If you're following me on facebook you'll know that I've been doing the C25K (couch to 5k) running program.
I wanted to write my feelings about it so that if I ever stop running (heaven forbid) I can come back here and remember why I did it.
Do you ever have those dreams where you are running and running and you don't feel tired? It's almost a euphoric feeling; that you can keep going forever and not stop. I remember one dream in particular I was running on top of a mountain of red rocks, and it was all flat, but I could see everything below. It had a St. George feel to it. I remember running fast and feeling amazing! Little crevasses would creep up and I'd jump over them as if they were nothing, flying through the air and landing back on the rocks in full speed.
I remember waking up from this dream wanting so badly to make all of that a reality. I wanted to run.
Sometimes things seems much easier than they actually are - like running. Who knew it wouldn't be like my dream?! I thought I could do it, no problem. But you see there's something about running...you have to practice. You can't just wake up and decide to run for miles and miles and miles and not be tired, unless you have superhuman powers. But if you're like me, overweight, and have never ran more than a few minutes at a time, then you have to practice. You have to build up to it.
Everytime I'd dream about running I'd go outside and run. But I'd stop after a few minutes because I couldn't breathe, and that ended that dream. "I don't know how people do it", I'd say over and over. It still boggles my mind when I hear about people running a marathon or half marathon...or even a 5k.
I always told myself that when I lose weight I'll start running. Because, I mean, it's got to be easier the lighter you are, right?
47 lbs down and I started running. January 9th was my first week and first day of doing C25K. Now, I had done this program before...but I quit about 3 weeks into it...just when it started to get hard. Something I typically do in any situation.
This time I have a battle buddy with me and a determination like I've never had before. I will complete this program, and I will run a 5k. I have to...because I signed up for the Pink Series 5k in Pleasant Grove, in April.
Week 1 - Jog 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds, alternate for 20 minutes. Wow, I felt amazing! I did it and loved it!
Week 2 - Jog 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes, alternate for 20 minutes. Again, I felt awesome!!
Week 3 - Jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, do two repetitions. Ok, I did it...I jogged for 3 minutes. It was hard but I did it.
Week 4 - Jog for 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes, and repeat. Whoa! Ok, this is getting to be a little much. The first time I jogged those 5 minutes I wanted to die. I felt like I was going to throw up, my shoulder hurt, my calves hurt, and I wanted to stop. In fact the first day of this week doing the workout I think I jogged for 3 minutes on the last where I was supposed to jog 5 minutes. I didn't push myself as hard as I could have...but I did what I could. I have to be proud of that.
Week 5 - this week. Day one was yesterday. It consisted of Jogging 5 minutes, walking 3 minutes, jog for 5, walk for 3, jog for 5. Here was my thought process the whole time.
"Ok, here I go I can do this!..."ok...good job shannon you're jogging and you're feeling good"...."ok, almost done with the first 5 minutes - doing good." Then I walk and try to catch my breath. My chest felt heavy like I wasn't getting enough air. *Note to self, don't wear a sports bra underneath your compression tank that already has a built in bra*. 3 minutes of walking done, time to run 5 minutes again. I was tired. "
ok so maybe I just walk the last 5 minutes that I'm supposed to jog - I don't think I can do this"...."oh man, half way mark through second 5 minute jog....I can do this!"..."maybe I'll just jog 3 minutes of the last set instead of walking it". 3 minute walk comes up. I need water, bad. My mouth is dry, my foot is hurting from my dang bone spur. My left shoe feels like there's a crack on the bottom and I can feel it everytime I step. 3 minutes are almost up, some co-workers come and get on the treadmill next to mine...I can't quit now! Last 5 minute jog coming up and I'm not quitting. Here we go, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - jog.
"You've got this Shannon, just focus on the music you're listening to, and not the pain, take your mind off the jogging". 3 minutes left and I'm ready to quit...but I didn't.
"keep going, shannon, you can do it!".
Guess what? I did it! I finished that workout and it felt good! What an accomplishment for me! It may be silly to other runners but 5 minutes for me was hard. And I just did something hard. Yay!
Today's workout is even harder. I've been scared of this one and tomorrows work out since I looked at the program. 8 minutes jogging, 5 minute walk, 8 minute jog.
I am nervous...I really am. But, I can do it!
I have this quote at my desk that I look at everyday, especially on days I really don't want to work out. It's my mantra.
