Couch to 5K

I have about seven months until the actual race, so it is time to get in motion.  I have plenty of time, but if I start early, hopefully it won’t be as hard to overcome the speed bumps that always seem to pop up.  I’m starting with the running training first.  Eventually I hope to be doing swim, bike, and running training all within the weeks… but for now I just want to get my cardio up and start working toward what for me, is the hardest event. 

I really wanted to start to work up the running distance slowly, because I have really terrible knees!!  After some research on training plans I decided to go with the “Couch to 5K” version.  It seems like a fairly popular plan for people like me, who currently can’t run for more than a few minutes at a time.  In the beginning it alternates running and walking, gradually increasing the running stages over a 9 week period until you are basically running a 5K.  (which is about the 3.1 miles I will have to run for the triathlon). 

There are three workouts per week, and you are supposed to give yourself at least one day in between them.  Week 1 workout was: Brisk five minute warm-up walk.  Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Five minute cool down walk.

Today I completed week 2’s first workout:  Brisk five minute warm-up walk.  Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.  Five minute cool down walk.

Today’s workout was definitely harder than last week, especially because my last run of today was all uphill!!  Talk about being winded!  I’m not worrying about speed at all, just the fact that I am actually jogging for the full length when I am supposed to be.  My new favorite tool for accomplishing this:  my cell phone!  J  I downloaded an app for the Couch to 5k plan, and it tells me when to run and when to walk.  It is perfect!  Makes it easier for me so I don’t have to constantly be looking at my watch and timing myself, the app does it for me! 

Another positive this week… my husband Aaron has been running with me!  And even when we can’t go together (due to my crazy work schedules), Aaron plans on doing the plan on his own.  It is definitely nice to have a running partner!

It was a good start this week, and I’m looking forward to finding some new ways of becoming more active on a daily basis!  ‘Til next time…

Sam