Update
I didn't end up running last Sunday, I did it on Saturday instead. I ended up heading over to Lincoln Park for the last day of Week 2. It was decent, nothing much to report. I did my 90 seconds run/90 seconds walk without incident.
I wasn't planning on running again until Tuesday, but Monday I just had the urge to go so I went over to the West Seattle Stadium track and started Week 3. Week 3 is run for 90 seconds and then walk for 90 seconds and then run for three minutes and then walk for three minutes X 2. It was actually a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, but I think I was actually running a bit faster than I should have been. The three minutes is supposed to be 400 yards (or 365 meters) and as far as I know a lap around the track is 400 meters. Well, in my three minutes I was able to go slightly more than one lap around the track which leads me to believe I was going a bit too fast. Towards the end of the three minutes of running I was definitely feeling it and had to tell myself "just another 30 seconds" and count down. I did feel good once I finished though.
I was thinking of running yesterday, but in all honesty I hadn't had a day off from working out since the previous Wednesday, so I figured it would be a good idea to take a rest day. It was a really nice day out yesterday though, which would have been nice for running. Today I'm hoping to get done with work on time and head out at 3:30. If for some reason I can't do that I'll most likely head over to the track or Hiawatha Playfield again. I like running at the track though, it's kind of boring running in a circle, but there isn't much chance of some kid or dog running out in front of me like at the park.
Thursday Recap
Thursday's run up and down the street outside my office was the best so far. The sidewalk was fairly new and large. It was very luxurious. I ran the 90 seconds and walked the 2 minutes with no problem at all. I think part of it was that I didn't have to be on the alert for kids, dogs, bikes or anything else that might get in my way like at Lincoln or Hiawatha Playfield, there was no one around. That's part of the fun of working in an industrial area. I think I'm going to bring my running gear with me to work and see if I can manage to squeeze a run in before picking Shawn up. I know most days it won't be possible, there are times that I have to work a few minutes late, however if I can get one or two in every now and then I'll be happy.
Today is a complete rest day. Yesterday I came home and did some yoga which was nice and relaxing. I'm actually contemplating taking a
Bikram Yoga class once a week or so, maybe on Fridays this winter. I think it might be good for my muscles from running. Also, it would probably be nice and warm when the weather gets cooler. That's one thing that drives me nuts is that even with the heater on and all, when the weather is cooler it takes my muscles a lot longer to warm up when I'm doing yoga. Maybe I'll just do a "drop in" class before I consider making a commitment.
My plan for tomorrow involves waking up at a decent hour and getting my run out of the way. I'm thinking the earlier I go the better it will be. If I can get to Lincoln park at a decent time, there probably won't be so many people around. Or maybe I'll go give the West Seattle track a try.
Week 2
Tuesday I started week 2 of my Couch to 5k program at Lincoln Park. Before heading out for my run I did about 20 minutes of some cardio DVD that I have because I had some time to spare. I'm not sure if that was the best idea as my legs were feeling it a bit already when I started running. You wouldn't think that running for 90 seconds as opposed to 60 seconds makes that much of a difference, but it seemed to be a little more difficult. Which could be because of the cardio I'd already done, or the fact that I was running directly into the pretty steady wind for a good part of the 20 minutes. It took a bit more work, but when it was over I felt really good. It was warm down by the water (even though it was windy as all hell) and it was just a nice day.
Today I'm hoping to go out for Day 2 of Week 2 at about 3:30 when I get off work. Shawn doesn't get off work until about 4pm which means most days I've got some time to spare. I figure if I head to the bank during the day and head out for my run right at 3:30, I'll be done shortly after 4, just in time to pick him up. Then the plan is to go home and do a little more cardio and/or toning and do a nice, relaxing cool down. Getting the run out of the way will mean that I have more time in the evening to just hang out and relax, and probably practice my guitar. Anyway, I'm planning on running down the street by my office. My co-worker has run it before and she says it's not bad. The sidewalk is fairly wide and it's all pretty flat.
Week 1 In Review
So I made it through week 1 of my Couch to 5k program. It all went pretty well. Thursday I headed out to
Hiawatha Playfield right in the middle of West Seattle and ran the dirt track surrounding the soccer field. It was a little tough at the beginning just trying to get use to it all. Also, towards the end I started getting a cramp in my left side. I blame it on the energy drink I had before leaving the house thinking it would help my performance (which it did not). I was able to complete the 60 seconds jogging/90 seconds walking without much problem. I did spend a bit too much time worrying about whether I was running properly and how my feet were hitting the ground. Also, whether I was going to get hit by a soccer ball from the practice that was going on.
Sunday I decided to change things up and go to
Lincoln Park where I ran the path along the water to the pool and back a few times. I don't know if it was because it was my second day, or the fact that the path was flat and paved, that I was next to the water, or something else, but that day was a lot easier. There were occasions in my 20 minutes when I ran for 90 seconds instead of 60. Let me tell you, it goes by fast. Before I knew it, my time was up. The only bad thing about that day was that my lower back was feeling kind of sore/tight from a bunch of walking I did around
Kubota Gardens the day before in probably not the best walking shoes. Oh, and the smell of smoke from people bbq-ing. I don't know if there's anything worse trying to get a breath of fresh air and inhaling bbq smoke instead.
Today I am planning on going back to Lincoln Park to start on my second week, where I will be jogging/running for 90 seconds and walking for 2 minutes. I am really looking forward to being done with work so that I can go change and get started. I've tried running in the past and didn't like it much, but so far this taking it slow and building up to it helps. I enjoy being outside and getting exercise, feeling the cool air coming off the water and just enjoying being there. It really brings me into where I am and I can pretty much forget about everything and just listen to my music and run.
Scratch that - Starting over
I've decided to completely change my running/Couch to 5k routine. I've come across
a new plan that just makes more sense to me. Not to mention, it should have me up and running 3 miles in 2 months instead of 4. I think the other plan, even though it was "aggressive" was more for someone who didn't do any type of physical activity to begin with. I have a good base of working out for about an hour 5 days a week and honestly, the idea of walking for 27 minutes and only running for 3 sounded a bit boring. Anyway, the new plan is still only 3 days a week and on the first day I'll be jogging for 60 seconds and then walking for 90 seconds, repeating until I reach 20-30 mins, in fact, that's what the entire first week looks like. The progression in this plan just seems to flow better, and like I mentioned before, it just makes more sense.
I'll be starting this program today after work. I've got my iPod shuffle (yes
Jish I bought an iPod; you're welcome!) all ready to go with running music and I'm excited to get started. I'm thinking of starting on day two, just because I already did day 1 of the other plan, right?? I'm going to keep the training days the same as the previous plan of Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; they are my "normal" cardio days anyway.
I got properly fitted for running shoes yesterday at
Super Jock N Jill in Greenlake. After Shawn consulted one of his friends (who spends a lot of time running) he suggested it instead of Road Runner. Since my friend suggested both, I figured I'd go with Super Jock N Jill. I tried on a bunch of different pairs of shoes and ran up the street a bit in each to see how they felt. I ended up with a pair of Mizunos that so far seem very comfortable. They have a bit of support, but not too much. They're a little less like "running on a cloud" than some I tried, but I prefer the stability these have. I'm going to see how they work for me today, and can always return them if they're not right.
Week 1 Day 2 Recap/Day 3
Yesterday was my first day "on program" and it was pretty easy. I forced Shawn to join me on my little walk (by bribing him with an iPod Touch) which took us on some trails along the Duwamish, south down West Marginal Way and back. We walked for about 30 minutes (even though I was only supposed to do 25) and I would say about a mile and a half. We didn't walk all that fast, but enough to get the heart pumping a little. After the walk I went home and did about 35 minutes of some cardio dance dvd and a nice little 8 minute cool down/stretch. It was nice.
I don't know if I'm going to do the walking anymore though. Really it's not challenging at all, and it kind of feels like I'm wasting my time. I mean I know that I can walk for 30 minutes no problem. Hell, I'm sure I could have kept on walking for quite some time. Even Shawn said that perhaps walking was pointless. I do want to take things slow, but not too slow. I think I might jump into week 3 of Phase 1 where I walk for 24 minutes and run for 6. I think Thursday I'm going to head over to the track in West Seattle that's by my old apartment and give it a try. If it's too much, I'll cut back. If it's not enough, the next time I'll pick it up. I think I'll just follow the plan loosely, and hopefully I'll be able to get it over and done with sooner than I expected. Maybe even in time for the
Jingle Bell Run.
In other news, I think after work I'm going to head over to
Road Runner Sports and get properly fitted for some running shoes. I have a number of pairs of running shoes, but in all honesty I've never been properly fitted for them. I want to make sure that I do everything I can to ensure that my running experience will be a good one.
Today is a rest day, so nothing going on in regards to exercise. I honestly can't wait to get home and just sit back for awhile.
Week 1 Day 1 - CT5K
Today is the first day of my aggressive Couch to 5K program, and it involves no walking or running. Yay! However, just because according to the program it's a rest day, doesn't mean I'm not going to do anything. I will be doing my normal Monday routine which involves about 20-30 minutes of upper body weights/toning and about another 30 minutes or so of yoga. Mondays normally involved some yoga or pilates, but since I did some cardio/pilates yesterday, I've decided today will be yoga. I don't want to work the same muscles two days in a row (though I've heard conflicting theories on whether it's "okay" to work abs every day, better safe than sorry I say).
Tomorrow is the actual start of the program where I will be walking 25 minutes. This will not be a problem in the least. I'm sure that I could get away with not doing the first week at all and jumping right into the second, where there's a bit of running. However, I want to take this slow to decrease the likelihood of getting injured. I'm sure I'll end up supplementing my walking with some cardio at home later.
I'm excited about this program and hope that I end up enjoying running. I've been wanting to run for quite some time and have tried it on a few occasions, but it's never worked out. Maybe taking it slow will help.
Sometime this week I have to go get properly fitted for some running shoes.
One Year
I have given myself one year to get in shape for the
Danskin Triathlon. I'm in pretty good shape now, I work out at least 5 times a week. I do yoga, cardio and strength training. However, I do no swim, bike or run. I will have to start from the beginning on all those areas. Granted I know how to ride a bike, and that's the one that worries me the least. I honestly think that swimming will be the most difficult thing for me.
I am planning to start by doing an
aggressive couch to 5k program, which should get me running by the beginning of the year. I'm quite happy that I live somewhere that the weather doesn't get too drastically cold in the winter. If it gets too tough running outside in the winter though, I might consider finding an indoor track, or joining a gym. However, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I plan to supplement my couch to 5K program with my normal yoga, cardio and strength training. I think once I start running more, I'll decrease my amount of cardio and keep up with the yoga and strength training/toning. Once I've got the running under my belt, I'll really start the triathlon training.
I've decided to do the Danskin because I work out a lot, but I'd like to actually accomplish something by doing so. I mean sure, working out keeps me fit, but I want to say, "yeah, I did a triathlon". I don't really care about how well I do, I just want to finish it.
This is my journey.
