Newby Runner - well, walker but working on the running thing

Below are entries from my blog on facebook. I wanted to post here too in case there is anyone who might get something from them or anyone who can offer support or just in case someone wants to comment. I am new to running and have decided to try it out. My husband and I train together and most of the time we walk because that is the fitness level that I am at. But I'm getting better and hopefully will be running soon. We are training for a 8k run in June. Here are some previous blogs (I'm also new to blogging):

January 5:

So I am trying something new and no better time than a New Year to start! We got word from some people at church that there is a 8K race in Moorestown the first Saturday in June. Alan told me about it in passing and I took hold of it - a little reluctantly at first. I am an absolute beginner but have decided to go for it. For one, people have said,” if you want to lose weight, run”. Two, I get to do it with my husband and we actually can do it together because there will be someone at the house to stay with the kids. That is a great advantage! The last time Alan and I tried to train together was a couple months into our marriage while we were at Stanford. That was 10 years ago and great times. I am so happy to be able to do it again. But it didn’t last long then because we got into a semester and he was busy. But I really want to keep it going this time around. It’s not going to be easy. It never is for a newby but I am determined! Yeah, I have sore knees and severe plantar faciitis and I’m at least 85 lbs over-weight. But all those will hopefully resolve themselves as I do this and the weight comes off. Plus I have speciall inserts for my shoes that help a LOT. I’m nervous though because anytime I start a new program I go at it gung-ho for a few days and then I lose it. So I am really putting the pressure on Alan to keep me going and to keep depending on me to do this with him. What should our reward be when we’ve done it? Maybe just having accomplished a whole race will be enough of a reward. The weight lost will be too. I can’t wait to see how much weight I lose each month if I go at it consistently.
So, this week we started. We did 3.1 miles walking about 3 miles/hour on Wednesday. Friday we did 3.4 miles walking with a slow jog the last 0.1 mile and finished at exactly 1 hour. I have a total of 10 miles for the week. I’ll keep updates going as I log in more miles. At the moment I’m mostly a walker but my limbs are losening up and before long I’ll be doing more jogging.

January 7:

Well, so far I am still going although I have felt some internal tugging to not go. But Alan and I had a deal that we would train today and we did. (Yay!) Tonight we decided to walk down Riverton road to the Riverline train station. From our house it’s 1.9 miles. I have definitely improved after only 3 times out. Like I did on Saturday, I alternated walking and jogging but this time I pushed myself harder. We made 3.8 miles in 1 hour 6 minutes. Not too bad for a beginner! It feels so good! I love the buzz that happens when I exert myself. Although I did almost push myself too hard on the way back. Sprinting for home I thought I was gonna be sick! But the end was in sight and I just had to run for it! By the way, I don’t recommend that route. There’s no safe place for running beyond the high school. Especially at night.

January 9:

I am hungry. All the time now. But this is a good thing! I’m not hungry because it’s dinner time or because I’m dieting or starving myself - which I’m not. I’m hungry because I’m exercising. But it’s a comfortable hunger and not a bad thing at all. I look at it this way: You know when you get sore from a workout and you just think “ahhh, yes! I worked hard and I can tell my hard work is going to pay off because I’m sore.” Well, feeling a little hungry all the time is like that. It’s just another “soreness” as a result of exercise. It’s your body saying “Whoa! We’ve got a calorie deficit here pal!” But that IS the point isn’t it? I find this type of hunger rather satisfying because I know that my hard work is paying off. It’s okay to be a little hungry - as long as you’re being healthy about it. Don’t eat! Instead, relish (like the wordplay?) in the reminder of a great workout and the anticipation of success!

January 15:

Wow, there is nothing like jogging along and then suddenly there’s nothing to hold you up! Here I am trotting down the road, already knowing my rythm is off and I’m not moving very well but trying anyway. And then BAM!! I EAT PAVEMENT!! I mean wow, can the ground come at you fast! My left ankle just rolled and there was nothing to keep me up. Yee-ouch! I have never fallen like that before in my life. It threw me for a loop! But thankfully I walked it off and nothing was broken. I may be sore tomorrow but hopefully not too much. I have to admit, we’ve faltered. A couple missed runs and doubts have eeked in. I think that’s part of what happened tonight. My mind wasn’t into it as much. I have to say, once you get started and then falter and miss a few days it really sets you back. At least it does for me. I need to keep the “You don’t really want to do this, do you?” negativity from eeking into my mind because I really do want to do this. So hush up you funny little voices! However - I see it as a good sign that after my crash landing tonight I am not discouraged. I still intend to keep going.

January 21: