Diary of an overweight runner - Chapter 1

I completed my first official #5Kin100days run last night, which is a program designed by Brad Gansberg (of #7daychip fame) to teach non-runners how to run. I'm really excited about this program because I feel like it will offer me the support I've been looking for in wanting to learn to run.

Running does not come naturally to me. I know my friends have heard this story a thousand times, but every time I think about running, I think back to the time in grade school when we were running the mile in gym class. Now, I'm pretty sure we were graded on our time. None of this "everyone's a winner" they probably teach now. We didn't really have a track, just a long narrow concrete path, which they would divide into lanes and it took something like 10 times down and back to equal a mile. To keep count, we were given popsicle sticks and each "lap" we dropped a stick in a bucket. Now, I was easily the heaviest kid in my class and being lapped by even the slowest of runners wasn't my idea of fun. So I gave myself a little edge, a handicap per se, and would occasionally drop 2 sticks in after only one lap.

Cheating is bad, I know, right?

But my point is I've always hated running. My first attempt at learning to run was a huge, big #fail and ended in my doctor telling me not to run until I lost more weight (I was around 318 at the time) and bed rest for 2 days. To say I've been scared to run again is an understatement.

While I was waiting for #5Kin100days to start, I randomly began running 1 minute at a time several weeks ago during my walks on the treadmill. Since then, I started Couch to 5K and just finished Week 3.

Since I was already running up to 3 minutes at a time, I asked Brad his suggestion of how to modify the program to my skill level. We agreed I could do 3 minute intervals until the program caught up to me.

(Example #1 of how Brad has the ability to help, encourage and modify his program to fit every. single. person. and skill level.)

Going in, I thought, "no way can I run FIVE 3 minute intervals." But I can, and I did! Here are the stats on my run:

• 5 minute warm-up at 3.0 (20 min/mi pace)
• 10 minute fast walk at 3.6 (16:40 min/mi pace)
• (5) 3 minute jogging interval at 4.3 (13:57 min/mi pace)
• (4) 3 minute walking intervals at 3.3-3.4 (18:11-17:39 min/mi pace)
• 5 minute cool down at 3.o, gradually slowing down
• Stretch
• Total Distance: 2.81 miles

**Note, I should have stretched after the warm-up, but I did not follow instructions. I intend to do this next time.**

Today, I feel pretty good. No pain and I'm ready for my next running session tomorrow! Maybe I do have a chance to be a runner afterall? I'll continue to do these 3 minute intervals until the program schedule catches up to me. Friday, I will attempt 7 intervals.

Oh, did you know today is National Running Day? Since today is my rest day, I'll be celebrating with yoga. How will you be celebrating National Running Day?