Sunday, May 3, 2009

I Want to Be a Runner.

Have I ever mentioned this? It's true. And recently I just can't stop thinking about it. I used to go for little runs a long time ago when I lived at my parents house. I took women's athletic weight training in high school and they forced us to do a mile run every Friday. I HATED that run, and felt like I was gonna puke at the end of each one.

I just wish I could be a smooth, fabulous runner like all the smooth, fabulous runners out there.

I don't know if any of you saw The Biggest Loser, Train the Trainer episode 17? But... there was a clip of Tara running on the treadmill at the beginning, with Jillian behind her, holding a band around her waist for resistance. (Note: that would kill me.) -- But then they showed Tara after, and she was FLYING on that treadmill. I want to be that.


Okay, in case anyone doesn't know, as of Tuesday, this girl has lost 121 pounds in 17 weeks. I haven't even lost TWENTY pounds in that much time. She's literally lost 106 more pounds than me. And that in LESS time! If anything is a sign that I'm a big, fat, lazy, ridiculous girl, THAT is. Even though I "know" the Biggest Loser method is extreme... why can't I just GO TO THE GYM and work out for long periods of time every day? I have the schedule to accommodate it. I pay for the membership. WHAT is my freaking PROBLEM??

I SUCK.

I read this on OK Magazine's website:

Integral to Tara's dramatic weight loss is her "6-Mile Workout," which consists of: Jogging 3 miles, doing 20 push-ups, jogging another mile, then another set of push-ups, another mile, more push-ups, one last mile and then one final round of push-ups. We're losing weight just thinking about it!

I'm even inspired by how she looks in a t-shirt and spandex workout pants!




So, how to BEGIN running? I sure as heck can't go to the gym today and run five miles. I'd collapse or puke, or have a fit of diarrhea on the treadmilll.

So, I found a website with a good "beginner's guide to running."

Anyone else want to start running with me? Here's the plan:

1. Get clearance from your doctor. (Does anyone actually do this? I've NEVER done this before starting to work out or change my diet. But you're apparently supposed to, so I'll copy and paste it here.)

2. Getting the right running shoes for your foot type is crucial for comfort and injury prevention. Visit a running store to get expert advice on buying the right running shoes. (I need to do this. Right now I just have my regular workout shoes but I WILL be getting real, picked for me, running shoes.)

3. Before you start your workouts, make sure you warm up properly by walking for 5-10 minutes. You should always end your workout with a cooldown.

4. Week one: Walk for 6 minutes, then jog at an easy pace for 1 minute. Repeat 3 times. Aim for three sessions with that same sequence for week one.

5. Week two: Walk for 5 minutes, then jog for 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Aim to do three sessions in week two.

6. Week three: Walk for 3 minutes, then jog for 4 minutes. Repeat 4 times. Aim for four sessions in week three.

7. Week four: Walk for 2 minutes, then jog for 5 minutes. Repeat 4 times. Shoot for four of those sessions in week four.

8. Week five: Walk for 2 minutes, then jog for 8 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Do four of those sessions in week five.

9. Week six: Walk for 2 minutes, then jog for 9 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Try to do four sessions for week six.

10. Week seven: Walk for 1 minute, then jog for 11 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Do four sessions this week.

11. Week eight: Congratulations on making it to week eight! For your first run this week, try walking for 5 minutes to begin and end the workout, and run for 20 minutes in between. By the end of the week, try to run for 30 minutes without stopping.

Aim to run for 30 minutes four times a week, and you'll notice that your stamina and fitness will continue to improve. Soon you'll be ready to run your first 5K!



So... who's with me for the next 8 weeks?

7 comments:

Ashley said...

You know what? One of my biggest goals for this year is to be ready to run Disney World's half marathon in January 2010. I have yet to start a training program and need to get on the ball with it. So, with that said, I'm with you. Tomorrow will be my day one.

Mrs. Bradley said...

I am already with you and didnt even know it. I started the C25K (couch to 5k) program about 2 weeks ago. I wanna run a 5k before July. So count me in. So what do we do next? How do we keep track of each other? Maybe facebook? or sparkpeople? Let me know. I will be back on the run/walk grind later this week after my dentist gives me the all clear. I just had all 4 wisdom teeth taken out on Friday. I am excited about my runners body.

Jennifer Newman said...

You are too funny!!! I have been thinking the same thing since Tuesday's BL episode. Tara is totally inspirational even tho I know how extreme the BL process is. I was a runner until HS when I messed up my knees. This week I jogged a couple of times for short clips. I was looking into the Couch to 5K program. Your program looks pretty easy to follow. I am gonna look into both & let you know!

Thanks for the inspiration!!

Valerie Roberson said...

Those pics are crazy!! Very motivating. I've started doing jogging intervals. This plan looks awesome to me!

Kimberley Bednarski Anderson said...

That's exactly the running plan I used when I started! What gym do you go to? Running outside is too darn hard on my knees now...I'm oooold

starfish264 said...

I think I must be a running maverick - I only started running again last week, and I just pick a route, jog as far as I feel comfortable, then walk until I recovered and repeat - less prescriptive so I don't feel like I'm failing if I can't manage it. But - 3rd run last Tuesday and I ran a straight 15 mins, so something's obviously working! I'm like you though - always wanted to be able to run properly. Good luck with it.

Abrunz said...

I am so glad to hear that you are getting into running, I can tell you from in depth personal experience that it will change the way you look at your own fitness. I joined the Army barely able to do 2 miles, and now I am shopping for a used bike so I can compete in a Sprint Triathlon this summer. Lemme give you two pieces of advice though: #1, be careful about pushing yourself too hard too fast. I don't know how many people I saw get stress fractures and the like from running too much (though what your workout describes would not fall into that category). #2, you may soon find that the treadmill gets boring, I dunno, I did... Try finding cool routes around town. You will get to know your town better, and you can work up some really cool runs. I took Matt on a run when he came up to visit me in Georgia, we ran a big loop up the Chattahoochee, across a bridge to Alabama, and back across to Georgia again. cool runs make annoying, crappy workouts fun.

KEEP AT IT! I cant come shout encouraging things, but imagine me doing so anyway.