Week 10. The End of the Beginning!

Wow, how to start tonight's blog? This last one. This ending of something that has been so momentous for me. Not alone have I completed the C25K programme but I have now participated in and completed my first official run of 4 miles (6.5k).

We did a couple of runs the week before the Fota event. One 4 miler with a 3 minute walk in the middle and a 2 mile run at a bit faster pace. As race day dawned I hadn't actually run 4 miles without stopping. This fact didn't bother me excessively and any apprehension was overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the occasion. My super - thoughtful daughter / trainer Abbie added to the bouyant atmosphere by giving me two gifts: a diary in which I can log my future runs and a Tee - shirt that says 'Opt In' in large lime green letters on the back.

The weather was overcast but dry as we met met my personal 'support team' at the entrance. My mum, my dad and his partner and my 5 year old son were there to cheer me on (or get the laugh of a lifetime) They joked nervously about the run, while Abbie, my husband Adrian and I pinned on our numbers. We left them close to the finish line and walked down to the start.

I was in no way prepared for the volume of participants. As we stood in our estimated time zone (45 - 50 minutes) we were completely hemmed in. It was an odd sensation after the last 10 weeks of just Abbie and I running together. After a few minutes the group began to break up a bit and I found my stride and breath and began to settle into the run.

The course is around a wildlife park, arboretum and gardens. It is generally flat with a few shortish up hill sections and gentler downhill stretches. First section is a 1 mile route around the wildlife park which flew past. The second section is 2 miles through the park & gardens. This is my generally dreaded middle section, however, I found myself feeling good after 2 miles and settling into my zone after 3 miles - I was on the home stretch! The final section is around the wild life park again and with great encouragement from Abbie & Adrian we stuck to our 11 minute mile pace.

Around 500 yards before the finish we met the short steep hill by the Cheetah enclosure for the second time. The first time round we laughed at the top of it with a 'phew - that was steep' kinda joke. The second time I had over 3.5 miles under my belt and the pain in my thighs reached a whole new level.

This was the point I hadn't reached since I began this journey on the 1st March. I had battled with my brain so much more than my body. I thought I had experienced pain but wow, this was so far beyond that point. It was as if my thighs were made of lead and on fire at the same time! I could see Abbie and Adrian ahead of me and hear them calling me, but suddenly from behind, came a completely unknown voice saying - 'come on Sara! You can do it!' (A friend of a friend had recognised my Tee - Shirt) and I don't know if it was the surprise, the encouragement, or the downright big - headedness of not letting myself down but I got up that hill.

The emotion was phenomenal and maybe it's a really stupid thing for a blogger to say but... it was too personal to describe. The finish was a short flat stretch away and almost immediately I could hear 'the support team' calling my name. So finish I did, in the better than expected time of 44:20.

10 weeks ago I had never run any distance, ever. I hadn't exercised in around 5 years and was unfit, overweight and fed up, opting out of more and more. Too young to give up but feeling too old to try anything new.

C25k has changed so much of that for me. In 10 weeks I have learned that I am physically capable of so much more than I gave myself credit for. I have risen to the challenge and built the ability to run 5k in 8 weeks and completed 6.5k in 10 weeks and what's more is I will continue to run.... because I WANT to.

I also want to do more. Who knows what that could be? The possibilites are endless. One thing is for sure I will NEVER opt out again. I will never miss out on an experience because I'm not up for the challenge. I'm Opting In to life, for life!

 Before!

After!


Thanks to one and all for the support. Huge thanks to Abbie, who will never miss an opportunity due to her unfailing can - do attitude. I'm one proud mum.

Week 8

I ran 5k for the first time in my life last night.

We started out later than usual. My daughter  ( /trainer/drill sergeant)  is studying hard for major exams in 4 weeks time and we wait until she's finished studying to go. So we found ourselves in the car at 9:15pm heading for the 'Crosshaven walk' which is a stunning public walk, built on an old riverside rail track, near our home.

It should probably be noted at this stage that I have diligently avoided this local beauty spot for years. I actually loathed it and allowed it to become my nemesis, totally 'opting out' of any walks with friends etc that took place there. (Clearly I was avoiding the exercise more than the geographical location....but hey - hindsight!) Then, a couple of weeks ago when the programme's step up in distance became more difficult, I was forced to overcome my irrational loathing and run there on the seductively flat route.

The air of excitement owing to this being our 'graduation night' was tempered by the deserted carpark and the fact that we would be hard pressed to get back before dark. Off we went. Abbie was her usual chirpy self, peppering the first 10 minutes with little stories and her funny observations about the run and at this point I could even answer her (ok maybe it's only grunting a word or two back but that's a big improvement ok).

The second mile is generally more tense and last night was no exception. This is where the pains in the shins / calves kick in and I start to really concentrate on my breathing. This is where the battle is fought, far enough in to hurt, but not far enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This battle takes place not in my calves, thighs or overburdened lungs. This battle is fought completely in my mind. If I allow my thoughts to become negative, this middle mile becomes my own private hell. At this point the mantras that I have developed over the last 9 weeks get repeated over and over. After around 100 repetitions of 'No opting out!' followed by a similar amount  of 'just one foot in front of the other' and my personal favourite 'just follow her, you can do it!' I see the railway signal that is one mile from the finish.

After that, it get's easier. Well, maybe easier is the wrong word but my internal barometer goes from stormy to a kind of calm. I hear Abbie's voice again (I swear I hear nothing that middle mile!) and she sounds happy too. Every glance she makes at the distance tracker and every 0.1 of a mile is lifting me higher. Her 'keep it up Mum' and 'going really well' comments have me smiling now. Then she says 'only 0.3 of a mile left Mum' and I think to myself, I'm not beaten - sprint finish! To Abbie's delight I crank up the pace and go that last leg faster than I have run before.

All that in 35 minutes - 3.2 miles or 5k. Check that off the list!

Next stop 4 mile run 17th May. Now, logically maybe I should wonder how I'm going to increase from 5 to 6.5k in a week, but actually I'm not. I've got something stronger than logic. I've got BELIEF.

See ya at the finish line ;)

Week 7

'Better late than never' or so the saying goes. I'm not entirely sure that I concur but I'm here at least, at the end of week 7. I can now run 2.5 miles without stopping, at roughly 11+ minutes per mile.

I had my first (and hopefully only) running related injury, a pulled calf muscle, that forced me to rest for 3 days. This seriously frustrated me as I have selected the event that I would like to participate in and am starting to feel the pressure. The event, a 4 mile run through a local wildlife park after hours is 4 miles (6.5k) as opposed to the 5k that I am building towards. Having canvassed the running scene here in Cork, it's definitely the event that most appeals to me, despite the fact that it's going to add an extra bit in the distance. With the event date being the middle of May (eeeek...just over 2 weeks!) I really need to get on with achieving the 5k mark with no more delays. I'm hoping pure adrenalin will carry me that bit further on the day!

So, Week 7's progression as follows: Day 1... 2.5 miles, not easy or pretty but done. Day 2...1.5 miles and Ouch!...rest up for 3 days. Day 2 (take 2) 2.5 miles again...done! Day 3 completed, another 2.5 miles done and I am left with certain knowledge that week 8 is going to be tough. Abbie has expressed a strong opinion that we should do another couple of 2.5 mile runs before we move on to week 8. I am inclined to agree but feeling the time constraint I also would like to push on.

With our burgeoning spring weather having retreated back from whence it came and been replaced by massive hail showers , not to mention the arrival of chickenpox into the household and the unscheduled departure of my husband for 3 weeks work at sea, it's going to be tricky enough to get out this week. But hang on a sec, this is the moment. This is what the journey is about. It's not about what's easy, convenient or fits in nice and tidy into the schedule. It's about 'Opting in'. It's about doing something different and I am up for the challenge.

Next blog post will be post 5k run!

Week 6

Another week has flown by. Well, technically a week and 2 days but I'm not splitting hairs on this one. The fact that it has taken me an extra two days to complete Week 6 could be viewed as a blemish on my otherwise perfect (if I do say so myself) record. The reality is that I ran 2.25miles tonight despite having been nursing a stiff neck and shoulders for the last few days, which, I think, blows that bad mark right off the record and out of the park.

The week started easy. A nice alternating cycle of 3 running sections & walking sections was complimented by a change in scenery as we were visiting relatives for the holidays. The route was alot less hilly which was a welcome break from my normal run and aside from nearly being sucked into the slipstream of a few cheeky motorists there were no hitches.

Unfortunately Sunday morning dawned and it felt like the Easter Bunny had done a quick rendition of Riverdance on my back whilst depositing my 5 yr old's egg. I could hardly move my neck and my shoulders were like a board. Not the first time this has happened to me, it must be said, but the first time in a long time and completely unexpected. After painkillers and hotwater bottles and crossed fingers failed me, I had to concede defeat and cancel the Sunday run.

Tuesday sped around and feeling alot better I tentatively laced up to go for my first ever run with my husband. Two mile - long runs separated by a brief walk. My perseverance was rewarded when I caught more than one glimpse of surprise on his face. Adrian is not easily impressed! I missed my usual running partner though. I realised that Abbie's chirpy nature, funny one - liners and general motivation really do make a big difference to me.

Week 6 Day 3 dawned this morning with another belter of a sore neck. I really can't describe how disappointed I was. Already 2 days behind, (and after Abbie pointed out that it was my neck, not my legs) I decided I'd have to give it a go. 2.25miles later at an average of 11miles an hour and the neck was no worse.

Alternating running and walking is now over in the program. Next week is 3 2.5mile runs. Somehow, I have graduated into the realm of being an actual 'runner'. What's more is I feel like one. I am becoming increasingly aware of times and I have my sights set on a 4 mile run (6.5k) in May. There is absolutely no room for any more delays. I must complete the C25k programme in 2 weeks and build the extra 1.5k in the following fortnight if I'm going to be ready.

Not bad for a girl that could hardly run for a minute only 6 weeks ago eh?

Week 5

I did it! I ran (loose term) 2 miles in 20 minutes. 5 weeks ago I couldn't go 100 yards without the urge to yield to the pain in my thighs and chest and give up. Today I ran 2 miles. To say that this is momentous for me, is an understatement.

The week began pretty much like all the other weeks with the workouts being a combination of running / walking in alternate stints. Sure, the running sections were longer and the (beloved) walking respite, diminishing, but, with with a push and some great words of encouragement from Abbie, they passed relatively uneventfully. The discovery of baths in Epsom salts rejuventated tired muscles and ensured that my body felt better than it had in a few weeks.

Unfortunately, thoughts of the impending 2 mile run on Day 3 preoccupied me. Self doubt, like an uninvited, unwanted guest, dug in for a weeklong stay. By the time Abbie suggested we go for the Day 3 run a few hours earlier than our allotted time I couldn't see the point in arguing (or more accurately couldn't think of an argument good enough).

So off we went. I decided as the chimes went, that enough was enough. I needed to get on with it. This was my very own  'Just do it' moment! In that instant I realised that I need not have worried. As I concentrated on my breathing and steps there was no room for self doubt. I silenced my brain with the mantra 'one foot in front of the other'.

What an achievement in 5 weeks. I am thrilled. Week 6 steps back to alternating walking / running for the first 2 days, with the last being a 2 1/4 mile run. Am I worried? Hell no! I can run 2 miles ya know ;)

Week 4

Week 4 is done! I have reached the half way mark! I can now run (jog, shuffle, stumble) for 16 minutes of the core 20 minute workout. I have an impressive (in my book anyhow) 4 week history of sticking doggedly to the c25k routine as designed by Zen Labs. The commitment is there for sure. Yet, tonight, my usual post run euphoria has skipped out on me. In it's place is a touch of apprehension with a fringe of self doubt.

Our usual walking slot discussion (I don't 'do' talking and running at the same time) centres around the plan. What is in the immediate future and how we may need to lengthen the route etc. I think it's fair to say that the onset of my current emotional state could be pinpointed almost exactly to the second that Abbie mentioned that by the end of next week we would be running 2 miles. Her concern was simply that we needed to measure the distance to ensure that we did it in the allotted time. My concern, probably more accurately described as terror, was two fold... 1) Can I really run 2 miles without stopping? and 2) I'm going as fast as I can for pity's sake!

Now I am here, staring at the screen, wishing I could write something more inspirational. Wishing that I could feel a smidge of the certainty I felt just a week ago about achieving my goal. Instead, I will settle for the deal I made with myself the night I started.... I decided that if I was opting in to this then there would be no opting out. No giving up. No matter what.

The good news is that I learned some new things this week. I learned that it's easier to run in sunshine than in darkness and that my legs keep going way beyond what I would have thought possible before. So with a great weather forecast ahead for the week, I am going to pray that the leg reserves are even deeper than I have found to date.

Cervantes said that valour lies just halfway between rashness and cowardice.  So.... here's to halfway!

Week 3

Yeah! Week 3 complete! Surprisingly, it also passed uneventfully. (Well....one minor temper tantrum when there was a mix up about what was in store for me week4... sorry about that Abbie.) Even better than uneventful is that each day I feel an improvement.

I have begun to get a little competitive (what me?!!! Even I can't believe it. I normally opt out of anything more competitive than monopoly) I have begun trying to cover more ground by the half way mark. I have started really pushing at the end of the last run, picking a point in the distance and going for it before the magic beeps. No more praying for the beeps, more like I'm trying to beat them.

Three weeks, three nights a week, nine sessions. It's not much is it? Yet, already, the improvement in me is exponential in it's progress. The change is so much more than physical. Any misgivings I had regarding my ability to complete this challenge are gone. I truly believe I will be running 5k by the last week in April.

Week 4 is the challenge for now. It's a fair step up on week 3 but I'm ready. Bring it on.