Another day, another milepost

Week 3 Day 1 of the Couch to 5K training program was today. That means upping the jogging times per interval. Funny thing is, the whole workout only amounted to 25 minutes, as opposed to 30 minutes...so, I decided to throw in an extra 3 minute jog at the end before cooling down. I was feeling good, and had my stride...so I went for it. So glad I did! Although right now I'm feeling veerrryyy tired and my legs are aching a bit. I've hit the 3:00 p.m. slump in grand style...been cleaning all day, and doing this and that, and now I just want to lay down and rest. But, I only have a couple more things on my "to do" list...so unless I put them off until tomorrow morning, I guess I better get motivated.

I am very glad to be doing the jogging/walking program...am looking forward to being able to do longer jogs! Hoping to do a "virtual" 5K in July, which I will do on the treadmill, depending on how well I'm doing on the program. Eventually, I want to do a 5K in the fall. Heck, I've never even wanted to run so just doing what I'm doing now is a huge step for me, especially since I WANT to do it!!

It's hotter than hell here in Arizona today. 105 but in my backyard the digital thermometer reads 107. Walking out there from inside the nice, cool house is like walking into an oven that is ready for a pizza!

Gasping for Air

I recently began participating in a training program called Couch to 5K. It is meant to get people up off the couch and moving...presumably able to run/jog a 5K in 9 weeks. Keep in mind, I've never wanted to be a runner, or a jogger. I did try jogging a bit a few years ago but ended up in pain due to some bursitis on one of my hips. So, no jogging for me (I declared happily!). I had been walking fairly regularly on the treadmill, but nothing strenuous, mind you. Then, one day a niece (Amie) of mine mentioned on Facebook this Couch to 5K (C25K) and I went to investigate. Turns out, what I read sounded doable, so I got up from my chair and got on my treadmill and did Day 1! Hmmm, easy and yet made me feel like I did something. And so it began. Without even having a desire to do anything like this, I was hooked. C25K leads one into jogging/running very slowly, increasing jog/run time very gradually over 9 weeks. Now I'm well into Week 2 (W2), having accomplished Week 2, Day 2 (W2D2) on the treadmill. This morning I decided I would like to try doing this outside, so my hubby got up early with me and we were out there by 5:45 a.m. hitting the pavement. He was so encouraging and stayed with me instead of running ahead (I'm a slow jogger/walker). A few times he mentioned that a slight hill was coming up (You're going to be going uphill soon!), and also would tell me how much time I had left to my jog (20 seconds left!). These things distracted me and made me feel like I was dreading doing it...I don't want to know I'm heading up a hill no matter how slight it is! I don't want to know how much time I have left to this jog interval that is causing my thighs to hurt and my lungs to almost burst! Just listen for the ding sound on my phone app and THEN I'll know it's time to walk again. I ended up apologizing to him for telling him to stop saying those things...he was truly encouraging (for the most part) and a great guy for staying with the weak and asthmatic wife of his, even though he could have run circles around me even while I jogged. Literally. Guess I'll have to get outside at least once a week in order to get into shape for a 5K sometime in the future. Early morning will have to do since here in AZ the day heats up and the sun becomes brutal early.

So, I have no idea how or why I am now in the midst of training for a 5K...but I am and I'm gonna stick with it! Wanna join me?