I completed Week 4 yesterday and needless to say, I can't believe I'm just about half way through already! Even better....on the last 5 minute interval, I was curious to see how long I could go and I ended up running 8 minutes. I probably could have squeezed out a couple more minutes, but it kind of felt like I was peeking at Christmas presents! At least I know I am ready for the 8 minute run in Week 5! I'm not sure who is the Keeper of The Charts at the moment, but I need to be updated to Week 5 (I think I'm still stuck in Week 2 on the chart!) I posted a Week 4 update pic on my blog - the changes are subtle, but definitely there!

Haven't been able to run much at all, which is disappointing. I moved back from my suburbian home to my city campus life and I cannot find a decent place to run! People who run on concrete - how in the heck can you do it? I tried and my shins were crying for mercy. I don't think I'll be doing it again if I can help it. Is it that much different from asphalt?

According to this article, concrete is 8x harder than asphalt and is the WORST surface to run or walk on.

Holy... Okay, I'm never running on it ever again. I could barely jog 1/4 mile without wanting to stop. Erendis, there's a park about a mile or two away from my apartment but I don't have my bike until next Sunday. My school does have an indoor track but I find tracks mindnumbing. I guess I'll have to make due. Though now that I know how concrete is, I'm in love with asphalt (even though it's no pillow, either.) Ohhh, I have to tell you guys that I am possibly the most stubborn/girly runner ever. I went to my school's gym, found out it was closed but still wanted to run even though I had my handbag with me. So I just shoved it under my arm, grabbed my bottle of water and ran. It sucked hardcore and I probably looked like I stole someone's purse but I got a mini-run in! Everyone seems to be doing so well!

goddess- another thing you could look into is finding a running club in your city- they probably know all the good places to run, and maybe they carpool to the park! just ran w9 day1!! and it was the best run time i've had since the intervals stopped. having a pair of shoes that don't squash my big toe seems to have made a big difference. i'm betting my time will be even better when the humidity isn't so crushing. i didn't feel like i was outside of conversational pace, although the humidity did make me feel a bit nauseous towards the end of my run. MTA- oh! my husband decided he was going to start running again while i was trying out shoes. so he's been fitted and has a good pair of running sneakers and went for a run last night. he hasn't been able to run in a long while because his knee was bothering him, but i've been telling him about the training and stretching tips i've seen and how he should run slower, and he decided to give it a try!

I'm another one who isn't a fan of running on concrete. I run mostly on pavement although I have been running some routes lately which have a few sidewalks and a bit of gravel paths. Good mix isn't bad on a run. Olivia, I hope you have an amazing run when you go out with your Dad. I know my Dad can outbike me, but that's time out on the bike. He's done a ton more of it. Erendis, very cool your husband is joining the running masses.

Cyndi, this program paces you well and that's awesome you are feeling so good about it!