Run run run
Nov 13, 2005 The Story of My Life
Inspired by someone else who posted this link, I decided to start the Cool Running Couch to 5K program. I stopped running right before my last two miscarriages in 2001 and never started up again. I tried but never got very far and the thought of getting back into shape after letting myself get back out of shape made me want to go have a slice of pie. A la mode. But having this nice little program seems do-able AND it’s nice to know that if I follow it I’ll see some measurable progress.
So last night I was out doing my first stint and my iPod died because the battery isn’t holding charges like it used to and I found that it was actually a bit easier to run without it since I’m supposed to time the run/walk switch-offs. It would be a strange thing not to be a slave to my iPod while exercising. There’s nothing like an extended dance mix to keep me going but here at the beginning, maybe it’ll be easier without.
My goal is to run a 10K with Brett maybe this summer, maybe this fall. Dare I say spring? Not quite yet. I still have to make it through winter running. I’m hoping that bad weather doesn’t get me off course. Maybe we’ll join the rec center again since they have a track.
What I like about running is that it kicks my ass in a way that way stair stepping, walking fast and even biking don’t. Also once you have running shoes, you need no other equipment. And it gets me in shape much more quickly than other kinds of exercise. Right before I started running in spring of 2001 I was coming off of a winter where I did an hour of step aerobics three times a week but still when I first tried to run I about died. It’s strange how one kind of exercise doesn’t always transfer to another kind.
Anyway. Running. Good stuff.
November 13th, 2005 at 11:52 am
HEY! Coincidence!
An online group I’m on has made a plan. A few of us have started running recently, and we’re all going to pick a 5K somewhere in the country sometime next spring (late spring) and meet there to run it together. I agree, a race to look forward to is amazing incentive, isn’t it?
Good luck to you! I’ve been running and/or biking now for three weeks at least every other day and I’m finally seeing some steady improvement on my stamina. I’m not losing weight — yet — but I am losing mass, I think. That keeps me going.
But I couldn’t do it without my iPod. In fact, I pretty much owe my entire running success to my iPod. I’m about to blog about that soon, in fact …
November 13th, 2005 at 4:22 pm
I teach a learning to run course for women out of a local running shoe store.
The run walk model is the one we use and it is a darn good one.
I have just started a 1/2 marathon training stint. My goal is to run that in early March.
Eeek!
Good on you by the way and I too love the runs without my ipod - it can help centre me in a way that not much else can.
There are days when the music gets me out and moving though.
Looking forward to hearing more about your journey.
November 13th, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Hey,
That’s great. I have also recently decided to start running again. I wanted to let you know that you should be careful about indoor track running (unless it’s a pretty big track)because if you go the same way around the track everytime it is bad on your knees. (and it;s boring as hell, but that is another issue) So, make sure to alternate going clockwise and counter clockwise.
Best!
November 13th, 2005 at 6:29 pm
Hey Dawn!
In Sept. I started the “Learn to Run 10k” SportMedBC program, which is a similar kind of thing — alternating walking and running. It was great. I stopped due to lack of time — dealing with the books and NaNo is all I have time for in the mornings, and I can’t do the run/walk with the kids around.
I’m looking forward to getting back into it again once things calm down for me… but in the meantime, I’ll have to follow your progress!
Andi
November 13th, 2005 at 7:25 pm
Let me know if you want a running partner. I usually run on the treadmill, but it wouldn’t be bad for me to get outside a little bit.
November 14th, 2005 at 12:52 am
I did the C25K program at CoolRunning over a year ago. GREAT program. I went from never having run further than across the street to running a 5K (however slowly). Unfortunately, right after I “graduated,” but before my first 5K, I blew out my knee somehow, and haven’t been able to get back on track. But that’s my problem. The take-home message is that I know from experience that the program works.
(These days, however, I’m all about the loooooong walks. Less-to-no chance of injury, time to listen to books on CD on my iPod, and the opportunity to mutitask I run local errands by walking to the places I need to go, then do ‘weight training’ by carrying packes back up the steep hills to my house! I’ve actually found I’ve lost more weight walking than running. Running made me HUNGRY.)
November 14th, 2005 at 12:00 pm
I’m with you on the running-kicks-ass thing. I am currently doing over an hour on the elliptical but running is different. I love, love, love to run but always need to work up to it slowly. I attack running from behind. Like, right now, I won’t start running again til I “feel” ready, which means, being able to walk more than two miles at a reasonable pace without needing a nap immediately thereafter.
November 14th, 2005 at 12:21 pm
I run because it’s the easiest, most efficient kind of exercise for me– I would never make it to the gym, but I can step out my door and get my ass kicked with nothing more than a pair of shoes. I’m only doing about three miles right now, and only 2-4 days a week, but it’s all I can manage. A goal would be helpful though. I was almost through training for a marathon a few years ago (was up to 16 mile runs) when I got pregnant. I stopped running, and then miscarried three months later. I haven’t been able to motivate myself to train for a marathon again (yet), but it is pretty high on the list of things I’d like to do before I die.