Triathlon - Two on the books!

I'm so hooked! I have two more tris on the calender. One on June 4th and another on the 18th. My run is improving too. I have always struggled with running. I don't like it, not one bit. But I'm getting better at it. I used to run a minute, walk a minute etc. Then one day I just decided I was going to run until I felt like I was gonna die. Before I knew it I ran a little more then a mile without stopping. It was not fun, but I did it. I have such a sense of accomplishment after I run, and I hope I don't ever loose that. I must admit, I use the term "run" rather loosly...It's a 12 minute mile. I want to work up to running a 5k without stopping. Right now I'm running 3x a week, just a mile for now, once I did a mile and a half. Tomorrow I'm stepping it up, going to try for a mile and a half again. (kinda sick though, so I'm gonna see how it goes...upper respiratory...yuck!) Nothing less then a mile though. Tell me if this makes sense to you. I seem to run better after I've already "worked out". Last week for instance, I ran a mile and a half (first time ever) after an intense spinning class and I felt better then when I run cold, just out the front door. I guess that's a good thing for a tri though!! Here is my question though, do I have time to work up to a 5k before June 4th, if I'm only at a mile now? Is 3x week gonna cut it if I plan to make that goal? I'm still working through pain when I run too. Awful pain in my side (always right side) and I never feel like I have control over my breathing. Heart rate climbs up to 170 and hangs out there. Of course shin pain but that's the least of my worries. Does it get easier?

I would recommend working out all those pains before worrying about piling on the miles. If there is something in your running form that is potentially injurious, adding miles will merely increase the likelyhood of an injury coming to fruition.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 12 minute mile - if done with good form.
There is a book called Chi Running by Danny Dreyer (and his wife Katherine) that addresses pain and discomfort in running in a very constructive and sensible manner - has completely changed the way i run.
I had similar issues when i started running, and sadly carried my bad running form all the way through 9 triathlons and a marathon. My running sucked the whole time, and contributed to much unnecessary pain and injury.
If i'd read Chi Running when i started, would have saved me a lot of trouble.
Of course, there are a million other ways to address form, but i strongly recommend you do exactly that, and avoid injury, pain, and frustration in the future.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.

Cycleprincess ..pain is a sign don't ignore it. If you feel some pain from time to time or when you are really pushing it, thats one thing but if you feel pain day in day out, there is something wrong and if you don't adrress it before increassing miles or duration you are running straight into a brick wall. Listen to your body, monitor your pain level and track it. Sometimes its technique, course, shoes, etc.. I have been experimenting with at least 8 pairs of shoes before I could find one that would allow me to complete a 10 km without numbness, and guess what .. it was the 1st pair I tried .. Hills are a definate nono for me (pain in my ankles) .. but I can run flat intervals (ref a few posts earlier .. great method).

I would recommend working out all those pains before worrying about piling on the miles. If there is something in your running form that is potentially injurious, adding miles will merely increase the likelyhood of an injury coming to fruition.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a 12 minute mile - if done with good form.
There is a book called Chi Running by Danny Dreyer (and his wife Katherine) that addresses pain and discomfort in running in a very constructive and sensible manner - has completely changed the way i run.
I had similar issues when i started running, and sadly carried my bad running form all the way through 9 triathlons and a marathon. My running sucked the whole time, and contributed to much unnecessary pain and injury.
If i'd read Chi Running when i started, would have saved me a lot of trouble.
Of course, there are a million other ways to address form, but i strongly recommend you do exactly that, and avoid injury, pain, and frustration in the future.
Good luck, and please keep us posted.

DITTO ON CHIRUNNING.
Buy it.
Do it.
Love it.

I don't like running either. But I like it a lot more now after doing Chi Running for a while. I've gotten faster too.

here is a great running plan to go from start to 5k. Affectionatley known as Couch to 5k (C25k)

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I agree about dealing with the pain early (ASAP). Go to a running store and make sure you have the right shoes. Take an old pair with you so they can see the wear.

CP: Congrats on your progress - keep it up! As you do longer runs you might want to incorporate walk breaks into your run. Start off running the first mile and then start the run/walk route. This will help you ease into the longer distances.

Hi CyclePrincess - there's hope for us non-runners... I started off doing the same that you are in February and I actually ran for 45 minutes straight the other day. Woo hoo! The key for me was slowing it way down and pacing myself based on my heart rate - even if I had to walk to keep the hr level I was trying to get. I think this increased my fitness enough that I can now move along at a very slow jog (sometimes I think I could walk faster). Going slow also eliminated those shin splints I had been getting previously.

Congrats cp! I still haven't done my first one yet. I'm from a running background. Runners hurt all the time. That's why we become cyclists. Seriously, distance running is hard on your body. Good shoes help, good surfaces help (asphalt at most, nice unpaved jogging trails here in Austin are excellent), and possibly stock in whatever company makes Advil.
If you have a running store like RunTex in Texas, go visit and see if they can check your form and shoes. It's expensive but it's a one-time expense.

(Sheesh...why do these triathlons all cost $80?)

I just ordered two books from Amazon.com. ChiRunning (thanks for the tips) and Running and Breathing. The guy who wrote Running and Breathing says you can pretty much run, bike, swim or whatever as long as you want without exhaustion as long as you breathe right. So...we'll see! I think breathing is definately key with me, because I'm missing something. I know what you mean tri-Berkeley...I feel like I could walk faster too!! I need to find a way to keep from going anaerobic when I run. My HR climbs up to 170-175 and hangs out there. So literally I'm sucking wind the whole time. I think that's where the pain in my side is coming from. Hopefully these books will help. And hopefully I can kick this upper respiratory thing soon so I can get back to training. I've been lying low for two days now hoping that will help. And I stink of garlic (supposed to help...who knows!)