After a week off after eye surgery and another week off from getting a Kindergartener in school, dance, soccer, and the Christmas church musical, we are back on track. Susan took a week off, too, to take care of nursing school stuff and Melpo is holding down the fort and working the Couch to 5K program really well. Dana works out on a regular basis and is doing great, too!

 

I was really concerned about my first run after some time off and wondered if I should go back a few weeks to sort of ramp myself up to a 25 minute run. Remembering good advice from Karen Hagen Richards, Fitness Director at The Centre, I forged ahead and hoped Karen was right when she said I just might surprise myself. Boy, did I ever!

 

At first, I thought I was doing horribly because about 8 minutes into the run I thought my chest was going to explode. I kept running through the shortness of breath as I contemplated inhalers and all the fast food I’ve eaten over the last two weeks. After about 12 minutes, it occurred to me that I had gone really far…farther than I’ve ever gone in that time frame. After 15 minutes, I was already to my personal goal halfway point for the day and had turned around to head back. On the way back from the halfway point, I ran some and walked most of the way. Really…I thought my chest was going to explode and there’s so much to do I don’t have time for any type of health emergency.

 

Even though I walked most of the way back to the car, I still went further in 30 minutes than I have ever gone before. My personal best prior to this run was 1.96 miles in 30 minutes. This time, I went 2.28 miles in 30 minutes. Yessss! I have been really worried that I wouldn’t be able to complete a 5K in under an hour. With this session under my belt, it was an amazing feeling and I can’t wait for the next run!! 5K, here we come!

 

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When Michele decided to participate in the Couch to 5K program (so she could run a marathon for charity) she also decided to chronicle her efforts. These articles are a diary of her experiences as she worked towards her goal between July and September of 2011.

See also:

Couch to 5K: Facebook “Aha” Moment (Week 11)

Couch to 5K: Let the Countdown Begin (Week 10)

Couch to 5K: OMG Has It Been That Long? (Week 9)

Couch to 5K: Our Personal Best (Week 8 )

Couch to 5K: Holy Cow We’re Runners (Week 7)

Couch to 5K: Vacation, Disney and Chocolate (Week 6)

Couch to 5K: Losing My Dad (Week 5)

Couch to 5k: Storms and Skinny Jeans (Week 4)

Couch to 5k: A Much Needed Do-Over (Week 3)

Couch to 5K: This is Why People Quit (Week 2)

Couch to 5K: Getting Started on Getting Fit (Week 1)

Couch to 5K: One Mom’s Journey Back to Health (Week 0)