I just completed Week 6 of the Couch to 5K running training program. I actually took longer than a week to complete these 3 workouts, because I spent 4 days sick in bed. That set me back on my time line....and also in my strength. Thankfully, my body has recovered, and my runs are back to normal again. The first workout after being sick was a really tough one. That was the workout where I realized I really am a runner now. As soon as I was feeling better, I could not wait to get back on the track. Even though the run was really tough for my weak body, I was so glad I went. Something has really changed in me.
Week 6 had 3 different workouts planned out, after the 5 minute warm-up walk:
Week 6 had 3 different workouts planned out, after the 5 minute warm-up walk:
- Workout 1: Jog 5 minutes, Walk 3 minutes, Jog 8 minutes, Walk 3 minutes, Jog 5 minutes
- Workout 2: Jog 10 minutes, Walk 3 minutes, Jog 10 minutes
- Workout 3: Jog 25 minutes
As I went through these workouts, I started considering actually running a 5K. I walked a 5K for a Walk for Life fundraiser for a local pregnancy crisis center this week as well. I knew my running workouts had changed me, because walking a 5K seems easy. As I scoped out the course, I wondered if I could run such a thing?
I thought about how slow I am. According to the training program, a 10 minute jog should be a mile in distance. I take about 16 minutes to run a mile. So, clearly, I am not going the distance. I suppose I should have followed the distance categories of the training instead of the time categories, but the podcasts were set to time. A friend who runs, recommended I focus on the distance, and don't worry about the time. This week, I decided that is what I will do. There is a gap between where I am in distance, and where the training program is for this week, but I think I can manage it. I already know I can run 1.25 miles. I've gotten that far. Next week, I will aim for 2 miles.
I have 3 more weeks left to complete this training program. Conveniently, the 5K race I want to run as my race debut is scheduled shortly after that. Perfect timing!
I thought about how slow I am. According to the training program, a 10 minute jog should be a mile in distance. I take about 16 minutes to run a mile. So, clearly, I am not going the distance. I suppose I should have followed the distance categories of the training instead of the time categories, but the podcasts were set to time. A friend who runs, recommended I focus on the distance, and don't worry about the time. This week, I decided that is what I will do. There is a gap between where I am in distance, and where the training program is for this week, but I think I can manage it. I already know I can run 1.25 miles. I've gotten that far. Next week, I will aim for 2 miles.
I have 3 more weeks left to complete this training program. Conveniently, the 5K race I want to run as my race debut is scheduled shortly after that. Perfect timing!
Kristi, I think you're dong great, and I admire you for sticking to this program! I started running a couple of years ago because I finally got tired of letting exercise induced asthma be an excuse to not run.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a long, long time to get any distance going, but now I run regularly. I didn't follow a program. (If I had, perhaps my progress would've been better.) I just kept trying to increase the amount of time I could run, and let my speed develop naturally. Anyway, keep up the good work, and good luck with the run! I look forward to hear how you do.
Good luck! I was never a runner, but I like to walk. Genetics just make running no fun.
ReplyDeleteChuck...I am so glad to hear you have conquered exercise induced asthma and can now run. I remember you struggling with that many moons ago when we were playing soccer. Way to Go!
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