<p>
Only 3? In my world, that would be an example of exerting self control.</p>
<p>If you have the motivation to come on this thread and post your successes and your downfalls, you are “in it to win it” - whatever that means for you. It’s a lot easier to walk away and throw your progress away. But it’s a lot more satisfying to get back up on the horse again and move forward - however slow or with obstacles that may be.</p>
<p>I too think that a 10 minute mile is pretty fast for a beginner runner unless you are in really, really good shape or maybe participate in another endurance sport. Anything around 11-11:30 is a good run to me!</p>
<p>Also, that’s one of the things I love about the RunKeeper app - it updates me every 5 minutes with my amount of time run, my distance and my pace. Those updates keep me going.</p>
<p>I’ve never had snickers ice cream bars but last night for dinner I ordered a spinach salad, yogurt, camomile tea , ice cream and mango slushie which would have been perfect if it had a shot of tequila in it. I drank it anyway though. :)</p>
<p>Okay, I ran 3 miles on March 31, 2009 at 13.00 minutes per mile. On Sep 7, 2010 I ran 6 miles under 10:00/mile. I had some times around the 10:00 area in Aug 2009 but the distances were short and my times were longer shortly thereafter. I wasn’t necessarily in a big hurry to improve times - I knew that I’d eventually get there. I don’t have a log of my weight back then but I’d guess that I was still up there and running at higher speeds would have probably resulted in injuries.</p>
<p>I’ve been a little frustrated that my speed hasn’t picked up as much as I’d like, especially now that I’m running over 20 miles a week and kept it up over the (long) winter. So last night I went to a local running club track workout, with lots of interval work. Wow - I can’t recall the last time I pushed myself so much. Even with less than 4 miles of running/jogging I was totally wiped out. The group trainer promised that after doing this every week for the next four weeks (and keeping up my regular weekly runs) I would see a difference in my speed. I am committed to doing it - even though I hate, hate, hate intervals - it will be worth the pain if it gets me to my 9 minute mile goal.</p>
<p>I would not consider you a beginner if you’re regularly doing 20 miles per week over a season. I think that’s quite a bit different from someone on C25K.</p>
<p>The great thing about having low expectations of my physical abilities is that I’m usually pleasantly surprised when I’m able to do pretty much anything. 
Higher levels of achievement are icing on the cake. Speaking of which, I did my reverse lunges without holding onto anything yesterday. Yay! Now I’m not going to mention how few reverse lunges I did…</p>
<p>Yup, set attainable goals, sometimes easy ones, and you can meet them which provides positive reinforcement for the next one.</p>
<p>You did at least one more than me, Deborah!</p>
<p>Abasket, I wish you lived by me; I think we’d be good exercise partners.</p>
<p>I’m trying to decide whether to show up for the 5k race I signed up for on Saturday. Through a magical stroke of good luck, I suddenly don’t have to work tomorrow, which means I could do a 7 miler tomorrow, take Saturday off, and run again on Sunday, and taper off for my 10k on the 27th. Or I can take tomorrow off, race on Saturday, and figure out a plan for tapering next week. I usually look forward to a race, but for some reason I’m not super excited for the 5k.</p>
<p>BC - this is my third go-round on Couch to 5K. I did it last year, and ran two 5K’s, each about 37:00 total, which I was very pleased with since I was truly starting from ground one. I just repeated the program (I compressed the timeline) and am now re-repeating it but with a faster time. I am running a 5K in mid-June, about a month from now.</p>
<p>EK–glad your knee surgery went well and that you are making a speedy recovery.
Gym workout today-- power class.</p>
<p>Good to know that others have off days too. Appreciate hearing that. </p>
<p>IDad can you link a few of your 20 minute workouts. I like that strategy because on days I don’t make it to the gym, I know I could do 20 minutes. Do you think $70 for the "Drop Two Dress Sizes . . . " DVDs is worth it? I am exercise challenged and need to see the moves–just looking at photos in a book doesn’t do it for me.</p>
<p>Pizza, don’t you love that you can “tailor” C25K for your needs and even do a re-do in a different way ???</p>
<p>Sabaray, we could run and meet halfway!!! ;)</p>
<p>Approximately 3.6 miles outside in 78 degrees. I am red and sweaty but it is soooo very nice to be outside to hear the birds chirping and to see the trees and flowers budding. I am enjoying it now as next week it is supposed to drop back in the 60’s. Knee felt good even on the up hill portions of my walk. My fitbit says I climbed 12 flights of stairs so that is good! I got a new Iphone for my birthday last week so I added the map my run app. I liked watching where I was on my route so I knew how far to keep going. Nice addition for my shedding for the wedding program. My fitbit says I went 3.23 miles so there is some discrepancy between the app and the fitbit. Two days of workouts successfully completed! :)</p>
<p>Great job North! </p>
<p>Hey even 60’s is good! </p>
<p>I have decided while I may look enviously on those who run and don’t break a sweat, I look at my red face and sweat as good battle scars. :)</p>
<p>Heading to our cottage for the first time this season tomorrow. If the weather cooperates (wind, water not too high, no rain) I’ll get in my first run on a beach since starting running in the fall. Hoping that my Salomon sneakers/water shoes will work out for a beach run. Also hope to be able to add another state/country to my “places I’ve run a mile” list. :)</p>
<p>abasket, I’m always a red, sweaty mess after my runs. 
off for my 5 miler. </p>
<p>(To the left on my screen there is an ad for Joe’s Jeans site… skinny pants calling! )</p>
<p>40 minute cardio dance class.</p>
<p>Busy, busy day again today, so I’ll have to count rushing around as exercise! </p>
<p>Red and sweaty? I am almost always that way after running. But it’s all in the degree of redness. I am a slowpoke. The other day I stopped my run to help a turtle (picked it up) cross the road. I didn’t post that because I was afraid of the ribbing I’d get from the hares in the crowd Seriously, I don’t feel slow, unless I am passed, and I’m just so glad to be able to run any distance beyond a few yards that speed is only a distant goal compared to managing my HR. Plus there’s the heat and humidity to deal with for the next six months. </p>
<p>My ad is not for skinny jeans, rather a fancy toothbrush. How depressing is that? Minnesota, please be warm for us! On our way soon.</p>
<p>" The other day I stopped my run to help a turtle (picked it up) cross the road"</p>
<p>Awww… I am picturing this: [Crossing</a> the street](<a href=“YouTube”>YouTube)</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>5.02 mi treadmill run. Avg speed 11:03. The temperature at the gym was fine, but I feel like I’ve been in a sauna!</p>