Like zillions of people in my virtual and real life circle (like Kristen, Susan and Delia who are now veterans), I started Couch to 5K recently. I wasn’t going to say anything until I figured I’d finish it and now that I’m on week 4, I’m going to go ahead and cautiously be public about it.
The thing that pushed me was this entry when memories of my mean doctor pissed me off enough to make me want to start running again. I will never be skinny, I know, but to hell with him for making me think I can’t run anyway. So I decided to start.
It’s a good thing I’ve been ellipticaling for a year or so now because it turns out an hour of elliptical at level 85 (out of 100) will get a person out of the first week of Couch to 5K. This week — week 4 — is killing me breath-wise but up until now, I felt like I was moving along pretty easily. Of course it’s a bit dismaying to realize that hard-core elliptical training is nothing to running around a track. Running scoffs at elliptical training.
The other issue I’m having is some calf cramping that is only noticeable when I stop running, which wouldn’t be a problem except that I’m doing interval training so I’m stopping to walk several times during the run. I think this has to do with some weird hip stuff I have going on. When I was a toddler, I had to wear braces but they must not have been all that effective because I still walk like a duck and I have to pay attention to my stride or I start underpronating in a major way and heel striking and then I’m just hobbling and sidelined for a couple of weeks. (The site says this is caused by high arches but my arches are average and I’m positive it has to do with my weird walk.) Unlike the elliptical where I can crank up my iPod and daydream my way to fitness, running takes a lot of thinking. I’m looking forward to when I can get back to meditative exercise.
The best thing about doing this is that Noah is doing it with me. He’s about a week behind so he’s on week three. Most of the time we run as a family. Brett runs with Noah while I stagger around by myself and Madison plays mostly happily occasionally chasing one of us down, happy to fetch water when one of us stumbles past her gasping for refreshment. Then while Noah and I moan and complain and stretch, Brett does his own run because he’s in better shape than the rest of us.
Noah is a natural runner — he’s got Brett’s stride — but he cuts out a lot to get drinks or do dance moves. Or to catch up (or slow down) to try to give me high fives, which totally annoys me because, really, it takes all my concentration to put one sorry foot in front of the other. Still, running as a family is fun and is keeping me motivated. (The day I knew we couldn’t all get out there I just ran by myself in the afternoon and that was fine, too.)
Last time I tried Couch to 5K I was using Robert Ulrey’s very popular podcasts. The plus side to his is that they’re very encouraging. But this time I’m using these mixes. They are much faster so they’re harder but I like the music better. Also as a slow runner, I’d like to get my speed up along with my endurance. That is, if I live to finish. (Seriously — this week knocked me flat and my legs are still sore even though my run was Sunday.)
I will never be a thin person — although I might become thinner — but exercise, besides lengthening my lifespan and improving my quality of said life, also allows me to give a great big screw you to any bad attitude that creeps my way. You know, attitude like I suck for having the gall to posess this here waistline. And it’s also the best way I’ve found to manage my often gloomy attitude. Finally, hitting my target heart rate three or four times a week is the most effective creativity booster I’ve found (although mindless exercise does more of this and hopefully running will become that when I don’t have to think through every step). Also, I like running because you can do it just about anywhere. Sure, I prefer a track of some kind because I don’t have to watch for cars and I’m less likely to aggravate my often lurking shin splints but in a pinch, the street in front of my house will do. I figure between the elliptical trainer in my basement and the road outside, I’ve gotten rid of most of my anti-exercises excuses.
So that’s that.
Related posts:
I tried and Failed the couch to 5k plan but am tempted to try again…maybe
I love Couch to 5K, and I’ve done it twice: once in 2006, and then again this year (postpartum). Don’t be afraid to do a given week twice, until it feels better. If I were going to do it a third time I might tweak the intervals a bit, especially in weeks 6-9. Anyway, now I can run a 10K, and I love it: running does for me all the things that you list, and more.
This sounds great as a family activity! I’m really impressed that you can run even with your hip issues. It’s something I’ve avoided because of my problems (everything about my spine is crazy and one leg is longer than the other) and I’m okay with that because the bellydance works on back pain and is very low-impact, but sometimes I wish I did more standard exercise.
Thorn, I have one leg longer than the other one, too, but again it’s a hip thing because seeing the chiropractor regularly can fix it (I think). My mom, my sister and I all have trouble with our right hips. It does seem like bellydancing would help with lower back alignment because it stretches everything out. I just don’t do any kind of group exercise so I would never never never take a class. I am hostile when shy.
I finally was able to talk myself into classes. I know there’s no way I can handle gyms. Sad that the workout for bodies is so much at the mercy of the mind, but that’s just me giving in to dualism.
I love it! Anything that gives a big screw you to dumbass doctors is awesome. I know you hate encouragement, but I think you’re cool. So there.
I do hate encouragement and I think you’re mean for offering me any.
Good for you!!!
Don’t give up-even when it’s hard (not that you said you were going to)because, really, if I could do it anyone can. It might seem like I’m athletic or something but really it was sooo hard. I have never run in my life before this.It would annoy the hell out of me if anyone (my family) was talking to me let alone high five-ing me or trying to give me water. Running is like labor-you really have to concentrate and you know when its over its over. And the reward is great. But even though you know how bad it’s going to be you get up and do it again. Ugh…Go get em tiger!
Kudos again to you. I think this is great and you and Susan have indeed inspired me. I have been reading Susan’s diet blog and just love it.
My concerns with C25K is my own limitations. That sounds like a cop out. It is not. I dont know enough about it yet, but can I do it with a bad ankle? I broke an ankle years ago and it was never treated (seriously, did I mention I have a high pain tolerance). Now, any significant walking or stressing on my feet causes it to swell like mad and I limp for weeks till it heals again. For this reason, I may be option for an aquacize routine. Need to do more research.
Regardless, think its awesome that you are doing and wish you the best.
I think you could exacerbate ankle injuries so I’d be very careful. I had trouble with a broken *toe* when I first got back on the elliptical trainer last year (now it only hurts when it rains — I’m like my own weather station!) and I couldn’t have run on it before then. And THAT’S only a TOE!
Yeah, thats my suspicion as well and it bumms me out. My sweetie walks every day and has been a marathon runner. He really wants me to walk with him but the last time I did I seriously messed up that problem ankle for weeks.
: (
WOW! You go, girl! I’m impressed, and it’s great that you’re doing it as a family, too (though I’d find the interruptions unbearable, too).
Good for you! It sounds like a “win” for everyone.
I’ve never heard of Couch to 5k and I wish I had! I’m on a personal couch to half-marathon training. The website for the One America Mini Marathon in Indianapolis is really good and it has several different training schedules – walk the 13 miles or Run/Walk or run. Right now, I’m working on the walk training. It’s really great – I’m worried about running injury-free.