Day 7

Run 3/1 x 4 - run three minutes, walk 1 - repeat 4 times, then 1/1 x 4 - run one minute walk one minute - repeate 4 times.

I did it.  I did it.  It was frickin' hard as hell and I thought I was going to quit after the first part of 3/1 but rather than quitting, I just took a little break and walked for 5 mintues before going on to the 1/1 x 4.  I hurt when I finished...the fronts of my calves were screaming and still are very tender.  I was sweating up a storm and honestly thought my lungs were going to explode...but I did it. 

The 1/1's now feel easy.  Like...I tell myself "you used to hold your breath for 2 minutes at a time in high school (I was on the synchronized swimming team) - you can run for a minute...and I do.  Even running 2 minutes is starting to feel easy...but three last night kicked my butt.  However, I did it...and I could do it again - tho not right this second, please...

Day 6

Last night's run - 2/1 x 6 - Run two minutes, walk 1 - repeat 6 times. 

Totally thought that I'd rather do the last 2/1 than do a set of 1/1 x 5...but that last 2 minutes was ROUGH.  Once I cooled down, I was pretty into the show I was watching, so I did some steep incline walking.  Not sure if that was a good idea.  My calves and butt are upset with me and that might make tonight's run harder.  I'm just not losing any weight and I'm wondering if it's because my body is used to working out longer than 30 minutes in a day.  In any case, I felt pretty great last night after my shower - accomplished and warm and loose but this morning is a diffferent story.  Here's hoping that my muscles loosen up over the course of the day...

Day 5 - Do-Over

Warm up with a 5-10 minute walk. Run 2/1 x5, then 1/1 x5, for a total of 25 minutes. Cool down with a 5-10 minute walk. If two minutes of running still feels difficult, try slowing your pace a little. Your breathing should not be out of control. If it is, you definitely need to slow it down.

I couldn't get past the fact that I couldn't do this...so I tried again.  It was better the second time and I completed it without too much trouble.  In fact, doing it and knowing I had to complete it made the accomplishment that much sweeter. 

The sad thing is I've now finished True Blood season 1 and now have to come up with something that will hold my attention while I workout every day.  I liked True Blood because it moves fast and it's scary, which made running easier (running away from Vampires).  I'm thinking maybe Dexter is next (a serial killer).  We'll see. 

The good news is that Day 5 is now successfully completed and I can move to day 6 tonight...

Day 5 - FAILED

I was supposed to repeat Day 4's workout of 2/1x5 followed by 1/1x5.  I couldn't do it.  I did the first part OK but I only got thru 1/1x2 before I gave up.  I feel horrible about it but I just couldn't do it.  I'm such a wuss. 

Today is supposed to be a day off - now I'm not sure - am I supposed to repeat the day 5 workout tomorrow or do I just forge on to day 6??

Either way I feel like shit that I couldn't do it. 

Day 4

"Warm up with a 5-10 minute walk. Run 2/1 x5. Then, run 1/1 x5. (Run 2 minutes, walk 1 minute for 5 times for a total of 15 minutes. Keep running, but change to running 1 minute, walking 1 minute for another 5 more times. Your overall total time for the run, not counting your warm-up and cool-down is 25 minutes.) Cool down with a 5-10 minute walk. Don't worry if running two minutes at a time feels difficult. It will get easier! You just need to stick with it. "

Um...Yeah...running was hard last night.  In fact, I could have written an entry immediately following the workout but I was swearing like a sailor and needed to just go to bed.   It was REALLY hard.  I hammered out the first two sets no problem but the other three were brutal.  Beyond brutal.  MEAN.  I came upstairs after completing the run and said to my boyfriend "I dont' know if I'm ever going to love this".  I honestly don't know.  I do know that I made a promise to my sister and I'm going to do my damnest to see it thru...but I may never choose to run again after May 2, 2010. 

And guess what?  I get to do the same workout tonight!!!!  Lord help me!!!!

Day 3 - Day Off

"Congratulations! You completed your first two runs and you've reached your first rest day. That's right, you're not running today. Give yourself a well-deserved break from exercise. Or, if you have the energy and the motivation, do some cross-training. Go for a hike, ride a bike, or take a yoga class. But whatever you do, make sure you take it easy. Rest days are important to give your running muscles a break and help prevent injury."

So what did I do with my night off?  I curled up in my bed and watched Alladin with my 4 year old cuddlebug rather than run...after I induldged in 2 pieces of homemade lagsna for dinner.  And it felt wonderful.  And today, my legs don't hurt anywhere and I'm ready for tonight's workout. 

I may not love running yet...but I do love the days off...

After-Effects of Day 2

I slept like a rock.  Not that I haven't been sleeping lately but I can't remember sleeping that hard in a long time.  My typical bedtime is 9:30-10ish....last night I think I finally fell asleep at 11, so that may have played a part in the deep slumber...but still - it felt good.

I was anticipating waking up stiff and sore again but that wasn't the case.  I was a LITTLE stiff...but not nearly as sore.  On Tuesday, my calves were screaming.  Today, my calves are fine and my hip flexors and knees are tender.  I'm wondering if that will be the case for a while...rotating soreness??  

I am hoping that this training will aide in my Weight Watchers diet plan to lose weight.  So far, I've lost nothing but I'm trying not to get discouraged. 

Do I love running yet?  No.  I'm pretty sure I don't even like it yet.  But I'm doing it.  And I will do it.