Yesterday was the first day of the my 10-week Newbie Program for people new to this whole running thing. It’s a modified version of the 8-week Couch to 5K program and led by the locally-owned Red Coyote Running and Fitness.
It was not my typical idea of fun, but I’m glad I signed up for it. We met at the Chesapeake Boathouse at 6PM and after some instruction on proper form, we took off on a 5-minute brisk walk before launching into 60/90-second intervals of running and walking.
By the second running interval, my calves started to get angry. By the third running interval, ideas of proper form went right out the window, replaced by huffing and puffing, and something resembling a Bataan Death March. Traci was nice enough to stay with me at the back of the pack, making it easy and tempting to punch her in the arm…later…much later…after I suck down some oxygen maybe.
But I survived.
I’m hoping yesterday, being the first day, was the hardest. I’m on my own for Thursdays, so I’m planning to either use the YMCA or the parking garage at work. Saturday mornings, my group meets at the Red Coyote. The surrounding businesses are bars and restaurants that don’t open until 10AM, so the parking lot can double as a track.
I should also say I have zero arch on my left foot, so this morning I’m a bit gimpy. I’m sure I’ll feel better by Thursday, at which point I’ll do my best to recapture the agony of defeat. All of this is somehow supposed to end with me running the Ghost Runners 5K Dog Run in late October. Somehow.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Are you going to get Hooper to run with you? I’m so glad you are doing this.
I doubt it. He’d go crazy around all those other dogs.
I love that we’re sort of on the same schedule with this!
I started Monday night with my 5K goal date set for Nov. 13.
My inner thighs are a bit sore. I didn’t really expect that.
We can do this. There will likely be pain involved, but we can do it.
When I first started jogging (I have to call it jogging because there is no way that what I do qualifies as running), the second and third days were the worst for me. After that, it got much better. Here is some unneeded advice. I’ve found that when I time my breaths with my steps (in for 4, out for 4 or whatever works), I am able to breath easier instead of huffing and puffing.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll work on the breathing, but right now, I feel like it’s up there with rubbing my stomach and patting my head at the same time…while running.