Couch to 5k and running in general

I have to give credit where it is due and this program is definitely owed some thanks. I have tried to start running so many times before and it wasn't until this program that I was able to stick with it. I never made it past a 1/2 mile.

The program wasn't a success right away. It's not magical, it doesn't do the work for you, and it still hurts. But it was manageable and it moved forward at a level that I could handle. The first few weeks were really difficult for me. What has always kept me from running is my breathing. I could never get it under control and would end up freaking out and stopping. I could push my body further but my lungs just weren't having it (pretty ridiculous coming from a musician, I know). And after so many failed attempts, I started to HATE running. I was really quite vehemently against it. Around the beginning of Week 3 of C25k, I began to feel differently. I no longer hated it, I was gradually building a tolerance for it. Now, I'm not going to lie and say that I love to run. Because I don't. But, now after over 2 months of doing it regularly, I'm starting to like it- especially the way I feel after I've finished a run. That's the addicting part for me, that feeling of empowerment.

Now I try to run 2-3 miles 4 x a week. I think following a plan was the best idea I ever had, and so now I'm going to try another one to build up to a 10k. We will see what happens with that. This is the plan that I have chosen. I will start with week 7 next week. Wish me luck ! :)

How this happened.

I figure I should probably talk about my background in a little more depth.

Growing up, I was my mother's daughter, a complete girly-girl (Ok, I still am)- happy to wear dresses and look pretty and never do anything gross like get dirty or sweat. Girls are supposed to glisten- duh. So I never really got a lot of exercise and it never mattered. Unlike my siblings, I was super skinny without trying. In 6th grade, my teacher actually asked me if my parents fed me at home. Seriously. So, exercising wasn't really high on my list of fun things to do. In fact, it was a joke around my family about how uncoordinated I was (and still am). It made me not ever want to try anything athletic. I always figured I would embarrass myself.

So besides a brief (and only slightly embarrassing) stint as a cheerleader in middle school, I never participated in anything remotely athletic. As I got older, I did start to try. That amazing metabolism finally slowed down and I had to do something about it. But every time I tried to run, it hurt and I hated it, and so I stopped. I realize now that I never learned how to push myself physically. Plain and simple, I was a wimp.

Things started to change last year- I got married. And like most women, I wanted to lose weight and look good on my our day. Thanks to some friends of ours, we decided to join CrossFit. I both loved and hated it. It was pure torture but I could see the changes to my body and I wanted it badly enough. I wasn't great at it at all. Any workout with a run, I would complain (or not show up) and generally end up having to walk it or sub it out for rowing. But because of the competition in our group workouts, I was able to push myself further than I ever had before.

Unfortunately, as soon as the wedding ended, we moved away from CrossFit and I lost all motivation to exercise. The day was over, you know? I went from working out 4-5 days a week to Zero.  Until I saw a picture from a wedding we went to this past January and I realized that I was not happy at all. We signed up for the local gym a week after we returned from that trip. I started doing classes and I started the Couch-to-5K program. It seemed like a program that I could do. The best part was finding blogs and websites dedicated to the program showcasing people who had completed it. I found so much inspiration on the internet. And it was people exercising because they loved to exercise. I honestly thought Mr. T was the only person in the world with that problem.

Through websites like the daily mile, and these amazing blogs, I found the inspiration and motivation to keep going with the C25K program and train for my first super sprint triathlon. I can see myself slowly becoming one of those people who exercises because it makes them happy. It's amazing what finding the right motivation will do. I'm so excited to continue this journey and keep building. I hope know that this time everything will stick. I'm finally doing things for the right reason (a lifestyle change not a one-time goal). I've already come so much further than I ever thought was possible. We recently started back at CrossFit, and I realized how much of a wimp I still was last year. One of our trainers even pulled Mr. T aside to comment on how different of a person I am now. Crazy. And it can only get better from here :)

HELP! VOTE FOR MR. T!!

So, I entered Mr. T into a contest because he's been such a loving and wonderful coach for the past few months (well, years actually but apparently I never listened before). I'm a gear-aholic. I love gear, buying it makes me want to succeed that much more. I do it for every new thing I try. Mr. T is the exact opposite. He buys only the minimum amount required- and even then he sometimes skips a few necessary items. So when Steve in a Speedo offered this contest, I thought it was perfect! Because Mr. T desperately needs new gear. He just uses hand-me-downs from a cyclist friend. He needs his own stuff (that fits) desperately!

So, the moral of this blogpost is, PLEASE GO VOTE FOR MR. T!!!! I'm excited that he made it into the Top 10, but the competition is tough. Besides, if Mr. T gets new gear, maybe he'll want to buy me some tri gear too. :)

Vote Here. (Mr T.'s story is “The Cut-Off Jersey Was So Last Season”)

But really, please vote for whoever you think is best. I'm just giving Mr. T a plug, because I'm a bit biased you know.

 Ohhhh Mr. T, why????

I did it!

First triathlon is officially over and done with. WHEW!

Did it go the way I wanted? No. Of course not. But I finished and that’s huge in my book. Because basically, 2.5 months ago I wasn’t exercising at all and was in terrible shape. I couldn’t run a mile or swim 100 meters. So I am very happy to say that I was able to complete the tri today.

So what happened today?

The Good: I finished. Whether walking, swimming, running, or cycling, I completed a 250 meter swim, 4 mile bike ride, and 1.5 mile run in less than an hour.

The Bad: I hadn’t really practiced a good straight from bike to run and my legs felt like jelly. I ended up having to walk part of the run which I was hoping not to have to do. Oh well. I did run through the finish line.

The Ugly:  Ohhh the swimming. I have no idea what happened here. I went out too fast I guess and lost all breath. I actually stopped twice to regain my composure. Luckily, I got it together and finished but I honestly thought I was going to have to quit the tri less than 75 meters into the swim. SO ridiculous.
Also, to add to the ugly was the nerves. I can’t believe how nervous I was the day before. It was miserable. I think its because the transitions were such an unknown thing. This was a small triathlon and while I trained somewhat seriously, I didn’t put a lot of effort into things like transitions, etc. I was never trying to actually compete. Just to complete. But I think having no knowledge of what to expect made it very difficult on my nerves.

The Verdict: Oh my god it was pure torture. And I can’t wait to do another one. Seriously, while I was running and hating life today I was planning what I would do differently for the next one. Yeah, I’m that crazy. As Mr. T said today, it’s addictive. And I think I’ve caught the bug.

So.... it’s official then. I wanted to wait to see how I felt about it until after this triathlon but I think it’s pretty safe to say that I will probably be doing the 2010 Carrollton Triathlon in Carrollton, GA on July 19, 2010. WHOOOOOO!!!! :)

 Before the start. I'm freaking out right now.

Mr. T was an amazing supporter. I couldn't have done it without him.

 I'm just so dang happy to be finished.

Firsts

I’ve been in stalker mode for the past few months reading so many wonderful blogs for inspiration. I think it’s time that I come out of hiding and start my own. And what better time than right before my first triathlon? Yup, tomorrow I run my first super sprint triathlon. 250 meter swim, 4 mile bike, and 1.5 mile run. It sounds really small but it seems like a great way to introduce myself to the sport. It’s attainable (I hope!) and its been fun training for it. I’ve never really trained for anything before in my life- at least not anything athletic- so it’s all new and exciting to me. I really I hope I do well tomorrow. My goal is to finish and not be last :) I’ll let you know how it goes!