In early September, Ken and I started a Couch to 5K program. We have an app on our ipods that tells us when to start running and when to walk. The program started us out with a 5 minute warm up and then run for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds repeated several times followed by a 5 minute cool down. I felt pretty good on the first run. The second one was hard. That was so long ago.
I ran the last workout in the series tonight! The program was 9 weeks long with 3 workouts a week. This last week I was running 30 minutes with no walking or stopping. I feel really good.
I have never been a runner. I hated it in school. I always assumed any running I would do as an adult would involve getting away from a bad guy. I have always loved the idea of being a runner though. I would like to casually mention in conversation: "_____ on my run", or "I gotta go for my run now." etc. I was mystified by the runners high that I had never (ever) felt. I think maybe I have felt a little of that now.
Things I learned:
Never put more than two days between your runs. Preferably only one day.
The first mile is the hardest.
You CAN do it.
Sometimes you will hate to run.
EVERY TIME you will feel great after.
You can tone your torso by running.
Next time I do a program like this I will not do it while nursing and getting up at night with a baby.
Runs are easier with some food in your belly (preferably carbs)
If you run at night, like I do, eat something before bed or awake ready to eat an elephant.
