighed myself recently and I found that I had actually gained a couple of pounds.  I’m not worried about it though. I am happy with my weight but typically spring is when I tend to shed a couple of pounds instead of the reverse.  The challenge will to keep the calories in check and eat healthy snacks.  I have already buckled down on the sweets which are my true weakness.

Until next time, keep running!

couch to 5k

My views while running