5K, Here I Come!

For the last 6 weeks or so, I’ve been doing the Couch to 5K program. It’s a training guide that basically alternates walking/jogging for 9 weeks of 3 x week workouts so that you gradually build up to jogging for the full 5K (approx. 3.1 miles).

I haven’t wanted to blog about it before, because it seems like as soon as I announce to the world that I’m undertaking some new fitness/weight loss plan, I immediately fall off the wagon. But this time’s different. I did slack a little over the holidays, but I didn’t let some small setbacks stop me. I haven’t been beating myself up if I miss a day; I simply do it the next day. And the cool thing is, I’ve been actually enjoying it. I can feel my body responding to the workouts, my muscles are stretching and getting stronger.

The benefits aren’t just physical, though. I love the confidence I’m building by seeing that I can, in fact, be a runner. I have NEVER run in my life. I always avoided it in school, I always thought, “I can’t do that. I’m too weak. I don’t have endurance. I can’t.” I decided to change my mind, decided that, “I can.” Plus, I love getting some time to myself a few times a week.

I’m only on Week 6 of the program, but I’m signed up for my first 5K race, The Cowtown, on Feb. 27. And you know what? If I don’t end up being able to run the whole thing, that’s ok. I’ll just keep working at it until I can.