With a lot of inspiration from the people close to me I have decided that 2012 is the year I will start running. My roommate when we were early 20’ies who never exercised have run for years, her husband who except for the (in fairness long) bike ride to work I have never seen doing anything more demanding than walking around the house with his Laptop – is now running 3-4 times a week and are converted. Not to mention Alpha- male who since we met are running long distances – but always comes home
I have found this podcast that promise to take you from couch to 5K in nine weeks – so this is what I am going to aim for.
I have found this podcast that promise to take you from couch to 5K in nine weeks – so this is what I am going to aim for.
Maybe appropriate but today is the Jan 1st and I did my first “session” of the podcast, it was not as hard as I expected but I guess it is a good thing to start slowly. Only real annoyance my trousers kept gliding down – so will need others for the future. The sessions were basically
• 5 min of brisk walk to warm up
• 1 min of running followed by 90 sec brisk walking (keep alternating until you have done 8 runs)
• 5 min of brisk walk to cool down
I like the fact that it is a podcast so I do not have to mess about with stopwatch; it is said clear on the podcast when to run and when to walk. Admittedly I run slowly and at the 6th run I felt very tired but persevered and strangely enough run 7 and 8 were fine. Today is a Sunday and I ran/walked during the day in the park – I need to find a route that will work in the dark as well (avoiding the park)
In the first week I have to use the same podcast three times – with a rest day in between, so next run should be Tuesday.
Week 1 - Day 2
I did my second run today!
It was good (I still struggle with that 6th run – but hey!) I like that the runs are just one minute long – I know that so it easier to finish the run “I can do a minute of running” instead of giving up and stop. Wore different clothes which helped – as in the trousers stayed up J.
As I could only run after dinner it was dark and I had to find a route which keep me on the road (do not want to run in the park at night alone) I took a gamble on the route and it worked perfectly (literally 100 steps from front door when podcast ended.)
As I could only run after dinner it was dark and I had to find a route which keep me on the road (do not want to run in the park at night alone) I took a gamble on the route and it worked perfectly (literally 100 steps from front door when podcast ended.)
The worst run! Seriously my legs felt like lead….. it was raining “cats and dogs”, and there were a mean wind. I had hoped that the third time I would do the podcast it would be easier – but really not!
I am not sure whether this is to do with the fact that on my “rest-day” I had walked 6 km (car had to go to garage, doctors appointment…..)or because I have not really stretched after the other runs, whatever the reason it was awful . But I did it – which makes me feel good! So now I am supposed to start week 2 (not sure if I should give week 1 Podcast one more go… but will probably see how bad it is first).
Week 2 – Day 1
Today I ran the first run of the second week/podcast (run 24 out of 27)! Since my last run was a disaster and the fact that I have had 4 days of rest (nursing a hangover, moving furniture around and coming home too late) I must admit I did not look forward – did contemplate doing the first podcast one more time – but decided to follow the program. This weeks runs are basically:
• 5 min walk
• 90 sec run
• 120 sec walk
• Repeat until you have done 6 runs
• 5 min walk
And I did it – it was not easy and I think sometime I ran so slow that walking might have been quicker – but I am glad I stuck with the program!
Week 2 – Day 2
So I got up really early and did the run – it was super-nice, for the warm-up walk the weather were a bit too cold – but I quickly got warm, especially the two first runs were great! I really enjoyed them. Brought croissants home for breakfast – became a hero!!
Week 2 – Day 3
Finished the run -not better than when I did the first Podcast for this week which I expected, but maybe I ran to quickly after dinner. Anyway looking forward to start Week 3 (feel if I can get through week 3 I can finish the full 9 weeks)
So the first two weeks has been pretty OK running 60 and 90 sec. So when I heard the “3min” run I had to check I had really downloaded the right podcast. This week’s runs are:
• 5min brisk walk
• 90 sec run
• 90 sec brisk walk
• 3 min (that is 180sec) run
• 3 min brisk walk
• 90 sec run
• 90 sec brisk walk
• 3 min run
• 3 min brisk walk
Really pleased that I managed - so pleased I had to text Alpha-Male, who in fairness runs for 2 hours, but still managed to sound pleased for me.
Week 3 - Day 2
I know I keep saying this but I keep thinking this should get easier, but it still surprises me how though I think it is – seriously at the end of the run today I ran so slow – it might actually be quicker to walk. But done and dusted – only one more run in week 3 – which will have to be in three days as I am travelling for business this week.
Week 3 – Day 3
I think I had a “break-through” it felt easier! I am still slower than a tortoise, but it felt easier. Kind of optimistic about week four.
Week 4 – Day 1
I have to run for 5 min at a time this week – Crazy I thought but I managed, so each session this week is:
• 5 min brisk walk
• 3 min run
• 90 sec walk
• 5 min run
• 2.5 min walk
• 3 min run
• 90 sec walk
• 5 min run
• 5 min walk
And although I really thought “no way” I managed and felt pretty pleased with myself
Week 4 – Day 2
Finally I think I broke through some mental barrier and really enjoyed the run … yeah let not go overboard and it was not enjoyment like having a good laugh, a gossip with a good friend or even enjoying a delish treat - but I did not hate it either. And as this was on a Sunday I really like the fact that I can run whilst it is still light and through the park.
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