Running: Week 3

I made it through Week 3 of the Couch to 5K training program.

The Week 3 workout routine started out with a 5 minute warm-up walk. Then, there were 2 sets of the following intervals:

• 90 seconds jogging
• 90 seconds walking
• 3 minutes jogging
• 3 minutes walking

I admit I was a bit nervous about actually jogging for 3 minutes. It turns out....much to my shock....that the 3 minutes were easier than the 90 seconds, somehow.

It seems that I am really awkward early on, but my body finds a stride eventually, so it is easier to continue jogging. I also notice that my leg muscles get tight from my hip to my ankles for the longer intervals, versus just my lower legs getting sore for the shorter intervals. This is all so new and fascinating to me. I do not know what to do with this information, yet. It is all just data. Observation and data collection are just my nature. I am a scientist.

I collected some other data this week during my workouts...

I am slow. The Referee completes 5 laps (approximately 2.5 miles) during the workouts. I complete 3 laps (approximately 1.5 miles). So, I am slow. It is a good thing we tag-team so that one of us is supervising the kids on the playground while the other one runs, because it seems we would not make good running partners. He would lap me in no time.

I am actually jogging faster than I walk though. I noticed that when I am in the jogging intervals, I am actually passing by other folks who are walking along the track. That is a relief to me, because I was seriously starting to question if I was hardly moving when I jog.

The second workout of the week is the hardest. The 3rd workout is the easiest.

I am glad I am doing this. I like "training."

Unfortunately, the scale was not my friend this week. The numbers refused to budge. So, no weight loss (and thankfully, no weight gain either). My sister dropped 7.5 pounds in 3 weeks by counting calories. I dropped 5.5 jogging. ???

Then, Jersey #1 commented to me yesterday that I was looking really skinny. I tried not to laugh, but I have NEVER been told that before. She meant well. I see now that she has no idea what defines "skinny." I tend to discuss body size with her in terms like slender, athletic, and healthy. I want her to have a positive body image. I thanked her for being so sweet, and told her I was glad that she could tell I was exercising my body into better shape.

I really do feel a fitness improvement, and that is awesome!