My Magical Journey to Running the Half Marathon TR Link! p.107

[MHTeacher]

Hi Carissa---Checking in to see all your progress. It sounds like you are doing a great job.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

You go Carissa! YOU CAN DO THIS!

I know nothing about the treadmill, so I can't help there. Just remember...doing SOMETHING is way better than doing nothing at all!

Here are a few cheers for you....GO, GO, GO!

 

[carissanboys]

Good job getting on the treadmill! You'll have good days and bad days. I wouldn't slow down anymore. You're right 4.0 for your jogs is already fairly slow. As you've noticed if you go too slow it's actually easier to walk. If you feel like you aren't ready for week 3 then try week 2 again. Good luck. This is all a learning process that is different for everyone

Thanks Jenny.

I think the important thing is to keep doing something. Sometimes we all get hung up on the details, how fast, how long, which technique or whatever. Keep moving is the most important part and if there is a way that speaks to you more than another, embrace that.

Repeating week 2 sounds like a good plan to me

That's what I'm leaning towards right now.

I can't wait to hear all about your training as you move along. I signed up for my first 1/2 marathon yesterday as well. (The Wine and Dine in October).

I went through the C25K program last year, and really found as I went through that it's the mental stuff that was hardest to get through. Especially in the early days I'd have to set myself goals as I ran. I did all my running outdoors, so I'd make myself "deals". If I could get to the next stop sign, I'd let myself stop. When I got there, I'd set a new goal further down the road. Before I knew it I actually had found a point I didn't have to do that anymore, and my body would just feel right while running. It was a wonderful feeling. It just took awhile before my mind realized my body could run.

I've been meaning to stop by your PTR ever since I first saw the link in your signature. I will definitely get over there soon. I'm so looking forward to that point where it feels right.

I agree with Dismagiclover - if you don't think you're ready for week 3 stick to week 2. Otherwise you might end up psyching yourself out and quitting...remember your excitement you had starting out and think how good you're going to look in you cute Disney running outfit!

Right now my big motivation is being able to buy and wear a cute summer dress to my husband's homecoming.

Carissa, I am a die-hard treadmill fan. I always seem to go right to the treadmill every single day I hit the gym (if I am not outside walking, which in CA you can do almost every day). I rarely hit the elliptical BUT have done it allot and really do love it and feel like I get a great w/o.

ANYWAY, how about slowing down the speed to 3.5 BUT instead you UP your INCLINE. I will do that often. Sheesh, that can be an intense w/o climbing THAT hill!!!

If I am going to have an INCLINE day, I will do my w/u for 5 minutes and then start s l o w l y upping my speed and hit the incline button as well. Every few minutes I up the incline until I cannot stand it. Mind you keeping the speed at 3.5-4.0! If I am feeling really good, the speed keeps going up with the incline.

Do you know there are more days in my week, Carissa, that I hate working out BUT it is the RESULTS I love!!!!!

Thanks for the suggestion, Karen. I think increasing the incline would just make the running harder, even if I slowed it down to 3.5. My brisk walk is at 3.5 and I have no problems with that (except for when I'm trying to recoup from my runs). I don't think I could even run at 3.5 - just not fast enough for me. I think if I do another week with the same intervals I've been doing, I'll be more prepared mentally and physically for week 3.

Oh and as far as w/o clothes go, Car, I wear all crap.
I buy my w/o shorts in the MENS Dept at Target or Wal-Mart...those shorts by RUSSELL and JERZEES!!! I buy myself a MENS small, I love them, nice and roomy and CHEAP. I have like 4 pairs of black that I have bought over the years when they are on sale!!! They hold up well.

Let me tell you, I live here in the beautiful flashy, pricey OC and the ladies at my complex here at our gym wear such lovely, pricey $$$$$ w/o clothes....NOT KAR!!!

Whatever works!

Hi Carissa

keep up the good work...I love your internal arguments

And I love your new PTR logo in your siggie...too cute and motivating...so when you are here on the boards you will be like "oh yes Mr. Treadmill I'll see you later today"...

Too funny! And thanks - I wanted a new logo for this PTR, but didn't have Torsie around to make me one (she did the others) so I just made something up on photobucket.

Also forgot to mention...are you still thinking CSR? You know I stayed there last March...let me know if you have any questions...

I'd forgotten about that! I'll have to take another look at your TR. And I'll definitely let you know if I have questions.

Hi Carissa---Checking in to see all your progress. It sounds like you are doing a great job.

Thanks Michelle. I'm trying!

 

[carissanboys]

You go Carissa! YOU CAN DO THIS!

I know nothing about the treadmill, so I can't help there. Just remember...doing SOMETHING is way better than doing nothing at all!

Here are a few cheers for you....GO, GO, GO!

Thanks Missy! Yesterday, The Biggest Loser for the wii showed up so I'm going to try it out tomorrow.

 

[glennbo123]

I think the important thing is to keep doing something. Sometimes we all get hung up on the details, how fast, how long, which technique or whatever. Keep moving is the most important part and if there is a way that speaks to you more than another, embrace that.

Repeating week 2 sounds like a good plan to me

Carissa, I completely agree with what Cynthia said. Keep moving, at your own pace. You will get there.

I went through the C25K program last year, and really found as I went through that it's the mental stuff that was hardest to get through. Especially in the early days I'd have to set myself goals as I ran. I did all my running outdoors, so I'd make myself "deals". If I could get to the next stop sign, I'd let myself stop. When I got there, I'd set a new goal further down the road. Before I knew it I actually had found a point I didn't have to do that anymore, and my body would just feel right while running. It was a wonderful feeling. It just took awhile before my mind realized my body could run.

That's me, Let's Make a Deal. It's all a mind game though, with yourself, which is really weird 'cause it's kinda hard to pull one over on yourself. In the early days as long as I was improving (going farther without stopping), I was happy. Now when I get back out there after this cold snap ends, I'm sure I'll be making more deals with myself, trying to get back to the times that I left off at.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Do you listen to music while you are on the treadmill? I find it unbearable using the treadmill without my ipod, it just seems to drag on forever. The music really helps keep me in the mood and pumped and takes my mind off the "pain" of exercising.

 

[OhMari]

I think it would be better to repeat week two and hopefully get to the point where it doesn't feel quite so hard before I try to move on to week three

You answered your own question. No one says you have to follow a strict regimine, it is only a guided program. I cannot do inclines, I get shin splints. But knowing, I can slow down for a few weeks, hopefully I can add an incline. And, did you find any stickers for your calendar? I'm not kidding how much of an "accomplishment" it is to see a star or put a star up on the calendar after a tough work out. A few have been slapped on as hard, but it is nice to really see those stars. Keep it up. I know how difficult it is, especially when your back muscles above "my" butt are bouncing. Maybe I should call it "muscle", but I like to believe it is muscle.

 

[carissanboys]

Carissa, I completely agree with what Cynthia said. Keep moving, at your own pace. You will get there.

Thanks for the encouragement, Glenn.

Do you listen to music while you are on the treadmill? I find it unbearable using the treadmill without my ipod, it just seems to drag on forever. The music really helps keep me in the mood and pumped and takes my mind off the "pain" of exercising.

Normally when I walk or whatever, whether inside or out, I use my iPod. Have to have music! Since I started this program, I'm using the podcasts that were made by a runner. He has music in there and tells you when to walk/run. The music isn't really exciting, but it works for now. I'm anxious to be able to just run for 30 minutes straight so I can make my own playlists.

You answered your own question. No one says you have to follow a strict regimine, it is only a guided program. I cannot do inclines, I get shin splints. But knowing, I can slow down for a few weeks, hopefully I can add an incline. And, did you find any stickers for your calendar? I'm not kidding how much of an "accomplishment" it is to see a star or put a star up on the calendar after a tough work out. A few have been slapped on as hard, but it is nice to really see those stars. Keep it up. I know how difficult it is, especially when your back muscles above "my" butt are bouncing. Maybe I should call it "muscle", but I like to believe it is muscle.

The program actually says it is perfectly fine to repeat a week if you need to. I guess I just wanted to make sure I wasn't telling myself I couldn't do it when in reality I can, you know?

I did just get some Disney stickers in the mail from the Disney Movie Club. The wii fit plus lets you put a "stamp" on each day that you workout. And as you complete tasks, you earn more stamps.

 

[ZOOMAMA]

You are doing great! I have discovered for myself that running is as much about mental conditioning as the physical conditioning. Unfortunately, they are rarely in sync! So repeat the week, the only person watching the calendar is you. And you will be smokin' hot in your little summer dress when your man steps off that...boat (Go Army!) Today I completed the C25K program and I hated every step! Go figure! I had imagined this run thousands of times with great fanfare but it was just whiny, complaining me slogging around the neighborhood.

Tess

 

[Native NYer]

Repeating week 2 sounds like the perfect way to go

 

[carissanboys]

You are doing great! I have discovered for myself that running is as much about mental conditioning as the physical conditioning. Unfortunately, they are rarely in sync! So repeat the week, the only person watching the calendar is you. And you will be smokin' hot in your little summer dress when your man steps off that...boat (Go Army!) Today I completed the C25K program and I hated every step! Go figure! I had imagined this run thousands of times with great fanfare but it was just whiny, complaining me slogging around the neighborhood.

Tess

Thanks Tess. Your post really made me smile.

And a huge congrats to you for completing the program!

 

[carissanboys]

Repeating week 2 sounds like the perfect way to go

I don't even know why I was questioning it now.

 

[KathyRN137]

Hey Carissa!

Great job!

You've inspired me to start on the Wii Fit tomorrow! Thanks!


Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

I think the important thing is to keep doing something. Sometimes we all get hung up on the details, how fast, how long, which technique or whatever. Keep moving is the most important part and if there is a way that speaks to you more than another, embrace that.

Repeating week 2 sounds like a good plan to me

I really couldn't have said it better myself.

Cynthia oh wise one!

 

[All7OfUs]

You're doing so well, Carissa!! Just do week 2 over, and don't let it discourage or trip you up too much!

Guess what? I"m downloading the Couch to 5K tonight. I might not be able to start until the weather warms up some more, but I'm ready!

 

[carissanboys]

Hey Carissa!

Great job!

You've inspired me to start on the Wii Fit tomorrow! Thanks!


Kathy

Woohoo! Go Kathy!!

I really couldn't have said it better myself.

Cynthia oh wise one!

You're doing so well, Carissa!! Just do week 2 over, and don't let it discourage or trip you up too much!

Guess what? I"m downloading the Couch to 5K tonight. I might not be able to start until the weather warms up some more, but I'm ready!

That's great, Liesa! I'm anxious for you to try it out.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I felt the same way about several of my weeks. I'd recommend trying the next week. If you can't get through the full running times you can always cut them short. I know I had a few times I was convinced that I wasn't going to be able to handle the new week, but I'd give it a try and was always surprised that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Running is such a mental game, especially for me.

I used the Ullrey podcasts for the first week, but I really found that I needed music with words. I like to sing along in my head as I run. I did a bit of internet searching and found someone who had done the same thing with music that worked better for me. Most of it was pop/hip hop type music - stuff that made you want to move your body. If you'd like the web address, just pm me. I'd post it, but I'm afraid that it may get blocked, as there is one slightly inappropriate word in the web address. A change in music really helped me out.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Keep up the good work Carissa! Do what feels right for you.

Thanks to you, I'm going to get up off my butt not and go do my Wii Fit workout!

 

[carissanboys]

I felt the same way about several of my weeks. I'd recommend trying the next week. If you can't get through the full running times you can always cut them short. I know I had a few times I was convinced that I wasn't going to be able to handle the new week, but I'd give it a try and was always surprised that it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Running is such a mental game, especially for me.

I used the Ullrey podcasts for the first week, but I really found that I needed music with words. I like to sing along in my head as I run. I did a bit of internet searching and found someone who had done the same thing with music that worked better for me. Most of it was pop/hip hop type music - stuff that made you want to move your body. If you'd like the web address, just pm me. I'd post it, but I'm afraid that it may get blocked, as there is one slightly inappropriate word in the web address. A change in music really helped me out.

I was looking through the website for the program earlier and saw that it's actually only two 3-minute runs and two 90 second runs so it may not be as bad as I was thinking. But, I still think I'm going to do at least one more day of week 2.

I PM'd you.

Keep up the good work Carissa! Do what feels right for you.

Thanks to you, I'm going to get up off my butt not and go do my Wii Fit workout!

Thanks Amy! And good for you! I did the first workout on The Biggest Loser this morning and Bob was a killer with the squats. Man!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm happy to say I DID do my workout this morning. Squats, jacknives, lunges & all! It's so easy to make excuses. I skipped Sunday because I couldn't walk after my workout Saturday. I skipped Monday & Tuesday because I've been fighting a cold. I'm glad you inspired me to get back at it today. My goal is to workout 2-3 times during the week. Plus once or twice on the weekend.

Don't you love the boxing? How about the balance games - I'm so bad at those. It took me 50 tries, but I finally made it down the river in my bubble this weekend. Now I'm eating pizza for lunch...

How is the Biggest Loser workout? I've had my eye on that one... I love the show!