Couch to 5K: Week 4, Day 3

Week 4 is done.  I'm almost halfway through the couch to 5k program and I felt like I was making progress this morning.  It was a good run.  I was tired by the end, but not completely wiped out like I was Wednesday.  I'm not sure how, but I increased my pace by 43 seconds per mile.  That could be a little off because I'm estimating my total time.  I stopped to stretch after my 5 minute warm up walk and somehow pressed the wrong button when I started running.  I ran for awhile but the stopwatch wasn't running.  I'm estimating I ran for about 2 minutes before I noticed that I wasn't timing myself.  I was only supposed to run a total of 3 minutes in that segment, but I went on for another 2 anyway, just to be sure I did the total 3 in case I overestimated how long I had been running. 

I started out at what felt like a very slow pace, hoping not to repeat the complete and utter exhaustion I felt toward the end of Wednesday's run.  Overall I think it worked.  I know I ran longer and farther today than I did on Wednesday, but I wasn't wiped out at the end. 

I made it all the way to the end of the road in the park today and I was running when I got there.  I made it almost that far on Wednesday, but it was halfway through the walk break between the first 5 minute run and the second 3 minute run.  I was able to pick up my pace during the second 3 minute run.  I was winded by the end of that segment, but I caught my breath pretty quickly.  The last 5 minutes did seem to drag on, but I was able to keep my pace up, and slowly increased all the way to the end.

At the entrance/exit of the park, there is a hill that goes up toward the parking lot.  I was in the middle of my cool down walk but I felt the urge to run up the hill.  It's not a big hill, but that's not the point.  I wanted to run up that hill...so I did, and it felt good.   

It was a good run, and I feel good now.  I have a little stiffness in my knees, but that should be better by Monday.  Monday doesn't look too hard.  It's just three 5 minute runs separated by 3 minute walks.  I'm not really concerned about it.  The two 8 minute runs on Wednesday intimidate me a little, and then there's the 20 minute run on Friday that still seems insurmountable.  Sitting here typing this, I know I can do it.  Breaking through that mental barrier while I'm actually running is going to be a challenge.