Couch to 5k: Week Two

Posted on Mar 31, 2016

Posted in: Couch to 5K

Couch to 5k: Week Two

Hello Friends! Welcome to week two of my Couch to 5k journal.  Click here and here if you are new and want some more information.  I know we are only two weeks into the program but I feel great about my experience thus far.  Before the program started, I dreaded running.  Now I have completed 5 runs and it isn’t so bad.  I had some soreness after the first time but none since.  Even though I am still slow I feel more confident about accomplishing the goals I set for myself.  I was also worried about making the evening meetings.  Like in most families, early evening hours can be chaotic.  There is dinner to be made, homework to be done and nightly chores to complete.  Good thing I have a supportive family.  They make it easier for me to get out the door.  In the morning I put all my stuff in a pile so all I have to do is put it on and head out.

In addition to the twice weekly meetings, Coach Tricia also gave us a recommended training schedule for the next ten weeks.  Basically the schedule calls for one additional day of running, which progressively increases in mileage.  Then there is one day of walking and one day of rest.  The other three days are optional cross training days.  Cross training simply means doing some other exercise besides running that improves overall fitness, like swimming, cycling, strength training or yoga.  I already participate in spin class on Mondays and Wednesdays so I have continued doing those for my cross training days.  When the weather gets warmer I will drop the spin class and get outside for some cycling.  I just have to remember to squeeze in a run and a walk on the weekends.  Last weekend it was easy to do because the sun was shining and I was itching to get outside.

For week two, we simply had to run 1/4 mile more than last week for a total of 1.75 miles.  Again, the run felt good.  I stayed true to my 12 minute mile pace and finished in 21 minutes.  Right now I am not worried about speed.  I am building more confidence with each run and I think I can build speed too.  On Thursday night we stayed inside the Ice Arena because the conditions on the road were too messy and treacherous from the snowstorm.  I didn’t feel as good as I did on Tuesday night but I blame the popcorn sloshing around in my stomach.  My kids had a snow day so we went to see a movie.  The popcorn ended up being a bad choice.  I ran 30 minutes around the ice rink and up the bleacher stars.  I still managed to work up a sweat despite the stomach ache.  When I got home my Fitbit data revealed that I managed to sustain my target heart rate. It was another successful week.

As a heads-up, I will be gone next week.  The kids have their spring break and we are headed to San Diego for a much-needed family vacation.  I will be packing my running shoes, though, and hope to log my miles.  I will share pictures when I return. Until then keep running!

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