Run, Frema, run!

So! Last week, I signed up for a 5K run as part of a local athletic challenge involving 100 central Indiana businesses. Yes, you read that right. Me, the girl who often gets winded just from climbing up a flight of stairs, the lazy-ass who hasn't run regularly since high school (thank you, varsity soccer) and who has never labeled herself a runner of any kind AND who can't even follow through with a commitment to exercise for twenty minutes a day, has committed to flailing around Forrest Gump style on a 3.2-mile course this September. In front of her coworkers, no less!

I'm nothing if not ambitious. And stupid.

First, some backstory. One thing I've learned in this half-hearted quest to become a healthier me is that I get bored with exercise pretty quickly. For instance, take the Shred. I heart the Shred. I love that as of 5:45 this morning I can say I've lost ten pounds since the end of May. I see the difference in the fit of my pants and the shape of my face. You don't have to convince me that smart eating habits and regular workouts do a body good. I'm living proof, even if on an extremely small scale.

But when times get tough, all this knowing is not enough to inspire the actual doing. So instead of continuing to try and push a square peg into a round hole, I'm simply going to admit that I'm just not into the Shred right now and pursue something that will rejuvenate my interest in fitness again. Which right now is taking the form of a 5K.

Part of me wonders if I'm an idiot to even attempt this. Aside from my above-mentioned stint with varsity sports, my only other experience with running took place about six years ago while I was living and working in Rensselaer and a coworker and I got together on a semi-regular basis to jog through town. On colder days, we ran the track inside Saint Joe's field house. It didn't last long, and I never once progressed beyond the constant huffing and puffing that plagues those at the beginner's level. I never kept track of my speed. Hell, I didn't even LIKE it half the time. But I did enjoy how good it felt to move my body, and I've always admired those actively engaged in the sport--how focused they are on their goals, how dedicated they must be to follow such rigourous training schedules, how effing COOL they look wearing their branded shorts and headbands.

A leaner, stronger body would be nice, too. Running it is.

One thing I've got going for me that I didn't with the Shred is the benefit of a living, breathing partner in crime right in my very own home. Luke used to run in college, and while we can't go out together because of the kids (also, he and his six-foot-four-inch frame would totally leave me in the dust, speed-wise), we've already mapped out a rough, every-other-day schedule to follow, with him starting today and me beginning tomorrow. As Parents draws to a close and we completely revamp our budget to accommodate the loss of income, we can't afford a gym membership or a treadmill, so we'll use the walking trail that curves behind our subdivision. Also a no-go is the purchase of any fancy running gear or clothing, and at first I was fretting over this, because how can I be a successful runner if I don't have a wrist watch to clock my distance or shorts that won't bunch around my thighs or cute little tee-shirts with Nike logos embroidered on them or blah de blah blah blah. Finally Luke was like, "BREAIN. It's called RUNNING. All you have to do is run." Thank you, husband of mine/perspective. At least I have new sneakers, a comfy pair of running shoes I bought last month just before getting the Parents axe.

Like the shredheads before me, I'll attempt to follow the six-week couch-to-5K program outlined here, only it'll be more like seven weeks because even though my first race is slated for Saturday, September 26, I don't want to wait any longer to get started. Luke has one of those Everything Running books I can flip through to figure out what the hell I'm doing, and I'll have the added wisdom from the shredhead archives, too.

Though I haven't even started yet, I already know this endeavor will prove to be a good thing. Not only am I pumped about exercise in a way I haven't been since June, I'm also psyched to do this with Luke. For the last couple of months, we've been allowing the logistics of our everyday lives to get in the way of spending any meaningful time together, and I love that we can use this as a way to stay connected and also get back in touch with our pre-baby counterparts, too. Not that complaining about the size of my ass while watching The Soup in pajama pants and eating sorbet straight from the carton isn't romantic in its own right. (Nothing but love for you, Joel McHale.)

Wish me (us) luck. Or, if you're one of those seasoned runner types, a few tips to stay on track and injury-free.

Comments

[Lar]

Good luck, and FYI you can get fancy running shorts & shirts at Marshall's & TJ Maxx for super-cheap--think Nike shirts for $7.99.

Happy running!

[Liz]

Hm, I'm a much bigger fan of this couch-to-5K plan: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It's more detailed and focuses more on building endurance. Build endurance first, then work on speed. That's the trick. Good luck!

[Katie]

Before I read Liz's comment I was going to suggest you take a look at a different Couch to 5K plan. Then I read Liz's comment and found that we were on the same wavelength :-) She provided the exact link I was going to give you. It's a 9-week program, so you'd have to compress it a bit to fit it in. I did it last year but chickened out on actually ever running the 5K race.

This year, now that I've decided to work on my fitness again, I had made a goal to run the Ragnar Relay next summer. But that goal has been derailed because my husband is moving across the country for a job and we can't afford for the rest of the family to follow yet. In the past when I did Couch to 5K I took all 3 kids with me (1 in a crappy stroller, 2 on bikes or scooters), but I don't think they could do much more than 3 miles. So training for a longer race is out for now. And once it snows, having the kids out on scooters is going to be a no go. So, I'm trying to figure out what to do instead -- run until we can't any more and then do DVDs inside the rest of the winter? I think I'll get bored, but it doesn't seem like there's much choice.

Good luck with your 5K!!

[daddyd]

It looks like that web site has the needed plan for achievement of the goal. But I will say that the hard day/easy day is good idea. Time is need to develop the body. The mind thinks faster than the body grows stronger. Time is many better than distance as a measure.
On race day, start slow and go faster later into the event. Starting fast requires too much energy. That energy is better spent over the whole time of the distance than just at the start.

[harrytimes]

I am not an athlete AT ALL, but I actually really love running. It's so fun to push myself that extra 30 seconds or whatever. I can see a huge difference in my body-- much more toned. Also, I workout in the oldest most atrocious clothes in the world, and running outside is way more fun than the gym-- it's a really budget friendly exercise :)

Good luck and can't wait to read about it.

[Liz]

I can say with certainty that you are NOT an idiot. You'll love it, and crossing that finish line with all those people cheering will feel amazing.

And if you end up needing to walk part of it, I can guarantee you won't be the only one.

[Bev]

Good luck!! You can get cute little t-shirts and shorts at the Goodwill store really cheap and maybe even find some on freecycle..

[AJU5's Mom]

I think your plan is great. My husband and I can't run because we both have bad knees, but we love to hike and ski. Now if we would only make time for those activities... well, I have to wait a few more months, but he is getting ready for the annual 6 mile hike in October and hasn't done any exercise since last year's. So, I don't think you are totally crazy!

[Megan@Blueberry Scone]

Good luck! It's so much fun. When I started running after I had Maureen, I had to do it in little steps, as I was WAY out of shape. I'd run for a block, then walk for a block, then run for a block, etc. Eventually, I upped my running and decreased my walking.

[Cookie]

I wish you the best. I doing the Shred right now and then plan to start the couch to 5K. There is one in November I'm thing of doing, which will be my first. Now if only I could get my husband to start exercising - he's promised to do it with me.

[eva]

Yay Bree! Running is awesome. I recommend TONS AND TONS of stretching after every run though...a good 10-15 minutes, to avoid getting shin splints and other injuries that can really set you back.

Also: the first 30 minutes of every run are the minutes where you're getting into your groove breathing-wise. Once you pass that 30 minute mark you may be surprised to find that you can run forever.

Also: ipod. Or radio with headphones. Or old skool walkman. Whatever...something to set the pace. But not too loud - gotta be able to hear the traffic:)

Have fun!

[Grandma Molly]

Your running plan sounds great. Although I can (could) run fast, I never succeeded at running any distance. Even though lots of equipment is not needed for running, a cute little t-shirt would be nice. However, particpating in these community racing events usually includes a new t-shirt. Even the shirt is not cute, the shirt symbolically proclaims athletic prowess of the wearer.