Resolve

I'm going to do it.  I'm jumping on the bandwagon.  I always wanted to do something like this, but always put it off.  I need a change.  Seize the day!

I'm going to start the Couch to 5km.

Sure I'm a lemming, but it's for a good reason.  I'm persisting with my exercise plan that I started with the Wii Fit at Christmas.  I feel a lot better now that I exercise--little joint pains have gone away, I have less tummy troubles, I have more energy even though I'm getting up almost an hour earlier to work out, I've lost 7lbs and I look pretty good.

But like the Wii Fit before it, the 30 Day Shred is getting tiresome.  I'm back to level 2 after my vacation and it's still kicking my ass, but me and Jillian need some time apart.  I need a new challenge.

Enter Couch to 5km.

I've never been a runner (aside from gym class and playing some rec sports like Rugby), but I like the idea of running.  Runners seem to have a discipline I don't believe I have (though I probably do) and there's something so easy about it--put on shoes and a good bra, grab the ipod and go.

C25k also works with my time contraints.  I have about 40 minutes to work out in the morning (including the stumbling out of bed and getting dressed part) and this is about 30 minutes.  And there's a plan.  I like fixed workouts because I don't want to have to think about it. 

I can still Shred on a rainy day too.  It's just adding some goat cheese to my salad so to speak (or if it's not fun, radishes to my salad-ew).

I'm starting tomorrow morning.  You heard it here first.

I see there are iPhone apps.  Any recommendations?  It's already better if my favourite gadet is involved.  I also plan to treat myself to something nice at Lululemon if I do this for 2 weeks.

Starting.

Tomorrow.

Comments

[j.]

Cease the day? You must not want tomorrow morning to come!

[Dr. Steph]

Shit. I totally missed that. I better go fix it eh?

What a doh head I am. But a punny one too.

[grace]

I did this last year to celebrate my 54th birthday. (I had never run in my life!) This spring I ran the Toronto Sporting Life 10K to celebrate my 55th. I'd offer suggestions for apps and treats but, honestly, I use music to sing to and my watch for intervals. I love that it doesn't have to be more complicated than that. As for treats, feeling so good about me has been better than treats. All the best, grace

[Manon]

I have never been much of a runner. I do plenty of exercise, but running never ranked particularly high in my priorities. I did some in my 20s and ran a 5K race. Then, nothing for... 30 years. This year, after the horrible winter we had, I wanted to enjoy the outdoors and started going for long walks. And then one day, I thought I might run. At first, I was convinced I was going to die. Most stupid exercise ever -- but I persisted. Walking part of the way, and running part of the way. I started this in May. One day, the endorphins kicked in and I was totally exhilarated by my run (very sweaty too). Now, at almost 52 (my birthday is next week), I GET IT. And I run 10k twice a week, and 5K once a week. And twice a week, I go to the gym and I lift weights. I finally got myself some proper running shoes and splurged on some Nike running pants (not the long ones, the ones that stop at the knee). And I got the Nike+, the little gadget that plugs into your iPod and tracks your runs and your times -- if you have the newer iPhone, the one that just came out last month, I think it works with that too. I am looking forward to my runs now. Find yourself a nice place to run (I do the whole length of the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail, really enjoyable), and invest in a heart rate monitor to pace yourself at first. And if at first you think you are demented, hang on -- it only gets better!

[Andrea]

I would try the PodRunner Intervals series from iTunes. Got me off the couch and running w/ a beat that was easy to run to. Not sappy pop music, more electronica, but in a good way. Good luck! (Oh, and remember to ice anything that feels off after a run, I managed to give myself a stress fracture this spring and it might have been prevented if I listened to my leg a bit more.)

[Jenni]

I like the c25K app because I can listen to my own music, podcasts, or audiobooks and get the run/walk notifications. I tried the PodRunner series but the bpm of the music was too slow for me (this is my 2nd time thru the program, I did this before I had a baby and get up to a half marathon).

[jane]

Running is great-I started back last summer after years off. You can do it! My method was to run for a song, walk , run for a song...until I could run for more than one song, then 3 then....I stick to 4-5 miles most of the time. Have fun-it is a great way to lose yourself for a bit.

[Glenna]

Good for you! I do enjoy running, even if I always manage to quit during the winter (one of these years I am going to be a 12-month runner, I just know it.)

This is the book I was recommending:
http://www.amazon.ca/Complete-Book-Running-Women/dp/0671017039

I recommend checking it out once you're a month or two into C25k and more attuned to where you're at. It's great because it's for women. Most running manuals and training are designed by men, who let's face it do not have the same bodies as men.

[Georgiana]

Way to go! I'm on week 7 of the program, and having a great time with Robert Ullrey's podcasts (http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/). Good luck :)

[Seanna Lea]

I used the Couch to 5K a few years ago to get back into running after a long hiatus and to pretrain for my first half marathon. The program really works!

I love running because when I run I feel free from all of the stresses of the day and I feel extra good at problem solving (though the first few runs the only problems I could solve were of the putting one foot in front of the other variety).

[Melanie]

I haven't run in a while, thanks to a back injury, and I swim instead, but I miss running: so much more fun than swimming. It's really quite relaxing and, after a while, totally addictive.

[Deirdre]

I've been working out with a local power walking group - www.treadpowerfully.com - but eyeing the Couch to 5k program, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of it - and I also try to entice myself with Lululemon... that or a glass of wine....

[Clumsy Knitter]

Nothing wrong with jumping on a bandwagon if IT WORKS! I've actually been thinking about starting myself because I'm getting a little tired of my current interval workout. Anything to spice things up, right? Good luck!

[Knittripps]

Good luck! I need to get back on my Wii Fit.

[JoVE]

To quote a woman I played rugby with back in the day (she was talking about soccer but the same applies) "Why would you run when no one is chasing you?"

Have fun. Prairie Poppins is a runner. And about to try her first baby triathalon. She blogs at Handmade Homeschool and is on Rav as Prairie Poppins. Lives in Manitoba and uses a treadmill in winter, I think. She says inspiring things about running on a regular basis. (I'm not convinced. But you might like it.)

[minnie]

warmingup with a gentle stretch helps with running, speaking as a former runner(i used to dolong distances in high school,i was one of 2 2-milers on myitty bittyhigh school team)

[Jane in Michigan]

I'm on level 7, and it's turned into something that I truly enjoy doing. Keep focused on your goal and you'll do great! How about a big reward of a run on the east side beach on Coz? I'll be joining you of course!

[Glenna]

Oh, and Steph, be prepared that now that you are a runner as well as a knitter, you will have a 2nd opportunity to look at you as though you are nuts. ;)

[Kim U]

I started C25k last fall & ran two 5k's this spring/summer (with a bit of walking but still...). I didn't use any iphone apps, I've heard iffy reviews for all of them. My favorite thing to listen to has been the Podrunner Intervals series (http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html), which are also available as podcasts in itunes. BTW, there's also the "Couch to 5k" group on ravelry if you want to chat/get support.

[claudia]

Oooo. Lululemon would completely motivate me too. Good luck!

[Emily]

That sounds very exciting -- good for you! I've been a Runner for five years now, I'd say (more years than I've been a Knitter), but it took a couple before that to really develop the appreciation. Eventually, if it's your thing, you get to a point where you need to run and no other form of exercise or stress-relief will substitute. Awesome. :)

[Wanda]

I keep being tempted by the Couch 2 5K program. But as another commenter stated, as a rule, I categorically state that I do not run unless I'm being chased. I look forward to hearing about your progress. You and Laura got me interested in trying out the 30 Day Shred. Today is day 2 and I think she's trying to kill me, but I am (rather sadistically) enjoying it.

[Jennifer]

I started running in my late 20s, after being a total couch potato. The simplicity is what keeps me going! I have a new iPod Nano, which works with the Nike+ system (which logs your distance, speed, average speed, calories burned, etc.) and love, love, love it. I like to log in to my Nike account and look at all the runs stacked up next to each other on a huge, green graph. I listen to podrunner (mentioned by many others) every once in a while, but can also run to my own playlists, podcasts, whathaveyou.

[Marcie]

There's a great series of high energy pop and hip hop C25K podcasts that you can download here: http://www.kissmyblackass.org/?page_id=86 I found it by googling something like "C25K podcasts"

I'm not necessarily a hip hop person, but I do appreciate some good fast music for exercise and I've been waiting (putting off) starting the C25K myself for about a month.

[Sudoku Print Puzzles]

Wii Fit also keeps my body healthy but it's hard to follow a daily routine.