She believed she could so she did

I did it! Yesterday I managed to run for 20 minutes without stopping. I’m still in a state of shock and disbelief. Well perhaps not disbelief, somewhere deep down I knew I could do it, I was just extremely nervous of giving up too soon. But, I’m not one of those who gives up to easily! I really wanted to finish that run and I did.

The entire run/walk (still unsure what to call these C25K sessions) was rather smooth, despite of it being a rather warm day. Here’s a short run-down of how it went:

• 5 min warm-up – How refreshing to get out today after a long day at work. Pleasantly warm and sunny! Feel light as a feather.
• 2 min into the run – Still a bit stiff in my legs, but I’m sure I’ll manage.
• 3 min – This stiffness isn’t going away and my stomach is starting to ache…great.
• 4 min – If it’s going to continue like this I might not even be able to run for 10 minutes. How frustrating!
• 4½ min –  The very least I could do was to focus on my breathing and drink some water. After all it was a rather warm day.
• 5 min – My stiffness was starting to lift! Thank goodness!
• 6-10 min – Well this isn’t too bad!
• 10-15 min – Starting to get a bit tired, time to put in the heavy artillery and listen to Muse (Survival/Madness) and 30 Seconds to Mars(This is War). Badass mode is on!
• 15-20 min – Phew! Almost there, but it’s getting incredibly tough to run in the sun so I’m trying my best to find high hedges or trees that cast some shadow over me. I have absolutely no idea what was going through my head at this point…it was blank! I do actually remember I had some weird idea on what it would be like to run next to horse (Scissor Sisters’ “Only The Horses” was playing at that moment). Went back to reality after hearing that I had only 1 minute left! OMG I could run a marathon (who was I kidding?). A smile started to spread across my face. “Begin your cool-down”. WHAT?! That’s it? I’m done? Ladies and gentlemen, I can officially say that I’ve run for 20 minutes without stopping! I was ecstatic and so proud of myself for not giving up.

At this point my face was scarlet red and flushed from the heat (I’ll spare you from a photo), but I didn’t care…I had completed the most feared day of all the weeks. 5K seems not too far away from now. I’m feeling more motivated than ever. I can’t wait for my next run. Did I just say that? Times are changing…

P.S. It might still require some work, but I’ve just updated the “about me” page section at the very top.

 

Oh my gosh, week 5 is here…

If I’m going to rock week 5, I might as well do it in a Guns N’ Roses shirt

What’s so awful about week 5 I hear you ask? Thing is that it’s dreaded by almost everyone! Before even having started with the C25K running program, I had read several posts on the Facebook page where people were concerned about week 5. As usual week 5 consists of 3 days, but it’s the massive leap that makes the third day so daunting. I’ve already completed day 1 and 2 of week 5, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a lot easier from the previous week. Could it be that my body is to starting to adapt to the increase of time/distance that I’m running? Today I alternated between a 5 min walk and a 8 min run. I was so focused on the running for the first part that I didn’t even hear the app telling me to switch to walking, well until I started to wonder why it was taking so long. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t face any real problems. I just decided to focus on my breathing (which went into autopilot after a while) and listen to some epic music.

BUT (yes that big but is needed!) on my next run I will have to run for 20 minutes! SAY WHAT?!  Yup, I thought that was a mistake when I read that for the first time…but apparently it’s not. *heavy breathing*It’s a rather strange feeling knowing that I have reached week 5, when it felt like years from now not so long ago. Yet, here I am! As many concerns there are, I’ve also read that one shouldn’t really pay notice to the time and that it is possible to run for 20 min at this stage. The key is to settle into a pace that you are comfortable with (turtle-slow in my case) and set your mind on “I’m going to finish”.

I’ve planned to take the bull by the horns tomorrow and just do it! I’m sure I’m going to be really nervous before I head out, but then again who knows I might even surprise myself. Wish me the best of luck! Certainly going to need it… *gulp*

My inner run-hating-teen must shake her head in disbelief

Can I get a hallelujah?! Not only have a caught up with my running this weekend, but today I started my 3rd week and completed the 7th day of the C25K program.

After having taken care of some daily errands yesterday, I decided to drive out (ok my mum drove me) to Ljunghusen, a town located at the south-western tip of Sweden and is notable for its beaches and for its golf course. As it was rather windy yesterday I decided to stick to the trails by the pine forest, golf course (had to duck a few balls *oops*), ridiculously expensive but oh so pretty houses and the nature reserve. Today I included the stunningly white beach (probably the most beautiful beach in Sweden). Sometimes I have to ponder over whether I’m in Sweden or on Bahamas. OK, perhaps it’s not as scorching hot as it is on Bahamas and the palm trees are missing…but this place is blindingly beautiful!

Up to this point I’ve always gone back home after having completed a run. But then I thought to myself, why stop now? Why not just keep on walking and enjoy the scenery. All in all, running and walking combined, I managed to cover a whooping 7.67 km yesterday and 5.11 km today.

Strangely enough, I feel more energized than ever. It must have been the fresh ocean breeze and pine forest air. Could it also be that I’m starting to catch the “runners bug”? Am I starting to enjoy my runs/walks? *le shock* I must say, that rewarding feeling  after having completed a run without giving up is hard to beat. My inner run-hating-teen must shake her head in disbelief! Reading about the so called “runners high” have always seemed like an ancient legend to me, or at least unattainable. However, if I imagine myself in a few weeks from now, I might be a convert that get to experience that sense of euphoria. Only time will tell…

 

Week 1 Day 1

Today I went on my first run! Well, actually it was more of a walk/run, but then again that was the entire point. I think the mistake most of us novices make is to go all in right from the very start and then almost pass out after 1-3 minutes. No wonder many of us give up and despise running for the rest of our lives.

Before starting this blog I had a look around online and I stumbled upon several beginner running schedules. The one that appealed to me the most was the C25K running program app by Zen Labs. The C25K (couch to 5K) app is designed to be easy to use. I just plug in my headphones, press start and follow the instructions. Easy as that! No need to keep track of the program myself and constantly having to look at a clock would just stress me out. I believe that app made a huge difference today. I just focused on my breathing (which is incredibly important) and went on in my own pace.

If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done. That’s going to be my mantra from now on. Being Sunday, I decided it was time for me put away my excuses, head out into the nature and begin my journey as a runner. Some would argue I’m insane for heading out when there’s still snow laying around. But I was also taught that “there’s nothing called bad weather, only bad clothing”. A Swedish saying which can be applied to pretty much anything, unless there’s a storm or a tornado (not that we have those over here) heading your way. Nonetheless out I went, and I didn’t regret it one bit!

The air was so fresh that my nostrils flickered. There’s nothing more relaxing and rejuvenating than heading out to the beach and the nearby golf course and forest for a walk/run.  I’ve decided that each Sunday I will head out to the trail tracks by the sea. It will be a weekly treat. Who knew that trail running could be this much fun! Having to dodge puddles, small rocks and piles a of snow felt like a small adventure.

So how did I manage? Surprisingly well. I managed to follow the 30 min program without stopping at all. I couldn’t  have felt more proud. I have an inkling sensation that my 3 months of practicing yoga/pilates have strengthened my legs, giving me more endurance than what I previously had.  I think when it comes down to it all, it’s all about finding your own pace, controlling your breathing and doing your own thing (don’t compare yourself with others). We’ll see if I continue to feel the same in the days and weeks to come…it will probably get tougher and tougher.

My next run will be on Tuesday and surprisingly enough I can’t wait! If you want to follow my running schedule I’ve created a new page at the very top of this blog called “C25K running program”, so be sure to check that out.

Until next time, take care and run with your heart!