Keep the faith

Week 5 – still going strong!

Today I completed Day 2 of Couch to 5K’s Week 5 running program. This week is a bit trickier than the previous four. The first four weeks hold the same running/walking interval for all 3 days within each week. However, here is the Week 5 breakdown:

Day 1 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, 3 intervals of 5-minute runs, with 3-minute brisk walk rests in-between the runs, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 2 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 8 minutes, rest (brisk walk) for 5 minutes, Run 8 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 3 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 20 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk

I struggled to run on day 1. I thought, if I can barely do these three 5-minute runs, how can I possibly run for 8 minutes, TWICE, in 2 days, let alone run for 20 minutes in 4 days?! Plus, my first 5k is less than a fortnight away! So after I got home I spoke to my running buddy, my Auntie, who is running the 5k with me, to tell her of my worries and woes.

She reminded me that even the best runners have off days. Even she, who runs a 5k 3 times a week already, has off days where she really struggles to run. She went on to say that I’ll do great in the race and if we have to walk, so what?! We’re in this together.

Her words were encouraging and just what I needed to hear. She was right and I knew that. I recently read a blog entry about training for a race. The writer talks about the new Miley Cyrus song, “The Climb,” and about training says, “I love the training more than the actual race…the process of life more than the "perfect" moments at the end.” Her point is that “no matter how many mountains we manage to summit (or move), there is always another. And the process is what we have to enjoy: the riding, the running—even on an aching foot in the rain.” She loves that the MC song encapsulates this very idea. And yet, as I listen to the song, what I hear most is MC's line that says:

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby

So keep the faith, it’s what is keeping me going. I prayed this morning that I would be able to complete the 8-minute runs. Was it hard? YES. Was it hot out? YES. Did I do it? YES YES YES! Keep the faith, it’s all about the climb.

I'll be missing you a "latte"

So I’ve made a decision. And I need you, my readers, to hold me accountable. Here goes:

I’ve just bought my last cup of coffee.

Sigh. I’ve said it. I am sitting here in Starbucks, a place I’ve found all over the world to be one of familiarity and comfort. NO MORE. I’m doing a little experiment for my wallet and not.purchasing.coffee.from.anywhere. Well, to be more specific, I won’t be purchasing a cup of coffee from a coffee shop. Rather, I will be seen buying it at the grocery store in bulk and making it for myself at home.

I realize that sometimes it’s not just one coffee purchase a day. Sometimes it’s 2...or…well, no need for a full confession here. You get the point. Travelling around like I do will make this difficult as a medium-iced-french-vanilla-with-extra-cream-and-2-splenda makes a great companion for those hour plus drives. Luckily, sometimes I get one with my corporate card to count as a “snack/refreshment” while I’m on the road. Being the lonely rep girl, I tend to use coffee as an excuse for me to be out and about wherever I find myself. And yet, I don’t need the excuse of coffee to get out, I just need ME! And my two legs. I can make a coffee at home, use those lovely “to go” cups that I buy and then march myself out my front door and go for a walk. Plus! All of the hotels I stay at either have free coffee in the lobby or coffeemakers in the room itself complete with to-go cups. So next time we hangout, unless you’re treating, this gal will be coffee purchase free. Sigh. It’s a little hard to say, even if I am just writing it.

Ironically, my biggest encouragement will come from the enemy itself. After all, it is Dunkin’ Donuts who says:

YOU ‘KIN DO IT!