I mentioned in a previous post that I was doing the Couch to 5k running program. I am currently on week 3 and this is huge because I hate running. I love being active and consider myself to be in decent shape. Let me cycle, lift weights, take boot camp classes but ask me to run a mile? I'd rather die. Even in high school when I was in the best shape of my life and winning a volleyball state championship, running still felt like punishment to me.
So why am I doing Couch to 5k then?? Good question. The first reason is that the 2nd annual Anchor Run 5k is on September 10th and I'd like to attempt to run my first 5k. Last year I was pregnant and walked it. The second reason is that I've had trouble getting back into the gym and leaving Vivi in the nursery. Mom guilt in full force. I figured if I could convince myself that I enjoy running [still working on this] then it would allow me to exercise with Vivian and never have to get in my car and leave home. A super convenient way to both get outside with baby and get some exercise.
Here's how it works...
Week 1: Five minute warmup walk followed by 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. End with a 5 minute cool down walk.
Week 2: Five minute warmup walk followed by 90 seconds of running and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. End with a 5 minute cool down walk.
Week 3: Five minute warmup walk followed by two repetitions of running for 90 seconds, walking for 90 seconds, running for 3 minutes, walking for 3 minutes. End with a 5 minute cool down walk.
Pros of Couch to 5k: It gives me an objective goal to meet every day. If I were to head out my front door with no timer or app to keep me accountable, I would run about 10 seconds then call it quits. Looking at the app and watching the timer forces me to keep going when my legs feel like they have weights in them and my lungs feel like they are on fire.
Cons of Couch to 5k: It only "requires" 3 days of running each week before it bumps you up to the next step of longer running intervals. That's bogus. 3 days of each exercise a week is not enough to train a non-runner to become a runner. I think it needs to be at least 5 days a week or either two weeks spent on each step before progressing to the next "round".
So... how is the Couch to 5k program going overall? I have kept up with it and done all my runs surprisingly. Every week so far I have been able to run 5 days so I just repeat the run for that week then go to the next week every Sunday. I have 5 weeks to go before I should be able to run an entire 3.1 miles... that ain't happening. I don't think it is realistic to believe that a non-runner is going to download this app and 8 weeks later be able to run an entire 5k. But you have to start somewhere!
All you runners out there... how can I get better at running? How can I trick my body into liking it?
I will leave you guys with an embarrassing picture of me about to die post-run. You're welcome, ha!
Ok, so I dislike running too. My husband is the opposite-he goes out for a 10 mile run for fun, whereas I'm pouting to get through my goals. I used to do tunes to keep me motivated, but since moving to a new neighborhood, I am not wearing ear buds to keep an eye on traffic and flow and listen more. So nature it is! The tunes were a huge motivator, so I'll add them back eventually, but what's helped me is a goal. I found a race I really wanted to do and started just running for that goal. I even made it special by staying the night before at a nicer hotel or getting a massage/mani/pedi after, etc. it helped me get over the hump of running as a chore. That being said, I still loathe running in the humidity, but knowing how awesome I felt after completing my goals has been such a good motivator as well as seeing how much progress I've made. Also, because we are trying so hard for a baby, my OB wants me in he best shape I can be/so an extra motivation on my end.
ReplyDeleteI realize that's more of a babble of getting past the hump, but sometimes it's really just in our heads(unless it's an injury), and once you get past that-you can do anything.
Side note-I did th first ever Dopey challenge in Disney and I wasn't as pleased with my times. But man, I have such a goal of doing another marathon and crushing that time as well as hopefully another Dopey challenge. It's those goals that are fun to try and beat.
So proud of you! I started running about 6-7 years ago when I wanted to lose weight and didn't want to join a gym. I thought I'd be saving money and didn't realize how expensive running could be too! I hated running, too. I couldn't run 20 seconds without being out of breath and the couch 2 5k wasn't available back then or popular because I didn't know about it. I started small and would set goals for myself when running--run to that light pole, walk to that garbage can and run again. Then my dad would sometimes ride his bike while I ran and that made it much more enjoyable. Running is such a mind game! I used to not think I could run very long and then one time I "attempted" to run 3 miles with a friend and ran the whole way without stopping, so it was really that moment that showed me it was in my mind and that my body really could do it.
ReplyDeleteThe summer months are the hardest to start running, so you'll see that the same runs you do become so much easier once it cools off during the fall! Keep at it because it really is fun!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
Way to go! Whew! I can run like 300 yards down the block and have shin splints for 3 days (haha seriously, it just happened) so I walk the mile around our neighborhood instead (and sometimes make Andi ride in the stroller to push extra weight)
ReplyDeleteGood job girl! I hate running, too! Hate hate hate!
ReplyDeleteI saw a shirt the other day that said breastfeeding is my cardio, and yeah...that's basically my workouts lately. And carrying a baby all day. That has to count right??
Love that picture of you and your girl! I give you tons of credit for running - I am so not a runner and just stick to walking haha!
ReplyDeleteI've always hated running too. I spent all 4 years of high school pretending to run when the gym teacher was looking and then walking when she wasn't!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!! That's great you're pushing yourself to accomplish this! I trained for a 1/2 marathon a few years ago and saw amazing results but HATED it!! I actually enjoyed the 1/2 marathon but the training was the worst. I needed to start running again but we got bikes so that's my "cardio" lol Keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteoh i am sooo impressed!!! i am so NOT a runner. like i am just not. it's awful. but this makes me think i could run for 20 secs and not die?! haha!!
ReplyDeleteI did this same program over the winter! Well, between sickness and baby stuff and life being busy in general, it took me like 4 months to complete, lol. But I did it! I ran the 5k so it does work!!! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I really WANT to be a runner, but I'm just so bad at it! I've done Couch to 5K before, and maybe I'll try it again after the baby arrives, but I don't know...running might just be not for me.
ReplyDeleteIf you figure out how to trick your body, I need to know. I haven't gotten there... ever. Even when I was running 3 miles a day, I still HATED it with every fiber of my being.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up yet! I'm that weird person who loves to run. I don't know why, but once I've started I've never wanted to stop! I definitely agree with you that you need to run more than 3 days a week. I think the 5 days you've been doing is great! Just be sure not to overdo it at first. If I take a break from running and then start up again I hate those first couple weeks. It gets much better. My husband is a non-runner but will come out with me every now and again. I constantly have to remind him that it's not a sprint. Try to enjoy it and not push yourself too much at first. Remember it's an endurance event and try to pace yourself. I've heard great results from people who've done Couch to 5K!! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing far better than I am!! I hate running. At one point before I met Patrick after college I was "running" and could do a 5k but damn ask me to run now and I'd just assume keel over than do it haha. Keep up the awesome work!!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever want a running buddy I will run with you! Totally out of shape right now, plus I only have one lung so you are def going to have a leg (or lung) up on me! Haha! Have you experienced the "runners high" yet? It usually happens around 1.2 miles for me? The first mile is horrible, feel like I'm dying and then all of the sudden it changes and you just feel different. Also, good running shoes will make a hell of a difference. Get fitted at omega! I prefer no music which I know is insane to most, but I feel like if I don't have anything to listen to then I am able to pay attention to my body and what it's feeling, specifically my breathing. Breathing is key!!!
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