I am training for my 5K (officially less than three weeks away) and I have a looong way to go before I can even think about running the race in a respectable time. But oh well, I’m doing it anyway.
I started running the Couch to 5K program which is supposed to get you in 5K shape in eight weeks. Since I had about four weeks and some change, I tried to start on week 4. Epic fail. I realized slow and steady (never ever has that been my mantra for anything) would help me “win” the race.
The program itself is pretty cool and I doubt I’d be running at all without it. You can play your own music and it gives you the prompts with a slight ding, and a monotone dude telling you, “Run” or “Walk.”
Right now, I’m running for up to 6 minutes at a time, which feels torturous. I’m not a runner. Not yet anyway. As I told my husband, “Isn’t there a way to eat what I want and just…not move?” He just gave me this face:
I hate that I don’t like to exercise. I want to like it. I really do. Just not there yet. I hate that running is yet another thing in my life that is hard but I force myself to do anyway because it’ll make me better. Can I get a cupcake or something after each run? No? Damn. If you think I’m exaggerating on how much I hate running, here’s what was going through my mind during my last one:
Lacing up shoes: I can do this. This is going to be great. My mind will be clear, my stress will melt away, and I’ll be fit and trim in no time.
Heading outside: What a beautiful day. Yup, this run is a good idea.
Looking over my iPod for some music to run to: Why in the hell do I never have enough uptempo songs on here? All I do is sing along to ballads? Who am I—Adele?
30 seconds into my run: Hmm, this isn’t so bad. Why didn’t I start this earlier?
1 minute into my run: Oww! When the hell was the last time I’ve gone for a run? How fat have I gotten that I can’t even run 1 minute without my legs heating up like someone is setting them on fire? Am I running too fast? Too slow? Is my stride right? Let me check out my reflection in this car’s window….OMG, I look like a crazy person running from some invisible dog.
1 minute into the walk portion: So much better. I hate running.
1 second after the prompt to begin running again: No.
1 second after program tells me I’m halfway done: That’s it? I feel like I’ve been running for-freaking-ever!! I’m about to sit on this rock and call my husband and tell him to come get me from this lady’s lawn.
1 minute into the final cooldown: Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. I swear on my life that this needs to get easier or I might not make it!
My husband, upon seeing me come back into the house sweaty and exhausted: Um..hi?
Me:
you are not alone! the longer you do something, the easier it becomes. Stick with it, I’m rooting for you. And if running is not your thing – keep experimenting until you find something you like – it doesnt have to be conventional either, just that you like it and it works for you.
Good for you. Every time I stop into the gym I have to hype myself into doing it but I feel great afterwards!!!
LMAO, Tara!! I started on week 3 this week. Super sore right now! We can do this, girl!
That is so funny and creative. I love the Kanye face the best. Lol. But really it is a mental thing. I was there with you. I ALWAYS hated running, but now I actually can say I like it. It gives me time to think to myself and listen to good music. For me it is all about the music. Get some hype music with a good beat you can run at a good pace too. You can do it! Running my first one this Saturday….
LOL I’m really not laughing at you but with you. Your entire post was so ME last year. The first week was ok but when I got to weeks 2 and 3 I started wondering what I was thinking. Before then I’d never been a runner. I always claimed that I had inherited bad knees. 😐 I LOVE running now. I have a 5k under my belt. I run weekly with the local Black Girls Run! group. I’m registered for a half-marathon in January. You never know. You may end up loving running. Or you may not and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Oh. My. God. GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I swear to you, that was me yesterday! LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!! And it will be me again, today. Thank you for letting me know that I’m not alone. I’m so proud of you for doing it, though. And I appreciate you giving a link to that program; I’m about to download it now. (STILL LOLing!!!)
It will get better. You will feel such a great sense of accomplishment after you finish that race. Now will you continue to run? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell. But for now keep your eyes on the 5K prize!
I just realized this was an old post….oh well hope it went well!
@K. Rock – Thank you! I’m still kind of a newbie runner – waiting for the weather to warm up so I can possibly do another race. Thanks for the encouragement!