On February 17th, I announced I would be training for a 5K. It was the couch to 5K in 9 weeks program. And today would make 9 weeks.
Did I quit?
Am I an utter failure?
Well, friends, remember how I and my family were sick most of March with various illnesses ranging from strep to sinusitis to bronchitis to ear infections to random stomach cramps? Well, that set me back a little in my 5K training. Officially, I'm on week 5, workout #2. Ladies and Gentlemen, that means yesterday morning I did a brisk 5 minute warm-up walk, then jogged 3/4 mile (8 minutes), walked 5 minutes, jogged another 8 minutes, then walked a few more minutes until I could breath again. In total, I was on the treadmill for about 30 minutes and moved 2.08 miles.
Wednesday ... Wednesday's workout is a 5 minute warm-up followed by a 20 minute jog, no walking, all jogging for about 20 minutes. Scared to death. Wow. Whew. Whoo.
8 minutes of straight jogging is tough. Of course, when I started, 60 seconds of jogging followed by 90 seconds of walking (repeated for 20 minutes) was pathetically challenging. The first time I jogged 5 full minutes, I was so proud of myself. Reading it, I know it sounds like nothing, but I am not an athletic girl. For me, this is a triumph akin giving birth or hitting a golf ball over the water (I'm not much of a risk taker, folks).
You really have to realize, getting my fluffy self to the point where I can make my legs go 2 miles in half an hour ... it's pretty freaking phenomenal. I only have 10 workouts left on this program. In 3 more weeks I should be able to run 3 miles in about 30 minutes. Sounds unbelievable, but I just did 2 miles in 30 minutes and that was unbelievable. 3 weeks before that, I could only do 1-1.5 miles in 30 minutes. And before that ... I could walk/jog for about 10-15 minutes and go about 3/4 of a mile.
The 20 straight minutes is kind of scaring me though. 20 minutes, jogging. Hmm. I'll be spending the time I have continuously telling myself I can do it.
3 Brilliant Bits of Inspiration:
YEA!! for you! Keep it up!
Brandy- you are awesome!!!! I totally feel EVERYTHING you wrote on this blog, being that I am also not that athletic and took up jogging just a few years ago. I am a very slow jogger but if I can just keep it going for a while I feel so good in my body and so proud of myself in my mind.
I think so much of it is mental and focusing on how we're breathing while we move. I tell myself that once I get past the 5-8 minute point, I'm actually in a "zone" and this helps me feel motivated to jog for longer and then feel more focused. Really, I think your endorphins start working for you!
I suggest finding a 5K race out there and sign up for it. This will motivate you to keep going. And, once it is race day, you'll be so pumped to be running with all the people! I always end up running way more than I would by myself just running with others, it is so inspiring. I do an all women's 5K every fall and I love it.
Come to Seattle and run it with me!
"I'll be spending the time I have continuously telling myself I can do it." ThAT is the cool thing about running, isn't it!?! I know for me it's the only time in the day I'm not bagging on myself but just thinking "you can do it."
And, YOU can do it! Once you can run a 5k you can run any distance!
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