Welcome to week three of my 5K training for the upcoming Energy Oasis 5K Race and Fitness Walk.

Originally, I thought I had it all planned out – how I would slowly ‘up’ my running tolerance each week. I started out running a full consecutive mile a couple times, so I was feeling good and looking forward to adding another lap for week two.

Unfortunately, it was a really busy week with work and my parents flew into town for a visit. So instead of working out, I just plain worked. When I wasn’t working, I was out enjoying coastal Georgia with my parents – which included way too much food consumption and lots of lazy time. It was relaxing but very anti-5K-training.

Coming back from an entire week of doing zero physical activity just got me frustrated and discouraged, because it felt like I was starting back at the beginning again.

I figured I’d do short spurts of running, intermixed with short bursts of walking, for 30 minutes. I even decided to go with the "5K program" on the treadmill.

I didn’t really understand what that meant, but after several minutes, I figured it out – right around the time I thought my calves were going to explode.

I yanked the towel off the treadmill (which I use to hide the stats, so I don’t just watch the tenths of a mile slowly – so very slowly – tick away), to find that I was running on a fairly high incline.

Which made sense once I thought about it. Because running a real 5K outside, in the real world, means you’re running on earth that isn’t perfectly flat and set to move underneath your feet at a particular speed… But I decided I’m not quite ready for that yet, so I’m going to stick with manual for a while longer.

During an internet search, I found the site ‘Cool Running.’ Their claim is that I’ll be able to run a 5K within the next two months – which happens to work out really well, since the event is April 19.

They have a program all laid out, for 20-30 minutes of cardio each week, for nine weeks. You can choose to run for time or distance, whichever is easier for you. I’m hoping this guideline might help me a little bit, because it sounds pretty easy for the first few weeks. I’ve started myself out at week three, and will be starting the week four guidelines on Thursday.

Right now, it’s got me on the treadmill running for 90 seconds and then walking 90 seconds; then running for three minutes, followed by walking for three minutes, with two repetitions.

Yeah, it’s pretty easy. And I know half the battle is getting over the mental block about running (which I totally have). So, maybe this will help – because instead of paying attention to the distance, I’ll be focusing on the time.

I’ll let you know how week four goes soon enough…