Having my body in better shape would make me feel even more grateful for all the good things that are happening in my life right now. So this week I started to do the Couch to 5K program. With my iPod, runners, and Pacific Ocean at hand, I hit the beach. For motivation, I kept telling myself I would feel great when I finished.
The particular podcast I am listening to is just audio prompts - the voice tells you when to start running, when to stop, and when to resume again. Week 1 routine is a session that includes eight 60 second runs with 90 second cool-off sessions between runs. Repeat every other day. Easy. Running down the beach is great. Not too many people - mostly surfers getting ready to tuck into a wave.
No music while I ran, just the sounds of the waves crashing, and my breathing. It was lovely. When I was finishing up the last leg, I grabbed a stone from the beach to bring back with me. I'm thinking if I do this every time, I should have quite a collection in a few weeks. Annie says I'm weird. She's right.
Update: Since I started C25K in March, I've shed 22 pounds and 4 inches from my waist. Perhaps best news of all, I went to the doc today for a checkup, and I no longer need to take meds to lower my blood pressure.
I cannot believe that it all started with those 30 second runs that left me winded - now I run three 5 mile jaunts a week. Thanks so much for this program! At 44, I feel like an entirely new dude.
Posted by: Eric Rewitzer | October 19, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Davey, just go to iTunes, go to the store, get into the Podcast section, and search for Couch to 5k. You will find it there for free.
Glad to hear you started, too, mg. Small world!
Week 2 began today. Six 90 second runs with a 2 minute rest between. Still very easy, and enjoyable. Instead of stones, when I see an intact sand dollar, I pick that up, and pretend it is my payment for the run.
Posted by: Eric Rewitzer | March 24, 2010 at 09:38 AM
After the weekend I had I am off the drink and exercise mad for an undefined period.couch-5k info please!!
Well done Eric you have the perfect location for your run.
Posted by: David Rossiter | March 22, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Hey Eric, I started the couch-to-5k myself a couple weeks ago. I don't have your snazzy outdoor gym though, just a cow-pat strewn potholed road around my neighbourhood. You win.
Posted by: mg | March 18, 2010 at 01:25 PM