My little 2-minute run a couple of weeks ago had me itching to try something new. I had done some reseach on the Couch to 5K running program and running podcasts. I have an iPod shuffle, but without erasing everything on it and only having the running podcasts on it, I didn't know how I'd ever find them since there's no menu or display. Or maybe I am just dumb and there is a way, but to make things easier, we went and bought me a new iPod nano last night. My plan is to leave the shuffle at work and use it only for my exercise there and use the nano at the gym and to run with.
So we (okay, my husband) transferred my shuffle's playlist to the nano, as well as downloaded all 9 of Robert Ullrey's C25K podcasts. They are available free on iTunes.
I woke up this morning at 6:15 and couldn't get back to sleep so I figured I might as well give this whole running thing a shot when it was still cool out (60 degrees, no wind...absolutely beautiful!).
I put on one of my new workout shirts that I bought yesterday at Gordman's and strapped on my iPod. I at least looked like I had the potential to be a runner! lol.... And out into the neighborhood I went.
I really like the podcast...it tells you when to run and when to walk. And the music is upbeat, too. There are 8 intervals of 60-second run and 90-second walks. The whole thing is about 28 minutes, including warm up and cool downs of 5 minutes each.
It went surpisingly well, and I didn't feel any pain till the 6th run when I had a little pain in my right side. I had a flashback to middle school and junior high....whenever we had to run more than a few laps around the gym, my side would hurt. Apparently I haven't outgrown that! Maybe as the weeks go on and I get more used to running it won't bother me anymore. I was out of breath at the end of the 8th run but it was a good out of breath, not a "Good Lord I'm gonna die" type out of breath. lol....
It was a good workout but it didn't completely kick my ass. I think it showed me that I'm actually in much better shape than I thought I was and that I need to give myself a little more credit. I could never have done this with my old 220-pound body so I see how far I've come.
About my journey...TAKE II
I joined WW in October 2007 weighing in at 220 with the goal to lose 80 pounds. By the end of October 2008, I had lost 70 pounds. On the very day that my scale read a very pleasing 150 pounds, I found out I was pregnant. Fast forward 9 months...I had gained approximately 55 pounds by the time my daughter was born on July 4, 2009. It's now September 2011, she is 2 years old and I weigh exactly what I did the day I gave birth to her, 205. So, my weight loss journey begins. AGAIN.
The "Original" Before Picture...
October 25, 2007. Two weeks before I joined WW.
What I hope to get back to!
October 28, 2008. 50 weeks after joining. (69.0 pounds lost)
6 comments:
Congrats on starting C25K! I tried it a few months ago, but my knee just isn't ready for it.
Can't wait to hear how the rest of it goes!
Way to go on the run! It does feel good, doesn't it?
Do you just love the Nano? I have one, too, and it is great!
Congrats on the weight loss, too. Your progress is amazing. Can't wait to see the pictures in the dress.
Oh, and about the side ache thing. Someone once told me that they are usually caused by breathing too shallow, which in my experience seems to be accurate. If I start to get one, I will slow down if necessary to get to a point where I am breathing more rhythmically, and a little deeper. It usually helps.
Congrats!!!
As for the side cramps, they come from your diaphragm. Slow down your running speed and take a few deep breaths ONLY through your nose, and then exhale forcefully through your mouth. As you're breathing in, try to expand your belly (not chest) as much as possible, and then as you breathe out focus on flattening the belly as much as possible. This should help!
Thanks for the breathing tips! I appreciate the suggestions and will focus on my breathing tomorrow. Anything to eliminate the side ache...
I'm really proud of you dear. If my knees ever get fixed I'll run a 5k with you.
Congrats!! Good for you! I concur with the others about the side aches. Also, I find that I can't eat (besides a small snack) within the hour before I run otherwise I get a side ache.
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