Getting off the couch

So it is the day after I attempted the first leg of the Couch to 5k program, and it wasn't too awful. Sure, it was hard work, but mostly because I have a phobia about running. I am pretty sure that my fear about giving it a shot made things much harder than it should be. I went for time, and not for speed, because I knew if I went too fast, I would wear myself out in the first round of intervals! Because I have a treadmill, I was able to control the times to the second and know precisely what the speed was, which was helpful.

Here is exactly what I did:

Walked at 2.7 mph for 5 minutes to warm up and felt like I was a total fake because I ate KFC- skin and all for dinner. Watched those 5 minutes melt away too quickly as I prepared myself to run.

1. Ran for 60 seconds at 5mph and felt the blood rushing.

Walked for 90 seconds at 2mph while praying that I would be successful at this.

2. Ran for 60 seconds at 4.6mph and started to contemplate what the heck I was thinking by signing up for this.

Walked for 90 seconds and thought to myself "2mph isn't really slow enough, but any slower and I will be standing still. I better keep up with this and catch my breath."

3. Ran for 60 seconds at 4.6 mph and felt myself regretting getting mixed up in this program.

Walked for 90 seconds at 2mph and thought about how I have really been slacking on the diet and have managed to get myself back up into the low 180s. It made me mad.

4. Ran for 60 seconds at 4.7mph and used that anger to fuel me on, which is the only thing anger is good for.

Walked for 90 seconds at 2mph and realized that I was half way and still breathing. In fact, I was breathing enough for more than one person.

5. Ran for 60 seconds at 4.6 and stayed mad, although it was a windy type of anger.

Walked for 30 seconds at 1mph, because I hit the wrong button. Seriously contemplated staying at 1mph for just 60 more seconds, but cowboyed up and went back to 2mph for the duration of the time.

6. Ran for another 60 seconds at 4.6 and was pretty sure that the legs were going to be another casualty to the sport of running and I would have to change my birthday to the 4th of July.

Walked for 90 seconds and realized that I could make it for 2 more times if I apply myself. Also vowed NEVER to eat another donut if I was going to continue running. It's just not worth carrying the extra weight.

7. Ran the next to last 60 seconds at 4.7 and decided to nix the no donut policy because if anyone had ever earned a donut, it was me at that moment. Ran like I really was going to Royal-Donut- Royal Donut.
Walked 90 seconds at 2mph and near the end, I decided that I just might possibly be able to do this crazy program. Also reinstated the no donut policy.

8. Ran the final 60 seconds at 5mph because if I was going to meet Jesus, I wanted it to be at the higher speed, not the slower one. Also ran with a little spring in my dragging step (at least for a beat or two) because after this I would be walking again and wouldn't have to run like this until Wednesday.
Walked for 5 minutes at 2mph, enjoying the feeling of satisfaction that I had accomplished running for a total of 8 minutes and no 911 call was necessary. Also, decided that I need a better way to keep track of the time. Perhaps a timer or 2 would help. I'm terrible at math, and that broke my concentration. Or perhaps I can employ the use of short people that keep raiding my fridge and eating all my 100 calorie packs. They can figure out how to work a stopwatch. After all, they know how to pick locks. And run the DVR. And outsmart Mom and Dad regularly. Yep, they will help me next time.

Today, I'm only a little sore. Mostly my hip flexors feel like they have been rung through the ringer, but Jillian at the YMCA made me hurt way worse. I'm thankful that I have been walking for a while, though, because I really think that helped tremendously with the endurance. So I enjoyed the process more than I thought I would once it was all said and done.

I know a few of you have decided to do the program with me. Feel free to post any comments about your experiences. We are in this together, and I intend to use that to our advantage.

On a lighter note, on the home front, I have been dealing with an issue that has frustrated me often. This year, in order to save money, we decided to have the kids take sack lunches every day to school. Problem is, they keep forgetting their lunch boxes. And it's rather annoying. So in a moment of pure genius, I figured out a way to solve the problem by purchasing an additional lunch box. And, uh- jazzing it up a little. To prove a point. (And for my own Mommy amusement. Those moments are few and far between.) Tim had to take it Monday morning, since he is usually the one who forgets his lunch bag at least once a week, and the original bag was at school. Poor kid. I almost felt sorry for him when he had to walk into school with this...

...but it did work!!! Not one child has forgotten their lunch bags so far. Hee hee, that's the real joy of parenting!!!!