I've decided to become a runner. I want to be fit and healthy and of course lose the rest of the baby weight. And the America weight- the 10 pounds I put on when we moved back to America that I did not lose before getting pregnant last fall. I really desire to be healthy and strong but not crazy exercise fanatic. I have looked at all my options and I've decided I am going to become a runner. It fits my life right now. Its efficient and free. I can do it while the kids are awake. They can come with me! They can sleep in the stroller if they want (esp my double jogging stroller I'm getting for Christmas- shhhh don't tell). A gym is too expensive and at home work outs are either too hard that I don't stick with it or too easy that I don't get any results. So I will run.
This isn't the first time I've wanted to become a runner. My sister was an awesome cross country runner. The summer before our senior year of high school, LT & I decided we would just run with the cross country team in the mornings for a good work out. I mean my little sister could do it. I think we went twice. We were pathetic. This time I'm following the Couch-to-5K plan that my friend Kristen blogged about. I think taking it slow is key for me.
I was hesitant to post this because I hate putting myself out there. What if I quit? What if I can't do it? Everyone will know I failed. My sister will think I'm a wuss because I only jog for 60 seconds at a time right now. But... I decided to anyway. Here I go. Wish me luck!
21 comments:
We are so glad you posted this idea. Last night I was just thinking about maybe starting the running thing too. I agree on all the other options--they just don't seem to be the thing for me either. Jacob was excited too and glad you posted the link to the couch-to-5k plan...I had seen it before but had forgotten about it! Good luck! Hope it goes well for you!
Girl, if I can go from running nada to 7 miles, you can too! :) The thing that really kept me going was fun, energetic songs on my IPod. I also suggest using mapmyrun.com, which can tell you exactly how far you're running and how many calories you're burning per run. Go get it, girl! :)
YOU can do it Kelley!!! If I can become a runner you can too!! Just give yourself patience and persevere the first month. The starting is the WORST part and then you will find freedom and begin to look forward to your runs!!! Go Kelley Go! When you get discouraged think of me...cause if i can YOU can!
the good thing about putting it on your blog is that you've built in some accountability partners, as it were. which might help you stay on track.
I HATE running. Once I got halfway around furman lake before I remembered that.... and at that point, there's no choice but to keep running.
oh! and when I was preparing for a triathlon and I wanted to run a 5k without stopping, this is the kind of program I used.... it acclimates your cario endurance gradually, so that when your LEGS are ready to run without stopping, your body is too. and this kind of working (the run/walk) combiation means you can keep going for a longer workout than 5 minutes, which keeps your heartrate up, which burns more of those baby/America calories. Anyway something like this might work well. Good luck! http://www.pamsmith.com/bonus/walkrunprogram.pdf
Way to go! I love the idea that your first run is only 60 seconds. I absolutely can't run...I don't think it's physically possible. But maybe I could do 60 seconds. Hmmm, I should go check out that link. Can't wait to hear more.
oh cool! I was thinking about the same thing - BUT I may only be a cooler weather runner (running in Indian summers would be too much for me :))... so I'll stick to swimming in the summer ;) BUT I was thinking about taking up jogging/running :) Fun! I'm totally going to have to check out that link - fun!
Okay, here is the deal. You have a terrific running partner right down the road in Melanie. You cannot start running alone (at least I couldn't) and she is very patient, will walk/run with you and keep you talking and your mind off the fact that it hurts. I was never a runner-ever-and even in college when she encouraged me to go I would ride her bike alongside, but when I finally got some motivation and we did the half marathon it was AWESOME! You can do it-just a little at a time. Work your way up and enjoy it. Find good places to run that you can find beauty in where you are running to.
Yay for you! You can become a runner and then come up here and run the Army 10-miler in October. Maybe we should have that goal together? That'd be fun.
So this guy made podcasts for the Couch25K trainings to let you know when to speed up and slow down.
http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/
I don't have an Ipod but I think that would be awesome to have someone in your ear telling you how to run. That also means I can't have fun, energetic songs either Liz :(. Plus I have a two year old who likes to talk about everything we see on our runs.
I totally mapped my run today- 1.43 miles! Thanks for the link.
Erin G- I looked at that link and it looks very similar to the Couch25K. Today was Week 1 Day 3 and I did a 5 min warm up then 20 min alternating 60 sec jogging/90 sec walking.
Leigh- I called Melanie to tell her I was taking up running and getting a jogging stroller and she said "I am so happy for you! I am so happy for me!" Hehe. I am totally looking forward to running with her- although my new stroller doesn't fit in the trunk of my car. Humph. And you ran a half-marathon??? I'm way impressed.
Mert- a 10 miler? That's a little ambitious???
those workout podcasts are the best! I don't really like dancing. or clubs. but sometimes when I am listening to that techno music when I am working out, then I pretend that I am as hot as I want to be (hence the working out). And that I can dance.
you needed to know that, didn't you?
Erin G you make me laugh like no one else.
Go for it. Let me know how you stay motivated. I always feel like a wuss when I run with the xc runners. I give up easily.
Good for you! You are so wise to start off slowly.
Kel! This is hysterical! We may have years far apart from one another but our souls are still in tune! About 2 months ago I decided that I needed to excercise more and the cheapest way to do that was to go running. I've always been sad at our attempt at running cross country in high school so I decided to set a big goal. I got the book, The Nonrunners Guide to Running a Marathon, and i've been running ever since! I'm absolutely horrible at it but it's getting a little better and i'm determined to run a marathon. So i'm so thankful we are on this journey together! Why don't you and the family come stay with me for the Cooper River Bridge Run? I'll even get T-shirts that say eastside cross country team:) love you and am so proud of us! Love, LT
Jill- I would feel like a wuss if I ran with a COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY team too.
LT- Can the shirts say Northwood Cross Country?Or White Ghetto Cross Country? B/c then I'll totally be there.
hey if you do the cooper river run, then you need to do the cooper river swim, too. I'll be there for that one! :)
There's a swim too? I had no idea.
My word verification is bootter.
yes, and it's pretty easy, even for a non-swimmer: http://mgoetts.blogspot.com/2008/06/lowcountry-splash.html
there's an award category for the fastest time for the run and swim combined. but you don't do them back-to-back or anything, they're on different days. :)
That's a lot of comments about running. I think you'll be great! It gets easier with time...I started at running 1/2 miles at a time last winter and got up to 4 miles at a time before I quit for the wedding. I haven't started back. I plan to on Monday. Make sure I follow through. :)
go, kell! rooting for u! :)
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