Couch to 5K: Reflections

Well now that I am officially done with Couch to 5K, I thought I'd reflect a little--in case anybody is thinking about trying it.

First, I'm really glad I did it. I would have never, ever thought that I could jog for 30 minutes--or that it wouldn't be completely agonizing. I never thought I would be one of the people who knows about that wonderful high you get after you jog your heart out. I feel like this experience also ushered me into a new club of semi-athletic people who actually enjoy jogging from here to there.

As far as jogging for weight loss... I did lose a few pounds. But nothing drastic, and it really didn't happen until towards the end of the program, when I was jogging way more than walking. Remember that this program is only about thirty minutes, three times a week. So you're not going to shed all your excess weight in these nine weeks. But I do think it is a great place to start if you want to become healthier. And I noticed that I also began to eat healthier while doing the program. I started to listen to the cues from my body more, and to only eat when I was actually hungry. I don't know whether that's because the running sort of inspired me to change my diet and be more healthy all around, because the jogging put me in touch with my body in a new way, or something else... But the change is definitely for the better!

I think one of the things that makes jogging so fun is that you get to set little, achievable goals--and it feels really good to meet them. As an adult, I think there are few areas of your life where you can really do this. You're always working on something big. Getting ahead at the job, raising happy kids, working on your house--things that never really have a conclusion. It feels good to be able to say that you want to do something concrete, like run three miles, and then be able to do it.

Finally, once you start jogging you find out that lots of people you know are also crazy about jogging. Before  I started jogging, I'm sure I knew that many of my friends were big time runners. But I guess it wasn't something I thought about much. Now I understand! It's fun to get to share this interest, and to understand for the first time what this passion of theirs is all about.

I'm really excited to run my first 5K next weekend (hopefully not in the snow!), and I definitely plan to keep running!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 27

Last day! It felt strange to run around the track, knowing this was the last day I would have purpose. At least Couch to 5K purpose!

As a special, last day surprise, I was able to shave a little time off my my mile! 11:40, down from being stuck in a 12 minute rut. Woohoo! 

Now here was an even bigger surprise: I thought the computer voice, the one that tells you to walk or run, would congratulate you at the end of the last jog. I mean, c'mon, you made it all the way! I was really wondering about this the whole time I was jogging. What would computer voice say? But all she said was the usual: Workout Complete. That was kind of a surprise and a let down!

I think my next goal will be to add another lap to my jog, until I am up to three miles, so I will be ready for my jog. I will also work on getting speedier, so I can eventually run a 10 minute mile. Doesn't that sound respectable?

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 26

Next to last day! Nothing special to report today. It did not feel very hard, not very easy either. As I ran, I composed the report for an article I am supposed to review. I find when I let my mind wander, the time goes faster and the jog is easier. So I am trying to think about things in my life that need thinking! I ran at exactly 12 minutes per mile, my usual time. It's funny how I fall into this speed, and it doesn't seem to change day to day. My natural speed.

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 25

Well this is the home stretch! This is the first day of the last week of Couch to 5K. All week, I will run for 30 minutes. I had been running for 28 minutes before, so running 30 wasn't much harder. I made it a little over 2 1/2 miles in 30 minutes... not super fast! Something that was nice today is that I had a track partner. Megan went over with me, and she walked while I jogged. You might think that over the course of 30 minutes of running I would have the opportunity to lap her over and over again. Not so! I only got to pass her two times. What the heck? Anyway, it was fun to have somebody to walk with at the beginning and end of the jog.

My 5K Dash to the Finish Line run is fast approaching (November 5th), and I am a little nervous about it already. I figured that I'll finish up Couch To 5K (last day is Wednesday if all goes as planned!), then I'll practice running 30 minutes plus that extra half mile, so that by race day I will be used to running 3 miles. Hopefully the exhilaration of running in a race will give me a little extra speed too!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 24

Today I decided to give my legs a break and go run on the track. Easy-peasy. Except for this run was the toughest on my legs out of any of them! I guess it's kind of astonishing, but with this program, my legs don't usually feel a lot of stress. I'm done with the run, and my legs feel fine. Today my shins are kind of achey. I wonder if it's from running on pavement more? I guess I will take a day off and run on the track again next time!

But the important part is, I finished week eight. Only one more week left! Woohoo!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Dog Day!

Today I went jogging with a new partner, Velo. Velo is our dog, and to be honest, he has been getting a little tubby since we moved to New York. I figured a little exercise would be good for his waistline, but I was also a little worried that he might keel over and have a heart attack if I just made him run for thirty minutes. But I decided to give the jog a try and see how it worked. We could always stop if we needed to.

So is Velo fun to run with? Well, he was definitely an enthusiastic jogger, but he just was not the best running buddy. He kept trying to stop at every tree and post to pee, and I kept trying to reign him in while still jogging, screeching "Heel, heel." I'm sure we disrupted a lot of people's daydreams and peaceful Sunday-paper reading in the park. To be charitable, I think he may have been confused by our pace. To me, we were on a heart-pumping run. To him, we were going for a brisk walk. Why not stop now and then, he thought? Obviously we were in no hurry. He also kept jogging right in front of me, crossing from side to side, so I would almost trip or accidentally kick him every few minutes. Darn dog!

I think I will try to keep taking him out, since he needs the exercise. And he looks like a small wolf, so it is like running with a security detail. Hopefully if we keep trying, he will learn to be a better jogging buddy!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 23

Another 28 minute day. And it wasn't easy to fit in this jog! Usually, I try to go in the morning, right after I drop off Poppy. But this morning it was raining. So I went to work, but skipping my jog put me in a bad mood. Luckily, the rain let up in the afternoon and I was able to make time for a jog.

Today, I jogged inside Riverside Park. The bridge going over 12th avenue is kind of gross (I had to avoid many heaps of dog doo and a used condom), but once I got to Grant's Tomb it was very scenic and nice. I got caught in a a huge mud mess too, and I'm not sure how to clean my shoes without ruining them.

A little while after I finished my jog, there was a crazy rainstorm. So I was lucky to get in and out when I did!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 22

Day 22! It's hard to believe! Today was pretty uneventful. I went to the track and ran for 28 minutes. The highlight of the workout was that I ran my fastest mile so far--11 minutes and thirty seconds. Also, it was exciting because a flock of seagulls came and sort of attacked/landed on the bleachers by the track. The water fowl are really adding an element of danger to my jogs that makes them more fun. Living on the edge!

-Kristin

Had the Commander of the Army Fowl been with you, there'd be no reason to fear.

- Megan Leigh

Couch to 5K: Day 21

Whew! Finally back on schedule! Not only did I complete the 25 minute run, but I ran a little faster than I ever have before! 12 minutes and 30 seconds per mile. Not bad.

There is more exciting new than this, though. As I was lacing up my shoes to go jog, Elliot declared that today was the day. You may remember that weeks earlier I had tried to entice Elliot into joining me in the track by offering to buy him a game for his DS if he could run a mile, no stopping or walking. Well, he decide that it was time to take me up on the offer. On the way to the track, I kept up a steady stream of what I hoped was encouraging, but sobering, advice. "It's so great that you want to run too, Elliot! But don't feel bad if you can't run a mile your first time. You probably need to build up to it." He nodded politely. Then we got to the track, and he proceeded to run a mile. He did it chattering the whole way too. I don't think he was winded at all. When we got to the last lap, he said now was the time to really run, and he took off like a rocket, leaving me far behind.

Then we came home and picked out his new Pokemon video game (the third one) from Amazon. This is a post-run victory picture of him.

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Random Run

So I can't really count today's run as part of the official Couch to 5K program. But it was fun, and it was running, and I'm sure it will count towards the eventual goal! Ben happened to be home when I was ready to leave for my jog, so he came along. We have never gone running together before, so I was excited to get some quality time together--and also to show him up, big time. After all, I've been building up my endurance for months, and he doesn't jog at all. He's always the one that's good at athletic stuff, and I'm always the one that is huffing and puffing and complaining. I can remember one bike ride, in particular, when he had to wait for me at the top of a hill, while I panted next to my bike, a funny shade of green. This time I knew it would be different, and I was looking forward to it!

First, we headed to the track by our house. As it happened, school had just let out for all the neighborhood kids, and they had all gathered around the track to run races and cheer. Now when I see kids in the neighborhood loafing around in front of their buildings, playing their music too loud, or selling drugs, I always think "look at those good for nothing kids. Why don't they get their butts over to Riverbank Park to play basketball, or soccer, or run around or something?" But today, every kid in the neighborhood WAS in Riverbank Park, engaging in some wholesome fun. Immediately, I rued my earlier wishing that must have brought them all here to clog up my track during jog time.

So off we trotted to the greenway. We jog/walked from where we live, in Hamilton Heights, all the way down to 96th street and back. Now I have missed about a week of jogging, because of a bad cold that's finally lifting. This jog was hard for me! And even worse--Ben, who hasn't been doing any couch to 5K program and hasn't gone jogging at any time during recent memory--kept up fine. He went faster than me! It was hard to keep up sometimes, in fact!

Anyway, it was fun to have a partner again--even if I didn't get to show him who's boss on the greenway. And it was a good ease-in back to the program. I can't believe missing a week seems to have made such a difference. But I'm back!

-Kristin

Couch to 5k: Day 20

Today I took it to the streets! Well, I took it to the Greenway. It was a glorious autumn morning, sunny and breezy, a wonderful day to run along the side of the Hudson.

Well, just as I suspected, it is MUCH more difficult to run on pavement than to run on the track. I could really feel the difference in my legs afterwards. And what made things even harder is that the greenway is at an angle, so water can drain off of it, so you end up running on a slight slant the entire time. Not easy either!

It was great to have the wonderful scenery to look at, though, and since I wasn't running around a track I wasn't keeping track of distance. So I just ran, and didn't think about how fast I was going, or how much distance I covered... pretty relaxing! I think I will try to alternate some track and greenway runs. There was also a tiny dirt path next to the Greenway. Maybe I will try that, to see if it is a little easier on my legs.

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 19

Well, I ran for 25 minutes again today... and I will do the same workout two more times. I guess the goal now is to get used to running for that time period!

I ran a tad faster this time. It took thirteen minutes for the first mile and twelve for the second. Not bad improvement over a couple of weeks.  I've noticed that the song that's playing can really change how fast I run, so I guess I should start picking out more fast songs. Any running playlist suggestions?

It felt wonderful to run on a glorious autumn morning, with the sun shining and a cool breeze blowing. My friends the geese were gone today, though. It's not as exciting when they're not around! I'm looking forward to ditching the track one of these days and giving the greenway a try. Maybe this weekend!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 18

Today I ran 25 minutes. 25 minutes! Without stopping! Without walking! I am still going the same speed--about a thirteen-and-a-half minute mile--but today I ran for almost 2 miles.

It was an exciting run today because geese took over the track. At first it was funny. One goose lunged at a college track team guy and made him squeal like a little girl. But then I noticed all the goose poop. I had to weave around it, and it wasn't easy! And then I realized that a goose could turn on me just as easily as it attacked a fast-running teenager... so I got a little nervous. But I think the obstacle-course-type nature of today's jog added a whole new dimension to my workout, one that will come in handy when I take it to the street and have to weave between people. Mean New Yorkers who will lunge at me like an enraged goose. It was probably good practice.

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 17

Today I ran for ten minutes at a time, two times, with a little walking between. No big deal! So I thought I would make things interesting by trying to run fast (for me)... I popped out of the apartment thinking that I would try to run a mile during each 10 minute jog. Did I succeed? No, not even close! As of today, I am running a fourteen minute mile. But whatever--I'm running! Plenty of time to become a speed demon later. It FEELS like I am going fast!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 16

Day 16! After the last workout's insane 20-minutes-long-with-no-breaks jogging, this one was easy. Jog for five minutes, break to walk, jog for eight minutes, break to walk, and then jog for five minutes again. Piece of cake! Since the run times weren't difficult, I concentrated on going a little faster. I was able to keep up a pace of between 2.5 and 3 minutes per lap (or quarter-mile). I actually ended up pushing myself harder this time than last--but it felt kind of good. It's lots of fun to see that I am capable of going way faster and longer than I ever thought possible. Jogging is one of the more fulfilling things I have ever tried!

-Kristin

Couch to 5k: Day 15

I can't believe it, but I jogged for twenty minutes today. I jogged a mile and a half! I would have never, ever thought I was capable of doing it. The last time I jogged, a couple days ago, it was for only eight minutes at a time--and that was my all time best. The only reason I even tried to do twenty minutes today was because that was what my workout said to do. And I had too much pride to not even give it a shot after working so hard on the 14 workouts before this one!

Well I am glad I tried, because I did it. And it was not even that bad. I took it very slow, because I didn't know what to expect, and by the last five minutes I realized I had so much energy left I could run much faster! The feeling I got when I ran a mile--I think it was my first mile ever!--was amazing. And for me to be able to run more than a mile comfortably... I still can't believe it.

I thought it was ridiculous for the Couch to 5k workout to jump from jogging eight minutes to jogging twenty minutes at a time. But maybe they knew what they were doing. What a confidence booster to go from struggling with eight to realizing you can do twenty! I was super proud of myself all day. I can't wait to run again.

Since I ran one mile today, I was able to time my mile for the first time. It took fourteen minutes. I have to get down to ten someday! But for today, I am proud just to have made it that far at all. I figure there is plenty of time to work on speed.

On a sad note, Megan is refusing to run with me anymore. No, it is not because I am an awful running partner. At least I don't think so. She says she is going to find her own running program, and this one doesn't work for her. I think she should just buy new running shoes and come back and jog with me! It's hard and sort of surreal to try and pace myself when I'm running alone on a big empty track. A strange and lonely feeling. Come back, Megan!

-Kristin

I'm very proud of Krugs for running for a whole twenty minutes! I could never even attempt it at this point. I am going to still attempt getting to my 3k, but am making my own plan. One day we will run side by side again!

- Megan Leigh

Couch to 5K: Day 14

Another lonely day of running by myself! Today I had to run 8 minutes at a time, with some walking in between. It was fine, although I don't go very fast. It takes me a little over three minutes to jog a quarter mile--that means it would take me over 12 minutes to run a mile! I try not to let that depress me, though... at least I am jogging. I'll work on speed later.

The weather was BEAUTIFUL, sunny with an autumn breeze, and it felt so nice to be outside, jogging around. I'm so glad I started doing this!

-Kristin

Couch to 5K: Day 13

 I ran by my lonesome today, since Megan is in Oregon attending the Harper event of the decade--Cate's wedding. I am very jealous that everyone is out there having fun, so I tried to run out my negative energy and refrain from thinking about them eating delicious Grand Central Bakery sandwiches.

Today's run was nothing special. I had to run for 5 minutes at a time, three times, with some walking in between. But the week as a whole is insane! I peeked at the plan for the next two runs. On the next workout, I run eight minutes at a time. OK, that seems reasonable.  But the time after that... twenty minutes at a time. WHAT? Where is the gradual increase from eight to twenty minutes? How will I be able to do it? Will I somehow amaze myself? Because I really don't think I can jog for twenty minutes at a time yet! We shall see, I guess.

-Kristin

Couch to 5k: Day 12

A terrible day for running for me! I felt bad in the morning, but went on the run anyway. I ran one of the three minute segments and one of the five minute ones and then I felt super light headed and thought I was gonna puke, so I didn't run the rest of it. I did make myself walk for the rest of the time. though, so my exercise today wasn't a complete waste. Unfortunately, that didn't help things get back to normal as far as not feeling sick. Then, after the jog, I had to go watch a house full of babies not feeling well! That was a more daunting task than running a 5k!

Kristin, on the other hand, did very well! She made it all the way through without me by her side. Way to go!

- Megan Leigh

I can't believe Megan went out to run today. She has been sick all week! I'm glad she didn't puke all over the track. I didn't feel very good today either, so it was a little hard to run... But I am feeling stronger every time. I should emphasize that I'm *feeling* stronger every run. The reality is actually pretty sad. I jogged and Megan ran, and each time I only ended up about one-quarter track length ahead of her. Sad sad sad! Hopefully the speed will come someday.

-Kristin

Couch to 5k: Day 11

Well we have done a really bad job at taking pictures to document our jogs. But we are still really doing them!

Megan amazed me by going out to run even though she is sick. She dragged herself to the track with a big bag of kleenexes. Luckily, she didn't really have to use them. As soon as we finished jogging, she was ready to collapse. As I got ready for work, I heard her wondering to herself how she would get up the ladder to her bed. I think she slept all day. But I am very proud of her for making it through!

-Kristin

I finally got around to making myself a jogging mix. I can't say that it helped a whole lot, but I do think it helped a little! Especially Planet of the Apes by Cibo Matto. I pretended I was hunting a damn, dirty ape. (He got away).

- Megan Leigh