So, I'm about to wrap up week four and I haven't died yet. I haven't even thrown up. I have learned a few things that I thought might be worth sharing:
Sushi and running don't mix.
Little dogs love to chase joggers.
It helps if you know where you're going.
It's easy to get lost in a familiar musical soundtrack and almost forget how much running sucks.
Jennifer had some ingenious suggestions for me. The one that blew my mind (and I consider myself a decent problem solver) was to thread the cord from the mp3 player to the ear buds through your shirt. I wonder how long I'd wrestle with the cord and catch it on my watch and pull out the ear buds and curse and screw up my breathing before I came to that brilliant solution. Thanks, Jen! She also pointed out that it would be helpful to limit side-to-side motion while swinging your arms. Another one of my favorite suggestions: the double knot. I've been tying my shoes for years, but haven't invested in the double knot since second grade. I'm skeptical of Jennifer's last suggestion: nix the cotton. I love cotton. It is by far my favorite material. I'm sure there is plenty of research to back up the stance that cotton is a runner's nemesis, but I'm holding on until I am able to run enough for cotton to catch up to me. I have no doubt that she's right. She did, after all, solve my mp3 player woes.
This brings me to my progress... In the beginning, a minute seemed like an eternity. It's amazing how a little impact can throw your muscles for a loop. I finished up week three in Tennessee along side Jennifer. It was a little more brisk than I was used to- and those hills... What struck me the most was how the lack of humidity seemed to wreck the inside of my nose. I have never (that I can remember) experienced such an uncomfortable nasal sensation. Week three was all about the three minute jog. It turned out to be not as bad as I thought.
Week four brought about the six minute jog. I can do it; I'd like to do it better. I'll have a little time to improve. Week five continues the six minute stretch with varying other intervals thrown in there. I have some level of confidence about the upcoming week. I'm planning to pay much closer attention to the distance/time relationship. The twelve week program (timed variation) relies on the fact that if you can run/jog for a half hour, then you can complete a 5K. I have to be honest... At my present pace, I doubt that the math works out.
I found a 5K to try in January. That will be at week seventeen. It will probably be cold. It will be six weeks before the ultimate 5K that inspired this training adventure. The best part of the January race is that sweet baby Eleanor will be able to run with me.
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