Week 8 was a tough one. It didn’t start out very well. We were returning home to Oregon from Washington when we stopped to look at the amazing windmills near The Dalles. When we got back into our car, it just wouldn’t go. It was a very hot day & we were a bit off the beaten path. There was a bit of drama, but after about 3 hours in near 100 degree heat, with the boys, AAA came through & we were towed to The Dalles where our car was to be fixed the following day. We were all very hot & thirsty – we quickly went through all the liquid we had in our car, including our emergency water. So thankful for a lady named Tina who stopped & gave us water. Always keep lots of water in your car!

Windmill! Very cool. We had lots of time to look at them.

We made it to town, got the car fixed the next day & arrived safely at home. It was an adventure! However, it meant that I didn’t get Week 8, Day 1 run in. I thought about doubling up, but figured that it would probably be counter-productive. So I did two runs in Week 8 instead of three.

In the tow truck with two very hot, hungry tired boys. They were troopers.

Because of all the trouble I have with my feet, I had the brilliant idea to wear some serious, heavy-duty insoles for my first run of the week. It was a terrible idea! I was in pain for the entire run & could barely walk home after I had finished running. My last run of the week was better. It’s hard to believe I only have one week left in the program & that I’ll be running 30 minutes in a row! That’s a Bucket List item. Woohoo!

Here was the program for Week 8:

Day 1, 2 & 3 (I only did 2 days)
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 28 minutes

Total Walk = 5 minutes + however long it takes to get home.
Total Run = 28 minutes

Bring on Week 9!

Week 7? I’ve made it that far? Oh yes I have. I’m pretty sure I could have walked it just as quickly, but I ran it.

Here was the schedule this week:

Day 1, 2 & 3
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 25 minutes

Total Walk = 5 minutes + however long it takes to get home.
Total Run = 25 minutes

It hasn’t become easy, but there is a change that happens about halfway through the run – easier breathing, a sense that I will, indeed, be able to make it. Over the next two weeks, the time increases a bit, until I am running for 30 minutes. I have no idea what my pace is or anything, but I did get faster in week 7 – I know by how soon I reach landmarks.

I also finally went to the doctor about the sore throat I had for four weeks! Turns out it’s likely to be allergies. I’m on a nose spray & it seems to be doing the trick. No more sore throat & I’m feeling pretty good. Now to deal with my sore heel. I’m hope some shoe inserts will do the trick. I know that it’s particularly bad because of wearing summer shoes – flip-flops aren’t great for those of us with bad feet.

The adventures of Week 8 have already begun – I’ll tell you all about it next week.

Phew! Made it through another week. The first two runs were pretty easy, but the last run of the week was a real mental battle. It wasn’t pretty & it sure wasn’t very fast, but I did it! I think it might have been more of a struggle because from here on out there are no walk/run intervals – it’s all running from now on (apart from the 5 minute warm up walk), just increasing times. It’s tough to do the start & stop thing with walking & running, but there is definitely a certain comfort level in knowing that you’ll be able to take a break in a couple of minutes. When there’s no break coming, you have to battle through mentally.

I was surprised to find that, towards the end of the 25 minute run, it was my legs that were having a harder time than my lungs. I’ve always thought I didn’t have much in the way of lung power & that I was quite strong. I see now that my muscles are going to have to do some catching up.

Here was the schedule this week:

Day 1
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 5 minutes
Walk – 3 minutes
Run – 8 minutes
Walk – 3 minutes
Run – 5 minutes

Total Walk = 11 minutes + whatever it takes to get home
Total Run = 18 minutes

Day 2
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 10 minutes
Walk – 3 minutes
Run – 10 minutes

Total Walk = 8 minutes + whatever it takes to get home
Total Run = 20 minutes

Day 3
Walk – 5 minutes
Run – 25 minutes

Total Walk = 5 minutes + whatever it takes to get home
Total Run = 25 minutes

Praying for increased strength, endurance, good sleep & an end to the sore throat/ear thing that I’ve had for about 4 weeks now.