Couch to 5K: 6 Weeks and Still Growing

Due to a request from Brittany, I'm going to write about my experiences with my 5K training program to this point. Hopefully you will find it interesting or maybe even helpful.

Week 1, Day 1: Oh. My. Goodness. "Today was run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds for a total of 20 minutes. Did I really almost pass out or better yet throw up in front of my friends? You've got to be kidding me." Those were my thoughts as I felt completely defeated after my first run. I dressed in way too many layers and set out thinking it would be so easy. It wasn't. I was hurt.

Week 1, Day 2: Every muscle in my body hurt like I've never experienced. Part of me wanted to quit already, but I decided to push through. I couldn't give up on the second day. When I finished this run, it was wonderful. I felt like I had ran out some of the soreness. The best antidote for sore muscles is more exercise, I'm convinced.

Week 2: This is run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds. I remember the entire time I would stare at my watch hoping the 90 seconds would pass quicker. This is when the "runner's high" began. After we'd finish running, I'd just be so happy. It felt good. Bad, but good.

Week 3: This is jog 1/2 a lap on the track, walk 1/2 a lap, jog a whole lap, walk a whole lap. Repeat. It was incredibly discouraging that the laps would be so hard. I remember hurting so bad. Some days it would be my shins and others it would be my lungs. I hurt everyday, though. I thought everyone could run a lap on a track. Why was it so hard for me?

Week 4: This is what we called hell week. Jog 1/4, walk 1/8, jog 1/2, walk 1/4, jog 1/4, walk 1/8, jog 1/2. We were struggling to run one lap on the track. How in the world were we going to complete 2...twice? This was the most scared I had ever been. I told myself that if I could complete this, then I could complete the whole training program. On day one it was raining and cold. I had a terrible headache. We set out on our journey around the track, and it just happened. Day one was actually kind of easy. I was so excited. I couldn't believe we did it. Day two and three hurt like hell. My lungs hurt, my legs hurt, and I continuously asked myself how it could be so hard these two times when the first time had seemed so easy. Adrenaline? Probably.

Week 5: This is the week we would truly become runners, I thought. By the end of week 5, we would run 2 miles straight. Correction: we DID run 2 miles straight. The first two days were mostly filled with fear of day three. They hurt a little, but we tried to "push" ourselves so that we would be ready for that 2 mile run. When day 3 finally came, it was nothing like I hoped. We had to run inside because of the ridiculously cold whether. That meant 14 monotonous laps on the indoor track. By the end I think we were running so slowly that some people could pass us walking. We were dead...and very very dehydrated.  There was still a huge sense of relief because we finished 2 miles. That was something neither of use had never done.

Week 6: This has been the best week yet. I haven't been sore in a few weeks now. Every once in a while I'll get a shin splint, but nothing major. When I'm running sometimes it hurts, but others I feel like I could run forever. I'm completely amazed that I can accomplish what I can. I knew scientifically my body was capable of it, but I never saw myself actually being able to run a decent distance again. If you would have told me 6 months ago that I'd be able to run a mile straight, I would have laughed in your face. Week 6, day 3 was my favorite run ever. We started the run going uphill. This was the same hill that killed me at the end of week 4 when I had to run alone. This time we talked the entire time. That's a huge deal because when this began I couldn't run and talk at the same time if I wanted to. Friday, we ran 2.25 miles without walking and talked every step of the way. I felt like I could've easily continued to run and even reach my 3.1 mile goal. I want to stick with the program so I didn't push myself any farther, but I know now that I'm a runner. It feels wonderful.

Brittany, I'm so incredibly proud of you for doing this program. I'd give anything to be able to run with you everyday and offer you encouragement as you go. I don't know if this is helpful, but this is my journey the best I can recall it. I know there were more days when I was sore and when the runs were hard, but those days just seem like building blocks to me now. Stick with it. Your body is being whipped into shape and it won't like it at first. It will thank you later though. Keep up the good work!