First of all, I got round to
keeping my New Year’s Resolution (Running so that I can become fit and lose
some, or a lot of, weight) 17 days after the New Year began. Oh well, they say
well begun is half done.
Couch to 5k, by the NHS, is a 9 week running/jogging plan that gets you from couch potato to running 5 kilometres in
30 mins. It consists of 30 minute podcasts for every run that tell
you when to run and when to walk. Note that the podcasts are available for FREE:
an important point for unemployed students like me. Each week they gradually
decrease the walking time and increase your running time. With only 3 runs a week
(every alternate day) for only 30 mins a day, this plan seemed perfect to get a
couch potato like me running like a pro (or at least, off the couch).
It still is. For one who
absolutely hated being sent on a jog early in the mornings, hated being pushed
into sports at school, and has absolutely no stamina and hand-eye coordination
(which I know is not required for a jog), I’m enjoying C25k far too much. Actually,
I don’t hate exercise entirely--its just very difficult to get motivated and
get started. Seeing as I’m starting to lose my initial zest for the programme,
I thought I’d write about it on my blog to keep me motivated.
I prefer to go running in the
morning. Since there arn’t any good parks nearby, I’m forced to run on the
road. In the mornings, there are fewer people and I don’t have to worry about
vehicles.
Week 1: 5 mins brisk walk, 60s of
running and 90s of brisk walking alternated for 20 mins, then 5 mins brisk walk.
Inspite of my initial doubts
about my ability to keep up with the plan, the 3 runs went smoothly without me
thinking I need to stop and rest. It should be noted though, that after the
first run, I spent the whole day in bed, absolutely fatigued, and until 10 that
night, failed to notice that one of my toenails had scratched against the skin
of the adjacent toe and drawn quite a bit of blood. Fortunately, second run
onwards, I was fine.
Week 2: 5 mins brisk walk, 90s
running and 2 mins walking alternated for 20 mins, 5 mins brisk walk.
This is fine too. I’ve been lucky
enough to avoid any body ache or cramping of my muscles so far, but I’m certain
Week 3 won’t be this kind. As I said earlier, I’m starting to lose my initial
zest for the idea, but I still love the thought of being able to run 5k some
day. Also, it feels great once I actually get started walking to the podcast, so
I’m counting on my memory of that feeling to get me off my bed in the mornings.
Today’s run was a bit
difficult, mainly because I ate almost nothing yesterday (due to a bad stomach)
and had a cold when I woke up this morning. Nonetheless, the run was fun and
completed without too much trouble.
Notes to self for future runs:
- Wake
up earlier. At present, I leave around 7 a.m. However, as winter is receding
and days getting longer, the sun is rising earlier and by 7.30, its almost
sunny.
- Need
New Shoes and Shorts.
- Go
potty before runs. I read this on another blog and couldn’t agree more with the
writer.
Progress on weight loss and
fitness:
I haven’t checked any weighing
machines, but my waist feels just a bit thinner already. You know, you can tell
with the fit of your clothes. Even more accurate: the notches on your belt. I
may just be seeing things, but I really do think they fit better.
I would like to assume I’m on my
way to becoming fitter. By next post, I’ll try to find a more objective
standard.
