I am still running!!!

I kind of fell of the blogging wagon... but I am still running! I finished my 10th week this week!! Week 9 was hard work, the first 30 min runs were a challenge, but it's gotten easier by the end of week 10. The first 10 mins of running is hard work, and the last 5 mins I have to push myself, but I can feel it getting easier in the middle.

I am starting to get a bit bored about half way through my runs. To try to combat this I have made some playlists of my favourite up tempo songs to listen to on my iPod while I run. I've also been trying to keep it interesting by mixing up my running routes a bit so that I am not always running the same paths.

I plan to continue with 3x30 min runs per week until the end of March, then start on the one hour runner program. I think a couple of weeks of running for 30 mins will help build my fitness level before I start tackling the longer runs.

I have started going to a weekly yoga class at the gym. I am enjoying the class, and I think it really helps to stretch my muscles so I think I'll keep it up. I'm hoping to start strength training a couple of times a week at the start of next month.

I mentioned in a previous post that I would share my goals for continuing running after I finished week 9. Well, since I finished over a week ago I thought I would share now...

1. Run the Mother's Day Classic 4k on May 10 2009 in 25 mins or under.
2. Continue to run 3 times per week through the winter.
3. Run the Burnie Ten 10k on 18 October 2009. Aim to finish!

Week 7 DONE!

I'm only two weeks away from finishing the C25K! That's 6 runs!! I'm so proud of myself and I'm not even there yet :)

I ran W7D3 on Saturday morning and it felt great. I took it easy and just enjoyed the fact that it was my last run for the week. I took a slightly different route today which added about an extra half a km to my normal route. I didn't have to back track at all so the new route seems to be a better distance. I'm still not sure exactly how far I am running, but I decided a while ago not to focus on distance or speed, but concentrate only on the time period.

After C25K I plan to do the One Hour Runner program. I'm not sure if I'll start it straight away, or spend a couple of weeks just getting really comfortable with the 30 min run. I'll keep you posted...

Also, I've decided to reward myself with a 'technical' running outfit when I graduate C25K. I want some tights made of something other than cotton (butt sweat is not pretty or comfortable!!). I also saw a green tank top with a hidden sport bra in a sports store the other day. Green is my favourite colour, so I think I'll buy the tank and a pair of tights after I finish week 9 :)

I borrowed a couple of books on running from my local library to help keep me motivated and interested in running. I've really been enjoying reading "Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running" by Dagny Scott. It's got some good advice about starting out, some training programs for different levels, advice on keeping motivated and weight-loss. It's really easy to read too.

I've also been giving my running goals some thought now that I have almost reached my first goal - Graduating C25K. When I graduate, I'll post my 5 running goals for 2009 :)