Tonight was my second time using the Couch to 5K app to assist me in getting off the couch and closer to my dreams of health and happiness. For the first week, it wants you to go every other day and walk for 5 minutes, jog for 2, and then finish with walking for another 5. Tonight my dad came along with me. Either to protect me from the killer West Nile Virus mosquitoes that are invading Texas, or to get back into the swing of things himself. Back in the 80's my dad ran in 5 marathons. Up until a while ago, he was still running on his treadmill every day, but a heart attack back in 2010 put a damper on things.
Two days ago when I began officially trying this new app out, I went in the morning right after I woke up. I hated it. I was still too asleep and my time was worse than it had been a few days before when I was just "walking" by myself. Also, I noticed that it peaked my hunger for the remainder of the day. When I was being fitted for my running shoes a few days ago, I was having a very nice conversation with Jorge (the man assigned to me) and he was saying that I should try different things out and see what works for me. Well, now I know that running in the morning is stupid. For me, anyway.
So tonight I went around 7pm. It was crazy booty hot outside, and I had just developed a killer migraine about ten minutes before I left the house. Still, I was not willing to give up. Maybe I should have waited a little longer for the drugs to kick in though. Because just when I hit the jogging part of the exercise, I started to see spots and my vision started getting a little dark. But I pressed on. While I pressed on, I noticed that my breathing was very heavy. I was struggling to make it. The two minute jog was pretty difficult, but not impossible. But it started giving me doubts. I started to think that I wouldn't be able to improve. Ever. That I wouldn't make it to my goal. That I would never go any faster than this or have any more stamina than this. I was just not cut out for this. So you know what I did?
I kept going.
 |
| Running gives me sexy hair |
 |
| Nike+Running app tallying my runs. |
You're doing great and thinking and talking just like I was back in february when I was saying things like "my body is saying things like WTF?" and that "my legs and me have a hate/hate relationship." If you think about it I have only been running for 6 months now and I have drastically improved my times and distances. My first run in February 2012 was just a 1/2 mile and I was having all sorts of breathing issues and even allergies (like crazy sneezing fits for hours after the run). Now I am able to run 9 miles and still carry on a conversation. So, I guess what I am saying is that if this old guy, who has been told he does not have the body type for running, can do it... you can totally kick ass... :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is it they say? Every journey begins with a single step. :)
ReplyDelete