Week Four, day three

I did my last day of week four last night! I know this doesn't seem like a big deal, but the fact that I've managed to be committed to this program for four weeks is already longer than any other running phase I've been through in the past 8-9 years. I've done all my runs outside, and by a ridiculous stroke of luck it has not rained once when I've wanted to run.

Last night was the perfect temperature - maybe about 8-9C or so, and I wore a tank top, teeshirt, 3-quarter sleeve shirt, and a very light zip-up. I could have gone without one of those layers and been fine, but again, I'd rather be overdressed then cold. I made it through the run without any major issues, and during the last run I even tacked on an extra 30-60 seconds, so I should be ready for week five. I'm getting paranoid about my knees and ankles and my running "form" as I'm sure my form is not correct, and I sometimes have a little knee pain, cramps in my feet, or something like that. Nothing too major, and I always stretch before and after, but I wonder if I should look for more specific warmup/cooldown techniques. This really is the first time I've ever run on uneven pavement - which includes a lot of old brick and cobblestone roads - and I don't want to end up slowly hurting myself. I should really start doing pilates or yoga on a regular basis.

My feelings about running after four weeks are:

-- I still don't really LIKE the actual act of running
-- I do like that I'm forced to go outside and run around for thirty minutes a day
-- I have a new sense of appreciation for how beautiful Amsterdam is and I love discovering new routes to take myself on
-- I am always happy once the workout is over; I've certainly never regretted my jogs
-- I like that this is something I can do in 30 minutes
-- I would never be doing this if it weren't for the app
-- I do think I'm sleeping better and becoming more tired at night because of the exercise, which is great


So far I've spent roughly €175 on new shoes, pants, and sweatshirts to wear while running outside. Jeez. It looks like week five is when this is supposed to be harder, but I haven't looked at my app to find out what's coming up. I think I'm supposed to be jogging 20 minutes without stopping by week five, day three. Hmmm. Wonder if that's going to happen.

This is also thanksgiving weekend, and even though I'm in Europe I'm celebrating by making a giant feast for 20 people on Saturday, and then hosting a giant lunch on Sunday. I just have to make sure to get my runs in there on Friday (I have no idea where it's going to fit on Friday) and maybe somehow on Saturday, once the turkey is in the oven. And I really, really must update my running playlists, because if I hear "American Music" by the Violent Femmes one more time, I'm going to lose my mind.

Week Four, day two

Ooof! I was not in the mood to go running today. I got home from work around 7.30pm or so, the city was cold, foggy, and wet, and I wasn't particularly in the mood. but I did it, and I made it through - certainly didn't add even an extra ten seconds at the end, I was literally standing in front of my door when the ipod touch said "workout complete." But still, I did it, and that means something. It was about 3C, but with so much humidity that it didn't feel super cold. I wore pants, sneakers, tank top, long sleeve shirt, and hooded sweatshirt. I was quite warm and sweaty at the end, but still, I'd rather overdress than under-dress.

The fog made the city look beautiful and mysterious, but I also had to be really careful about where I was stepping - the ground was wet, wet leaves were all around, and I could barely see more than 5 meters in front of me.

And my reward in the end: wonderful dinner cooked by my boyfriend and beer. and yes, I was happy I went out to do the run in the end even though I was really, really, really not feeling like it. and honestly during the run itself I wasn't really loving it. but I wasn't hating it either, which is probably enough progress for now.

Week Four, day one

I've entered week four. In an ideal world I would have taken today off (as yesterday was an "on" day) but today I A) had the time B) the weather was nice C) I could go out during daylight hours. I think tomorrow will be too busy work-wise to try and cram a run in, and I wanted to make sure to do it. I left the house around 4.45pm and by the end of my run it was practically black outside... I did get to enjoy the sunset, and the park looked absolutely beautiful with a bit of fog - but man I hate how it gets dark so early.

It was about 7C (low 40sF) and humid, which is a great temperature. I wore running pants, sport bra, tank top, cotton long sleeve shirt, and hoodie. And I'm already noticing that I'm becoming less of a  wuss with the weather - when I started I would have thought this was freezing. Now that I'm, you know, actually moving a bit more I realize I could actually lose a layer and still probably be fine. I'd still rather overdress than underdress.

Anyway, this was today's workout:

5 min walking warmup
3 min jogging
90 sec walking
5 min jogging
2.5 min walking
3 min jogging
90 seconds walking
5 minutes jogging
5 min cool-down walking

Everything was pretty much ok, except for two small things. #1, I'm already sick of most of the music I have on my playlist. I went to skip ahead a Violent Femmes song and instead skipped ahead on my program! I was in that last 90 seconds of walking and then the app dude was saying "run" and I was like "wait no I have 40 more seconds to walk ahhh!" I quickly fixed it, but still, distracting. #2, my left ankle started to hurt just a bit during the last five minute run. not enough to stop, but it was weird. when I got home my little toe was numb - I think I was curling up my toes inside the shoe. Anyway, when I got home I stretched out and felt pretty good.

the total is fifteen minutes of real jogging. It's starting to seem a bit more real now, that maaaaaaybe I will actually get to the point that I can do a 5K. maybe.