I'm quite proud that I have started the "Couch-to-5K" running plan today!
Don't laugh...it should have me running 3 miles in just 2 months. I haven't run anywhere in 5 years! I'm weighing in at 79kg (80kg is my personal "you've gone to far now girl") and I look like I am pregnant, but more importantly, I ache all over from stiff muscles and I haven't even started the program yet!
This is the web page I found http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml and you are my witnesses. It will be no secret. That way my friends can keep hassling me about how I am going, especially as I own a very, very comfortable couch!
I had so many interesting thoughts going through my head while doing my first run, that I decided to record them. Hopefully this will get more serious and boring as I go.
As happens to us all, I started out enthusiastically, blowing the cobwebs off my joggers, wearing a too tight and too hot jean skirt, my phone in one hand with the stop watch and timer all set to go, and my instruction sheet in the other. No hands left for my water bottle...as if I'm going to sweat that much!
Oh but wait, I have to do the stretches...all 12 of them...repeat 2 or 3 times and hold for 30 to 40 sec. Of course I got totally bored half way through and was itching to get on the road. Naughty I know but I decided I'll give them my full attention when I get back. It takes time all this stuff doesn't it?
Okay...brisk 5 min warmup walk. Then alternate 60 sec of jogging and 90 sec of walking, for a total of 20mins. So after my warm up I set the timer for 20 mins, then got my stop watch going for the first 60sec jog. So glad my phone can do both at the same time!
I decided to run around the grounds of the hospital behind my home because it is nice and green and shaded. This hospital is an antenatal clinic one side and a rehab clinic the other or something like that. I could see a couple watching me out the big windows and if they were from antenatal they might have been thinking...she shouldn't be jogging when she is 6 months pregnant. If it was the rehab patients they might be thinking...just wait till she comes down from that speed!
I actually caught my reflection in one of those large window doors as I was jogging past. I thought I'd look all sporty and lithe, but instead I looked like a pregnant woman running in flippers, arms legs all flailing about, and it got worse the more tired I felt...pathetic. Oh well, at least I'm making the effort.
As I continued to alternate the walking and jogging, it seemed like the 60 sec jog went on for ever and my legs felt like lead weights but the 90 sec walking went really, really fast.
Eventually I heard the alarm go on my phone alarm....Crickets chirping had never sounded so good! Thank God the 20 minutes was up and I could now just walk home like normal people do....thats if I knew where home was. Where the hell am I?
Oh yes, now I have my bearings....oh God, it's all up hill. I didn't plan that very well!
It only took about 10min to walk home and then ages to do the 12 stretches, but most of them felt really good. I already have my favourites. What on earth is a "Iliotibial"? Reading the instructions and doing the stretch is a bit tricky...this is where I need a good looking personal trainer...mmm maybe not, cos the Bridge is one of my favourites and thats best done alone!
That's day one. It can only get better can't it....and I know why they invented Lycra. Jean style skirts don't work!
So funny Janet! But I'm very proud of you.
ReplyDeletehaha well done mum! Funny stuff!
ReplyDeletePerhaps a denim skirt is not the best attire for exercise! Try rebel sports for some leggings maybe?
Good interval training & stretching always hard but very important too. Nothing worse than putting all that effort in then sustaining an injury!
Love to you. Ben x