Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I actually can run!

So, with all this talk of running and triathlons, you might think that I'm going to start with a 5K next week and run a marathon in a month or so. ;)

Or not.

What I am going to do is follow a program dubbed the C25K, or "couch to 5K". It's a "gentle" introduction to running that claims to take you from couch potato to running a 5K in 9 weeks.

My first reaction when looking at week one was skepticism. I have never been a runner, and while it may be a "gentle" introduction, I did not think I could even run for the 60 seconds it asked without having to stop and walk.

But, I'm not giving up on things before even trying them anymore.

So, I took my kids to the sitter, and headed to the indoor track with my running shoes, inhaler (for asthma) and water.

Once I changed my shoes and started the 5 minute warm up, I realized a flaw in my plan. I had nothing to time my running and walking segments. There was a giant clock on the wall, but it didn't have a second counter. I was stuck. I could head home, but I didn't have enough time to go back and run then. Or, I could make do with only being able to change my pace at the minute marks.

So, when I finished walking for 5 minutes, I started to run. I was expecting to get hit with that feeling I remember from high school gym class. That "bla! I don't want to run; I'll walk instead" feeling. It didn't come. I realized that this wasn't as hard as I thought and when that clock changed minutes and it was time to walk again, I felt like I could even run for longer.

So, rather then doing 20 minutes, of 60 seconds running and 90 seconds walking, I did 20 minutes, where I ran for 60 seconds and walked for 60 seconds.

How did I feel afterwards? Amazing. Really bloody amazing. I don't think it was the runners high that everyone talks about, but rather a feeling of accomplishment. Running has always been one of those things that I've put in the category of "can't". I still have a long ways to go, but I've made a solid start.

For the record, the new shoes felt great. My ankles and knees feel fine, and less stressed then they do on a hike.

5 comments:

  1. Thats awesome! I'm glad you enjoyed it. While I run I always think "I hate this, I hate this." Then I feel AWESOME when I'm done. :)

    Oh - love your shoes by the way! Saucony are the best!

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  2. Good for you! I have added intervals on the treadmill and also find them to be a bit exhilarating. I really feel like I have accomplished something. I toyed with the notion of trying the official C25K plan but could feel my knees complain with what I have done so far. Sigh.

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  3. Good for you. So you see that all that hauling around two kids behind a bike is getting you into pretty good shape. Do be careful about not pushing yourself too fast. You want to let your ankles and knees get used to the new movements and before you know it you'll be going along and realize that you forgot to walk and just kept running.
    Janet

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  4. Way to go, Deb! That's a bloody amazing account of running. Glad you loved the experience!

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