C25K

In (what seems like) a few short weeks, Darrell and I are signed up to run a 5K. One of the last "competitive" road races that I ran was actually this same one, back in 2012 when I ran in the 10K. Since running that race, though, road races have almost completely fallen off my radar thanks to the boys (and, well, my general lack of interest in running). However, while participating in the family walk at this event last year (which apparently I didn't blog about! Shame on me, I'll have to share a picture in this post), Darrell and I decided that we would do the 5K this year--with the boys. And since I will probably need all the help I can get to attempt to keep up with Darrell (even while he's pushing the boys!), I decided to try out the Couch to 5K program. I'm about halfway though it, and while it's been good for getting me in my running shoes and out the door, I can't decide if I would ever do it again. Here are a few thoughts on it:

•  I really enjoy that the workouts are time-based. Since I don't have access to a treadmill, all my runs are outside, and unless I want to drive to the bike trails or carry my phone with me while I run, I don't have an easy way to track the distance I've covered--but all I need is a handy watch to give me the time. However, I have found that this does not inspire me to run harder or faster--a ten-minute run will take the same amount of time now matter how quickly I do it, so I tend to jog pretty leisurely.
• I don't love that every workout/run is longer than the previous one. Because every run is longer/harder than the previous one, I never feel like I'm improving and the runs are not getting easier. I'm having a hard time finding my rhythm, and it is a little discouraging, even though rationally I know I'm getting better and more comfortable running longer distances.  
• Above all, I've realized that there is time in my day to work out--I just need to be willing to look for it. The timing isn't always ideal, and there are usually a handful of other things that I could come up with to do to justify not working out, but never once have I had any regrets once I've started my run. And no matter how much I dragged my heels to get started, I always end up being glad that I went.  

Bottom line? I'm glad that I'm doing the program, but I don't have too high of expectations for my results in the actual road race. Which I'm fine with--I know that this program wasn't designed for people to set records in the 5K--it was just meant to get people to run a 5K. And who knows--I just might have my sights set on a few other 5Ks this summer, now that I know it actually is possible to find time to go running with two boys.

Oh, and if you are wondering how Darrell is preparing for the road race, here is your answer:

I've managed to get him out with me on all of one of my training runs, and he has gone on exactly one run on his own. And sadly, he'll probably still be faster than me come May. Sigh.

And because I promised, here is a picture of us participating in the family walk at the event last year:

A group of people in Darrell's office put together a team for the event, and if the team reached a certain fundraising goal, they got to provide Darrell's outfit for race day (which was initially supposed to be just a tutu, but go big or go home, right?). He certainly turned a few heads, and I'm proud of him for being a good sport about the whole thing--and of course, proud of the money his office raised to support the Avera Race Against Breast Cancer!