C25K: Diving in WAY Over My Head
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So last night I was hanging around the house, staring at the ceiling and daydreaming (as I usually do, ya know) and thought to myself:
Self, you should train to run a 5K race. ‘Cause that would be a really cool thing to randomly do.
Promptly after that, I thought:
Uhm. Shit. How the hell far *is* a 5K race?
Ya know… in normal mileage that I understand? Because 5K could theoretically be like 300 miles and I certainly couldn’t do that! I popped open a web browser and searched for “5 kilometers to miles” and through the magic that is The Google, I am told that 5 kilometers is equal to 3.10685596 miles. (Thank God. Because 3.2 miles would have been too much!)
Three miles seemed doable, so I decided then and there that I was going to run a 5K race next fall (specifically I’m shooting for the 2011 “Turkey Trot” put on every November by our local runners’ club). AND in my infinite wisdom, I decided to post this little ol’ goal on my Facebook page — for the sake of accountability and all that.
Crap. I’m pretty sure I need my head examined. I’m in no position to even consider running. I’m out of shape, overweight, and even when I was on the track team (sprinting) in high school and in the best shape of my life, I never ran more than a mile at a time MAX. But then, maybe there’s no better time than the present…? And I’ve given myself over a year to train…
I’ve decided to attempt the Couch-to-5K (C25K) training program. You can read about it here, here and here. It’s a very clever gradual program that eases you into a running regimen.
So tomorrow after work I’m going to break down and fork over the cash for a gym membership. This weekend I start “training” … think I’m going to need the remedial C25K program though … about 4 weeks on the “week 1″ workout. Sounds about right.
For me it’s not so much about losing weight (though I could use it and it would be a great bonus). It’s more about having a healthy body again. There are so many things I’d like to go do and try … and the fact that I am overweight and get winded so easily when doing sports and such really holds me back. AND THAT SUCKS. I’m fed up with it. I wanna have some fun again.
Have any of YOU done the C25K program (or something similar)?
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I just finished C25K last Sunday! My first 5K is scheduled for Saturday. I’m nervous and excited. I am one of the most unathletic people I know, so I always tell everyone if I can do it, they can do it. I’m amazed that I was able to make it through the program. Just remember, it works if you just stick with it. Good luck! Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you!
It’s a blog-by…
I have the C25K app on my Android and iPod… I would highly recommend it if you have a smart phone. The program is awesome and while I haven’t made it all the way through it yet (I tend to have exercise ADD… probably why I’m still out of shape), I plan to restart because I would LOVE to run a 5K someday.
Good luck, and have fun!
I did a 5k on January 1st of this year. I didn’t run the whole thing, thanks to the hill that is 1st Avenue and some calf cramping after mile 2. However, I finished, and I wasn’t last in my age group. I’ve always been really slow, and had never run so much as a mile without stopping, much less more. I couldn’t do the 5k by the end of the program (because I’m slow), but I survived well enough. If I can do it, anyone can. Good luck!