(no subject)

[ikyrian]

If pain is your body's way of saying, "Don't be an idiot," then my body right now is screaming, "Heather, you are a moron!"

Let's back this up a bit.

Four weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to actually not be a fat slob anymore. The only difference between this time and all other times that predate this time is that I *gasp* followed through. After a week of walking, I remembered a previous desire to learn how to jog properly. Thus I searched through my dim memories (this was almost four years ago), and recalled a program that I had seen online. And then I found it - the guide to help ease your way into exercising.

C25K or Couch to 5K. It's interval training to get an absolute novice (aka me) into running roughly 5k (or jogging for thirty minutes or so straight) within only 9 short weeks. Three weeks in I can tell you one thing - it's not going to take me nine weeks. It is most definitely going to take much, much longer than that.

I'm currently on week three which includes intervals of the following:

5 min warm up (I usually stretch at some point during this time)
90 sec jog
90 sec walk
3 min jog
3 min walk
90 sec jog
90 sec walk
3 min jog
4+ min walk (cool down)
I usually stretch once I get home before I wash up

The other two weeks it only took four tries (that's only one additional try per week) to get through the whole routine without a) stopping or b) wanting to kill myself. For some reason, however, this week is kicking my ass. I don't know if it's a mental thing and I'm balking at jogging for three minutes straight twice in one work out or if I'm just over exerting myself trying to get to the track faster (I walk there, and it takes me about eight minutes to get there, but I don't want to stretch until I get there because there's a convenient fence to use as a hold, so I can't start the program until I get about three minutes away...) or what.

The first time through it wasn't too bad, I choked on the last five seconds (sudden cramp in my right Achilles tendon) of the last 3 min jog and then a long limp home. Today's issue, which is only the second attempt, I got a massive stomach cramp that moved from my left side to my right side and I still had an eight minute walk home. I want to be able to get through the whole thing with no issues on Friday, but it may or may not happen. I made it through week two without needing an extra day, but I think I'll have to have it this time.

I have to say, though, I'm enjoying this jogging thing much more than I thought. There was a time, for a glorious minute in a half where I stopped thinking about what my body was doing and just let thoughts drift through my mind as they would. No conscious effort to think about anything in particular or to run. I hope that I'll be able to achieve that level of contentment with all my runs in the future, no matter how long those moments my last.

Comments

[the13thsquirrel.livejournal.com]

That's really awesome. Getting it all started is one of the hardest parts. :)

I've heard that your body will kick into the exercise high faster if you eat a piece of chocolate a little bit before working out. I bought a bag of Dove's dark chocolates two days ago for this purpose, but I haven't made it back to the gym yet, so I don't know for sure. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. ;)

[ikyrian.livejournal.com]

It really, really is. But now that I have started, I find myself actually wanting to continue. It's difficult, but I'm rather OK with that right now.

That sounds awesome. I forgot to do it today, but maybe Sunday? Haha, that is if my bag of chocolate lasts that long. Let me know how it goes for you.

[coloredink.livejournal.com]

Stranger passing through here, but my roommate and I recently started running, and she actually did couch to 5k. (I'm doing the Galloway method, which is not dissimilar.) A LOT of people hit a wall at week three; I think my roommate had to repeat week three, like, three times before she was able to move on to week four. So don't get discouraged. :) Take it easy, and have fun!

[ikyrian.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking to myself, "If I can't get it today, it usually takes four times to get through a week anyway, so there's always next time!" But I've also been thinking, "Wait, what happens to the fourth time and I don't make it through then, either?" The obvious answer is, of course, just repeat the week until you get through it, but my brain is balking at that.

...this was really just a long winded way of saying, "I'm glad I'm not the only one who has difficulties on this week." Hee. Thanks for the encouragement!

[coloredink.livejournal.com]

Yeah, she was visiting forums and stuff and encountered A LOT of people that hit a wall at week three, so you're definitely not alone. :) But after you overcome that wall, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much you're capable of!

Good luck!