Couch to 5k week 3, session 2 - Can I even run without the stroller?

This hill still drives me nuts, even without the stroller

I missed writing about the first session because of family coming in to town and other craziness, but I did do it.  While not a great run, it was better than the previous slow day. This week the run times jump from all 90 seconds to two 90 second runs and two 3 minute runs. There are longer rest periods between the runs but by the second 3 minute jog I was checking my watch and counting down the seconds.

Because my parents were in town I decided to run earlier and only take Lucy, trying my first run session without the stroller. This is my plan eventually, to run very early one day a week now that my older son is done with school, so I thought this would be a great time to start.




For some reason, it was actually harder than running with the stroller.  There are probably a lot of contributing factors, including the fact that the day before had been incredible warm, we had been outside a lot, but I had not had my normal 100 oz of water and while it was not horribly hot while I was running, it was humid and there was absolutely no breeze. At one point during a run session I could literally feel heat radiating off my face because the air was so still.

I think the main reason that I was having so much trouble is that I've gotten used to having the stroller as a little bit of support, especially as a place for the leash, and my body felt weird trying to get the right posture without the stroller. This has made me realize that I really do need to work on running by myself or with Lucy without the baby.  While the first 5K I'm going to does allow me to have the stroller, there are many in the area that do not, and if my ultimate goal is to run a 10K wanted to have the stroller with me really limits my options.

The run itself was still lower than my fastest pace on week 2 session 2, but a better overall pace than the last two run. I just have to remind myself the same thing I tell my 6 year old before every swim team practice, we practice so that we can get stronger and faster over time.  So maybe tomorrow, even on an incline, I'll be back in the groove.