So about 8 weeks ago I started training for mt first 5k.  Now keep in mind I had smoked for about 8 years before I quitn in September of 2006.  I ran a program called "couch potato to 5k" or C25K.  It uses an interval walk/run training program of about 30 minutes a workout.  The first week you run for 60 seconds then walk for 2 minutes and just repeat for 20 mins.  The walking is slowly replaced with running as each week goes by. When I started I could barely make it 60 seconds before I was gasping for breath, and 8 weeks into it I'm up to running 3-4 5k's a week!

Well today I ran in my first official race, a 5k "Run for Literacy".  My fiance is a teacher and some of the other teachers at school were running/walking in this so I figured I would take advantage of it and run with them!  I was extremely nervous at the starting line and almost changed my mind during registration, but I forced myself to do it.

And I'm proud to say that I finished even 2-3 minutes faster than I thought!  My time was 29:53 after adjusting for when I crossed the starting line.  Up till today, my fastest 5k was 31:10 so I am extremly happy with my results!

Thanks,

Nick

Congrats bro. 

ok when you move ill go ride with you but i am NOT running  congrats bud

Aww come on!  I'm gonna need a new running partner!

Nick

That's a good time for someone who has just started running 8 weeks ago - well done!

Thank you!  I had no idea what to expect and I just jumped into it.  I was told by another runner that first 5k times are usually in the 35 minute range so that sorta pumped me up!  When I started running I set my goal to complete my first 5k by May 3rd and if I did it then I could get myself a new pair of running shoes, so I now am the proud owner of these:

Nike Air Pegasus+ 25:



I just wish the Nike+ worked with my iPod! 


I set myself a new goal as well...My fiance and I are relocating back to Columbus Ohio and should be moved back home by June 6th.  June 7th is the Columbus 10k, so I have formed a new training program and I my new goal is to run and finish the 10k! 


And I also picked up this on clearance to help with the longer training days here in 100+ degree weather in Phoenix:

Outdoor Products Iceberg Hydration Pack:




Thanks,

Nick

Congratulations,

First on quitting smoking, thats the hardest thing to do.  Smoked while in high school and then in the service, got up to 4 packs a day, worst of all it was Camels, non filtered.  Lot of time stuck in tense situations.  Lost track of how many times I tried to quit.  Finally did. 

I run now and in the past.  10K's.  Great run and does not take that long really.  So good for you.  Keep running.

Inspired us all.  Congrats on the 5K.  Goodluck on the 10K.  Keep it up.

thank you everyone for the kind words.  This might turn into a "training log" blog type thing just so that other people read it and makes me even more accountable for my training.

Guetschow:

Have you done a 10k before, seems like you have by your post.  Any tips to look out for?  Much different than the 5k?

Thanks,

Nick

I don't think there's much difference running a 10k versus 5k, you get in the zone and just keep going. I always found that I was pretty much double the 5k time give or take a minute or so. Having said that though fitness/sore legs/feet etc may tell on the 2nd 5k if you're not used to it.

Moving back to Columbus eh?

yeah, we are coming back home.  Been in AZ for 2 years and we are getting married in October and ready to settle into a house and start a family and we both agreed that when that happened it was time to come home.

Man, I miss my running days.  I hadn't trained all that much and decided one day I was going to register for the relay for life "ultra marathoner" which I did.  I ran the full 26.5 and then some just for good measure.  It felt like I rode a horse across country the next day.  I did 2 more and on the 3rd, I blew my left knee out pretty bad so I don't know if I even can anymore.  I took up cycling because it was easier on the knees but I just suck at cardio and am getting a gut now.  I gotta do something about it.

With your knee like that, can you do any running at all or are you done with high impact excercises?  Right now I would be crushed if I was told I couldn't run anymore!

When I bought my shoes we got them from an actually running store and not a big box store. The salesman showed us an article about him in the Arizona Republic (phoenix newspaper), and it said he hasn't missed a day running in over 25 years, has found over 8k in change on the ground, and has countless free things from marlboro miles, coke rewards, etc all found on the ground.  He said he has competed in over 100 marathons, and even broke one of his knee caps.  He is probably 55 years old and runs over 100 miles a week!

Now thats an inspiration!

Nick

So today was the first 10k training day.  Added 5 minutes to the runs from last week and ended up at 3.551 miles in 35 minutes.  Still keeping the 10 minute mile pace so I'm happy with that.  First miles on the new shoes, and I can't believe how long I ran in my old ones and thought they were still good, makes a WORLD of difference!

Nick

Couch to 5k works.  Hands down.  I've done it myself.....and I HATE running....the kind of hate where you wake up with a bad hangover and your nether regions are tattooed like a barber pole...that kind of hate.   But the program works!

It sure does!  I swear by it.  And I think anyone could run a 5k if they dedicated themselves to the 9 week program.

Wow...a 5k...I am sweating my 1 1/2 mile run I need to do for the academy.  I need to do it in 11 min 58 sec and I am at 13 min 15 sec.

Congrats!

I gotta find some sort of exercise/hobby that is not getting my heart rate above 150. I did a stress test while in the hospital yesterday and my heart rate was up to 171 at 2.7mph with 4% incline. Only lasted six minutes before my heart threw a hissy fit! I know from the past cycling is easier on me so I guess I'll have to go with that. But, got to get my Heart Rate Monitor back up and going.

My biggest hurdle seems to be being held accountable for doing it. It is so hard to differentiate on is my fatigue heart related or lazy bones related! I guess I just gotta drag myself outta bed and do it!

Uts Sooo happy you have the determination to do even more!

Mary

Today I ran a little later than normal so the heat was already up in the 90's but I actually ran quicker!?  I even stopped a mile in because my ipod stopped playing and I had to restart my running playlist!

Ran my fastest 5k ever: 29:50 (never stopped my watch while fixing my ipod, so could have been faster!)
Ran my furthest distance yet: 3.633 miles in 34:19
Which is my fastest pace yet: 9:27 per mile

All in all was a good day!

Nick