Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

couch to 5K

Inside of me there’s an athlete dying to get out

Week 4, day 1. Now, it’s getting serious. Of the 21 1/2 minutes of training we did today, we ran 16 of those minutes. Not continuously yet, but still, when I looked at our workout that way, even I was impressed with how far we’ve come. This week’s training includes two 5-minute runs, our longest stretch of running to date. Being the keeper of the stopwatch, I tried to discipline myself not to look too often at the time as it was passing. Such a temptation to watch the seconds tick away.

When we started out this morning, I was a little grumpy. Tired from being awake before 6 a.m. with a fussy baby. Hungry from delaying breakfast till after our run (my usual habit when we run in the early morning). Overwhelmed by our plans for the day after our run. By the time we finished the run, I was in a great mood. My husband says I’m learning what the runner’s high feels like.

Even though my legs were talking to me after the run, I felt amazing. At times, I even felt like my feet were carrying me. Like I didn’t even have to try to make them move. Is that the mental part of running?

I haven’t really been an athlete since high school, far too long ago to admit to here, but I’m sensing that she’s re-emerging. She’s been given a taste of regular exercise again, and she wants to keep it up. And she wants to give it her best shot. To excel. She’s been in hiding far too long.

Welcome back, friend.

Looking ahead

Week 3, Day 3. One-third of the way to our 5K. We ran a new route today, which took us past the seminary and our church’s denominational headquarters, which means we saw lots of people we know as we ran today. Even though we’ve been talking about it, and I’ve been blogging about it, having our friends see us running or walking with the jogging stroller was different. Like we finally went public with our new sport/hobby.

My legs are feeling it more today. Stretching was, well, a stretch today. The kids were a bit cranky and needed some attention just before we left and after we got back. We ran around lunch time again today, not something we’re planning to make a habit of, but we’re being flexible to make sure we get three runs in a week with some rest times in between. So, I feel like I could have had better quality stretching. But I can’t complain too much. I can still walk.

Two days till our next run, the start of another new week. So, we looked ahead to see what we’ll be doing next. It’s starting to get serious. In less than two weeks, we’ll be running two miles. What????!!!!!  One day at a time. I don’t think I’ve ever run two miles. I’m a little freaked out but excited at the same time.

Do you remember your first mile or two miles of all running and no walking? How did you prepare yourself mentally for it, and what did you feel when you were finished?