Four Week C25K Recap

Phew, I finished week four!! I can't believe it! I'm very excited about the progress I've made so far and although I'm actually kinda terrified of running the actual 5K in September, I'm really looking forward to it. Since I fell behind with my training schedule last week due to that nasty cold, I now have 5 weeks left until the 5K and 5 weeks left of training. Honestly, the 5K might be my last official training run. That would be interesting. I don't care how long it takes me to finish, I just want to complete it. And not be last. Here's hoping.

I've learned a lot over these past 4 weeks. The most important thing - I can do this. Each week I fear the bigger interval. Oh my god I have to run 3 minutes straight? I'll die! Wait, you want me to run for 5 whole minutes in a row?! IMPOSSIBLE! But I keep doing it. And I don't die. In fact it's quite the opposite. I feel amazing, stronger, bolder, healthier. My knees are not quite as bad as I thought they were. I've been complaining since I was 9 in youth soccer that I can't do anything athletic due to my terrible knees. Yeah they bug me a bit here and there but during runs, not at all. I've learned not to stare at my stopwatch waiting for the interval to be over. It goes by faster if you don't think about it. I've learned that I actually prefer running in overcast weather. No more excuses there. I've learned that nothing beats a good playlist. I would much rather run outside than on a treadmill. The treadmill makes me dizzy plus nothing beats the great outdoors. The fresh air, sun or rain, the views, there's really nothing like it.

There's also something very cathartic about going out for a run. It's such a great way to clear your head after a long day. I still have a long way to go in my training but I'm loving it so far. I'll let you know if I still feel this way later on when it's Week 5, Day 3 and I have to do my first long run (20 minutes straight!). Yeah, I'm really scared of that one. But let's keep taking it one run at a time. Next up should be tomorrow night, Week 5, Day 1:

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

It's kind of funny that I look at that and think, oh that's it? Easy!

Wish me luck!!