Kaitlyn: Back in the running

Today, my new shoes came which was awesome! They feel so good and I was so glad to have them. It made my run a lot smoother and more comfortable overall.

However, the week off did not do so well on my running shape. I'm back to the beginning of Week 3 and it was a tough run. I definitely was struggling which I was not happy to see. Although, I was also running with my friend and she's a foot taller than me and I think I wasn't pacing quite as well as I could have. So, I'll probably run Thursday morning or sometime tomorrow even and we'll see how it goes.

Mai Hana: Week 2 Days 3 and 4!

I did four runs instead of five this week. Took an extra day of much needed break.

On Wednesday, I ran with my sister, Lynn. I loved the company but I think I like running alone better. Lynn's a dancer and she's more fit than I am so it felt like I was slowing her down.

Today, I hurt my calf half way through my run. I disrtacted myself from the pain by concentrating on my breathing and thinking about random stuff. I was thinking about the pets Jayson and I are going to get once we get our own place. I want a French Bulldog SO badly! They're SO adorableeee! Anywho, after I finished my run, I called Jayson and told him about my calf. He said I might have strained a muscle there. I hope it gets better by tomorrow so I can start week three!

Kaitlyn: Happy National Dance Day

Just wanted to wish all you guys a happy National Dance Day! This girl has the following playlist keyed up for an amazing night:

Numb by Oh Land
Bangarang by Skillrex
Hands in the Air by Timbaland
Chasing the Sun by The Wanted
Some Nights by Fun
Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
Out of my Mind by B.o.B. (gotta have some good hip hop in here.)
Heavy Eyes by Oh Land

and lots more of Fun.

So get moving, get dancing and goof around! Stretch, work on those splits, do whatever and just celebrate!

National Dance Day > Olympics

Brittany: Week 3, Day 1.

It's time to discuss my just jog of week three. This was a huge move. I was scared. A three minute jog? Really? Moving from a minute and a half to three minutes sounded huge. I decided I was going to start the day one program, try the three minute jog, and then stop. I've been sick with this insane sinus infection and fluid behind my ears, and three minutes is a big move. I didn't think I could do it.

I set off on day one, my five minute warm up walk was great, the minute and a half jog was a breeze, the next walk was simple, and suddenly it was time for the three minute jog. It started simply enough and before I knew it I was halfway through. I kept going, and going, and then it was over. I was tired, but thinking, "that's it?" I went slow. I wasn't trying to push myself too far as I'm still recovering and on a ton of meds. But I did it. I decided to keep going and actually finish up day one. I did it. Slowly, and with much encouragement from my insanely hilarious and most awesome boyfriend. It's kind of like having my very own cheerleader, without the short skirt and pompoms. He's awesome like that. Day one of week three was not nearly as daunting or terrifying as I expected it to be and I'm excited to start day two. It was definitely awesome to surprise myself. I really thought I wouldn't be able to finish the three minute jog. It sounded so big, so long. But it really wasn't that bad. In fact, it wasn't bad at all. I loved the feeling of finishing something I was completely convinced I couldn't do. 

I think the most awesome part of this whole experience has been surprising myself. I'm not a runner. I don't run. I continue to maintain that stance. But I'm developing a love of surprising myself. And feeling like a badass when I do. I've got to say sweaty boobs may not be fun, but feeling like a total badass is.

Kaitlyn: Excited about Shoes!

I went today to the local running store to look at shoes. First of all, let me say how confusing finding good shoes can be. There are so many out there and finding exactly what I needed was at first, a sea. The guy helping me had me walk up and down the store, looking at my gait. It was determined that I'm a Neutral, I don't stress either side more than the other. So we started with the neutrals. Originally, because in regular shoes I am a 5.5 or 6, we started with the 6. However, although they fit, there wasn't enough room around the toes to be comfortable running shoes, so went up to the 6.5.

After figuring out size, it was then all about the arch and what hardness of the shoe I wanted. Going into this, I never knew a shoe could be hard or soft. However, yes they can be. The harder the shoe, the more support to a higher arch there is. After trying on a super soft shoe which clearly didn't work, I tried on a medium. Although comfortable, it wasn't supportive enough so hard arches was the way to go. With the hard shoes, I was decided between two different styles of Mizunos. What the guy had me do was try one shoe on one side and the other on the other side. That decided it. I knew the shoe I wanted.

What was really lucky was going into this: I didn't care what color. I just wanted to find a good fit. I ended up with my favorite color ever, a definite plus.

They are: *drum roll* Mizuno Wave Enigma (6.5 US Women's) in Violet/Aquarius

Kaitlyn: Laid Up a Week

As many of you may know, I am currently laid up for a week. After my run yesterday, the pain in my shins did not go away and it was officially classified as shin splints. Since ice and rest is really the only remedy for shin splints, I am stuck not lacing up my sneakers for a few days.

Which though, gives me time to go get fitted for new shoes today and order them online. So, by the time I get my new shoes, I'll be ready to hit the pavement again. Let's hope for the best and I'll be cheering all you guys on from the sidelines!

Brittany: Week 2, Day 3

Obviously I am way behind on this whole C25K thing. I actually finished my last run of week two last Saturday. Unfortunately I was promptly knocked out with a ridiculously painful sinus infection that's had me lying in bed being lazy and whining in pain for days. Thus, no blogging. And no C25K-ing. I am, however, back in action.

My last jog of week two went incredibly smoothly. I was shocked. No whining and crying, no yelling at my phone. I handled it. And I ran some of my fastest miles yet. I was worried as to if I was going to be able to handle it, but handle it I did. And I enjoyed it. Which speaks volumes as to how I've progressed on this journey. I drank a ton of water. I was thankful that it wasn't TOO horribly hot. Just keep my focus off of the actual running helped a ton. It was a smooth, easy jog and I felt great afterward. I was so surprised by how easily it went that I couldn't help but feel awesome after completely it. In fact once I'd finished the two miles it takes me to do the C25K program I walked an extra mile just enjoying the night and feeling good about having accomplished it without feeling near death. It was pretty cool.

Soon I will have a story for my first jog of week three, which moves to the ever terrifying three minute run!

Kaitlyn: Week 4 Day 2

It's time to go back a week. After this morning's run, I know I'm simply not ready to step up to week 4 and definitely not week 5. Therefore, my next two runs will be repeats of Week 3 Day 2 and Week 3 Day 3. I just feel I need it to get back on track. I'm also have some shin splint issues with my left leg and may need to look into new shoes. So it's going to be an interesting week for me.

I was exhausted this run. I had to take a break in my last 3 minute, not only the last 5 minute. I was just pushing, but my body didn't have it in me and I wasn't going to kill myself (even though I already was.) time to step it back a week.

Kaitlyn: Week 4 Day 1

It kicked my ass. Warning to all those running C25k and are a week or so behind me. Week 4 will be a nightmare. Just push through it. Week 4 consists of a 3 minute jog, 1:30 walk, 5 minute jog, 2:00 walk, 3:00 jog, walk, 5:00 jog. I thought I was going to die. By the time I got to the last 5 minute jog, I thought I was just going to fall over. I was gulping water and actually had to stop around the 2:30 mark for 10 to 20 seconds to take a drink and regroup. I did it though which I think is what makes me so happy. I managed to push my way through it. I'm just desperately hoping Day 2 is easier.

On a side note, I've lost another inch in my thighs. I just have to keep this up. I may repeat Week 4 next week depending on how I'm doing this time next week.

Mai Hana: Week 2 Days 1 and 2

I started week 2 yesterday and finished day 2 of it today. I'm not brisk walking the walks so I need to start doing that. Other than that, things are going pretty well for me. The jogs are easy for me right now because I haven't been brisk walking at all so hopefully, next run, I can brisk walk it and see what happens.

I'm going to be doing 4 to 5days of Couch to 5k a week. I'm going to do the same workout for that week for all five days so I could build stamina and up my speed. Jayson said I should work out 5 days a week for an hour each and that half an hour of it should be a warm up walk/jog so I'm going to do that.

That may change though once the community pool opens up across the street from me and I get some swimming gear. I may switch up the extra two days of running with swimming like Kaitlyn does. But right now, three days of running isn't enough for me. I need to push myself to do more so I can get into the habit of it all. I still get lazy and snooze a bit and I really don't like doing that.

So far, this C25K experience has boosted my self-esteem like crazy. I feel better everytime I step out of the house in the morning and eventhough I may beat myself up if my distance doesn't get better, I feel frickin' amazing. It has taught me that if I put my mind to it, I can do it. It's only been two weeks since I started taking my powerwalks to prepare myself for C25K and and am on week 2 of the program but I've seen so many changes in myself. I'm so proud of myself for doing something that I never thought I would be doing. I'm so proud of being able to say "no" to junk food. I mean I haven't cut it out of my diet completely but it's A LOT better than what I used to eat! lol

I'm so excited to see what is in store for my future when it comes to my health and my lifestyle! =]