Four Sundays ago, I decided to copy my crazy colleague and begin a self-directed Learn to Run program. Her cousin-in-law (to be) had done an official program and was able to give her some pointers. The goal of the program is to have you running for 20 minutes in a 10 minute run, one minute walk, 10 minute run format. The program requires you to get out three times a week and do the following:

Week 1: 1 minute run, 2 minutes walk; repeat 6 times
Week 2: 2 minute run, 1 minute walk; repeat 6 times
Week 3: 3 minute run, 1 minute walk; repeat 5 times
Week 4: 4 minute run, 1 minute walk; repeat 4 times
Week 5: 5 minute run, 1 minute walk; repeat 3 times
Week 6: 6 minute run, 1 minute walk*
Week 7: 7 minute run, 1 minute walk*
Week 8: 8 minute run, 1 minute walk*
Week 9: 9 minute run, 1 minute walk*
Week 10: 10 minute run, 1 minute walk*

*I’ll have to fill in the number of reps later as I can’t recall how it goes.

(Also, I think the program does the walk first, then the run part but I usually walk for a minute or two before starting to run…I have to psych myself up!)

The shocking part is as I enter my fourth week, I have managed to go out three times a week and do the above…in the morning.

I am not a morning person (!!) but I have woken up before work twice a week and done this run (my third day is a Sunday so I have been able to get up later, but still earlier than my usual weekend wake up time). I’m amazed by this, but almost as amazed as I am by the fact that I have been able to progress each week, adding a minute to the running part and making it work. It really is a testament to the resiliency of the human body and its ability to adapt.

Remember I mentioned joining a Learn to Run program? The plan was to join one being offered by a local running club, but the session at that location was cancelled. I (and my crazy colleague) went to another location to try out the first session last week and I wasn’t impressed (though it’s not the running club’s fault): it is offered after work, the location is distant from my workplace, I didn’t enjoy taking the bus in my workout gear, sweaty and out of breath and, it turns out I prefer working out in the mornings, shockingly enough, because I really look forward to the refreshing shower and it’s just a good way to start the day. For those reasons I decided not to join, but to stick with my own program.

I had a concern after the session I did with the group that perhaps I was moving too slowly because I was near the back of the pack. My crazy colleague tried to tell me I was crazy but I would not listen. The instructor was able to mostly convince me that speed does not matter, it’s not a competition, it’s a personal thing and as long as I’m running when I’m supposed to be, and walking when I’m supposed to be, I’m doing just fine.

What I love too, is although I’d love to lose weight with this new habit, it’s not the goal. My mindset is “healthy people exercise regularly, so I’m doing this because I want to remain healthy”. It’s a refreshing way of looking at things and when I combine that with what I’ve learned from reading Women Food and God, I feel like I’m on the right track, even though I ate skittles nearly every day last week. It’s a process.

So, I’m off to begin day 1 of a four minute run, followed by a minute of walking. I’m worried that I won’t be able to do it but you know what? I’m going to try.

Filed under: flab gab, Operation 5K by jummy