My New Sunday Committment - A Small Giveaway

Anyone that has been a frequent flyer on my blog knows that I have found a passion with running.  Well, the idea of running.  Becoming a runner.  Right now, I'm a jogger - and proud of that - but my ultimate goal is to be able to run a full marathon.  That's on the very top of my goal list - right next to getting down to my goal weight.  Yes, being able to run a marathon is just as important to me as losing weight.

I can't tell you the exact moment in which I decided I wanted to do it - it just came to me.

Maybe it was the graduation from not being able to walk for more than 15 minutes without becoming extremely winded and needing to sit down to being able to walk for a full mile.  Maybe it was the push of making myself jog for 30 seconds at a time - and being able to do it.  Maybe it's a combination of everything that I have achieved thus far - and finishing a marathon simbolizes the marathon I've been running every single day to lose the weight.

Whatever it is, I'm committed to being a runner.

I've been doing the Couch to 5K program since January.  Technically I should be finishing that up soon, but due to snow and school - I've had to repeat a few weeks.  I'm OK with that...I would rather be able to finish each week strong than moving through the program too fast and not being able to finish it. 

Last week, I shared my excitement of running a 5K while doing 8 minute jogging/ 2 minute walking intervals.  I finished the 5K, I didn't have to walk at all during the 8 minute jogs - and for that I was very proud.

I could have probably benefited from repeating the 8 minute week over again - being that I only did it that one day - but Friday evening, I wanted to try to push myself a little more. 

I decided to be brave and try the 12 minute jog/ 3 minute walking interval.  I'm not going to lie, it was tough...really tough.  My calves were screaming at me during my first running interval.  Once I reached the 8 minute mark, I really didn't know if I'd be able to finish the first jogging session....but I didn't want to quit.  I wanted to keep pushing myself...and I did.

I finished the first 12 minute jog and felt a rush of exhiliration.  I literally laughed out loud.  I was so proud.  The three minute walking interval went by fast - and I was extremely nervous about starting the second interval.  Once again, things got really tough when I reached the 8 minute mark.  I almost stopped.  Then, at 9 minutes I felt a burst of energy...and my pace started increasing.  By 10 minutes I was actually running.  Once my podcast said "one minute left, you can do it" I pushed myself harder than I've ever before....and finished the 12 minutes with an almost sprint. 

I completed two 12 minute jogging intervals with 3 minutes of walking in between and had ran 2 miles.  I finished with a pace time of 15:41 per mile - but that included the 5 minute warm up I did.

Still on the high from the night before, I decided to run again yesterday.  Just a short run.  I didn't want to use my C25K program...I just wanted to run.  So, that's what I did.  I ran a complete mile - without walking AT ALL - in 14:39.

Today, I'm going back to run another 5K.  This is where my blog title comes into play. 

I'm making a committment to myself to run a 5K each and every week between now and my first 5K race on April 30th.  The committment also includes upping my running intervals each week between now and then - and hopefully being able to run the entire time on the day I'm scheduled to compete.

The 5K I'm running in April is important to me.  I've plugged it a couple of times - and you can see my nice button at the top of my page.  It's for Breast Cancer - a cause I really want to support.

No, I don't have a story to share of how breast cancer has affected me or someone close to me.  I could tell you countless stories of how it's affected people I care about...and that's good enough for me.  My passion for this cause truly emerged when I ran last year's Susan G. Koman's Race for the Cure last year.  Seeing those men and women who had faught - or were still fighting - the disease make their way through the course with a smile on their face made me realize that I wanted to help any way I can.

Yes, training for and running in these races benefit me - I'm losing weight while pushing myself to reach my running goals.  But having the opportunity to do it for a cause I truly love makes it that much more important.  It makes it that much more imperitive that I give everything I can to do my best.

That is why, once again, I come to you with the plea of helping me out.  Last week, I was able to reach my half way point of my donation goal within a few minutes of posting my plea.  Today, I'm still in the exact same spot.  My goal is to raise $100.  That doesn't sound like much - but I would love to be able to reach that goal...and maybe even go higher. 

If you can, please help me out by making a small donation to this wonderful cause.  There is no amount that is too little - every little bit helps.

I've decided to host a little giveaway.  It's not a competition.  It's not a "chance" to win something.  I want to thank everyone that helps me.  So, I will be purchasing Susan G. Koman wristbands to send to everyone that makes a donation.

It's not much - but I want to show that I appreciate the support that I'm receiving.  This is my way to thank you AND support this cause.

To help me out, please click on my Participant button located on the top right of the page. :)

Till next time. ;)

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