Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running!
~ Forrest Gump
Ok, I don’t run like the wind blows, and I don’t run everywhere I go, but I am really starting to feel like a runner! Saturday night I finished up week 4 of Couch to 5K, and it went great. My ankles have continued to be pain free since I posted about my earlier running woes, and I can even feel my lungs getting stronger – at the end of the running intervals, they don’t feel like they’re going to explode!
There were 2 things that happened on my run Saturday that I was really happy about, and that made me start to feel like a genuine, bonafide runner:
- The route that I took has one fairly nasty hill. As I was approaching it, I knew I was getting close to the end of my running interval. In the back of my mind, a part of me was really hoping that my running interval would end before I got to the hill so I could walk up it. But as I reached the bottom of the hill, that interval hadn’t ended yet, so I was still running. About 10 feet up the hill, the little chime went off in my headphones telling me I could start walking. But at this point, I had already mentally prepared myself for running up this hill, so I thought “eff it!”, and I kept running all the way to the top of the hill. I was definitely sucking wind at this point, but I felt great about myself for pushing through and doing it!
- When I was reaching the end of the second-to-last running interval, I was still feeling pretty good (certainly not a runner’s high, maybe more of a runner’s medium-rare), so I decided to keep running a little farther into the walking interval. Then a strange thing happened – before I knew it, the chime went off again, and I was back on a running interval, but I had never stopped running from before! So I went ahead and kept on running until I got to the final 5 minute cool down. So at that point, I had run for 9 1/2 minutes straight. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot for those people who are going out and running marathons or competing in a 1/2 Ironman, but it felt like quite the accomplishment for me. When I got home, I measured it out on Google Earth, and during that 9 1/2 minutes, I ran 1.03 miles – a sub-ten minute mile! I was pretty stoked when I saw that 🙂
The other thing that makes me feel like a runner is that I get excited about going out for a run. When it’s a running day, I look forward to it all day. When it’s not a running day, I miss it. Luckily for me, tonight is a running night – I’m starting week 5 of Couch to 5k, which ends with the infamous 20 minute run.
Bring it on!
You are a runner! Way to go! 20 minutes ain’t got nothing on you! Run, Forrest, run!
.-= Debbie@comfycozycrazy´s last blog… Everything will be fine… =-.
Ohh, the INFAMOUS 20 minute run! So happy for and proud of you! Due to my unfortunate sidelining, it’s been just over 2 weeks since my last run. And . . . when I was in the gym today, I realized I missed it. Hopefully soon I’ll be ready to get back at it.
.-= MrsFatass´s last blog… my kind of town =-.
That’s great! I can’t even imagine running ten minutes yet. I can’t wait to hear how your 20 minute run goes. 🙂
.-= Jeremy Logsdon´s last blog… 342: A Four Sticks of Butter Weigh-In =-.
Only a few weeks ago, I couldn’t have imagined it either. I’m really happy with how the program has been coming along and seeing how I’ve progressed. I’ve got the big 20 minute run tomorrow!
Way to master that hill!!! And to break the 10 minute mile barrier is incredible! Way to go, Brandon!
The other thing that makes you feel like a runner is that ARE a runner! I’ll trip you on the track if you think differently.
.-= Tara´s last blog… All Systems Go! =-.
Ha ha – and I wouldn’t expect anything less 🙂
Can you here me clapping while I read this? Cause I am.
And you know where so many people started that are running those marathons and such? Yup, right here where you are realizing that you got WAY more in that tank than you ever gave yourself credit for it.
I do believe the traditional celebration for the 20 minuter is to do the Rocky, top of the steps dance to Eye of the Tiger. You know, so you’re prepared 🙂
.-= Rita´s last blog… What You’ve Been Missing =-.
Thanks Rita. It does feel great to push yourself and see yourself accomplish something you didn’t even know you had in you.
Oh, and I am ALL OVER doing the Rocky dance 🙂
You are definitely a runner. The bug has bit!
.-= AndrewENZ´s last blog… Weigh-in #20 2010: So near! =-.
I feel like I just found a great community of blogs. I read your post on get fit slowly. I’m preparing for my second 1/2 marathon in July. I’m also working on my weight. I’m down over 20lbs in the past 7 weeks. I look forward to making the journey with you.
.-= Micah´s last blog… Mexican Pizza =-.
Glad you found my blog Micah. It definitely is a great community of folks we’ve got here – always ready to give a few kind words of support, or a swift kick in the butt if that’s what you need!
I think it’s time to taper yourself from C25K and just run Brandon style. But then again, that’s just me. I don’t function well with programs. I lasted one day on C25K interval-training style. I just want to run when/how long I want to.
By the way, I am SO STOKED for your 5K and super proud of you for signing up. That’s the spirit. You will rock it. The thing about running is just to realize that you CAN do it, that the only thing stopping you from running is YOU. You don’t need a ball, a court, other people, to enjoy it. All you need is you.
Ooo, another tip I’ve been stealing from Runner’s World is to focus on breathing through my abdomen. Apparently it helps with breathing efficiency 🙂 I focus on my natural core movements more now than I do with my lungs, and somehow that distracts me from the “I’m gasping for air” feeling.
.-= Jess´s last blog… Day 105: A New Best =-.
I agree that I’ll probably start tapering myself from C25K soon, but at least for now, I think I’ll stick with it a bit longer. I actually like having a strict program to follow for something like this. Otherwise, I know how I am, and I’ll go out there and try doing far more than I’m ready for, and probably end up hurting myself. C25K forces me to make the progress at a slow, sustainable pace. Although, even with that, as I talked about in the post, I’m still finding myself either completely skipping, or at least cutting short, the walking portions.
I am totally stoked for my first 5K. I would have loved to do one sooner, but my entire month of June is pretty much already booked up, so I had to wait until July. Oh well, I’ll just be extra ready to rock it by then 🙂
Wow, that is one awesome workout. And I bet it felt great. I’ve had runs like that. I had one this morning, it was SWEET. Keep up the hard work. I’m glad you are still not having any pain. That’s awesome.
.-= Lynne Garcia´s last blog… We are the Champions!!! (Yup, love me some Queen) =-.
Hey Brandon! Those are some really great accomplishments. Your progress is awesome! I love it when I manage to do that extra 5 minutes of running or a cardio machine, it’s totally motivating!
.-= Carla´s last blog… A beautiful weekend in Ottawa =-.
Great job. And yes, the 20 minute run at the end of the week sounded hard, but really wasn’t. Look at it this way… It’s just five or six songs. Pick good ones and you’ll glide through it. Good luck!
.-= fit36.com´s last blog… Running Update: I’m Back, Baby! =-.
I think you could practically be WALKING and the fact you miss running on the days it’s not scheduled makes you a HARD CORE RUNNER
but thats just what I THINK 🙂
.-= MizFit´s last blog… No Excuses! part 3 coming tomorrow! =-.
Well I definitely put a lot of stock in what you think – and it sure makes me feel good to hear you say it 🙂
Awesome.
Nice, that’s awesome man!
Without taking away from you, I was excited that I walked a mile in 12 minutes about a week ago. I remember a year ago I couldn’t even jog a mile in 12 minutes, now I can walk that distance and I felt pretty good about that. 🙂
.-= Jay´s last blog… Officially Bellow 200 Pounds – 139 Pounds Lost =-.
That’s awesome Jay, it’s great to see all these changes like that in our lives, now that we have chosen to live healthy and get fit.
isn’t that a great feeling when you can push past the dinging!!! I have put C25K aside and now have been just running since I am outside it’s so much easier to go farther. today I did .82 of a mile which is crazy to me since I am still repeating week 3 on the treadmill.
you are doing fabulous!
.-= marissa´s last blog… Weigh In the “ONEDERLAND” edition =-.
Great work Marissa! I agree, it’s much easier to run outside. It’s just so much more enjoyable getting out with the fresh air and having the different scenery to look at, as opposed to running indoors on a stationary treadmill. Of course, I’m going to have to get used to doing that during the winter here, unless I want to go outside for a run when it’s -10°F!