Couch 2 5K- One Last Week

I mentioned in two of my previous posts ( Couch 2 5K and Half Way There) my quest to train for a 5K in 9 weeks. I'm sure to some, running a mere five kilometers might seem like no big deal and does not actually require training. These would be the people who are naturally athletic, have never been out of shape and who I despise envy. However, the thought of running farther than down the hall was once enough to make me panic. Sure if I was running after a piece of cake or pie, that would have inspired me.

After completeling 8 of the 9 weeks in the program I know that not only will I be ready to run my 5K on December 19, but I am looking forward to it. When I first decided to begin the C25K program, I knew that I would need an end goal to help keep me motivated. I set out to find a race that would be close to when I was scheduled to finish and found one that is just one week after my completion date. No chances to do a week over, or take a week off. That was ok though, because I needed something to count down to and a way to hold myself accountable. So, here we are, just over 2 weeks away from my first 5K in over a decade.

Today at the halfway point of my run I was looking back on how much progress I have made, how different I felt today versus my very first day. On day one, the thought of running 5 consecutive minutes freaked me out. A lot. These days, it takes me about 20 minutes to get warmed up, to let go of the stress that has followed me even though I vow to let it go before I put on my running shoes. I love it when I reach this part of my run, it is very calm; I don't have to think about my breathing or my stride because it all just happens on its own. Once I've gotten to this point, I feel like I'm running on someone else's legs and that I could go for hours. It is a great feeling, and usually it lasts until the end of my run. This is why I started the C25K program in October.

Running has brought me peace. Even if it's for less than an hour a day, it is time when I can relax and just breath.

Couch 2 5K, Half Way There

About four weeks ago I started the Couch to 5K running program. I probably don’t have to remind you, but I’ll do it anyway, I am not athletic. There was a part of my life (before college) where I was in good shape and actually was athletic, those days are hard to remember though. Despite my propensity to lean more toward books and movies rather than running trails and mountain hikes, I have been loving the C25K so far. I am completely committed, and so is my bank account! Over the past month I’ve purchased new shoes, a new iPod and the Nike + sport kit for said iPod.

Though I have been loving the workouts and the weeks one and two were not as horrible as I'd imagined, I had started to get discouraged. Two weeks ago I started feeling quite a bit of pain in my ankle and Achilles tendon area, which really took the fun out of running. I stopped looking forward to my workout, instead dreading the point where I would have to stop because the pain became too intense. I increased rest days in the hopes that some time off the treadmill would alleviate whatever problem was occurring. I would try to push myself through the, and I know that was not smart, but I really did not want to slow my progress.

I decided a visit to my doctor was due after waking-up with some quite a bit of pain, even after taking two days of rest. X-rays were taken and she poked and prodded and tweaked my leg for a while until arriving at the conclusion that the tendons in my lower leg are messed up. Don’t ask me how they got that way; I only walk on the things. She will be sending me to do some physical therapy in the hopes that we can strengthen them and stretch them and make them work properly. The doc showed me a couple strengthening exercises and stretches to try in the meantime, and she didn’t actually say that I should stop running.

So off I went to the treadmill, after stretching throughout the entire day, to attempt day 2 of week 4. The first half of the workout felt pretty good, with only mild amount of pain, nothing as severe as I had been feeling, mostly just tightness. I decided to push myself a bit harder for the second half of the run and it was as if I were running on someone else’s legs. Calm came over me, my breathing was even, I was expending only a tiny amount of energy. I felt as though I could run forever, and actually wanted to. It was a fantastic feeling, easily my best run of the program.

That was exactly what I needed. The workout got me reenergized and refocused. This is something I am doing solely for me; to help find focus, to alleviate stress and bring some peace to my mind. I know not every workout will be as amazing as my last, but knowing I have the ability to run so well will keep me pushing myself. Week 5 of the program looks scary; I’m not gonna kid myself, running for 20 minutes straight will be hard. However, as opposed to 4 weeks ago, I’m looking forward to it.

Couch 2 5K

Most people who know me know that I'm not really an athletic person, at least not anymore, and I avoid exercise at any cost. I enjoy a nice walk in the park, but you won't find me running with the jogging stroller. I was once able to get away with all of that; but after having my son, my body turned against me and no longer was willing to allow the laissez faire attitude toward my physical fitness.

I have decided I am no longer content to just be; I want to be fit again and I want to be healthier. To that end I have started the couch 2 5K running program. The C25K program is designed to gently ease the body from the couch to the running a full 5 kilometers over the course of 9 weeks by alternating jogging and walking. Each week gets progressively more difficult, but each week the body is stronger and more capable than the week before.

I am on my second week and can honestly say I love it: the feel of accomplishment after finishing the day's workout and the anticipation of how much harder I can push myself. A few friends of mine are also making their way through the program, and a close friend started at the same time. Knowing that we are all doing it together is a big motivator, if she can do it so can I.

There are a lot of great resources if you're interested in starting your own couch 2 5K program. The first place to check is the Cool Runnings website, these are the guys who started it all. There's a detailed schedule on what workout to do on what day for all nine weeks.

I doubt I could keep track of when to run and when to walk and for how long so I found a podcast that was designed by Robert Ullrey. He put together some great music that keeps me moving, plus he tells me when to run and when to walk. The podcast is available for mp3 and mp4 formats.

A site with a lot of great links and a community forum is Couch 2 5K. There is more information there than one person could possibly need. I suggest wandering over there if you're even a little interested in the program.

I do plan to run a 5K in nine (or so) weeks. I have a goal, and I know that I can accomplish it. After all, if I don't complete the program, I'll have to explain to the blogging world why I failed.