Run Forrest Run

I don't think I have shared my Father's Day gift for my Daddy with you yet.
A couple of years ago, my dad lost both of his legs above the knee after battling a really aggressive infection for over a year.  Sitting in a wheel chair and learning to do everything from a seat has been difficult - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Daddy has always been active in the sense that he was always up to something - fixing cars, building furniture, or trying something new.  Some of my favorite childhood memories were in his workshop in the basement of our house. I can remember hearing all of the noises downstairs in my childhood - the clang of his hand tools, the grinding power tools, and the loud exhales during his exercise routines.
If there was anything in the world I could have given him for Father's Day it would be new legs so he can get back to his active lifestyle.  I can't do that, so I decided to give him my own. Since I can't take them off and give them to him, I decided to use my legs for him.
I plan to run one 5k race a month until I am ready to run a half marathon.  I'm hoping that will happen in February and I'm certainly praying that we can get him there at the finish line with me!  Daddy and I will be doing this to raise money for several special causes that are important to both of us, beginning in September.
He's got a really big heart.  He likes to do things for others and see the smile that appears on their face.  He's always finding some little toy or treat to give to any child he comes in contact with.  His children, grandchildren, and surrogate grands are all so precious to him!  I wanted to give him something that helped him give more.

Below are the dates, the race, and the charity we will be raising money for.
September 3 - Color Run, for Team OneVerse (you can click that to sponsor me)
October 20 - Race for the Cure, for Cathy's Chemo-sabes
November 11 - World Run Day*, for the Greater Birmingham YMCA (?)
December - ? (Wish I could do St. Jude, but maybe I'll be ready for that half next year!)
January - ? 
February - Mercedes HALF MARATHON, ?

Here's the problem - I'm NOT a runner!  Well, I wasn't a runner.  I am becoming a runner!  I am on week 8 of Couch 2 5k.  I ran 2 miles straight this morning. I'm still a slow runner, but I'm doing it!  Every time I run and I want to stop, I just think about my Daddy who can't run.  Ever.

I wish Daddy had running legs!

*World Run Day can be done anywhere with anyone.  We are doing this at the local YMCA so Dad can ride in his chair next to me while I run.  I'd love to have a whole herd of people with us that day!  Anybody want to join us???

Couch 2 5k

I am going to do this!  I am determined to be able to run a full 5k without dying...or even stopping to walk.

Running has NEVER been my thing.  I was always one of the last ones to finish the dreaded mile in PE and I usually didn't even run the entire thing.  I've done a couple of 5k races that were for a good cause.  I did the most running I've done in my life in those, but the adrenaline and the crowd helped me move!  I want to run a 5k in the fall - maybe even a couple of them.  It is time to make it happen!

I've heard good things about the Couch 2 5k program, so I decided to give it a shot.  Today was my first day and I'm proud to say that I did it and I enjoyed it!  I was on my last round and decided to test myself.  Just how far can I run without stopping?  I pushed myself and made it half a mile without stopping and I was able to keep walking pretty easily when I was done.  My legs felt a little tired and I was fairly winded, but I wasn't miserable.  I actually kinda like it!  My pace was slow - about 12.5 minute mile, but that's ok.  I DID IT!!!

I use the Nike+GPS app to track my distance and pace and to play my music.  It runs in the background while I'm keeping track of my time.  I used a FREE app called RoundTimer to keep track of my walking/running intervals. 

It is pretty easy to use, but here is how to set the timer for week 1.

 Your Round Count needs to be set at 8.  You'll run for one minute and walk for 1 and a half 8 times for a total of 20 minutes.  This is after you've done your 5 minute warm-up of walking briskly.  I set my Countdown Time for 3 seconds, but you don't have to.  It just gives me a little heads up that I'm about to run.  Set Round Time to 1:00 - this is your jogging time.  You can set your round sounds, warning sound, and rest sound to anything you want.  I like the bell to finish my jog - makes me think of a boxer finishing his first round!  You don't need any warning time, so set this to 0 and the warning sound won't happen, so just leave that alone.  Set the Rest Time to 1:30 - this is your walking time.  I like the buzzer sound to end my walking - it reminds me of a basketball or volleyball game when a time-out is over and it's time to get back to the game!

Your volume level is up to you.  I run with my earbuds in, so I don't need it super loud.  I keep my Timer Sounds on and Vibrate on in case I don't hear the sounds over my music.  You can turn Auto Lock on or off, depending on whether you want the screen to lock while you're timing yourself.

It should be pretty easy to change the settings for each week.  All that needs to be changed is the Round Time and Rest Time.

Anyone wanna race?