Thursday: C25K - week 1b, workout 4

OK, so on the actual C25K plan, there’s no week 1b. David and I invented it. We were feeling a little beaten down by the first week and wanted a sense that we were improving by the routine seeming easier. Hence the repeat of week 1. This morning’s run was all right. I’m no longer feeling breathless for the minute of running, which amazes me. My heartrate goes up, but not as high as it was last week and it comes down much quicker during the 90-second walk. Good signs that my heart and lungs are adapting. BUT, my calves, ankles, shins, and feet are KILLING me. The first 3 rounds of running, I was alright, running about 5mph. Not too shabby. But on that 4th round of running, my shins started aching. When I slowed down to a walk, my calves felt really tight. The next few rounds my teeny tiny ankles joined the ailing as did my feet.

I’m thinking that my muscles are still adapting but probably need a good stretch before and after these workouts. I admit, I’m not that great at stretching – it kind of feels like a waste of time in the moment. I want to get going with the workout or get home to eat a banana (or maybe this oatmeal as it gets cooler). But I have a feeling my body will thank me for stretching, so it should be a part of the workout. I also know that when running, I’m throwing weight on my teeny tiny ankles (really, they are teeny) and my feet (which are wearing 3-year old shoes). So strengthening my ankles and perhaps investing in decent shoes might be important.

Monday: C25K - week 1, workout 3

So our resolve wasn’t strong this morning. The alarm went off and I rolled over and said to David, “Let’s run tonight.” He grunted (in agreement, I assume) and we both went back to sleep. I’m such a bad influence and David’s so easy to sway. The combination of a later-than-usual night (my sewing project had my attention) and soreness from getting Stuef-ed got me. Added to that, we’re sleeping with the windows open, so the chill of the morning makes me just want to snuggle down not pop out of bed and into workout clothes. But tonight, before dinner, we shall run.
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So we ran tonight before dinner which is impressive because we had a luscious Mediterranean meal waiting for us at home -- chicken, couscous, hummus, lavash, veggies for me. Yum.

Enough salivating and back to running. I don't know. I'm waiting for running to be fun and it's not. At all. My feet hurt. My shins don't feel great. My calves get achy. I want to walk 1.0mph and never contemplate running again. At Mass, Cyril asked, "Isn't it fun?" and I couldn't believe he was serious. Maybe it will be fun when it doesn't anger me. I should let my anger at running, fuel my running. Hmmmm....

On a side note, I think David and I agree that we're going to repeat week one of C25K to see if it gets easier (more fun?)after another week. I'm not optimistic.

Saturday: C25K - week 1, workout 2

It’s been a busy Saturday and I really just wanted to plop on the couch. But David and I have committed to making time for our C25K workout today…blah, blah blah… Let’s just get it over. So we headed to the gym at the apartment. Guess what? One of the treadmills isn’t working! Freaking apartment complex! We had more neurons firing today than a few mornings ago, so we did a bit of trouble-shooting. Seems like a fuse has blown and only one of the outlets is working. Glorious. Our rent monies going to good use. It’s all good; we weren’t deterred. I did 20 minutes on the recumbent bike while David did his running and then we swapped.

My turn on the treadmill wasn’t easy. The first few run/walk cycles were tough and I wanted to quit. Ugh. I HATE RUNNING. But I kept going and watched the cheesy movie David had on TV (Drumline). Distraction by cheese was a good plan. The minute of running still seems long and the 90 seconds of walking not long enough, but by the fourth round, I wasn’t sold on quitting. I wouldn’t say that after 8 cycles I was begging to run more, though. It was tough, but I survived. Yay me!

Thursday: C25K - week 1, workout 1

I crawled out of bed, grumbling and wrestled myself into workout clothes this morning. David and I walked to the gym in complete silence other than a few grunts. Neither treadmill was working. We grumbled and grunted more and loudly because the gym is new, so why the equipment isn’t working is a mystery. Stupid apartment complex. We decided that we could try running outside, despite the chill and the differences in our paces. I secretly thought this a crazy idea, but we promised ourselves we do this, so whatever. We ran and walked, and ran and walked…. It’s amazing how long 60 seconds of running feels and how short 90 seconds of walking feels, particularly at an ungodly hour.

As we do this around the parking lot, I’m self-conscious. There are kids going to school, business types heading to work, people taking trash to the dumpster. People are seeing me run. I’m not paranoid to think people are watching me run in the “I’ll be watching you” sense. But people are seeing ME run. Jiggly parts and all. And I immediately assume they are judging me – my lack of speed and grace and athleticism, my red face, my jiggliness. And I wanted to run and hide. I don’t feel better; I feel worse. More than that, I feel ashamed. But as I plodded forward in my morning run/walk, I begin thinking differently. Damn straight, I AM RUNNING. And good for me. Who is anyone (including myself) to pass judgment on me? I may not be a graceful or athletic or attractive runner, but I am giving it a go and that’s the point.

A journey always begins with a single step.