First of all, I have to say how immensely helpful it has been to have a workout buddy throughout the program! Tutor Girl keeps me accountable, and chatting her while we run is the best way to make the running intervals fly by! I am so glad we are doing this together, not only to help me with the actual working out part, but because we have also grown much closer now that we are seeing each other a minimum of three times a week.
I have to admit that I was a totally skeptic that I could ever really be a runner, or that me running a 5K would ever happen. While I still won't quite believe that until I cross the finish line, my body has already made some huge strides toward becoming fit.
At the beginning of training, I could literally hardly run 90 seconds without feeling like my lungs were burning, and my chest was about to explode. Now I can do a full 8-minutes, and while it is still hard, it's not impossible. I know running for 8 minutes might seem like nothing to a lot of people, but for me - it's huge! I really am going from the couch to a 5K, so going from nothing to 8 minutes at a steady pace without stopping is an accomplishment for me.
Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we are fast approaching (as in, Monday) the scariest day of training yet. Day 3 of Week 5 is 20 minutes of running...no stopping. That is more than double the length of time I've been able to run up until now. I am utterly terrified of this run, but after talking to Tutor Girl about it, I feel a bit better. After reading Jenna's synopsis on her C25K Training over at That Wife, I feel like maybe it takes a little longer than just 9 weeks for the entire program for some people. She expressed that it took her days, even weeks, just to master one day in the program. Tutor Girl and I decided we would give it our all, but if we need to stop or can't do the entire 20 minutes, we will just keep trying. While I would love (and be seriously proud of myself) to do the whole 20 minutes during our next run, I feel much more at ease knowing that if I can't...there's always Tuesday!
Are you following any kind of fitness regimen?
2 comments:
You made this a reality for me by coming up with the idea of using this program. You also got me to stop talking about wanting to run a 5k and to actually train for it. Thank you!! I can't believe it has been 5 weeks. Look at us go. :-)
While I don't run marathons, or have yet to even do a 5k, I like to consider myself a runner. To me, it doesn't matter how far you can run without stopping, it just matters that you are doing it! I have days where I can run for 25 mins, and days when I can only do intervals of 10. But I try not to think about that.
When it is time for you to attempt the 20 minute run, my advice is to control your breathing and keep your mind off of the time. Daydream about Handsome Husband! Think about your upcoming vacation to Oregon! :D Your biggest obstacle will be yourself, but you'll get through it and you'll do great! :)
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