Couch to 5K: Week 3.5 day 4

My plan was the same today as it was Wednesday.  I ended up changing it up very slightly in the middle to walk 2:30 instead of just 2 because I felt I needed a little extra time to catch my breath between runs.  I felt more out of breath and my legs were more tired than usual this morning, but I think it may have been due to donating blood yesterday.  I'm still having some right leg lower shin pain.  It almost feels like my ankle.  The thing is, it only hurts when I'm walking.  I'm going to spend some time this weekend alternating ice and heat and just generally resting it.  It's more annoying right now than anything.  It's definitely not something that's going to keep me from running. 

Even though I was tired, the run went quite well.  I was able to keep a fairly fast pace (for me), even though I felt like I was pushing myself pretty hard at times.  At the very end I pushed to run all the way back to where I started running regardless of the time.  When I rounded the corner and could see the point across the way my mind protested.  It looked too far and I really didn't think I could make it but my will won out this time.  I picked up the pace slightly and ran all the way back to my starting point.  It was a struggle and I was physically exhausted when I finally made it but it felt good to know I had won the battle.    

It was somewhere in the 40 degree neighborhood this morning when I started running.  I like running in the cooler weather.  I sweat just as much, but I don't feel as miserable.  It was cool enough that I ran in sweat pants this morning for the first time.  I'm going to need some gloves.  My hands were really cold, and if I plan to do this through the winter I imagine there will be mornings when I'm out and the temps are below freezing.  I like the way my head steams after a good run.  It looks like I'm smoking from going so fast.

Monday I start on Week 4, which I've already conquered once.  I expect it to go well.  I know I can run 5 consecutive minutes.  3 minutes has become almost too easy. 

Here's the routine:
Run 3 minutes
Walk 90 seconds
Run 5min
Walk 2.5min
Run 3min
Walk 90sec
Run 5min


Today's stats:  2.48 miles in 30:56 for a 12:28/mile pace.  I'm hoping to push my 2.5 miles up to 2.75 next week to coincide with the recommended 10% increase in mileage per week.