the chronicles of my journey to a thinner me

My Progress
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Mini Goal - One-derland

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

I'm doing it!

So, I started the running program I found in Runner's World 3 1/2 weeks ago It's a little more agressive than the Couch to 10K in that you run 4 days per week instead of 3, and I believe the distance/time increases more rapidly.

Week 1 - Run 1 minute/Walk 2, 10 times

I really thought I was going to drop dead from a heart attack the first 4 days I did this. My legs burned so bad, and felt like 2 huge cement pillars. This was hard. Really hard. It was shear determination that got me through it. By Saturday it was getting better, but it was still hard enough that I couldn't imaginge bumping up the running time for the next week. I then decided that since I wasn't training for an actual scheduled race, that I needed to focus on what was really important - continuing the program. So I made the decision that I would use their program as a guide, but I would let my body be the real determination of how far/how soon.

Week 2 - Run 1 minute/Walk 2, 10 times

The program had said that this week should be run 2 min/walk 1, but I didn't think I was ready. I decided to repeat week 1 instead. I was really excited when I started running on day 1 of this week. It actually felt a lot better. I was even enjoying it. By the 3rd day, I had stopped huffing and puffing and had only my tired legs to contend with. Then near the end of my day 3 run, I experienced 2 intervals where I felt absolutely WEIGHTLESS! It was the strangest sensation. I felt amazing. I felt like I was floating. I think I got hooked. On day 4, I ran 2 minutes on my last 2 intervals to see if I was ready to progress in week 3. I did it! It wasn't even that hard.

The only thing was that the scheduled plan for the next week was to run 2/walk 1 10 times for days 1 and 2. Day 3 was to be run 3/walk 1 7 times, then walk 2 min. Day 4 was to run 4/walk 1 6 times! I was very skeptical about all of that, but I do want to make sure to push myself and not get off too easy so I decided I would see how it goes and then make up my mind from there.

Week 3

Days 1 and 2 (run 2/walk 1 x 10) went well. When day 3 came, I was scared, but determined. The first 3 min run/1 min walk interval was not that bad. By the 4th one I was convinced I was in over my head. Where I run/walk is VERY hilly (some of the hills are hard enough to walk up) and it was just too much. I was struggling so hard. For the first time since the first 2 days of Week 1, I was huffing and puffing and out of breath. My legs were killing me and I could barely make them keep moving. I wanted to quit so bad. I almost did quit, but I didn't. I had made a good decision in telling so many people what I was doing. I knew that I had people that were going to ask me how the 3 minutes went. I did not want to go back and tell them I had quit. So I decided to keep going no matter what. Then I would go back to 2 run/1 walk for the rest of Week 3. The next day, I hurt everywhere. It was the first time I had any physical pain (other than just a little stiffness) from my run/walk program. If that wasn't a sign that my body wasn't ready, I don't know what was. So completed the week in 2/1 fashion, but feeling stronger and more confident every day. On Saturday, I decided that I was going to do another 2/1 week for week 4, unless it just got too easy and then I would graduate another minute.

Week 4 - this week

Last night was day 1 of week 4. I ran my 2/1's with a very even pace, good breathing, and only mild complaints from my legs on the upsides of some of the steeper hills. As luck usually goes, it just so happened that when the last interval came up, we were at the bottom of the steepest hill. I almost detoured to avoid it, but then decided to go for it. I took a deep breath and started up the hill, trying to maintain the same breathing pattern and cadence that I was maintaining earlier. I can't believe it, but I FREAKING DID IT! Yep, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. I was like Rocky running up those stairs. I even did the obligatory boxer's fist wave over my head at the end. Then something even stranger happened. I didn't want to stop running! (yes, me) I thought, well I can run another minute - it's down hill after all. Then I looked at my watch and I had 'accidently' run one minute 15 seconds. So, I thought "I'll just see if I can run another minute." I DID!!! I ran for 4 minutes instead of 2 during my 10th interval. I was really happy with my performance last night. I felt good during most of the run.

So, I think I'm going to still run 2/1's tomorrow. I'm thinking about throwing in two intervals of 3/1 if it feels right. Maybe the last 2. I am loving this. I am so pumped. I am really doing it. I am becoming a runner. One day soon I will run for 30 minutes straight. I have to think up a good reward for myself for that day.

Tonight I think we're buying mountain bikes. I'm thinking we will go walk for 45 minutes and then head to Academy to buy the bikes. I don't know how long they will take to put them together, or if we will have to come back for them on another day. If they get them put together before dark though, I'm going to stop back by the park and go for a ride.

Who is this creature I am becoming? I don't know, but I think I like her. :)



7 comments:

Dottie said...

Lots of kudos for following through on a running program. I'm so far away from running...but that's okay. I'm doing what I can. Keep it up!

Viv said...

Congrats on working your way to your 5K! It is a tough road but so rewarding! You are doing great with your weight loss & running. Good luck with bike shopping tonight. In Magnolia we will have to get together for a ride or run sometime. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

R.Shack said...

Wow... that's so cool! Weightless... Yay for Runner's High (I love it!!)


You're doing amazingly well!!

Yay you!

Holly said...

Woohoooo!! Congratulations on the progress your making with your running. Isn't it incredible? When I first started a couple months ago, I had no clue that my body would be capable of running like I am able to do now. I mean come on! I'm still over 225lbs! But weight doesn't matter..it truly comes down to your determination and your desire to do it. So again, congrats to you! I don't think there's anything in the world like a runner's high :)

Journo June aka MamaBear said...

Congrats on keeping at it. I think it's really smart listening to your body instead of following a program your body may not be ready for. Great job!

I WON a bike and can't wait to get it!

Path to Health

Becky Aud-Jennison said...

Congrats on your running!!! I've seen people that end get to the end of those programs running way faster than I can after running a while! Makes me almost wonder if it would be a good thing for me to do to increase speed. I love the "hobby effect" of running though-- you do really see progres when you look at the big picture. Love the biking too! Enjoy!

Kitzzy said...

Hey. Thanks for the comment and linking me. It sounds like you are doing great on your program and are off to a great start. I love having those weekly fitness goals; they really help keep me focused and feel accomplished (I love making lists and crossing things off, so that may have something to do with it :)