Tonight was our final run in the Podrunner version of the Couch to 5K program. I’ve been meaning to post updates since we jogging started 11 weeks ago, but never took time to do it, so here’s a quick summary:
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I’ve never been a runner – never had any stamina of any sort – so this was entirely new to my body. I pushed myself many times until I couldn’t stand up and had to keep walking to maintain my balance. This was new in itself; normally, I hate exercise. Although I spent much of my early life doing hard physical labor, I’ve never pushed myself to my limits like this. Of course I could have stopped, taken a break, or even quit, but I really wanted to succeed.
There was also a bit of team psychology going on. I wasn’t doing this for myself, and I wasn’t doing it alone. That would have made it far easier to take it easy on myself. I was doing this with Perry, Lydia and Kaitlyn, and I was definitely the weakest link. If I didn’t push myself hard enough, we might all have to repeat a week because of me. I wanted to succeed for their sake.
As it was, we repeated 2 weeks, taking a total of 11 weeks to complete the 9 week program. But guess what? This last week, instead of running for the prescribed 30 minutes, we’re running 5 kilometers, nonstop. We’re doing it! Our time is lousy. We won’t win any races this week, but now we’re ready to work on speed. For the first time in our lives, we can run 5K! This thing really works!
If you think you can’t do it, think again. I started at 7 weeks post-partum, and I have been a couch-slug for the last 6 years. I couldn’t do it either. I was puffing and blowing in the first week, the week that’s supposed to be easy. I was struggling to do a slow jog for 60 seconds. Many times my “jog” was no faster than a walk. Many times I felt like I couldn’t go on, but I just put one foot in front of the other one more time, and once more after that, and once more…
Every time, I would fall behind my husband and 2 daughters, then they would circle back to join me again. Yes, they ran circles around this old lady.
Twice in week 8, I had to slow for unscheduled walks when I was supposed to be running. I just couldn’t go on.
Some weeks, none of us believed we’d be ready to move on to a harder workout the following week, but you know what? We gave it a shot, and we did it! Now we can run for 30-40 minutes. We are runners!
I’m not asking for a pat on the back. I want to encourage others who may be considering a daunting new challenge: do it! Check your motivation, of course: are you doing it for God’s glory? If yes, then pray for His blessing on it, set your mind and your body to it, and you might be surprised at what you can do.
I still can’t believe I can run 5 kilometers. Don’t praise me; just shake your head in wonder with me.
note: Although we used it, I don’t necessarily recommend the free Podrunner music to go along with this program. While the heavy beats really help keep you moving and the cues to walk/run are key to striking the right intervals in your training, the music isn’t entirely free of lyrics and they’re rather sensual at times. Use your own judgment.
Related posts:
You might enjoy this couch to 5k site: it uses Christian music only. http://www.buriedtalentsband.com/C25K/
I remember what a wonderful, inspiring, unbelievable feeling that is! I too had not been one to ever want to do anything “exercise,” and I was about 9 months post-partum after my third child when I started it. I couldn’t believe it when I ran my first 5k! I agree that anyone can do it!
The question I’ve been wondering…have you lost any weight from all this?
Kelly,
I lost about 8-10 lbs at first. Now I have another 10 lbs. I’d love to lose but it’s not budging. That’s ok – I can see changes in muscle tone all over my body, so I know I’m still making progress. Perry has noticed too, which is even nicer.
Arlene,
I have a couple more posts in mind for the subject, so maybe I’ll share a photo soon. But since I usually wear skirts, you probably won’t see any changes unless it’s a closeup of my calves!
Congratulations to all of you! I became a runner last year and I remember the feeling of “Wow! I can do this, I really can do this!” But, in June when it got hot, I became a 5K walker instead. I’m enjoying my walks and may or may not go back to running. But, It’s good to know that I accomplished the goal of regularly running 5K.
I know you said don’t praise you, but DANG girl, that’s awesome!! I’ve always hated running and working out but know I need to start since my metabolism walked out on me recently. You’re very inspiring!
Congratulations! I’ve been a runner for almost 20 years, and I still find it to be a serious challenge some days–which is why I’m super impressed by anyone who takes it up out of the blue, even when it’s not their “thing.” It would be like me suddenly taking up basketball…or any sport involving hand-eye coordination. (Mine is seriously horrid, I broke my ankle just WALKING BY a soccer ball).
If you’re looking for extra running inspiration, you might want to check out Ryan Hall…there’s an article about him, and how God inspired him to become a marathon runner, in this month’s Outside magazine.
First off, I must commend you: you are an example once again on “stick-to-it-ive-ness”.
Second: thank you for sharing and inspiring me once again.
I look forward to picking up my jogging shoes and giving the couch to 5 K program another whirl.
I agree: the music from the free podcasts was driving me bananas (but that is a lame excuse to stop… I don’t recall that actually being my reason for stopping… but I did stop). But just to get the beat in the background (it does not have to be LOUD)… and start MOVING. That is the key. And being on someone else’s time frame (as the music does set you)…
One possible request: if y’all happen to throw up your own couch to 5K podcast, I would download it for sure!
So when do we get to see pictures of this mom of 10 who started running less than 2 months after her last child was born? I’m curious!
You have to be pretty conservative to have a problem with any aspect of the Podrunner music, seriously. AM radio is more risque. The guys who put all the podrunner mixes together make sure it’s PG-13 at the most, and they’re literally the most popular workout mixes in the world. For a good reason.
I am absolutely shaking my head in wonder…and wondering if I could do the same after our baby comes in December. Like you, I have been a slug for 6 years. Only I think my sluggishness has to be more sluggy than yours since I have 1/3 the children.
Great work. But be careful, I just ran my first Marathon today! That’s right 26.2 miles. My kids and hubby were there at the end to cheer me on. It was beyond an emotional experience.
Yesterday while I was running I was thinking about emailing you about wether or not you were still using this due to the music. I was on week 4 last week and yesterday began week 5. From the beginning I didn’t like the music, but I kept with it because I wanted to have the right running/walking intervals and because my husband and mother don’t think I can finish this, so I’m determined to finish. Glad to hear you made it through!
Thanks to the first commenter who suggested an alternative. I’ll go check that out.
Congrats! So inspiring! I will check out the music from the first comment too
Thanks for the update! I am on the last day of week 2 and can tell my body is “wanting” this. I look forward to it. I hope it stays that way
If you have an ipod touch there is an app called Get Running. You can start listening to any music or podcast on the ipod, then start the app and it will give you the cues on top of your own music or podcast. I love it!
Shyla,
That sounds like the app that Perry and Kaitlyn have been using – he has an old defunct iPhone that he uses as a touch, and Kait has an iPod Touch. I don’t have that option with my Nano.
I usually get away with listening to whatever I want and taking my cues from them while they listen to whatever they want with cues running in the background. We’ve only used Podrunner occasionally. Thanks for the reminder – I meant to mention this option. The app costs about $3, right?
It is right at $3. When I typed in c25k it brought up three apps that all sound similiar. I have two of them and the get running seems to work the best. I like it that the voice gives encouragement and warnings such as “almost done!” and “this is your third run of six, you’re halfway! turn back now if needed.” and so on. plus it works with podcasts which is a great bonus.
They also have ones that are the 5k to 10k transition apps. Are you thinking of doing that?
I have an ipod classic but I make my kids keep my playlist and the get running app on their ipods for when I need to borrow
Just curious, but what type of work out clothes are you wearing since you all only wear skirts?
kay,
We wear mostly skirts, most of the time. Around the house during hot weather we often wear modest shorts and even tank tops. That’s what we wear for running, though a knee length skirt would probably work just fine.
Way to go! Way to go!
My husband, my 4 oldest children, and I are all runners. We all started slowly too, and now for me 3,5 years later, I can’t imagine NOT running. It is the greatest therapy! Running really clears my head. I pray and solve all kinds of problems while running alone. I also like to run with a friend once a week. That is great therapy too!
About modesty…..we do wear shorts (I try to find longish ones) but we wear those tight fitting longer shorts underneath the shorts. They make these in thigh length, below the knee length (my favorite when it is not 100 degrees!) and ankle length. You can get them at Walmart–Danskin brand.
Don’t stop now! Keep up your running.
One more thing…..I don’t run with music anymore. The earphones, the words, the music itself….it all just started to annoy me. I really enjoy the silence while running, or the conversation with those running with me.
Roan,
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m finding that while music was essential to distract me from the torturous process of developing some stamina, now that I can make the run more easily it’s sometimes nicer without the distraction. I’m looking forward to reaching that point where I can really consider it peaceful; at this point it’s still a struggle to make it through, but I can feel myself improving.
I am currently on week one of the C25K program. Yes, I am a total newbie…always a walker before now…trying for the run. : )
ANyway, I just wanted to say that the link for the Christian podcast above works very well. The only problem I have with it is that some of the songs are LAME. Sorry, but it is hard to stay motivated when the songs are so silly. My daughter is doing it also and she is on Week 4. She has also gotten kinda frustrated with some of the songs. We are VERY conservative with our music, so not poking fun at the Christian lyrics at ALL…just wish there was something a little meatier to listen to. : ) I am going to start using just my regular IPOD music and watching the timer on my treadmill for my stop/start intervals.
Great job, Kim!! You give me hope. After 10 kids, I am trying to lose about 25 lbs or so. Thanks for the extra motivation!!
Dawn,
I didn’t want to sound snarky, but I felt the same way about the Christian podcast. It just wasn’t motivating me.
What I really like is to run with somebody who has an iPod Touch, so they can use one of those apps that runs in the background and allows them to listen to whatever they want. Then I listen to some Spanish guitar music and follow the cues from the iPod Touch owner.
Of course, now that we’re beyond week 7 it’s all long runs anyway; no need for timed cues. Just warm up, run, cool down, and listen to what we want. Sometimes we just listen to the coyotes, foxes, and the sound of deer trampling the underbrush. Can you tell we typically run at night?
So here I am, 12 weeks postpartum, and really wanting to make a change. I’m wondering if you are still keeping up with this program?
I just wanted to tell you that I found this today. I started my journey this morning! Like you, I have been rather couch bound for several years, and so, when I made it thru, I was ECSTATIC!!! I’m so glad that you put this up.. and that I found it! Thank you!