First 5k stats

Lehigh Valley half marathon and 5K in Allentown, PA
5-3-09
33:27 (10:46 minute mile)

I totally went into this one unprepared. I hadn't run in a week and the best I had done was 2.5 miles on a flat surface. My friend and I decided at the starting line that we would 1. Finish in less than 40 minutes and 2. Not finish last. So, mission accomplished.

Despite only finishing in the top 77% it was great fun! I've already signed up for another one in September, this time closer to home. My biggest mistake with this one was not knowing where the heck the end was - so it was hard to motivate myself. Next time - a carefully timed iPOD playlist so I have a better sense of how to pace myself. Because the next one is in Philly I'll be able to actually run the course beforehand.

Third time's a charm?

I just printed out The Couch to 5K Running Plan-for the third time.

First attempt: I started in August 2007, and I think I made it to around week 4.

Second attempt: I was running with a friend from school, which definitely kept me motivated. We were doing really well and had signed up for a 5K in early June. But I got sick, we missed the race and soon after she started working on her dissertation. She has now graduated and I haven't found a new partner yet.

I haven't stopped running and still get out 2-3 times per week. I don't keep track of how far I run or how fast. I'm probably doing 2-3 miles each time, but I'm walking for some of that.

So. I'm going to start the program again because I don't think I'll improve without some concrete goals. We'll see how it goes.

More couch than 5K...

... so far anyway, but I'm definitely improving.

A few weeks ago I started working on this couch to 5K program. The goal is to run 5K (3 miles) in thirty minutes and at this point that goal seems unattainable, but I'm working up to it.

In the past few years I think R. and I have really improved our eating habits: we cook a lot more, eat tons of fruits/veggies, drink lots of H20 and we've pretty much cut out all hydrogenated oils and corn syrup products. We buy a lot of organic food, neither of us drinks soda, we avoid fast food and neither of us is overweight. One thing I do need to watch is refined sugar - I like it in my coffee and I do like my sweets. R. is the same way but is better about eating something fruity (rather than chocolate-y) to satisfy sweet cravings.

It's the exercise department that needs some work. I started making an effort to exercise a long time ago (in high school, maybe 14 years ago?) and sometimes I'm really good about it, sometimes... not so much. In the past 2-3 years I've noticed that my body is starting to age and that I need to re-think my routine - pilates and a walk here and there isn't enough any more.

So back to running. I started couch to 5k once before but didn't stick with it. But for some reason this time I have - I've gone three times per week for four weeks. Something odd happened when I started to get more serious about it - I found that it's addictive! I don't have trouble convincing myself to take a run before school; it's much easier for me than convincing myself to get to the gym for some reason. I prefer to run around my neighborhood and in Fairmount park, but I do run on the treadmill sometimes to check timing and speed.

So for those of you who are more advanced than me, a few questions:

1. How do you avoid knee pain? Mine hurt when I first start out but it seems to go away eventually.

2. How do you carry your music and keys? Do you somehow carry water too?

3. Do you have a playlist that you really like? I'm getting bored with the one I'm currently using.