I’m halfway through week four on the Couch to 5K program.
It’s awful. I hate it.
No! No. I don’t mean that. It’s just . . . challenging. Weeks one and two were great—not too hard, I enjoyed the time outside (by myself), and I felt good about what I was doing.
Now, a couple of weeks later, the pain has set in. Here’s this week’s plan:
- Warm up – 5 minutes
- Run – 3 minutes
- Walk – 1:30 minutes
- Run – 5 minutes
- Walk – 2:30 minutes
- Run – 3 minutes
- Walk – 1:30 minutes
- Run – 5 minutes
- Cool down – 5 minutes
I’m officially running more than walking, even counting those luxuriously long warm up and cool down periods. And, while my lungs seem to be doing just fine, my legs are paying the price. By the time I hit the cool down, I want to crawl the rest of the way home just to rest my poor shins.
I decided the concrete wasn’t doing me any favors, so I tried the treadmill in the basement this morning. On the plus side, the pain was lessened due to a cushier surface, and I could watch Law and Order.
On the other hand, I missed being outside, and now I have actual proof of just how slow I am. I did not need that MPH information just yet.
I really am trying to be positive about this. No one is making me do it. (Although believe me, if I hadn’t posted it here—and on Facebook, and told everyone at work what I was doing—I would have quit days ago.)
I am still somewhat doubtful that I will actually be able to run the entire 5K, but the program is working so far. We’ll see . . .
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find some Advil.
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by Lori on June 15, 2010 at 9:22 am
I start week three tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by Doug Smith on June 15, 2010 at 9:34 am
I thought you meant potty training. I kept waiting for the narrative to switch suddenly to Olivia . . . congratulations, Rebecca, for staying with it!
Posted by Laura on June 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
I did, too, Dad! I guess there’s a lot of training going on in the house at the moment. Now’s probably the time to get a puppy, then, so you can just tackle the house-training at the same time.
Posted by jsmith425 on June 15, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I’m so impressed Rebecca……..I’m not so sure I want to try anymore?
Posted by Rebecca on June 15, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Olivia is doing quite well–she had another accident free day. She’s extremely pleased with her Little Mermaid underwear, and she continues to insist that she’s a big girl whenever I try to rock her.
Posted by Jane Smith on June 16, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Hi Rebecca!
I can assure you that with every run you get stronger and it gets easier! My daily runs now are about 5k – 5 mile length but I started exactly where you are about 2 years ago. My best advice is to learn to love the endorphin rush that running gives you, remind yourself how strong you’re getting when it hurts, and, every time you reach the top of a big hill, to stop and look back and wallow in how awesome you are for climbing it! Be sure to tell me how it goes!
Love, Jane
Posted by Liana on June 17, 2010 at 8:34 pm
You go, Rebecca!! Keep it up!