Couch to 5K: First-timer Victory!

Weight: 327.4
Total Weight lost: 22.6

I recently wrote about my resolve to finally start the Couch to 5K running plan. My first "run" was yesterday(!), and boy, I was scared/apprehensive/doubtful, but it turned out pretty great.

I have always wanted to be a runner (they always look so FREE and easy!), but aside from a short stint of fairly unsuccessful participation in the cross-country team in high school, I've never pursued that dream. Now, if I stick with it (and I will!), I may be completing the plan by the end of the Spring into Summer challenge (mid-June) I'm participating in over at the 100lbs2lose LJ community -- that would be awesome. It's one of my goals.

That challenge was just what I needed to recharge my batteries, psych myself up, and really go full force on my efforts to become more fit and a heck of a lot lighter on my feet. It's such an encouraging, motivating group over there, pretty awesome.

Oh yeah, so I bet you're dying to know how my first day went on the C25K? I surprised myself! OK, so my jogging portions were pretty darn slow, but I "jogged" nonetheless. And I made it through the whole session, about 1.5 miles, without collapsing. In fact, it was more leg pain than being out of breath that made it hard, I think. So that's good, I guess. :)

(Oh, and just in case you're not familiar with the program, the first week of training involves a 5-minute warm up walk, then 60 seconds of jogging alternating 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes, and then I walked another 5 minutes to cool down. I'll be doing this plan three days a week on Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays.)

It's interesting because I find myself rather itchy to do something again today, but I will give my body a break and maybe just go for a regular walk or treat myself to a new pilates DVD and do that. Surprisingly, I'm not in too much pain. I feel an all-over low-grade pain with a bit more in the knees, which is understandable.

Another thing? I was not at all embarrassed about doing this in my neighborhood, which is urban-lite with lots of houses and light-to-medium traffic. I felt the contrary, in fact -- very proud to be doing it no matter how much jiggling occured.

I'm so excited! This is a real coup for me. I'm going to be a runner!

Yours in Ben-Gay and stinky socks,

r.

PS I did make arrangements with the electric company, so that's all better, and I worked something out with C. to pay my car off this week. Two financial things to cross off my list, hooray!