I am still running!
Yes, I am actually surprised at myself.
I am surprised because I am getting better. I am surprised because I actually like it. Who knew that could happen?
I am learning to run by following the Couch to 5K training program. The Referee and I actually started it last week. I re-started it this week, after making a few changes. Last week was very random with the way I was timing the intervals and picking which days of the week to run. I needed a more controlled schedule.
It turns out that there are folks who have organized music to match the intervals on the training schedule, onto podcasts. It also turns out that The Referee had an Ipod Shuffle to lend me. I emailed him the link to the specific music I wanted (the Christian music podcasts), and he loaded it all up on the Ipod for me, and taught me how to use it. With the podcasts, there is a guy (whose voice sounds a little bit like Mr. Rogers) who will cue me when to run and when to walk. He also announces the songs he selected. Music is a great motivator for me. Plus, having someone cue me to walk and jog is like having a personal coach. I don't have to try to watch the clock or count steps or anything like that. With music playing in my ears, I am not driving myself crazy listening to my feet hit the pavement or listening to myself breathe. Instead, I can focus on the music, and learning to run.
I also caught a glimpse of how running outdoors, while listening to Christian music can be a bit of a time of worship as well. When I wasn't caught up in my own awkwardness, I was actually getting caught up in the words of the song, or thinking about some of the recent prayer requests at church. I took the opportunity to pray for a few elderly folks who are battling health issues right now. I will also admit that I threw in a few selfish prayers there too...
Um, God, if I am trying to run to get healthier, and I am listening to praise music and focusing on your many blessings while I do it, you wouldn't let lightning strike me down right here, right? I know that thunderstorm is getting awfully close, but I only have two more intervals...can my efforts overcome my stupidity?? Please...
(Ok, well it is no surprise that my selfish nature gets in the way of my worship. I'm a work in progress, and I've got a lot of learning to do.)
Back to the running program....I decided to just pick 3 days to run, instead of running at random, based on our mood or schedule. Just knowing which days I was running and which days I was not, put me at ease. I like order and control.
Armed with the music and the schedule, I decided to start again at the beginning. I will just consider last week a practice week. I see now that I did not complete the actual workout last week, and let's face it, I was a clod!
Week 1 consists of 5 minutes of a warm-up walk, followed by 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking, for 20 minutes (8 intervals). I also added a 5 minute cool down walk, and a leg stretch at the end. This same routine is repeated all 3 workout days of the week. I actually noticed myself improve each time, which was inspiring.
Day 1: I am not even sure that I could qualify my movements as "jogging." I sure got my arms a swinging to try to heave myself off the ground, but my feet were practically shuffling instead of jogging. By the end of that workout, my lower shins were extremely tight, and my right knee was really sore. (My first thought was, "Oh no! Fat people often have trouble with their knees and ankles....I better get into better shape quick before I injure something that inhibits running"). I was very sore for the next 2 days.
Day 2: My knee was still sore, but I was ready to workout again. I did much better with the workout this day. It helps that I was not racing a thunderstorm this time. I decided that I feel like a "real" runner with my headphones in my ears, and my music/coach telling me what to do next. I also like the place where I run. There are a lot of people out and about. People of all ages and fitness levels, walking, jogging, running, and today there were a couple soccer games going on in the field that the track goes around. I smile at the kids and the dogs as I pass them by. Yep, I am a social creature, and I like to be around people....even when I am barely running, and everyone is a stranger. It works for me. I stretched better after my workout, and I took a shower when I got home. I was actually less sore this time. My knee is healing.
Day 3: I am not even sure I know how to run. I always ran funny as a kid. I used to throw one leg out further than the other. Technically, I am only jogging.....well, I am shuffling...right now anyway. But, I am sure there is a technique I am missing. So, I started to watch the feet of folks jogging/running past me. They seem to be lighter on their feet. I started trying to run more on the balls of my feet. I was surprised to learn that I was gaining the strength to lift up my feet more. Still awkward, but the strength is gaining. I like that. I am so proud of myself for completing all 3 workout days this week! The jogging part did get easier each day.
The biggest inspiration has been the way my clothes fit. I always knew that running was a good way to exercise, but I really had no idea just how good it really was. It turns out that running forces the body core to really tighten up. Fast. Well, my body core, specifically my abdomen has been very mistreated by 7 pregnancies in the past 10 years, so any level of tightening is a big improvement. And that is just what I have noticed: a big improvement. I am amazed. All of my clothes fit me better already. Incredible.
To add to the joy, the scale is also showing improvement. I lost 2 pounds last week, and 2 pounds this week! 4 pounds lost since July 10th...wahoo!
Here's hoping that things continue to improve next week...
Yes, I am actually surprised at myself.
I am surprised because I am getting better. I am surprised because I actually like it. Who knew that could happen?
I am learning to run by following the Couch to 5K training program. The Referee and I actually started it last week. I re-started it this week, after making a few changes. Last week was very random with the way I was timing the intervals and picking which days of the week to run. I needed a more controlled schedule.
It turns out that there are folks who have organized music to match the intervals on the training schedule, onto podcasts. It also turns out that The Referee had an Ipod Shuffle to lend me. I emailed him the link to the specific music I wanted (the Christian music podcasts), and he loaded it all up on the Ipod for me, and taught me how to use it. With the podcasts, there is a guy (whose voice sounds a little bit like Mr. Rogers) who will cue me when to run and when to walk. He also announces the songs he selected. Music is a great motivator for me. Plus, having someone cue me to walk and jog is like having a personal coach. I don't have to try to watch the clock or count steps or anything like that. With music playing in my ears, I am not driving myself crazy listening to my feet hit the pavement or listening to myself breathe. Instead, I can focus on the music, and learning to run.
I also caught a glimpse of how running outdoors, while listening to Christian music can be a bit of a time of worship as well. When I wasn't caught up in my own awkwardness, I was actually getting caught up in the words of the song, or thinking about some of the recent prayer requests at church. I took the opportunity to pray for a few elderly folks who are battling health issues right now. I will also admit that I threw in a few selfish prayers there too...
Um, God, if I am trying to run to get healthier, and I am listening to praise music and focusing on your many blessings while I do it, you wouldn't let lightning strike me down right here, right? I know that thunderstorm is getting awfully close, but I only have two more intervals...can my efforts overcome my stupidity?? Please...
(Ok, well it is no surprise that my selfish nature gets in the way of my worship. I'm a work in progress, and I've got a lot of learning to do.)
Back to the running program....I decided to just pick 3 days to run, instead of running at random, based on our mood or schedule. Just knowing which days I was running and which days I was not, put me at ease. I like order and control.
Armed with the music and the schedule, I decided to start again at the beginning. I will just consider last week a practice week. I see now that I did not complete the actual workout last week, and let's face it, I was a clod!
Week 1 consists of 5 minutes of a warm-up walk, followed by 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking, for 20 minutes (8 intervals). I also added a 5 minute cool down walk, and a leg stretch at the end. This same routine is repeated all 3 workout days of the week. I actually noticed myself improve each time, which was inspiring.
Day 1: I am not even sure that I could qualify my movements as "jogging." I sure got my arms a swinging to try to heave myself off the ground, but my feet were practically shuffling instead of jogging. By the end of that workout, my lower shins were extremely tight, and my right knee was really sore. (My first thought was, "Oh no! Fat people often have trouble with their knees and ankles....I better get into better shape quick before I injure something that inhibits running"). I was very sore for the next 2 days.
Day 2: My knee was still sore, but I was ready to workout again. I did much better with the workout this day. It helps that I was not racing a thunderstorm this time. I decided that I feel like a "real" runner with my headphones in my ears, and my music/coach telling me what to do next. I also like the place where I run. There are a lot of people out and about. People of all ages and fitness levels, walking, jogging, running, and today there were a couple soccer games going on in the field that the track goes around. I smile at the kids and the dogs as I pass them by. Yep, I am a social creature, and I like to be around people....even when I am barely running, and everyone is a stranger. It works for me. I stretched better after my workout, and I took a shower when I got home. I was actually less sore this time. My knee is healing.
Day 3: I am not even sure I know how to run. I always ran funny as a kid. I used to throw one leg out further than the other. Technically, I am only jogging.....well, I am shuffling...right now anyway. But, I am sure there is a technique I am missing. So, I started to watch the feet of folks jogging/running past me. They seem to be lighter on their feet. I started trying to run more on the balls of my feet. I was surprised to learn that I was gaining the strength to lift up my feet more. Still awkward, but the strength is gaining. I like that. I am so proud of myself for completing all 3 workout days this week! The jogging part did get easier each day.
The biggest inspiration has been the way my clothes fit. I always knew that running was a good way to exercise, but I really had no idea just how good it really was. It turns out that running forces the body core to really tighten up. Fast. Well, my body core, specifically my abdomen has been very mistreated by 7 pregnancies in the past 10 years, so any level of tightening is a big improvement. And that is just what I have noticed: a big improvement. I am amazed. All of my clothes fit me better already. Incredible.
To add to the joy, the scale is also showing improvement. I lost 2 pounds last week, and 2 pounds this week! 4 pounds lost since July 10th...wahoo!
Here's hoping that things continue to improve next week...
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