5k training!

I know every time I post in here, I always say I'm going to start posting more often. : /
Maybe this time that will actually happen?
This semester I haven't been running too consistently, at least not until recently.
I don't exactly remember when it was that I decided this, but I decided to start training for a 5k. The last time I did that, I ran a few times, didn't run for a while, and then showed up on race day after sleeping in and having hardly any time to warm up. That was a fun time. That was also... over two years ago. I guess it was about three weeks ago I decided to start training for one again, seeing as I'm three weeks into my training. I had found a six-week training program online, and then found a race taking place on New Year's Day, which happened to be exactly six weeks from that point- perfect!
The training program is designed for "recreational runners." I don't really know what to qualify myself as; I know I'm not really a beginner, but I know I'd be foolish to still consider myself a "competitive runner." I haven't been one of those since my senior year of high school. I guess "recreational" will have to do. It's nice because the training program will prepare me to be able to complete the 3.1-mile distance with ease, but isn't too much of a time constraint. That makes it really manageable for a full-time college student.
I'm just about halfway through my 3rd week of training now. I haven't stuck to the program strictly, but it's nice to know that even if I get off-track for a day, I can always jump back on the next day. The program is pretty flexible, too, which is nice.
It's nice to have something to aim towards, although I have to remember not to aim too high. I know if I didn't have a race to train for, it would be a lot harder to motivate myself to get out and run almost every day, because that never happened before. I would decide I needed to start running again, and would do it for a few days, and then just stop again. But for almost three weeks now, I've been fairly consistent. That feels pretty good. Having a goal reminds me not to give up on my training, and also motivates me to keep going, even when it's cold outside, or when I don't want to run on the treadmill (sometimes I have to because it's too dark outside by the time I am able to run).
Here's what I mean though by aiming too high. I'm just going to put it right out there. I was aiming for a 22-minute 5k. I figured, my best time was around 20:30 in high school, and I probably won't be able to run that fast, so I'll aim for slower but not too slow. Part of my training calls for doing repeats at 5k pace or faster, and I've found that to try to do so, I'm reallllly pushing myself hard. Last week, I just barely finished my 4x800 workout at 7:00 mile pace, and was so worn out at the end. Tonight, I was supposed to do 6x400 at :10 faster than my goal 5k pace. I only completed four. : /
It doesn't help that I have asthma. I'm pretty sure I mention that often in here- that sometimes I forget that I have it. You'd think by now it would have sunk in. But, the reality is, I have it. And I have to accept it. I have to stop being stubborn and realize that with that, along with other health problems, and the fact that I'm no longer 17 and able to train as extensively as I used to, it's probably not too reasonable to aim for a 22-minute 5k. And my focus has changed; it's not so much as getting a fast time. I know that I need to exercise to stay healthy, and training for this 5k has helped me to do that consistently.
So, I'll keep training. I've been able to do my "easy runs" pretty, well, easily, but for my speed workouts I'll need to figure out a pace that is a little more manageable- one that I can keep up throughout the whole workout consistently without feeling like I'm dying. And I'll run the 5k. I'll do my best, but be okay with not getting a time under 22 minutes.
I really am going to try to post more consistently in here, even if it is just a quick update on what I did for training that day. Here's what I've done so far:
Week 1-
Monday, 11/22: 2 miles easy
Tuesday, 11/23: 4xhill repeats at a pace that feels like 5k pace
Wednesday, 11/24: rest
Thursday, 11/25: took the day off.
Friday, 11/26: 2 miles easy
Saturday, 11/27: 2 miles easy
Sunday, 11/28: 2 miles easy, on the treadmill

Week 2-
Monday, 11/29: 2.25 miles easy
Tuesday, 11/30: 4x800 repeats at 3:30, with 400 rest in between. Ran at Milton Academy; 1st repeat: 3:33. 2nd repeat: 3:31. 3rd repeat: 3:34. 4th repeat: 3:30. 800 cooldown
Wednesday, 12/1: rest
Thursday, 12/2: 2.25 miles easy, on the treadmill
Friday, 12/3: 2.25 miles easy
Saturday, 12/4: 2.5 miles easy
Sunday, 12/5: rest

Week 3-
Monday, 12/6: didn't run
Tuesday, 12/7: didn't run. wasn't feeling well.
Wednesday, 12/8: 2.5 miles easy
Thursday, 12/9: training called for 6x400 at :10 faster than 5k goal pace. I finished 4, on the treadmill.

Tomorrow I'll do 2.5 easy, then 3 easy on Saturday, and that'll complete training for week 3!

I'll keep ya posted!