At the end of this post, I'm going to invite you to join me.
.
I swore I'd never jog, but this being the year of more exercise, I gave it a go, using the iPhone app. And - surprise! - I love it.
My legs are a little tired (I've just had a week's break due to illness). But the rest of me feels just fine.
Better than fine. Fantastic!
- I feel fitter (well, duh). Healthier. Stronger.
- It's exhilarating. I feel happier. Less anxious.
- My posture is better. I get less tired walking, or even standing.
- I've rediscovered my waist, and (oddly) my biceps.
- My heart and lungs are stronger. As I jog longer distances, I can feel my breathing deepening and slowing down.
- I even feel the heat of this very hot summer less!
And (did I mention this?) it's actually FUN! Yes, hard - there have been weeks when I thought, "I'll stop right here" - but fun.
Couch to 5K is a very well-designed program.
Every time I go off-program - take it more slowly, or double up on a day - I realise I was actually ready for the next step.
Sometimes you feel like you can't go any further, but on the whole you make slow, steady progress, and surprise yourself with how good you feel.
So does anyone want to join me?
Let me know in the comments if you'd like to do Couch to 5K. Tell me when you want to start.
And I'll post a little diary of my experience each week to accompany you along the way.
image is by Ed Yourdon at flickr
11 comments:
I'm with you! Looking forward to your diary posts :)
Yay Jane! And you can tell us about how you found it too. :)
Well, in the year of the body I joined a gym - not one with classes, just one that stays open 24 hours a day...not that I go there after dark!! - and have been hitting the bike and the rowing machine. Was wondering vaguely about doing the C25K on the treadmill at some stage. Will let you know if I go for it.
Good work, you.
Mx
Yeah, but it's so much prettier outside! Still, good on you!! My friend joined a gym last year and is thoroughly hooked. Let me know if you decide to join me... :)
Yeah, but it's so much prettier outside! Still, good on you!! My friend joined a gym last year and is thoroughly hooked. Let me know if you decide to join me... :)
Unfortunately I am unable to join the fun since I am living with an un-smart (intellectually challenged, perhaps?) phone so I can't download apps....
I am jogging though, you inspired me to give it a go. Not for 20 minutes, I'd be lucky to do 2 minutes before I'm tired. And I look for places where I'm less likely to be spotted by passing traffic before I break into a jog ;) I had a bit of knee pain to start with which my kind physio husband gave me a bit of advice on, and it has improved so I don't really have any excuse for not trying to jog for longer.
Except that I don't have the app :) :) Maybe it might be time to upgrade the phone....
You don't need the app, Karen, I have two friends who did it together the old-fashioned way: with a plan and a watch! You can get the times online at the link in my post. You'd be surprised how quickly 2 min can become 20 min, and how your embarrassment fades! Though my jog does get a little quicker when people pass by... ;) I'd be interested to hear what advice your hubbie gave, as I occasionally get knee pain too.
Nice one, Jean. I did couch to 5K 3 years ago (after no exercise for 15 years) and am still running, now cycling and swimming too. I'd never have got off the couch if ti weren't for Couch to 5K - so achievable. All the best for your continued endeavours.
I'll join you! I've been meaning to do it for 12 months... I completed the first 'workout' this morning.
Re the knee pain, I should open this comment by saying that you should never take medical advice over the internet and you should always consult a health professional about your own situation ;)
My particular problem is that the front of my foot over-pronates (I have extra support on the inside of my shoe to manage this but possibly need a little bit more). You can check if this is your problem by standing on one of those funky machines at sport shoe shops that see how much pressure goes through different parts of your feet when you are walking. For me, this causes a bit of knee pain if I am jogging and putting too much force through this part of my foot. What I'm trying to do to reduce the pain, and it has worked, is to compensate by trying to walk/jog on the outside of my foot a little bit more. Not too much because that will cause pain on the other side of the knee.
Hard to explain...and not necessarily everyone's reason for knee pain, but just sharing in case it's someone else's problem too :)
My knee's been sore - different issue to yours, Karen - so I'm going to have to take a break in my training, then start slow and build up gradually again. :( But will still post that diary (albeit an interrupted one!). :)
Rebecca, lovely to have you join us.
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