Thursday, January 29, 2009

First day of Couch to 5K

Today's weight: 242.6
Lbs lost: 2.4

Yesterday, I did the first day of Couch to 5K (the workout that starts with get your bum off of the couch). It completely kicked my butt. Methinks the program may not have been designed for people who are carrying an extra person wrapped around their middle. But I can get past that.

I downloaded the podcast from Robert Ulrey and fired it up (note to self, need to find a better headset, the one I just bought keeps falling out of my ears). It was nice not to have to look at the time to see when to walk/run. It plays continuous music and gives you cues.

The first five minutes is a "brisk walk." I set the treadmill at 3 mph and off I went (yeah, I realize that's not so brisk). Five minutes down, and I'm feeling pretty good.

Then we start the intervals. You run for 60 seconds and walk for 90. Rinse and repeat for 20 minutes. The first few intervals went ok. After that, my heart rate was going into the 170's, my shin splints felt like they were going to split my calves in two, and I thought I was going to throw up at any given moment. I ended up skipping a few run intervals.

I think I'm going to be at week one for a while, but that's ok. I expected that.

Now I'm going to need to go find some good running shoes this weekend. I tried every shoe on in the New Balance store and nothing felt right. I have wide, flat feet and a shallow heel (yeah, I've got the Irish Cankles, yea me!). Everything slips off my heel. I'm going to find a running store that will help me properly fit for a shoe. Right now I'm wearing a cheap pair of tennis shoes from Payless. They don't slip off my heel but the cushioning and fit is not great quality.

Chicago Marathon? Maybe I should have started a little smaller...

4 comments:

  1. Eight months is plenty of time, as long as you invest in good running shoes (buy two pair so you can alternate as your distance increases), a good sports bra (I'm a DD cup and have the best luck with Champion), and get as much rest as realistically possible. I am so proud of and excited for you! Documenting your experiences for anyone and everyone to share is an excellent way to keep yourself focused, and to hold yourself accountable - I don't know if I could do that! I am excited to follow you on your journey from the couch to running one of the best marathons in the world!

    ~Monika

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  2. Bridget-
    Great job doing the first day! PLEASE don't do another day until you get the right shoes. Trust me on this one. You will have little to no pain if you are in the right shoes. Look up a specialty running store and get a professional to fit you. I tried to do it myself last year and ended up in so much pain. After I healed, I went to the running store and they found me my perfect shoes. It made such a difference that I actually brought the girl who found me my shoes flowers a few weeks later. It makes that much of a difference. Good luck and remember, it takes a lot for your lungs to actually explode!

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  3. Hmm, I tried to post on the prior entry, but it got erased by me and/or blogger.

    I think you have a great goal and you can DO IT!

    I am a terrible runner, but am trying to work on that this year. I agree on the shoes. I found a great pair of Adidas Bounce shoes at the Adidas outlet (great deal!) and they have been what have worked for me.

    What a great way to keep up with your training and everything with this blog!

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  4. I have to ditto the running shoes. I battled shin splints for years (high school and college) to the point I got stress fractures during tennis season. Then I got fitted for the right shoe and BAM no shin splints for the last 13 years!

    I am very impressed that you are doing this! Not sure if you ever saw Cathy's blog (was a May06 bbc mom)... she has SIX kids and she lost 80+ lbs after the birth of her 6th baby. Her before and after photo montage is INSPIRING.

    http://findingcathy.blogspot.com/

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